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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2006)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT On Feb. 4, the Siletz general election was held and I am proud to say it went very smoothly thanks to the tribe’s ded icated and competent Election Board. Credit also must go to our voting membership that takes part in our elec toral process as responsible citizens. Unlike some nations in other parts of the world where elections have recently been fraught with conflict, violence, and uncertain futures, we are blessed with an electoral process and resulting tribal government of stability and continuity. The election brought back three members who are not strangers to the Tribal Council. Reggie Butler was re elected from among the three incum bents. Frank Simmons returned to the council after an absence of a few years and Jessie Davis, who was unseated last year, regained a seat on the coun cil this year. I want to personally extend my welcome and congratulations to Frank, Jessie, and Reggie, each of whom will serve three-year terms. Based on their experience, knowledge, and dedica tion, I know they will make important contributions to the mission of the tribe. I look forward to working with all three of them. As for the officers of the council, Bud Lane was elected vice chair; Phil Rilatos, treasurer; and Lillie Butler, sec retary. I was again elected to serve as tribal chairman, a position I accept knowing that this office carries with it awesome responsibilities. In addition to internal Siletz Tribal issues, as tribal chairman I will con tinue to be involved in intertribal issues. As vice-chair of the Oregon Gaming Alliance, I will work on critical gaming Phase II will include a restaurant, a travel center, and possibly a hotel and retail outlets. Both tribes, however, have en countered some difficulty in obtaining financing for the second phase because of a problem involving the deed. We are working to get that problem re solved, which likely will take congres sional action. Councilman Bud Lane and I recently visited with the Oregon congressional delegation, including committee staffers in Washington, D.C., to pave the way for appropriate legislation in support of this project. We were assured of their commitment to assist us in this effort. Delores Pigsley Included in this issue at the bottom of this page is a report of the pay and expenses incurred by each and every council member during 2005. Council members were paid $10.33 per hour for work on the council and for ex penses according to tribal policy at the same rate paid to tribal employees. I am providing this report not only in response to specific questions from many tribal members, but also to keep our commitment of full disclosure. Keizer Station Charter School Progress The development of the joint Grand Ronde/Siletz tribal project known as Keizer Station is moving steadily ahead. By June 1, it’s expected that all el ements of Phase I site development will be completed. This involves the infra structure, the loop road, and underground utilities, including water lines. Principal Van Peters reported at the January meeting of the Tribal Council that Siletz Valley School students have Tribal Council Report Card 2005 Travel Reimb. Lodging Council Member Report Cards issues that affect - and endanger - all Oregon tribes. I also have taken the lead on Oregon’s intertribal Meth Task Force, an issue of major importance that af fects all tribes and that I referred to in previous issues of Siletz News. This was a specific agenda item at the last con ference of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. In closing, I would like to touch on a few other items that I’m sure are of interest to our members. Airfare Car Rental & Registrations Total Parking Fees Dee 15,976.28 10,004.48 3,734.00 1,025.87 2,565.00 33305.63 Lillie 7,798.49 5,131.23 2,725.68 569.60 1.690.00 17,915.00 Reggie 7,370.05 0.00 2,095.88 0.00 1,830.00 11,295.93 Bud 2,481.69 1,674.26 2,015.00 0.00 0.00 6,170.95 Dave 7,190.33 2,563.03 1,364.80 105.25 175.00 11398.41 Loraine 5,197.62 1,569.22 1,853.80 24.00 990.00 9,634.64 Robert 1,135.98 839.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,975.08 Phil 4,776.52 286.83 0.ÍX) 0.00 0.00 5,063.35 JoAnn 5,075.94 1,825.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 6,901.19 2.669.38 increased their math and reading abili ties, as reflected in their scores, by leaps and bounds. Scores from the 2003/2004 school year as compared to 2005 are as follows: 2004 57% 65% 32% Reading Math Science 2005 91% 89% 71% The low marks that the school re ceived were in attendance. With 151 students, the attendance rate is at 90.7 percent compared to the state rate of 94.2 percent. It’s important to remember that just two years ago. Siletz School was doomed to be closed. The county school board already had made that decision. It took the determined effort of community members, including concerned parents and the Tribal Council, to succeed in keeping the school in Siletz. Van, a highly respected BIA edu cator, was brought out of retirement to coordinate the establishment of Siletz Valley School. He also was persuaded to serve as its principal. Van reported to the council that in response to the desire expressed by many community and tribal members, the school is laying the groundwork for incorporating a high school program in September 2006. The program will fill an important educational need and is another accomplishment of which we can be proud. Some SiletzTribal Children Need You! The Indian Child Welfare Program needs good homes for temporary and long-term placement for some of our Siletz Tribal children. Foster homes and homes for relative placements are needed, both locally and within the 11- county service area. If you are thinking of becoming a foster parent or relative placement, or just have questions, contact Sandra Simmons at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1275, or 541-444-8275. Packets on the certi fication process and information ses sions are available upon request. Most Often Requested Numbers Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians 1-800-922-1399 Jessie 1,281.75 987.63 0.00 0.00 400.00 906.75 822.58 603.78 0.00 0.00 2333.11 Salem Area Office 503-390-9494 Jane Rosemary 1,854.43 1,320.67 0.00 12.75 0.00 3,187.85 Salem Finance Office 1-888-870-9051 57,002.90 23,893.40 13,789.16 1,724.72 7,250.00 Portland Area Office 503-238-1512 Eugene Area Office 541 -484-4234 Total Expense Salaries Hours 1 Amount Pd. I 1 . Dee 2,341.50 24,183.47 Lillie 2,077.00 21,451.67 Springfield Siletz Tribal Head Start 541-747-0161 Reggie 2,116.00 21,853.14 Contract Health Services (CHS) 1-800-628-5720 Bud 570.50 5,893.27 Siletz Community Health Clinic 1-800-648-0449 Dave 1,410.00 14,565.31 Loraine 940.50 9,715.37 Siletz Alcohol and Drug 1 -800-600-5599 Robert 518.50 5,356.14 Chinook Winds Casino Resort 1-888-244-6665 Phil 1,318.75 13,622.70 Chemawa Health Clinic 1-800-452-7823 JoAnn 1,185.25 12,242.64 Jessie 235 .(X) 2,421.86 for 1 mo. Bureau of Indian Affairs 1-800-323-8517 Jane 210.50 2,173.48 for 1 mo. Web Site www.ctsi.nsn.us Rosemary 154.00 1,589.62 for 1 mo. March 2006 • Siletz News • 3
