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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2011)
2 SEPTEMBER 1, 201 1 Smoke Signals General Council mooting Sunday, Sept. 11 11 a.m. Tribal Community Center Election Board office hours The Election Board office is now open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday (closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). We will remain open until after the Sept. 10 election. The Election Board office is in the Community Center Building. Tele phone number is 503-879-2271, or you may reach us by calling 1-800-422-0232, and ask for ext. 2271. If you need to send a fax, that number is 503-879-4538. NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Sept. 14 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.. 28 5 p.m. Please note that these timet and dates are subject to change if needed. Dear Tribal Council members and those responsible for the education cuts: My name is Nancy Babb, and I have left each and every one of you a telephone message concerning a letter I received Aug. 18, 2011, from the Education Department cutting my education funding $3,000 a year. There are several reasons why I am upset with this decision. First of all, I start school Monday, meaning I am receiving a major financial change in my living expenses with a four-day notice. Secondly, the four-year college program is receiving a $1,000 increase. I do not understand the reasoning behind this decision. Living expenses do not change regardless if you are attending a two-year college vs. a four-year college. I still have the same rent, the same food cost, the same amount of fuel I have to put in my car, the same cost of living. Give the $1,000 increase to the program that was cut $3,000! It just does not make much sense to me. Another problem I have is that I just spoke with the Education Depart ment to ensure that my funding was still on track (I have found if you do not take action and follow through, things tend to be lost or left hanging) since I rely on this money to support myself and my two Tribal member children. I was told I was in compliance and everything was a go. Well, I just got off the phone with my school and they have not received anything from the Tribe. My school needs a week or two to process checks received from outside sources. This means I am at the mercy of the Tribe to issue a check, for less money, then wait until the school receives it, and wait even more until they do a check run. Normally, I receive my scholarship funds the first Friday of school, which would be Aug. 26. But since the school has not received anything from the Tribe, I will have to wait for an undetermined amount of time thus creating a significant hardship since I make payment arrangements with creditors to pay my bills on the 26th, the normal day I usually receive payment. I am just sick about this. I believe it is very unprofessional for the Tribe to act in such a manner that creates an extreme hardship for Tribal mem bers. Not only do I get less funding, I am given four days notice to create a new financial budget to support my family and I have no idea when I am getting my education funds and I will be in class this Monday. What is wrong with this picture? I am so disappointed with my Tribe, especially when I do all I am sup posed to do to ensure timely payment, a tremendous hardship was just thrown my way with only a four-day notice and nothing I can do about it. I thought there is always an option for appeal. None was even mentioned in the letter. I feel lost without even having a day to expect payment. It all just seems so wrong and unprofessional. I have no recourse. The Tribe has not even given me an opportunity to have a say in something that gravely affects me. Shouldn't Tribal members have that opportunity? At least keep things the same for fall semester, giving ample time for stu dents to adjust by spring. Is that so hard to do? It definitely seems fair. I beg you to please consider this suggestion. It would definitely give the time I need to work on a solution. Nancy Babb Roll 2353 See page 14 for more letters. Elder's bingo changes days Bingo at the Elders' Activity Center is held the second and fourth Friday of the month. A potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham at 503-879-2233. B Tribal offices will be closing at noon Friday, Sept. 2, and be closed Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day. Tribal offices will be closed Friday, Sept. 23, in observance of National Indian Day. PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews E-mail: newsgrandronde.org O Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 siobrun.uytortjndrond.ort SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 Kjriihorupndrondc.ort GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 feor(t.valdeitrandroni.Ofi KRISTEN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 kriittfi.ravlifrjndrondt.aft JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 kadn.phlfllpijrtdrorKfe.ort MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mk:rn.jUrrTK)gr andronde.org DEADLINE DATE DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dean.rhoclepandronde.or RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kafunpandronde.org CAR LA MAY CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 cjriJ.robrapm)ronle.ort ISSUE DATE Tuesday, Sept. 6 Sept 1 5 Tuesday, Sept 20 Oct 1 0&D57 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, ail letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail 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 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association 201 1 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Merder Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305 eXk 2352 chris.merciergrandronde.org cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org D ink Soderberg D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org ext. 2399 D Toby McClary reyn.lenograndronde.org ex 4555 D Kathleen Tom toby.mcclarygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary jack Giffen Jr. ext. 1 777 ext. 2300 kathleen.tomgrandronde.org jack.giffengrandronde.org Steve Bobb Sr. D Valorie Sheker ext. 2353 ext. 2355 steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org