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 """ " -
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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