September 1, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
3
Returning home, getting involved Local guys bring home trophy
UAs chairman of both the
Gaming Commission and the
Housing Authority, Bob Watson
is seeing his fair share of policy
and procedure.
Bob Watson sits at the head of the long
conference table, his fellow Gaming Com
mission members surrounding him. He's
talking to the Commission about their many
policies and regulations something he's
very comfortable discussing.
This isn't the first committee he's sat on
in his career. Born and raised in Oregon,
Bob and his wife only recently moved back
to the Willamette Valley after living in Dela
ware for many years and working as head
of corrections for the state.
"I lived in Smyrna, Delaware," said Bob.
"It's a really small town, and I knew just
about everyone."
Still, he says it's good to be home.
Bob's work in corrections spans more
than four decades, beginning in Oregon.
"I was head of corrections for years un
der governors Straub and Atiyah," he said.
After that, he went into private consult
ing for the Sheriffs Department before
moving east.
By now, most of us are aware of the Gam
ing Commission's role. The Casino has
been open for nearly a year, and the Com
mission has gotten very comfortable in their
duties of approving licenses for prospective
employees and preserving the overall integ
rity and reputation of the Casino. The Com
mission meets once per month in a formally
announced business session. The Gaming
Ordinance requires five days of posted pub
lic notice before they meet.
"The public meetings include business
that has to do with licencing of vendors and
the general conduct of gaming ventures in
the community," he said. "Executive ses
sion is closed, and we discuss personnel
issues."
Bob said that more than 1,200 applica
tions have come across the Commission's
docket prospective employees as well
as companies wishing to do business in the
Casino. They each need a license. "Com
panies require an investigation as well as
applicants," Bob said. "We want firms to
have a good, reputable history of business.
We look up their credit to see if they'd paid
their debtors on time, and if they are suc
cessful at what they do." It's a responsibil
ity shared by the state police.
As far as employees are concerned, Bob
says, "We don't see applications until the
person has been recommended for hire.
Most of the time, the only people who would
be denied a license are those who weren't
truthful on their application, or didn't show
i
VV
1
up for work in the interim. I think Human
Resources has done a good job of explain
ing the hiring procedures to applicants.
They have taken fairly aggressive action to
get as many qualified tribal members as
possible to work at the Casino. The num
ber of terminations of tribal members is re
ally very small."
Bob said that tribal members and employ
ees of the Casino should be proud because
they have all held a part in setting a high
standard for Indian gaming in Oregon.
Bob has his own opinion about the hot
issue of traffic on the highways. "Traffic
on Highway 22 has no doubt been increased
by the Casino, but the Casino didn't create
the problem. The problem already existed,
and needed to be addressed."
There is also a controversy about taxa
tion, and how the Tribe doesn't give a cut
of its Casino revenue to the state.
"The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
(IGRA) dictates to Tribal Council what
Casino dollars will be used for housing,
health, education, and the long-term suc
cess and self-sufficiency of the Tribe. That
is w hy IGRA was created. If you look at it
that way, the Casino is taxed one hundred
percent."
Bob adds that since the Tribe is a sover
eign government, other governments
shouldn't be able to tax it anyway.
"Just look around. There are numerous
examples of the Tribe's generosity to the
community," he said. "Sometimes these
voluntary contributions can be overlooked."
One of Bob's long-term goals is to set up
a program for gambling addictions in the
community. He said that many tribes across
the nation which have been very successful
in gaming have seen gambling addictions
turn up as a problem within the tribe.
He said the state of Oregon is already
looking into it, but there are very few pro
grams which deal solely with the problem
of gambling.
"I have heard about situations in other
tribes where people have really lost con
trol. It would be sad if the Grand Ronde
Tribe created something that generated mil
lions of dollars, but ended up devastating
the lives of some members."
Continued on page 10
Rival Softball teams duked it out again this year at the Silctz pow-wow, held August
9-11. Bruer's Contract Cutting, coached by Mike Larsen and sporting a core of Grand
Ronde hitters, prevailed 17-1 5 in a slugfest over Pepsi, aka Silctz.
Albert Belle might as well have been in the line-up, as the Larsen-led team blud
geoned its way to the championship to cap off an undefeated weekend. For primer they
knocked off Sunset 14-2, and Mary's River Lumber 13-2. The next day, after some more
of the same, they took care of Just Some Guys 20-4 and then went on to claim the trophy.
Fortunately, Mike Larsen seemed to revel much more in the chivalry of gamesman
ship than in the limelight of winning. "Our game with Silctz was really competitive, and
was played with great sportsmanship and respect. We look forward to next year."
Greg Lcno garnered the batting trophy ("he played the best ball I've ever seen him
play"), and both he and Doug Colton were awarded all-star honors. Other tribal mem
bers were Chris Leno, Jim Holmes, Mike Colton, Jim Bruckner, Jeff Larsen, and Joe
Larsen. Mike Larsen gives special thanks to Karen Larsen, the scorckecpcr and, "our
most devoted supporter." He also wants to thank Mike Brucr for sponsoring the team
again this year.
4 " l'Will
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FRONT ROW: Joe Larsen, Chris Leno, Mike Bruer, Nathan Arneson, Jim
Holmes, Greg Leno, Jim Bruckner. STANDING: Mike Colton, Jeff Larsen,
Travis Hunt, Doug Colton, Lee Yates, Terry Ameson, Mike Larsen, and Mike
Edwards.
sun
Family services provided Learning techniques and self awareness
Everyone Welcome Open to all community members
We encourage all parents, guardians, grandparents, and community members
to participate and assist children, All Grand Ronde students will be attending.
Parents or guardians must be present for immunizations,
please bring immunization cards.
Immunizations
Ramblin' Rod
Life Flight
Fire Truck and Medic Unit
School bus safety
Dental screening
Smoky Hacky Cough Play
Seat Belt Safety
DARE
McSruff
Water safety
Safe streets
Safe Wdn
Fingerprint IDs for kids
Hearing tests and displays
Disability challenges with hands-on
use of wheelchairs and canes
Teenage pregnancy prevention
WIC eligibility
Blood pressure checks
Insurance information
Prizes for kids and adults
Items from Spirit Mountain Casino will a.
rctnieu uj auuiis umi sign up.
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Sponsored by Grand RondeWillamina School District Integrated Services from PolV and Yamhill
Counties, Grand Ronde Tribes, Spirit Mountain Casino, Polk and Yamhill Counties and Sheriffs
Departments, Life Flight Willamina Fire District N.W. Medic Team, Oregon Commission for the Blind.
Oregon Public Libraries, West Valley L'-ns Club, Valley Community Hospital, and many others.