RECENTLY I WAS TALKING TO A TRIBAL MEMBER, AND HE SAID SOMETHING KIND OF INTERESTING. HE SAID, I WOULD SEE YOU AND KEN AND THINK, DO THESE GUYS DO ANY WORK? EVERY TIME I GO TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING I SEE THEM THERE AND THEY ARE ALWAYS TALKING IN THE HALLWAYS, ETC. HE THOUGHT, WE WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THEN HE LEARNED WHO WE WERE, THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS. HE THEN THOUGHT, IT WAS REALLY GOOD THAT HE WAS SEEING US THERE SO OFTEN.
IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE HAVE GONE TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING TO WATCH OUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OPEN SESSION (WEDNESDAY MORNING MEETING) IN THREE (3) WEEKS.
I WATCHED AS A PETITION AGAINST THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE WAS BEING PROCESSED. THE FEATHER NEWS WAS THERE WATCHING A COURT CASE.
WHAT WE SAW WAS TWO WIDE VERTICAL CRACKS IN THE WALLS AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING. ONE WAS OUTSIDE THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM AND ONE WAS OUTSIDE THE CULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
WE ARE TOLD THAT CRACKS LIKE THIS OCCUR BECAUSE OF THE FOUNDATION SETTLING OR THE WALLS NOT BEING ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE WEIGHT ABOVE THEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE CRACKS BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT IS SOME KIND OF STRUCTURAL PROBLEM.
MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE BUILT THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT BUILDING IS STARTING TO CRUMBLE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WALLS? WHAT DO YOU THINK?. SHOULDN'T THE GOVERNMENT START FIXING OUR BUILDING? ARE THERE OTHER CRACKS IN THE BUILDING THAT WE DID NOT SEE? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: IN FRONT OF THE MOHEGAN SUN GAS STATION, GOING SOUTH ON MOHEGAN SUN BOULEVARD IS A LARGE POT HOLE THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. DO YOU THINK IT WILL EVER GET FILLED? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
NORTH OF THE BRIDGE
IF YOU GO UP THE THAMES RIVER, AND GO UNDER THE MOHEGAN PEQUOT BRIDGE, YOU SEE TWO HUGE COMPLEXES. ONE TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER, QUITE NEW AND VIBRANT, WITH VEHICLES AND LARGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE SCURRYING AROUND. ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER IS A COMPLEX OF LONELY BRICK BUILDINGS THAT WERE AT ONE TIME VIBRANT NOW BARREN LIKE A GHOST TOWN. THE BUILDINGS ARE SLOWLY DISINTEGRATING.
THE WEST SIDE IS THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO COMPLEX AND ON THE EAST SIDE IS THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER A TESTAMENT OF SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT OF THE 1960'S AND OF SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT TODAY.
BOTH COMPLEXES IN THE NEWS, WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE SOLVED.
THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY (WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE SITE IN PRESTON) IS IN CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PRESTON AND THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT GAVE PRESTON THREE (3) YEARS TO FIND A BUYER AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND FROM THE STATE. THE STATE IS GIVING PRESTON UNTIL FEBRUARY 23, 2009.
I DO NOT THINK PRESTON CAN FIND A BUYER AND FINISH THE DEAL IN TIME. IF THEY BUY IT THEMSELVES, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET THE ESTIMATED $40 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP?
I THINK AT THIS POINT PRESTON SHOULD GIVE UP AND COME AWAY WITH THE REALIZATION THAT THEY BLEW IT. THEY HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT IN MY OPINION, WENT FOR A PIPE DREAM WITH THE UTOPIA STUDIOS DEAL. THE BIG QUESTION IS, IF IT GOES BACK TO THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH THE PROPERTY? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ACROSS THE RIVER ON THE WEST BANK IS THE MOHEGAN SUN. IT IS STILL A VIBRANT PLACE WITH PLENTY OF HUMAN ACTIVITY. BUSINESS IS OFF. EVERY MONTH THE FIGURES ARE DOWN.
TO THE CASINO MANAGEMENT'S CREDIT, THEY HAVE MADE ALL KINDS OF CUTS. THEY HAVE CUT SALARIES, BENEFITS, ETC. THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY ACTIVITIES AND OTHER THINGS TO SAVE THE WORKERS, THEIR JOBS. WILL IT BE ENOUGH? WILL THE ECONOMY COME BACK FAST ENOUGH TO SAVE FUTURE CUTS? THE CASINO DID A VERY SMART THING, BY DOING THE CUTS THEY ARE SAVING THEIR EXPERIENCED WORKERS FROM BEING LOST.
IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING, YOU HAVE A VIBRANT NEW FACILITY ON ONE SIDE ACTING AS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE IN SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER WAS ONE OF THE BIG EMPLOYERS OF THE PAST.
A SHINNY NEW BUILDING ON ONE SIDE AND DEVASTATION ON THE OTHER. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE WEST SIDE IS THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO COMPLEX AND ON THE EAST SIDE IS THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER A TESTAMENT OF SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT OF THE 1960'S AND OF SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT TODAY.
BOTH COMPLEXES IN THE NEWS, WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE SOLVED.
THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY (WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE SITE IN PRESTON) IS IN CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE TOWN OF PRESTON AND THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT GAVE PRESTON THREE (3) YEARS TO FIND A BUYER AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE LAND FROM THE STATE. THE STATE IS GIVING PRESTON UNTIL FEBRUARY 23, 2009.
I DO NOT THINK PRESTON CAN FIND A BUYER AND FINISH THE DEAL IN TIME. IF THEY BUY IT THEMSELVES, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET THE ESTIMATED $40 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP?
I THINK AT THIS POINT PRESTON SHOULD GIVE UP AND COME AWAY WITH THE REALIZATION THAT THEY BLEW IT. THEY HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT IN MY OPINION, WENT FOR A PIPE DREAM WITH THE UTOPIA STUDIOS DEAL. THE BIG QUESTION IS, IF IT GOES BACK TO THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH THE PROPERTY? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ACROSS THE RIVER ON THE WEST BANK IS THE MOHEGAN SUN. IT IS STILL A VIBRANT PLACE WITH PLENTY OF HUMAN ACTIVITY. BUSINESS IS OFF. EVERY MONTH THE FIGURES ARE DOWN.
TO THE CASINO MANAGEMENT'S CREDIT, THEY HAVE MADE ALL KINDS OF CUTS. THEY HAVE CUT SALARIES, BENEFITS, ETC. THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY ACTIVITIES AND OTHER THINGS TO SAVE THE WORKERS, THEIR JOBS. WILL IT BE ENOUGH? WILL THE ECONOMY COME BACK FAST ENOUGH TO SAVE FUTURE CUTS? THE CASINO DID A VERY SMART THING, BY DOING THE CUTS THEY ARE SAVING THEIR EXPERIENCED WORKERS FROM BEING LOST.
IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING, YOU HAVE A VIBRANT NEW FACILITY ON ONE SIDE ACTING AS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE IN SOUTH EAST CONNECTICUT. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER WAS ONE OF THE BIG EMPLOYERS OF THE PAST.
A SHINNY NEW BUILDING ON ONE SIDE AND DEVASTATION ON THE OTHER. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE DONUT SHOP
Being from New York, I like 7-11 coffee. I usually stop on the way out, first thing in the morning and buy myself a cup. This particular morning, I thought you know it's been along time since I have had a donut, so off I go to the nearest donut shop for some coffee and a donut.
As I am sitting at a table eating my donut and drinking my cup of coffee, two guys sit down at a table next to mine. They spoke kind of loud, and from the conversation I came away thinking that they were employees of the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Here is what they said. Worker #1 said, "there is going to be more cuts."
Worker #2 said, "yeah, it can't keep going like it is."
Worker #1 said, "yeah, look what they got for $300 million."
Worker #2 said, "three parking lots, a hole in the ground (earth tower hotel) and a shrink wrapped building (government community center) on top of a mountain."
Worker #1 replied, "don't forget the two on ramps, the one on route 2-A and the ramp on to I-395 that Connecticut should have paid for."
Worker #2 said, "yeah, they made the ramps, so the workers could get out of the Mohegan Sun and on to 395 to exit 82 to the unemployment office."
At that moment, I finished my coffee, and threw my coffee cup and paper bag in the trash. As I opened the door to leave, I looked over at the workers and thought, it was sad but true. We (the Mohegan tribe) had 3 parking lots, the started earth tower (hotel) , a building on a hill (the government community center) and two on ramps and no customers to use them. What do you think?
As I am sitting at a table eating my donut and drinking my cup of coffee, two guys sit down at a table next to mine. They spoke kind of loud, and from the conversation I came away thinking that they were employees of the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Here is what they said. Worker #1 said, "there is going to be more cuts."
Worker #2 said, "yeah, it can't keep going like it is."
Worker #1 said, "yeah, look what they got for $300 million."
Worker #2 said, "three parking lots, a hole in the ground (earth tower hotel) and a shrink wrapped building (government community center) on top of a mountain."
Worker #1 replied, "don't forget the two on ramps, the one on route 2-A and the ramp on to I-395 that Connecticut should have paid for."
Worker #2 said, "yeah, they made the ramps, so the workers could get out of the Mohegan Sun and on to 395 to exit 82 to the unemployment office."
At that moment, I finished my coffee, and threw my coffee cup and paper bag in the trash. As I opened the door to leave, I looked over at the workers and thought, it was sad but true. We (the Mohegan tribe) had 3 parking lots, the started earth tower (hotel) , a building on a hill (the government community center) and two on ramps and no customers to use them. What do you think?
WUSKUSO: WHERE ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
BACK IN SEPTEMBER, 2008, KEN DAVISON CHALLENGED THE ELECTION ORDINANCE. HE VOTED FOR THREE POSITIONS ON HIS BALLOT IN THE 2008, ELECTION FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
THE ELECTION ORDINANCE CALLS FOR THE VOTING TRIBAL MEMBER TO VOTE FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS FOR HIS BALLOT TO BE COUNTED. MR. DAVISON VOTED FOR THREE POSITIONS AND FOUR POSITIONS WERE OPEN. THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOLLOWING THE LAW SAID HIS BALLOT DIDN'T COUNT.
THE WUSKUSO FOLLOWED THE STORY TO THAT POINT. KEN DAVISON HAS SINCE GONE TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT AND CHALLENGED THE LEGALITY OF THE LAW. HE FEELS THAT HIS BALLOT WAS LEGAL ACCORDING TO THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WUSKUSO? WHY DID IT DROP COVERAGE ON THIS MOST IMPORTANT STORY? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CHALLENGE THAT INVOLVES ONE OF TRIBAL MEMBERS MOST BASIC RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED.
THE WUSKUSO SPENDS A GREAT DEAL OF TIME COVERING THE THINGS THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE DOING BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO FOLLOW THE TRULY MEANINGFUL EVENTS SUCH AS THIS VERY IMPORTANT COURT CASE. TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW THIS CASE IS GOING ON. THEY SHOULD KNOW THE PROGRESS OF A CASE OF THIS MAGNITUDE. DID THE WUSKUSO DROP THE BALL? ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO STAY AWAY FROM A STORY LIKE THIS? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
THE SECOND PART OF THIS STORY, IS WHERE IS THE WUSKUSO GOING. THERE IS A RUMOR CIRCULATING AROUND THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, THAT THE ENTIRE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO IS EITHER BEING LAID OFF OR BEING TRANSFERED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THE RUMOR IS THAT THE ONLY PERSON THAT WILL BE LEFT OF THE EXISTING STAFF IS JONATHAN HAMILTON, THE EDITOR OF THE WUSKUSO. RUMOR HAS IT THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT MAY BE MOVED OVER TO THE WUSKUSO STAFF TO REPLACE THOSE WORKERS WHO MAY BE LET GO OR TRANSFERRED.
SUPPOSEDLY, THE WUSKUSO OR WHATEVER THE NEW PUBLICATION IS CALLED WILL ONLY BE PUBLISHED ONCE A MONTH.
THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND IN MY OPINION ALWAYS SERVED THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE VERY WELL. IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE, WE WISH THEM WELL.
WHERE IS THE WUSKUSO, AND WHERE IS IT GOING? DO YOU KNOW? DOES ANYONE KNOW? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT HIRING OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS, TO REPRESENT THEM IN COURT?
THE ELECTION ORDINANCE CALLS FOR THE VOTING TRIBAL MEMBER TO VOTE FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS FOR HIS BALLOT TO BE COUNTED. MR. DAVISON VOTED FOR THREE POSITIONS AND FOUR POSITIONS WERE OPEN. THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOLLOWING THE LAW SAID HIS BALLOT DIDN'T COUNT.
THE WUSKUSO FOLLOWED THE STORY TO THAT POINT. KEN DAVISON HAS SINCE GONE TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT AND CHALLENGED THE LEGALITY OF THE LAW. HE FEELS THAT HIS BALLOT WAS LEGAL ACCORDING TO THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WUSKUSO? WHY DID IT DROP COVERAGE ON THIS MOST IMPORTANT STORY? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A CHALLENGE THAT INVOLVES ONE OF TRIBAL MEMBERS MOST BASIC RIGHTS, THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED.
THE WUSKUSO SPENDS A GREAT DEAL OF TIME COVERING THE THINGS THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE DOING BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO FOLLOW THE TRULY MEANINGFUL EVENTS SUCH AS THIS VERY IMPORTANT COURT CASE. TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD KNOW THIS CASE IS GOING ON. THEY SHOULD KNOW THE PROGRESS OF A CASE OF THIS MAGNITUDE. DID THE WUSKUSO DROP THE BALL? ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO STAY AWAY FROM A STORY LIKE THIS? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
THE SECOND PART OF THIS STORY, IS WHERE IS THE WUSKUSO GOING. THERE IS A RUMOR CIRCULATING AROUND THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, THAT THE ENTIRE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO IS EITHER BEING LAID OFF OR BEING TRANSFERED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THE RUMOR IS THAT THE ONLY PERSON THAT WILL BE LEFT OF THE EXISTING STAFF IS JONATHAN HAMILTON, THE EDITOR OF THE WUSKUSO. RUMOR HAS IT THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT MAY BE MOVED OVER TO THE WUSKUSO STAFF TO REPLACE THOSE WORKERS WHO MAY BE LET GO OR TRANSFERRED.
SUPPOSEDLY, THE WUSKUSO OR WHATEVER THE NEW PUBLICATION IS CALLED WILL ONLY BE PUBLISHED ONCE A MONTH.
THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND IN MY OPINION ALWAYS SERVED THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE VERY WELL. IF THIS IS INDEED TRUE, WE WISH THEM WELL.
WHERE IS THE WUSKUSO, AND WHERE IS IT GOING? DO YOU KNOW? DOES ANYONE KNOW? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT HIRING OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS, TO REPRESENT THEM IN COURT?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
STROLLING THE CASINO II
THE LAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS, THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS HAVE BEEN STROLLING THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO.
WE FOUND OUT, WHILE WE WALKED, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD SPENT TUESDAY, AT THE CASINO, SUPPOSEDLY WORKING ON CASINO MATTERS. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR THAT THEY WERE THERE REPRESENTING THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. ONE TRIBAL MEMBER WONDERED IF THEY WERE THERE FOR THE TRIBE OR HIDING FROM THE ALLEGED EMBARRASSMENT THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND BY A MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.
SEVERAL PEOPLE APPROACHED US, AND SAID THEY WERE UNHAPPY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE FOUR PERCENT (4%) IN PAY CUTS WERE USED TO GIVE ASIAN GAMBLERS FREE BUS RIDES TO THE CASINO. WE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS, BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOME MERIT
ON ONE OF THE NIGHTS, A WOMAN WHO SAID SHE WAS FROM WESTERLY, SAID SHE NEEDED FIVE DOLLARS. WE DON'T NEED PAN HANDLING IN OUR CASINO. INSIDE SECURITY SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS. THIS SITUATION, HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO US IN THE LAST WEEK.
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE WOLF DEN, DR. K. AND THE MOTOWN REVUE, PLAYED MOTOWN SONGS FROM THE SIXTIES. THEY ESPECIALLY PLAYED SONGS FROM THE SUPREMES AND THE FOUR TOPS. THEY WERE QUITE GOOD. THE SINGERS VOICES WERE STRONG, CLEAR AND THE HARMONY WAS EXCELLENT. THE BAND BEHIND THEM WAS TERRIFIC. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A GREAT FUTURE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS AHEAD OF THEM.
ATTENDANCE ,IN MY OPINION, AT THE CASINO, BOTH NIGHTS, WAS WEAK. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A GHOST TOWN. PEOPLE WERE HAVING FUN. IT WAS AN OLDER CROWD. THERE WERE NOT MANY YOUNG ADULTS IN ATTENDANCE.
THE FLOORS AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE SKY CASINO WERE DIRTY, WITH STAINS ON THE TILES. THEY NEEDED TO BE WASHED. THE BATHROOM FIXTURES HAD WATER STAINS, THEY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. I UNDERSTAND THAT TO SAVE MONEY, THE CASINO SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO STRETCH OUT THE MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, THESE CONDITIONS SEEM DETRIMENTAL TO THE CASINOS SUCCESS. PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL THEY ARE GOING INTO A NEW FACILITY NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED OR GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF BEING OLD.
THE SAME IS TRUE, OF HAVING ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THE SERVICE WHICH CUSTOMERS OF THE MOHEGAN SUN HAVE COME TO EXPECT. ON THIS COUNT IT SEEMS THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME QUALITY OF SERVICE THEY HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN.
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT WHEN WE LEFT, WE STILL HAVE NOT SEEN ANY TRIBAL COUNCILORS OR COUNCIL OF ELDERS THERE WATCHING OUT FOR OUR (TRIBAL MEMBERS) INTERESTS. THE FACT IS THE TRIBE OWNS THE CASINO, AND THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS NOT BEING THERE, SHOWS A LACK OF CONCERN FOR OUR BUSINESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WE FOUND OUT, WHILE WE WALKED, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD SPENT TUESDAY, AT THE CASINO, SUPPOSEDLY WORKING ON CASINO MATTERS. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR THAT THEY WERE THERE REPRESENTING THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. ONE TRIBAL MEMBER WONDERED IF THEY WERE THERE FOR THE TRIBE OR HIDING FROM THE ALLEGED EMBARRASSMENT THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND BY A MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.
SEVERAL PEOPLE APPROACHED US, AND SAID THEY WERE UNHAPPY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE FOUR PERCENT (4%) IN PAY CUTS WERE USED TO GIVE ASIAN GAMBLERS FREE BUS RIDES TO THE CASINO. WE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS, BUT IT SEEMS TO HAVE SOME MERIT
ON ONE OF THE NIGHTS, A WOMAN WHO SAID SHE WAS FROM WESTERLY, SAID SHE NEEDED FIVE DOLLARS. WE DON'T NEED PAN HANDLING IN OUR CASINO. INSIDE SECURITY SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THIS. THIS SITUATION, HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO US IN THE LAST WEEK.
ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE WOLF DEN, DR. K. AND THE MOTOWN REVUE, PLAYED MOTOWN SONGS FROM THE SIXTIES. THEY ESPECIALLY PLAYED SONGS FROM THE SUPREMES AND THE FOUR TOPS. THEY WERE QUITE GOOD. THE SINGERS VOICES WERE STRONG, CLEAR AND THE HARMONY WAS EXCELLENT. THE BAND BEHIND THEM WAS TERRIFIC. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A GREAT FUTURE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS AHEAD OF THEM.
ATTENDANCE ,IN MY OPINION, AT THE CASINO, BOTH NIGHTS, WAS WEAK. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A GHOST TOWN. PEOPLE WERE HAVING FUN. IT WAS AN OLDER CROWD. THERE WERE NOT MANY YOUNG ADULTS IN ATTENDANCE.
THE FLOORS AT THE ENTRANCES TO THE SKY CASINO WERE DIRTY, WITH STAINS ON THE TILES. THEY NEEDED TO BE WASHED. THE BATHROOM FIXTURES HAD WATER STAINS, THEY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. I UNDERSTAND THAT TO SAVE MONEY, THE CASINO SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO STRETCH OUT THE MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER, THESE CONDITIONS SEEM DETRIMENTAL TO THE CASINOS SUCCESS. PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL THEY ARE GOING INTO A NEW FACILITY NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED OR GIVES THE IMPRESSION OF BEING OLD.
THE SAME IS TRUE, OF HAVING ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THE SERVICE WHICH CUSTOMERS OF THE MOHEGAN SUN HAVE COME TO EXPECT. ON THIS COUNT IT SEEMS THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME QUALITY OF SERVICE THEY HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN.
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT WHEN WE LEFT, WE STILL HAVE NOT SEEN ANY TRIBAL COUNCILORS OR COUNCIL OF ELDERS THERE WATCHING OUT FOR OUR (TRIBAL MEMBERS) INTERESTS. THE FACT IS THE TRIBE OWNS THE CASINO, AND THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS NOT BEING THERE, SHOWS A LACK OF CONCERN FOR OUR BUSINESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Monday, January 26, 2009
LIMOUSINES
WITH THE NEW "RESTRICTION OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE" IN PLACE IT SHOULD BE HARD TO GET INFORMATION. OH, I DID IT AGAIN, IT'S THE "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
ANYWAY, GETTING INFORMATION IS ACTUALLY EASIER TO GET. PEOPLE ARE JUST COMING FORWARD, WILLING TO TELL BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
HERE IS ONE, WE LEARNED ABOUT A WHILE BACK. ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE THAMES RIVER GARAGE ARE ABOUT 50 BLACK LINCOLN STRETCH LIMOUSINES. WE ARE TOLD THAT SUPPOSEDLY ONLY ABOUT BETWEEN FIVE AND EIGHT (5 AND 8) ARE ACTUALLY USED AT ANYTIME. THE REST OF THE FLEET OF LIMOUSINES JUST STAY PARKED THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OTHER HIGH END CARS THERE LIKE HUMMERS, ETC.
WITH THE ECONOMY, THE WAY IT IS, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A DEMAND TO START USING MOST OF THIS FLEET IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MAYBE SOME OF THE CARS SHOULD GO?
IF EACH LIMOUSINE COSTS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) AND THERE ARE 50 LIMOUSINES, THAT EQUALS FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00). IF WE SOLD FORTY OF THE LIMOUSINES AT 1/2 THERE VALUE THAT WOULD COME TO TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00). THAT $2 MILLION COULD BE APPLIED TO EITHER PAYING GOVERNMENT WORKERS OR CASINO WORKERS.
WE ALSO HEARD THAT SUPPOSEDLY THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DRIVERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND WE ACTUALLY HIRE LIMOUSINES FROM OUTSIDE COMPANIES. WE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS, BUT IF IT IS TRUE, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A VERY GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE.
WHEN THE ECONOMY LOOSENS UP, WE COULD THEN BUY NEW LIMOUSINES. THESE LIMOUSINES ARE DEPRECIATING IN VALUE EVERY DAY. WHY ARE THEY JUST BEING ALLOWED TO JUST SIT THERE AND NOT BE USED?
WHY ISN'T THE MTGA (MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? IF BROKENWING EDITORIALS CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THIS HOW COME THEY DON'T KNOW IT? DOES ANYONE KNOW? WHAT OR WHO IS MORE IMPORTANT, CARS OR PEOPLE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
'
ANYWAY, GETTING INFORMATION IS ACTUALLY EASIER TO GET. PEOPLE ARE JUST COMING FORWARD, WILLING TO TELL BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
HERE IS ONE, WE LEARNED ABOUT A WHILE BACK. ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE THAMES RIVER GARAGE ARE ABOUT 50 BLACK LINCOLN STRETCH LIMOUSINES. WE ARE TOLD THAT SUPPOSEDLY ONLY ABOUT BETWEEN FIVE AND EIGHT (5 AND 8) ARE ACTUALLY USED AT ANYTIME. THE REST OF THE FLEET OF LIMOUSINES JUST STAY PARKED THERE DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THERE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OTHER HIGH END CARS THERE LIKE HUMMERS, ETC.
WITH THE ECONOMY, THE WAY IT IS, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A DEMAND TO START USING MOST OF THIS FLEET IN THE NEAR FUTURE. MAYBE SOME OF THE CARS SHOULD GO?
IF EACH LIMOUSINE COSTS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) AND THERE ARE 50 LIMOUSINES, THAT EQUALS FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00). IF WE SOLD FORTY OF THE LIMOUSINES AT 1/2 THERE VALUE THAT WOULD COME TO TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00). THAT $2 MILLION COULD BE APPLIED TO EITHER PAYING GOVERNMENT WORKERS OR CASINO WORKERS.
WE ALSO HEARD THAT SUPPOSEDLY THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DRIVERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND WE ACTUALLY HIRE LIMOUSINES FROM OUTSIDE COMPANIES. WE COULD NOT CONFIRM THIS, BUT IF IT IS TRUE, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A VERY GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICE.
WHEN THE ECONOMY LOOSENS UP, WE COULD THEN BUY NEW LIMOUSINES. THESE LIMOUSINES ARE DEPRECIATING IN VALUE EVERY DAY. WHY ARE THEY JUST BEING ALLOWED TO JUST SIT THERE AND NOT BE USED?
WHY ISN'T THE MTGA (MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? IF BROKENWING EDITORIALS CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THIS HOW COME THEY DON'T KNOW IT? DOES ANYONE KNOW? WHAT OR WHO IS MORE IMPORTANT, CARS OR PEOPLE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
'
THE DAY
On Sunday morning, January 25, 2009, i awoke, climbed out of bed and headed for the front door to get my Sunday copy of the New London Day. Sticking out from under my front door was a note. It said, "Aquy!! You're in the news, C. section David Collins."
I opened my front door and got the paper and turned to the C section. I said, "oh, my God." I set down on my sofa and read the article, continuing to say "oh, my God." "This is not good." I called a friend and said have you seen the paper. He said no. I told him what it said, His response as I read the article was, "Oh, my God."
My friend came over to take me to the Intertribal Social in the Mohegan Sun's Uncas Ballroom. He said let me see that article. I gave it to him. He set down on my love seat next to my patio door and proceeded to read. He said, "this is not good." Then he said, "let's get going to the social." I was a little hesitant to go. He said, "you haven't done anything wrong." So off we went.
At the social, what I received was a lot of support for what I am doing. People seemed responsive because of the way our (the Mohegan) tribe is being treated by its" government. I was glad I went. I am sure some people were not happy I was there.
When I arrived home on Sunday night, I looked over at the paper and said, "oh, my God." .
I opened my front door and got the paper and turned to the C section. I said, "oh, my God." I set down on my sofa and read the article, continuing to say "oh, my God." "This is not good." I called a friend and said have you seen the paper. He said no. I told him what it said, His response as I read the article was, "Oh, my God."
My friend came over to take me to the Intertribal Social in the Mohegan Sun's Uncas Ballroom. He said let me see that article. I gave it to him. He set down on my love seat next to my patio door and proceeded to read. He said, "this is not good." Then he said, "let's get going to the social." I was a little hesitant to go. He said, "you haven't done anything wrong." So off we went.
At the social, what I received was a lot of support for what I am doing. People seemed responsive because of the way our (the Mohegan) tribe is being treated by its" government. I was glad I went. I am sure some people were not happy I was there.
When I arrived home on Sunday night, I looked over at the paper and said, "oh, my God." .
TWENTY MILES TO GO
A few days ago, a customer (woman) of the Mohegan Sun Casino, approached me and told me a very interesting story, that I would like to share with you.
It was clear cold winter night. She drove her car into one of the multi-level parking garages, up a few levels and parked her car. She hurriedly walked to the elevator and into the casino. After several hours of having fun (a few drinks and hitting the slot machines) she headed back to her car to go home.
She went looking for her car and she couldn't find it. She spotted an outside Security man (Public Safety) and asked him to help her find her car. He said, I will be right back my car is parked on the bottom floor, I have to go get it.
The security officer returned about 15 minutes later with his Ford Escape hybrid (electric chair) car. After driving around for a few minutes, the car was found on another level. The customer headed home and the Security car continued to patrol.
On investigation, we found that Public Safety supposedly has a new policy. The security cars can only be driven at most 20 miles per shift. Twenty (20) miles in eight (8) hours . Some one said that the security personal must walk 90 minutes per shift through the garages, hence what the customer told me must be correct.
I don't quite understand this program. The workers it seems now are sitting in those cars with the engines running to stay warm (burning gasoline) instead of patrolling the entire time they are on duty. It seems to be that instead of being first responders, which is what I think they are, they are now reactive. Don't we want them patrolling and finding trouble then sitting and waiting to respond to trouble. Does this put our customers and other workers of the casino in a dangerous situation?
If this was done as a cost saving practice, where is the savings? How much can the Mohegan government save? Who approved this? Who thought this up? I don't understand. Do you? Is this a good policy? What do you think? .
It was clear cold winter night. She drove her car into one of the multi-level parking garages, up a few levels and parked her car. She hurriedly walked to the elevator and into the casino. After several hours of having fun (a few drinks and hitting the slot machines) she headed back to her car to go home.
She went looking for her car and she couldn't find it. She spotted an outside Security man (Public Safety) and asked him to help her find her car. He said, I will be right back my car is parked on the bottom floor, I have to go get it.
The security officer returned about 15 minutes later with his Ford Escape hybrid (electric chair) car. After driving around for a few minutes, the car was found on another level. The customer headed home and the Security car continued to patrol.
On investigation, we found that Public Safety supposedly has a new policy. The security cars can only be driven at most 20 miles per shift. Twenty (20) miles in eight (8) hours . Some one said that the security personal must walk 90 minutes per shift through the garages, hence what the customer told me must be correct.
I don't quite understand this program. The workers it seems now are sitting in those cars with the engines running to stay warm (burning gasoline) instead of patrolling the entire time they are on duty. It seems to be that instead of being first responders, which is what I think they are, they are now reactive. Don't we want them patrolling and finding trouble then sitting and waiting to respond to trouble. Does this put our customers and other workers of the casino in a dangerous situation?
If this was done as a cost saving practice, where is the savings? How much can the Mohegan government save? Who approved this? Who thought this up? I don't understand. Do you? Is this a good policy? What do you think? .
Saturday, January 24, 2009
THE WHALE AND THE BIG BAD CHECK
WHEN YOU GO TO THE SUPER MARKET,AND YOU PAY BY CHECK, THEY SCAN YOUR CHECK AND AWAY YOU GO. THE SUPER MARKET LIKE MANY STORES IS USING A CHECK CASHING SERVICE TO MAKE SURE YOUR CHECK IS GOOD.
NOW BACK TO OUR STORY, IT SEEMS THIS WHALE GAVE A VERY LARGE CHECK THAT BOUNCED. THIS IS NO JOKE, IT REALLY HAPPENED.
A "WHALE" IS A CASINO TERM FOR THE HIGHEST OF THE HIGH ROLLERS. . IT IS ALLEGED, THAT AUSAF UMAR SIDDIQUI, 47, OF PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, ISSUED A CHECK BEFORE GAMBLING IN DECEMBER, 2007. HE GAMBLED AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ON DECEMBER 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, AND 27, 2007 AND FEBRUARY 23, 2008. HE GAMBLED AND LOST OVER AN ESTIMATED $10 MILLION ($10,000,000.00).
SIDDIQUI ALLEGEDLY TOLD MOHEGAN SUN EXECUTIVES THAT HE WOULD DO A WIRE TRANSFER TO THE CASINO FOR THE PAYMENT, SO THE EXECUTIVES DID NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK. ON JUNE 3, 2008, AFTER ALLEGEDLY NEVER RECEIVING THE WIRE TRANSFER, THE MOHEGAN SUN DEPOSITED THE CHECK. SIX DAYS LATER, THE CHECK WAS RETURNED "FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS." IT BOUNCED.
THE CASE IS NOW IN NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT.
JOHN STRAFACI, A LAWYER FROM NEW LONDON, REPRESENTING SIDDIQUI, SAID THAT MR. SIDDIQUI CLAIMS THAT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO EXTENDED HIM CREDIT. MR SIDDIUI CLAIMS THAT BY EXTENDING THE CREDIT THE CASINO VIOLATED THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND MOHEGAN TRIBAL LAW. THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT BY GIVING THE CREDIT THE CASINO VIOLATED THE COMPACT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
STRAFACI SAID, "THEREFORE, ANY ALLEGED AGREEMENT TO EXTEND CREDIT AND OR LOAN THE DEFENDANT MONEY FOR PURPOSES OF GAMBLING AT THE MOHEGAN SUN IS ILLEGAL, VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE."
GLEN COE, OF ROME MCGUIGAN, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, (THE LAWYER FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN) SAID, "WE WILL BE PURSUING ALL LEGAL AVENUES OF REMEDY AVAILABLE TO US."
MITCHELL ETESS, MOHEGAN SUN'S PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SAID, "I CAN TELL YOU THAT ANYONE WHO GAMBLES AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL HAS REQUIREMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT."
I KNOW THIS, IF THE CLERK IN THE STORE OR SUPER MARKET, DID NOT GET THE CHECK CLEARED, IT WOULD EITHER COME OUT OF THEIR PAY OR THEY WOULD BE FIRED.
I THINK, WHOEVER MADE THESE DECISIONS, SHOULD BE HELD TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE. MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD BE FIRED? WHO MADE THIS MISTAKE? MTGA (MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL), WHO IS COLLECTING OUR MONEY? WHAT IS THE MTGA DOING ABOUT IT? DOES ANYONE KNOW? HOW MUCH WOULD THE MONEY FROM THIS BAD CHECK HELP THE CASINO?
SO THERE IS YOUR STORY, THE WHALE AND THE VERY BIG BAD CHECK.
NOW BACK TO OUR STORY, IT SEEMS THIS WHALE GAVE A VERY LARGE CHECK THAT BOUNCED. THIS IS NO JOKE, IT REALLY HAPPENED.
A "WHALE" IS A CASINO TERM FOR THE HIGHEST OF THE HIGH ROLLERS. . IT IS ALLEGED, THAT AUSAF UMAR SIDDIQUI, 47, OF PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, ISSUED A CHECK BEFORE GAMBLING IN DECEMBER, 2007. HE GAMBLED AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ON DECEMBER 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, AND 27, 2007 AND FEBRUARY 23, 2008. HE GAMBLED AND LOST OVER AN ESTIMATED $10 MILLION ($10,000,000.00).
SIDDIQUI ALLEGEDLY TOLD MOHEGAN SUN EXECUTIVES THAT HE WOULD DO A WIRE TRANSFER TO THE CASINO FOR THE PAYMENT, SO THE EXECUTIVES DID NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK. ON JUNE 3, 2008, AFTER ALLEGEDLY NEVER RECEIVING THE WIRE TRANSFER, THE MOHEGAN SUN DEPOSITED THE CHECK. SIX DAYS LATER, THE CHECK WAS RETURNED "FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS." IT BOUNCED.
THE CASE IS NOW IN NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT.
JOHN STRAFACI, A LAWYER FROM NEW LONDON, REPRESENTING SIDDIQUI, SAID THAT MR. SIDDIQUI CLAIMS THAT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO EXTENDED HIM CREDIT. MR SIDDIUI CLAIMS THAT BY EXTENDING THE CREDIT THE CASINO VIOLATED THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND MOHEGAN TRIBAL LAW. THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT BY GIVING THE CREDIT THE CASINO VIOLATED THE COMPACT BETWEEN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
STRAFACI SAID, "THEREFORE, ANY ALLEGED AGREEMENT TO EXTEND CREDIT AND OR LOAN THE DEFENDANT MONEY FOR PURPOSES OF GAMBLING AT THE MOHEGAN SUN IS ILLEGAL, VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE."
GLEN COE, OF ROME MCGUIGAN, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, (THE LAWYER FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN) SAID, "WE WILL BE PURSUING ALL LEGAL AVENUES OF REMEDY AVAILABLE TO US."
MITCHELL ETESS, MOHEGAN SUN'S PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SAID, "I CAN TELL YOU THAT ANYONE WHO GAMBLES AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL HAS REQUIREMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT."
I KNOW THIS, IF THE CLERK IN THE STORE OR SUPER MARKET, DID NOT GET THE CHECK CLEARED, IT WOULD EITHER COME OUT OF THEIR PAY OR THEY WOULD BE FIRED.
I THINK, WHOEVER MADE THESE DECISIONS, SHOULD BE HELD TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE. MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD BE FIRED? WHO MADE THIS MISTAKE? MTGA (MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL), WHO IS COLLECTING OUR MONEY? WHAT IS THE MTGA DOING ABOUT IT? DOES ANYONE KNOW? HOW MUCH WOULD THE MONEY FROM THIS BAD CHECK HELP THE CASINO?
SO THERE IS YOUR STORY, THE WHALE AND THE VERY BIG BAD CHECK.
STROLLING THE CASINO
LAST NIGHT, THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS AND THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, WALKED AROUND THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. OUTSIDE IT WAS A COLD WINTER NIGHT IN THE TEENS, WITH A SLIGHT WIND BLOWING.
AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE WANT TO SEE HOW OUR (TRIBAL MEMBERS) CASINO IS DOING. WHAT WE FOUND WAS DISCOURAGING, TO SAY THE LEAST. THE ATTENDANCE IS DOWN, REALLY DOWN. THE PATRONS WERE ENJOYING THEMSELVES HITTING THE BUTTONS ON THE SLOT MACHINES. ALMOST ALL OF THE POKER TABLES WERE IN USE IN THE NEW CASINO OF THE WIND. THE CASINO IN THE WIND WAS AROUND 80% CAPACITY. THE SKY CASINO WAS NOT THAT BUSY, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW SLOT MACHINES AND GAMING TABLES NOT BEING USED. EARTH CASINO WAS THE BUSIEST. IT WAS FULL OF POSITIVE ENERGY. THE WOLF DEN HAD A GROUP OF FEMALE SINGERS, WHO IN MY OPINION, AFTER LISTENING TO THEM FOR A FEW SONGS LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED. THE MUSICIANS, HOWEVER BEHIND THEM WERE QUITE GOOD.
WE LEARNED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION IN THE EARTH CASINO WHERE THE FOOD COURT WAS BY THE WINTER ENTRANCE IS MOVING AHEAD QUITE NICELY. THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (GREY WOLF) IS REMOVING THE TREES AND ARE GOING TO TAKE OUT THE WATER FALLS AT THE BACK OF THE FOOD COURT. PROGRESS. I REALLY LIKED THOSE TREES AND WATERFALLS.
AS WE LEFT THE CASINO, THE RIVER VIEW GARAGE WAS FULL AS USUAL, WITH PEOPLE LOOKING AND WAITING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. SOMEHOW, THE CASINO SHOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THE OTHER GARAGES. IT SEEMS PATRONS COME OFF MOHEGAN SUN BOULEVARD AND DART INTO THE FIRST PARKING GARAGE, WHICH OF COURSE IS RIVER VIEW.
OUR OBSERVATIONS WERE THAT BUSINESS IS DIVINELY OFF. THE SNOW STORMS THE LAST FEW WEEKENDS HAS NOT HELPED THE SITUATION. WE FEEL OUR PATRONS ARE BEING WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY THE EMPLOYEES OF THE MOHEGAN SUN. THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO WORKERS ACT LIKE A TEAM, WHICH THEY ARE. THE FINANCIAL NUMBERS FOR JANUARY ARE NOT GOING TO BE GOOD. WE WILL SEE LOSSES AGAIN. HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL TURN AROUND. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS CHECK OUT THE CASINO SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AT DIFFERENT TIMES. WHAT WE NEVER FIND IS A TRIBAL COUNCILORS THERE, LOOKING OUT FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S INTEREST. TRIBAL COUNCILORS, THINGS ARE BAD AT THE CASINO, YOU SHOULD BE THERE, LEADING THE WAY OF CHANGE.
AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE WANT TO SEE HOW OUR (TRIBAL MEMBERS) CASINO IS DOING. WHAT WE FOUND WAS DISCOURAGING, TO SAY THE LEAST. THE ATTENDANCE IS DOWN, REALLY DOWN. THE PATRONS WERE ENJOYING THEMSELVES HITTING THE BUTTONS ON THE SLOT MACHINES. ALMOST ALL OF THE POKER TABLES WERE IN USE IN THE NEW CASINO OF THE WIND. THE CASINO IN THE WIND WAS AROUND 80% CAPACITY. THE SKY CASINO WAS NOT THAT BUSY, THERE WERE QUITE A FEW SLOT MACHINES AND GAMING TABLES NOT BEING USED. EARTH CASINO WAS THE BUSIEST. IT WAS FULL OF POSITIVE ENERGY. THE WOLF DEN HAD A GROUP OF FEMALE SINGERS, WHO IN MY OPINION, AFTER LISTENING TO THEM FOR A FEW SONGS LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED. THE MUSICIANS, HOWEVER BEHIND THEM WERE QUITE GOOD.
WE LEARNED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION IN THE EARTH CASINO WHERE THE FOOD COURT WAS BY THE WINTER ENTRANCE IS MOVING AHEAD QUITE NICELY. THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (GREY WOLF) IS REMOVING THE TREES AND ARE GOING TO TAKE OUT THE WATER FALLS AT THE BACK OF THE FOOD COURT. PROGRESS. I REALLY LIKED THOSE TREES AND WATERFALLS.
AS WE LEFT THE CASINO, THE RIVER VIEW GARAGE WAS FULL AS USUAL, WITH PEOPLE LOOKING AND WAITING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. SOMEHOW, THE CASINO SHOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO USE THE OTHER GARAGES. IT SEEMS PATRONS COME OFF MOHEGAN SUN BOULEVARD AND DART INTO THE FIRST PARKING GARAGE, WHICH OF COURSE IS RIVER VIEW.
OUR OBSERVATIONS WERE THAT BUSINESS IS DIVINELY OFF. THE SNOW STORMS THE LAST FEW WEEKENDS HAS NOT HELPED THE SITUATION. WE FEEL OUR PATRONS ARE BEING WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY THE EMPLOYEES OF THE MOHEGAN SUN. THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO WORKERS ACT LIKE A TEAM, WHICH THEY ARE. THE FINANCIAL NUMBERS FOR JANUARY ARE NOT GOING TO BE GOOD. WE WILL SEE LOSSES AGAIN. HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL TURN AROUND. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS CHECK OUT THE CASINO SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AT DIFFERENT TIMES. WHAT WE NEVER FIND IS A TRIBAL COUNCILORS THERE, LOOKING OUT FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S INTEREST. TRIBAL COUNCILORS, THINGS ARE BAD AT THE CASINO, YOU SHOULD BE THERE, LEADING THE WAY OF CHANGE.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
CONNECTICUT SUN HAS SIGNED THREE
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2009, THE CONNECTICUT SUN (WNBA) BASKETBALL TEAM ANNOUNCED THE SIGNING OF THREE PLAYERS FOR THE 2009 SEASON.
THE THREE PLAYERS SIGNED WERE BARBARA TURNER, DANIELLE PAGE, AND KERRI GARDIN. THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENTS WERE NOT RELEASED.
MIKE THIBAULT, CONNECTICUT SUN'S COACH SAID, "WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE BARBARA, KERRI AND DANIELLE BACK THIS COMING SEASON. BOTH KERRI AND BARB CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE COURT TO OUR SUCCESS LAST SEASON, AND WITH THEIR OF EXPERIENCE. ALTHOUGH DANIELLE DID NOT PLAY MUCH LAST YEAR, HER CONTRIBUTIONS ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS IN PRACTICE HELPED THE QUALITY OF OUR OVERALL IMPROVEMENT."
BARBARA TURNER, A 6 FOOT (6'0") FORWARD FROM UCONN, HAD FORTY FOUR (44) THREE (3) POINT SHOTS PLAYING IN EVERY GAME OF THE 34 GAME SEASON. SHE STARTED IN SIX (6) GAMES AND AVERAGED EIGHT (8) POINTS PER GAME.
KERRI GARDIN, A SIX FOOT, ONE INCH (6' 1") FORWARD. WHO WAS WAIVED BY THE CHICAGO SKY, PRIOR TO START OF LAST SEASON, SIGNED AS A FREE AGENT WITH THE CONNECTICUT SUN. SHE STARTED IN 15 OF THE 34 GAMES SHE PLAYED FOR THE TEAM LAST SEASON. HER FORTE IS DEFENSE WHERE SHE HAD 111 REBOUNDS AND 41 ASSISTS.
DANIELLE PAGE, A SIX FOOT TWO INCH (6'2") FORWARD PLAYED IN THREE (3) GAMES LAST YEAR.
WE WISH, ALL THREE PLAYERS A GREAT 2009 SEASON, WHICH BEGINS JUNE 6, 2009. ON THAT DAY, THE CONNECTICUT SUN WILL PLAY THE WASHINGTON MYSTICS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA. GO, SUN GO..
THE THREE PLAYERS SIGNED WERE BARBARA TURNER, DANIELLE PAGE, AND KERRI GARDIN. THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENTS WERE NOT RELEASED.
MIKE THIBAULT, CONNECTICUT SUN'S COACH SAID, "WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE BARBARA, KERRI AND DANIELLE BACK THIS COMING SEASON. BOTH KERRI AND BARB CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY ON THE COURT TO OUR SUCCESS LAST SEASON, AND WITH THEIR OF EXPERIENCE. ALTHOUGH DANIELLE DID NOT PLAY MUCH LAST YEAR, HER CONTRIBUTIONS ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS IN PRACTICE HELPED THE QUALITY OF OUR OVERALL IMPROVEMENT."
BARBARA TURNER, A 6 FOOT (6'0") FORWARD FROM UCONN, HAD FORTY FOUR (44) THREE (3) POINT SHOTS PLAYING IN EVERY GAME OF THE 34 GAME SEASON. SHE STARTED IN SIX (6) GAMES AND AVERAGED EIGHT (8) POINTS PER GAME.
KERRI GARDIN, A SIX FOOT, ONE INCH (6' 1") FORWARD. WHO WAS WAIVED BY THE CHICAGO SKY, PRIOR TO START OF LAST SEASON, SIGNED AS A FREE AGENT WITH THE CONNECTICUT SUN. SHE STARTED IN 15 OF THE 34 GAMES SHE PLAYED FOR THE TEAM LAST SEASON. HER FORTE IS DEFENSE WHERE SHE HAD 111 REBOUNDS AND 41 ASSISTS.
DANIELLE PAGE, A SIX FOOT TWO INCH (6'2") FORWARD PLAYED IN THREE (3) GAMES LAST YEAR.
WE WISH, ALL THREE PLAYERS A GREAT 2009 SEASON, WHICH BEGINS JUNE 6, 2009. ON THAT DAY, THE CONNECTICUT SUN WILL PLAY THE WASHINGTON MYSTICS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA. GO, SUN GO..
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
JANUARY 20, 2009
AS I TRAVELED ABOUT YESTERDAY, JANUARY 20, 2009, THERE WERE TELEVISIONS ON WITH OBAMA. OBAMA BEING SWORN IN, THE SPEECH TO THE NATION, THE RIDE IN THE NEW LIMOUSINE, THE OBAMAS AND BIDENS WATCHING THE PARADE FROM THE VIEWING STAND, AND OF COURSE THE DIFFERENT BALLS. IT WAS A DAY OF HOPE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE WATCHING OBAMA ON TELEVISIONS THROUGH OUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, MANY AT THE SAME TIME READING THE NEW "RESTRICITING OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE." OH, SORRY, I DID IT AGAIN, I MEAN "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
TRIBAL MEMBERS, WATCHING THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYING HOW, HE WAS GOING TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO GOVERNMENT. HE SAID, "TODAY I SAY TO YOU THAT THE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE REAL. THEY ARE SERIOUS AND THEY ARE MANY. THEY WILL NOT BE MET EASILY OR IN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME. BUT KNOW THIS, AMERICAN, THEY WILL BE MET."
WHAT WERE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS THINKING AS THEY WERE READING? THEY PROABALY WERE THINKING, HOW AN ORDINANCE WAS IN PLACE, THAT WAS RESTRICTING THEIR VERY FREEDOMS. IN MY OPINION, THEY HAD TO BE FEELING A WIDE RANGE OF EMOTIONS. HOPE FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, D. C.,, AND A REMINDER OF THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT EVERYONE FELT WHO ATTENDED THE QUARTERLY MEETING LAST SUNDAY. THE FEAR, THAT MUST HAVE RUSHED THROUGH THEIR MINDS. BEWILDERMENT.
IN A HOUSE, IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, TWO TRIBAL MEMBERS MANED THE POST TO GET A PETITION DONE , TO SEND OUT FOR REFERENDUM (VOTE) TO RESCIND THE NEW "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE." AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS OVER, TRIBAL MEMBERS HAD COME TOGETHER AND COMPLETED THE TASK. PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIVE, PAST COUNCIL OF ELDERS, ETC.,
ONE TRIBAL MEMBER WE CONTACTED, SAID THAT HE DID NOT KNOW IF HE WOULD HAVE A JOB. HE SAID HE WOULD SIGN IF WE NEEDED HIM TO BUT HE HOPED HE DID NOT HAVE TO. IN THE END, HE CAME FORWARD AND SIGNED, BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I GOT THE IMPRESSION, THAT WHEN HE LOOKED HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR, HE HAD TO LIKE WHAT HE SAW. GOD BLESS HIM FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
IN THE END IS WAS A GOOD DAY FOR THE UNITED STATES. IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE, WILLINGLY PARTICIPATED AND WANTED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, FROM THE VERY GOVERNMENT WHICH IS THEIR TO PROTECT THEM. KIND OF IRONIC, DON'T YOU THINK..
TO EVERYONE WHO SIGNED, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NO GESTURE WAS TOO SMALL. WE ALL PITCHED IN AND MADE IT HAPPEN. WE STOOD TALL. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE WATCHING OBAMA ON TELEVISIONS THROUGH OUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, MANY AT THE SAME TIME READING THE NEW "RESTRICITING OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE." OH, SORRY, I DID IT AGAIN, I MEAN "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
TRIBAL MEMBERS, WATCHING THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAYING HOW, HE WAS GOING TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO GOVERNMENT. HE SAID, "TODAY I SAY TO YOU THAT THE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE REAL. THEY ARE SERIOUS AND THEY ARE MANY. THEY WILL NOT BE MET EASILY OR IN A SHORT SPAN OF TIME. BUT KNOW THIS, AMERICAN, THEY WILL BE MET."
WHAT WERE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS THINKING AS THEY WERE READING? THEY PROABALY WERE THINKING, HOW AN ORDINANCE WAS IN PLACE, THAT WAS RESTRICTING THEIR VERY FREEDOMS. IN MY OPINION, THEY HAD TO BE FEELING A WIDE RANGE OF EMOTIONS. HOPE FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, D. C.,, AND A REMINDER OF THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT EVERYONE FELT WHO ATTENDED THE QUARTERLY MEETING LAST SUNDAY. THE FEAR, THAT MUST HAVE RUSHED THROUGH THEIR MINDS. BEWILDERMENT.
IN A HOUSE, IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, TWO TRIBAL MEMBERS MANED THE POST TO GET A PETITION DONE , TO SEND OUT FOR REFERENDUM (VOTE) TO RESCIND THE NEW "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE." AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS OVER, TRIBAL MEMBERS HAD COME TOGETHER AND COMPLETED THE TASK. PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIVE, PAST COUNCIL OF ELDERS, ETC.,
ONE TRIBAL MEMBER WE CONTACTED, SAID THAT HE DID NOT KNOW IF HE WOULD HAVE A JOB. HE SAID HE WOULD SIGN IF WE NEEDED HIM TO BUT HE HOPED HE DID NOT HAVE TO. IN THE END, HE CAME FORWARD AND SIGNED, BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I GOT THE IMPRESSION, THAT WHEN HE LOOKED HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR, HE HAD TO LIKE WHAT HE SAW. GOD BLESS HIM FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
IN THE END IS WAS A GOOD DAY FOR THE UNITED STATES. IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE, WILLINGLY PARTICIPATED AND WANTED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, FROM THE VERY GOVERNMENT WHICH IS THEIR TO PROTECT THEM. KIND OF IRONIC, DON'T YOU THINK..
TO EVERYONE WHO SIGNED, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NO GESTURE WAS TOO SMALL. WE ALL PITCHED IN AND MADE IT HAPPEN. WE STOOD TALL. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BUY OUTS AND LAYOFFS
THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS WERE GIVEN UNTIL JANUARY 30, 2009 TO ACCEPT THE BUY OUTS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
IF THE WORKERS TAKE THE BUY OUTS, THEY COULD RECEIVE TWO (2) WEEKS PAY FOR EVERY FULL YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. IF THEY DO NOT OPT FOR THE BUY OUT THEN IN FEBRUARY THE LAYOFFS WILL BEGIN. THE LAYOFF WORKERS WILL GET ONE (1) WEEKS PAY FOR EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE.IN EITHER CASE, THEY WILL GET THEIR VACATION TIME THAT THEY ACCUMULATED. THEY WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THEIR SICK TIME THAT THEY DID NOT USE.
HERE'S A TWIST, IT'S LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE, MOHEGAN STYLE. SOME WORKERS ARE PUTTING IN FOR THE BUY OUTS AND HOPING THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T ACCEPT THE APPLICATION, THEN THE WORKER IS EXEMPT FROM THE NEXT ROUND OF LAYOFFS, IF THEY SHOULD BE NECESSARY. THE WORKERS ARE IN FACT PUTTING A GUN TO THEIR HEADS AND HOPING THAT THE GUN DOESN'T GO OFF.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, WHO WILL MAKE THESE DECISIONS, ARE NOT PLAYING FAIR WITH THEIR WORKERS. THEY SHOULD TELL THE WORKERS HOW MANY JOBS NEED TO GO, AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CUT FROM IT'S BUDGET. IN MY OPINION, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WE SEE, BY NOT PAYING DOWN OUR DEBT, AND BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS.
THE WORKERS, ARE AFRAID, AND SCARED. ONE WORKER SAID, LOOK AT MY DEPARTMENT, I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO IS NOT A MOHEGAN. WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO GET RID OF? THE WORKER SAID THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THE CASINO DID AND TAKE A 10% PAY CUT.
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WILL TELL A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. WILL THEY LET NON-MOHEGANS GO? WILL THEY GIVE MOHEGANS PREFERENCE? WILL THEY LET PEOPLE GO BY PRODUCTIVITY? WILL WE KEEP THE BEST WORKERS OR THE DEAD WOOD? TRIBAL MEMBERS WATCH .IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS' SHOES. WILL THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DO IT RIGHT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IF THE WORKERS TAKE THE BUY OUTS, THEY COULD RECEIVE TWO (2) WEEKS PAY FOR EVERY FULL YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. IF THEY DO NOT OPT FOR THE BUY OUT THEN IN FEBRUARY THE LAYOFFS WILL BEGIN. THE LAYOFF WORKERS WILL GET ONE (1) WEEKS PAY FOR EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE.IN EITHER CASE, THEY WILL GET THEIR VACATION TIME THAT THEY ACCUMULATED. THEY WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THEIR SICK TIME THAT THEY DID NOT USE.
HERE'S A TWIST, IT'S LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE, MOHEGAN STYLE. SOME WORKERS ARE PUTTING IN FOR THE BUY OUTS AND HOPING THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T ACCEPT THE APPLICATION, THEN THE WORKER IS EXEMPT FROM THE NEXT ROUND OF LAYOFFS, IF THEY SHOULD BE NECESSARY. THE WORKERS ARE IN FACT PUTTING A GUN TO THEIR HEADS AND HOPING THAT THE GUN DOESN'T GO OFF.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, WHO WILL MAKE THESE DECISIONS, ARE NOT PLAYING FAIR WITH THEIR WORKERS. THEY SHOULD TELL THE WORKERS HOW MANY JOBS NEED TO GO, AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CUT FROM IT'S BUDGET. IN MY OPINION, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WE SEE, BY NOT PAYING DOWN OUR DEBT, AND BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS.
THE WORKERS, ARE AFRAID, AND SCARED. ONE WORKER SAID, LOOK AT MY DEPARTMENT, I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO IS NOT A MOHEGAN. WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO GET RID OF? THE WORKER SAID THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT THE CASINO DID AND TAKE A 10% PAY CUT.
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WILL TELL A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. WILL THEY LET NON-MOHEGANS GO? WILL THEY GIVE MOHEGANS PREFERENCE? WILL THEY LET PEOPLE GO BY PRODUCTIVITY? WILL WE KEEP THE BEST WORKERS OR THE DEAD WOOD? TRIBAL MEMBERS WATCH .IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS' SHOES. WILL THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DO IT RIGHT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Friday, January 16, 2009
R.O.I.O.
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2009. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL PASSED THE "RESTRICTIONS OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
OH, I'M WRONG, IT WAS THE "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
THE WAY THE ORDINANCE WORKS IS LIKE THIS. ONE SPY (TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER) SAYS TO ANOTHER SPY (TRIBAL MEMBER), "I COULD TELL YOU. BUT THEN I WOULD HAVE TO KILL YOU."
THE ORDINANCE IS VERY PROHIBITIVE. IT REALLY ACTS MORE LIKE A RESTRINGING OF INFORMATION THEN WHAT IT IS CALLED.. IT IS REALLY A VERY BAD LAW. THIS NEW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE NEEDS TO GO.
THE VOTE ON THIS ORDINANCE, WAS EIGHT (8) IN FAVOR AND ONE (1) AGAINST. THE ONE AGAINST WAS MARK HAMILTON. THANK YOU COUNCILOR HAMILTON FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, CONTACT MYSELF VIA THE COMMENT SECTION ON BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR TO FEATHER NEWS, AND WE WILL FILL YOU IN ON THE DETAILS.
IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING, YEARS AGO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ETHICS ORDINANCE CASE AND THEY PASSED A NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE. NOW A TRIBAL MEMBER IS IN COURT ABOUT FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS AND WHAT IS THE TRIBAL COUNCIL PASSING BUT A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT A PETITION IS GOING AROUND TO HAVE A REFERENDUM (VOTE) BY THE TRIBE, LIKE WE DID WITH THE ETHICS ORDINANCE YEARS AGO.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE, YOU CAN CONTACT ME VIA THE COMMENT SECTION ON BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR ON THE COMMENT SECTION AT FEATHER NEWS. WE WILL NOT POST YOUR E-MAILS. IN FACT, WE WILL QUICKLY DESTROY THEM, FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
WHEN THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMITTEE WAS AROUND, THEY HAD SENT TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. THAT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THIS ORDINANCE. MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD LOOK AT IT AND USE IT AS A MODEL FOR THEIR ORDINANCE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WE NEED OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT NOT MORE SECRETIVE. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT ALL THE DECISIONS THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS MAKING, BUT WE CAN CHANGE THIS. THIS IS A TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
OH, I'M WRONG, IT WAS THE "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE."
THE WAY THE ORDINANCE WORKS IS LIKE THIS. ONE SPY (TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER) SAYS TO ANOTHER SPY (TRIBAL MEMBER), "I COULD TELL YOU. BUT THEN I WOULD HAVE TO KILL YOU."
THE ORDINANCE IS VERY PROHIBITIVE. IT REALLY ACTS MORE LIKE A RESTRINGING OF INFORMATION THEN WHAT IT IS CALLED.. IT IS REALLY A VERY BAD LAW. THIS NEW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE NEEDS TO GO.
THE VOTE ON THIS ORDINANCE, WAS EIGHT (8) IN FAVOR AND ONE (1) AGAINST. THE ONE AGAINST WAS MARK HAMILTON. THANK YOU COUNCILOR HAMILTON FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, CONTACT MYSELF VIA THE COMMENT SECTION ON BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR TO FEATHER NEWS, AND WE WILL FILL YOU IN ON THE DETAILS.
IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING, YEARS AGO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ETHICS ORDINANCE CASE AND THEY PASSED A NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE. NOW A TRIBAL MEMBER IS IN COURT ABOUT FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS AND WHAT IS THE TRIBAL COUNCIL PASSING BUT A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT A PETITION IS GOING AROUND TO HAVE A REFERENDUM (VOTE) BY THE TRIBE, LIKE WE DID WITH THE ETHICS ORDINANCE YEARS AGO.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE, YOU CAN CONTACT ME VIA THE COMMENT SECTION ON BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR ON THE COMMENT SECTION AT FEATHER NEWS. WE WILL NOT POST YOUR E-MAILS. IN FACT, WE WILL QUICKLY DESTROY THEM, FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
WHEN THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMITTEE WAS AROUND, THEY HAD SENT TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT FOR THE CONSTITUTION. THAT WAS MUCH BETTER THAN THIS ORDINANCE. MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD LOOK AT IT AND USE IT AS A MODEL FOR THEIR ORDINANCE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WE NEED OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT NOT MORE SECRETIVE. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT ALL THE DECISIONS THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS MAKING, BUT WE CAN CHANGE THIS. THIS IS A TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WINDOW GLASS
PEOPLE BUY WINDOWS FOR A GREAT MANY REASONS. THEY BUY THEM FOR THEIR HOMES, BUSINESS, BIG BUILDINGS, ETC.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE WINDOW IS THE GLASS. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF GLASS. THERE IS TRANSPARENT (CLEAR) GLASS, OBSCURE GLASS, INSULATED GLASS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS, SAFETY GLASS, AND OTHER KINDS. EACH TYPE OR COMBINATIONS OF THE TYPES ARE USED FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLES SITUATIONS (NEW CONSTRUCTION, REPLACING OLD WINDOWS, SECURITY, BETTER INSULATION, TRYING TO SAVE MONEY).
THERE IS SINGLE PANE GLASS (ONE THICKNESS OF GLASS). THERE IS DOUBLE PANE GLASS (TWO PIECES OF GLASS WITH AIR OR GAS IN THE CAVITY BETWEEN THE TWO PIECES OF GLASS).
CLEAR (TRANSPARENT) ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND OTHER PEOPLE, WHETHER HOME OWNER LIKES IT OR NOT, TO .LOOK IN.
OBSCURE GLASS IS USED FOR KEEPING PEOPLE FROM BEING SEEN. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE A SHOWER DOOR OR BATHROOM WINDOW. YOU WANT TO LET LIGHT IN BUT DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SEE YOU.
THEN THERE IS SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS, AN ECONOMICAL WINDOW BECAUSE IT CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURE. DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS IS STRONGER THAN SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS AND OF COURSE COSTS MORE MONEY.
IF THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT (TRIBAL COUNCIL) WERE A WINDOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? IS IT CLEAR GLASS OR OBSCURE GLASS? IS IT SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS OR DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS? IS IT INSULATED GLASS?
IN MY OPINION, IT DEFINITELY WOULD NOT BE CLEAR GLASS. IT IS PROBABLY OBSCURE GLASS. THEY WANT US (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) TO BELIEVE IT IS CLEAR GLASS BUT THEIR ACTIONS SHOW SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT IS OBSCURE GLASS. IS IT INSULATED GLASS? PROBABLY NOT, THEY WOULD FIND A CHEAPER WAY TO DO IT. IS IT DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS,? NO, I DON'T THINK SO.
IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE IN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THEN YOU THINK IT IS CLEAR GLASS, THE BEST THAT MONEY CAN BUY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR ACTIONS LATELY, I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTERESTS AHEAD OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS. THEY DEFINITELY PUT THEMSELVES AHEAD OF THEIR WORKERS. LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO THE TRIBE'S YOUTH. LOOK OUT TRIBAL MEMBERS, IN MY OPINION, AS SOON AS THE ELECTION IS OVER IN OCTOBER, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL CUT YOUR PER CAPS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IN MY OPINION, THEY ARE SINGLE PANE, SINGLE STRENGTH, OBSCURE GLASS. IF THEY WERE A GLASS WINDOW, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE WINDOW IS THE GLASS. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF GLASS. THERE IS TRANSPARENT (CLEAR) GLASS, OBSCURE GLASS, INSULATED GLASS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS, SAFETY GLASS, AND OTHER KINDS. EACH TYPE OR COMBINATIONS OF THE TYPES ARE USED FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLES SITUATIONS (NEW CONSTRUCTION, REPLACING OLD WINDOWS, SECURITY, BETTER INSULATION, TRYING TO SAVE MONEY).
THERE IS SINGLE PANE GLASS (ONE THICKNESS OF GLASS). THERE IS DOUBLE PANE GLASS (TWO PIECES OF GLASS WITH AIR OR GAS IN THE CAVITY BETWEEN THE TWO PIECES OF GLASS).
CLEAR (TRANSPARENT) ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES AND OTHER PEOPLE, WHETHER HOME OWNER LIKES IT OR NOT, TO .LOOK IN.
OBSCURE GLASS IS USED FOR KEEPING PEOPLE FROM BEING SEEN. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE A SHOWER DOOR OR BATHROOM WINDOW. YOU WANT TO LET LIGHT IN BUT DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO SEE YOU.
THEN THERE IS SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS, AN ECONOMICAL WINDOW BECAUSE IT CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURE. DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS IS STRONGER THAN SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS AND OF COURSE COSTS MORE MONEY.
IF THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT (TRIBAL COUNCIL) WERE A WINDOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? IS IT CLEAR GLASS OR OBSCURE GLASS? IS IT SINGLE STRENGTH GLASS OR DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS? IS IT INSULATED GLASS?
IN MY OPINION, IT DEFINITELY WOULD NOT BE CLEAR GLASS. IT IS PROBABLY OBSCURE GLASS. THEY WANT US (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) TO BELIEVE IT IS CLEAR GLASS BUT THEIR ACTIONS SHOW SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT IS OBSCURE GLASS. IS IT INSULATED GLASS? PROBABLY NOT, THEY WOULD FIND A CHEAPER WAY TO DO IT. IS IT DOUBLE STRENGTH GLASS,? NO, I DON'T THINK SO.
IF YOU WANT TO BELIEVE IN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THEN YOU THINK IT IS CLEAR GLASS, THE BEST THAT MONEY CAN BUY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THEIR ACTIONS LATELY, I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTERESTS AHEAD OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS. THEY DEFINITELY PUT THEMSELVES AHEAD OF THEIR WORKERS. LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO THE TRIBE'S YOUTH. LOOK OUT TRIBAL MEMBERS, IN MY OPINION, AS SOON AS THE ELECTION IS OVER IN OCTOBER, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL CUT YOUR PER CAPS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IN MY OPINION, THEY ARE SINGLE PANE, SINGLE STRENGTH, OBSCURE GLASS. IF THEY WERE A GLASS WINDOW, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
DINOSAURS
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, LARGE MAMMOTH CREATURES ROAMED THE EARTH. DINOSAURS. THEY ARE GONE. SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THAT SOME FORM OF CATASTROPHE KILLED THEM. EITHER AN ICE AGE OR A METEOR HIT OR SOMETHING ELSE. THEOLOGIANS BELIEVE A FLOOD THAT COVERED THE EARTH KILLED THEM. I DO NOT KNOW. I DO KNOW THEY EXISTED BY THE SKELETONS AND BONES LEFT BEHIND.
ON ROUTE 32, IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, JUST NORTH WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF CROW HILL ROAD, ARE DINOSAURS. THE MAN WHO OWNS THE HOUSE MAKES DINOSAUR STATUES. IT IS FREE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LOOK AT THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK. GO AND SEE THEM. LEAVE A CONTRIBUTION.
THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT HAS TWO DINOSAURS OF THEIR OWN. THE PROJECT HORIZON (EARTH HOTEL) AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. DINOSAURS, THAT PROBABLY WILL NEVER GET COMPLETED. SAD EXAMPLES OF THE FOLLY OF BAD PLANNING BY THE MOHEGAN GOVERNEMT.
WHY DINOSAURS? THE ECONOMY WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE WHAT IT WAS. THE ECONOMY WAS BASED ON BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL BLAMES OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION ON THE ECONOMY. YES, THE ECONOMY IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN. THE FACTS ARE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT (MTGA), IN PARTICULAR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, IN MY OPINION, DID NOT MANAGE OUR BUSINESSES VERY WELL. THEY MESSED UP, AND NOW OUR PEOPLE (THE TRIBE) AND OUR WORKERS HAVE TO CARRY THE BURDEN. THESE TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE BURDEN. CUT THE WORKER NOT OUR PAY SHOULD BE THERE MOTTO. THAT IS THE WAY IT LOOKS.
DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 2-A AND LOOK OVER AT THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING. YOU WILL SEE STEEL FRAME WORK JETTING INTO THE SKY. GO TO THE WINTER GARAGE AND LOOK THROUGH THE FENCE AND SEE THE SHORT PILLARS AND TWO LONELY CRANES. BOTH TESTAMENTS OF INSANITY, OF MADNESS. EXAMPLES OF POOR PLANNING. EXAMPLES OF NOT RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMY WAS IN TROUBLE. HOW COULD THEY NOT KNOW WHAT ECONOMISTS EVERY WHERE KNEW THAT THE RECESSION HAD STARTED IN DECEMBER 2007. DOES ANYONE KNOW? IS ANYONE MAKING THEM ACCOUNTABLE? SHOULD THEY GO?
YES, THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION HAS DINOSAURS (THE EARTH HOTEL AND THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER). THIS SITUATION, OUR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT CREATED, IS THE WAY OF DINOSAURS. IS THE CASINO GOING TO BE THE NEXT DINOSAUR? . MAYBE THEY (THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) ARE DINOSAURS, TOO. MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DINOSAURS WILL HAPPEN TO THEM. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ON ROUTE 32, IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, JUST NORTH WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF CROW HILL ROAD, ARE DINOSAURS. THE MAN WHO OWNS THE HOUSE MAKES DINOSAUR STATUES. IT IS FREE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO LOOK AT THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK. GO AND SEE THEM. LEAVE A CONTRIBUTION.
THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT HAS TWO DINOSAURS OF THEIR OWN. THE PROJECT HORIZON (EARTH HOTEL) AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. DINOSAURS, THAT PROBABLY WILL NEVER GET COMPLETED. SAD EXAMPLES OF THE FOLLY OF BAD PLANNING BY THE MOHEGAN GOVERNEMT.
WHY DINOSAURS? THE ECONOMY WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE WHAT IT WAS. THE ECONOMY WAS BASED ON BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL BLAMES OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION ON THE ECONOMY. YES, THE ECONOMY IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN. THE FACTS ARE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT (MTGA), IN PARTICULAR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, IN MY OPINION, DID NOT MANAGE OUR BUSINESSES VERY WELL. THEY MESSED UP, AND NOW OUR PEOPLE (THE TRIBE) AND OUR WORKERS HAVE TO CARRY THE BURDEN. THESE TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE BURDEN. CUT THE WORKER NOT OUR PAY SHOULD BE THERE MOTTO. THAT IS THE WAY IT LOOKS.
DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 2-A AND LOOK OVER AT THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING. YOU WILL SEE STEEL FRAME WORK JETTING INTO THE SKY. GO TO THE WINTER GARAGE AND LOOK THROUGH THE FENCE AND SEE THE SHORT PILLARS AND TWO LONELY CRANES. BOTH TESTAMENTS OF INSANITY, OF MADNESS. EXAMPLES OF POOR PLANNING. EXAMPLES OF NOT RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMY WAS IN TROUBLE. HOW COULD THEY NOT KNOW WHAT ECONOMISTS EVERY WHERE KNEW THAT THE RECESSION HAD STARTED IN DECEMBER 2007. DOES ANYONE KNOW? IS ANYONE MAKING THEM ACCOUNTABLE? SHOULD THEY GO?
YES, THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION HAS DINOSAURS (THE EARTH HOTEL AND THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER). THIS SITUATION, OUR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT CREATED, IS THE WAY OF DINOSAURS. IS THE CASINO GOING TO BE THE NEXT DINOSAUR? . MAYBE THEY (THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) ARE DINOSAURS, TOO. MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DINOSAURS WILL HAPPEN TO THEM. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
SAVINGS AT FORT HILL
JUST THE OTHER DAY (I WAS TOLD THAT ) THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SENT A LETTER TO THE RESIDENTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING.
IN THE LETTER HE REMINDED THE TENANTS, THAT THE TRIBE AND THE CASINO WERE MAKING CHANGES IN AN EFFORT TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS AND SAVE WHATEVER POSSIBLE. HE ASKED THAT THE TENANTS ENDEAVOR TO DO THE SAME THING. BY DOING THIS HE FELT IT WOULD RESULT IN SAVINGS TO THE TRIBE.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE TENANTS TURN OFF LIGHTS IN THEIR APARTMENTS WHEN THEY LEAVE. HE ASKED THE TENANTS TO TURN OFF RADIOS, TELEVISIONS WHEN THE TENANTS ARE NOT HOME. TURNING DOWN THE HEAT WHEN THE TENANTS LEAVE THEIR APARTMENTS FOR ANY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE SUGGESTION OF KEEPING THE HALL HEATING UNITS AT A REASONABLE LEVEL. ANOTHER THING WAS KEEPING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS IN APARTMENTS CLOSED. HE URGED THAT THE USE OF PORTABLE HEATING UNITS BE MINIMIZED.
THESE WERE ALL GREAT IDEAS. HE SUPPOSEDLY STATED IF THE TENANTS HAD OTHER IDEAS, THEY SHOULD BRING THEM TO HIM. IT WAS A WELL WRITTEN LETTER AND CONTAINED MANY GOOD IDEAS. GOOD JOB HOUSING DIRECTOR.
HE SUMMED UP HIS LETTER QUOTING, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM WHO SAID, "WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND TOGETHER WE WILL GET THROUGH IT AND BE STRONGER FOR IT."
IN THE LETTER HE REMINDED THE TENANTS, THAT THE TRIBE AND THE CASINO WERE MAKING CHANGES IN AN EFFORT TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS AND SAVE WHATEVER POSSIBLE. HE ASKED THAT THE TENANTS ENDEAVOR TO DO THE SAME THING. BY DOING THIS HE FELT IT WOULD RESULT IN SAVINGS TO THE TRIBE.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE TENANTS TURN OFF LIGHTS IN THEIR APARTMENTS WHEN THEY LEAVE. HE ASKED THE TENANTS TO TURN OFF RADIOS, TELEVISIONS WHEN THE TENANTS ARE NOT HOME. TURNING DOWN THE HEAT WHEN THE TENANTS LEAVE THEIR APARTMENTS FOR ANY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE SUGGESTION OF KEEPING THE HALL HEATING UNITS AT A REASONABLE LEVEL. ANOTHER THING WAS KEEPING THE WINDOWS AND DOORS IN APARTMENTS CLOSED. HE URGED THAT THE USE OF PORTABLE HEATING UNITS BE MINIMIZED.
THESE WERE ALL GREAT IDEAS. HE SUPPOSEDLY STATED IF THE TENANTS HAD OTHER IDEAS, THEY SHOULD BRING THEM TO HIM. IT WAS A WELL WRITTEN LETTER AND CONTAINED MANY GOOD IDEAS. GOOD JOB HOUSING DIRECTOR.
HE SUMMED UP HIS LETTER QUOTING, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM WHO SAID, "WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND TOGETHER WE WILL GET THROUGH IT AND BE STRONGER FOR IT."
EIGHT OUT OF TEN
It was told to me that, just recently a Mohegan tribal government official stated something to the effect, that eight out of ten employees, were happy with the employee changes that were being implemented.
The official is right and he is wrong. Let me explain.
Brokenwing Editorials and the Feather News have interviewed employees of the Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribal government. What we found was that the casino and government employees felt differently about their situations. It averaged out, eight out of ten.
The employees of the Mohegan Sun Casino feel happy and like what was done. They wish they did not have to take pay cuts, but they feel everyone gave back so that they all would have jobs. The employees feeling the sliding scale cut backs were fair. They feel to have job and feel safe is better than to have no job. We came away believing, yes the official was right eight of ten were happy.
We, then interviewed employees of the Mohegan government. The plan we heard was to do a roll back of pay to what employees made in September, 2008. In other words, take back their cost of living increase they had gotten at that time. We were told that voluntary buy outs are being offered to employees until February 1, 2009. Then we were told if the buy outs are not enough employees to cut the size of the government, then there will be layoffs I asked workers if they were going to take the buyouts. Almost everyone we talked said they would not take the buy-outs. Most employees said, where would they go. There are no jobs. What we felt from these people was fear, uncertainty, worry. They seemed to just be hoping that everything would work out for them. Rumors are flying around the government building. Some employees, we talked to, stated why didn't the government do what the casino did. We got the feeling they were willing to take a larger cut proportionate to the employees income, so that their jobs could be saved. It seems to be eight out of ten, except this time, it's against. These people were unhappy.
Brokenwing Editorials is not privy to how the Tribal government made these decisions. I just think maybe they should revisit this topic. These are trained people who do a good job for the Mohegan people. They did not create this problem. We are talking peoples lives and hardship.
Members of the Tribal Council supposedly said, we are all in this together and together we will get through it and be stronger for it. Maybe instead of the government officials being so silent maybe they should be more transparent. Maybe the government and all Mohegan tribal members should try and find a way to save these good people. How do we do it? Maybe tribal members should contact their Tribal Councilors and complain. Does anyone know? What do you think?
The official is right and he is wrong. Let me explain.
Brokenwing Editorials and the Feather News have interviewed employees of the Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribal government. What we found was that the casino and government employees felt differently about their situations. It averaged out, eight out of ten.
The employees of the Mohegan Sun Casino feel happy and like what was done. They wish they did not have to take pay cuts, but they feel everyone gave back so that they all would have jobs. The employees feeling the sliding scale cut backs were fair. They feel to have job and feel safe is better than to have no job. We came away believing, yes the official was right eight of ten were happy.
We, then interviewed employees of the Mohegan government. The plan we heard was to do a roll back of pay to what employees made in September, 2008. In other words, take back their cost of living increase they had gotten at that time. We were told that voluntary buy outs are being offered to employees until February 1, 2009. Then we were told if the buy outs are not enough employees to cut the size of the government, then there will be layoffs I asked workers if they were going to take the buyouts. Almost everyone we talked said they would not take the buy-outs. Most employees said, where would they go. There are no jobs. What we felt from these people was fear, uncertainty, worry. They seemed to just be hoping that everything would work out for them. Rumors are flying around the government building. Some employees, we talked to, stated why didn't the government do what the casino did. We got the feeling they were willing to take a larger cut proportionate to the employees income, so that their jobs could be saved. It seems to be eight out of ten, except this time, it's against. These people were unhappy.
Brokenwing Editorials is not privy to how the Tribal government made these decisions. I just think maybe they should revisit this topic. These are trained people who do a good job for the Mohegan people. They did not create this problem. We are talking peoples lives and hardship.
Members of the Tribal Council supposedly said, we are all in this together and together we will get through it and be stronger for it. Maybe instead of the government officials being so silent maybe they should be more transparent. Maybe the government and all Mohegan tribal members should try and find a way to save these good people. How do we do it? Maybe tribal members should contact their Tribal Councilors and complain. Does anyone know? What do you think?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
SIXTY FORTY
AS I SIT IN FRONT OF MY COMPUTER, I WAS THINKING ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR OUR GOVERNMENT WHO ARE AFRAID OF BEING LAID OFF. THE THOUGHT OF, THESE PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD PAY THEIR BILLS. HOW WERE THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, IF THEY LOST THEIR JOBS.
A THOUGHT, THAT ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER, CAME UP WITH CROSSED BY MIND. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WEARS TWO HATS. THEY ARE THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL. THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS IN THE PAST, HAVE SAID THAT SIXTY PERCENT (60%) OF THEIR PAY IS FROM THE MTGA, AND FORTY PERCENT IS FROM RUNNING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. SIXTY, FORTY.
SINCE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RECEIVES SIXTY PERCENT OF THEIR SALARY FROM THE RUNNING OF THE CASINO, THEN THAT PORTION SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SEVEN AND A HALF PERCENT TO TEN PERCENT (7.5% TO 10%) CUT BACK THAT PPLIES TO THE CASINO. AS EXECUTIVES OF THE MTGA (THE CASINO)., IT SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THEM.
ON THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT SIDE (TRIBAL COUNCILORS POSITIONS) IF THEY TAKE A ROLL BACK (COST OF LIVING INCREASE) IT WOULD BE ABOUT TWO AND HALF PERCENT (2.5%).
NOW LET'S TRY AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT. LET'S USE CHAIRMAN BOZSUM'S PAY, HE MAKES AN ESTIMATED $308,000.00 PER YEAR SALARY. . SIXTY PERCENT WOULD BE $184,800.00. TAKE $184,000.00 MULTIPLIED BY TEN PERCENT (10%) IT WOULD BE A PAY CUT OF $18,.400.00 TAKE THE SAME $184,000.00 AT SEVEN AND HALF PERCENT (7.5%) AND IT COMES OUT TO $13,860.00.
YOU TAKE THE 40% OF THE $308,000.00 AND YOU GET $123,200 AT THE ROLLBACK (2.5%) FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS, YOU END UP WITH $3,080.00.
NOW LET;S ADD THEM UP, AT 10% OF THE 60% SALARY AND THE ROLLBACK AT 2.5% OF THE REMAINING 40% OF THE SALARY, IT COMES TO $21,560.00. NOW THE SAME FORMULA AT 7.5% ON THE 60% SALARY AND 2.5% ON THE 40% SALARY AND THE FINAL NUMBER IS $16,940.00.
THE CHAIRMAN WHO IS TAKING THE GOVERNMENT ROLL BACK (2.5%) , THE WAY I FIGURE IT WOULD GIVE UP $7,700.00. THE WAY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS DOING THIS THE CHAIRMAN IS SAVING BETWEEN $9,240.00 AND $13,800.00. START TO MULTIPLY THESE KIND OF SAVINGS BY NINE TRIBAL COUNCILORS AND THE NUMBERS (SAVINGS) BECOME AROUND $100,000.00 THAT REALLY BELONGS TO THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET, NOT THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS" POCKETS. IT COULD SAVE THREE OR FOUR WORKERS FROM LOSING THEIR JOBS.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN IS GOING AROUND, TO WORKERS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, ASKING THEM TO MAKE CUTS TO SAVE MONEY. IN MY OPINION, HE AND THE OTHER TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE THE NECESSARY SACRAFICES THAT NEED TO BE MADE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. THEY NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD REMEMBER THIS, AT ELECTION TIME. DID THESE PEOPLE REALLY MAKE SACRIFICES FOR THE TRIBE? ARE THEY DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE TRIBE? REMEMBER, WHO CREATED THIS MESS. MAYBE IF, TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE TO SPEAK OUT, IT WOULD SAVE SOME EMPLOYEES THEIR JOBS.
SIXTY, FORTY WORKS FOR ME. DOES IT WORK FOR YOU? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
A THOUGHT, THAT ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER, CAME UP WITH CROSSED BY MIND. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WEARS TWO HATS. THEY ARE THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL. THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS IN THE PAST, HAVE SAID THAT SIXTY PERCENT (60%) OF THEIR PAY IS FROM THE MTGA, AND FORTY PERCENT IS FROM RUNNING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. SIXTY, FORTY.
SINCE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RECEIVES SIXTY PERCENT OF THEIR SALARY FROM THE RUNNING OF THE CASINO, THEN THAT PORTION SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SEVEN AND A HALF PERCENT TO TEN PERCENT (7.5% TO 10%) CUT BACK THAT PPLIES TO THE CASINO. AS EXECUTIVES OF THE MTGA (THE CASINO)., IT SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THEM.
ON THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT SIDE (TRIBAL COUNCILORS POSITIONS) IF THEY TAKE A ROLL BACK (COST OF LIVING INCREASE) IT WOULD BE ABOUT TWO AND HALF PERCENT (2.5%).
NOW LET'S TRY AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT. LET'S USE CHAIRMAN BOZSUM'S PAY, HE MAKES AN ESTIMATED $308,000.00 PER YEAR SALARY. . SIXTY PERCENT WOULD BE $184,800.00. TAKE $184,000.00 MULTIPLIED BY TEN PERCENT (10%) IT WOULD BE A PAY CUT OF $18,.400.00 TAKE THE SAME $184,000.00 AT SEVEN AND HALF PERCENT (7.5%) AND IT COMES OUT TO $13,860.00.
YOU TAKE THE 40% OF THE $308,000.00 AND YOU GET $123,200 AT THE ROLLBACK (2.5%) FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS, YOU END UP WITH $3,080.00.
NOW LET;S ADD THEM UP, AT 10% OF THE 60% SALARY AND THE ROLLBACK AT 2.5% OF THE REMAINING 40% OF THE SALARY, IT COMES TO $21,560.00. NOW THE SAME FORMULA AT 7.5% ON THE 60% SALARY AND 2.5% ON THE 40% SALARY AND THE FINAL NUMBER IS $16,940.00.
THE CHAIRMAN WHO IS TAKING THE GOVERNMENT ROLL BACK (2.5%) , THE WAY I FIGURE IT WOULD GIVE UP $7,700.00. THE WAY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS DOING THIS THE CHAIRMAN IS SAVING BETWEEN $9,240.00 AND $13,800.00. START TO MULTIPLY THESE KIND OF SAVINGS BY NINE TRIBAL COUNCILORS AND THE NUMBERS (SAVINGS) BECOME AROUND $100,000.00 THAT REALLY BELONGS TO THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET, NOT THE TRIBAL COUNCILORS" POCKETS. IT COULD SAVE THREE OR FOUR WORKERS FROM LOSING THEIR JOBS.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN IS GOING AROUND, TO WORKERS OF OUR GOVERNMENT, ASKING THEM TO MAKE CUTS TO SAVE MONEY. IN MY OPINION, HE AND THE OTHER TRIBAL COUNCILORS ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE THE NECESSARY SACRAFICES THAT NEED TO BE MADE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. THEY NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD REMEMBER THIS, AT ELECTION TIME. DID THESE PEOPLE REALLY MAKE SACRIFICES FOR THE TRIBE? ARE THEY DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE TRIBE? REMEMBER, WHO CREATED THIS MESS. MAYBE IF, TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE TO SPEAK OUT, IT WOULD SAVE SOME EMPLOYEES THEIR JOBS.
SIXTY, FORTY WORKS FOR ME. DOES IT WORK FOR YOU? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Monday, January 12, 2009
EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED
AFTER THE PRESENTATION BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST TRIBAL MEMBER, CAME UP TO THE MICROPHONE, AND ASKED IF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS GOING TO TAKE PAY CUTS. THE MEMBERSHIP HAD BEEN TOLD IN THE MEETING THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE REDUCING THEIR SALARIES TO WHAT THEY WERE PAID IN SEPTEMBER, 2008 (THE COST OF LIVING INCREASE). IT IS BELIEVED TO BE TWO AND A HALF PERCENT (2.5%).
IN RESPONSE, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM INFORMED THE TRIBAL MEMBER THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE ROLLING BACK THEIR SALARIES TO THE SEPTEMBER, 2008 SALARY LEVEL.
THE TRIBAL MEMBER LOOKED OVER AT MITCHELL ETESS, AND SAID THEY ARE TAKING A TEN PERCENT (10%) PAY CUT. THAT IS WHEN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" RESPONDED, "I HAVE EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED."
HE THEN STATED, SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, THAT HE DOESN'T MAKE ANYWHERE NEAR WHAT THE EXECUTIVES AT THE CASINO MAKE. HE STATED HE MAKES ABOUT THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) A YEAR. AND THAT NEW TRIBAL COUNCILORS START OUT AT AROUND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00).
THE TRIBAL MEMBER THEN SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT WHAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MADE WAS AN UNGODLY AMOUNT. MY IMPRESSION WAS, HE FELT THEY WERE NOT WORTH IT. HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT WHAT HE WAS SAYING WASN'T PERSONAL, BUT HE FELT COMPELLED TO SAY IT.
THE REALITY IS THAT IN SEPTEMBER, 2008, THE CHAIRMAN WAS MAKING, ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORTS, $308,000.00 PLUS OTHER BENEFITS. (CELL PHONES, FIRST CLASS AIR TRAVEL, LIMOUSINE RIDES, CREDIT CARDS, HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS, ETC,). SO TAKING THE COST OF LIVING OFF HE IS STILL MAKING $308,000.00 A YEAR. IF HE DID WHAT THE CASINO EXECUTIVES DID TAKE A TEN PERCENT PAY CUT IN HIS PAY IT WOULD BE A REDUCTION OF $30,800.00. BOZSUM WOULD MAKE $277,200.00 A YEAR..
IF EACH TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER TOOK A THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR PAY CUT THAT WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF ABOUT $270,000.00 (THE COST OF ABOUT ONE TRIBAL COUNCILOR). IT COULD SAVE MAYBE TEN (10) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM LOSING THEIR JOBS.
HOW DID CHAIRMAN BOZSUM PAY HIS BILLS ON WHAT HE WAS MAKING, WHEN HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE CULTURAL DEPARTMENT? HOW MANY MORE TIMES IS HIS INCOME NOW, THEN IT WAS THEN? IT IS THE TRIBE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF HIS EIGHT MOUTHS? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE EIGHT MOUTHS DON'T EVEN LIVE WITH HIM.
IN MY OPINION, IT'S ANOTHER CASE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL NOT BEING WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. THEY WANT TRIBAL MEMBERS TO TAKE CUTS, BUT NOT THEMSELVES.
THIS IS THE SAME THING THEY DID, WHEN THEY TOOK AWAY FREE TICKETS TO TRIBAL MEMBERS (TRIBAL COUNCILORS AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND RETIREES STILL KEPT THEIR FREE TICKETS). THE TRIBAL COUNCIL THEN GAVE EACH TRIBAL MEMBER AN ENTERTAINMENT CHECK WHICH THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND RETIREES ALSO GOT.
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, THINK WHAT BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, " I HAVE EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED." DOES HE CARE MORE ABOUT HIMSELF THEN THE TRIBE? ARE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND ELDERS MAKING THE SAME SACRIFICES THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE? SHOULD THEY SACRIFICE LESS THEN THE CASINO MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVES? SHOULD WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) REMEMBER THIS AT ELECTION TIME? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE FIRST TRIBAL MEMBER, CAME UP TO THE MICROPHONE, AND ASKED IF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS GOING TO TAKE PAY CUTS. THE MEMBERSHIP HAD BEEN TOLD IN THE MEETING THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE REDUCING THEIR SALARIES TO WHAT THEY WERE PAID IN SEPTEMBER, 2008 (THE COST OF LIVING INCREASE). IT IS BELIEVED TO BE TWO AND A HALF PERCENT (2.5%).
IN RESPONSE, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM INFORMED THE TRIBAL MEMBER THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE ROLLING BACK THEIR SALARIES TO THE SEPTEMBER, 2008 SALARY LEVEL.
THE TRIBAL MEMBER LOOKED OVER AT MITCHELL ETESS, AND SAID THEY ARE TAKING A TEN PERCENT (10%) PAY CUT. THAT IS WHEN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" RESPONDED, "I HAVE EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED."
HE THEN STATED, SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, THAT HE DOESN'T MAKE ANYWHERE NEAR WHAT THE EXECUTIVES AT THE CASINO MAKE. HE STATED HE MAKES ABOUT THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) A YEAR. AND THAT NEW TRIBAL COUNCILORS START OUT AT AROUND TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00).
THE TRIBAL MEMBER THEN SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT WHAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MADE WAS AN UNGODLY AMOUNT. MY IMPRESSION WAS, HE FELT THEY WERE NOT WORTH IT. HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT WHAT HE WAS SAYING WASN'T PERSONAL, BUT HE FELT COMPELLED TO SAY IT.
THE REALITY IS THAT IN SEPTEMBER, 2008, THE CHAIRMAN WAS MAKING, ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORTS, $308,000.00 PLUS OTHER BENEFITS. (CELL PHONES, FIRST CLASS AIR TRAVEL, LIMOUSINE RIDES, CREDIT CARDS, HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS, ETC,). SO TAKING THE COST OF LIVING OFF HE IS STILL MAKING $308,000.00 A YEAR. IF HE DID WHAT THE CASINO EXECUTIVES DID TAKE A TEN PERCENT PAY CUT IN HIS PAY IT WOULD BE A REDUCTION OF $30,800.00. BOZSUM WOULD MAKE $277,200.00 A YEAR..
IF EACH TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER TOOK A THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLAR PAY CUT THAT WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF ABOUT $270,000.00 (THE COST OF ABOUT ONE TRIBAL COUNCILOR). IT COULD SAVE MAYBE TEN (10) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM LOSING THEIR JOBS.
HOW DID CHAIRMAN BOZSUM PAY HIS BILLS ON WHAT HE WAS MAKING, WHEN HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE CULTURAL DEPARTMENT? HOW MANY MORE TIMES IS HIS INCOME NOW, THEN IT WAS THEN? IT IS THE TRIBE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF HIS EIGHT MOUTHS? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE EIGHT MOUTHS DON'T EVEN LIVE WITH HIM.
IN MY OPINION, IT'S ANOTHER CASE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL NOT BEING WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE. THEY WANT TRIBAL MEMBERS TO TAKE CUTS, BUT NOT THEMSELVES.
THIS IS THE SAME THING THEY DID, WHEN THEY TOOK AWAY FREE TICKETS TO TRIBAL MEMBERS (TRIBAL COUNCILORS AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND RETIREES STILL KEPT THEIR FREE TICKETS). THE TRIBAL COUNCIL THEN GAVE EACH TRIBAL MEMBER AN ENTERTAINMENT CHECK WHICH THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND RETIREES ALSO GOT.
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, THINK WHAT BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, " I HAVE EIGHT MOUTHS TO FEED." DOES HE CARE MORE ABOUT HIMSELF THEN THE TRIBE? ARE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND ELDERS MAKING THE SAME SACRIFICES THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE? SHOULD THEY SACRIFICE LESS THEN THE CASINO MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTIVES? SHOULD WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) REMEMBER THIS AT ELECTION TIME? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
MOHEGAN LOTTERY
ONE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBER SAYS TO ANOTHER MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBER, "IT'S THE MOHEGAN LOTTERY." THEY BOTH LAUGHED. WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.
IF YOU ARE A MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBER 21 YEARS OR OLDER AND IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THERE IS NO PAST EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS OR EDUCATION STANDARDS.
TO SHOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ELECTION, THINK OF WHAT THE VICE CHAIRWOMAN LYNN MALERBA OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL SAID., WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE CUTS THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL RECENTLY MADE.. SHE SAID, "WE COULD DO NOTHING." SHE THEN BASICALLY SAID THAT WHAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS DOING COULD BE POLITICAL SUICIDE.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MAKES TOUGH DECISIONS. SOMETIMES THEY GET IT RIGHT AND SOMETIMES THEY GET IT WRONG.
FIVE OF THE EXISTING TRIBAL COUNCIL, WILL PROBABLY RUN FOR RE-ELECTION. THEY ARE BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, LYNN MALERBA, JAMES GESSNER, WILLIAM QUIDGEON, AND MARK HAMILTON. LAST TIME OVER FORTY CANDIDATES RAN FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THERE ARE FIVE POSITIONS OPEN.
YOUR APPLICATION, IF YOU WANT TO RUN, MUST BE IN BY jANUARY 31, 2009. YOU CAN GET YOUR APPLICATION BY CONTACTING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE (GENE BAKER).
AS THE TRIBAL MEMBERS WALKED AWAY, ONE SAID TO THE OTHER, "JUST THROW YOUR HAT (NAME) IN, YOU NEVER KNOW YOU MIGHT WIN." THAT'S THE MOHEGAN LOTTERY. ANYONE CAN WIN.
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.
IF YOU ARE A MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBER 21 YEARS OR OLDER AND IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THERE IS NO PAST EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS OR EDUCATION STANDARDS.
TO SHOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ELECTION, THINK OF WHAT THE VICE CHAIRWOMAN LYNN MALERBA OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL SAID., WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE CUTS THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL RECENTLY MADE.. SHE SAID, "WE COULD DO NOTHING." SHE THEN BASICALLY SAID THAT WHAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS DOING COULD BE POLITICAL SUICIDE.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MAKES TOUGH DECISIONS. SOMETIMES THEY GET IT RIGHT AND SOMETIMES THEY GET IT WRONG.
FIVE OF THE EXISTING TRIBAL COUNCIL, WILL PROBABLY RUN FOR RE-ELECTION. THEY ARE BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, LYNN MALERBA, JAMES GESSNER, WILLIAM QUIDGEON, AND MARK HAMILTON. LAST TIME OVER FORTY CANDIDATES RAN FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. THERE ARE FIVE POSITIONS OPEN.
YOUR APPLICATION, IF YOU WANT TO RUN, MUST BE IN BY jANUARY 31, 2009. YOU CAN GET YOUR APPLICATION BY CONTACTING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE (GENE BAKER).
AS THE TRIBAL MEMBERS WALKED AWAY, ONE SAID TO THE OTHER, "JUST THROW YOUR HAT (NAME) IN, YOU NEVER KNOW YOU MIGHT WIN." THAT'S THE MOHEGAN LOTTERY. ANYONE CAN WIN.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATORS UNHAPPY ABOUT THOMAS
MEMBERS OF PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE AND THE ASIAN COMMUNITY ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE LICENSE THAT MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN RECEIVED.
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL CHAIRMAN MICHAEL THOMAS IN 2006 PASSED AN INVESTIGATION (BACKGROUND CHECK) IN PENNSYLVANIA AND RECEIVED A GAMING LICENSE. HE RECEIVED THE LICENSE EVEN THOUGH HE HAD BEEN CONVICTED IN A DRUG CASE IN RHODE ISLAND. THE CASE WAS EXPUNGED SOMETIME AFTER 2004.
THE 1979 GAMING LAW IN PENNSYLVANIA PRECLUDES THE STATE FROM USING EXPUNGED CRIMES IN LICENSING. THE 2004 GAMING LAW STATES LAW WHICH REGULATES SLOT MACHINES PROHIBITS THE LICENSING OF FELONS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCES WITH THE LAST FIFTEEN (15) YEARS.
JANE ORIE, PENNSYLVANIA MAJORITY WHIP IN THE SENATE SAID, "THIS ONE JUST HIGHLIGHTS TO ME THE BOARD'S INCOMPETENCE. CLEARLY THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT WAS NOT TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A FELONY CRIME WITHIN 15 YEARS TO OWN A LICENSE, LOOK AT OTHER STATES, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BARRED. THIS IS JUST COMMON SENSE. YOU WANT TO KEEP THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT OUT OF GAMBLING. (THE GAMING BOARD) HAS FAILED THE PUBLIC THEY ARE CHARGED TO PROTECT AND FIND THIS REPREHENSIBLE."
PAUL I. CLYMER, A PENNSYLVANIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, "WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS CASINO GAMBLING, WHICH LENDS ITSELF TO CRIME AND CORRUPTION, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE. BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE PRESSURE IN HARRISBURG WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO MOVE LEGISLATION."
HELEN GYM, A BOARD MEMBER OF ASIAN AMERICAN UNITED SAID, " I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE IT COULD BE SO UNDER THE RADAR; I FOUND IT IN A GOOGLE SEARCH." IN A STATEMENT FROM THE GROUP IT STATED, "A CLEAR VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED WHICH WARRANTS SERIOUS INVESTIGATION NOT JUST IN THE SPECIFICS OF THIS CASE BUT INTO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING BOARD'S CLEAR LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE."
IT SEEMS LIKE THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD NEEDS TO GET ITS' ACT TOGETHER. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN'? COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN? WILL THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT'S LOSE THEIR LICENSE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBAL CHAIRMAN MICHAEL THOMAS IN 2006 PASSED AN INVESTIGATION (BACKGROUND CHECK) IN PENNSYLVANIA AND RECEIVED A GAMING LICENSE. HE RECEIVED THE LICENSE EVEN THOUGH HE HAD BEEN CONVICTED IN A DRUG CASE IN RHODE ISLAND. THE CASE WAS EXPUNGED SOMETIME AFTER 2004.
THE 1979 GAMING LAW IN PENNSYLVANIA PRECLUDES THE STATE FROM USING EXPUNGED CRIMES IN LICENSING. THE 2004 GAMING LAW STATES LAW WHICH REGULATES SLOT MACHINES PROHIBITS THE LICENSING OF FELONS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCES WITH THE LAST FIFTEEN (15) YEARS.
JANE ORIE, PENNSYLVANIA MAJORITY WHIP IN THE SENATE SAID, "THIS ONE JUST HIGHLIGHTS TO ME THE BOARD'S INCOMPETENCE. CLEARLY THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT WAS NOT TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS A FELONY CRIME WITHIN 15 YEARS TO OWN A LICENSE, LOOK AT OTHER STATES, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN BARRED. THIS IS JUST COMMON SENSE. YOU WANT TO KEEP THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT OUT OF GAMBLING. (THE GAMING BOARD) HAS FAILED THE PUBLIC THEY ARE CHARGED TO PROTECT AND FIND THIS REPREHENSIBLE."
PAUL I. CLYMER, A PENNSYLVANIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, "WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS CASINO GAMBLING, WHICH LENDS ITSELF TO CRIME AND CORRUPTION, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AS CLEAN AS A WHISTLE. BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE PRESSURE IN HARRISBURG WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO MOVE LEGISLATION."
HELEN GYM, A BOARD MEMBER OF ASIAN AMERICAN UNITED SAID, " I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE IT COULD BE SO UNDER THE RADAR; I FOUND IT IN A GOOGLE SEARCH." IN A STATEMENT FROM THE GROUP IT STATED, "A CLEAR VIOLATION HAS OCCURRED WHICH WARRANTS SERIOUS INVESTIGATION NOT JUST IN THE SPECIFICS OF THIS CASE BUT INTO THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING BOARD'S CLEAR LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE."
IT SEEMS LIKE THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD NEEDS TO GET ITS' ACT TOGETHER. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN'? COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN? WILL THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT'S LOSE THEIR LICENSE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
QUARTERLY MEETING JANUARY 11, 1009
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WILL MEET AT 12:30 P.M. ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2009. THE MEETING HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN PUT IN THE WUSKUSO FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2009. THE MEETING WILL BE IN THE CONVENTION CENTER, SALON D, AT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE ASKING WHAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT. WHY WAS IT MOVED UP? THERE IS SPECULATION THAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT CUTTING THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, OR TAKING AWAY TICKET MONEY THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS GET. WHO KNOWS?
IN MY OPINION, WHAT IS KNOWN, IS THAT THIS PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MESS. COULD IT BE THAT THEY (THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN, BY THEIR INCOMPETENCE?
HERE ARE THE FACTS.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL PROBABLY TRY TO BLAME THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE ON THE ECONOMY. DON'T BE MISLED.
ON THE PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL, SEVEN (7) MEMBERS VOTED TO EXPAND THE MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS AT A COST OF --------------MILLION. THE TWO TRIBAL COUNCILORS WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE EXPANSION, WERE MARK HAMILTON WHO VOTED AGAINST IT AND THAYNE HUTCHINS WHO WAS NOT ON THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AT THE TIME.
BEFORE THE NEW FACILITY AT POCONO DOWNS THE EBIDTA WAS $30 MILLION (FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007). AFTER THE EXPANSION THE EBIDTA WAS $29 MILLION. EVIDTA IS THE NET PROFIT BEFORE TAXES AND DEPRECIATION . THE DEPRECIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 WAS $15 MILLION. THAT LEAVES $14 MILLION TO PAY THE INTEREST ON LOANS AND BONDS TOTALLING BETWEEN $550 MILLION AND $625 MILLION. THE INTEREST RATE IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED $33 MILLION AND $50 MILLION.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS, HAS SEEN NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID ANYTHING TO CHANGE OUR CREDIT RATING. THEY DID NOT TRY TO TURN IT AROUND, INSTEAD THEY TRIED TO DO A $925 MILLION EXPANSION CALLED PROJECT HORIZON. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SAID THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO COST $740 MILLION. WHAT HAPPENED? THE TRIBAL COUNCIL BLAMED THE ESTIMATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION PLANNERS GIVING THEM BAD NUMBERS.
I REPEAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS, HAS SEEN NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE TRIBES CURRENT CREDIT RATINGS. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY HAS A BAD CREDIT RATING. STANDARD AND POOR'S RATES US A B- AND MOODY'S RATES US (THE MTGA) A BBB-.
THERE IS NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD ANY PLAN FOR THE $330 MILLION IN BONDS THAT ARE DUE TO BE PAID OFF IN 2009. THE MONEY IS NOT THERE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID NOT ENDEAVOR TO PAY IT OFF. INSTEAD, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY FIGURED THEY WOULD REFINANCE (FLOAT NEW BONDS) AT AN EVEN HIGHER INTEREST RATE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL EVIDENTLY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN PAYING ANYTHING OFF.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, VOTED EIGHT (8) TO ONE (1) TO BUILD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. THE PERSON WHO VOTED AGAINST IT WAS MARK HAMILTON. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DOUBLED OUR (THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT)DEBT FROM AN ESTIMATED $102 MILLION TO OVER AN ESTIMATED $200 MILLION. IN THE END IT WILL PROBABLY COST THE MOHEGAN TRIBE $100 MILLION. WHEN DOES THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT EVER BUILD ANYTHING ON TIME OR BUDGET? NOT NORMALLY..
WHATEVER, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE IS NOT THE POINT. THE POINT IS THAT THIS MESS, IS THE FAULT OF THE PRESENT MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL. NOT PAST TRIBAL COUNCILS, BUT THIS ONE. IT HAS LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY.
BEFORE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ASKS (MAKES) THE MEMBERSHIP SACRIFICE, THEY SHOULD DO THE DIFFICULT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. THEY NEED TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, BECOME MORE EFFICIENT, AND CONSIDER MAKING SACRIFICES ON THEMSELVES. HOW ABOUT A $50 THOUSAND TO $100 THOUSAND PAY CUT? HOW ABOUT THEY ( THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) DO AWAY WITH THEIR CREDIT CARDS, AND THEIR TICKETS TO SHOWS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE WEATHER IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, AT THE MOMENT, IS IT IS STILL SNOWING. THE MEETING IS STILL SCHEDULED FOR 12:30 P.M..
TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE ASKING WHAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT. WHY WAS IT MOVED UP? THERE IS SPECULATION THAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT CUTTING THE CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, OR TAKING AWAY TICKET MONEY THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS GET. WHO KNOWS?
IN MY OPINION, WHAT IS KNOWN, IS THAT THIS PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MESS. COULD IT BE THAT THEY (THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN, BY THEIR INCOMPETENCE?
HERE ARE THE FACTS.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL PROBABLY TRY TO BLAME THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE ON THE ECONOMY. DON'T BE MISLED.
ON THE PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL, SEVEN (7) MEMBERS VOTED TO EXPAND THE MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS AT A COST OF --------------MILLION. THE TWO TRIBAL COUNCILORS WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE EXPANSION, WERE MARK HAMILTON WHO VOTED AGAINST IT AND THAYNE HUTCHINS WHO WAS NOT ON THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AT THE TIME.
BEFORE THE NEW FACILITY AT POCONO DOWNS THE EBIDTA WAS $30 MILLION (FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007). AFTER THE EXPANSION THE EBIDTA WAS $29 MILLION. EVIDTA IS THE NET PROFIT BEFORE TAXES AND DEPRECIATION . THE DEPRECIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 WAS $15 MILLION. THAT LEAVES $14 MILLION TO PAY THE INTEREST ON LOANS AND BONDS TOTALLING BETWEEN $550 MILLION AND $625 MILLION. THE INTEREST RATE IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATED $33 MILLION AND $50 MILLION.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS, HAS SEEN NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID ANYTHING TO CHANGE OUR CREDIT RATING. THEY DID NOT TRY TO TURN IT AROUND, INSTEAD THEY TRIED TO DO A $925 MILLION EXPANSION CALLED PROJECT HORIZON. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SAID THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO COST $740 MILLION. WHAT HAPPENED? THE TRIBAL COUNCIL BLAMED THE ESTIMATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION PLANNERS GIVING THEM BAD NUMBERS.
I REPEAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS, HAS SEEN NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE TRIBES CURRENT CREDIT RATINGS. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY HAS A BAD CREDIT RATING. STANDARD AND POOR'S RATES US A B- AND MOODY'S RATES US (THE MTGA) A BBB-.
THERE IS NO PROOF, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD ANY PLAN FOR THE $330 MILLION IN BONDS THAT ARE DUE TO BE PAID OFF IN 2009. THE MONEY IS NOT THERE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID NOT ENDEAVOR TO PAY IT OFF. INSTEAD, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY FIGURED THEY WOULD REFINANCE (FLOAT NEW BONDS) AT AN EVEN HIGHER INTEREST RATE. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL EVIDENTLY DOES NOT BELIEVE IN PAYING ANYTHING OFF.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, VOTED EIGHT (8) TO ONE (1) TO BUILD THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. THE PERSON WHO VOTED AGAINST IT WAS MARK HAMILTON. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DOUBLED OUR (THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT)DEBT FROM AN ESTIMATED $102 MILLION TO OVER AN ESTIMATED $200 MILLION. IN THE END IT WILL PROBABLY COST THE MOHEGAN TRIBE $100 MILLION. WHEN DOES THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT EVER BUILD ANYTHING ON TIME OR BUDGET? NOT NORMALLY..
WHATEVER, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE IS NOT THE POINT. THE POINT IS THAT THIS MESS, IS THE FAULT OF THE PRESENT MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL. NOT PAST TRIBAL COUNCILS, BUT THIS ONE. IT HAS LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY.
BEFORE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ASKS (MAKES) THE MEMBERSHIP SACRIFICE, THEY SHOULD DO THE DIFFICULT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. THEY NEED TO LOOK AT REDUCING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, BECOME MORE EFFICIENT, AND CONSIDER MAKING SACRIFICES ON THEMSELVES. HOW ABOUT A $50 THOUSAND TO $100 THOUSAND PAY CUT? HOW ABOUT THEY ( THE TRIBAL COUNCIL) DO AWAY WITH THEIR CREDIT CARDS, AND THEIR TICKETS TO SHOWS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE WEATHER IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, AT THE MOMENT, IS IT IS STILL SNOWING. THE MEETING IS STILL SCHEDULED FOR 12:30 P.M..
Saturday, January 10, 2009
FORMER MOHEGAN SUN WORKER IS SPARED JAIL TIME
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2009, IN NEW LONDON SUPERIOR COURT, A FORMER WORKER AT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO, ACCUSED OF STEALING $30 THOUSAND ($30,000.000 IN GIFT CARDS, WAS SPARED JAIL TIME.
CARMEN NUNEZ, 26, ALLEGEDLY PLACED AN ORDER FOR 60 GIFT CARDS VALUED AT FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) EACH FOR HIGH ROLLERS OF THE CASINO.
NUNEZ'S BOSS, SAW THE PAPER WORK FOR THE $30 THOUSAND IN GIFT CARDS., SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A MISTAKE AND NOTIFIED THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT OF THE ERROR.
NUNEZ, WHO WAS IN A CLERICAL POSITION TO ASSIST HIGH ROLLERS, TOLD POLICE SHE WAS STRUGGLING TO RAISE HER SON AFTER THE BREAKUP OF A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP.
NUNEZ SUPPOSEDLY USED, THE GIFT CARDS TO GO SHOPPING, PAY BILLS, BUY GROCERIES, AND PURCHASE GASOLINE. IT IS ALLEGED THAT SHE PAID ABOUT $1,500.00 TO THE NORWICH PUBLIC UTILITIES AND $352.00 TO THE ELECTRIC COMPANY FROM THE GIFT CARDS.
NUNEZ RECEIVED A THREE (3) YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE AND FIVE (5) YEARS PROBATION.
CARMEN NUNEZ, 26, ALLEGEDLY PLACED AN ORDER FOR 60 GIFT CARDS VALUED AT FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) EACH FOR HIGH ROLLERS OF THE CASINO.
NUNEZ'S BOSS, SAW THE PAPER WORK FOR THE $30 THOUSAND IN GIFT CARDS., SHE THOUGHT IT WAS A MISTAKE AND NOTIFIED THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT OF THE ERROR.
NUNEZ, WHO WAS IN A CLERICAL POSITION TO ASSIST HIGH ROLLERS, TOLD POLICE SHE WAS STRUGGLING TO RAISE HER SON AFTER THE BREAKUP OF A DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP.
NUNEZ SUPPOSEDLY USED, THE GIFT CARDS TO GO SHOPPING, PAY BILLS, BUY GROCERIES, AND PURCHASE GASOLINE. IT IS ALLEGED THAT SHE PAID ABOUT $1,500.00 TO THE NORWICH PUBLIC UTILITIES AND $352.00 TO THE ELECTRIC COMPANY FROM THE GIFT CARDS.
NUNEZ RECEIVED A THREE (3) YEAR SUSPENDED SENTENCE AND FIVE (5) YEARS PROBATION.
A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR PRESTON
"THEY'RE BASICALLY SAYING, 'SCREW YOU, PRESTON, '' SAID ROBERT CONGDON, FIRST SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF PRESTON. WHAT WAS HE TALKING ABOUT?
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009, THE TOWN OF PRESTON RECEIVED AN ANSWER FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE FATE OF NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE ANSWER FROM RAE ANNE CURTIS, COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, WAS THAT THE STATE WOULD SELL TO PRESTON THE PROPERTY FOR ONE DOLLAR ($1.00). PRESTON MUST DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP OF THE PROPERTY ESTIMATED AT $40 MILLION ($40,000,000.00).
THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WANTS THE TRANSACTION COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 27, 2009. PRESTON HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR 120 DAYS (AROUND THE END OF APRIL, 2009) TO COMPLETE THE DEAL. PRESTON INTENDED TO FIND A DEVELOPER AND THEN COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION.
CONGLON, FELT THAT IF THE TOWN OF PRESTON TELLS THE STATE, IT CAN'T OR WON'T MEET THE DEADLINE, THE STATE WILL STAKE A CLAIM TO THE PROPERTY. THE TOWN HAS NO LEGAL RECOURSE IN COURT BECAUSE FOR PRESTON TO SUE THE STATE, THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THEM TO DO SO. THAT PROBABLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
CONGLON SAID, "MY GUESS IS THEY'LL SAY, 'YOU DIDN'T LIVE UP TO THE TERMS OF THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, 'YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK. AND BY THE WAY, YOU CAN'T SUE US."
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CONNECTICUT, IS SAID TO SUPPORT PRESTON'S REQUEST. BLUMENTHAL SAID, "THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PERMIT A TOWN TO SUE THE STATE ARE VERY UNUSUAL AND RARE. THAT'S WHY I CAN'T SPECULATE OR GUESS AS TO HOW IT WOULD WORK."
PRESTON SHOULD BE HAPPY, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT GAVE THEM UNTIL FEBRUARY 27, 2009, TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION TO PURCHASE THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE STATE, IN PREVIOUS LETTERS , HAD SAID THEY WOULD NOT GRANT PRESTON AN EXTENSION. ALTHOUGH FEBRUARY 27, 2009, IS A SHORT TIME FRAME, IT IS AN EXTENSION.
PRESTON, SHOULD START NOW TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY CAN NOT FIND A DEVELOPER BY FEBRUARY 27, 2009, HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP AT AN ESTIMATED $40 MILLION.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS WISHES THE TOWN OF PRESTON WELL, IN THEIR PURSUIT OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. I THINK EVERY MOHEGAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY (419 ACRES IN PRESTON) DEVELOPED.
HOPEFULLY, PRESTON WILL FIND A DEVELOPER WHO WILL DEVELOP THE PROPERTY TO ADD TAXES TO THEIR TAX BASE AND NOT BE A BURDEN ON THE PEOPLE OF PRESTON. PRESTON NEEDS TO DEVELOP BUSINESSES, NOT HOMES OR APARTMENTS. ON THE NORWICH HOSPITAL SITE.
IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE SOMETHING SPARKLING, VIBRANT AND NEW RISE ON THE EAST BANK OF THE THAMES RIVER. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009, THE TOWN OF PRESTON RECEIVED AN ANSWER FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ON THE FATE OF NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE ANSWER FROM RAE ANNE CURTIS, COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, WAS THAT THE STATE WOULD SELL TO PRESTON THE PROPERTY FOR ONE DOLLAR ($1.00). PRESTON MUST DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP OF THE PROPERTY ESTIMATED AT $40 MILLION ($40,000,000.00).
THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT WANTS THE TRANSACTION COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 27, 2009. PRESTON HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR 120 DAYS (AROUND THE END OF APRIL, 2009) TO COMPLETE THE DEAL. PRESTON INTENDED TO FIND A DEVELOPER AND THEN COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION.
CONGLON, FELT THAT IF THE TOWN OF PRESTON TELLS THE STATE, IT CAN'T OR WON'T MEET THE DEADLINE, THE STATE WILL STAKE A CLAIM TO THE PROPERTY. THE TOWN HAS NO LEGAL RECOURSE IN COURT BECAUSE FOR PRESTON TO SUE THE STATE, THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THEM TO DO SO. THAT PROBABLY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
CONGLON SAID, "MY GUESS IS THEY'LL SAY, 'YOU DIDN'T LIVE UP TO THE TERMS OF THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, 'YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK. AND BY THE WAY, YOU CAN'T SUE US."
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CONNECTICUT, IS SAID TO SUPPORT PRESTON'S REQUEST. BLUMENTHAL SAID, "THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PERMIT A TOWN TO SUE THE STATE ARE VERY UNUSUAL AND RARE. THAT'S WHY I CAN'T SPECULATE OR GUESS AS TO HOW IT WOULD WORK."
PRESTON SHOULD BE HAPPY, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT GAVE THEM UNTIL FEBRUARY 27, 2009, TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION TO PURCHASE THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE STATE, IN PREVIOUS LETTERS , HAD SAID THEY WOULD NOT GRANT PRESTON AN EXTENSION. ALTHOUGH FEBRUARY 27, 2009, IS A SHORT TIME FRAME, IT IS AN EXTENSION.
PRESTON, SHOULD START NOW TO FIGURE OUT IF THEY CAN NOT FIND A DEVELOPER BY FEBRUARY 27, 2009, HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP AT AN ESTIMATED $40 MILLION.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS WISHES THE TOWN OF PRESTON WELL, IN THEIR PURSUIT OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. I THINK EVERY MOHEGAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY (419 ACRES IN PRESTON) DEVELOPED.
HOPEFULLY, PRESTON WILL FIND A DEVELOPER WHO WILL DEVELOP THE PROPERTY TO ADD TAXES TO THEIR TAX BASE AND NOT BE A BURDEN ON THE PEOPLE OF PRESTON. PRESTON NEEDS TO DEVELOP BUSINESSES, NOT HOMES OR APARTMENTS. ON THE NORWICH HOSPITAL SITE.
IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE SOMETHING SPARKLING, VIBRANT AND NEW RISE ON THE EAST BANK OF THE THAMES RIVER. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA A HIT?
THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA HAD 150 EVENTS FOR A TOTAL OF ONE MILLION TICKETS (1,000,000) SOLD. THAT SOUNDS GREAT DOESN'T IT?
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE RATED THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA, FOURTH AMONG THE TEN (10) TOP GROSSING MUSIC VENUES WITH CAPACITIES FROM 5,001 TO 10,000 SEATS. THE TOP THREE WERE: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, IN NEW YORK CITY, THE AUDITORIO NACIONAL IN MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, AND THE WALMU THEATER IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, IN NEW YORK CITY.
FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2007 TO NOVEMBER 11, 2008, THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA HAD EIGHTY (80) MUSICAL SHOWS (DATES) FOR AN ATTENDANCE ESTIMATED AT 535,000 CONCERT GOERS AT AN ESTIMATED $31.4 MILLION. IT AVERAGES OUT TO 6688 SEATS PER EVENT AT $59.68 PER TICKET. REMEMBER, THE ARENA CAN HOLD TEN THOUSAND (10,000) CONCERT GOERS.
BILLY JOEL HAD TEN SHOWS (ALL SELL OUTS) FROM MAY 23, 2008 TO JULY 5, 2008. NINTY SIX THOUSAND (96,000) TICKETS WERE SOLD FOR A GROSS OF $9.6 MILLION ($9,600,000.00).
BON JOVI, FOR A TWO SHOW EVENT, DID $1.8 MILLION ($1,800,000.00) IN GROSS TICKET SALES.
THE CONNECTICUT SUN (MOHEGAN SUN'S WNBA BASKETBALL TEAM) HAD ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND (154,000) FANS COME TO SEE THEM PLAY.
BRITNEY SPEARS HAS ALMOST TOTALLY SOLD OUT THE TWO DAYS OF CONCERTS. SHE IS PERFORMING AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA AT A TICKET PRICE OF ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($150.00) A TICKET.
AS GOOD AS THIS LOOKS, THE FACTS ARE THAT IF YOU DIVIDE 150 IN TO 1,000,000 TICKETS IT COMES OUT TO 6,666 SEATS SOLD PER EVENT. THE ARENA I HAVE BEEN TOLD SEATS TEN THOUSAND (10,000). WITH ALL THE SOLD OUT VENUES THAT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA HAD, IT MEANS SOME EVENTS WERE NOT VERY PROFITABLE AT ALL. SOME, MAY HAVE EVEN LOST MONEY.
THERE IS SPECULATION, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING, THE STOPPING OF GIVING TRIBAL MEMBERS MONEY TOWARDS TICKET PURCHASES. I ESTIMATE (MY OPINION), IT PROBABLY COULD SAVE THE TRIBE AN ESTIMATED COUPLE OF MILLION A YEAR. IF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS GOING TO DO THIS, THEN THEY SHOULD DO AWAY WITH FREE TICKETS FOR THEMSELVES, CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CASINO, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, AND RETIREES.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING PAY CUTS, CUTTING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, DOING AWAY WITH THEIR CREDIT CARDS, ETC. BEFORE THEY SHOULD ASK THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO MAKE SACRIFICES, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD AND MAKE SACRIFICES THEMSELVES. ULTIMATELY, THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL MADE BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS (THE EXPANSION OF POCONO DOWNS, WISCONSIN, KANSAS, ETC.) THAT HAVE CREATED THIS SITUATION, NOT JUST THE ECONOMY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
.
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE RATED THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA, FOURTH AMONG THE TEN (10) TOP GROSSING MUSIC VENUES WITH CAPACITIES FROM 5,001 TO 10,000 SEATS. THE TOP THREE WERE: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, IN NEW YORK CITY, THE AUDITORIO NACIONAL IN MEXICO CITY, MEXICO, AND THE WALMU THEATER IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, IN NEW YORK CITY.
FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2007 TO NOVEMBER 11, 2008, THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA HAD EIGHTY (80) MUSICAL SHOWS (DATES) FOR AN ATTENDANCE ESTIMATED AT 535,000 CONCERT GOERS AT AN ESTIMATED $31.4 MILLION. IT AVERAGES OUT TO 6688 SEATS PER EVENT AT $59.68 PER TICKET. REMEMBER, THE ARENA CAN HOLD TEN THOUSAND (10,000) CONCERT GOERS.
BILLY JOEL HAD TEN SHOWS (ALL SELL OUTS) FROM MAY 23, 2008 TO JULY 5, 2008. NINTY SIX THOUSAND (96,000) TICKETS WERE SOLD FOR A GROSS OF $9.6 MILLION ($9,600,000.00).
BON JOVI, FOR A TWO SHOW EVENT, DID $1.8 MILLION ($1,800,000.00) IN GROSS TICKET SALES.
THE CONNECTICUT SUN (MOHEGAN SUN'S WNBA BASKETBALL TEAM) HAD ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND (154,000) FANS COME TO SEE THEM PLAY.
BRITNEY SPEARS HAS ALMOST TOTALLY SOLD OUT THE TWO DAYS OF CONCERTS. SHE IS PERFORMING AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA AT A TICKET PRICE OF ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS ($150.00) A TICKET.
AS GOOD AS THIS LOOKS, THE FACTS ARE THAT IF YOU DIVIDE 150 IN TO 1,000,000 TICKETS IT COMES OUT TO 6,666 SEATS SOLD PER EVENT. THE ARENA I HAVE BEEN TOLD SEATS TEN THOUSAND (10,000). WITH ALL THE SOLD OUT VENUES THAT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA HAD, IT MEANS SOME EVENTS WERE NOT VERY PROFITABLE AT ALL. SOME, MAY HAVE EVEN LOST MONEY.
THERE IS SPECULATION, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING, THE STOPPING OF GIVING TRIBAL MEMBERS MONEY TOWARDS TICKET PURCHASES. I ESTIMATE (MY OPINION), IT PROBABLY COULD SAVE THE TRIBE AN ESTIMATED COUPLE OF MILLION A YEAR. IF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS GOING TO DO THIS, THEN THEY SHOULD DO AWAY WITH FREE TICKETS FOR THEMSELVES, CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE CASINO, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, AND RETIREES.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING PAY CUTS, CUTTING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, DOING AWAY WITH THEIR CREDIT CARDS, ETC. BEFORE THEY SHOULD ASK THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO MAKE SACRIFICES, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD AND MAKE SACRIFICES THEMSELVES. ULTIMATELY, THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT TRIBAL COUNCIL MADE BAD BUSINESS DECISIONS (THE EXPANSION OF POCONO DOWNS, WISCONSIN, KANSAS, ETC.) THAT HAVE CREATED THIS SITUATION, NOT JUST THE ECONOMY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Friday, January 9, 2009
BOZSUM, BUNNELL AND BLUMENTHAL MEET ON SMOKING
CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM AND CHUCK BUNNELL, CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WENT TO HARTFORD YESTERDAY. JANUARY 8, 2009. THEY MET WITH RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CONNECTICUT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PLAN THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT HAD NEGOTIATED WITH GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL.
THE PLAN, SUPPOSEDLY WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL, CALLS FOR BANNING SMOKING THROUGH OUT THE MOHEGAN SUN, EXCEPT IN GAMING AREAS IN WHICH TWENTY (20%) PERCENT WILL BE NON-SMOKING..
BLUMENTHAL SAID THAT THE PLAN BY THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO LIMIT SMOKING AND SECOND HAND SMOKE WAS, "A VERY POSITIVE STEP FORWARD." bLUMENTHAL STILL WANTS ULTIMATELY A COMPLETE BAN ON SMOKING IN BOTH CONNECTICUT CASINOS. HE STATED THAT HE HOPES BOTH CASINOS WILL IMPLEMENT THE PLAN EVEN WITHOUT THE LEGISLATION.
OF THE PLAN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, "IT WILL INCORPORATE THE CONCEPT EMBODIED IN THIS AGREEMENT OF A PHASED SERIES OF STEPS TOWARD A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT."
CHAIRMAN BOZSUM, TOOK THE INTUITIVE AND CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON WEDNESDAY AND SCHEDULED THE MEETING TO INFORM HIM OF THE PLAN. BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, " I GAVE HIM (BLUMENTHAL) A CALL AND ASKED IF I COULD COME UP. HE KNEW WE (GOVERNOR RELL AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT) HAD BEEN TALKING BUT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE AGREEMENT. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE HIM SOME MORE INFORMATION AND LET HIM KNOW HOW WE FELT ABOUT IT. IT WAS VERY INFORMAL."
CHAIRMAN BOZSUM (ANY MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL INVOLVED) AND CHUCK BUNNELL SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE. GOOD JOB. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE PLAN, SUPPOSEDLY WORKED OUT BETWEEN THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL, CALLS FOR BANNING SMOKING THROUGH OUT THE MOHEGAN SUN, EXCEPT IN GAMING AREAS IN WHICH TWENTY (20%) PERCENT WILL BE NON-SMOKING..
BLUMENTHAL SAID THAT THE PLAN BY THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO LIMIT SMOKING AND SECOND HAND SMOKE WAS, "A VERY POSITIVE STEP FORWARD." bLUMENTHAL STILL WANTS ULTIMATELY A COMPLETE BAN ON SMOKING IN BOTH CONNECTICUT CASINOS. HE STATED THAT HE HOPES BOTH CASINOS WILL IMPLEMENT THE PLAN EVEN WITHOUT THE LEGISLATION.
OF THE PLAN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, "IT WILL INCORPORATE THE CONCEPT EMBODIED IN THIS AGREEMENT OF A PHASED SERIES OF STEPS TOWARD A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT."
CHAIRMAN BOZSUM, TOOK THE INTUITIVE AND CALLED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON WEDNESDAY AND SCHEDULED THE MEETING TO INFORM HIM OF THE PLAN. BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID, " I GAVE HIM (BLUMENTHAL) A CALL AND ASKED IF I COULD COME UP. HE KNEW WE (GOVERNOR RELL AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT) HAD BEEN TALKING BUT HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE AGREEMENT. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE HIM SOME MORE INFORMATION AND LET HIM KNOW HOW WE FELT ABOUT IT. IT WAS VERY INFORMAL."
CHAIRMAN BOZSUM (ANY MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL INVOLVED) AND CHUCK BUNNELL SHOULD BE CONGRATULATED FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE. GOOD JOB. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THOMAS GOT GAMING LICENSE IN PENNSYLVANIA
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Chairman, Michael Thomas received a Pennsylvania gaming license, even though he had a felony conviction in Rhode Island in 1988.
Thomas was convicted on the charge of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance. Police after stopping Thomas's car found 13 packages of cocaine, from one (1) to three and a half (3 1/2) grams in size, under the seat in his car. Thomas served nine (9) months of an eighteen (18) month sentence and was put on probation until 1994.
Sometime after ten (10) years after the serving his sentence, Thomas had his record exspunged. Under Rhode Island law, when a court record is expunged,it is removed from the federal criminal records database. When asked about the conviction, the person no longer has to disclose the conviction when asked.
Thomas (as well as other Mashantuckets) was issued a gaming license from Pennsylvania to manage and operate a casino in Philadelphia. The Mashantucket Pequots will own thirty (30%) percent of the casino and manage it. The major investor is Washington Philadelphia Investors which will own seventy (70%) percent.
The investigation of the gaming licenses in Pennsylvania is done by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. State legislators feel that the investigations should be done by the State Police or the Attorney General.
Doug Harbach, Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Gaming Board said, ".While I do not have full access to the confidential information developed in the background investigation, I also have no reason to believe that full disclosure and investigation was not made."
The Mashantucket Pequot's issued the following statement, "tribal Council Chairman Michael Thomas provided all the relevant disclosure in his Pennsylvania gaming licence application."
Paul I. Clymer, a Pennsyvlvania State Representative suggested that the Thomas licensing is an example of the flaws in the investigative system. Clymer said, "there's been an on going fight within the General Assembly as to who should be doing these background checks. We want the state police and attorney general to have over-sight in doing these background investigations, and we have introduced bills to do that. The very fact that he had these charges expunged indicated the problem we have with the gaming industry. This is the way they play the game. This is going to be an embarrassment to the Gaming Control Board that they missed this."
This situation will probably intensify because the gaming license was originally granted for a location by the Philadelphia Harbor and now the project has been moved to a mall in the middle of Philadelphia. The move should require a new license even though a license has been paid for and granted at the other location (harbor).
This situation could happen to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. In my opinion, if a tribal member were elected to the Mohegan Tribal Council (also the MTGA) and could not get a gaming license (for any reason), there is no provision in the Mohegan Tribe's Constitution to make that person step down. This potential problem exists and it has never been remedied by the Council of Elders which would have to send out an Amendment to the Constitution to fix this potential problem. Is anyone aware of this? is anyone doing something about this? What do you think?
Thomas was convicted on the charge of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance. Police after stopping Thomas's car found 13 packages of cocaine, from one (1) to three and a half (3 1/2) grams in size, under the seat in his car. Thomas served nine (9) months of an eighteen (18) month sentence and was put on probation until 1994.
Sometime after ten (10) years after the serving his sentence, Thomas had his record exspunged. Under Rhode Island law, when a court record is expunged,it is removed from the federal criminal records database. When asked about the conviction, the person no longer has to disclose the conviction when asked.
Thomas (as well as other Mashantuckets) was issued a gaming license from Pennsylvania to manage and operate a casino in Philadelphia. The Mashantucket Pequots will own thirty (30%) percent of the casino and manage it. The major investor is Washington Philadelphia Investors which will own seventy (70%) percent.
The investigation of the gaming licenses in Pennsylvania is done by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. State legislators feel that the investigations should be done by the State Police or the Attorney General.
Doug Harbach, Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Gaming Board said, ".While I do not have full access to the confidential information developed in the background investigation, I also have no reason to believe that full disclosure and investigation was not made."
The Mashantucket Pequot's issued the following statement, "tribal Council Chairman Michael Thomas provided all the relevant disclosure in his Pennsylvania gaming licence application."
Paul I. Clymer, a Pennsyvlvania State Representative suggested that the Thomas licensing is an example of the flaws in the investigative system. Clymer said, "there's been an on going fight within the General Assembly as to who should be doing these background checks. We want the state police and attorney general to have over-sight in doing these background investigations, and we have introduced bills to do that. The very fact that he had these charges expunged indicated the problem we have with the gaming industry. This is the way they play the game. This is going to be an embarrassment to the Gaming Control Board that they missed this."
This situation will probably intensify because the gaming license was originally granted for a location by the Philadelphia Harbor and now the project has been moved to a mall in the middle of Philadelphia. The move should require a new license even though a license has been paid for and granted at the other location (harbor).
This situation could happen to the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. In my opinion, if a tribal member were elected to the Mohegan Tribal Council (also the MTGA) and could not get a gaming license (for any reason), there is no provision in the Mohegan Tribe's Constitution to make that person step down. This potential problem exists and it has never been remedied by the Council of Elders which would have to send out an Amendment to the Constitution to fix this potential problem. Is anyone aware of this? is anyone doing something about this? What do you think?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
WISCONSIN PROJECT IS DEAD
THE MOHEGAN INDIAN TRIBE OF CONNECTICUT TRIED TO HELP THE MENOMINEES TO OPEN A CASINO IN WISCONSIN.
THE PROPOSED CASINO WAS TO BE LOCATED AT THE DAIRY LAND GREYHOUND PARK IN KENOSHA, WISCONSIN (HALF WAY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE). THE CASINO WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCATED ABOUT 200 MILES FROM THE MENOMINEE RESERVATION.
IN MY OPINION, THE MOHEGANS AND THE MENOMINEES TRIED TO HAVE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR HOLD OFF THE FINAL DECISION ON THE PROPOSAL UNTIL THE NEW (OBAMA) ADMINISTRATION WERE TO TAKE OFFICE.
THE MOHEGANS HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS TO GET THIS PROJECT COMPLETED. THE MOHEGANS WERE GOING TO MANAGE THE CASINO. THE MENOMINEE HAVE SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT. THE VENTURE IS DEAD. IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. MORE MONEY ILL-INVESTED BY THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.
THIS IS ONE MORE CASE OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT INVESTING MONEY THAT DID NOT PAN OUT. WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) INVESTED MILLIONS IN MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS. THE FACTS ARE THAT BEFORE THE PERMANENT FACILITY, POCONO DOWNS HAD EBIDTA OF $30 MILLION IN 2007. AFTER THE NEW FACILITY WAS BUILT THIS SUMMER (2008) THE EBIDTA FOR 2008 WAS $29 MILLION. ANOTHER INVESTMENT WITH LITTLE OR NO RETURN. WHAT ABOUT AQUA-CULTURE? WHAT ABOUT A GOVERNMENT BUILDING WE CAN NOT AFFORD?
HOW MANY BAD DEALS HAS THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL BEEN INVOLVED IN? SHOULD WE HOLD THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL RESPONSIBLE? MAYBE, IF CUTS ARE GOING TO COME TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE CUT FIRST? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE PROPOSED CASINO WAS TO BE LOCATED AT THE DAIRY LAND GREYHOUND PARK IN KENOSHA, WISCONSIN (HALF WAY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE). THE CASINO WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCATED ABOUT 200 MILES FROM THE MENOMINEE RESERVATION.
IN MY OPINION, THE MOHEGANS AND THE MENOMINEES TRIED TO HAVE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR HOLD OFF THE FINAL DECISION ON THE PROPOSAL UNTIL THE NEW (OBAMA) ADMINISTRATION WERE TO TAKE OFFICE.
THE MOHEGANS HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS TO GET THIS PROJECT COMPLETED. THE MOHEGANS WERE GOING TO MANAGE THE CASINO. THE MENOMINEE HAVE SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT. THE VENTURE IS DEAD. IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. MORE MONEY ILL-INVESTED BY THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.
THIS IS ONE MORE CASE OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT INVESTING MONEY THAT DID NOT PAN OUT. WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) INVESTED MILLIONS IN MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS. THE FACTS ARE THAT BEFORE THE PERMANENT FACILITY, POCONO DOWNS HAD EBIDTA OF $30 MILLION IN 2007. AFTER THE NEW FACILITY WAS BUILT THIS SUMMER (2008) THE EBIDTA FOR 2008 WAS $29 MILLION. ANOTHER INVESTMENT WITH LITTLE OR NO RETURN. WHAT ABOUT AQUA-CULTURE? WHAT ABOUT A GOVERNMENT BUILDING WE CAN NOT AFFORD?
HOW MANY BAD DEALS HAS THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL BEEN INVOLVED IN? SHOULD WE HOLD THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL RESPONSIBLE? MAYBE, IF CUTS ARE GOING TO COME TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE CUT FIRST? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
SMOKING IN THE CASINO
THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY SUPPOSEDLY HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR M. JODI RELL OF CONNECTICUT ON A PROPOSED PARTIAL SMOKING BAN IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO.
THE PLAN CALLED FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN TO HAVE UP TO TWENTY PERCENT (20%) NON-SMOKING AREAS IN THE GAMING AREA OF THE CASINO. THE CASINO'S 'S PRESENT AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE CAPABLE OF CHANGING THE AIR IN THE GAMING AREAS AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) TIMES AN HOUR. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IS WILLING TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM TO AN EVEN MORE HIGH TECH SYSTEM.
CHUCK BUNNELL , CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SAID, THAT RESTAURANTS ARE SMOKE FREE ALREADY IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO HAS A POLICY, THAT EMPLOYEES WITH RESPIRATORY OR OTHER PHYSICAL ISSUES, ARE MOVED TO AN NON-SMOKING AREA IF THE WORKER REQUESTS IT..
BUNNELL SAID, ""WE HOLD TO OUR STRONG BELIEF AND LEGAL OPINION THAT THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS NO JURISDICTION ON TRIBAL LANDS. SOVEREIGNTY IS SOMETHING THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NEVER WAVER ON."
THE UAW (THE UNION REPRESENTING FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO DEALERS) SUPPOSEDLY WAS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ALLEGEDLY NEVER SAW THE PROPOSAL. DENISE GLADUE, A DEALER SUPERVISOR AT FOXWOODS SAID, "IT'S OUR HEALTH THAT'S AT STAKE AND NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD US ANYTHING. WE'RE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT WE WERE IN EIGHT MONTHS AGO."
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, "I'VE BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE OF A BAN, A COMPLETE BAN, IN THE PAST. AND HAVE SAID IT WOULD BE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL (FOR THE STATE TO IMPOSE IT)." HE ALSO SAID, "IF IT MEANS TO THAT END IS A SERIES OF SPECIFIC STEPS---A PARTIAL BAN LEADING TO A COMPLETE BAN --- I COULD FAVOR IT."
BLUMENTHAL LIKENED IT TO RIDING IN A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE OR EATING IN RESTRAINTS WHERE SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED. HE DID ADMIT THAT A COMPLETE SMOKING BAN ON THE CASINOS WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESSES.
TALKING OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STATE AT THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS, BLUMENTHAL SAID, "RIGHT NOW MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST TIME FOR A COMPLETE. BAN."
BUNNELL SAID, "THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF YOU'RE A NONSMOKER, YOU CAN NOW COME TO THE MOHEGAN SUN, ASSUME YOU'RE ENTERING THROUGH A SMOKE-FREE ENTRANCE, WALK THOUGH A SMOKE-FREE AREA, GO TO A SHOW, HAVE DINNER, ALL IN A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT."
THE PLAN CALLED FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN TO HAVE UP TO TWENTY PERCENT (20%) NON-SMOKING AREAS IN THE GAMING AREA OF THE CASINO. THE CASINO'S 'S PRESENT AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE CAPABLE OF CHANGING THE AIR IN THE GAMING AREAS AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) TIMES AN HOUR. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IS WILLING TO UPGRADE THE SYSTEM TO AN EVEN MORE HIGH TECH SYSTEM.
CHUCK BUNNELL , CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SAID, THAT RESTAURANTS ARE SMOKE FREE ALREADY IN THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO HAS A POLICY, THAT EMPLOYEES WITH RESPIRATORY OR OTHER PHYSICAL ISSUES, ARE MOVED TO AN NON-SMOKING AREA IF THE WORKER REQUESTS IT..
BUNNELL SAID, ""WE HOLD TO OUR STRONG BELIEF AND LEGAL OPINION THAT THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS NO JURISDICTION ON TRIBAL LANDS. SOVEREIGNTY IS SOMETHING THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NEVER WAVER ON."
THE UAW (THE UNION REPRESENTING FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO DEALERS) SUPPOSEDLY WAS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ALLEGEDLY NEVER SAW THE PROPOSAL. DENISE GLADUE, A DEALER SUPERVISOR AT FOXWOODS SAID, "IT'S OUR HEALTH THAT'S AT STAKE AND NO ONE HAS EVER TOLD US ANYTHING. WE'RE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT WE WERE IN EIGHT MONTHS AGO."
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID, "I'VE BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE OF A BAN, A COMPLETE BAN, IN THE PAST. AND HAVE SAID IT WOULD BE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL (FOR THE STATE TO IMPOSE IT)." HE ALSO SAID, "IF IT MEANS TO THAT END IS A SERIES OF SPECIFIC STEPS---A PARTIAL BAN LEADING TO A COMPLETE BAN --- I COULD FAVOR IT."
BLUMENTHAL LIKENED IT TO RIDING IN A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE OR EATING IN RESTRAINTS WHERE SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED. HE DID ADMIT THAT A COMPLETE SMOKING BAN ON THE CASINOS WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESSES.
TALKING OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STATE AT THE CONNECTICUT CASINOS, BLUMENTHAL SAID, "RIGHT NOW MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST TIME FOR A COMPLETE. BAN."
BUNNELL SAID, "THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF YOU'RE A NONSMOKER, YOU CAN NOW COME TO THE MOHEGAN SUN, ASSUME YOU'RE ENTERING THROUGH A SMOKE-FREE ENTRANCE, WALK THOUGH A SMOKE-FREE AREA, GO TO A SHOW, HAVE DINNER, ALL IN A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT."
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