Smoke Signals
February 17, 1995
Page 8
Sculpture commissioned for casino
(Continued from page 1)
position," Thomas said. "We have received queries from marketing ex
ecutives who have worked with gaming interests in New Jersey and
Nevada."
The next job that will be advertised is facilities services manager.
"We are not only looking for a person who can maintain the facility,
but an individual who can also serve as a construction inspector and
administrator," he said.
The sculpture will be financed through gallery sales of reproductions
of the sculpture.
Thomas said that the casino is scheduled to open in the latter part of
October.
The traffic diversion project on Highway 18, the loop that will carry
traffic to and from the casino, is expected to start in the middle of March.
Construction facility services manager
Exciting opportunity to serve as project coordinator during
construction of premier gaming facility and as permanent facility
services manager after construction is completed. Prerequisite includes
experience as construction manager as well as experience as manager in
maintenancefacility services. Management level salary negotiable
based on qualifications. Send resume by March 3, 1995 for
consideration to: Tammy Cook, Spirit Mountain Development
Corporation, P.O. Box 39, Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347.
The following list of publications will carry job announcements for the
Spirit Mountain Casino: Smoke Signals, The Oregonian, Statesman
Journal, Seattle Times Intelligence, Reno Gazette.
Housing needs assessment now available
MLP Associates, Inc., the con
sultant for the housing survey, has
completed the Housing Needs As
sessment report for the Tribe. It is
available to tribal members at no
charge. It discusses the background
of the study, the survey, tribal
The Confederated Tribes of the
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
members' housing needs, prefer
ences, and more. There will be
more information in the next Smoke
Signals, or call Nancy Holmes in
Public Works (X 2401) for your
free copy.
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
Former hoopster now Council team player
By Frank King
His smile is the feature you no
tice first.
Ed Larsen's grin puts you at ease,
and makes you want to share your
thoughts with him, tell him your
troubles. Perhaps, because he is the
oldest of six kids, and with a warm
forthright personality, that folks
look upon him as a typical big
brother.
"My dad died in 1964, and I
helped Mom raise the family," Ed
said.
Ed Larsen was born in
McMinnville, and grew up in the
Grand Ronde Valley.
"I attended the old Grand Ronde
grade school and graduated from
Willamina High," he said.
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U of Ore. Library
Serials Dept.
Eugene OR 97403
He was a guard and forward with
the Willamina High School team
that placed second in the state bas
ketball tournament in I960.
"I still like to shoot baskets with
my grandchildren," he said.
Basketball was his main interest,
but he also shows a liking for slow
pitch softball.
"The Tribal Council takes up all
of my time now. I don't seem to
have much spare time for playing
or hobbies," he said.
After he graduated from high
school, Ed went to work in the
woods.
"I learned to do everything - from
setting choker to running a yarder,"
he said.
In 1969 he began driving a log
truck, a activity that lasted for many
years. First he worked for Duke
Limbaugh of Sheridan then
Zimbrick Logging for 17.5 years.
"My wife, Shirley, and I bought
the old Indian Store, the Agency
Store, in 1985. We did that until we
sold out in February 1994," he said.
One of Ed's most satisfying ac
complishments the Tribal Council
has been trying to get a better wa
ter system in the area, so the Tribe
can have adequate supply for hous
ing. Recently an agreement was
reached that provides the Tribe with
the necessary water for growth.
Ed, who has served on the Tribal
Council since 1 992, said he will run
for the office again in September.
He is a member of the Grand Ronde
Valley Water District board of di
rectors and a member of the
Yamhill County Action Plan advi
sory committee. His council ap
pointments include the Laws and
Ordinances, Legislation and Juris
diction, Public Works, Land Acqui
sition working groups, liaison with
the Spirit Mountairt Development
Corporation, and delegate to the
Housing Advisory Board.
The thing that impresses Ed the
most, is the progress that the Tribe
has made in recent years.
"I am proud that we have come
so far so fast. I am grateful that I
have been here to see that progress.
My only regret, is that I waited so
long to become involved in tribal
affairs," he said. "I really love what
I am doing now."
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