TRIBAL GOVERNMENT OPENNESS

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES (FIRST PEOPLE), THERE IS AN OPENNESS, IN THE WAY THE TRIBES DO THEIR BUSINESS.

TERELL BOEITTCHER, A REPORTER FOR THE SAWYER COUNTY RECORD REPORTS THAT LOCAL TRIBES ALLOW THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO BE COVERED BY THE PRESS JUST LIKE ANY LOCAL CITY OR TOWN IN HIS REPORTING AREA. BOETTCHER COVERS THE LAC COURTE OREILLES TRIBE (5,500 MEMBERS) IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN. THIS TRIBE HAS A SMALL CASINO. THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS TRIBAL MEMBERS.

THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS SUPPOSEDLY HAVE CLOSED MEETINGS THAT DO NOT ALLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS TO ATTEND. THE MOHEGANS BETWEEN 1995 AND 1996 HAD CLOSED MEETINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DAYS. IN THOSE YEARS MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS COMPLAINED ABOUT BEING DENIED ACCESS TO TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND INFORMATION. TODAY, THE MOHEGANS HAVE "OPEN SESSIONS" IN WHICH TRIBAL MEMBERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND.

THE MAJORITY OF THE 550 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES (FIRST PEOPLE) ARE OPEN. THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ALLOWING OPENNESS IN GOVERNMENT IS BECAUSE OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE MADE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS, AS A RESULT OF INDIAN RE-ORGANIZATION ACT OF 1934.

EDDIE BROWN, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS WITH THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SAID, " I SEE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AS DEVELOPING IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THERE IS MOVEMENT TOWARD MORE OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY."

THE TOHONO-O'ODHAM NATION IN ARIZONA, HAS ITS' TRIBAL COUNCILORS SIT AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH FOR 5 DAYS. BROWN SAID, "ANYBODY CAN SIT IN ON THE MEETINGS WHETHER THEY'RE TRIBAL MEMBERS OR NOT."

THE SIOUX, CHEROKEES AND NAVAJOS OPERATE IN SIMULAR FASHION, BROWN SAID.

GREATER OPENNESS IS NEEDED IN THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES THAT ARE INTO GAMBLING ENTERPRISES (CASINOS). MORE AND MORE TRIBES ARE OPENING CASINOS UNDER THE NATIONAL GAMING REGULATORY ACT OF 1968.

BROWN SAID, "INDIAN GOVERNMENTS ARE BEING CHALLENGED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MONEY AND WHAT'S BEING DONE WITH IT. THEY'RE FINDING PRESSURE BEING PLACED ON THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE (INDIAN) COMMUNITY."

TIM JOHNSON, A MOHAWK INDIAN SAID, "IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITIES TO HAVE ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS THAT ARE OPEN IN A WAY THAT (TRIBAL MEMBERS) KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING."

MOST TRIBES GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PROPRIETARY MATTERS SUCH AS LITIGATION, PERSONNEL OR REAL ESTATE.

INSTEAD OF MOVING TOWARDS A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT, IT SEEMS IN MY OPINION, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IS MOVING TOWARDS A MORE CLOSED AND CONTROLLED WAY OF RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT. WITH THE FINANCES OF THE TRIBE AND THE CASINO IN TROUBLE, IT IS A TIME TO BE MORE OPEN AND NOT MORE CLOSED. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

OVERTIME FOR PRESTON?

KENT BORNER, OF PRESTON TOWN'S HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE SAID,"WE'RE GOING INTO OVERTIME. BUT WE HAVEN'T LOST YET ........LET'S JUST KEEP SHOOTING."

LAST NIGHT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2008, THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF PRESTON, VOTED BY A VOTE OF 2 TO 1 TO NOTIFY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT OF PRESTON'S PLANS TO PURCHASE THE 419 ACRE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE VOTE WAS TAKEN AFTER THE HEARING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FOR THE TOWN OF PRESTON TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY FROM THE STATE.

THE NEXT STEP, IS FOR PRESTON TO NOTIFY THE STATE, BY JANUARY 5, 2009, OF ITS DECISION TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. THE STATE HAS SAID IN LETTERS TO PRESTON THAT IT HAS NO INTENTIONS OF GIVING PRESTON ANY EXTENSIONS.

IF THE STATE WERE TO GRANT PRESTON, ITS REQUEST TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY, PRESTON WOULD HAVE ABOUT 120 DAYS TO FIND A DEVELOPER AND SEAL THE DEAL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE TOWN COULD NOT ACCOMPLISH IN THREE YEARS.

AT THE MOMENT, THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY BANKS READY TO IMMEDIATELY FINANCE A PLAN FOR THE PROPERTY. THE TOWN CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 5 DEVELOPERS STILL INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING THE PROPERTY. OUTSIDERS ARE SAYING THAT THIS PLAN OF ACTION BY THE TOWN, WILL PUT THE TOWN IN A NEGOTIATING DISADVANTAGE WITH DEVELOPERS.

ROBERT CONGDON, FIRST SELECTMAN OF PRESTON SAID, "IT'S DEFINITELY A LONG SHOT. WE'VE WORKED OUR TAILS OFF FOR THREE YEARS. WE HAVE SOME REAL OPTIONS THAT COULD COME TO FRUITION."

I DON'T THINK THE STATE WILL GO FOR THE DEAL. I DON'T THINK THAT PRESTON IF THEY GET THE CHANCE, CAN PULL IT OFF IN 120 DAYS, SOMETHING THEY COULD NOT DO IN 3 YEARS. WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP AT AN ESTIMATED $40 MILLION? IF THEY PUT IN HOUSING IT WILL ONLY ADD TO THE TAX BURDEN OF THE TAX PAYERS. THEY NEED SOME KIND OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TRIBAL SECURTIY

YOU SEE THE MEN AND WOMEN WEARING BLUE UNIFORMS DOING ALL KINDS OF GOOD THINGS FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE ON AND OFF THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT.

WHO AM I TALKING ABOUT? THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL PUBLIC SAFETY (OUTSIDE SECURITY). THE MEN AND WOMEN MANNING BOOTHS, DRIVING THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS (ELECTRIC CHAIR) CARS, RIDING BICYCLES, AND WALKING AROUND THE RESERVATION. THEY ARE KEEPING THE TRIBE AND ITS PROPERTY SAFE. THEY WATCH OUT OVER FORT SHANTOK, FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING, THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, THE WAREHOUSES, PARKING LOTS, GARAGES, THE TANTAQUIDEGON MUSEUM, THE MOHEGAN CHURCH AND OTHER THINGS.

EVEN THOUGH , SECURITY IS NOT THE POLICE (THEY HAVE NO LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY) THEY DO MANY THINGS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TRIBE. FROM MY OBSERVATIONS, THEY ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS. IN MY OPINION, SECURITY IS MORE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER SOMETHING HAPPENING THEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THAT CREATES A PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

IF YOU LOOK OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER, SHOULD LOOK AT THEM SOMETHING OBVIOUS POPS OUT AT YOU. THEY ARE UNARMED. WHY IS THAT? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE UNARMED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE LIABILITY OR LAWSUITS BROUGHT AGAINST THE TRIBE IF THEY WERE ARMED AND ABUSED THAT POWER. NO ONE IS SAYING THEY SHOULD NOT DEFEND THEMSELVES IF ATTACKED.

THE MOHEGAN POLICE HAVE THE POWER TO DETAIN AND TURN OVER TO THE STATE POLICE ALLEGED LAW BREAKERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SECURITY CAN NOT DETAIN SOMEONE, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PEACE OFFICERS (POLICE). THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE. IN THEORY, SECURITY COULD COME UPON AND MAN DRIVING OFF WITH A STOLEN CAR, OR VANDALIZING SOMEONES CAR AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BUT OBSERVE. I WAS TOLD IF IT WAS A FIGHT OR SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL ABUSE, THEY CAN TRY AND BREAK IT UP.

THE POLICE OFFICERS SUPPOSEDLY CARRY GUNS, CLUBS, MACE, HAND CUFFS, AND TASERS. WHAT DO THE SECURITY DEPARTMENT WORKERS HAVE? FROM MY OBSERVATION, NOTHING. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING. I BELIEVE, WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) ARE PUTTING THEM IN HARMS WAY WITH OUT PROTECTION.

WHAT WOULD BE SO BAD IF WE TRAINED AND GAVE THEM, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: TASERS, BILLY CLUBS, MACE OR PEPPER SPRAY. HOW ABOUT WE GIVE THEM LARGE EIGHT D BATTERY FLASH LIGHTS? THEY COULD BE TRAINED TO ONLY USE THESE THINGS IF THEY WERE IN EMINENT DANGER. THERE COULD BE A STRICT POLICY ON THE USE OF THESE ITEMS. IN MY OPINION, WHAT THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT IS DOING IS WRONG. WHAT ABOUT A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY A SECURITY GUARD OR HIS FAMILY, WHO WAS HURT BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION? COULD THIS HAPPEN? ARE WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TRIBAL MEMBERS, WHEN YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE, SAY THANKS AND WAVE TO THEM. LET THEM KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THEM. THEY DO A FINE JOB FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. SECURITY, THANK YOU.

REGRETS

REGRETS, WE HAVE ALL HAD THEM. THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS WATCHING A TELEVISION SHOW, AND THE WORKER FOR THE FAMILY FOR SEVEN YEARS ALL OF A SUDDEN DIED. IT WAS QUITE TRAGIC. THE MOTHER OF THE FAMILY SAID SHE WOULD SEE THE MAN AFTER HIS SURGERY. HE DIDN'T MAKE IT, HE DIED ON THE OPERATING TABLE. THEY NEVER GOT TO TELL HIM HOW THEY FELT ABOUT HIM. THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD PLENTY OF TIME .IT HAPPENS.

I REGRET NOT BEING THERE WHEN SOMEONE SPECIAL TO ME LEFT THIS WORLD. I WAS IN CONNECTICUT TRYING TO GET THINGS READY SO THE PERSON COULD GO HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. I WAS NOT THERE. I REGRET NOT BEING THERE.

ANOTHER TIME, I SAID GOOD BYE TO SOMEONE, WITHOUT REALIZING I WOULD NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH I WOULD MISS THEM.

SOME PEOPLE WE MEET IN LIFE, AND WE ARE LIKE SHIPS CROSSING PATHS IN THE OCEAN. THE ACQUAINTANCE IS SHORT AND BRIEF, YET SOMETIMES HAS A LASTING EFFECT ON THE REST OF OUR LIVES. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MEETING AND LOSING PEOPLE WILL EFFECT YOU UNTIL AFTERWARD. IT IS REALLY EASY TO LOOK BACK, IT IS HARDER AT THAT MOMENT TO REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALL MAKE A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION, TO SAY WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS TO THE PEOPLE WE LOVE AND CARE ABOUT. WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO LOSS SOMEONE AND NOT HAVE THEM KNOW, HOW MUCH THEY HAVE MEANT TO US, IN OUR LIVES.

IF WE SAY WHAT WE FEEL, SOME MAY THINK OF US AS WEAK. BUT ARE WE BY SPEAKING FROM THE HEART REALLY WEAK, OR ARE WE BEING REALLY BRAVE AND STRONG? SPEAK UP, GIVE HUGS AND KISSES, AND JUST BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER. IF WE DO THAT WE WILL HAVE NO REGRETS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

MERRY CHRISTMANS 2008

'WE ALL KNOW THE STORY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF A CHILD BORN IN BETHLEHEM ABOUT TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO. I AM NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT BUT ABOUT WHAT IT ALL MEANS. I AM NOT REALLY A VERY SPIRITUAL OR RELIGIOUS PERSON BUT I THINK THE IDEAS AND BELIEVES FROM THE STORY ARE IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

IT WAS GOD'S WAY OF PROVIDING FOR MANKIND A WAY TO BEING REDEEMED FROM OUR OWN SINS. GOD PROVIDED A PERFECT MAN FOR THE PERFECT MAN WHO HAD SINNED YEARS BEFORE (JESUS CHRIST FOR ADAM). GOD'S SON GAVE UP HIS LIFE SO WE COULD HAVE A SECOND CHANGE.

THE ONLY THING OF VALUE WE CAN GIVE TO GOD IS OUR LOVE AND DEVOTION, ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE WERE PROVIDED BY HIM. THINK OF THIS PLANET WE RIDE ON, THE AIR, THE WATER, THE SUN, MOTHER EARTH (ALL GIFTS OF GOD).

IT IS A STORY OF LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD PRACTICE EVERYDAY. ITS ABOUT SECOND CHANCES. SHOULD WE TOO, NOT BE GIVING SECOND CHANCES TO OTHERS?

HOW ABOUT BEING BORN IN POVERTY? HOW MUCH MORE HUMBLE CAN IT BE, THEN TO BE BORN IN A BARN, WITH FARM ANIMALS? HERE IS A CHILD WHO KNEW HOW TO DO REGULAR (LABOR) WORK (CARPENTRY)? A CHILD WHO GREW TO BE A MAN WHO COULD PREFORM MIRACLES IN THE NAME OF GOD, AND WHO WASHED THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES (STUDENTS)?

HE GREW TO BE A MAN, WHO TAUGHT US TO LOVE GOD AND OUR FELLOW MAN (HUMANS). HE TAUGHT FORGIVENESS AND REPENTING.

HE WAS BORN ON A STAR LIT NIGHT, IN A MOMENT OF PEACE. HE SPENT HIS LIFE TEACHING ABOUT PEACE. HE TAUGHT US TO DO THE RIGHT THING. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING, WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT IN OUR LIVES.

WHATEVER, WE ARE DOING ON CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER THAT THE MOST PRECIOUS THING WE HAVE, IS OUR LIVES. EVERY BREATH WE TAKE IS A BLESSING. WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT. WE NEED TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS BIRTH AND WHAT IT MEANS. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

UNKECHAUG SUING THE SUFFOLK POLICE

THE UNKECHAUG INDIAN NATION IS SUING THE SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE FORCE, SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE LEVY, AND SUFFOLK DISTRICT ATTORNEY THOMAS SPOTA WITH DISCRIMINATION,

THE CASE, FILED IN FEDERAL COURT, ALLEGES THAT ON DECEMBER 6, 2008, THE SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE, PLACED CHECK POINTS ON THE THREE (3) ENTRANCES TO THE UNKECHAUG'S POOSPATUCK INDIAN RESERVATION, IN MASTIC, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK (SUFFOLK COUNTY).

THE LAWSUIT STATES: "THE VEHICLE STOPS BY THE POLICE WERE USED TO SEARCH AND INTIMIDATE RESIDENTS OF THE POOSPATUCK INDIAN RESERVATION IN ORDER TO THREATEN AND INTIMIDATE THE INDIVIDUAL INDIANS FROM FREELY MOVING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER."

JAMES SIMERMEYER, THE TRIBE'S LAWYER, FROM MANHATTAN (NEW YORK CITY), SAID THE POLICE SEARCHES COINCIDED SUSPICIOUSLY WITH THE SUFFOLK LEGISLATURE'S DECISION TO JOIN NEW YORK CITY'S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SEVEN (7) SMOKE SHOPS ON THE RESERVATION FOR THE ESTIMATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN UNCOLLECTED LOCAL SALES TAXES. JAMES SIMERMEYER SAID, "ONE WOULD THINK THERE COULD VERY STRONGLY BE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THESE TWO THINGS. POLICE JUST DON'T SHOW UP ON THEIR OWN. THEY HAVE TO BE DIRECTED BY SOMEBODY"

SUFFOLK COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTINE MALAFI SAID, "ONE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER." SHE STATED THAT STOPS WERE DONE ROUTINELY TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC SAFETY. SHE SAID, " THEY'RE COMMON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND THEY DO THEM ALL THE TIME."

THIS MONTH, NEW YORK GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON SIGNED INTO LAW, A LAW THAT DESIGNED TO BLOCK SALES OF TAX-FREE CIGARETTES ON ALL NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS IN NEW YORK. THE LAW, WHICH TAKES EFFECT IN MARCH , 2009, PUTS THE RESPONSIBILITY ON TOBACCO WHOLESALERS TO CERTIFY THAT CIGARETTES WON'T BE RESOLD TAX-FREE BY NEW YORK STATE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.

A PACK OF CIGARETTES CURRENTLY ON THE RESERVATIONS SELLS FOR ABOUT $4.40 A PACK. OFF THE RESERVATION THE AVERAGE PRICE IS ABOUT $7.15 A PACK.

IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE SUFFOLK COUNTY BY PUTTING TRAFFIC CHECK POINTS ON THE RESERVATIONS THREE (3 ONLY) ENTRANCES COULD BE A FORM OF ISCRIMINATION.

IT IS AWFULLY STRANGE, THAT AFTER SUFFOLK COUNTY JOINTED NEW YORK CITY, THE STOPS JUST HAPPENED? COULD IT BE THE STATE, THE COUNTY, AND THE CITY NEED THE INCOME TO HELP WITH THEIR DEFICITS?

WHAT ABOUT THE NARRAGANSETTS? MAYBE THIS IS ANOTHER TIME, WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) SHOULD BE STEPPING UP TO HELP OUR NATIVE BROTHERS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

OVERKILL

YEARS AGO, AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN NEW YORK, I EXPERIENCED A DIFFERENT WORLD, THEN WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.

I GREW UP IN THE 1950'S AND 1960'S. MOST MOTHERS WERE STAY AT HOME MOMS, AND THE DADS WENT OUT TO WORK. OUR PARENTS HAD EXPERIENCED THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN AMERICA AND WERE MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE IN THEIR FINANCES THEN PEOPLE ARE TODAY.

MANY COUPLES BEFORE THEY WOULD MARRY WOULD BUY HOMES AND MOVE INTO THEM AFTER THEY MARRIED, AND SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES LIVING THERE. MOST PEOPLES' MORTGAGES WERE THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE WEEKS PAY. MY OBSERVATION IS MOST HOUSES WERE TWO OR THREE BEDROOMS WITH ONE BATHROOM. THERE WERE NOT A LOT OF HOUSES WITH FAMILY ROOMS OR DINING ROOMS.

MOST FAMILIES HAD ONE BLACK AND WHITE TELEVISION THAT WAS IN THE LIVING ROOM. THE FAMILY WOULD SIT DOWN AT NIGHT AND WATCH THE SAME SHOWS EVERY WEEK AND NO ONE SEEMED TO BE UPSET ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE WATCHING. THERE WERE THREE NATIONAL STATIONS, ABC, NBC, AND CBS., AND THERE WAS WPIX, AND WOR WHICH WERE LOCAL STATIONS. ONLY FIVE STATIONS TOTAL.

MOST FAMILIES HAD ONE CAR, THE MOM TOOK DAD TO WORK AND DROPPED HIM OFF AND PICKED HIM UP IF SHE NEEDED THE CAR FOR SOMETHING. THE FAMILY PURCHASED NEW OR USED CARS ON PAYMENTS IF THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY THEM FOR CASH, ALWAYS THINKING THAT IF THE FATHER LOST HIS JOB THAT THEY COULD PAY FOR IT ON HIS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. THE CHILDREN EITHER TOOK THE YELLOW SCHOOL BUS OR WALKED TO SCHOOL. PEOPLE BOUGHT MADE IN AMERICA SHOES, CLOTHES AND COATS, ETC. MANY CHILDREN GOT THINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE BIG SO THE CLOTHES WOULD LAST LONGER.

PEOPLE BOUGHT WHAT THEY COULD AFFORD. PEOPLE FELT IF THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THEY WOULD EITHER SAVE UP OR DO WITH OUT. IMAGINE NOT USING CREDIT CARDS. PEOPLE BELIEVED IN SAVING MONEY (ALTHOUGH MOST PEOPLE HAD VERY LITTLE MONEY IN THE BANK).

HAVING THE MOTHER HOME FOR THE CHILDREN, COOKING MEALS AND MAINTAINING THE HOUSE WERE IMPORTANT. FATHERS BEING HOME AT NIGHT WITH THEIR FAMILIES WERE IMPORTANT. DOING WITHOUT SO THE FATHER COULD BE HOME WITH THE FAMILY WAS A GOOD THING.

MY GENERATION, GAVE MANY THINGS TO OUR CHILDREN, WE WANTED BETTER FOR THEM THEN WE HAD. WE USED CREDIT CARDS. WE BOUGHT NEW CARS ON CREDIT. WE BOUGHT HOUSES NICER AND BIGGER THAN OUR PARENTS. MANY OF US GOT OURSELVES INTO SERIOUS DEBT. BOTH PARENTS STARTED WORKING, MORTGAGE PAYMENTS WERE NOW ABOUT 1/3 OF OUR INCOME. THERE NEVER SEEMED TO BE ENOUGH MONEY FOR EVERYTHING. CHILDREN CAME HOME TO EMPTY HOUSES (BOTH PARENTS WERE WORKING). THE CHILDREN HAD THINGS BUT THEIR PARENTS WERE NOT THERE. IT BECAME ACCEPTED THAT THIS LIFE STYLE WAS OKAY.

MOVE FORWARD, TO TODAY. WHAT DO WE FIND? EVERYONE HAS A CAR. THE MOTHER, THE FATHER AND TEENAGE OR ADULT CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOUSE ALL HAVE CARS. MANY ARE NEW CARS, WITH PAYMENTS TO GO ALONG WITH THEM. SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXTRA CARS (MORE CARS THAN DRIVERS).

MORTGAGE PAYMENTS ARE NOW USUALLY ABOUT 1/2 OF THE MONTHLY INCOME. SOME PEOPLE TO GET BY FINANCIALLY, HAVE TAKEN OUT SECOND MORTGAGES ANN PUT THEMSELVES FURTHER IN DEBT. MANY FAMILIES WITH BOTH PARENTS WORKING CAN NOT AFFORD EVEN TO BUY A HOUSE.

MANY TIMES THE HOUSES ARE TOO BIG, WITH EXTRA ROOMS THAT BARELY GET USED. (SOME ARE ROOMS THAT ARE ONLY USED ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS). TODAY THE AVERAGE HOUSE IS AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR BEDROOMS WITH TWO OR TWO AND HALF BATHROOMS. MOST HOUSES HAVE FAMILY ROOMS AND DINING ROOMS.

IN HOUSES TODAY, YOU FIND EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE HAS A COLOR TELEVISION SET (USUALLY ONE IN EVERY BEDROOM). MOST FAMILIES HAVE AT LEAST ONE COMPUTER, SOME HAVE TWO, THREE OR MORE. TELEVISIONS ARE REPLACED FOR THE LATEST FLAT SCREENS, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TELEVISIONS BEING REPLACED. THE CHILDREN NEED Wii's, PLAY STATIONS III REPLACING PLAY STATIONS I AND II. HOW MANY PHONES ARE IN THE HOUSE? HOW MANY VCR'S OR DVD RECORDERS? TODAY, WOULD IT BE OKAY WITH JUST HAVING FIVE TELEVISION STATIONS? WHO COULD LIVE WITHOUT CABLE OR SATELLITE TELEVISION?

WHAT ABOUT CLOTHES? HOW MANY PAIRS OF SNEAKERS DOES EACH CHILD OR ADULT HAVE? HOW MANY PAIRS OF JEANS, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR, AND SOCKS, ETC.? HOW MANY CLOTHES HARDLY EVER GET WORN? HOW MANY NEVER GET WORN?

MANY PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ANYMORE. PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MUCH MORE THEN THEY CAN EVER REPAY.

HAVE WE CREATED A FEEL GOOD SOCIETY? HAVE WE AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF THINGS? HAVE WE LOST WHAT IS TRULY VALUABLE? HAVE WE MADE THINGS MORE VALUABLE THEN FRIENDS AND FAMILY? HAVE WE LOST OUR WAY?

MAYBE WHAT WE ARE DOING AS PARENTS AND GRAND PARENTS IS OVERKILL. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THE ECONOMY AND CHRISTMAS

THIS CHRISTMAS, MANY HOLIDAY SHOPPERS, WE ARE TOLD, ARE THINKING OF GIVING GIFT CARDS AS PRESENTS. WE ARE TOLD SOME COMPANIES ARE ONLY OFFERING CARDS THAT EXPIRE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009. OTHER CARDS, WE ARE TOLD, ARE BEING SOLD BY COMPANIES THAT MAY NOT BE AROUND AFTER THE HOLIDAYS (IN OTHER WORDS THE CARDS WILL NOT BE ANY GOOD). TO HELP SHOPPERS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ON THEIR PURCHASES, I HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF SOME MAJOR RETAILERS AND THERE CURRENT PLANS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE FORESEE-ABLE FUTURE.

ANN TAYLOR, 117 STORES NATIONWIDE CLOSING.

BOMBAY, CLOSING ALL STORES.

CACHE CLOSING DOWN SPECIALITY SHOPS.

CIRCUIT CITY, IN CHAPTER 11 (BANKRUPTCY) CLOSING FOREVER.

DILLARD'S TO CLOSE SOME OF IT'S STORES.

DISNEY CLOSING 98 STORES, AND MORE AFTER JANUARY.

EDDIE BAUER, TO CLOSE 27 STORES, MORE AFTER AFTER JANUARY.

ETHAN ALLEN CLOSING 12 STORES.

FOOTLOCKER, CLOSING 140 STORES, MORE LIKELY TO CLOSE.

GAP IS CLOSING 85 STORES.

HOME DEPOT IS CLOSING 16 STORES.

J. JILL CLOSING ALL STORES. (OWNED BY TALBOT'S).

K. B. TOYS, CLOSING 356 STORES.

LANE BRYANT, FASHION BUG, AND CATHERINE'S TO CLOSE 150 STORES NATIONWIDE.

LEVITZ (FURNITURE STORES) CLOSING DOWN..

LINEN AND THINGS, CLOSING ALL STORES.

LOEW'S CLOSING SOME STORES.

MACY'S CLOSING 9 STORES AFTER JANUARY.

MOVIE GALLEY CLOSING ALL STORES.

PACIFIC SUNWEAR CLOSING ALL STORES (OWNED BY TALBOT'S).

J. C. PENNEY CLOSING A NUMBER OF STORES AFTER JANUARY.

PEP BOYS CLOSING 33 STORES.

PIERCING PAGODA, CLOSING ALL STORES.

SHARPER IMAGE, CLOSING ALL STORES.

SPRINT/NEXTEL, CLOSING 133 STORES.

TALBOT'S, CLOSING SPECIALITY SHOPS.

WHITEHALL, CLOSING ALL STORES.

WICKE'S FURNITURE CLOSING DOWN.

WILSON LEATHER, CLOSING ALL STORES.

ZALES, CLOSING 82 STORES, AND 105 AFTER JANUARY.

THERE IS THE LIST. PLEASE USE IT WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS PURCHASES, AND IN PURCHASING YOUR GIFT CARDS. THESE RETAILERS MAY HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD DEALS, HOWEVER YOU MAY NOT HAVE A STORE TO RETURN THEM TO AFTER CHRISTMAS. HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THANKS TO THE READER WHO SENT ME THE LIST. IT SEEMS TO BE ACCURATE AND NEWSWORTHY. THE INFORMATION PRESENTED SHOULD HELP MY READERS REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE ECONOMY NATIONWIDE.

NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY

AFTER THE MEETING, ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, 2008, THE RESIDENTS OF PRESTON WALKED AWAY, FROM THE MEETING ABOUT THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, WITH THREE CHOICES.

CITIZENS OF PRESTON'S THREE CHOICES WERE: 1) THE TOWN OF PRESTON COULD ASK THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR AN EXTENSION, 2) PRESTON COULD NOTIFY THE STATE THAT THE TOWN INTENDS TO BUY THE PROPERTY (HOWEVER PROPERTY WOULD GO BACK TO STATE WITH THE HOPE THE STATE WOULD GIVE IT TO PRESTON) AND 3) NOTIFY THE STATE THAT PRESTON WILL BUY PROPERTY AND HOPE TO FIND A BUYER WHILE THE NEGOTIATIONS GO ON WITH STATE OVER THE PURCHASE. THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, IN THREE LETTERS TO PRESTON, HAVE SAID THE STATE WILL NOT GRANT AN EXTENSION.

LAST NIGHT, SEVERAL THINGS BECAME APPARENT. FIRST PRESTON WILL EITHER HAVE TO FIND A BUYER OR PARTNER WILLING TO PAY THE ESTIMATE $40 MILLION TO DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP OF THE SITE. A FUTURE BUYER (IF THEY WERE TO DO THE PROJECT ON THEIR OWN) WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BONDS. TO GET ANY KIND OF PROJECT GOING COULD BE QUITE DIFFICULT CONSIDERING THE ECONOMY AND THE ABILITY TO BORROW MONEY TO CONSTRUCT A PROJECT ON THE SITE. IF PRESTON WERE TO BUY THE LAND AND COULD NOT FIND A BUYER, THE TOWN PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO SELL BONDS TO PAY THE $40 MILLION CLEAN UP.

UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE TOWN OF PRESTON, IS TALKING ABOUT HAVING ANOTHER MEETING (POSSIBLY DECEMBER 30, 2008) , TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY. THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN WOULD HAVE TO VOTE AS TO WHETHER PURCHASING THE PROPERTY OR NOT. THE PEOPLE OF PRESTON WOULD THEN VOTE ON THE FATE OF THE 419 ACRE PROPERTY.

THE DEAD LINE, FOR INFORMING THE STATE ON THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY IN JANUARY 5, 2009.

FREEDOM

FREEDOM REIGNS FROM ONE END OF THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION TO THE OTHER END.

EVERY DAY MOHEGANS FREELY WALK ON THE RESERVATION ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF FREEDOM. ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL TREES, ROCKS, STREAMS, PONDS AND ANIMALS.

DAYLIGHT COMES. WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) SEE OUR GLORIOUS FLAG AND THE AMERICAN FLAG FLYING OVER OUR RESERVATION. THIS AWE INSPIRING SIGHT, REMINDING US OF THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE AND THE MOHEGAN SOLDIERS WHO EITHER GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THIS COUNTRY OR PUT THEMSELVES IN HARMS WAY. WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.

SACRED FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS WE HAVE. THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. WE ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW. THE RIGHT TO CONFRONT OUR ACCUSERS. THANK YOU, MUNDU, WE ARE MOHEGANS.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: OH, THE FIRST LETTERS IN THE PARAGRAPHS SPELL SOMETHING. OH IT'S, F-E-D-S. FEDS.

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

THE GOOD NEWS SLOT WINNINGS FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO FOR NOVEMBER, 2008, COMPARED TO NOVEMBER, 2007 WAS DOWN (MINUS) 5.3%, TOTAL WINNINGS WAS $66.8 MILLION ($66,800,000.00) THE MOHEGAN SUN HAS 6,743 SLOT MACHINES.

THE BAD NEWS SLOT WINNINGS FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO FOR NOVEMBER, 2008, COMPARED TO NOVEMBER, 2007, WAS DOWN (MINUS) 5.3%, TOTAL WINNINGS WAS $66.8 MILLION ($66,800,000.00). THE MOHEGAN SUN HAS 6,743 SLOT MACHINES.

THE SLOT WINNINGS FOR FOXWOODS IN NOVEMBER 2008, COMPARED TO NOVEMBER, 2007 WAS DOWN (MINUS) 7.6%, TOTAL WINNINGS $54.5 MILLION ($54,500,000.00). FOXWOODS RESORT CASINOS AND MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS HAVE A TOTAL OF 8,268 SLOT MACHINES.

AT ALL THE ATLANTIC CITY'S COMBINED THE AVERAGE SLOT WINNINGS IN NOVEMBER 2008, COMPARED TO NOVEMBER 2007 WAS OFF (MINUS) 12.4%.

THE TWIN RIVERS, LINCOLN, RHODE ISLAND, RACINO IN NOVEMBER, 2008 COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER, 2007, WAS UP (PLUS) 1.2% FOR A TOTAL SLOT WINNINGS OF $31.5 MILLION ($31,500,000.00). TWIN RIVER HAS 7,700 SLOT MACHINES.

GERALD AUBIN, DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND LOTTERY (WHICH OVERSEES THE SLOT MACHINES AT BOTH RHODE ISLANDS SLOT PARLORS) SAID, " WE LOSE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO FOXWOODS AND MOHEGAN BUT THE ECONOMY IS KEEPING PEOPLE CLOSE TO HOME AND THAT'S HELPING US."

JEFFREY HARTMANN, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING( AUTHORITY C.O.O. SAID, "TO DO $66 MILLION IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR CUSTOMERS. I DO THINK THE MITIGATION (MOHEGAN SUN'S REVENUE DECLINE) IS REFLECTIVE OF ENERGY PRICES AND CONSUMERS BECOMING MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR DISCRETIONARY INCOME."

YES, THE MOHEGAN SUN PERFORMED MUCH BETTER THAN THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE. THE PERCENTAGES EXCEPT FOR TWIN RIVERS (WHICH WAS A PLUS WAS ON 1.2% AND LESS THAN HALF THE SLOT WINNINGS AT 31.5 MILLION) WERE BETTER THAN THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE. MOHEGAN SUN DID IN $12.3 MILLION ($12,300,000.00) MORE IN SLOT WINNINGS COMPARED TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS.

A LOSS IS STILL A LOSS. MINUS 5.3% IS STILL MINUS 5.3%, BEING OFF 5.3% MEANS WE DID IN NOVEMBER, 2007 A SLOT WINNING OF $70.3 MILLION ($70,300,000.00) OR A LOSS (DEFICIT) OF $3.5 MILLION ($3,500,000.00).

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS AT 5.3%. $100.00 LOSS IS $5.30, $1,000.00 LOSS IS $53.00, $10,000.00 LOSS IS $530.00, $100,000.00 LOSS IS $5,300.00, $1,000,000.00 LOSS IS $53.000.00, $10,000,000.00 LOSS IS $530,000.00, $20,000,000,000.00 LOSS IS $1,060,000.00 AND WHEN WE GET TO $70,300,000.00 THE LOSS IS $3,500,000.00. THAT'S THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS PEOPLE. A LOT OF MONEY.

THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE MOHEGAN SUN DID A FINE JOB IN NOVEMBER. WELL DONE. THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS, THE MOHEGAN SUN DROPPED (MINUS) -5.3%.

MONACAN INDIANS

ANTHROPOLOGISTS THINK THAT THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES THAT SPOKE THE SIOUAN LANGUAGES, STARTED IN THE OHIO VALLEY. SOME OF THE SIOUAN SPEAKING NATIVE AMERICANS MOVED FROM THE OHIO VALLEY SOUTH EAST AND WEST. THE TRIBES THAT WENT WEST ARE TODAY REPRESENTED BY THE OMAHA, MANDAN, CROW, AND LOKODA. THERE WERE AT ONE TIME EIGHT (8) SIOUAN TRIBES LIVING IN THE VIRGINIA AREA, THAT COMPPRISED THE MONACAN CONFEDERACY. OF THE EIGHT TRIBES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES, THE ONLY ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD STILL EXISTS IS THE MONACAN TRIBE.

THE MONACAN NATION, ALONG WITH THE OTHER 7 TRIBES OF SIOUAN LANGUAGE TRIBES THAT SETTLED IN THE EAST HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE AN ESTIMATED 10,000 YEARS. THE MONACANS TERRITORY WAS THOUGHT TO BE FROM AROUND WHERE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA IS TODAY TO THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA. THE MONACANS LIVED ALONG THE JAMES RIVER AND THE MANNAHOAC (A NEIGHBORING TRIBE) LIVED ALONG THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER.

THE MONACANS LIVED IN THE SAME AREAS FOR GENERATIONS. THEY LIVED AN AGRICULTURAL LIFE STYLE. THEY RAISED THE THREE SISTERS, CORN , BEANS AND SQUASH. THEY ALSO HUNTED FOR BUFFALO, ELK, DEER, BEAR, SMALL GAME,BIRDS, AND FISH. THEY GATHERED BERRIES AND NUTS.

THE MONACANS MINED COPPER. SOME OF THE COPPER WAS MADE INTO BEADS. THE THE COPPER BEADS WERE VALUED BY SACHEMS AND OTHER HIGH RANKING NATIVE PEOPLE. THE COPPER BEADS WERE TRADED WITH OTHER TRIBES FOR BEADS AND OTHER THINGS. THE MONACAN WOMEN WERE SKILLED BASKET MAKERS. THEY WERE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR ANIMAL AND FLORAL DESIGNS ON THEIR BASKETS.

THE MONACANS, LIKE OTHER TRIBES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, BURIED THEIR DEAD IN BURIAL MOUNDS. THERE ARE STILL TODAY A TOTAL OF 13 MOUNDS LOCATED IN THE PIEDMONT AND BLUE RIDGE AREAS OF VIRGINIA. THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF THESE MOUNDS IS ESTIMATED TO DATE BACK ABOUT 1,000 YEARS. MANY OF THE THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT THE MONACANS HAVE BEEN LEARNED FROM THESE BURIAL MOUNDS.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE ENGLISH SETTLERS AND THE MONACANS. THE FIRST IS. THE MONACANS FIRST MET THE ENGLISH SETTLERS IN 1608. CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH MET AND FOUGHT THE NATIVE AMERICANS ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER. A NATIVE MAN NAMED 'ARNOROLEK SUPPOSEDLY SAID AS HE WAS DYING, "'WE HEARD THAT YOU WERE A PEOPLE COME FROM UNDER THE WORLD, TO TAKE OUR WORLD FROM US." THE OTHER VERSION IS THAT CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT VISTED THE MONACANS IN 1608. AT THE REQUEST OF CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH. CAPTAIN NEWPORT REPORTEDLY TOOK A MONACAN LEADER CAPTIVE SO HE COULD SAVELY LEAVE.

THE MONACANS JOINED OTHER TRIBES (AS MEMBERS) INCLUDING, THE DELEWARES, THE SAPONI, THE TUTELO, AND THE CATAWBA TRIBES. MANY DIED DUE TO WAR WITH THE ENGLISH SETTLERS AND OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES. SMALL POX, AND OTHER DISEASES BROUGHT BY THE EUROPEANS KILLED MANY MORE INDIANS. THE MONACAN WERE ENEMIES OF BOTH THE IROQUOIAN SPEAKING CHEROKEES AND THE ALGONQUIAN SPEAKING POWHATANS.

IN THE 1870'S THE MONACANS BUILT A LOG CABIN WHICH THEY USED AS A CHURCH. THEY WERE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA IN 1989. THE MONACANS ARE STILL TRYING TO GET FEDERAL RECOGNITION..

TODAY THE MONACANS HAVE AN ESTIMATED 700 TO 1,400 MEMBERS. MOST OF THE MEMBERS LIVE AROUND LYNCHBURG, AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND. THE MEMBERS OF THE MONACANS ARE TRYING TO PRESERVE THEIR CULTURE, HISTORY AND CUSTOMS. THEY WILL HOLD THEIR 17TH ANNUAL POW WOW ON MAY 15, 16, AND 17, 2009.

EDITORIAL FOOTNIOTE: I UNDERSTAND THAT TWO MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL DO NOT LIKE WHAT I WROTE IN FOUR ARTICLES. IN THE INTEREST OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE I AM WILLING TO REMOVE THEM. I REQUEST THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OR COUNCIL OF ELDERS THAT WANTS THE ARTICLES REMOVED TO EITHER E-MAIL ON THE WEBSITE (COMMENT ON THIS STORY) OR MAIL ME A REQUEST.

STANLEY WORKS

STANLEY WORKS, THE NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT TOOL MAKER ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008, THAT IT IS EXPERIENCING HARD TIMES DUE TO A DECLINE IN CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL SEGMENTS OF THE ECONOMY. STANLEY FELT, THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, ARE WORSE THAN PREVIOUS RECESSIONS.

THE COMPANY,WHICH HAS 45 FACTORIES, WILL CLOSE THREE (3) FACTORIES, AND EXPECTS TO LAYOFF 2,000 WORKERS IN DECEMBER. THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 10% OF ITS WORK FORCE.

JOHN F. LUNDGREN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, IN A STATEMENT SAID, "WHILE THESE ACTIONS ARE DIFFICULT AND AFFECT VALUED STANLEY EMPLOYEES, WE FEEL IT IS IMPERATIVE TO MOVE DECISIVELY TO MANAGE THROUGH THE STEEP GLOBAL ECONOMIC DECLINE WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING."

NORWICH ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

ON TUESDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 9, 2008, THE NORWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY HELD A SEMINAR ON NORWICH ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY, AT THE SLATER MUSEUM IN NORWICH, CONNECTICUT. THE SLIDE PRESENTATION WAS PRESENTED RACHEL CARLEY, AN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN.

MS. CARLEY, WAS QUITE INFORMATIVE ABOUT NORWICH HAVING FOUR (4) DIFFERENT GREENS (PARK LIKE AREAS) IN NORWICH. SHE TOLD ABOUT THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE DIFFERENT COMMUNTIES IN NORWICH. SHE EXPLAINED HOW THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES DEVELOPED. AN INTERESTING FACT WAS THAT RICH PEOPLE AND MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE ENJOYED THE SAME KIND OF ARCHITECTURE. THE POORER PEOPLE DID THEIR HOUSES LESS ELEGANT BUT USED THE SAME DESIGN FEATURES AS THE MORE WEALTHY RESIDENTS.

ALTHOUGH, RACHEL CARLEY WAS VERY INFORMATIVE, MY RESEARCH DISAGREES WITH SOME OF THE CONCLUSIONS AND FACTS SHE PRESENTED.

FIRST THE ROYAL INDIAN BURIAL GROUNDS (MOHEGAN) IN NORWICH WAS ORIGINALLY 16 ACRES NOT THE 26 SHE SAID.

SECOND, SHE SAID THAT SHE BELIEVED THAT UNCAS' HEAD STONE WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE SLATER MUSEUM. THERE HAD BEEN A HEAD STONE THERE AT ONE TIME BEFORE IT WAS RETURNED TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. THE HEAD STONE IS PRESENTLY IN FULL VIEW AT SHANTOK BURIAL GROUND, IN UNCASVILLE.

THIRDLY, SHE BELIEVED THAT SAMSON OCCUM WAS A MOHEGAN. MY RESEARCH SHOWS HE WAS A MOHEGAN.

FINALLY, MY RESEARCH REVEALED (NOT CONCLUSIVELY) THAT THE GINGER BREAD, LATTICE, PILLSTERS, HEADS, AND MOLDINGS WERE MADE IN THE SHIP YARDS LOCALLY. SHE STATED THAT THEY HAD COME FROM THE MIDWEST. THE MATERIALS PROBABLY CAME FROM THE MIDWEST. EVEN SOME OF THE DECORATIVE MOLDINGS COULD HAVE COME FROM THE MIDWEST, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE DECORATIVE MOLDING WERE MADE RIGHT HERE LOCALLY.

IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE. MS. RACHEL CARLEY, IS QUITE INFORMATIVE. IT WAS GREAT TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF NORWICH THROUGH HER EYES. A JOB WELL DONE. .

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS-GIK POLL WAS RELEASED. THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THAT POLL.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT HOW MUCH CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS WERE GOING TO SPEND COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS, THE RESULTS WERE: LESS 53%, ABOUT THE SAME 40% AND MORE 7%.

ASKED ON HOW THE SHOPPERS PLANNED TO PAY FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS GIFTS, THE ANSWERS WERE, 77 % CASH AND 20% CREDIT CARDS.

DID THE SHOPPERS THINK IT WAS A GOOD OR BAD TIME TO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE. THE ANSWERS WERE: 56% GOOD TIME AND 37% BAD TIME.

ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER IT IS A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET, THE ANSWERS WERE: 58% BAD TIME AND 33% GOOD TIME.

AN INTERESTING FACT IS, THAT OF THE 20% OF SHOPPERS WHO ARE GOING TO USE CREDIT CARDS, TWO-THIRDS (67%) WILL PAY THE CHRISTMAS BILLS OFF WHEN THE BILLS COME IN.

IN NOVEMBER, RETAIL SALES DROPPED 2.7% COMPARED TO NOVEMBER A YEAR AGO.

TALKING ABOUT RETAIL'S PERFORMANCE IN NOVEMBER, A SURVEY BY GOLDMAN SACHS-INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS SAID, IT WAS THE WORST SHOWING SINCE 1969 WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED THE INDEX.

IT SEEMS CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS ARE FEARFUL AND RELUCTANT TO SPEND MONEY FOR GIFTS FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. HOW MUCH MORE ARE THEY AFRAID TO GO TO CASINOS AND GAMBLE ? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

SMOKING AT THE CASINOS

ONE NIGHT, A COMPANION AND I WERE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN HAVING A GREAT TIME. WE WALKED FROM THE SKY CASINO THROUGH THE RETAIL CORRIDOR IN TO THE EARTH CASINO. WE TURNED AND STARTING WALKING THE OUTER RING (CORRIDOR) OF THE EARTH CASINO.

THAT'S WHEN IT HAPPENED. MY COMPANION LIT UP A CIGARETTE. A MOHEGAN SUN CASINO EMPLOYEE CAME UP TO US AND SAID YOU CAN'T SMOKE HERE. WE SAID, WHERE? THE EMPLOYEE SAID THE OUTER RING (CORRIDOR). WE ASKED, SINCE WHEN? WE WERE TOLD A COUPLE OF WEEKS. MY COMPANION PUT THE CIGARETTE OUT. AS I WALKED AWAY, I TURNED AND ASKED AND WHY DID THE CASINO DO THIS? THE ANSWER BOTHERED ME. THE ANSWER WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, BECAUSE GOVERNOR RELL SAID THE CASINO HAD TO. THE EMPLOYEE WAS VERY CORDIAL AND PROFESSIONAL.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LAST STATEMENT BECAUSE THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO IS ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION. THE MOHEGANS ARE A SOVEREIGN NATION THAT IS ABLE TO MAKE ITS OWN DECISIONS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS SHOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE STATE AND TRY TO FIND A REASONABLE SOLUTION ON THE SMOKING ISSUE. I BELIEVE, WE (MOHEGAN TRIBE) WANT TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS AND OUR CUSTOMERS, FROM THE HARM OF SECOND HAND SMOKE. I BELIEVE THE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IS NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH.

THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT CAN NOT TELL OR SHOULD NOT BE TELLING THE CASINO WHAT TO DO ON SMOKING. THE GOVERNOR AND THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT CAN COME TO SOME FORM OF AGREEMENT ON SMOKING. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CONNECTICUT, RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, HAS SAID THAT IN THE COMPACT THE TRIBES WILL TAKE CARE OF EMPLOYEES HEALTH AND WELFARE. IN OTHER WORDS BECAUSE SMOKING IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE EMPLOYEES AND PATRONS HEALTH, THE STATE COULD BECOME INVOLVED UNDER THIS CLAUSE.

WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED BY THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, THEY MUST REALIZE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE WORKING IN AREAS WHERE SMOKING TAKES PLACE. IS IT FAIR AFTER THEY ARE HIRED AND WORKING FOR THE CASINO, FOR THE EMPLOYEES, TO SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO WORK WHERE THERE IS SMOKING? DIDN'T THE EMPLOYEES REALIZE THE RISK?

SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING OUT, IS THAT AT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, THEY SUPPOSEDLY HAVE A POLICY THAT IF AN EMPLOYEE HAS A HEALTH REASON, (PREGNANCY FOR EXAMPLE) THE CASINO WILL IMMEDIATELY MOVE THE EMPLOYEE TO A NON-SMOKING AREA.

A PERSONAL OBSERVATION, IS THAT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO (CONNECTICUT SEEMS TO HAVE A MUCH BETTER AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM THAN FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS AND EVEN THE MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS (PENNSYLVANIA). IF IN FACT, THE SYSTEM IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER CASINOS, THEN MAYBE THE MOHEGAN SUN SHOULD BE DEALT WITH DIFFERENTLY.

THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO HAD ALREADY, BEFORE STARTING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, DONE A GREAT DEAL OF THINGS TO PROTECT ITS WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS. CUSTOMERS CAN NOT SMOKE IN THE RESTAURANTS, BUFFETS, FOOD CORRIDORS, THE SHOPPING AREA (STORES), IN THE STORES, HOTEL LOBBY, CERTAIN HOTEL ROOMS, HOTEL HALLWAYS, STAIRWAYS, ELEVATORS, AND SOME NON-SMOKING GAMBLING AREAS IN THE CASINO.

ANOTHER OBSERVATION, IN MY OPINION, IS THAT INSTEAD OF MAKING DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CASINO SMOKE FREE, WHY NOT JUST MAKE THE SKY CASINO COMPLETELY SMOKE FREE. IT WOULD STILL LEAVE THE EARTH CASINO AND THE CASINO OF THE WIND SMOKER FRIENDLY. I THOUGHT THE SKY CASINO, BECAUSE YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GO FROM THE HOTEL THROUGH THE RETAIL AND RESTAURANT AREA AND THE SKY CASINO. YOU WOULD BE IN ENTIRE AREA TOTALLY SMOKE FREE WITHOUT EVER GOING INTO A SMOKING AREA. .

BARS AND RESTAURANTS FEEL THAT THE CASINOS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SMOKE WHILE DRINKING IS UNFAIR TO THEM. THEY ARE RIGHT. WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE AMOUNT OF REVENUES THAT GO TO CONNECTICUT. I VENTURE TO SAY THAT IF YOU CHECKED IT OUT, THAT ALL THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE ENTIRE STATE, DO NOT CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH IN REVENUE TO THE STATE AS THE MOHEGAN SUN AND THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINOS.

I BELIEVE, THAT MAKING SMOKING FREE AREAS, SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE COMPETITION. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PERCENTAGE OF NON-SMOKING AREAS, SHOULD BE THE SAME, AS SAY TWIN RIVERS IN RHODE ISLAND, OR YONKERS RACEWAY IN WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK. THE SAME PERCENTAGE IDEA SHOULD ALSO BE USED FOR ANY FUTURE COMPETITION (CASINOS, RACINOS) THAT MIGHT BE BUILT IN THE FUTURE (MASSACHUSETTS).

THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, AND MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS, NEED TO NEGOTIATE A VIABLE PLAN FOR THE SMOKING AND NON-SMOKING AREAS IN THEIR CASINOS. THIS IS A TIME FOR THE TWO TRIBES TO STAND UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THEIR WORKERS AND PATRONS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DOW CHEMICAL

DOW CHEMICAL HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL CLOSE DOWN ABOUT TWENTY (20) CHEMICAL PLANTS AND LET ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND (5,000) WORKERS GO.

THE 5,000 WORKERS, ARE ABOUT 11% OF DOW CHEMICAL'S TOTAL WORK FORCE OF 46,000 WORKERS, SPLIT ALMOST EVENLY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE.

LOCALLY, THERE IS A DOW CHEMICAL PLANT, ON ALLYN'S POINT, LEDYARD, CONNECTICUT. IT'S ABOUT THREE MILES SOUTH OF THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO ON THE EAST SIDE OF THAMES RIVER . THE LEDYARD PLANT EMPLOYS ABOUT 100 WORKERS.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT WHICH PLANTS WERE BEING CLOSED, DOW SPOKESMAN, DAVID WINDER SAID,"THAT'S STILL BEING FINALIZED.".

EDTORIAL FOOTNOTE: PFIZER IS TALKING ABOUT LAYOFFS IN ITS PLANTS. WHAT EFFECT WILL THAT HAVE ON ITS OPERATIONS IN CONNECTICUT? DO YOU KNOW?

ALCOHOL IN CONNECTICUT

THE OTHER DAY, I REPORTED ABOUT HOW CONNECTICUT AND THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS WERE TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING THE DRINKING HOURS AT THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS (FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS, AND THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO). THE PROPOSED HOURS WERE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK (LIKE ATLANTIC CITY AND LAS VEGAS).

CONNECTICUT WITH ITS BUDGET DEFICIT OF ABOUT $300 MILLION EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR (JUNE 30, 2009) IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GENERATE MORE REVENUES TO MAKE UP THE SHORTFALL. THE CASINOS ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GENERATE MORE REVENUES FOR THEMSELVES. THE PROPOSAL COULD POSSIBLY GENERATE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IN NEW YORK FOR INSTANCES, THE BARS CAN OPEN AT 6:00 A.M. AND CLOSE AT 4:00 A.M. THE ONLY TIME IT IS DIFFERENT IS ON SUNDAY WHEN OPENINGS ARE AT 12:00 P.M. (NOON). IF A GAMBLER IN NEW YORK WANTS A DRINK, WHILE HE GAMBLES, HE CAN GO TO YONKERS RACEWAY WITH ITS FIVE THOUSAND (5,000) SLOT MACHINES. HE CAN DRINK UNTIL 4:00A.M. AND THEN START DRINKING AGAIN AT 6:00 A.M. OR 8:00 A.M. WHY WOULD THAT GAMBLER COME TO CONNECTICUT?

IN CONNECTICUT DRINKING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES STOPS AT 1:00 A.M. WEEKDAYS AND 2:00 A.M. ON WEEKENDS.

WHAT ABOUT THE GAMBLER IN WESTERN CONNECTICUT, WOULD HE GO TO YONKERS OR MONTICELLO? I MIGHT IF I LIKED TO DRINK AND GAMBLE. HOW ABOUT PLACES LIKE RHODE ISLAND AND MASSACHUSETTS? WOULD THE CHANGING OF THE HOURS OF BEING ABLE TO DRINK AT THE CASINOS, MEAN MORE BUSINESS TO CONNECTICUT'S CASINOS? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

OPPONENTS ARE LIKELY TO SAY THAT IT WOULD MEAN MORE DRUNKEN DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAYS, BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED HOURS. I BELIEVE THE CASINOS DO A GOOD JOB OF NOT SERVING INEBRIATED PATRONS. I DO NOT BELIEVE, THERE IS ANY STUDY, THAT SHOWS THAT THE EXTENDED HOURS WOULD CREATE A LARGER PROBLEM. WHAT ABOUT THE PATRONS RESPONSIBILITY? DOES ANYONE KNOW?

ANOTHER PART TO THIS STORY IS THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IS THINKING OF ALLOWING PACKAGE (LIQUORS) STORES TO OPEN ON SUNDAYS. CONNECTICUT WOULD ALSO ALLOW FOOD STORES TO SELL ALCOHOL (BEER, AND WINE) ON SUNDAYS, TOO. HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CONNECTICUT BY NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS, AND RHODE ISLAND BORDERS, MAY BE GOING ACROSS THE CONNECTICUT BORDERS TO BUY ALCOHOL ON SUNDAYS? HOW MUCH MONEY IS CONNECTICUT LOSING?

BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN CONNECTICUT, ARE PROBABLY SAYING THIS IS NOT FAIR. IT GIVES THE CASINOS AND UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. THEY ARE RIGHT. WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED THOUGH, IS THAT THE CASINOS PROBABLY GENERATE MORE REVENUE TO CONNECTICUT THAN ALL THE BARS AND RESTRAINTS IN CONNECTICUT COMBINED.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS TURNS OUT. IT WOULD HELP THE CASINOS AND IT WOULD HELP THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

FORD ESCAPE SUV HYRIDS (THE ELECTRIC CHAIR CAR)

THE LATEST ON THE FORD HYBRID ESCAPE SUV IS THAT IN AN ACCIDENT, FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND RESCUE HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL DEALING WITH THE VEHICLES.

IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO AN ACCIDENT, BRIAN MILLS, PARAMEDIC AND FIREFIGHTER, OF THE NORTH METRO FIRE AND RESCUE OF DENVER SAID, "WITH THE HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEMS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EXTREMELY HIGH LEVELS OF ELECTRICITY THE RESPONDERS COME IN CONTACT WITH, SO THAT'S THE PRIMARY DANGER."

KEVIN KLEIN, ( A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ON FORD HYBRIDS) WHO WORKS FOR O'MEARA FORD, IN THE DENVER AREA, SAID THAT WORKERS ON THE HYBRIDS RECEIVE EXTENSIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO WORK ON THE CARS.

THE WORKERS ON THE HYBRIDS, PUT ORANGE CONES AROUND THE VEHICLE SO THAT OTHER WORKERS KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS WORKING ON THE HYBRID AND OTHER WORKERS ARE TO STAY AWAY. THE CONES ARE ALSO PUT UP BECAUSE IF THE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEING WORKED ON IS OPENED IT REACTIVATES THE SYSTEM AND THEREFORE THE MECHANIC COULD BE ELECTROCUTED.

THE WORKERS ALSO WEAR TWO PAIRS OF GLOVES. THEY PUT THE FIRST PAIR ON TO PROTECT AGAINST A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SURGE. THE SECOND PAIR (LEATHER GLOVES) ARE WORN OVER THE FIRST PAIR TO PROTECT THE FIRST PAIR FROM GETTING TORN. THE GLOVES ARE ALWAYS INSPECTED PRIOR TO USE.

EACH WORKER ALSO WEAR FACE PROTECTION IN CASE OF VOLTAGE FLASH.

KEVIN KLEIN SAID, "WE HAVE TO CONE OFF THE AREA WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE JUST OPENING THE DOOR ACTIVATES THE SYSTEM. SO IF YOU'RE UNDER THE HOOD WORKING ON IT AND SOMEBODY COMES UP AND OPENS THE DOOR YOU CAN GET ELECTROCUTED."

THE FINAL STEP THAT WORKERS DO BEFORE WORKING ON THE HYBRIDS, IS THEY SET UP A HOOK SO THAT IF THE WORKER WERE TO GET ELECTROCUTED, THEY CAN BE PULLED AWAY FROM THE CAR.

UNDER THE CAR ARE ORANGE ELECTRICAL CABLES THAT CARRY VOLTAGE UP TO 330 VOLTS. A WORKER SAID THAT 50 OR 100 VOLTS IS ENOUGH TO KILL SOMEONE.

THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HAS A FLEET OF THESE VEHICLES (FORD ESCAPE HYBRID) BEING USED BY SECURITY, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS. MAYBE WE SHOULD CALL THEM THE ELECTRIC CHAIR CARS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

COFFEE HOUR

ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008, (TOMORROW) THERE WILL BE A TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP COFFEE HOUR, BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 10:00 A.M. IN THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM.

PLEASE, TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOW UP AND ASK YOUR QUESTIONS,OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS WHO WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. SEE YOU THERE.

NORWICH MAN GIVES UP

MOHEGAN SUN, UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY DECEMBER 8, 2008

A NORWICH MAN DECIDED ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. HE WAS EVIDENTLY DOWN ON HIS LUCK AT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. HE WALKED OVER TO MOHEGAN TRIBAL POLICE AND TURNED HIMSELF IN. HE TOLD THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL POLICE THAT THERE WAS A WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.

AFTER THE TRIBAL POLICE VERIFIED THE WARRANT, HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. ARRESTED WAS CHAD A. BARANASKI, 37, OF 129 LAURA BOULEVARD, NORWICH, CONNECTICUT.

BARANASKI WAS CHARGED WITH SECOND-DEGREE FAILURE TO APPEAR IN COURT.

THE REAL FIGURES ???

THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, (MTGA, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL) ISSUED A FINANCIAL REPORT ON ITS BUSINESSES FOR THE LAST QUARTER (JULY 1, 2008 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2008. THE MTGA OWNS THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO ((IN CONNECTICUT) AND MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS (PENNSYLVANIA).

COMPARING SLOT REVENUES FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN (CONNECTICUT) FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, THE NUMBERS ARE: 1) OCTOBER, 2006 WAS $74.3 MILLION, 2) OCTOBER, 2007 WAS $71.9 MILLION AND 3) OCTOBER, 2008 IS $65.4 MILLION. THE NEWS MEDIA PRINTED WE WERE DOWN 7.9% THIS OCTOBER FROM LAST OCTOBER (2008 COMPARED TO 2007).

WHAT WAS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WAS THAT WE HAD A LOSS (DEFICIT) FROM OCTOBER 2007 FROM OCTOBER 2006. THE TOTAL DECREASE IN BUSINESS BETWEEN OCTOBER, 2008 AND OCTOBER, 2006 WAS ABOUT 12%. THE MOHEGAN SUN IS NOW HAVING DECREASES ON TOP OF DECREASES.

ON THE REPORT ABOUT THE MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS, EBITDA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 WAS $29.8 MILLION ($29,800,000.00). THIS FIGURE IS BEFORE INTEREST IS PAID ON THE LOANS THAT THE CASINO HAS.


THE TOTAL INVESTED IN THE POCONO DOWNS PROJECT IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED $550 MILLION AND $625 MILLION. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE INTEREST RATE IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SIX AND THREE QUARTER PERCENT (6.75%). IF YOU DO THE INTEREST ON LOANS TOTALLING BETWEEN $550 AND $600 MILLION AT BETWEEN 6% AND 8%, THE TOTAL INTEREST IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $33 MILLION AND $48 MILLION. IN MY OPINION, THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE $29.8 MILLION IS PAYING THE INTEREST OWED FOR THE 2008 FISCAL YEAR.

IN 2008, POCONO DOWNS EXPANDED AND OPENED ITS NEW SLOT PARLOR, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SLOT MACHINES FROM ABOUT 1,200 TO ABOUT 2,500.

IN 2008 THE EBITDA WAS $29.8 MILLION. IN 2007, THE EBITDA WAS $30.2 MILLION.

THE DROP EBITDA FOR 2008 COMPARED TO 2007 WAS $591,000.00. THAT'S TWO YEARS IN A ROW OF DECREASES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY SPENT (THE EXPANSION).

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FINANCIAL ANALISE AT THE FEATHER NEWS FOR GREATER DETAILS OF THE REPORT..

CHANGES AT THE MOHEGAN SUN

Several weeks ago, I wrote a story about the changes that were going on in the Mohegan Sun by the waterfall at the entrance to Sky Casino. This article is to update you on these changes and other changes that we have found out about.

By the waterfall, Tommy Bahama's and the Puma stores are now open. The two stores are quite modern looking and very bright and cheery. The prices are a little high. An example is in the Puma store a baseball cap with a Puma emblem on it was $28.00. We wish them success.

Directly to the south of the waterfall (entrance to Sky Casino) the new patio area for Tuscany is now up and running. It matches the patio area to the west side of the waterfall that was already there. With the rock display in the middle of the corridor, it can get congested for the crowds walking through. Still a job well done.

Above, Tommy Bahama's and Puma's store is Fedilia's (Mohegan tribal owned restaurant) which we have been informed through sources is closing in the near future. We were told that the casino supposedly felt that they can rent the space and make more money. This is a Mohegan tribal source of income. By closing the restaurant is the casino saying that Fedilia's never made money or not very much money? Fedilia's always looked busy. It was the only restaurant that was open twenty four (24) hours a day. It was the only sit down restaurant that casino and hotel customers could go to for breakfast. We hear to make up for the Fedilia's not being there for breakfast, Tuscany will have breakfasts hours, with breakfasts available. Can anyone tell the Mohegan tribe, what is going in the space?

In the retail corridor between the Sky Casino and Earth Casino, there is a ginger bread house you can walk through and a new addition this year an octagon shaped gazebo

In a press release by the Mohegan tribe, on Thursday, December 4, 2008, said that we are going to still put in a retail corridor where the original winter entrance was. The cost estimated at sixty seven million dollars ($67,000,000.00). In the area is supposed to be Pepe's pizzeria Restaurant. Sources said, that the funds for the retail corridor, was coming from the Project Horizon expansion line of credit.

The entire Project Horizon was to cost $925 million. The Casino of the Wind, two (2) parking lots were built, probably the side walks on Route 32, the entrance ramp road work on to Route 2-A and the widening of the on ramp going from Route 2-A onto I-395 northbound. If you do the math, minus the hotel (alone is $734 million) that comes to $191 million. Now add to the $191 million the $67 million in the press release your total is $258 million ($258,000,000.00). Some tribal members believe the number is around $300 million ($300,000,000.00).

The last thing, I would like to inform Tribal members is that we were told that they are going to divide Birches Bar and Grill (tribal owned restaurant and bar) into two (2) restaurants. One will be a smaller Birches and the other half will be some other restaurant or retail area. The point is we spent something like seven million dollars ($7,000,000.00) plus to change the area from the Chiefs Deli to Uncas' Grill. Then we (Mohegan tribe) spent more money to change it to Birches.Now it is going to be renovated again. Enough already. Who is minding the store? What do you think?

HIGHWAYS, AIRPORTS AND RAIL ROADS

President-elect Obama said, "We will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950's." He would like the bill ready to be signed when he takes office in January.

The idea is to build the more than 5,000 highway projects, that are "ready to go" (at a cost estimated at $64.3 billion ($64,300,000,000.00). "Ready to go" means the project could be under contract within 180 days. The proposed plan would help reduce the number of crumbling bridges and highways in the United States. It would also create an estimated 2,000,000, to 2,500,000 jobs.

In November there were 533,000 workers in the United States that lost their jobs, bringing the total estimated unemployment in the United States at about 1.8 million workers, the worst drop in a month in 34 years. Forty three of the fifty (43 of 50) states have deficits to deal with.

Texas has the most projects with a total 853, with Alaska having the fewest projects with four. The amount of some of the projects are as follows: Utah $10.8 billion, Florida $7 billion, Texas $6 billion, North Carolina $5.2 billion, and California $5 billion. The lowest priced projects were in Vermont $78.4 million and Washington D. C. at $46 million.

There is also talk of spending $1 billion on the nations airports (runways and other airport improvements). The rail road systems in the United States are are looking for $3.4 billion (for rail station improvements and track improvements). State Governors made the rounds of Capital Hill recently saying that including school repairs, water and sewer repairs to the highway proposal, that the states actually need $136 billion ($136,000,000,000.00).

John Horsley, Executive Director, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials said, "If we're given resources through the economic recovery bill that allows states to proceed with jump-start investment like we're talking about, we'll be able to put up to 1.8 million Americans back to work."

NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY UPDATE

ON THURSDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 4, 2008, PRESTON TOWN SELECTMEN HELD A MEETING ON THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY (APPROXIMATELY 718 ACRES) . THE PROPERTY IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE THAMES RIVER FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS, TO REVIEW A RECOMMENDATION BY THE NORWICH HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO ASK THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR AN EXTENSION TO FIND A DEVELOPER OF THE PROPERTY.

THE TOWN OF PRESTON, HAD AGREED WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, FOR A THREE (3) YEAR PERIOD, TO FIND A DEVELOPER AND SUBMIT THE DEAL TO CONNECTICUT TO APPROVE THE LAND TRANSFER TO PRESTON. THE TOWN SELECTMEN VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ASK THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT FOR THE EXTENSION. THE THREE YEAR PERIOD ENDS JANUARY 5, 2009.

THERE IS A PRESTON TOWN MEETING SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008, ABOUT THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY.

OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, HAVE BEEN QUOTED AS SAYING, THAT THAT THE GRANTING OF AN EXTENSION IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

HOUSING SALES DROP IN CONNECTICUT

SALES OF SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES IN CONNECTICUT DROPPED IN OCTOBER COMPARED TO OCTOBER, 2007, WERE DOWN 17% AND THE AVERAGE PRICE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE DROPPED ABOUT 10%.

IN NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT (WHERE THE MOHEGAN SUN IS LOCATED) SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE SALES DROPPED ABOUT 15% AND THE AVERAGE PRICES DROPPED ABOUT 11% IN OCTOBER, 2008 COMPARED TO OCTOBER, 2007. THIS OCTOBER, THE MEDIUM PRICE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE WAS $235,000.00 FOR A DROP OF ABOUT $25,000.00. CONDOMINIUMS COMPARING OCTOBER, 2008 WITH OCTOBER, 2007, WERE 50% OFF IN SALES AND AN AVERAGE PRICE OF $174,000.00.

IN NORTHEASTERN (WINDHAM COUNTY) CONNECTICUT, HAD A DECREASE IN SALES OF 12.8%, COMPARING OCTOBER, 2008, AND OCTOBER, 2007. THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DROPPED FROM $219,000.00 TO $191,000.00.

STATEWIDE IN CONNECTICUT, THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING WAS $250,000.00, WHICH IS DOWN ABOUT $30,000.00 LESS THAN A YEAR AGO COMPARING OCTOBER,2008 WITH OCTOBER, 2007. ON THE CONDOMINIUM AREA THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE PRICE WAS $190,000.00, DOWN ABOUT $22,000.00.

WHILE MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND ,(FOR THE YEAR SHOWED GAINS IN THE SALES OF SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES AND CONDOMINIUMS), CONNECTICUT SO FAR THIS YEAR IS DOWN IN SALES OF CONDOMINIUMS OF ABOUT A THIRD (33%) AND SINGLE FAMILY HOME SALES DOWN ABOUT ONE FOURTH (25%) COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.

FIRST, THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME FOR MY READERS TO BUY A HOME OR CONDOMINIUM. SECOND, THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE FOR LARGE COMPANIES TO INVEST IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIRD, WHERE ARE GAMBLERS GOING TO GET THE MONEY TO GAMBLE?

HOW ARE COMPANIES THAT DEPEND ON THESE SALES GOING TO SURVIVE? WHAT WILL THIS DO TO CONSUMERS CONFIDENCE IN THE AREA? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island , like Connecticut and New York, and other states, is having a budget deficit.

Rhode Island's transportation infra-structure costs the state an estimated three hundred and fifty four million dollars ($354,000,000.00). To make up for the anticipated short fall in revenues to fund these programs, the state of Rhode Island is proposing new taxes.

One idea is to charge all Rhode Island drivers a half cent tax for every mile they drive. The tax could be made by charging drivers based on the weight of their vehicles.

Another idea would be to charge tolls of on interstate 95 at the Connecticut border. It is estimated the state could charge three dollars ($3.00) for cars and six dollars ($6.00)for trucks. It is estimated just doing the border tolls could raise another thrity nine million dollars ($39,000,000.00) annually. Just think how much could be raised if there was also a toll at the Massachusetts border on I-95.

Then there is the idea of charging tolls on the three (3) bridges leading and linking Aquidneck Island, and Newport to the mainland.

As for passenger cars, the state of Rhode Island, is thinking of doubling the registration fee from sixty dollars ($60.00) to about one hundred and twenty dollars ($120.00).

The state of Rhode Island is also thinking of raising the state gasoline tax from five cents to fifteen cents a gallon. The state is thinking of putting taxes on other petroleum based products.

As far as the tolls on i-95, that doesn't sound like a good idea based on two reasons: 1) the toll booths could cause possible accidents (Connecticut is a good example of this) and 2) people traveling north and south will turn and travel on I-395 and the Massachusetts Turnpike to avoid the tolls and added traffic.

There are basically three ways to fix Rhode Islands short fall. They are: 1) more and higher taxes, 2) cut the budget items and 3) a combination of the two.

Many of these proposals would require the legislature of Rhode Island to approve. In any event, it should take some time for these measures to be adopted, and to actually be implemented.

THE PILGRIMS

THE PILGRIMS, WHO CALLED THEMSELVES "SAINTS," WERE SEPARATISTS WHO WANTED TO WORSHIP AS THEY PLEASED AND WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ANGLICAN CHURCH. THE PURITANS WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT (THEY BELIEVED BASICALLY WHAT THE PILGRIMS DID) BUT THEY WANTED TO CREATE CHANGE INSIDE THE ANGLICAN CHURCH (CHURCH OF ENGLAND).

ON SEPTEMBER 6,1620, THE MAYFLOWER CARRYING 102 SETTLERS LEFT ENGLAND, TO SETTLE ON THE MOUTH OF THE HUDSON RIVER (TODAY NEW YORK CITY, MANHATTAN). ON NOVEMBER 9, 1620 LAND WAS SPOTTED (THEY WERE OFF CAPE COD). REALIZING THAT THEY WERE NOT WHERE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THEY ENDEAVORED TO GO SOUTH BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND NANTUCKET AND RAN INTO LOW WATER (POLLACK RIP). THE . SHIP TURNED AROUND BECAUSE OF THE COMING OF WINTER AND LOW PROVISIONS, RETURNING TO PROVIDENCE TOWN HARBOR ON NOVEMBER 11, 1620.

. THE SETTLERS ON THE MAYFLOWER HAD NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A COLONY IN NEW ENGLAND, BECAUSE THE PATENT TO SETTLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY (HAD THE RIGHTS FOR THE ORIGINAL DESTINATION), THE SETTLERS MADE THEIR OWN COMPACT CALLED THE "MAYFLOWER COMPACT. " EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT LEGALLY GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO SETTLE IN NEW ENGLAND, IT RELIEVED THE CONCERNS OF MANY OF THE SETTLERS ABOUT SETTLING IN NEW ENGLAND. THE DOCUMENT DID SERVE AS A MEANS OF HOW THE PILGRIMS WOULD GOVERN THEMSELVES.

THE PILGRIMS CAME TO NORTH AMERICA TO FLEE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION AND TO WORSHIP AS THEY SAW FIT. THE LAWS THAT THE PILGRIMS FOLLOWED WERE A COMBINATION OF THEIR RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS AND THE LAWS FROM ENGLAND.

THEY BELIEVED THAT IF SOMETHING WENT WELL OR GOOD, THAT GOD HAD BLESSED THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF SOMETHING WENT BAD, THE DEVIL HAD CAUSED IT. IN THE RECORD, THERE IS A CASE OF A MAN DYING FROM AN OVERTURNED BOATING ACCIDENT, WHICH THE PILGRIMS BLAMED ON THE DEVIL.

THE PILGRIMS FIRST SET FOOT ON THE NEW LAND ON NOVEMBER 13, 1620. ON NOVEMBER 15, 1620, CAPTAIN MYLES STANDISH LEAD A GROUP OF 16 SETTLERS ON AN EXPEDITION TRIP SOUTH (PRESENT DAY NASUET). THEY PROCEEDED TO ROB NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES AND TO ROB BURIED CACHE OF INDIAN CORN. ONE HISTORIAN THINKS IT WAS ONLY ONE GRAVE. AFTER TWO MORE EXPEDITIONS, THE MAYFLOWER MOVED THE SETTLERS TO PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

ON DECEMBER 23, 1620 A LANDING PARTY STARTED CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR COMMON AREA HOUSES ON COLE'S HILL AND A PLATFORM TO HOLD THE FIVE CANNON ON FORT HILL. OF THE 102 SETTLERS 45 DIED THE FIRST WINTER.IN NOVEMBER 1621 ONLY 4 OF THE 18 ORIGINAL WOMEN WERE STILL ALIVE. FOURTEEN (14) HAD DIED. THE PILGRIMS LEARNED FROM SAMOSET (A NATIVE AMERICAN FROM PEMAQUID POINT , MAINE) THAT THE AREA OF PLYMOUTH HAD BEEN A NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAGE NAMED PATUXET, AND THAT THE INHABITANTS PROBABLY DIED OF SMALL POX OR SOME OTHER DISEASE.

IN THE 1630'S, ENGLISH SETTLERS, IN THE AREA OF WHAT IS TODAY CONNECTICUT, WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH NATIVE AMERICANS (PEQUOTS). THE MOHEGANS, NARRAGANSETT, AND THE ENGLISH ATTACKED MYSTIC FORT IN 1637 KILLING ALMOST EVERYONE INSIDE THE FORT. ALTHOUGH THE PILGRIMS (PLYMOUTH COLONY) SUPPORTED IT, THEY HAD VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH THE PEQUOT WAR.

THE NEXT MAJOR WAR WAS THE KING PHILIP'S WAR, WHICH THE SETTLERS FROM PLYMOUTH WERE INVOLVED IN. METACOMET (KING PHILIP) , THE SON OF MASSASOIT, WAS THE SACHEM OF THE WOMPANOAGS. THE WAPANOAG CAPITAL WAS IN MOUNT HOPE (TODAY RHODE ISLAND).

THE ENGLISH SETTLERS KEPT TAKING LAND AND RESTRICTING THE AREA NATIVE AMERICANS COULD USE. THE MILITIA OF PLYMOUTH TRIED TO USE FORCE TO DRIVE THE NATIVE AMERICANS FROM THE AREA.

METACOMET AND SOME OF HIS MEN WERE ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS FRIEND JOHN SASSAMON (A PRAYING INDIAN, CHRISTIAN). A JURY OF 12 SETTLERS AND 6 PRAYING INDIANS FOUND THE NATIVE AMERICANS GUILTY OF THE CRIME.

KING PHILIP IS THEN ACCUSED OF RAIDING SETTLERS FARMS AND PILLAGING THEIR PROPERTY. THERE IS AN ACCOUNT OF THE WAMPNOAGS CAPTURING WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOR RANSOM.

THE WAR CONTINUED THROUGH 1675 AND 1676. KING PHILIP ENGAGED IN A FORM OF GUERRILLA WARFARE INSTEAD OF CONFRONTING THE ENGLISH IN MAJOR BATTLES.

KING PHILIP WAS KILLED BY A POCASSET INDIAN. THE WAR SOON CAME TO AN END. AN ESTIMATED EIGHT PERCENT (8%) OF THE ENGLISH THE MALE POPULATION DIED IN THE WAR. EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OF MALE NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION DIED.

IN 1620, THERE WERE 99 INHABITANTS IN THE PLYMOUTH COLONY AREA WHICH EVENTUALLY WOULD GO ALL THE WAY OUT ON CAPE COD AND TO THE EAST THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. WHEN THE PLYMOUTH COLONY WAS ABSORBED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY (BOSTON) IN 1691, THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED SEVEN THOUSAND (7,000) ENGLISH SETTLERS IN THE PLYMOUTH COLONY AREA..

THE PILGRIMS (SAINTS) WERE REALLY NOT FRIENDS OF NATIVE AMERICANS. SHOULD WE ADMIRE THEM? SHOULD WE BE CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THE BIG THREE GO BACK TO WASHINGTON

THE BIG THREE AUTO MAKERS (GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, CHRYSLER CORPORATION, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY) RETURNED TO WASHINGTON WITH THEIR PLANS FOR THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE BIG THREE WERE THERE FOR POSSIBLE BUY OUT MONEY FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

THE BIG THREE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE SEEKING A BUY OUT NOW ESTIMATED THIRTY FOUR BILLION DOLLARS ($34,000,000,000.00). TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE BIG THREE AUTO MAKERS REPRESENTATIVES WERE BEFORE THE SENATE, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR TWENTY FIVE BILLION DOLLARS ($25,000,000,000.00).

UNITED STATES AUTOMOBILE SALES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 2008, COMPARED TO NOVEMBER, 2007, WERE AS FOLLOWS: GENERAL MOTORS DOWN -41%, FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOWN -31%. ASIAN COMPETITION POSTED THE FOLLOWING COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE FOR NOVEMBER: ,TOYOTA DOWN -34%, AND HONDA DOWN -32%. THE FACT THAT TOYOTA AND HONDA ARE DOWN IN SALES LEADS ONE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM.

GENERAL MOTORS IS SEEKING $18 BILLION IN LOANS OR CREDIT LINES. THE CEO WILL GET A ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) SALARY NEXT YEAR. G M IS SEEKING TO GET UAW (UNITED AUTO WORKERS) TO MAKE CONCESSIONS TO HELP THE COMPANY. GENERAL MOTORS FEELS IT CAN PAY BACK THE LOANS BY 2012.

CHRYSLER IS SEEKING A $7 BILLION LOAN. CHRYSLER IS PLANNING ON BUILDING FULL-FUNCTION ELECTRIC CARS STARTING IN 2010, WITH ADDITIONAL MODELS BEING PRODUCED STARTING 2013.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS SEEKING AN ESTIMATED $9 BILLION DOLLARS IN LOANS. FORD PLANS TO INTRODUCE AND MANUFACTURER SIX (6) NEW SMALL AND MID-SIZED CARS OVER THE NEXT FOUR (4) YEARS. IT FEELS IT CAN INCREASE ON ITS FLEET OF CARS FUEL EFFICIENCY BY 14% IN 2009, 26% IN 2012 AND 36% IN 2015.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BY GENERAL MOTORS SAID, " EVERY MANUFACTURER IS POSTING AWFUL NUMBERS AND WE ARE NO EXCEPTION."

DR. MARK ZANDI, AN ECONOMIST FROM MOODY'S SAID THAT THE THIRTY FOUR BILLION DOLLARS, COULD ONLY LAST AT THE MOST TWO (2) YEARS WITHOUT THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS DO EVERYTHING RIGHT. DR. ZANDI HINTED THAT THE THREE BIG AUTOMAKERS WILL PROBABLY NEED MORE LIKE $75 BILLION TO $125 BILLION DOLLARS. ANOTHER ECONOMIST, THOUGHT THAT AT THE END OF TWO YEARS, IF THE AUTOMAKERS DID EVERYTHING RIGHT, THEY COULD THEN BORROW MORE MONEY AND PAY OFF THE GOVERNMENT LOANS.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: SEARS HOLDING COMPANY (SEARS AND K-MART STORES) STOCK IS UP 17%. CUSTOMERS ARE SHOPPING LESS AT THEIR STORES. SEARS IS CLOSING STORES THAT ARE NOT PREFORMING WELL. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE PROJECTED THIRD QUARTER LOSS IS ESTIMATED AT $146 MILLION.

STAPLES (THE WORLD'S LARGEST OFFICE SUPPLY CHAIN) IS EXPECTING A 43% LOSS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.

PRESTON NEEDS MORE TIME

PRESTON TOWN'S AGREEMENT FOR THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY EXPIRES WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT ON JANUARY 5, 2008. THE TOWN HAD THREE (3) YEARS TO FIND A SUITABLE DEVELOPER (BUYER) OF THE PROPERTY AND SUBMIT THE PLAN TO THE STATE BY JANUARY 5, 2008.

FIRST THERE WAS THE GRANDIOSE PLAN BY UTOPIA STUDIOS TO BUILD HOTELS, A GOLF COURSE, A MARINA, THEME PARK, MOVIE STUDIOS, AND OTHER THINGS ON THE PROPERTY AT AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF WELL OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL FELL THROUGH.

RECENTLY, THE LATEST PROPOSAL BY NORTHLAND, ALSO FELL THROUGH. WHAT THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED HAD CHANGED DRASTICALLY BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY.

ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009, PRESTON TOWN HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT PRESTON ASK THE STATE FOR MORE TIME. THE RECOMMENDATION IS BEING HEARD TONIGHT, BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, AT 6:30 P.M. ALSO RECOMMENDED, BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS A TOWN MEETING ON DECEMBER 18, 2008.

ROBERT COGDON SAID, "WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD. WE HAD VIABLE DEVELOPERS LINED UP TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY WHEN THE ECONOMY COLLAPSED, WHICH WE HAD NO CONTROL OVER." HE NOTED THAT DEVELOPERS CAN NOT REALISTICALLY GET FINANCING RIGHT NOW.

IF PRESTON, COULD GET AN EXTENSION, ( WHICH IN MY OPINION, IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY,) THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO RE-START THE ENTIRE PROCESS WITH THE STATE OVER. PRESTON WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN DEAL WITH THE FOLLOWING CONNECTICUT STATE OFFICIALS: GOVERNOR M. JODI REEL, THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT,THE COMMISSIONER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE LEGISLATURE, AND OTHERS.

TOM REYNOLDS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF LEDYARD, ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT WATERFORD HAD LINED UP A DEVELOPER, FOR THE STATE LAND IN WATERFORD AND THAT THE STATE HAD DECIDED TO RETAIN CONTROL.

IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IS NOT INCLINED TO GIVE AN EXTENSION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL WILL REVERT BACK TO THE STATE. MAYBE THE DECENDENTS OF CHURCH LANE, UNCASVILLE SHOULD TRY AND PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

VOLUNTARY SEVERANCE PACKAGE

THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT EMPLOYEES OF THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT WERE BEING OFFERED A VOLUNTARY SEVERANCE PACKAGE.. THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL REASON GIVEN FOR THE BUY OUTS.

TWO LETTERS WERE SENT OUT ABOUT THE BUYOUT, ONE TO TRIBAL MEMBER EMPLOYEES AND ONE FOR NON-TRIBAL MEMBER EMPLOYEES. THE LETTERS WERE DIFFERENT, BUT AS OF NOW, BROKENWING EDITORIALS CAN NOT FIND OUT THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO LETTERS.

EMPLOYEES WHO OPT TO ACCEPT THE BUY OUTS, THEIR LAST DAY WILL BE DECEMBER 31, 2008. EMPLOYEES EFFECTED BY THE SEVERANCES WILL BE NOTIFIED BY DECEMBER 19, 2008. THE TERMS OF THE BUY OUT PACKAGES BEING OFFERED WAS NOT RELEASED.

IN MAY, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT GOVERNMENT TRIMMED ABOUT 20% OF ITS' WORK FORCE. IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY A COMBINATION OF BUYOUTS AND LAYOFFS. THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT LOST ABOUT 170 EMPLOYEES (10% BUY OUTS, 10% LAYOFFS)..

THE PACKAGE IN MAY FOR THE BUY OUTS WAS ESTIMATED AT UP TO SIX MONTHS OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (ONE WEEKS SALARY FOR EVERY YEAR WORKED UP TO 10 YEARS.)

AT THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND THE MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS, THERE WERE TWO ROUNDS OF LAYOFFS ALREADY THIS YEAR, IN JUNE ABOUT 100 EMPLOYEES WERE LAID OFF. IN OCTOBER, AN ADDITIONAL 700 EMPLOYEES WERE LET GO. INSIDERS ARE SAYING THAT MORE LAYOFFS ARE COMING SOON AT THE CASINOS. KEEP IN MIND. WITH THE ECONOMY IN SHAMBLES, LAYOFF'S ARE DEFINITELY POSSIBLE.

STANDARD AND POOR'S RATING SERVICE, RECENTLY LOWERED FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS FROM BB+ TO BB-. STANDARD AND POOR'S REASONS FOR THE DOWNGRADING WAS , "THE TRIBE'S HIGH DEBT LEVERAGE, LIMITED GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED DISTRIBUTIONS TO TRIBAL MEMBERS." .

MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, THAT I TALKED TO, SEEMED TO FEEL THAT LAYOFFS AND BUYOUTS MAY BE COMING SOON. MANY MEMBERS FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TOP HEAVY AND THAT IT SHOULD BE STREAMLINED. THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOY BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED 400 AND 50O PEOPLE.

SOME TRIBAL MEMBERS HAVE SAID, THAT MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, SHOULD LOWER THE NUMBER OF TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, FROM NINE MEMBERS TO SEVEN OR FIVE. A CHANGE FROM NINE TO SEVEN WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF AT LEAST $600,000.00. A CHANGE FROM NINE MEMBERS TO FIVE MEMBERS WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,200,000.00). OF COURSE OT ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) WOULD NEED AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. HARD TIMES SOMETIMES REQUIRE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

RE-READ THE PARAGRAPH ABOUT FOXWOODS CREDIT RATING BY STANDARD AND POOR'S, DOES THAT SOUND LIKE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE? WILL THIS HAPPEN TO THE MOHEGAN SUN SOON? WILL THIS HAPPEN TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?