LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
To the editor:
Another election has come and gone,
and the bungling and disregard of the
election ordinance continues, like tribal
employees assisting in mailing the ballots.
I thought that was the job of the
Election Board.
There
was
no
notification
or
explanation to the members as required by
the tribal election procedures. Four hundred
twenty-seven
tribal
members
overwhelmingly voted “No” to fringe benefits
for the Tribal Council, with only 128 voting to
approve it. On Aug. 5, during the General
Council meeting, when asked by a tribal
L to r: Matt Baker, John Lenssen (Oregon Department of Education
Violence Prevention Specialist), Jimmy Williams, and Lisa Brown.
member about the “No” vote on fringe
benefits, Bonnie Petersen stated, “We’re
Youth Conferences Scheduled
keeping the 401(k) because the IRS
approved it.”
What? Then why were we asked to
vote? Because their tribal attorney, at a
Jan. 14, 2000, meeting, informed Tribal
Council members of the unconstitutionality
Oregon Team Leadership Prevention Institute
Adventures (Camp)
Dates: High School - Sept. 23-26; Middle School - Sept. 28-30
For more information, call OSSUM at 1-800-678-7956 or Lisa Brown at
1 -800-922-1399, ext (B33, or 544-444-8333.
of receiving fringe benefits without the
Halloween Party
approval of General Council, as they had
Date: Oct. 28
This is an alcohol-, tobacco-, and other drug (ATOD)-f ree event. People suspected
of being under the influence of ATOD will not be allowed. Once you are in the door, you
stay - no leaving the dance.
Food, beverages, and games, plus a DJ with karaoke sessions. First thru fifth prizes
for adult karaoke; first through third prizes for youth karaoke, plus best costume prizes.
Volunteers are needed. Contact Lisa Brown at 541-444-8238.
been receiving 401(k)’s for a number of
years from the tribe.
And furthermore, since when does the
IRS displace the electoral power of the
General Council? Apparently, Bonnie
Petersen and other Tribal Council members
believe the authority of the IRS supersedes
the constitutional authority of the Siletz
General Council - voting members of
the tribe.
ATOD Prevention Conference
Youth involved in leadership roles are encouraged to attend.
Date: Nov. 3-6
For more information, call 1-800-822-6772 or 503-945-5763, or Lisa Brown at
1 -800-922-1399, ext 333, or 541 -444-8333.
Their attorney said the General Council
must decide - so General Council voted on
Girls Summit
it and said “No”! This is now a Siletz law:
Adults working with young women (age 9 to 20)
Date: Nov. 8
Location: Portland
Girls Conference: Same date and location
For more information, contact Jill Dale, Lincoln Commission on Children Families, at
541-265-4114.
“Salaries for Tribal Council members do not
include fringe benefits.” Yet Bonnie Petersen
disagrees. I don’t think so! Her decision to
ignore the vote of tribal members
demonstrates absolute contempt.
We deserve better treatment. Tribal
Council must abide by the vote of the
members or resign.
Denise Peterson
6
Oregon Peacemakers 2000 Youth Conference
Date: Nov. 14
Location: Portland, Springfield, La Grande
For more information, contact 503-988-5610
1 -800-922-1399, ext 333, or 541 -444-8333.
or
Lisa
Brown
at