2
,. i August 15, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
Letters to the Editor
Dear Members,
My name is Cindy Gullcdge. I am a de
scendant of the LaChancc-Langley family.
I started recording family members' names
while helping my grandmother (Pearl Lan
glcy Lyon) to become a tribal member. I
would like to continue recording names and
eventually be able to have a copy for all to
refer to. But, I need your help!
At this year's Pow-wow there will be a
table set up for you to drop by information,
or you can leave your name, number, and
address so I can contact you and record this
information for you. Though I know this is
an enormous project to undertake, I think,
as you will probably agree, that it will well
be worth our efforts, as we will be able to
leave a record for future generations. I am
also including my address for those of you
that cannot attend this year's Pow-wow. So,
please take the time now to write down your
family tree and drop off a copy at the
"LaChance-Langley Family" information
table.
Let me take the time now to thank you,
in advance, for all your help.
Sincerely,
Cindy Gulledge
1005 Ferry St., Space 27
Dayton, OR 971 14
Dear Editor,
I hope there will be more discussion in the
August issue about the qualifications of the
candidates for the coming election. It is very
difficult to base a judgement on someone say
ing "I want to work for the good of the Tribe
and if elected I will attend the meetings."
Of course they want to work for the good
of the Tribe, but living out of the area, I need
to know more so I can make an intelligent
decision. We live in a political world, that is
the reality and I want leaders that can cope
with this reality.
Gambling is an issue where large multi
national corporations are vying for a piece of
the action. Did you see in the Oregon papers
that Planet Hollywood is signing an agree
ment with the owners of Sheraton Hotels
(ITT) to open some large, plush casinos? The
problem is not the neighbors of some tribe's
casino, the problem is from the very well paid
knowledgeable lobbyists of Donald Trump
and ITT. I don't believe it is even racist, it is
jlist about money and those that have it want
more.
Please let me know some more about these
candidates, there should be a packet mailed
to all the tribal members with some details
about their vision for our tribal future.
What about energy and conservation of
natural resources? I need more information.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Judith Pert ibonc 717
P.O. Box 22719
Honolulu, Hawaii 96823
Special IwtfatuM
The ground-breaking
ceremony for the
Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde
Health and Wellness Center
will be held on
August 1 6, 1 996 at 1 0 a.m.
Grand Ronde Road
September 7, 1996
Tribal Community Center
A new column has been established in Smoke Signals to specifically
address your questions about Spirit Mountain Casino. The most commonly-asked
questions will be featured in this column, as well as a de
tailed response. Although we cannot answer each question personally,
we hope this new column will help explain some of the main concerns
tribal members have. Please send your questions in, and we'll try to
respond in an upcoming issue.
Are you concerned about gaming license procedures, hiring policies,
taxes, employee benefits? Whatever is on your mind, let us know.
Send your questions to: Smoke Signals, 9615 Grand Ronde Road,
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347.
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EDITORIAL POLICY
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Health insurance
questions answered
Our Risk Management Department
mailed a "pre-application for health insur
ance" form during the last week of July.
This was mailed to all tribal members un
der the age of 65 who were listed in our en
rollment database. This form was sent to
tribal members to determine what type of
health insurance, if any, a family is currently
receiving and how much money is being
paid for this insurance. Based upon the re
sponses to these questions, we will be de
signing an insurance program to meet the
needs of our tribal members, no matter
where they live. This insurance could be
"primary" or "secondary" coverage, depend
ing upon the family circumstances. There
may be other fiscal incentives built into the
plan but we are unable to determine what
these might be until we receive the data.
We have received an excellent response
to our request for information. The most
frequently asked questions we get are:
1. "If I don't live in Oregon, can I still
get insurance?" The answer is YES!
2. "Would I still be able to get benefits
if my employer has me on a health insur
ance program?" The answer is YES!
We would like to hear from all tribal
members as soon as possible. We are tar
geting a January 1, 1997 "start date for this
' health insurance program. If you have
questions about the "pre-application"
form or if you did not receive one, please
contact Val or Marsha at our new toll
free Risk Management Department
phone number: 1-800-442-0346.
Address changes needed
for some registered voters
The Election Board would like the fol
lowing people to submit a change of ad
dress to them so they can receive their ab
sentee ballots for the 1996 Tribal Council
Election. These tribal members were mailed
a ballot, which was returned with no for
warding address. If your name is on this
list you need to provide the Election Board
with a new mailing address in order for you
to vote by mail. Call (503) 879-5600.
Karen Davis
Patty Chavez
Marilyn Connelly
David DeHart
Angela Lomboy
Shane Lomboy
Diana Norton
Priscilla Scott
Clifford Yarbrough
Glenn Casey
Alan Norby
Charles Wright
William Johnson
Ronald Johnson