6 JULY 1, 2002
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Editor's note: Candidate's statements were edited only for style, (example: capitalizing the T" in Tribal).
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Loren F. Holmes
Dear Tribal members,
My name is Loren F. Holmes. I was
born and raised in this area; most ev
eryone that lived here should know me.
I would like to be a little more active in
the Tribe, but certain things have pre
vented me from doing so. But being
active in the things that go on around
here doesn't make me a candidate for
councilman, that can't do the job.
If I could get enough votes to get elected I would like to do more
for the Elders than what they get now. I think we have done enough
for the young ones and it's time to do more for our Elders. One
thing we should have is a nursing home for our people.
I also would like to see less favoritism in the council. If you do
something for one person, do it for another person.
If elected, I would be as fair to one as the other. I would also like
to get more money for the benefit program; I know we have enough
to do this.
I guess this is about all I have to say for now.
I hope I get your vote.
Sincerely,
Loren F. Holmes
Roll 254
health insurance for your family. We can and should allow
members to access our current health insurance. Health in
surance is expensive, but if the member and the Tribe share
the expense then it can be affordable. I have looked into a
long-range self-insurance scenario and with this venture it
seems extremely possible.
B Why is it that members out of the area are restricted from
some Tribal programs? Has your current council given you
any answers? Can it be resolved? Yes it can and I have and
will continue to work to balance the scales of this grave injus
tice! I have more issues I would like to discuss with you, although I am
restricted to only 600 words. Therefore, I pledge to all of you; If
elected I will take my appreciation of the average Tribal member
needs into the council office and give all my energy for Progressive
Change. I would like to know where it states that once you're elected
to a council seat, you stop caring about Tribal member concerns,
needs and issues and start to only care for your own personal ven
ues. I promise, if elected to always have each Tribal member in
mind when making any executive decision. Please feel free to call
me at home collect if you like so that I can answer any questions
that you may have; 1-503-876-5442.
Thank you
Valorie Sheker-Robertson
Roll 2236 ' ' :- 's
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Valorie Sheker-Robertson
Dear Tribal members,
My name is Valorie Sheker
Robertson, many of you are already fa
miliar with me and the values I repre
sent, as I have had the opportunity to
serve you as the Administrator of your
Member Services department. For
those of you who are unfamiliar with
me, I am married and have three teen
age sons; I have worked for the Tribe for almost 7 years, 6 of those
in Member Services. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Business and
Organization Leadership and three Associates Degree's. This alone
with my years of service working for all Tribal members and your
programs I feel gives me a wider base of credentials and under
standing to better serve the entire Tribe as a Tribal Council Repre
sentative. I believe in honor and accountability for all areas of Tribal service
and Tribal government. If elected, I would represent all of the people
equally and strive to develop a sustainable program base that all
Tribal members could access regardless of where they choose to live.
I support programs that reach the entire population of the Tribe.
I personally know the importance of the Elders Pension, Disability,
Health Insurance, Medicare, Housing, Education and Member Dis
tributions, and I have been involved with the implementation, im
provements and management on several of these throughout the
years. I believe that the Tribe should and can explore options for
non-Tribal dependentspouse health insurance, there are ways to
create such a program at some cost to both the Tribe and Tribal
member, and members it can be done! Gradual increases in the
pension, disability and per-capita are always merited and can be
done at such a pace as not to disrupt any current programs. Let's be
wise with our money, as we all know there has been plenty of it lost
so far.
A few of issues that concern as a member are;
B Why are Grand Ronde people who have the minimum or
more Grand Ronde Tribal blood being kept from enrolling into
our Tribe? Can this be resolved? Yes! It can, it only takes
councils dedication to the issue.
B Many of you have called me asking for help to purchase
V)
Tim Holmes
Hello fellow Tribal members. My
name is Tim Holmes, son of Elmer
Holmes and Karen Merrill, and grand
son of Abe and Mildred Holmes. My
wife, Nancy, and I have three children
and two grandchildren. We live in
Grand Ronde, where we are buying a
home and plan to live for the rest of
our lives. I am firmly committed to the
well being of our Tribes most valuable resource, our people.
My visual challenges may have caused some of you to wonder how
I am able to read the amounts of written information I currently
review, for the many boards and committees I serve on. Those of
you I have had the good fortune to serve with, on Tribal Boards and
committees, know that my visual challenges have never been a de
terrent to my dedication or ability to serve effectively in those ca
pacities. Technology has leveled the playing field for persons with
visual impairments. I use a Voice Program on the computer to audi
bly read information provided on computer discs, or CD ROM. I use
an Optical Character Recognition program and scanner, which al
lows me to read printed materials through my computer. In addi
tion, I use a Braille and Speak for note taking during meetings.
This machine will read back to me any information I key into it.
Technology has literally bridged the visual gap, and assisted me in
serving effectively in many capacities to this point in my life. If
given the great honor to be on Tribal Council, I will utilize all I have
learned to effectively serve you as well.
I believe that we are at a critical point in our Tribe's history. Re
cently, we have all witnessed a lot of negativity. As an individual
Tribal member and council candidate, I would like to see a high level
of professionalism from all of our leaders and all candidates that are
running for council. I would urge all Tribal members to watch the
candidates and select those that exhibit a professional demeanor
and conduct themselves in a manor that would be a positive attribute
to the Tribe. We should accept nothing less from those we choose to
represent all of us. We must not promote negativity, or allow it to
hinder the important work of our Tribe. Accountability should be
demanded, but personal attacks should not be tolerated. Please take
the time to learn the facts and not be misled by misinformation.
I am running for Tribal Council because I feel that I have the
Tim Holmes continued on page 7