LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
The “Hate Dee Club” and its leaders have apparently forgotten the reasons for our
tribe being able to be restored.
The reasons: Tribal members had alcohol and/or drug problems, needed health
care, were dropping out of school, weren’t getting good-paying jobs, and needed housing.
Some of our people were successful in their personal lives and were usually the
elected tribal leaders. Although we had people in many different occupations and even
businesses, the base needed to help our tribe to be immediately successful was limited,
and the demand by tribal members to be boss, who had limited or no experience in business,
government, law, or dealing with people, happened to be a good cause for mistakes to
be made.
Frank Simmons has always said, “If you aren’t doing anything, you won’t make
mistakes.” That still applies.
We have tribal members who met minimum requirements, but through their own
efforts have become valuable reasons for our tribal success. If any tribal members can
honestly say that they have not made mistakes in their lives, they can probably also walk
on deep water.
The members of the “Hate Dee Club” argue very well for the protection of government
and tribal member rights, but the real reasons for wanting control of tribal government
became very apparent when they were the Council majority - they wanted to get back at
or even with people they said did them wrong. I guess it’s OK to accuse people of wrongdoing
so that when you get in power, it makes it OK for you to do things illegally.
They lost the court cases that were started against them when they were in power.
One woman “Hate Dee Club” member said the Council spent money wrongly in settling
the cases out of court. I totally agree. The Council should sue the former ‘lab five” for the
money the tribe had to spend because of their actions. The recalled, former, and one
current Council member got off totally, without any penalties in the recall and out-of-court-
settled cases.
The accusations being made by the “Hate Dee Club” are very serious and should
only be settled in a court of law to determine if something is illegal or wrong. If you cannot
prove your accusations in a court of law, you are guilty of spreading vicious rumors and
lies. In the non-lndian world, you would have been in court for what has been publicly said
and written.
To all tribal members I repeat: It is important that you learn how tribal government
operates so you will know if a problem exists and will have ideas to help fix the problem. It
is your responsibility as a tribal member to help our tribe be successful. Otherwise, you
become part of the problem.
Bensell Breon
To the editor:
(On May 20), Oregon Coast Community College conducted final practical exams
for 29 students who had completed the Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course.
At the end of the day, 28 students successfully passed the practical portion of the
EMT certification.
This critical part of the testing could not have been completed without the assistance
of the EMS workers who donated their time to make all this possible. In fact, there were so
many volunteers for this year’s event that we turned away several individuals who wanted
to help. We applaud this selfless dedication in helping make Lincoln County an even better
place to live.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals for volunteering
their time: Chris Fairchild, John Slinkard (Depoe Bay Rural Fire District), Heidi Funkhauser
(Newport Coast Guard), Jason Bruster, Rick Crook, Guy DiTorrice, Joey Novello, Mike-
Samples, Olivia Snell (Newport Fire Department), Nicole Cleland, Carol Gundlach, Pat
Lohr, Keith Marquand, Linda Martin, Carolyn Mooney, Vince Stafford, Kim Waggner (Central
Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District), Scott Rupp, Rick Smith, Amanda Fahy and Luis
Castello (Pacific West Ambulance), Peter Benjamin, Patty Benjamin, Becky Kowalski (Seal
Rock); Gary Ricketts (Siletz Fire District); and Craig Griffith (Toledo Fire Department).
It was a fitting culmination to National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Week
that ran May 14 through May 20.
Pat O’Connor, President, Oregon Coast Community College
‘Editor’s Note: Siletz Community Health Clinic staff members Tabitha Ebner
and Brenda Robertson both have completed their basic EMT training. They have
passed the practicums and soon will take the written test.
2
LETTERS, DEADLINES
AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
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P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380
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e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Please note:
The general
manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-
in-chief of Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Deadline for the August issue
is July 10. Photos are encouraged.
Everyone loves to see photos of events,
tribal members, and especially babies.
Don’t forget those birthday or anniversary
wishes for loved ones.
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