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.