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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2007)
Smcce SEPTEMBER 1f 2007 QMAl President Bush signs bill allowing development on Chemawa Station to proceed. By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer President Bush's signature ap proving Public Law 1 10-78 on Aug. 13 will enable the Grand Ronde and Siletz Tribes to move forward with development of a valuable Keizer property, as well as diversify beyond their gaming portfolios. The two Oregon Tribes broke ground on the 15.7-acre parcel, called the Chemawa Station project, in the summer of 2005, but could not finance the project because of a provision within the Indian Self-Determination and , " ' K i 1 ''SSSSSSSSiSSiiiS " PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID SALEM, OR PERMIT NO. 178 OR NEWSPAPER PRO J. UO LIBRARV SYSTEM PRE 1299 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON EUGENE OR 97403-1205 A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe mm Education Assistance Act. The provision permitted the federal government to take the property back if it were not used for "economic development or natural resources." Though the plan was clearly to use the property for Tribal eco nomic development, the fact that in theory the federal government could take the property back could cause concern among lenders who might finance the development, according to Grand Ronde Tribal Attorney Rob Greene. The federal legislation excused Grand RondeSiletz the Tribes from that pro vision, and that cleared the way for the Tribes to obtain conventional, commercial financing for the estimated $20 mil lion project. The Tribes already have spent $2.5 million building the infra structure for the proposed project. The Tribal master plan calls for a gas station, res taurants, retail and flex See LAND on page 3 Johnston Joins Tribe As Health Executive Director Bandon native says new job, Tribe's reputation are a good fit. By Toby McClary Smoke Signals staff writer The Tribe's new health executive di rector said he accepted a job in Grand Ronde because, with his ex perience, he fit in well with Oregon's most successful Tribe. Mark Johnston, who took over responsi bilities of the Grand Ronde Clinic on June 18, comes to the Tribe with more than 12 years of experience in health administration for Oregon Tribes. "This is the cream of the crop," John ston said. "This is an incredible place and I'm excited about the opportunity." Johnston worked six years with the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and six with the Coquille Tribe before continuing his career in Grand Ronde. Johnston, 40, graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth with a bachelor's degree in business and admin- www.grandronde.org y Map created by George Valdez The yellow area represents the land owned by Grand Ronde and Siletz. . --I ..mr p; . .uA' . :! .mm. ' v ... 3 Mark Johnston took over responsibilities of the Health and Wellness Clinic on June 1 8. istration. In 1995, he accepted a position in the Indian Child Wel fare Department for the Coquille Tribe. He then started writing See JOHNSTON on page 4
