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.
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Please type or write legibly. Letters
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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
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Deadline for the March issue is
Feb. 11. Photos are encouraged.
Everyone loves to see photos of events,
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Don’t forget those birthday or
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