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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1996)
Page 2 May 1, 1996 - SMOKE SIGNALS Chairman's Report: Controversy surrounds Indian gaming in Oregon By Mark Mercier As you know, the Spirit Mountain Casino is operating. In October of 1995, a Portland area newspaper published an extensive article on Indian gaming in Oregon, with some people voicing concern that gaming is proliferating the state of Oregon. The Governor has stated concern about the State's increasing dependency on lottery dollars which are used to fund education. Shortly thereafter, the Governor's office established a task force to study the issue of gaming. The task force is chaired by Oregon Attorney General Ted Kulongoski. The remainder of the group is made up of state legislators, a representative of the Ecumeni cal Ministries of Oregon, state Lottery officials, law enforcement officials, and people from other professions. The Governor has requested the task force solicit comments from the general public and other interested parties, then present a formal list of recommended actions to his office by the first of July based on the results of the task force's study. On April 23, the task force met at the Tribe's Spirit Mountain Casino. Tribal representatives gave a presentation regard ing the Tribe's regulatory structure to ensure honesty and integrity of the gaming operation. Also at this meeting were representatives from the Video Lottery Retailers Association, restaurant owners, and representatives from boys and girls clubs who rely on bingo to fund their activities. Many of these folks urged the task force to curb Indian gaming. At the wrap-up of this meeting, the Chairman stated: "Five years from now, this will be totally out of control i ... fry - ' and the public will take a very harsh approach to gaming." The point is this: the State of Oregon may do something to either do away with gaming, or impose tougher regulations on it. Back in October, a Congressman made an attempt to tax proceeds from Indian gaming, but this failed after Tribal representatives (including ones from Grand Ronde) met with Congressional members. However, some Congress people we spoke with did say that in 1997, another effort to tax Indian gaming will ensue. Also, an article in a recent Reader 's Digest told of suicides resulting from gambling addiction, from Indian casinos in Minnesota There are many folks who will tinker with gaming one way or another. Nationwide, there are grass roots efforts to thwart gaming. Tribes throughout the nation are now using gaming monies to establish other businesses and forms of economic development. May not be a bad idea. : , , J.jtL..-.., m , rrr"i!iiriiiiiiffliiiiiiMai miai m mtr nirrMKiiai If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you won't miss a single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals is available to anyone at no cost. Just fill out this form with your name and address, then mail it back to Smoke Signals, Attn: Kim Mueller, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347. OLD ADDRESS: NEW ADDRESS: Gaming Task Force meets at Casino The Governor's Task Force on Gaming held its monthly meeting at Spirit Mountain Casino on April 23. Vice-Chair Kathryn Harrison shared the Tribe's history, and the ramifications of termination with the sixteen members of the task force. Chairman Mark Mercier spoke about how the Tribe uses the Casino income to benefit the entire Grand Ronde community and other areas. Chaired by Oregon Attorney General Ted Kulongoski, the task force was established to discuss and debate some of the current gaming issues in Oregon, and the effect Indian gaming has on the state lottery. Governor Kitzhaber will hear opinions from task force members in the near future. Bruce Thomas, President of Spirit Mountain Casino, is also a member of the task force. The meeting at the Casino was an open forum for interested Oregonians wishing to express an opinion regarding gaming. Many tavern owners said that Indian casinos are cutting into their video lottery profits, while others involved in Oregon's tourism indus try said that the casinos are attracting more visitors to Oregon. There was also some concern about how the decline in lottery dollars will affect the state's budget, especially since those dollars are being used for economic development and education. Task force members also toured the Casino and took particular interest in surveillance and security measures. nn ff 1 ! '! :!"'! IIIIINIIINI!IIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIII atmrnmsj mum ffli-.&te3iHMmit.n.mi .Tit m A r. w. i ft rx t a wi kl . EDITORIAL POLICY: Smoke Signals is a publication of the Con federated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have established an Editorial Policy to encourage input from readers about stories printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues. Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm wk
