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75
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v. ?6
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November
if.
Spilyay
P.O. Box 870
Warm Springs, OR 97761
KNIfi'MT LIHRARY
I I'UM.. OR 9710.1
Coyote News, est. 1976
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Warm Springs, OR 97761
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News from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation
Nov. 15, 2001 Vol. 26, No. 25
School bond measure
receives wide support
Tribal members in favor 136-22
By a large majority, tribal mem
bers who cast their ballots were in
support the recent 509-J School Dis
trict bond proposal.
; The measure also passed district
wide, which means $15.8 million will
be available for school building im
provements and expansion, mainly at
Madras High School.
For the Warm Springs voting pre
'. cinct, 136 people voted in favor of the
bond proposal. Only 22 voted no.
In the 509-J district, the Warm
Springs precinct was by far the most
supportive of the bond levy proposal.
; As an example, the next most sup
portive precinct was No. 21, in the
South Adams Drive area of Madras,
where the vote was 293 in favor, to
.191 against.
In the district as a whole, there
were 1,464 yes votes, and 1,331 no
votes, for a difference of 133 votes.
' The election saw a turnout of 53
2002 tribal
budget nears
completion
By Dave McMechan
Spilyay Staff
The Tribal Council will soon fi
nalize a budget for 2002 tribal gov
ernment operations.
Over the past month, tribal offi
cials have conducted district and gen
eral council meetings on the proposed
$32 million budget.
By Thanksgiving the council is
expected to adopt a final budget reso
lution, which will then be posted by
Dec. 1.
The new budget year begins Jan.
1.
As was true last year, the budget
process this year has focused largely
on the need to reduce tribal govern
ment expenditures, due mainly to a
reduction in timber revenue.
While working specifically on bal
ancing the 2002 budget, tribal officials
at the same time have kept in mind
the future needs of tribal members,
said Charles Jackson, secretary-treasurer.
Continued on Page 5
percent of eligible voters. This was
important, as a 50 percent voter par
ticipation rate was necessary for a
valid election.
Of the total $15.8 million bond
levy, funded through property tax,
approximately $11.2 million will be,
spent on Madras High School.
Plans call for construction of ap
proximately 48,000 square feet of new .
space at Madras I ligh School.
Expansion areas include the stu
dent commons, plus additional sports
program space, including a weight ;
room, wrestling room and team
room.
There will be new science class
rooms, larger shop facilities, addi
tional counseling room and adminis
trative space.
Miscellaneous work would include
upgrading the fire and safety systems,
electric upgrades, and improvements
for people with disabilities.
1 nil Li -m ' LU
Honoringvets
Photo by Bill Rhoadea
j j re Kiana and Latisha Waheneka served up desserts Tuesday at the 3rd
llOLUlGy iQCK'OJj Annual Starlight Feast hosted by The Museum at Warm Springs. More
. than 50 guests attended the event, which netted $1 ,800 for the museum.
... I -m r t t 1
Mold closes
basement
of old dorm
By Mike Van Meter
Spilyay Staff
The basement of the tribal Educa
tion Building remained closed this
week while tribal officials await re
sults of tests on mold found there and
in the basements of other buildings.
Jeff Sanders Sr., compliance officer
for the tribes, said the tests are to de
termine whether or not the mold is
toxic. He emphasized that closing the
basement, which houses the Print
Shop and a conference room, is a pre
cautionary measure and should not
be cause for panic.
"My preliminary understanding is
they're taking these precautionary
steps," Sanders said. "First of all we
want to protect the employees and
make sure we do the the right things."
Results should be returned from
two independent laboratories some
time next week, Sanders said.
Mold often forms in areas of high
moisture such as basements and the
corners of bathrooms. Most molds
are not toxic.
Continued on Page 5
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Photo by Dave McMechan
Shawnetta Yahtin and Reynolds Allen, both of Warm Springs, shined at
the Veterans Day Pow-wow over the weekend at Agency Longhouse. For
photos of Veterans Day honors, see Page 3.
Gorge casino advocates push information campaign
i
n't7
m ,:YV:
Photo by Miki Van Meter
Tribal Council member Bemice Mitchell was filmed as part of a gaming video.
By Dave McMechan
Spilyay Staff .
A well-informed election is the best that the
tribes can hope for next year, when tribal members
cast their ballots on gaming expansion. Rudy
Clements said that by the time of the gaming '"'.
referendum, he hopes no tribal member will be
opposed to die Gorge casino proposal.
From the' standpoint of future economic
security, Clements said, expansion of gaming to the
Gorge would be a turning point for the tribes. For
this reason, he said, everyone should be fully aware
of the magnitude, as well as the details of the issue
coming before them.
Toward this goal, Clements, chair of the gaming
committee, and other tribal officials are initiating a
community awareness program in regard to gaming
expansion.
Clements and Jeff Ford, manager of the Kah-Nee-Ta
Resort and Casino, met last week with
Tribal Council to discuss the community aware
ness program, and other recent issues regarding the
Gorge casino plan.
At the meeting, Council Chairman Olney Patt
Jr. said of the future of gaming, "This is a choice
for the people, and it should be an informed
choice."
In coming months, Patt said to other council
members, "We need to meet with small groups of
people, with the heads of families and in the
homes." ' , ,
In a relaxed atmosphere at home, he said, a
person can ask questions about any aspects of the
gaming proposal that may still be unclear.
. Patt said the information the Council and
gaming commission will provide to people is to
allow them to begin discussing and debating the
issues. "No decisions are being made without the
tribal members," he said. "Vie have proposals for
the people to consider."
Difference in revenue
At the meeting with Tribal Council, Jeff Ford
reviewed the latest revenue estimates for the
various gaming site options. The most recent
estimates, based on the 2000 U.S. Census data,
show the "bottom-line" net-profit to the tribes
from various potential casinos. The dollar figures
show how much money would go to the tribes
after paving casino operating expenses, and debt
service on the construction cost.
Continued on Page 5
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