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VAL GROUT
My name Is Valerene Grout and I'm
a candidate for Tribal Council.
A little background on my father's
side. I came from the Houcks and
Lenos, and from my mother's side the
Hudsons and the Warrens. My parents
are Dewalt and Arvella Houck. My
husband Pete and I have five children.
Our family Is very Important to us.
I have nine years experience as a Council person. I am a very
honest and caring person, I also am not swayed by other persons'
thinking. In the years that I spent on Tribal Council we had to make
many major decisions that affected all tribal members regardless of
where they were living. I made my decisions to benefit the needs of
all tribal members. Now more than ever we need a qualified and
experienced tribal government. With Grand Ronde now In the self
governance process, It brings the responsibility and authority down to
the tribal government level. We need a government that will work as
a team and create endless opportunities for all tribal members.
I have been Involved with the Pow-wow for eleven years, and am
also on the Elders' Committee.
I am very proud to have been part of the progress the Tribe has
made since restoration. It takes a team effort and no one person can
take credit for any one thing. We must work together for the good of
all our people.
Elders, health, and education Issues are the things I most enjoy
working on. But I think every Issue Is Important If It makes the lives
better for our people. I have been actively Involved in lobbying for
housing that Is available now, and Is affordable for our tribal Elders,
and also those who because of job opportunities at the Casino, are
now able to afford to buy a home.
If you think I am qualified to be your representative on Tribal
Council, I would appreciate your vote. Ask questions of people who
know me or call (503) 843-2846 In the evenings. I also encourage
you to ask questions about all the candidates and see who has been
Involved with the Tribe.
Thank you very much and God bless youl
. Valerene Grout
ROBERT HALLER
First, I would like to thank all those
tribal members voting in past as well as
upcoming tribal elections.
I am currently finishing a three-year
term as a Council member In which I
am Council Liaison for the Fish and
Wildlife Committee. I also sit on the
Tribal Government and Budget Com
mittee, Natural Resource Committee,
and serve as chair of the Economic Development Committee.
My previous work history consisted of 28 years In the construction
Industry which I believe Is of significant value while the Tribe is con
tinually growing and building.
Upon my election three years ago, I undertook to find a home in
the Grand Ronde area so that I could devote my full time to my
Council duties.
If elected this term, I will continue supporting the policies that I
have worked hard for in the past three years. These include tribal
preference for those qualified in the tribal government and other eco
nomic pursuits that our tribe has operating. The Tribe has created
many good paying jobs. We need education and training for our
tribal members so that all can benefit from this opportunity.
I will work to establish a competitive bid process when using tribal
funds for construction projects. This will allow the small business and
entrepreneurs within our tribe to expand and grow. Future afford
able housing for Elders and lower Income families Is something we
cannot put aside any longer. This is a commitment to helping those
who need assistance the most.
I am a strong advocate for the yearly cash dividends for all tribal
members plus the Elders' pension program. I strongly urge that we
take a good look at these programs so that we can make them self
sustainable for years to come, so that all tribal members may benefit.
As a Council member who lived off of the reservation for many
years, I know the needs of the tribal members that live out of the area
and will continue working to expand benefits. I have worked hard to
have medical and housing assistance grants reach those members out
side the six county area. I will continue in this area, hopefully, to
extend dental benefits to all tribal members.
I believe that as a Council member elected by the members of this
tribe, I am responsible and must answer to all tribal members, not lust
those who voted for me. I openly encourage any member who wishes
to speak to a Council member or to learn more about me and my
positions to call me. My phone number Is (503) 879-3792. I will
close by asking you for your support In the upcoming election.
Thanks,
Robert Haller
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BOB MERGER
My name Is Bob Mercier, a candi
date for Tribal Council. I reside In
Wlllamlna, Oregon and grew up In
Grand Ronde. I own and operate a
trucking business.
From 1989 to 1993, 1 served on
Tribal Council, and also on the Tim
ber Committee. It was always a learn
ing experience serving In this capacity,
working with the foresters In preparing timber sales and management
of the Tribe's 1 0,000 acre reservation. Another important duty of a
Council member Is doing long term planning for Economic and Com
munity Development. Currently, the Tribe is operating Spirit Moun
tain Casino, and although It Is booming, I am particularly concerned
about gaming being Impacted by other outside forces. The United
States Congress is attempting to tax Indian gaming. There are mem
bers of Congress who are targeting gaming for other reasons, whether
It be moral, philosophical, or economic. On the State level, the
legislature Is also looking at gaming. The current gaming trend won't
last forever.
The Tribe needs to pursue other forms of economic development.
Dependence on limited sources of income Is disastrous. With the
money being earned from the gaming, the opportunity to do other
kinds of economic development Is now. How will we diversify the
economy? In my previous service on the Tribal Council, I have trav
elled to other Indian reservations and communities throughout the
U.S. I was always Impressed with the different economic ventures
these tribes did. For example, one tribe owns and operates a linen
business, a school bus company, and a charter bus enterprise as well.
Another tribe bought a local phone company, established a paint
manufacturing plant and a metal fabrication business. In my view,
tribes have far greater opportunities to enhance economic develop
ment on their reservations and communities. I And my self wonder
ing why our tribe is only doing gaming. What Is holding us back from
doing other ventures?
To further diversify the economy, the Tribe must aggressively en
hance the local infastructure. For Instance, a master plan must be
established to assure there will be enough water, sewer, and other
basic utilities. The Tribe must pursue more land purchases If we are ,
to further economic and community development.''',' .
As a Tribal Council member, I will work to see the Tribe works
cooperatively with other governments, the local cities, counties, state
officials and Congress as well. I see a vast potential for the Confeder
ated tribes of Grand Ronde to make many positive contributions to
the tribal membership and surrounding communities. However, Tribal
Council stability is an absolute must. A long-term vision and goals
must be established. We must wisely use the gaming monies to secure
educational opportunities for the tribal youth, as well as enhancing
our economic future.
There is a familiar expression "don't put all your eggs In one bas
ket." For our economic survival, other ventures are needed. I am
seeking your vote to secure a future for the Grand Ronde Tribe.
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JOYCE DeHART
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My name Is Joyce DeHart. It Is my
honor to be considered again for Tribal
Council.
I am the daughter of Marion Haller
Davidson, granddaughter of Adeline
Menard Haller, and great-great-granddaughter
of oseph Sangaretta. I grew
up In the Hood River Valley and chose
a career in nursing.
My husband and I are now both semi-retired. He from the grocery
business, and I from nursing. We are in the process of obtaining
property at Kings Valley, where we will be making our home.
First, I would like to applaud the current Council for providing health
Insurance benefits to all tribal members no matter where they live.
Unfortunately, ODS program doesn't provide 100 coverage, but
we must ask ourselves...are we better off than we were a year ago?
I am supportive of education and small business enterprise. I be
lieve we need a diverse economic base if we are going to be secure
and successful as a tribe, over time. I also believe that the level of
education and technical knowledge within our tribe needs to increase
if we are to continue to the demands of sophisticated business ven
tures. Therefore, I would encourage small business development and
increase the amount of education scholarship awards.
Another problem I would like to address at this time Is tribal mem
bers who live outside of the Six County Service Area. These tribal
members have difficulty keeping current on all events that occur.
They need Tribal Council members who will be able to go to these
outside areas to keep our members informed.
I am also dedicated to preserving and protecting our tribal history.
We need to do all we can to preserve our culture, history, and tradi
tions now, for future generations.
I am aware of the energy It will take just to learn the many aspects
of the tribal position. If elected, I Intend to donate 100 of my time
to acquire this knowledge, and fulfill this position.
If I have not addressed an area you are concerned with or If you
would like to discuss some Issue In more length, please contact me at
(503) 478-3319 or write P.O. Box 596, Mosier, Oregon 97040.
TOM JONES
I am asking for you to vote for me
for Tribal Council. This Is very Impor
tant to me and I believe I have the ex
perience and qualifications to serve on
the Council. I have my Masters of So
cial Work degree from the University
of Washington and have worked for
Indian Tribes and Indian Organizations
for over twenty years. I have a lot of
experience with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Governments. I
have been an active Grand Ronde tribal member over the past years,
having served the Tribe as Social Services Director, wrote grants for
the Tribe, and provided program development In many areas.
I support programs and services that will benefit all tribal members
regardless of where they live. I will continue to support programs
that provide our people quality educational opportunities, business
opportunities, financial assistance, affordable housing, and health care
services for all members.
It is especially Important for the Tribe to continue to find ways to
provide quality services for our youth. The future of the Tribe will
depend a great deal on how well our youth are taken care of. This
will require short and long range plans designed to protect our youth,
natural resources, and our culture. It is important to work to pre
serve the home lands of our people. I am prepared to bring these and
other Issues of concern to the tribal membership for your support.
Tom Jones
11 00 Fern Street SW, Olympla, Washington 98502
BOB LENO
Well, it's election time again. First,
, J would like, to tell all of you whosup;,
'ported1 me Tast yearhow much I appre-1
dated it. Thank you. This year, bring
a couple of friends with you.
My name Is Bob Leno. I was born
and raised In Grand Ronde. Some of
you may have gotten an introduction
through my son. Chris Is Executive
Assistant for the Tribe. Last year he was the contact person you
spoke to on the phone if you had any questions about the Members'
Benefit Program. I also have a beautiful daughter Marlssa. Marissa Is
graduating from high school this year. She Is also a part-time em
ployee of our Spirit Mountain Casino. Luckily, Marissa will be old
enough to vote at election time.
My experience with Council goes back to when we weren't a federally-recognized
tribe. Our goal then was to gain our federal recogni
tion. We gathered Information supporting our claim. We Identified
those groups and governmental agencies who may oppose the bill.
Met with them and listened to their concerns. Then negotiated agree
ments that were amicable to both parties, therefore eliminating any
opposition to the Restoration Bill. Built on such a strong foundation,
our bill sailed through. The rest as they say, Is history. Building
foundations is hard work. But essential in Insuring a successful ven
ture. If elected, I will use these skills and work ethics to attain the
goal that lies ahead. And govern with the best Interest of all tribal
members in mind at all times. Making sure our future is built on a
strong foundation.
I am very proud of how far the Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes
has come. We started all this In a little one room building at the
cemetery. But we can't stand in one place admiring our success. We
must stride forward, always striving to Improve.
Improving communication Is one way I believe we can start. I keep
going to General Council meetings where questions are asked of the
Council, and their answer is "we don't know." If people who are
entrusted to run the Tribe don't know, that's a problem. Or maybe
they think we don't need to know. One answer we have been given
in the past is "We don't want to release that to the public." For
whatever reason, "We don't know" is an unacceptable answer.
One possible way might be restructuring departmental reporting
to the Council. Dividing the reports so that every area Is studied in
depth. So that when a question Is asked, the Chairperson can ask the
person assigned to that area to answer. The General Council meetings
are to allow participation of the tribal members. And they are official
meetings. More accurate minutes should be kept and accurately re
ported In full. People that don't live In the area and can't come to the
meetings are being denied information they have a right to.