Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2009)
Smoke Signals 3 OCTOBER 1,2009 Yamhill County files eminent domain action Aw-'rvr 5 3f Photo by Michelle Alaimo Yamhill County has filed an eminent domain action against the lot on the corner of Highway 1 8 and Grand Ronde Road. The county is seeking an easement for sidewalks and utility lines. By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Last week's repaying of Grand Ronde Road didn't quite wrap up two years worth of work. Yamhill County has grown tired of seeking an easement for side walks and utility lines as the final piece in the Grand Ronde Road upgrade at the northeast corner of Highway 18 and filed an eminent domain action against David Wil liam Joerg of Eagle River, Alaska, on Sept. 22. The northern third of Grand Ronde Road is in Yamhill County while the southern portion is in Polk County. Yamhill County Counsel John Gray told the county at a special session on Sept. 21 that the county has been negotiating unsuccess fully with Joerg for more than a year. With the project almost com plete, the county has lost patience, he said. Gray sought and obtained per mission to file a condemnation suit and did so on Sept. 22. Gray said that the county took a 450-foot triangle on the curve and also needs a 4-foot-wide permanent slope and utility easement and 10-foot-wide construction easement for sidewalks. The appraised value of Joerg's land that would be taken is $3,760, Gray said. "There is still a good possibility we will reach a settlement and dismiss the condemnation," Gray said on Monday, Sept. 28. Tribal Engineer Eric Scott said he held off on approving some drain work and completing the end of the sideway until Joerg signed off on an easement, which he apparently did on the last day without informing anyone at Yamhill County. If a financial settlement can not be reached, a jury will determine fair compensation. Smoke Signals phone calls to Joerg in Alaska seeking comment were not returned. Includes material from The Yam hill County News-Register. D Leono sttairtts 14tlh yeair OFFICERS continued from front page Kathryn Harrison served as Tribal chair for five years from September 1996 to September 2001. During the Sept. 16 Tribal Coun cil meeting, Kennedy, who was nominated by Tribal Council mem ber Valorie Shckcr, voted for her self. She also received the support of Sheker and Tribal Council mem bers Kathleen Tom, Chris Mercier, Wink Soderberg and newly-elected Toby McClary. Tribnl Vice Chair Reyn Leno, who was nominated by Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. to be Tribal chair, received support from Bobb and Tribal Council member June Sell-Sherer, as well as voting for Lane CC collaborating with Tribe for Chinuk Wawa classes With the collaboration of Lane Community College, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon will offer again this fall a course in Chinuk Wawa for college credit. "The course is being offered via video conferencing technology," said Drew Viles, member of the college's American Indian Languages initia tive. "The technology allows teachers in Grand Ronde to offer lessons to students outside their classroom." In the case of this fall's Chinuk Wawa classes, students in Eugene, Portland and Salem are expected to start, or continue, their studies of the Northwest Indian language. Both an introductory class and an advanced class in Chinuk Wawa will begin soon. "These classes are ideal for college students who need to study a lan guage," Viles said. Community college students need to show first-year proficiency in a language other than English to transfer to a public university in Oregon while university students seeking a bachelor's degree are required to complete two years of language study. "Chinuk Wawa satisfies both transfer and university graduation require ments," Viles said. Classrooms are in Grand Ronde, Chemeketa Community College, Lane Community College and Portland State University. Students will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:20 p.m. starting Wednesday, Sept. 30. "Everybody is welcome," Viles said. "Last year, we were blessed to have both credit students and community members who just like to come and speak and practice the language. With these classes, more definitely means merrier." Classes are taught by Tony Johnson, Grand Ronde Tribal language expert, and Janne Underrinner, director of the University of Oregon's Northwest Indian Language Institute, with help from Henry Zenk and others. D himself. With the departure of Tribal Elder Jack Giffen Jr. from Tribal Council after serving two consecu tive terms, a new Tribal secretary needed to be elected. Tom, who is starting her fifth year on Tribal Council and was nominated by Chris Mercier, was elected 6-3. She voted for herself and received support from Ken nedy, Sheker, Mercier, McClary and Soderberg. Bobb, who was nominated by' Sell-Sherer for Tribal secretary, voted for himself and received sup port from Leno and Sell-Sherer. Leno, who is starting his 14th year on Tribal Council, retained the Tribal vice chair post. This will be Leno's eighth year as vice chair. B Service appreciated Photo by Michelle Alaimo After being given a Pendleton blanket, outgoing Tribal Council Secretary Jack Giffen Jr. opens a Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde flag that was also given to him by Tribal Council during a farewell party in the Governance Center Atrium on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Watching Giffen open the flag are, from left. Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr., June Sell-Sherer and Wink Soderberg, Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and Tribal Secretary Kathleen Tom. Giffen, who served two consecutive terms on Tribal Council, finished fourth during this year's Tribal Council election. Q mi -jm ifr re sjHiin t 1 1 ' ' i i i ! Ad created by Geotge Vkfet
