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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2002)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: On behalf of the Giving Tree Committee, we would like to thank the wonderful staff and community for once again pulling through to help 55 of our tribal children have a memorable Christmas! Thank you to Denise Jordan and the Toledo Elks Lodge for all their hard work, donating the baskets, and delivering the gifts for us. What a great program! Our community is fortunate to have such a wonderful organization! Thank you to Ray Blacketer for sharing his office with us and to Caroline Easter for letting us use the front desk for signatures and gift drop-off. We couldn’t have done it without you! What a rewarding experience to be able to contribute to our tribal children at Christmas time. Thank you for letting us be a part of it. Tamara Morrow and LaRita Lundy To the editor: I would like to say “thanks” to a few people. On Aug. 1, 2001, I had surgery and was amputated below the right knee. After I came home, I fell twice and the second time I fell, I broke my ankle to my good foot. The doctor would not do surgery nor would he put a cast on my foot. He said that this would do more harm to me since I was a diabetic. This happened before I could start my prosthetics therapy, so everything was put on hold until my ankle could heaL I understood that some people were able to get a hospital bed, whirlpool, had their homes remodeled for handicap, etc., so I asked for help to get a lift-chair, but I was denied help. I have a hard time transferring from my wheelchair to a chair and back out again. This put a lot of strain and weight on my broken ankle and I have no foot on my other foot for balance. I had a hard time trying to get help, but I knew this would happen to me. I would like to thank Cathy Rasmussen for helping me to get a ramp for my door so I could get in and out with a wheelchair; and my aunt Joan Washington and cuz’s Vance, BJ, and Brian for the lift-chair and for bringing it from Salem to Siletz. Thanks for keeping your eyes and ears open; this lift-chair makes it so much easier for me and I appreciate it very much. I would like to say a special “thanks” to all those who prayed for me while I went through this illness, surgery, and now recovery. I have a long ways to go, but I will walk again. I will never say “no” to a prayer and I thank you. Respectfully, William Stanley Strong To the editor: I was pleased to see the list of Tribal Council candidates grow this year. As a tribal member, I believe that it is good to see more participation in the process than less participation. Running for Tribal Council takes a big commitment. I’m sure that each candidate considered this before they submitted their name. It is my hope that everyone will support tribal participation in the election process. To do otherwise would be a shame. I’m sure that others have read of governmental processes that do not allow full participation by everyone and even hold unfair elections. I hope that our tribal membership will strive to support the candidacy of those who wish to submit their name on the ballot. Each voting tribal member will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the three candidates that they choose. I encourage every eligible tribal member to participate in the process and hope that each candidate will value this experience. Sincerely, Laurie Brown-Godfrey To the editor: I am writing to the newsletter again to ask that you vote with your heart for Tribal Council members who work for you. We have heard so many things, such as “I will do this.” We all share in the same offerings the tribe has for us; changes will come as we can afford it. We have had to buy everything we have and still are paying for much of it. Pat D. thinks we can do more and she will work for and see that we do. The jobs she has had do not tell you the wrongs that were done and the sneaky ways they were done; many untruths are there. She resigned because she did not want to be recalled. The tribal chairman has the right to put forth a name or names to fill vacancies. This is voted on by the rest of us. There was no accountability on high lawyer bills, excessive travel, and time reports. They were completely out of control; I personally saw them. A couple people on the Tribal Council now have their noses in Pat’s hip pockets. She hears all the confidential things. I would bet that everything we do or say is reported to her. I hear it from people in Portland who talk to her. We are a professional group. I have never heard a bad report on any of the other eight. If you want this tribe to move forward, you will vote for the incumbents. They know where we are and how we got there. Respectfully, Mary A. (Dolly) Fisher LETTERS, DEADLINES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Siletz News Letters Policy Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, is published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about stories printed in Siletz News and other tribal issues. All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks, or unsubstantiated statements. 2 □ Siletz News □ Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh February 2002 Send letters to: Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380 The newsletter is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12 annual subscription fee applies. Fill out this form and mail it with $12 (make check payable to Confederated Tribes of Siletz) to Siletz News. 541-444-8291 1-800-922-1399, ext. 291 Fax: 541-444-2307 Name:____________________________ Address:__________________________ e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Phone: (____ )______________________ Deadline for the March issue is Feb. 11. Photos are encouraged. Everyone loves to see photos of events, tribal members, and especially babies. Don’t forget those birthday or anniversary wishes for loved ones. Change of address: Tribal members call Lisa Norton, enrollment clerk, at 541-444-8258; all others, call the newsletter office at 541-444-8291 and leave your new address with the editor.
