14
S MOKE S IGNALS
JANUARY 1, 2015
Tribal Police address
parking problems
Tribal Police Chief Al LaChance said that the Grand Ronde Police Depart-
ment has received multiple complaints of vehicles parking for too long in
loading zones and other areas on the Tribal campus not designated for parking.
“The two areas receiving the most complaints are in front of the clinic and
the Community Center entrance,” LaChance said. “This makes it very diffi -
cult for Tribal Elders who get dropped off or picked up in those areas. It also
blocks emergency vehicle access and can delay responses into those buildings.”
LaChance said that people need to park in designated parking spots when
visiting the Community Center, Adult Education, Chachalu and the Health
& Wellness Clinic. He also said that the designated handicapped parking
spots near the gym are often being used by non-handicapped people.
“The new Public Safety Ordinance includes the ability of the Police De-
partment to issue parking citations. Our offi cers will be issuing warnings
to start with, but repeat offenders could receive a parking citation in the
future. We need to keep these areas clear for those persons being dropped
off or picked up,” he said. n
Help wanted
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s 477 Employment and
Training Program and Land and Culture Department have resources
that can be utilized along with community members who have a passion
for gardening or want to learn the art of agriculture. If you are a Grand
Ronde Tribal or community member and want to be a part of the planning,
preparation and cultivation of the Tribal garden and orchard site for next
year’s planting season, contact Barbara Gibbons at 800-242-8196, ext.
2135, or e-mail barbara.gibbons@grandronde.org. n
Walking On...
Thomas Michael Sell
May 10, 1956 – Dec. 8, 2014
Thomas Michael Sell of Grand
Ronde died Dec. 8, 2014, at the age
of 58. He was born May 10, 1956, to
Joseph and Emma (LaBonte) Sell in
McMinnville, Ore.
Thomas grew up most of his early
years in Turner, Ore., and made the
high school wrestling team. Later
he moved to Salem, Ore., and the
surrounding areas of the Willamette
Valley before settling in Grand Ronde.
Mr. Sell worked for various agricul-
tural companies as a laborer and for a
metal recycling facility (Coleman Met-
als). Thomas had been married twice, fi rst to wife Jackie Covatch and
second to Tammy Helton; both the mother of his wonderful children.
Thomas will be missed by all. He was known for his quirky sense
of humor, tolerant attitude and ability to give guidance to those who
wanted it. He loved people and his family very much and enjoyed
spending time with them. He also enjoyed working on cars, singing,
dancing, the sun, the outdoors and, in his younger years, wrestling and
weightlifting in which he was second in the nation for his weight class.
Thomas is survived by his children, Sean, Thomas, Joseph and Tan-
ya Sell; sisters, LaVeta Sell, Marlena Lancour, June Sherer, Nancy
Coleman and Theresa Haller; brothers, Bill and Wayne Sell; three
grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death
by his parents and foster son, Zach Helton.
A funeral service was held Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at the Grand
Ronde Tribal gym in Grand Ronde, Ore. Interment followed in the
Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family.
REVERSE
VENDOR FAIR
February 25, 2015
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