Smoke Signals
MAY 15, 2001
Message from the Election Board mmm 1
It has been brought to our attention that photocopies of the official voter
registration form were mailed to some Tribal members. The Election Board
wants to inform the Tribal membership that these photocopies were not sent
by the Election Board or the Tribe, do not constitute official registration forms,
and will not be accepted for the 2001 election. In an effort to maintain
accurate records of voter registration, members who do not have a voter
registration form on file must submit an official registration form, which is
on Tribal stationary, in order to vote in the 2001 Tribal Council Election.
You may request an official voter registration form by calling the Election
Office or you may pick one up at the information desk at the Tribal Head
quarters. This year's return envelope for absentee voting will not serve as a
registration form. Also, please remember to submit a new voter registration
form if your name has changed and to contact the Enrollment Office if your
address has changed.
It has also been brought to our attention that some Tribal members have
also received cards containing information about uncounted ballots in the
2000 Tribal Council Election. Again, the Election Board or the Tribe did not
distribute these cards, but the Board would like to explain why there were
uncounted ballots last year in hopes of reducing the number of uncounted
ballots this year. Last year, unfortunately 210 ballots were not counted
because they were not valid under the requirements of the Election Ordi
nance or they were not returned to the Election Board:
D 23 ballots were received without a signature and were returned to the
voter, but were not returned to the Board
D 4 ballots were received 1 to 2 days prior to the election without a signa
ture and there was no time to return the ballots to the voter
140 ballots did not have a notarized signature on file
D 24 ballots were undeliverable due to members moving and not provid
ing a forwarding address
D 12 ballots were re-mailed to forwarding addresses, but were not returned
to the Board
B 7 replacement ballots were not returned to the Board
This ballot information was posted after the 2000 election. To help ensure
every voting member gets a ballot and that the returned ballots are counted,
please remember to follow all voting instructions, submit an official voter
registration form if you have not already done so, and make sure your cur
rent address is on file with the Enrollment Office.
Finally, the Election Board would like to clear up any confusion regarding
the selection of the Election Board members. As provided in the Tribal Con
stitution and the Election Ordinance, the Tribal Council appoints persons to
serve on the Election Board. Board members are selected from the Tribal
membership, must be 18 years of age or older, and upon acceptance of the
appointment, must sign an oath of office.
The Election Board encourages the membership to contact our office with
any questions or comments you may have.
CTGR Election Board 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2271
Lease Opportunity for Tribal Member
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is seeking a Tribal member to
enter into a year-by-year lease of irrigated pasture and barn. The property
is located in Grand Ronde and has approximately 7.25 acres of irrigated and
10 acres un-irrigated pasture.
Please contact Eric Scott, Public Works Director at 503-879-2404 with any
questions or to set up an appointment to view the property. Reasonable
proposals will be accepted until June 7, 2001.
Seeking Gaming Commissioners
Grand Ronde Gaming Commission
has two openings for commission
member positions with terms expir
ing June 15, 2004.
Applicants must be at least 25
years of age. As required by the
Gaming Ordinance, one position
must be filled with a Tribal member.
Commissioners may not hold elec
tive or managerial Tribal positions,
and may not be employed in or own
any interest in or gamble in a gam
ing operation authorized by the Gam
ing Ordinance.
Commissioners are independent
contractors and expend approxi
mately 40 hours per month to fulfill
their responsibilities.
The commission generally meets on
the second and third Fridays of each
month. Appointment is contingent
upon successful completion of a back
ground investigation by the Oregon
State Police. Applications may be ob
tained by calling 503-879-2362. Clos
ing date is 5:00 p.m. on June 6, 2001.
Enrollment Committee Openings
The Enrollment Committee has recommended that three positions be opened
to serve on the Enrollment Committee. The committee recommends the fol
lowing qualifications:
1. Must keep all work related information confidential.
2. Must be knowledgeable in Grand Ronde Tribal family backgrounds.
3. Must make decisions based on Tribal law and Tribal family knowledge.
4. Must apply tribal law in enrollment issues.
5. Must be reliable and attend meetings.
6. Must be able to recognize "conflict of interest".
The committee meets four times a year on regularly scheduled business.
However, they may need to meet more due to Tribal Court hearings for de
nial cases. For an application, please contact Margo Mercier at 503-879-2253
or 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2253. Application deadline is June 8, 2001.
To the Editor and
Enrollment Committee:
All my brothers, sisters, and their
children and grandchildren are en
rolled members at Grand Ronde.
I would like my children and
grandchildren to be also included as
members at Grand Ronde. So far,
they have been excluded from the
enrollment process.
In in the Smoke Signals, March 15,
2001, front page, "Many Nations. One
Family." The article goes on to state,
"we come from many different walks
of life, and we share a common bond
and now is the time to pull together
and face the issues most important," ,
I have read letters from individuals,
who are having problems with the
new Enrollment Ordinance and my
feeling of the heart goes out to them.
My mother (Mary-Marie LaChance
was born in Grand Ronde and so was
her father (David LaChance) there
fore, all of our family members should
have been enrolled at Grand Ronde
at some time or another.
All of our family members have a
lineage with the past. It is now time
for the Enrollment Committee to
make amends to all enrollment ap
plications, and who have the neces
sary qualifications.
Thank you,
Edward L. Allen
Roll 2422
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publica
tion of the Confederated Tribes
of the Grand Ronde Community
of Oregon, is published twice a
month. No portion of this publication may
be reprinted without permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to en
courage input from Tribal members and
readers about stories printed in the Tribal
newspaper. However, all letters received
must be signed by the author, an address
must be given and a phone number or
email address must be Included for verifi
cation purposes. Full addresses and
phone numbers will not be published un
less requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to
edit letters and to refuse letters that are
determined to contain libelous statements
or personal attacks on Individuals, staff,
Tribal administration or Tribal Council. Not
all letters are guaranteed publication upon
submission. Letters to the editor are the
opinions and views of the writer. Pub
lished letters do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff,
Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
"SOME-1!3
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SMOKE SIGNALS
ELECTION EDITORIAL POLICY
In order to ensure a balanced election campaign and fairness to all
candidates, the SMOKE SIGNALS 200 1 Tribal Council Election
Editorial Policy for letters to the editor will be as follows:
Subject to existing editorial policies regarding libel, personal
attacks, and unsubstantiated facts,
1 . Letters in support of candidates will not be published in
regular editions of SMOKE SIGNALS.
2. Statements from candidates will be published in a special
election edition of Smoke Signals, currently scheduled for
July 1,2001.
3. Letters to the editor from candidates will not be published
during the time period from nominations to the conclusion
, of the Tribal Council Election..
4. Feature articles and spotlights involving candidates will be
suspended during the time period from nominations to the
conclusion of the Tribal Council Election.
This policy is intended to ensure an equal forum for all candidates.
i
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
DENTAL CLINIC
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch.
0
All Tribal Offices will CLOSE at noon on Friday, May 25.
The Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center will remainOPEN for
scheduled appointments (This includes Medical, Dental and Pharmacy).
All Tribal Offices and the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center will be
CLOSED on Monday, May 28 to honor the Memorial Day holiday.