Tuesday, August 31, 2010

FALL RIVER MAYOR SUPPORTS LAND INTO TRUST

Mayor supports Mashpee Wampanoag land-into-trust application
Monday, August 30, 2010

The mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, is urging the Interior Department to approve the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe land-into-trust application.

The tribe wants to build a casino on a 300-acre site in the city. Mayor Will Flanagan said the project is important to the area.

"Development of that land that the tribe is seeking to have placed in trust will provide the good jobs that are so desperately needed in this area. In addition, revenue that will be provided to the city through an intergovernmental agreement will allow us to fund the public safety, education and infrastructure projects that are so important to the health of this city and the surrounding region," Flanagan wrote in a letter to Secretary Ken Salazar, The Fall River Herald News reported.

The tribe started the land-into-trust process in August 2007. In February 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The decision limits the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Mashpees didn't gain formal recognition until May 2007 but the Obama administration is moving forward with all pending applications.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Story taken from www.indianz.com

Of course the Mayor of Fall River wants the casino to go through. This is the town that closed it's airport and turned it into a dump (land fill).

On the other side of the state, in Palmer, the Mohegans are talking of buying the 150 acres they lease, to maybe build a casino. Where are the Mohegans going to get the funds? Owning the land doesn't necessarily mean that the tribe will get a casino. ITS A BIG, BIG GAMBLE. What do you think?

Friday, August 27, 2010

COULD VIOLENCE HAPPEN IN NEW YORK?

New York governor cites potential for 'violence' over state taxes
Friday, August 27, 2010

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will go forward with plans to impose a tobacco tax on reservations despite acknowledging the potential for "violence and death."

Starting on September 1, the state will impose a tax on tobacco sold to non-Indians. "There will be quite an uprising and protest to this, but I am going to maintain this policy," Paterson said on WOR-AM.

Paterson doesn't plan on sending state troopers to reservations. In the past, there have been clashes between law enforcement and tribal activists who opposed the tax.

"This is a very dangerous situation," Paterson said. "There is a -- I think -- high alert. The State Police tells us over and over again that there could be violence and death as a result of some of the measures we're taking."

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Article from www.indianz.com Could what happened in Rhode Island several years ago, now happen in New York? What do you think?

WERE BLOOMBERG'S COMMENTS INAPPROPRIATE?

New York governor condemns 'inappropriate' remark about tribes
Thursday, August 26, 2010

Gov. David Paterson (D) said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) made "inappropriate" remarks about the state's tribes.

Paterson said it was "dangerous" for Bloomberg to suggest a confrontation with tribes over the collection of a tobacco tax. "The state police tell us over and over again that there could be violence and death as a result of some of the measures we're taking," Paterson said on WOR-AM.

"So I really feel in this case the mayor's remarks are inappropriate," Paterson said.

Paterson still plans on enforcing state taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians. The plan goes into effect on September 1.

“I’m going to maintain this policy because we are not interfering with their treaties. We are leveling the playing field for our commercial establishments right here in New York State who are being gouged because what the Indians are doing by selling cigarettes tax free on their property,” Paterson said.

Bloomberg had told Paterson to "get yourself a cowboy hat and a shotgun" in order to deal with tribes.

ATRICLE TAKEN FROM www.indianz.ocm CHECK OUT TABLE GAMES IN PENNSYLVANIA AT www.feathernews.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 26, 2010

ONEIDA TOBACCO MANUFACTURING ON RESERVATION?

Oneida Nation moves tobacco manufacturing plant to reservation
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Oneida Nation of New York is moving its cigarette manufacturing operation to the reservation.

The tribe bought Sovereign Tobacco about two years ago. The operation was located in Buffalo but it's now being moved to trust land in order to avoid state taxation issues.

The tribe said it will be able to manufacture tobacco products without worrying about the state's effort to collect taxes on reservations.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Story taken from www.indianz.com

Could this solve the tobacco tax problems for the Oneida Tribe in New York?

Is this a form of diversification or is it expansion?

Did the Mohegan Tribe expand or diversify? Is Pocono Downs expansion? What about Palmer Massachusetts? What do you think?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

THREE MEMBERS OF MISSISSIPPI CHOCTAW TAKE TRIBAL COUNCIL TO COURT

Mississippi Choctaw court hears dispute over casino referendum
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Three members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians went to tribal court on Monday to ask for a reservation-wide referendum on a controversial casino project.

The tribal council voted 8-7 to build a casino near Sandersville. Vickie Rangel, Austin Tubby and Bobbie Frazier say tribal members have a right to vote on the issue.

The tribe operates two casinos at its headquarters in Philadelphia. The new site is about 80 miles away but is still considered a part of the reservation.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Story taken from www.indianz.com

Could Mohegan Tribal Members take their Tribal Council to court for the decisions it has made in the past or could make in the future? It will be interesting to see how this story plays out. What do you think?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

SIX NATIVE TRIBES VOW TO FIGHT TABACCO TAXES

New York tribes united in opposition to state's tobacco efforts
Thursday, August 19, 2010

All six member tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy held a historic meeting on Wednesday to oppose the state of New York's attempts to force tobacco taxes on their reservations.

About 100 representatives of the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Tuscarora and Seneca tribes condemned the effort as an affront to their sovereignty. They said they would fight a new state law and new state regulations that would require them to collect taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians.

The new changes are due to go into effect on September 1. The Seneca Nation filed a lawsuit in hopes of stopping the state

SENECAS FILE LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT

Seneca Nation sues to halt state taxation of reservation tobacco
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Seneca Nation filed a lawsuit in federal court to block the state of New York from imposing its tobacco tax on the reservation.

The tribe is challenging a new state law and new state regulations that would require smoke shops on the reservation to collect taxes on goods sold to non-Indians. The changes are due to go into effect on September 1.

We are asking the governor and attorney general to stand down and allow the court to handle this. We are trying to avoid needless tension and chaos that is likely to ensue if the state attempts to start collections on Sept. 1," President Barry E. Snyder Sr. said in a letter.

Snyder said he wants to hear from the state by Thursday about the issue.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE; Will there be a showdown between the Native American tribes and the State of New York on September 1, 2010? What do you think?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

CONNECTICUT CASINOS SHOW SMALL GAIN FOR JULY

Casinos’ slots revenue was up in July
By Brian Hallenbeck

Publication: TheDay.com

Connecticut’s tribally owned casinos reported slight increases in their slot-machine “wins” last month, reversing a long-running trend.

Mohegan Sun’s win was up 1.8 percent over July 2009, its first year-over-year gain in more than two years. Foxwoods Resort Casino, including MGM Grand at Foxwoods, reported its win was up 1.3 percent for the month.

Mohegan Sun kept $70.3 million in slot winnings while Foxwoods kept $64.1 million. Mohegan Sun sent more than $18 million of its win to the state Division of Special Revenue; Foxwoods contributed $17. 2 million to state coffers.

Mohegan Sun had last recorded a year-over-year gain in May 2008, and since then had experienced 25 straight months of declines. Foxwoods had 15 straight months of declines since posting increases in February and March 2009.

Atlantic City’s 11 casinos last week reported a 5 percent decline in July slot revenue.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE; Both casinos are going in the right direction, upward. However, think about three years of losses. It is a step in the right direction, but the tribes have a long, long way to go. What do you think?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

FUNERAL FOR GRANT FOX TODAY AT 3:00 P.M.

Reminder: Services For Grant Fox To Be Held At Fort Shantok Tuesday, August 17 At 3:00
Posted by Ken Davison at 5:04 PM 0 comments

BLOOMBERG AND HIS SHOT GUN ATTITUDE

New York mayor wants tribes shown the 'shotgun' for tax issues
Monday, August 16, 2010

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) says tribes should be shown the "shotgun" for asserting their sovereignty on tobacco sales.

On his August 13 radio show, Bloomberg said he gave advice to Gov. David Paterson (D) on the issue. "'You know, get yourself a cowboy hat and a shotgun. If there's ever a great video, it's you standing in the middle of the New York State Thruway saying, you know, 'Read my lips: The law of the land is this and we're going to enforce the law,' " Bloomberg said.

"This is an outrage," Bloomberg continued. "You know, if you and I have to pay taxes, everybody should pay taxes -- and this is just a scam to get around the taxes.
"They say, 'Well, if you start taxing, it'll cost a few jobs.' Yeah, the cigarettes are killing our people,'" he said.

The comments drew a critical response from the Seneca Nation. "It's obvious Mayor Bloomberg is supportive of religious freedoms and not sovereign rights. It's precisely this kind of cavalier attitude that has led to the past breaking of treaties by various federal and state governments. Maybe Mayor Bloomberg could use a refresher course on the US Constitution and the need to honor Indian treaties," President Barry Snyder Sr. said in a press release.

Bloomberg has gone after tribal smoke shops in the New York City area for selling tobacco without collecting state taxes.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: New York City wants the taxes collected because its own stores are possibly buying the cigarettes from the smoke shops that are on tribal lands. Why isn't Bloomberg going after N.Y.C. stores instead?

I believe a Show Down is coming on September 1, 2010.

Even though this may not concern tribes like the Mohegans and the Mashantucket Pequots, (they charge state sales tax), they should help the New York tribes.

The reason governments get away with taking away tribes rights is because each tribe is on its own on their separate battles. Native Americans should stand up for each other whether the fight involves them or not.

At the the end of the day if the State was going to do something to the Mohegans or the Mashantucket Pequots, who will stand up with them? What do you think?

IS UNITY THE KEY? What do you think?

These are the opinions, ideas and facts of Brokenwing.

Monday, August 16, 2010

CONNECTICUT SUN OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS

August 16, 2010

Sun's playoff hopes dashed
By Ned Griffen

Publication: The Day

Mohegan - The end to the Connecticut Sun season came when Indiana Fever reserve Jessica Davenport came off the bench late in Sunday's game and made three unanswered field goals to give her team a lead it never relinquished.

The dagger was Indiana's Tamika Catchings scoring seven straight points, including a rare 3-pointer immediately after the Sun had cut their deficit to three points.

Yes, Connecticut has three more games left in the regular season, but that's it. It won't be in the playoffs. Again.

Indiana 79, Connecticut 66.

Mohegan Sun Arena will be dark for the second straight postseason.

"It's tough," Sun guard Renee Montgomery said. "You never want your season to end before the season is over. Whenever there's games to play, you want to be playing until the last game of the season, the championship game. Just to know that it's a big game and that we lost, it's tough."

Connecticut coach Mike Thibault, when asked how he felt, said: "Crappy."

The Washington Mystics, who beat the Seattle Storm, 80-71, earlier Sunday, clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference when the Sun lost.

"I didn't know how good we'd be or how bad we'd be this year, but I thought we had a chance to get in the playoffs," Thibault said. "Obviously the East is pretty good, and we haven't done what we were supposed to."

The loss spoiled the accomplishments of Connecticut rookie center Tina Charles. She had 18 points and 13 rebounds, setting a league record for most rebounds in a season (368). The previous mark was set by former Detroit Shock Cheryl Ford (363 in 2006).

Charles also set a league record for double-doubles (20). Natalie Williams had 19 for the now-defunct Utah Starrz in 2000.

"It's definitely bittersweet," Charles said. "I think the fact that I was able to come in and do that and get the respect of my teammates and from coaches is great, but we lost and we're not in the playoffs.

"I think the staff here did a great job of getting a collective team to play together, but we couldn't pull it off."

The Sun had one of their worst shooting games of the season before a crowd of 7,915 assembled to honor former star Nykesha Sales and for Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day. Connecticut shot 31.7 percent.

Somehow, the Sun took a 54-50 lead into the fourth quarter.

Indiana starter Ebony Hoffman fouled out of the game with 7 minutes, 19 seconds left in the game.

Enter Davenport, the second overall pick in 2007. The 6-foot-5 center made an 18-foot jumper with 5:21 remaining to tie it at 63.

Davenport followed with two more jumpers, including one from 17 feet, to push Indiana ahead, 67-63, with under four minutes left.

Davenport shot 5-of-5 for 10 points, eight of which came in the final seven minutes.

Two foul shots by Tan White and a technical free throw by Kara Lawson cut Connecticut's deficit to 69-66.

Catchings answered seconds later with a 3-pointer. She finished with a game-high 26 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists.

"And that's why that kid is one of the greatest players in the history of our game," Thibault said. "Her will to win is incredible. And you look at her box score - that's a winning box score."

Montgomery, who shot 3 of 17, had 12 points, eight assists and five steals. Asjha Jones added 11 points and five rebounds.

"I would say tonight was probably the perfect example of the difference between two teams in their stages of development and maturity," Thibault said.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTES: Over the years the Editior of the Feather News and myself have gone to Connecticut Sun games and cheered for the team as fans. This year we didn't go. The reason it was a bad team with bad coaching. The team just couldn't win.

One Friday Night we went to the casino and watched people leaving five minutes before the game ended, because the Connecticut Sun were losing by over 30 points. The fans saying, why does the coach take out Charles in the third and fourth quarters? They thought the coach should go.

How is this helping business at the Mohegan Sun? What about telebising the the games on national tv (espn)?

A tribal member called and said tribal members want the coach and Mr. Etess gone. What do you think?

MOHEGANS AND PALMER WANT CASINO IN PALMER

Massachusetts town remains hopeful for Mohegan Tribe casino
Friday, August 13, 2010

A bill to legalize gaming in Massachusetts remains in limbo but officials and business leaders in the western part of the state are optimistic the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut will be able to open a casino there.

Leaders from the town of Palmer and from the tribe met this week to discuss the future of the project. The two parties agreed to start working on a memorandum of understanding for municipal services and infrastructure at the proposed Mohegan Sun Palmer.

The bill under consideration would authorize three casinos, including one in western Massachusetts. The tribe would have to bid on the facility and pay taxes and other fees to the state.

ARTICLE TAKEN FROM www.inindianz.com

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Where are the Mohegans going to get the money to fund this venture, if they are selected to put a casino in Palmer?

Who are they going to get as a partner? How is a casino with probably less than a million people within 50 miles of it, going to support a casino costing between $500 million and One Billion Dollars?

Do the Mohegans have the funds to do this deal on their own? I DOUGHT IT.

Is this another bad deal like Pocono Downs? Are the members of the Mohegan Tribe being asked to make scrafices, because of a bad business decisions the MTGA has made in the past and continues to make, at the same time looking to expand? What do you think?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

IS THERE A SURGE IN BUSINESS AT NEW YORK STATE TRIBAL SMOKE SHOPS?

Tribal retailers see business boost after New York tobacco hike
Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Indian smoke shops are seeing a surge in business since the state of New York has raised its tobacco tax on July 1.

The parking lots at Cayuga Nation, Onondaga Nation and Oneida Nation businesses are full. Patrons say they drive miles to reservation smoke shop to avoid an additional $6.02 charge on a pack of 20 cigarettes.

“This tax is only hurting New York State businesses,” smoker Julie Squadrito told The Syracuse Post-Standard. “I plan on quitting soon, hopefully, but for right now I just buy the cheaper ones.”

The Cayuga Nation has seen a 50 to 60 percent increase in cigarette sales, representative Clint Halftown said. That's about 1,200 additional customers a day.

The state wants to force tribal retailers to collect taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians under a new law that takes effect September 1.

STORY TAKEN FROM www.indianz.com.

What will happen on September 1, 2010? Will the State of New York have a show down with the Native American tribes of New York? What do you think?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

GARY A. BAKER

Gary A. Baker

Jewett City - Gary 'Cigarman' A. Baker, 53, of Carely Ave., died unexpectedly Monday morning at his home.

He was born in Norwich on Nov. 21, 1956, son of the late Albert A. and Delvina (Repose) Baker.

Gary had worked for many years at Pete's Tire Barn in Franklin. He was a member of the Mohegan Tribe.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Lori (Riley) Baker, his daughter and her husband, Carrie and Michael Froscello; son and his wife, Anthony and Nicole Payette, step-son, Wayne Riley; his grandchildren, Cheyenne, Dakota, Michael and Michael; his sister and her husband, Debbie and Donnie Gordon, sister, Sara Briggs and a sister, Liz McCarty.

Gary was predeceased by two brothers, Larry Bly and Artie McCarty and one sister, Mary Bartha.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff St., Norwich. The funeral will assemble at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home and proceed to am 11 a.m. burial at Fort Shantok, Mohegan, Conn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to D.A.R.E. America, P.O. Box 512090, Los Angeles, CA 90051.

A note of condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummings-gagnefh.com.

Published in The Day on August 11, 2010

SENECA BUSINESS OWNER SUES NEW YORK STATE OVER TRUCK

Seneca Nation business owner blasts state seizure of tobacco
Tuesday, August 10, 2010


The state of New York seized a truck that was headed towards a smoke shop on the Seneca Nation.

Aaron J. Pierce owns the truck. He is the plaintiff in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the enforcement of Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, a federal law, on Seneca businesses.

"This outrageous seizure is clear retaliation for my company's litigation in federal court," Pierce said in a statement, The Buffalo News reported.

The state is moving to impose its taxes on the sale of tobacco to non-Indians but regulations have not been finalized.

EDITRIAL FOOTNOTE: Story from www.indianz.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

IS PALMER A LONG SHOT FOR THE MOHEGAN SUN?

Mohegan Sun still betting on Palmer
Despite setbacks, tribe still committed to town

Updated: Monday, 09 Aug 2010, 6:52 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 09 Aug 2010, 4:20 PM EDT

Elysia Rodriguez
PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) - Representatives from Mohegan Sun met with Palmer officials on Monday, hoping to strengthen a casino proposal for the town.

The closed-door meeting is part of a push to make sure the plan is ready if casino gambling legislation ends up passing.

They also hope to make sure it stands up to plans for casinos in Chicopee and Holyoke.

"Mohegan Sun and Palmer seem to be on the same page we're committed to the site, we're committed to development and we're committed to seeing legislation pass," Palmer Town Council President Paul Burns said.

“We remain very committed to this project here in Palmer. We think Western Massachusetts is absolutely the right place for this project," Lynn Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe said.

The legislature agreed on a compromise bill that included three resort-style casinos and two racetrack slot machine parlors, or “racinos.”

Governor Deval Patrick told 22News that he hopes the Legislature will come back into session to vote on his amendment to drop racinos from the bill.

Monday, August 9, 2010

SENECAS POST AN INCREASE

Seneca Nation reports six percent increase in profits from gaming
Friday, August 6, 2010

The Seneca Nation of New York reported an increase in profits and an increase in revenues from its gaming enterprise.

Seneca Gaming Corp. saw a six percent increase in profits in the second quarter. Revenues were up two percent.

“Seneca Gaming Corp. is in a much stronger financial position now than it was just a year ago,” Richard K. Nephew, the treasurer of the company’s board of directors, told The Buffalo News.

The tribe operates two off-reservation casinos and another casino on the reservation.

EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: Article taken from www.indianz.com

DIDN'T THE MOHEGAN SUN POST A LOST FOR THE LAST QUARTER BUT THE SENECAS POST AN INCREASE? DOES ANYONE ON THE MTGA WANT TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY CAN'T MAKE A PROFIT? What do you think?

Friday, August 6, 2010

MASSACHUSETTS GAMING QUESTIONS

Editorial: Answers needed on gaming legislation in Massachusetts
Thursday, August 5, 2010

"Power struggles are not uncommon on Beacon Hill, a place where strong-willed, sometimes self-serving politicians throw their weight around on pet projects that too often benefit the powerful few rather than the commonwealth as a whole.

The battle over casinos in Massachusetts is no exception: The two most powerful state leaders have seemingly fought to a stalemate, in the process stymieing progress and holding the state’s economic development hostage.

Gov. Deval Patrick has refused to approve a package the Legislature sent to him that calls for three resort style casinos and two so-called “racinos,” which would add video slot machines to two race tracks in the state. Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo insists on keeping the slot parlors as part of the legislation. His fight for slot parlors at race tracks is a personal one, as his district includes Suffolk Downs in East Boston and Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere.

In an attempt to seek compromise, Patrick said he would allow one slot parlor, as long as it wasn’t promised to an individual racetrack, which he correctly termed an unfair “no-bid practice.” Indeed, should slot parlors ultimately be included in the legislation, they must be open to a competitive process, just as the resort casinos would be. “I’m not saying they shouldn’t be able to compete. I don’t like slot parlors, but the bigger notion is that the no-bid practice has to end,” the governor said."

STORY TAKEN FROM www.indianz.com

Thursday, August 5, 2010

THE CONFUSION OF MASSACHUSETTS GAMING PLANS

Massachusetts gaming in limbo amid dispute over provisions in bill
Tuesday, August 3, 2010

er: Legislation Lawmakers in Massachusetts agreed on a gaming bill over the weekend but Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said he wouldn't sign it and sent back an amended version.

The bill authorizes three casino resorts and two slot parlors at existing racetracks. Patrick opposes the slot parlors and took them out in his amended version.

The bill also attempts to dictate the terms of a tribal-state gaming compact. It limits the state to one compact -- presumably with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, whose plans call for a casino in the city of Fall River.

"Because of the Mashpee Wompanoag tribe, when they get their land and trust, they're going to open up gaming, whether the state says they're going to or not," state Sen. Stan Rosenberg (D) told WWLP-TV.

The tribe is reportedly amending its pending land-into-trust application to cover the site in Fall River.

STORY TAKEN FROM www.indianz.com