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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2018)
8 S moke S ignals JANUARY 1, 2018 Bypass a win for all involved BYPASS continued from front page Commission, a group that has been advocating for the bypass since the 1980s. He was one of the featured speakers at the ribbon-cutting event, which also included Gov. Kate Brown and Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation Director Matt Garrett. “It felt really cool to put my pick- up on this road today,” Mercier said to chuckles from the audience. “This is pretty personal for me, and not just because I attend night classes in Portland twice a week. I got involved with the bypass com- mittee when I was 29 years old and six months into my council career, and knew very little about local governments or transportation issues. I’m now 42. Being a part of this whole project and process has been a learning experience for me.” Mercier is well-versed with the gridlock commuters face going through Newberg and Dundee while driving to the coast, Spirit Mountain Casino and Portland. “I have gotten the sense that people really appreciate the Tribe’s involvement in this project, and that in turn meant a lot to the Tribe. … The Tribe was restored to improve the lives of its members, but that’s not the only reason. Tribes are also meant to help the communities in which we reside. We had a lot of support from the non-Tribal, local commu- nity during Restoration efforts. Without their sup- port, the process of being restored would have been much harder.” Mercier called the bypass a win for local and state government, as well as Indian Country. “I’m hoping it will be held as an example (to others),” he said. “Tribes should be working more with their local and state governments. Gaming is meant to benefit the community.” Also in attendance were Tribal Council member and current Park- way Committee representative Denise Harvey, and Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George. Grand Ronde Canoe Family members, from left, Tribal Cultural Education Specialist Brian Krehbiel, Tribal youth Red Sky Clawson, behind drum, Tribal Cultural Education Coordinator Jordan Mercier, Tribal Cultural Resources Department Manager David Harrelson, Tribal Interpretive Coordinator Travis Stewart, Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George and Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier open the ribbon- cutting ceremony for Phase 1 of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass on Monday, Dec. 18. Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Council member Denise Harvey and Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George prepare necklaces to gift during the ribbon-cutting ceremony held for Phase 1 of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass on Monday, Dec. 18. Helping is Harvey’s granddaughter Hallie Brewer. Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony held for Phase 1 of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass on Monday, Dec. 18. Tribal Economic Development Administrative Assistant Meghan Zimbrick and Public Affairs Admin- istrative Assistant Chelsea Clark provided treats, beverages and small prizes to attendees. The ceremony opened with a drum song by the Grand Ronde Ca- noe Family drummers and singers, which included George, Mercier, Tribal Cultural Resources Depart- ment Manager David Harrelson, Tribal Cultural Education Coor- dinator Jordan Mercier, Tribal Interpretive Coordinator Travis Stewart, Tribal Cultural Education Specialist Brian Krehbiel, Tribal youth Red Sky Clawson and Clark. Tribal Attorney Rob Greene also attended the event. “I want to thank all of the folks here for the patience they have shown,” Garrett said in his open- ing comments. “It is not lost on the Oregon Department of Transpor- tation. … We deeply appreciate it and applaud your perseverance. Every step required sacrifice, com- mitment and passion. … Now, we have four miles of new roadway and 10 new bridges, done on time and under budget, and it will signifi- cantly reduce congestion on local roads and enhance the region’s transportation system.” Brown said she likes to describe the bypass project as the “commu- nities that could.” “Today’s grand opening is truly a community celebration,” she said. “Now, we are ready to set our sights on phase two. This Newberg-Dundee Bypass is expected to reduce overall local traffic by 30 to 40 percent, and heavy truck traffic ODOT estimates will be reduced between 50 to 70 percent. … A well-managed trans- portation system is the backbone of the economy.” Other speakers at the event included Newberg Mayor Bob An- drews, Dundee Mayor David Russ, McMinnville Mayor Scott Hill, state and federal representatives, and Yamhill County Parkway Com- mittee Chair Dave Haugeberg, who has been a driving force behind the project since the late 1980s. “The credit here really does go to the people of Newberg, Dundee, McMinnville and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” Haugeberg said. “To give to this project, they had to give up other things, like lo- cal road improvements. They paid a price, and it was an incredible com- mitment. This is very unique, and the people of this region never gave up. … As I listened to that drum song today, I thought of those who were here first. They were the fore- fathers of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. If they were to look at our parkway today, I think they would be impressed with how it has come about.” n