Smoke signals., December 22, 1995, Casino, Page Page 3, Image 3

SMOKE SIGNALS - December 22, 1995 Page 3
Gaming Commission's role:
to determine suitability of casino job applicants
By Tracy Dugan
In recent weeks many tribal members have commented
on the fact that they do not understand the role of the Grand
Ronde Gaming Commission or the procedures applicants
must follow in order to obtain employment at Spirit Moun
tain Casino.
The Gaming Commission is an ap
pointed body of five people three tribal
members and two non-Indians. The Gam
ing Commission also has a director, Joe
Smith, and a small staff whose role is to
determine suitability of casino applicants.
Several steps are taken to determine
suitability. First, once the Human Re
sources Department of Spirit Mountain
Development Corporation hires someone,
, a background check is conducted through
the Oregon State Police (OSP). This is a
mandatory procedure based on the Tribe's gaming agree
ment with the state. OSP then must decide to recommend
or not recommend licensure for that person. Currently,
background checks are taking several weeks. Under nor
mal circumstances, they would only take a couple of days,
but there are currently hundreds of applicants. In some
cases, a person will begin working at the casino, based on
the assumption that his or her background check will be
clean, so he or she won't have to wait to get to work.
After the Oregon State Police makes a recommendation,
the Gaming Commission then reviews the applicant's file.
It should be noted that Oregon State Police and the Gaming
Commission do not have to agree. Even if OSP denied
licensure, the Gaming Commission can review the
applicant's background and recommend licensure with con
ditions. This means that he or she would have to follow.a
special set of conditions in order to work at the casino. For
example, one condition of employment might be a one year
probation period, with no arrests for one year.
: : "When the Commission attaches conditions to an
applicant's file, it is then submitted back to OSP. Every
time this has happened, the applicant has ultimately been
approved," said Joe Smith.
However, Joe said that if an applicant's background is
such that he or she probably would never be able to obtain
employment in a mainstream gaming market like Las Ve
gas or Atlantic City, that person will probably be denied.
It is important also to know that Indian hiring preference
is determined by the Human Resources office only.
"By the time we receive a file, we have no idea whether
the applicant is a tribal member or not," Joe said. "We are
looking at the person's background only."
Listed are some of the things OSP looks
for on background checks:
Conviction of any crime.
Any gambling offense.
Civil judgements against the applicant.
Credit history.
Failure to disclose background on ap
plication. But Joe wants people to know that if a
person has a criminal record, that won't
necessarily prevent him or her from ob
taining a job at Spirit Mountain Casino.
Each person is different.
"There can be extenuating circumstances in any situa
tion. Also, one minor offense years ago won't carry as
much weight as a recent conviction, for example," Joe said.
Besides the time that has elapsed, some of the other things
the Commission considers are the nature and severity of
the crime, and number of offenses.
Joe said that although this procedure takes time, it is de
signed to protect the casino and its future.
"It is in everyone's best interest to have a tribal business
with a reputation of integrity and effectiveness," he said.
Martha Jane Sands
maquette still available
There are a limited number of bronze
maquettes of the Martha Jane Sands statue
stilt available for sale at a special reduced
price of $ 1, 750 for tribal members.
The maquette is a smaller reproduction of the twice life
sized bronze statue of Martha Jane and her granddaughter
Gertrude, which greets visitors at the entrance to the Ca
sino. Based on a graphite drawing by one of Sands' de
scendants, Portland artist Lon Mercier, the sculpture was
created by Troutdale artist Rip Caswell. Caswell also pro
duces the limited edition bronze maquettes.
"The maquette is both a magnificent piece of artwork,"
notes Tammy Cook, Guest Services Manager for the Ca
sino, "and a poignant remembrance of our tribal history."
Several pieces, she notes, have been sold in the last few
weeks, presumably as holiday gifts.
The price of the maquette is $2,250, but tribal members
can purchase the artwork for the discounted price of $1,750.
The maquette is available to view just outside Spirit
Mountain Outfitters, the specialty store inside Spirit Moun
tain Casino. For those interested in purchasing the small
bronze statue, contact Tammy Cook at (503) 879-3728 or
1-800-760-7977, or ask the clerk inside Spirit Mountain
Outfitters for more information.
New Year's Eve gets off to a bang
at Spirit Mountain Casino
Celebrate New Year's Eve in style this year at
Spirit Mountain Casino, as the gaming center
rings in 1996 with a full evening of fun, enter
tainment and gaming excitement.
You'll be guided to Spirit Mountain on December
31 by the world's largest spotlight, visible across the
night sky for several miles. As you arrive at the Ca
sino, you can enjoy a dramatic laser light show, an
exciting fast-action light display on the clouds above
the building.
As you enter the Casino, which is brightly decorated
for the holidays, be sure to pick up party favors, in
cluding hats and noisemakers, at the Player Services
desk. For music lovers, a Dixieland Jazz trio, the
Riverboat Jazz Band, will entertain you throughout the
Casino during the evening.
A special New Year's Eve "Super Bingo" Celebra
tion Session will be held that evening, beginning at
6:30 p.m. Packets will include two 6-on packets, one
blackout, one bonanza and one pick-your-own.
Payouts will be 1 5 games paying $2,000 and one black
out for $ 1 0,000 or a new Chevrolet Lumina.
Tickets for the special bingo session went on sale
December 1st and will cost $100 a piece. Only 500
tickets will be sold. Sales after December 17th will
cost $115. Sales at the door, if space is still available,
will cost $ 1 25. "We're encouraging patrons to buy their
tickets as soon as possible," notes Jan Linkhart, Bingo
Manager, "as we're expecting to sell out on all the avail
able seats." Patrons can enter their names for weekly
drawings throughout December to win a free pass to
the New Year's Eve "Super Bingo" Celebration Ses
sion. Special party decorations and favors will be avail
able in the Bingo Hall as well as the Player Services
Desk.
For more information on what's happening at Spirit
Mountain Casino on New Year's Eve, call 1-800-760-7977
or 879-2350.
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