4
Opinion
Smoke Signals
Dear Editor:
I would like to apologize for not list
ing BRIANNA LENO as an Achieve
ment and Recognition recipient in the
Keepsake Issue that was recently
mailed. Brianna is the president of
the Native
Youth
Council at
Willamina
High
School. She
is very in- I
volved and
there when
needed. She is a great leader and role
model. Brianna is also involved in
volleyball, softball, and SMILE. She
is an active member in her school,
tribe, and community. Congratula
tions to Brianna on all of her achieve
ments. Lisa Leno
Youth Leadership Coordinator .
Dear Editor:
My name is Trevor Aaron and I
currently live at lot 9 in Grand
Meadows. I wanted to thank the
Housing Department for helping a
27-year-old like me to meet one of
his lifetime goals ahead of schedule.
I never thought I would be the owner
of a home by the age of 27. I have to
specifically thank Lonnie Leno and
Bryan Langley who pushed me to
find out more about getting a house
and helped me through the rough
spots when I committed to getting
one. I never would have done it with
out their encouragement. I would
specifically like to thank Valerie at
Norwest Mortgage for being straight
with me. I have had some bad expe
riences with purchasing cars where I
was strung along and told I needed
more cash to purchase the car I
wanted. The experience of buying a
house was scary, frustrating, and
exciting all at the same time. The
entire Housing Department should
get my thanks as they have always
dealt with me in a professional man
ner. Working at Spirit Mountain
Casino I have been taught teamwork,
customer service skills, accountabil
ity, going the extra mile, profession
alism, and taking pride in my job. I
saw all of these traits in working with
GRTHA.
I have a few suggestions in how to
improve Grand Meadows: a recy
cling center located in the park for
aluminum, paper, glass, plastics, etc.
Also, paving McPherson Road up to
the entrance of Grand Meadows as
well as all individual areas that are
not paved now. These are not meant
as complaints, but suggestions for fu
ture needs.
Trevor Aaron
Applications Administrator
Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc.
, J
I 4Emt -
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank all the
people who helped me
wrestle in Montana. I did
the best I could, it was hard
because they were all good.
I had fun and learned a lot,
and met a lot of people from
all over, some I am even
writing to. Thanks again for
helping me.
Summer Mercier
(pictured at bottom left)
Summer and her family would like to thank the following people for
their donations and support for her wrestling trip to Montana:
Esther Borquez, Portland Bob Leno, Willamina Bud & Anna White,
McMinnville Jim Stamm, Willamina Grand Ronde Tribal Education
Division D. Danielson Construction, Portland Grand Ronde Veter
ans' Association, Grand Ronde Dan Kauffman Excavating, Otis Jess
& Candy Robertson, Grand Ronde Tom Leno, Willamina Kathryn
Harrison, Grand Ronde Jackie & Robert Whisler, Grand Ronde Greg
Archuleta, Grand Ronde Marce & Sharon Norwest, Grand Ronde
Chip Tom, Grand Ronde Ed Pearsall, Grand Ronde Courtney War
ren, Veterans' Royalty Nikki Norwest, Veterans' Royalty Stephanie
Duran, Grand Ronde Royalty Mike & Joann Comeaux, Sunriver
Marion Mercier, Grand Ronde Craig Toll, Grand Ronde Candi &
Justin Koehler, Grand Ronde.
In June, Summer Mercier competed in the Regional Championships in
Greco-Roman style wrestling, which were held in Butte, Montana. She
qualified for the championships by placing 3rd in the championships held
in the state of Oregon.
Summer, her stepdad (Pat Henry), and I would like to thank all who
donated to help make this trip to Montana possible. It would not have been
possible without the support from family and friends.
Summer placed 6th, earned a medal, and became recognized as an Ail
American in Greco-Roman Freestyle Wrestling. She lost in the finals, but
wrestled competitively, and we all can be proud of her. It was a very
educational experience, and Summer met a lot of kids and parents, from
other states. Even though the kids competed against each other, they also
got to know each other and share where they were from. It was very
uplifting for us all. Again, thanks to everyone for their support.
Melinda Henry
Dear Editor:
I wish to thank all the patients, staff,
and tribal members for the wonder
ful practicum work experience at the
tribal clinic. Your knowledge, kind
ness, and strengths that were shared
with me are greatly appreciated. I
truly enjoyed my time working at
your facility and will always hold a
special place in my heart for you. It
was my pleasure to have worked with
you.
I am hopeful that as you continue
to grow, I will have the opportunity
to work with you again.
Sincerely,
Bobbie Hamamoto
To the Editor:
Our family would like to thank
Tribal Council, tribal staff, Spirit
Mountain Casino staff, friends and
family for their flowers, phone calls,
and support while Billy was in the
hospital as the result of his recent
ATV accident.
The DeLoe family
Input needed on
highway changes
Community officials would
like all local residents to please
comment on the plans the Or
egon Department of Transpor
tation (ODOT) has to create a
three-lane section of Highway
18 just east of Fort Hill.
ODOT has begun plans to
change a section of Highway 18
to a one mile east bound pass
ing lane (starting at the weigh
station) and a one-mile west
bound passing lane starting at
Wallace Bridge and proceeding
west. There will be a no pass
ing section in the middle.
Anyone interested in com
menting may submit a letter to
Smoke Signals, where they will
be reviewed by local officials.
No phone calls please.
SMOKE SIGNALS
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Or 97347
EDITOR:
TRACY DUGAN
(503) 879-2254
REPORTER:
OSCAR JOHNSON
(503) 879-2321
GRAPHICS s NEWS
COORDINATOR:
KIM MUELLER
(503) 879-2264
1-800-422-0232
FAX: (503) 879-2263
E-MAIL ADDRESSES:
tracynewsmacnet.com
kimnewsmacnet.com
oscarJohnsonjournalist.com
Members of the Native American
Journalist Association, the Associated
Press, and Society of News Design.
SUBMISSIONS
FROM OUR READERS:
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of
the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon, is pub
lished twice a month. We have estab
lished an Editorial Policy to encourage
input from readers about stories
printed in SMOKE SIGNALS, and
other tribal Issues. However, all let
ters must be received at the newspa
per office with author's signature, ad
dress, 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 con
tain libelous statements or personal at
tacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Pub
lished letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS,
tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
Thurs., August 20, 1998
Thurs., Sept. 3, 1998
O
Printed on recycled paper.