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
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Siletz News
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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.