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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1996)
August 1, 1996 SMOKE SIGNALS (Smtim 9 Casino Employee Profile: Angie Ellis Tribal member Angie Ellis has been working at Spirit Mountain Casino since it opened last Octo ber. Her job as a Video Lottery Ter minal (VLT) Su pervisor keeps her very busy, in addi tion to her home and family, which includes her hus band and three daughters. Angie previously worked her way through school, and graduated from Chemeketa Community College with an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Edu cation. It wasn't long after this achieve ment that she was hired as the teacher for the Head Start classroom in Grand Ronde. With her background in education, Angie said she never planned on working for the Casino. "I saw the job description, and decided to apply for VLT Supervisor," she said. Angie said she's glad she did, because she is still working with tribal members, and there's wonderful opportunities for ad vancement at the Casino. Although her position as supervisor re quires a lot of organization and adminis- f L V trative skills, Angie said there's also a customer service aspect of her job which she enjoys. "I really like meeting with the Casino's guests," she said. Because she is a tribal member and an employee of the Casino, her job holds special mean ing for her. "I want the Casino to suc ceed for the whole Tribe," she said. Angie grew up in Grand Ronde and re members some of the difficult times the Tribe has had in the past, and is glad for the new respect the Tribe has received in re cent years. Angie's future at the Casino is wide open. There are many goals and dreams she has for herself and for her family. Because of her interest in education, Angie has decided to apply for the Yamhill County Head Start Board of Directors. "I believe early childhood education is very important to our community," she said. "I would also like to meet with a career de velopment specialist and continue my col lege course work to earn my Bachelor's degree in Business Management." Spirit Mountain Outfitters - -vu. i, f EH? K I 4 sex A if Lj 1 ; 2Ui"m tA -'X .viT iV- -2 JLl' t4l U ill; ' y 4 ", I Marissa Leno, Dusty Herber, Tammy Cook, and Vikki Bishop display some of the hot new summer items. Stop in and take a look, the stock changes with the change of every season. Don't forget your concert tickets. They can be purchased here or call Spirit Mountain Ticket Sales at 879-2350, ext. 3410 or 1-800-760-7977. No service charge or shipping and handling costs. Upcoming concerts: WAYLON JENNINGS -2nd show -August 21 at 8 p.m.; CRYSTAL GAYLE -- September 1 2 at 8 p.m.; MARK CHESTNUTT October 9 at 8 p.m.; and DOUG STONE -- December 5 at 8 p.m. Local area experiences economic gains Officials credit Casino with opening of eight new businesses in Willamina In addition to bringing nearly 1,000 new jobs to the Grand Ronde area, Spirit Mountain Casino is being credited by local government with the ccomonic boom the West Valley area has experienced since the Casino opened in October, 1995. According to a recent article in the Sheridan Sun, eight new businesses have opened in Willamina since the Casino's opening. Filling previously empty storefronts arc an art studio, an antique store, a mini-mart, a hair salon, two real estate offices, a balloon shop, an insurance office and a pizza restaurant. Local civic and business leaders attribute the economic surge to the Casino. "I guess it is a time of growth in Willamina," noted the town's mayor Twila Hill. "I'm sure most of it has to do with the Casino. There is going to be an influx of people and money when you put 900 people to work at once." Gary Brooks, president of the Willamina Business Group, agreed. "It's economics," he said. "The bang you get from 1,000 new jobs is going to have an impact. All of that new money in the area creates new business opportunities." All but one of the new businesses, he noted, were started by local residents. Nearby Sheridan is in the midst of a housing boom, with about 300 lots ready to build on within the city limits. A shopping center, anchored by a major grocery store chain, is also scheduled for development on Sheridan's south side. "We've always considered ourselves to be a beneficial member of the local commu nity," noted Bruce Thomas, President of Spirit Mountain Gaming. "It's gratifying for us to see the economic boost we're giving this area, not just through providing nearly 1,000 jobs, but through the positive economic growth of the communities themselves." Spirit Mountain Casino presents: Western Days August 19 to 25 Special drawings nightly at the Casino WAYLON JENNINGS Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. at Casino Tickets still available, call 1-800-760-7977 BJB.Q Friday Evening at the Casino COWBOY BREAKFAST Saturday and Sunday at 7 a.m. at Pow-wow Grounds RODEO Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pow-wow Grounds Traditional Rodeo Action DANCE Saturday at 7 p.m. at Casino Free admission, featuring the popular local band, "RougliStock" Call for more information 1-800-760-7977.
