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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1993)
▼w w About the Siletz Entertainment & Gaming Center (The fo llo w ing is th e text of a b ro c h u re re c e n tly p u b lis h e d and distributed to help the general public better understand the position of the Siletz Tribe on Indian Gaming and the recently proposed gaming center in S a le m ) In 1992, the Siletz Tribe brought forth a proposal to build an entertainment and gaming center in Salem. The proposal created a great deal of emotion, both for and against the project. The following is a review of some of the projects major issues. Why A Gaming Center? In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which allows tribes to use gaming as a source o f economic development and for strengthening tribal governments. There are more than 150 such throughout the United States. Why Locate in Salem? • Salem is part of. Siletz aboriginal lands. The Siletz were restored to tribal status in 1977. The federal government established an 8-county service area including Marion County - instead of relinquishing land previously owned by the Tribe. • Hundreds of tribal members live and work in the Salem area. A Siletz tribal office has been located in Salem, serving Native Americans, since 1972. • Access to lnterstate-5 is essential to business. Siletz has a small business operation in Independence, Oregon, but it does not generate enough income to sustain the Tribe. •The Siletz Tribe does not have property in Lincoln County suitable for a gaming center. What Kind of Games Will Be Played? Class II and Class III games; these games are legal in Oregon and played in thousands of other locations-bingo halls, taverns, at churches and county fairs. • Class II Games include bingo and pull tabs. These will be allowed as soon as the center is opened. • Class III Games include video poker, keno, off track betting, sports action betting. These will only be featured after successful negotiations with the Governor are completed. What About The Kind Of People Attracted To Gaming? A nationwide survey of Indian gaming centers shows that most customers are middle aged, with a family income over $30,000. The U.S. Justice Department has monitored Indian gaming and has found no "organized crime" influence in any of the gaming centers. The Siletz Gaming Center will be a ’ m ajor. tourist attraction in the Willamette Valley. What about Safety? In order to ensure the safety of the players and as a way to guarantee a "clean" operation, the Siletz will: • Employ 500 people, the majority of who will be non-Indian. • Add $20 million to the Salem economy in the first year. r e September 1993 I---------- L 12 1 I • Pay an estimated $10 million in annual salaries. • Generate an additional $3.5 million in goods and services. Businesses benefiting from new customers will include motels, gas stations, restaurants, grocery, and souvenir stores. • Improve the value of north Salem as a destination and as a place to site a business. The Siletz have agreed to pay for development of utilities and roads in conjunction with the gaming center. • Foster close working relationship with business and neighborhood groups to make north Salem more attractive. How will a Gaming Center help the T rib e ? The Center will diversify the Tribe's economy and will help raise the standard of living of the S iletz. P ro fits from S iletz economic development pay for programs that: • Reduce unemployment • Increase life expectancy • Lower the high school drop-out rate • Improve housing Research shows that Indian gaming in other states benefits the whole economy. While pumping millions into local economies, it also reduces the cost of government support for tribes, with fewer claims for health care, welfare, and unemployment. Employees Honored for Outstanding Service Congratulations are in order to four outstanding employees honored for service to the Tribe at the August 7 General Council Meeting. A d m in istra tive A ssista n t Darlene C arkhuff was chosen as Employee of the Quarter for the 2nd Quarter of 1993. Soft spoken and chperful, you will find Darlene at Central Office attending to administrative duties always with a smile and without hesitation. Whatever needs to be done that no one else knows how to accomplish, Darlene tackles! C linic Computer Specialist Amy Rouske was given the Outstanding Service Award for preparation of Medicaid audit materials and reports for CPA's. If you have ever worked with medicare, you'll know this award was well deserved! Medical Records Technician K athryn H a rrin g to n was awarded the Superior Accomplishment Award for increasing Medicaid reimbursements to the Siletz Clinic. Keep those dollars coming in, Kathryn! Education S pecialist Robert Tom received the Outstanding Service Award for contributions to our student gatherings, TECA and OIEA Conferences. Bob's done a lot of good work for our students over the years! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!!!! Bob Tom Amy Rouske Darlene Carkhuff Kathryn Harrington
