4
Smoke Signals
' I A l A i.
Dear tribal members:
This letter is to express my sincere
thanks and appreciation for the kind
concern following the accident that
my grandson and I were in on De
cember 20, 1999.
Orin-John, my grandson, was life
flighted from the Mt. Hood Highway
while I was transported by ambu
lance to the trauma center at
Emanual Hospital in Portland. We
were admitted as patients but hap
pily released in time for Christmas at
home.
It is a miracle we survived because
the pick-up was totalled and we had
to be cut out of it. Thank God and
ODOT for the guardrail, as it kept
us from going off of a cliff.
We have been home recovering.
Orin-John returned to school Janu
ary 18. I am not released to return
to work, but expect to be released in
February.
I was deeply touched by the caring
shown through the many phone
calls, cards, flowers, gifts, visits, and
prayers. Special thanks to my fam
ily who came and stayed through our
hospital stay and for the Ronald
McDonald House who provided ac
commodations. Also, my heartfelt appreciation to
the folks who visited us in the hospi
tal: Patti, Jon, and Celeste of the VR
program; Karen, Dee, and Ed of
NPAIHB; Margaret Provost, Jackie
Provost, and Molly Rimer; Doni and
Leroy Wilder; Renaldo and Ronda
Menjarez; Laura Tom and Nancy
Renfrow; John and Kevin Simmons;
Kim and Beryle Contreras; Rose
Jimmicum; and Bonnie and Chip
Tom.
Those who sent such beautiful
flowers must have known that I con
sider flowers to be healers and they
did the job. Thanks to: the Tribal
Council; the CTGR Mental Health
staff; the CTGR Vocational Rehabili
tation staff; the Health and Wellness
staff; the Human Resources staff;
Nanitch Sahallie staff; the Health
Authority; NARA staff; NPAIHB
staff; and all my friends and family
for the healing bouquets.
I greatly gained strength from each
telephone call and card that wished
us a quick and complete recovery. I
especially appreciated the calls from
the staff of the Tribe who I worked
among for so many years.
Please know that I consider myself
to be blessed to have such caring
friends, family, and fellow tribal mem
bers. God bless each and every one
of you.
Sincerely,
Cheryle A. Kennedy
Roll 1
Dear Editor:
I am writing to give a big heartfelt
thank you to Bryan, Teri, Nancy and
everyone else over at the housing de
partment. My wife and I moved into
our new home at Grand Meadows
(Lot 31) just before Thanksgiving
1999. We have finally got most ev
erything out of boxes and kind of
organized, and now we can really
start enjoying our new home.
I just wanted to make sure that I
expressed appreciation to all who as
sisted us in the home buying process.
It made it so much easier for us.
I am very thankful for the advan
tages that the tribal success can of
fer its members like myself.
Fred McGee
Roll 1172
Dear Editor:
I have read Smoke Signals for
years and wish I believed that all the
letters I have read come from the
heart and weren't written to impress
certain members of the Tribe or
maybe help the writer out politically.
I may disagree with a lot of what is
written in the "Dear Editor" column,
but I would rather read a letter that
was written from what the writer
believed in before I read a letter that
was written for personal gain or to
impress others.
Thank you,
Rex Haller
Roll 905
Correction
Vivian DeMary was also recog
nized at the tribal service award cer
emony for her 8 years of employment
with the Tribe. Smoke Signals apolo
gizes for the oversight.
gK8338)S3QEl
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
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tracy.dugangrandronde.org
KIM MUELLER 879-2264
kim.muellergrandronde.org
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brent.merrillgrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS 879-2190
justin.phillipsgrandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Frl.,Feb.l8 MARCH 1
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Fill out this form with your name and address, mail to:
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OLD ADDRESS:
NEW ADDRESS:
GRAND RONDE ROLL :
WED., JANUARY 12, 2000, 3:00 p.m. Meeting was called to order by Kath
ryn Harrison. A full Council was present.
OLD BUSINESS Reyn Leno rescinded previous motion made to approve the
December 1, 1999 Council meeting minutes. Bob Merrier rescinded his second to
Reyn's motion. Reyn Leno moved to approve the minutes with the amendment to
have Richard "Gray" changed to Richard "Ray." Bob seconded to motion. Motion
carried.
NEWBUSINESS-
LEGISLATTVE SUBCOMMITTEE
B Capital Contribution to CTGR Trucking, LLC resolution. Tabled by
Council consensus at the request of Robert Martin.
Personnel Management Ordinance first reading. Ed Pearsall presented
and briefly reviewed the proposed changes. '
TRIBAL GOVERNMENT, MANAGEMENT, & BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Agreements. Ed Pears
all moved, Val Grout seconded to adopt Resolution No. 001-00 (1) approving the
Consultation Agreement between the Tribe and the Oregon Department of Envi
ronmental Quality (ODEQ); (2) approving the Memorandum of Agreement with
ODEQ regarding funding the Tribe's participation in the investigation and
remediation of contaminated sediments in Portland Harbor; and (3) authorizing
the Tribal Chair, with the assistance of the Tribal Attorney, to negotiate and final
ize said Agreements. Motion carried 8-0-0.
B Appoint DelegateAlternate to NCAI 1999-2000. Bob Haller moved, Ed
Larsen seconded to adopt Resolution No. 002-00 appointing Butch LaBonte as
tribal delegate and June Sell-Sherer as tribal alternate delegate to the National
Congress of American Indians Mid-Year and Executive Council Sessions. Motion
carried 6-0-2 with Butch and June abstaining.
B Appoint DelegateAlternate to NPAB3B. Bob Haller moved, Val Grout sec
onded to adopt Resolution No. 003-00 appointing Ed Larsen as delegate and Steve
Bowles as alternate delegate to the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
Motion carried 7-0-1 with Ed Larsen abstaining.
B Tribal Health Authority Board of Commissioners Appointment. Val
Grout moved, June Sell-Sherer seconded to adopt Resolution No. 004-00 appoint
ing Malcolm Snider, MD, to an ex-officio position on the Tribal Health Authority
Board of Commissioners to replace Robert Moore, MD, who had to decline appoint
ment to the board due to meeting schedule conflicts. Dr. Snider will serve a two
year term in accordance with the applicable provision of the Health Authority Ordi
nance. Motion carried 8-0-0.
OTHER BUSINESS Gene LaBonte requested that more handicapped parking
spaces be made available on tribal property.
February General Council meeting
The February General Council meeting featured reports from Spirit Mountain
Casino and Natural Resources staff.
GAMING UPDATE Kathryn Harrison introduced Mike Larsen, Chairman
of Spirit Mountain Board of Directors, who spoke about possible upcoming changes
at the casino, and the board's role in overseeing casino operations. All board mem
bers were introduced: Len Bergstein, Jim Sizemore, Clyde Stryker, and Council
liaison, Ed Larsen. Two positions on the board are currently vacant.
Shelley Hanson, manager of Real Estate Operations, gave the program report for
the casino. Here are some highlights:
B There was a 17 increase in revenue from 1998 to 1999. Comparisons from
January, 1999 to January, 2000, show a smaller increase. The initial casino start
up loan the Tribe received from the John Hancock corporation will be paid off in
December of 2000.
B Promotional events include slot and table game tournaments, Coyote Cash Back
program, and concerts.
B Spirit Mountain Lodge is currently running at 83 occupancy. Customer com
ments about the lodge are very positive.
Camille Mercier, Human Resources manager, spoke about employment issues.
B There are currently 151 tribal members employed at the casino.
B The Human Resources department is currently updating its policy manual, which
is scheduled for completion in the spring.
B There are 49 tribal members who participate in the casino's career development
project.
B An employee recognition banquet will be held in March.
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT Cliff Adams, manager of the Tribe's
Natural Resources department introduced his program leaders, who spoke about
department happenings. Highlights from Natural Resources include:
B In 1999, the Tribe signed a stewardship agreement with the BLM to manage
forest lands near the reservation. Also, Natural Resources is working on its Ten
Year Management Plan, scheduled for completion in 2001.
B In 1999, there were two large timber sales on the reservation, and three small
salvage sales, with a total volume of 4.9 million board feet sold.
B In December of 1998, there was a road failure on Agency Creek Road, which was
repaired in October of last year. In November, 1999, a small slide closed the road,
which has also been repaired.
B Last year stream enhancement projects were completed, including the replace
ment of culverts on the reservation. The Fish and Wildlife and Environmental
Protection staff continue to asses the health and integrity of the reservation lands
and waters by surveying streams, woody debris, and animal populations. In 1999,
surveys were conducted on stewardship lands as well. These programs continue to
follow assessment guidelines outlined in the Endangered Species Act in regard to
tnbal projects such as timber sales or housing developments,
DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS Door prize winners were: Cheryle Kennedy,
$50; Margo Mercier, $50; Barbara Steere, $50; Shelley Hanson, $100; and Rex
Haller, tickets to the George Carlin concert at Spirit Mountain Casino.
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