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Listen up, Douglas County. When Oregon’s two U.S. senators step into a local situation, noting that it isn’t productive to residents, it’s time to pay attention.
In an extremely rare move, Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden sent a letter this week to Douglas County commissioners and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, urging them to resolve their impasse over land transfers.
Their suggestion is welcome and provides the push needed for two of the county’s most influential bodies to work together for the benefit of their constituency.
We were glad to hear a quick, positive response from County Commissioner Dan Van Slyke and Cow Creek tribal attorney Wayne Shammel, indicating they hoped the senators’ involvement would help.
Sometimes it takes a little push from someone on the outside, without a stake in the disagreement, to break the tension and help people find a resolution.
Government leaders have a good reason to listen to two of the most powerful men in the country. They are quick to turn to senators when they need help from the federal government — payments to replace lost logging revenues, or highway funding, are examples. It makes sense that local officials, in turn, listen when they hear a request from the senators.
Smith, a Republican, and Wyden, a Democrat, have shown time and time again they will put aside philosophical differences and work together on matters that concern all Oregonians.
It’s a proven model that should be emulated at the county level by commissioners and tribal officials.At issue is the simmering dispute over tribal land issues. It was a key factor in the primary election results and in the attempt to gather signatures to recall Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman.
The senators’ letter points out that federal law allows tribal transfers of lands into trust and allows local governments to comment.
The letter notes these laws are complex and not without disagreement, and continues: “Oregonians, however, are renowned for finding innovative ways to resolving such contentious issues.”The letter encourages the tribe and county find a “constructive and mutually beneficial resolution of the current impasse.”
This issue reached a volatile level when Commissioners Kittelman and Dan Van Slyke voted to put a question on the November ballot, asking voters if they think there should be a cap on Indian land transfers. Commissioner Doug Robertson refused to support it.
The proposal has worsened relations and would provide little guidance on current requests for land transfers. It seems more directed at the efforts of some organizations to press for change in federal laws on land transfers, and really doesn’t deal with the local issue at hand.
Resolving the question over loss of property tax dollars to local taxing districts could best be handled over a conference table here in Douglas County.
The senators’ advice should be the catalyst for positive change.
<<< History of the Cow Creeks >>>