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CHASTA
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May 1,
A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe
May 1, 2000
GENERAL
COUNCIL
MEETING
Sunday, May 7
1 f :30 a.m.
Community Center
J
Anyone interested in
making a nomination must:
Be 18 years old.
Be an enrolled member
of the Tribe.
Must make the nomination in
person at the May 7 meeting.
Tribal members -accepting
a nomination
for Tribal Council must also
be present at this meeting.
i i i -.
ik . I I'M .
Tribe takes the lead in
issue of highway safety
Grand Ronde Tribe donates $10,000 towards the installation of rumble
strips on Highway 18.
By Brent Merrill
Taking the lead on important is
sues seems to come naturally for
the Grand Ronde Tribe. When the
issue of safety for the population of
drivers using Highway 18 came to
the forefront of local concerns, again
the Tribe has chosen to take the lead
on an important issue.
The Tribe recently donated
$10,000 to the Oregon Department
of Transportation (ODOT) towards
the installation of rumble strips on
Highway 18.
Tribal Council authorized the do
nation because they believe every
one using the highway, regardless
of their destination, deserves to be
as safe as possible.
"We want to continue our tradition
continued on page 6
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ODOT Regional Manager Dave Bishop accepts a check for $10,000 from the
Grand Ronde Tribal Council. Tribal Chair Kathryn Harrison made the pre
sentation to Bishop while Council members Bob Mercier (left), Bob Haller,
Ed Pearsall, and Butch LaBonte looked on. The $10,000 will go towards
improving the overall safety of motorists on Highway 18.
Tribe donates money to help fund van for disabled Vets
By Justin Phillips
The Grand Ronde Tribe, through
the Spirit Mountain Community
Fund, donated $29,000 for a new
Veteran's van. The van will help
provide transportation for disabled
Veterans.
Tribal members, members of the
community and Veterans gathered
around the new van in the parking
lot of Spirit Mountain Casino on Sat
urday, April 8. Those gathered
around the van were part of a dedi
cation and blessing ceremony.
"I think this is the best donation
the Tribe has ever made. It really
helps out the Veterans," said Carl
Lambert, area commander of the
American Veterans of WWII
(AMVETS).
Several people worked towards the
van's donation. The
Veterans thanked
Dale Langley, Reyn
Leno, Diane Cilenti,
Marce Norwest, Gene
LaBonte, Carl Lam
bert, Travis Benoist,
Angie Ellis and oth
ers. A special thanks
goes out to Cilenti for
presenting the idea to
Spirit Mountain Ca
sino and Ellis, admin
istrator of the Spirit
Mountain Community
"I think this is the best donation the Tribe has ever made," said Carl Lam
bert of the new handicapped accessible van.
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Address Service Requested
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c r- w l if i r i v a i
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i Sioke siqnals
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Diane Cilenti and Brad Shelburne pose for a photo in front of a new van that
will be used to transport disabled Veterans. The $29,000 van was donated
through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.
Fund, for working with the casino
to have the van blessed. The bless
ing was performed by Travis
Benoist.
Langley approached Leno about
the idea for the van and Leno kept
the idea going.
The Grand Ronde Color Guard
performed the dedication with All
Nations drumming throughout.
Polk County Commissioners Tom
Bunn and Ted Lopuszynski gave
speeches encouraging interactions
such that involve the community
and the Veterans. Each praised
those involved.
Brad Shelburne, United Veteran
Council Color Guard Coordinator,
also recognized several individuals
for their hard work and dedication
at the ceremony.
The van will be driven by volun
teer drivers and Veterans. It is on
call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to
and from destinations.
"Lots of friendships were made with
members of the community and the
Veterans during the van dedication,"
said Gene LaBonte, AMVETS service
officer and tribal member.
Members of the crowd made posi
tive comments on how the Tribe keeps
its traditions alive with the blessing
ceremony and strong ties between
the Veterans and the community.
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