Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2001)
NOTICES Redistricting Committees Outline Statewide Public Hearing Schedule The Senate and House committees charged with redrawing legislative and congressional district boundaries in Oregon have outlined their schedule for taking public comment on redistricting. In addition to taking public testimony during committee meetings at the State Capitol, the committees will travel around the state to get input from Oregonians. The two committees are working in a bipartisan manner to receive public testimony and will travel to at least 11 different locations around Oregon during that time. “As we consider the possibilities of where district lines may be located, we want to hear ideas from as many citizens as possible,” said Senator Steve Harper (R-Klamath Falls), chair of the Senate Rules and Redistricting Committee. The 2000 Census shows that Oregon grew by nearly 600,000 people since the last census in 1990. The legislature has the responsibility of redrawing legislative and congressional district boundaries to reflect the growth of Oregon’s population and the movement of people from some parts of the state to others. Our committee members and other legislators are eager to hear suggestions and reasons from the public for moving legislative and congressional district lines,” Hood River Site Pursued for Gaming Facility from Spilyay Tymoo in Warm Springs, Ore. (reprinted with permission) The Tribal Council, by a vote of 10-0, decided to pursue the possibility of building a gaming facility on trust land located in the Columbia River Gorge just east of Hood River. Tribal Council directed the Gaming Board of Directors and other tribal officials to move forward on the Hood River site, which could generate annual gaming revenues in excess of $100 million. The trust land overlooking the Columbia River east of Hood River could be developed for gaming purposes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The 40-acre parcel is located just off the area’s most heavily traveled highway (Interstate 84) approximately 60 miles from downtown Portland. Early efforts to build a casino in the Columbia Gorge focused on tribal fee lands near Cascade Locks. Local residents supported the idea, but the governor would not approve the project, as required under the Gaming Act, so Tribal Council has decided to pursue other options. While some residents in Hood River have vocally opposed a tribal casino in their county, the property in question lies outside the city’s urban growth boundary and is exempt from strict land-use regulations specified under the Gorge Scenic Act. Even more importantly, the 8 □ Siletz News □ property can be developed without the governor’s approval. Most of the hurdles associated with the Hood River property have to do with construction. The trust parcel is situated on a steep slope that will require considerable excavation to create a suitable building site. Planners have estimated the cost of building a two- story gaming facility, six-level parking structure, and related amenities at approximately $150 million. Offsetting the lofty price tag associated with development are the equally lofty projections of potential income. Forecast studies suggest gross annual gaming revenues could top $130 million annually. The site’s close proximity to Interstate 84 and easy access from Portland make it a prime location for tribal gaming facilities. Several issues related to development of the Hood River property have yet to be resolved. The Gaming Board is currently trying to obtain legal access to the site, securing additional engineering assessments, and negotiating with state and local agencies having regulatory authority in the region. Tribal officials will hold public meetings to discuss strategies for gaming expansion in the months ahead. April 2001 said Rep. Carl Wilson (R-Grants Pass), chair of the House Rules, Redistricting, and Public Affairs Committee. “Our goal is to develop redistricting plans that will effectively represent all Oregonians,” said Senator Peter Courtney (D-Salem), vice-chair of the Senate committee. “This is an aggressive effort to get out into the communities around our state and discuss their ideas for boundaries,” said Rep. Richard Devlin (D-Lake Oswego), vice-chair of the House committee. The committees will meet at different locations around the state on the following dates: April 3 - Newport April 6 - Coos Bay April 10-Eugene April 13 - Hillsboro, Beaverton, Gresham, Portland April 17 - Oregon City April 20 — Woodbum Time has also been set aside each week to accept public testimony during regularly scheduled committee meetings - Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2 p.m. (House Committee on Rules, Redistricting, and Public Affairs) and Thursdays from 3 to 3.30 p.m. (Senate Committee on Rules and Redistricting). Please contact committee staff for additional information on procedures to submit testimony at any of the above meetings (Cara Filsinger, House staff, 503-986,1627; Craig Allen, Senate staff, 503-986-1763). The legislature will use criteria as outlined in law for redistricting legislative and congressional districts. The criteria include contiguity, equal population, use of existing geographic or political boundaries, not dividing communities of interest, and connection by transportation links. The criteria also require that no district be drawn for the purpose of favoring any political party, incumbent legislator, or other person, and that no district be drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any language or ethnic minority group. Community Craft Night Date: Tuesdays 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Location: Siletz Tribal CommunityCenter, Government Hill Please bring projects you are working on, to share how-to’s and join in this community social gathering. Materials are not provided. Project kits are available for a small fee, from 50 cents to $8 and up. Only a few “rules” please • No persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs • Youth 17 and under must have an adult attend with them • Respect yourself and others, be honest and kind Possible resources to cover cost for materials could be accessed, to develop cultural awareness, encourage family bonding, etc. Please contact the following programs to see if funds are available: Tribal: Alcohol & Drug, Culture, Head Start, Indian Child Welfare, Prevention, TANF, SIHA, etc. Non-tribal resources include Lincoln County Housing Authority, Commission on Children and Families, churches.
