Tuesday, September 30, 2008

FOXWOODS CUTTING 700 EMPLOYEES

LAST MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2008, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS STOPPING CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.) THE TRIBAL COUNCIL TOLD THE MEMBERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS.

FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO OPENED IN MAY, 2008,
THE NEW MGM GRAND HOTEL/CASINO AT FOXWOODS FOR AN ESTIMATED COST OF SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($700,000,000.00.)

AT THE END OF MAY, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQOUTS OFFERED TO 170 GOVERNMENT WORKERS VOLUNTARY LAYOFFS. AT THE END OF JUNE, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS LET 100 EMPLOYEES, MOSTLY MANAGERS, AT THE MGM GRAND HOTEL CASINO AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO GO.

TODAY, MICHALE THOMAS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRIBE WILL BE LAYING OFF ABOUT 700 WORKERS FROM THE MGM GRAND AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINOS. HE SAID, "AS IS HAPPENING TO MANY ORGANIZATIONS, THE ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING OUR NATION AND REGIONAL CONSUMER ECONOMY HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OUR REVENUE GROWTH. ALTHOUGH IT HAS TAKEN A FEW MONTHS, THE RECESSION'S IMPACT CAN NOW BE CLEARLY SEEN IN OUR INDUSTRY."

AN OBSERVATION THAT MAY NEED TO BE MENTIONED, IS THAT USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, IT HAPPENS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN 3 TO 6 MONTHS LATER.

SHOULD THE MOHEGAN TRIBE BE LOOKING AT CUT BACKS, TOO? WE NEED TO THINK SMARTER AND BETTER. READERS WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?.

JIMMY BUFFET'S MARGARITAVILLE AT MOHEGAN SUN

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

THIS MORNING AFTER THE NEW MANAGER OF JIMMY BUFFET'S MARGRETAVILLE, SAID A FEW WORDS ABOUT BEING HAPPY TO BE THE NEWEST RESTAURANT IN THE MOHEGAN SUN, HE TURNED THE MICROPHONE OVER TO CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, WHO SAID A PRAYER, AND SMUDGE. HE THEN TURNED THE MIKE OVER TO MITCHELL ETESS. HE TOO SAID SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS ABOUT WHAT JIMMY BUFFETS WOULD MEAN TO THE MOHEGAN SUN. EVERYONE TOASTED THE OPENING WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC MARGARETTA'S. THE DOORS WERE THEN OPENED, AND THE CROWD SWARMED IN.

LOOK AT THE PICTURES BELOW, IT IS REALLY A VERY EXCITING PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK OR SOMETHING TO EAT. IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURES THEY ENLARGE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER VIEW. THE SETTING IS LIKE BEING ON THE BEACH IN FLORIDA OR THE CARIBBEAN. THE COLORS AND TEXTURES REMIND YOU OF A TROPICAL SETTING. THERE WERE BOOTHS THAT LOOKED LIKE BOATS. A SEA PLANE HANGING FROM THE CEILING. THE BLUE FLOOR LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE WALKING ON WATER. THERE WERE SURFBOARDS THAT BLOCKED OFF WORKERS AREAS FROM THE CUSTOMERS. THEY HAD A DJ UP ON A STAGE ON THE FIRST FLOOR . ON THE SECOND FLOOR WAS A NICE PATIO LOOKING OVER THE THAMES RIVER. THERE WAS ALSO A LITTLE BAR IN THE CORNER, THAT WAS LIKE A BEACHCOMBER BAR.

THE WAITING STAFF, ARE EXPERIENCED WAITERS AND WAITRESSES FROM OTHER RESTAURANTS. TWO WAITRESSES WE KNEW FROM MEETING THEM AT OTHER RESTAURANTS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. WE WERE TOLD THAT JIMMY BUFFET'S HIRES EXPERIENCED PEOPLE. THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FUN PEOPLE. THEY ONLY HIRE FUN PEOPLE WHO PROJECT THAT TO THE CUSTOMERS AND EVERYONE (CUSTOMERS AND STAFF) HAVE FUN.

THIS RESTAURANT, ALTHOUGH OFF THE BEATEN PATH, WILL DO FINE. IT ACTUALLY SHOULD HELP THE CASINO OF THE WIND. ON MONDAY, DURING THE DAY THERE WAS A 45 MINUTE WAIT FOR A TABLE. WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NO RESERVATIONS, IT IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. CHECK OUT THE MENU POSTED BELOW. JIMMY BUFFETS OPENS AT 11:00 A.M. EVERYDAY. IT CLOSES AT 1:00 AM SUNDAY-THURSDAY. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IT CLOSES AT 2:00 A.M.

THERE ABOUT SIX JIMMY BUFFET'S: THREE IN FLORIDA, ONE IN ARIZONA, ONE IN LAS VEGAS, AND THE NEWEST ONE IN THE MOHEGAN SUN. AT CLOSING TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RESTAURANT HAD A VERY GOOD GRAND OPENING.

THE FOOD TASTES GREAT AND THE PRICES ARE GOOD. THE STAFF ARE GREAT. THE SURROUNDINGS ARE AMAZING. BROKENWING EDITORIALS WISHES IT WELL.

CHECK IT OUT, I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. IT IS A TERRIFIC RESTAURANT.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: WHEN ASKED, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR THE FEATHER NEWS PRESS PASSES. TRIBAL COUNCIL TREASURER, WILLIAM QUIDGEON, WAS ASKED ABOUT THE COST OF SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS. HE SAID WHEN HE GETS THE NUMBER HE WILL CALL ME. HE SAID I HAVE YOUR NUMBER. BACK AT SQUARE ONE, HOW MUCH DOES THE SLOT MACHINES COST FOR ONE MONTH AT POCONO DOWNS? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
'

Sunday, September 28, 2008

NI YA YO

AS WE WERE LEAVING THE SKY CASINO THE OTHER NIGHT, WE PICKED UP A COPY OF THE NI YA YO. A COMPLEMENTARY PAPER PROVIDED BY THE CASINO.

IT WAS THUNDER MOON 2008 VOLUME 3, NUMBER 9. ON THE COVER IT SAYS "TRIBE CELEBRATES BLESSING OF PROJECT HORIZONS'S EARTH EXPANSION." BELOW IT IS A PICTURE OF ALL NINE MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, DAN AYKROYD, MITCHEL ETESS (CEO MOHEGAN SUN), AND LIVE NATION PRESIDENT JIMMY KOPLIK. THERE IS ALSO A PICTURE OF DAN AYKROD RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.

THERE IS PLENTY OF GOOD INFORMATION IN THE PAPER. I REALIZE WE PROBABLY PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO PROVIDE THIS FOR OUR PATRONS. THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY IN THE MAKING OF IT.

WITH ALL THAT SAID, MAYBE WE SHOULD PULL THE PAPER AND JUST HAVE THEM DISAPPEAR? MAYBE IT MAKES THE TRIBE LOOK FOOLISH LEAVING THEM OUT TO BE PICKED UP? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

NEW STORES AT THE WATERFALL

IF YOU HAVE BEEN BY THE WATERFALL AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SKY CASINO, YOU WILL NOTICE SOME CONSTRUCTION GOING ON.

THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW PUMA STORE, ON THE SIDE WHERE THE TRADING COVE STORE (NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS) IS. THEY ARE BUILDING A TOMMY BAHAMA STORE ON THAT SIDE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN STORE THAT FEATURES HIGH END MEN AND WOMEN'S CASUAL CLOTHING. THEY SHOULD BE A NICE ADDITIONS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN.

ACROSS FROM THOSE STORES, YOU WILL SEE A NEW ENCLOSED AREA WITH TODD ENGLISH'S TUSCANY PRINTED ON IT. IT HAS WOOD COLUMNS AND PAINTED FINISHED WALLS. WE ASKED ABOUT IT AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE PATIO, LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WATERFALL, SO THAT PATRONS CAN SIT OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE WATERFALL. WHEN COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE QUITE NICE. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE CASINOS TENANTS PROSPERING.

THE ONLY OBSERVATION, THAT IS MAYBE NEGATIVE, IS THAT THE SPACE GOING BETWEEN THE STORES IS KIND OF NARROW NOW. IT SEEMS TO DISRUPT EASY ACCESS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SKY CASINO AND THE SHOPS. IT SEEMS TO BE TIGHT. MAYBE THEY SHOULD MOVE THE ROCK DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE.

NOW YOU KNOW WHAT THE CONSTRUCTION BY THE WATERFALL IS ALL ABOUT.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

NORTHLAND AND TARRAGON CONTROVERSY

THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS NOT A REAL ESTATE PERSON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT.

NORTHLAND AND TARRAGON SET OUT TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP. ON MARCH 31, 2008, THEY SAID THEY WERE FORMING A TWO BILLION DOLLAR JOINT VENTURE. IN THE DEAL, NORTHLAND WOULD PROVIDE CAPITAL (MONEY) AND STABILITY TO TARRAGON WHO WAS EXPERIENCING A CASH CRUNCH AND SAW ITS' STOCK PRICES FALLING.

BOTH COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS. NORTHLAND IS WORKING ON SECURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. TARRAGON, WHO IS REPORTED TO OWN UP TO FIFTEEN HUNDRED (1,500) ACRES IN UNCASVILLE, PLANNED TO BUILD A LARGE PROJECT WITH A HOTEL ON THE THAMES RIVER.

NORTHLAND ALEGEDLY HAS FILED TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST TARRAGON. ONE IS ABOUT A PROPERTY IN FLORIDA THAT WAS NEVER CLOSED ON. THE SECOND LAWSUIT IS ABOUT THE JOINT VENTURE NEVER BEING COMPLETED. EACH LAWSUIT I BELIEVE IS FOR ONE BILLION DOLLARS. TARRAGON ALEGEDLY FILED ITS' OWN LAWSUIT. TARRAGON, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT SAID, THAT NORTHLAND DID NOT PROVIDE A DEPOSIT OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00.) TARRAGON CLAIMS IT GAVE NORTHLAND ALL KINDS OF EXTENSIONS.

SUPPOSEDLY, NORTHLAND HAS SAID, "TARRAGON"S FUTURE MAY BE UNCERTAIN AND COULD INCLUDE A POSSIBLE BANKRUPTCY FILING WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS."

MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR THE DECEMDENTS OF CHURCH LANE (GRAYS?), (BAKERS?), FOWLERS, TANTAQUIDGEONS, AND FIELDINGS TO THINK ABOUT PURCHASING SOME OF THE PROPERTIES IN UNCASVILLE? MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE TALKING TO TARRAGON? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

READERS, NOW YOU HAVE AN ABBREVIATED IDEA OF THE CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN TARRAGON AND NORTHLAND.

SLOT MACHINE LEASES

ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS, STARTED ASKING FOR THE SAME QUESTION. WE HAVE ASKED FOR THE COST OF LEASING SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS.

WE HAVE ASKED MOST OF THE NINE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA). WE ASKED FOR THE AVERAGE COST PER MONTH, PER MACHINE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS HARD TO DO BECAUSE OF LEASES, RENTALS, AND THAT WE OWN SOME OF THE MACHINES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS KEEP SAYING, WE WILL FIND OUT AND GET BACK TO YOU.

SO THEN WE JUST SAID, GIVE US THE TOTAL PRICE FOR THE MONTH AND WE WILL COMPARE THAT WITH OTHER FIGURES FOR POCONO DOWNS FOR THE SAME MONTH. WE FIGURE THIS SHOULD BE EASY, ALL THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO DO, IS MAKE A PHONE CALL AND WE'LL HAVE THE ANSWER. I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, WE WERE TOLD.

WE REALIZE THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATES (AGENDAS.) IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT WITH HARD ECONOMIC TIMES AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT THINGS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

HOWEVER, WHEN TRIBAL MEMBERS ASK FOR SOMETHNG FOR 4 WEEKS AND THEY DO NOT GET AN ANSWER, THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS FROM IT MEMBERSHIP. MAYBE THE MTGA IS JUST FORGETFUL. MAYBE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO THE MTGA.

SO THE QUESTION IS, DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS US TO LEASE, RENT OR BUY SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS FOR ANY MONTH? DOES ANYONE KNOW?

EARTH TOWER BEING PUT TO SLEEP

THE EDITORS OF FEATHER NEWS AND BROKENWING EDITORIALS CHECKED OUT THE EARTH TOWER, SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CASINO THAT WE WERE STOPPING CONSTRUCTION ON IT.

THE FINAL 1/3 OF FLOORING (FOUNDATION) HAS BEEN POURED AND COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COVERING. THERE WERE ABOUT TWENTY WORKERS ON SITE, THAT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BUTTONING UP THE PROJECT.

THE EARTH TOWER WAS ONE OF FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN CONNECTICUT. ALL FOUR PROJECTS ARE ON HOLD.

PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE BY ECONOMISTS ARE NOT GOOD. THEY DO NOT THINK THE COUNTRY WILL COME OUT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION FOR QUITE SOME TIME. LET'S HOPE THEY ARE WRONG. THE GAMING INDUSTRY WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO BE BULLET PROOF HAS BEEN PROVEN NOT TO BE.

HOPEFULLY IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS, WHEN THE MTGA (TRIBAL COUNCIL) RE-EVALUATES THE BUILDING OF THE HOTEL, THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY WILL BE BETTER AND WORK WILL BEGIN AGAIN.

SEE YOU THERE

GOVERNMENT BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITE, -THURSDAY 3:00P.M. OCTOBER 2,16,30, LEAVES PRESENT TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING

OATH OF OFFICE (NEW MEMBERS COUNCIL OF ELDERS) OCTOBER 6, 2008 10:00 A.M. MOHEGAN CHURCH

COFFEE HOURS, WEDNESDAYS OCTOBER 8, AND NOVEMBER 12, 9:00 A.M. , TRIBAL MEETING ROOM. UPDATE: OCTOBER 8, 2005 COFFEE HOUR CANCELED.

QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 AT 11:30A.M. (FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE)

HOUSING AUTHORITY MONTHLY MEETING, OCTOBER 8, 2008 AT 5:30 P.M. AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING

THE ARENA

AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA SOMETHING STRANGE IS HAPPENING.

ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 WILLIE NELSON PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (4,500). THE BOX OFFICE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SELLING TICKETS FOR AS LOW AS TWENTY ($20.00) DOLLARS PER TICKET. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 BRAD PAISLEY PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS AROUND SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (6,500.)

THE ARENA IS NOT DRAWING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO THE CASINO. I VISITED THE MOHEGAN SUN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY. I THINK THE NUMBERS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTING. I HOPE I AM WRONG.

WHAT DO THE ATTENDANCE FIGURES MEAN? DOES IT MEAN THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THESE ENTERTAINERS PERFORM TOO OFTEN? IS THE ECONOMY MAKING PEOPLE AFRAID? COULD THIS BE A TREND CAUSED BY THE ECONOMY? DID THE WEATHER ON FRIDAY HAVE AN EFFECT? MAYBE IT IS THE NEW MGM GRAND THEATER AT FOXWOODS?

THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AS THE MTGA NEED TO DO IT BETTER AND SMARTER THAN OUR COMPETITION. THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE, WE NEED AN UPSWING, WE NEED TO STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE HAD BETTER ATTENDANCE AT THE CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL GAMES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) AND THE EXECUTIVE STAFF OF THE CASINO NEED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON.

ROKENWING EDITORIALS HOPES THAT SOMEHOW, THE CASINO WILL FIND A WAY TO FILL THE ARENA AND TURN THIS AROUND.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: ON SATURDAY THE CASINO WAS EXTREMELY BUSY, A VERY GOOD THING.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

PART II: WHAT HAPPENED?

I DID AN ARTICLE ON THE WUSKUSO NOT GETTING THE ELECTION RESULTS OUT FOR TWELVE TO FOURTEEN DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION WAS COUNTED.

I RECEIVED E-MAILS ON THE SUBJECT. THE BASIC REPLY WAS, THAT IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE FOR. WUSKUSO IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THAT. EVERYBODY TELLS EVERYONE, SO EVERYONE KNEW.

MAYBE THEY GET IT AND I DON'T. IN THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 WUSKUSO WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE ELECTION RESULTS. IN THE CENTER A YELLOW PAPER WAS ADDED. IT TOLD ABOUT HOW TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN POST SEASON. IF THEY COULD DO THAT, THEN WHY COULDN"T A PAPER BEEN ADDED WITH THE ELECTION RESULTS IN THE WUSKUSO THE WEEK BEFORE. TRIBAL MEMBERS WOULD HAVE THEN GOT THE ELECTION RESULTS IN FIVE OR SIX DAYS.

THE WUSKUSO HAD A STAFF MEMBER THERE WHEN THE RESULTS WERE GIVEN ON AUGUST 31, 2008. WITH THE COVERAGE THAT WAS GIVEN, THE INFORMATION POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN ON MONDAY. THE STAFF MEMBER COULD HAVE HAD HER SUNDAY OFF. I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF THE WUSKUSO STAFF AND FEEL THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. .

I GUESS THE QUESTION STILL IS, WHAT HAPPENED?

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE LATEST WUSKUSO, DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 2008, IS THE BEST WUSKUSO I HAVE READ IN MANY YEARS. GREAT JOB WUSKUSO STAFF. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.

HEALTH CARE

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING OPEN SESSION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, AN INCREASE TO THE BUDGET FOR HEALTH CARE WAS ASKED FOR.

THE PEOPLE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH EXPLAINED HOW HEALTH COSTS HAD RISEN AND THAT THE TRIBE WAS USING MORE HEALTH SERVICES THEN EVER BEFORE. THE POPULATION IS GROWING OLDER REQUIRING MORE AND MORE HEALTH CARE.

THEY ASKED FOR I BELIEVE IT WAS 1.485 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,485,000.00.) THEY WERE ALSO MOVING $200,000.00 TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND FROM SOME OTHER PART OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM. SO THE TOTAL EXTRA NEEDED CAME TO I BELIEVE 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,7000,000.00.)

PHIL CAHILL, WHO WAS ALSO SITTING AT THE TABLE WHERE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GIVING THE PRESENTATION TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, WAS ASKED A QUESTION. THE QUESTION WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, WAS THERE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO DO THIS. HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THERE WAS. IN FACT I BELIEVE HE SAID THERE WAS ONE OR TWO MILLION STILL LEFT IN THE BUDGET. THE HEALTH CARE INCREASE WAS APPROVED.

I THOUGHT IF HEALTH CARE IS GOING UP, WHAT ABOUT THE EDUCATION FUNDING DEPARTMENT? I FIGURE IF MORE CHILDREN ARE COMING UP ALL THE TIME AND ARE ENTERING COLLEGE, THEN THERE HAS TO BE THE SAME POTENTIAL OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY. I ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE COST OF GOING TO COLLEGE EVERY YEAR HAD TO BE GOING UP LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. I ASKED AROUND AND CAME AWAY THINKING THAT THE MONEY PROBLEM EXISTS THERE TOO.

WITH ALL THESE INCREASES CAUSING COSTS TO RISE, IT IS NO WONDER THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO BRING FUNDS INTO THE GOVERNMENT.

MAYBE IT IS TIME THE GOVERNMENT THOUGHT ABOUT CUTTING ITS' BIGGEST UNDERTAKING THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH MOST TRIBAL MEMBERS DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD BUILD AT THIS TIME. DO WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER OR DO YOU WANT TO KEEP OUR PER CAPS, BENEFITS AND OTHER THINGS PROVIDED BY THE TRIBE?

PROJECT HORIZON MEETING

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT A DAY OR TWO AND LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED, TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. THAT IS THE CASE HERE.

WHEN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE STOPPING CONSTRUCTION ON THE EARTH TOWER (HOTEL), IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD DONE A VERY COURAGEOUS THING. IN MY OPINION, THE REALITY IS THAT THE INDENTURES OF THE PRESENT BOND HOLDERS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE MET. THE BOND HOLDERS THEN COULD HAVE COME FORWARD AND DEMANDED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS OWED. IN OTHER WORDS IF THE NEW HOTEL DID NOT DO AS GOOD AS IT NEEDED TO, THE BOND HOLDERS COULD HAVE ASKED TO BE PAID OFF. THERE IS NO WAY, IN MY OPINION THAT THE TRIBE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. YES, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY HAD ANY OTHER CHOICE. THE WAY I REMEMBER IT, EIGHT OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL VOTED TO BUILD THIS HOTEL. THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T WAS COUNCILOR HUTCHINS (WHO WAS NOT ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME).

ON REFLECTING ON THE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN AND THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS, I REALIZED TWO THINGS.

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

THE SECOND THING IS, I BELIEVE THE CHAIRMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS, WHEN HE CALLED US THE PRESS. THE WUSKUSO WAS THERE, TOO. SINCE HE CALLED US THE PRESS, WE THEREFORE MUST BE THE PRESS. SINCE THE WUSKUSO HAS PRESS PASSES, I FEEL THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE US (BROKENWING EDITIORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS), PRESS PASSES SO WE COULD DO OUR JOBS EVEN BETTER.

FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS, REFLECT ON WHAT WAS SAID AND THINK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CONDITION THAT WE ARE NOW IN. CONSIDER WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

PETITIONS

YEARS AGO A TRIBAL MEMBER BROUGHT AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. HE ALLEGED THAT THE MEMBERS INVOLVED, HAD IN THE DOING OF BUSINESS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, DONE UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

WHILE THIS ETHICS INVESTIGATION WAS GOING ON, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CREATED A NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE. I ASKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE. HE TOLD ME WHEN I WOULD GET IT, I SHOULD READ IT, AND THAT I WOULD LIKE IT. WELL, I GOT IT AND AFTER READING IT DECIDED I DID NOT LIKE IT. I WITH SOME HELP, WROTE A PETITION AND GOT TWO OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO I REALLY LOOK UP TO SPONSOR IT WITH ME. IN THE PETITION WE WANTED THE ETHICS ORDINANCE CANCELED. WE GOT 38 SIGNATURES AND TURNED IT IN TO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE.

THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS WORKED ON A NEW ETHICS ORDNANCE TO REPLACE THE ORDINANCE THAT THE PETITION WANTED CANCELED.

WHEN THE NEW ORDINANCE WAS COMPLETED ONE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SAID, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I THINK HE MAY HAVE MEANT, HE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER ORDINANCE WITH THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, EVER AGAIN.

THE BALLOTS WERE WRITTEN FOR A VOTE ON THE ISSUE. FIVE DAYS BEFORE IT HAD TO BE VOTED ON BY THE TRIBE, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RESCINDED THE ORDINANCE. AND PASSED THE NEW ORDINANCE. THE OTHER SPONSORS OF THE PETITION READ THE NEW ORDINANCE AND WERE OKAY WITH IT, SO WE NEVER PETITIONED AGAINST THE NEW ONE. AFTER RECENTLY LOOKING AT THE NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE, I THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE PETITIONED AGAINST IT TOO.

THAT IS HOW A PETITION ALMOST CHANGED HISTORY IN THIS TRIBE. IT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME, THAT THE PEOPLE IN THIS TRIBE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON WHETHER THEY WANTED A LAW CANCELED. IT NEVER HAPPENED BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PROCESS WORK. IT WAS GOOD TO GET RID OF IN MY OPINION A BAD ETHICS LAW.

THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIBE DO NOT WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER . THEY THINK THAT AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT A WISE BUSINESS DECISION TO DO IT. MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER PETITION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

CONNECTICUT SUN 2008

WHEN I WATCHED IN LAST FEW MINUTES OF THE FOURTH QUARTER ON MONDAY NIGHTS GAME OF THE CONNECTICUT SUN VS. THE NEW YORK LIBERTY, I SAID THE LIBERTY HAVE THEIR 3 BEST, 3 POINT SHOOTERS IN THERE. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THE SUN AWAY. THE LIBERTY SHOT A 3 POINTER AND ENDED UP WINNING THE GAME BY 4 POINTS. THE SUN WHO HAD KEPT JAMIE CAREY OUT THE ENTIRE GAME BROUGHT HER IN TO TRY A 3 POINTER, IT NEVER HAPPENED. AS I LEFT THE ARENA, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF. THIS WAS THE WAY IT HAD TO END.

THE SEASON HAD STARTED WITH MARGO DYDEK (7'2" CENTER) TAKING THE YEAR OFF BECAUSE OF BEING PREGNANT. SHE SIGNED ON AUGUST 27, 2008 WITH THE LOS ANGELES SPARK. KATIE DOUGLAS'S (FORWARD/GUARD) REQUEST TO BE TRADED TO THE INDIANA FEVER WAS GRANTED. SHE WAS OUR BEST 3-POINT SHOOTER IN 2007 AND OUR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, THE PERSON WE WENT TO WHEN THE SUN NEEDED A SCORE. NYKESHA SALES TOOK THE YEAR OFF. WE HAD TRADED AWAY TAJ MCWILLIAMS-FRANLIN WHO STABLIZED THE TEAM.

WE STARTED THE 2008 SEASON WITH ONLY THREE PLAYERS FROM THE 2007 SEASON. WE HAD LINDSAY WHALEN, JAMIE CAREY AND ASHA JONES. SO THE 2008 SEASON STARTED WITH A LOT OF ROOKIES AND AN UNPROVEN TEAM. SOMETIMES IT WORKED, SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T.

ON MONDAY NIGHT THE SUNS BARBARA TURNER SHOT 2 OF 11 FROM THE FLOOR. AMBER HOLT SHOT 1 FOR 5. COACH MIKE THIBAULT SAID, "OUR BENCH WAS 4 OF 22 FROM THE FLOOR. WHEN THE BALL GETS SWUNG OUT OF DOUBLE TEAMS AND YOU'RE WIDE OPEN, YOU HAVE TO MAKE (THE SHOT). AND WE DIDN'T."

THE OLD NEW YORK KNICKS TEAMS OF THE 1960'S TO 1970'S HAD STARS LIKE WILLIS REED, DAVE DEBUSSEHERE, WALT "CLYDE" FRAZIER , "DOLLAR" BILL BRADLEY, AND EARL "THE PEARL" MONROE. THESE MEN WERE DEADLY SHOOTING FROM THE OUTSIDE. ANYONE OF THEM COULD HURT THE OPPOSITION. IF THE CONNECTICUT SUN WANT TO PLAY THAT KIND OF GAME, THEN THEY NEED THE STARS THAT CAN DO IT. REMEMBER THEY TRADED AWAY KATIE DOUGLAS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY A PERIMETER GAME, THE BALL MUST FALL IN TO THE BASKET. IF THAT IS HAPPENING, THE BIG PEOPLE HAVE TO COME OUT TO DEFEND, AND THEN YOU CAN GET THE CLOSER JUMP SHOTS INSIDE. CONNECTICUT SHOT 12 OF 44.. 3-POINTERS, AND 73 OF 203 SHOTS FROM THE FLOOR. YOU USUALLY CAN NOT WIN WHEN YOUR SHOOTING 36.0% AND YOUR COMPETITION (NEW YORK LIBERTY) ARE SHOOTING 44.8%.

THIBAULT WHEN ASKED WHAT PIECES IT WOULD TAKE TO WIN THE TITLE SAID, "WE DON'T AT THE MOMENT." HE ALSO SAID, "WE NEED THE YOUNG PLAYERS TO GET BETTER. WE NEED SANDRINE TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP. BEYOND THAT, I DON'T KNOW. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY OTHER THINGS WE HAVE TO WORK ON." COACH THIBAULT SHOULD GET COACH OF THE YEAR, HE DESERVES IT.

IF NOTHING CHANGES, THE TEAM WILL START WITH POTENTIAL ALL STARS LINDSAY WHALEN AND ASHA JONES. THERE WILL BE JAMIE CAREY AND ERIN PHILLIPS WHO CAN RUN THE OFFENCE WHEN NEEDED. THERE IS A GOOD YOUNG NUCLEUS IN BARBARA TURNER, AND AMBER HOLT. ROOKIE SANDRINE GRUDA HAS POTENTIAL. ARKANSAS STAR LAUREN ERIN SHOULD BE HEALTHY FOR NEXT SEASON. NYKESHA SALES MAY BE BACK. TAMIKA WHITMORE SHOULD BE BACK.

AFTER WATCHING THE CONNECTICUT SUN FOR YEARS THE FANS DESERVE MORE THAN TWO EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WE DESERVE TO WIN IT ALL. WE DESERVE A WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP. GO SUN, GO

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

ANNUAL FAMILY HAYRIDE

COME JOIN US (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE), AT FORT SHANTOK FOR THE ANNUAL FAMILY HAYRIDE OCTOBER 25, 2008, BETWEEN 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.

THERE WILL BE A SPOOKY TENT FEATURING TRADITIONAL SCARY STORIES. A TRIBAL FAVORITE, THE HORSE DRAWN HAYRIDE WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE. THERE WILL BE HALLOWEEN CRAFTS, GAMES AND PINATAS. A NEW THING WILL BE LASER TAG ENCOUNTER. TWO FUN THINGS ARE THE PICK-A -PUMPKIN AND COSTUME CONTEST.

WE WILL HAVE A COOK-OUT LUNCH.

COME AND JOIN US FOR A FAMILY DAY OF FUN, AT THE ANNUAL FAMILY HAYRIDE, AT FORT .SHANTOK. SEE YOU THERE.

EARTH TOWER STOPPED

AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, IT WAS ANNOUNCED, THAT BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE COUNTRY THAT THE WORK ON THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL) WAS BEING SUSPENDED FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS.

DELAYED OR MAYBE GONE FOREVER ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) 39 FLOOR HOTEL , 2) 261 HOUSE OF BLUES THEMED ROOMS, 3) 658 OTHER HOTEL ROOMS, 4) 7,500 SQUARE- FOOT HOUSE OF BLUES FOUNDATION ROOM, 5) 40,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL SPACE, 6)250 SEAT HOUSE OF BLUES RESTAURANT, 7) 22,000 SQUARE FOOT SPA, AND 8) THE HOUSE OF BLUES MUSIC HALL.

ALSO STOPPED IS THE EXTENSION TO THE WINTER GARAGE PARKING LOT. THERE WILL BE SOME NEW WAY TO CONNECT THE WINTER PARKING GARAGE BACK TO THE EXISTING WINTER ENTRANCE. THE QUESTION OF TAKING OUT THE FOOD COURT BELOW THE ENTRANCE IN THE WINTER ENTRANCE OR LEAVING IT THERE . SHOULD AN ESTIMATED 260 SLOT MACHINES STILL BE PUT THERE AS PLANNED?

TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY, MITCHEL ETESS (THE MTGA PRESIDENT AND CEO) SAID, "THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW THOUGH OUT OUR WHOLE INDUSTRY. THE FACT IS THAT THIS WAS A HARD AND GOOD DECISION BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL." THE MGM MIRAGE IS DELAYING ITS OPENING IN ATLANTIC CITY. THE HILTON HOTEL HAS DELAYED ITS EXPANSION. THE PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. HAS PUT ITS PLANS TO BUILD ON THE OLD SANDS CASINO HOTEL SITE IN ATLANTIC CITY ON HOLD. MTGA IS PROBABLY DOING THE RIGHT THING BY NOT BUILDING THE HOTEL AT THE MOMENT.

THE ORIGINAL PROJECT OF THE HOTEL, HOUSE OF BLUES, STORES, RESTRAUNTS, AND CASINO OF THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED AT 925 MILLION DOLLARS. THE BREAK DOWN OF WHAT WAS SPENT AND GOING TO BE SPENT IS AS FOLLOW: 1) SUNRISE SQUARE 17.0 MILLION, 2) CASINO OF THE WIND 116.0 MILLION, 3) PROPERTY INFRASTRUCTURE 58.0 MILLION, 4) EARTH EXPANSION 75.0 MILLION AND 5) PARKING GARAGE 5.0 MILLION. ALL TOGETHER STOPPING THE PROJECT IS SUPPOSED TO LEAVE 734 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WILL NOT BE USED FROM THE CREDIT AVAILABLE TO MTGA.

LYNN MALERBA, VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SAID, "NONE OF THESE DECISIONS WERE MADE LIGHTLY. WE TRY TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE AS WE CAN BE TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON US." SHE SAID,"I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION AT THE RIGHT TIME."

DOES THAT LOGIC ALSO APPLY TO A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY BUILDING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT? MAYBE THAT SHOULD NOT BE BUILT EITHER? WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS MAYBE IT IS TIME TO GET OUT OF POCONO DOWNS?

IN 12 MONTHS THE MTGA WILL LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT WILL EXIST AT THAT TIME AND THEN DECIDE HOW TO PROCEED.

THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND PROJECT HORIZON

THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HELD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. THE MEETING WAS ABOUT STOPPING THE WORK ON THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL), THE SO-CALLED NORTH PROJECT.

SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE AROUND ME TRIBAL MEMBERS SAID, WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING? THE OVERWHELMING SENTIMENT WAS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE BUILING IT EITHER.

THE QUESTION ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING WAS ASKED OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. CHAIRMAN "TWO DOGS" BOSZUM RESPONDED, THAT IT WAS STILL GOING ON. SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE SAID, IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE TRIBE MONEY BUT TAKE AWAY FROM THE TRIBE. THE CHAIRMAN STATED THAT THE TRIBE NEEDED AND WANTED A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER AND IMPLIED
THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PROJECT HORIZON. CHAIRMAN BOZSUM TURNED THE QUESTION OVER TO PHIL CAHILL (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) WHO SAID WE HAD CONTRACTS FOR 64% OF THE WORK. AT THIS POINT, HE SAID WE WOULD END UP WITH A SHELL OF A BUILDING.

IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO PAY PENALTY'S FOR BREAKING CONTRACTS ON THE HOTEL, THEN WHY NOT THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, TOO? AT THIS POINT, I THINK THE MOHEGAN TRIBE DOES NOT WANT THIS BUILDING NOW OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE MEETING WAS QUICKLY ADJOURNED, SO THAT THE MEMBERSHIP COULD GO AND WATCH THE CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL GAME. THE PUTTING OF PROJECT HORIZON ON HOLD FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS AND IT'S RAMIFICATIONS, IS IN MY OPINION, A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THEN A BASKETBALL GAME.

THE MTGA SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE MEETING GOING UNTIL EVERY ONES CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.

THE BUILDING OF THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER AT AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF EIGHTY NINE (89) MILLION, MAY BE TOO MUCH DEBT FOR THE TRIBE TO SHOULDER. COULD BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING EFFECT PER CAPS OR SERVICES AND BENEFITS OF TRIBAL MEMBERS? AT THE MOMENT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT'S DEBT IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 102 MILLION DOLLARS. MAYBE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE WERE RIGHT, IT SHOULD NOT BE BUILT.

THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER THE TRIBES REQUEST NOT TO BUILD THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER. THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BELONGS TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE AND AS SUCH IT SHOULD BE OUR DECISION WHETHER IT IS BUILT OR NOT.

Monday, September 22, 2008

THREATENING THE MEDIA

I TAKE EXCEPTION TO WHAT CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS"BOZSUM SAID TO THE MOHEGAN MEMBERSHIP ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2008.

HE SAID THAT IF THE PRESS WAS GOING TO PRINT ANYTHING THAT EVENING, ABOUT WHAT THE MTGA WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT, THEN HE WANTED THE PRESS TO LEAVE. HE HAD NOT TOLD THE MEMBERSHIP WHAT THE MEETING WAS ABOUT. HE HAD AN EXCHANGE WITH THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS. HE CLAIMED THAT THE PRESS HAD SAID INACCURACIES. THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS TOLD THE CHAIRMAN THAT THERE WERE INACCURACIES AND OMISSIONS IN THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT'S WUSKUSO NEWSLETTER.

AFTER WHAT CHAIRMAN BOZSUM THREATENED, (THAT IF ANYTHING WAS PRINTED ON MONDAY NIGHT)_ THEN HE WOULD BRING A GOOD STANDING CASE AGAINST THAT PERSON. INSTEAD OF THREATS OF A GOOD STANDING CASE, HE SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO THE PRESS FIRST AND ASKED THEM NOT TO PRINT INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED. IT IS A MORE REASONABLE WAY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS THAN WHAT WAS DONE.

I TAKE EXCEPTION BECAUSE IF HE HAD A REASONABLE REASON FOR NOT WANTING SOMETHING PRINTED, THEN IN MOST CASES I WOULD GO ALONG WITH HIM. I WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING THAT WOULD VIOLATE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT THE MTGA WORK UNDER.

AWHILE BACK THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS AND MYSELF TOOK PICTURES OF THE INSIDE OF POCONO DOWNS NEW CASINO BEFORE IT WAS COMPLETED. BOBBY SOPER, JR., THE PRESIDENT OF POCONO DOWNS, ASKED US NOT TO RELEASE THE PICTURES UNTIL AFTER THE NEW CASINO OPENED. WE AGREED TO HIS REQUEST. WE HAVE NEVER RELEASED THE PICTURES ALTHOUGH AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE COULD IF WE WANTED TO.

THIS IS NOT A GOOD PRECEDENT FOR THE CHAIRMAN TO TAKE WITH THE PRESS. WE SHOULD TRY TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. AT NO TIME SHOULD ANYONE THREATEN THE PRESS. THE BASIC RIGHTS OF A FREE PRESS MUST AND WILL BE PRESERVED.

SEPTEMBER 21, 1938

YEARS AGO, WHEN THERE WERE NO COMPUTER MODELS OF THE WEATHER, AND NO TELEVISIONS, STORMS WOULD COME AND DO CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE WITH LITTLE WARNING.

ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1938 STARTED OUT LIKE ANY OTHER DAY ON MOHEGAN HILL. ON THE HILL WAS THE MOHEGAN CHURCH, THE FIELDING SHULTZ HOUSE, THE EDWIN FOWLER HOUSE, AND THE TANTAQUIDGEON HOUSE. THE CHILDREN DID THEIR CHORES AND HEADED OUT TO SCHOOL. THE OLDER CHILDREN TAKING A BUS TO THE UNCASVILLE SCHOOL AND THE SMALLER CHILDREN WALKING TO THE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE ON THE WEST SIDE OF PRESENT DAY ROUTE 32 AND BROADVIEW AVENUE.

IT WAS PROBABLY CLOUDY AND WINDY THAT DAY. ONE OF THE CHILDREN AT THE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO AND FETCH WATER FROM THE WELL IN A METAL BUCKET. ANOTHER CHILD PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IN FIREWOOD FOR THE WOOD BURNING STOVE LOCATED ON THE END OF THE BUILDING. THE OUT HOUSE WAS LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF THE SCHOOL HOUSE.

SOMETIME AROUND MID-DAY THE CHILDREN WERE LET OUT. THE CHILDREN AT THE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE (ON CORNER OF ROUTE 32 AND BROADVIEW) WALKED HOME IN THE STORM. THE CHILDREN FROM THE OTHER SCHOOL WENT HOME IN THE BUS WHICH TRAVELED SLOW BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WINDS. IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY SCARY TO THESE SMALL CHILDREN.

THE STORM CAME, A HURRICANE, THE HURRICANE OF 1938. THE MOHEGANS WHO LIVED ON CHURCH LANE (MOHEGAN HILL) SURVIVED THE HURRICANE. THEY HAD NO ELECTRICITY FOR WEEKS. THERE WAS A GREAT DEVASTATION IN NEW LONDON AND ELSEWHERE.

NOW YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1938 ON MOHEGAN HILL.

SPECIAL TRIBAL MEETING CALLED

IT WAS ANNOUNCED FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008, AT AROUND 3:30 P.M. (AN E-MAIL WAS SENT OUT) THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING,

THE MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM.

SPECULATION ABOUNDS AS TO WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. COULD IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH FINANCE? MAYBE IT IS ABOUT BONDS? WHO KNOWS? IN ANY EVENT IN MY OPINION, THIS IS NOT PROPER CONDUCT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT. TRIBAL MEMBERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT A MEETING IS ABOUT. THEY SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH ADVANCED NOTICE SO THAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE LOCAL AREA COULD COME AND PARTICIPATE.

WHY THE HASTE? WHAT GIVES? TO FIND OUT, BE THERE. COME AND SEE YOUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION.

SHANTOK ROAD OPENS

AFTER LESS THEN A WEEK, SHANTOK ROAD IS AGAIN OPEN. THE AREA IN QUESTION, IS WHERE THE ROUTE 2-A OVERPASS GOES OVER SHANTOK ROAD.

THE BEAMS, MADE TO HOLD UP THE EXTRA LANE THAT IS BEING BUILT, ARE NOW IN PLACE. THE NEXT STEP IS TO PUT THE ROAD BED DOWN.

SO YOU CAN NOW GO NORTH OR SOUTH ON SHANTOK ROAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF FORT SHANTOK. GO, ENJOY OUR HISTORIC AND SACRED GROUNDS.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

MORE POURING THURSDAY

AT THE NEW HOTEL (PROJECT HORIZON) BEING BUILT WITH SOME OF THE PILLARS OF CONCRETE COMPLETED AND ABOUT 2/3 OF THE CEMENT FLOOR DOWN, THE WORK CONTINUES.

ON THURSDAY THE FINAL SECTION OF THE FLOOR (FOUNDATION) WILL BE POURED. THEY ARE CONTINUING TO PUT DOWN THE RE BAR TO GET READY FOR THE POURING.

NOW IF YOU CHECK OUT THE CONSTRUCTION, YOU WILL SEE THEY NOW HAVE THREE CRANES UP. THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB TO GET AS MUCH DONE AS POSSIBLE BEFORE FROST SETS IN SOON.

IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, CHECK OUT THE CONSTRUCTION FROM THE WINTER GARAGE. IT IS AMAZING HOW MUCH WORK IS ACCOMPLISHED. THE BUILDING WILL BE AN AWESOME SITE WHEN COMPLETED

TRIBAL GOVERNMENT REPORT CARD PART II

GRADE-------------PROBLEM--------------SOLUTION------

F----POSSIBLE FLYING ROCK INVESTIGATION-------NO RESPONSE FROM TRIBAL COUNCIL

F------SECURITY CONCERNS AT FORT HILL------AFTER CHAIRMAN BOZSUM CAME TO FORT HILL NOTHING CHANGED

F---FAX/COPIER AT FORT HILL----NEVER RECEIVED FAX/COPIER YET

F-----MOHEGAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM-----NO CHANGE IN PROGRAM FUNDING CUTS

F------SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY------NO CHANGE , STILL NOT FIXED

C----==ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF MOHEGAN SUN----CUT BACK ON TRAVEL

A------TREES IN SHANTOK POND-------TREES REMOVED BY PUBLIC WORKS

F----MOHEGAN DANCERS ON ROOF TOP OF GARAGE---NEVER HAPPENED

F----TICKET PRICES SUGGESTION ADD $5.00 TO EACH TICKET----NO CHANGE

C===ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED---LAW SUIT BY KEN DAVISON

F----EVENT FOR PASSING OF CHIEF STURGIS---NOTHING PLANNED AS YET

F----WUSKUSO FREE PRESS---NO CHANGE IN WAY WUSKUSO RUN

F---=DEER HUNTING AT POWER STATION---HAVE NOT SEEN INCREASED SECURITY

D----ARCHAEOLOGY TECHNICALITY------TALKING ABOUT INCLUDING ALL PROPERTY IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

F---INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM---STILL NEEDED PROBABLY WILL BECOME APPARENT WITH THE KEN DAVISON LAW SUIT.

F---PICKING THE NEXT SACHEM---NOTHING BEING DONE AT PRESENT

F---EYES ON THE OUTSIDE-----NO REPLY FROM GOVERNMENT

F---ALLOWING TRIBAL MEMBERS TO RIDE ALONG WITH SECURITY--STILL CAN'T

F---MOHEGAN "EARTH DAY"-------NO COMMENT FROM GOVERNMENT

C--------TENANTS AT FORT HILL CAN'T LEAVE ADULTS IN APARTMENT ALONE--------HOUSING AUTHORITY WORKING ON ALLOWING VISITORS IN APARTMENTS ALONE

F---PARKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL-----NO COMMENT BY GOVERNMENT

Saturday, September 20, 2008

KOBYLUCK WILL WIN CHAMPIONSHIP

MATT KOBYLUCK, HAS FINISHED IN THE TOP TEN IN POINT STANDINGS, IN LAST TEN YEARS, IN NASCAR'S' CAMPING WORLD EAST SERIES (FORMERLY THE BUSCH EAST.)

KOBYLUCK FINISHED THIRD ON THE 1 MILE CONCRETE RACING OVAL (MONSTER MILE) AT DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. THE WINNER OF THE RACE (SUNOCO 150) WAS ARIC ALMIROLA. SECOND PLACE WENT TO MARC DAVIS.

MATT KOBYLUCK (38 YEAR OLD MOHEGAN DRIVER FROM UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT) DRIVES THE #40 MOHEGAN SUN CHEVROLET. WITH THE THIRD PLACE FINISH, MATT ONLY NEEDS TO START THE RACE AT STAFFORD MOTOR SPEEDWAY ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, TO OFFICIALLY CLINCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

AFTER YEARS OF CONSISTENT DRIVING, MATT WILL FINALLY REALIZE HIS GOAL. GREAT JOB MATT. MATT DID THE MOHEGANS PROUD. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.

Friday, September 19, 2008

PART II DAVISON GOES TO COURT

KEN DAVISON VOTED IN THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ELECTION THAT WAS COUNTED ON AUGUST 31, 2008. INSTEAD OF VOTING FOR FOUR CANDIDATES LIKE THE ELECTION LAW REQUIRED HIM TO DO, HE VOTED FOR THREE CANDIDATES. HE BELIEVED HIS BALLOT WAS LEGAL BY HIS INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.

DAVISON VOTED FOR THREE CANDIDATES AND NOT THE FOUR REQUIRED UNDER THE ELECTION ORDINANCE AS IT RELATES TO THE AUGUST 31st ELECTION. DAVISON FEELS THAT ORDINANCE VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION. "I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THE INTENT OF THE CONSTITUTION IS TO FORCE TRIBAL MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES THEY DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR BUT THE ELECTION CODE (ORDINANCE) MANDATES JUST THAT IN ITS CURRENT FORM," ACCORDING TO HIS COMPLAINT.

ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE GAVE DAVISON A FINAL RULING THAT SAID HIS BALLOT WAS NOT VALID, IN OTHER WORDS "SPOILED." HIS NEXT STEP, THE LETTER SAID, WAS TO GO TO COURT.

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008, MR. DAVISON ATTEMPTED TO PETITION THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT.) NO ONE WAS THERE TO ACCEPT THE PETITION. THE REASON MR. DAVISON WENT TO SUPREME COURT WAS BECAUSE HE FELT THAT 1) THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION, 2) HE WANTED A INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION 3) HE WANTED EITHER THE LAW CHANGED OR 4) AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION IF NEEDED. IT SEEMS TO ME, HE BELIEVES THAT THE LOWER COURTS CANNOT MAKE THE CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION THAT IS THE KEY TO THIS CASE.

THEN ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS REVIEWED THE FACTS AND ADVISED MR. DAVISON THAT THEY WOULD NOT HEAR THE CASE AT THIS TIME AND HE SHOULD TAKE THE MATTER TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT.

THAT AFTERNOON (MONDAY) DAVISON FILED THE NECESSARY PAPER WORK WITH THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.

THE NEXT DAY, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WERE ALL SERVED WITH A SUMMONS.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008, AROUND 3:30 P.M. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WAS SERVED.

ACCORDING TO COURT RULES, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE HAS I BELIEVE 30 DAYS TO RESPOND.

I WILL ENDEAVOR TO KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE PROGRESS OF THIS CASE.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

HOUSING AUTHORITY COMMISSIONER APPOINTED

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

IN ORDER TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE MOHEGAN HOUSING AUTHORITY, HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR LOUIS ZEIGLER BROUGHT FORTH THE NAME OF CHRIS FRIDAY TO FILL THE POSITION. HE HAD BEEN AN ALTERNATE ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. CONGRATULATIONS TRIBAL MEMBER FRIDAY.

THE TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTED EIGHT MEMBERS IN FAVOR. THERE WAS ONE ABSTENSION BY MARK BROWN.

HE REPLACES LAURENCE ROBERGE WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ON AUGUST 31, 2008.

THE POSITION WAS NOT POSTED. THE POLICY IS TO REPLACE THE COMMISSIONERS WHO LEAVE WITH ALTERNATES. THE ALTERNATE POSITION SHOULD BE POSTED SHORTLY.

MISSING KEY LOCKS ON PATIO DOORS

TWO RESIDENTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING, CAME TO ME THE OTHER NIGHT COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR PELLA PATIO DOOR LOCKS. I TOLD THEM I WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND REPORT MY FINDINGS TO MY READERS.

FIRST OFF THE RESIDENTS WERE RIGHT, ON THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES THE KEY CYLINDERS ARE MISSING. ONE RESIDENT SAID THAT HE ACTUALLY TOOK A SCREW DRIVER FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR, PLACED IT IN THE HOLE AND UNLOCKED THE DOOR. I DID NOT TRY IT BUT IT SEEMS POSSIBLE TO ME. THE DOORS NEED EITHER A KEY CYLINDER OR SOME KIND OF PLUG OR COVER.

ONE OF THE RESIDENTS SAID SHE HAD ASKED FOR A CHARLIE BAR (METAL BAR) PLACED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR JAMB TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM BEING OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE MOVING DOOR IS OUTSIDE, CHARLIE BARS WILL ONLY WORK WITH CONVENTIONAL DOORS WHICH ARE ON THE INSIDE WITH THE STAT PANEL (FIXED) DOOR TO THE OUTSIDE..

THESE DOORS ARE ABLE TO HAVE EITHER A GRILL ON THE GLASS OR CAN HAVE BLINDS. IF THAT IS TRUE WHY DIDN'T THE TRIBE HAVE THE BLINDS INSTEAD OF THE GRILLES? IT WOULD HAVE SAVED THE TRIBE A LOT OF MONEY ON BLINDS.

ANOTHER PROBLEM BROUGHT TO LIGHT WAS THAT BY THE OPERATING DOOR TO THE OUTSIDE, THE SCREEN IS ON THE INSIDE. IN OTHER WORDS ON A SUMMERS NIGHT WHEN YOU WANT TO CLOSE YOUR PATIO DOOR YOU HAVE TO OPEN THE SCREEN WITH BUGS ON IT AND CLOSE THE DOOR. THE BUGS ARE IN THE HOUSE.

EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT THINK ANYONE IS GOING TO CLIMB UP TO THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS ON THE OUTSIDE, THIS ANOTHER GOOD CASE OF HAVING CAMERAS MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING.

TENANTS HERE IS YOUR REPORT, I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.

DAVISON GOING TO COURT

TRIBAL MEMBER KEN DAVISON IS GOING TO TRIBAL COURT, TO OVERTURN THE EXISTING ELECTION ORDINANCE.

ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 KEN DAVISON CHALLENGED THAT HIS BALLOT WAS LEGAL AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE VOTE COUNT. THE ELECTION COMMITTEE RULED THAT HIS BALLOT WAS NOT VALID. HE FELT THAT THE ORDINANCE VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION AND WANTED A CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION OF THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. SINCE THE ELECTION COMMITTEE CAN NOT MAKE A CONSTITUTIONAL DECISION, THEY REFERRED THE MATTER TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT SYSTEM.

IN MY OPINION THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN MAKE DETERMINATIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS.

ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2008, MR. DAVISON ATTEMPTED TO PETITION THE MOHEGAN COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) TO HEAR THE CASE. NO ONE FROM THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS AVAILABLE TO ACCEPT THE PAPER WORK.

ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2008, MR. DAVISON WAS ABLE TO PETITION TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ON THE MATTER. THE REASON IN MY OPINION FOR HIM GOING DIRECTLY TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) IS BECAUSE HE WANTS A RULING ON THE LEGALITY OF THE ELECTION ORDINANCE AND AN INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND EITHER THE CONSTITUTION TO BE AMENDED IF NEED BE OR THE ORDINANCE CHANGED. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) DECLINED TO HEAR THE MATTER AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD MR. DAVISON TO TAKE THE MATTER TO TRIBAL COURT WHICH IS WHAT THE ORDINANCE STATES. THE ORDINANCE STATES THAT THE MATTER MUST GO BEFORE THE TRIBAL COURT WITHIN 7 DAYS.

MR. DAVISON THEN PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE CASE TO THE TRIBAL COURT.

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM (REPRESENTING THE MOHEGAN TRIBE), HELGA WOODS, ATTORNEY GENERAL (MOHEGAN LEGAL DEPARTMENT HEAD) AND PHIL CAHILL (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) WERE GOING TO BE SERVED ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2008.

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE TO BE SERVED LATER THIS WEEK.

BROKENWING EDITORIALS WILL INFORM OUR READERS AS THE CASE CONTINUES.

INDIAN AND COLONIAL RESEARCH CENTER

THE INDIAN AND COLONIAL RESEARCH CENTER, MAIN STREET, OLD MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT HAS NEW HOURS.

THE NEW HOURS ARE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. AT THE MOMENT THEY HAVE DISCONTINUED SATURDAY HOURS. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE OPENING ONE SATURDAY A MONTH IN THE FUTURE.

THE PLACE IS A GOOD PLACE TO GATHER RESEARCH MATERIALS. THEY HAVE INTERESTING BOOKS, NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS AND EVEN BOOKS ABOUT ANCESTRAL LINEAGE OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE.

THE RESEARCH CENTER IS IN AN OLD BRICK BANK BUILDING. CHECK IT OUT. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 1-860-536-9771.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

PHOTO: SPOT WHERE MASON STATUE REMOVED


MYSTIC FORT

AS YOU GO DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD GOING SOUTH IN MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT YOU COME UPON A LITTLE ROUND TRAFFIC CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. IT IS A FUNNY PLACE FOR A 15 FOOT ROUND CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ON TOP OF IT ARE TWO SIGNS DIRECTING TRAFFIC TO GO TO THE RIGHT FROM EACH DIRECTION. THERE IS FOLIAGE LIKE VINES ON THE GROUND WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE SOME KIND OF SMALL CEDAR TREE.

A NATIVE AMERICAN FORT STOOD ON THIS VERY EASILY CLIMBED FLAT HILL. UNLIKE OUR BELOVED FORT SHANTOK THAT WAS BUILT OF A VERY STEEP HILL AND NOT EASILY CLIMBED.

WE ARE TOLD THAT THIS IS WHERE THE PEQUOT MYSTIC FORT ONCE STOOD. ON THIS SPOT A MONUMENT (STATUE) OF MAJOR JOHN MASON WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1885. IN 1996 AT THE REQUEST OF THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS THE STATUE WAS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION IN WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT.

IN THE 1600"S ENGLISH SETTLERS RELOCATED FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY TO THE MOUTH OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER (OLD SAYBROOK) CALLING IT THE RIVER COLONY. THE RIVER COLONY WAS OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED ON MARCH 3, 1636.

DURING THIS TIME PERIOD THE MOHEGAN TRIBE (ON WEST SIDE OF THAMES RIVER) BECAME ALLIES OF THE PURITAN ENGLISH. THE PEQUOTS (ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE THAMES RIVER ALL THE WAY TO THE MYSTIC RIVER AREA) ALLIED THEMSELVES WITH THE DUTCH.

THE PEQUOT LAND WAS VALUABLE BECAUSE THE LAND HAD ACCESS TO THE SEA AND GOOD FISHING. IT WOULD ALSO HELP COMPLETE THE CONTROL BY THE PURITAN ENGLISH OF LAND ALONG THE COAST OF LONG ISLAND SOUND.

IN 1634, CAPTAIN JOHN STONE (PRIVATEER, TRADER, SMUGGLER, AND SLAVER) FROM VIRGINIA, KIDNAPPED NIANTIC WOMEN AND CHILDREN. HE AND HIS 7 MEN WERE ATTACKED BY THE NIANTICS AND KILLED.

IN 1635. JOHN OLDHAM, OF WATERFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, WAS KILLED BY A PARTY OF SO CALLED PEQUOTS OF BLOCK ISLAND.

ON APRIL 23, 1637, ABOUT 200 PEQUOT WARRIORS ATTACKED THE SMALL COLONY OF ABOUT 50 PEOPLE IN WETHERFIELD. SIX ENGLISH MEN, AND THREE ENGLISH WOMEN WERE KILLED. TWO ENGLISH GIRLS (THE OLDEST 16 YEARS) WERE CAPTURED. THE PEOPLES HOUSES WERE BURNED AND THEIR LIVESTOCK WERE DRIVEN OFF. OTHER ATTACKS BY THE PEQUOTS ARE RECORDED DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.

MAJOR JAMES MASON, LEADER OF THE PURITAN ENGLISH MILITIA , ALONG WITH SACHEM UNCAS AND THE MOHEGANS, ALONG WITH SACHEM MIANTONOMA AND HIS NARRAGANSETTS ATTACKED THE MYSTIC FORT IN 1637. AFTER SURROUNDING THE ROUND FORT, IT WAS BURNED AND THE PEQUOTS LIVING INSIDE (MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN) WERE KILLED. THIS WAS THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN MASSACRE IN AMERICA.

AFTER THE WAR, IT IS SAID A 1/3 OF THE CAPTIVES WENT TO THE NARRAGANSETTS, A 1/3 TO THE MOHEGANS AND THE FINAL 1/3 EITHER BECAME SLAVES LOCALLY OR WERE SOLD INTO SLAVERY IN BERMUDA.

SOME OF THE PEQUOTS EVENTUALLY GOT THEIR FREEDOM. THEY FIRST SETTLED IN THE AREA AROUND WHAT IS TODAY KNOWN AS PEQUOT PLANTATION JUST SOUTH ON NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT. THEY THEN MOVED TO NOYANK AND HAD A RESERVATION THERE. FROM THERE THEY MOVED TO THE PRESENT DAY MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT RESERVATION.

NOW WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN THIS RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND SEE THE ROUND ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE, YOU WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE WHERE THE MYSTIC FORT USED TO BE. WE SHOULD ALL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED THERE. NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD UNITE SO THAT NOTHING LIKE THIS OR ANY KIND OF ABUSE TO NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL EVER BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

SLOT REVENUES DOWN AGAIN

THE JULY, 2008, THE SLOTS REVENUES COMPARED TO JULY, 2007, FOXWOODS WAS DOWN ABOUT 3 % AND MOHEGAN SUN WAS DOWN ABOUT 14%.

LET US COMPARE THE TWO CASINOS SLOT MACHINE REVENUES FROM AUGUST, 2008 , TO AUGUST, 2007. FOXWOODS INCREASED 1.2%, $842,000.00 TO 72.8 MILLION DOLLARS . IN THE MOHEGAN SUN DECREASED 6 MILLION -7.2% TO 77.5 MILLION DOLLARS.

TOTAL OPERATING SLOT MACHINES WAS 8,259 FOR FOXWOODS, AND 6,143 FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN. AVERAGE DAILY WIN PER UNIT WAS FOR FOXWOODS $284.40 AND FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN $407.18.

THE HOLD (AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL WAGES) FOR FOXWOODS DROPPED FROM 8.53% IN AUGUST, 2007 TO 8.42% THIS YEAR. THE MOHEGAN SUN WENT FROM 8.91% IN 2007 TO 8.18% THIS YEAR.

DESPITE INCREASED COMPETITION, DWINDLING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, INCREASED ENERGY COST, MITCHELL ETESS, PRESIDENT OF THE MOHEGAN SUN SAID, "YOU KNOW IT WAS BETTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS MONTH."

THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, BARRY CREGAN SAID, "I AM PLEASED WITH OUR AUGUST PERFORMANCE OVERALL, ESPECIALLY IN THIS CHALLENGING ECONOMIC CYCLE." HE ATTRIBUTED PART OF THE INCREASE TO SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES AT THE MGM GRAND THEATER.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IS THAT THE CASINO OF THE WIND OPENED THE LAST WEEKEND IN AUGUST (LABOR DAY WEEKEND.) LAST YEAR LABOR DAY WEEKEND WAS IN SEPTEMBER. THAT MEANS THAT SEPTEMBER FIGURES MAY ALSO BE DOWN. IT WILL TAKE SOMETIME TO SEE HOW THE CASINO OF THE WIND IS GOING TO EFFECT OUR OVERALL RESULTS.

THE WAY I SEE IT, THE MOHEGAN SUN IS DOING BETTER THAN FOXWOODS. WE NEED TO BE SMARTER AND BETTER THAN THE COMPETITION. HOPEFULLY SEPTEMBER WILL BE BETTER.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Photos: New Guardshack Set Down In Place Of Old Guardshack




Photo: Replaced Guardshack Removed To New Location


NO PHOTOS AT THE WINTER GARAGE

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

BEFORE WE VISITED THE WINTER GARAGE, WE WERE GIVEN A HEADS UP THAT THEY WERE FIXING THE GARAGE SO NO PHOTOGRAPHS COULD BE TAKEN.

OFF WE GO TO THE GARAGE, AND YES THE BOTTOM FLOOR THEY HAVE CLOSED OFF THE WINDOW LIKE AREAS WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE PLYWOOD AND METAL STUDS. ON THE SECOND , THIRD AND FORTH FLOORS THAT HAVE PUT GALVANIZED PIPE IN THE OPENINGS ON THE EAST SIDE WHERE THE HOTEL WILL BE.

CURIOUS, WE ASKED WHAT WAS GOING ON. AN INFORMANT TOLD US THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PUT CHAIN LINK FENCE UP WITH SLATS GOING THROUGH THE CHAIN LINK. THIS WAS BEING DONE SO PEOPLE COULD NOT SEE THE CONSTRUCTION OR TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.

IF IT WAS BEING DONE TO PROTECT THE WORKERS, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE SITUATION. HOWEVER, IF IT IS TO KEEP TRIBAL MEMBERS FROM OBSERVING AND PHOTOGRAPHING THEIR OWN BUILDING, THEN I THINK THAT IS A PROBLEM. THE HOTEL IS BEING BUILT TO MAKE OUR (MOHEGAN TRIBE) PROPERTY MORE COMPETITIVE AND PROFITABLE.

IF MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO OBSERVE AND PHOTOGRAPH THE BUILDING OF THE HOTEL BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS PUTTING UP A FENCE WITH NO VIEW, THEN MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF ALTERNATIVE.

EVERY OTHER THURSDAY, THERE IS A BUS THAT TAKES TRIBAL MEMBERS TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING BEING BUILT. HOW ABOUT TAKING TRIBAL MEMBERS DOWN TO SEE THE HOTEL AT THE SAME TIME? MAYBE A SEPARATE BUS AT A DIFFERENT TIME AND DAY?

WHEN WE DID THIS STORY WE WATCHED A NEW GUARD SHACK BEING PUT IN PLACE AT THE ENTRANCE WHERE THE BUSES GO INTO THE BUS STATION (CORNER OF SANDY DESERT ROAD AND MOHEGAN SUN BOULEVARD.

THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS WENT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE OLD GUARD SHACK AND A SECURITY CAR PULLED UP. THE SECURITY PERSON SAID NO PICTURES THIS IS A CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE EDITOR SAID I AM TRIBAL. THE GUARD CALLED IN AND SAID IT WAS OKAY TO TAKE THE PICTURES.

I GUESS NO PHOTOS AT THE WINTER GARAGE.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: I RECEIVED SOME E-MAILS FROM READERS WHO THOUGHT THAT WE DO NOT WANT THE COMPETITION TO KNOW WHAT THE BUILDING LOOKS LIKE. THE CASINO IN OUR MEDIA PRESENTATIONS HAS SHOWN WHAT THE BUILDING WILL LOOK LIKE. FEATHER NEWS AND BROKENWING EDITORIALS HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF THE POCONO DOWNS NEW CASINO IN THE BUILDING STAGE (BEFORE IT WAS COMPLETED) AND HAVE NEVER PUBLISHED THEM. WE TRY TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CASINO

I VISITED THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO AT AN EARLY HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT. THE PARKING LOTS WERE FULL. A BUSY NIGHT FOR SURE.

THE RESTAURANTS WERE ABOUT HALF FULL. THE WAITRESSES AND WAITERS WERE PROVIDING THE EXCELLENT SERVICE THAT THE CASINO IS KNOWN FOR. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS. THE BUFFET WAS BUSY TOO.

THE CASINO WAS BUSTLING. IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 3/4 CAPACITY. A LOT OF PEOPLE GAMBLING A LOT OF MONEY. PEOPLE WERE HAVING A GOOD TIME. THE NEW CASINO OF THE WIND WAS BUSY. THE POKER ROOM WAS FULL, WITH EVERY TABLE BEING USED. THE TWENTY FIVE DOLLAR BLACK JACK TABLES WERE FULL. THE HIGH ROLLER AREAS WERE PRETTY MUCH EMPTY.

WE TALKED TO SEVERAL INSIDERS AND WERE TOLD THAT IT REALLY WAS NOT THAT BUSY, BUT THEY EXPECTED IT TO BE BUSY LATER.

THE INSIDERS TOLD US THAT LAST WEEKEND (LABOR DAY WEEKEND) THAT THE CASINO DID VERY WELL. THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

I BELIEVE THE RESULTS FOR GAMING AT THE CASINO FOR AUGUST WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW. SOME PEOPLE THINK THE RESULTS WILL BE DISAPPOINTING. HOPEFULLY THE RESULTS WILL BE GOOD.

TRIBAL MEMBERS CHECK OUT YOUR CASINO. GO DURING THE WEEK AND AT NIGHT ON THE WEEKENDS, ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS.

COUNCIL OF ELDER PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GAMING CONVENTION

IT WAS REPORTED TO BROKENWING EDITORIALS, THAT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEMBER WHO HAD PLANNED TO GO TO A GAMING CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, HAS SAID HE PROBABLY WILL NOT GO.

HE SUPOSSSEDLY SAID, THAT HE DID NOT THINK ANYONE WOULD BE GOING ANYWHERE, ANYTIME SOON, THE WAY THINGS ARE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT, HE SUPPOSEDLY AGREED THAT WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE THAT TRIBAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PROBABLY NEED TO BE MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

HE SUPPOSEDLY STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE ECONOMY TURNING AROUND UNTIL EARLY NEXT SPRING.

I BELIEVE WHAT THIS COUNCIL OF ELDER IS DOING IS A VERY GOOD THING. HE IS PUTTING THE TRIBE FIRST. HE IS CONCERNED FOR THE TRIBE AND OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. AGAIN GOOD JOB COUNCILOR.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

NEW GOVERNMENT BUILDING

THE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE NEW GOVERNMENT BUILDING OVERLOOKING OVER ROUTE 2-A AND THE THAMES RIVER.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CONSTRUCTION, COME NEXT THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 AT 3:00 P.M. THE BUS PICKS UP AT THE EAST ENTRANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING (THE ENTRANCE OPPOSITE THE MAIN LOBBY.)

SEE YOU THERE.

Friday, September 12, 2008

CONNECTICUT SUN BEAT BY THE SILVER STARS

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008

THE FINAL SCORE THE SILVER STARS 78 THE CONNECTICUT SUN 74.

LINDSAY WHALEN SAT OUT THE GAME WITH A SPRAINED ANKLE. ASHA JONES HAD 18 POINTS AND TAMIKA WHITEMORE HAD 12 POINTS. ERIN PHILLIPS SCORED A SEASON HIGH 11 POINTS AND JAMIE CAREY SCORED 10 POINTS. IT WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR THE POWERFUL SILVER STARS . SILVER STARS PLAYERS, SOPHIA YOUNG HAD 24 POINTS , WHILE BECKY HAMMON AND ANN WAUTERS EACH HAD 17 POINTS.

THIS IS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE LOSS FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN. THEY PLAY THE LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME , THIS SATURDAY AT 4:00 P.M. AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA AGAINST THE MYSTICS.

THE SUN NEEDS TO TURN IT AROUND. IT WILL NOT BE GOOD TO GO INTO POST SEASON WITH A LOOSING STREAK. GO SUN. FOR THE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE CHECK OUT THE FEATHER NEWS.

Photo: Parking Lot Re-Painted


RIVER VIEW GARAGE AND SEASONS BUFFET

THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE RIVER VIEW GARAGE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN HAS NOW REOPENED. IT HAD BEEN CLOSED TO RELINE THE PARKING SPACES. THEY WENT FROM WHITE TO YELLOW. TRIBAL MEMBERS WITH SCHLAGES CAN NOW PARK IN TRIBAL PARKING.

THE SEASONS BUFFET IN THE MOHEGAN SUN, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RENOVATIONS WILL REOPEN TODAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 IN THE AFTERNOON.

THROWS HIS HATCHET AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE

ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2008, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE HELD A MEETING OF ALLEGED ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS BROUGHT BY PLAINTIFF TOM EPPS "THROWS HIS HATCHET."

THE FIRST PART OF HIS CASE WHICH WAS ABOUT BEING FORCED TO VOTE FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE, WAS NOT HEARD. THE ELECTION COMMITTEE STATED IT WAS A CONSTITUTIONAL MATTER AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ACT ON IT. THE COMMITTEE SAID THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A LETTER ABOUT THEIR DECISION.

THE SECOND MATTER WAS HEARD. THE SECOND PART INVOLVED THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING BEING CLOSED AT 12:00 P,M, (NOON) ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008. IT SAID IN THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE BALLOT EITHER HAD TO BE RECEIVED BY MAIL BY 4:30 P.M. ON THAT FRIDAY OR BE HAND DELIVERED TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING BY 4:30 P.M.

TOM EPPS SPOKE ELEGANTLY AND WITH PASSION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HE SAID WHAT IF A PERSON CAME FROM CAPE COD, ETC.? HE SAID PEOPLES' BALLOTS WERE DENIED. A MEMBER OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ASKED HOW MANY PEOPLE DID HE KNOW OF THAT DID NOT GET TO PUT IN THEIR BALLOTS. HE DID NOT KNOW OF ANY.

I BELIEVE AFTER READING THE ELECTION ORDINANCE, THAT EACH MEMBER WHO WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX ON FRIDAY, WOULD EACH HAVE HAD TO FILE A COMPLAINT. EVEN THOUGH TOM HAD BEEN DENIED ACCESS, FOR THE ELECTION RESULTS TO CHANGE, THERE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN AT LEAST FIVE MORE VOTERS FILING THE SAME KIND OF COMPLAINT TO HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING. MY READING OF THE ORDINANCE IS THAT EACH PERSON WOULD HAVE HAD TO FILE WITHIN FIVE DAYS, WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN.

MY OBSERVATION, (I AM NOT A LAWYER) IS THAT ALTHOUGH WRONGED I DO NOT THINK THAT LEGALLY THE ELECTION COMMITTEE CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, EXCEPT MAYBE SEND A LETTER FORWARD SO THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RIGHTS, AND THAT WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY. IN MY OPINION I THINK IT IS AN ETHICS VIOLATION. MAYBE IF TOM EPPS WANTS TO, HE COULD PURSUE THE MATTER WITH THE ETHICS OFFICE.

THE SITUATION OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING BEING CLOSED OR MEMBERS BEING DENIED ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX IS A VIOLATION OF ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS CIVIL RIGHTS. IF YOU DO SOMETHING TO ONE PERSON, ARE THEY NOT DOING IT TO ALL OF US?