PRESORTED
STANDARD MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SALEM, OR
PERMIT NO. 178
pg. 3
march 15, 2014
Chachalu moving forward
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
he $2 million fi rst phase work on Chacha-
lu, the Tribal museum and cultural center
being constructed in the former Willamina
Middle School building off Grand Ronde Road,
will open Thursday, June 5.
The capital campaign to raise funds for the
second phase of development has started.
T
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Tougher GeD
requirements
take eff ect
A Tribal logo was hand painted on the fl oor at
the entrance of Chachalu, the Tribal museum
and cultural center. Phase i of the center is near
completion and fundraising has started for Phase ii.
Approximately $2 million is needed to com-
plete Phase II of the project. The second phase of
work will include 4,500 square feet of additional
exhibit space, areas for permanent museum
features and rotating exhibits, exhibit prepara-
tion room, additional areas for proper collection
processing, classrooms, a research room and
conference room, offi ces for operations, areas
for cultural demonstrations and space for a po-
tential gift shop.
The completion of Phase II will support
See CHACHALU
continued on page 11
Lorenz named executive director
of the Tribe’s Health Services
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
I
n the short run, the new, more
difficult requirements for a
GED certifi cate will not make
life easier for Tribal and community
members.
Although some 50 have started
attending classes and working on
their own, said Adult Education
and College Advising Coordinator
Kevin Simmons, only about 10 are
still actively involved.
Starting Jan.
2, new General
Educational
Development
requirements
bring math
proficiency up
from first year
to second year
algebra. In the
language arts,
Kevin Simmons
students are
tested on reasoning through the
language arts, as well as the old
requirements for reading, writing
and grammar.
“It’s a big shift,” Simmons said.
“Today’s requirements align with
the state’s common core (of learn-
ing requirements). Students used to
take a month to study for the tests.
Today, they are taking a year.”
Since the program began, the
Tribe has seen about 250 earn a
GED certificate, although there
have always been fewer who take
classes and fi nish than those who
See GED
continued on page 20
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Jeff rey Lorenz is the Tribe’s new Health Services executive director.
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
A
fter a year without a
Health Services executive
director, the Tribe has
chosen Jeffrey Lorenz, 56, to fi ll
the vacancy.
Lorenz comes from a back-
ground that encourages and
supports employees, patients
and local communities.
As chief operating offi cer of Sil-
verton Health, his most recent po-
sition, he used these strategies to
increase patient visits and income
to the nearly bankrupt facility. The
new money went to reinvestment
in an upgrade to the old facility and
to a host of new services.
He was invited to join Silver-
ton Hospital’s staff 22 years ago
by Bill Winter, a preceptor for
George Washington University’s
residency program.
Lorenz earned his master’s of
Health Administration degree at
George Washington University in
1984. For 28 years, Lorenz worked
under Winter at both Tuality
Community Hospital in Hillsboro
and the facility in Silverton.
Starting as both chief fi nancial
offi cer and chief operating offi cer
in Silverton, Lorenz orchestrated
a remarkable turnaround.
Despite the shape of the place,
he found a supportive staff and
community. Early on, he “passed
the hat” around the community
See HEALTH SERVICES
continued on page 18