Candidates... (continued from page 7) a health clinic. The Council also worked to establish endowment funds (interest bearing accounts) for health, housing, and education. These three items are essential for the long-term economic and social welfare of the Tribe. They need to be strengthened and protected. The Tribe needs to plan on all aspects ofa sound community, social and economic in the long term. The Tribe has an excellect opportunity to secure a viable future forthiscommuity. We cannot afford to squander it. If elected, I will utilize this opportunity to see the Tribe becomes self-sufficient. Your vote in September will help this become reality. My name is June Olson. I was raised in Hood River, Oregon, spent most of my adult life in Vancouver, Washington and moved to Grand Ronde two years ago. I have always been active in community affairs and hope to continue that involvement as a member of the Grand Ronde Tribal Council. In the past, I have served at a local level as a Precinct Committeeperson for the Democratic Party, Vice President of the Clark County Deputy Sheriffs Association, and chapter Vice President of NOW. June Olson My work experience was in law enforcement until 1990 when I returned to college to complete my degree in Psychology. During the seven years I was employed with the Clark County, I earned several accomendations for special achievement with the Sheriffs Department. Currently, I work for Yamhill County head Start providing social services to low income families in the Grand RondeWillamina area. I believe all tribal members should benefit through their tribal affiliation. In the future, we need to expand carefully in order not to duplicate services which are available to tribal members through other governmental agencies. We need to put money into services which address the unmet needs of the majority of tribal members. In talking with members, I understand . " V I their needs for affordable housing, job opportunities, and a retirement plan. I believe these needs can be addressed through tribal planning and careful money management. Currently, our tribal administration is responsible for over one hundred employees and a multi-million dollar budget. Managing the services this money provides to our membership takes qualified professional people willing to earn their salaries and a system which holds them accountable. We need to work toward a system of tribal managementwhichrequires regular departmental reporting to clearly identify problems as they occur, monitors spending and holds individuals responsible for the work the produce. I am asking you to vote for me in the up-coming election because I believe my background and education will be useful in refining our current management system, as well as deciding the complex business issues associated with future expansion. My name is Ed Pearsall. lama member of the Grand Ronde Tribe. I live in Keizer, Oregon. I have been married for twenty-six years and have four children. I have worked in the building trades for twenty-five years. I received an Associate's degree in 1979. I also served a four year apprenticeship in the steamfitters union, I have held many supervisory positions in my career. I have been long concerned with the tribal leadership at Grand Ronde. Although I am gladdened about the growth Grand Ronde has achieved I am also very saddened about the fact there are those among us who are taking advantage of the Tribe for their own self interest Here to follow is a list of the issues I stand for. If I am elected as a Council member I pledge to do my best to see all Grand Ronde members are treated equally in respect to the benefits offered. And to assist the Elders as much as possible with their needs. I believe "Without our Elders we have no heritage without our children we have not future." 1. Tribal benefits should not be based on residence, a tribal member is a tribal member, no matter where he or she is living. 2. Tribal Council should have to ask permission from the general council by registered vote in matters involving wage increases of more than current cost of living. 3. We need to adopt a program to employ tribal members in current and future tribal jobs. Our current tribal policy is ineffective. 4. 1 feel that as our Tribe prospers the members deserve to share in the profit equally. I will appreciate your vote. Also I reccommend Robert Haller and Eugene LaBonte as Councilmen in this upcoming election, as their political agenda is similar. f Ed Pearsall My name is Margaret Provost, and I ask for your vote in the up coming Tribal Council election. You can rest assured that I will serve you with the same dedication, committment and honesty that I demonstrated while seeking the restoration of the Tribe. Margaret Provost For those of you who might not be familiar with the restoration efforts of the Tribe, it was a long, hard road. I shared my vision of having the Tribe restored to Indian status with other members of the Tribe. Our humble tribal beginning began with my calling the first meeting to discuss reorganization. I was elected as Chairperson at that first meeting and continuously served on the Council for many years. I reflect back at that moment I heard our bill was passed in Congress, what a reverent moment, my people were once again a tribe. I do not take all the credit for working on the restoration effort, for it was many people who also toiled, giving time and self to make this vision happen. It is with this same concept that I will carry out my responsibilities on Tribal Council. I know that it takes leadership, teamwork, integrity, hard work and commitment to make dreams become reality. I believe I have demonstrated those qualities and will continue to do so. I sincerely thank each of you for voting for me, it is an honor to serve you. Dear Tribal members: my name is Candy Robertson and I'd like to begin by addressing an incident that happened to myself and my L ' i familyonJune3. Someofyouhave already read about it in the paper or heard by word of mouth. For those of you who haven't you certainly have a right to be made aware of it. On June 3, a raid was made on our home, one of three family homes that were raided and sit on the same property. One of our family members, we are told, is the reason we were put through what we were put through. This family member being from one of the other homes. Someone that was staying at his home was arrested. I was not arrested, nor was my husband, Jess. The paper insinuated that the stolen items were found from all the homes, this is not truenothing illegal was taken from our home, because there wasn't anything to take. Iam deeply upset because due to the actions of this family member, I am forced to defend my integrity, not only to you, as tribal members, but to the community. I have worked hard to better my life for myself and my family. I do not want to take a lot of space dwelling on this issue, but doubt has already been cast, and I just wanted to take the time to try to alleviate some of the doubt I have no control over what other adult family members choose to do, or neighbors. I am busy serving as Council member and taking care of my family. Ifl amnot working or in travel status, my husband and I are running our kids to and from school activities, right now ball games of which Brandon and Diana both play on a team. We spend most of our weekends spending time together, I am asking you to please not pass judgement on me over something of which I have no control. For those of you who have given me support and encouragement sinse the incident, I thank you very much, you will never know how much it meant to me. Because of you, and your past votes, I have been honored to have been elected to serve on Tribal Council with this being my tenth year. Through these years, I have followed my oath with deepest respect and served the Tribe to the best of my ability. Candy Robertson I am honored to have been part (along with my fellow Council S IJI'W 9 t .... S f i ji members) of one of the largest business ventures the Tribe will undertake... the Gaming facility with the signing of the Gaming Compact on Friday, June 10, we can now go forward. With this in mind, although we have had investment and financial reports training, I strongly support that the Council will receive additional appropriate seminarstraining that will enhance our knowledge when it comes to making decisionson our budgets, investments, economic development, etc., as our responsibilities grow as the. Tribe grows. I believe our health and education needs, need to be revisited and I intend to fully support this during next budget time should I be re elected. I have and will continue to support our youth as our future leaders and give thanks for our elders who continuously share their wisdom as support. In closing, I would like to touch on drugs and alcohol. I have and will continue to support drug and alcohol testing, I have offered to be one of the first ones to be tested, in fact, as a tribal leader, I should be one of the first to set an example. I am proud to say I am into my third year ofteingabstinentfrom alcohol Please keep in mind, my experience and knowledge of ten years, I am not afraid to speak up on issues I believe in and support, for the best interests of the Tribe. Please cast your vote for me.. .Candy Robertson. My name is Wilbur "Willie", West. I was born and raised in Oregon. After serving in the Marine Corps, I spent fifteen years working in the construction industry. Currently, I live outside of Salem with my wife, Sue, and our three sons: John Brett, and Buddy. We attend the Church or God in Turner, where I am Assistant Pastor under Gary Robertson. Willie West I am looking forward to the casino project and the expansion opportunities it might mean for Grand Ronde. I understand the importance of continuing to expand operations in our native homeland. (Continued on back page.) I II Will. Ml lllll.llll 111