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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2009)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: My name is Phil Rilatos, Sr. I am running for election in the 2009 election. During my several terms on the Tribal Council, I always tried to be fair and tried to represent the Tribal people as I thought they would want me to. Serving on the Tribal Council is not an easy job. The decisions one has to make are not always popular. There just is no middle ground for a Tribal Council person and the decisions they have to make. So although it may not appear to be so at times, 1 always took Tribal member concerns very seriously. I believe it you look at what the Tribal Council has accomplished in the past, they have done a pretty good job for our people and I am thankful and honored that I have been a part of those accomplishments. I served as the Tribal Council treasurer and served on all of the business and financial committees. I serve on the Budget Com mittee, Health Committee, Education Committee. Siletz Tribal Business Corporation (STBC) Board, Gaming Board, Siletz AeroTeam (SAT) Board, Siletz Tribal Revolving Credit Progam (STRCP) Board and the SMI Board. If elected, I will work toward the development of the Tribe’s economic development plans, health care and services for Tribal members, and for those who live outside of the Tribe’s service area. One council person can’t do it alone. It takes a minimum of five council members to get anything passed. Those of you who know me know that I always make my voice heard. 1 try to do what I believe is in the best interest of the membership. 1 don’t always succeed, but at least I try. I am asking for your vote in the next election. I will continue to support decisions that I feel are the best for our Tribal people. You can contact me at any time by e-mail, fax, or telephone. Tele# FAX 541-563-2739 541-563-6789 E-mail rilatos@pacificonline.net Phil Rilatos, Sr. To the editor: I want to thank the members who have committed to support me as a candidate for a seat on our Tribal Council. I can assure you I will make myself available to listen to you, to hear what your needs are and your wishes for the future of our Tribe and your family. * Contact me at 541 -444-1290 (I’ll call you back at your convenience, on my dime). E-mail nadosh2@yahoo.com; resume available: www.allnativecreations.com. My platform is simple: It is time for change and transparency. Transparency in financial matters Improve communication - interactive via website More per capita for Tribal members Efficiency consultant for Tribal/gaming operations (Time for Change) Term limits for Tribal Council/committees Initiate separation: Tribal administration/council, gaming, economic dev. Mentor and recruit prospective council/committee member applicants Education/training/skills enhancement utilizing existing materials/staff for members (Time for Change) And to openly discuss the components that make up our administrative, legal, economic development and gaming enterprises. Communication will be crucial to create change needed for our Tribe and membership. Input from members will be key in the goal to discuss components of our business system. These include: the organization’s operating environment, goals/objectives and related risk assessment, controls and related policies/procedures, information systems and communication methods, plus actions to monitor performance. For more info: www.ucop.edu/ctlacct/under-ic.pdf. Cultural wellness: www.whitebison.org. Most importantly, Tribal members should never be subject to hostility in their quest to learn more about our Tribal organization or historical matters related to our people. It is their right to know who they are and where their ancestors tread in order that we are here today. The following words convey values I believe are important considerations for a leader: A man s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education and social ties, no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.” “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Albert Einstein “Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.” Sydney J. Harris “It is the common failing of totalitarian regimes that they cannot really understand the nature of our democracy. They mistake dissent for disloyalty. They mistake rest lessness for a rejection of policy. They mistake a few committees for a country. They misjudge individual speeches for public policy.” Lyndon Baines Johnson “A leader is someone who steps back from the entire system and tries to build a more collaborative, more innovative system that will work over the long term.” Robert Reich Yours truly, Lisa L. Brown, CPS To the editor: Reflecting on 2008 and how the economy is struggling, we have thought about what we are thankful for as Tribal members and Tribal employees. As Tribal employees, we are thankful to be employed by our Tribe and being able to assist other Tribal members. As Tribal members, we are thankful that Tribal Council continues to fund programs to help Tribal members (GA, TANF, Education, Over Income Grant, Housing, Health Care/Dental, ICW, Child Care, Head Start, Exercise Facility, Per Capita, and even Out-of-Area Benefits, etc.). All organizations and Tribes do have their share of problems and we are thankful that our Tribal C ouncil and Tribal employees have the Tribe's best interest at heart. Thank you and Happy Holidays! Kelly Lane Stephanie Morrow Celesta Lee Cynthia Urbach a.k.a ’‘Lunch Bunch Crew” To the editor: I would like to take this time to say thank you to our Tribe and Tribal Council for the gift cards to Fred Meyer that we (employees) were given for Thanksgiving. We are so blessed and we have much to be thankful for. This year we will have an all-staff party for the holidays. Many companies are going under and are not having parties or incentives. We have both. What a good life we have, huh? We have so much. A clinic to go to when you are sick, a dentist to help take care of our teeth, a pharmacy to fill our prescriptions, counselor(s) for any concerns we may be dealing with, Alcohol and Drug to help pick us up and guide us in the right direction We have our children being taken care of, all kinds of activities to keep them off the street. You want help to quit smoking? We have a program revolving around that as well. You need help with housing, we have Emergency Assistance to help any qualified Tribal member in the United States. I could go on and on. I guess I would just like to give my view of what I see and how truly thankful I am to have a council that helps to keep these programs thriving and growing. I may not always agree with all council members’ views, but I do respect the position they are in. They were elected by the majority. I understand how trying and unappreciative the position can be. We all have a choice to see the cup half full or half empty. God Bless and Merry Christmas to all, Tamara Morrow, thankful Tribal member To the editor: There are always lots of accusations and inaccurate information that some candi dates put out during election time. Siletz.net is full of them. I think people should run for council who have something to offer, not criticism and inaccurate information. 1 am proud of our Tribe and professional people who have served as our leaders. I am not supportive of those who have to try to fool our membership into voting for them and their destructive ways. Most people respect their Tribal Elders. I think an apology should be made to those offended at the last General Council meeting. Donna Woods, Tribal Elder . Dear Tribal Members, ^^Z7 My name is Monica Bessette. I am a member of the Siletz Tribe. I just want to remind everyone to get out and vote this election. It is very important to vote! Your vote does make a difference - it’s the future of our Tribe! I have been to numerous council meetings and 1 know the job of a council person is very important. They face lots of decisions and challenges. We want people on council who are honest, have the best interest of our Tribe, respectful to all Tribal members and fellow councilmen, are loyal and ethical! Do your research before voting - remember, anyone can make promises, but we are heading for economically hard times. Our Tribe needs to concentrate on the things we already have, not the more for me attitude. We need a Tribal Council that has the Tribe’s best interest. Let s honor our ancestors who fought so hard to restore us by voting. Let’s make a better future for our children and children’s children! Thank you and God bless, Monica Bessette 1=^*. To the editor: My name is Casinda Lane. I wrote about the recovery house Among Friends in Siletz News. I talked to a lady who used to be one of the directors at Among Friends. She told me they were trying to open a new recovery house here in Siletz. Because of what happened to me before, 1 just want Tribal members to take a second look at this before they try to do this in our town. It was wrong what they did and opening a new house here. I’m trying to put the word out. So please back me up and don’t let this happen. These people from Among Friends are unhealthy people. Thank you, Casey Lane January 2009 • Siletz News • 19
