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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1995)
'' .-o6 i 'y 'J 5 USDA Distribution Dates Salem: Jan. 4, 5, 6 Siletz: Jan. 18. 19, 20 Chairman's Report, page 2 General Council Meeting Jan. 8, 1995,11:30 a.m. Meal Provided 8tZl.lU'rtili':v',i flT TT (c n 0i no 1(9 THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE CRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF ORECON JANUARY 199S Casino on schedule, job market shapes up In presentations before the General Council Dec. 4 and at a community meeting Dec. 7, Bruce Thomas, the Spirit Mountain Development Corp. director, said that construction, planning and training arrangements for the gaming center are progressing, and areon schedule. Coordination with the State of Oregon on construction ofthe traffic diversion job on Highway 1 8 continues. Thomas said that permit approval is expected by Jan. I . The Tribe has a established a training program with Chemeketa Community College. Tribal members who want jobs with the gaming center can train for specific jobs. Thomas said that even though some of the jobs require training, they will pay good. Some of the service and floor personnel working on the games and in food services will be paid the $4.75 minimum wage. "However," Thomas said, "they can make good pay because of the tips they will be receiving." Most other entry level jobs start at $6.50 per hour and up. For information on employment call Tammy Cook at (800) 422-0232 or 879-2351. A list of the planned positions include: (See casino, page 8) j University ot Oreaon j deceived on: Ul-03-95 bmoice signals Status of Indian Gaming in Oregon Coquille: To date, still negotiating with the state for a gaming center. Need compact signed. Coos Tribe: Negotiating with the state for a gaming center. Need compact signed. Cow Creek: Opened expanded gaming center with 198 video slot machines, bingo and other games April 29 in Canyonville, just off of Interstate 5 between Roseburg and Grants Pass. Klamath: Compact signed with state for gaming hall. Siletz: Announced November 15 that it would build a $20 million casino-style gaming hall and convention center in Lincoln City that will house up to 8 1 7 video slot machines, a bingo hall, card games, and off-track betting! Umatilla: Opened a temporary gaming hall Nov. 5 five miles east of Pendleton just off Interstate 84. Plans for a permanent facility open in February of 1 996 with more than 300 video slots and other games. Warm Springs: Negotiating with the state for a gaming hall. December 27 tribal election will determine whether they will make a casino proposal. Librar Pi 4 1 A Si ' r 1 - .1 TiA of. ( , ? , a ill Members of the Tribe's After School Club for youth sang Christmas carols at the Tribal Christmas Party, December 10 at the Grand Ronde grade school. 1995 budget adopted The Tribal Council adopted the 1995 budget at the Dec. 15 meeting. The budget includes funding to establish a pension program for members, an economic development fund, a cultural board, and provided additional funds for education and training scholarships. The Tribal Council allocated $500,000 from timber revenues to establish a pension fund for members. The fund would be used to provide pension payments to elders. Initially, the fund will be used to provide an annual payment toeldersofabout$l00. As the fund grows, the allocation will change. The Council will be developing policy on the fund in the future. The Tribal Council also established a $ 1 ,000,000 Economic Development Fund. The fund is a reserve pool to cover unanticipated economic development costs, such as related to the gaming project, and to provide resources for potential new economic development opportunities. To meet membership needs in regards to education and training, the Tribal Council provided a $36,000 increase for scholarships and training from timber revenues. In addition, the Tribal Council directed that 1994 remaining training funds be carried over into 1995. This is projected at $65,000. These funds should help meet tuition cost increases, unmet financial needs not currently funded, and the increased number of students seeking financial assistance for college. Funds will also be used to provide training classes for job opportunities related to the gaming center. A cultural board will be established (See budget, page 8)
