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