NOVEMBER 15, 1991 PACE 3
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Warm Springs, Oregon
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Tribal building inspectors ensure quality of construction
The Public Utilities Department
is a large department that has many
important responsibilities. Ed
Manion, Public Utilities General
Manager. oversees 71 employees that
serve the Tribe in a mulutudc of
areas. One area that doesn't get a lot
of publicity but performs a vital
function is the building inspection
department. Ramasurdyal
Prcmsingh, Austin Smith and Tom
Estimo have the responsibility of
making sure construction projectson
the reservation meet exacting speci
fication, assuring quality buildings.
This summer nas been a busy one
for the trio. Austin, a journeyman
carpenter, and Tom, a student youth
worker, arc training under Prcm,
helping ensure that all codes and
specifications arc met in the con
struction of the Early Childhood
Center and the Tribal Museum.
Both projects, totally around $10
million, arc progressing at a rapid
pace, keeping the three inspectors
busy. The ECE center has seven
buildings going up simultaneously
and the Museum design includes 21
different areas housed inside the
structure.
Next year, forty new homes arc
scheduled to be constructed on the
reservation, and there will be ap
proximately forty remodel projects.
r'Thc inspectors provide a service
not only to the tribe, but also to
individual tribal members," said
Manion. "Building codes are tougher
here on the reservation and that means
individual tribal members are getting
a better product for their money, and
if it's a tribal project, the Tribe is
getting more for their money. ...These
buildings, a house, or a tribal build
ing, must last for many, many years.
The inspectors sec to it that quality
construction is practiced and every
one benefits in the long run."
According to Prem, a certified in
spector with an engineering back
ground, "We are involved in all
phascsol buildingon the reservation,
including assisting tribal members,
tribal member contractors, project
engineer, Kah-Ncc-Ta, BIA Roads,
Plant Management and the tribal
Construction department. In most
cases, we arc involved from scratch,
art work, concrete, carpentering,
heating, cooling and ventilation."
When the work load begins to
subside this fall, Austin will take
some classes at Chcmckcta Com
munity College to complement his
training program. Tom will return to
rvntml Drcirnn Community CollCEC
to continue his education. Tom has
indicated he might take some classes
that would help him in his job when
he returns next summer.
Prcm, Austin and Tom have
critical jobs that benefit the Tribe
and tribal members in many ways.
There appears to be no let up in the
work load in the near future. Ac
r rding to Manion, permits worth
$10 million have been issued, with
another $7 million on the drawing
board.
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Ramasurdyal Premsingh
Austin Smith
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Construction workers at the Early Childhood Development Center take a break.
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COIISTRUCTIOII COMPAII
P0RTLA11D, OREGOll
Foorf Commodities Warehouse will be ready for use at the end of December.
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rie S.A. Anderson crew includes (left to right) Wayne Saunders, Tommie Kalama,
Henry O'Rourke and Jerry Polk.
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Wort continues on the Warm Springs Tribal Museum. Completion date is set for early 1993.
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Eory Childhood Development Center is expected to be completed mid-year 1992.