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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2016)
10 S moke S ignals MARCH 15, 2016 Bypass is scheduled to be complete by November 2017 PROJECT continued from front page “I commute daily and have for about 13, 14 years,” she said, elicit- ing empathetic laughter from those in attendance. Mercier, who served more than eight years as a Tribal representa- tive on the Yamhill County Park- way Committee, said, “I remember when this was kind of a dream … but as the years wore on it got closer and closer. I remember when we announced this donation and I thought, ‘This is going to happen.’ And here we are. … I’m just excit- ed.” Tribal Culture Department em- ployees Bobby Mercier, Brian Kreh- biel and Travis Stewart performed an honor song and other Tribal employees in attendance included Tribal Attorney Rob Greene, Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Mar- tin, Public Affairs Administrative Assistant Chelsea Clark and Tribal Council Senior Administrative As- sistant Lauri Smith. The check presentation also at- tracted local officials, including Yamhill County Commissioners Allen Springer and Stan Primozich, McMinnville Mayor Rick Olson and Newberg Mayor Bob Andrews. Oregon Department of Transpor- tation Director Matt Garrett also attended. “The Tribal Council spoke about partnerships,” Garrett said. “Look- ing around here, these are true partners. At times we were running against the wind, but we found a path. Today, we celebrate that and we look forward to when we are cutting a ribbon as we connect this phase one of a very significant and critical transportation project. “We not only celebrate part- Photo by Michelle Alaimo Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matt Garrett, left, shakes hands with Tribal Council member Chris Mercier during a ceremonial check presentation held in Newberg on Monday, March 7, for the $4 million the Tribe donated to help fund the first phase of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass construction project. Tribal Council members also in attendance were, from fourth from right, Brenda Tuomi, Denise Harvey, Jon A. George, Tonya Gleason-Shepek and Vice Chair Jack Giffen Jr., not pictured. nerships, but we also celebrate commitment. We’re celebrating commitment to our past, but also to our future. The future and safety of our people and the opportunities that will come to all of the commu- nities that are represented here. I think that is extremely important. It is the partnership of many that makes this a reality today.” Tribal Council Secretary Cheryle A. Kennedy, who was then serving as Tribal chair, pledged $4 million in Tribal money to help fund the first phase of construction on the bypass during a Nov. 8, 2011, City Club meeting held in McMinnville. The Tribal funds, originally des- ignated in its gaming compact with the state of Oregon to help build a new interchange at the conver- gence of state highways 18 and 22, are helping Yamhill County and three of its city governments fund their $20 million share of the project. “When they sing the chant about the heroes on this project, one of them will be the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” said Mc- Minnville attorney Dave Hauge- berg, who chairs the Yamhill County Parkway Committee and was one of the prime movers behind getting the bypass constructed. “You were here first and you are leading us into the future, and we are blessed by this partnership.” The bypass will fix the “trans- portation nightmare” in Newberg and Dundee that negatively af- fects every Oregon community westward along Highway 18. The 5.5-mile first phase is being fund- ed with $192 million from state government, $45 million from the federal government and $20 million from local governments, including the Tribe. It is creating a trans- portation corridor with only two stoplights between McMinnville and Interstate 5, bypassing the currently congested downtowns of Newberg and Dundee. Once completed, the bypass will make it easier and faster for Port- land-area residents to access wine country, Spirit Mountain Casino and the coast. Construction work is scheduled to be complete by No- vember 2017. The Tribe will receive a credit from the Oregon Department of Transportation regarding the high- ways 18 and 22 interchange for re-allocating $4 million to the New- berg-Dundee Bypass. The Tribe’s contribution cap for that project is $9.45 million adjusted annually for inflation, according to the compact. At the Tuesday, March 8, Legis- lative Action Committee meeting, Tribal Council members acknowl- edged Greene, who originated the fund transfer idea many years ago and saw it through to fruition. George provided the invocation that opened the check presentation ceremony. “I don’t know where they’re going to find an ATM large enough to cash this,” Giffen added to a round of laughter. n free gardening course where Iskam Mek h Mek Haws 9675 Grand Ronde Rd. Taught indoors with possible visits to onsite garden Seed to Supper: Growing Veggies on a Budget Mondays how Registration is required. Contact Surabhi at 503-581-3855. Contact Francene Ambrose at 503- 879-3663 for more information. details Please plan to attend all 6 classes. Participants get a free gardening book, seeds, and other goodies! April 4th-May 9th 6-8 pm Learn low-cost ways to build healthy soil, plan your growing space, choose your crops, care for your growing garden, and harvest your bounty!
