AS THE NEW COUNCIL OF ELDERS, SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW JOBS, IT IS TIME TO PONDER WHAT THEY WILL ACCOMPLISH.
I BELIEVE IT WAS IN NOVEMBER, 2006, THAT A HEARING WAS CONDUCTED BY THE THEN COUNCIL OF ELDERS ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT. THE MEETING SEEMED TO HAVE WENT WELL. THE MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMITTEE WHO HAD WORKED ON IT, EXPECTED IT TO BE SENT FORWARD TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP. IT WAS NEVER SENT OUT, THE REASON THAT I WAS GIVEN, WAS THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS GOING TO SEND IT FORWARD WHEN THE CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMITTEE FINISHED WORKING ON THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE (INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM).
THE FOLLOWING ARE A LIST OF THINGS THAT MAYBE THIS COUNCIL OF ELDERS SHOULD WORK ON:
THE TRIBE NEEDS AN INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE DAY WILL COME WHEN SOMETHING THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, WILL KEEP THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR POWERS AS THE SUPREME COURT.
WE NEED THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY FIXED. THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY TO TRY AND STOP A TRIBAL MEMBER FROM HAVING HIS LAWSUIT HEARD. A TRIBAL MEMBER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET HIS DAY IN COURT.
HOW ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION? ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO BE ALLOWING ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION TO BE OBTAINED BY TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT INFORMATION WE CAN OR CAN NOT GET FROM THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. THERE SHOULD BE A LIST AND SOMEONE THAT THE TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN GO TO. THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS THAT WE CAN USE TO GET THAT INFORMATION. IT SHOULD BE IN THE CONSTITUTION NOT JUST AN ORDINANCE WHICH CAN BE CHANGED FROM TIME TO TIME.
THERE ARE MANY MORE ISSUES IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND CLEANED UP. SOME OF THESE TOUGH ISSUES NEED AMENDMENTS TO THE MOHEGAN CONSTIUTUTION. THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE CAN THEN VOTE ON THEM. I BELIEVE THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS HAVE A DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY, TO LEAVE THE THEIR OFFICES IN FOUR YEARS OR HOWEVER LONG, WITH SOME OF THESE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, SHOULD LOOK IN THEIR FILES, FIND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT AND SEND IT FORWARD. IT IS TIME FOR THE MEMBERSHIP TO VOTE ON IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
MONTVILLE VOTERS SAY "BOND US"
MONTVILLE, CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2008
THE VOTERS OF MONTVILLE OVERWHELMING VOTED TO PUT OUT BONDS TO SATISFY THE JUDGMENT THE TOWN OWES RAND-WHITNEY
THE VOTE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE REQUEST TO ISSUE BONDS, FOR THE BONDS 988 TO 246 AGAINST. THIS IS ABOUT 13% OF THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP.
MONTVILLE TOWN MAYOR JOSEPH JASKIEWICZ SAID, "I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PLEASE I AM."
THE MAYOR, THE TOWNS' LAWYERS AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS WILL MEET TODAY TO BEGIN THE BONDING PROCESS. THE COST OF THE BONDS IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS ($12,000,000.00.)
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS SITUATION. LIKE I HAVE SAID BEFORE WHAT HAPPENS AROUND THE RESERVATION HAS A DIRECT CONNECTION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US.
THE VOTERS OF MONTVILLE OVERWHELMING VOTED TO PUT OUT BONDS TO SATISFY THE JUDGMENT THE TOWN OWES RAND-WHITNEY
THE VOTE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE REQUEST TO ISSUE BONDS, FOR THE BONDS 988 TO 246 AGAINST. THIS IS ABOUT 13% OF THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP.
MONTVILLE TOWN MAYOR JOSEPH JASKIEWICZ SAID, "I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PLEASE I AM."
THE MAYOR, THE TOWNS' LAWYERS AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS WILL MEET TODAY TO BEGIN THE BONDING PROCESS. THE COST OF THE BONDS IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS ($12,000,000.00.)
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS SITUATION. LIKE I HAVE SAID BEFORE WHAT HAPPENS AROUND THE RESERVATION HAS A DIRECT CONNECTION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US.
HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 200/, AT 5:30P.M. , AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL MEET.
ON THE AGENDA SHOULD BE THE CHANGING OF THE GUEST CLAUSE IN THE LEASES OF THE TENANTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. THE CLAUSE BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE TENANTS CAN NOT LEAVE A VISITOR ALONE IN THEIR APARTMENTS AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TENTATIVELY GOING TO CHANGE THE CLAUSE, SO THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TENANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE VISITORS ALONE.
TRIBAL MEMBERS, PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING AND SEE YOUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. SEE YOU THERE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS STORIES, "HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING'" AND "GUEST CLAUSE IN FORT HILL TENANTS' LEASES."
ON THE AGENDA SHOULD BE THE CHANGING OF THE GUEST CLAUSE IN THE LEASES OF THE TENANTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. THE CLAUSE BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE TENANTS CAN NOT LEAVE A VISITOR ALONE IN THEIR APARTMENTS AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TENTATIVELY GOING TO CHANGE THE CLAUSE, SO THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TENANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE VISITORS ALONE.
TRIBAL MEMBERS, PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING AND SEE YOUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. SEE YOU THERE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS STORIES, "HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING'" AND "GUEST CLAUSE IN FORT HILL TENANTS' LEASES."
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL
THERE IS A GROWING NUMBER OF TRIBAL MEMBERS THAT SAY, THEY DO NOT WANT A GOVERNMENT BUILDING BUILT, IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.
IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE IX-POWER AND DUTIES OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, SECTION 2
"THE POWERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE ALL EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE TRIBAL GOALS RECITED IN THE PREAMBLE HEREOF, AND SHALL FURTHER SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING POWERS."
(L) "TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE HEALTH, PEACE, MORALS, EDUCATION, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS,"
(M) "TO BORROW MONEY FROM ANY SOURCE WHATSOEVER WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO AMOUNT, AND ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND FOR SUCH CONSIDERATION AND PERIODS OF TIME TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE, TO USE ALL FUNDS THUS OBTAINED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS; TO FINANCE TRIBAL ENTERPRISES, OR TO LEND MONEY THUS BORROWED."
IN SECTION L, IT STATES CLEARLY THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS "TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE"
IN SECTION M, IT STATES "TO USE ALL FUNDS THUS OBTAINED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE."
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER WHAT THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION SAYS. I AM NOT A LAWYER, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS NOT ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TRIBE BY BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. THEY ARE NOT PROMOTING THE "WELFARE OF THE TRIBE." THE EXPENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AT THIS TIME, WILL NOT BE FOR "THE BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE" BY PUTTING THE TRIBE IN A LARGE DEBT OF ABOUT TWO HUNDRED ($200,000,000.00) MILLION DOLLARS. THE PRESENT DEBT IS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION ($102,000,000.00) DOLLARS. IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE DOUBLING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEBT. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NOT BE DOING THE "GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS."
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS SEEM TO BE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THIRTEEN GENERATIONS TO COME. MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THIS GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION. MAYBE THIS DEBT IS THE STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMELS BACK. COULD THE DEBT BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE?
MAYBE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THE CONSTITUTION ARE IN AGREEMENT, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILT. MAYBE, IN THIS CASE, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS NOT DOING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE IX-POWER AND DUTIES OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, SECTION 2
"THE POWERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE ALL EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS REASONABLE AND NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE TRIBAL GOALS RECITED IN THE PREAMBLE HEREOF, AND SHALL FURTHER SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING POWERS."
(L) "TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE HEALTH, PEACE, MORALS, EDUCATION, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS,"
(M) "TO BORROW MONEY FROM ANY SOURCE WHATSOEVER WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO AMOUNT, AND ON SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND FOR SUCH CONSIDERATION AND PERIODS OF TIME TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE, TO USE ALL FUNDS THUS OBTAINED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS; TO FINANCE TRIBAL ENTERPRISES, OR TO LEND MONEY THUS BORROWED."
IN SECTION L, IT STATES CLEARLY THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS "TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE"
IN SECTION M, IT STATES "TO USE ALL FUNDS THUS OBTAINED TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE AND BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE."
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER WHAT THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION SAYS. I AM NOT A LAWYER, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS NOT ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TRIBE BY BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER. THEY ARE NOT PROMOTING THE "WELFARE OF THE TRIBE." THE EXPENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING AT THIS TIME, WILL NOT BE FOR "THE BETTERMENT OF THE TRIBE" BY PUTTING THE TRIBE IN A LARGE DEBT OF ABOUT TWO HUNDRED ($200,000,000.00) MILLION DOLLARS. THE PRESENT DEBT IS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION ($102,000,000.00) DOLLARS. IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE DOUBLING THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DEBT. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NOT BE DOING THE "GENERAL WELFARE OF THE TRIBE AND ITS MEMBERS."
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS SEEM TO BE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THIRTEEN GENERATIONS TO COME. MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THIS GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION. MAYBE THIS DEBT IS THE STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMELS BACK. COULD THE DEBT BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE?
MAYBE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THE CONSTITUTION ARE IN AGREEMENT, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILT. MAYBE, IN THIS CASE, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS NOT DOING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ALEXA RAY JOEL
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008, ALEXA RAY JOEL PERFORMED AT THE MOHEGAN SUN WOLF DEN. SHE IS THE 22 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF BILLY JOEL (SINGER, SONG WRITER, PIANIST), AND SUPER MODEL CHRISTIE BRINKLEY.
SHE CAME OUT IN A BLACK SHORTS OUTFIT. SHE SET DOWN AT THE KEYBOARDS AND STARTED TO SING.. SHE IS A SMALL PRETTY WOMAN WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES. BEHIND HER WAS HER BAND WHICH WERE COMPRISED OF TWO WOMAN BACK UP SINGERS, THREE GUITARISTS, AND A DRUMMER.
SHE SINGS REALLY WELL. HER VOICE IS CRISP AND DEEP. SHE SOUNDS SOMEWHAT LIKE BILLY HOLIDAY. THE BAND WORKED BEHIND HER FLAWLESSLY. IT WAS A WONDERFUL SHOW. ON ONE SONG THE BAND STOPPED PLAYING THEIR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND JUST CLAPPED THEIR HANDS. IT WAS JUST HER VOICE YOU HEARD AND SHE WAS TERRIFIC.
IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOUNG TALENT COMING UP THAT REALLY HAVE THE BASICS TO BE TERRIFIC. SHE STARTED SINGING WHEN SHE WAS 2 YEARS OLD, WITH HER FATHER SINGING LULLABIES TO HER. ALEXA FOLLOWED HER FATHER AND LEARNED TO PLAY THE PIANO. SHE HAS GONE ON TO DIFFERENT COLLEGES TO LEARN HER CRAFT .BILLY AND CHRISTIE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HER.
I HOPE SHE COMES BACK TO THE MOHEGAN SUN SOON. IF YOU GET THE CHANCE TO SEE HER, PLEASE DO. YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU WENT TO SEE HER.
SHE CAME OUT IN A BLACK SHORTS OUTFIT. SHE SET DOWN AT THE KEYBOARDS AND STARTED TO SING.. SHE IS A SMALL PRETTY WOMAN WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES. BEHIND HER WAS HER BAND WHICH WERE COMPRISED OF TWO WOMAN BACK UP SINGERS, THREE GUITARISTS, AND A DRUMMER.
SHE SINGS REALLY WELL. HER VOICE IS CRISP AND DEEP. SHE SOUNDS SOMEWHAT LIKE BILLY HOLIDAY. THE BAND WORKED BEHIND HER FLAWLESSLY. IT WAS A WONDERFUL SHOW. ON ONE SONG THE BAND STOPPED PLAYING THEIR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND JUST CLAPPED THEIR HANDS. IT WAS JUST HER VOICE YOU HEARD AND SHE WAS TERRIFIC.
IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOUNG TALENT COMING UP THAT REALLY HAVE THE BASICS TO BE TERRIFIC. SHE STARTED SINGING WHEN SHE WAS 2 YEARS OLD, WITH HER FATHER SINGING LULLABIES TO HER. ALEXA FOLLOWED HER FATHER AND LEARNED TO PLAY THE PIANO. SHE HAS GONE ON TO DIFFERENT COLLEGES TO LEARN HER CRAFT .BILLY AND CHRISTIE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HER.
I HOPE SHE COMES BACK TO THE MOHEGAN SUN SOON. IF YOU GET THE CHANCE TO SEE HER, PLEASE DO. YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU WENT TO SEE HER.
NEW COUNCIL OF ELDERS SWORN IN
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008, IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL COOL, SUNNY, CRISP DAY. IT GOOD DAY FOR THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS TO START THEIR FIRST DAY.
WHEN I TURNED UP CHURCH LANE HEADING FOR THE WHITE FAMILIAR CHURCH AT THE END OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THERE WERE A LOT OF PARKED CARS. AS I WALKED UP THE WALKWAY, I THOUGHT OF THE HUNDREDS, YES THOUSANDS WHO HAD WALKED THE SAME PATH, MANY TIMES BEFORE ME. I WALKED PAST THE "UNITY OF NATIONS" DRUM GROUP WHO WERE DOING A SMUDGE AND STANDING TO THE SIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR. THEY LOOKED GREAT ALL DRESSED IN THEIR REGALIA.
I ENTERED THE BUILDING, AND MET A DEAR FRIEND. WE TALKED AND BOTH SIGNED THE GUEST REGISTER. WE ENTERED THE CHURCH. EVEN THOUGH THE CHURCH WAS FULL OF MOHEGANS AND THEIR GUESTS, I FOUND A SEAT NEXT TO ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING. THE TRIBAL MEMBER AND I SPOKE BRIEFLY. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SAT DOWN BEHIND ME, SO I SPOKE TO HIM. I SAID, IS THERE ANYWAY WE CAN GET OUT OF BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING? HE SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, THAT NO WE COULDN'T. SO I SAID, WE ARE GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD. HE BASICALLY SAID, YES AND THEN HE SAID YOU CAN KILL ME IN A YEAR IF YOU WANT TO. I THINK HE MEANT I COULD VOTE AGAINST HIM WHEN THE ELECTION FOR HIS POSITION COMES UP NEXT YEAR.
THE PROGRAM STARTED, WITH THE FOUR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILORS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THERE WAS LAURENCE ROBERGE, SHARON MAYNARD, STEPHANIE FIELDING, AND WILLIAM ANDREWS. STANDING TO THE RIGHT WAS MELISSIA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL (TRIBAL MEDICINE WOMAN), AND BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM (PIPE CARRIER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.) TO THE LEFT OF THE NEW COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS JOHN HENRY CLARK (THE RETIRING COUNCIL OF ELDERS CHAIRMAN.)
FIRST JOHN HENRY CLARK THANKED EVERYONE FOR COMING, AND THEN INTRODUCED OUR MEDICINE WOMAN. MELISSA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL SAID A PRAYER FOR THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. THEN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM PROCEEDED TO SMUDGE THE NEW MEMBERS. AT THIS POINT JOHN HENRY CLARK HAD THE NEW MEMBERS RAISE THEIR RIGHT HANDS AND GAVE THEM THE OATH OF OFFICE. THE "UNITY OF NATIONS" DRUM GROUP THEN PLAYED A SONG.
EACH OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS ASKED TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERED IN THE CHURCH. WILLIAM ANDREWS, SAID THAT WITH THE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, THAT EVEN THOUGH THAT IS NOT PART OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DUTIES, THAT HE WOULD ENDEAVOR TO WORK WITH THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. STEPHANIE FIELDING SAID THAT SHE WANTED TO BRING LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP TO EVERYONE THAT VISITS THEIR CHAMBERS. SHARON MAYNARD, SAID THAT SHE WOULD DO THE BEST SHE COULD AND HER DOOR WOULD ALWAYS BE OPEN TO ANYONE. LAURENCE ROBERGE THANKED EVERYONE FOR ALLOWING HIM TO SERVE THE TRIBE AND THAT HE WOULD DO THE BEST HE COULD.
EVERYONE ADJOINED DOWNSTAIRS TO THE MEETING ROOM,FOR SOME REFRESHMENTS. ONE TRIBAL MEMBER APPROACHED ME AND SAID WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING. HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIBE DO NOT WANT IT. I TOLD HIM TO SPEAK UP AT THE NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING.
ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER APPROACHED ME AND SAID THAT HE FELT THAT THE JUDGE IN THE KEN DAVISON CASE, WOULD RULE IN HIS FAVOR. HE SAID HE THOUGHT THE CONSTITUTION WAS CLEAR ENOUGH, AND THAT THE LAW NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID NOT SEE THE CASE COMING TO A CONCLUSION UNTIL THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) RULED ON IT.
AS I GOT IN MY CAR AND DROVE OFF, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: BROKENWING EDITORIALS HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHO THE NEW OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE: THE CHAIRMAN IS BOBBY SOPER, VICE-CHAIRPERSON IS STEPHANIE FIELDING, THE TREASURE IS MAYNARD STRICKLAND AND SECRETARY IS MARIE PINEAULT. LAURENCE ROBERGE HAS AUSTIN FISH'S OLD OFFICE. SHARON MAYNARD IS IN JOSEPH GRAY'S OLD OFFICE. VICE CHAIRPERSON STEPHANIE FIELDING IS IN JOHN HENRY CLARK'S OLD OFFICE. STEPHANIE FIELDING'S OFFICE IS PAINTED GREEN.
THE OTHER COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE TALKING ABOUT PAINTING SOME OF THE OFFICES OTHER COLORS ALSO.
WHEN I TURNED UP CHURCH LANE HEADING FOR THE WHITE FAMILIAR CHURCH AT THE END OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THERE WERE A LOT OF PARKED CARS. AS I WALKED UP THE WALKWAY, I THOUGHT OF THE HUNDREDS, YES THOUSANDS WHO HAD WALKED THE SAME PATH, MANY TIMES BEFORE ME. I WALKED PAST THE "UNITY OF NATIONS" DRUM GROUP WHO WERE DOING A SMUDGE AND STANDING TO THE SIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR. THEY LOOKED GREAT ALL DRESSED IN THEIR REGALIA.
I ENTERED THE BUILDING, AND MET A DEAR FRIEND. WE TALKED AND BOTH SIGNED THE GUEST REGISTER. WE ENTERED THE CHURCH. EVEN THOUGH THE CHURCH WAS FULL OF MOHEGANS AND THEIR GUESTS, I FOUND A SEAT NEXT TO ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING. THE TRIBAL MEMBER AND I SPOKE BRIEFLY. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SAT DOWN BEHIND ME, SO I SPOKE TO HIM. I SAID, IS THERE ANYWAY WE CAN GET OUT OF BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING? HE SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, THAT NO WE COULDN'T. SO I SAID, WE ARE GOING FULL STEAM AHEAD. HE BASICALLY SAID, YES AND THEN HE SAID YOU CAN KILL ME IN A YEAR IF YOU WANT TO. I THINK HE MEANT I COULD VOTE AGAINST HIM WHEN THE ELECTION FOR HIS POSITION COMES UP NEXT YEAR.
THE PROGRAM STARTED, WITH THE FOUR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILORS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THERE WAS LAURENCE ROBERGE, SHARON MAYNARD, STEPHANIE FIELDING, AND WILLIAM ANDREWS. STANDING TO THE RIGHT WAS MELISSIA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL (TRIBAL MEDICINE WOMAN), AND BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM (PIPE CARRIER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL.) TO THE LEFT OF THE NEW COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS JOHN HENRY CLARK (THE RETIRING COUNCIL OF ELDERS CHAIRMAN.)
FIRST JOHN HENRY CLARK THANKED EVERYONE FOR COMING, AND THEN INTRODUCED OUR MEDICINE WOMAN. MELISSA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL SAID A PRAYER FOR THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. THEN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM PROCEEDED TO SMUDGE THE NEW MEMBERS. AT THIS POINT JOHN HENRY CLARK HAD THE NEW MEMBERS RAISE THEIR RIGHT HANDS AND GAVE THEM THE OATH OF OFFICE. THE "UNITY OF NATIONS" DRUM GROUP THEN PLAYED A SONG.
EACH OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS ASKED TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERED IN THE CHURCH. WILLIAM ANDREWS, SAID THAT WITH THE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, THAT EVEN THOUGH THAT IS NOT PART OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DUTIES, THAT HE WOULD ENDEAVOR TO WORK WITH THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. STEPHANIE FIELDING SAID THAT SHE WANTED TO BRING LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP TO EVERYONE THAT VISITS THEIR CHAMBERS. SHARON MAYNARD, SAID THAT SHE WOULD DO THE BEST SHE COULD AND HER DOOR WOULD ALWAYS BE OPEN TO ANYONE. LAURENCE ROBERGE THANKED EVERYONE FOR ALLOWING HIM TO SERVE THE TRIBE AND THAT HE WOULD DO THE BEST HE COULD.
EVERYONE ADJOINED DOWNSTAIRS TO THE MEETING ROOM,FOR SOME REFRESHMENTS. ONE TRIBAL MEMBER APPROACHED ME AND SAID WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING. HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIBE DO NOT WANT IT. I TOLD HIM TO SPEAK UP AT THE NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING.
ANOTHER TRIBAL MEMBER APPROACHED ME AND SAID THAT HE FELT THAT THE JUDGE IN THE KEN DAVISON CASE, WOULD RULE IN HIS FAVOR. HE SAID HE THOUGHT THE CONSTITUTION WAS CLEAR ENOUGH, AND THAT THE LAW NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I TOLD HIM THAT I DID NOT SEE THE CASE COMING TO A CONCLUSION UNTIL THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT) RULED ON IT.
AS I GOT IN MY CAR AND DROVE OFF, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: BROKENWING EDITORIALS HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHO THE NEW OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE: THE CHAIRMAN IS BOBBY SOPER, VICE-CHAIRPERSON IS STEPHANIE FIELDING, THE TREASURE IS MAYNARD STRICKLAND AND SECRETARY IS MARIE PINEAULT. LAURENCE ROBERGE HAS AUSTIN FISH'S OLD OFFICE. SHARON MAYNARD IS IN JOSEPH GRAY'S OLD OFFICE. VICE CHAIRPERSON STEPHANIE FIELDING IS IN JOHN HENRY CLARK'S OLD OFFICE. STEPHANIE FIELDING'S OFFICE IS PAINTED GREEN.
THE OTHER COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE TALKING ABOUT PAINTING SOME OF THE OFFICES OTHER COLORS ALSO.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
NEWLY ELECTED ELDERS TO GET SWORN IN
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008 AT 10:00 A.M. THE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL BE SWORN IN. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MOHEGAN CHURCH, CHURCH LANE, UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
THE FOUR MEMBERS WILL BE STEPHANIE FIELDING, WILLIAM ANDREWS, SHARON MAYNARD, AND LAURENCE ROBERGE.
DOING THE SWEARING IN, (THAT UNTIL HIS DEATH WAS ALWAYS DONE BY CHIEF STURGIS,) WILL BE JOHN HENRY CLARK, THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. .
WITH THE CEREMONY, WE BID GOOD BYE, TO THREE OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL OF ELDERS: 1) JOHN HENRY CLARK, 2) JOSEPH GRAY AND 3) AUSTIN FISH. ON BEHALF OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE. WE WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR RETIREMENT. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE RETIRING, WE HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE, BY IMPARTING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
THE FOUR MEMBERS WILL BE STEPHANIE FIELDING, WILLIAM ANDREWS, SHARON MAYNARD, AND LAURENCE ROBERGE.
DOING THE SWEARING IN, (THAT UNTIL HIS DEATH WAS ALWAYS DONE BY CHIEF STURGIS,) WILL BE JOHN HENRY CLARK, THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. .
WITH THE CEREMONY, WE BID GOOD BYE, TO THREE OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL OF ELDERS: 1) JOHN HENRY CLARK, 2) JOSEPH GRAY AND 3) AUSTIN FISH. ON BEHALF OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING SERVICE. WE WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR RETIREMENT. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE RETIRING, WE HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE, BY IMPARTING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
MONTVILLE VOTERS TO VOTE ON BOND ISSUE
MONTVILLE TOWN VOTERS WILL VOTE THIS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2008, ON WHETHER THEY SHOULD ADOPT A TWELVE MILLION ($12,000,000.00) DOLLAR BOND ISSUE TO PAY A JUDGEMENT, THAT THE TOWN OWES RAND-WHITNEY.
IN 1992, RAND-WHITNEY CONTAINER BOARD AND THE TOWN OF MONTIVILLE SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR THE TOWN TO RECYCLE THE WASTE WATER FROM RAND-WHITNEY'S PLANT. THE WATER WOULD THEN BE REUSED IN THE PAPER PLANT. THE LAWYERS FOR THE TOWN, TOLD THE TOWN OFFICIALS NOT TO SIGN THE CONTRACT.
IN 1995, WHEN THE PLANT WAS UP IN OPERATION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE WATER TREATMENT WAS NOT WORKING GOOD ENOUGH TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF WATER THAT THE PAPER COMPANY NEEDED. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT THE TOWN THOUGHT THAT THE TREATMENT SYSTEM WOULD WORK. THE TOWN FELT THAT RAND-WHITNEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER PAPER PLANTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IN MY OPINION, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW RAND-WHITNEY DIDN'T KNOW THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK.
THE TWO SIDES HAVE FILED LAWSUITS BACK AND FORTH. WITH THE ORIGINAL TEN MILLION ($10.000.000.00) DOLLAR JUDGEMENT PLUS INTEREST THE TOWN NOW OWES $11.68 MILLION. IF THE BOND ISSUE IS APPROVED, IT WILL RAISE THE TAX RATE AN ADDITIONAL 0.84 MILL RATE. FOR EXAMPLE A $200.000.00 HOUSE WOULD SEE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $168.00 PER YEAR. A $300,000.00 HOUSE WOULD SEE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $294.00 PER YEAR.
HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? WE NEED MONTVILLE TO PROSPER. FOR ONE THING, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT NEEDING OUR HELP. THE SECOND THING, IS WHEN CASINO CUSTOMERS DRIVE AROUND MONTVILLE WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SEE A RUN DOWN AREA, WHICH COULD HAPPEN WITH HIGHER TAXES. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP UP THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES. PEOPLE MAY LEAVE THE AREA. TAXPAYERS MAY NOT HAVE THE EXTRA INCOME TO GAMBLE. MAYBE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SHOULD BUY THE BONDS, IF MONTVILLE DECIDES TO GO THAT WAY. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AREA AROUND THE MOHEGAN SUN, DOES EFFECT THE CASINO.
I HOPE WHATEVER HAPPENS, WILL BE THE RIGHT THING FOR MONTVILLE. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE VOTE TURNS OUT.
IN 1992, RAND-WHITNEY CONTAINER BOARD AND THE TOWN OF MONTIVILLE SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR THE TOWN TO RECYCLE THE WASTE WATER FROM RAND-WHITNEY'S PLANT. THE WATER WOULD THEN BE REUSED IN THE PAPER PLANT. THE LAWYERS FOR THE TOWN, TOLD THE TOWN OFFICIALS NOT TO SIGN THE CONTRACT.
IN 1995, WHEN THE PLANT WAS UP IN OPERATION IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE WATER TREATMENT WAS NOT WORKING GOOD ENOUGH TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF WATER THAT THE PAPER COMPANY NEEDED. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT THE TOWN THOUGHT THAT THE TREATMENT SYSTEM WOULD WORK. THE TOWN FELT THAT RAND-WHITNEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER PAPER PLANTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. IN MY OPINION, I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW RAND-WHITNEY DIDN'T KNOW THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT WORK.
THE TWO SIDES HAVE FILED LAWSUITS BACK AND FORTH. WITH THE ORIGINAL TEN MILLION ($10.000.000.00) DOLLAR JUDGEMENT PLUS INTEREST THE TOWN NOW OWES $11.68 MILLION. IF THE BOND ISSUE IS APPROVED, IT WILL RAISE THE TAX RATE AN ADDITIONAL 0.84 MILL RATE. FOR EXAMPLE A $200.000.00 HOUSE WOULD SEE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $168.00 PER YEAR. A $300,000.00 HOUSE WOULD SEE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $294.00 PER YEAR.
HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE? WE NEED MONTVILLE TO PROSPER. FOR ONE THING, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT NEEDING OUR HELP. THE SECOND THING, IS WHEN CASINO CUSTOMERS DRIVE AROUND MONTVILLE WE WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SEE A RUN DOWN AREA, WHICH COULD HAPPEN WITH HIGHER TAXES. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP UP THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES. PEOPLE MAY LEAVE THE AREA. TAXPAYERS MAY NOT HAVE THE EXTRA INCOME TO GAMBLE. MAYBE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SHOULD BUY THE BONDS, IF MONTVILLE DECIDES TO GO THAT WAY. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AREA AROUND THE MOHEGAN SUN, DOES EFFECT THE CASINO.
I HOPE WHATEVER HAPPENS, WILL BE THE RIGHT THING FOR MONTVILLE. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE VOTE TURNS OUT.
PRESTON TO NORTHLAND: NO DEAL
ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2008 THE PRESTON NEGOTIATING TEAM TOLD NORTHLAND THAT THEY WERE CEASING NEGOTIATIONS ON THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY.
NORTHLAND HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TWO HOTELS, A MARINA, A GOLF COURSE, AND HIGH END HOMES. IN PHASE ONE, NORTHLAND WAS GOING TO BUILD ONE HOTEL, GOLF COURSE, AND OTHER RESORT AMENITIES. NORTHLAND WAS ALSO IN PHASE ONE, GOING TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT AND TEAR DOWN AND REMOVE THE BUILDINGS AT THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY.
THE DEAL BEING OFFERED BY NORTHAAND WAS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED. IN PHASE ONE, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX (750 APARTMENTS), WAS GOING TO BE BUILT. THE REQUIRED INSURANCE TO MAKE SURE THE ENTIRE SITE WAS CLEANED WAS NOT BEING PROVIDED AS PROMISED. IN PHASE ONE, NORTHLAND WAS SUPPOSED TO TEAR DOWN AND REMOVE THE DEBRIS OF ALL THE EXISTING BUILDINGS. ALL NORTHLAND WOULD SAY IS THAT, THEY WOULD HAVE IT ACCOMPLISHED SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
NORTHLAND WANTED THE CLEAN UP DONE TO COMMERCIAL STANDARDS NOT THE RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS THAT PRESTON HAD REQUIRED FROM DAY ONE. BUILDING 750 APARTMENTS WOULD HAVE PUT MORE OF A DRAG ON THE TOWN OF PRESTON'S BUDGET AND PRESTON'S SCHOOL SYSTEM. I BELIEVE NORTHLAND ALSO WANTED TAX CREDITS AND WANTED PRESTON TO ACCEPT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY BASED ON THE BUILDING COSTS OF THE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES INSTEAD OF THE PRICES THAT THE DIFFERENT THINGS SOLD FOR. THIS IN MY OPINION WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE COSTLY TO PRESTON. .
MAYBE, THE STATE SHOULD HAVE SOLD IT TO THE MOHEGANS. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED IT, INSTEAD OF GOING OFF TO PENNSYLVANIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON STATE. MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD REMEMBER, THAT WHATEVER IS HAPPENING NEXT DOOR TO US, CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU COULD SAY PRESTON AND NORTHLAND DIDN'T COME ANYWHERE NEAR TO CLOSING THE DEAL. WHAT SHOULD PRESTON DO NEXT? THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
NORTHLAND HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TWO HOTELS, A MARINA, A GOLF COURSE, AND HIGH END HOMES. IN PHASE ONE, NORTHLAND WAS GOING TO BUILD ONE HOTEL, GOLF COURSE, AND OTHER RESORT AMENITIES. NORTHLAND WAS ALSO IN PHASE ONE, GOING TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT AND TEAR DOWN AND REMOVE THE BUILDINGS AT THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY.
THE DEAL BEING OFFERED BY NORTHAAND WAS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED. IN PHASE ONE, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX (750 APARTMENTS), WAS GOING TO BE BUILT. THE REQUIRED INSURANCE TO MAKE SURE THE ENTIRE SITE WAS CLEANED WAS NOT BEING PROVIDED AS PROMISED. IN PHASE ONE, NORTHLAND WAS SUPPOSED TO TEAR DOWN AND REMOVE THE DEBRIS OF ALL THE EXISTING BUILDINGS. ALL NORTHLAND WOULD SAY IS THAT, THEY WOULD HAVE IT ACCOMPLISHED SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
NORTHLAND WANTED THE CLEAN UP DONE TO COMMERCIAL STANDARDS NOT THE RESIDENTIAL STANDARDS THAT PRESTON HAD REQUIRED FROM DAY ONE. BUILDING 750 APARTMENTS WOULD HAVE PUT MORE OF A DRAG ON THE TOWN OF PRESTON'S BUDGET AND PRESTON'S SCHOOL SYSTEM. I BELIEVE NORTHLAND ALSO WANTED TAX CREDITS AND WANTED PRESTON TO ACCEPT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY BASED ON THE BUILDING COSTS OF THE DIFFERENT PROPERTIES INSTEAD OF THE PRICES THAT THE DIFFERENT THINGS SOLD FOR. THIS IN MY OPINION WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE COSTLY TO PRESTON. .
MAYBE, THE STATE SHOULD HAVE SOLD IT TO THE MOHEGANS. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED IT, INSTEAD OF GOING OFF TO PENNSYLVANIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON STATE. MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS SHOULD REMEMBER, THAT WHATEVER IS HAPPENING NEXT DOOR TO US, CAN HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU COULD SAY PRESTON AND NORTHLAND DIDN'T COME ANYWHERE NEAR TO CLOSING THE DEAL. WHAT SHOULD PRESTON DO NEXT? THE CLOCK IS TICKING.
Friday, October 3, 2008
DAVISON'S CASE IS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL DATE
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEETING ROOM, OCTOBER 3, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M., THE MATTER BEFORE THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT WAS KENNETH DAVISON VS. THE MOHEGAN ELECTION COMMITTEE. PRESIDING WAS JUDGE JANE FREEMAN. FOR THE DEFENDANT (THE ELECTION COMMITTEE) WAS ANDREW HOULDING. FOR THE PLAINTIFF WAS KEN DAVISON ACTING AS HIS OWN LEGAL COUNCIL (PRO SE).
JUDGE FREEMAN EXPLAINED TO KEN DAVISON HOW SHE INTENDED TO CONDUCT THE HEARING. THE JUDGE EXPLAINED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HEAR ARGUMENTS AND IF MR. DAVISON WENT INTO TESTIMONY HE WOULD BE SWORN IN. SHE WOULD FIRST CONSIDER THE MOTION BY THE LAWYER FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE'S MOTION FOR DISMISSAL. THEN IF IT WAS RULED THAT THE CASE SHOULD PROCEED, SHE WOULD HEAR THE FACTS ABOUT THE INJUNCTION THAT KEN DAVISON WANTED.
MR. HOULDING SAID THAT THE VOTE COUNT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED EVEN IF MR. DAVISON VOTE HAD BEEN COUNTED. THE LAWYER SAID THAT IT WAS MOOT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING. THE LAWYER PUT INTO EVIDENCE, EXHIBIT A, THE 3 PAGE ELECTION RESULTS ISSUED BY JIM GRAY OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. I BELIEVE THE JUDGE SAW THAT THIS COULD BE OR HAS ALREADY BECOME A PROBLEM.
EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS KEN DAVISON DID NOT DO THE PAPER WORK PROPERLY, THE JUDGE SAID THAT IN HIS COMPLAINT, DAVISON ALSO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LAW. MR. HOULDING SAID THAT THIS WAS A MATTER OF LEGISLATION AND THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. MR. DAVISON SAID IN RESPONSE THAT HE HAD THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN, THE HEAD OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ALL SERVED. THE JUDGE I BELIEVE STATED THAT ELECTION COMMITTEE CAN'T DO SECTION 201-7 OF THE LAW AND ORDER CODE. IT SEEMS JUDGE FREEMAN FELT THAT BECAUSE KEN DAVISON WAS ACTING PRO SE, WANTED TO KNOW THE VALIDITY OF HIS BALLOT BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION. AFTER MR. HOULDING TALKED AGAIN ABOUT THE ELECTION OUTCOME MR. DAVISON SAID IF THE CASE CONTINUES HE INTENDS TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY. MR. DAVISON STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAD VOTED FOR LESS THEN THE REQUIRED NUMBER AND HIS BALLOT WAS NOT COUNTED. THE LAST TIME HE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DID NOT PURSUE THE MATTER. I BELIEVE THE JUDGE ASKED, ON THE MATTER OF ELECTION CODE VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION FREEDOM OF CHOICE, IN OTHER WORDS BEING FORCED TO VOTE TO HAVE VOTE COUNTED.
THE JUDGE, I BELIEVE TOLD MR. HOULDING THAT THERE WERE THREE EXCEPTIONS TO THE PART ABOUT THE "MOOT" CLAUSE. THE THREE EXCEPTIONS WERE: 1) SPEED BY THE ELECTION PROCESS, NOT ALLOWING ENOUGH TIME TO BE REVERSED, 2) THE LIKELY POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, AND 3) FOR GOOD OF THE PUBLIC OR THE PEOPLE) PROTECTION OF THIS HAPPENING.
AFTER HEARING THESE AND OTHER ARGUMENTS, THE JUDGE RULED THAT SHE WOULD INDEED HEAR THE CASE. I BELIEVE SHE USED THE THIRD EXCEPTION TO THE "MOOT" CLAUSE IN HER DECISION. AT THAT POINT , KEN DAVISON SAID HE WAS WITHDRAWING HIS REQUEST FOR INJUNCTION. MR. HOULDING AGREED THAT THE INJUNCTION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN.
THE JUDGE SAID SHE WOULD SCHEDULE THE TRIAL DATE. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SAID, THEY WERE HAPPY THIS WAS GOING TO TRIAL BECAUSE THEY WANT THIS DECIDED, TOO. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE.
JUDGE FREEMAN EXPLAINED TO KEN DAVISON HOW SHE INTENDED TO CONDUCT THE HEARING. THE JUDGE EXPLAINED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HEAR ARGUMENTS AND IF MR. DAVISON WENT INTO TESTIMONY HE WOULD BE SWORN IN. SHE WOULD FIRST CONSIDER THE MOTION BY THE LAWYER FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE'S MOTION FOR DISMISSAL. THEN IF IT WAS RULED THAT THE CASE SHOULD PROCEED, SHE WOULD HEAR THE FACTS ABOUT THE INJUNCTION THAT KEN DAVISON WANTED.
MR. HOULDING SAID THAT THE VOTE COUNT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED EVEN IF MR. DAVISON VOTE HAD BEEN COUNTED. THE LAWYER SAID THAT IT WAS MOOT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING. THE LAWYER PUT INTO EVIDENCE, EXHIBIT A, THE 3 PAGE ELECTION RESULTS ISSUED BY JIM GRAY OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. I BELIEVE THE JUDGE SAW THAT THIS COULD BE OR HAS ALREADY BECOME A PROBLEM.
EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS KEN DAVISON DID NOT DO THE PAPER WORK PROPERLY, THE JUDGE SAID THAT IN HIS COMPLAINT, DAVISON ALSO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LAW. MR. HOULDING SAID THAT THIS WAS A MATTER OF LEGISLATION AND THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. MR. DAVISON SAID IN RESPONSE THAT HE HAD THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN, THE HEAD OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ALL SERVED. THE JUDGE I BELIEVE STATED THAT ELECTION COMMITTEE CAN'T DO SECTION 201-7 OF THE LAW AND ORDER CODE. IT SEEMS JUDGE FREEMAN FELT THAT BECAUSE KEN DAVISON WAS ACTING PRO SE, WANTED TO KNOW THE VALIDITY OF HIS BALLOT BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION. AFTER MR. HOULDING TALKED AGAIN ABOUT THE ELECTION OUTCOME MR. DAVISON SAID IF THE CASE CONTINUES HE INTENDS TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY. MR. DAVISON STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT HE HAD VOTED FOR LESS THEN THE REQUIRED NUMBER AND HIS BALLOT WAS NOT COUNTED. THE LAST TIME HE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DID NOT PURSUE THE MATTER. I BELIEVE THE JUDGE ASKED, ON THE MATTER OF ELECTION CODE VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION FREEDOM OF CHOICE, IN OTHER WORDS BEING FORCED TO VOTE TO HAVE VOTE COUNTED.
THE JUDGE, I BELIEVE TOLD MR. HOULDING THAT THERE WERE THREE EXCEPTIONS TO THE PART ABOUT THE "MOOT" CLAUSE. THE THREE EXCEPTIONS WERE: 1) SPEED BY THE ELECTION PROCESS, NOT ALLOWING ENOUGH TIME TO BE REVERSED, 2) THE LIKELY POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, AND 3) FOR GOOD OF THE PUBLIC OR THE PEOPLE) PROTECTION OF THIS HAPPENING.
AFTER HEARING THESE AND OTHER ARGUMENTS, THE JUDGE RULED THAT SHE WOULD INDEED HEAR THE CASE. I BELIEVE SHE USED THE THIRD EXCEPTION TO THE "MOOT" CLAUSE IN HER DECISION. AT THAT POINT , KEN DAVISON SAID HE WAS WITHDRAWING HIS REQUEST FOR INJUNCTION. MR. HOULDING AGREED THAT THE INJUNCTION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN.
THE JUDGE SAID SHE WOULD SCHEDULE THE TRIAL DATE. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SAID, THEY WERE HAPPY THIS WAS GOING TO TRIAL BECAUSE THEY WANT THIS DECIDED, TOO. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE.
PART II FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRIDS
WE HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THE FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID FLEET, THAT IS BEING USED FOR THE MOHEGAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE TRIBAL PUBLIC SAFETY (SECURITY ), AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS. WHAT WE HAVE HEARD IS SHOCKING.
FIRST, WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN ONE OF THE FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID SECURITY CARS STOPPED TO HELP A CUSTOMER, HE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND IT FELL OFF. UNBELIEVABLE.
THE NEXT THING WE ARE BEING TOLD IS THAT ON ONE OF THE FORD HYBRIDS IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. SOMEONE SAID THAT ONE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AND TRIED TO TURN AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT.
ANOTHER THING WE ARE BEING TOLD IS THAT THESE FORD HYBRIDS ARE IN FACT STALLING OUT. THE DRIVER HAS TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR IT WILL AGAIN RESTART.
THESE CARS IN MY OPINION, ARE REGULAR PASSENGER CARS THAT ARE DOING HEAVY DUTY WORK THAT THEY WERE NEVER DESIGNED TO DO. I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE CARS WILL DO THE PROJECTED 5 YEARS, 150,000 MILES THAT THE CARS WERE EXPECTED TO GO.
MAYBE IT IS TIME THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, LOOK INTO THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. MAYBE THESE CARS SHOULD BE REPLACED? IS IT NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR WORKERS? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT "FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID" AND "POLICE CAR BURNS AT TRADING COVE."
FIRST, WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN ONE OF THE FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID SECURITY CARS STOPPED TO HELP A CUSTOMER, HE OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND IT FELL OFF. UNBELIEVABLE.
THE NEXT THING WE ARE BEING TOLD IS THAT ON ONE OF THE FORD HYBRIDS IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. SOMEONE SAID THAT ONE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AND TRIED TO TURN AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO GO STRAIGHT.
ANOTHER THING WE ARE BEING TOLD IS THAT THESE FORD HYBRIDS ARE IN FACT STALLING OUT. THE DRIVER HAS TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR IT WILL AGAIN RESTART.
THESE CARS IN MY OPINION, ARE REGULAR PASSENGER CARS THAT ARE DOING HEAVY DUTY WORK THAT THEY WERE NEVER DESIGNED TO DO. I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE CARS WILL DO THE PROJECTED 5 YEARS, 150,000 MILES THAT THE CARS WERE EXPECTED TO GO.
MAYBE IT IS TIME THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, LOOK INTO THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES. MAYBE THESE CARS SHOULD BE REPLACED? IS IT NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR WORKERS? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE CHECK OUT "FORD ESCAPE SUV HYBRID" AND "POLICE CAR BURNS AT TRADING COVE."
POKER ROOMS
ON A RECENT WEEKDAY AND A WEEKEND DAY, WE VISITED BOTH THE MOHEGAN SUN AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO. THE PURPOSE OF OUR VISIT WAS TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN BOTH CASINOS AND HOW BUSY THEY WERE.
FOXWOODS POKER ROOM IS A CONVERTED SLOT AREA IN THE DOWNSTAIRS OF THE PEQUOT CASINO (OLD PART). IT HAS A TOTAL OF 96 POKER TABLES. THE TABLE IS COVERED IN A GREEN CLOTH. THE SEATS ARE BLACK AND BROWN LIKE YOU WOULD FIND IN A MEETING ROOM. THE RUG IS A RED PATTERN, KIND OF OLD AND LOOKING IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE WALLS ARE PAINTED A GREENISH BLUE. IT IS A LARGE AREA AND LOOKS IMPRESSIVE. THEY HAVE A MACHINE THAT YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR INITIALS SO THAT YOU CAN PICK THE TABLE AND GAME YOU WANT TO PLAY. YOU ARE THEN CALLED WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN. THEY ALSO HAVE A MACHINE THAT CAN SWIPE YOUR POINTS CARD AND PLACE YOUR NAME ON WAITING LIST ALSO TO PLAY POKER. THE DEALER CHECKS YOU IN BY SWIPING YOUR CARD SO THAT CUSTOMERS PLAY IS DONE AUTOMATICALLY. THE 96 TABLES IN THE POKER AREA EACH CAN HOLD TEN PLAYERS AND ONE DEALER.
THE MOHEGAN SUN IS MUCH MORE CLASSY AND NEWER BECAUSE IT IS IN THE NEW CASINO OF THE WIND. THE POKER ROOM HAS A REPORTED 42 TABLES, EACH WITH TEN PLAYERS AND ONE DEALER. THE TOPS OF THE TABLES ARE BLUE AND THE CHAIRS ARE A GOLD COLOR. THE COLORS ON THE WALL ARE AN ORANGE TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CASINO. THE RUG IS MOHEGAN SYMBOL STYLE IN DARK BLUE. THE AREA LOOKS TIGHT AND SMALL. YOU HAVE TO CHECK IN AT A RECEPTION DESK AND PUT YOUR NAMES IN. THEY THEN CALL THE PLAYERS WHEN IT IS THEIR TURNS. THE COMPS ARE BEING FIGURED BY HAND AND NOT AUTOMATED LIKE AT FOXWOODS.
ON THE WEEKEND AT FOXWOODS, THEY WERE USING 90 OF THE 96 TABLES WERE BEING USED. THERE WAS ALSO ABOUT 10 TABLES ON THE FIRST FLOOR THAT WERE BEING USED. THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF ABOUT A THOUSAND (1,000) PEOPLE. AT THE MOHEGAN SUN, WE WERE USING ALL BUT ABOUT 6 TABLES, IN OTHER WORDS ABOUT 36 TABLES, FOR A TOTAL OF 360 PLAYERS. THERE WAS LONG WAITING TIMES TO PLAY POKER. UNFORTUNATELY MANY PLAYERS WHEN CALLED, WERE GONE.
ON THE WEEKDAY AT FOXWOODS, THEY WERE USING ABOUT 60 TABLES. THE MOHEGAN SUN WE WERE USING ABOUT 16 TABLES.
WHEN I ASKED A MOHEGAN TRIBAL OFFICIAL ABOUT THIS HE SAID, THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING, PEOPLE HAVING TO WAIT, MEANING THAT TO WAIT MADE IT MORE DESIRABLE..
I THINK , IF WE HAVE A BIG DEMAND FOR POKER AT MOHEGAN SUN ON THE WEEKENDS, THAT MTGA SHOULD CONVERT THE HIGH LIMITS SLOT MACHINE AREA (WHERE ORIGINAL POKER ROOM WAS) BACK TO A POKER ROOM. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WAITING AND BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING TO PLAY FAST ENOUGH, ARE LEAVING AND GOING ELSEWHERE?
WE THINK THE POKER ROOM IS A VERY GOOD THING. I BELIEVE THAT MAYBE THE MOHEGAN SUN SHOULD PUT IN ANOTHER AREA IN THE EARTH CASINO TO PROVIDE FOR SMOKING POKER PLAYERS. THE MOHEGAN SUN SHOULD GET THE AUTOMATED PLAY COUNTING MACHINES GOING AND THE AUTOMATIC SEATING MACHINES WORKING. WE SHOULD STILL HAVE THE FRONT DESK FOR PLAYERS WHO WANT MORE PERSONAL SERVICE.
NOW YOU HAVE MY OBSERVATIONS, ABOUT THE MOHEGAN SUN"S AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO"S POKER ROOMS.
FOXWOODS POKER ROOM IS A CONVERTED SLOT AREA IN THE DOWNSTAIRS OF THE PEQUOT CASINO (OLD PART). IT HAS A TOTAL OF 96 POKER TABLES. THE TABLE IS COVERED IN A GREEN CLOTH. THE SEATS ARE BLACK AND BROWN LIKE YOU WOULD FIND IN A MEETING ROOM. THE RUG IS A RED PATTERN, KIND OF OLD AND LOOKING IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE WALLS ARE PAINTED A GREENISH BLUE. IT IS A LARGE AREA AND LOOKS IMPRESSIVE. THEY HAVE A MACHINE THAT YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR INITIALS SO THAT YOU CAN PICK THE TABLE AND GAME YOU WANT TO PLAY. YOU ARE THEN CALLED WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN. THEY ALSO HAVE A MACHINE THAT CAN SWIPE YOUR POINTS CARD AND PLACE YOUR NAME ON WAITING LIST ALSO TO PLAY POKER. THE DEALER CHECKS YOU IN BY SWIPING YOUR CARD SO THAT CUSTOMERS PLAY IS DONE AUTOMATICALLY. THE 96 TABLES IN THE POKER AREA EACH CAN HOLD TEN PLAYERS AND ONE DEALER.
THE MOHEGAN SUN IS MUCH MORE CLASSY AND NEWER BECAUSE IT IS IN THE NEW CASINO OF THE WIND. THE POKER ROOM HAS A REPORTED 42 TABLES, EACH WITH TEN PLAYERS AND ONE DEALER. THE TOPS OF THE TABLES ARE BLUE AND THE CHAIRS ARE A GOLD COLOR. THE COLORS ON THE WALL ARE AN ORANGE TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CASINO. THE RUG IS MOHEGAN SYMBOL STYLE IN DARK BLUE. THE AREA LOOKS TIGHT AND SMALL. YOU HAVE TO CHECK IN AT A RECEPTION DESK AND PUT YOUR NAMES IN. THEY THEN CALL THE PLAYERS WHEN IT IS THEIR TURNS. THE COMPS ARE BEING FIGURED BY HAND AND NOT AUTOMATED LIKE AT FOXWOODS.
ON THE WEEKEND AT FOXWOODS, THEY WERE USING 90 OF THE 96 TABLES WERE BEING USED. THERE WAS ALSO ABOUT 10 TABLES ON THE FIRST FLOOR THAT WERE BEING USED. THAT MAKES A TOTAL OF ABOUT A THOUSAND (1,000) PEOPLE. AT THE MOHEGAN SUN, WE WERE USING ALL BUT ABOUT 6 TABLES, IN OTHER WORDS ABOUT 36 TABLES, FOR A TOTAL OF 360 PLAYERS. THERE WAS LONG WAITING TIMES TO PLAY POKER. UNFORTUNATELY MANY PLAYERS WHEN CALLED, WERE GONE.
ON THE WEEKDAY AT FOXWOODS, THEY WERE USING ABOUT 60 TABLES. THE MOHEGAN SUN WE WERE USING ABOUT 16 TABLES.
WHEN I ASKED A MOHEGAN TRIBAL OFFICIAL ABOUT THIS HE SAID, THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING, PEOPLE HAVING TO WAIT, MEANING THAT TO WAIT MADE IT MORE DESIRABLE..
I THINK , IF WE HAVE A BIG DEMAND FOR POKER AT MOHEGAN SUN ON THE WEEKENDS, THAT MTGA SHOULD CONVERT THE HIGH LIMITS SLOT MACHINE AREA (WHERE ORIGINAL POKER ROOM WAS) BACK TO A POKER ROOM. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WAITING AND BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING TO PLAY FAST ENOUGH, ARE LEAVING AND GOING ELSEWHERE?
WE THINK THE POKER ROOM IS A VERY GOOD THING. I BELIEVE THAT MAYBE THE MOHEGAN SUN SHOULD PUT IN ANOTHER AREA IN THE EARTH CASINO TO PROVIDE FOR SMOKING POKER PLAYERS. THE MOHEGAN SUN SHOULD GET THE AUTOMATED PLAY COUNTING MACHINES GOING AND THE AUTOMATIC SEATING MACHINES WORKING. WE SHOULD STILL HAVE THE FRONT DESK FOR PLAYERS WHO WANT MORE PERSONAL SERVICE.
NOW YOU HAVE MY OBSERVATIONS, ABOUT THE MOHEGAN SUN"S AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO"S POKER ROOMS.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
WORKERS AT FOXWOODS WAITING TO BE LAID OFF
FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO OCTOBER 1, 2008
AFTER 10 OF THE LAST 11 MONTHS OF LOSES (2008), COMPARED TO THE EARNINGS THE YEAR BEFORE (2007), THE MASHANTUCKETS ARE TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS.
A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS, LORI POTTER SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "THE DECISION TO REDUCE OUR WORK FORCE WAS MADE AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THE CASINOS ARE EXPERIENCING." SHE ALSO SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "GREAT CARE IS BEING MADE TO PRESERVE AS MANY TEAM MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE, AND 94 PERCENT OF OUR WORK FORCE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS ROUND OF LAYOFFS."
WITH THE OFFERED BUYOUTS OF 170 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, AND THE FUTURE LAYOFFS OF ANOTHER 700 CASINO WORKERS, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TRIM FORTY MILLION DOLLARS FROM ITS' BUDGET. WHEN FOXWOODS OPENED MGM GRAND HOTEL/CASINO THEY HIRED TWO THOUSAND (2,000) WORKERS. SO THE CASINO IS TRIMMING SIX PERCENT (6%) OF ITS' WORKERS. IN OTHER WORDS, FROM ABOUT AN ESTIMATED 11,500 WORKERS DOWN TO ABOUT TO TEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED (10,800) WORKERS.
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE (MTGA) RECENTLY STOPPED CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.) IN MY OPINION, I EXPECT THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY (TRIBAL COUNCIL) WILL ALSO DO CUTBACKS AND LAYOFFS TO COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF THE ECONOMY.
I THINK BEFORE THEY DO THAT, THEY SHOULD CUT THEIR OWN SALARIES BY AT LEAST FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) EACH PER YEAR. IF THEY EXPECT OUR WORKERS TO MAKE POSSIBLE CONCESSIONS THEN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD, TOO. REMEMBER THESE NINE PEOPLE MAKE AT LEAST $280,000.00 TO BETTER THAN $308,000.00. PLUS BENEFITS.
IF FOXWOODS AND THE MOHEGAN SUN ARE EXPERIENCING HARD ECONOMIC TIMES, AND THE SOLUTION AT FOXWOODS IS LAYOFFS, HOW FAR CAN THE MOHEGAN SUN BE BEHIND? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
AFTER 10 OF THE LAST 11 MONTHS OF LOSES (2008), COMPARED TO THE EARNINGS THE YEAR BEFORE (2007), THE MASHANTUCKETS ARE TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS.
A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS, LORI POTTER SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "THE DECISION TO REDUCE OUR WORK FORCE WAS MADE AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THE CASINOS ARE EXPERIENCING." SHE ALSO SUPPOSEDLY SAID, "GREAT CARE IS BEING MADE TO PRESERVE AS MANY TEAM MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE, AND 94 PERCENT OF OUR WORK FORCE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS ROUND OF LAYOFFS."
WITH THE OFFERED BUYOUTS OF 170 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, AND THE FUTURE LAYOFFS OF ANOTHER 700 CASINO WORKERS, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TRIM FORTY MILLION DOLLARS FROM ITS' BUDGET. WHEN FOXWOODS OPENED MGM GRAND HOTEL/CASINO THEY HIRED TWO THOUSAND (2,000) WORKERS. SO THE CASINO IS TRIMMING SIX PERCENT (6%) OF ITS' WORKERS. IN OTHER WORDS, FROM ABOUT AN ESTIMATED 11,500 WORKERS DOWN TO ABOUT TO TEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED (10,800) WORKERS.
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE (MTGA) RECENTLY STOPPED CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.) IN MY OPINION, I EXPECT THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY (TRIBAL COUNCIL) WILL ALSO DO CUTBACKS AND LAYOFFS TO COMBAT THE EFFECTS OF THE ECONOMY.
I THINK BEFORE THEY DO THAT, THEY SHOULD CUT THEIR OWN SALARIES BY AT LEAST FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) EACH PER YEAR. IF THEY EXPECT OUR WORKERS TO MAKE POSSIBLE CONCESSIONS THEN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD, TOO. REMEMBER THESE NINE PEOPLE MAKE AT LEAST $280,000.00 TO BETTER THAN $308,000.00. PLUS BENEFITS.
IF FOXWOODS AND THE MOHEGAN SUN ARE EXPERIENCING HARD ECONOMIC TIMES, AND THE SOLUTION AT FOXWOODS IS LAYOFFS, HOW FAR CAN THE MOHEGAN SUN BE BEHIND? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
KEN DAVISON AND HIS INJUNCTION
THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M. KEN DAVISON (ALTHOUGH NOT A LAWYER) WILL ATTEMPT TO GET THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT TO PUT A HOLD ON THE SWEARING IN OF THE 4 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS. HE THINKS IT SHOULD BE POSTPONED UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE ON THE LEGALITY OF HIS VOTE. THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, BY HIS VOTE NOT BEING COUNTED, THE VOTE COUNTS ARE NOT VALID AND THEREFORE INSTALLING THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE BEING INSTALLED BY AN ILLEGAL VOTE COUNT.
THE LEGAL COUNCIL (LAWYER) REPRESENTING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE (AN AGENCY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL) IS COUNTERING THAT THE POINT IS MOOT. HE CLAIMS THAT THE VOTE COUNT WOULD NOT CHANGE ENOUGH TO EFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION. HE WANTS THE INJUNCTION TURNED DOWN AND THE LAWSUIT DISMISSED.
I VOTED (LIKE 441 OTHER VOTERS) FOR THE ENTIRE 4 POSITIONS THAT WERE NEEDED TO BE VOTED FOR SO THAT MY BALLOT COUNTED. I BELIEVE THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE ALSO FORCED TO DO SOMETHING THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO. THEY HAD TO VOTE FOR 4 PEOPLE ON THEIR BALLOTS SO THAT THEIR BALLOT WOULD BE COUNTED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WANTED TO VOTE FOR LESS THAN THE FOUR. IN MY MIND BY THIS VERY PRACTICE WE WERE ALSO DENIED OUR FREEDOM OF CHOICE BECAUSE WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING WE DID NOT WANT TO DO. IN OTHER WORDS, BOTH KEN DAVISON AND THE OTHERS WITH SPOILED BALLOTS AND THOSE BALLOTS THAT WERE COUNTED WERE ALSO SPOILED BY THE VERY PROCESS THAT THE LAW REQUIRES TRIBAL MEMBERS TO DO.
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WERE MADE TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU DID NOT WANT TO DO OR THAT YOUR BALLOT INCLUDED LESS THAN THE FOUR POSITIONS YOU WERE REQUIRED TO VOTE FOR, THEN PLEASE SHOW UP AT THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM AT 9 AM TOMORROW AND PARTICIPATE. MAYBE WE SHOULD GO TO KEN DAVISON AND ASK TO TESTIFY ABOUT HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THIS ILLEGAL ORDINANCE THAT VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION.
NO MATTER IF YOU WISH TO TESTIFY OR NOT, OR AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE ORDINANCE, COME AND WATCH YOUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. LET'S SEE IF THE INJUNCTION IS GRANTED OR IF THE CASE IS DISMISSED OR CONTINUED. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE.
THE LEGAL COUNCIL (LAWYER) REPRESENTING THE ELECTION COMMITTEE (AN AGENCY OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL) IS COUNTERING THAT THE POINT IS MOOT. HE CLAIMS THAT THE VOTE COUNT WOULD NOT CHANGE ENOUGH TO EFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION. HE WANTS THE INJUNCTION TURNED DOWN AND THE LAWSUIT DISMISSED.
I VOTED (LIKE 441 OTHER VOTERS) FOR THE ENTIRE 4 POSITIONS THAT WERE NEEDED TO BE VOTED FOR SO THAT MY BALLOT COUNTED. I BELIEVE THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE ALSO FORCED TO DO SOMETHING THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO. THEY HAD TO VOTE FOR 4 PEOPLE ON THEIR BALLOTS SO THAT THEIR BALLOT WOULD BE COUNTED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WANTED TO VOTE FOR LESS THAN THE FOUR. IN MY MIND BY THIS VERY PRACTICE WE WERE ALSO DENIED OUR FREEDOM OF CHOICE BECAUSE WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING WE DID NOT WANT TO DO. IN OTHER WORDS, BOTH KEN DAVISON AND THE OTHERS WITH SPOILED BALLOTS AND THOSE BALLOTS THAT WERE COUNTED WERE ALSO SPOILED BY THE VERY PROCESS THAT THE LAW REQUIRES TRIBAL MEMBERS TO DO.
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WERE MADE TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU DID NOT WANT TO DO OR THAT YOUR BALLOT INCLUDED LESS THAN THE FOUR POSITIONS YOU WERE REQUIRED TO VOTE FOR, THEN PLEASE SHOW UP AT THE TRIBAL MEETING ROOM AT 9 AM TOMORROW AND PARTICIPATE. MAYBE WE SHOULD GO TO KEN DAVISON AND ASK TO TESTIFY ABOUT HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THIS ILLEGAL ORDINANCE THAT VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION.
NO MATTER IF YOU WISH TO TESTIFY OR NOT, OR AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE ORDINANCE, COME AND WATCH YOUR GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. LET'S SEE IF THE INJUNCTION IS GRANTED OR IF THE CASE IS DISMISSED OR CONTINUED. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING PRESTON
BY JANUARY 5, 2009, THE TOWN OF PRESTON MUST FIND A COMPANY TO TAKE OVER THE 419 ACRE FORMER NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY.
FIRST THERE WAS UTOPHIA STUDIOS WHO HAD PROPOSED A THEME PARK, TWO HOTELS, APARTMENTS, AND A MOVIE STUDIO AMONG OTHER THINGS. THE DEAL SUPPOSEDLY FAILED WHEN UTOPHIA DID NOT COME UP WITH THE FUNDS.
AFTER UTOPHIA WAS NO LONGER IN THE BIDDING FOR THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, THE TOWN STARTED THE BIDDING PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. THE NEW BIDDERS WERE NARROWED DOWN TO NORTHLAND INVESTMENT CORP. AND PRESTON GATEWAY PARTNERS, LLC. PRESTON THOUGHT THE PRESTON GATEWAY PLAN WOULD CAUSE THE TOWN OF PRESTON TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES AND RECEIVE LESS TAXES THAN THE NORTHLAND INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.
IN JULY VOTERS, VOTED TO NEGOTIATE WITH NORTHLAND TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE PROPOSAL WAS FOR A HOTEL, A GOLF COURSE, HIGH END HOUSES (ONE MILLION DOLLAR PLUS), APARTMENTS, AND A SHOPPING CENTER. NORTHLAND WAS ALSO SUPPOSED REQUIRED TO GET INSURANCE TO INSURE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP. THE CLEAN UP HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $40 MILLION DOLLARS. THEY WERE TO TEAR DOWN THE EXISTING BUILDINGS.
IN THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS NORTHLAND ONLY PROPOSED IN THE FIRST PHASE ONE CALLED FOR 750 APARTMENTS AND NORTHLAND REFUSING TO BUY INSURANCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP.
PRESTON'S BOARD OF SELECTMAN VOTED TO SEND A TERMINATION NOTICE TO NORTHLAND. THEY CAN STILL NEGOTIATE, BUT IN MY OPINION THE DEAL IS PROBABLY DEAD.
SANDRA EWING, HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER SAID," THE HOTEL, GOLF COURSE, MARINA, CONDOS, GOLF COURSE HOMES, COMMERCIAL (ASPECT) - WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED NOW IS NOT THAT PACKAGE,NOT WHAT WE ENVISIONED. AND IT HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED."
NORTHLANDS CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE GOTTESDIENER, IN A LETTER SAID, "THE COMMITMENT AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP PRESTON GREEN, EVEN IN THE FACE OF THE NATIONS'S WORST FINANCIAL CRISIS SINCE THE 1930'S. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHOSE TO IGNORE THE LIQUIDITY FREEZE AND THE SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTY PLAGUING THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL REAL ESTATE MARKETS, BY INSISTING ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE."
THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, ROBERT GENUARIO SAID IN A LETTER, THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT GRANT PRESTON AN EXTENSION.
PRESTON SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE CLOCK IS TICKING. THEY NEED TO GET A DEAL FINISHED BEFORE JANUARY 5, 2009. HOW WILL THIS LATEST EVENT, EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO DIRECTLY ACROSS THE RIVER?
FIRST THERE WAS UTOPHIA STUDIOS WHO HAD PROPOSED A THEME PARK, TWO HOTELS, APARTMENTS, AND A MOVIE STUDIO AMONG OTHER THINGS. THE DEAL SUPPOSEDLY FAILED WHEN UTOPHIA DID NOT COME UP WITH THE FUNDS.
AFTER UTOPHIA WAS NO LONGER IN THE BIDDING FOR THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, THE TOWN STARTED THE BIDDING PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. THE NEW BIDDERS WERE NARROWED DOWN TO NORTHLAND INVESTMENT CORP. AND PRESTON GATEWAY PARTNERS, LLC. PRESTON THOUGHT THE PRESTON GATEWAY PLAN WOULD CAUSE THE TOWN OF PRESTON TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES AND RECEIVE LESS TAXES THAN THE NORTHLAND INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.
IN JULY VOTERS, VOTED TO NEGOTIATE WITH NORTHLAND TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. THE PROPOSAL WAS FOR A HOTEL, A GOLF COURSE, HIGH END HOUSES (ONE MILLION DOLLAR PLUS), APARTMENTS, AND A SHOPPING CENTER. NORTHLAND WAS ALSO SUPPOSED REQUIRED TO GET INSURANCE TO INSURE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP. THE CLEAN UP HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $40 MILLION DOLLARS. THEY WERE TO TEAR DOWN THE EXISTING BUILDINGS.
IN THE RECENT NEGOTIATIONS NORTHLAND ONLY PROPOSED IN THE FIRST PHASE ONE CALLED FOR 750 APARTMENTS AND NORTHLAND REFUSING TO BUY INSURANCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP.
PRESTON'S BOARD OF SELECTMAN VOTED TO SEND A TERMINATION NOTICE TO NORTHLAND. THEY CAN STILL NEGOTIATE, BUT IN MY OPINION THE DEAL IS PROBABLY DEAD.
SANDRA EWING, HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER SAID," THE HOTEL, GOLF COURSE, MARINA, CONDOS, GOLF COURSE HOMES, COMMERCIAL (ASPECT) - WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED NOW IS NOT THAT PACKAGE,NOT WHAT WE ENVISIONED. AND IT HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED."
NORTHLANDS CHAIRMAN LAWRENCE GOTTESDIENER, IN A LETTER SAID, "THE COMMITMENT AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOP PRESTON GREEN, EVEN IN THE FACE OF THE NATIONS'S WORST FINANCIAL CRISIS SINCE THE 1930'S. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHOSE TO IGNORE THE LIQUIDITY FREEZE AND THE SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAINTY PLAGUING THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL REAL ESTATE MARKETS, BY INSISTING ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE."
THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT, ROBERT GENUARIO SAID IN A LETTER, THAT THE STATE WOULD NOT GRANT PRESTON AN EXTENSION.
PRESTON SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE CLOCK IS TICKING. THEY NEED TO GET A DEAL FINISHED BEFORE JANUARY 5, 2009. HOW WILL THIS LATEST EVENT, EFFECT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO DIRECTLY ACROSS THE RIVER?
THE CHIEF (RALPH STURGES)
ONE YEAR AGO YESTERDAY, ON OCTOBER 1, 2007, OUR BELOVED (CHIEF) RALPH STURGES PASSED AWAY. HE WAS LOVED DEEPLY BY THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. HE IS MISSED.
I WROTE IN A PREVIOUS ARTICLE THAT I THOUGHT THE TRIBE (GOVERNMENT) SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH. YESTERDAY CAME AND WENT AND NOTHING WAS DONE BY OUR GOVERNMENT FOR OUR CHIEF. THIS IS SOME EXAMPLE WE SET FOR OUR CHILDREN, OUR ANCESTORS, AND OTHER TRIBES. ALL MOHEGANS SHOULD HOLD THEIR HEADS DOWN IN SHAME. WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING FOR CHIEF STURGES.
JUST RECENTLY, STEPHANIE FIELDING AND TEN OTHER PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER ON THEIR OWN AND HAD A MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH (100) ANNIVERSARY OF FEDILA FEILDINGS DEATH. IF A TRIBAL MEMBER COULD ORGANIZE SOMETHING FOR A TRIBAL MEMBER WHO PASSED, THEN WHY COULDN'T THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT?
MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE COULD DO SOMETHING FOR CHIEF STURGES. MAYBE WE COULD REMEMBER EMMA T. BAKER IN 16 YEARS ON THE 100 YEAR ANIVERSARY OF HER DEATH. HOW ABOUT CHIEF COURTLAND FOWLER "LITTLE HATCHET"? THERE ARE MANY MORE. DO WE JUST FORGET OUR ANCESTORS? ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY THEM? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I WROTE IN A PREVIOUS ARTICLE THAT I THOUGHT THE TRIBE (GOVERNMENT) SHOULD DO SOMETHING FOR THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH. YESTERDAY CAME AND WENT AND NOTHING WAS DONE BY OUR GOVERNMENT FOR OUR CHIEF. THIS IS SOME EXAMPLE WE SET FOR OUR CHILDREN, OUR ANCESTORS, AND OTHER TRIBES. ALL MOHEGANS SHOULD HOLD THEIR HEADS DOWN IN SHAME. WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING FOR CHIEF STURGES.
JUST RECENTLY, STEPHANIE FIELDING AND TEN OTHER PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER ON THEIR OWN AND HAD A MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THE ONE HUNDREDTH (100) ANNIVERSARY OF FEDILA FEILDINGS DEATH. IF A TRIBAL MEMBER COULD ORGANIZE SOMETHING FOR A TRIBAL MEMBER WHO PASSED, THEN WHY COULDN'T THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT?
MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE COULD DO SOMETHING FOR CHIEF STURGES. MAYBE WE COULD REMEMBER EMMA T. BAKER IN 16 YEARS ON THE 100 YEAR ANIVERSARY OF HER DEATH. HOW ABOUT CHIEF COURTLAND FOWLER "LITTLE HATCHET"? THERE ARE MANY MORE. DO WE JUST FORGET OUR ANCESTORS? ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY THEM? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
KEN DAVISON IS GOING TO COURT
Ken Davison, a Mohegan Tribal Member has filed a Request For Injunction.
Below is a copy of the Request for Injunction.
Docket Number: CV-08-0133
Kenneth Davison vs. Mohegan Tribe Election Committee
Request For Injunction
The right to vote freely for the candidate of one's choice is of the essence of a democratic society and any restrictions on that right strikes at the heart of representative government. My ballot submitted in the August 31, 2008 Council of Elders election was deemed "spoiled" because i did not vote for candidates that i did not want to vote for. The votes on my ballot should be counted prior to the swearing in of the newly-elected members of the Council of Elders. Otherwise, the newly-elected members of the Council of Elders will be taking office with inaccurate and illegal vote counts.
The hearing date on the injunction is this Friday, October 3, 2008, at 9:00 A.M. in the tribal meeting room.
Below is a copy of the Request for Injunction.
Docket Number: CV-08-0133
Kenneth Davison vs. Mohegan Tribe Election Committee
Request For Injunction
The right to vote freely for the candidate of one's choice is of the essence of a democratic society and any restrictions on that right strikes at the heart of representative government. My ballot submitted in the August 31, 2008 Council of Elders election was deemed "spoiled" because i did not vote for candidates that i did not want to vote for. The votes on my ballot should be counted prior to the swearing in of the newly-elected members of the Council of Elders. Otherwise, the newly-elected members of the Council of Elders will be taking office with inaccurate and illegal vote counts.
The hearing date on the injunction is this Friday, October 3, 2008, at 9:00 A.M. in the tribal meeting room.
NEW YORK AND CIGARETTE TAXES
THE POOSPUTUCK TRIBE, IN MASTIC, AND THE SHINNECOCK TRIBE, IN SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK ARE NOT CHARGING ON CIGARETTES, STATE OF NEW YORK OR FEDERAL TAXES IN THE STORES ON THEIR RESERVATIONS. BOTH RESERVATIONS ARE LOCATED IN SUFFOLK COUNTY WHICH IS ON LONG ISLAND, ABOUT 65 TO 80 MILES FROM NEW YORK CITY'S BORDERS..
THE POOSPUTUCK TRIBE IS BEING SUED BY NEW YORK CITY IN FEDERAL COURT, NEW YORK'S EASTERN DISTRICT TO FORCE THE TRIBE (POOSPUTUCK ) TO COLLECT TAXES.
A CARTON OF CIGARETTES IN NEW YORK CITY GOES FOR AROUND SEVENTY ($70.00) DOLLARS. ABOUT HALF OF THIS AMOUNT IS FOR TAXES. NEW YORK CITY CLAIMS THAT THE TRIBAL STORES COST THE CITY ABOUT $185 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
THE CITY ALSO THINKS IT COSTS THE CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK COMBINED A TOTAL IN LOST TAXES OF $720 MILLION DOLLARS. INTERESTINGLY, THAT'S ABOUT WHAT IT WAS GOING TO COST THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO BUILD EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.)
NEW YORK CITY SPOKESPERSON, JASON POST, ESTIMATED THAT IN ONE DAY, STORES ON THE POOSPUTUCK RESERVATION SELLS 950 PACKS OF CIGARETTES FOR EACH OF THE ESTIMATED 260 TRIBAL MEMBERS LIVING THERE. THE TOTAL COMES TO AN ESTIMATED 246,600 PACKS OF CIGARETTES A DAY. THAT'S 24,660 CARTONS OF CIGARETTES A DAY. I THINK THE ESTIMATE IS PROBABLY WRONG.
THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY, MICHAEL BLOOMBERG WANTS THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK TO SEND IN STATE POLICE OR THE NATIONAL GUARD TO COLLECT THE TAXES. MAYOR BLOOMBERG SAID, "I THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD GO TO THE RESERVATION AND SAY "AS OF THIS MORNING, WE ARE STOPPING THIS PRACTICE, AND IF IT REQUIRES LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS THE STATE POLICE FOR."
COULD IT BE THAT BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE CITY AND THE STATE WANT THIS MONEY TO HELP OFFSET THE UPCOMING SHORTAGES IN THEIR BUDGETS?
CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NARRAGANSET TRIBE IN RHODE ISLAND A FEW YEARS BACK. FIFTY STATE TROOPERS (INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER WERE A K-9 UNIT AND A SWAT TEAM), CAME TO THE RESERVATION AND CONFISCATED ITS' CIGARETTES. IN THE PROCESS I BELIEVE 7 TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE ARRESTED, ONE OF WHICH HAD HIS LEG BROKEN BY THE STATE POLICE.
IF THEY CAN THREATEN OTHER TRIBES ABOUT TAXES, COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO US? THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN ABUSE OF POWER BY NEW YORK CITY. THE COLLECTING OF NEW YORK CITY TAXES IN MY OPINION IS THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY NOT THE TRIBES. IN MY OPINION, THE TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE POOR PEOPLE. THE STORES ARE TRYING TO MAKE SOME MONEY FOR THE STORES AND SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THEIR TRIBE.
WE SHOULD BE VERY HAPPY WE HAVE A CASINO. WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT THESE TRIBAL NATIONS ARE ENCOUNTERING.. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE POOSPUTUCK TRIBE IS BEING SUED BY NEW YORK CITY IN FEDERAL COURT, NEW YORK'S EASTERN DISTRICT TO FORCE THE TRIBE (POOSPUTUCK ) TO COLLECT TAXES.
A CARTON OF CIGARETTES IN NEW YORK CITY GOES FOR AROUND SEVENTY ($70.00) DOLLARS. ABOUT HALF OF THIS AMOUNT IS FOR TAXES. NEW YORK CITY CLAIMS THAT THE TRIBAL STORES COST THE CITY ABOUT $185 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
THE CITY ALSO THINKS IT COSTS THE CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK COMBINED A TOTAL IN LOST TAXES OF $720 MILLION DOLLARS. INTERESTINGLY, THAT'S ABOUT WHAT IT WAS GOING TO COST THE MOHEGAN TRIBE TO BUILD EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.)
NEW YORK CITY SPOKESPERSON, JASON POST, ESTIMATED THAT IN ONE DAY, STORES ON THE POOSPUTUCK RESERVATION SELLS 950 PACKS OF CIGARETTES FOR EACH OF THE ESTIMATED 260 TRIBAL MEMBERS LIVING THERE. THE TOTAL COMES TO AN ESTIMATED 246,600 PACKS OF CIGARETTES A DAY. THAT'S 24,660 CARTONS OF CIGARETTES A DAY. I THINK THE ESTIMATE IS PROBABLY WRONG.
THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY, MICHAEL BLOOMBERG WANTS THE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK TO SEND IN STATE POLICE OR THE NATIONAL GUARD TO COLLECT THE TAXES. MAYOR BLOOMBERG SAID, "I THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD GO TO THE RESERVATION AND SAY "AS OF THIS MORNING, WE ARE STOPPING THIS PRACTICE, AND IF IT REQUIRES LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS THE STATE POLICE FOR."
COULD IT BE THAT BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, THE CITY AND THE STATE WANT THIS MONEY TO HELP OFFSET THE UPCOMING SHORTAGES IN THEIR BUDGETS?
CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NARRAGANSET TRIBE IN RHODE ISLAND A FEW YEARS BACK. FIFTY STATE TROOPERS (INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER WERE A K-9 UNIT AND A SWAT TEAM), CAME TO THE RESERVATION AND CONFISCATED ITS' CIGARETTES. IN THE PROCESS I BELIEVE 7 TRIBAL MEMBERS WERE ARRESTED, ONE OF WHICH HAD HIS LEG BROKEN BY THE STATE POLICE.
IF THEY CAN THREATEN OTHER TRIBES ABOUT TAXES, COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAPPEN TO US? THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN ABUSE OF POWER BY NEW YORK CITY. THE COLLECTING OF NEW YORK CITY TAXES IN MY OPINION IS THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY NOT THE TRIBES. IN MY OPINION, THE TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE POOR PEOPLE. THE STORES ARE TRYING TO MAKE SOME MONEY FOR THE STORES AND SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THEIR TRIBE.
WE SHOULD BE VERY HAPPY WE HAVE A CASINO. WE DO NOT HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT THESE TRIBAL NATIONS ARE ENCOUNTERING.. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
FOXWOODS CUTTING 700 EMPLOYEES
LAST MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2008, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS STOPPING CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL.) THE TRIBAL COUNCIL TOLD THE MEMBERSHIP THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS.
FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO OPENED IN MAY, 2008,
THE NEW MGM GRAND HOTEL/CASINO AT FOXWOODS FOR AN ESTIMATED COST OF SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($700,000,000.00.)
AT THE END OF MAY, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQOUTS OFFERED TO 170 GOVERNMENT WORKERS VOLUNTARY LAYOFFS. AT THE END OF JUNE, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS LET 100 EMPLOYEES, MOSTLY MANAGERS, AT THE MGM GRAND HOTEL CASINO AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO GO.
TODAY, MICHALE THOMAS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRIBE WILL BE LAYING OFF ABOUT 700 WORKERS FROM THE MGM GRAND AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINOS. HE SAID, "AS IS HAPPENING TO MANY ORGANIZATIONS, THE ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING OUR NATION AND REGIONAL CONSUMER ECONOMY HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OUR REVENUE GROWTH. ALTHOUGH IT HAS TAKEN A FEW MONTHS, THE RECESSION'S IMPACT CAN NOW BE CLEARLY SEEN IN OUR INDUSTRY."
AN OBSERVATION THAT MAY NEED TO BE MENTIONED, IS THAT USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, IT HAPPENS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN 3 TO 6 MONTHS LATER.
SHOULD THE MOHEGAN TRIBE BE LOOKING AT CUT BACKS, TOO? WE NEED TO THINK SMARTER AND BETTER. READERS WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?.
FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO OPENED IN MAY, 2008,
THE NEW MGM GRAND HOTEL/CASINO AT FOXWOODS FOR AN ESTIMATED COST OF SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($700,000,000.00.)
AT THE END OF MAY, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQOUTS OFFERED TO 170 GOVERNMENT WORKERS VOLUNTARY LAYOFFS. AT THE END OF JUNE, 2008, THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS LET 100 EMPLOYEES, MOSTLY MANAGERS, AT THE MGM GRAND HOTEL CASINO AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO GO.
TODAY, MICHALE THOMAS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE ANNOUNCED THAT THE TRIBE WILL BE LAYING OFF ABOUT 700 WORKERS FROM THE MGM GRAND AND FOXWOODS RESORT CASINOS. HE SAID, "AS IS HAPPENING TO MANY ORGANIZATIONS, THE ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING OUR NATION AND REGIONAL CONSUMER ECONOMY HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OUR REVENUE GROWTH. ALTHOUGH IT HAS TAKEN A FEW MONTHS, THE RECESSION'S IMPACT CAN NOW BE CLEARLY SEEN IN OUR INDUSTRY."
AN OBSERVATION THAT MAY NEED TO BE MENTIONED, IS THAT USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AT FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, IT HAPPENS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN 3 TO 6 MONTHS LATER.
SHOULD THE MOHEGAN TRIBE BE LOOKING AT CUT BACKS, TOO? WE NEED TO THINK SMARTER AND BETTER. READERS WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?.
JIMMY BUFFET'S MARGARITAVILLE AT MOHEGAN SUN
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
THIS MORNING AFTER THE NEW MANAGER OF JIMMY BUFFET'S MARGRETAVILLE, SAID A FEW WORDS ABOUT BEING HAPPY TO BE THE NEWEST RESTAURANT IN THE MOHEGAN SUN, HE TURNED THE MICROPHONE OVER TO CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, WHO SAID A PRAYER, AND SMUDGE. HE THEN TURNED THE MIKE OVER TO MITCHELL ETESS. HE TOO SAID SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS ABOUT WHAT JIMMY BUFFETS WOULD MEAN TO THE MOHEGAN SUN. EVERYONE TOASTED THE OPENING WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC MARGARETTA'S. THE DOORS WERE THEN OPENED, AND THE CROWD SWARMED IN.
LOOK AT THE PICTURES BELOW, IT IS REALLY A VERY EXCITING PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK OR SOMETHING TO EAT. IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURES THEY ENLARGE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER VIEW. THE SETTING IS LIKE BEING ON THE BEACH IN FLORIDA OR THE CARIBBEAN. THE COLORS AND TEXTURES REMIND YOU OF A TROPICAL SETTING. THERE WERE BOOTHS THAT LOOKED LIKE BOATS. A SEA PLANE HANGING FROM THE CEILING. THE BLUE FLOOR LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE WALKING ON WATER. THERE WERE SURFBOARDS THAT BLOCKED OFF WORKERS AREAS FROM THE CUSTOMERS. THEY HAD A DJ UP ON A STAGE ON THE FIRST FLOOR . ON THE SECOND FLOOR WAS A NICE PATIO LOOKING OVER THE THAMES RIVER. THERE WAS ALSO A LITTLE BAR IN THE CORNER, THAT WAS LIKE A BEACHCOMBER BAR.
THE WAITING STAFF, ARE EXPERIENCED WAITERS AND WAITRESSES FROM OTHER RESTAURANTS. TWO WAITRESSES WE KNEW FROM MEETING THEM AT OTHER RESTAURANTS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. WE WERE TOLD THAT JIMMY BUFFET'S HIRES EXPERIENCED PEOPLE. THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FUN PEOPLE. THEY ONLY HIRE FUN PEOPLE WHO PROJECT THAT TO THE CUSTOMERS AND EVERYONE (CUSTOMERS AND STAFF) HAVE FUN.
THIS RESTAURANT, ALTHOUGH OFF THE BEATEN PATH, WILL DO FINE. IT ACTUALLY SHOULD HELP THE CASINO OF THE WIND. ON MONDAY, DURING THE DAY THERE WAS A 45 MINUTE WAIT FOR A TABLE. WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NO RESERVATIONS, IT IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. CHECK OUT THE MENU POSTED BELOW. JIMMY BUFFETS OPENS AT 11:00 A.M. EVERYDAY. IT CLOSES AT 1:00 AM SUNDAY-THURSDAY. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IT CLOSES AT 2:00 A.M.
THERE ABOUT SIX JIMMY BUFFET'S: THREE IN FLORIDA, ONE IN ARIZONA, ONE IN LAS VEGAS, AND THE NEWEST ONE IN THE MOHEGAN SUN. AT CLOSING TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RESTAURANT HAD A VERY GOOD GRAND OPENING.
THE FOOD TASTES GREAT AND THE PRICES ARE GOOD. THE STAFF ARE GREAT. THE SURROUNDINGS ARE AMAZING. BROKENWING EDITORIALS WISHES IT WELL.
CHECK IT OUT, I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. IT IS A TERRIFIC RESTAURANT.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: WHEN ASKED, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR THE FEATHER NEWS PRESS PASSES. TRIBAL COUNCIL TREASURER, WILLIAM QUIDGEON, WAS ASKED ABOUT THE COST OF SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS. HE SAID WHEN HE GETS THE NUMBER HE WILL CALL ME. HE SAID I HAVE YOUR NUMBER. BACK AT SQUARE ONE, HOW MUCH DOES THE SLOT MACHINES COST FOR ONE MONTH AT POCONO DOWNS? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
'
THIS MORNING AFTER THE NEW MANAGER OF JIMMY BUFFET'S MARGRETAVILLE, SAID A FEW WORDS ABOUT BEING HAPPY TO BE THE NEWEST RESTAURANT IN THE MOHEGAN SUN, HE TURNED THE MICROPHONE OVER TO CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM, WHO SAID A PRAYER, AND SMUDGE. HE THEN TURNED THE MIKE OVER TO MITCHELL ETESS. HE TOO SAID SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS ABOUT WHAT JIMMY BUFFETS WOULD MEAN TO THE MOHEGAN SUN. EVERYONE TOASTED THE OPENING WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC MARGARETTA'S. THE DOORS WERE THEN OPENED, AND THE CROWD SWARMED IN.
LOOK AT THE PICTURES BELOW, IT IS REALLY A VERY EXCITING PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK OR SOMETHING TO EAT. IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURES THEY ENLARGE AND YOU WILL GET A BETTER VIEW. THE SETTING IS LIKE BEING ON THE BEACH IN FLORIDA OR THE CARIBBEAN. THE COLORS AND TEXTURES REMIND YOU OF A TROPICAL SETTING. THERE WERE BOOTHS THAT LOOKED LIKE BOATS. A SEA PLANE HANGING FROM THE CEILING. THE BLUE FLOOR LOOKED LIKE YOU WERE WALKING ON WATER. THERE WERE SURFBOARDS THAT BLOCKED OFF WORKERS AREAS FROM THE CUSTOMERS. THEY HAD A DJ UP ON A STAGE ON THE FIRST FLOOR . ON THE SECOND FLOOR WAS A NICE PATIO LOOKING OVER THE THAMES RIVER. THERE WAS ALSO A LITTLE BAR IN THE CORNER, THAT WAS LIKE A BEACHCOMBER BAR.
THE WAITING STAFF, ARE EXPERIENCED WAITERS AND WAITRESSES FROM OTHER RESTAURANTS. TWO WAITRESSES WE KNEW FROM MEETING THEM AT OTHER RESTAURANTS AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. WE WERE TOLD THAT JIMMY BUFFET'S HIRES EXPERIENCED PEOPLE. THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FUN PEOPLE. THEY ONLY HIRE FUN PEOPLE WHO PROJECT THAT TO THE CUSTOMERS AND EVERYONE (CUSTOMERS AND STAFF) HAVE FUN.
THIS RESTAURANT, ALTHOUGH OFF THE BEATEN PATH, WILL DO FINE. IT ACTUALLY SHOULD HELP THE CASINO OF THE WIND. ON MONDAY, DURING THE DAY THERE WAS A 45 MINUTE WAIT FOR A TABLE. WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NO RESERVATIONS, IT IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. CHECK OUT THE MENU POSTED BELOW. JIMMY BUFFETS OPENS AT 11:00 A.M. EVERYDAY. IT CLOSES AT 1:00 AM SUNDAY-THURSDAY. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IT CLOSES AT 2:00 A.M.
THERE ABOUT SIX JIMMY BUFFET'S: THREE IN FLORIDA, ONE IN ARIZONA, ONE IN LAS VEGAS, AND THE NEWEST ONE IN THE MOHEGAN SUN. AT CLOSING TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RESTAURANT HAD A VERY GOOD GRAND OPENING.
THE FOOD TASTES GREAT AND THE PRICES ARE GOOD. THE STAFF ARE GREAT. THE SURROUNDINGS ARE AMAZING. BROKENWING EDITORIALS WISHES IT WELL.
CHECK IT OUT, I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. IT IS A TERRIFIC RESTAURANT.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: WHEN ASKED, BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE THE EDITORS OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS OR THE FEATHER NEWS PRESS PASSES. TRIBAL COUNCIL TREASURER, WILLIAM QUIDGEON, WAS ASKED ABOUT THE COST OF SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS. HE SAID WHEN HE GETS THE NUMBER HE WILL CALL ME. HE SAID I HAVE YOUR NUMBER. BACK AT SQUARE ONE, HOW MUCH DOES THE SLOT MACHINES COST FOR ONE MONTH AT POCONO DOWNS? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
'
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
NI YA YO
AS WE WERE LEAVING THE SKY CASINO THE OTHER NIGHT, WE PICKED UP A COPY OF THE NI YA YO. A COMPLEMENTARY PAPER PROVIDED BY THE CASINO.
IT WAS THUNDER MOON 2008 VOLUME 3, NUMBER 9. ON THE COVER IT SAYS "TRIBE CELEBRATES BLESSING OF PROJECT HORIZONS'S EARTH EXPANSION." BELOW IT IS A PICTURE OF ALL NINE MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, DAN AYKROYD, MITCHEL ETESS (CEO MOHEGAN SUN), AND LIVE NATION PRESIDENT JIMMY KOPLIK. THERE IS ALSO A PICTURE OF DAN AYKROD RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.
THERE IS PLENTY OF GOOD INFORMATION IN THE PAPER. I REALIZE WE PROBABLY PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO PROVIDE THIS FOR OUR PATRONS. THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY IN THE MAKING OF IT.
WITH ALL THAT SAID, MAYBE WE SHOULD PULL THE PAPER AND JUST HAVE THEM DISAPPEAR? MAYBE IT MAKES THE TRIBE LOOK FOOLISH LEAVING THEM OUT TO BE PICKED UP? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IT WAS THUNDER MOON 2008 VOLUME 3, NUMBER 9. ON THE COVER IT SAYS "TRIBE CELEBRATES BLESSING OF PROJECT HORIZONS'S EARTH EXPANSION." BELOW IT IS A PICTURE OF ALL NINE MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, DAN AYKROYD, MITCHEL ETESS (CEO MOHEGAN SUN), AND LIVE NATION PRESIDENT JIMMY KOPLIK. THERE IS ALSO A PICTURE OF DAN AYKROD RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.
THERE IS PLENTY OF GOOD INFORMATION IN THE PAPER. I REALIZE WE PROBABLY PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO PROVIDE THIS FOR OUR PATRONS. THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT WE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY IN THE MAKING OF IT.
WITH ALL THAT SAID, MAYBE WE SHOULD PULL THE PAPER AND JUST HAVE THEM DISAPPEAR? MAYBE IT MAKES THE TRIBE LOOK FOOLISH LEAVING THEM OUT TO BE PICKED UP? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
NEW STORES AT THE WATERFALL
IF YOU HAVE BEEN BY THE WATERFALL AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SKY CASINO, YOU WILL NOTICE SOME CONSTRUCTION GOING ON.
THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW PUMA STORE, ON THE SIDE WHERE THE TRADING COVE STORE (NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS) IS. THEY ARE BUILDING A TOMMY BAHAMA STORE ON THAT SIDE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN STORE THAT FEATURES HIGH END MEN AND WOMEN'S CASUAL CLOTHING. THEY SHOULD BE A NICE ADDITIONS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN.
ACROSS FROM THOSE STORES, YOU WILL SEE A NEW ENCLOSED AREA WITH TODD ENGLISH'S TUSCANY PRINTED ON IT. IT HAS WOOD COLUMNS AND PAINTED FINISHED WALLS. WE ASKED ABOUT IT AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE PATIO, LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WATERFALL, SO THAT PATRONS CAN SIT OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE WATERFALL. WHEN COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE QUITE NICE. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE CASINOS TENANTS PROSPERING.
THE ONLY OBSERVATION, THAT IS MAYBE NEGATIVE, IS THAT THE SPACE GOING BETWEEN THE STORES IS KIND OF NARROW NOW. IT SEEMS TO DISRUPT EASY ACCESS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SKY CASINO AND THE SHOPS. IT SEEMS TO BE TIGHT. MAYBE THEY SHOULD MOVE THE ROCK DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE.
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT THE CONSTRUCTION BY THE WATERFALL IS ALL ABOUT.
THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW PUMA STORE, ON THE SIDE WHERE THE TRADING COVE STORE (NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFTS) IS. THEY ARE BUILDING A TOMMY BAHAMA STORE ON THAT SIDE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN STORE THAT FEATURES HIGH END MEN AND WOMEN'S CASUAL CLOTHING. THEY SHOULD BE A NICE ADDITIONS TO THE MOHEGAN SUN.
ACROSS FROM THOSE STORES, YOU WILL SEE A NEW ENCLOSED AREA WITH TODD ENGLISH'S TUSCANY PRINTED ON IT. IT HAS WOOD COLUMNS AND PAINTED FINISHED WALLS. WE ASKED ABOUT IT AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY ARE EXTENDING THE PATIO, LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WATERFALL, SO THAT PATRONS CAN SIT OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE VIEW OF THE WATERFALL. WHEN COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE QUITE NICE. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE CASINOS TENANTS PROSPERING.
THE ONLY OBSERVATION, THAT IS MAYBE NEGATIVE, IS THAT THE SPACE GOING BETWEEN THE STORES IS KIND OF NARROW NOW. IT SEEMS TO DISRUPT EASY ACCESS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SKY CASINO AND THE SHOPS. IT SEEMS TO BE TIGHT. MAYBE THEY SHOULD MOVE THE ROCK DISPLAY IN THE MIDDLE.
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT THE CONSTRUCTION BY THE WATERFALL IS ALL ABOUT.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
NORTHLAND AND TARRAGON CONTROVERSY
THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS NOT A REAL ESTATE PERSON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN SOUTH EASTERN CONNECTICUT.
NORTHLAND AND TARRAGON SET OUT TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP. ON MARCH 31, 2008, THEY SAID THEY WERE FORMING A TWO BILLION DOLLAR JOINT VENTURE. IN THE DEAL, NORTHLAND WOULD PROVIDE CAPITAL (MONEY) AND STABILITY TO TARRAGON WHO WAS EXPERIENCING A CASH CRUNCH AND SAW ITS' STOCK PRICES FALLING.
BOTH COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS. NORTHLAND IS WORKING ON SECURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. TARRAGON, WHO IS REPORTED TO OWN UP TO FIFTEEN HUNDRED (1,500) ACRES IN UNCASVILLE, PLANNED TO BUILD A LARGE PROJECT WITH A HOTEL ON THE THAMES RIVER.
NORTHLAND ALEGEDLY HAS FILED TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST TARRAGON. ONE IS ABOUT A PROPERTY IN FLORIDA THAT WAS NEVER CLOSED ON. THE SECOND LAWSUIT IS ABOUT THE JOINT VENTURE NEVER BEING COMPLETED. EACH LAWSUIT I BELIEVE IS FOR ONE BILLION DOLLARS. TARRAGON ALEGEDLY FILED ITS' OWN LAWSUIT. TARRAGON, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT SAID, THAT NORTHLAND DID NOT PROVIDE A DEPOSIT OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00.) TARRAGON CLAIMS IT GAVE NORTHLAND ALL KINDS OF EXTENSIONS.
SUPPOSEDLY, NORTHLAND HAS SAID, "TARRAGON"S FUTURE MAY BE UNCERTAIN AND COULD INCLUDE A POSSIBLE BANKRUPTCY FILING WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS."
MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR THE DECEMDENTS OF CHURCH LANE (GRAYS?), (BAKERS?), FOWLERS, TANTAQUIDGEONS, AND FIELDINGS TO THINK ABOUT PURCHASING SOME OF THE PROPERTIES IN UNCASVILLE? MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE TALKING TO TARRAGON? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
READERS, NOW YOU HAVE AN ABBREVIATED IDEA OF THE CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN TARRAGON AND NORTHLAND.
NORTHLAND AND TARRAGON SET OUT TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP. ON MARCH 31, 2008, THEY SAID THEY WERE FORMING A TWO BILLION DOLLAR JOINT VENTURE. IN THE DEAL, NORTHLAND WOULD PROVIDE CAPITAL (MONEY) AND STABILITY TO TARRAGON WHO WAS EXPERIENCING A CASH CRUNCH AND SAW ITS' STOCK PRICES FALLING.
BOTH COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH BIG THINGS. NORTHLAND IS WORKING ON SECURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. TARRAGON, WHO IS REPORTED TO OWN UP TO FIFTEEN HUNDRED (1,500) ACRES IN UNCASVILLE, PLANNED TO BUILD A LARGE PROJECT WITH A HOTEL ON THE THAMES RIVER.
NORTHLAND ALEGEDLY HAS FILED TWO LAWSUITS AGAINST TARRAGON. ONE IS ABOUT A PROPERTY IN FLORIDA THAT WAS NEVER CLOSED ON. THE SECOND LAWSUIT IS ABOUT THE JOINT VENTURE NEVER BEING COMPLETED. EACH LAWSUIT I BELIEVE IS FOR ONE BILLION DOLLARS. TARRAGON ALEGEDLY FILED ITS' OWN LAWSUIT. TARRAGON, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT SAID, THAT NORTHLAND DID NOT PROVIDE A DEPOSIT OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000.00.) TARRAGON CLAIMS IT GAVE NORTHLAND ALL KINDS OF EXTENSIONS.
SUPPOSEDLY, NORTHLAND HAS SAID, "TARRAGON"S FUTURE MAY BE UNCERTAIN AND COULD INCLUDE A POSSIBLE BANKRUPTCY FILING WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS."
MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR THE DECEMDENTS OF CHURCH LANE (GRAYS?), (BAKERS?), FOWLERS, TANTAQUIDGEONS, AND FIELDINGS TO THINK ABOUT PURCHASING SOME OF THE PROPERTIES IN UNCASVILLE? MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE TALKING TO TARRAGON? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
READERS, NOW YOU HAVE AN ABBREVIATED IDEA OF THE CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN TARRAGON AND NORTHLAND.
SLOT MACHINE LEASES
ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS, STARTED ASKING FOR THE SAME QUESTION. WE HAVE ASKED FOR THE COST OF LEASING SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS.
WE HAVE ASKED MOST OF THE NINE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA). WE ASKED FOR THE AVERAGE COST PER MONTH, PER MACHINE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS HARD TO DO BECAUSE OF LEASES, RENTALS, AND THAT WE OWN SOME OF THE MACHINES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS KEEP SAYING, WE WILL FIND OUT AND GET BACK TO YOU.
SO THEN WE JUST SAID, GIVE US THE TOTAL PRICE FOR THE MONTH AND WE WILL COMPARE THAT WITH OTHER FIGURES FOR POCONO DOWNS FOR THE SAME MONTH. WE FIGURE THIS SHOULD BE EASY, ALL THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO DO, IS MAKE A PHONE CALL AND WE'LL HAVE THE ANSWER. I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, WE WERE TOLD.
WE REALIZE THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATES (AGENDAS.) IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT WITH HARD ECONOMIC TIMES AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT THINGS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.
HOWEVER, WHEN TRIBAL MEMBERS ASK FOR SOMETHNG FOR 4 WEEKS AND THEY DO NOT GET AN ANSWER, THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS FROM IT MEMBERSHIP. MAYBE THE MTGA IS JUST FORGETFUL. MAYBE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO THE MTGA.
SO THE QUESTION IS, DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS US TO LEASE, RENT OR BUY SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS FOR ANY MONTH? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
WE HAVE ASKED MOST OF THE NINE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA). WE ASKED FOR THE AVERAGE COST PER MONTH, PER MACHINE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WAS HARD TO DO BECAUSE OF LEASES, RENTALS, AND THAT WE OWN SOME OF THE MACHINES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS KEEP SAYING, WE WILL FIND OUT AND GET BACK TO YOU.
SO THEN WE JUST SAID, GIVE US THE TOTAL PRICE FOR THE MONTH AND WE WILL COMPARE THAT WITH OTHER FIGURES FOR POCONO DOWNS FOR THE SAME MONTH. WE FIGURE THIS SHOULD BE EASY, ALL THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE TO DO, IS MAKE A PHONE CALL AND WE'LL HAVE THE ANSWER. I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, WE WERE TOLD.
WE REALIZE THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATES (AGENDAS.) IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT WITH HARD ECONOMIC TIMES AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT THINGS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.
HOWEVER, WHEN TRIBAL MEMBERS ASK FOR SOMETHNG FOR 4 WEEKS AND THEY DO NOT GET AN ANSWER, THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE QUESTIONS FROM IT MEMBERSHIP. MAYBE THE MTGA IS JUST FORGETFUL. MAYBE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT TO THE MTGA.
SO THE QUESTION IS, DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS US TO LEASE, RENT OR BUY SLOT MACHINES AT POCONO DOWNS FOR ANY MONTH? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
EARTH TOWER BEING PUT TO SLEEP
THE EDITORS OF FEATHER NEWS AND BROKENWING EDITORIALS CHECKED OUT THE EARTH TOWER, SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CASINO THAT WE WERE STOPPING CONSTRUCTION ON IT.
THE FINAL 1/3 OF FLOORING (FOUNDATION) HAS BEEN POURED AND COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COVERING. THERE WERE ABOUT TWENTY WORKERS ON SITE, THAT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BUTTONING UP THE PROJECT.
THE EARTH TOWER WAS ONE OF FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN CONNECTICUT. ALL FOUR PROJECTS ARE ON HOLD.
PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE BY ECONOMISTS ARE NOT GOOD. THEY DO NOT THINK THE COUNTRY WILL COME OUT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION FOR QUITE SOME TIME. LET'S HOPE THEY ARE WRONG. THE GAMING INDUSTRY WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO BE BULLET PROOF HAS BEEN PROVEN NOT TO BE.
HOPEFULLY IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS, WHEN THE MTGA (TRIBAL COUNCIL) RE-EVALUATES THE BUILDING OF THE HOTEL, THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY WILL BE BETTER AND WORK WILL BEGIN AGAIN.
THE FINAL 1/3 OF FLOORING (FOUNDATION) HAS BEEN POURED AND COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COVERING. THERE WERE ABOUT TWENTY WORKERS ON SITE, THAT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE BUTTONING UP THE PROJECT.
THE EARTH TOWER WAS ONE OF FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN CONNECTICUT. ALL FOUR PROJECTS ARE ON HOLD.
PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE BY ECONOMISTS ARE NOT GOOD. THEY DO NOT THINK THE COUNTRY WILL COME OUT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION FOR QUITE SOME TIME. LET'S HOPE THEY ARE WRONG. THE GAMING INDUSTRY WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO BE BULLET PROOF HAS BEEN PROVEN NOT TO BE.
HOPEFULLY IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS, WHEN THE MTGA (TRIBAL COUNCIL) RE-EVALUATES THE BUILDING OF THE HOTEL, THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY WILL BE BETTER AND WORK WILL BEGIN AGAIN.
SEE YOU THERE
GOVERNMENT BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITE, -THURSDAY 3:00P.M. OCTOBER 2,16,30, LEAVES PRESENT TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
OATH OF OFFICE (NEW MEMBERS COUNCIL OF ELDERS) OCTOBER 6, 2008 10:00 A.M. MOHEGAN CHURCH
COFFEE HOURS, WEDNESDAYS OCTOBER 8, AND NOVEMBER 12, 9:00 A.M. , TRIBAL MEETING ROOM. UPDATE: OCTOBER 8, 2005 COFFEE HOUR CANCELED.
QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 AT 11:30A.M. (FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE)
HOUSING AUTHORITY MONTHLY MEETING, OCTOBER 8, 2008 AT 5:30 P.M. AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING
OATH OF OFFICE (NEW MEMBERS COUNCIL OF ELDERS) OCTOBER 6, 2008 10:00 A.M. MOHEGAN CHURCH
COFFEE HOURS, WEDNESDAYS OCTOBER 8, AND NOVEMBER 12, 9:00 A.M. , TRIBAL MEETING ROOM. UPDATE: OCTOBER 8, 2005 COFFEE HOUR CANCELED.
QUARTERLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 AT 11:30A.M. (FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE)
HOUSING AUTHORITY MONTHLY MEETING, OCTOBER 8, 2008 AT 5:30 P.M. AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING
THE ARENA
AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ARENA SOMETHING STRANGE IS HAPPENING.
ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 WILLIE NELSON PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (4,500). THE BOX OFFICE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SELLING TICKETS FOR AS LOW AS TWENTY ($20.00) DOLLARS PER TICKET. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 BRAD PAISLEY PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS AROUND SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (6,500.)
THE ARENA IS NOT DRAWING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO THE CASINO. I VISITED THE MOHEGAN SUN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY. I THINK THE NUMBERS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTING. I HOPE I AM WRONG.
WHAT DO THE ATTENDANCE FIGURES MEAN? DOES IT MEAN THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THESE ENTERTAINERS PERFORM TOO OFTEN? IS THE ECONOMY MAKING PEOPLE AFRAID? COULD THIS BE A TREND CAUSED BY THE ECONOMY? DID THE WEATHER ON FRIDAY HAVE AN EFFECT? MAYBE IT IS THE NEW MGM GRAND THEATER AT FOXWOODS?
THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AS THE MTGA NEED TO DO IT BETTER AND SMARTER THAN OUR COMPETITION. THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE, WE NEED AN UPSWING, WE NEED TO STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE HAD BETTER ATTENDANCE AT THE CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL GAMES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) AND THE EXECUTIVE STAFF OF THE CASINO NEED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON.
ROKENWING EDITORIALS HOPES THAT SOMEHOW, THE CASINO WILL FIND A WAY TO FILL THE ARENA AND TURN THIS AROUND.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: ON SATURDAY THE CASINO WAS EXTREMELY BUSY, A VERY GOOD THING.
ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 WILLIE NELSON PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (4,500). THE BOX OFFICE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SELLING TICKETS FOR AS LOW AS TWENTY ($20.00) DOLLARS PER TICKET. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 BRAD PAISLEY PERFORMED. THE ATTENDANCE WAS AROUND SIX THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (6,500.)
THE ARENA IS NOT DRAWING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO THE CASINO. I VISITED THE MOHEGAN SUN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND IT WAS NOT VERY BUSY. I THINK THE NUMBERS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTING. I HOPE I AM WRONG.
WHAT DO THE ATTENDANCE FIGURES MEAN? DOES IT MEAN THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME OF THESE ENTERTAINERS PERFORM TOO OFTEN? IS THE ECONOMY MAKING PEOPLE AFRAID? COULD THIS BE A TREND CAUSED BY THE ECONOMY? DID THE WEATHER ON FRIDAY HAVE AN EFFECT? MAYBE IT IS THE NEW MGM GRAND THEATER AT FOXWOODS?
THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY ALL OF THE ABOVE. THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AS THE MTGA NEED TO DO IT BETTER AND SMARTER THAN OUR COMPETITION. THIS CAN NOT CONTINUE, WE NEED AN UPSWING, WE NEED TO STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE HAD BETTER ATTENDANCE AT THE CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL GAMES. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL (MTGA) AND THE EXECUTIVE STAFF OF THE CASINO NEED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON.
ROKENWING EDITORIALS HOPES THAT SOMEHOW, THE CASINO WILL FIND A WAY TO FILL THE ARENA AND TURN THIS AROUND.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: ON SATURDAY THE CASINO WAS EXTREMELY BUSY, A VERY GOOD THING.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
PART II: WHAT HAPPENED?
I DID AN ARTICLE ON THE WUSKUSO NOT GETTING THE ELECTION RESULTS OUT FOR TWELVE TO FOURTEEN DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION WAS COUNTED.
I RECEIVED E-MAILS ON THE SUBJECT. THE BASIC REPLY WAS, THAT IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE FOR. WUSKUSO IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THAT. EVERYBODY TELLS EVERYONE, SO EVERYONE KNEW.
MAYBE THEY GET IT AND I DON'T. IN THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 WUSKUSO WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE ELECTION RESULTS. IN THE CENTER A YELLOW PAPER WAS ADDED. IT TOLD ABOUT HOW TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN POST SEASON. IF THEY COULD DO THAT, THEN WHY COULDN"T A PAPER BEEN ADDED WITH THE ELECTION RESULTS IN THE WUSKUSO THE WEEK BEFORE. TRIBAL MEMBERS WOULD HAVE THEN GOT THE ELECTION RESULTS IN FIVE OR SIX DAYS.
THE WUSKUSO HAD A STAFF MEMBER THERE WHEN THE RESULTS WERE GIVEN ON AUGUST 31, 2008. WITH THE COVERAGE THAT WAS GIVEN, THE INFORMATION POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN ON MONDAY. THE STAFF MEMBER COULD HAVE HAD HER SUNDAY OFF. I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF THE WUSKUSO STAFF AND FEEL THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. .
I GUESS THE QUESTION STILL IS, WHAT HAPPENED?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE LATEST WUSKUSO, DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 2008, IS THE BEST WUSKUSO I HAVE READ IN MANY YEARS. GREAT JOB WUSKUSO STAFF. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.
I RECEIVED E-MAILS ON THE SUBJECT. THE BASIC REPLY WAS, THAT IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE FOR. WUSKUSO IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO THAT. EVERYBODY TELLS EVERYONE, SO EVERYONE KNEW.
MAYBE THEY GET IT AND I DON'T. IN THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 WUSKUSO WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE ELECTION RESULTS. IN THE CENTER A YELLOW PAPER WAS ADDED. IT TOLD ABOUT HOW TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN POST SEASON. IF THEY COULD DO THAT, THEN WHY COULDN"T A PAPER BEEN ADDED WITH THE ELECTION RESULTS IN THE WUSKUSO THE WEEK BEFORE. TRIBAL MEMBERS WOULD HAVE THEN GOT THE ELECTION RESULTS IN FIVE OR SIX DAYS.
THE WUSKUSO HAD A STAFF MEMBER THERE WHEN THE RESULTS WERE GIVEN ON AUGUST 31, 2008. WITH THE COVERAGE THAT WAS GIVEN, THE INFORMATION POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN ON MONDAY. THE STAFF MEMBER COULD HAVE HAD HER SUNDAY OFF. I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF THE WUSKUSO STAFF AND FEEL THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB FOR THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. .
I GUESS THE QUESTION STILL IS, WHAT HAPPENED?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE LATEST WUSKUSO, DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 2008, IS THE BEST WUSKUSO I HAVE READ IN MANY YEARS. GREAT JOB WUSKUSO STAFF. IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR MOHEGANS.
HEALTH CARE
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING OPEN SESSION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL, AN INCREASE TO THE BUDGET FOR HEALTH CARE WAS ASKED FOR.
THE PEOPLE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH EXPLAINED HOW HEALTH COSTS HAD RISEN AND THAT THE TRIBE WAS USING MORE HEALTH SERVICES THEN EVER BEFORE. THE POPULATION IS GROWING OLDER REQUIRING MORE AND MORE HEALTH CARE.
THEY ASKED FOR I BELIEVE IT WAS 1.485 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,485,000.00.) THEY WERE ALSO MOVING $200,000.00 TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND FROM SOME OTHER PART OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM. SO THE TOTAL EXTRA NEEDED CAME TO I BELIEVE 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,7000,000.00.)
PHIL CAHILL, WHO WAS ALSO SITTING AT THE TABLE WHERE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GIVING THE PRESENTATION TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, WAS ASKED A QUESTION. THE QUESTION WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, WAS THERE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO DO THIS. HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THERE WAS. IN FACT I BELIEVE HE SAID THERE WAS ONE OR TWO MILLION STILL LEFT IN THE BUDGET. THE HEALTH CARE INCREASE WAS APPROVED.
I THOUGHT IF HEALTH CARE IS GOING UP, WHAT ABOUT THE EDUCATION FUNDING DEPARTMENT? I FIGURE IF MORE CHILDREN ARE COMING UP ALL THE TIME AND ARE ENTERING COLLEGE, THEN THERE HAS TO BE THE SAME POTENTIAL OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY. I ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE COST OF GOING TO COLLEGE EVERY YEAR HAD TO BE GOING UP LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. I ASKED AROUND AND CAME AWAY THINKING THAT THE MONEY PROBLEM EXISTS THERE TOO.
WITH ALL THESE INCREASES CAUSING COSTS TO RISE, IT IS NO WONDER THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO BRING FUNDS INTO THE GOVERNMENT.
MAYBE IT IS TIME THE GOVERNMENT THOUGHT ABOUT CUTTING ITS' BIGGEST UNDERTAKING THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH MOST TRIBAL MEMBERS DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD BUILD AT THIS TIME. DO WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER OR DO YOU WANT TO KEEP OUR PER CAPS, BENEFITS AND OTHER THINGS PROVIDED BY THE TRIBE?
THE PEOPLE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH EXPLAINED HOW HEALTH COSTS HAD RISEN AND THAT THE TRIBE WAS USING MORE HEALTH SERVICES THEN EVER BEFORE. THE POPULATION IS GROWING OLDER REQUIRING MORE AND MORE HEALTH CARE.
THEY ASKED FOR I BELIEVE IT WAS 1.485 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,485,000.00.) THEY WERE ALSO MOVING $200,000.00 TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND FROM SOME OTHER PART OF THE HEALTH PROGRAM. SO THE TOTAL EXTRA NEEDED CAME TO I BELIEVE 1.7 MILLION DOLLARS ($1,7000,000.00.)
PHIL CAHILL, WHO WAS ALSO SITTING AT THE TABLE WHERE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT GIVING THE PRESENTATION TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, WAS ASKED A QUESTION. THE QUESTION WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT, WAS THERE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO DO THIS. HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THERE WAS. IN FACT I BELIEVE HE SAID THERE WAS ONE OR TWO MILLION STILL LEFT IN THE BUDGET. THE HEALTH CARE INCREASE WAS APPROVED.
I THOUGHT IF HEALTH CARE IS GOING UP, WHAT ABOUT THE EDUCATION FUNDING DEPARTMENT? I FIGURE IF MORE CHILDREN ARE COMING UP ALL THE TIME AND ARE ENTERING COLLEGE, THEN THERE HAS TO BE THE SAME POTENTIAL OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY. I ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE COST OF GOING TO COLLEGE EVERY YEAR HAD TO BE GOING UP LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE. I ASKED AROUND AND CAME AWAY THINKING THAT THE MONEY PROBLEM EXISTS THERE TOO.
WITH ALL THESE INCREASES CAUSING COSTS TO RISE, IT IS NO WONDER THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO BRING FUNDS INTO THE GOVERNMENT.
MAYBE IT IS TIME THE GOVERNMENT THOUGHT ABOUT CUTTING ITS' BIGGEST UNDERTAKING THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH MOST TRIBAL MEMBERS DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD BUILD AT THIS TIME. DO WE (TRIBAL MEMBERS) WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER OR DO YOU WANT TO KEEP OUR PER CAPS, BENEFITS AND OTHER THINGS PROVIDED BY THE TRIBE?
PROJECT HORIZON MEETING
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT A DAY OR TWO AND LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED, TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. THAT IS THE CASE HERE.
WHEN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE STOPPING CONSTRUCTION ON THE EARTH TOWER (HOTEL), IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD DONE A VERY COURAGEOUS THING. IN MY OPINION, THE REALITY IS THAT THE INDENTURES OF THE PRESENT BOND HOLDERS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE MET. THE BOND HOLDERS THEN COULD HAVE COME FORWARD AND DEMANDED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS OWED. IN OTHER WORDS IF THE NEW HOTEL DID NOT DO AS GOOD AS IT NEEDED TO, THE BOND HOLDERS COULD HAVE ASKED TO BE PAID OFF. THERE IS NO WAY, IN MY OPINION THAT THE TRIBE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. YES, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY HAD ANY OTHER CHOICE. THE WAY I REMEMBER IT, EIGHT OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL VOTED TO BUILD THIS HOTEL. THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T WAS COUNCILOR HUTCHINS (WHO WAS NOT ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME).
ON REFLECTING ON THE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN AND THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS, I REALIZED TWO THINGS.
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
THE SECOND THING IS, I BELIEVE THE CHAIRMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS, WHEN HE CALLED US THE PRESS. THE WUSKUSO WAS THERE, TOO. SINCE HE CALLED US THE PRESS, WE THEREFORE MUST BE THE PRESS. SINCE THE WUSKUSO HAS PRESS PASSES, I FEEL THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE US (BROKENWING EDITIORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS), PRESS PASSES SO WE COULD DO OUR JOBS EVEN BETTER.
FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS, REFLECT ON WHAT WAS SAID AND THINK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CONDITION THAT WE ARE NOW IN. CONSIDER WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT.
WHEN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE STOPPING CONSTRUCTION ON THE EARTH TOWER (HOTEL), IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD DONE A VERY COURAGEOUS THING. IN MY OPINION, THE REALITY IS THAT THE INDENTURES OF THE PRESENT BOND HOLDERS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE MET. THE BOND HOLDERS THEN COULD HAVE COME FORWARD AND DEMANDED THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BONDS OWED. IN OTHER WORDS IF THE NEW HOTEL DID NOT DO AS GOOD AS IT NEEDED TO, THE BOND HOLDERS COULD HAVE ASKED TO BE PAID OFF. THERE IS NO WAY, IN MY OPINION THAT THE TRIBE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. YES, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL DID DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT I DO NOT THINK THEY HAD ANY OTHER CHOICE. THE WAY I REMEMBER IT, EIGHT OF THE PRESENT COUNCIL VOTED TO BUILD THIS HOTEL. THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T WAS COUNCILOR HUTCHINS (WHO WAS NOT ON THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME).
ON REFLECTING ON THE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN AND THE EDITOR OF FEATHER NEWS, I REALIZED TWO THINGS.
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
THE SECOND THING IS, I BELIEVE THE CHAIRMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND THE FEATHER NEWS, WHEN HE CALLED US THE PRESS. THE WUSKUSO WAS THERE, TOO. SINCE HE CALLED US THE PRESS, WE THEREFORE MUST BE THE PRESS. SINCE THE WUSKUSO HAS PRESS PASSES, I FEEL THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE US (BROKENWING EDITIORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS), PRESS PASSES SO WE COULD DO OUR JOBS EVEN BETTER.
FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS, REFLECT ON WHAT WAS SAID AND THINK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CONDITION THAT WE ARE NOW IN. CONSIDER WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX IT.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
PETITIONS
YEARS AGO A TRIBAL MEMBER BROUGHT AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. HE ALLEGED THAT THE MEMBERS INVOLVED, HAD IN THE DOING OF BUSINESS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, DONE UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.
WHILE THIS ETHICS INVESTIGATION WAS GOING ON, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CREATED A NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE. I ASKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE. HE TOLD ME WHEN I WOULD GET IT, I SHOULD READ IT, AND THAT I WOULD LIKE IT. WELL, I GOT IT AND AFTER READING IT DECIDED I DID NOT LIKE IT. I WITH SOME HELP, WROTE A PETITION AND GOT TWO OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO I REALLY LOOK UP TO SPONSOR IT WITH ME. IN THE PETITION WE WANTED THE ETHICS ORDINANCE CANCELED. WE GOT 38 SIGNATURES AND TURNED IT IN TO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS WORKED ON A NEW ETHICS ORDNANCE TO REPLACE THE ORDINANCE THAT THE PETITION WANTED CANCELED.
WHEN THE NEW ORDINANCE WAS COMPLETED ONE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SAID, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I THINK HE MAY HAVE MEANT, HE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER ORDINANCE WITH THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, EVER AGAIN.
THE BALLOTS WERE WRITTEN FOR A VOTE ON THE ISSUE. FIVE DAYS BEFORE IT HAD TO BE VOTED ON BY THE TRIBE, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RESCINDED THE ORDINANCE. AND PASSED THE NEW ORDINANCE. THE OTHER SPONSORS OF THE PETITION READ THE NEW ORDINANCE AND WERE OKAY WITH IT, SO WE NEVER PETITIONED AGAINST THE NEW ONE. AFTER RECENTLY LOOKING AT THE NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE, I THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE PETITIONED AGAINST IT TOO.
THAT IS HOW A PETITION ALMOST CHANGED HISTORY IN THIS TRIBE. IT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME, THAT THE PEOPLE IN THIS TRIBE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON WHETHER THEY WANTED A LAW CANCELED. IT NEVER HAPPENED BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PROCESS WORK. IT WAS GOOD TO GET RID OF IN MY OPINION A BAD ETHICS LAW.
THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIBE DO NOT WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER . THEY THINK THAT AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT A WISE BUSINESS DECISION TO DO IT. MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER PETITION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WHILE THIS ETHICS INVESTIGATION WAS GOING ON, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CREATED A NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE. I ASKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE. HE TOLD ME WHEN I WOULD GET IT, I SHOULD READ IT, AND THAT I WOULD LIKE IT. WELL, I GOT IT AND AFTER READING IT DECIDED I DID NOT LIKE IT. I WITH SOME HELP, WROTE A PETITION AND GOT TWO OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS WHO I REALLY LOOK UP TO SPONSOR IT WITH ME. IN THE PETITION WE WANTED THE ETHICS ORDINANCE CANCELED. WE GOT 38 SIGNATURES AND TURNED IT IN TO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND COUNCIL OF ELDERS WORKED ON A NEW ETHICS ORDNANCE TO REPLACE THE ORDINANCE THAT THE PETITION WANTED CANCELED.
WHEN THE NEW ORDINANCE WAS COMPLETED ONE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SAID, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I THINK HE MAY HAVE MEANT, HE DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER ORDINANCE WITH THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, EVER AGAIN.
THE BALLOTS WERE WRITTEN FOR A VOTE ON THE ISSUE. FIVE DAYS BEFORE IT HAD TO BE VOTED ON BY THE TRIBE, THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RESCINDED THE ORDINANCE. AND PASSED THE NEW ORDINANCE. THE OTHER SPONSORS OF THE PETITION READ THE NEW ORDINANCE AND WERE OKAY WITH IT, SO WE NEVER PETITIONED AGAINST THE NEW ONE. AFTER RECENTLY LOOKING AT THE NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE, I THINK MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE PETITIONED AGAINST IT TOO.
THAT IS HOW A PETITION ALMOST CHANGED HISTORY IN THIS TRIBE. IT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME, THAT THE PEOPLE IN THIS TRIBE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON WHETHER THEY WANTED A LAW CANCELED. IT NEVER HAPPENED BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE PROCESS WORK. IT WAS GOOD TO GET RID OF IN MY OPINION A BAD ETHICS LAW.
THE MAJORITY OF THE TRIBE DO NOT WANT A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER . THEY THINK THAT AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT A WISE BUSINESS DECISION TO DO IT. MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER PETITION. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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