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
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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
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