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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1996)
8 June 1, 1996 SMOKE SIGNALS umit NOTE: On the following pages the Candidate Statements are NOT in the order in which they will appear on your ballot. 0Pam Warren It is my honor to be nominated to run for Tribal Council. First, I wish to thank Diane Lane for expressing her confidence and support in nominating me for Tribal Council. Second, my background with the Tribe: My parents are Phil and Reita Warren, and my grandmother is Blanche Lillard. I started working for the tribal organization in January, 1 994. I was the secretary for the Tribal Family Action Program until April, 1 996. Since April 15, 1996, I have been the General Assistance Counselor with the Human Services Division. I am also attending Chemeketa Community College at night on the path to my Associate's Degree in Human Services - Alcohol and Drug Program option. This Associate's Degree is my stepping stone on my way to a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. I have two daughters ages 6 years and 2 12 years who I am raising alone. Some of my concerns for their future education were lessened after the recent announcement of a trust fund being established for their future use. This coming from Timber Revenue. Realistically speaking, we all know that the cost of a college education climbs every year and by the time our children reach college age, the cost of a college education will be astronomical. The amounts of the trusts at this time will be enough to get them started. We need to assure them a way to finish that, to finish what they start to assure a bright future. How can we do that? By making sure there is still an Education Division with adequate funds available when our children need them. These children are the future of our tribe. Along these same lines is the issue of child care and the costs associated with it. This issue affects many of us with small children and full-time jobs. The amount of child care costs this day and age is incredible. For some, you almost can't afford to work and it can be very discouraging. This issue must be addressed and is a priority for me. I cannot emphasize enough the most important "issue" is each one of us. Being a tribal member is an honor that I hold very dearly. It is part of what I teach my children along with respect for your elders, all living things, others' personal space and property, and for yourself with regard to saying "NO" to alcohol and drugs. This is how I live my life. I ask for your support on election day this year. I am always open to your questions, suggestions, ideas, and complaints, or if you just want to talk. Thank you. 0Earl Floyd "Butch" Labonte It is difficult to prioritize what areas I would lend my energy to if elected. However, after researching a number of issues I see facing the Tribe now, and in the future, I have concluded that trust lands is the area I could have a positive impact on. The reason is 1 : Tax exemption for the Grand Ronde people. 2: Less red tape from state and county agencies. 3: Less financial burden for the Elders and General Council. 4: Would enable those tribal families who wish to live near Grand Ronde to do so. As Councilman I would strive to increase communication between Council and General Council. The reason I would do this is I clearly see a lack of dialogue and this has led to distrust among our people and Council. The people must be better informed in order for the Tribe to move ahead in a positive wayl There is of course much to do regarding our Tribe, and I would strive to do the best I can to serve the people. I am a firm believer in the power of the Creator and hold fast to many of our age-old traditions, particularly honoring and respecting all of creation that has led me to believe I am suited for the position of Council. My love and respect for the people is my true format. I am open to any questions concerning my involvement with the Tribe. My mailing address is: 54580 Hebo Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347. My residence is: 29695 Salmon River Highway Grand Ronde,.Oregon 97347. Phone: (503) 879-2825. I am a fire fighter for our forestry department and I can be gone for up to three weeks at a time. If I don't return your call, please call Forestry to find out if I am working on a forest fire. Thank you. 0 Andy ftL Jcnness Good day. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those who don't know me and reacquaint myself with those I have not seen in a while. First, I would like to share a little about my background. I was born in Springfield and raised in Dexter, a small community southeast of Eugene. I graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1 984 and entered Eugene Bible College that fall. After a year of bible college I married my wife Patty and began working in the woods. It only took me a short time before I knew I would return to school. In January of 1 987, 1 entered the University of Oregon where I majored in Economics and Business. While attending the U of 0, 1 was recognized for academic achievement, and in 1 990 1 earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics with a minor in Business. My other education includes one semester of law school which I attended at the U of O in the fall of 1 992. During this time I have come to love and appreciate my wife and our 4 beautiful daughters. We have been married for nearly 1 1 years and our girls are ages 10, 9, 4, and 2. I am greatly committed to my family; they, and my relationship with God, are truly the source of my strength. I thank God for them everyday. As many of you know I served on Tribal Council from August of 1 992 to August of 1 995. This was a time of tremendous growth for the Tribe and I am proud to have been an active part. Some of the Tribe's major achievements included our launch of Spirit Mountain, taking further control of our own destiny through self governance, and the increase of our reservation through the resolution of an old BIA errant land survey. During my last term of office I always strived to be fair and to actively listen to those who came before the Council. Under standing is key to making sound rational decisions. Also, I worked hard to do what was right and best for the Tribe as a whole. Living outside the Six County Service Area has made me, and continues to make me acutely aware of the needs of our members living in these areas. I applaud the current Council for recently addressing some of these needs through health insurance, retirement, and the tribal individual investment program. Each of these programs are available to members regardless of where they live. I believe I have many skills and talents which can be used to further the Tribe's positions both locally and nationally. With regard to the internal workings of the Tribal Council I am a team player and will work hard to see that the Council functions as a team. It is vitally important that each Council member speak and give input on each issue before them. I will push to further foster that type of environment which the Council operates in. I feel I have good communication skills, written and oral as well as the ability to listen. Along those lines I feel it is necessary to better the lines of communication within the tribal structure. Communication betweeen membership and Council, between Council and the administration, between the administration and the membership and between the mombers themselves needs continual attention. Communication is a process and not an event. I feel I can help to increase the communication in the Tribe. I want to be a voice for the membership and welcome any input anyone might have. Please feel free to write or call me at the address or phone number below: Andy Jenness 83998 Brown Rd Dexter, OR 97431 phone: 541-746-0450 e-mail: ajennessorednet.org I feel my blend of education and tribal experience makes me a prime candidate to represent you on the Tribal Council. If I am elected I will continue to be fair, listen, strive for understanding and work for the whole. I ask for your vote and thank you for your support. I also strongly encourage everyone to get out and vote in this very important Tribal Election. It is the participation of all which will make our Tribe stronger. Thank you. 0 Donna Casey Hi, I am the daughter of Blanche Ford Lillard and Phillip John Warren. I have two brothers: Phil "Tonto" Warren and John Lillard, two sisters: Norma Billings, and Vonnie Morrow. Our sister Shirley Flansberg was recently deceased on September 20, better known as everybody's "Partner". I have three sons: Butch Lillard, Darryl Blanchard, and Ward Blanchard. I also have a daughter, Karen Blanchard, plus ten grandchildren. Some of the things I would like to work toward for our Tribe is the Burial Fund. I feel and I know from experience, it should be raised. I also feel the Elder's budget should be increased, so we're not always being told "We don't have the money." We need to remember our Elders more, without them, where would we be? We would not exist. We need to budget more for our youth. Duane ManyHides and Vernon Kennedy are doing great, but I feel they would do even better with more funds. They have helped envision our troubled youth. Our youth is our tomorrow. Some of the activities I have been involved in are the Pow-wow Committee, volunteering help at the Song Basket, the Elder's stand, volunteering help for the Royalty, and enjoying trips as one of our Elders. I have attended meetings for the Elders in Phoenix, Warm Springs, and Kah-Nee-Tah. I want and need your support in order for me to carry forth these ideas and more for our people. My motto for our tribe will be to make a good today so we can have an even better tomorrows. Remember the Candidate Forum. I'll welcome your questions and suggestions. I am very honored to be a candidate for our Council. Thank you. 0Reyn Leno My name is Reynold Leno, son of Orville and Ramona Leno. My wife Liz and I have three children and one new granddaughter. I have lived in the Grand Ronde area all my life with the exception of two years in the Marine Corp. Election time has approached us once again, and there are three Council positions open. I would be very proud to be elected to one of these positions. I feel I would be a good representative of the general membership. Having a large family, I have an interest in all aspects of our tribal membership, all the way from my father, who is an elder, down to my granddaughter, who is less than two months old. I care about preserving the past as well as preparing for the future. My wife and I have been part of the working class since we graduated from high school and I would like to see the Tribe help this group of tribal members as well as my children, who are college educated. I feel that the Tribal Council's Supplemental Budget and possible health plan is a good first step in all helping all tribal members. Even though I have lived in the area all my life, I feel that it is important for those tribal members living outside the Six County Service Area to feel equal to those who do live in the six counties. The Tribe is moving in a positive direction and I feel that as a Tribal Council member, I could help the Tribe maintain that direction. I have attended weekly Tribal Council meetings as well as monthly General Council meetings regularly and I have done my best to educate myself on the needs of the Tribe and keep up on current issues. I also serve as Vice-Chairman of the Timber Committee, which is one of our chief sources of income. This position allows me to keep up on some of the financial aspects of the Tribe, given me the confidence and communication skills to work as a team member, make strong decisions for our Tribe, and handle the commitment it would require to be a Council member. Last year I received nearly 200 votes, a lot of them local. I would like to thank ALL of you who voted for me. However, I would like the people outside of the local area to know I support their issues and concerns as well. Your opinions, ideas, and heartfelt feelings are important no matter where you live. We are all tribal members. It is important that the Tribal Council be representative of all general membership. I would appreciate your support in the upcoming election, so do your best to see that your family members vote. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding tribal issues. Thank youl Phone: (503) 876-7402.
