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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2007)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I happily attend most General Council meetings and have for a num ber of years. At the last two General Council meetings, 1 was troubled by some of the statements made during tribal member concerns. I grew up admiring my Tribe and my Government, in the early years in my life, I served in Government. Our council meetings were always open and members were allowed to speak, just as they are today. Members then were much more respectful than are some who speak today. I am dismayed that two members show such little re spect to us, the General Council. Tribal Council members often get criticized and blamed for many things. The Chairman was blamed for the man ner in which she chairs our meetings, which by the way are chaired the same as they were years ago. I feel that tribal members in the audience were also being chastised for not having written rules for people who attend. Out of respect for our ancestors 1 hope that the meetings continue in the same way they always have. For those that insist on written rules and proce dures, let them learn like I did. attend the meetings, learn by example, be re spectful and don't try to hog the mi crophone. If enough tribal members want rules or changes it will happen, it doesn't happen for just a handful. Our elected officials dedicate a lot of time to tribal business; that is why we elect them. I appreciate their devo tion. Let's support them and not be so negative, life is too short. Respectfully submitted. Gladys Bolton Tribal Elder To the editor: On November 10th, imagine my surprise when 1 opened my mail and found a ballot containing a referendum re questing a 51% salary increase ($10.86 to $16.43 per hour) for our Tribal Coun cil. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, they want tribal members to add to that 51% increase a benefit package of an un specified amount. Even though this is just an estimate, costs could range any where from 20% to 31%, which would bring the hourly wage up to $19.72 at 20% and $21.52 at 31% (again an estimate). I will not vote for a salary increase that is so excessive it almost seems ob scene, given the problems that our tribal members face daily trying to put food on the table, finding decent hous ing, refraining or recovering from drug and alcohol abuse, obtaining proper medical care and medicine, finding work and on and on. It seems to me that the mind set of the Tribal Council is, to quote Marie Antoinette, “Let Them Eat Cake,” as they merrily go on with their privileged lives while so many struggle with theirs. I do hear of some Tribal Councils who (oh my) don’t take pay and just receive per diem and travel pay as they do the work for the good of their tribes. Since that isn't in the cards for our Tribal Council. I would like to see them be more realistic in their future requests for pay raises - 51% just doesn't get it, especially given their track record of late. Don't they realize we are keeping track of their recent business failures - the only thing that seems to be holding up is the Casino. Yes, we keep a record and we do use a calculator. Unfortunately for the Tribal Council, things do not add up to a $16.43 plus fringe benefits raise! Sincerely, Julie Chavez Dear Tribal Members: I am Cynthia Farlow, #58 Tribal Elder. At the General Council meeting on November 3, 2007, 1 announced my intention to run for a seat on the 2008 Tribal Council. Through my life expe rience I will bring a wealth of positive business and legal knowledge and ex perience that will be an asset to our Tribe. It is an honor and my pleasure to work with and for our Tribal Elders these past years. My family members and Tribal Elders have suggested over the years that I run for Tribal Council and now after discussing my decision to run, I am pleased to say they are giv ing me their 100% support. Our Tribe is very important to me and I believe there is always room for improvement. I am willing, able and capable of serving on Tribal Council. Please support a fresh perspective and vote for me in the upcoming 2008 Tribal Council election. Thank you. Sincerely, Cynthia Farlow 541-994-7979 cynfarlow@aol.com To the editor: I would like to see the 1994 Com prehensive Plan, as well as the 2005 Plan posted on the website. Our Tribe works hard and has accomplished some of these goals. Posting plans online would enable Tribal members to offer feedback on ideas/concerns re garding solutions. Note: 1994 Plan had no measurable timelines specific to objectives. So it’s of ones own personal interpretation if we did indeed “meet” the goal. Steps towards progress '94 plan: Casino, Elders Recreation/Activities Program. Staff representative. Outreach Program. Health Orthodontal. Medical Supplies/Distribution, Eye Glasses. Health Prevention Activities, Home Health Care, Nutrition Education, Edu cation Incentive Program, Employment Tribal Construction Crew, Part-time Elders employment, Job developer position, Cultural Heritage Museum/ Interpretive Center, Culture/Language Program/workshops, Retrieve Tribal Artifacts, Build Long House, Housing Senior Housing Complex, Siletz Rental Apartments, Low-interest Housing Loans, Transitional Housing, Increase Disabled Housing, Natural Resources Protect water resources, maintain Tim ber Plan, Recreation Gymnasium, Ser vice Expansion Maintain members re source list, Communication Elders Advisory Board, Computer network, Program reporting, Telephone system. There does exist a number of unmet goals that aren't discussed. This isn't acceptable, it’s a disservice to Tribal members when elected representatives and administrative staff fail to provide details regarding inadequacies. Eco nomic, Establish Native American Gift Shop, Research/Develop Aquaculture Project, Grocery Store/Siletz, Market- ing/Research Entity. Property Manage ment Enterprise, Elders Care Facility, Assisted Living Program, Financial Assistance Program, Health Health In surance, IHS spouse coverage, Educa tion Tribal Intern/Mentorship Program, Employment Year-round Youth Em ployment Program, job mentorship, Tribal member job referral bank. Hous ing Youth Group Home, Emergency Housing Shelter, Natural Resources Protect Water Resources, Tribal Rec reation Area on Cultural land. Tribal Forest preservation program. Environ ment Protection. Aquaculture Project, Recreation Swimming Pool, Year- round camping facility, Tribal Sports Teams, members Recreation Program, Service Expansion Discard Service Area (limitation), Communication El ders Advisory Board. Computer net work, Program reporting, Telephone system, Individual Business Develop ment Create Tribal contracting network, Transportation member Passenger transportation, members Auto leasing, Drug and Alcohol, Acquire/build treat 4 • Siletz News • December 2007 Dear Tribal Members: I am writing this letter in support of Cynthia Farlow’s candidacy for the up coming Tribal Council Member election. Cynthia is currently a very active tribal Elder. Every year she is raising money for the Elders in the Siletz Tribal Elders booth at the annual Pow Wow for activities and trips. She shows sup port for our tribe through volunteering her time and money for those in need. Well-known in the Siletz community as a positive role model, she is self employed with a woman-owned local business in Lincoln City, Ore. She has the business experience with running an ADA construction company and is a certified court mediator. With these strong attributes in both business and in the community, I feel Cynthia Farlow would be a strong rep resentative for our tribe. Every vote counts so please get out there and vote! Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Jon Richardson To the editor: I am writing this letter in support of my sister, Cynthia Farlow’s candi dacy for Tribal Council. She is not afraid to take a stand and neither are her friends. I believe my sister would be a great asset to our Tribal Council. Here is a picture (right) of Cynthia Farlow and Erin Brockovich in 2003. I am proud to vote for my sister and I am asking that you vote for her too. Respectfully, Greg Bellinger #61 Tribal Elder Biochemist/Aerospace Industry OSU Alumni ment center, detox facility, aftercare facility, Youth treatment center. Ensuring our assets and natural re sources are protected and available in the future for members is crucial. I will not support: Building/expanding the golf course over housing for members, Increasing salary with no open ex change of information between paid employees/members, Waiving sover eign immunity or censorship. Resolu tions & supporting documentation should be retrievable. I will support open/timely notice to members of excessive expenditures, aggressive advocacy for Tribal mem ber employment/counseling at Chinook Winds, on-site training accessible to all members, and formal youth/elder rep resentation on/to Tribal Council. I welcome your feedback and hope for your support of me for the 2008 Siletz. Tribal council election. Yours Truly, Lisa Brown
