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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2013)
2 NOVEMBER 1,2013 Smoke Signals General Council meeting Sunday, Nov. 3 11 a.m. Tribal Community Center 1 1 i 10 r t ) V 3: i 8- NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Nov. 6 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 5 p.m. Please note that these time and dates are subject to change if needed. Dear Smoke Signals: I have watched the heart-wrenching testimonies of a family that is on the list for disenrollment. My heart goes out to each and every one that I have listened to. It is apparent that these folks spoke directly from their hearts and their words reached down into the depths of their souls. I truly found myself in tears several times. I saw this as a beautiful (inside and out) family. They were respectful, factual and I saw them as people who contribute to the Tribe, volunteer ser vices, have a strong pride in who they are and where they came from. I'd like to say, "I'm proud to know these people." However, I don't know any of them. I am not making an opinion of where I stand or don't stand on disen rollment, which is not why I'm writing this. I'm writing this because my hope is that if these folks end up getting disenrolled that they and we will continue the strong relationships that obviously exist. So many times I have watched people go to the podium (at meetings) and display ugly and disrespectful behavior. These people in this family, under the most traumatic and life-changing circumstances, have shown respect, sincerity and pride in who they are. They have been a shining example for all of us. Joann Mercier Roll 546 Dear Smoke Signals: I am writing to you regarding several problems I see regarding the handicapped entrances to several of the Tribal buildings on campus. This has, unfortunately, been an ongoing problem for several months. I am sad to report that this has been going on now for more than 10 months on some of the buildings. The handicap doors on several of the buildings either do not open at all when you push the button or only one of the doors opens and nine times out of 10 it is the outside door that does not open, and by the time you do get the first door open, the other one has "timed out" and is either closing or has closed. These doors are extremely heavy and if you are in a wheelchair it is nearly impossible to even try and get these doors open. I have seen employees look at me while I've struggled to open the doors and they remain seated in their seats and make no attempt whatsoever to come and help. Other buildings have the handicap button effectively blocked by benches, trash cans and ashtrays. If I am having a hard time with these doors, I wonder about our elderly handicapped Tribal members. What about them? I know the Facilities Department knows about the ongoing problems with these doors all around campus, but it seems to me that nothing is being done to solve this problem that I am sure has gone on a lot longer. You would think that we would want to make sure everything is in proper working order for all Tribal members, especially the elderly and handicapped members. I have complained to several people at the Tribe and they say they will take care of the problem. I know that the security company has personally moved the bench, trash can and ashtray away from the handicap button at Social Services, but when I was there recently it was blocked again by all three obstacles. I think to solve the problem those who work at the Tribe and are not handicapped need to spend an entire week in a wheelchair and try and at tempt to open one of those doors from the wheelchair. I bet within a day they would make sure those doors would be in proper working order and make sure those doors were not blocked because having those doors blocked and in not working order is in violation of the ADA rules and regulations. My one main goal is to help make sure that these matters are dealt with and have the problem fixed as soon as possible. Thank you for your time. Hayu masi. Veronica Gaston Roll 2332 Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web sice: www.grandronde.orgnews E-mail: newsgrandronde.org Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 ltobtun.uytoffrjndrond.or GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 (eofgf.vakkrpjndronde.orf MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mlclwllc.jUmofrindronde.ort CHELSEA CLARK PUBLIC AFFAIRS PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 cheHea.cbrfcgrindronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 ustin.phllHpsgr jodronde.org VALERIE COX CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1446 valen.cmcrindronde.org DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dean.rhodesgrjndronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org SCARLETT HOLTZ CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 surietLhctograndronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Tuesday, Nov. 5 Nov. 1 5 Monday, Nov. 18 Dec. 1 Friday, Dec. 6 ...Dec. 15 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 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 2013-14 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org Reyn Leno O Denise Harvey Tribal Chairman ext. 2353 ext. 2399 denke.harveygrandronde.org reyn.lenograndronde.org Q june jnerer Jack Giffen Jr. ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org ext. 2300 a CheryIc A Kennedy jack.giffengrandronde.org ex 2352 Toby McCIary cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary Kathleen Tom ext. 4555 -ext. 1777 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org kathleen.tomgrandronde.org Ed Pearsall D jon A. George -ext. 2305 -ext. 2355 ed.pearsallgrandronde.org Jon.georgegrandronde.org
