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MARCH 1988
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THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE
GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
As mentioned last month, the Council has spent the first
two months of 1988 working on Ordinances. The
ordinances govern our committees and are kept consis
tent with the Tribal Constitution.
One particular ordinance I wish to report on this month
is the Tribe's Election Ordinance. There have been
some major changes to this document.
As you may recall, at the last Tribal Council election on
September 12th, 1987, all nine Council positions were up
for re-election. The three top vote getters got a three
year term, the next three, a two year term and the final
three, a one year term. Therefore, beginning this year,
there will be only three Council seats open for each ,
election. This was done in order to maintain the
concept of staggered terms. The staggered terms
concept was implemented to maintain the continuity of
the governing body, and avoids a massive turnover at
one time.
The Ordinance used to require a special General
Council meeting for Tribal Council nominations no later
than July 15th of each year. Since there will be only
three Council positions open annually, the Ordinance
has been amended to have Council nominations be
taken during the May General Council meeting. Some
time in September of each year, elections will be
conducted. Write in Candidates will be allowed, but
write-ins will be only allowed until the 31st of May.
During the April General Council meeting, the election
ordinance will be discussed in depth to keep everyone
updated on the tribal election process.
ELDER'S TAX WORKSHOP
On March 8th, 1988, Social Services will be putting on a
Tax Workshop for elders who need help in filling out
their tax forms. The hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. at the Tribal Office. Call Joann McClary, 879-5211,
for more information.
MARCH 1988
2 - Diabetes Workshop
2:00 P.M-Tribal Office
2 - Elder's Exercise Class
3:00 RM -Tribal Office
6 - General Council Meeting
Potluckand Bingo Follow
12 Noon-Grand Ronde
Grade School
life S , A 7
Mitchelle Family - Front Left to Right- Ethefyn, Joseph F. (Father), Lloyd, Mary Ann (Mother). Back - Clarence, Ezera
and Delia. See "Just a Memorandum'', written by Mary Ann Mitchelle on page 7. (Photo courtesy of Blanche Lillard)
TRIBAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE TO BEGIN
Throughout the next few months the tribal Social
Services staff will be making an effort to register every
eligible voter for the upcoming elections. Too often
individual voting rights are viewed as inconsequential or
unimportant. And sometimes it is difficult to feel your
vote has much of an impact on the outcome of an
election or how an issue is resolved. However, nothing
could be farther from the truth.
For example, in 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell
control of England. In 1649, one vote caused Charles I
of England to be executed. In 1776, one vote gave
America the English language instead of German. In
1839, one vote elected Marcus Morton governor of
Massachusetts. In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the
Union. In 1876, one vote changed France from a
monarchy to a republic. In 1923, one vote gave Adolf
Hitler leadership of the Nazi party. In 1941, one vote
saved the Selective Service just 12 weeks before Pearl
Harbor. In 1848, Harry Truman carried Ohio and
California by less than one vote per precinct and in 1960,
Richard Nixon lost the state of Illinois by less than one
vote per precinct.
Individuals, just like you, are concerned about the issues
effecting our lives; will our taxes go up or down, who will
be the next President, what is the future of our schools,
who will be elected to represent us in local government
and how will their actions effect our lives in the future.
TLsse issues and a variety of others will be decided by
like many individuals exercising their right to vote b the
next election. Your vote on a particular candidate or
issue is equally as important as everyone else's. The
democratic process will work for you, if you participate.
In an effort to help you participate, our staff will be
available to assist you in the voter registration process.
We will have voter registration forms available in the
office and will provide you any help you need in com
pleting them. We can also make arrangements to have a
staff member come to your home to assist you if
necessary. If you need assistance to register, please call
Joann McClary or Mary Ring at 879-5211.
Our Smoke Signals newsletters will provide you with
coverage of issues and candidate positions in the next
few months. If you would like a particular issue dis
cussed or if you would like to know how a particular
candidate feels about certain issues, please call Greg
Archuleta at 879-5211 and he will be glad to help you get
the information you need.
Remember, democracy is a participant form of govern
ment, it works for you if you participate in it
REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION!