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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2015)
S moke S ignals SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 7 Election down 145 votes from 2014 ELECTION continued from front page missed being elected by two votes when he finished with 432 votes. Former Tribal Council member and Tribal Elder June Sherer fin- ished fifth with 428 votes, which was only six votes from being elected. First-time nominee Tammy Gar- rison received 339 votes, former Tribal Council member Kathleen Tom received 315 votes and candi- date Ann Lewis garnered 288 votes. Total eligible voters in this year’s election were 3,972 and 1,151 ballots were cast for a 29 percent turnout. Each Tribal member could vote for up to three candidates. “That is down 145 votes from last year,” said Election Administrator Penny DeLoe. A total of 110 Tribal members voted in person this year at the Tribal Community Center in Grand Ronde. “That was down 25 from the year before,” added DeLoe. A total of 2,540 ballots were mailed to eligible voters and only 1,041 of those ballots were returned and accepted. DeLoe said five ballots were rejected because they lacked a sig- nature and 19 ballots were rejected because the signature on the ballot did not match the signature on file with the Election Office. DeLoe said 58 ballots were re- turned as undeliverable and the Election Committee registered four voters on Election Day. “This was my fifth year,” said Tuomi. “To actually see it felt very unreal. It felt like something had come to fruition that I had worked five years for. Something that I was so passionate about was finally going to come true. “I was very excited and happy, but I also realize it is a big respon- sibility and that I have a huge learning curve ahead of me.” Tuomi said she will focus on being independent and being objective. “I really believe, and I have said this all along, a strong Tribal Coun- cil is what is going to allow us to Photos by Michelle Alaimo Newly elected Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi, middle, talks with Tribal Elders Jennie VanAtta, right, and Ida Paterson during the General Council meeting held in the Tribal Community Center on Sunday Sept. 13. Tuomi came in second place, receiving 439 votes. encourage each other,” said Tuomi. “That’s really going to be my num- ber one goal. I really want to focus on unity.” George said his re-election cam- paign was “tense” this year, but despite that he had a peaceful feel- ing. He said he will focus on doing things that are good for all Tribal members. He said he will concen- trate on the economics of the Tribe and that he will continue to try and create local jobs. “I just want to be the same person as I was before and I’m not going to change,” said George. “I’m the same person now and I will be the same person 20 years from now.” George said he sees the need to gain support for his ideas. “If you can’t get support for your good ideas then they remain that – just good ideas,” said George. “We have to find a balance and I totally re- spect the other eight opinions in that. That will be a good starting point.” George said in order to have respect for ideas you have to be respectful. “Hopefully that is important to all of us,” said George. Kennedy said she believes know- ing Tribal history and treating the Grand Ronde Tribe as a living history will be important now and in the future. “We have to know our ways be- cause I believe that there are com- ing times when that knowledge will get us through some real tough times not just as Native Americans, but as just people on this Earth,” said Kennedy. “Wherever I’m at I’m always thinking of ways that can be helpful to us. I believe the council has to have the passion to keep those issues at the forefront.” Kennedy said she will focus during the next three years on the well-being of Tribal children. “I think about our children,” said Kennedy. “I think about the development of those children and their place in our Native American society.” Kennedy said she wants the children to be proud of their Grand Ronde heritage. Kennedy, Tuomi and George will be sworn in at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Tribal Council Cham- bers. n Angie Blackwell, left, congratulates newly re-elected Tribal Council members Jon A. George, middle, and Cheryle A. Kennedy during the General Council meeting held in the Tribal Community Center on Sunday Sept. 13. Receiving 459 votes, Kennedy came in first place and George placed third with 434 votes. College Placement Testing offered College Placement Testing is offered on-site at the Adult Education Building for Chemeketa Community College, Linn-Benton Communi- ty College and Mount Hood Community College. The Placement Test is one of the first steps to beginning college classes. Call 503-879-2282 to sign up for your placement test. n Ad created by George Valdez