8 SEPTEMBER 152012
Smoke Signals
TdamoyS ddtd tiltoe 2012 eDectiiein) ros
ELECTION continued
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appreciate their support," George
said during a break at the Sept.
9 General Council meeting. "Ap
proximately 400 people did want a
change in a sen.se. ... It was a hard
fought race and I appreciate the
support locally and in Portland."
George cited his youth in Grand
Ronde, where he grew up, and his
long tenure working in Portland as
reasons why he received the third
most votes in the election.
George said he will work with the
other eight Tribal Council members
and attempt to make economic di
versification of the Tribe's business
interests a priority.
"For myself, I know that I have
to work with eight other people,"
George said. "For me, it would
be very presumptuous to walk in
and act like I am going to change
everything.
"It is about respecting the other
eight people that I work with. It's
about bringing up ideas, challeng
ing ideas and looking at the eco
nomic development of this Tribe.
... Just relying on gaming revenue,
one cash cow, is not going to take
care of the Tribe or how we are go
ing to improve."
George said he would also sup
port examining ways to make Spirit
Mountain Casino a destination
resort.
Tribal voters returned then
Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy
to Tribal Council to serve her fifth
consecutive term. Kennedy led the
13-candidate pack with 480 votes,
or 1 4 . 1 7 percent of the vote.
"It's always very humbling," Ken
nedy said about her re-election and
receiving the most votes. "People
have to take a lot of initiative to
vote."
Kennedy said Tribal membership
validation of how she is performing
her job is always gratifying.
"On Tribal Council, we have so
many differences of opinion that
sometimes I think, 'This is not
moving forward' or people are not
really listening to what people are
saying, and that's important," she
said. "But when it comes back like
this, it affirms that I am doing the
right thing."
Toby McClary finished second
with 467 votes (13.78 percent) to
-: 4-y
Photo by Michelle Alalmo
Then-Tribal Chairwoman Cheryl A. Kennedy, left, is congratulated by Tribal
Finance Officer Julio Martinez after being re-elected to Tribal Council during
the General Council meeting at the Tribal Community Center on Sunday,
Sept. 9. Results from the election were posted on Saturday, Sept. 8. Kennedy
received 480 votes, coming in first place. Watching in the background are
Spirit Mountain Casino Human Resources Director Laurie South and casino
General Manager Randy Dugger.
earn his second consecutive term
on Tribal Council.
"I am proud and honored to have
been elected for another three-year
term," McClary said. "It means a lot
to me to be in this position. I believe
that my hard work, dedication and
my motivation to keep our Tribe
moving forward was recognized by
the membership.
"This is a very critical time for
our Tribe and will require good
leadership. There is a sense of
unrest among our people and I can
feel that. There are fears of the
unknown and I can see that. It will
take innovative and forward think
ers to find resolve and compassion
to reach understanding. I am com
mitted to our Tribe and its member
ship and will work as hard as I can
to fulfill the duties of a responsible
Tribal Council member."
Other candidates were former
Tribal Mentorship & Workforce De
velopment Director Denise Harvey,
387 votes; former Tribal Chairman
Mark Mercier, 320 votes; former
Tribal Council member Andy Jen
ness, 293 votes; Brenda Tuomi,
242; Charles Haller III, 196; Lonnie
Leno, 194; Jesse Knight, 179; Billy
Bobb, 96; Solomon George, 75; and
Allen Lane-Butler, 62.
Turnout in the 2012 election
dropped slightly from 2011 with
32.4 percent of eligible Tribal mem
bers casting ballots (1,255 out of
3,867). In 2011, 32.88 percent of
eligible Tribal members voted.
George becomes the 42nd Tribal
member to serve on Tribal Council
since Restoration occurred on Nov.
22, 1983. B
Official election results of the 2012
Grand Ronde Tribal Election are:
Cheryle A. Kennedy. 480
Toby McClary. 467
Jon A. George 397
Denise Harvey. 387
Mark Mercier. 320
Andy Jenness 293
Brenda Tuomi (Jeffers) 242
Charles G. Haller III 196
Lonnie Leno 194
Jesse Knight 179
Billy Bobb 96
Solomon Leo George 75
Allen N. Lane-Butler. 62
Top seat winners
TV
v - '
Ad created by George Valdez
Youth Education 6-12 grade all day
program fee and registration changes
For the 2012-13 academic year, the Youth Education Department ad
opted a $5 fee (per youth) for no-school, all-day programming. The fee will
take effect on Sept. 24, 2012. For qualifying families, Youth Education,
will offer a sliding fee scale for income eligible families or youth can take
advantage of accessing the Youth Education Sponsorship. In addition,
Youth Education has updated its parent handbook and application process.
This document is available for parents who have or plan to have students
in YED programs throughout the school year. Applications (Registration
form, Student Agreement, Handbook form & Authorization of Release
form) must be complete and submitted no later than Sept. 27 for currently
enrolled students. Incomplete applications will result in a delay in services.
First-time students accessing Youth Education programming after Oct. 1
will need to submit a completed application five (5) business days before
accessing services. For more information, contact the Youth Education
Department at 503-879-2101. D
Natural Resources has forest passes
The Tribe's Natural Resources Department has free annual Northwest
Forest Passes available for enrolled Tribal members. .The pass is valid
for one year from date of issue.
The Forest Pass is valid at day-use sites in Oregon and Washington
where "Recreation Pass Required" signs are posted. u.
Some examples are Hebo Lake Picnic Site, Derek Road Trailhead,
Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead, Tumalo Falls Trailhead, Lava River
Cave Interpretive Site, Crane Prairie, Bagby Hot Springs Trailhead,
Wickiup Plains Trailhead, Lake Serene Trailhead, Clear Lake Public
boating site and West Fork Humtulips Middle Trailhead.
The Forest Pass does not cover fees for snow parks, some concession- .
aire-operated sites, developed campgrounds and cabin rentals, wilder-.
ness climbing and river permits.
For more information, contact the Natural Resources Department at
503-879-2424 or visit the Tribal Web site at www.grandronde.orgdepart-mentsnatural-resources.