On Wednesday February 25, 2009, the voters of Preston, Connecticut, voted to purchase the Norwich State Hospital Propriety (estimated 390 acres) for one dollar ($1.00). The vote was 608 in favor and 564 against the purchase. The purchase was approved.
Along comes the twists. Governor M. Jodi Rell, said that Preston must purchase it's own liability insurance and the state would reimburse Preston. The reason is the state can't provide insurance on something it does not own. The state will still pay for security, maintaince, and insurance for one (1) year. The liability insurance is estimated to cost about $60,000.00.
According to the D E P (Department of Environmental Protection) the second thing that Preston has to have in place is a current Phase 1 environmental study. Under federal law, the Phase 1 study can't be older than 6 months old at the time of closing. The last Phase 1 study was done in 2001. The study is necessary for Preston to get possible state and federal grants.
Rohert Congdon, First Selectman said, "It is a big, complex transaction and this is not unique even when you're buying a single-family home, to be down to the wire getting ready for a closing, to have closing issues come up that need to be resolved. And out of all the approvals and paperwork that needs to be done, I don't think that this is extraordinary."
Congdon said he would find out from the D E P if the town needs to get a new environmental study or could update the existing one.
It will be interesting to see what happens within the next few weeks. Should Preston pursue this project? Is the voters decision the right one? What do you think?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
CARCIERI V. SALAZAR
It is really the State of Rhode Island verses the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Charlestown, Rhode Island. The Supreme Court ruling was prepared by Justice Clarence Thomas.
The case was brought after the Narragansetts endeavor to put 31 acres in to trust (make part of their reservation). The problem is the United States Supreme Court in a 6 to 1 decision ruled that only federally recognized tribes that had been recognized before 1934 could take land into trust. The case is about the word "now" in the 1934 act. Rhode Island and twenty one (21) other states (friends of the court) claimed "now" meant when the act was enacted in 1934. The Narragansett's response was that "now" meant at the time the land accepted into trust.
Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut (one of the twenty one states as friends of the court) said, "this huge, historic victory. I am pleased that the U. S. Supreme Court decisively agreed with our argument, ending more that a decade of rancorous wrangling over tribal attempts to take land into trust. Towns bordering the reservations no longer face the fear of massive tax revenue losses caused by tribes taking land into trust."
Jackson T. King, General Counsel of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council said, "this is a very poor decision reversing more than 50 years of practice by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Happily, it's academic for us.........We don''t have any intent to expand......All the land within our settlement area that we own is now in trust. We don't have anything pending , and don't anticipate anything."
The Mohegan response was, "Although the Mohegan Tribe is not affected at all by today's decision, we believe the Supreme Court took an extremely narrow interpretation of the law and their decision is potentially devastating to certain members of Indian country. We are hopeful that the United States Congress will quickly work with the Department of Interior to fix this problem with Legislation."
The Mashantucket Pequots and the Narragansetts received federal recognition in 1983. The Mohegans received federal recognition in 1994.
The Mohegans have only taken into trust about 350 acres, with about almost fifty (50) more in the process of being put into trust. Under the compact between the State of Connecticut and the Mohegan Tribe, the Mohegans can take up to 700 acres into trust without having to negotiate with the State of Connecticut. So they still have about 300 acres to go. The tribe can only take land into trust in the Town of Montville, Connecticut (which is where the Mohegan Reservation is).
Joseph Jaskiewicz, the Mayor of Montville township said that the town's attorneys were reviewing the decision. He remembered how in 2005, the Mohegan Tribe took about 49 acres into trust and that Montville lost about $268,000.00 in land taxes. Jaskiewicz said, "overall, the decision helps towns."
How does this affect Mohegan Tribal business ventures?
The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, is trying to get a one billion dollar ($1,000,000,000.00) casino resort built in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Menominee were recognize prior to 1934. The Interior Department of the United States Government rejected the tribe's plan. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority was to mange the casino for seven (7) years.
The Cowitz Tribe, of Washinton State were federally recognized in 2000. The tribe has filed an application to take 152 acres into trust and build a $510 million ($510,000,000.00) casino complex. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is to run the facility for the first seven (7) years. Philip Harju, Vice Chairman of the Cowitz Tribe said, " We've just received the decision and have not fully digested it. Speaking of the project he said, "We're confident it's going to happen."
The decision has no affect on Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. It will have no affect on a possible casino in Palmer, Massachusetts, because these are business ventures that the tribe is acting as a business and not a native American tribe. The same would be true for the Mashanatucket Pequots and their venture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It looks like the Cowitz deal with the Mohegans might happen. The deal with Menominee doesn't look very promising. It sounds like a bad ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The only solution is to get U.S. Congress to pass a bill to change the law. Congress with twenty one states involved in the suit, will probably be slow to fix this. What do you think?
What about the Eastern Pequots? What about the Shinnecocks? What about other tribes? What about the Mashpee Wampanoags who became federally recognized in 2007 and want to build a casino in Middlebourgh, Massachusetts?
There is speculation that Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman, will try and meet with Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut, to talk about the situation. If this is true, good job Chairman Bozsum. What do you think?
The case was brought after the Narragansetts endeavor to put 31 acres in to trust (make part of their reservation). The problem is the United States Supreme Court in a 6 to 1 decision ruled that only federally recognized tribes that had been recognized before 1934 could take land into trust. The case is about the word "now" in the 1934 act. Rhode Island and twenty one (21) other states (friends of the court) claimed "now" meant when the act was enacted in 1934. The Narragansett's response was that "now" meant at the time the land accepted into trust.
Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut (one of the twenty one states as friends of the court) said, "this huge, historic victory. I am pleased that the U. S. Supreme Court decisively agreed with our argument, ending more that a decade of rancorous wrangling over tribal attempts to take land into trust. Towns bordering the reservations no longer face the fear of massive tax revenue losses caused by tribes taking land into trust."
Jackson T. King, General Counsel of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council said, "this is a very poor decision reversing more than 50 years of practice by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Happily, it's academic for us.........We don''t have any intent to expand......All the land within our settlement area that we own is now in trust. We don't have anything pending , and don't anticipate anything."
The Mohegan response was, "Although the Mohegan Tribe is not affected at all by today's decision, we believe the Supreme Court took an extremely narrow interpretation of the law and their decision is potentially devastating to certain members of Indian country. We are hopeful that the United States Congress will quickly work with the Department of Interior to fix this problem with Legislation."
The Mashantucket Pequots and the Narragansetts received federal recognition in 1983. The Mohegans received federal recognition in 1994.
The Mohegans have only taken into trust about 350 acres, with about almost fifty (50) more in the process of being put into trust. Under the compact between the State of Connecticut and the Mohegan Tribe, the Mohegans can take up to 700 acres into trust without having to negotiate with the State of Connecticut. So they still have about 300 acres to go. The tribe can only take land into trust in the Town of Montville, Connecticut (which is where the Mohegan Reservation is).
Joseph Jaskiewicz, the Mayor of Montville township said that the town's attorneys were reviewing the decision. He remembered how in 2005, the Mohegan Tribe took about 49 acres into trust and that Montville lost about $268,000.00 in land taxes. Jaskiewicz said, "overall, the decision helps towns."
How does this affect Mohegan Tribal business ventures?
The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, is trying to get a one billion dollar ($1,000,000,000.00) casino resort built in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Menominee were recognize prior to 1934. The Interior Department of the United States Government rejected the tribe's plan. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority was to mange the casino for seven (7) years.
The Cowitz Tribe, of Washinton State were federally recognized in 2000. The tribe has filed an application to take 152 acres into trust and build a $510 million ($510,000,000.00) casino complex. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority is to run the facility for the first seven (7) years. Philip Harju, Vice Chairman of the Cowitz Tribe said, " We've just received the decision and have not fully digested it. Speaking of the project he said, "We're confident it's going to happen."
The decision has no affect on Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. It will have no affect on a possible casino in Palmer, Massachusetts, because these are business ventures that the tribe is acting as a business and not a native American tribe. The same would be true for the Mashanatucket Pequots and their venture in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It looks like the Cowitz deal with the Mohegans might happen. The deal with Menominee doesn't look very promising. It sounds like a bad ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The only solution is to get U.S. Congress to pass a bill to change the law. Congress with twenty one states involved in the suit, will probably be slow to fix this. What do you think?
What about the Eastern Pequots? What about the Shinnecocks? What about other tribes? What about the Mashpee Wampanoags who became federally recognized in 2007 and want to build a casino in Middlebourgh, Massachusetts?
There is speculation that Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman, will try and meet with Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut, to talk about the situation. If this is true, good job Chairman Bozsum. What do you think?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
PRESTON'S VOTERS TO DECIDE TODAY
Today the people of Preston, Connecticut, will decide whether to purchase the Norwich State Hospital site. At stake? 419 acres across the Thames River from the Mohegan Sun Casino.
It basically comes down to a gamble.
Can the Town of Preston find a buyer in two years and have the property cleaned up started by 3 years? If they don't find a buyer where is the estimated $40 million ($40,000,000.00) coming from to do the economic clean up. The state will take care of some of the costs on the property for about 2 years.
If the residents vote in favor there is a real potential for tax relief for Preston's tax payers.If the residents vote it down, the land will remain with the State of Connecticut and the State will decide its fate.
The polls are open from 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Preston Town Hall basement on Route 2 in Preston.
It basically comes down to a gamble.
Can the Town of Preston find a buyer in two years and have the property cleaned up started by 3 years? If they don't find a buyer where is the estimated $40 million ($40,000,000.00) coming from to do the economic clean up. The state will take care of some of the costs on the property for about 2 years.
If the residents vote in favor there is a real potential for tax relief for Preston's tax payers.If the residents vote it down, the land will remain with the State of Connecticut and the State will decide its fate.
The polls are open from 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Preston Town Hall basement on Route 2 in Preston.
TALK TO MITCHELL ETESS ONLINE
Mitchell Etess, the Chief Executive Officer of the Mohegan Sun Casino, will chat online today from 12:00 P.M.. to 2;00 P.M. today on http://www.theday.com/.
If you want to put in your questions or comments earlier, you can go to website ahead of time. The questions and comments will be opened at noon.
This is a good opportunity to have your questions about the decline in business at the casino and other things planned for the casino in the future answered.
If you want to put in your questions or comments earlier, you can go to website ahead of time. The questions and comments will be opened at noon.
This is a good opportunity to have your questions about the decline in business at the casino and other things planned for the casino in the future answered.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE
After the meeting of the Restriction of Information Ordinance, oh I got it wrong again, I mean the Freedom of Information Ordinance, several members talked about the meeting. I would like to share my thoughts with you.
The meeting of the Freedom of Information Ordinance had been called by the Mohegan Tribal Council after they had passed the law on January 12, 2009. One question, that rang out load and clear, was who passes a law and then asks the tribe to comment on it.
One person mentioned that this is not the first time this has happened. The same thing happened with Ethics Ordinance. Both times, the Mohegan Tribe's members petitioned to reject the laws and to bring them to referendum at the polls. One Tribal Councilor supposedly said this would not happen again. I believe these same thoughts have been told to the tribe in the past. Look it's happening again.
The sentiment was that Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum was upset that tribal members had petitioned against something that he thought was a good thing. The vast majority of people after the meeting were definitely against the Freedom of Information Ordinance.
One tribal member was upset about what William Quidgeon, Treasurer supposedly said something to the effect he was tired of being slapped around. Did he mean the tribe was beating him up? Did anyone hear this?
One tribal member called it the "Restriction of Information Ordinance."
One tribal member said something to the effect that the Tribal Council had the cart in front of the horse. The tribal member was right.
Another tribal member said, in the ordinance the C.O.O. (Chief Operating Officer) has ten (10) days to decide to give the information being requested and seven (7) days to provide it after that. The member mentioned that the tribe had been assured that the information would be received promptly.
It creates a problem with the ability to petition against an ordinance under Article XII Right to Petition, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Mohegan Tribe. It states: "The members of The Tribe reserve to themselves the power to propose ordinances and resolutions and to enact or reject the same at the polls independent of the Tribal Council upon the petition of thirty-five voters within seven (7) days of such action." If the government is slow to get the members the information, then the tribal members right to petition could be violated.
One government official when asked, stated that if a law or ordinance was released to a tribal member but it was not released to the public (I have no idea who that is) then it could not be written about or copied. Does that mean the government owns everything? In the ordinance is uses the word "records," which I believe means that everything the government generates is theirs. Talk about censorship. What are the top secrets? Does anyone know?
The bottom line is that it is a bad law. It is prohibitive. It should go. Why doesn't the government, (who is their to provide and protect the tribe), do what is in the best interest of the tribe? Who makes a law and then has a meeting about it afterward? Wouldn't you want the impute first? What is the Tribal Council's motivation for doing this? What do you think?
The meeting of the Freedom of Information Ordinance had been called by the Mohegan Tribal Council after they had passed the law on January 12, 2009. One question, that rang out load and clear, was who passes a law and then asks the tribe to comment on it.
One person mentioned that this is not the first time this has happened. The same thing happened with Ethics Ordinance. Both times, the Mohegan Tribe's members petitioned to reject the laws and to bring them to referendum at the polls. One Tribal Councilor supposedly said this would not happen again. I believe these same thoughts have been told to the tribe in the past. Look it's happening again.
The sentiment was that Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum was upset that tribal members had petitioned against something that he thought was a good thing. The vast majority of people after the meeting were definitely against the Freedom of Information Ordinance.
One tribal member was upset about what William Quidgeon, Treasurer supposedly said something to the effect he was tired of being slapped around. Did he mean the tribe was beating him up? Did anyone hear this?
One tribal member called it the "Restriction of Information Ordinance."
One tribal member said something to the effect that the Tribal Council had the cart in front of the horse. The tribal member was right.
Another tribal member said, in the ordinance the C.O.O. (Chief Operating Officer) has ten (10) days to decide to give the information being requested and seven (7) days to provide it after that. The member mentioned that the tribe had been assured that the information would be received promptly.
It creates a problem with the ability to petition against an ordinance under Article XII Right to Petition, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Mohegan Tribe. It states: "The members of The Tribe reserve to themselves the power to propose ordinances and resolutions and to enact or reject the same at the polls independent of the Tribal Council upon the petition of thirty-five voters within seven (7) days of such action." If the government is slow to get the members the information, then the tribal members right to petition could be violated.
One government official when asked, stated that if a law or ordinance was released to a tribal member but it was not released to the public (I have no idea who that is) then it could not be written about or copied. Does that mean the government owns everything? In the ordinance is uses the word "records," which I believe means that everything the government generates is theirs. Talk about censorship. What are the top secrets? Does anyone know?
The bottom line is that it is a bad law. It is prohibitive. It should go. Why doesn't the government, (who is their to provide and protect the tribe), do what is in the best interest of the tribe? Who makes a law and then has a meeting about it afterward? Wouldn't you want the impute first? What is the Tribal Council's motivation for doing this? What do you think?
"THE TRIBE OF FOXES"
Just recently a book entitled, "The Tribe of Foxes" which is supposed to be the about the activity's. and lives of the Mashantucket Pequots. The book tells of a lawsuit between one of its casino workers and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Government.
The subtitle is "the True Inside Story of about the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation." The book is a 207 page paperback.
The book is authored by Walter Leo Fletcher Jr., 50, of Houston, Texas who was at the time of the lawsuit married to a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member. Mr. Fletchecr paid seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00) to Dorrance Publishing of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to produce five thousand dollars (5,000) copies of the book.
The book, the way I understand it, is about how Fletcher who worked for Foxwoods Resort Casino had made up a three (3) page manuscript about the alleged corruption and racial tensions of the reservation. Fletcher alleges he took the manuscript to Tribal Government Officials and told them of the corruption. One of the people he alleged told was former Chairman Richard "Skip" Hayward. He told him he intended to publish a book.
Around this time, the tribe allegedly according to Fletcher, filed sexual harassment charges against him. He then alleges he was dismissed from his job.
He supposedly took the Tribal Government to tribal court. The case before Judge Edward S. O'Connell was dismissed on February 19, 2002. Fletcher said, "The last day of my trial the tribe's lawyer told me, "You'll never get that book published. Well I did."
Fletcher at the time, was married to Patricia Fletcher, who is a Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Member. Patcicia Fletcher was the Director of Education for the tribe. She was later demoted from her job. Around the same time that she was demoted, is when the sexual harassment charges were filed against him. Coincidence?
Walter Fletcher (a Norwich resident at the time) and Patricia Fletcher's marriage ended in divorce. He has since remarried and lives in Houston. Patricia Fletcher still lives on the reservation with her niece. He supposedly is banned from the reservation.
Fletcher would talk about how after the tribal members received their distributions how they would complain about them. He said, "After they got the money, they'd meet and complain about it. The payments were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars."
When he was supposedly asked about what was happening today on the reservation, he said, "Nothings changed."
Can we the Mohegan Tribe learn anything from what happened to the Mashantucket Pequots? Could it happen here? Is the tribal government doing it right for the Mohegan people?
I think, I will try to get a copy of the book "The Tribe of Foxes". It sounds like something, I should read. What do you think?
The subtitle is "the True Inside Story of about the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation." The book is a 207 page paperback.
The book is authored by Walter Leo Fletcher Jr., 50, of Houston, Texas who was at the time of the lawsuit married to a Mashantucket Pequot tribal member. Mr. Fletchecr paid seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00) to Dorrance Publishing of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to produce five thousand dollars (5,000) copies of the book.
The book, the way I understand it, is about how Fletcher who worked for Foxwoods Resort Casino had made up a three (3) page manuscript about the alleged corruption and racial tensions of the reservation. Fletcher alleges he took the manuscript to Tribal Government Officials and told them of the corruption. One of the people he alleged told was former Chairman Richard "Skip" Hayward. He told him he intended to publish a book.
Around this time, the tribe allegedly according to Fletcher, filed sexual harassment charges against him. He then alleges he was dismissed from his job.
He supposedly took the Tribal Government to tribal court. The case before Judge Edward S. O'Connell was dismissed on February 19, 2002. Fletcher said, "The last day of my trial the tribe's lawyer told me, "You'll never get that book published. Well I did."
Fletcher at the time, was married to Patricia Fletcher, who is a Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Member. Patcicia Fletcher was the Director of Education for the tribe. She was later demoted from her job. Around the same time that she was demoted, is when the sexual harassment charges were filed against him. Coincidence?
Walter Fletcher (a Norwich resident at the time) and Patricia Fletcher's marriage ended in divorce. He has since remarried and lives in Houston. Patricia Fletcher still lives on the reservation with her niece. He supposedly is banned from the reservation.
Fletcher would talk about how after the tribal members received their distributions how they would complain about them. He said, "After they got the money, they'd meet and complain about it. The payments were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars."
When he was supposedly asked about what was happening today on the reservation, he said, "Nothings changed."
Can we the Mohegan Tribe learn anything from what happened to the Mashantucket Pequots? Could it happen here? Is the tribal government doing it right for the Mohegan people?
I think, I will try to get a copy of the book "The Tribe of Foxes". It sounds like something, I should read. What do you think?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
__________________Freedom of Information____________________
The Members of the Tribe reserve to themselves the power to obtain information concerning the operation of the Mohegan government and all tribally owned enterprises. No person, entity, government branch or department shall create procedures or legislation that unreasonably inhibit the power of tribal members to obtain available information. Within one hundred twenty (120) days of approval of this Article, the Mohegan Tribal Council shall enact legislation to provide for the disclosure of information to Tribal Members, consistent with this Article. The legislation shall provide for the disclosure of the following information, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 2 below. Available information shall include but not be limited to:
a. financial records and contracts for the Mohegan Tribe and all tribally owned enties;
b. the Tribal Roll indicating only the names of all enrolled members of the Mohegan Tribe and an annual summary of changes to the Tribal Roll (name changes, additions, and deletions;
c. governmental budget information and ledgers;
d. compensation, salary, bonuses and benefits for all positions within the Tribe and tribally owned entities;
e. all government and departmental policies, ordinances and resolutions of the Tribe;
f. all meeting minutes of the Tribal Council and the Council of Elders excluding minutes of Executive Session meetings;
g. all findings, minutes, determinations, recommendations and imposition of any sanctions and or penalties, and written transcripts of the Mohegan Tribal Ethics Commission within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of any Mohegan Tribal Ethics Commission case.
Exceptions to Disclosure. Exceptions to disclosure may be made: for information concerning personnel matters, applications for tribal membership or health information, for information for which disclosure would jeopardize the functioning of the tribal government or a tribally owned entity or would violate any applicable federal law or contractual obligation of the Tribe.
Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity, the sovereign immunity of the Mohegan Tribe is expressly waived to authorize Tribal Members to bring actions for declaratory, inductive and mandamus relief in the Mohegan Tribal Court for enforcement of the provisions of this Article and the provisions of any legislation enacted pursuant to (the first paragraph) of the Article.
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Editorial Footnote: This is what a true Freedom of Information Ordinance should look like. It should not be prohibitive like the recently passed "Freedom of Information Ordinance" (2009-24) that the Mohegan Tribal Council passed. Ask for a copy. It has been petitioned by 41 tribal members who reject the ordinance and to put it up for a referendum by the Mohegan Tribe. It needs to go. What do you think?
The Members of the Tribe reserve to themselves the power to obtain information concerning the operation of the Mohegan government and all tribally owned enterprises. No person, entity, government branch or department shall create procedures or legislation that unreasonably inhibit the power of tribal members to obtain available information. Within one hundred twenty (120) days of approval of this Article, the Mohegan Tribal Council shall enact legislation to provide for the disclosure of information to Tribal Members, consistent with this Article. The legislation shall provide for the disclosure of the following information, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 2 below. Available information shall include but not be limited to:
a. financial records and contracts for the Mohegan Tribe and all tribally owned enties;
b. the Tribal Roll indicating only the names of all enrolled members of the Mohegan Tribe and an annual summary of changes to the Tribal Roll (name changes, additions, and deletions;
c. governmental budget information and ledgers;
d. compensation, salary, bonuses and benefits for all positions within the Tribe and tribally owned entities;
e. all government and departmental policies, ordinances and resolutions of the Tribe;
f. all meeting minutes of the Tribal Council and the Council of Elders excluding minutes of Executive Session meetings;
g. all findings, minutes, determinations, recommendations and imposition of any sanctions and or penalties, and written transcripts of the Mohegan Tribal Ethics Commission within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of any Mohegan Tribal Ethics Commission case.
Exceptions to Disclosure. Exceptions to disclosure may be made: for information concerning personnel matters, applications for tribal membership or health information, for information for which disclosure would jeopardize the functioning of the tribal government or a tribally owned entity or would violate any applicable federal law or contractual obligation of the Tribe.
Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity, the sovereign immunity of the Mohegan Tribe is expressly waived to authorize Tribal Members to bring actions for declaratory, inductive and mandamus relief in the Mohegan Tribal Court for enforcement of the provisions of this Article and the provisions of any legislation enacted pursuant to (the first paragraph) of the Article.
**********************************************************
Editorial Footnote: This is what a true Freedom of Information Ordinance should look like. It should not be prohibitive like the recently passed "Freedom of Information Ordinance" (2009-24) that the Mohegan Tribal Council passed. Ask for a copy. It has been petitioned by 41 tribal members who reject the ordinance and to put it up for a referendum by the Mohegan Tribe. It needs to go. What do you think?
WEARING TWO HATS
AS THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, I WEAR TWO HATS. I AM FIRST A TRIBAL MEMBER AND SECONDLY AN EDITOR OF A EDITORIAL BLOG. IT IS A DIFFICULT BALANCING ACT THAT I AM TRYING TO DO.
AS A TRIBAL MEMBER, I BELIEVE WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHICH HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH. WE HAVE A DUTY TO VOTE. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE THERE FOR OUR FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. WE SHOULD GO TO THE QUARTERLY MEETINGS, MONTHLY COFFEE HOURS, THE SOMETIMES MONTHLY MEETINGS AND WHATEVER GOVERNMENT MEETINGS THAT THE TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN OBSERVE AND PARTICIPATE IN. I TRY VERY HARD TO DO THESE THINGS. I TRY TO PARTICIPATE BECAUSE I WANT TO LEARN AND I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WANT TO LEAVE THIS EARTH WITH MOHEGANS HAVING A BETTER LIFE AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS BEING WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I BELIEVE IT IS OUR RIGHT AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE . I THINK WE NEED TO VOLUNTEER.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT THAT IS WHAT I TRY TO DO AS A MEMBER OF THE TRIBE.
AS THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, IT IS MY JOB TO TRY TO FIND THE TRUTH AND REPORT WHAT I FEEL THE TRIBE WOULD BENEFIT FROM KNOWING.
MOST OF THE TIME I GET IT RIGHT, SOMETIMES I DO NOT. I TRY. THE WUSKUSO AND ITS' STAFF WHO ARE FINE PEOPLE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH BECAUSE IN MY OPINION, THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED UPON IT BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LETTING THE TRIBE KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, NOT THE FLUFF YOU ARE MOSTLY BEING TOLD. WE TRY TO ACT RESPONSIBLY BY NOT GIVING AWAY INSIDE INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HURT THE VERY WORKINGS OF OUR CASINOS AND OUR GOVERNMENT. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS AT THE VERY LEAST DESERVE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL FINANCIAL SITUATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES. WE TRY TO GIVE ACCURATE FIGURES AND GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT. I FEEL THAT THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS AND THE OUTLOOK OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THAT IS WHY I TALKED ABOUT THE BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO BUILD IT. WHAT ABOUT THE TOTAL DEBT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR INVESTMENTS (CASINOS)? WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT LOOK BAD. SOMETIMES WHAT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEEMS EMBARRASSING NEEDS TO BE SAID.
TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE STORY OF THE SAGAMORE WHO FELL INTO THE ABYSS, THE LIGHTS OUT AT FORT HILL, THE CAMERA SYSTEM AT FORT HILL, THE RUTS IN THE WALK WAY AT SHANTOK, THE SAFETY OF THE FORD HYBRIDS, ETC. THESE STORIES ARE ABOUT SAFETY. THESE THINGS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THEM.
IF WE HAVE UNJUST LAWS, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IF THE ETHICS LAW OR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS WERE UNJUST THEY TO WOULD NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
AS A RESPONSIBLE EDITOR, I WOULD NOT REPORT ABOUT SOMEONES HEALTH OR THINGS OF AN INTIMATE NATURE AS THIS IS NOT THE PROPER PLACE FOR THAT. IT WOULD BE DISRESPECTFUL AND INAPPROPRIATE. WE NEED TO INSPIRE OUR PEOPLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AND BRING TO THE FOREFRONT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, BUT RATHER A VERY GOOD THING.
AS A TRIBAL MEMBER AND AN EDITOR, SOME OF WHAT I DO, ENTAILS THE SAME THINGS AND SOME ARE DIFFERENT. I AM TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOB. I AM TRYING TO ACT RESPONSIBLY.
I WEAR TWO HATS.
AS A TRIBAL MEMBER, I BELIEVE WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHICH HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH. WE HAVE A DUTY TO VOTE. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE THERE FOR OUR FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. WE SHOULD GO TO THE QUARTERLY MEETINGS, MONTHLY COFFEE HOURS, THE SOMETIMES MONTHLY MEETINGS AND WHATEVER GOVERNMENT MEETINGS THAT THE TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN OBSERVE AND PARTICIPATE IN. I TRY VERY HARD TO DO THESE THINGS. I TRY TO PARTICIPATE BECAUSE I WANT TO LEARN AND I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I WANT TO LEAVE THIS EARTH WITH MOHEGANS HAVING A BETTER LIFE AND THE FUTURE GENERATIONS BEING WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I BELIEVE IT IS OUR RIGHT AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE . I THINK WE NEED TO VOLUNTEER.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT THAT IS WHAT I TRY TO DO AS A MEMBER OF THE TRIBE.
AS THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, IT IS MY JOB TO TRY TO FIND THE TRUTH AND REPORT WHAT I FEEL THE TRIBE WOULD BENEFIT FROM KNOWING.
MOST OF THE TIME I GET IT RIGHT, SOMETIMES I DO NOT. I TRY. THE WUSKUSO AND ITS' STAFF WHO ARE FINE PEOPLE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH BECAUSE IN MY OPINION, THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED UPON IT BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LETTING THE TRIBE KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, NOT THE FLUFF YOU ARE MOSTLY BEING TOLD. WE TRY TO ACT RESPONSIBLY BY NOT GIVING AWAY INSIDE INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HURT THE VERY WORKINGS OF OUR CASINOS AND OUR GOVERNMENT. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS AT THE VERY LEAST DESERVE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL FINANCIAL SITUATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES. WE TRY TO GIVE ACCURATE FIGURES AND GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT. I FEEL THAT THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS AND THE OUTLOOK OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. THAT IS WHY I TALKED ABOUT THE BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO BUILD IT. WHAT ABOUT THE TOTAL DEBT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR INVESTMENTS (CASINOS)? WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT LOOK BAD. SOMETIMES WHAT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEEMS EMBARRASSING NEEDS TO BE SAID.
TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE STORY OF THE SAGAMORE WHO FELL INTO THE ABYSS, THE LIGHTS OUT AT FORT HILL, THE CAMERA SYSTEM AT FORT HILL, THE RUTS IN THE WALK WAY AT SHANTOK, THE SAFETY OF THE FORD HYBRIDS, ETC. THESE STORIES ARE ABOUT SAFETY. THESE THINGS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THEM.
IF WE HAVE UNJUST LAWS, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IF THE ETHICS LAW OR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAWS WERE UNJUST THEY TO WOULD NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
AS A RESPONSIBLE EDITOR, I WOULD NOT REPORT ABOUT SOMEONES HEALTH OR THINGS OF AN INTIMATE NATURE AS THIS IS NOT THE PROPER PLACE FOR THAT. IT WOULD BE DISRESPECTFUL AND INAPPROPRIATE. WE NEED TO INSPIRE OUR PEOPLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AND BRING TO THE FOREFRONT THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING, BUT RATHER A VERY GOOD THING.
AS A TRIBAL MEMBER AND AN EDITOR, SOME OF WHAT I DO, ENTAILS THE SAME THINGS AND SOME ARE DIFFERENT. I AM TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOB. I AM TRYING TO ACT RESPONSIBLY.
I WEAR TWO HATS.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
THE 'SACHEM FUND"
A while back, the Editors of the Feather News and Brokenwing Editorials sat in the gallery in Norwich Town Hall and watched one of the first meetings of the Committee of the Sachem Fund. Sitting there along with the Mayor Lathrop and other Norwich representatives, were Ambassador Mark Brown and Treasurer William Quidgeon of the Mohegan Tribe.
It sounded like a great program with a lot of promise. It was going to infuse money into projects for the benefit of the city of Norwich. The fund which was to run for five (5) years was for the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich to each make payments of $200,000.00 per year. The funds were to be used for cultural events, festivals, economic development, and other things.
Yesterday in a prepared statement, Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said, "We will discuss Alderman Nash's recommendations with the city of Norwich to determine the best course of action for everyone concerned." What was the Chairman talking about?
Chairman Bozsum was talking about the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich, Connecticut, deciding on whether do suspend the Sachem Fund for at least the coming year.
William Nash, city Alderman of Norwich (a committee member) resigned Friday, February 20, 2009. thinks that the city of Norwich and the Mohegan Tribe should suspend the Sachem Fund for one year.
Mayor lathrop of the city of Norwich supposedly stated that, he would meet next week with Comptroller Joseph Ruffo and City Manager Alan Bergren to discuss the situation. Different government officials of the city of Norwich were in favor and against the proposed suspension.
After two (2) years the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich have each contributed $200,000.00 to the fund for a total of $400,000.00. The fund has approved grants totaling $594,750.00. The fund now totals $216,715.00 including interest.
In my opinion, neither the Mohegan Tribe or the city of Norwich can afford to do this at this time.. We are in tough economic times. The following may have to be curtailed or stopped: Taste of Italy Festival, July 4th fireworks, Spirit of Broadway Theater, the Norwich Arts Council and other things.
What started out with great expectations, looks like is now in severe trouble. A victim of the economy. Hopefully the Sachem Fund can be saved. What do you think?
It sounded like a great program with a lot of promise. It was going to infuse money into projects for the benefit of the city of Norwich. The fund which was to run for five (5) years was for the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich to each make payments of $200,000.00 per year. The funds were to be used for cultural events, festivals, economic development, and other things.
Yesterday in a prepared statement, Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said, "We will discuss Alderman Nash's recommendations with the city of Norwich to determine the best course of action for everyone concerned." What was the Chairman talking about?
Chairman Bozsum was talking about the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich, Connecticut, deciding on whether do suspend the Sachem Fund for at least the coming year.
William Nash, city Alderman of Norwich (a committee member) resigned Friday, February 20, 2009. thinks that the city of Norwich and the Mohegan Tribe should suspend the Sachem Fund for one year.
Mayor lathrop of the city of Norwich supposedly stated that, he would meet next week with Comptroller Joseph Ruffo and City Manager Alan Bergren to discuss the situation. Different government officials of the city of Norwich were in favor and against the proposed suspension.
After two (2) years the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich have each contributed $200,000.00 to the fund for a total of $400,000.00. The fund has approved grants totaling $594,750.00. The fund now totals $216,715.00 including interest.
In my opinion, neither the Mohegan Tribe or the city of Norwich can afford to do this at this time.. We are in tough economic times. The following may have to be curtailed or stopped: Taste of Italy Festival, July 4th fireworks, Spirit of Broadway Theater, the Norwich Arts Council and other things.
What started out with great expectations, looks like is now in severe trouble. A victim of the economy. Hopefully the Sachem Fund can be saved. What do you think?
Friday, February 20, 2009
"FIRST PEOPLES" LANGUAGE
Here is some English words and their native language counterpart.
ENGLISH--------------------------NATIVE WORD (PHONIC TRANSLATION)
----HELLO-------------------------SI-YO---------------------------------------
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN----------DE-DA-DA-GO-HU-YI----------------------
----THANK YOU-------------------S-GI-----------------------------------------
----PLEASE------------------------HA-WA-TSU--------------------------------
---MY NAME IS-------------------DA-GWA-DO-A------------------------------
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?----------DO-DE-TSA-DO-I?----------------------------
---BEAR--------------------------YO-NA----------------------------------------
---FISH---------------------------A-TSA-DI-------------------------------------
THE LANGUAGE IS CHEROKEE FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
ENGLISH--------------------------NATIVE WORD (PHONIC TRANSLATION)
----HELLO-------------------------SI-YO---------------------------------------
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN----------DE-DA-DA-GO-HU-YI----------------------
----THANK YOU-------------------S-GI-----------------------------------------
----PLEASE------------------------HA-WA-TSU--------------------------------
---MY NAME IS-------------------DA-GWA-DO-A------------------------------
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?----------DO-DE-TSA-DO-I?----------------------------
---BEAR--------------------------YO-NA----------------------------------------
---FISH---------------------------A-TSA-DI-------------------------------------
THE LANGUAGE IS CHEROKEE FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
CASINOS AROUND THE COUNTRY
It was a busy week for casinos around the United States..
Let's start with the casinos closest to the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut. east of the Thames River, about nine Miles away lays Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise (Mashantucket Pequot Tribe) celebrated being in business for seventeen (17) years.
Michael Speller, the President of Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise, remembered the opening of Foxwoods Casino , and how the parking lots became full and patrons then began parking in farmers fields and walking along Route 2 to get to the new casino. He called it busy. Today, Speller said, "We've got the parking under control."
Speller said, "We have to be the casino of choice in the Northeast and that's how we're going to do it." He believes, that Foxwood Resorts Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods has 5-star service and that the introduction of the rolling chip will help the casino.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer, reported that because of Foxwoods shrinking revenues that it could possibly jeopardize the plans for a casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
**********************************************************
In U. S. Bankruptcy Court, in Camden, New Jersey, that the three Atlantic City casinos that bear Trump's name have filed for bankruptcy. They filed for Chapter 11.
Supposedly, Donald Trump said, "Other than the fact that it has my name on it, which I'm not thrilled about, I have nothing to with the company." He said this, frustrated that the bond holders refused his offer to buy the company and take it private.
One thing is quite evident, the gaming industry is not bullet proof. It is not doing well anywhere. What do you think?
That's is a quick look about some of things that are happening around the country in the gaming industry. Should the Tribal Councilors, be back in Connecticut, taking care of the problems the Mohegan Tribe is experiencing here? Do we need them in Washington, D. C.? Is it fair that they are going on trips and people are losing their jobs? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum (Chairman of the MTGA) supposedly had Chuck Bunnell, Chief of Staff for the Mohegan Tribal Government, tell the membership about how he, Treasurer Willaim Quidgeon, and Chuck Bunnell had spent a day in Washington, D. C. visiting different U. S. government legislaturers, on behalf of the Mohegan Tribe. Thank you, Mr. Bunnell, Mr. Quidgeon and Mr. Bozsum..
Let's start with the casinos closest to the Mohegan Sun Casino, in Uncasville, Connecticut. east of the Thames River, about nine Miles away lays Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise (Mashantucket Pequot Tribe) celebrated being in business for seventeen (17) years.
Michael Speller, the President of Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise, remembered the opening of Foxwoods Casino , and how the parking lots became full and patrons then began parking in farmers fields and walking along Route 2 to get to the new casino. He called it busy. Today, Speller said, "We've got the parking under control."
Speller said, "We have to be the casino of choice in the Northeast and that's how we're going to do it." He believes, that Foxwood Resorts Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods has 5-star service and that the introduction of the rolling chip will help the casino.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer, reported that because of Foxwoods shrinking revenues that it could possibly jeopardize the plans for a casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
**********************************************************
In U. S. Bankruptcy Court, in Camden, New Jersey, that the three Atlantic City casinos that bear Trump's name have filed for bankruptcy. They filed for Chapter 11.
Supposedly, Donald Trump said, "Other than the fact that it has my name on it, which I'm not thrilled about, I have nothing to with the company." He said this, frustrated that the bond holders refused his offer to buy the company and take it private.
One thing is quite evident, the gaming industry is not bullet proof. It is not doing well anywhere. What do you think?
That's is a quick look about some of things that are happening around the country in the gaming industry. Should the Tribal Councilors, be back in Connecticut, taking care of the problems the Mohegan Tribe is experiencing here? Do we need them in Washington, D. C.? Is it fair that they are going on trips and people are losing their jobs? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum (Chairman of the MTGA) supposedly had Chuck Bunnell, Chief of Staff for the Mohegan Tribal Government, tell the membership about how he, Treasurer Willaim Quidgeon, and Chuck Bunnell had spent a day in Washington, D. C. visiting different U. S. government legislaturers, on behalf of the Mohegan Tribe. Thank you, Mr. Bunnell, Mr. Quidgeon and Mr. Bozsum..
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
ACES AND EIGHTS
On AAugust 2, 1876, a gun man walked into the Saloon #10 in Deadwood, in the Black Hills, Dakota Territory. A tall man with long dark hair and a mustache.
He wanted to sit with his back to the wall, so he could watch the people in the saloon and so no one could come up behind him. He could not get a chair in the corner against the wall, so he set down at the poker table with his back to the crowd in the bar. Jack McCall came up behind the gun man and shot him in the head. The gunman's hand was 2 aces and 2 eights and they think the fifth card had not yet been dealt. The hand to this day is called the dead man's hand.
Today at the Mohegan Sun Casino, where poker is still played, we have in the business end of the casino aces and eights. A good bet at the Black Jack table would be an ace and an eight (19). Eight is a good bet at craps, there are the most combinations of making the number eight then any other combination in throwing two (2) dice.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (Mohegan Tribal Council) Just released the loss of business on slot machines from January 2009 compared to January 2008, a loss of 8.7%. This 8.7% drop follows drops in slots in compared to the year before, for four (4) straight months. December was 4.3%, November was 5.3% and October was 9.1%. The total win for January was $62.4 million of which the MTGA sent $15.6 million to the State of Connecticut.
Remember, these losses, are losses on top of losses from the year before. The eight in this case 8.7% is really bad news.
Foxwoods Resorts Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods had a loss in January compared to January a year ago of 7.3% for a slot win of $52.9 million. Atlantic City casinos averaged a 9.6% drop in slots in January compared to the year before. The Rhode Island casinos averaged a decrease in slot wins from the year before in January of 5.8%
The good news is that the hold percentage for the Mohegan Sun Casino for January was 8.7% compared to 8.2% the year before. Mitchell Etess, the Chief Executive Officer for the Mohegan Sun said, "All in all, considering the weather and the overall economic conditions, it could be worse." Etess talking about the economy and business said, " It ebbs and it flows. As i said, I wouldn't read too much into our December number because the previous December was so bad.."
The MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) only took an eight (8%) percent pay cut. Casino executives making in the same salary levels took a ten percent (10%) salary cut. Workers in the Mohegan Sun gave up more than our Mohegan Tribal Councilors. Maybe it is time for the Mohegan Tribal Council to step up. Maybe it is time for them to do the right thing. Could it be they believe do as I say and not as I do? What do you think?
The MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) has voted on some critical business decisions ant the votes were eight to one (an ace). On the vote for the new Ethics Ordinance the vote was 8 to 1. On the new Restriction of Information Ordinance, oh sorry I did it again, the "Freedom of Information Ordinance" the vote was 8 to 1. The temporary facility at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs was 8 to 1. The permanent new facility at Pocono Downs, the vote was 8 to 1. The building of the new Government Community Center Building over looking Route 2 was 8 to 1.
The ace was Mark Hamilton. The eight was the rest of the Tribal Council. In my opinion, the majority of the Tribal Council did not make very good decisions. The Tribal Council seems to believes in a unified vote. The votes were unified but they were wrong. Bad decisions.
Maybe these people (the Tribal Council) have dealt us (the Mohegan Tribe) a dead man's hand. Eights (8) and Aces (1) with one card still not dealt. Do you think they have been doing it right for the Mohegan Tribe/ Should we hold the accountable? Is it the economy or bad decisions?
Should they go? What do you think?
The man who was fatally shot in the head was "wild Bill" Hickok. He was buried on Boot Hill overlooking Deadwood, South Dakota. In a grave laying next to him, in eternity, is his friend Calamity Jane.
The hand was eights (8) and aces (1). The hand is called the dead man's hand.
He wanted to sit with his back to the wall, so he could watch the people in the saloon and so no one could come up behind him. He could not get a chair in the corner against the wall, so he set down at the poker table with his back to the crowd in the bar. Jack McCall came up behind the gun man and shot him in the head. The gunman's hand was 2 aces and 2 eights and they think the fifth card had not yet been dealt. The hand to this day is called the dead man's hand.
Today at the Mohegan Sun Casino, where poker is still played, we have in the business end of the casino aces and eights. A good bet at the Black Jack table would be an ace and an eight (19). Eight is a good bet at craps, there are the most combinations of making the number eight then any other combination in throwing two (2) dice.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (Mohegan Tribal Council) Just released the loss of business on slot machines from January 2009 compared to January 2008, a loss of 8.7%. This 8.7% drop follows drops in slots in compared to the year before, for four (4) straight months. December was 4.3%, November was 5.3% and October was 9.1%. The total win for January was $62.4 million of which the MTGA sent $15.6 million to the State of Connecticut.
Remember, these losses, are losses on top of losses from the year before. The eight in this case 8.7% is really bad news.
Foxwoods Resorts Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods had a loss in January compared to January a year ago of 7.3% for a slot win of $52.9 million. Atlantic City casinos averaged a 9.6% drop in slots in January compared to the year before. The Rhode Island casinos averaged a decrease in slot wins from the year before in January of 5.8%
The good news is that the hold percentage for the Mohegan Sun Casino for January was 8.7% compared to 8.2% the year before. Mitchell Etess, the Chief Executive Officer for the Mohegan Sun said, "All in all, considering the weather and the overall economic conditions, it could be worse." Etess talking about the economy and business said, " It ebbs and it flows. As i said, I wouldn't read too much into our December number because the previous December was so bad.."
The MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) only took an eight (8%) percent pay cut. Casino executives making in the same salary levels took a ten percent (10%) salary cut. Workers in the Mohegan Sun gave up more than our Mohegan Tribal Councilors. Maybe it is time for the Mohegan Tribal Council to step up. Maybe it is time for them to do the right thing. Could it be they believe do as I say and not as I do? What do you think?
The MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) has voted on some critical business decisions ant the votes were eight to one (an ace). On the vote for the new Ethics Ordinance the vote was 8 to 1. On the new Restriction of Information Ordinance, oh sorry I did it again, the "Freedom of Information Ordinance" the vote was 8 to 1. The temporary facility at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs was 8 to 1. The permanent new facility at Pocono Downs, the vote was 8 to 1. The building of the new Government Community Center Building over looking Route 2 was 8 to 1.
The ace was Mark Hamilton. The eight was the rest of the Tribal Council. In my opinion, the majority of the Tribal Council did not make very good decisions. The Tribal Council seems to believes in a unified vote. The votes were unified but they were wrong. Bad decisions.
Maybe these people (the Tribal Council) have dealt us (the Mohegan Tribe) a dead man's hand. Eights (8) and Aces (1) with one card still not dealt. Do you think they have been doing it right for the Mohegan Tribe/ Should we hold the accountable? Is it the economy or bad decisions?
Should they go? What do you think?
The man who was fatally shot in the head was "wild Bill" Hickok. He was buried on Boot Hill overlooking Deadwood, South Dakota. In a grave laying next to him, in eternity, is his friend Calamity Jane.
The hand was eights (8) and aces (1). The hand is called the dead man's hand.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
USET 2009
Last week, USET (United South Eastern Tribes, Inc.) met in Arlington, Virginia.
It has been reported to Brokenwing Editorials, that one (1) member of the Council of Elders and four (4) members of the Tribal Council attended the meetings. How many of the members of the Mohegan Tribal Government brought their significant others?
We had been informed that Phil Cahill, C.O.O. (Chief Operating Officer) of the Mohegan Tribal Government, had supposedly said that no unnecessary travel would be happening by Tribal Government elected officials.
I believe, that yes, we (the Mohegan Tribe) should be represented. However, I don't think we need five (5) members of the government to go. Couldn't we have sent just the ones that were on the governing body of USET???
Did the spouse of the Tribal Council or the Council of Elders go? We have been told that the spouse of the Council of Elder paid their own way. If that is true, thank you for doing the right thing. How many other government officials also went? Does anyone know?
In a time of cost cutting, why did these officials go? When the government is laying off people, the elected officials have the money to travel anyway? Did they travel first class air fare? Did they stay in five star hotel? How much did they charge on their charge cards? How many of thousands of dollars did this cost the tribe? Does anyone know? Should they have gone? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: It was reported to Brokenwing Editorials that supposedly the 4 members of the Tribal Council were Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Lynn Melerba, Allison Johnson and William Quidgeon. The Council of Elder member was supposedly Marie Pineault.
It has been reported to Brokenwing Editorials, that one (1) member of the Council of Elders and four (4) members of the Tribal Council attended the meetings. How many of the members of the Mohegan Tribal Government brought their significant others?
We had been informed that Phil Cahill, C.O.O. (Chief Operating Officer) of the Mohegan Tribal Government, had supposedly said that no unnecessary travel would be happening by Tribal Government elected officials.
I believe, that yes, we (the Mohegan Tribe) should be represented. However, I don't think we need five (5) members of the government to go. Couldn't we have sent just the ones that were on the governing body of USET???
Did the spouse of the Tribal Council or the Council of Elders go? We have been told that the spouse of the Council of Elder paid their own way. If that is true, thank you for doing the right thing. How many other government officials also went? Does anyone know?
In a time of cost cutting, why did these officials go? When the government is laying off people, the elected officials have the money to travel anyway? Did they travel first class air fare? Did they stay in five star hotel? How much did they charge on their charge cards? How many of thousands of dollars did this cost the tribe? Does anyone know? Should they have gone? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: It was reported to Brokenwing Editorials that supposedly the 4 members of the Tribal Council were Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Lynn Melerba, Allison Johnson and William Quidgeon. The Council of Elder member was supposedly Marie Pineault.
THE DAYTONA 500 2009
This afternoon, Sunday February 15, 2009, millions of televisions will be watching NASCAR's biggest, and one the most renowned races in the world, the Daytona 500. I would love to be there. I was there last year, but if you have been reading Feather News, you know why I am still here, in Connecticut. Maybe next year.
Forty three cars traveling at about 190 miles per hour for around 3 hours. To give you an idea of the speed if you were driving a car cross country and you were going 60 m.p.h. it would take you about 8 1/2 hours to travel the 500 miles. These cars go around the 2 1/2 mile tri-oval in about 48 seconds.
The forty three cars traveling within two or three lines of cars traveling at 190 m.p.h. within feet of each other for hours after hours. Imagine no brake lights. Imagine the pressure on the drivers. Think that any given moment how little the four patches of rubber (the tires) are actually touching the pavement on the track. These tires cost about $250.00 a piece and the teams go through tractor trailer loads of them during the week.
Years ago, the cars were factory cars (what anyone could go to a dealership and buy) that had racing engines, transmissions,etc. that had roll cages installed for the drivers safety. They could do that because the cars were bigger (American Iron) that had the engines in the front and the rear ends drove the cars.
Today, the cars look like the cars, you and I drive, they are supposed to be Toyota Camry's, Ford Fusions, Chevrolet Impalas, and Dodge Chargers. The bodies are all the same, not the real size of the regular passenger cars they represent. The grilles and the hoods are like the real cars the rest isn't. They take a special built racing frames, add racing engines, transmissions, rear ends, tires, roll cages, and then put sheet metal over them.
These cars have 350 cubic inch v/8 engines that make about 850 horse power. The average car today, that you and I drive, has less than 200 horse power. There is nothing stock about a stock car today. The average passenger car runs on the highway at 60 m.p,.h. at 2,000 to 2.500 r.p.m., while these cars are running for hours at 9,000 r.p.m. A remarkable feat. Stock cars are only made to do one thing go fast for the entire race.
The cars use racing gasoline (130 octane), compared to high test at the pumps which is 91 octane. Regular, that you and I buy at the pumps, is either 87 or 89 octane. It is not uncommon to see flames coming out the exhaust pipes.
The cars are made equal and competitive because of what is called restrictor plates. The plates do not allow the engine to get all the air that it needs. It makes all the cars run about the same speed. The winner of the race and the loser can be won or lost by a fender length or less. Imagine 500 miles and the winner and a person one or two seconds behind is twenty cars (positions) back.
Behind every car, are in some teams, hundreds of workers. At the race, there are specialists on many different parts of each race car. When the cars come in on a pit stop (changing tires, making adjustments, and putting in fuel) the pit crew jumps over the wall and performs what needs to be maintained in usually less than fourteen (14) seconds. It is poetry in motion. These people practice all the time, to be the best they can be.
The next component, in having a successful team, is the the crew chief (team manager). He makes the calls, when to pit, when to put gas, change tires, etc. He's the one that has to figure out what to do after the car is in an accident, too. He is the ultimately responsible for the success of the team.
The last component, is the driver. These guys make big money. They are millionaires. They earn their money. As safe as the cars are, and as well as they are taken care of, there is still the danger. People sometimes die. People do get hurt. It does not happen often, but it does happen. Brakes don't help much when an accident is happening in front of you at 190 m.p.h.. These people just cut the steering wheels and hope with their actions that they can get through the wrecks. These people are the very best.
At the end of the day, whoever wins, he will stand and say how thankful he is to have won. He will thank his sponsors, and his workers who helped him achieve the win. It is a team sport. Everyone contributes. Everyone can do everything right and still not win. The wins can be far apart. Some drivers never win.
The late, Dale Earnhardt reported said, " second place is the first loser." He said the difference between winning and losing was not the car, but the driver who wanted it most. The best car doesn't always win. It is a team sport. It is everything coming together.
Is there anything, that we as Mohegans, can learn from the Daytona 500? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Matt Kenseth, driving the #17 Ford Fusion won the rain shortened race.
Forty three cars traveling at about 190 miles per hour for around 3 hours. To give you an idea of the speed if you were driving a car cross country and you were going 60 m.p.h. it would take you about 8 1/2 hours to travel the 500 miles. These cars go around the 2 1/2 mile tri-oval in about 48 seconds.
The forty three cars traveling within two or three lines of cars traveling at 190 m.p.h. within feet of each other for hours after hours. Imagine no brake lights. Imagine the pressure on the drivers. Think that any given moment how little the four patches of rubber (the tires) are actually touching the pavement on the track. These tires cost about $250.00 a piece and the teams go through tractor trailer loads of them during the week.
Years ago, the cars were factory cars (what anyone could go to a dealership and buy) that had racing engines, transmissions,etc. that had roll cages installed for the drivers safety. They could do that because the cars were bigger (American Iron) that had the engines in the front and the rear ends drove the cars.
Today, the cars look like the cars, you and I drive, they are supposed to be Toyota Camry's, Ford Fusions, Chevrolet Impalas, and Dodge Chargers. The bodies are all the same, not the real size of the regular passenger cars they represent. The grilles and the hoods are like the real cars the rest isn't. They take a special built racing frames, add racing engines, transmissions, rear ends, tires, roll cages, and then put sheet metal over them.
These cars have 350 cubic inch v/8 engines that make about 850 horse power. The average car today, that you and I drive, has less than 200 horse power. There is nothing stock about a stock car today. The average passenger car runs on the highway at 60 m.p,.h. at 2,000 to 2.500 r.p.m., while these cars are running for hours at 9,000 r.p.m. A remarkable feat. Stock cars are only made to do one thing go fast for the entire race.
The cars use racing gasoline (130 octane), compared to high test at the pumps which is 91 octane. Regular, that you and I buy at the pumps, is either 87 or 89 octane. It is not uncommon to see flames coming out the exhaust pipes.
The cars are made equal and competitive because of what is called restrictor plates. The plates do not allow the engine to get all the air that it needs. It makes all the cars run about the same speed. The winner of the race and the loser can be won or lost by a fender length or less. Imagine 500 miles and the winner and a person one or two seconds behind is twenty cars (positions) back.
Behind every car, are in some teams, hundreds of workers. At the race, there are specialists on many different parts of each race car. When the cars come in on a pit stop (changing tires, making adjustments, and putting in fuel) the pit crew jumps over the wall and performs what needs to be maintained in usually less than fourteen (14) seconds. It is poetry in motion. These people practice all the time, to be the best they can be.
The next component, in having a successful team, is the the crew chief (team manager). He makes the calls, when to pit, when to put gas, change tires, etc. He's the one that has to figure out what to do after the car is in an accident, too. He is the ultimately responsible for the success of the team.
The last component, is the driver. These guys make big money. They are millionaires. They earn their money. As safe as the cars are, and as well as they are taken care of, there is still the danger. People sometimes die. People do get hurt. It does not happen often, but it does happen. Brakes don't help much when an accident is happening in front of you at 190 m.p.h.. These people just cut the steering wheels and hope with their actions that they can get through the wrecks. These people are the very best.
At the end of the day, whoever wins, he will stand and say how thankful he is to have won. He will thank his sponsors, and his workers who helped him achieve the win. It is a team sport. Everyone contributes. Everyone can do everything right and still not win. The wins can be far apart. Some drivers never win.
The late, Dale Earnhardt reported said, " second place is the first loser." He said the difference between winning and losing was not the car, but the driver who wanted it most. The best car doesn't always win. It is a team sport. It is everything coming together.
Is there anything, that we as Mohegans, can learn from the Daytona 500? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Matt Kenseth, driving the #17 Ford Fusion won the rain shortened race.
SUNRISE SERVICES
I recently saw a flyer at the Mohegan Tribal Government Building, that said "Sunrise Services".
It stated that Native American families were invited to attend sunrise services at the Mohegan Church, on Church Lane, Uncasville, Connecticut, as 7:00 A.M. on March 21, 28, and April 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2009. The dates are Saturdays.
I called our Mohegan Tribal Medicine Woman, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel. and asked her about the sunrise services. She said she was not doing it but was putting together people to run the events. She didn't have all the details but together when we spoke to her. She said it would be like a circle. It is most likely taking place on the front lawn of the church. It will be spiritual in nature. Hopefully it will have a unifying effect for the tribe.
There will be light refreshments to follow the sunrise services.
If you have any questions, please contact our Medicine Woman, at 860-862-6209.
Thank you, Melissa for providing this for the Mohegan people in this time of uncertainty and apprehension. Brokenwing Editorials thinks it is a great idea. See you there.
It stated that Native American families were invited to attend sunrise services at the Mohegan Church, on Church Lane, Uncasville, Connecticut, as 7:00 A.M. on March 21, 28, and April 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2009. The dates are Saturdays.
I called our Mohegan Tribal Medicine Woman, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel. and asked her about the sunrise services. She said she was not doing it but was putting together people to run the events. She didn't have all the details but together when we spoke to her. She said it would be like a circle. It is most likely taking place on the front lawn of the church. It will be spiritual in nature. Hopefully it will have a unifying effect for the tribe.
There will be light refreshments to follow the sunrise services.
If you have any questions, please contact our Medicine Woman, at 860-862-6209.
Thank you, Melissa for providing this for the Mohegan people in this time of uncertainty and apprehension. Brokenwing Editorials thinks it is a great idea. See you there.
Friday, February 13, 2009
MARSHALL PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMES
On Wednesday, February 11, 2009, Glenn Marshall, 59, of Falmouth, Massachusetts, a former Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal chairman, pleaded guilty to several crimes.
Marshall standing before United States District Judge, Rya Zolel that he stole money for his personal use. He said, "Yes, Your honor" to each of the five counts against him as he pleaded guilty. The charges included, illegal campaign contributions, embezzling tribal funds, wire tap fraud, filing false tax returns, and receiving Social Security Disability benefits fraudulently.
Paul Markham (Marshall's lawyer) and Marshall walked out of the court room and left quickly and answered no questions of reporters. As Marshall and Markham left, tribal members yelled out, "restitution" and "you stole from us."
Amelia Bingham, 83, a Mashapee Wampanoag tribal member said that Marshall "did a lot of bad things. I don't know if we will recover."
Marshall will receive 46 to 57 months in prison and will have to make about four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) in restitution..
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe received Federal Recognition in 2007 and are trying to buy land and open a casino in Massachusetts. We wish them well. Do you think things like this are happening other places, too? What do you think?
Marshall standing before United States District Judge, Rya Zolel that he stole money for his personal use. He said, "Yes, Your honor" to each of the five counts against him as he pleaded guilty. The charges included, illegal campaign contributions, embezzling tribal funds, wire tap fraud, filing false tax returns, and receiving Social Security Disability benefits fraudulently.
Paul Markham (Marshall's lawyer) and Marshall walked out of the court room and left quickly and answered no questions of reporters. As Marshall and Markham left, tribal members yelled out, "restitution" and "you stole from us."
Amelia Bingham, 83, a Mashapee Wampanoag tribal member said that Marshall "did a lot of bad things. I don't know if we will recover."
Marshall will receive 46 to 57 months in prison and will have to make about four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) in restitution..
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe received Federal Recognition in 2007 and are trying to buy land and open a casino in Massachusetts. We wish them well. Do you think things like this are happening other places, too? What do you think?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
MORE PROBLEMS WITH FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID CAR
The Ford Escape Hybrid (electric chair) car, seems to be one of the most unlucky cars going.
We've seen the Ford Escape Hybrid that is used by the Mohegan Tribal Government as Police cars, Public Safety vehicles, and other uses, have all kinds of problems. We had a police car catch on fire, a security car go through a fence and hit a pole. We reported how the hybrids supposedly stall out and that the power steering sometimes cuts out. We found out that the cars are rolling over in collisions in New York City.
Here are the latest events that have happened.. One car was being driven by a Public Safety officer at Fort Shantok and he supposedly drove the car into the end of one of the open gates at the entrance leading into the park. The end of the gate went through the windshield. We are told the driver is okay. Thank God. The car is supposed to be in one of the parking garages at the casino, probably by the employee parking. It is waiting to be fixed.
The second case, that was reported to us, is that another Public Safety hybrid car, had some kind of malfunction and that the dash lights do not work anymore. We have been told the car is at Girard Ford waiting to be fixed.
We were informed, that the big Ford 150 pick up truck is now being used by Public Safety, as the vehicle for off site work, in other words it goes to places like Fort Shantok, Fort Hill Elder Housing, the Mohegan Church, the Tantaquidgeon Museum, etc. This thing probably gets eight to twelve miles per gallon. Why? It doesn't sound like a cost saving measure to me. Does it to you?
Why is this happening? Could it be the Mohegan Tribal Government doesn't have the money to fix these cars? It seems like someone is doing some strange decisions here? Tribal Council what is happening? Do you know? Would you like to tell us? What do you think?
We've seen the Ford Escape Hybrid that is used by the Mohegan Tribal Government as Police cars, Public Safety vehicles, and other uses, have all kinds of problems. We had a police car catch on fire, a security car go through a fence and hit a pole. We reported how the hybrids supposedly stall out and that the power steering sometimes cuts out. We found out that the cars are rolling over in collisions in New York City.
Here are the latest events that have happened.. One car was being driven by a Public Safety officer at Fort Shantok and he supposedly drove the car into the end of one of the open gates at the entrance leading into the park. The end of the gate went through the windshield. We are told the driver is okay. Thank God. The car is supposed to be in one of the parking garages at the casino, probably by the employee parking. It is waiting to be fixed.
The second case, that was reported to us, is that another Public Safety hybrid car, had some kind of malfunction and that the dash lights do not work anymore. We have been told the car is at Girard Ford waiting to be fixed.
We were informed, that the big Ford 150 pick up truck is now being used by Public Safety, as the vehicle for off site work, in other words it goes to places like Fort Shantok, Fort Hill Elder Housing, the Mohegan Church, the Tantaquidgeon Museum, etc. This thing probably gets eight to twelve miles per gallon. Why? It doesn't sound like a cost saving measure to me. Does it to you?
Why is this happening? Could it be the Mohegan Tribal Government doesn't have the money to fix these cars? It seems like someone is doing some strange decisions here? Tribal Council what is happening? Do you know? Would you like to tell us? What do you think?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
SITTING IN THE COLD
THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, IF YOU SAW YOUR NEIGHBORS DOG OUTSIDE, YOU PROBABLY WOULD CALL ANIMAL CONTROL AND REPORT IT. THE POLICE WOULD PROBABLY BE CALLED AND THE ANIMAL WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE OWNER WOULD MOST LIKELY BE IN TROUBLE.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS, RECENTLY INFORMED TRIBAL MEMBERS ABOUT THE ALLEGED NEW POLICY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL PUBLIC SAFETY (SECURITY). THIS NEW ALLEGED POLICY IS THAT OUTSIDE SECURITY (PUBLIC SAFETY) CAN ONLY DRIVE THE FORD ESCAPE SUV (ELECTRIC CHAIR) CARS, TWENTY (20) MILES PER SHIFT AND THE DRIVERS MUST WALK IN THE PARKING GARAGES AT LEAST 90 MINUTES PER SHIFT.
THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS HAVE BEEN OBSERVING OUTSIDE SECURITY AND THEIR CARS. WHAT WE NOW NOTICE IS THAT, THE SECURITY CAR DRIVERS ARE SITTING IN THE CARS WITH THE MOTORS NOT RUNNING. IF THE MOTORS AREN'T RUNNING, IS THERE ANY HEAT IN THESE VEHICLES? THESE PEOPLE LOOK COLD.
IF SOMEONE, IN CHARGE MADE THIS DECISION, IT SEEMS QUITE FOOLISH. MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO AN ANIMAL, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OUR WORKERS, ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION.
COULD THIS BE A LABOR BOARD VIOLATION? IS WHAT WE ARE OBSERVING REALLY HAPPENING? DOES ANYONE KNOW? IF IT IS HAPPENING, WHO'S IDEA WAS IT?
WHEN BROKENWING EDITORIALS RECENTLY WROTE ABOUT SECURITY PERSONNEL SITTING IN CARS STAYING WARM, IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE DRIVERS SITTING THERE BURNING GASOLINE, BUT RATHER ABOUT THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S (GOVERNMENT AND CASINO) WORKERS AND PATRONS. MAYBE THE SECURITY PERSONNEL COULD USE THE HEAT AND THIS SUMMER MAYBE LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN..
INSTEAD OF HAVING PEOPLE FREEZING, WHAT BROKENWING WAS ENDEAVORING TO DO WAS HAVE THESE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE BEING USED MORE EFFICIENTLY IN DOING THEIR JOBS.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT I WOULD RATHER SEE SECURITY DO IS USE THE CARS ON PATROL MORE, NOT LESS. I WANT THEM (SECURITY) TO BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE.
WHAT IS THIS DOING TO MORAL OF OUR OUTSIDE SECURITY PEOPLE? HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS REALLY SAVING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT?
IF YOU TAKE SIX CARS PER SHIFT, THREE SHIFTS PER DAY AND SAVE A GALLON ($2.00 PER GALLON ) PER SHIFT IT WOULD EQUAL OUT TO MAYBE FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR.
DO THE SAME FORMULA USING TWO GALLONS PER CAR PER SHIFT FOR THE YEAR AT $2.00 PER GALLON IT WOULD COME TO $29,000.00. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW MUCH IS THIS COMPARED TO AN ESTIMATED $120 MILLION GOVERNMENT BUDGET?
ISN'T THE WELL BEING OF OUR SECURITY PEOPLE, WORKERS AND PATRONS MORE IMPORTANT THEN POSSIBLY SAVING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS? WHO INSTITUTED THIS INSANITY? IS WHAT WE ARE OBSERVING REALLY HAPPENING? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: SOME PEOPLE SAID THIS IS NOT TOTALLY TRUE, MOST SECURITY PEOPLE ARE NOT SITTING IN THE CARS BEING COLD, BUT INSTEAD ARE WALKING THE PARKING LOTS BEING COLD.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS, RECENTLY INFORMED TRIBAL MEMBERS ABOUT THE ALLEGED NEW POLICY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL PUBLIC SAFETY (SECURITY). THIS NEW ALLEGED POLICY IS THAT OUTSIDE SECURITY (PUBLIC SAFETY) CAN ONLY DRIVE THE FORD ESCAPE SUV (ELECTRIC CHAIR) CARS, TWENTY (20) MILES PER SHIFT AND THE DRIVERS MUST WALK IN THE PARKING GARAGES AT LEAST 90 MINUTES PER SHIFT.
THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS HAVE BEEN OBSERVING OUTSIDE SECURITY AND THEIR CARS. WHAT WE NOW NOTICE IS THAT, THE SECURITY CAR DRIVERS ARE SITTING IN THE CARS WITH THE MOTORS NOT RUNNING. IF THE MOTORS AREN'T RUNNING, IS THERE ANY HEAT IN THESE VEHICLES? THESE PEOPLE LOOK COLD.
IF SOMEONE, IN CHARGE MADE THIS DECISION, IT SEEMS QUITE FOOLISH. MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO AN ANIMAL, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OUR WORKERS, ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION.
COULD THIS BE A LABOR BOARD VIOLATION? IS WHAT WE ARE OBSERVING REALLY HAPPENING? DOES ANYONE KNOW? IF IT IS HAPPENING, WHO'S IDEA WAS IT?
WHEN BROKENWING EDITORIALS RECENTLY WROTE ABOUT SECURITY PERSONNEL SITTING IN CARS STAYING WARM, IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE DRIVERS SITTING THERE BURNING GASOLINE, BUT RATHER ABOUT THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S (GOVERNMENT AND CASINO) WORKERS AND PATRONS. MAYBE THE SECURITY PERSONNEL COULD USE THE HEAT AND THIS SUMMER MAYBE LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN..
INSTEAD OF HAVING PEOPLE FREEZING, WHAT BROKENWING WAS ENDEAVORING TO DO WAS HAVE THESE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE BEING USED MORE EFFICIENTLY IN DOING THEIR JOBS.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT I WOULD RATHER SEE SECURITY DO IS USE THE CARS ON PATROL MORE, NOT LESS. I WANT THEM (SECURITY) TO BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE.
WHAT IS THIS DOING TO MORAL OF OUR OUTSIDE SECURITY PEOPLE? HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS REALLY SAVING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT?
IF YOU TAKE SIX CARS PER SHIFT, THREE SHIFTS PER DAY AND SAVE A GALLON ($2.00 PER GALLON ) PER SHIFT IT WOULD EQUAL OUT TO MAYBE FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR.
DO THE SAME FORMULA USING TWO GALLONS PER CAR PER SHIFT FOR THE YEAR AT $2.00 PER GALLON IT WOULD COME TO $29,000.00. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW MUCH IS THIS COMPARED TO AN ESTIMATED $120 MILLION GOVERNMENT BUDGET?
ISN'T THE WELL BEING OF OUR SECURITY PEOPLE, WORKERS AND PATRONS MORE IMPORTANT THEN POSSIBLY SAVING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS? WHO INSTITUTED THIS INSANITY? IS WHAT WE ARE OBSERVING REALLY HAPPENING? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: SOME PEOPLE SAID THIS IS NOT TOTALLY TRUE, MOST SECURITY PEOPLE ARE NOT SITTING IN THE CARS BEING COLD, BUT INSTEAD ARE WALKING THE PARKING LOTS BEING COLD.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
CONNECTICUT CASINOS POSSIBLE SMOKING BAN
About a month ago, Richard Blumenthal, the Attorney General of Connecticut, seemed to be on board with the deal that the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority on a gradual implementation of a smoking ban at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Blumenthal's proposal is that: 1) by October 2009, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 20% of the gaming areas, 2)by October 2010, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 50% of the gaming area, and 3) by October 2011, all areas gaming and non-gaming totally non-smoking.
The tentative deal between the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority) and Governor M. Jodi Rell, was to slowly implement smoking in the gaming areas as the other casinos in other states (two casinos in Rhode Island and New York). The Mohegan Sun Casino has smoke- free areas such as gaming areas, the retail stores, restaurants, bathrooms, hotel lobby, and elevators, etc.
Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said when speaking of sovereign immunity, "is a rule of law that supersedes the wishes of even Attorney General Blumenthal, and is guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution."
Chuck Bunnell, the Chief of Staff for the Mohegan Tribal Government said, "Connecticut would be the first state in the nation to try to breach the right of our first Americans to govern their own land."
Rich Harris, a spokesperson for Governor Rell said, "Any bill that attempts to impose a solution on soveriegn tribes by legislative fiat is certain to result in long, unnecessary and ultimately fruitless litigation and only complicates good faith efforts to negotiate a reasonable settlement of the legitimate issues."
Lori Potter, a Mashantucket Pequot tribal spokesperson said of the parties negotiating "can progress more effectively through a cooperative government to government relationships, as opposed to an attempt to impose state standards."
Dave Barry, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino for 17 years said about second had smoke, "we get sicker and sicker of inaction." the U.A.W. dealers claim that they have developed respiratory problems or aggravated pre-existing ones while working at the casino.
Attorney General Blumenthal said, "Tribal sovereignty deserves respect, but it must yield to health or safety as a priority. The casinos are dealing workers and visitors a losing hand on cancer and tobacco addiction........the endgame is non-negotiable; a complete ban can not be left to chance."
It should be interesting to see how this plays out between the casinos, Governor Rell and the Attorney General Blumenthal. Can Connecticut make the casinos submit on smoking? I believe in the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity. We will see. What do you think?
Blumenthal's proposal is that: 1) by October 2009, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 20% of the gaming areas, 2)by October 2010, ban smoking in all non-gaming areas and 50% of the gaming area, and 3) by October 2011, all areas gaming and non-gaming totally non-smoking.
The tentative deal between the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority) and Governor M. Jodi Rell, was to slowly implement smoking in the gaming areas as the other casinos in other states (two casinos in Rhode Island and New York). The Mohegan Sun Casino has smoke- free areas such as gaming areas, the retail stores, restaurants, bathrooms, hotel lobby, and elevators, etc.
Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said when speaking of sovereign immunity, "is a rule of law that supersedes the wishes of even Attorney General Blumenthal, and is guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution."
Chuck Bunnell, the Chief of Staff for the Mohegan Tribal Government said, "Connecticut would be the first state in the nation to try to breach the right of our first Americans to govern their own land."
Rich Harris, a spokesperson for Governor Rell said, "Any bill that attempts to impose a solution on soveriegn tribes by legislative fiat is certain to result in long, unnecessary and ultimately fruitless litigation and only complicates good faith efforts to negotiate a reasonable settlement of the legitimate issues."
Lori Potter, a Mashantucket Pequot tribal spokesperson said of the parties negotiating "can progress more effectively through a cooperative government to government relationships, as opposed to an attempt to impose state standards."
Dave Barry, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino for 17 years said about second had smoke, "we get sicker and sicker of inaction." the U.A.W. dealers claim that they have developed respiratory problems or aggravated pre-existing ones while working at the casino.
Attorney General Blumenthal said, "Tribal sovereignty deserves respect, but it must yield to health or safety as a priority. The casinos are dealing workers and visitors a losing hand on cancer and tobacco addiction........the endgame is non-negotiable; a complete ban can not be left to chance."
It should be interesting to see how this plays out between the casinos, Governor Rell and the Attorney General Blumenthal. Can Connecticut make the casinos submit on smoking? I believe in the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity. We will see. What do you think?
Monday, February 9, 2009
RESTRUCTURING
RESTRUCTURE V. PLAN OR PROVIDE A NEW STRUCTURE, ETC. FOR
When you look at the debt of the MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority), you come away with the conclusion, that no matter what they try, there is no easy way to fix the debt.
The debt for the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut, and The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, is estimated at about $1.6 billion ($1,600,000,000.00).
Brokenwing Editorials believes that cutting salaries and other things that the MTGA is doing will help the shortfall in funds, needed to run the Mohegan Tribal Government in the near future. It is not however, going to resolve the shortfall in income over the long haul.
The Mohegan Tribal Government needs to cut large salaries, not the small salaries they are cutting. Do we need a C,O.O.,and a Chief of Staff? Do we need an Administrator between the Cultural Department, Achieves, Archaeology, etc.? Do we need Administrators in Planning, Land Management, etc., when the Mohegan Government will not need to build anything, in the near future? How about people working for a dollar ($1.00) a year, like other businesses do when they get it a financial bind? If the businesses come back, the people get larger bonuses to off set the loss in salary.
Are these big salaries not being cut because government officials don't have the political connections after all these years? Could it be that the administrators are friends or relatives? I don't want to see anyone lose their jobs. However, it seems that the Tribal Council is letting people with low salaries go and keeping the very large salary jobs. What do you think?
The reality, in my opinion, is that we (the Mohegan tribe) have an anchor around our necks. The anchor is Pocono Downs. I do not believe it has ever made money and the way things are going it never will.
The proof is that when you add the two entities (Mohegan Sun Casino and the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs) in January had a loss of $3.8 million ($3,800,000.00). Not a loss compared to the year before for the same month but an actual loss.
What can be done about it? RESTRUCTURE. Either cut Pocono Downs loose as a separate company and /or sell stocks (shares of the business) to get out of the deal. another idea, might be to bring in a partner that could infuse about $200 to $300 million into the venture.
Another option, would be to restructure the casinos' entire debt. Maybe the MTGA should go to the creditors (the bond holders and banks) and offer them a percentage of what is owed. Donald Trump, I believe years ago, went to his creditors in Atlantic City and told them if they wanted to get paid that they have to absorb the interest and restructure the debt. I believe the creditors did exactly that. The way things are going the MTGA will never be able to pay off this debt.
It is time for the MTGA to earn its money and do what is necessary to protect the Mohegan tribe. What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Check out the story, Five Tribal Councilors and how they voted.
When you look at the debt of the MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority), you come away with the conclusion, that no matter what they try, there is no easy way to fix the debt.
The debt for the Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut, and The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, is estimated at about $1.6 billion ($1,600,000,000.00).
Brokenwing Editorials believes that cutting salaries and other things that the MTGA is doing will help the shortfall in funds, needed to run the Mohegan Tribal Government in the near future. It is not however, going to resolve the shortfall in income over the long haul.
The Mohegan Tribal Government needs to cut large salaries, not the small salaries they are cutting. Do we need a C,O.O.,and a Chief of Staff? Do we need an Administrator between the Cultural Department, Achieves, Archaeology, etc.? Do we need Administrators in Planning, Land Management, etc., when the Mohegan Government will not need to build anything, in the near future? How about people working for a dollar ($1.00) a year, like other businesses do when they get it a financial bind? If the businesses come back, the people get larger bonuses to off set the loss in salary.
Are these big salaries not being cut because government officials don't have the political connections after all these years? Could it be that the administrators are friends or relatives? I don't want to see anyone lose their jobs. However, it seems that the Tribal Council is letting people with low salaries go and keeping the very large salary jobs. What do you think?
The reality, in my opinion, is that we (the Mohegan tribe) have an anchor around our necks. The anchor is Pocono Downs. I do not believe it has ever made money and the way things are going it never will.
The proof is that when you add the two entities (Mohegan Sun Casino and the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs) in January had a loss of $3.8 million ($3,800,000.00). Not a loss compared to the year before for the same month but an actual loss.
What can be done about it? RESTRUCTURE. Either cut Pocono Downs loose as a separate company and /or sell stocks (shares of the business) to get out of the deal. another idea, might be to bring in a partner that could infuse about $200 to $300 million into the venture.
Another option, would be to restructure the casinos' entire debt. Maybe the MTGA should go to the creditors (the bond holders and banks) and offer them a percentage of what is owed. Donald Trump, I believe years ago, went to his creditors in Atlantic City and told them if they wanted to get paid that they have to absorb the interest and restructure the debt. I believe the creditors did exactly that. The way things are going the MTGA will never be able to pay off this debt.
It is time for the MTGA to earn its money and do what is necessary to protect the Mohegan tribe. What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Check out the story, Five Tribal Councilors and how they voted.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
THREE NEW YORKERS ARRESTED AT MOHEGAN SUN
On Friday night, February 6, 2009, just before twelve p. m. a disturbance occurred in the bus depot garage at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Arrested and taken into custody by the Connecticut State Police were Edwin Fernanez, 29, of Jamaica, Queens, New York and David Teday, 27, of Jamaica, Queens, New York. Fernanez and Teday were charged with breach of peace. Each man were released on $250 bonds.
The State Police after reviewing the tapes on security footage, arrested Ronnel B. Ray, 25, of Long Island City, New York. At the Troop E in Montville, Ray was searched. State Police found in his pants pocket a small bag of marijuana.
Ray was charged with possession of a controlled substance, third degree assault, and breach of peace. Ray was released on $1,500.00 bond.
The three New Yorkers are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Arrested and taken into custody by the Connecticut State Police were Edwin Fernanez, 29, of Jamaica, Queens, New York and David Teday, 27, of Jamaica, Queens, New York. Fernanez and Teday were charged with breach of peace. Each man were released on $250 bonds.
The State Police after reviewing the tapes on security footage, arrested Ronnel B. Ray, 25, of Long Island City, New York. At the Troop E in Montville, Ray was searched. State Police found in his pants pocket a small bag of marijuana.
Ray was charged with possession of a controlled substance, third degree assault, and breach of peace. Ray was released on $1,500.00 bond.
The three New Yorkers are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
FIVE TRIBAL COUNCILORS AND HOW THEY VOTED
Brokenwing Editorials has been told that about 40 tribal members of the Mohegan Tribe put Their names in by January 30, 2009, and are running for the Tribal Council. There are five (5) positions open.
The present Tribal Councilors who are running for re-election are: Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Lynn Malerba, William Quidgeon, Jr,, James Gessner, Jr, and Mark Hamilton.
To help tribal members, make better choices on election day, I thought I would go over some of the important votes, these five (5) Tribal Councilors have made over the years. I believe the voting results are accurate
Propsal #1 The building at Pocono Downs of a temporary facility for slot machines. The proposal was for 55% off the top (gross revenues) to go to the State of Pennsylvania. It ended up with the local governments taxes included to be 62% off the top.
Bozsum--------yes ****Hamilton------no
Malerba--------yes
Quigeon-------yes
Gessner --------yes
Proposal #2 The building of the permanent facility at Pocono Downs. It has never made money.
Bozsum---------yes**** Hamilton--------no
Malerba---------yes
Quidgeon--------yes
Gessner-----------yes
Proposal #3 Building phase 3 at Mohegan Sun, Connecticut, Project Horizon (Earth Hotel, Casino of the Wind, 3 parking lots, and 2 on ramps estimated at $745 million that ended up being estimated at $925 million. The folly probably cost the Mohegan tribe about three hundred million ($300,000,000.00) before it was stopped.
Bozsum------yes ****Hamilton- - - - yes
Malerba- - - -yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner_- - - yes
Proposal #4 The building of the Government Community Center at an estimated cost of eighty nine to one hundred million dollars ($89,000,000.00 to $100,000,000.00.
Bozsum- - - - yes ****Hamilton - - - no
Malerba- - - - yes
Quidgeon_ - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
Proposal #5 The "Freedom of Information Ordinance", really should be called the Restriction of Information Ordinance. A petition with 41 signatures on it under Article 12 Section 1 of the Mohegan Constitution was sent to the Tribal Council to Reject it.
Bozsum- - - - yes ***** Hamilton- - - no
Malerba - - - yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
Proposal #6 The Ethics Ordinance, again in my opinion, a very prohibitive law to the Mohegan people.
Bozsum- - - - yes ******Hamilton - - - - no
Malerba- - - -yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
These votes that were cast, were some of the major ones cast in the last few years, by the incumbents. Look at the Tribal Councilors' votes and consider how they voted come election time. It should be an interesting election. What do you think?
The present Tribal Councilors who are running for re-election are: Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Lynn Malerba, William Quidgeon, Jr,, James Gessner, Jr, and Mark Hamilton.
To help tribal members, make better choices on election day, I thought I would go over some of the important votes, these five (5) Tribal Councilors have made over the years. I believe the voting results are accurate
Propsal #1 The building at Pocono Downs of a temporary facility for slot machines. The proposal was for 55% off the top (gross revenues) to go to the State of Pennsylvania. It ended up with the local governments taxes included to be 62% off the top.
Bozsum--------yes ****Hamilton------no
Malerba--------yes
Quigeon-------yes
Gessner --------yes
Proposal #2 The building of the permanent facility at Pocono Downs. It has never made money.
Bozsum---------yes**** Hamilton--------no
Malerba---------yes
Quidgeon--------yes
Gessner-----------yes
Proposal #3 Building phase 3 at Mohegan Sun, Connecticut, Project Horizon (Earth Hotel, Casino of the Wind, 3 parking lots, and 2 on ramps estimated at $745 million that ended up being estimated at $925 million. The folly probably cost the Mohegan tribe about three hundred million ($300,000,000.00) before it was stopped.
Bozsum------yes ****Hamilton- - - - yes
Malerba- - - -yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner_- - - yes
Proposal #4 The building of the Government Community Center at an estimated cost of eighty nine to one hundred million dollars ($89,000,000.00 to $100,000,000.00.
Bozsum- - - - yes ****Hamilton - - - no
Malerba- - - - yes
Quidgeon_ - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
Proposal #5 The "Freedom of Information Ordinance", really should be called the Restriction of Information Ordinance. A petition with 41 signatures on it under Article 12 Section 1 of the Mohegan Constitution was sent to the Tribal Council to Reject it.
Bozsum- - - - yes ***** Hamilton- - - no
Malerba - - - yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
Proposal #6 The Ethics Ordinance, again in my opinion, a very prohibitive law to the Mohegan people.
Bozsum- - - - yes ******Hamilton - - - - no
Malerba- - - -yes
Quidgeon- - - yes
Gessner- - - - yes
These votes that were cast, were some of the major ones cast in the last few years, by the incumbents. Look at the Tribal Councilors' votes and consider how they voted come election time. It should be an interesting election. What do you think?
"TWO NICKELS"
Many moons ago (years ago), the Mohegan Tribe made a deal that was not very good. It was about four years after the time the Mohegan Tribe received Federal Recognition. Tribal members call it the Relinquishment Agreement.
The alleged deal was that for an estimated eleven million dollars ($11,000,000.00) that a group of investors would give the tribe, eventually was renegotiated so they would give the investors five percent (5%) of the top of the income the tribe took in.
Members of the Tribal Council from that time period have said in defense of their actions, "we didn't have two nickels to rub together." It was a bad deal. Over the years it is estimated that the tribe has paid the investors hundreds of millions of dollars, and by the end of the deal, supposedly in 2014, the estimated total cost will be into the billion dollar range.
The present Tribal Council is supposedly blaming part of the present woes of the Mohegan Tribe on this agreement. Either before these Tribal Councilors took office or shortly there after they had to know of this agreement.
When someone comes to work with an agreement in place, they accept that the agreement is in place and work inside the boundaries that the agreement creates. In other words, it may be a bad deal, but you have to make a profit from the other ninety five percent (95%).
Could this be another case of smoke and mirrors? is it an illusion? Is it a way for the present Tribal Council to excuse their bad business decisions over the years? Who should we blame?
Don't be fooled, in my opinion, the present Tribal Council is responsible for the economic woes that the Mohegan Tribe finds itself in. Yes, the economy is part of the problem but so are bad business deals. Examples are Pocono Downs, Kansas, Wisconsin, etc..
It is rumored that a member of the Tribal Council of the era, when the agreement was signed, is now again running for the Tribal Council. If that is true, tribal members should take into account, who actually signed this agreement.
At the end of the day, I guess you (tribal members) could use the excuse, " we didn't have two nickels to rub together." What do you think?
The alleged deal was that for an estimated eleven million dollars ($11,000,000.00) that a group of investors would give the tribe, eventually was renegotiated so they would give the investors five percent (5%) of the top of the income the tribe took in.
Members of the Tribal Council from that time period have said in defense of their actions, "we didn't have two nickels to rub together." It was a bad deal. Over the years it is estimated that the tribe has paid the investors hundreds of millions of dollars, and by the end of the deal, supposedly in 2014, the estimated total cost will be into the billion dollar range.
The present Tribal Council is supposedly blaming part of the present woes of the Mohegan Tribe on this agreement. Either before these Tribal Councilors took office or shortly there after they had to know of this agreement.
When someone comes to work with an agreement in place, they accept that the agreement is in place and work inside the boundaries that the agreement creates. In other words, it may be a bad deal, but you have to make a profit from the other ninety five percent (95%).
Could this be another case of smoke and mirrors? is it an illusion? Is it a way for the present Tribal Council to excuse their bad business decisions over the years? Who should we blame?
Don't be fooled, in my opinion, the present Tribal Council is responsible for the economic woes that the Mohegan Tribe finds itself in. Yes, the economy is part of the problem but so are bad business deals. Examples are Pocono Downs, Kansas, Wisconsin, etc..
It is rumored that a member of the Tribal Council of the era, when the agreement was signed, is now again running for the Tribal Council. If that is true, tribal members should take into account, who actually signed this agreement.
At the end of the day, I guess you (tribal members) could use the excuse, " we didn't have two nickels to rub together." What do you think?
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