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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2005)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: Hello tribal members. My name is Loraine Y. Butler. I’m requesting your support tor a seat on the Tribal Council in 2005. I’m very proud of our tribe and the accomplish ments we’ve achieved since restoration. I live in our tribal housing in Siletz and have worked for the Siletz Tribe for 10+ years. I have the opportunity to talk with numerous tribal members at my job in the Enrollment Department. The health care issue is a main con cern for tribal members living outside the 11-county area. Tribal members living in Siletz also feel the crunch. Until our Tribal Council can find a health plan that works for all tribal members, they need to delegate enough money in the Contract Health budget to help all tribal members. Health insurance costs are skyrock eting all over the country. The Tribal Council could start helping by provid ing tribal members who work at Chi nook Winds Casino with health care. This would not only benefit the Con tract Health program, but also would be an incentive to work there. The casino was built to employ tribal members, but each year the num ber decreases. I've been to council meet ings where tribal members ask the Tribal Council for help because of issues at the casino. The Tribal Council’s response is they don’t want to get into personnel issues. They say that a lot of times when a tribal member comes forward with a To the editor: I would like to thank Chief Denis Bosque, Officer Kay Spang, Reservist Trainee Jack McCord, and Reservist Trainee Jon Duarte for their quick and effective response to the break-in at the Siletz Gas & Mini Mart. This break-in took place in the wee hours Sunday morning, Dec. 12. Officer Spang was the first on the scene. She secured the area, preserved evidence, directed people as needed, and really took charge of the situation. Jack McCord was close behind, helping Kay in a myriad of ways. Jon Duarte and Denis Bosque weren’t far behind. I watched our tribal police team methodically and meticulously gather evidence, index it, and file it. Finger 4 • Siletz News • To the editor: complaint, the Tribal Council will go to bat for them, only to find out the tribal member didn’t tell them the whole story. A lot of times tribal members cannot pass the drug test or have missed a lot of work. But what about tribal members who have legitimate concerns? Some one should be there to hear them and deal with the problems if possible. Our Tribal Council needs to address our housing problem. I know of six fami lies in the Siletz area who are homeless. Our waiting list for housing and Section 8 is years long. All our hous ing money comes from government funds. The Tribal Council should allo cate some of our gaming money for programs to help subsidize rent for tribal members who work in minimum wage jobs who cannot get into tribal housing and cannot afford the high cost of housing. Why is there no housing in Lincoln City? The tribe purchased 20 acres years ago that was for housing. If we had housing there, it would not only open up apartments here in Siletz, it would make it more convenient for tribal members to work at Chinook Winds. We are a great tribe. We have a lot to be proud of. But our tribal members deserve health, education, employment, and housing. Let’s get back to basics. We need to take care of our tribal members who are in need of these things. Thank you, Loraine Y. Butler prints were taken, blood evidence was gathered, pictures were taken, measure ments were taken, and on and on. As a tribal member, I am proud to have such a well-trained and dedicated police force. I am thankful that they truly “protect and serve.” It is my understanding that they have suspects in custody as this is writ ten. Thank you Denis, Kay, Jack, and Jon, for a job well done. I would also like to thank the staff at the mini-mart for their professional ism and efforts in cooperating in the investigation, cleaning up, and getting the store back open. Way to pull to gether, crew! Good job all! Dan Lundy January 2005 I am declaring my candidacy for Tribal Council and asking you to vote for me. I have served as your represen tative on council for almost 10 years. Some issues that have been of importance to me are education for any tribal member who wants to go to school, housing, buying land to expand our reservation, elder issues, and our tribal children. Please read my article in the voter’s pamphlet for more information. Once again, I ask you to vote for me in the February election. Rosemary B. Landis To the editor: Holiday greetings to all of you! My name is George F. Siniscal and I would like to take the opportunity at this time to let you know that I will be a candidate for one of the positions on Tribal Council in the upcoming 2005 elections. As many of you know, I was a can didate in the 2003 election and again in the 2004 election. Well, “never say die,” here I am again for the 2005 election. I sincerely hope you all had a very nice holiday and I wish all of you the very best for the upcoming year. Speaks Out Loud, George Siniscal To the editor: Fellow tribal members, My name is Jane John and I am seeking your support and vote for Tribal Council. I was one of the nine council mem bers involved in many tribal projects: the community center, the administra tion building, the clinic, housing for tribal members, and our Chinook Winds Casino. I can remember when we held our council meetings at the Siletz Grange Hall. So when members say that the tribe has not progressed, they have not taken all these facts into consideration. Education is a high priority. The tribe has assisted in the reopening of Siletz Valley School. Each year, we up the amount we put into the education fund for higher ed, AVT, and special classes. Economic development is probably the next priority. The tribe is now the largest employer in Lincoln County. We need some type of business that will give more tribal members an opportu nity for employment. Federal cutbacks and attacks on tribal sovereignty are a constant threat. We need to be actively involved with national Indian organizations so that our programs and funding are protected. Siletz must have a progressive and communicating council that addresses the tribe’s priorities and goals at all times. Thank you, Jane Irene John Council Campaign Decline 2005 Council campaign, I do not step away in fear or fear loss. With my many years of service, it is at this point in time to take another look and challenge myself to quality, not quantity. I have issues that are near and dear to my heart and it is with this thought I realize my goals that share common denominators in Indian Country. I will be semi-retiring from the corporate business world. I also have been given an opportunity to write a book while pursuing motivational speaking opportunities. I feel what I have to offer at this time is best served, given wings to fly, a voice that encourages and optimisti cally challenges, ears that hear the smallest whisper, proud humble descendancy, eyes that see what is good and what is not. All of the above enrich my pen that can be mightier than a sword, as gentle as a child’s heartbeat. I hope my tribal people will utilize my potential along this new adventure. I can promise you it will be an uplift ing journey. Respectfully, Eva E. Clayton
