News for May, 1997

The discussion and concern of the opening of Grand Meadows, the Tribe's manufactured housing park, took a great deal of the time. In fact it was that one issue that called for a separate gathering two weeks later. The central question was why had the cost of occupancy risen to fifteen thousand dollars and who had authorized that price tag? There were other questions to be sure, for instance, when had this project changed from low income to affordable housing. Why were the elders, because of cost, being excluded? Why was only one brand of manufactured housing being offered?

The meeting lasted nearly three hours and was attended by fifty tribal members, mostly elders. Council member Pearsall gave a brief diatribe about what affordable was. Then the project manager explained that the Marlette was the best brand and that's why it was chosen as the only brand being offered for purchase and location in the park. The housing director explained that the fifteen thousand dollars was to pay for the cost of drive ways and sidewalks. Also a storage was included in that cost. The fifteen thousand was only an estimate. But when asked if individual owners would be allowed to do it themselves or hire their own contractor, the answer was bureaucratically vague and non-committal. We were assured that this was a tribal project and no federal monies were involved. However, the loan package and improvements did have Housing and Urban Development guarantees. The overriding question, directed to the council, was, who allowed (voted) for the increase of fees at the park. None of the council members would answer. I strongly suspect that these were bureaucratic decisions that were made to mollify HUD and their program requirements. In any case the meeting ended without a resolution and an uneasy promise to meet and continue searching for a middle ground to keep this project in financial reach for our elders.

As a side note, HUD information on Native American housing is available through their CODETALK Web-Site. As you remember, "codetalker" was the name for the Native Americans who provided the Allies with unbreakable codes for secret military communication during the second World-War.

In other news from our area. The resurfacing of highway 18 is proceeding on a five mile stretch from the junction with US101 east to Rose Lodge. The whole section to the Van Duzen corridor does need that work. Also repaving is scheduled on highway 22 from Salt Creek store to Willamina. I'm not sure when but soon I hope.

Willamina pond was stocked again a week or so ago. I ve been chained elsewhere and not able to wet my line. State-wide trout season opened on the 26 of April. The weather was mild but overcast and I haven't talked with anyone who was out.

I know that spring is here, but between the jump to daylight savings time and our unsettled weather it seems a long time coming. The hummingbirds are back which is a sure sign of spring. The wood ticks are out so be sure to check your pets and kids for those annoying critters. They'll be around until we have a few days of hot weather. The deer and elk have all but finished fawning and are back in the woods and tall timber.