1986-11-14 Char-Koosta News

              Char-%gosta
9{ews
VOLUME 15, NUMBER 15
neivs publication of the I Saluti ami 'Kootenai 'Tribes \^ ""Vv^^^ of the Ttathead Indian ^ 'J(eseivation
THE STORYTELLING MONTH
NOVEMBER 14, 1986
BIA announces deadline for MVP consumer council applications
The BIA's Flathead Agency announces that the deadline for receipt of letters of interest to serve on the Mission Valley Power consumer council is Friday, Nov. 28. Details follow:
The Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes has entered into a contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for the operations and management of the
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BIA electric power distribution system and one hydroelectric power-generating facility under the authority of Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975. A plan of operations is a part of the contract which describes the operation of the utility. This contract utility is to be operated by the Tribes as Mission Valley Power (MVP).
Under the terms of Part VII of the plan of operations, a consumer council is to be appointed by the superintendent of the Flathead Agency. This council is created to provide power consumers with the opportunity to participate in the development of utility policy and schedules,
and to hear appeals and complaints brought by consumers arising from implementation of policies and schedules by utility management.
The consumer council is composed of seven members, all of whom must be consumers of MVP services. Representation on the consumer council shall be as follows:
(1) Two members who reside in the area of Lake County that is within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Reservation.
(2) One member who resides in the area of Sanders County that is within the exterior boundaries of the Rat-head Reservation.
(3) One member who resides in the
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New life for Hot Springs bathhouse?
A delegation of close to 50 senior citizens from Hot Springs met with the Tribal Council on Nov. 7 to discuss the possibility of re-opening the bathhouse there.
Spokespersons Sophie Adams and George Plummer presented the Council chairman with the signatures of 368 people in the area and from Canada who were interested in getting the 40-year-old facility back in business. Chairman Ron Therriault noted that while the signatures weren't strictly acceptable as a valid petition, "they are certainly an indication of strong interest by the people
of Hot Springs".
Going briefly into the bathhouse's history, he said the Tribes has lost over $300,000 since it was built back in the 40's. Keeping the building heated so the pipes wouldn't freeze cost $2,500 a month last winter, he said. "We don't want to subsidize it anymore," he cautioned, "and up to now, we haven't had much support from the Hot Springs government."
"Up to now" referred to mayor Ed Anthony's statement that the town was ready to use its resources, such as its maintenance crews, to help the (Concludes on page 2)