CHAIRMAN S REPORT
The Siletz Tribal Council completed
another important cycle involving the
excess pledge revenues (EPR) budget
process. As we have explained in previous
issues, the EPR refers to revenue
generated by Chinook Winds and made
available to the Siletz Tribe for tribal
purposes after all operating and other
necessary expenses have been paid.
The current EPR budget process
involved funds received by the tribe
from January through December 2003.
The council met with and listened to the
general manager, program directors,
and other staff who described their ac
complishments, goals, and funding needs.
As the council listened, we were
made acutely aware how numerous and
pressing our unmet tribal needs are. We
wished we had sufficient funds to meet
all the needs expressed by staff, but
unfortunately we do not at this time.
As you can imagine, the council’s
task of prioritizing and allocating to the
To the editor:
Vietnam Memorial
We would like to take this time to
say “thank you” to all the tribal elders,
friends, and family who took the time
to sign the beautiful card. It was very
thoughtful and heartwarming.
Our daughter, Bev Youngman,
represented those of us unable to attend.
We would also like to thank Cheryl Ben
for her part in the lighting ceremony. It
couldn’t have been easy for her, either.
Also, our thanks to Douglas Brown
for the printout and carbon and
little flag.
Thanks to Rose Bremner for the
hard copy inscription.
Thanks for all the photos. The
Color Guard and the bagpipes. Thank
you, Tony Molina.
There is also a Vietnam Memorial
going down to Nye Beach in Newport.
Paul’s niche is No. 11 and stands
for fidelity.
Sincerely,
June and Bill Austin, and all our
family, including Youngman,
Austins, Hatches, Pettits, Simmons,
and Rilatos
To the editor:
It started for me when I was 12. The
year was 1972 and the election was
Nixon-McGovern. My sixth-grade
social studies teacher, Ms. Moore,
asked the class to divide by who would
vote for each candidate and it ended up
that she and I were the only ones on the
McGovern side of the room.
We spent the next hour and much
of the week debating the merits of the
two candidates - it was a time I’ll never
forget. Perhaps my first sense that the
minority can often be right. My first
taste of a Jew standing with a black
person, my teacher, and how that
dynamic could work.
Chairman Delores Pigsley
I don’t think I’ve missed a presi
dential election since then - Carter,
Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton 1 and 2,
Gore, and now Kerry. The elections
have always been important, but I’ve
never felt that the results could actually
endanger me physically.
I’m now concerned that this admin
istration may “accidentally” push the
button or take us to war unnecessarily
again. At 43,1 don’t believe this country
can afford another four years of George
Bush & Co. It's just too dangerous for
Americans and the peoples of the world.
Sincerely,
Albert Kaufman
numerous programs and services the
limited EPR funds that are available to
us is extremely challenging.
The budget process for the period
beginning January 2005 also has
already begun.
Recently, I and other Oregon tribal
representatives met with Sen. Gordon
Smith in Portland. He invited us to this
meeting and all of us were given time
to discuss our tribal issues with him.
I took this opportunity to specif
ically relate to the senator the critical
health care needs of the Siletz Tribe and
the fact that almost all tribes are in a
crisis situation because of diminishing
appropriated funds from the Indian
Health Service.
All of the chairmen took the oppor
tunity of thanking Sen. Smith for the
support he has given tribes on various
Indian issues.
Regarding the Chemawa Station
property, I am pleased to report that we
continue to meet cooperatively with
the Grand Ronde Tribe on a regular
basis. We are very close to beginning
the development of the property.
As for the tribe’s relationship with
the city of Siletz, we have had a joint
meeting of the councils to discuss
police protection and water issues.
The Tribal Police Department
strives to provide coverage with only
three police officers. Since it’s not possible
for them to provide full 24-hour
coverage, however, their schedules are
adjusted so they can be as accessible as
possible under the circumstances.
Our police officers currently are
funded through a Department of Justice
grant that is limited to three years, after
which the tribe must bear the cost of
Siletz police protection. The fact is there
is more work than can be handled by
three officers with all that goes on in
Siletz and the surrounding area.
The city of Siletz also has serious
water issues that the tribe and the Siletz
City Council must address. These
involve the high cost of water and what
must be done proactively to assure that
current and new developments, in
cluding housing, have sufficient water
to meet the needs of all residents.
Congratulations!
Chief Judge
Graduates from
Judicial Center
Students Make
Honor Roll
atSVS
In 2002, The National Judicial
Siletz Valley School staff is very
College and the Bureau of Justice
excited to see all of you again as the
Assistance created the National
new school year starts. We are all
Tribal Judicial Center, located in the
looking forward to a fun and
National Judicial College at the
rewarding year!
University of Nevada, Reno.
The college has a certificate
program in tribal judicial skills,
The following students were
named to the second semester (2003-
2004) honor roll. Congratulations!
which requires 35 credit hours. On
June 7, 2004, the National Judicial
Grade 6, 3.5 to 3.99 GPA: Tim
College informed Chief Judge Calvin
Lindstrom, Loy Marthaller,
Gantenbein that he had graduated in
Tieman Pettit, Chris Williams, and
this program. He is the third judge in
Joe Wilson
the nation to graduate from this
course of study.
Grade 7, 3.5 to 3.99 GPA: Dillon
Blacketer and Netalia Coats
Appellate Judge Robert Dickin
Grade 8, 3.5 to 3.99 GPA: Levi Bolt,
son is enrolled in this program and
Chyann Payne, Mark Tom, and
expects to graduate in 2005.
Shelby Wallace
September 2004 □
Siletz News
□
3