Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current, April 01, 2007, Page 2, Image 2

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    2 APRIL 1, 2007
Smoke Signals
Attention Tribal Members:
2007 GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 1 Eugene
Valley River Inn, Willamette Room
1000 Valley River Way
Sunday, May 6 Grand Ronde
NOTE THAT ALL GENERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS START AT 11 A.M.
ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS
The following Committees andor Special
Event Boards have vacancies:
Fish & Wildlife Committee 1 Vacancy
Health Committee 1 Vacancy
Timber Committee 2 Vacancies
For more information contact Dakota Whitecloud at
503-879-1309 or dakota.whitecloudgrandronde.org
a
o
. . ' I
Sgt. Nate Goldberg
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, April 11 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25 5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed. Please call Da
kota Whitecloud, Tribal Council Relations Coordinator at 503-879-1309 to confirm.
Be Prepared At Home In Case of Emergency
By Sgt. Nate Goldberg,
Polk Co. Sheriffs Office
Grand Ronde Substation
In my last article we talked about
vehicle safety. Some of the people I
spoke with afterwards commented
they were happy to find out they
had been doing many of the things
I suggested already. However, I am
always surprised to see how many
people do not plan very well, if at all,
for safety in the most important place,
the home.
We spend much of our lives in our
homes. It is vital that we are prepared
to deal with a number of emergencies,
both natural and man-made. This is
not a difficult task and can be done
in an afternoon. You would be surprised how much better you feel after
doing a little planning.
The first issue we will talk about is the natural emergencies. They do not
have to be disasters to cause you a real problem. Being prepared ahead of
time will save you a lot of problems.
One of the most common problems is a loss of power. Not only is it hard
to see, but you have to worry about you refrigerator andor freezer. You
should have a few flashlights on hand with plenty of spare batteries. I
prefer a battery powered lantern; it provides for a better dispersal of light.
Candles are all right, but can be a fire hazard if not properly used and
watched.
I also recommend keeping a couple of bags of spare ice in your freezer,
and a cooler nearby. You can throw your perishables in it until the power
comes back on. Also, keep a few canned goods on hand in case the power
is going to be out for a while. Prepare foods such as ravioli or spaghetti.
They may not be the healthiest choice, but they don't require much prepa
ration. If you need to cook something, a small camp stove can be a cheap
and easy solution. Just remember not to use it indoors.
Make an emergency plan with your family. Decide on a couple of places
to meet if you cannot meet at your house. Have a home evacuation plan
in place that has at least two ways out of the residence. Know where your
fuse box is, and make sure it is properly labeled.
So, you are prepared for the loss of power, but are you prepared for the loss
of your property? Residential burglaries are one of the most frequent crimes
committed. You should start with trying to prevent yourself from becoming
a victim. Law enforcement calls this "target hardening." If a burglar really
wants in your home, heshe will get in. Burglars generally want an easy
target and will move on if your residence looks to difficult to get into.
Make sure you have good locks on all your exterior doors. They should
be deadbolts. Also, make sure your windows have good locks on them. If
you have valuables inside your residence that you want to secure, use a
floor mounted lockbox or safe.
In the event a burglar does get in, you can take some steps to increase the
chances of getting your property back. Take pictures of your belongings. If
it is jewelry, get a close up. If possible, make them digital pictures because
it's easier to send them to your insurance company and the police.
You should also engrave your property with your driver license num
ber. Put an "OR" before the number and a "DL" after it. This makes it
more difficult for the would be thief to alter it. Record the serial number
somewhere safe. Law Enforcement can enter the serial number into a
nationwide database, and no matter where your property ends up, if a
police officer finds it, they can get it back to you.
If you are going to be gone for an extended period, prepare ahead of time.
If you get the paper, have a friend or neighbor pick it up daily, or have it
stopped. Have someone turn different lights on and off, to make it appear
as if you are still there. The idea is not to have it look like you have left.
It's an old but true saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure." I can tell you from my experience that truer words have never
been spoken.
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
www.grandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Thursday, April 5 APRIL 15
Friday, April 20 MAY I
Friday, May 4 MAY 15
Friday, May 18. JUNE I
o
(MM
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
ttobhan.uykxgrandronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
nm.kartengrartdronde.org
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
shelly . kentgrandronde.org
TERI MERCIER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
teri.intler(rjndronde.orz
TOBY MCCLARY
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1358
tOb7.flKClarygrandrOnde.Org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
Mnen.ravlagrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
503-879-2190
jusdn.phiiNpstrjndroiKle.orf
GEORGE VALDEZ
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT
503-879-1416
georp.vjldit7jndrondc.orf
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com
munity of Oregon, Is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy Is Intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed In the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or email address
must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
2007 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
D Chris Mercier D Wesley "Buddy" West
Tribal Chair ext. 2353
ext. 2305 wesley.westgrandronde.org
chrls.merclergrandronde.org n $oderberg
D Angle Blackwell ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org
ext. 2300 n 'tween Tom
angie.blackwellgrandronde.org ext j jjj
O Jack Giffen, Jr. kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary o Cheryle Kennedy
ext. 2306 ext. 2352
Jack.giffengrandronde.org cheryle!kennedygrandronde.org
Reyn Leno D Valorie Sheker
ext. 2399 ext. 2355
reyn.lenograndronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org