fill Latest Okanogan, Washington, weather fill
fill Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, serving North Central Washington from Omak since 1910 Follow us on  twitter facebook fill
e-edition, read it today!
The Chronicle's
e-Edition
is our full print edition online ~ cover to cover!
You get access to both the Wednesday and Sunday newspapers for a regular subscription price of $30/year.
An ever-expanding database of past newspapers is fully searchable.
Check it out today!
Subscribe
Login

 
Ag Tab 2012
Ag Tab 2012

Infobook 2012
Infobook 2012

Oh Baby! 2011
Oh Baby! 2011

Winter Throwdown 2011
Winter Throwdown 2011

Best of 2011
Best of 2011

Snowmobiling Guide
Snowmobiling Guide 2011

Health and Medical Directory 2011
Health and Medical Directory 2011

Punt, Pass, Spike and Run 2011
Punt, Pass, Spike and Run 2011

Okanogan County Fair 2011
Okanogan County Fair 2011

Western Rendezvous
Western Rendezvous

Summer Fun, Safety, Coloring Book 2011 Summer Fun, Safety, Coloring Book

Graduation 2011 Graduation 2011

Fishrapper 2011 Fishrapper 2011

Vacationland 2011 Vacationland 2011

Play Ball 2011 Play Ball 2011

Sports

Past Sports Standings, Scores

Winter scores/standings

Blog Central

Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition bus schedules

Class Reunions

Eagle Newspapers

Okanogan County website

Ferry County website

Elected Officials

Geology

Statewide traveler information

 
Posted: Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 8:31 a.m. PDT
Omak District candidates square off during forum; primary is today, May 3
By Chris Thew
Chronicle staff

     Colville tribal members in the Omak District had a special opportunity to hear from candidates for the district’s two Colville Business Council positions up for election during a candidate forum May 1 at the Omak Performing Arts Center.
     Each candidates was asked three pre-arranged questions compiled from public comments and focused on various topics and tribal issues. Some questions in the three-question rounds were asked of different candidates based on questions blindly pulled from a hat.
     In the race for Omak District position No. 1, incumbent and business council chairman Mike E. Marchand will face a challenge from Carleen Anderson, Susan Edwards-Best, Bryon Miller and Dwayne Paul.
     Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, for the tribal primary.
     Polling places are located at the Inchelium Sub-Agency, Keller Community Center, Nespelem Community Center and Omak Senior Meal Site.
     Poll votes will be certified at 10 a.m. May 5 and absentee votes will be certified at 10 a.m. May 8.
     The top two candidates for each position will move to the general election June 14. General election votes will be certified June 16 and 19.
     Winning candidates will take the oath of office during the Colville Business Council meeting July 10.
     Anderson was asked how to increase employment for tribal members, what kind of business ventures she would like to see on the reservation, and about tribal reorganization.
     Anderson, who worked on the tribes' reorganization while she was interim director, reminded the audience that the question was luck of the draw.
     Anderson suggested the tribe should encourage members to start small businesses, and provide support. She also suggested supporting education to fill needed roles in the tribe.
     "We deserve the very best employees we can have," said Anderson.
     She said layoffs during the tribal reorganization were needed, but not necessarily well received.
     "It was not an easy choice," said Anderson. "There is not one person on the council or myself who took pleasure in that RIF."
     Anderson suggested the tribe look at renewable resources, co-generation and additional dams on the reservation.
     Edwards-Best was asked about crime rates and drugs on the reservation, how she feels about Colville Tribal Enterprise Corp., and what business ventures she would recommend for the reservation.
     Edwards-Best said the tribe needs to be proactive, but think about how it will give penalties.
     "We need to give equal attention to how we deal with crime," said Edwards-Best.
     She suggested that the tribe provide more attention to youth.
     Edwards-Best said CTEC should have a direct connection to the tribe and that non-Indians should not be in supervisory roles.
     "Hiring outside non-Indians is not acceptable," said Edwards-Best.
     Edwards-Best said she would like to see more "agricultural, small business, technology and media-based opportunities," including a television site.
     Marchand was asked what he would do for the youth, how he felt about casinos and what he can do to increase health benefits for tribal members.
     Marchand said the tribe’s main concern is its younger members.
     "Our biggest issue is the next generation," said Marchand.
     He said he is concerned about the youth and would like to see programs, such as a proposed youth cultural camp, educate kids on their culture and heritage.
     "We want to have jobs, but we want to be Indians in the future," said Marchand.
     Marchand said the tribe’s three casinos probably would make more money if they were replaced or remodeled. He said surveys show the casinos would likely make double or triple with improvements.
     "They're all run down, pitiful and need to be replaced," said Marchand, who added that the tribe is considering a location in Moses Lake.
     Marchand said the best way to work on increasing health benefits is to maintain a council at home, but have a strong presence at the federal level, which provides 90 percent of the tribe’s budget, according to Marchand.
     Miller was asked how he felt about rumors that the tribe’s mills were operating in the red, how he would be an asset to tribal government, and solutions for the tribe's budget deficit.
     Miller said there are two options: Ride out the low lumber prices in hopes of improving product when prices do increase, or close the mills. He suggests the tribe should first look to see if it or CTEC could support it.
     Miller said his experience, dedication to open, transparent government and willingness to work long hours make him the best candidate.
     Miller offered an idea for controlling the deficit: "How about we stop spending more than revenues," said Miller, who suggested the tribe needs a tighter belt and to look for outside resources.
     Paul was asked his views on tribal sovereignty, how he would deal with the Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), and to discuss his work ethic.
     Paul said the tribe needs to work on securing its sovereignty.
     "I believe that's the best way to get our reservation going," said Paul.
     He said that he supports the office and that when he talked with TERO officials he was told the business council was not allowing the office to do its job.
     Paul said cross country running, in which which he participated from sixth grade through high school, taught him discipline and that he enjoys hard work and is ready for it on the council.
     Ted Bessette, Omak position No. 2 incumbent, will face six candidates vying for his position: Shirley Charley, James McCuen, Cody Miller, Cary Tonasket, Melanie Torrence and Ernie Williams.
     Bessette was asked what he has done for the tribe to date, how to combat drugs and alcohol on the reservation, and how he feels about casinos.
     Bessette noted his early work pushing development of the casinos and pointing out concerns with revenues at the mills.
     "Generally, it appears the casinos are bringing in as much as the mills are losing," said Bessette.
     He also said he is very supportive of Indian preference.
     "Keep the Indians and let the other ones go," said Bessette.
     The tribe should have early intervention, diagnosis and treatment options available to deal with problems with drugs and alcohol, he said.
     When asked about casinos, Bessette said the tribe needs to "get more mileage out of them."
     Charley was asked her opinion on tribal reorganization, why people should vote for her and her views on tribal sovereignty.
     "When you know something isn't working, fix it," said Charley.
     Charley said she believes more needs to be done to eliminate waste in the tribe, including documenting time wasted by employees.
     Charley said her experience and openness to exposing wrongdoings make her the best candidate.
     "I won't tell you what you want to hear, I'll tell you what you need to hear," said Charley, a former council member. "I believe that the only reason I was unseated was that I was a threat."
     Charley said the tribe needs to protect its sovereignty.
     "We need to make sure that at no time this is taken away from us," said Charley. "Sovereignty is not a view, it's our right."
     McCuen was asked his opinions on the ethics committee and how to improve it, what is his greatest strength, and what he wants to accomplish on the council.
     "Ethics committee? What ethics committee?" asked McCuen. "When I put my dog in the chicken coop, who's watching the dog? It sure isn't the chickens."
     McCuen said he believes people outside of the council should be the ones watching over the committee, which considers ethics violation filings against council members.
     McCuen said his greatest strength is not shying away from anything.
     "I'm not bashful," said McCuen. "I'll yell out and talk to anybody, listen to them and hear them."
     Cody Miller was asked on which committee he would like to serve and why, what he would do to preserve culture and preservation, and what he would do for the youth.
     Miller said he would like to chair the tribe's community development committee. He said he believes his power development experience would bring opportunities.
     Miller also said he would like to strengthen and support programs to preserve the tribe’s culture and traditions.
     He said he would like to push for a Boys and Girls Club, increase training and education, and provide more cultural programs.
     "Show them what they should be proud of," said Miller.
     Tonasket was asked what he believed were the qualities of a successful councilman, his long-range goals and objectives, and what he has done for the tribe.
     Tonasket said the best qualities would be not micromanaging, have an open-door policy and be willing to listen to people.
     "Ethical, responsible, accountable and they have to have an open heart," said Tonasket.
     Tonasket said his long-range goals and objectives are to help the tribe become an economic and political power.
     "To try and help the best I can," said Tonasket. "Through hard work, open mind, open heart, dedication."
     Tonasket said his work protecting the environment as an environmental specialist with the tribe was his accomplishment.
     Torrence was asked her solutions to address the deficit in the tribal budget, and her views on mining and on the ethics committee.
     Torrence said she would like to see the council take cuts and spend money wisely.
     "It's time for change," said Torrence. "I believe they have spent enough of our time and money."
     Torrence also suggested that departments that go over budget should be questioned and those that match or go under their budgets should be rewarded.
     Torrence said she would not support mining on the reservation and feels that if it were allowed that the tribe would likely mismanage the funds.
     "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is," said Torrence.
     On ethics, Torrence said improvements are needed and she would ask other tribes with successful policies for the policies that worked.
     Williams was asked his opinion on Wells Dam, his plans on improving education, and his opinion on the mills operating in the red.
     Williams believes the tribe should look at ways to reduce water costs and start a water association on the reservation, but also believes that the tribe should keep a close eye on water rights.
     "I think we're giving away a lot of our water rights," said Williams. "I think we need to dwell on working on another policy."
     The tribe gets payments from Douglas County PUD for Wells output.
     Williams said the tribe should encourage kids and set up more incentives and scholarships to help youngsters with their education.
     Williams said the mills are losing money, but wants to see the tribe give consideration to people working there.
     "The mills right now are having a hard time," said Williams. "Lumber prices have hit rock bottom."
 
  NEWS HEADLINES
Three injured in truck-school bus crash 
District 6 begins 1A boys and girls hoop tournaments
Council OKs garbage rate increase
Quincy, Brewster set to join Caribou Trail League
Feb. 4 fundraiser benefits Conscious Culture Festival
Twisp skier wins Apple Cup crown
Seedings done; Super sub-regionals planned for Lake Roosevelt
Seedings done; District 6 wrestling comes to Omak
Teen arrested for vehicle break-ins
Winter weather advisory issued for Okanogan, Ferry counties
Girls basketball: Brewster swats Oroville
Boys basketball: Chelan edges Tonasket
Wrestling: Liberty Bell finishes second at Kittitas
Earthquake rocks area south of Penticton
Witnesses to fatal crash are sought
Poetry Out Loud is tonight in Okanogan
Chelan woman dies in two-vehicle crash
Ecstasy, cash seized west of Danville
Four quakes reported in the past two weeks
State plans Okanogan meeting to discuss elk plan
Motorists arrested in drunken driving campaign
Russian artists’ works displayed at Dry Falls
Morton asks governor to rescind board appointment
Discover Pass expansion gets Senate committee nod
 
  RECENTLY POSTED PHOTO ALBUMS
Dec. 17: Omak boys vs. Bridgeport - Raider Holiday Tournament
Dec. 17: Lake Roosevelt girls vs. Bridgeport - Raider Holiday Tournament
Dec. 16: Cashmere at Brewster girls basketball
Dec. 10: Wrestling at Okanogan
Dec. 10: Pateros at Tonasket girls basketball
Dec. 10: Pateros at Tonasket boys basketball
Dec. 6: Brewster at Okanogan girls basketball
Dec. 6: Brewster at Okanogan boys basketball
Dec. 3: Omak PIT wrestling tournament
Dec. 3: Oroville at Tonasket boys basketball
Dec. 3: Oroville at Tonasket girls basketball
Dec. 1: Bridgeport at Omak girls basketball
Dec. 1: Bridgeport at Omak boys basketball
Nov. 26: Christmas at the End of the Road
Nov. 12: Brewsteer at La Conner state soccer
Nov. 4: Lakeside at Tonasket post-season football
Nov. 1: Soap Lake at Brewster state 2B football
Nov. 1: Tiebreaker football at Bridgeport
Nov. 1: Omak at Okanogan playoff soccer
Oct. 29: Liberty Bell vs. Bridgeport soccer playin
 

newspaper for ad Get all your Okanogan County news and sports coverage delivered to you for as little as 58 cents a week.
 Legal Considerations
The Chronicle respects your right to privacy. Please read our privacy policy for details concerning our use of customer information.

Owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

fill fill fill Sunrise Chevrolet
Auto Fresh
Red Cross
Edward Jones
Visit Fogle Pump and Supply
Visit John L. Scott Realty
Visit Remax Lake and Country
Visit the Breadline Cafe in Omak, Washington
Cramer's Furniture Online Funnies
MyCapture photo buying online
 
Chronicles of the Okanogan
A history of the Okanogan Valley as published in the pages of The Chronicle.
A century ago, The Chronicle was founded, in part, as a voice for the residents and community of unincorporated Omak.
This 100-page, large-format book presents a unique look at the history of the area as told by the newspaper's publishers, editors and reporters.