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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2005)
8 JULY 15, 2005 Smoke Signals 2005 Candidate Statements 0 Rcyn Leno r 0Val Grout Dear Tribal members, My name is Valarene Grout my parents are DeWalt and Arvella Houck, Grandparents John Houck and Francis Leno buck Porter, and Abe and Maude Warren Hudson, Great-grandparents Dave and Turner LaChance Leno and John and Cecile Leno Warren. My Experience working for the Tribal Membership extends back to the 1987 corporation board along with other's we accomplished much for our newly restored Tribe. I had the opportunity to work with whom I believe to be three of our greatest leaders; Mark Mercier, Kathryn Harrison and Cheryl Kennedy, each of these individuals provided quality leadership when the Tribe needed it most. Working with these people we stressed exercising our sovereignty to help refine and develop Tribal programs to best fit our members needs. I learned that my success on the Tribal Council is best stated as a "team effort'', as a team we can make the commitment to secure the Grand Ronde Tribe's right to self-govern to control our own destiny and develop programs that have and will enhance the Tribal members quality of life. I am very proud to have been a part of this success through the years. Council has not always been a well paying position, nor has it been an easy job to perform. First it has to be a job that a person wants to do without malice, vengeance or self glory. I have always been an advocate for the rights of the Tribal members. The right for members to speak their mind and feel safe, and assured that retri bution would not follow their actions. Many of you who know me, know the way I carry myself and what I stand for. It has been said that because of my lack of commuter savvy that I could not help bring this Tribe into the 21st century. Please remember that compassion and knowledge go along way and brought our people through cen turies of enormous change. The position of Councilman is a posi tion that requires a lot more than computer skills, remember years of experience is a basis of any leader. We are and have been building a strong economic base, yes, we've made some mistakes along the way but we have done our best to find resolution and solution. I have learned from my mistakes and promise you that I will work hard to see that safeguards are placed so that the same mistakes are not made again and again. I am a strong advocate for the financial endowments established by the Tribe throughout the years, and I assure you that under my watch they will remain untouchable. We have made much progress over the years, some of the accomplishments made during my terms of office are; Tribal Elder housing, low income housing, home own ership. I will advocate for more housing services for the middle income. Upcoming challenges are the full development of the Adult Foster Care System and a review of Tribal employee support. I will be here to support these efforts and to fully support the advance ment of the Tribe. Si I """ " - ww 7 Klahowya (Greetings), It's election time again. First off, I would like to thank all of the Tribal Membership for giving me the opportunity to serve as one of your Tribal leaders for the past 9 years. I am asking for your sup- port in my pursuit, to con tinue to serve you. I am not one to make campaign promises, because based on the last 9 years I have served on Council, I know it always takes a majority vote to accomplish anything. There is one thing I can promise you, and that is I always strive to make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the entire membership. I don't mislead or misinform the member ship to gain votes. My goal is to convince you why you should vote for me for Tribal Council and not why you should not vote for one of the other candidates. I have proven over the last nine years that I have what it takes to work together with an ever-changing Council to provide the best services and benefits to the membership. I believe that the increase in services and benefits over the past 9 years speaks to my abilities. I grew up in the Grand Ronde area, have lived here my whole life, married my wife Liz 34 years ago, and raised my 3 chil dren in Willamina, where they continue to reside with their spouses and my 6 grandchildren. Due to my experience grow ing up in the Grand Ronde area, and with both of my parents being Tribal members, I believe I bring a unique perspective into all the decisions we make as your Tribal Council. Over the course of the last 9 years I have had a great deal of communi cation with members, young and elderly, locally and out of the area. I believe this contact with the membership has allowed me to better access the needs of Tribal members. Some of the important issues that I continue to support are: Economic Development Expansion of Tribal Investments Expansion of Tribal businesses Casino Expansion Enrollment Support work of AdHoc Committee Education Increase in funding to provide more educational opportu nities at all levels Housing Increase in Reservation Housing Increase in funding for various grant programs applicable to all Tribal members Per Capita Increases in per capita distribution balanced with the need to fulfill endowments These only a few of the issues facing this Tribe in the near future. As an experienced Council member I believe I still have a great deal to contribute to you as a Tribal member and to the Tribe as a whole. Our ancestors and Elders have provided us with the past, con tinue to assist us in the present, and have guided us in shap ing our vision for the future, but the realization of the vision lies in the hands of our people. I am asking for your support and that of your family and friends in the upcoming election. If you have any questions, please call me at 503-876-7402, or e-mail me at rnllenoaol.com VOTE REYN LENO FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL
