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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2000)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: Regarding the recent ballots sent to Siletz Tribal members, there are a couple details that tribal members need to know before voting. First, the Tribal Council has been receiving some fringe benefits for a number of years without having voter approval. The medical and dental coverage has not been given to Tribal Council before now. It is not coincidental that since Contract Health Services has been cut, the Tribal Council wants medical and dental for themselves. Nor is it coincidental that they are asking voterà for our approval during this time of outside scrutiny of the behavior of the Tribal Council. The real issue may be a proposed salary increase and personal comps, without a history, a definition, and no explanation; this ballot is really just another blank check. Secondly, regarding the alcohol service in the casino showroom. Remember about five years ago, tribal members overwhelmingly voted that no alcohol be served at the casino. The casino has served alcohol all of these years; it has been against the vote of the tribal members. I am also concerned about the fact that asking the members to make an advisory vote conflicts with the constitutional requirement that General Council votes are binding upon the Tribal Council (Article VII, Section 2, Referendum). Thirdly, there was no notice given about this election. Finally, to top all of the current confusion, Jessie Davis, Tribal Council member, reported during the elders board meeting that the ballots were sent out in error, the timing couldn’t be worse, and she wouldn’t vote for it herself. The Election Board chairman, Nancy McCrary, had apparently jumped the gun. She couldn’t be reached for comment. What can be done to avoid this kind of bungling? The only solution is to remove the election process from individuals who put their personal interests ahead of professional conduct and have our tribal elections conducted by a professional election firm. Denise L. Peterson To the editor: To the Siletz Council and members, I would like to personally thank each and all of you for your thoughtfulness and hours of work in preparing such a scrumptious meal for all of those and my family after the funeral services for my daughter, Clarice. Many traveled many miles for the final goodbye to our loved one. Your hospitality will not be forgotten. May God bless each and every one. Sincerely, Myrtle Davis To the editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank some people who have helped us with funding our girls’ basketball team (Hotshot’s). First, I d like to thank the Tribal Council and the Ad-Hoc Committee members for their donation of $250. That money helped pay our fee for the summer league out at The Hoop in Salem. Also, we’d like to thank all our other sponsors and the families of the kids we coach. All of this wouldn’t be possible without your support and dedication to your kids. During our summer league season we had eight wins and one loss; we finished our season on July 12. Playing at the 3-on-3 Hoopla Tournament, we played during the first three rounds, but were eliminated by the second day of play. It gave us a lot of opportunities to watch and learn from more-experienced teams. Again, thank you for all everyone has done for us. And if I missed anyone, we appreciate and thank you as well. Sincerely, Willie Worman and family Hotshot’s girl’s basketball team To the editor: rules for the General Council to follow. For Who is the tribe? According to instance, if there were General Council headlines, ‘The Siletz Tribe” violated gaming bylaws, one rule could be a procedure for laws. Delores Pigsley notified tribal when Tribal Council seats are all vacated at members that the National Indian Gaming the same time. Pigsley and Dorsay wrote in Commission findings are unsubstantiated! March that reducing the quorum would be Compared to the detailed Notice of (Tribal the answer during crises, but obviously it Council) Violations given on the Internet site isn’t, because a quorum of 0 is 0. NIGC.gov, it appears that the Tribal Council Another needed rule is for the annual is not taking the NIGC seriously. financial audited reports to be published with Who is the tribe? Take the ballot to give the General Council. Look at the casino the Tribal Council benefits, AKA medical/ financial statements given to us over the dental, and compare it to recent cuts in years — none of them were the audited health services. Put that next to NIGC’s reports. What financial information was notice of $138,000 in personal benefits for hidden? Perhaps the net revenues are Tribal Council, AKA casino comps, and non-existent? remember the Tribal Council denies any The Gaming Revenue Distribution Plan wrongdoing. It looks like the Tribal Council has been presented over the years as being is “the tribe.” The answer should be 'The required by the NIGC. The NIGC only tribal members are the tribe.” approves tribal distribution plans when there Tribal members are going to take is a per capita payment from net revenues. losses for illegal activities of tribal Our tribe does not have a per capita plan. If government and its enterprises without we wanted to as a tribe, every dollar of having any direct involvement or control. casino profit could go to pay for just one thing The tribal members are the tribe. There is that could benefit every tribal member, as no check-and-balance system between the long as it fits anywhere within the five three branches of tribal government. Those categories. For example, medical coverage branches are General Council, Tribal for every tribal member is possible without Council, and Tribal Court. General Council NIGC approval. has remained unorganized all these years Siletz Tribal government needs a because our legislators, being Tribal complete system of checks and balances. Council, have never passed General It needs bylaws for the General Council. Council bylaws for our approval. Who is the Siletz Tribe? Tribal members are! For the tribe to fulfill its constitutionally Let’s organize now' orovidea triba; government, tnere must be Cynthia Viles
