General Council brief on economic development; input meeting held

Tribal Economic Development Director Titu Asghar briefed General Council on Tribal economic development plans during a 20-minute executive session on Sunday, May 6, at the Tribal Community Center.

Because the briefing was held in executive session, Smoke Signals cannot report the details of the briefing.

Asghar joined the Tribe on Jan. 17, 2011, and is now in charge of Tribal commercial real estate as well as helping plan the Tribe's future economic development.

Tribal members interested in finding out more about Tribal economic development plans should contact Economic Development Administrative Assistant Jilene Mercier at 503-879-1315 or jilene.mercier@grandronde.org to schedule an appointment or phone call.

In other actions, it was announced that the next General Council meeting for Tribal Council nominations will be held 11 a.m. Sunday, June 24, in the Tribal Community Center.

The next regular General Council meeting will be held after the summer break at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Tribal Community Center.

Tribal Elders Gene LaBonte and Ed Larsen and Tribal spouse Liz Leno won the $50 door prizes and Tribal Elder Dorothy Shortt won the $100 door prize.

Community Input meeting

At 1 p.m. Sunday following the General Council meeting, the Tribe held its annual Community Membership Input Meeting in the gym in Grand Ronde.

Forty-two people attended, including 12 assigned staff and Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr., Chris Mercier and Toby McClary.

Bobb welcomed attendees and then there was a brief PowerPoint presentation with an overview of Tribal planning and development projects. Planning & Grants Manager Kim Rogers requested comments and suggestions on the Tribe's Housing and Urban Development Indian Community Development Block Grant program and projects and on the Tribe's Administration for Native Americans grants, including the language immersion program.

The PowerPoint led into an open house session at eight topic tables. Each table had a color poster with photos, plan drawings and text.

Tribal Police Officer Jake McKnight staffed the Police Department table and fielded questions on the development of the department. Most questions had to do with the schedule.

Rogers collected comments, mostly supportive, on transit services, especially on the Tribe's application to help fund a route to Lincoln City.

Behavioral Health Director Kelly Nelson and Tribal Engineer Jesse White answered questions on the women's transitional living center development project. Most comments were suggestions to include spiritual counseling.

Cultural Resources Program Manager Kathy Cole took comments on the project of converting the majority of the Grand Ronde school into a Tribal museum. Comments focused on cultural activities, representative artifacts from various family groups and space for Native artisans/vendors.

Education Department Manager April Campbell took comments on recreation plans. Most dealt with youth, but some with Elders.  These included support for swimming, biking, hiking, crafts, culinary arts, fitness, sports and events.

Natural Resources Manager Michael Wilson collected many positive comments on updating the Natural Resources 10-Year Management Plan and collected survey information.

Assistant Health Director Allyson Lecatsas provided information and took comments on the Secondary Payor Conversion project that is encouraging members to first use Medicaid and spousal health insurance before using the Skookum Health Plan. Skookum was intended to be the secondary option, but its increased use as the primary source by many members has been a large part of the Tribe's rising health care costs.

There was also an "other" comments table where a wide variety of opinions were shared, including on drug prevention activities to occupy youth, including community gardening and efforts to involve Elders to be active. Public Works Director John Mercier and Executive Health Services Director Mark Johnston fielded those comments and suggestions, which also included comments on casino operations, per capita and other topics.

The meeting ended about 2:45 p.m. with a series of drawings for three Pendleton mugs, four $25 Shell gift certificates and a Tribal logo blanket.

Includes information from Tribal Planning & Grants Manager Kim Rogers.