THE MOHEGAN SUN AND FOXWOODS CASINOS ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. IN OCTOBER, THE MOHEGAN SUN WAS DOWN 9.1% ON SLOT REVENUE COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE. FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO WAS DOWN 7.4% ON SLOTS FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. THE REALITY IS NEITHER OF THE TWO CASINOS' MANAGEMENT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
MITCHELL ETESS, PRESIDENT, MOHEGAN SUN SAID, " WE, JUST LIKE EVERY RETAILER, ARE AWAITING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH BATED BREATH. WE'RE EAGER TO SEE WHAT KIND OF CROWDS COME OUT."
MOHEGAN SUN CASINO IS RUNNING A SEASONAL CAMPAIGN CALLED,"WORLD OF HOLIDAY MARVELS." NEXT WEDNESDAY, WE ARE TOLD THERE WILL BE "WILD WINTER WEDNESDAY" ON THE ROOFTOP OF THE THAMES GARAGE. THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS, A TOY DRIVE, TREE LIGHTING, MUSIC AND TREATS.
FOXWOODS IS TRYING TO TARGET YOUNGER AND MORE UPSCALE CUSTOMERS. FOXWOODS WHICH HAS MOSTLY 35 TO 65 OLD CUSTOMERS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AND A YOUNGER CROWD ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO BRING MORE ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT TO FOXWOODS (INCREASE BUSINESS). FOXWOODS IS OFFERING A $99.00 HOTEL ROOM SPECIAL.
IN AN EFFORT TO DRAW LARGER CROWDS, BOTH CASINOS, THE MOHEGAN SUN AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, ARE BRINGING IN SUPER STARS TO THEIR VENUSES.
MITCHELL ETESS SAID, "WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS PEOPLE ARE COMING, BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE SPENDING LESS AND BEING MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY SPEND ON. THERE'S THIS 'STAYCATION' KIND OF THING GOING ON, WHERE PEOPLE MAY BE STAYING HOME AS OPPOSED TO TRAVELING. THAT COULD BE GOOD FOR US, BECAUSE IF ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND HERE STAY HOME, WE'RE HERE."
HOPEFULLY, THE MOHEGAN SUN AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO CAN TURN IT AROUND. THE REALITY IS THE WUSKUSO COMPARING WHAT THE MOHEGAN SUN IS DOING TO OTHER CASINOS, STILL DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A VERY TROUBLESOME SITUATION FOR US (MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS). . IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE OTHER CASINOS AND GAMING ENTERPRISES ARE DOING, WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT THE MOHEGAN SUN IS DOING. LOSING 9.1% OF YOUR SLOT BUSINESS FROM THE YEAR BEFORE IS CLOSING IN ON DOOMS DAY.
HOW LONG CAN THE CASINO CONTINUE ON THIS COURSE? HOW LONG BEFORE DISASTER? HOW IS THIS GOING TO EFFECT THE $330 MILLION THE CASINO HAS TO PAY ON BONDS IN 2009? SHOULD WE BE BUILDING A GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER IN THIS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT OUR CREDIT RATING WHICH WAS LOWERED BY MOODY'S JUST THE OTHER DAY? ARE CUTS COMING SOON? HOW LONG CAN THE CASINO WEATHER THIS STORM? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: MORE SMOKE AND MIRRORS, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT OTHER CASINOS ARE DOING, IT ONLY MATTERS TO MOHEGANS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE MOHEGAN SUN AND THE MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS. .
EVEN THOUGH BLACK FRIDAY SEEMED TO CREATE A GREAT DEAL OF BUSINESS FOR RETAILERS LOCALLY, IT MAY NOT CONTINUE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON. THE ECONOMIC FORECAST IS STILL FOR A VERY UNPROFITABLE (SLOW) HOLIDAY SEASON.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
MAN STABBED AT FOXWOODS
THE ACCUSED (CHEN) IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008, AT ABOUT 2:30 P. M., ALLEGEDLY A NEW YORK CITY MAN STABBED ANOTHER MAN IN THE BINGO BUS BAYS AT FOXWOOD RESORTS CASINO. THE ARGUMENT THAT LEAD TO THE ASSAULT WAS OVER TWO DOLLARS ($2.00). BOTH MEN WERE STOPPED BY SECURITY. THE VICTIM WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM WILLIAM W. BACKUS HOSPITAL.
FEN O. CHEN, 46, 120 MADISON, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, WAS ARRESTED BY CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE AND CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT AND BREACH OF PEACE.
CHEN WAS HELD ON $5,000.00 BOND, PENDING AN APPEARANCE IN NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT.
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008, AT ABOUT 2:30 P. M., ALLEGEDLY A NEW YORK CITY MAN STABBED ANOTHER MAN IN THE BINGO BUS BAYS AT FOXWOOD RESORTS CASINO. THE ARGUMENT THAT LEAD TO THE ASSAULT WAS OVER TWO DOLLARS ($2.00). BOTH MEN WERE STOPPED BY SECURITY. THE VICTIM WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM WILLIAM W. BACKUS HOSPITAL.
FEN O. CHEN, 46, 120 MADISON, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, WAS ARRESTED BY CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE AND CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT AND BREACH OF PEACE.
CHEN WAS HELD ON $5,000.00 BOND, PENDING AN APPEARANCE IN NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
MGM GRAND THEATER
LAST NIGHT A MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBER INVITED ME TO GO WITH HER TO SEE STEELY DAN AT THE MGM GRAND THEATER.
YOUR TICKETS ARE CHECKED, IN ROPED OFF LINES. THE USHERS CHECK YOUR TICKET WITH A SCANNER AND OFF YOU GO THROUGH THE COPPER COLORED DOORS INTO THE GREAT ENTRANCE WAY OF THE THEATER. THERE WAS NO PAT DOWNS (ELECTRONIC CHECKING) LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ENTER THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA.
THE WALLPAPER ON THE WALLS IS A GREY BEIGE AND WHITE HORIZONTAL STRIPES. THE RUGS ARE A RED ORANGE AND STREAK THEME. WE TOOK THE ESCALATOR TO THE RIGHT UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR. ON THE RIDE UP ARE GLASS BALLS OF GOLD AND WHITE OF DIFFERENT SIZES THAT HANG FROM THE CEILINGS. ON THE WALLS THERE ARE THE SAME BALLS MOUNTED IN FRONT OF THE WHITE RECTANGULAR WALL LIGHT FIXTURES.. WHEN WE REACHED THE SECOND FLOOR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US WERE ROPED OFF LINES TO THE REFRESHMENT COUNTER. TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AT SOME DISTANCE AWAY WERE TWO BARS. ON THE OUTER ENDS OF THE SECOND FLOOR ARE THE REST ROOMS. THE WALLS ON THE EXTREMITIES ARE PAINTED A PALE YELLOW.
A USHER CHECKED OUR TICKET AND TOLD US WHAT HALLWAY TO GO DOWN TO GET TO OUR SEATS. WE WERE ON THE UPPER LEVEL. THE SEATS WERE RED, PLUSH AND QUITE COMFORTABLE. THERE IS NOT MUCH ROOM BETWEEN ONE ROW OF SEATS AND THE SEATS IN ROWS IN FRONT, SO GETTING IN AND OUT OF YOUR ROW AND WALKING PAST SITTING PATRONS IS QUITED DIFFICULT.
THE STAGE WAS A DARK NAVY BLUE COLOR. IN FRONT OF THE STAGE WERE A FEW FRONT ROW ON THE BOTTOM SECTIONS WERE BLACK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FOR HIGH ROLLERS AND TRIBAL MEMBERS. THE VIEW OF THE STAGE FROM THE UPPER LEVELS WERE EXCELLENT. THE SOUND SYSTEM WAS TERRIFIC. THE LIGHTING ON THE STAGE WAS FANTASTIC.
THE AUDIENCE WAS MOSTLY PEOPLE IN THERE FORTIES TO SIXTIES. STEELY DAN IS A BAND FROM THE SIXTIES. EVERYONE OF THE BAND'S MEMBERS IS A PERFECTIONIST, THEY ARE THE VERY BEST AT WHAT THEY DO. THEY COULD WORK ANYWHERE. THE MUSIC WAS CRISP, CLEAR, AND VIBRANT. THE ONLY COMPLAINT WAS THAT IT WAS HARD SOMETIMES TO HEAR THE LEAD SINGER PLAYING THE LYRICS. ONE TICKET HOLDER SAID HE HAD HEARD STEELY DAN IN BOSTON AND THAT IT WAS MUCH BETTER THERE. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH BETTER IT COULD BE, LIKE I SAID I THINK IT WAS TERRIFIC AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME AGREED.
THEY SAY THE THEATER HOLDS SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO LEAVE AFTER THE SHOW, THE CROWDS ARE TIGHT TRYING TO GET OUT. EVEN WITH EVERYONE USING THE ELEVATOR, THE ESCALATOR, AND THE STAIRS, IT WAS STILL VERY SLOW GETTING OUT.
TWO OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING: 1) IF DURING THE PERFORMANCE YOU NEED TO SMOKE, THE USHERS STAMP YOUR TICKET AND YOU CAN GO OUT INTO THE CASINO AND SMOKE AND 2) THE THEATER PUMPS THE MUSIC FROM THE SHOW, IN THE THEATER, IN TO THE CASINO WHILE THE THEATER PERFORMANCE IS GOING ON. THE SYSTEM OF STAMPING THE TICKET MIGHT BE WORKABLE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA (WHERE INSTEAD THE ARENA STAFF HAVE YOU GO TROUGH A SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE IN TO A PARKING LOT AREA TO SMOKE).
THERE ARE MANY THINGS AT THE MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS. THAT REMIND ME OF LAS VEGAS. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO TIP YOUR HAT TO MGM GRAND, FOR BUILDING A FIRST CLASS THEATER EXPERIENCE AND A FIRST CLASS OPERATION. WELL DONE. IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.
YOUR TICKETS ARE CHECKED, IN ROPED OFF LINES. THE USHERS CHECK YOUR TICKET WITH A SCANNER AND OFF YOU GO THROUGH THE COPPER COLORED DOORS INTO THE GREAT ENTRANCE WAY OF THE THEATER. THERE WAS NO PAT DOWNS (ELECTRONIC CHECKING) LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ENTER THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA.
THE WALLPAPER ON THE WALLS IS A GREY BEIGE AND WHITE HORIZONTAL STRIPES. THE RUGS ARE A RED ORANGE AND STREAK THEME. WE TOOK THE ESCALATOR TO THE RIGHT UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR. ON THE RIDE UP ARE GLASS BALLS OF GOLD AND WHITE OF DIFFERENT SIZES THAT HANG FROM THE CEILINGS. ON THE WALLS THERE ARE THE SAME BALLS MOUNTED IN FRONT OF THE WHITE RECTANGULAR WALL LIGHT FIXTURES.. WHEN WE REACHED THE SECOND FLOOR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US WERE ROPED OFF LINES TO THE REFRESHMENT COUNTER. TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AT SOME DISTANCE AWAY WERE TWO BARS. ON THE OUTER ENDS OF THE SECOND FLOOR ARE THE REST ROOMS. THE WALLS ON THE EXTREMITIES ARE PAINTED A PALE YELLOW.
A USHER CHECKED OUR TICKET AND TOLD US WHAT HALLWAY TO GO DOWN TO GET TO OUR SEATS. WE WERE ON THE UPPER LEVEL. THE SEATS WERE RED, PLUSH AND QUITE COMFORTABLE. THERE IS NOT MUCH ROOM BETWEEN ONE ROW OF SEATS AND THE SEATS IN ROWS IN FRONT, SO GETTING IN AND OUT OF YOUR ROW AND WALKING PAST SITTING PATRONS IS QUITED DIFFICULT.
THE STAGE WAS A DARK NAVY BLUE COLOR. IN FRONT OF THE STAGE WERE A FEW FRONT ROW ON THE BOTTOM SECTIONS WERE BLACK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FOR HIGH ROLLERS AND TRIBAL MEMBERS. THE VIEW OF THE STAGE FROM THE UPPER LEVELS WERE EXCELLENT. THE SOUND SYSTEM WAS TERRIFIC. THE LIGHTING ON THE STAGE WAS FANTASTIC.
THE AUDIENCE WAS MOSTLY PEOPLE IN THERE FORTIES TO SIXTIES. STEELY DAN IS A BAND FROM THE SIXTIES. EVERYONE OF THE BAND'S MEMBERS IS A PERFECTIONIST, THEY ARE THE VERY BEST AT WHAT THEY DO. THEY COULD WORK ANYWHERE. THE MUSIC WAS CRISP, CLEAR, AND VIBRANT. THE ONLY COMPLAINT WAS THAT IT WAS HARD SOMETIMES TO HEAR THE LEAD SINGER PLAYING THE LYRICS. ONE TICKET HOLDER SAID HE HAD HEARD STEELY DAN IN BOSTON AND THAT IT WAS MUCH BETTER THERE. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH BETTER IT COULD BE, LIKE I SAID I THINK IT WAS TERRIFIC AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME AGREED.
THEY SAY THE THEATER HOLDS SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO LEAVE AFTER THE SHOW, THE CROWDS ARE TIGHT TRYING TO GET OUT. EVEN WITH EVERYONE USING THE ELEVATOR, THE ESCALATOR, AND THE STAIRS, IT WAS STILL VERY SLOW GETTING OUT.
TWO OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING: 1) IF DURING THE PERFORMANCE YOU NEED TO SMOKE, THE USHERS STAMP YOUR TICKET AND YOU CAN GO OUT INTO THE CASINO AND SMOKE AND 2) THE THEATER PUMPS THE MUSIC FROM THE SHOW, IN THE THEATER, IN TO THE CASINO WHILE THE THEATER PERFORMANCE IS GOING ON. THE SYSTEM OF STAMPING THE TICKET MIGHT BE WORKABLE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA (WHERE INSTEAD THE ARENA STAFF HAVE YOU GO TROUGH A SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE IN TO A PARKING LOT AREA TO SMOKE).
THERE ARE MANY THINGS AT THE MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS. THAT REMIND ME OF LAS VEGAS. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO TIP YOUR HAT TO MGM GRAND, FOR BUILDING A FIRST CLASS THEATER EXPERIENCE AND A FIRST CLASS OPERATION. WELL DONE. IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE APPROVES DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN
ON MONDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 24, 2008, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE PASSED A BUDGET DEFICIT PLAN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2009.
THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT PLAN OF TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ($288,000,000.00) WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY PASSED. AT 9:00 P.M., IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE (141) IN FAVOR AND ONE (1) AGAINST. ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER, IN THE SENATE VOTED THIRTY FOUR (34) IN FAVOR AND ZERO (0) AGAINST.
REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD MOUKAWSHER, D. GROTON SAID,"WELL, THERE'S GONG TO BE PAIN LATER. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF, WE HAVE TO REALLY DO SOME SERIOUS BUDGETARY SOUL SEARCHING. WE HAVE ENORMOUS UNFUNDED LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS. WE'RE NOT EVEN ADDRESSING THOSE."
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG MINER, R. LITCHFIELD, WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET DEFICIT PACKAGE SAID, "I'M NOT SURE THAT WE REALLY DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN PUT THIS QUESTION OFF TO ANOTHER DAY."
WITH A PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT, NOW BEING ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN $300 MILLION TO $600 MILLION, MORE CUTS AND OTHER CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED BEFORE JUNE 30, 2009, ON THE FISCAL 2009 BUDGET. THEN THERE IS NEXT YEAR 2010 WITH A POSSIBLE 2.6 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT TO CONTEND WITH. NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBLE 2010 BUDGET DEFICIT OF 3.3 BILLION DOLLARS (3,300,000'000.00). IS MORE PAIN COMING TO CONNECTICUT ? WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO CONNECTICUT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: NEW YORK HAS AN ESTIMATED BUDGET DEFICIT OF TWO BILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000,000.00). RHODE ISLAND IS TRYING TO CLOSE A $372 MILLION ($372,000,000.00) DEFICIT.
THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT PLAN OF TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ($288,000,000.00) WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY PASSED. AT 9:00 P.M., IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE (141) IN FAVOR AND ONE (1) AGAINST. ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER, IN THE SENATE VOTED THIRTY FOUR (34) IN FAVOR AND ZERO (0) AGAINST.
REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD MOUKAWSHER, D. GROTON SAID,"WELL, THERE'S GONG TO BE PAIN LATER. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF, WE HAVE TO REALLY DO SOME SERIOUS BUDGETARY SOUL SEARCHING. WE HAVE ENORMOUS UNFUNDED LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS. WE'RE NOT EVEN ADDRESSING THOSE."
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG MINER, R. LITCHFIELD, WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET DEFICIT PACKAGE SAID, "I'M NOT SURE THAT WE REALLY DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN PUT THIS QUESTION OFF TO ANOTHER DAY."
WITH A PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT, NOW BEING ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN $300 MILLION TO $600 MILLION, MORE CUTS AND OTHER CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED BEFORE JUNE 30, 2009, ON THE FISCAL 2009 BUDGET. THEN THERE IS NEXT YEAR 2010 WITH A POSSIBLE 2.6 BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT TO CONTEND WITH. NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBLE 2010 BUDGET DEFICIT OF 3.3 BILLION DOLLARS (3,300,000'000.00). IS MORE PAIN COMING TO CONNECTICUT ? WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO CONNECTICUT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: NEW YORK HAS AN ESTIMATED BUDGET DEFICIT OF TWO BILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000,000.00). RHODE ISLAND IS TRYING TO CLOSE A $372 MILLION ($372,000,000.00) DEFICIT.
THE FANNY PACK
MOHEGAN SUN, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2008. SOMEONE FOUND IN THE MEN'S ROOM AT THE MOHEGAN SUN A FANNY PACK. THEY DID THE RIGHT THING AND TURNED IT IN TO SECURITY.
POLICE SAID THAT IN THE FANNY PACK, ALLEGEDLY WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA AND SOME FORM OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. IN THE FANNY PACK WAS ALSO IDENTIFICATION BELONGING TO AN IRA ROSENDOFR.
IRA ROSENDORF, 47, OF PARK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, WENT TO RETRIEVE HIS FANNY PACK. HE WAS ARRESTED BY POLICE WHO ALLEGEDLY FOUND A MARIJUANA CIGARETTE, AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ON HIM.
HE ALLEGEDLY WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LESS THAN FOUR OUNCES OF MARIJUANA , ROSENDORF POSTED A $500.00 BOND. HE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR DECEMBER 11, 2008, IN NORWICH SUPERIOR COURT. HE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
POLICE SAID THAT IN THE FANNY PACK, ALLEGEDLY WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA AND SOME FORM OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. IN THE FANNY PACK WAS ALSO IDENTIFICATION BELONGING TO AN IRA ROSENDOFR.
IRA ROSENDORF, 47, OF PARK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, WENT TO RETRIEVE HIS FANNY PACK. HE WAS ARRESTED BY POLICE WHO ALLEGEDLY FOUND A MARIJUANA CIGARETTE, AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ON HIM.
HE ALLEGEDLY WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF LESS THAN FOUR OUNCES OF MARIJUANA , ROSENDORF POSTED A $500.00 BOND. HE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR DECEMBER 11, 2008, IN NORWICH SUPERIOR COURT. HE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY CREDIT RATING
ABOUT A MONTH AGO, STANDARD AND POORS (CREDIT RATING SERVICE) LOWERED THE MOHEGAN SUN (MTGA, MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY) CREDIT RATING FROM BB TO BBB-.
ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2008, MOODY'S INVESTOR'S SERVICE ( A WALL STREET CREDIT RATING COMPANY) DOWN GRADED MOHEGAN SUN CASINOS (MTGA) TO A B-1 RATING. A B-I RATING IS DEFINED AS LACKING CHARACTERISTICS OF A DESIRABLE INVESTMENT. MOODY'S USES A DEBT TO EARNINGS POTENTIAL TO FIGURE A COMPANY'S CREDIT RATINGS.
MOODY'S STATED THAT NEGATIVE GAMING TRENDS IN CONNECTICUT AND SIGNIFICANT DIVIDENDS PAID TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WILL HAMPER THE COMPANY FROM LOWERING THE DEBT TO EARNINGS RATION IN THE NEAR TERM. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN, THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO WANTS TO BORROW MONEY IN THE FUTURE, THAT THE INTEREST RATES WILL BE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.
THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS CREDIT RATING WAS ALSO LOWERED BY MOODY'S. MOODY'S REPORTLY STATED A "WEAKNESS IN GAMING TRENDS IN CONNECTICUT AND THE NORTHEAST WILL HAMPER THE COMPANY FROM LOWERING ITS DEBT TO EARNINGS RATIO OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO A LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO ITS FORMER INVESTMENT GRADE RATING."
THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO IN 2009, MUST PAY OFF BONDS, ESTIMATED AT THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS ($330,000,000.00). THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE THESE BONDS CAN BE PAID OFF IS FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY TO BORROW MORE MONEY OR ISSUE MORE BONDS.
AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? WHEN TIMES WERE BETTER, WHY DIDN'T THE MTGA TRY AND PAY DOWN ITS DEBT? WHAT IS THE MTGA GOING TO DO TO CHANGE ITS DEBT TO EARNINGS RATIO/ ARE CUTS COMING TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? ARE CUTS COMING TO MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE BUILDING A GOVERNMENT BUILDING WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE THE FINANCING DONE YET? AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2008, MOODY'S INVESTOR'S SERVICE ( A WALL STREET CREDIT RATING COMPANY) DOWN GRADED MOHEGAN SUN CASINOS (MTGA) TO A B-1 RATING. A B-I RATING IS DEFINED AS LACKING CHARACTERISTICS OF A DESIRABLE INVESTMENT. MOODY'S USES A DEBT TO EARNINGS POTENTIAL TO FIGURE A COMPANY'S CREDIT RATINGS.
MOODY'S STATED THAT NEGATIVE GAMING TRENDS IN CONNECTICUT AND SIGNIFICANT DIVIDENDS PAID TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WILL HAMPER THE COMPANY FROM LOWERING THE DEBT TO EARNINGS RATION IN THE NEAR TERM. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN, THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO WANTS TO BORROW MONEY IN THE FUTURE, THAT THE INTEREST RATES WILL BE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.
THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS CREDIT RATING WAS ALSO LOWERED BY MOODY'S. MOODY'S REPORTLY STATED A "WEAKNESS IN GAMING TRENDS IN CONNECTICUT AND THE NORTHEAST WILL HAMPER THE COMPANY FROM LOWERING ITS DEBT TO EARNINGS RATIO OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO A LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO ITS FORMER INVESTMENT GRADE RATING."
THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO IN 2009, MUST PAY OFF BONDS, ESTIMATED AT THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS ($330,000,000.00). THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE THESE BONDS CAN BE PAID OFF IS FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY TO BORROW MORE MONEY OR ISSUE MORE BONDS.
AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? WHEN TIMES WERE BETTER, WHY DIDN'T THE MTGA TRY AND PAY DOWN ITS DEBT? WHAT IS THE MTGA GOING TO DO TO CHANGE ITS DEBT TO EARNINGS RATIO/ ARE CUTS COMING TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? ARE CUTS COMING TO MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE BUILDING A GOVERNMENT BUILDING WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE THE FINANCING DONE YET? AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
CONNECTICUT'S BUDGET
THIS YEAR, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT HAS A PROJECTED SHORT FALL (DEFICIT) OF FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($400,000,000.000) WHICH ENDS JUNE 30, 2008. NEXT YEAR FISCAL YEAR 2010, THE ESTIMATED DEFICIT WILL BE $2.5 BILLION ($2,500,000,000.00). IF NOTHING CHANGES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2011, THE DEFICIT WILL BE $3.3 BILLION ($3,300,000,000.00). THE PROJECTED SHORT FALLS COULD EVEN BE WORSE THEN EXPECTED. THE STATE LEGISLATURE STARTS ON THE 2010 BUDGET IN FEBRUARY, 2009.
RIGHT NOW, THE ESTIMATED UNEMPLOYMENT IS ABOUT 5.6% AND IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, IT COULD REACH AS HIGH AS 10% WITHIN A FEW YEARS.
THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF THIRTY THOUSAND (30,000) LOST JOBS STATE WIDE. A DEFICIT OF ABOUT 14% OF THE ESTIMATED $18 BILLION BUDGET. SERVICES ARE STEADILY INCREASING (MEDICARE, STATE SALARIES, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INTEREST DEBT).
JAMES A. AMANN, THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAID, "THIS IS THE WORST I'VE SEEN IT. IT'S IS CLOSE TO THE FIRST YEAR I CAME TO HARTFORD, AND THAT WAS THE INCOME TAX YEAR."
SENATE PRESIDENT, DONALD E. WILLIAMS SAID, "I THINK FOR THOSE FOLLOWING THE STATE OR THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, IT'S A SOMBER TIME. WE'RE FACING MORE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAN WE'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE."
REPRESENTATIVE DENISE MERRILL, OF MANSFIELD (THE INCOMING HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER) SAID, "EVERYONE SEEMS TOO WILLING TO SAY, 'THINGS ARE GETTING HORRIBLE AND WE JUST HAVE TO CUT THE BUDGET TO SHREDS.' MERRILL SPOKE HOW WITH INCREASED UNEMPLOYMENT THERE WILL BE MORE NEEDS BY THE CITIZENS OF CONNECTICUT. SHE ALSO SAID, "IT'S ALWAYS A REVERSE CURVE. WHEN THE ECONOMY IS GOING DOWN, IN SOME CASES, WE NEED MORE SPENDING BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE NEED."
THE LAST TIME THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WAS IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION, WAS UNDER GOVERNOR JOHN G. ROWLAND IN 2002. THERE WAS EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTEEN MILLION DOLLAR ($813,000,000.00) DEFICIT. GOVERNOR ROWLAND LAID OFF 3,000 STATE WORKERS.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO CUT THE PORK OUT OF PROGRAMS. THEY WILL EITHER NEED TO INCREASE TAXES, OR CUT SPENDING OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE LOOKING AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE)? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
'
RIGHT NOW, THE ESTIMATED UNEMPLOYMENT IS ABOUT 5.6% AND IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE, IT COULD REACH AS HIGH AS 10% WITHIN A FEW YEARS.
THERE IS THE POTENTIAL OF THIRTY THOUSAND (30,000) LOST JOBS STATE WIDE. A DEFICIT OF ABOUT 14% OF THE ESTIMATED $18 BILLION BUDGET. SERVICES ARE STEADILY INCREASING (MEDICARE, STATE SALARIES, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INTEREST DEBT).
JAMES A. AMANN, THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAID, "THIS IS THE WORST I'VE SEEN IT. IT'S IS CLOSE TO THE FIRST YEAR I CAME TO HARTFORD, AND THAT WAS THE INCOME TAX YEAR."
SENATE PRESIDENT, DONALD E. WILLIAMS SAID, "I THINK FOR THOSE FOLLOWING THE STATE OR THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, IT'S A SOMBER TIME. WE'RE FACING MORE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAN WE'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE."
REPRESENTATIVE DENISE MERRILL, OF MANSFIELD (THE INCOMING HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER) SAID, "EVERYONE SEEMS TOO WILLING TO SAY, 'THINGS ARE GETTING HORRIBLE AND WE JUST HAVE TO CUT THE BUDGET TO SHREDS.' MERRILL SPOKE HOW WITH INCREASED UNEMPLOYMENT THERE WILL BE MORE NEEDS BY THE CITIZENS OF CONNECTICUT. SHE ALSO SAID, "IT'S ALWAYS A REVERSE CURVE. WHEN THE ECONOMY IS GOING DOWN, IN SOME CASES, WE NEED MORE SPENDING BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE NEED."
THE LAST TIME THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WAS IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION, WAS UNDER GOVERNOR JOHN G. ROWLAND IN 2002. THERE WAS EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTEEN MILLION DOLLAR ($813,000,000.00) DEFICIT. GOVERNOR ROWLAND LAID OFF 3,000 STATE WORKERS.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO CUT THE PORK OUT OF PROGRAMS. THEY WILL EITHER NEED TO INCREASE TAXES, OR CUT SPENDING OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE LOOKING AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE)? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
'
Friday, November 21, 2008
THE BIG THREE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIPS
LOCAL BIG THREE (3) DEALERSHIPS (FORD MOTOR COMPANY, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION) IN CONNECTICUT WERE UPSET BY WHAT LEADERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE SAID ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008.
THE SENATORS AFTER TALKING TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE BIG THREE (3) UNITED STATES AUTOMAKERS SAID, THEY WERE REJECTING THE TWENTY FIVE BILLION DOLLAR ($25,000,000,000.00) BAILOUT. THE SENATORS SAID THEY WANTED THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS TO COME BACK TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE IN EARLY DECEMBER WITH A PLAN ON EXACTLY HOW THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT. THE SENATORS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY WOULD KEEP THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS OUT OF BANKRUPTCY. SENATOR DODD, OF CONNECTICUT SAID, "I'M NOT GOING TO WRITE A CHECK FOR $25 BILLION, NO QUESTIONS ASKED."
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD, OF CONNECTICUT SAID HE WOULD MEET TODAY WITH MEMBERS OF CAR DEALERSHIPS, AUTO SUPPLIERS AND LABOR REPRESENTATIVES IN HIS OFFICE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. SENATOR DODD IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS WHICH CONDUCTED THE SENATE HEARINGS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
DODD INDICATED THAT THE TESTIMONY BY THE BIG THREE LEADERS LACKED "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT" OF THE FAULTS AND MISTAKES THAT THE EXECUTIVES HAD MADE, AS WELL AS THE CREDIT CRISIS. DODD SAID, THE BIG THREE HAVE A "GOOD PRODUCT HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION." HE ALSO SAID,"THESE COMPANIES ARE BURNING THROUGH CASH ON A STAGGERING BASIS."
GARY WIDIT, OWNER OF PLAZA FORD, EAST LYME SAID, "IF THEY DON'T BAIL OUT THESE MANUFACTURERS, FIRST OF ALL, WHO'S GOING TO BUY A CAR FROM A BANKRUPT COMPANY? WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR WARRANT? THAT'S GOING TO KILL US."
AUTO DEALERS LOCALLY SAY THEY ARE REMAINING PROFITABLE BECAUSE OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS STILL BUYING CARS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NEW CAR SALES NATIONWIDE ARE DOWN ABOUT FORTY (40%) PERCENT.
PHIL FRANCHINI, GENERAL MANAGER OF FALVEY'S CHRYSLER JEEP SAID, " WE'RE BUYING WHAT WE HAVE TO BUY. WE'RE SPENDING WHAT WE HAVE TO SPEND." HE SEEMS TO FEEL THAT WASHINGTON NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING EVENTUALLY. HE SAID, "I JUST THINK THE COUNTRY HAS TOO MUCH TO LOSE."
ALTHOUGH THE SENATORS REALIZE THAT THE BIG THREE NEED HELP, THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM $25 BILLION AND THEN HAVE TO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY AT A LATER DATE. THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SUPPOSEDLY ONE IN TEN WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY, THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: DODD AFTER HIS MEETING ON FRIDAY INDICATED HE WILL DO WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO SAVE THE AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS. HE SAID THEIR DEMISE WOULD NOT HAPPEN ON HIS WATCH.
THE SENATORS AFTER TALKING TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE BIG THREE (3) UNITED STATES AUTOMAKERS SAID, THEY WERE REJECTING THE TWENTY FIVE BILLION DOLLAR ($25,000,000,000.00) BAILOUT. THE SENATORS SAID THEY WANTED THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS TO COME BACK TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE IN EARLY DECEMBER WITH A PLAN ON EXACTLY HOW THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT. THE SENATORS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY WOULD KEEP THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS OUT OF BANKRUPTCY. SENATOR DODD, OF CONNECTICUT SAID, "I'M NOT GOING TO WRITE A CHECK FOR $25 BILLION, NO QUESTIONS ASKED."
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD, OF CONNECTICUT SAID HE WOULD MEET TODAY WITH MEMBERS OF CAR DEALERSHIPS, AUTO SUPPLIERS AND LABOR REPRESENTATIVES IN HIS OFFICE IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. SENATOR DODD IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS WHICH CONDUCTED THE SENATE HEARINGS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
DODD INDICATED THAT THE TESTIMONY BY THE BIG THREE LEADERS LACKED "ACKNOWLEDGEMENT" OF THE FAULTS AND MISTAKES THAT THE EXECUTIVES HAD MADE, AS WELL AS THE CREDIT CRISIS. DODD SAID, THE BIG THREE HAVE A "GOOD PRODUCT HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION." HE ALSO SAID,"THESE COMPANIES ARE BURNING THROUGH CASH ON A STAGGERING BASIS."
GARY WIDIT, OWNER OF PLAZA FORD, EAST LYME SAID, "IF THEY DON'T BAIL OUT THESE MANUFACTURERS, FIRST OF ALL, WHO'S GOING TO BUY A CAR FROM A BANKRUPT COMPANY? WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR WARRANT? THAT'S GOING TO KILL US."
AUTO DEALERS LOCALLY SAY THEY ARE REMAINING PROFITABLE BECAUSE OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS STILL BUYING CARS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT NEW CAR SALES NATIONWIDE ARE DOWN ABOUT FORTY (40%) PERCENT.
PHIL FRANCHINI, GENERAL MANAGER OF FALVEY'S CHRYSLER JEEP SAID, " WE'RE BUYING WHAT WE HAVE TO BUY. WE'RE SPENDING WHAT WE HAVE TO SPEND." HE SEEMS TO FEEL THAT WASHINGTON NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING EVENTUALLY. HE SAID, "I JUST THINK THE COUNTRY HAS TOO MUCH TO LOSE."
ALTHOUGH THE SENATORS REALIZE THAT THE BIG THREE NEED HELP, THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM $25 BILLION AND THEN HAVE TO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY AT A LATER DATE. THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SUPPOSEDLY ONE IN TEN WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY, THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: DODD AFTER HIS MEETING ON FRIDAY INDICATED HE WILL DO WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO SAVE THE AMERICAN AUTOMAKERS. HE SAID THEIR DEMISE WOULD NOT HAPPEN ON HIS WATCH.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
OAKDALE MAN ARRESTED FOR HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
THE ACCUSED (SOCHA) IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
ON APRIL 14, 2008, FU QUAN LIU, 59, WAS CROSSING EAST ON ROUTE 32 AT THE INTERSECTION OF SANDY DESERT ROAD, TO GO TO WORK AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. HE WAS HIT BY A DARK COLORED CAR TRAVELING SOUTH , THAT POLICE FELT NEVER STOPPED AND JUST KEPT GOING. FU QUAN LIU DIED ON MAY 8, 2008, AT YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL.
THE STATE POLICE COLLISION ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION UNIT AND RESIDENT MONTVILLE STATE TROOPER INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT . THEY SENT PAINT FRAGMENTS FROM LIU'S CLOTHING TO THE STATE POLICE FORENSIC LAB. THE LAB COULD NOT DETERMINE THE MAKE AND MODEL CAR FROM THE PAINT FRAGMENTS.
POLICE OBTAINED VIDEO TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN. THE VIDEO REPORTEDLY SHOWS LIU WALKING ACROSS ROUTE 32 (HE HAD A GREEN LIGHT) BEING STRUCK BY A SOUTHBOUND CAR. THE VIDEO SUPPOSEDLY SHOWS LIU FLYING THROUGH THE AIR AND THAT THE CAR DID NOT STOP.
A WOMAN VIEWER SAW THE STORY ON TELEVISION. ON OCTOBER 20, 2008, THE WOMAN CALLED THE POLICE AND STATED THAT A MAN HAD TOLD HER THAT HE THOUGHT HE MAY HAVE HIT THE GUY. SHE TOLD THE POLICE THE DRIVERS NAME AND THAT HE OWNED A MERCURY COUGAR. SHE SAID THE DRIVER OF THE BLACK MERCURY ALLEGEDLY DROVE IT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
POLICE WENT ON OCTOBER 21, 2008, AND INTERVIEWED JEFFERY SOCHA, 21,OF 3 VENTURA DRIVE, OAKDALE, CONNECTICUT. SOCHA STATED THAT HE HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND HIT THE PEDESTRIAN WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF HIS CAR. HE SAID HE DROVE OFF AFTER HE HAD STOPPED BECAUSE HE WAS SCARED. PARKED AT HIS HOME WAS A 1999 BLACK MERCURY COUGAR WITH RIGHT FRONT FENDER DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE FROM HITTING SOMEONE.
SOCHA WAS ARRAIGNED IN NORWICH SUPERIOR COURT ON THE FOLLOWING CHARGES: 1) MISCONDUCT WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE, 2) EVADING RESPONSIBILITY AND 3) FAILURE TO OBEY A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. HE WAS RELEASED ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($5,000.00) CASH SURETY BOND. SOCHA IS SCHEDULED BACK IN COURT DECEMBER 19, 2008.
ON APRIL 14, 2008, FU QUAN LIU, 59, WAS CROSSING EAST ON ROUTE 32 AT THE INTERSECTION OF SANDY DESERT ROAD, TO GO TO WORK AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. HE WAS HIT BY A DARK COLORED CAR TRAVELING SOUTH , THAT POLICE FELT NEVER STOPPED AND JUST KEPT GOING. FU QUAN LIU DIED ON MAY 8, 2008, AT YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL.
THE STATE POLICE COLLISION ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION UNIT AND RESIDENT MONTVILLE STATE TROOPER INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT . THEY SENT PAINT FRAGMENTS FROM LIU'S CLOTHING TO THE STATE POLICE FORENSIC LAB. THE LAB COULD NOT DETERMINE THE MAKE AND MODEL CAR FROM THE PAINT FRAGMENTS.
POLICE OBTAINED VIDEO TAPE OF THE ACCIDENT FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN. THE VIDEO REPORTEDLY SHOWS LIU WALKING ACROSS ROUTE 32 (HE HAD A GREEN LIGHT) BEING STRUCK BY A SOUTHBOUND CAR. THE VIDEO SUPPOSEDLY SHOWS LIU FLYING THROUGH THE AIR AND THAT THE CAR DID NOT STOP.
A WOMAN VIEWER SAW THE STORY ON TELEVISION. ON OCTOBER 20, 2008, THE WOMAN CALLED THE POLICE AND STATED THAT A MAN HAD TOLD HER THAT HE THOUGHT HE MAY HAVE HIT THE GUY. SHE TOLD THE POLICE THE DRIVERS NAME AND THAT HE OWNED A MERCURY COUGAR. SHE SAID THE DRIVER OF THE BLACK MERCURY ALLEGEDLY DROVE IT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
POLICE WENT ON OCTOBER 21, 2008, AND INTERVIEWED JEFFERY SOCHA, 21,OF 3 VENTURA DRIVE, OAKDALE, CONNECTICUT. SOCHA STATED THAT HE HAD A GREEN LIGHT AND HIT THE PEDESTRIAN WITH THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF HIS CAR. HE SAID HE DROVE OFF AFTER HE HAD STOPPED BECAUSE HE WAS SCARED. PARKED AT HIS HOME WAS A 1999 BLACK MERCURY COUGAR WITH RIGHT FRONT FENDER DAMAGE CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE FROM HITTING SOMEONE.
SOCHA WAS ARRAIGNED IN NORWICH SUPERIOR COURT ON THE FOLLOWING CHARGES: 1) MISCONDUCT WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE, 2) EVADING RESPONSIBILITY AND 3) FAILURE TO OBEY A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. HE WAS RELEASED ON A FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR ($5,000.00) CASH SURETY BOND. SOCHA IS SCHEDULED BACK IN COURT DECEMBER 19, 2008.
CLIMATE CHANGE
PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA SAID YESTERDAY, "MY PRESIDENCY WILL MARK A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE."
OBAMA SEES HIMSELF TAKING THE LEAD, IN COMBATING THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES AND THROUGH OUT THE WORLD. THE PRESIDENT-ELECT SUPPORTS A CAP AND TRADE SYSTEM APPROACH TO CUTTING GREEN HOUSE GASES. OBAMA PROPOSES SPENDING FIFTEEN BILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000,000.00) A YEAR TO SUPPORT PRIVATE INDUSTRY IN AN EFFORT TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY.
THE PRESIDENT-ELECT WANTS TO ESTABLISH ANNUAL TARGETS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS TO THE LEVELS THEY WERE IN THE 1990'S BY THE YEAR 2020. THEN HE WANTS TO REDUCE THE EMISSIONS ANOTHER EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) BY THE YEAR 2050.
THE SYSTEM IS BASED ON ENERGY ALLOWANCES. HE THINKS INDUSTRY SHOULD BUY THE ALLOWANCES AND THEN IF A COMPANY DOES WELL THEY COULD SELL OFF THEIR ALLOWANCES TO COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT DO AS WELL ON THE EMISSIONS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW THIS WOULD WORK. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IT WILL WORK.
THE CLIMATE IS NOT ONLY BEING ABUSED BY EMISSIONS FROM CARS, FACTORIES, HOMES , ETC., IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF OUR POLLUTION OF WATER AND OTHER THINGS. WE HAVE TO STOP THINKING THAT THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE DESTRUCTION WE CAN DO TO MOTHER EARTH. OUR ANCESTORS, AND FUTURE DECEDENTS DESERVE TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE HERE ON MOTHER EARTH.
ALTHOUGH WE SHOULD PRAISE OBAMA IN HIS VISION, THE QUESTION SHOULD BE WHAT ARE WE AS MOHEGANS GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? WHAT POLICIES SHOULD OUR GOVERNMENT DO TO HELP? WHAT SHOULD WE AS TRIBAL MEMBERS (IN OUR OWN LIVES) DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
OBAMA SEES HIMSELF TAKING THE LEAD, IN COMBATING THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES AND THROUGH OUT THE WORLD. THE PRESIDENT-ELECT SUPPORTS A CAP AND TRADE SYSTEM APPROACH TO CUTTING GREEN HOUSE GASES. OBAMA PROPOSES SPENDING FIFTEEN BILLION DOLLARS ($15,000,000,000.00) A YEAR TO SUPPORT PRIVATE INDUSTRY IN AN EFFORT TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY.
THE PRESIDENT-ELECT WANTS TO ESTABLISH ANNUAL TARGETS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS TO THE LEVELS THEY WERE IN THE 1990'S BY THE YEAR 2020. THEN HE WANTS TO REDUCE THE EMISSIONS ANOTHER EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) BY THE YEAR 2050.
THE SYSTEM IS BASED ON ENERGY ALLOWANCES. HE THINKS INDUSTRY SHOULD BUY THE ALLOWANCES AND THEN IF A COMPANY DOES WELL THEY COULD SELL OFF THEIR ALLOWANCES TO COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT DO AS WELL ON THE EMISSIONS. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW THIS WOULD WORK. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IT WILL WORK.
THE CLIMATE IS NOT ONLY BEING ABUSED BY EMISSIONS FROM CARS, FACTORIES, HOMES , ETC., IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF OUR POLLUTION OF WATER AND OTHER THINGS. WE HAVE TO STOP THINKING THAT THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE DESTRUCTION WE CAN DO TO MOTHER EARTH. OUR ANCESTORS, AND FUTURE DECEDENTS DESERVE TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE HERE ON MOTHER EARTH.
ALTHOUGH WE SHOULD PRAISE OBAMA IN HIS VISION, THE QUESTION SHOULD BE WHAT ARE WE AS MOHEGANS GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? WHAT POLICIES SHOULD OUR GOVERNMENT DO TO HELP? WHAT SHOULD WE AS TRIBAL MEMBERS (IN OUR OWN LIVES) DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
JAPAN
JAPAN, THE NUMBER TWO ECONOMY IN THE WORLD, OFFICIALLY FELL INTO A RECESSION WITH TWO STRAIGHT QUARTERS OF NEGATIVE GROWTH.
THE SLOW DOWN WAS BLAMED ON THE ON CONSUMERS SHARPLY CURTAILING SPENDING. DEMAND FOR CARS (TOYOTA, HONDA, AND NISSAN) AND ELECTRONIC GOODS (FLAT SCREEN TVS, COMPUTERS, VIDEO RECORDERS, CAMERAS, TELEPHONES, VIDEO GAMES, ETC.) HAS SLOWED. IN FACT, COMPANIES, LIKE TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. AND NISSAN MOTOR CO., HAVE SLASHED THEIR PROJECTIONS AND SALES FORECASTS FOR A FULL YEAR.
JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER TARO ASO, WHO TOOK OFFICE IN LATE SEPTEMBER, 2008, HAS ALREADY BROUGHT OUT TWO ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGES TO CUSHION THE BLOW OF THE RECESSION.
MASSAMICHI ADACHI, SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES SAID ABOUT JAPAN'S ECONOMY, "WE ARE NOW LOOKING FOR A SEVERE RECESSION, SIMILAR TO THAT DURING JAPAN'S OWN FINANCIAL MARKET CRISIS IN 1997 TO 1998, AND TO THE CURRENT U. S. RECESSION, IN TERMS OF DEPTH OF REAL GDP CONTRACTION."
IN NIKKEI 225 STOCK INDEX WAS DOWN '2.7% YESTERDAY. THE WORLD'S ECONOMY IS IN BAD SHAPE NOT JUST THE ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS RECESSION AND HARD ECONOMIC TIMES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. COULD IT BE THE TIME TO TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT? COULD IT BE THE TIME FOR BUSINESS TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE SLOW DOWN WAS BLAMED ON THE ON CONSUMERS SHARPLY CURTAILING SPENDING. DEMAND FOR CARS (TOYOTA, HONDA, AND NISSAN) AND ELECTRONIC GOODS (FLAT SCREEN TVS, COMPUTERS, VIDEO RECORDERS, CAMERAS, TELEPHONES, VIDEO GAMES, ETC.) HAS SLOWED. IN FACT, COMPANIES, LIKE TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. AND NISSAN MOTOR CO., HAVE SLASHED THEIR PROJECTIONS AND SALES FORECASTS FOR A FULL YEAR.
JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER TARO ASO, WHO TOOK OFFICE IN LATE SEPTEMBER, 2008, HAS ALREADY BROUGHT OUT TWO ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGES TO CUSHION THE BLOW OF THE RECESSION.
MASSAMICHI ADACHI, SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH J. P. MORGAN SECURITIES SAID ABOUT JAPAN'S ECONOMY, "WE ARE NOW LOOKING FOR A SEVERE RECESSION, SIMILAR TO THAT DURING JAPAN'S OWN FINANCIAL MARKET CRISIS IN 1997 TO 1998, AND TO THE CURRENT U. S. RECESSION, IN TERMS OF DEPTH OF REAL GDP CONTRACTION."
IN NIKKEI 225 STOCK INDEX WAS DOWN '2.7% YESTERDAY. THE WORLD'S ECONOMY IS IN BAD SHAPE NOT JUST THE ECONOMY IN THE UNITED STATES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS RECESSION AND HARD ECONOMIC TIMES ARE GOING TO CONTINUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. COULD IT BE THE TIME TO TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT? COULD IT BE THE TIME FOR BUSINESS TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
MATINECOCKS AND CARNARSIES
TWO NEW YORK STATE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES ARE UPSET BECAUSE0 THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT CONTACT THEM ABOUT A PROPOSED BRIDGE BETWEEN QUEENS AND BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.THE COST OF THE PROJECT IS THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS.BOTH TRIBES WERE ANGRY AND FURIOUS ABOUT HAVING TO READ ABOUT IT THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS.
THE TWO TRIBES, WHICH CLAIM THE AREA AS THE ANCESTRAL HOME LANDS, ARE THE CARNARSIES AND MATINECOCKS. ALTHOUGH BOTH TRIBES ARE NOT FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED AND DO NOT OWN ANY OF THEIR ANCESTRAL LAND. THE LAND IN QUESTION WAS THEIR DOMAIN A LONG TIME AGO. THE LAND IN QUESTION IS THE NEWTOWN CREEK AREA. ORIGINALLY THE LAND WAS OWNED BY THE MESPEATCHAS, (MASPETH, NEW YORK IS NAMED AFTER THE TRIBE) WHO WERE LATER ABSORBED INTO THE MATINECOCKS. THE MATINECOCKS CLAIM THAT THEIR ANCESTRAL LAND WENT FROM FLUSHING TO NASSAU COUNTY ON LONG ISLAND. THE CARNARSIES LIVED IN THE SOUTH PART OF THIS AREA.
BOB SINGLETON, OF THE GREATER ASTORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAID THAT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS NEAR THE (NEWTOWN) CREEK OVER THE LAST CENTURY HAVE UNEARTHED A WEALTH OF ARTIFACTS. IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN SITES IN NEW YORK.
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE HAS TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT EFFECTS ITS ANCESTRAL HOMELAND.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CONTACTED TWO (2) OUT OF NEW YORK STATE TRIBES (THE DELAWARE NATION IN OKLAHOMA AND THE STOCK BRIDGE-MUNSEES IN WISCONSIN). THESE TWO FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES CLAIM NEW YORK AS THE ANCESTRAL HOME.
CHIEF "LITTLE FOX" OF THE MATINECOCKS REPORTEDLY SAID, "WE WERE FORCED OFF THAT LAND MANY YEARS AGO. WE ARE STILL HERE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY LAND." THE MATINECOCKS AND THE CARNARSIES EACH CLAIM TO HAVE ABOUT 300 DECEDENTS IN THEIR TRIBES.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO WORK WITH ALL FOUR TRIBES. THE TRIBES HAVE 30 DAYS TO COMMENT ON THE PLAN.
JERRY REID, 51, OF HOLLIS, QUEENS, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CARNARSIES SAID, "A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WE ARE EXTINCT, BUT WE HAVE MANY DESCENDANTS THAT ARE STILL LEFT."
WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) SHOULD TRY AND HELP TRIBES LIKE THE MATINECOCKS AND CARNARSIES PROTECT WHAT HAD BELONGED TO THEM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN US INSTEAD OF THEM. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE TWO TRIBES, WHICH CLAIM THE AREA AS THE ANCESTRAL HOME LANDS, ARE THE CARNARSIES AND MATINECOCKS. ALTHOUGH BOTH TRIBES ARE NOT FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED AND DO NOT OWN ANY OF THEIR ANCESTRAL LAND. THE LAND IN QUESTION WAS THEIR DOMAIN A LONG TIME AGO. THE LAND IN QUESTION IS THE NEWTOWN CREEK AREA. ORIGINALLY THE LAND WAS OWNED BY THE MESPEATCHAS, (MASPETH, NEW YORK IS NAMED AFTER THE TRIBE) WHO WERE LATER ABSORBED INTO THE MATINECOCKS. THE MATINECOCKS CLAIM THAT THEIR ANCESTRAL LAND WENT FROM FLUSHING TO NASSAU COUNTY ON LONG ISLAND. THE CARNARSIES LIVED IN THE SOUTH PART OF THIS AREA.
BOB SINGLETON, OF THE GREATER ASTORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAID THAT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS NEAR THE (NEWTOWN) CREEK OVER THE LAST CENTURY HAVE UNEARTHED A WEALTH OF ARTIFACTS. IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN SITES IN NEW YORK.
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE HAS TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT EFFECTS ITS ANCESTRAL HOMELAND.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CONTACTED TWO (2) OUT OF NEW YORK STATE TRIBES (THE DELAWARE NATION IN OKLAHOMA AND THE STOCK BRIDGE-MUNSEES IN WISCONSIN). THESE TWO FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES CLAIM NEW YORK AS THE ANCESTRAL HOME.
CHIEF "LITTLE FOX" OF THE MATINECOCKS REPORTEDLY SAID, "WE WERE FORCED OFF THAT LAND MANY YEARS AGO. WE ARE STILL HERE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY LAND." THE MATINECOCKS AND THE CARNARSIES EACH CLAIM TO HAVE ABOUT 300 DECEDENTS IN THEIR TRIBES.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO WORK WITH ALL FOUR TRIBES. THE TRIBES HAVE 30 DAYS TO COMMENT ON THE PLAN.
JERRY REID, 51, OF HOLLIS, QUEENS, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CARNARSIES SAID, "A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WE ARE EXTINCT, BUT WE HAVE MANY DESCENDANTS THAT ARE STILL LEFT."
WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) SHOULD TRY AND HELP TRIBES LIKE THE MATINECOCKS AND CARNARSIES PROTECT WHAT HAD BELONGED TO THEM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN US INSTEAD OF THEM. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Monday, November 17, 2008
THE BIG THREE
THEY ARE CALLED THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS. THEY ARE GENERAL MOTORS, CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WANT TO BAIL, THE BIG THREE AUTO MAKERS, OUT OF THE FISCAL STRAIGHTS, THE CAR COMPANIES FIND THEMSELVES IN.
THE BIG THREE ARE LOOKING FOR TWENTY FIVE BILLION ($25,000,000,000.00)DOLLARS FROM THE SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION ($750,000,000,000.00) DOLLARS THAT COMPRISES THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BAIL OUT THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES (STOCK MARKET, BANKS, MORTGAGE COMPANIES,ETC.).
THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO LOAN THE CAR COMPANIES THE TWENTY FIVE BILLION ($25,000,000,000.00) TO THE PREVIOUS PROPOSED IDEA OF THE AUTO MAKERS TO DEVELOP FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS. AND TO TAKE CARE OF MORE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY OF ALABAMA SAID,"THEY'RE NOT BUILDING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS. THEY'VE GOT GOOD WORKERS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'VE GOT GOOD MANAGEMENT. THEY DON'T INNOVATE. THEY'RE A DINOSAUR IN A SENSE."
SENATOR JON KYL OF ARIZONA SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO USE ANY OF THE WALL STREET RESCUE MONEY TO PROP UP THE AUTOMAKERS BECAUSE A BAILOUT WOULD ONLY POSTPONE THE INDUSTRY'S DEMISE."KYL ALSO SAID, "JUST GIVING THEM $25 BILLION DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING, IT JUST PUTS OFF FOR SIX MONTHS OR SO THE DAY OF RECKONING."
THE LEGISLATORS IN FAVOR OF HELPING THE BIG THREE DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO BAILOUT THE AUTOMAKERS. THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEW PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TAKES OFFICE AND THE ADDITION OF THE NEWLY ELECTED DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS, THAT WOULD GIVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONTROL IN BOTH HOUSES (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE U.S. SENATE.)
DO THE AUTO-MAKERS NEED HELP? YES. DID THE BIG THREE CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS? ABSOLUTELY. THE SENATOR WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THEY WERE DINOSAURS. THE CAR COMPANIES DID NOT BUILD FUEL EFFICIENT CARS, INSTEAD THEY BUILD GAS GUZZLERS. THE CAR COMPANIES SOLD THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON BIG S UV"s AND BIG PICK UP TRUCKS. SHOULD WE BAIL THEM OUT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
HOW DOES THIS EFFECT SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE REVENUES COMING TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT IT IS INVESTING IN? CAN WE AFFORD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE BIG THREE ARE LOOKING FOR TWENTY FIVE BILLION ($25,000,000,000.00)DOLLARS FROM THE SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION ($750,000,000,000.00) DOLLARS THAT COMPRISES THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BAIL OUT THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES (STOCK MARKET, BANKS, MORTGAGE COMPANIES,ETC.).
THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO LOAN THE CAR COMPANIES THE TWENTY FIVE BILLION ($25,000,000,000.00) TO THE PREVIOUS PROPOSED IDEA OF THE AUTO MAKERS TO DEVELOP FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS. AND TO TAKE CARE OF MORE IMMEDIATE NEEDS.
SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY OF ALABAMA SAID,"THEY'RE NOT BUILDING THE RIGHT PRODUCTS. THEY'VE GOT GOOD WORKERS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'VE GOT GOOD MANAGEMENT. THEY DON'T INNOVATE. THEY'RE A DINOSAUR IN A SENSE."
SENATOR JON KYL OF ARIZONA SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO USE ANY OF THE WALL STREET RESCUE MONEY TO PROP UP THE AUTOMAKERS BECAUSE A BAILOUT WOULD ONLY POSTPONE THE INDUSTRY'S DEMISE."KYL ALSO SAID, "JUST GIVING THEM $25 BILLION DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING, IT JUST PUTS OFF FOR SIX MONTHS OR SO THE DAY OF RECKONING."
THE LEGISLATORS IN FAVOR OF HELPING THE BIG THREE DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO BAILOUT THE AUTOMAKERS. THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEW PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TAKES OFFICE AND THE ADDITION OF THE NEWLY ELECTED DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS, THAT WOULD GIVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONTROL IN BOTH HOUSES (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE U.S. SENATE.)
DO THE AUTO-MAKERS NEED HELP? YES. DID THE BIG THREE CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS? ABSOLUTELY. THE SENATOR WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID THEY WERE DINOSAURS. THE CAR COMPANIES DID NOT BUILD FUEL EFFICIENT CARS, INSTEAD THEY BUILD GAS GUZZLERS. THE CAR COMPANIES SOLD THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON BIG S UV"s AND BIG PICK UP TRUCKS. SHOULD WE BAIL THEM OUT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
HOW DOES THIS EFFECT SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN? HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE REVENUES COMING TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE? SHOULD THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT BE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT IT IS INVESTING IN? CAN WE AFFORD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
LAKE OF ISLES
THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF THE TOP ONE HUNDRED COURSES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE IS LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND IS OWNED BY THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE.
IN ONE OF THE LATEST COPIES OF "GOLF" MAGAZINE, SELECTED THE NORTH COURSE AT THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE NUMBER 85 OUT OF 100 TOP COURSES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE NORTH COURSE IS A PAR 72 COURSE THAT STRETCHES APPROXIMATELY 7,300 YARDS . LAKE OF ISLES OPENED IN MAY 2005. THE ENTIRE GOLF CLUB IS SITUATED ON 900 ACRES OF CONNECTICUT WOODLANDS AROUND A 90 ACRE LAKE.
ARCHIE CART, GENERAL MANAGER OF LAKE OF ISLES SAID, "THIS HONOR IS NOTE- WORTHY BECAUSE THESE AWARDS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE COMPETITIVE EACH YEAR AND WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO IMPROVE ON OUR RANKING FROM ONE YEAR AGO."
"GOLF WEEK" MAGAZINE RATED THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE, THE NUMBER ONE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. "GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE" HAS NAMED LAKE OF ISLES ONE OF TOP 100 GOLF SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY.
THE TWO COURSES ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR BEAUTIFUL AND CHALLENGING LAYOUTS. THE CONDITIONS ARE PRISTINE. THERE IS A 50,000 SQUARE FOOT CLUB HOUSE, AND AN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY.
THE GOLF CLUB IS OPEN TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND DAILY FEE PAY GOLFERS. GREENS FEES RANGE FROM $145.00 AND $195.00. THE GREEN FEES INCLUDE A CART, RANGE BALLS, BAG TAG, DIVOT TOOL, AND ;MARKER.
I THINK GOLFERS SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE CLUB HOUSE IS DIVIDED UP INTO TWO AREAS, ONE FOR FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO GUESTS AND DAILY PAY FEE GUESTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVEN IF YOU DO NOT PLAY GOLF, THAT THE RESTAURANT HAS SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS TO EAT ON THE MENU AT REASONABLE PRICES. IT MIGHT BE A NICE AFTERNOON OUT. MAYBE WE SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE MOHEGAN SUN ALSO HAS A COUNTRY CLUB, IT IS CALLED THE MOHEGAN SUN COUNTRY CLUB AT PAUTIPAUG. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT A TWENTY MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO ON A COUNTRY ROAD IN THE SPRAGUE BALTIC AREA OF CONNECTICUT. THE FACILITY IS REALLY NICE, BUT IN MY OPINION DOES NOT COMPARE TO THE LAKE OF ISLES. REMEMBER THE GUESTS, AT FOXWOODS RESORTS CASINO HOTEL, CAN LOOK DOWN FROM THEIR ROOMS AND SEE THE COURSE ACROSS ROUTE 2.
IN ONE OF THE LATEST COPIES OF "GOLF" MAGAZINE, SELECTED THE NORTH COURSE AT THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE NUMBER 85 OUT OF 100 TOP COURSES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE NORTH COURSE IS A PAR 72 COURSE THAT STRETCHES APPROXIMATELY 7,300 YARDS . LAKE OF ISLES OPENED IN MAY 2005. THE ENTIRE GOLF CLUB IS SITUATED ON 900 ACRES OF CONNECTICUT WOODLANDS AROUND A 90 ACRE LAKE.
ARCHIE CART, GENERAL MANAGER OF LAKE OF ISLES SAID, "THIS HONOR IS NOTE- WORTHY BECAUSE THESE AWARDS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE COMPETITIVE EACH YEAR AND WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO IMPROVE ON OUR RANKING FROM ONE YEAR AGO."
"GOLF WEEK" MAGAZINE RATED THE LAKE OF ISLES GOLF COURSE, THE NUMBER ONE PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. "GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE" HAS NAMED LAKE OF ISLES ONE OF TOP 100 GOLF SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY.
THE TWO COURSES ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR BEAUTIFUL AND CHALLENGING LAYOUTS. THE CONDITIONS ARE PRISTINE. THERE IS A 50,000 SQUARE FOOT CLUB HOUSE, AND AN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY.
THE GOLF CLUB IS OPEN TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO AND DAILY FEE PAY GOLFERS. GREENS FEES RANGE FROM $145.00 AND $195.00. THE GREEN FEES INCLUDE A CART, RANGE BALLS, BAG TAG, DIVOT TOOL, AND ;MARKER.
I THINK GOLFERS SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE CLUB HOUSE IS DIVIDED UP INTO TWO AREAS, ONE FOR FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO GUESTS AND DAILY PAY FEE GUESTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT EVEN IF YOU DO NOT PLAY GOLF, THAT THE RESTAURANT HAS SOME REALLY GOOD THINGS TO EAT ON THE MENU AT REASONABLE PRICES. IT MIGHT BE A NICE AFTERNOON OUT. MAYBE WE SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE MOHEGAN SUN ALSO HAS A COUNTRY CLUB, IT IS CALLED THE MOHEGAN SUN COUNTRY CLUB AT PAUTIPAUG. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT A TWENTY MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO ON A COUNTRY ROAD IN THE SPRAGUE BALTIC AREA OF CONNECTICUT. THE FACILITY IS REALLY NICE, BUT IN MY OPINION DOES NOT COMPARE TO THE LAKE OF ISLES. REMEMBER THE GUESTS, AT FOXWOODS RESORTS CASINO HOTEL, CAN LOOK DOWN FROM THEIR ROOMS AND SEE THE COURSE ACROSS ROUTE 2.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
PEREGRINE FALCONS
ON TOP OF THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, THIS SUMMER A SINGLE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS SIGHTED.
THE PEREGRINE FALCON WHICH IS ON THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST IS RARELY SEEN. THE FOXWOOD HOTEL MAY BE THE PERFECT ARTIFICIAL HABITAT FOR THESE BIRDS. THEY LIKE HIGH LEDGES WHERE THEY CAN DIVE OFF AT UP TO ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE (175) MILES PER HOUR TO CAPTURE THEIR PREY.
PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE COMMON IN CONNECTICUT IN 1920S THROUGH THE 1930'S. BY THE 1930'S BECAUSE OF OVER COLLECTING THE PEREGRINE FALCONS AND THEIR EGGS. THE BIRD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY VANISHED IN CONNECTICUT. THE LAST KNOW PAIR OF PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE SEEN NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD AROUND THE 1940'S. . BY 1975, THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS CONSIDERED EXTINCT IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. THE PRIMARY REASON WAS THOUGHT TO BE DDT AND OTHER PESTICIDES.
EXTENSIVE DOMESTIC BREEDING BEGAN IN 1972. BY THE YEAR 1997 THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS AGAIN OBSERVED NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD. IN 1997 THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 193 BREEDING PAIRS OF PEREGRINE FALCONS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE UNITED STATES TOOK THE PEREGRINE FALCON OFF IT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST. IT STILL REMAINS ON CONNECTICUTS ENDANGERED LIST.
THE PEREGRINE FALCONS FLY SOUTH TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR THE WINTER. THE BIRDS RETURN TO THE NORTH FROM SOUTH AMERICA AROUND SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY. THEY NEST FROM FEBRUARY UNTIL MAY. HOPEFULLY THIS SINGLE BIRD WILL FIND A MATE AND MAKE THE FOXWOODS RESORT HOTEL THEIR SUMMER HOME. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT THINGS CAN SURVIVE WITH MANKIND'S HELP. MAYBE SOME DAY THE MOHEGAN SUN WILL GET A PAIR. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
THE PEREGRINE FALCON WHICH IS ON THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST IS RARELY SEEN. THE FOXWOOD HOTEL MAY BE THE PERFECT ARTIFICIAL HABITAT FOR THESE BIRDS. THEY LIKE HIGH LEDGES WHERE THEY CAN DIVE OFF AT UP TO ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE (175) MILES PER HOUR TO CAPTURE THEIR PREY.
PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE COMMON IN CONNECTICUT IN 1920S THROUGH THE 1930'S. BY THE 1930'S BECAUSE OF OVER COLLECTING THE PEREGRINE FALCONS AND THEIR EGGS. THE BIRD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY VANISHED IN CONNECTICUT. THE LAST KNOW PAIR OF PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE SEEN NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD AROUND THE 1940'S. . BY 1975, THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS CONSIDERED EXTINCT IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. THE PRIMARY REASON WAS THOUGHT TO BE DDT AND OTHER PESTICIDES.
EXTENSIVE DOMESTIC BREEDING BEGAN IN 1972. BY THE YEAR 1997 THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS AGAIN OBSERVED NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD. IN 1997 THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 193 BREEDING PAIRS OF PEREGRINE FALCONS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE UNITED STATES TOOK THE PEREGRINE FALCON OFF IT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST. IT STILL REMAINS ON CONNECTICUTS ENDANGERED LIST.
THE PEREGRINE FALCONS FLY SOUTH TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR THE WINTER. THE BIRDS RETURN TO THE NORTH FROM SOUTH AMERICA AROUND SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY. THEY NEST FROM FEBRUARY UNTIL MAY. HOPEFULLY THIS SINGLE BIRD WILL FIND A MATE AND MAKE THE FOXWOODS RESORT HOTEL THEIR SUMMER HOME. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT THINGS CAN SURVIVE WITH MANKIND'S HELP. MAYBE SOME DAY THE MOHEGAN SUN WILL GET A PAIR. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.
KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL ORDERED CLOSED
ACCORDING TO "THE DAY" (NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT NEWSPAPER) A JUDGE IN THE NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT HAS ORDERED KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL, 209 RATTLESNAKE LEDGE ROAD, SALEM, CONNECTICUT TO CLOSE IT'S DOORS. THE SALEM COMPANY IS ON AN ESTIMATED 40 ACRES. THE NEAREST RESIDENT IS REPORTED TO BE 200 YARDS FROM THE SITE. IT WAS REPORTED THE NEAREST NEIGHBOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE AT LEAST 500 YARDS FROM THE SITE.
THE PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2005 WHEN RESIDENTS (LIVING IN CLOSE VACINITY) COMPLAINING OF WORK GOING ON BEYOND THE HOURS IT WAS ALLOWED TO OPERATE. THE RESIDENTS ALSO COMPLAINED OF MACHINERY BEING USED THAT WAS NOT ALLOWED. THE RESIDENTS SAID THE NOISE OF THE EXPLOSIONS SOUNDED LIKE "SONIC BOOM." AND FELT LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT BEFORE 2005, THE PREVIOUS COMPANY HAD BLASTED THE ROCK AND TAKEN THE ROCKS SOME PLACE ELSE TO CRUSH UP THE STONE. KOBYLUCK DOES THE STONE CRUSHING ON SITE.
THE TOWN TOOK KOBYLUCK TO COURT CLAIMING THE FOLLOWING:
1) THE COMPANY WAS USING MORE THAN ONE STONE CRUSHER THAT IT WAS ALLOWED TO USE.
2) THE COMPANY VIOLATED THE CONDITIONS OF IT'S ZONING PERMIT WHICH REQUIRE ONE AREA OF THE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN EXCAVATED MUST BE MOSTLY RECLAIMED BEFORE ANOTHER AREA IS EXCAVATED.
THE COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE TOWN IN BOTH INSTANCES.
HUGH MCKEANEY, CHARMIAN OF THE PLANING AND ZONING COMMISSION SAID, "IT WAS A LONG TIME COMING."
MATT KOBYLUCK, THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL SAID, "WE JUST GOT THE COURT RULING SO WE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING IT AND DETERMINE WHAT ACTION WE ARE GOING TO TAKE.' HE SAID HE WOULD NOT APPEAL YET.KOBYLUCK SUPPOSEDLY ADMITTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MORE THEN ONE STONE CRUSHING MACHINE ON SITE. HE SAID THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE OF THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS.
IF KOBYLUCK INTENDS TO STAY OPEN THE TOWN COULD SEEK FINES AND FEES. THE FINES COULD BE TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS (#250.00) A DAY. THE TOWN'S LEGAL FEES AND ENGINEERING EXPENSESE HAVE RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEIGHBORS OF KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL HAVE GOTTEN THEIR RECOURSE AFTER YEARS OF BEING PATIENT.
THE PROBLEMS STARTED IN 2005 WHEN RESIDENTS (LIVING IN CLOSE VACINITY) COMPLAINING OF WORK GOING ON BEYOND THE HOURS IT WAS ALLOWED TO OPERATE. THE RESIDENTS ALSO COMPLAINED OF MACHINERY BEING USED THAT WAS NOT ALLOWED. THE RESIDENTS SAID THE NOISE OF THE EXPLOSIONS SOUNDED LIKE "SONIC BOOM." AND FELT LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE. IT WAS REPORTED THAT BEFORE 2005, THE PREVIOUS COMPANY HAD BLASTED THE ROCK AND TAKEN THE ROCKS SOME PLACE ELSE TO CRUSH UP THE STONE. KOBYLUCK DOES THE STONE CRUSHING ON SITE.
THE TOWN TOOK KOBYLUCK TO COURT CLAIMING THE FOLLOWING:
1) THE COMPANY WAS USING MORE THAN ONE STONE CRUSHER THAT IT WAS ALLOWED TO USE.
2) THE COMPANY VIOLATED THE CONDITIONS OF IT'S ZONING PERMIT WHICH REQUIRE ONE AREA OF THE PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN EXCAVATED MUST BE MOSTLY RECLAIMED BEFORE ANOTHER AREA IS EXCAVATED.
THE COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE TOWN IN BOTH INSTANCES.
HUGH MCKEANEY, CHARMIAN OF THE PLANING AND ZONING COMMISSION SAID, "IT WAS A LONG TIME COMING."
MATT KOBYLUCK, THE ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL SAID, "WE JUST GOT THE COURT RULING SO WE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING IT AND DETERMINE WHAT ACTION WE ARE GOING TO TAKE.' HE SAID HE WOULD NOT APPEAL YET.KOBYLUCK SUPPOSEDLY ADMITTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MORE THEN ONE STONE CRUSHING MACHINE ON SITE. HE SAID THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE OF THE ZONING REQUIREMENTS.
IF KOBYLUCK INTENDS TO STAY OPEN THE TOWN COULD SEEK FINES AND FEES. THE FINES COULD BE TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS (#250.00) A DAY. THE TOWN'S LEGAL FEES AND ENGINEERING EXPENSESE HAVE RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEIGHBORS OF KOBYLUCK SAND AND GRAVEL HAVE GOTTEN THEIR RECOURSE AFTER YEARS OF BEING PATIENT.
MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION
THE OTHER NIGHT, I VISITED THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION TO CHECK OUT THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GASOLINE.
THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS ON THE PUMP AT THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION WAS $2.659. THE PRICE AFTER A MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS DISCOUNT WAS $1.591 PER GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE.
THE PRICE IN UNCASVILLE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE IS $2.239.
THE SAVINGS OF BUYING THE GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION BY A TRIBAL MEMBER OVER BUYING IT IN UNCASVILLE IS $0.648. QUITE A SAVINGS.
THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS ON THE PUMP AT THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION WAS $2.659. THE PRICE AFTER A MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS DISCOUNT WAS $1.591 PER GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE.
THE PRICE IN UNCASVILLE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE IS $2.239.
THE SAVINGS OF BUYING THE GALLON OF REGULAR GRADE GASOLINE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION BY A TRIBAL MEMBER OVER BUYING IT IN UNCASVILLE IS $0.648. QUITE A SAVINGS.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IN NEW YORK CITY
RECENTLY, THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS CAME ACROSS SOME NEWS ITEMS ON THE FORD HYBRID ESCAPE SUV VEHICLES.
THE STORY IS ABOUT HOW NEW YORK CITY AND THE TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION WANT THE TAXI FLEET TO REACH 25 M.P.G. CITY DRIVING AND 30 M.P.G. (MILES PER GALLON) HIGHWAY. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS THE TAXI FLEETS ARE SWITCHING OVER TO THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WAS TO REPLACE THE AGING FORD CROWN VICTORIA VEHICLES, WHICH DO NOT GET THE MILEAGE MANDATED. HOWEVER, THEY ARE FULL SIZE CARS AND ARE MADE FOR FLEET USE. THE FORD HYBRID IS A PASSENGER VEHICLE BEING USED AS A FLEET VEHICLE.
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THE FORD HYBRID ESCAPES ROLLING OVER. THE REASON GIVEN FOR THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS ROLLING OVER IS THEIR HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY AND THE UNEVEN SURFACES OF NEW YORK CITY STREETS. A REPORT BY C. BRUCE GAMBARDELLA, AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER REPORTEDLY SAID, "IF A FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAD BEEN INVOLVED, THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE FENDER BENDER."
PROBLEMS FOUND ON THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1) THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NORMALLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE PARTITION AND THE TOP OF THE CAR.
2) THE L-SHAPED PARTITION INTERFERED WITH THE 3-POINT UNI BELT BECAUSE IT CHANGED THE ANCHORING POSITION OF THE BELT.
3) THE PARTITION DID NOT STAY IN PLACE DURING THE CRASH AND MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A VIOLENT HEAD STRIKE AGAINST THE HARD PARTITION IF THERE HAD BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.
THERE ARE ABOUT 14,000 TAXI DRIVERS IN NEW YORK CITY, AS WELL AS THE RIDING PUBLIC, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY BE RIDING IN THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. MAYBE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SHOULD LOOK FURTHER INTO THE SAFETY OF ITS FORD ESCAPE HYBRID CARS. THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS USED BY PUBLIC SAFETY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORIES, "POLICE CAR BURNS AT TRADING COVE," "FORD ESCAPE HYBRID", AND "FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, C.O.O. AND INSURANCE."
THE STORY IS ABOUT HOW NEW YORK CITY AND THE TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION WANT THE TAXI FLEET TO REACH 25 M.P.G. CITY DRIVING AND 30 M.P.G. (MILES PER GALLON) HIGHWAY. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS THE TAXI FLEETS ARE SWITCHING OVER TO THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID WAS TO REPLACE THE AGING FORD CROWN VICTORIA VEHICLES, WHICH DO NOT GET THE MILEAGE MANDATED. HOWEVER, THEY ARE FULL SIZE CARS AND ARE MADE FOR FLEET USE. THE FORD HYBRID IS A PASSENGER VEHICLE BEING USED AS A FLEET VEHICLE.
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CASES OF THE FORD HYBRID ESCAPES ROLLING OVER. THE REASON GIVEN FOR THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS ROLLING OVER IS THEIR HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY AND THE UNEVEN SURFACES OF NEW YORK CITY STREETS. A REPORT BY C. BRUCE GAMBARDELLA, AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER REPORTEDLY SAID, "IF A FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAD BEEN INVOLVED, THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE FENDER BENDER."
PROBLEMS FOUND ON THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1) THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NORMALLY DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE PARTITION AND THE TOP OF THE CAR.
2) THE L-SHAPED PARTITION INTERFERED WITH THE 3-POINT UNI BELT BECAUSE IT CHANGED THE ANCHORING POSITION OF THE BELT.
3) THE PARTITION DID NOT STAY IN PLACE DURING THE CRASH AND MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A VIOLENT HEAD STRIKE AGAINST THE HARD PARTITION IF THERE HAD BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.
THERE ARE ABOUT 14,000 TAXI DRIVERS IN NEW YORK CITY, AS WELL AS THE RIDING PUBLIC, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY BE RIDING IN THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS. MAYBE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SHOULD LOOK FURTHER INTO THE SAFETY OF ITS FORD ESCAPE HYBRID CARS. THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID IS USED BY PUBLIC SAFETY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORIES, "POLICE CAR BURNS AT TRADING COVE," "FORD ESCAPE HYBRID", AND "FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, C.O.O. AND INSURANCE."
Native American Blessing Ceremony
New Haven, Connecticut, November 8, 2008 The Editor of Brokenwing Editorials was invited to the wedding of a beautiful young Mohegan woman and her new fantastic husband at the Bartel Chapel. The bride and groom looked terrific. The chapel was an amazing place. The actual ceremony was beautiful, spiritual, and love flourished through out the chapel.
This story is not about the great time I had but instead about one aspect of the wedding ceremony. The part, I wish to talk about was the part of the ceremony called, "Native American blessing Ceremony." It was officiated by Marie Pineault, Justice of the Peace (Member of the Council of Elders of the Mohegan Tribe). Marie Pineault,had the mothers of the Bride and Groom to come forward, and wrap a blanket around their adult children (Wedding Couple) while she said some words in English about the blessing. Here are her words:
Creator above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. we honor Mother-Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor Fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor Wind and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our fathers arms. We honor Water to clean and soothe our relationship that may never thirst for love, with all the forces of the universe you created. We pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Ni Yi Yo
It was the Wedding of Merilee Ruth Baker and Maxwell Thomas Roussat. It was a good day for Mohegans.
This story is not about the great time I had but instead about one aspect of the wedding ceremony. The part, I wish to talk about was the part of the ceremony called, "Native American blessing Ceremony." It was officiated by Marie Pineault, Justice of the Peace (Member of the Council of Elders of the Mohegan Tribe). Marie Pineault,had the mothers of the Bride and Groom to come forward, and wrap a blanket around their adult children (Wedding Couple) while she said some words in English about the blessing. Here are her words:
Creator above please protect the ones we love. We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. we honor Mother-Earth and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor Fire and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts. We honor Wind and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our fathers arms. We honor Water to clean and soothe our relationship that may never thirst for love, with all the forces of the universe you created. We pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together. Ni Yi Yo
It was the Wedding of Merilee Ruth Baker and Maxwell Thomas Roussat. It was a good day for Mohegans.
Monday, November 10, 2008
QUESTIONS ON WEBSITE
ON THE MOHEGAN WEBSITE, WHICH I DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW TO GET ON, THERE WAS THE FOLLOWING QUESTION WHICH I WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO.
THE QUESTION WAS: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. WHY, WHEN I COMMENT ON THE BROKENWING SITE, HE DOES NOT PUBLISH MY COMMENTS. COULD IT BE THAT HE IS ONE SIDED AND ONLY PUBLISHES WHAT IS IN HIS BEST INTEREST.
THE ANSWER: THE BROKENWING BLOG IS A PRIVATE SITE THAT IS NOT UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. ANY CONCERNS OF QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING THIS SITE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE OWNER OF THE BLOG. FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, HERE IS THE DEFINITION OF "BLOG" FROM WEBOPEDIA: A BLOG, SHORT FOR WEB LOG, IS A WEB PAGE THAT SERVES AS A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE PERSONAL JOURNAL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, TYPICALLY UPDATED DAILY, BLOGS OFTER REFLECT THE PERSONALITY OF THE AUTHOR.
THE PURPOSE OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS TO DO THE FOLLOWING: 1) PRESENT CONCERNS, FACTS, IDEAS, OPINIONS TO MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, 2) HAVE TRIBAL MEMBERS THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO THEM, 3) TO GET TRIBAL MEMBERS TO TALK AMONGST THEMSELVES ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS. FACTS, IDEAS AND OPINIONS, AND 4) MOTIVATE THEM TO ACTION, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE TRIBE.
ABOUT ONE IN FIVE (1 IN 5) COMMENTS FROM READERS, ARE MOVED OVER FROM THE BLOGS E-MAILS TO THE COMMENT SECTION. THE MAJORITY OF THE E-MAILS ARE POSITIVE IN CONTENT TO THE MATERIAL PROVIDED BY BROKENWING EDITORIALS. VERY FEW OF THE POSITIVE E-MAILS EVER GET PUBLISHED. THE MOST E-MAILS THAT ARE PUBLISHED ARE NEGATIVE ABOUT THE BLOG'S CONTENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE WEIRD E-MAILS IN RECENT HISTORY THAT WERE NOT PUBLISHED. IN MY OPINION, ONE OF THOSE E-MAILS WAS FROM THE QUESTIONER ON THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL WEBSITE. I WILL NOT PUBLISH E-MAILS ABOUT TRIBAL MEMBERS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, HATRED, BIGOTRY , OR GENOCIDE OF NATIVE AMERICANS, OR CRAZED ILLICIT THOUGHTS OF MADNESS. AT NO TIME WILL I ALLOW PERSONAL ATTACKS ON TRIBAL MEMBERS. UNDER NO CONDITIONS WILL I PUBLISH OBSCENITIES.
IF THE QUESTIONER OF THE MOHEGAN WEBSITE, HAS DONE ANY OF THE THINGS I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH, THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS NOT PUBLISHED.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN TWO TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO USED THEIR NAMES WITH THEIR E-MAILED COMMENTS. THEY WERE PUBLISHED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUBLISHED. I WILL GIVE PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEIR NAMES PREFERENCE OVER PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL IN ANONYMOUS. I AM MORE THEN WILLING TO PUBLISH E-MAILS OF THOSE WHO E-MAIL IN ANONYMOUS. I WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH E-MAILS AT THE PRESENT RATE OF ONE IN FIVE (1 IN 5).
IN MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT MOST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (MAYBE A NEWSPAPER OR THE MOHEGAN WEBSITE) NEVER GET PRINTED. I THINK, THE QUESTIONER IS REQUESTING THAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS DO MORE THAN A TRIBAL WEBSITE, NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES. THIS IS UNREALISTIC. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
BROKENWING EDITORIALS DOES NOT BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP, I DO NOT CLEAN UP THE COMMENTS OF READERS. I WANT TO PUBLISH OPPOSITE OPINIONS. WHAT I WILL NOT DO IS ALLOW BROKENWING EDITORIALS TO BE REDUCED TO A TRASHY, UNETHICAL PRODUCT. WE WANT TO LEAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MOHEGANS, A CHRONICLE OF WHAT TOOK PLACE AND HOW TRIBAL MEMBERS FELT AND LIVED IN THIS TIME PERIOD. I STRIVE TO DO THE BEST I CAN AT INFORMING TRIBAL MEMBERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE AND ABOUT THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT.
THE QUESTION WAS: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. WHY, WHEN I COMMENT ON THE BROKENWING SITE, HE DOES NOT PUBLISH MY COMMENTS. COULD IT BE THAT HE IS ONE SIDED AND ONLY PUBLISHES WHAT IS IN HIS BEST INTEREST.
THE ANSWER: THE BROKENWING BLOG IS A PRIVATE SITE THAT IS NOT UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. ANY CONCERNS OF QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING THIS SITE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE OWNER OF THE BLOG. FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, HERE IS THE DEFINITION OF "BLOG" FROM WEBOPEDIA: A BLOG, SHORT FOR WEB LOG, IS A WEB PAGE THAT SERVES AS A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE PERSONAL JOURNAL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, TYPICALLY UPDATED DAILY, BLOGS OFTER REFLECT THE PERSONALITY OF THE AUTHOR.
THE PURPOSE OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS TO DO THE FOLLOWING: 1) PRESENT CONCERNS, FACTS, IDEAS, OPINIONS TO MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, 2) HAVE TRIBAL MEMBERS THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO THEM, 3) TO GET TRIBAL MEMBERS TO TALK AMONGST THEMSELVES ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS. FACTS, IDEAS AND OPINIONS, AND 4) MOTIVATE THEM TO ACTION, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THEY FEEL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE TRIBE.
ABOUT ONE IN FIVE (1 IN 5) COMMENTS FROM READERS, ARE MOVED OVER FROM THE BLOGS E-MAILS TO THE COMMENT SECTION. THE MAJORITY OF THE E-MAILS ARE POSITIVE IN CONTENT TO THE MATERIAL PROVIDED BY BROKENWING EDITORIALS. VERY FEW OF THE POSITIVE E-MAILS EVER GET PUBLISHED. THE MOST E-MAILS THAT ARE PUBLISHED ARE NEGATIVE ABOUT THE BLOG'S CONTENT.
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE WEIRD E-MAILS IN RECENT HISTORY THAT WERE NOT PUBLISHED. IN MY OPINION, ONE OF THOSE E-MAILS WAS FROM THE QUESTIONER ON THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL WEBSITE. I WILL NOT PUBLISH E-MAILS ABOUT TRIBAL MEMBERS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, HATRED, BIGOTRY , OR GENOCIDE OF NATIVE AMERICANS, OR CRAZED ILLICIT THOUGHTS OF MADNESS. AT NO TIME WILL I ALLOW PERSONAL ATTACKS ON TRIBAL MEMBERS. UNDER NO CONDITIONS WILL I PUBLISH OBSCENITIES.
IF THE QUESTIONER OF THE MOHEGAN WEBSITE, HAS DONE ANY OF THE THINGS I HAVE MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH, THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS NOT PUBLISHED.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN TWO TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO USED THEIR NAMES WITH THEIR E-MAILED COMMENTS. THEY WERE PUBLISHED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUBLISHED. I WILL GIVE PEOPLE WHO GIVE THEIR NAMES PREFERENCE OVER PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL IN ANONYMOUS. I AM MORE THEN WILLING TO PUBLISH E-MAILS OF THOSE WHO E-MAIL IN ANONYMOUS. I WILL CONTINUE TO PUBLISH E-MAILS AT THE PRESENT RATE OF ONE IN FIVE (1 IN 5).
IN MY OPINION, I BELIEVE THAT MOST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (MAYBE A NEWSPAPER OR THE MOHEGAN WEBSITE) NEVER GET PRINTED. I THINK, THE QUESTIONER IS REQUESTING THAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS DO MORE THAN A TRIBAL WEBSITE, NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES. THIS IS UNREALISTIC. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
BROKENWING EDITORIALS DOES NOT BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP, I DO NOT CLEAN UP THE COMMENTS OF READERS. I WANT TO PUBLISH OPPOSITE OPINIONS. WHAT I WILL NOT DO IS ALLOW BROKENWING EDITORIALS TO BE REDUCED TO A TRASHY, UNETHICAL PRODUCT. WE WANT TO LEAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MOHEGANS, A CHRONICLE OF WHAT TOOK PLACE AND HOW TRIBAL MEMBERS FELT AND LIVED IN THIS TIME PERIOD. I STRIVE TO DO THE BEST I CAN AT INFORMING TRIBAL MEMBERS AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE AND ABOUT THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT.
SEE YOU THERE
NOVEMBER 12, 2008, 9:00 A.M. TO 10:00A.M. ----TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP COFFEE HOUR IN THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM.
NOVEMBER 13, 2008, DECEMBER 4 AND 18, 2008, 3:30 P.M., TOURS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER, LEAVES THE EAST (BACK) DOOR OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT BUILDING. TO RESERVE A SEAT ON THE BUS CALL 1-800-MOHEGAN EXT. 6128, ASK FOR SHERRIE LAVIEGNE.
DECEMBER 21, 2008, 12:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M., THE ANNUAL TRIBAL CHRISTMAS PARTY, REGISTRATION BEGINS ON DECEMBER 2, 2008. CALL 1-800-MOHEGAN EXT. 6008.
NOVEMBER 13, 2008, DECEMBER 4 AND 18, 2008, 3:30 P.M., TOURS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER, LEAVES THE EAST (BACK) DOOR OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT BUILDING. TO RESERVE A SEAT ON THE BUS CALL 1-800-MOHEGAN EXT. 6128, ASK FOR SHERRIE LAVIEGNE.
DECEMBER 21, 2008, 12:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M., THE ANNUAL TRIBAL CHRISTMAS PARTY, REGISTRATION BEGINS ON DECEMBER 2, 2008. CALL 1-800-MOHEGAN EXT. 6008.
GOVERNMENT BUILDING CLOSINGS
VETERANS DAY, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2008 ---GOVERNMENT CLOSED
THANKSGIVING DAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 AND 28, 2008 -------GOVERNMENT BUILDING CLOSED
CHRISTMAS, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 AND 26, 2008--GOVERNMENT CLOSED
THANKSGIVING DAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 AND 28, 2008 -------GOVERNMENT BUILDING CLOSED
CHRISTMAS, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 AND 26, 2008--GOVERNMENT CLOSED
Sunday, November 9, 2008
PART III KEN DAVISON GOES TO COURT
ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2008, AT 11;00 A.M., THE COURT CASE OF KEN DAVISON VS. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL ELECTION COMMITTEE GETS UNDER WAY.
AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE. KEN DAVISON CLAIMS HIS BALLOT WAS A LEGAL BALLOT AND WAS NOT COUNTED. HE BELIEVES THE LAW VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. IT IS ABOUT WHETHER THE ELECTION LAW REQUIRING TRIBAL MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR ALL THE POSITIONS ON THE BALLOT TO HAVE THEIR BALLOT COUNT, IS TO BE DECIDED.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS ENCOURAGES ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THE ORDINANCE OR NOT, COME AND WATCH THE COURT CASE IN ACTION. SEE YOU THERE.
AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS CASE. KEN DAVISON CLAIMS HIS BALLOT WAS A LEGAL BALLOT AND WAS NOT COUNTED. HE BELIEVES THE LAW VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. IT IS ABOUT WHETHER THE ELECTION LAW REQUIRING TRIBAL MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR ALL THE POSITIONS ON THE BALLOT TO HAVE THEIR BALLOT COUNT, IS TO BE DECIDED.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS ENCOURAGES ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS, WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THE ORDINANCE OR NOT, COME AND WATCH THE COURT CASE IN ACTION. SEE YOU THERE.
MAINE CASINO HURTING
THE HOLLYWOOD SLOTS HOTEL AND RACEWAY IN BANGOR, MAINE IS HURTING FINANCIALLY DUE TO THE ECONOMY. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE SLOT REVENUES FOR FIVE OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS ARE DOWN. WITH REVENUES FROM HOLLYWOOD SLOTS NOT AS GOOD AS HAD BEEN PROJECTED, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROJECTIONS MUST BE LOWERED.
IN JULY, 2008 THE CASINO MOVED FROM IT'S TEMPORARY LOCATION ON MAIN STREET WITH 475 SLOT MACHINES TO IT'S NEW FACILITY. THE NEW FACILITY HAS 1,000 SLOT MACHINES, A 154 ROOM HOTEL AND ABOUT 1,500 PARKING SPACES. THE NEW CASINO COMPLEX COST ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($132,000,000.000).
HOLLYWOOD SLOTS HAS ABOUT 500 FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.THE CASINO IN AN EFFORT NOT TO LAYOFF WORKERS, ARE MOVING EMPLOYEES AROUND. THE CASINO HAS CUT IT'S HOURS OF OPERATION. UNDER THE OLD HOURS MOST DAYS THE CASINO CLOSED AT 4:00 A.M. THE NEW CLOSING HOURS ARE SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY TO 1:00 A.M., FRIDAY AND SATURDAY CLOSING WILL BE AT 2:00 A.M.
THE PROJECTIONS FOR THE REVENUES TO THE STATE WILL BE DOWN ABOUT $3.6 MILLION ($3,600,000.00) THIS YEAR AND REDUCED ABOUT AN ESTIMATED $4.5 MILLION ($4,500,000.00) NEXT YEAR, FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR.
THE CASINO IS SAYING THAT PEOPLE (CUSTOMERS) ARE BEING MORE CAUTIOUS WITH THEIR DISPOSABLE INCOME. THE SAME THINGS HAPPENING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE NOW HAPPENING IN MAINE.
AMY KENNEY, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE HOLLYWOOD SLOTS AND RACEWAY SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "IT'S FAIR TO SAY, WITH THE ECONOMY BEING WHAT IT IS, WE'RE WATCHING OUR FINANCES. ALL BUSINESSES ARE FEELING IT AND LIKE MANY OTHERS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN UPSWING IN THE ECONOMY."
IN JULY, 2008 THE CASINO MOVED FROM IT'S TEMPORARY LOCATION ON MAIN STREET WITH 475 SLOT MACHINES TO IT'S NEW FACILITY. THE NEW FACILITY HAS 1,000 SLOT MACHINES, A 154 ROOM HOTEL AND ABOUT 1,500 PARKING SPACES. THE NEW CASINO COMPLEX COST ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($132,000,000.000).
HOLLYWOOD SLOTS HAS ABOUT 500 FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES.THE CASINO IN AN EFFORT NOT TO LAYOFF WORKERS, ARE MOVING EMPLOYEES AROUND. THE CASINO HAS CUT IT'S HOURS OF OPERATION. UNDER THE OLD HOURS MOST DAYS THE CASINO CLOSED AT 4:00 A.M. THE NEW CLOSING HOURS ARE SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY TO 1:00 A.M., FRIDAY AND SATURDAY CLOSING WILL BE AT 2:00 A.M.
THE PROJECTIONS FOR THE REVENUES TO THE STATE WILL BE DOWN ABOUT $3.6 MILLION ($3,600,000.00) THIS YEAR AND REDUCED ABOUT AN ESTIMATED $4.5 MILLION ($4,500,000.00) NEXT YEAR, FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR.
THE CASINO IS SAYING THAT PEOPLE (CUSTOMERS) ARE BEING MORE CAUTIOUS WITH THEIR DISPOSABLE INCOME. THE SAME THINGS HAPPENING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE NOW HAPPENING IN MAINE.
AMY KENNEY, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE HOLLYWOOD SLOTS AND RACEWAY SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "IT'S FAIR TO SAY, WITH THE ECONOMY BEING WHAT IT IS, WE'RE WATCHING OUR FINANCES. ALL BUSINESSES ARE FEELING IT AND LIKE MANY OTHERS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN UPSWING IN THE ECONOMY."
CONNECTICUT UNEMPLOYMENT
CONNECTICUT UNEMPLOYMENT IS 6.1% OF ALL WORKERS. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AT THE MOMENT IS 6.5%. THE LAST TIME THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT WAS THIS HIGH WAS IN APRIL 1994 WHEN IT WAS 6.4%. THE UNITED STATES LOST A TOTAL OF AN ESTIMATED 240,000 JOBS IN OCTOBER. CONNECTICUT SUPPOSEDLY LOST ABOUT 2,300 JOBS. CONNECTICUT COULD LOSE BETWEEN TWENTY FIVE AND EIGHTY THOUSAND (25,000 TO 80,000) JOBS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
JOHN TIRZONIE, A CONNECTICUT STATE ECONOMIST IS ESTIMATING THE JOB LOSE IN CONNECTICUT AT BETWEEN 25,000 TO 35,000 FOR NEXT YEAR. DON KLEPPER-SMITH, THE CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL'S ECONOMIC ADVISORY PANEL THINKS THE NUMBER OF LOST JOBS COULD BE BETWEEN 60,000 TO 80,000 FOR NEXT YEAR. KLEPPER-SMITH SUPPOSED SAID, "IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE THAN THE LAST RECESSION. (2001) BUT IT'S GOING TO AS BAD AS THE GREAT RECESSION FROM 1989 TO 1992, IN WHICH THE STATE LOST 160,000 JOBS. THE NEXT TWO OR THREE QUARTERS ARE GOING TO CONSTITUTE TOUGH SLEDDING FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS." KEPPLER-SMITH TALKING OF THE DROP IN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT FROM 6.1% IN SEPTEMBER TO 6.5% IN OCTOBER STATED, "THIS WAS A SOBERING JOBS REPORT. IT REFLECTS SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKETS, AND IT'S CONFIRMATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN RECESSION NOW FOR THE LAST THREE QUARTERS."
LOOK AROUND, WHAT DO YOU SEE? BEIT BROTHERS, IN UNCASVILLE, A 100 YEAR OLD COMPANY IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. SERGIO'S (A PIZZA RESTAURANT ON ROUTE 32, IN UNCASVILLE) RECENTLY CLOSED IT'S DOORS. THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO HAS LAID OFF AN ESTIMATED 900 WORKERS. THE MOHEGAN SUN HAS LOST WORKERS THROUGH ATTRITION. HARTFORD FINANCIAL IN HARTFORD, IS LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 125 WORKERS. GREENWOOD PUBLISHING GROUP, IN WESTPORT, IS SUPPOSED TO BE LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 150 WORKERS. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT MEAD-WESTYACO, IN ENFIELD, IS LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 75 EMPLOYEES. THE MYSTIC AQUARIUM IS LAYING OFF BETWEEN 10% TO 15% OF IT'S WORKERS. LINEN AND THINGS IS REPORTED TO BE CLOSING ALL ITS STORES NATIONWIDE.
TIRIZONIE FEELS THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WILL FOLLOW THE NATION IN UNEMPLOYMENT. HE REPORTED SAID, "WE ARE GOING TO SEE JOB LOSSES AT LEAST THROUGH THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS OF 2009."
KEPPLER-SMITH SAID, " JOBS ARE DOWN, STOCKS ARE DOWN, MEDIAN HOUSING PRICES ARE DOWN. YOU MARRY THAT WITH THE LOWEST CONSUMER CONFIDENCE LEVEL IN 41 YEARS, CONSUMERS ARE FEELING LESS WEALTHY, AND THEY'RE NOT IN THE MOOD TO SPEND."
ECONOMIST ARE TELLING CONSUMERS NOT TO USE THEIR CREDIT CARDS AND TO USE ONLY CASH WHEN POSSIBLE. THE EXPERTS EXPECT A SLOW CHRISTMAS. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY ARE BUYING PRESENTS FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN AND CHILDREN BUT NOT FOR THE ADULTS IN THE FAMILY.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO MOHEGAN SUN? WAS DOES THIS MEAN TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
JOHN TIRZONIE, A CONNECTICUT STATE ECONOMIST IS ESTIMATING THE JOB LOSE IN CONNECTICUT AT BETWEEN 25,000 TO 35,000 FOR NEXT YEAR. DON KLEPPER-SMITH, THE CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL'S ECONOMIC ADVISORY PANEL THINKS THE NUMBER OF LOST JOBS COULD BE BETWEEN 60,000 TO 80,000 FOR NEXT YEAR. KLEPPER-SMITH SUPPOSED SAID, "IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE THAN THE LAST RECESSION. (2001) BUT IT'S GOING TO AS BAD AS THE GREAT RECESSION FROM 1989 TO 1992, IN WHICH THE STATE LOST 160,000 JOBS. THE NEXT TWO OR THREE QUARTERS ARE GOING TO CONSTITUTE TOUGH SLEDDING FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS." KEPPLER-SMITH TALKING OF THE DROP IN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT FROM 6.1% IN SEPTEMBER TO 6.5% IN OCTOBER STATED, "THIS WAS A SOBERING JOBS REPORT. IT REFLECTS SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKETS, AND IT'S CONFIRMATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN RECESSION NOW FOR THE LAST THREE QUARTERS."
LOOK AROUND, WHAT DO YOU SEE? BEIT BROTHERS, IN UNCASVILLE, A 100 YEAR OLD COMPANY IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. SERGIO'S (A PIZZA RESTAURANT ON ROUTE 32, IN UNCASVILLE) RECENTLY CLOSED IT'S DOORS. THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO HAS LAID OFF AN ESTIMATED 900 WORKERS. THE MOHEGAN SUN HAS LOST WORKERS THROUGH ATTRITION. HARTFORD FINANCIAL IN HARTFORD, IS LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 125 WORKERS. GREENWOOD PUBLISHING GROUP, IN WESTPORT, IS SUPPOSED TO BE LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 150 WORKERS. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT MEAD-WESTYACO, IN ENFIELD, IS LAYING OFF AN ESTIMATED 75 EMPLOYEES. THE MYSTIC AQUARIUM IS LAYING OFF BETWEEN 10% TO 15% OF IT'S WORKERS. LINEN AND THINGS IS REPORTED TO BE CLOSING ALL ITS STORES NATIONWIDE.
TIRIZONIE FEELS THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WILL FOLLOW THE NATION IN UNEMPLOYMENT. HE REPORTED SAID, "WE ARE GOING TO SEE JOB LOSSES AT LEAST THROUGH THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS OF 2009."
KEPPLER-SMITH SAID, " JOBS ARE DOWN, STOCKS ARE DOWN, MEDIAN HOUSING PRICES ARE DOWN. YOU MARRY THAT WITH THE LOWEST CONSUMER CONFIDENCE LEVEL IN 41 YEARS, CONSUMERS ARE FEELING LESS WEALTHY, AND THEY'RE NOT IN THE MOOD TO SPEND."
ECONOMIST ARE TELLING CONSUMERS NOT TO USE THEIR CREDIT CARDS AND TO USE ONLY CASH WHEN POSSIBLE. THE EXPERTS EXPECT A SLOW CHRISTMAS. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY ARE BUYING PRESENTS FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN AND CHILDREN BUT NOT FOR THE ADULTS IN THE FAMILY.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO MOHEGAN SUN? WAS DOES THIS MEAN TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Friday, November 7, 2008
MORTGAGES AND FORECLOSURES
A FEW YEARS BACK IN SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT, LIKE A LOT OF OTHER PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES, IT WAS A SELLERS MARKET IN THE HOUSING MARKET. THE PRICES OF HOUSES WENT THROUGH THE ROOF. INTEREST RATES WERE LOW, PEOPLE WERE BECOMING PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM WHO NEVER FELT THEY COULD.
ABOUT FIFTY TO SIXTY YEARS AGO, WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED, THEY WOULD GET UP SOME MONEY AND PURCHASE A HOME. AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED THEY WOULD MOVE INTO THEIR HOUSES AND SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES THERE. THEY WOULD RAISE THEIR FAMILIES, AND EVENTUALLY SETTLE INTO RETIREMENT IN THEIR HOMES. THEIR CHILDREN HAD A MUCH HARDER TIME BUYING HOMES, HAVING TO COME UP WITH 10% TO 20% DOWN PAYMENTS ON THEIR HOUSES.
MOVE FORWARD TO THE 1990'S AND 2000'S. THE BANKS WANTED 20% DOWN ON HOUSES THAT WERE THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF ALL TIME. SO WHAT DO THE LOAN INSTITUTIONS DO? THEY OFFER, IF THE BUYER WILL PAY TWO POINTS (2%) EXTRA ON THEIR MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES, THEY CAN HAVE A NO CREDIT CHECK MORTGAGE. THEN THE BANKS CAME UP WITH VARIABLE MORTGAGES. THE BANKS WOULD GIVE THE PRUCHASER A MORTGAGE AT 3% UP TO 5 YEARS AND THEN THE RATE MIGHT CHANGE. AFTER FIVE YEARS IT DID CHANGE AND IN MANY CASES WENT TO 8% THAT THE BUYERS COULD NOT AFFORD. ANOTHER THING THE BANKS WOULD DO IS GIVE THE BUYERS AN EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) MORTGAGE AND THE DAY OF THE CLOSING ON THE HOUSE A SECOND MORTGAGE FOR TWENTY PERCENT (20%). IN OTHER WORDS THE BANK WAS PAYING FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT MAYBE THE CLOSING COSTS. THE BUYER WALKED OUT AFTER CLOSING, HAVING A FIRST AND SECOND MORTGAGE, THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THE BUYERS COULD PAY.
IN MY OPINION, WHAT YOU HAD WAS A FAKE HOUSING MARKET, PEOPLE BUYING HOUSES WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THEM AND THE PRICES OF THE HOUSES BEING SOLD FOR MORE THAN THEY WERE REALLY WORTH.
LAST YEAR ONE PERCENT (1%) OF ALL MORTGAGES ENDED IN FORECLOSURES. THIS YEAR ONE AND A HALF PERCENT (1.5%) OF ALL MORTGAGES ARE IN FORECLOSURE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS IF THINGS DO NOT TURN AROUND FIVE TO SIX PERCENT (5 TO 6%) OF ALL MORTGAGES WILL END IN FORECLOSURE.
THE BANKS DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A LOSS, SO THEY ARE BIDDING WHAT IS OWED ON THE MORTGAGES AND KEEPING THE HOUSES. WHO WANTS TO BUY A FORECLOSURE WITH A THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) MORTGAGE THAT THE HOUSE IS REALLY WORTH ONLY TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ($200,000.00) DOLLARS?
HOW DOES ALL OF THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? PEOPLE ARE NOW CHOOSING WHETHER TO PAY UTILITY BILLS, MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, CAR PAYMENTS, INSURANCE, TO BUY FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC. WHERE IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES IS THE EXTRA INCOME TO GAMBLE? HOW WILL THIS EFFECT OUR CASINO? THE LENDING INSTITUTIONS BUILT A FALSE ECONOMY IN THE HOUSING MARKET AND NOW EVERYONE IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ABOUT FIFTY TO SIXTY YEARS AGO, WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED, THEY WOULD GET UP SOME MONEY AND PURCHASE A HOME. AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED THEY WOULD MOVE INTO THEIR HOUSES AND SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES THERE. THEY WOULD RAISE THEIR FAMILIES, AND EVENTUALLY SETTLE INTO RETIREMENT IN THEIR HOMES. THEIR CHILDREN HAD A MUCH HARDER TIME BUYING HOMES, HAVING TO COME UP WITH 10% TO 20% DOWN PAYMENTS ON THEIR HOUSES.
MOVE FORWARD TO THE 1990'S AND 2000'S. THE BANKS WANTED 20% DOWN ON HOUSES THAT WERE THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF ALL TIME. SO WHAT DO THE LOAN INSTITUTIONS DO? THEY OFFER, IF THE BUYER WILL PAY TWO POINTS (2%) EXTRA ON THEIR MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES, THEY CAN HAVE A NO CREDIT CHECK MORTGAGE. THEN THE BANKS CAME UP WITH VARIABLE MORTGAGES. THE BANKS WOULD GIVE THE PRUCHASER A MORTGAGE AT 3% UP TO 5 YEARS AND THEN THE RATE MIGHT CHANGE. AFTER FIVE YEARS IT DID CHANGE AND IN MANY CASES WENT TO 8% THAT THE BUYERS COULD NOT AFFORD. ANOTHER THING THE BANKS WOULD DO IS GIVE THE BUYERS AN EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) MORTGAGE AND THE DAY OF THE CLOSING ON THE HOUSE A SECOND MORTGAGE FOR TWENTY PERCENT (20%). IN OTHER WORDS THE BANK WAS PAYING FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT MAYBE THE CLOSING COSTS. THE BUYER WALKED OUT AFTER CLOSING, HAVING A FIRST AND SECOND MORTGAGE, THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THE BUYERS COULD PAY.
IN MY OPINION, WHAT YOU HAD WAS A FAKE HOUSING MARKET, PEOPLE BUYING HOUSES WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THEM AND THE PRICES OF THE HOUSES BEING SOLD FOR MORE THAN THEY WERE REALLY WORTH.
LAST YEAR ONE PERCENT (1%) OF ALL MORTGAGES ENDED IN FORECLOSURES. THIS YEAR ONE AND A HALF PERCENT (1.5%) OF ALL MORTGAGES ARE IN FORECLOSURE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT WITHIN TWO YEARS IF THINGS DO NOT TURN AROUND FIVE TO SIX PERCENT (5 TO 6%) OF ALL MORTGAGES WILL END IN FORECLOSURE.
THE BANKS DO NOT WANT TO TAKE A LOSS, SO THEY ARE BIDDING WHAT IS OWED ON THE MORTGAGES AND KEEPING THE HOUSES. WHO WANTS TO BUY A FORECLOSURE WITH A THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) MORTGAGE THAT THE HOUSE IS REALLY WORTH ONLY TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ($200,000.00) DOLLARS?
HOW DOES ALL OF THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? PEOPLE ARE NOW CHOOSING WHETHER TO PAY UTILITY BILLS, MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, CAR PAYMENTS, INSURANCE, TO BUY FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC. WHERE IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES IS THE EXTRA INCOME TO GAMBLE? HOW WILL THIS EFFECT OUR CASINO? THE LENDING INSTITUTIONS BUILT A FALSE ECONOMY IN THE HOUSING MARKET AND NOW EVERYONE IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS ELECTED SEVERAL NEW TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE BIG UPSET WAS VICE CHAIRMAN KENNETH REELS WAS BEATEN BY NEWCOMER JAMES JACKSON. THE VOTERS SUPPOSEDLY SAID THEY WERE ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED WITH THE PRESENT COUNCIL.
WHY THE CHANGE? WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS FEEL THAT THEIR TRIBAL COUNCIL HAS DISRESPECTED AND DISENFRANCHISED THEM. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS SAY THEY WANT MORE OF A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.. THE TRIBE, WE ARE TOLD, ARE UNHAPPY THAT THE TRIBAL ELDERS THOUGHTS ABOUT TRIBAL MATTERS HAVE BEEN IGNORED.
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT, THE TRIBAL MEMBERS BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE MASHANTUCKET BUSINESSES, THAT COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS, WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP.
THERE IS TALK THAT THE MEMBERS WANT A INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL BRANCH.
NOW MOVE FORWARD TO OUR TRIBE, THE MOHEGANS, IS THIS NOT A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE SAME FRUSTRATIONS THAT WE EXPERIENCE? DO WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) FEEL THAT OUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ARE BEING IGNORED?
HOW MANY MEETINGS HAVE WE GONE TO, AND BEEN TOLD, YOU HAVE A REPRESENTIVE GOVERNMENT, AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE WANT. YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ENTIRE PICTURE. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. THE FEELING YOU WALK AWAY WITH IS, WE ARE DOING WHAT THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS US TO DO. I THOUGHT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS ELECTED TO DO THE WILL OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. AM I WRONG?
YEARS AGO, TRIBAL MEMBERS, AT THE OPEN SESSIONS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON ORDINANCES, POLICIES AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT WERE BEFORE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THAT WAS STOPPED AND TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE GIVEN COFFEE HOURS (OFF THE RECORD INFORMAL MEETINGS) TO VOICE THEIR VIEWS AND ASK THEIR QUESTIONS. THE COFFEE HOURS HAVE DWINDLED DOWN TO ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. THE WAY I SEE IT, THE SAME IS TRUE OF MONTHLY MEETINGS.
COULD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DOING WHAT IT WANTS AND NOT CONSIDERING THE WISHES OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? COULD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAVE AN AGENDA BY CHANGING THE LAW AND ORDER CODE? COULD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HIRING THE JUDGES FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? DO WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM? WHY WAS THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION DISOLVED? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IN MY OPINION, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS ARE RIGHT, THEY LIKE THE MOHEGANS, NEED A GREATER SAY IN THEIR GOVERNMENT. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS NEED TO LISTEN TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT. THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD REALIZE THAT THEY ARE SERVING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME COMPARED TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THE TRIBE HAS EXISTED. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL'S DECISIONS WILL HAVE LASTING EFFECTS LONG AFTER THEY ARE GONE.
MAYBE THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS DID AND DO THE SAME HERE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WHY THE CHANGE? WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS FEEL THAT THEIR TRIBAL COUNCIL HAS DISRESPECTED AND DISENFRANCHISED THEM. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS SAY THEY WANT MORE OF A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.. THE TRIBE, WE ARE TOLD, ARE UNHAPPY THAT THE TRIBAL ELDERS THOUGHTS ABOUT TRIBAL MATTERS HAVE BEEN IGNORED.
WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT, THE TRIBAL MEMBERS BELIEVE BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE MASHANTUCKET BUSINESSES, THAT COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS, WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP.
THERE IS TALK THAT THE MEMBERS WANT A INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL BRANCH.
NOW MOVE FORWARD TO OUR TRIBE, THE MOHEGANS, IS THIS NOT A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE SAME FRUSTRATIONS THAT WE EXPERIENCE? DO WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) FEEL THAT OUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS ARE BEING IGNORED?
HOW MANY MEETINGS HAVE WE GONE TO, AND BEEN TOLD, YOU HAVE A REPRESENTIVE GOVERNMENT, AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE WANT. YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ENTIRE PICTURE. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. THE FEELING YOU WALK AWAY WITH IS, WE ARE DOING WHAT THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS US TO DO. I THOUGHT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS ELECTED TO DO THE WILL OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. AM I WRONG?
YEARS AGO, TRIBAL MEMBERS, AT THE OPEN SESSIONS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON ORDINANCES, POLICIES AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT WERE BEFORE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THAT WAS STOPPED AND TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE GIVEN COFFEE HOURS (OFF THE RECORD INFORMAL MEETINGS) TO VOICE THEIR VIEWS AND ASK THEIR QUESTIONS. THE COFFEE HOURS HAVE DWINDLED DOWN TO ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. THE WAY I SEE IT, THE SAME IS TRUE OF MONTHLY MEETINGS.
COULD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DOING WHAT IT WANTS AND NOT CONSIDERING THE WISHES OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? COULD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAVE AN AGENDA BY CHANGING THE LAW AND ORDER CODE? COULD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HIRING THE JUDGES FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? DO WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM? WHY WAS THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION DISOLVED? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IN MY OPINION, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS ARE RIGHT, THEY LIKE THE MOHEGANS, NEED A GREATER SAY IN THEIR GOVERNMENT. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS NEED TO LISTEN TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT. THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD REALIZE THAT THEY ARE SERVING A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME COMPARED TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THE TRIBE HAS EXISTED. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL'S DECISIONS WILL HAVE LASTING EFFECTS LONG AFTER THEY ARE GONE.
MAYBE THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE SHOULD THINK ABOUT WHAT THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS DID AND DO THE SAME HERE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
THE BUDGETS
THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE MOHEGAN MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY (MTGA OR MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL) VOTED EIGHT TO ONE TO APPROVE THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. THE ONE VOTE AGAINST THE CASINO'S BUDGET WAS COUNCILOR MARK BROWN.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTED ON THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL BUDGET FOR THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR. THE VOTE WAS EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE NO VOTE. THE ONE NO VOTE WAS BY COUNCILOR MARK BROWN.
ON HIS VOTE AGAINST THE CASINO BUDGET, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT MARK BROWN STATED, "I HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE ON OUR ORGANIZATION. ALTHOUGH THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS CURTAILED EXPENSES, I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO TAKE A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO THE BUDGET NOW THEN BE FACED WITH A MORE DIFFICULT DECISION LATER IF RESULTS CONTINUE TO BE DISAPPOINTING."
CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE MTGA, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, "WHILE I RESPECT AMBASSADOR BROWN'S OPINION, I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO SET GOALS FOR THE EXECUTIVES THAT THEY SHOULD WORK TO ATTAIN. THESE WERE NUMBERS THAT THE EXECUTIVES PRESENTED AND WERE COMFORTABLE WITH. IN ADDITION TO PROVISION THAT REQUIRES NO LESS THAN QUARTERLY BUDGET REVIEWS, THE DAILY FLASH REPORTS AND WEEKLY TEAM MEETINGS WILL ALLOW FOR TIMELY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET, IF NECESSARY."
IF TRIBAL COUCILORS THOUGHTS ARE THE SAME AS THE CHAIRMAN'S THOUGHTS, THEN THEIR ATTITUDE IS THE MTGA WILL KEEP FIXING THE BUDGET THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. MARK BROWN'S APPROACH MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO.
SWALLOW THE BIG PILL NOW INSTEAD OF LITTLE PILLS LATER. FIX THE PATIENT NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE PATIENT TO GET SICKER AND THEN LATER TRYING TO HEEL THE PATIENT. MY IDEOLOGY, NOT MARK BROWN'S.
THE WAY I SEE IT, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL BUDGET FOR 2009 FISCAL YEAR COMPARED TO THE BUDGET FOR 2008, WILL GO FROM AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($114,000,000.00) TO AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($122,000,000.00) AN INCREASE OF AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00.) WHY AN INCREASE IN THE TRIBES BUDGET UNDER THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES?
AWHILE BACK, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTED TO BUILD THE NEW GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING. THE VOTE WAS EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE AGAINST. THE VOTE AGAINST WAS BY MARK HAMILTON.
THE TRIBE IS TALKING AN INCREASE IN OUR TOTAL TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEBT FROM AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($102,000,000.00) TO SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE MILLION DOLLARS AND TWO HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($192,000,000.00 AND $202,000,000.00). THE PRICE OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER AT EIGHTY NINE MILLION ($89,000,000.00.) AND THE BOND ISSUE ESTIMATED AT ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000/00.)
IF ONE SHOULD LOOK AROUND THE ECONOMIES OF THE WORLD, THE UNITED STATES, AND ESPECIALLY SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT, YOU HAVE TO COME AWAY WITH THE VIEW THAT WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) NEED TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE IN OUR BUSINESS PROCESSES.
I THINK MARK BROWN GOT IT RIGHT ON HIS NO VOTES ON THE BUDGETS. I ALSO THINK MARK HAMILTON GOT IT RIGHT ON HIS NO VOTE ON BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT.
THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS TALKING OF 13 GENERATIONS TO COME AND HOW THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THINGS BETTER THEN THEY FOUND THEM. WHAT THIS TRIBAL COUNCIL IS DOING, IS LEAVING FUTURE GENERATIONS (GREAT GRAND CHILDREN'S, GRAND CHILDREN) IN TERRIBLE DEBT.
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE CURRENT MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL BE UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR IF THEY CHOOSE TO RUN AGAIN. THEY ARE BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, LYNN MALERBA, JAMES GESSNER, JR., WILLIAM QUIDGEON, JR., AND MARK HAMILTON. MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT THESE FIVE TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE DOING AND CONSIDER THEIR ACTIONS AT ELECTION TIME, NEXT YEAR. ARE THESE COUNCILORS BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE? ARE THEY DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTED ON THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL BUDGET FOR THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR. THE VOTE WAS EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE NO VOTE. THE ONE NO VOTE WAS BY COUNCILOR MARK BROWN.
ON HIS VOTE AGAINST THE CASINO BUDGET, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT MARK BROWN STATED, "I HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED WITH THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE ON OUR ORGANIZATION. ALTHOUGH THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS CURTAILED EXPENSES, I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO TAKE A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO THE BUDGET NOW THEN BE FACED WITH A MORE DIFFICULT DECISION LATER IF RESULTS CONTINUE TO BE DISAPPOINTING."
CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE MTGA, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, "WHILE I RESPECT AMBASSADOR BROWN'S OPINION, I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO SET GOALS FOR THE EXECUTIVES THAT THEY SHOULD WORK TO ATTAIN. THESE WERE NUMBERS THAT THE EXECUTIVES PRESENTED AND WERE COMFORTABLE WITH. IN ADDITION TO PROVISION THAT REQUIRES NO LESS THAN QUARTERLY BUDGET REVIEWS, THE DAILY FLASH REPORTS AND WEEKLY TEAM MEETINGS WILL ALLOW FOR TIMELY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET, IF NECESSARY."
IF TRIBAL COUCILORS THOUGHTS ARE THE SAME AS THE CHAIRMAN'S THOUGHTS, THEN THEIR ATTITUDE IS THE MTGA WILL KEEP FIXING THE BUDGET THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. MARK BROWN'S APPROACH MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO.
SWALLOW THE BIG PILL NOW INSTEAD OF LITTLE PILLS LATER. FIX THE PATIENT NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE PATIENT TO GET SICKER AND THEN LATER TRYING TO HEEL THE PATIENT. MY IDEOLOGY, NOT MARK BROWN'S.
THE WAY I SEE IT, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL BUDGET FOR 2009 FISCAL YEAR COMPARED TO THE BUDGET FOR 2008, WILL GO FROM AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($114,000,000.00) TO AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($122,000,000.00) AN INCREASE OF AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS ($8,000,000.00.) WHY AN INCREASE IN THE TRIBES BUDGET UNDER THESE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES?
AWHILE BACK, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTED TO BUILD THE NEW GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING. THE VOTE WAS EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE AGAINST. THE VOTE AGAINST WAS BY MARK HAMILTON.
THE TRIBE IS TALKING AN INCREASE IN OUR TOTAL TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEBT FROM AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($102,000,000.00) TO SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE MILLION DOLLARS AND TWO HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($192,000,000.00 AND $202,000,000.00). THE PRICE OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER AT EIGHTY NINE MILLION ($89,000,000.00.) AND THE BOND ISSUE ESTIMATED AT ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($100,000,000/00.)
IF ONE SHOULD LOOK AROUND THE ECONOMIES OF THE WORLD, THE UNITED STATES, AND ESPECIALLY SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT, YOU HAVE TO COME AWAY WITH THE VIEW THAT WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) NEED TO BE MORE CONSERVATIVE IN OUR BUSINESS PROCESSES.
I THINK MARK BROWN GOT IT RIGHT ON HIS NO VOTES ON THE BUDGETS. I ALSO THINK MARK HAMILTON GOT IT RIGHT ON HIS NO VOTE ON BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT.
THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS TALKING OF 13 GENERATIONS TO COME AND HOW THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THINGS BETTER THEN THEY FOUND THEM. WHAT THIS TRIBAL COUNCIL IS DOING, IS LEAVING FUTURE GENERATIONS (GREAT GRAND CHILDREN'S, GRAND CHILDREN) IN TERRIBLE DEBT.
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE CURRENT MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL BE UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR IF THEY CHOOSE TO RUN AGAIN. THEY ARE BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, LYNN MALERBA, JAMES GESSNER, JR., WILLIAM QUIDGEON, JR., AND MARK HAMILTON. MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT THESE FIVE TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE DOING AND CONSIDER THEIR ACTIONS AT ELECTION TIME, NEXT YEAR. ARE THESE COUNCILORS BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE? ARE THEY DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Monday, November 3, 2008
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
ONE NIGHT RECENTLY, I WAS WATCHING CHRIS ANGEL ON TV. HE IS AN ILLUSIONIST (MAGICIAN). THE STUNT THEY WERE WORKING ON WAS TO MAKE A HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR DISAPPEAR. THE TRICK WAS TO DRIVE THE CAR FAST, HIT A SPOT IN THE PERFORMANCE AND SMOKE OBSCURED THE CAR. IT GAVE THE ILLUSION THAT IT DISAPPEARED. THE REALITY IS WITH OUT THE SMOKE THE OBSERVERS COULD SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. ILLUSIONIST HAVE USED SMOKE AND MIRRORS AND OTHER TRICKS TO HIDE WHAT THEY ARE REALLY DOING.
I THINK, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT HAS IT'S OWN SMOKE AND MIRRORS. TAKE FOR EXAMPLE. THE WUSKUSO, OCTOBER 22, 2008 ISSUE. ON PAGE 2, THE ARTICLE IS TITLED "SLOT WIN DOWN IN SEPTEMBER, FOXWOODS EVEN LOWER." THE FACT IS THE MOHEGAN SUN REPORTED A 13.3% DROP IN SLOT WIN IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE. IT THEN REPORTED THAT FOXWOODS WAS DOWN IN SLOT WIN 15.9% IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.
HERE IS THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS. THE MOHEGAN SUN BEING DOWN 13.3% IS REALLY BAD. THE SMOKE IS IT WAS COMPARED TO FOXWOODS. WHY COMPARE THE MOHEGAN SUN TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO? THE ANSWERS IS IT MAKES IT SEEM TO BE OKAY TO BE DOWN 13.3%. THE REALITY IS BUSINESS IS TERRIBLE. IN
MY OPINION WE ARE IN BAD SHAPE. IT DOES NOT FIX THAT WE LOST $10.5 MILLION ($10,500,000.00).
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS AT THE QUARTERLY MEETING, ALL KINDS OF TALK WAS SPENT ON HOW BAD THE ECONOMY IS. THE SMOKE IS NO ONE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT (MTGA) WAS DOING TO TURN IN AROUND. SO I GUESS TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE SUPPOSED TO JUST SAY, OH WELL. WHERE WAS THE PLAN TO TURN THE SITUATION AROUND? WHEN TIMES WERE BETTER, WHY DIDN'T THE TRIBAL COUNCIL PAY DOWN IT'S DEBT?
THE MTGA CONTINUALLY COMPARES WHAT WE DO WITH OTHER GAMBING ENTITIES, THAT IS SMOKE, IT REALLY DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THEY ARE DOING IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT WE ARE DOING.
THE ECONOMY MAY NOT COME BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS EVER AGAIN. THE ECONOMY WAS BASED ON BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES BY LENDING INSTITUTIONS, ETC. THE MIRROR WAS IN TWELVE MONTHS WE WILL RECONSIDER BUILDING THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL). THE REALITY IS IF THE ECONOMY DOES NOT COME BACK WE WILL NEVER BUILD IT. PEOPLE MAY NEVER AGAIN HAVE THE INCOME TO GAMBLE LIKE THEY DID BEFORE.
ANOTHER SMOKE AND MIRROR DEAL, IS TELLING TRIBAL MEMBERS ABOUT INCREASED COMPETITION AS A WAY TO JUSTIFY THE MOHEGAN SUN EARNINGS BEING DOWN. WHAT THESE OTHER GAMBLING FACILITIES ARE DOING DOES EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN, HOWEVER EVERYONE KNEW THEY WERE BEING BUILT OR WERE BEING PLANNED, SO WHY NOW THEY ARE A PROBLEM? IN MY OPINION, THE MTGA NEVER PREPARED FOR WHAT HAS OCCURRED. THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER EXAMPLES. THINK ABOUT IT.
THEN WE HAVE THE BONDS THAT ARE DUE IN 2009. THE TRIBE HAS BEEN TOLD WE HAVE TO PAY $330 MILLION ($330,000,000.00). I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT WAS $300 MILLION ($300,000,000.00) PLUS INTEREST. THE SMOKE WAS WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO PAY THE AMOUNT. WHAT OPTIONS? WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT) WILL EITHER HAVE TO DO A NEW BOND ISSUE OR LOAN FOR $330 MILLION ($330,000,000.00) PLUS INTEREST. WHAT OPTIONS? INTEREST ON TOP OF INTEREST. THE SMOKE IS TO HIDE THE FACT THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID NOT FIGURE IN ADVANCE HOW TO PAY THIS OFF.
MORE SMOKE IS WHEN WE ARE TOLD THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN NOT TALK ABOUT FINANCES OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING BECAUSE IT COULD EFFECT OUR BOND HOLDERS. IN MY OPINION,THIS IS NOT TRUE ANYMORE BECAUSE AT THIS POINT WE ARE PROBABLY MAXED OUT AT WHAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBE CAN BORROW. THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER IS GOING TO BE A TERRIFIC BUILDING BUT THE SMOKE IS HOW IS THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GOING TO PAY FOR IT? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER DEAL LIKE THE $330 MILLION THAT IS DUE IN 2009? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IN MY OPINION, DEFINITELY HAS ITS OWN SMOKE AND MIRRORS. .
I THINK, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT HAS IT'S OWN SMOKE AND MIRRORS. TAKE FOR EXAMPLE. THE WUSKUSO, OCTOBER 22, 2008 ISSUE. ON PAGE 2, THE ARTICLE IS TITLED "SLOT WIN DOWN IN SEPTEMBER, FOXWOODS EVEN LOWER." THE FACT IS THE MOHEGAN SUN REPORTED A 13.3% DROP IN SLOT WIN IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE. IT THEN REPORTED THAT FOXWOODS WAS DOWN IN SLOT WIN 15.9% IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED TO THE YEAR BEFORE.
HERE IS THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS. THE MOHEGAN SUN BEING DOWN 13.3% IS REALLY BAD. THE SMOKE IS IT WAS COMPARED TO FOXWOODS. WHY COMPARE THE MOHEGAN SUN TO FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO? THE ANSWERS IS IT MAKES IT SEEM TO BE OKAY TO BE DOWN 13.3%. THE REALITY IS BUSINESS IS TERRIBLE. IN
MY OPINION WE ARE IN BAD SHAPE. IT DOES NOT FIX THAT WE LOST $10.5 MILLION ($10,500,000.00).
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS AT THE QUARTERLY MEETING, ALL KINDS OF TALK WAS SPENT ON HOW BAD THE ECONOMY IS. THE SMOKE IS NO ONE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT (MTGA) WAS DOING TO TURN IN AROUND. SO I GUESS TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE SUPPOSED TO JUST SAY, OH WELL. WHERE WAS THE PLAN TO TURN THE SITUATION AROUND? WHEN TIMES WERE BETTER, WHY DIDN'T THE TRIBAL COUNCIL PAY DOWN IT'S DEBT?
THE MTGA CONTINUALLY COMPARES WHAT WE DO WITH OTHER GAMBING ENTITIES, THAT IS SMOKE, IT REALLY DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THEY ARE DOING IT ONLY MATTERS WHAT WE ARE DOING.
THE ECONOMY MAY NOT COME BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS EVER AGAIN. THE ECONOMY WAS BASED ON BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES BY LENDING INSTITUTIONS, ETC. THE MIRROR WAS IN TWELVE MONTHS WE WILL RECONSIDER BUILDING THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL). THE REALITY IS IF THE ECONOMY DOES NOT COME BACK WE WILL NEVER BUILD IT. PEOPLE MAY NEVER AGAIN HAVE THE INCOME TO GAMBLE LIKE THEY DID BEFORE.
ANOTHER SMOKE AND MIRROR DEAL, IS TELLING TRIBAL MEMBERS ABOUT INCREASED COMPETITION AS A WAY TO JUSTIFY THE MOHEGAN SUN EARNINGS BEING DOWN. WHAT THESE OTHER GAMBLING FACILITIES ARE DOING DOES EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN, HOWEVER EVERYONE KNEW THEY WERE BEING BUILT OR WERE BEING PLANNED, SO WHY NOW THEY ARE A PROBLEM? IN MY OPINION, THE MTGA NEVER PREPARED FOR WHAT HAS OCCURRED. THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER EXAMPLES. THINK ABOUT IT.
THEN WE HAVE THE BONDS THAT ARE DUE IN 2009. THE TRIBE HAS BEEN TOLD WE HAVE TO PAY $330 MILLION ($330,000,000.00). I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL AMOUNT WAS $300 MILLION ($300,000,000.00) PLUS INTEREST. THE SMOKE WAS WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO PAY THE AMOUNT. WHAT OPTIONS? WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT) WILL EITHER HAVE TO DO A NEW BOND ISSUE OR LOAN FOR $330 MILLION ($330,000,000.00) PLUS INTEREST. WHAT OPTIONS? INTEREST ON TOP OF INTEREST. THE SMOKE IS TO HIDE THE FACT THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID NOT FIGURE IN ADVANCE HOW TO PAY THIS OFF.
MORE SMOKE IS WHEN WE ARE TOLD THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN NOT TALK ABOUT FINANCES OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING BECAUSE IT COULD EFFECT OUR BOND HOLDERS. IN MY OPINION,THIS IS NOT TRUE ANYMORE BECAUSE AT THIS POINT WE ARE PROBABLY MAXED OUT AT WHAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBE CAN BORROW. THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER IS GOING TO BE A TERRIFIC BUILDING BUT THE SMOKE IS HOW IS THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GOING TO PAY FOR IT? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER DEAL LIKE THE $330 MILLION THAT IS DUE IN 2009? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IN MY OPINION, DEFINITELY HAS ITS OWN SMOKE AND MIRRORS. .
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