Siletz news /, September 01, 2000, Page 4, Image 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
Craig Dorsay, tribal attorney, prevented
my letter to the editor from being printed last
month, even though it contained similar
information that was printed. He claimed I
“may be subject to appropriate legal action.”
I have Tribal Court judgments of
approximately $3,800 against me to pay
Dorsay’s legal fees already paid by the tribe.
Thus, I am simply stating documented facts
and posing questions for tribal members
to consider.
At the August General Council meeting,
Tribal Police Chief Norman Counts, on duty
and armed, was present for the entire
meeting. Why? I informed the membership
that, in March 1999, Norman Counts came
to my home in Portland and threatened to
arrest me for theft. He has no jurisdiction
anywhere other than reservation land. With
these “goon squad” tactics, can any tribal
member anywhere feel safe?
Also at the meeting, this “renegade”
council stated that Craig Dorsay blamed me
for initiating the investigation that led to the
Notice of Violation (see www.nigc.gov). I
responded that it is untrue. I have
documented proof that the complaint came
from the casino by someone who, according
to the National Indian Gaming Commission
(NIGC), wishes to remain anonymous for
fear of retaliation. Who would you believe -
someone who has proof or someone who
cannot substantiate the claim? And speaking
from experience, I believe the “messenger”
has cause to fear retaliation.
Delores Pigsley, Bonnie Petersen,
Dolly Fisher, Rosemary Landis, Gerald Ben,
Jessie Davis, Jane John, and JoAnn Miller,
along with Mike Darcy, have been ordered
by NIGC to personally repay amounts
ranging from $1,043.46 to $2,868.23 to our
casino. Because they have refused, NIGC
is now assessing fines of $25,000 per day
per violation that the tribe (in essence, tribal
members) must pay. How could these eight
individuals so callously put our casino
at risk?
And are you aware that funds in
Contract Health Services will be depleted
by this fall, leaving tribal members without
health care coverage to the end of the year?
Why haven’t gaming revenues been used
for tribal members, especially for basic
health care needs?
How did our tribe get into such a state
of despair? According to the Ethics Code,
“Members of the Tribal Council will maintain
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To the editor:
Accountability. What can we do when Council doesn’t specifically address questions
and concerns put to it? Or when Council and administration control the attorneys, the
content of the ordinances, the money, and can do as they please? What can we do when
Council won’t hold its managers accountable for their mistakes just as tribal members/
employees are held accountable9 Or when Council won’t fund Court adequately or create
“fair” ordinances? Or if they do create Courts, but don’t fund them?
We can bitch at General Council, write letters to the newspaper, or go to federal
agencies that control the contracts we manage. If Council chooses to not respond to
these questions in a forthright manner, it necessitates that action.
Do we want to do that? I don’t, but will if need be.
It’s ironic that it was stated that the NIGC actions violated the tribe’s “due process”
rights when it’s the Council that is proposing to limit due process rights by a constitutional
amendment that would allow Council to control Tribal Court.
What about the third-party billings money at the clinic? How much money was in that
account and where did it go? We are talking about at least a couple million dollars. Instead
of vague statements regarding our budgets, tribal members have a right to all information
and to hold individuals accountable.
How many tribal members have been fired, or denied services, or had services
discontinued because they violated a “rule”? Has anybody else noticed that Councilpersons
or managers are rarely held accountable for their mistakes? Why? As most of us know,
rules are for those who have no political connections or the wrong ones! We have created
an authoritative, chain-of-command structure and the “bosses” want tribal members/
employees to follow the rules, which is fine but it goes two ways. Managers/Council members
must be held accountable also, or disharmony and low morale are created.
The problem with Council being the Board of Everything is it turns the system into a
popularity contest and politics. When Council began naming itself as the Board of Everything,
there were some who argued against it, stating that it created a conflict of interest. After
recall, this argument was forgotten and Council continued as the Board of Everything. This
issue with comps reflects the conflict of interest. If Council would write and enact a strong
Council ethics ordinance, these issues would be dealt with.
Next month I will submit an idea about creating a districting system that will reduce
block voting and family-controlled Councils. Nine districts would be created and anybody
could run for them. They would represent the interests of that district, in addition to
tribal-wide issues.
Ray Blacketer
To the editor:
high standards of honesty, integrity,
impartiality, and other ethical and moral
conduct and to avoid any actions whether
on or off duty which could reflect adversely
on the Tribal Council or the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon. The
elected position of Tribal Council is one of
taking action in the interest of
General Council.”
Think about it. President Nixon
resigned when he was caught. Think
about it.
Sincerely,
Pat Duncan
What is a rumor? It is something that
is made up about someone that is not true.
A rumor can hurt family lives and ruin
reputations. Why do people listen to rumors?
Either they are bored and have no life or
their lives are full of “in the closet stuff.” I am
a firm believer that “he who is without sin,
cast the first stone.” I thank God that he is
my judge and not people.
Joella Strong