Pechanga Tribal Nation

Candidate comes to Pechanga

Simon visits reservation

October 3, 2002
AGNES DIGGS -
Staff Writer - NCTimes.com

PECHANGA INDIAN RESERVATION ---- In another indication of the growing political importance of the tribe, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon made a historic visit Thursday to the Pechanga Indian Reservation.

The visit marked the first time a candidate for governor has ever come to Pechanga, said tribal Chairman Mark Macarro. Although Gov. Gray Davis didn't visit the Pechanga Reservation during his run for office, he has visited since being elected, said Russell "Butch" Murphy, communications director for the tribe.

The reason for the visit, Simon said, was out of respect for Macarro and the tribe's members. Simon made a stop at the Pechanga government center to talk about issues of mutual interest and to begin what he hopes will be an ongoing dialogue, he said. He took the opportunity to see the storied Great Oak that stands on nearby Pechanga land.

"The message is one of respect," Simon said as he stood with Macarro under the ancient tree. The Republican party wants to "have a dialogue with people from every conceivable belief and background ... to see if there are ways we might be able to find common ground," he said.

"We've got some things we still need to talk about," Macarro said when asked if Simon would get the tribe's support. "We have not made a decision as to who we are supporting yet."

The meeting was arranged on Wednesday by Assemblyman Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, when it appeared there would be a time slot available in Simon's schedule. Simon was in town Thursday for a fund-raiser in Wine Country.

"I'm just happy to be able to introduce two mutual friends," Hollingsworth said.

Hollingsworth is the Republican nominee for the 36th Senate District, which includes most of Southwest County.

The Pechangas are a leading tribe among American Indians in California, Hollingsworth said. The meeting was a sign that the Republican Party is recognizing tribes and their sovereignty and is prepared to deal with issues on a government-to-government basis, Hollingsworth said.

Thursday's meeting was a good way "to break the ice," Simon said. "It's in our best interest and (Macarro's)," to find common ground.

They didn't discuss issues like the recent veto of SB 1828, a bill that was aimed at protecting Indian sacred sites. Asked what he would do if he were governor about San Diego Gas & Electric Co.'s proposed 500,000-volt power line, which would pass near the Great Oak, Simon said, "Sit down with everybody who has an interest in the tree and try to work out a solution that makes good sense for the tree."

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