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Robert Kentta - Conflict of Interest

Sun, 11/11/2007 - 2:46pm — Lynette Warren

It's hard to get away from conflicts of interests even when the council members are making good faith efforts. There will always be gray areas, but a few members of the Tribal Council have crossed clear ethical boundaries.

Robert Kentta and Bud Lane are most notable in that they are employed as directors of their departments or disciplines and, as it happens, their particular disciplines, culture and language, are undergoing huge budget increases. I'm not saying culture and language are not important, they are. Bud has done a commendable job of teaching and advancing our language and crafts, but he and Robert Kentta should not be making policy on large funding allocations, expensive junkets, and other forms of voluntary spending for their own departments while they're on council.

When Lisa Brown asked Robert Kentta why he didn't abstain from a budget vote that directly benefited his own department and, in turn resulted in his own financial benefit, Robert said the resolution included other items outside his own budget, as well. He felt it was unreasonable, in this case, to abstain from the vote, even though it did substantially affect the funding of his own department.

But our Tribal Council Ethics Ordinance does not allow for ethics breeches simply because the decision being considered contains other items. It says:

(b) When a conflict of interest exists for a Tribal Council member with regard to a
particular issue, the member shall not participate in any discussion or action with
regard to such matter.

(c) No Tribal Council member shall engage in any decision, which would be likely to
result in a financial benefit or advantage to them, or their immediate family.

If it's impossible for Tribal Council members to avoid significantly affecting policies regarding their own departments which lead to their own financial benefit while they serve on the tribal council, by our existing ordinance, they must make the choice of staying on the council or retaining their jobs. To do otherwise generates serious ethical conflicts.

The Tribal Council moonlighters and their supporters would counter this by saying the voters have spoken and we do not constitutionally prohibit the practice of holding other jobs, but the 2005 constitutional vote was a close 47% to 53% and, while the practice is not constitutionally prohibited, the tribal membership, as a whole, still questions the ability of some Tribal Council members to ethically remain on the Council as they hold other tribal jobs.

Of the 615 voting, if a scant 23 voters had voted differently they would have tipped the result in favor of the amendment, thereby outlawing the practice of holding tribal jobs while serving on the Tribal Council. 23 votes and the amendment would have passed. It should also be taken into account that in addition to the 47% of voters who felt the practice should be soundly outlawed, some portion of the 53% majority also felt that holding a tribal job while on council is, indeed, some degree of a conflict of interest, but they didn't want to prohibit it completely via a constitutional change. For example, it's far less of a conflict of interest for Loraine Butler to keep her job as Enrollment clerk than it is for Robert Kentta to hold a job as the director of a department where the funding is mostly discretionary spending.

Ironically, Loraine Butler is the only member of the present Tribal Council who has offered to even consider quitting her "day job" with the tribe if the the pay raise passes. The other moonlighters - Frank Simmons, Jessie Davis, Bud Lane, Phil Rilatos, and Robert Kentta - seem to have no plans to move in that direction. So this is not an issue that was put to rest by the 2005 Constitutional vote. It's perfectly reasonable for the tribe to re-visit this question in light of the Tribal Council's subsequent behavior.

‹ Candidates Fair - excerpts from the Newport News-Times 2008 Tribal Candidates Fair - No closing statements allowed ›
Tue, 11/13/2007 - 1:06pm — jusnachu

Inadequate information on Ballot initiatives

It is my opinion that the Tribal Council does not do the research on the ballot initiatives. Our state elections process allows the opportunity for pros and cons on issues, this should occur with our voting process.

I attended the Tribal Council meeting and requested to have comments [received from Tribal members] pertaining to the proposed Public Records Ordinance posted on the website. There has been no such action.

We as voters should have received a detailed summary of the cost, the Tribal council budget in its' entirety, and why this raise was justified...

and also opposing opinions should have had the opportunity to be posted/mailed out also. This is controlling the vote, and it is an unfair attempt to manipulate the voters (those who do vote).

I for one, if elected would welcome Tribal members who have an interest in our elections process, and legislative system, as well as the administrative functions.

At present, it is the opinion of the present administration and elected leaders to keep things secret, and not accessible for Tribal members who have questions. Records of meeting should be easily accessible, and an audio file should be the priority - it is not professional to keep the very people you serve "in the dark".

There is a conflict of interest to serve in so many functions, and be employed by the Tribe at the same time. It may be a constitutional right, but sometimes a person just has to look at the situation, and see if it is working, or if it is right.

I for one think it would not be ethical to serve as an elected leader, and be a party to a group that create opportunities that would give me a job (example is Phil Rilatos, Jessie Davis... etc).

I do not think that our elected leaders are forthcoming about the perks or comps they receive in regards to the gaming enterprise. This also is a conflict of interest.

There is much to be reviewed. For now, a "NO" vote on the ballot measure before the voters is one way to express an opinion regarding change that should occur, or questions to which members have not received answers.

I welcome your comments on this matter.

Yours Truly

Lisa Brown, CPS
541-444-1290
nadosh2@yahoo.com

Fri, 12/28/2007 - 10:19pm — jusnachu

Is there anyone out there who is from Grand Ronde?

Would you be able to give feedback on proposals presented to your members? I do recall hearing that Grand Ronde members receive a very detailed explanation of the measure, with many versions of pros and cons or results should such a measure pass or fail.

I would appreciate feedback from other parties. Leading by example is good, and if anyone knows of leadership of such quality, please share such examples on this forum.

Yours Truly,

Lisa Brown, CPS

Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:16pm — jusnachu

Tribal Council Timesheet - None available for Robert Kentta

At the most recent November general council meeting, Monte Kentta asked a very direct question of Robert Kentta:

Monte Kentta: "I have a question for Robert kentta,
Robert, How come your timesheets aren't in our newspaper?"

Robert: "I haven't turned in for reimbursement or timesheets for quite some time".

Monte: "I realize that, but why?"

Robert laughed, and said, "Well that's a very good question, I don't have a complete answer for you. Um, to me it's a privledge to do this, work for the tribe in tribal government, um, I know it, I've felt guilty in some ways it may reflect on my colleagues up here at the table, to me this is not about making money, Um, I'm not too worried about losing the money that I haven't claimed, though it's not that clear, there's been times that I've intended to turn in for time spent on council business and just haven't gotten around to it. So it's a combination of factors".

Monte asked, "Do you get paid for Tribal Council time?"

Robert said, "I haven't turned in for it"

So you're not getting paid?

"No"

Monte Kentta said, "I didn't mean to put you on the spot, you're in culture, you're my family, I appreciate the things you do."

[To view this meeting - contact the Tribal Council Secretary and request a DVD of the November 2007 General Council meeting]

My concern regarding this conversation: All Tribal Council members voted for an increase in salary. Why, if Robert does not care about the money, does he vote for the pay raise?

I do believe there has been a conflict of interest in the part of Robert Kentta - to be in the management position, and voting on gaming revenue to be directed for the purpose of funding cultural expenditures.

This alone is good reason to remove Tribal council from overseeing the gaming revenue, in addition to the Tribal Court, and administration.

It was agreed that times sheets would appear for Tribal Council members, to show transparency of what business was being conducted, in regards to Robert, this has not occurred. Robert stated that part of his time can be tracked by reading the minutes.

Still, I as a Tribal member would like to see regular reports from our elected officials, filed online, for members to be able to view what meetings, information has been acquired, and how it might be used.

Members Matter, and we deserve to know these things. It is our tribal dollars that pay for the expense for our elected officials to travel and attend these meetings/trainings, we should be able to gain this knowledge or have access to this info.

I welcome feedback from our elected leaders, and other Tribal members.

Yours Truly,

Lisa Brown, CPS
2008 Candidate for Siletz Tribal Council
541-444-1290
nadosh2@yahoo.com
www.allnativecreations.com

Wed, 01/16/2008 - 12:02pm — glenn yarbrough

Is this "Job and Elected Tribal Council member in to deep?

I as a tribal member would like to know what other "Elected Tribal Council" who are also Employed within the CTSI orginization feel the same burdon of finicial relief and not having "Enouph money" to live? For this has been the "Pay scale " Prior to Elected in, so how many more Tribal Council Members do the same? does more and more Tribal Council have the same issues? i know several who work within CTSI and i call upon them for various reasons and the pay scale for a CTSI Employee and Benefits are AWESOME within the Geographical area of the Oregon Coast . I know of a "Few" who do a great job, had good jobs in the CTSI Umbrella, but it scares me to know that "Time sheet's are "Blantly Disregarded, then knowing that the Elected Council Member voted "Yes" on the Pay raise in the recent 2007 Special vote. I understand that the Council and those Council who has "another job posation(working another job" while serving on capacity of our Elected Officials, and that these few are "To busy to fill out a time sheet or it is of no importance this is feel is wrong. . This tells me and note this is not in a time frame of a week or two, but of "Months on top of Months.? I feel that if this Continues to be this way with ANY Tribal Council Member, that Elected Council/ CTSI Employee should resighn from one or another . I can understand the families of Council needing more money than the $10.81 per hour which is well above minum wage and tribal members ALOT of them/us are working for minuim wage, please also note that staticly Siletz Tribal membership of over 65 % as a whole live in "Poverty". Equal to a third world country...... should we worry about our own future and membership status of a monatary aspect to makes ends meet. Yes, who would not want more money. If a person who ever it is not Fulfilling any aspect of their asighned duties then this is a problem that needs adjusted/"Looked into as this is Dee Pigsley famous Signature saying". As Tribal council leads our Membership into all other Business aspects and adventures, the bottom line is "Our Elected Tribal Council whom run for office themselves, going into this posation (if voted in) knowing darn well the "Pay scale" at time of Elected into office. Nobody held a gun to there head and said to them to "Run" for Council, they themselves put their own hat in the ring. I am proud of the few and need for more Elected Tribal Council members who do run and support our Tribe as a whole thses persons do geat work, bringing realatiy to Council that yes, they are well educated most of the Tribal Council are sincere and caring persons and i feel as a tribal member this is a great to have on our Tribal Council Elected Board member's. Most of them and have specalaties to offer the Tribe as a whole or seperate for posative growth and growth concepts. So i understand the wanting more of an hourly wage, but these Council Members knew what they were getting into when they ran and to go into the office after being voted in and atempt to create a "Pay raise" this I feel is wrong. Then back to the original message of Tribal Council Ellected Officials have to much on there plate and this WILL EFFECT GENERAL EMMBERSHIP AS A WHOLE, BRINGING TO THE TABLE NEGATAVITY, Finger Pointing and all out and out battle with General Membership at times and sometimes more "battles " than not. Why??? Many person prior to me wants to see PEACE, HARMONY, AND RESPECT FROM BOTH THE ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP, FOR WE MUST ALL WORK TOGTHER AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM'S AND OTHER ISSUES/CONCERS AND SPEND TIME WITH A "POSATIVE" HEALTHIER TRIBE. I thank you all for taking the time to read my opnion and ask for posattive feedback if any, so that As a general member of the Siletz Tribe i can do what is needed to help all others in need what ever this need is. sincerly and concerned Glenn yarbrough.