News for April, 1998

AH Spring! The signs are everywhere. My favorite is that the hummingbirds are back. These little critters are bundles of energy and, to me, exemplify the burst of life that is spring. There are many indications of spring. A few nights ago I heard a bull elk bugle. It is something done mostly in the fall during the rut. But also, in the spring when they shed their antlers. Actually, it's more of a whistle than a bugle sound. The sound starts low in pitch and climbs to a high whistle. Nature's sign posts of spring are everywhere and man's marking of spring are also evident. The logging equipment is down out of the hills. And I've had to mow my lawn twice already.

This month's council meeting was more or less normal. Bruce Thomas, the head of The Spirit Mountain Development Corporation, gave an update on construction expansion of The Spirit Mountain Casino. The slot machines will be moved into the expansion in early May and ready for the public on or about the 20th of May. The entire project will not be complete until some time after that. The bingo hall will almost double in size and also serves as a concert hall. Jeff Foxworthy will be the first act to play in the new hall. Though I'm not certain I believe that will mark the Grand Opening. In other casino news; revenues for 1997 were up 20% over 1996. Primarily due to the addition of craps & roulette. But, also the increase of visitors: in September of 1997 the Spirit Mountain Casino became the most visited tourist attraction in the state of Oregon. The addition of an R.V. parking area(no charge) and the completion of the hotel later this year, should continue that trend.

There were some complaints by tribal members concerning employment with the casino. Don Smith from The Grand Ronde Gaming Commission, explained that the tribe's compact with the state of Oregon, dictated the requirements need to obtain an individual gaming license. However, with less than ten percent of the casino work force being tribal members, I tend to side with those who believe the whites are being given the advantage. The common statement, "It's our casino", holds little water for many tribal members.

The point of biggest contention was that of the increase of member benefits. The motion to increase the yearly stipend from $1,000 to $2,000 was hotly debated. There are those who believe there should be no payments made at all. Then there are others who think the payments should be $2,000 a month. Why the current payments are so meager I have no idea. Personally, I can't see what is being done with the tribal revenues. Every year families go hungry and spend weeks living with friends. Every year the council promises to do something to help. But, every year it's only the Tribal Bureaucracy that gets fatter.

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Last Modified: Sunday, 29-Feb-2004 01:22:34 EST