Siletz news /, January 01, 2001, Page 6, Image 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/NEWS
My people.
Yes, it has been a while since I have put an article in our newsletter,
which doesn’t mean I have tiptoed away into the night. I had been told by
several parties that my articles were getting personal and retaliatory,“witch
hunting’’ and finger pointing.
Politically, our whole country is based primarily on a two-party
system. And so is our tribe. Now, that’s not a bad thing, but politics are
more or less one party telling another they can run the country (or tribe)
better than the other. So, when I as a candidate choose to plead for your
votes, I feel it in my best interests to inform you as a voter of just what is
wrong with the present regime.
My number one issue is education. I feel that the present Council is
not doing all it can to enhance our student programs. We need to use the
casino money set aside for education now! Council is cutting program
monies, while the casino funds sit in an account. I promise to work to the
best of my ability to change this.
We also need to start moving toward economic development. Our
only “iron in the fire” is the proposed RV park in Salem. We need to
diversify and start branching out into other fields other than our casino.
The money for future developments is also in an account. We need to use
it now! I will promise to work toward a fully developed program.
After the health fiasco, it is very apparent some changes have to be
made. We cannot keep having a million dollar shortfall every two years
or so. We need to put policies and people in place to assure the success of
a full-coverage health program for all of our tribal members. So, these
are some of the problems facing us, not in the near future, but now!
I feel it is time for some of the people on Council to leave. It is time
for new minds and new ideas to be brought forward. I feel I am one of
those who can do this for my people.
Thank you,
C.W. Case
Jim Kikumoto Hired as Chinook
Winds General Manager
Jim Kikumoto has been hired by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians as the general manager for Chinook Winds Casino & Convention
Center. Officially hired on Dec. 21, he will actively assume his position
in mid-January 2001.
According to Siletz Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley, he was selected
as the general manager “because of his experience and background in
regulation and the managing of other casinos.” The Gaming Board of
Directors was particularly impressed with his style and leadership abilities.
Kikumoto has held several senior management positions in Nevada
as well as the Midwest. His experience is extensive in all areas of casino
operations, with diversified background in management styles and
philosophies. He has firsthand knowledge of all casino games, having
worked on the casino floor himself at the beginning of his career.
Kikumoto has served as casino manager of the Red Lion Inn &
Casino in Elko, Nev., as well as Cactus Pete’s Resort & Casino in Jackpot,
Nev. He has held the position of general manager at three casinos: Treasure
Island Resort & Casino in Welch, Minn.; Cactus Pete’s Resort & Casino
in Jackpot, Nev.; and most recently Prairie Knights Casino & Lodge in
Fort Yates, ND.
Pigsley praised Games Director Jim Lorson and Advertising Manager
Chris Steinbach for the marvelous job they did during the six-month period
between June and January, acting in the capacity of assistant general
manger and general manager, respectively.
“Chris and Jim accepted the challenge to run the casino as a team
when Gordon Dickey left in July of this year. This allowed the Board of
Directors to devote adequate time searching for a new general manager.
They are to be commended for their leadership throughout this
transition period.”
Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center, located in Lincoln
City, Ore., is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians of Oregon.
See additional
Chinook Winds
information
on pages 28-31.
Eddie Collins and Benny Marzan sign autographs for children at the
Veterans Day ceremony at Siletz School.