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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2005)
JULY 15, 2005 Smoke Signals 9 2005 Candidate Statements 0 Valorie Sheker- Robertson Dear Tribal members, My name is Valorie Sheker Robertson, and I am once again asking for your support in the upcoming Tribal Council Elections. I have been fortunate enough to have serve the membership for the past three years. I enjoy working for the member ship, and since my election to Tribal Council I have grown into a knowledgeable and car ing Tribal Council Member. As your Council Member my decisions have reflected my dedication to our Tribe, I continue to work towards tribal member equal rights and benefits. I believe we have achieved a great deal but there is always room for im provement. As we progress into this election season I feel the most important issue to be considered in your vote is; does this person have the ability and intension to represent you, the members of our Tribe. The question on everyone's mind is why vote for Valorie? What has she accomplished? Remembering that all accomplishments of Tribal Council are related to at least 5 if not all 9 council mem bers, here is what I feel some of the accomplishments have been; The Medicare Part B program is being offered to all Tribal mem bers who are eligible regardless of age. We recently began oper ating medicaldental self insurance, which will result in a better service and save the Tribe money. The Elders pension has increased yearly giving Elders a com fortable supplemental income, our disabled members have seen an increase as well, we have hired an SSISSD advocate to assist members applying for State benefits. The Burial fund was in creased, and housing dollars are reaching more members. Per Capita has increased by approximately 5 a year and the Timber revenue is beginning to become strong again. Tribal Elder medical alert service, has currently been offered to elders in the immediate area and a flyer has been sent out in the elder checks so that we can expand the service to all elders. The elder foster homes are near ready for occupancy. Housing is ready to start the new 72 low income-market rate rental homes. These are just some of the accomplishments I will address these more with my information mail out. I have also attended conferences, and trainings on behalf of the Tribe. The need for continuing attendance at these functions af firms the unique relationship between the Grand Ronde Tribe, other Indian Tribes, the Federal , Local and State Governments. I have been elected by the Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance as the Vice Chairperson, I am also very proud to have been elected the Vice Chairperson of the Executive Board of the Council of Gov ernments. I also hold a seat on the COG board. I am a member of the Women's Law Makers and Legislators group. I am a member of ATNI with special interest in the Cultural and Elders committee, I have been working for over a year now with this group on preserving the Fort Vancouver Historical St. James Cemetery. In all that I do is in representation of the Grand Ronde Tribe and it's membership. I would like to invite members to take a look at my voting record, I believe it will be clear that my position has been in sup port of all Tribal Members and the betterment of the Tribe. It has been brought to my attention that my lack of aggressive campaigning appears to indicate that I wouldn't want this posi tion, quite the contrary. I do wish to serve the Grand Ronde Mem bers for another term, and I do not believe in bullying or pestering anyone into voting for me. I am my own person and choose to run my own campaign, I feel that I am more than capable of speaking for myself. I represent all Tribal Members regardless. I believe in the membership and their voice, and I do honor it. Sincerely, Valorie Sheker-Robertson My contact information is as follows, please call me collect if you like; Phone 1.503.876.5442, E-mail: vrgrandrondeaol.com - - w r ' 1 0 Wink Soderberg Dear Tribal members, For those of you who do not know me, I would like to introduce myself. 1 was born in Valley Junction and at tended school in this area for a num ber of years. After graduating from Lake Oswego High School, I married my wife of 49 years, Kathy, who has been involved and very in strumental in all of my busi nesses. I have three sons who are enrolled Tribal mem bers. My career includes working as a Postal employee and for 17 years I was a whole sale and printer broker. I have owned and operated a wholesale book business for the past nine years. My mother's name was Clarenda Soderberg. My grandfather's name was Bony Quenelle. My great grandfather was Frank Quenelle. My great-great grandfather was Louis Nepissank, first chief of the Umpqua People and was one of those who signed the Treaty on behalf of the Umpqua People. All were active in Tribal affairs. I decided to run for Council because communication seemed to be nonexistent between Tribal Council and Tribal members. By the time important issues come before the membership, Coun cil has already held a Legislative Session and decided the issue for us. This process patronizes and ignores the needs and beliefs of the general membership. Tribal Council needs always to re member that they are appointed by the people to represent the needs of ALL the people. They are not appointed to work out their personal agendas or to promote the interests of a select few. I have noticed, in making monetary decisions, Tribal Council often demonstrates little regard for their fiduciary responsibili ties. They often begin construction without a long-term business plan or staffing program for the business to be housed within the building once it is constructed. Tribal Council has often hired consultants and auditors to assess various situations and then ignored or failed to act on the results of the assessment. I be lieve in receiving equal value for each dollar the Tribe spends. If we have to spend money on an assessment or audit, let's make a decision when the results come in. I feel that rather than putting all our eggs in one basket (ca sino) me might want to make this area more attractive for tour ists. We know that Fort Yamhill is opening a new historic park in the spring. The Tribe owns the adjoining property, so I be lieve it might be a perfect opportunity to use this land for busi nesses, owned and operated by Tribal members that would bring in money from the tourist market. Some examples might be an Indian Trading Post, with Indian baskets, Indian gifts, and In dian foods. The " Tribal Member Preference" in our employment program does not seem to be working. Non-Tribal people hold higher pay ing jobs while Tribal members hold lower paying jobs. I find that when talking with other Tribal members that they are interested in greater opportunities for Tribal employment. We need to ad dress this with a good Career Assessment Program and a stron ger Mentorship Training Program that helps Tribal members find suitable placement and develop their careers. There are many other issues that I feel must be addressed im mediately such as the Ad Hoc Committee findings in regard to the enrollment requirements, and most importantly, a strate gic plan for the Tribe that would guide us in the future. I look forward to discussing these and other issues with you. Please feel free to call or email me, I am interested in discuss ing some of the issues or concerns that are important to you. Wink Soderberg Roll 777 503-879-4001 ktysdbgwbcable.net http:www.grand-ronde.comwink.html i.mmnm. ,,.,,,-,, nr.nl,,.,,, mtMMmmmmmumlJ
