I'd like to share a little more about my background. After all, I'm asking you to hire me, so you ought to know my "resume."
Grand Ronde Tribal Elder
I am an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I am an elder and a former tribal council member. If I am elected to the Oregon legislature, I would be the first enrolled member of an Oregon tribe to serve.
U.S. Army Veteran
I served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years, including three tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. I was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
Business & Occupational Experience
Instructor, General Education Development, Santee Sioux Indian Reservation, Nebraska
Instructor, Junior Partnership Training Act Program, Columbus, Georgia
Owner, General Contractor, West's Mobile Home Service
Education
Columbia College, Columbus, Missouri
Wy'East High School, Odell, Oregon
Thank you for allowing me to share something about myself.
Buddy West
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Issues Important to Oregon
I'd like to take a moment to share my goals concerning several issues which are important in my community.
Affordable Health Care
Health care is of highest priority for Oregonians. Today many Oregonians, due to high costs, are living without health care. I look forward to working with the Oregon Health Board in 2009 to make health care more and more affordable and available.
Education
Funding good education has always been a huge issue, and as a result, many education funds are directed to schools. However, only a portion of these funds actually find their way into the classroom. I am committed to work to find a way to reduce education overhead and get the resources to the teachers.
Creating Jobs
The Legislature must work with the Labor Commission to ensure that, before privatizing or contracting out construction jobs, they will first work with unions and the construction industry to train workers.
Buddy West
Affordable Health Care
Health care is of highest priority for Oregonians. Today many Oregonians, due to high costs, are living without health care. I look forward to working with the Oregon Health Board in 2009 to make health care more and more affordable and available.
Education
Funding good education has always been a huge issue, and as a result, many education funds are directed to schools. However, only a portion of these funds actually find their way into the classroom. I am committed to work to find a way to reduce education overhead and get the resources to the teachers.
Creating Jobs
The Legislature must work with the Labor Commission to ensure that, before privatizing or contracting out construction jobs, they will first work with unions and the construction industry to train workers.
Buddy West
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Nez Perce Ceremony, Vancouver, Washington
Today I attended a special ceremony by the Nez Perce tribe, which commemmorated their imprisonment at Fort Vancouver from 1877 - 1878. Several Nez Perce tribal elders were in attendance. The theme of the ceremony was forgiveness and unity. I was honored to be part of it. Here I am with my step-son, Dennis, on my left, and Boy Scout leader Bruce Jolle on my right.
One highlight of the ceremony was when a Vancouver Boy Scout troop presented an Appaloosa colt as a gift to the Nez Perce tribe. The Nez Perce are famous for breeding Appaloosas, and this colt would be used to strenghten their stock. The Nez Perce tribe also brought some beautiful horses to the ceremony. The regalia was spectacular.
The photo on the bottom is the new colt, and the beautiful and cold lady posing with me is its breeder, Regina.
A lot of people attended, including a lot of brave-hearted elders, because it was really cold out there today!
One highlight of the ceremony was when a Vancouver Boy Scout troop presented an Appaloosa colt as a gift to the Nez Perce tribe. The Nez Perce are famous for breeding Appaloosas, and this colt would be used to strenghten their stock. The Nez Perce tribe also brought some beautiful horses to the ceremony. The regalia was spectacular.
The photo on the bottom is the new colt, and the beautiful and cold lady posing with me is its breeder, Regina.
A lot of people attended, including a lot of brave-hearted elders, because it was really cold out there today!
A little about myself
My name is Wesley West, but my friends call me "Buddy." I was born in Redding, California, and raised in Oregon. I am a widower who is remarried to a wonderful lady, Dee. I have been blessed with a large family. In addition to my wife, I have a daughter and five step sons, and most of them live locally. My mother also lives nearby and still lives independently. Add in siblings, cousins, grandchildren, and even one great-grandchild, and it is quite a group!
Dee and I live in Sheridan. I am an elder and former tribal council member at Grand Ronde, and Dee is Navajo. We have two cats. We spend a lot of time with our family and in tribe activites. Also, Dee and I are both artists - in our spare time!
I'm pround to say I served twenty years in the Army. One of my greatest honors was receiving the Purple Heart. After retiring from the Army, I went into a second career in HVAC. My Army career took me all over, but when I retired from my second career and my first wife passed away, I returned to Sheridan, which I consider my home town. Most recently I have served a term on the Grand Ronde tribal council. That was a great honor and also allowed me to travel and experience my Native American culture.
My greatest blessing, besides my family, is my life experience. I have more than just experience in politics. I have experience in life. I know what it's like to run a business, to make a payroll, to deal with unwieldy government regulations. And I know what it's like to raise a family. I'd like to bring all of my experience to serve my community as State Representative.
Buddy West
Dee and I live in Sheridan. I am an elder and former tribal council member at Grand Ronde, and Dee is Navajo. We have two cats. We spend a lot of time with our family and in tribe activites. Also, Dee and I are both artists - in our spare time!
I'm pround to say I served twenty years in the Army. One of my greatest honors was receiving the Purple Heart. After retiring from the Army, I went into a second career in HVAC. My Army career took me all over, but when I retired from my second career and my first wife passed away, I returned to Sheridan, which I consider my home town. Most recently I have served a term on the Grand Ronde tribal council. That was a great honor and also allowed me to travel and experience my Native American culture.
My greatest blessing, besides my family, is my life experience. I have more than just experience in politics. I have experience in life. I know what it's like to run a business, to make a payroll, to deal with unwieldy government regulations. And I know what it's like to raise a family. I'd like to bring all of my experience to serve my community as State Representative.
Buddy West
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