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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1998)
3 March 1, 1998 Opinion Letters Dear Editor, Having just read the Smoke Signals issue for Feb. 15, 1998 we were pleasantly surprised to note the Casino is doing so much better than our expecta tions ($40 million gross1997). However, there is considerable concern ex pressed among our family group as to the disburse-. ment of this revenue. It appears the Tribe is in vesting considerably in expansion and development along several fronts (e.g., Casino expansion, ho tel, retail center). Although we understand that it is to our benefit if these projects succeed, what if they fail? We question the wisdom and qualifica tions of those making these decisions. As we re member, it was not to far in the past that the Spirit Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) made several poor financial decisions (e.g., Special for est products loss). It may be noted that several of the parties involved in that fiasco are still working at SMDC and although recent projects seem to be doing well, we question such rapid expansion. Perhaps SMDC should learn to walk before they run? We would also like to point out that just prior to Christmas 1997 it was proposed at a Tribal Coun cil meeting that the tribal membership be allowed to share in this Casino "bounty" with a $500 pay ment. However, without consulting their constitu ents, several Council members opposed this propo sition. These are people we voted to represent us. Although we are grateful to Council for the ben efits we currently share and for providing for the welfare of our Elders, we feel they should con sider "investing" in their fellow tribal members. They can do this with increased payments now and less development, which may or may not pay off in the future. In conclusion we wish to express a heartfelt thanks to the Tribe for all it has done for us and to Smoke Signals for providing a forum for our opin ions. Thank you. The Lancour Family, Marlena J. Lancour, Roll 733 Novalee J. Lancour, Roll 1645 Ernest H. Lancour, Roll 2377 Joseph R. Lancour, Roll 2376 Corrections Smoke Signals apologizes for incorrect informa tion printed in the last issue: at the February Gen eral Council meeting, the raffle winners were Dana Leno, Mychal Leno, Lydia Logan, and NORMA LEE; and Happy Birthday to Kalim, from KIANA and Caden. Dear Editor, We would like to take a moment to thank the Grand Ronde housing grant program to make a dream come true. We have wanted to own our own home for some time, but it seemed we never had enough money for a down payment until we signed up for the down payment program. We are very proud to be part of the Grand Ronde Tribe. We want to send a special thank you to Bryan Langley, he helped out a lot. But all in all, the whole Tribe deserves a great big thank you! Thank you, Fred and Robin Weltz and family Ruby Golden Prineville, OR -Vf li! ' ,f' ( Dear Editor, I read the editorial in the Smoke Signals of Feb ruary 1 with much interest. After finishing I felt as if I were in a big cloud of smoke. So I read it again with the same feeling. If your worried about paying 12 million stop spending. Does Grand Ronde need to be a minia ture Vegas? The old saying goes, "If you want the wagon to go faster, run the horse down hill." Are we going too fast? As for added benefits to members, I for one would welcome it. It would help to relieve the pres sure of working six days a week. The benefits we now receive are a blessing. But I fear they won't last. For those of you who are so worried, why not donate your tribal salary to the Tribe? Not all members can be in Grand Ronde or af ford to move there. We received nothing for years. Then we got a Council that worked for all mem bers. Now I get the feeling we need to shut up and be thankful for what we have. I have a ancestral right to benefits from the Tribe's growth past, present and future. We receive revenue from the Casino, timber, and BIA. Maybe the Council needs to take a course on money management. Speaking of Council, why are elected members not attending meetings? Or should I say entering and then leaving out the back door. They get paid to be there. Putting fines on those not attending full Council meetings might help. Somebody turn on the fans and blow away all the smoke to see what's burning. William Kellogg Box 569 Dighton, KS (316) 397-2718 Dear Editor: I want to extend a warm thank you to Tribal Coun cil and the Tribal Housing Authority for all the help I received when purchasing my new home in Grand Meadows. Without this program, my husband and I would not be moving to the area. I am very thank ful for the chance to live and work in Grand Ronde. Everyone went to a lot of time and trouble to help us. Sincerely, Louise Coulson SMOKE SIGNALS 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Or 97347 Internet e-mail addresses: tracynewsmacnet.com kimnewsmacnet.com Editor: TRACY DUGAN (503) 879-2254 Graphics 6C News Coordinator: KIM MUELLER (503) 879-2264 1-800-422-0232 FAX: (503) 879-2263 SUBMISSIONS FROM OUR READERS: SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, is pubiised twice a month. All letters must be received at the newspaper office with author's signature, address, and phone number In order to be considered for publication. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not ail letters are guar anteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. UPCOMING DEADLINES: Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 20 f to memory of Pete Grout The family of PETE GROUT would like to thank all of our family, friends, staff, and Council members for the love they have shown us through his passing and the love they have shown Pete while he was in the hospital. We appreciate all the food, flowers, prayers, and cards. We especially want to thank Susie and her helpers for the fine dinner they prepared after the service. We love you all and thank you. Pete will be missed so much and each one of you has made this time a little easier. Val Grout Janell and Tim Haller and family Sharon and Rick Hutton and family Rick Grout and family Penny and Lloyd DeLoe and family Boon Grout f " T DAD, and what he meant to me Pleasure (for mom, won't go there) Earnhardt (winning, so dad can finally wear his coat) Tough (on you, if you wrecked the car) Excited (if he could make you cry) Good (son, husband, father, grandfather) Real (he put on no airs) Outdoor (his joys, hunting & fishing) Until (he hunted, fished, logged until he passed on) Teaser (he loved and lived to tease) DAD, thanks for all the GOOD memories Love, Sharon
