ON SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008, THE BALLOT COUNT WAS DONE FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ELECTION. THERE WERE 449 VOTES, 2 WERE NOT VALID, SO IN THE END THEY COUNTED 447.
HERE IS THE BREAK DOWN, FROM HIGHEST VOTE GETTER TO THE LOWEST:
1) STEPHANIE FIELDING ******* 274
2) WILLIAM ANDREWS ********* 247
3) SHARON MAYNARD **********228
4) LAURENCE ROBERGE ********222
5} CHARLIE STRICKLAND *******213
6) ROBERTA HARRIS-PAYNE*****197
7) DORI MONTGOMERY *********195
8) KURT EICHELBERG ***********188
TO THE WINNERS CONGRATULATIONS.
AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE HAD TO BRING IN THEIR BALLOTS ON SUNDAY BEFORE NINE A. M. TO HAVE THEIR BALLOTS COUNTED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING CLOSED AT TWELVE P.M. FRIDAY AUGUST 29, 2008. THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME TO COME BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT THE BALLOTS MUST BE COUNTED ON THE LAST SUNDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH WILL ALWAYS LAND ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LEAVE SECURITY AT THE GOVERNMENT ENTRANCE UNTIL AT LEAST FIVE P.M., SO THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS WISHING TO VOTE CAN GET TO THE BALLOT BOX WITHOUT COMING IN SPECIAL ON SUNDAY MORNING BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT CLOSED EARLY.
NEXT YEAR FIVE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL BE UP FOR ELECTION. NOW IS THE TIME TO START WATCHING THE INCUMBENTS AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
CASINO OF THE WIND PRE-OPENING PARTY
IF YOU GO TO THE FEATHER NEWS, YOU SEE WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NEW CASINO THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HAS BUILT. WE HAVE OUT DONE OURSELVES. THE COLORS ARE RICH AND VIBRANT. THE DETAILS ARE AMAZING. THE POKER ROOM WITH ITS CAMERAS WILL BE WONDERFUL FOR NATIONAL TELEVISION EVENTS. A JOB WELL DONE. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT.
IN JULY THE MOHEGAN SUN DROPPED CLOSE TO 15 PERCENT (14.6%) FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. IN JULY, FOXWOODS RESORTS CASINO DROPPED ABOUT 3 PERCENT (3.2%) FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. THE PROBLEM FOR FOXWOODS IS THEY JUST OPENED THE NEW MGM GRAND HOTEL AND CASINO AT FOXWOODS AT A ESTIMATED COST OF 700 MILLION DOLLARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD AN INCREASE NOT A DECREASE. THE COST OF OUR NEW CASINO WITH OUR FUTURE HOTEL IS ESTIMATED AT 925 MILLION DOLLARS.
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN TO US WITH THE CASINO OF THE WIND. I THINK WE CREATED A BETTER PRODUCT. WE SHOULD DO VERY WELL WITH THE CASINO.
THE ECONOMY COULD BE LIKENED TO A CAR GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. WHEN YOU GO DOWN THE HILL YOU NEED ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CLIMB THE HILL. IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE IT UP THE HILL YOU ARE OUT OF BUSINESS.
IN BUSINESS, WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH YOU CAN GO CONSERVATIVE AND WAIT AND EXPAND WHEN THINGS ARE BETTER. THE OTHER WAY IS TO EXPAND WHEN THINGS ARE NOT SO GOOD SO WHEN THE ECONOMY HITS ITS UPSWING YOU ARE READY FOR THE INCREASED BUSINESS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: ON VISITING CASINO OF THE WIND ON SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008 WE OBSERVED TWO SPOT LIGHTS IN THE FLOOR THAT SURROUND THE BLUE COLUMNS THAT WERE NOT BELOW THE FLOOR LEVEL. PATRONS COULD POSSIBLY TRIP. A TRIBAL MEMBER SAID HE FELT A RIPPLE IN THE FLOOR CAUSING HIM TO THINK THERE IS A CABLE OR WIRE UNDER THE CARPET. THE CASINO SHOULD CHECK THESE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
IN JULY THE MOHEGAN SUN DROPPED CLOSE TO 15 PERCENT (14.6%) FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. IN JULY, FOXWOODS RESORTS CASINO DROPPED ABOUT 3 PERCENT (3.2%) FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. THE PROBLEM FOR FOXWOODS IS THEY JUST OPENED THE NEW MGM GRAND HOTEL AND CASINO AT FOXWOODS AT A ESTIMATED COST OF 700 MILLION DOLLARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD AN INCREASE NOT A DECREASE. THE COST OF OUR NEW CASINO WITH OUR FUTURE HOTEL IS ESTIMATED AT 925 MILLION DOLLARS.
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN TO US WITH THE CASINO OF THE WIND. I THINK WE CREATED A BETTER PRODUCT. WE SHOULD DO VERY WELL WITH THE CASINO.
THE ECONOMY COULD BE LIKENED TO A CAR GOING UP AND DOWN HILLS. WHEN YOU GO DOWN THE HILL YOU NEED ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CLIMB THE HILL. IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE IT UP THE HILL YOU ARE OUT OF BUSINESS.
IN BUSINESS, WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH YOU CAN GO CONSERVATIVE AND WAIT AND EXPAND WHEN THINGS ARE BETTER. THE OTHER WAY IS TO EXPAND WHEN THINGS ARE NOT SO GOOD SO WHEN THE ECONOMY HITS ITS UPSWING YOU ARE READY FOR THE INCREASED BUSINESS.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: ON VISITING CASINO OF THE WIND ON SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008 WE OBSERVED TWO SPOT LIGHTS IN THE FLOOR THAT SURROUND THE BLUE COLUMNS THAT WERE NOT BELOW THE FLOOR LEVEL. PATRONS COULD POSSIBLY TRIP. A TRIBAL MEMBER SAID HE FELT A RIPPLE IN THE FLOOR CAUSING HIM TO THINK THERE IS A CABLE OR WIRE UNDER THE CARPET. THE CASINO SHOULD CHECK THESE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS
THE COUNTING THE BALLOTS FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS HAPPENS THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 31, 2008. THIS WAS IMPORTANT ELECTION BECAUSE THE NEW COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL PROBABLY PICK THE NEXT CHIEF, THEY MAY WORK ON THINGS THAT NEED WORK ON THE CONSTITUTION, ETC.
A YEAR FROM NOW FIVE POSITIONS WILL BE VOTED ON FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.
THIS ELECTION WILL BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE ARE THE LEADERS WHO ACTUALLY RUN THE GOVERNMENT. THEY MAKE THE ORDINANCES, POLICIES, SPEND THE MONEY AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.
THE BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT THEY HAVE MADE AND THE ONES THEY WILL MAKE ON MOHEGAN SUN, POCONO DOWNS, WISCONSIN, WASHINGTON STATE AND KANSAS WILL BE LOOKED AT.
ALTHOUGH THE CRITICAL ECONOMIC TIMES THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING ARE NOT THE TRIBAL COUNCILS' FAULT, THE BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE ARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
IT SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING YEAR. I URGE TRIBAL MEMBERS TO WATCH, LISTEN ON WHAT THESE FIVE TRIBAL COUNCILORS DO THIS COMING YEAR.
A YEAR FROM NOW FIVE POSITIONS WILL BE VOTED ON FOR THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.
THIS ELECTION WILL BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE ARE THE LEADERS WHO ACTUALLY RUN THE GOVERNMENT. THEY MAKE THE ORDINANCES, POLICIES, SPEND THE MONEY AND FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.
THE BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT THEY HAVE MADE AND THE ONES THEY WILL MAKE ON MOHEGAN SUN, POCONO DOWNS, WISCONSIN, WASHINGTON STATE AND KANSAS WILL BE LOOKED AT.
ALTHOUGH THE CRITICAL ECONOMIC TIMES THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING ARE NOT THE TRIBAL COUNCILS' FAULT, THE BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE ARE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
IT SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING YEAR. I URGE TRIBAL MEMBERS TO WATCH, LISTEN ON WHAT THESE FIVE TRIBAL COUNCILORS DO THIS COMING YEAR.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND THE ONE HOUR MAN
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE BUSINESS WORLD MEANS THAT EVERYONE WORKING IN THE BUSINESS WILL ADHERE TO A POLICY. IT MEANS THE CONDUCT OF EVERYONE WILL BE THE SAME. NO ONE IS EXCLUDED.
SEVERAL COUNCIL OF ELDERS AGO, SOME NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS FELT THEY COULD COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASED. THE MEMBERS FELT THAT THEY ONLY HAD TO BE PRESENT FOR THE OPEN SESSION ONCE A WEEK BECAUSE THEY INTERPRETED THE CONSTITUTION TO SAY THAT. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DID NOT THINK THIS SITUATION WAS ACCEPTABLE. A MEETING WAS CALLED TO DISCUSS THIS. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ADOPTED A SUPPOSED STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. IT SUPPOSEDLY STATED THAT THEY AGREED TO WORK A MINIMUM OF SIX HOURS A DAY. THE LATEST THEY WOULD REPORT WOULD BE ABOUT NINE A.,M. AND WORK TO AROUND THREE P.M. THE EARLIEST THEY WOULD GO AND PLAY SLOTS WOULD BE FIVE P.M. THIS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MIGHT STILL BE IN EFFECT.
TODAY, WE ARE TOLD THAT A ONE HOUR MAN EXISTS. HE ALLEGEDLY SHOWS UP FOR ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY AND THEN EITHER GOES TO THE CASINO, HOME OR SOMEPLACE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS ALLEGED BEHAVIOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID THAT AS LONG AS HE GOES TO THE OPEN SESSIONS HE IS DOING WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES. IN FACT WE WERE TOLD, IT ONLY STATES THAT HE CAN NOT MISS MORE THAN THREE OPEN SESSIONS IN A ROW. SO IN OTHER WORDS HE COULD MISS TWO SHOW UP FOR ONE AND THEN MISS TWO AGAIN, ETC.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS MAKE ABOUT EIGHTY ($80,000.00) THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR. IF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE, HOW IS THIS BEING ALLOWED TO HAPPEN? SHOULD THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION? SHOULD THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS REPORT TO THE TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION? TRIBAL MEMBERS IF THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND MAKE YOUR THOUGHTS KNOWN. IF ANYONE HAS SOME THOUGHTS OR IDEAS ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION, PLEASE E-MAIL ME?
SEVERAL COUNCIL OF ELDERS AGO, SOME NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS FELT THEY COULD COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASED. THE MEMBERS FELT THAT THEY ONLY HAD TO BE PRESENT FOR THE OPEN SESSION ONCE A WEEK BECAUSE THEY INTERPRETED THE CONSTITUTION TO SAY THAT. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DID NOT THINK THIS SITUATION WAS ACCEPTABLE. A MEETING WAS CALLED TO DISCUSS THIS. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ADOPTED A SUPPOSED STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. IT SUPPOSEDLY STATED THAT THEY AGREED TO WORK A MINIMUM OF SIX HOURS A DAY. THE LATEST THEY WOULD REPORT WOULD BE ABOUT NINE A.,M. AND WORK TO AROUND THREE P.M. THE EARLIEST THEY WOULD GO AND PLAY SLOTS WOULD BE FIVE P.M. THIS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MIGHT STILL BE IN EFFECT.
TODAY, WE ARE TOLD THAT A ONE HOUR MAN EXISTS. HE ALLEGEDLY SHOWS UP FOR ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY AND THEN EITHER GOES TO THE CASINO, HOME OR SOMEPLACE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS ALLEGED BEHAVIOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID THAT AS LONG AS HE GOES TO THE OPEN SESSIONS HE IS DOING WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES. IN FACT WE WERE TOLD, IT ONLY STATES THAT HE CAN NOT MISS MORE THAN THREE OPEN SESSIONS IN A ROW. SO IN OTHER WORDS HE COULD MISS TWO SHOW UP FOR ONE AND THEN MISS TWO AGAIN, ETC.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS MAKE ABOUT EIGHTY ($80,000.00) THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR. IF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE, HOW IS THIS BEING ALLOWED TO HAPPEN? SHOULD THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION? SHOULD THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS REPORT TO THE TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION? TRIBAL MEMBERS IF THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND MAKE YOUR THOUGHTS KNOWN. IF ANYONE HAS SOME THOUGHTS OR IDEAS ABOUT THIS ALLEGED SITUATION, PLEASE E-MAIL ME?
Friday, August 29, 2008
THE BALLOT THAT DID NOT GET COUNTED
I WAS CONTACTED BY A VERY ANGRY TRIBAL MEMBER, THIS IS HER STORY ACCORDING TO HER.
A TRIBAL MEMBER TOLD ME SHE JUST RECENTLY MOVED FROM FLORIDA TO TENNESSEE, NOTIFIED THE TRIBE OF HER MOVE. THE TRIBE HAS HER ADDRESS BECAUSE THE WUSKUSO AND MOHEGAN WAY CAME. THE BALLOT FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ELECTION NEVER CAME.
ON WEDNESDAY SHE CALLED THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOSZUM ABOUT HER NOT GETTING HER BALLOT. GENE BAKER CALLED AND SAID HE WOULD EXPRESS MAIL IT OVER NIGHT SO SHE WOULD GET IT ON THURSDAY.
THURSDAY CAME AND NO BALLOT. SHE CALLED AGAIN. SHE WAS TOLD IF SHE GOT IT ON FRIDAY AND SHE COULD OVERNIGHT IT BACK, IT WOULD BE PICKED UP ON SATURDAY SO IT COULD BE COUNTED ON SUNDAY AUGUST '31, 2008. SHE WAS WILLING TO PAY WHATEVER IT WOULD COST FOR HER VOTE TO BE COUNTED.
FRIDAY CAME AND NO BALLOT. THE TRIBAL MEMBER CALLED AND ASKED IF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD FAX HER A BALLOT AND SHE WOULD FAX IT RIGHT BACK. SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE BALLOT HAD TO COME BACK IN THE OFFICIAL ENVELOPE SO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD VERIFY THE BALLOT. SHE PROCEEDED TO CALL CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM AND ONLY GOT HIS VOICE MAIL.
I AGREE THE TRIBAL MEMBER WAITED TOO LONG, THE UNITED STATES MAIL FAILED, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED EARLY AND SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO VOTE NEVER GOT TO VOTE.
I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT LOCKED THE DOORS EARLY ON FRIDAY SO THAT MEMBERS WHO WANTED TO VOTE COULD NOT GET TO THE BALLOT BOX. TRIBAL MEMBERS YOU CAN STILL TURN IN YOUR BALLOTS IF YOU ARRIVE JUST BEFORE NINE A.M. ON SUNDAY MORNING.
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A TRIBAL MEMBER TOLD ME SHE JUST RECENTLY MOVED FROM FLORIDA TO TENNESSEE, NOTIFIED THE TRIBE OF HER MOVE. THE TRIBE HAS HER ADDRESS BECAUSE THE WUSKUSO AND MOHEGAN WAY CAME. THE BALLOT FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ELECTION NEVER CAME.
ON WEDNESDAY SHE CALLED THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOSZUM ABOUT HER NOT GETTING HER BALLOT. GENE BAKER CALLED AND SAID HE WOULD EXPRESS MAIL IT OVER NIGHT SO SHE WOULD GET IT ON THURSDAY.
THURSDAY CAME AND NO BALLOT. SHE CALLED AGAIN. SHE WAS TOLD IF SHE GOT IT ON FRIDAY AND SHE COULD OVERNIGHT IT BACK, IT WOULD BE PICKED UP ON SATURDAY SO IT COULD BE COUNTED ON SUNDAY AUGUST '31, 2008. SHE WAS WILLING TO PAY WHATEVER IT WOULD COST FOR HER VOTE TO BE COUNTED.
FRIDAY CAME AND NO BALLOT. THE TRIBAL MEMBER CALLED AND ASKED IF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD FAX HER A BALLOT AND SHE WOULD FAX IT RIGHT BACK. SHE WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE THE BALLOT HAD TO COME BACK IN THE OFFICIAL ENVELOPE SO THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD VERIFY THE BALLOT. SHE PROCEEDED TO CALL CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM AND ONLY GOT HIS VOICE MAIL.
I AGREE THE TRIBAL MEMBER WAITED TOO LONG, THE UNITED STATES MAIL FAILED, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED EARLY AND SOMEONE WHO WANTED TO VOTE NEVER GOT TO VOTE.
I ALSO LEARNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT LOCKED THE DOORS EARLY ON FRIDAY SO THAT MEMBERS WHO WANTED TO VOTE COULD NOT GET TO THE BALLOT BOX. TRIBAL MEMBERS YOU CAN STILL TURN IN YOUR BALLOTS IF YOU ARRIVE JUST BEFORE NINE A.M. ON SUNDAY MORNING.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
WHY IS A COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEMBER GOING TO GAMING CONVENTION?
WE RECENTLY HEARD A RUMOR OF A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, WHO IS PLANNING TO GO TO LAS VEGAS FOR A GAMING CONVENTION.
WHEN WE CHECKED THIS OUT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS INDEED TRUE. THIS COUNCILOR AND HIS WIFE ARE GOING. WE WERE TOLD THE COUNCILOR DID THIS LAST YEAR, TOO. WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT, TRIBAL OFFICIALS SAID THAT IT WAS OKAY IF HE WENT.
HOW IS THIS OKAY? THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES LIKE THE CONSTITUTION, TRIBAL AND INDIAN LAW, CULTURE, MEMBERSHIP AND ENROLLMENT, ETC. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WITH GAMING. GAMING FALLS UNDER THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY. IF HE WAS GOING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS RELATED TO WHAT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO, THEN YES HE SHOULD GO. THIS TRIP HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, ONE TRIBAL OFFICIAL SAID, WHAT CAN WE DO? IF WE TELL HIM HE CAN'T GO, THEN HE MIGHT SAY WE CAN'T GO ON OUR TRIPS. THEY EVIDENTLY DO NOT WANT TO BE PUT IN THAT SITUATION. A TRIBAL COUNCILOR COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS JUST LEARNED TODAY, THAT THE CASINO HAS CUT BACK ON TRAVEL BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. IT WAS ALSO NOTED AT LAST WEEK'S TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NOT BE SENDING DELEGATIONS TO EITHER THE DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONS IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY.
MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHEN INTERVIEWED SAID THEY DID NOT THINK THE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SHOULD BE GOING TO THE GAMING CONVENTION. AGAIN WHY IS THIS MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS GOING?
WHEN WE CHECKED THIS OUT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS INDEED TRUE. THIS COUNCILOR AND HIS WIFE ARE GOING. WE WERE TOLD THE COUNCILOR DID THIS LAST YEAR, TOO. WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT, TRIBAL OFFICIALS SAID THAT IT WAS OKAY IF HE WENT.
HOW IS THIS OKAY? THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES LIKE THE CONSTITUTION, TRIBAL AND INDIAN LAW, CULTURE, MEMBERSHIP AND ENROLLMENT, ETC. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WITH GAMING. GAMING FALLS UNDER THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY. IF HE WAS GOING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS RELATED TO WHAT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO, THEN YES HE SHOULD GO. THIS TRIP HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, ONE TRIBAL OFFICIAL SAID, WHAT CAN WE DO? IF WE TELL HIM HE CAN'T GO, THEN HE MIGHT SAY WE CAN'T GO ON OUR TRIPS. THEY EVIDENTLY DO NOT WANT TO BE PUT IN THAT SITUATION. A TRIBAL COUNCILOR COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WAS ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS JUST LEARNED TODAY, THAT THE CASINO HAS CUT BACK ON TRAVEL BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. IT WAS ALSO NOTED AT LAST WEEK'S TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WILL NOT BE SENDING DELEGATIONS TO EITHER THE DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTIONS IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY.
MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHEN INTERVIEWED SAID THEY DID NOT THINK THE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SHOULD BE GOING TO THE GAMING CONVENTION. AGAIN WHY IS THIS MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS GOING?
THE POURING HAS BEGUN
AFTER A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE BEGUN POURING CEMENT FOR THE BASE OF THE NEW HOTEL AT MOHEGAN SUN. (PROJECT HORIZON)
THE CONCRETE TRUCKS ARE BRINGING LOAD AFTER LOAD OF CEMENT. AN ESTIMATED 220 TRUCK LOADS. AS THE CEMENT IS BEING POURED THROUGH HOSES MOUNTED ON BOOMS, OTHER WORKERS ARE STILL INSTALLING THE RE BAR (LONG STEEL RODS.)
ITS GOOD TO SEE THE PROGRESS. TRIBAL MEMBERS IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE CONSTRUCTION, GO TO THE WINTER GARAGE AND TAKE A LOOK. IT IS QUITE AMAZING TO SEE.
THE CONCRETE TRUCKS ARE BRINGING LOAD AFTER LOAD OF CEMENT. AN ESTIMATED 220 TRUCK LOADS. AS THE CEMENT IS BEING POURED THROUGH HOSES MOUNTED ON BOOMS, OTHER WORKERS ARE STILL INSTALLING THE RE BAR (LONG STEEL RODS.)
ITS GOOD TO SEE THE PROGRESS. TRIBAL MEMBERS IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE CONSTRUCTION, GO TO THE WINTER GARAGE AND TAKE A LOOK. IT IS QUITE AMAZING TO SEE.
NEW EMPLOYEE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ENTERING AND EXITING BUILDINGS
EFFECTIVE LAST SUNDAY, THINGS CHANGED AT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT. NOW THE WORKERS HAVE TO SCHLAGE (PRONOUNCED SLEDGE) IN AND OUT.
A SCHLAGE CARD IS USED TO OPEN DOORS SO THAT THOSE WHO HAVE THEM CAN ENTER AND EXIT SECURED AREAS. THERE IS A COMPUTERIZED RECORD OF WHO USED THE SCHLAGE CARDS AND WHEN.
PREVIOUSLY, EMPLOYEES USED TO SCHLAGE INTO THE BUILDING BUT NOW MUST SCHLAGE WHEN THEY EXIT THE BUILDING.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS BEING DONE BY TRIBAL COUNCIL TO HELP KEEP THE PAYROLL IN CHECK. BEFORE YOU WOULD CHECK IN AND DID NOT HAVE TO CHECK OUT. THEY WOULD THEN FILL OUT PAYROLL SHEETS AND TURN THEM IN. NOW WITH SCHLAGE IN AND OUT THE TIME SHEETS WILL HAVE TO MATCH THE SCHLAGING. THIS SYSTEM MAKES FOR GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY.
ONE WORKER SAID IT REALLY WAS NO BIG DEAL ,WE ALREADY ARE SLEDGING IN ANYWAY SO NOW THEY JUST HAVE TO SLEDGE OUT ALSO.
WE ARE TOLD THAT THIS NEW POLICY DOES NOT AFFECT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OR COUNCIL OF ELDERS WHO CAN STILL COME AND GO WITHOUT SLEDGING IN OR OUT. IN OTHER WORDS IF THEY WANT TO SHOW UP AN HOUR A DAY OR GO TO THE GOLF COURSE THEY CAN WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABLITY.
IT IS RUMORED THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING EITHER CUTTING THE WORKERS BONUSES OR TAKING THEM AWAY COMPLETELY.
ALTHOUGH THE WORKERS MAY NOT LIKE THE NEW SYSTEM, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS TRYING TO TAKE MORE CONTROL AND FIND NEW WAYS TO FIX THE BUDGET.
A SCHLAGE CARD IS USED TO OPEN DOORS SO THAT THOSE WHO HAVE THEM CAN ENTER AND EXIT SECURED AREAS. THERE IS A COMPUTERIZED RECORD OF WHO USED THE SCHLAGE CARDS AND WHEN.
PREVIOUSLY, EMPLOYEES USED TO SCHLAGE INTO THE BUILDING BUT NOW MUST SCHLAGE WHEN THEY EXIT THE BUILDING.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS BEING DONE BY TRIBAL COUNCIL TO HELP KEEP THE PAYROLL IN CHECK. BEFORE YOU WOULD CHECK IN AND DID NOT HAVE TO CHECK OUT. THEY WOULD THEN FILL OUT PAYROLL SHEETS AND TURN THEM IN. NOW WITH SCHLAGE IN AND OUT THE TIME SHEETS WILL HAVE TO MATCH THE SCHLAGING. THIS SYSTEM MAKES FOR GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY.
ONE WORKER SAID IT REALLY WAS NO BIG DEAL ,WE ALREADY ARE SLEDGING IN ANYWAY SO NOW THEY JUST HAVE TO SLEDGE OUT ALSO.
WE ARE TOLD THAT THIS NEW POLICY DOES NOT AFFECT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL OR COUNCIL OF ELDERS WHO CAN STILL COME AND GO WITHOUT SLEDGING IN OR OUT. IN OTHER WORDS IF THEY WANT TO SHOW UP AN HOUR A DAY OR GO TO THE GOLF COURSE THEY CAN WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABLITY.
IT IS RUMORED THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING EITHER CUTTING THE WORKERS BONUSES OR TAKING THEM AWAY COMPLETELY.
ALTHOUGH THE WORKERS MAY NOT LIKE THE NEW SYSTEM, IT LOOKS LIKE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL IS TRYING TO TAKE MORE CONTROL AND FIND NEW WAYS TO FIX THE BUDGET.
WILD WEDNESDAY END FOR THE SUMMER 2008
IT WAS THE FINAL WILD WEDNESDAY OF THE SUMMER SEASON.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE EATING AT THE FIREMAN'S COOK OFF. PEOPLE WERE GETTING FREE BOTTLED WATER AND POPCORN. THERE WAS THE REGULAR FARE OF ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) FOOD ITEMS. THE FARMER'S MARKET WAS IN FULL SWING. THE BAND AND THE DJ WERE DOING THEIR THINGS. AT THE CAR SHOW, THE CARS WERE SHINNY AND CLEAN. EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GOOD OLE' TIME. FINALLY THE FIREWORKS WENT OFF AND THE SEASON OF WILD WEDNESDAYS ENDED FOR THIS YEAR.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? WE (MOHEGAN TRIBE) WENT THE WHOLE SEASON WITHOUT MOHEGAN DANCERS ON THE ROOF TOP. THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT REALLY BLEW IT. SOMETHING THAT IS VERY GOOD FOR THE TRIBE NEVER HAPPENED. WAS IT BECAUSE ONE PERSON WHO RAN IT IS NOT REPLACEABLE? IS IT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CARE? COULD IT BE THAT WHAT MOHEGANS WANT DOESN"T COUNT?
SHAME ON THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN.
WE HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR, IF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE WANT THE NATIVE DANCING ON THE ROOF,- THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE DESERVE BETTER.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WERE EATING AT THE FIREMAN'S COOK OFF. PEOPLE WERE GETTING FREE BOTTLED WATER AND POPCORN. THERE WAS THE REGULAR FARE OF ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) FOOD ITEMS. THE FARMER'S MARKET WAS IN FULL SWING. THE BAND AND THE DJ WERE DOING THEIR THINGS. AT THE CAR SHOW, THE CARS WERE SHINNY AND CLEAN. EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GOOD OLE' TIME. FINALLY THE FIREWORKS WENT OFF AND THE SEASON OF WILD WEDNESDAYS ENDED FOR THIS YEAR.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? WE (MOHEGAN TRIBE) WENT THE WHOLE SEASON WITHOUT MOHEGAN DANCERS ON THE ROOF TOP. THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT REALLY BLEW IT. SOMETHING THAT IS VERY GOOD FOR THE TRIBE NEVER HAPPENED. WAS IT BECAUSE ONE PERSON WHO RAN IT IS NOT REPLACEABLE? IS IT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CARE? COULD IT BE THAT WHAT MOHEGANS WANT DOESN"T COUNT?
SHAME ON THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN.
WE HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR, IF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE WANT THE NATIVE DANCING ON THE ROOF,- THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE DESERVE BETTER.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
KANSAS CASINO DEAL
THERE ARE FOUR PROPOSALS FOR THE CASINO IN THE AREA OF KANSAS INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, STARTED WITH TWO OTHER COMPANIES GOING IN AS PARTNERS ON THE VENTURE AT A COST ESTIMATED AT 700 MILLION DOLLARS.
WE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE PARTNERS HAS DROPPED OUT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE MOHEGANS ARE PLANNING ON FINDING ANOTHER PARTNER TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT DROPPED OUT. IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, DOES THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HAVE TO COME UP WITH HALF INSTEAD OF A THIRD?
FROM WHAT WE CAN GATHER , THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND THEIR PARTNERS WILL PAY FOR THE BUILDING AND LEASE THE SLOT MACHINES, ETC. ACCORDING TO KANSAS LAW, THE STATE WILL OWN THE CASINO - NOT THE DEVELOPERS/MANAGERS. IN OTHER WORDS THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND ITS PARTNERS OWN EVERYTHING BUT THE STATE OWNS THE GAMING. THE STATE GETS TWENTY PERCENT OFF OF THE TOP (GROSS PROFITS.) OUT OF THE EIGHTY PERCENT LEFT, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND ITS PARTNERS MUST PAY EVERYTHING, THE LOANS, THE INTEREST, RUNNING THE CASINO, PAYROLL, UTILITIES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AFTER EVERYTHING IS PAID THE PARTNERS WILL SPIT UP WHATEVER IS LEFT (NET PROFIT.)
KANSAS WILL MAKE A DECISION ON WHO WILL GET THIS CASINO SHORTLY. THE ESTIMATED PRICE FOR BUILDING THE CASINO UP AND RUNNING IS OVER SEVEN (700) HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. THE BUSINESS DEAL IS FOR FIFTEEN (15) YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AS LONG AS EVERYTHING GOES OKAY, THE STATE OF KANSAS WILL BE MORE THEN WILLING TO CONTINUE THE DEAL.
TRIBAL MEMBERS, WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD WE BE DOING THIS? CAN WE GET THE FINANCING WITH THE CONDITION OF OUR CASINOS IN CONNECTICUT AND PENNSYLVANIA? PLEASE COMMENT?
WE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE PARTNERS HAS DROPPED OUT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE MOHEGANS ARE PLANNING ON FINDING ANOTHER PARTNER TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT DROPPED OUT. IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, DOES THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HAVE TO COME UP WITH HALF INSTEAD OF A THIRD?
FROM WHAT WE CAN GATHER , THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND THEIR PARTNERS WILL PAY FOR THE BUILDING AND LEASE THE SLOT MACHINES, ETC. ACCORDING TO KANSAS LAW, THE STATE WILL OWN THE CASINO - NOT THE DEVELOPERS/MANAGERS. IN OTHER WORDS THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND ITS PARTNERS OWN EVERYTHING BUT THE STATE OWNS THE GAMING. THE STATE GETS TWENTY PERCENT OFF OF THE TOP (GROSS PROFITS.) OUT OF THE EIGHTY PERCENT LEFT, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE AND ITS PARTNERS MUST PAY EVERYTHING, THE LOANS, THE INTEREST, RUNNING THE CASINO, PAYROLL, UTILITIES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE. AFTER EVERYTHING IS PAID THE PARTNERS WILL SPIT UP WHATEVER IS LEFT (NET PROFIT.)
KANSAS WILL MAKE A DECISION ON WHO WILL GET THIS CASINO SHORTLY. THE ESTIMATED PRICE FOR BUILDING THE CASINO UP AND RUNNING IS OVER SEVEN (700) HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. THE BUSINESS DEAL IS FOR FIFTEEN (15) YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AS LONG AS EVERYTHING GOES OKAY, THE STATE OF KANSAS WILL BE MORE THEN WILLING TO CONTINUE THE DEAL.
TRIBAL MEMBERS, WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD WE BE DOING THIS? CAN WE GET THE FINANCING WITH THE CONDITION OF OUR CASINOS IN CONNECTICUT AND PENNSYLVANIA? PLEASE COMMENT?
GAS PRICES AT THE TRIBAL GAS STATION
RECENTLY THE EDITOR OF BROKENWING EDITORIALS CHECKED OUT THE GAS PRICES AT THE GASOLINE STATION AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. I AM NOT AN ACCOUNTANT BUT THESE ARE THE FIGURES I CAME UP WITH.
AT THE CASINO GAS STATION, THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS WAS $4.929 PER GALLON. IN MONTVILLE ON ROUTE 32 THE PRICE OF REGULAR GAS WAS $3.709 PER GALLON. A TRIBAL MEMBER WOULD PAY AFTER THEIR DISCOUNT $3.16 PER GALLON OF REGULAR.
WE PURCHASED 11.57 GALLONS OF REGULAR GRADE GAS FOR A TOTAL OF $57.01. THE DISCOUNT WAS $20.41. THE TOTAL PRICE AFTER THE DISCOUNT WAS $36.60.
THE FINAL SAVINGS OF WHAT YOU WOULD PAY AT THE CASINO GAS STATION COMPARED TO BUYING IT IN MONTVILLE WOULD BE $ .55 (FIFTY FIVE CENTS) PER GALLON, FOR A TOTAL SAVINGS OF $6.31 (SIX DOLLARS AND THIRTY ONE CENTS).
SO TRIBAL MEMBERS IT PAYS TO BUY THE GAS AT THE GAS STATION. JUST REMEMBER IF YOU PAY IN ADVANCE WITH A CREDIT CARD TO GET THE GAS, AND YOU ARE PAYING INTEREST ON YOUR CREDIT CARD, IT MAY NOT BE WORTH DOING IT. THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS, MIGHT BE TO PAY CASH IN ADVANCE.
EDITORIAL NOTE: I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FEDERAL AND STATE TAX COMES TO $ .62 (SIXTY TWO CENTS). I AGREE, HOWEVER WHAT I WAS COMPARING IS THE PRICE OF WHAT A TRIBAL MEMBER WOULD PAY FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN MONTVILLE COMPARED TO WHAT HE WOULD PAY AT THE CASINO GAS STATION.
THE DIFFERENCE IS $ .55 (FIFTY FIVE CENTS.)
9
AT THE CASINO GAS STATION, THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS WAS $4.929 PER GALLON. IN MONTVILLE ON ROUTE 32 THE PRICE OF REGULAR GAS WAS $3.709 PER GALLON. A TRIBAL MEMBER WOULD PAY AFTER THEIR DISCOUNT $3.16 PER GALLON OF REGULAR.
WE PURCHASED 11.57 GALLONS OF REGULAR GRADE GAS FOR A TOTAL OF $57.01. THE DISCOUNT WAS $20.41. THE TOTAL PRICE AFTER THE DISCOUNT WAS $36.60.
THE FINAL SAVINGS OF WHAT YOU WOULD PAY AT THE CASINO GAS STATION COMPARED TO BUYING IT IN MONTVILLE WOULD BE $ .55 (FIFTY FIVE CENTS) PER GALLON, FOR A TOTAL SAVINGS OF $6.31 (SIX DOLLARS AND THIRTY ONE CENTS).
SO TRIBAL MEMBERS IT PAYS TO BUY THE GAS AT THE GAS STATION. JUST REMEMBER IF YOU PAY IN ADVANCE WITH A CREDIT CARD TO GET THE GAS, AND YOU ARE PAYING INTEREST ON YOUR CREDIT CARD, IT MAY NOT BE WORTH DOING IT. THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS, MIGHT BE TO PAY CASH IN ADVANCE.
EDITORIAL NOTE: I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FEDERAL AND STATE TAX COMES TO $ .62 (SIXTY TWO CENTS). I AGREE, HOWEVER WHAT I WAS COMPARING IS THE PRICE OF WHAT A TRIBAL MEMBER WOULD PAY FOR A GALLON OF GAS IN MONTVILLE COMPARED TO WHAT HE WOULD PAY AT THE CASINO GAS STATION.
THE DIFFERENCE IS $ .55 (FIFTY FIVE CENTS.)
9
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
COUNCIL OF ELDERS ELECTION, PLEASE VOTE?
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2008 AT NINE A.M., THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WILL START COUNTING THE BALLOTS FOR THE 4 OPEN POSITIONS FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS.
PLEASE, GET YOUR BALLOTS IN? WATCH THE DVD. LISTEN TO WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAID. HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? WHAT DID THEY SAY ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION? WHAT WAS THEIR TAKE ON CULTURE? WHAT KIND OF LEADERS, DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BE?
REMEMBER THIS, THE MOST IMPORTANT TWO THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO ARE: 1) THEY ARE THE SUPREME COURT, AND 2) THEY ARE TO PRESERVE AND INTERPRET OUR CONSTITUTION. A PRESENT COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEMBER SAID HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THIS ELECTION. HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE NEXT GROUP WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO WORK ON THE CONSTITUTION. THE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT ARE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY, VOTING ORDINANCES, PETITION RIGHTS, AND OTHER THINGS. PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAID ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.
REMEMBER TOO, THE NEXT COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL PROBABLY APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF.
PLEASE VOTE, EVERY VOTE COUNTS. MAYBE ON THE NEXT ELECTION WE WILL NOT HAVE TO VOTE THE ENTIRE BALLOT FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN.
MAIL YOUR VOTE IN NOW OR BRING IT TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
WE NEED A COUNCIL OF ELDERS THAT IS WILLING TO MAKE HARD CHOICES AND DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE WRITE ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SURVEY "I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION."
PLEASE, GET YOUR BALLOTS IN? WATCH THE DVD. LISTEN TO WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAID. HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT MEMBERSHIP? WHAT DID THEY SAY ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION? WHAT WAS THEIR TAKE ON CULTURE? WHAT KIND OF LEADERS, DO YOU THINK THEY WILL BE?
REMEMBER THIS, THE MOST IMPORTANT TWO THINGS THAT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO ARE: 1) THEY ARE THE SUPREME COURT, AND 2) THEY ARE TO PRESERVE AND INTERPRET OUR CONSTITUTION. A PRESENT COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEMBER SAID HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THIS ELECTION. HE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE THE NEXT GROUP WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO WORK ON THE CONSTITUTION. THE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT ARE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY, VOTING ORDINANCES, PETITION RIGHTS, AND OTHER THINGS. PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT THE CANDIDATES SAID ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.
REMEMBER TOO, THE NEXT COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL PROBABLY APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF.
PLEASE VOTE, EVERY VOTE COUNTS. MAYBE ON THE NEXT ELECTION WE WILL NOT HAVE TO VOTE THE ENTIRE BALLOT FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS OPEN.
MAIL YOUR VOTE IN NOW OR BRING IT TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
WE NEED A COUNCIL OF ELDERS THAT IS WILLING TO MAKE HARD CHOICES AND DO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: PLEASE WRITE ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SURVEY "I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION."
UPDATE: STONE WALLS AT FORT HILL
RECENTLY AFTER WE WROTE THE STORY ABOUT THE STONE WALLS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING, SOME NEW FACTS CAME TO LIGHT.
IN 1999, THE MOHEGAN ARCHAEOLOGY CLASS WAS DIGGING TEST PITS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OKAY FOR THE DRIVEWAY TO BE PUT IN GOING FROM ROUTE 32 TO THE FRONT OF THE FUTURE FORT HILL HOUSING BUILDING. SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE PLANS AND DISCOVERED THEY WERE GOING TO PUT THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT THROUGH WHERE THE STONE WALLS WERE.
THE CLASS CLEARED AWAY THE VINES AND FOLIAGE THAT WAS COVERING UP THE STONE WALL.
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WERE CALLED AND THEY CAME DOWN TO SEE THE STONE WALLS. THEY SAID THIS MUST BE SAVED. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS THEN DID WHAT WAS NEEDED TO SAVE THE WALL.
THE HOUSING OFFICIAL AT THE TIME SAID HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE WALL WAS THERE. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? HOW DO PLANS CALL FOR GOING THROUGH A STONE WALL? HOW COME NO ONE KNEW? WHAT OTHER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED LIKE THIS?
IN 1999, THE MOHEGAN ARCHAEOLOGY CLASS WAS DIGGING TEST PITS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OKAY FOR THE DRIVEWAY TO BE PUT IN GOING FROM ROUTE 32 TO THE FRONT OF THE FUTURE FORT HILL HOUSING BUILDING. SOMEONE LOOKED AT THE PLANS AND DISCOVERED THEY WERE GOING TO PUT THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT THROUGH WHERE THE STONE WALLS WERE.
THE CLASS CLEARED AWAY THE VINES AND FOLIAGE THAT WAS COVERING UP THE STONE WALL.
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WERE CALLED AND THEY CAME DOWN TO SEE THE STONE WALLS. THEY SAID THIS MUST BE SAVED. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS THEN DID WHAT WAS NEEDED TO SAVE THE WALL.
THE HOUSING OFFICIAL AT THE TIME SAID HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE WALL WAS THERE. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? HOW DO PLANS CALL FOR GOING THROUGH A STONE WALL? HOW COME NO ONE KNEW? WHAT OTHER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED LIKE THIS?
PARKS DEPARTMENT
DUE THE RECENT GRAFFITI ON THE BRIDGE AT SHANTOK , TREES IN SHANTOK POND, RUTS ON THE WALKWAYS AND OTHER THINGS, MAYBE IT IS TIME THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL REVISIT MAKING A SEPARATE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THIS DEPARTMENT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE 93 ACRE COCHEGAN ROCK PROPERTY.
ALTHOUGH WE THINK PUBLIC WORKS REALLY HARD AT KEEPING SHANTOK UP, A PARKS DEPARTMENT COULD JUST CONCENTRATE ON MAKING IT LOOK TERRIFIC. WE FEEL THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS A LOT ON THEIR PLATES AND THAT THEY ARE BEING OVERWHELMED BY THE WORK. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD PUBLIC WORKS DOES REPAIRS ON TRIBAL HOUSING. THEY MOVE TENANTS AROUND. THEY DO YARD MAINTENANCE, FIX BROKEN PIPES, ETC . I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IN THE WINTER SOMETIMES THE SNOW IS NOT PLOWED ON THE PARKING LOTS AND ROADWAYS AT SHANTOK. IT SEEMS THEY HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH WORKERS.
IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS BUSY WE COULD HAVE MORE PEOPLE DOING THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WORK IF NEEDED. IN THE WINTER IT COULD GO DOWN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. THEY COULD TAKE THE PERSONS FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND ASSIGN THE PERSONS TO BE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THE PERSONS COULD PERIODICALLY GO TO COCHEGAN ROCK AND KEEP THAT UP TOO.
THAT BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER POINT, MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE SECURITY THERE TWENTY FOURS A DAY. I THINK WE COULD JUST TAKE SEVERAL SECURITY PEOPLE AND JUST ASSIGN THEM TO A PARKS SECURITY DETAIL. THEY WOULD STILL BE A PART OF TRIBAL SECURITY. THE SECURITY PEOPLE COULD BE GIVEN GATORS (ATVS) SO THAT THEY COULD GO EVERYWHERE IN THE PARK. THEY COULD ALSO CHECK ON WEST SIDE OF SHANTOK ROAD WHICH IS ALSO THE PARK. AT NIGHT THE PARK SECURITY COULD CHECK THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING. THEY COULD ALSO GO TO COCHEGAN ROCK AND CHECK IT OUT.
SHANTOK IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TRIBAL PEOPLE TO BE OUR MOST VALUABLE SACRED AND HISTORIC PLACE. SHOULDN'T WE KEEP IT LOOKING GREAT AND PROTECTING IT FROM VANDALS? OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS BELEIVE THAT COCHEGAN ROCK IS OF GREAT HISTORICAL AND SACRED VALUE.
I THINK IT IS TIME , THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD REVISIT THE IDEA OF A PARKS DEPARTMENT. THEY SHOULD ALSO KEEP SECURITY THERE AT ALL TIMES.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE PARKS DEPARTMENT SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF ASHBOW BURIAL GROUNDS, THE NORWICH ROYAL BURIAL GROUNDS AND THE NEW ROYAL BURIAL GROUNDS MONUMENT.
ALTHOUGH WE THINK PUBLIC WORKS REALLY HARD AT KEEPING SHANTOK UP, A PARKS DEPARTMENT COULD JUST CONCENTRATE ON MAKING IT LOOK TERRIFIC. WE FEEL THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS A LOT ON THEIR PLATES AND THAT THEY ARE BEING OVERWHELMED BY THE WORK. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD PUBLIC WORKS DOES REPAIRS ON TRIBAL HOUSING. THEY MOVE TENANTS AROUND. THEY DO YARD MAINTENANCE, FIX BROKEN PIPES, ETC . I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IN THE WINTER SOMETIMES THE SNOW IS NOT PLOWED ON THE PARKING LOTS AND ROADWAYS AT SHANTOK. IT SEEMS THEY HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO DO AND NOT ENOUGH WORKERS.
IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS BUSY WE COULD HAVE MORE PEOPLE DOING THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WORK IF NEEDED. IN THE WINTER IT COULD GO DOWN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. THEY COULD TAKE THE PERSONS FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND ASSIGN THE PERSONS TO BE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THE PERSONS COULD PERIODICALLY GO TO COCHEGAN ROCK AND KEEP THAT UP TOO.
THAT BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER POINT, MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE SECURITY THERE TWENTY FOURS A DAY. I THINK WE COULD JUST TAKE SEVERAL SECURITY PEOPLE AND JUST ASSIGN THEM TO A PARKS SECURITY DETAIL. THEY WOULD STILL BE A PART OF TRIBAL SECURITY. THE SECURITY PEOPLE COULD BE GIVEN GATORS (ATVS) SO THAT THEY COULD GO EVERYWHERE IN THE PARK. THEY COULD ALSO CHECK ON WEST SIDE OF SHANTOK ROAD WHICH IS ALSO THE PARK. AT NIGHT THE PARK SECURITY COULD CHECK THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING. THEY COULD ALSO GO TO COCHEGAN ROCK AND CHECK IT OUT.
SHANTOK IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TRIBAL PEOPLE TO BE OUR MOST VALUABLE SACRED AND HISTORIC PLACE. SHOULDN'T WE KEEP IT LOOKING GREAT AND PROTECTING IT FROM VANDALS? OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS BELEIVE THAT COCHEGAN ROCK IS OF GREAT HISTORICAL AND SACRED VALUE.
I THINK IT IS TIME , THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD REVISIT THE IDEA OF A PARKS DEPARTMENT. THEY SHOULD ALSO KEEP SECURITY THERE AT ALL TIMES.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE PARKS DEPARTMENT SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF ASHBOW BURIAL GROUNDS, THE NORWICH ROYAL BURIAL GROUNDS AND THE NEW ROYAL BURIAL GROUNDS MONUMENT.
Monday, August 25, 2008
SHANTOK STEPS AND BRIDGE
ON A RECENT TRIP TO FORT SHANTOK WE DISCOVERED THAT THEY ARE BUILDING A RETAINING WALL JUST WEST OF SHANTOK BURIAL GROUND AND THE SHANTOK BROOK. WE WERE TOLD IT IS BEING DONE BECAUSE OF EROSION.
THE CONSTRUCTION CREW IS DOING A GREAT JOB. IN MAKING THE RETAINING WALL, THEY ARE PUTTING IN RAIL ROAD TIES AND PUTTING IN BRACES CALLED DEAD MEN TO MAKE IT STRONG. BEHIND THE RAIL ROAD TIES WALLS THEY WILL FILL WITH STONES TO HELP WITH WATER RUN OFF SO THAT IN WINTER ICE WILL NOT PUSH OUT THE WALLS.
ACROSS THE BROOK THEY ARE PUTTING A CUSTOM MADE BRIDGE LIKE THEY DID ON THE NORTH WEST PART OF SHANTOK POND. THEY WILL MAKE TWO (2) CEMENT BASES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BROOK AND PICK UP THE BRIDGE AND PUT IT IN PLACE.
THE WORK IS COMING ALONG GREAT. WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE QUITE NICE. IT WILL BE FUN TO WALK ON AND ENJOY.
AT THE BRIDGE NORTHWEST OF SHANTOK POND, GRAFFITI WAS FOUND ON THE RAILINGS.
EDITORIAL NOTE: THE TREES DOWN IN SHANTOK POND STILL HAVE NOTE BEEN REMOVED.
THE CONSTRUCTION CREW IS DOING A GREAT JOB. IN MAKING THE RETAINING WALL, THEY ARE PUTTING IN RAIL ROAD TIES AND PUTTING IN BRACES CALLED DEAD MEN TO MAKE IT STRONG. BEHIND THE RAIL ROAD TIES WALLS THEY WILL FILL WITH STONES TO HELP WITH WATER RUN OFF SO THAT IN WINTER ICE WILL NOT PUSH OUT THE WALLS.
ACROSS THE BROOK THEY ARE PUTTING A CUSTOM MADE BRIDGE LIKE THEY DID ON THE NORTH WEST PART OF SHANTOK POND. THEY WILL MAKE TWO (2) CEMENT BASES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BROOK AND PICK UP THE BRIDGE AND PUT IT IN PLACE.
THE WORK IS COMING ALONG GREAT. WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IT SHOULD BE QUITE NICE. IT WILL BE FUN TO WALK ON AND ENJOY.
AT THE BRIDGE NORTHWEST OF SHANTOK POND, GRAFFITI WAS FOUND ON THE RAILINGS.
EDITORIAL NOTE: THE TREES DOWN IN SHANTOK POND STILL HAVE NOTE BEEN REMOVED.
CHAIRMAN BOZSUM VISITS FORT HILL
ON AUGUST 21, 2008, CHAIRMAN BRUCE "TWO DOGS" BOZSUM CAME TO FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING, TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CAMERA SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE FAX/COPIER AT FORT HILL.
HE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA. HE MADE A MOTION TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND IT WAS SECONDED BY A RESIDENT. ABOUT THE CAMERA SYSTEM ONE RESIDENT SAID SHE DID NOT WANT CAMERAS OUTSIDE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT SOMEONE SEEING HER IN HER PAJAMAS. ANOTHER TENANT SAID ABOUT PEOPLE FALLING OUTSIDE AND NO ONE KNOWING, THAT TENANTS HAVE MEDICAL ALERT SENDING UNITS AROUND THEIR NECKS. IT SEEMED LIKE PEOPLE FELT SAFE. IN MY OPINION, IT STILL DOES NOT PROTECT TENANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR FROM HOME INVASION. ON THE MEDICAL ALERT UNITS THAT TENANTS WEAR, THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY ABOUT TEN UNITS BEING USED WITH ABOUT OUT OF ABOUT FIFTY ONE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE BUILDING.
ON THE ISSUE OF THE FAX/COPIER , AGAIN CHAIRMAN BOZSUM SAID HE WOULD STILL PAY FOR A FAX/COPIER THAT COULD BE INSTALLED IN THE GATHERING ROOM. WE ARE STILL WAITING.
I BELIEVE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS HERE BECAUSE OF AN INADEQUATE SYSTEM, THAT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE SHOULD HOLD THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL PARTIES INVOLVED FULLY RESPONSIBLE.
I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN BOZSUM FOR COMING TO FORT HILL TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS. WE REALIZE HE IS A VERY BUSY PERSON TAKING CARE OF THE BUSINESS OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. HIS COMING TO FORT HILL ADULT HOUSING SHOWS THAT HE REALLY CARES ABOUT US. AGAIN THANK YOU.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORY "SECURITY CONCERNS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING."
HE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA. HE MADE A MOTION TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND IT WAS SECONDED BY A RESIDENT. ABOUT THE CAMERA SYSTEM ONE RESIDENT SAID SHE DID NOT WANT CAMERAS OUTSIDE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT SOMEONE SEEING HER IN HER PAJAMAS. ANOTHER TENANT SAID ABOUT PEOPLE FALLING OUTSIDE AND NO ONE KNOWING, THAT TENANTS HAVE MEDICAL ALERT SENDING UNITS AROUND THEIR NECKS. IT SEEMED LIKE PEOPLE FELT SAFE. IN MY OPINION, IT STILL DOES NOT PROTECT TENANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR FROM HOME INVASION. ON THE MEDICAL ALERT UNITS THAT TENANTS WEAR, THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY ABOUT TEN UNITS BEING USED WITH ABOUT OUT OF ABOUT FIFTY ONE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE BUILDING.
ON THE ISSUE OF THE FAX/COPIER , AGAIN CHAIRMAN BOZSUM SAID HE WOULD STILL PAY FOR A FAX/COPIER THAT COULD BE INSTALLED IN THE GATHERING ROOM. WE ARE STILL WAITING.
I BELIEVE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS HERE BECAUSE OF AN INADEQUATE SYSTEM, THAT THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE SHOULD HOLD THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL PARTIES INVOLVED FULLY RESPONSIBLE.
I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHAIRMAN BOZSUM FOR COMING TO FORT HILL TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS. WE REALIZE HE IS A VERY BUSY PERSON TAKING CARE OF THE BUSINESS OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE. HIS COMING TO FORT HILL ADULT HOUSING SHOWS THAT HE REALLY CARES ABOUT US. AGAIN THANK YOU.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORY "SECURITY CONCERNS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING."
SACRED FIRES
RECENTLY BROKENWING EDITORIALS AND FEATHER NEWS VISITED SCHEMITZUN 2008. THIS IS THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT "FESTIVAL OF THE CORN" (POW WOW). THE MOHEGANS' EVENT IS CALLED A WIGWAM.
WHEN WE GOT TO THE MAIN TENT WE NOTICED SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT. THERE WAS NO SACRED FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TENT.
MOHEGANS HAVE A FIRE THAT THEY BURN FOR DAYS IN THEIR MAIN TENT. IT IS SURROUNDED BY THIRTEEN ROCKS THAT ARE USED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. FIRE KEEPERS ARE THERE AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP THE SACRED FIRE GOING. SO WHY IS THERE NO SACRED FIRE HERE IN NORTH STONINGTON?
WE ASKED A MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT ELDER WOMAN ABOUT THE LACK OF A SACRED FIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE NORTH STONINGTON FIRE MARSHAL WOULD NOT ALLOW IT. THAT THEY HAD FOUR FAMILIES AT FOUR PLACES ON THE RESERVATION THAT HAD SACRED FIRES GOING, WITH EACH ONE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY SEPARATE FIRE KEEPERS. SHE TOLD US THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD A SACRED FIRE THAT LASTED NINE DAYS. WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS PASSING THEY START THE FIRE AND WHEN THE PERSON IS LAID TO REST, THEN THE FIRE IS ALLOWED TO GO TO SLEEP (GO OUT).
THIS IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE MOHEGAN PRACTICES OF THE PAST WHICH SOME SAY ARE BASED ON OTHER TRIBES TRADITIONS. THE BELIEF WAS YOU START THE FIRE WHEN THE PERSON PASSES UNTIL THE PERSON IS LAID TO REST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS BELIEF IS BEING CHANGED TO TWENTY FOUR HOURS.
I REALIZE THAT THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT DO JUSTICE TO WHAT FIRE KEEPERS DO AND ABOUT SACRED FIRES. I WILL INTERVIEW, TOM EPPS "THROWS HIS HATCHET", JAY IHLOFF "TWO TREES", ERIC MAYNARD "LITTLE BIG MAN" AND CHARLIE STRICKLAND "TWO BEARS" ABOUT SACRED FIRES AND FIRE KEEPERS.. THE ARTICLE WILL BE COMING SOON.
WHEN WE GOT TO THE MAIN TENT WE NOTICED SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT. THERE WAS NO SACRED FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TENT.
MOHEGANS HAVE A FIRE THAT THEY BURN FOR DAYS IN THEIR MAIN TENT. IT IS SURROUNDED BY THIRTEEN ROCKS THAT ARE USED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. FIRE KEEPERS ARE THERE AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP THE SACRED FIRE GOING. SO WHY IS THERE NO SACRED FIRE HERE IN NORTH STONINGTON?
WE ASKED A MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT ELDER WOMAN ABOUT THE LACK OF A SACRED FIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE NORTH STONINGTON FIRE MARSHAL WOULD NOT ALLOW IT. THAT THEY HAD FOUR FAMILIES AT FOUR PLACES ON THE RESERVATION THAT HAD SACRED FIRES GOING, WITH EACH ONE BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY SEPARATE FIRE KEEPERS. SHE TOLD US THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD A SACRED FIRE THAT LASTED NINE DAYS. WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS PASSING THEY START THE FIRE AND WHEN THE PERSON IS LAID TO REST, THEN THE FIRE IS ALLOWED TO GO TO SLEEP (GO OUT).
THIS IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE MOHEGAN PRACTICES OF THE PAST WHICH SOME SAY ARE BASED ON OTHER TRIBES TRADITIONS. THE BELIEF WAS YOU START THE FIRE WHEN THE PERSON PASSES UNTIL THE PERSON IS LAID TO REST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS BELIEF IS BEING CHANGED TO TWENTY FOUR HOURS.
I REALIZE THAT THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT DO JUSTICE TO WHAT FIRE KEEPERS DO AND ABOUT SACRED FIRES. I WILL INTERVIEW, TOM EPPS "THROWS HIS HATCHET", JAY IHLOFF "TWO TREES", ERIC MAYNARD "LITTLE BIG MAN" AND CHARLIE STRICKLAND "TWO BEARS" ABOUT SACRED FIRES AND FIRE KEEPERS.. THE ARTICLE WILL BE COMING SOON.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
TENANTS AT FORT HILL: YOU CAN'T LEAVE YOUR ADULT CHILDREN IN YOUR APARTMENTS ALONE
TENANTS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING CAME TO ME, STATING THAT THEY DID NOT LIKE THE CLAUSE IN THEIR LEASES, IT STATES THAT YOU CAN NOT LEAVE A VISITOR IN YOUR APARTMENT WHEN YOU LEAVE. THEY ASKED FOR A TENANT ASSOCIATION MEETING.
THIS ALL STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2008, WHEN LOUIS ZIEGLER SENT OUT TO THE TENANTS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING A MEMO ABOUT THE SOCIAL BEING CANCELED FOR THE MONTH AND ABOUT ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES. ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MEMO IT SAYS, "When a resident leaves their apartment, visitors need to leave with them. We can not have non-residents staying in the apartments when residents are not home."
A TENANT MEETING WAS HELD ON AUGUST 21, 2008. ONE PERSON SAID THIS IS NOT A NEW POLICY. ONE TENANT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LEAVING HER 47 OLD SON ALONE IN HER APARTMENT, WHO IS IN THE ARMY. ANOTHER TENANT ASKED WHAT IF HE LEFT HIS ADULT DAUGHTER IN HIS APARTMENT TO USE THE COMPUTER AND HE WENT TO THE GATHERING ROOM. IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THIS POLICY IN OTHER RENTAL UNITS, LIKE ON CHURCH STREET, UNCASVILLE. IT WAS NOTED THAT THEY ARE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUILDING. LOU ZEIGLER SAID HE WOULD TAKE THE MATTER TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A LAWYER, I BELIEVE THIS CLAUSE IN THE LEASES IS ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
1. IT VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE XI-INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRIBAL MEMBERS SECTION 1. The Mohegan Tribe, in exercising its powers of self-government, shall make no law inconsistent with The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (U.S.C. ss 1301-1303; 82 Stat. 77), which reguires that the Tribe not: (h) Deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any person of liberty or property without the process of law,
2. IT VIOLATES THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH GUARANTEES THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
3. IT VIOLATES THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONS" FIRST AMENDMENT BY CONTROLLING PEOPLES MOVEMENT AND TRACKING THEIR COMING AND GOING.
4. IT VIOLATES ORDINANCE 2005-06 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LANDLORD AND TENANT. SEC. 12 LANDLORD RULES AND REGULATIONS (a) (1) the purpose of the rule or regulation is to promote the convenience, safety or welfare of the tenants in the premises. IT ALSO VIOLATES SECTION 13 TENAT'S RESPONSIBILITIES (g) conduct himself/herself and require other persons on the premises with his to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises or constitute a nuisance.
5. IT VIOLATES THE STATE TENANT LANDLORD LAWS OF CONNECTICUT. I BELIEVE WHEN THE TRIBE SIGNED THE COMPACT WITH CONNECTICUT, WE AGREED TO PUT INTO OUR LAW AND ORDER CODE, THE LAWS OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES.
6. EACH TENANT HAS RENTERS INSURANCE AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HIS GUESTS DO IN THEIR APARTMENTS.
NOW THIS BRINGS US TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHEN MOST OF THE TENANTS MOVED INTO FORT HILL EDLER HOUSING , IT WAS ELDER HOUSING. IT WAS CHANGED TO ASSISTED LIVING BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. NO ONE ASKED THE TENANTS ASSOCIATION. NO SURVEY WAS SENT TO THE TENANTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN? IS THIS LEGAL? HAVE OUR RIGHTS BEEN VIOLATED? ISN'T THE TRIBAL COUNCILS DUTY TO DO THE WILL OF THE TRIBE? .
TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL , COUNCIL OF ELDERS, THE MOHEGAN LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AND TRIBAL MEMBERS EVERYWHERE, LET'S DO AWAY WITH THIS OPPRESSIVE CLAUSE IN THE TENANTS LEASES.
MAYBE SOMEDAY THE TENANTS AT FORT HILL WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR ADULT CHILDREN ALONE IN THE TENANTS APARTMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE THEM WITH THEM.
THIS ALL STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2008, WHEN LOUIS ZIEGLER SENT OUT TO THE TENANTS AT FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING A MEMO ABOUT THE SOCIAL BEING CANCELED FOR THE MONTH AND ABOUT ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES. ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MEMO IT SAYS, "When a resident leaves their apartment, visitors need to leave with them. We can not have non-residents staying in the apartments when residents are not home."
A TENANT MEETING WAS HELD ON AUGUST 21, 2008. ONE PERSON SAID THIS IS NOT A NEW POLICY. ONE TENANT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT LEAVING HER 47 OLD SON ALONE IN HER APARTMENT, WHO IS IN THE ARMY. ANOTHER TENANT ASKED WHAT IF HE LEFT HIS ADULT DAUGHTER IN HIS APARTMENT TO USE THE COMPUTER AND HE WENT TO THE GATHERING ROOM. IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THIS POLICY IN OTHER RENTAL UNITS, LIKE ON CHURCH STREET, UNCASVILLE. IT WAS NOTED THAT THEY ARE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUILDING. LOU ZEIGLER SAID HE WOULD TAKE THE MATTER TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A LAWYER, I BELIEVE THIS CLAUSE IN THE LEASES IS ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS.
1. IT VIOLATES THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE XI-INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRIBAL MEMBERS SECTION 1. The Mohegan Tribe, in exercising its powers of self-government, shall make no law inconsistent with The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (U.S.C. ss 1301-1303; 82 Stat. 77), which reguires that the Tribe not: (h) Deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any person of liberty or property without the process of law,
2. IT VIOLATES THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH GUARANTEES THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
3. IT VIOLATES THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONS" FIRST AMENDMENT BY CONTROLLING PEOPLES MOVEMENT AND TRACKING THEIR COMING AND GOING.
4. IT VIOLATES ORDINANCE 2005-06 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LANDLORD AND TENANT. SEC. 12 LANDLORD RULES AND REGULATIONS (a) (1) the purpose of the rule or regulation is to promote the convenience, safety or welfare of the tenants in the premises. IT ALSO VIOLATES SECTION 13 TENAT'S RESPONSIBILITIES (g) conduct himself/herself and require other persons on the premises with his to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises or constitute a nuisance.
5. IT VIOLATES THE STATE TENANT LANDLORD LAWS OF CONNECTICUT. I BELIEVE WHEN THE TRIBE SIGNED THE COMPACT WITH CONNECTICUT, WE AGREED TO PUT INTO OUR LAW AND ORDER CODE, THE LAWS OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES.
6. EACH TENANT HAS RENTERS INSURANCE AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HIS GUESTS DO IN THEIR APARTMENTS.
NOW THIS BRINGS US TO ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHEN MOST OF THE TENANTS MOVED INTO FORT HILL EDLER HOUSING , IT WAS ELDER HOUSING. IT WAS CHANGED TO ASSISTED LIVING BY THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. NO ONE ASKED THE TENANTS ASSOCIATION. NO SURVEY WAS SENT TO THE TENANTS OF FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN? IS THIS LEGAL? HAVE OUR RIGHTS BEEN VIOLATED? ISN'T THE TRIBAL COUNCILS DUTY TO DO THE WILL OF THE TRIBE? .
TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL , COUNCIL OF ELDERS, THE MOHEGAN LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AND TRIBAL MEMBERS EVERYWHERE, LET'S DO AWAY WITH THIS OPPRESSIVE CLAUSE IN THE TENANTS LEASES.
MAYBE SOMEDAY THE TENANTS AT FORT HILL WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR ADULT CHILDREN ALONE IN THE TENANTS APARTMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE THEM WITH THEM.
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM
ON JUNE 17, 2008 ABOUT 75 PEOPLE CAME TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE'S TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM, TO CELEBRATE ITS RENOVATIONS AND REOPENING.
THE MUSEUM WAS FIRST OPENED IN 1931, THE DREAM OF JOHN TANTAQUIDGEON, HIS SON CHIEF HAROLD AND DAUGHTER GLADYS, WHO LATER BECAME THE MEDICINE WOMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
OVER THE YEARS, VISITORS CAME LOCALLY FROM CONNECTICUT TO THE FAR REACHES OF THE WORLD. ARTIFACTS WERE COLLECTED FROM MOHEGAN FAMILIES PERSONAL COLLECTIONS AND FROM THINGS GLADYS BROUGHT BACK FROM OUT WEST AND OTHER PLACES. HAROLD ALSO MADE NATIVE AMERICAN PRODUCTS WITH HIS OWN HANDS. THE PLACE IS A GLIMPSE OF SOMEONE HAVING A DREAM AND MAKING IT HAPPEN. THE GIVING OF THEMSELVES WITHOUT LOOKING FOR REWARDS BUT THE PLEASURE AND EDUCATION THEY COULD GIVE TO OTHERS. IT WAS A VERY LOVING QUEST..
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE BOUGHT THE TANTAQUIDGEON HOUSE AND MUSEUM BUILDING RECENTLY AT A COST, WE WERE TOLD OF ABOUT TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE TRIBE PAID ABOUT ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND TO .RENOVIATE AND UPDATE THE MUSEUM BUILDING. THEY INSTALLED NEW WINDOWS, INTERIOR WIRING, ROOF, AIRCONDITIONING, HEAT, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, A BURGLAR ALARM. BUILT A NEW BATHROOM AND OTHER THINGS.
WE ARE NOW IN THE SECOND PHASE ON THE RENOVATION PROJECT, WHICH IS THE MAIN HOUSE. THE CONSTRUCTION CREW IS ALMOST DONE, THEY ARE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE REFINISHING THE FLOORS. THEY JACKED THE HOUSE UP TO FIX THE FOUNDATION, FIXED PLASTER WALLS AND PAINTED AND MANY OTHER THINGS.
THEY ARE NOW TALKING OF PUTTING A FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED IN THE MUSEUM.
IN THE MAIN HOUSE, THERE WILL BE OFFICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR. . ON THE FIRST FLOOR WILL BE A MUSEUM RESEARCH CENTER.
THE ARTIFACTS BELONG TO DECENDENTS OF GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON. THERE IS A TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM BOARD COMPRISED OF MELLISA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL, JAYNE FAWCETT, DAVID FOWLER,AND BETTY TURNER.
THE MUSEUM IS STAFFED BY TWO VERY DEDICATED WORKERS JASON LAVIGNE AND STACY DUFRESNE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE MOHEGAN WAY, SUMMER 2008 EDITION, IT STATES ON PAGE 3 THE DAY RECOGNIZES HISTORIC MUSEUM EDITORIAL:JUNE 21, 2008
"THE MUSEUM, WHICH GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON AND HER BROTHER HAROLD OPENED IN THEIR BACKYARD, IS A TESTAMENT TO THE TRIBE'S DEEP ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND LIFELONG DEDICATION TO TEACHING OTHERS ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLES. THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS RECOGNIZE IT AS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE MOHEGANS, WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR."
I THINK WE SHOULD NOT QUOTE THE DAY AS IF THEY KNOW WHAT WE THINK OR BELIEVE. I AGREE WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE STATEMENT EXCEPT I BELIEVE OUR MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING IS NOT THE TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM BUT THE MOHEGAN CHURCH WHICH IS THE ONLY PROPERTY THAT THE TRIBE STILL HAD LEFT WHEN IT RECEIVED FEDERAL RECOGNITION IN 1996. .
THE MUSEUM WAS FIRST OPENED IN 1931, THE DREAM OF JOHN TANTAQUIDGEON, HIS SON CHIEF HAROLD AND DAUGHTER GLADYS, WHO LATER BECAME THE MEDICINE WOMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
OVER THE YEARS, VISITORS CAME LOCALLY FROM CONNECTICUT TO THE FAR REACHES OF THE WORLD. ARTIFACTS WERE COLLECTED FROM MOHEGAN FAMILIES PERSONAL COLLECTIONS AND FROM THINGS GLADYS BROUGHT BACK FROM OUT WEST AND OTHER PLACES. HAROLD ALSO MADE NATIVE AMERICAN PRODUCTS WITH HIS OWN HANDS. THE PLACE IS A GLIMPSE OF SOMEONE HAVING A DREAM AND MAKING IT HAPPEN. THE GIVING OF THEMSELVES WITHOUT LOOKING FOR REWARDS BUT THE PLEASURE AND EDUCATION THEY COULD GIVE TO OTHERS. IT WAS A VERY LOVING QUEST..
THE MOHEGAN TRIBE BOUGHT THE TANTAQUIDGEON HOUSE AND MUSEUM BUILDING RECENTLY AT A COST, WE WERE TOLD OF ABOUT TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE TRIBE PAID ABOUT ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND TO .RENOVIATE AND UPDATE THE MUSEUM BUILDING. THEY INSTALLED NEW WINDOWS, INTERIOR WIRING, ROOF, AIRCONDITIONING, HEAT, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, A BURGLAR ALARM. BUILT A NEW BATHROOM AND OTHER THINGS.
WE ARE NOW IN THE SECOND PHASE ON THE RENOVATION PROJECT, WHICH IS THE MAIN HOUSE. THE CONSTRUCTION CREW IS ALMOST DONE, THEY ARE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE REFINISHING THE FLOORS. THEY JACKED THE HOUSE UP TO FIX THE FOUNDATION, FIXED PLASTER WALLS AND PAINTED AND MANY OTHER THINGS.
THEY ARE NOW TALKING OF PUTTING A FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED IN THE MUSEUM.
IN THE MAIN HOUSE, THERE WILL BE OFFICES ON THE SECOND FLOOR. . ON THE FIRST FLOOR WILL BE A MUSEUM RESEARCH CENTER.
THE ARTIFACTS BELONG TO DECENDENTS OF GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON. THERE IS A TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM BOARD COMPRISED OF MELLISA TANTAQUIDGEON ZOBEL, JAYNE FAWCETT, DAVID FOWLER,AND BETTY TURNER.
THE MUSEUM IS STAFFED BY TWO VERY DEDICATED WORKERS JASON LAVIGNE AND STACY DUFRESNE.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: THE MOHEGAN WAY, SUMMER 2008 EDITION, IT STATES ON PAGE 3 THE DAY RECOGNIZES HISTORIC MUSEUM EDITORIAL:JUNE 21, 2008
"THE MUSEUM, WHICH GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON AND HER BROTHER HAROLD OPENED IN THEIR BACKYARD, IS A TESTAMENT TO THE TRIBE'S DEEP ROOTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND LIFELONG DEDICATION TO TEACHING OTHERS ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLES. THAT TRIBAL MEMBERS RECOGNIZE IT AS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE MOHEGANS, WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR."
I THINK WE SHOULD NOT QUOTE THE DAY AS IF THEY KNOW WHAT WE THINK OR BELIEVE. I AGREE WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE STATEMENT EXCEPT I BELIEVE OUR MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING IS NOT THE TANTAQUIDGEON MUSEUM BUT THE MOHEGAN CHURCH WHICH IS THE ONLY PROPERTY THAT THE TRIBE STILL HAD LEFT WHEN IT RECEIVED FEDERAL RECOGNITION IN 1996. .
Friday, August 22, 2008
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY PART II
IN THE LATEST "THE MOHEGAN WAY" SUMMER 2008 ISSUE, ON THE FRONT COVER IS AN ARTICLE ENTITLED "QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT TRIBAL SOVERIEGNTY"
THE ARTICLE GIVES A VERY GOOD HISTORY ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY, THE MOHEGAN RELATIONS WITH THE COLONISTS, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO IS EXPLAIN WHY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL USED SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AS A DEFENSE IN A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST THEM BY A TRIBAL MEMBER.
IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN USED.
I TALKED TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, PAST AND PRESENT. THEY AGREED THAT THIS SITUATION NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND ADDRESSED.
PLEASE LOOK AT A PREVIOUS ARTICLE ENTITLED " SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY."
THE ARTICLE GIVES A VERY GOOD HISTORY ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY, THE MOHEGAN RELATIONS WITH THE COLONISTS, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
WHAT IT DOES NOT DO IS EXPLAIN WHY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL USED SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AS A DEFENSE IN A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST THEM BY A TRIBAL MEMBER.
IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN USED.
I TALKED TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, PAST AND PRESENT. THEY AGREED THAT THIS SITUATION NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND ADDRESSED.
PLEASE LOOK AT A PREVIOUS ARTICLE ENTITLED " SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
CASINO OF THE WIND PARTY
TRIBAL MEMBERS COME JOIN THE TRIBE AT THE MOHEGAN SUN ON THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 2008. WE ARE HAVING A PREOPENING PARTY OF THE CASINO OF THE WIND. IT WILL BE BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND 9 P.M. EVERYONE ATTENDING MUST BE 21 OR OVER. EACH TRIBAL MEMBER MAY BRING ONE GUEST. AT THE CHIEFS DELI, WE WILL BE SERVED APPETIZERS AND NON-ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES. THERE WILL BE MOCK GAMING IN THE POKER ROOM AND THE TABLE GAMES. UNFORTUNATELY THERE WILL BE NO SLOTS. WINE, BEER AND CHAMPAIGNE WILL ALSO BE SERVED. IF YOU WANT TO GO, CONTACT JOE SMITH AT THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT. HIS PHONE NUMBER IS 1-860-862-6001 OR YOU COULD CALL 1-800-MOHEGAN EXTENSION 26001. THE STAFF OF FEATHER NEWS AND BROKENWING EDITORIALS HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
MOHEGAN "EARTH DAY"
AWHILE BACK, I CAME UP WITH AN IDEA THAT I PRESENTED TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AT A WEDNESDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR.
HOW ABOUT WE HAVE OUR OWN EARTH DAY? WE COULD MEET AT SHANTOK AND WALK THE WOODS ON BOTH SIDES OF SHANTOK ROAD AND PICK UP BOTTLES, CANS, LITTER AND REFUSE OFF THE BEATEN PATH (IN THE WOODS WHERE PEOPLE DO NOT USUALLY GO.)
AFTERWARD WE COULD HAVE A BBQ, PICNIC, CLAM BAKE, OR SOMETHING. EVERYTIME MOHEGANS MEET WE ALWAYS HAVE FOOD, IT IS THE MOHEGAN WAY.
IT WOULD GIVE THE TRIBE SOME FUN TIME AND HELP UNIFY THE TRIBE. IT WOULD ALSO HELP US TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER AND BE A BONDING OF OUR MEMBERS.
WE FEEL THE PUBLIC WORKS WORKERS DO A TERRIFIC JOB OF KEEPING SHANTOK WELL GROOMED AND CARED FOR. IN FACT, WE THINK THAT PUBLIC WORKS DID A GREAT JOB, DURING CULTURAL WEEK AND THE WIGWAM.
HOW ABOUT IT TRIBAL COUNCIL? TRIBAL MEMBERS WHAT DO YOU THINK? HOW ABOUT A MOHEGAN "EARTH DAY?"
HOW ABOUT WE HAVE OUR OWN EARTH DAY? WE COULD MEET AT SHANTOK AND WALK THE WOODS ON BOTH SIDES OF SHANTOK ROAD AND PICK UP BOTTLES, CANS, LITTER AND REFUSE OFF THE BEATEN PATH (IN THE WOODS WHERE PEOPLE DO NOT USUALLY GO.)
AFTERWARD WE COULD HAVE A BBQ, PICNIC, CLAM BAKE, OR SOMETHING. EVERYTIME MOHEGANS MEET WE ALWAYS HAVE FOOD, IT IS THE MOHEGAN WAY.
IT WOULD GIVE THE TRIBE SOME FUN TIME AND HELP UNIFY THE TRIBE. IT WOULD ALSO HELP US TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER AND BE A BONDING OF OUR MEMBERS.
WE FEEL THE PUBLIC WORKS WORKERS DO A TERRIFIC JOB OF KEEPING SHANTOK WELL GROOMED AND CARED FOR. IN FACT, WE THINK THAT PUBLIC WORKS DID A GREAT JOB, DURING CULTURAL WEEK AND THE WIGWAM.
HOW ABOUT IT TRIBAL COUNCIL? TRIBAL MEMBERS WHAT DO YOU THINK? HOW ABOUT A MOHEGAN "EARTH DAY?"
ONE TRIBE ONE FAMILY
We are 1 tribe, 1 family and i think it is of the upmost importance that we all treat each other as
family and as equals. I believe that many Mohegans are just starting to see each other as 1
family again. I also believe it is the biggest responsibility of the Council of Elders to see to it that
we heal the family and that we become 1 tribe, 1 people,1 family. That being Mohegans, we
must stand for respecting each other as equals and we must treat all Mohegans with the same
dignity and respect. No Mohegan is more Mohegan than another Mohegan. We all come from the
same family and I imagine our ancestors would want us to love each other. I'm sure our Great
Great Great Grandparents would hope tha ALL of their Great Great Great Grandchildren
would someday have a better life not just some of them. I am descendent of Uncas. Am I less his
family than any other descendent of Uncas? I can't imagine how i could be. We are ALL family,
we are ALL Mohegan, we are ALL one people, one tribe, one family. It's time we all acted like it
and made being Mohegan something we ALL can be proud of. Let the Mohegan tribe be known
for loving each other, respecting each other, and treating each other as equals and family.
family and as equals. I believe that many Mohegans are just starting to see each other as 1
family again. I also believe it is the biggest responsibility of the Council of Elders to see to it that
we heal the family and that we become 1 tribe, 1 people,1 family. That being Mohegans, we
must stand for respecting each other as equals and we must treat all Mohegans with the same
dignity and respect. No Mohegan is more Mohegan than another Mohegan. We all come from the
same family and I imagine our ancestors would want us to love each other. I'm sure our Great
Great Great Grandparents would hope tha ALL of their Great Great Great Grandchildren
would someday have a better life not just some of them. I am descendent of Uncas. Am I less his
family than any other descendent of Uncas? I can't imagine how i could be. We are ALL family,
we are ALL Mohegan, we are ALL one people, one tribe, one family. It's time we all acted like it
and made being Mohegan something we ALL can be proud of. Let the Mohegan tribe be known
for loving each other, respecting each other, and treating each other as equals and family.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
THE STONE WALLS AT FORT HILL
FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING HAS SOME BEAUTIFUL OLD STONE WALLS.
THE WALLS COULD POSSIBLY DATE BACK TO THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS OWNED BY THE GILBERT FAMILY. IT WAS USED AS A FARM. THEY SUPPLIED FOOD TO THE COLONISTS" ARMY.
THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT A SAGAMORE OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SAID THAT MOHEGANS ACTUALLY BUILT THE WALLS, A LONG TIME AGO.
PLEASE, LOOK AT THE PICTURES, REALIZING THAT OUR ANCESTORS DID THIS.
THE WALLS COULD POSSIBLY DATE BACK TO THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS OWNED BY THE GILBERT FAMILY. IT WAS USED AS A FARM. THEY SUPPLIED FOOD TO THE COLONISTS" ARMY.
THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT A SAGAMORE OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE SAID THAT MOHEGANS ACTUALLY BUILT THE WALLS, A LONG TIME AGO.
PLEASE, LOOK AT THE PICTURES, REALIZING THAT OUR ANCESTORS DID THIS.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2
I WENT TO OTIS LIBRARY IN NORWICH , CONNECTICUT TO DO THIS RESEARCH ON THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2 IN EACH TRIBAL ELECTION, EVERY REGISTERED VOTING MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH ELECTIVE POSITION AVAILABLE.
THE WORDS WE NEED MEANINGS FOR ARE 1) SHALL 2) BE 3) ENTITLED.
BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY DELUXE SEVENTH EDITION, BRYAN A. GARNER, EDITOR IN CHIEF, COPYWRIGHT 1999
SHALL, OB, 1. HAS A DUTY TO; MORE BROADLY, IS REQUIRED TO
2. SHOULD (AS OFTEN INTERPRETED BY COURTS)
3. MAY
4. WILL (AS A FUTURE-TENSE VERB)
5. IS ENTITLED TO. ONLY SENSE 1. IS ACCEPTABLE UNDER STRICT STANDARDS OF DRAFTING
WEBSTERS NEW WORLD POCKET DICTIONARY FOURTH EDITION
BE-P WAS OR WERE, BEEN, BEING 1. EXIST, LIVE 2. OCCUR 3. REMAIN, CONTINUE BE IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT AUXILIARY VERB
BLACKS LAW DICIONARY DELUXE SEVENTH EDITION COPYWRIGHT 1999
ENTITLE, OB 1.TO GRANT A LEGAL RIGHT TO GUALIFY FOR,
2. ECCLES LAW. TO OBTAIN AS A MINISTER.--FORMERLY ALSO SPELLED INTITLE
INTITLE, OB. ARCHAW SEE ENTITLE
WEBSTERS NEW WORLD POCKET DICTIONARY FOURTH EDITION
REQUIRE V. 1. TO DEMAND 2. TO NEED REQUIREMENT. N
THE CONSTITUTION MAY BE OKAY THE WAY IT IS. HOWEVER I THINK EITHER IT NEEDS TO BE MORE PRECISE OR IT NEEDS TO BE CHALLENGED IN COURT.
READERS I CAN NOT FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS.
EDITORIAL NOTES: PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON "THE ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED." '
ARTICLE VII- VOTING SECTION 2 IN EACH TRIBAL ELECTION, EVERY REGISTERED VOTING MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH ELECTIVE POSITION AVAILABLE.
THE WORDS WE NEED MEANINGS FOR ARE 1) SHALL 2) BE 3) ENTITLED.
BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY DELUXE SEVENTH EDITION, BRYAN A. GARNER, EDITOR IN CHIEF, COPYWRIGHT 1999
SHALL, OB, 1. HAS A DUTY TO; MORE BROADLY, IS REQUIRED TO
2. SHOULD (AS OFTEN INTERPRETED BY COURTS)
3. MAY
4. WILL (AS A FUTURE-TENSE VERB)
5. IS ENTITLED TO
WEBSTERS NEW WORLD POCKET DICTIONARY FOURTH EDITION
BE-P WAS OR WERE, BEEN, BEING 1. EXIST, LIVE 2. OCCUR 3. REMAIN, CONTINUE BE IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT AUXILIARY VERB
BLACKS LAW DICIONARY DELUXE SEVENTH EDITION COPYWRIGHT 1999
ENTITLE, OB 1.TO GRANT A LEGAL RIGHT TO GUALIFY FOR,
2. ECCLES LAW. TO OBTAIN AS A MINISTER.--FORMERLY ALSO SPELLED INTITLE
INTITLE, OB. ARCHAW SEE ENTITLE
WEBSTERS NEW WORLD POCKET DICTIONARY FOURTH EDITION
REQUIRE V. 1. TO DEMAND 2. TO NEED REQUIREMENT. N
THE CONSTITUTION MAY BE OKAY THE WAY IT IS. HOWEVER I THINK EITHER IT NEEDS TO BE MORE PRECISE OR IT NEEDS TO BE CHALLENGED IN COURT.
READERS I CAN NOT FIGURE IT OUT. PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS.
EDITORIAL NOTES: PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS ARTICLES ON "THE ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED." '
A VISIT TO COCHEGAN ROCK
IF YOU WANT TO VISIT NINTY THREE ACRES OF GREEN BEAUTIFUL FOREST, THEN COCHEGAN ROCK IS THE PLACE TO GO.
THR ROCK, SAID TO BE THE LARGEST FREE STANDING BOULDER IN NEW ENGLAND, IS MAGNIFICENT. THERE ARE TWO OTHER LARGE ROCKS RIGHT IN THE SAME AREA TO ALSO SEE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, WITH LITTLE WATERFALLS, BEAUTIFUL TREES AND ROCKS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL STONE FOUNDATIONS AND SOME DEPRESSIONS WHERE DWELLINGS COULD HAVE BEEN. THERE IS A LITTLE CEMETERY WITH A BEAUTIFUL STONE WALL.
THE TRIBE DID A REALLY GOOD THING WHEN IT PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY.
PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROCK, IT IS ILLEGAL. YOU NEED TO GET PERMISSION TO CLIMB IT.
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, GO AND ENJOY THIS MYSTICAL PLACE.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: CHECK OUT http://www.feathernews.blogspot.com/ "MOHEGAN WIGWAM FESTIVAL 2008"
THR ROCK, SAID TO BE THE LARGEST FREE STANDING BOULDER IN NEW ENGLAND, IS MAGNIFICENT. THERE ARE TWO OTHER LARGE ROCKS RIGHT IN THE SAME AREA TO ALSO SEE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, WITH LITTLE WATERFALLS, BEAUTIFUL TREES AND ROCKS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL STONE FOUNDATIONS AND SOME DEPRESSIONS WHERE DWELLINGS COULD HAVE BEEN. THERE IS A LITTLE CEMETERY WITH A BEAUTIFUL STONE WALL.
THE TRIBE DID A REALLY GOOD THING WHEN IT PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY.
PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROCK, IT IS ILLEGAL. YOU NEED TO GET PERMISSION TO CLIMB IT.
MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS, GO AND ENJOY THIS MYSTICAL PLACE.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: CHECK OUT http://www.feathernews.blogspot.com/ "MOHEGAN WIGWAM FESTIVAL 2008"
RIDING SHOT GUN
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE EDITORS OF FEATHER NEWS AND BROKENWING EDITORIALS WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW SAFE AND SECURE WE FEEL WHEN WE GO TO THE MOHEGAN SUN. WE WONDERED, WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE THROUGH OUR PATRONS' EYES? WE THOUGHT, HOW ABOUT WE RIDE ALONG WITH THE TRIBAL POLICE OR TRIBAL SECURITY?
ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL OPEN SESSION, WE ASKED A HIGH RANKING OFFICIAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY IF WE COULD DO A RIDE ALONG. WE TOLD HIM WE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. HE ASKED US WHY WE WANTED TO DO IT. WE SAID, AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON OUR RESERVATION. THE OFFICIAL SAID HE WOULD ASK. BOTH OF US ADVISED HIM THAT WE WOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN, AND THAT WE ONLY WANTED TO OBSERVE.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS APPROACHED BY THE OFFICIAL. HE SAID WE COULDN'T GO. I ASKED WHY WE COULD NOT GO. HE ASKED AGAIN WHY WE WANTED TO DO IT. I GAVE HIM THE SAME ANSWER AS BEFORE. HE SAID WE COULD NOT GO BECAUSE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A LIABILITY ISSUE AND THAT INSURANCE WOULD NOT INSURE US.
THE ANSWERS DO NOT STAND UP TO SCRUTINY.
1) THE TRIBE IS SELF INSURED SO IF THEY WANTED TO LET US, THEY COULD HAVE. I LIVE ON THE RESERVATION, SO IN OTHER WORDS I AM INSURED WHERE I LIVE, AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING , IN THE CASINO, BUT NOT IN A TRIBAL POLICE CAR OR TRIBAL SECURITY CAR?
2) WE WERE WILLING TO SIGN LIABILITY WAIVERS.
3) WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT WHEN A PATRON AT THE CASINO CAN'T FIND THEIR CARS THAT SECURITY WILL RIDE THEM AROUND FOR HOURS SOMETIMES, TRYING TO HELP THE PATRONS FIND THEIR CARS. PATRONS CAN RIDE IN SECURITY CARS FOR HOURS BUT TRIBAL MEMBERS WANTING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON CAN'T.
WHAT IS IT THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TRIBAL MEMBERS TO SEE? WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON LATE AT NIGHT AT THE CASINO?
ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL OPEN SESSION, WE ASKED A HIGH RANKING OFFICIAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY IF WE COULD DO A RIDE ALONG. WE TOLD HIM WE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. HE ASKED US WHY WE WANTED TO DO IT. WE SAID, AS TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON OUR RESERVATION. THE OFFICIAL SAID HE WOULD ASK. BOTH OF US ADVISED HIM THAT WE WOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN, AND THAT WE ONLY WANTED TO OBSERVE.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS APPROACHED BY THE OFFICIAL. HE SAID WE COULDN'T GO. I ASKED WHY WE COULD NOT GO. HE ASKED AGAIN WHY WE WANTED TO DO IT. I GAVE HIM THE SAME ANSWER AS BEFORE. HE SAID WE COULD NOT GO BECAUSE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A LIABILITY ISSUE AND THAT INSURANCE WOULD NOT INSURE US.
THE ANSWERS DO NOT STAND UP TO SCRUTINY.
1) THE TRIBE IS SELF INSURED SO IF THEY WANTED TO LET US, THEY COULD HAVE. I LIVE ON THE RESERVATION, SO IN OTHER WORDS I AM INSURED WHERE I LIVE, AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING , IN THE CASINO, BUT NOT IN A TRIBAL POLICE CAR OR TRIBAL SECURITY CAR?
2) WE WERE WILLING TO SIGN LIABILITY WAIVERS.
3) WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT WHEN A PATRON AT THE CASINO CAN'T FIND THEIR CARS THAT SECURITY WILL RIDE THEM AROUND FOR HOURS SOMETIMES, TRYING TO HELP THE PATRONS FIND THEIR CARS. PATRONS CAN RIDE IN SECURITY CARS FOR HOURS BUT TRIBAL MEMBERS WANTING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON CAN'T.
WHAT IS IT THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TRIBAL MEMBERS TO SEE? WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON LATE AT NIGHT AT THE CASINO?
Monday, August 18, 2008
EYES ON THE OUTSIDE
IT IS RUMORED THAT ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO WHEN A CONSTRUCTION CREW WAS BUILDING AN ON RAMP ON I-395 , A NATIVE AMERICAN BURIAL GROUND WAS DISCOVERED. EVERY ONE AT THE SITE KEPT QUIET. YEARS LATER WHEN THE STORY CAME OUT NOTHING WAS FOUND.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A LAND OWNER WAS HAVING A CUSTOM HOUSE BEING BUILT ON MASONS ISLAND. THE HOMEOWNER THOUGHT THAT THEY MAY HAVE UNCOVERED HUMAN REMAINS. HE CONTACTED HIS LAWYER WHO TOLD HIM TO GO TO THE AUTHORITIES, WHICH HE DID . THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS BOUGHT THE PROPERY AND PRESERVED WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN BURIALS.
HOW MANY OTHER THINGS LIKE THIS, THAT INVOLVE NATIVE AMERICAN SITES COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE OUT THERE? HOW MANY WILL BE FOUND IN THE FUTURE?
I BELIEVE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE NEEDS SOMEONE TO PROTECT POSSIBLE SITES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.
THE PERSON THAT WOULD DO THIS SHOULD HAVE SOME ARCHAEOLOGY TRAINING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE. HE WOULD DEAL WITH THE LOCAL TOWN BUILDING DEPARTMENTS AND MAYBE THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. HE COULD CHECK CONSTRUCTION SITES AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. IF HE FOUND SOMETHING HE COULD CALL THE TRIBES' ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE SITE.
FROM THERE THE TRIBE COULD DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE SITE.
HOPEFULLY THERE WILL NEVER AGAIN BE INCIDENTS LIKE I-395 OR MASONS ISLAND.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A LAND OWNER WAS HAVING A CUSTOM HOUSE BEING BUILT ON MASONS ISLAND. THE HOMEOWNER THOUGHT THAT THEY MAY HAVE UNCOVERED HUMAN REMAINS. HE CONTACTED HIS LAWYER WHO TOLD HIM TO GO TO THE AUTHORITIES, WHICH HE DID . THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS BOUGHT THE PROPERY AND PRESERVED WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN BURIALS.
HOW MANY OTHER THINGS LIKE THIS, THAT INVOLVE NATIVE AMERICAN SITES COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE OUT THERE? HOW MANY WILL BE FOUND IN THE FUTURE?
I BELIEVE THE MOHEGAN TRIBE NEEDS SOMEONE TO PROTECT POSSIBLE SITES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.
THE PERSON THAT WOULD DO THIS SHOULD HAVE SOME ARCHAEOLOGY TRAINING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE. HE WOULD DEAL WITH THE LOCAL TOWN BUILDING DEPARTMENTS AND MAYBE THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. HE COULD CHECK CONSTRUCTION SITES AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. IF HE FOUND SOMETHING HE COULD CALL THE TRIBES' ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE SITE.
FROM THERE THE TRIBE COULD DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE SITE.
HOPEFULLY THERE WILL NEVER AGAIN BE INCIDENTS LIKE I-395 OR MASONS ISLAND.
ELECTION COMMITTEE QUESTIONAIRE
IN YOUR PACKET TO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION IS A QUESTIONAIRE ON HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DVD THEY SENT OUT. PLEASE FILL IT OUT?
THE QUESTIONS:
DID YOU WATCH THE DVD? HOPEFULLY YOU DID AND YOU ANSWERED YES
WAS THE DVD HELPFUL IN MAKING YOUR CHOICES? HOPEFULY YOU ANSWERED YES
DO YOU SUPPORT HAVING A CANDIDATES' FORUM? AGAIN HOPEFULLY YES.
FROM BEING AT THE FORUM LIVE, I CAME AWAY WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
UNDER THE PRESENT FORMAT, THE FIRST PERSON ANSWERING THE QUESTION IS LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS (MEANING CONFUSED AND UNSURE WHAT TO SAY OR DO). AS THE QUESTION CONTINUES AROUND THE ROOM THE CANDIDATES GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE ANSWER SHOULD BE AND TAILOR THEIR ANSWERS BASED ON WHAT THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE SAYING. THE LAST PERSON GETTING THE QUESTION HAS NOTHING NEW TO ADD AND MAYBE DOSEN'T COME ACROSS AS GOOD AS MAYBE THEY COULD HAVE.
BROKENWING EDITIORIALS BROUGHT AN IDEA ABOUT THIS TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THEY HAD ALREADY COME UP WITH THE SAME THING. THE IDEA IS, WHY NOT TAKE EACH CANDIDATE IN A ROOM SEPARATELY, ASKING EACH ONE A SERIES OF THE SAME EIGHT QUESTIONS. EACH CANDIDATE WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. THE ANSWERS COULD THEN BE PUT IN ORDER ,QUESTION BY QUESTION OF EACH OF THE CANDIDATES' RESPONSES, SO YOU WOULD SEE SOMETHING LIKE WHAT WE SAW ON THIS DVD. IT WOULD GIVE VOTERS MORE CANDID RESPONSES AND WE WOULD HAVE A BETTER IDEA ON HOW CANDIDATES REALLY STAND ON THE ISSUES.
THIS FORMAT WOULD COST CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THE PRESENT SYSTEM. I THINK WE WOULD USE ONE CAMERA, NOT THREE. YOU WOULD NOT NEED A SOUND MAN. DIRECTOR, ETC.
I CAME UP WITH AN IDEA I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, HOW ABOUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE QUESTIONAIRE, IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE CURRENT VOTING ORDINANCE THAT SAYS "REQUIRED"(SO WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR ALL THE POSITIONS OPEN TO HAVE OUR VOTE COUNTED) WE WRITE, "I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2 IN THE CONSTITUTION." TO THE READERS WHO ALREADY VOTED, WE ARE SORRY. THE IDEA JUST CAME IN. PLEASE CALL THE ELECTION COMMITTEE OR SEND THEM A LETTER STATING THE SAME THING?
SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONAIRES WITH YOUR VOTES. WRITE ON THE BOTTOM " I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2. IN THE CONSTITUTION."
CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE, "ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED."
THE QUESTIONS:
DID YOU WATCH THE DVD? HOPEFULLY YOU DID AND YOU ANSWERED YES
WAS THE DVD HELPFUL IN MAKING YOUR CHOICES? HOPEFULY YOU ANSWERED YES
DO YOU SUPPORT HAVING A CANDIDATES' FORUM? AGAIN HOPEFULLY YES.
FROM BEING AT THE FORUM LIVE, I CAME AWAY WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU.
UNDER THE PRESENT FORMAT, THE FIRST PERSON ANSWERING THE QUESTION IS LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS (MEANING CONFUSED AND UNSURE WHAT TO SAY OR DO). AS THE QUESTION CONTINUES AROUND THE ROOM THE CANDIDATES GET A FEEL OF WHAT THE ANSWER SHOULD BE AND TAILOR THEIR ANSWERS BASED ON WHAT THE OTHER CANDIDATES ARE SAYING. THE LAST PERSON GETTING THE QUESTION HAS NOTHING NEW TO ADD AND MAYBE DOSEN'T COME ACROSS AS GOOD AS MAYBE THEY COULD HAVE.
BROKENWING EDITIORIALS BROUGHT AN IDEA ABOUT THIS TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THEY HAD ALREADY COME UP WITH THE SAME THING. THE IDEA IS, WHY NOT TAKE EACH CANDIDATE IN A ROOM SEPARATELY, ASKING EACH ONE A SERIES OF THE SAME EIGHT QUESTIONS. EACH CANDIDATE WOULD ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. THE ANSWERS COULD THEN BE PUT IN ORDER ,QUESTION BY QUESTION OF EACH OF THE CANDIDATES' RESPONSES, SO YOU WOULD SEE SOMETHING LIKE WHAT WE SAW ON THIS DVD. IT WOULD GIVE VOTERS MORE CANDID RESPONSES AND WE WOULD HAVE A BETTER IDEA ON HOW CANDIDATES REALLY STAND ON THE ISSUES.
THIS FORMAT WOULD COST CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THE PRESENT SYSTEM. I THINK WE WOULD USE ONE CAMERA, NOT THREE. YOU WOULD NOT NEED A SOUND MAN. DIRECTOR, ETC.
I CAME UP WITH AN IDEA I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, HOW ABOUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE QUESTIONAIRE, IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE CURRENT VOTING ORDINANCE THAT SAYS "REQUIRED"(SO WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR ALL THE POSITIONS OPEN TO HAVE OUR VOTE COUNTED) WE WRITE, "I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2 IN THE CONSTITUTION." TO THE READERS WHO ALREADY VOTED, WE ARE SORRY. THE IDEA JUST CAME IN. PLEASE CALL THE ELECTION COMMITTEE OR SEND THEM A LETTER STATING THE SAME THING?
SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONAIRES WITH YOUR VOTES. WRITE ON THE BOTTOM " I THINK THE ELECTION ORDINANCE VIOLATES ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2. IN THE CONSTITUTION."
CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE, "ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED."
Friday, August 15, 2008
PICKING THE NEXT SACHEM
WE (THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) WILL VOTE TO PUT FOUR NEW MEMBERS INTO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS THIS ELECTION. THEY WILL BE INSTALLED ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008. THE SAME DATE AS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF OUR BELOVED CHIEF RALPH STURGES,(CHIEF G'TINE'MONG).
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE NEXT COUNCIL PLANS TO APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF.
IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE X- POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS , SECTION 2 (d) "TO APPOINT AND DEFINE ALL RELIGIOUS AND CEREMONIAL POSITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICINE PERSON, CHIEF OR SACHEM, PIPE CARRIER, TRIBAL HISTORIAN, SAGAMORES, NONNERS, FIRE KEEPERS, ETC.; THE PERSONS SO APPOINTED TO SAID POSITIONS SHALL ACT UNDER THE SUPERSION OF, AND SUBJECT TO THE REMOVAL BY, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, AND SHALL FULFILL THEIR RESPECTIVE DUTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRADITIONAL MOHEGAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS:"
THE FIRST SACHEM OF THE MOHEGANS WAS UNCAS. THE UNCAS FAMILY WERE THE SACHEMS UNTIL ISAIAH UNCAS (THE SON OF BEN UNCAS III) DIED IN 1770. WE DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER SACHEM OR CHIEF UNTIL 1902, WHEN HENRY MATTHEWS BECAME CHIEF. CORTLAND E. FOWLER (LITTLE HATCHET) BECAME CHIEF BEING VOTED IN AT THE MOHEGAN CHURCH 1970-1991. RALPH STURGES WAS FIRST VOTED IN AS CHIEF IN THE MOHEGAN CHURCH BY THE MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IN ATTENDANCE. A BALLOT WAS SENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND RALPH GOT A MAJORITY VOTE. ALSO ON THE BALLOT WAS TO MAKE EMMA T. BAKER (MEDICINE PERSON) POSTHUMOUS, AND GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON, (MEDICINE PERSON) , BOTH GOT ELECTED.
NOTE THE TRIBE DID NOT HAVE A CHIEF FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO (132) YEARS.
ON TALKING TO COUNCIL OF ELDERS, I FEEL THEY BELIEVE THAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THEY SHOULD PICK THE NEXT CHIEF AND THAT THEY WILL DO IT BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS THEIR DUTY. THEY FEEL THEY SHOULD NOT SHIRK THEIR DUTIES.
RALPH STURGES WAS A GREAT LEADER. WHEN YOU WOULD PAST HIS OFFICE HE WOULD ALWAYS SAY COME AND TALK AWHILE. HE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR THE MEMBERS, THEIR CONCERNS WERE HIS CONCERNS. HE WAS AN EXAMPLE, OF WHAT WE SHOULD WANT OUR CHIEFS OF THE FUTURE TO BE..
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS ARTICLE, THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT COUNCIL OF ELDERS CAN APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF. HOWEVER IF YOU CHECK OUR HISTORY, TRADITION, AND CULTURE YOU WILL FIND IT IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE. WE SHOULD DO WHAT MOHEGAN PEOPLE HAVE DONE BEFORE . NOT SOMETHING NEW MANDATED BY THE CONSTITUTION CREATED IN 1996..
WHY DO WE NEED TO PICK A CHIEF RIGHT NOW? WHY CAN'T THE TRIBE BE ALLOWED TO PICK THE NEXT CHIEF INSTEAD OF SEVEN INDIVIDUALS?
TRIBAL MEMBERS THINK ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT TO GO WITH TRADITION, CULTURE, AND HISTORY OR DO WE WANT TO GO WITH THE NEW COSNTITUTION?
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE NEXT COUNCIL PLANS TO APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF.
IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE X- POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS , SECTION 2 (d) "TO APPOINT AND DEFINE ALL RELIGIOUS AND CEREMONIAL POSITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEDICINE PERSON, CHIEF OR SACHEM, PIPE CARRIER, TRIBAL HISTORIAN, SAGAMORES, NONNERS, FIRE KEEPERS, ETC.; THE PERSONS SO APPOINTED TO SAID POSITIONS SHALL ACT UNDER THE SUPERSION OF, AND SUBJECT TO THE REMOVAL BY, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, AND SHALL FULFILL THEIR RESPECTIVE DUTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRADITIONAL MOHEGAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS:"
THE FIRST SACHEM OF THE MOHEGANS WAS UNCAS. THE UNCAS FAMILY WERE THE SACHEMS UNTIL ISAIAH UNCAS (THE SON OF BEN UNCAS III) DIED IN 1770. WE DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER SACHEM OR CHIEF UNTIL 1902, WHEN HENRY MATTHEWS BECAME CHIEF. CORTLAND E. FOWLER (LITTLE HATCHET) BECAME CHIEF BEING VOTED IN AT THE MOHEGAN CHURCH 1970-1991. RALPH STURGES WAS FIRST VOTED IN AS CHIEF IN THE MOHEGAN CHURCH BY THE MEMBERS OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE IN ATTENDANCE. A BALLOT WAS SENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND RALPH GOT A MAJORITY VOTE. ALSO ON THE BALLOT WAS TO MAKE EMMA T. BAKER (MEDICINE PERSON) POSTHUMOUS, AND GLADYS TANTAQUIDGEON, (MEDICINE PERSON) , BOTH GOT ELECTED.
NOTE THE TRIBE DID NOT HAVE A CHIEF FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO (132) YEARS.
ON TALKING TO COUNCIL OF ELDERS, I FEEL THEY BELIEVE THAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THEY SHOULD PICK THE NEXT CHIEF AND THAT THEY WILL DO IT BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS THEIR DUTY. THEY FEEL THEY SHOULD NOT SHIRK THEIR DUTIES.
RALPH STURGES WAS A GREAT LEADER. WHEN YOU WOULD PAST HIS OFFICE HE WOULD ALWAYS SAY COME AND TALK AWHILE. HE ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR THE MEMBERS, THEIR CONCERNS WERE HIS CONCERNS. HE WAS AN EXAMPLE, OF WHAT WE SHOULD WANT OUR CHIEFS OF THE FUTURE TO BE..
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS ARTICLE, THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT COUNCIL OF ELDERS CAN APPOINT THE NEXT CHIEF. HOWEVER IF YOU CHECK OUR HISTORY, TRADITION, AND CULTURE YOU WILL FIND IT IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE. WE SHOULD DO WHAT MOHEGAN PEOPLE HAVE DONE BEFORE . NOT SOMETHING NEW MANDATED BY THE CONSTITUTION CREATED IN 1996..
WHY DO WE NEED TO PICK A CHIEF RIGHT NOW? WHY CAN'T THE TRIBE BE ALLOWED TO PICK THE NEXT CHIEF INSTEAD OF SEVEN INDIVIDUALS?
TRIBAL MEMBERS THINK ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT TO GO WITH TRADITION, CULTURE, AND HISTORY OR DO WE WANT TO GO WITH THE NEW COSNTITUTION?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM
WHEN THE CANDIDATES FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WERE ASKED BY THE ELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ON JULY 21, 2008, ON THE QUESTION ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION ONLY ONE PERSON GOT IT TOTALLY RIGHT. SHE SAID, WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT COURT SYSTEM.
THINK ABOUT THIS. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS TOGETHER CREATED THE NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE.
A TRIBAL MEMBER OR SEVERAL TRIBAL MEMBERS DECIDE THEY DO NOT LIKE IT AND TAKE THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND TRIBAL COUNCIL TO MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT, CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE TRIBAL COURT RULES, ONE SIDE DOES NOT LIKE THE DECISION, SO IT THEN GOES TO THE APPEALS COURT. AGAIN ONE SIDE DOES NOT LIKE THE DECISION. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS CHALLENGE THAT THE ETHICS ORDINANCE HAS VIOLATED THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION AND ASKS THAT IT BE HEARD BY THE SUPREME COURT.. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT OF MOHEGAN TRIBE) AGREE IT SHOULD BE HEARD.
NOW THE PROBLEM. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CREATED THIS ORDINANCE. UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM IT WOULD HAVE TO BE HEARD BY THE MOHEGAN GAMING APPEALS COURT. NOW YOU HAVE NON-MOHEGANS DECIDING OUR CONSTITUTION. IS THAT WHAT WE WANT?
THE WAY I SAW IT, MOST OF THE CANDIDATES DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN THE CONSTITUTION. MOST OF THE CANDIDATES SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE IT IF NEEDED OR THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE IT AT ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT WITH THE DIFFERENT THINGS THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO, SITUATIONS LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEN AGAIN WHAT ABOUT THEIR TRAINING IN THE LAW? WHAT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCILS' APPOINTING THE JUSTICES? THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS TOO, BUT I WILL DISCUSS THEM IN FURTHER ARTICLES. TALK TO OTHER MEMBERS AND BOTH THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COURT ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: CHECK OUT TEH PREVIOUS ARTICLES "ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED" AND "SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.''
THINK ABOUT THIS. THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS TOGETHER CREATED THE NEW ETHICS ORDINANCE.
A TRIBAL MEMBER OR SEVERAL TRIBAL MEMBERS DECIDE THEY DO NOT LIKE IT AND TAKE THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND TRIBAL COUNCIL TO MOHEGAN TRIBAL COURT, CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE TRIBAL COURT RULES, ONE SIDE DOES NOT LIKE THE DECISION, SO IT THEN GOES TO THE APPEALS COURT. AGAIN ONE SIDE DOES NOT LIKE THE DECISION. THE TRIBAL MEMBERS CHALLENGE THAT THE ETHICS ORDINANCE HAS VIOLATED THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION AND ASKS THAT IT BE HEARD BY THE SUPREME COURT.. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS (SUPREME COURT OF MOHEGAN TRIBE) AGREE IT SHOULD BE HEARD.
NOW THE PROBLEM. THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COUNCIL CREATED THIS ORDINANCE. UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM IT WOULD HAVE TO BE HEARD BY THE MOHEGAN GAMING APPEALS COURT. NOW YOU HAVE NON-MOHEGANS DECIDING OUR CONSTITUTION. IS THAT WHAT WE WANT?
THE WAY I SAW IT, MOST OF THE CANDIDATES DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS IN THE CONSTITUTION. MOST OF THE CANDIDATES SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE IT IF NEEDED OR THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE IT AT ALL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT WITH THE DIFFERENT THINGS THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS DO, SITUATIONS LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEN AGAIN WHAT ABOUT THEIR TRAINING IN THE LAW? WHAT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCILS' APPOINTING THE JUSTICES? THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS TOO, BUT I WILL DISCUSS THEM IN FURTHER ARTICLES. TALK TO OTHER MEMBERS AND BOTH THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND THE TRIBAL COURT ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: CHECK OUT TEH PREVIOUS ARTICLES "ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED" AND "SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.''
THE JEWEL ON THE HILL OVERLOOKING THE THAMES
IT WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL GLASS GEM PERCHED ON A HILL OVERLOOKING THE THAMES RIVER IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT. IT WILL BE AN AMAZING BUILDING. IT WILL HAVE AN AMAZING VIEW OF FORT SHANTOK , ROUTE 2A, PRESTON AND LEDYARD, NORWICH AND THE MOHEGAN SUN. PEOPLE LOOKING OUT QUITE AWED BY THE SIGHTS THEY WILL SEE. I AM TALKING OF THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING.
FIVE FLOORS TALL. WE WERE TOLD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WIIL BE ON THE TOP FLOOR. DIDN'T WE ELECT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS? HOW COME THE ELDERS AREN'T ON THE TOP FLOOR TOO? WHY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT?
WE HAVE SEEN THE FLOOR PLANS, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. SOME WORKERS SEEM TO HAVE MORE ROOM AND OTHERS HAVE LESS THAN WHAT THEY HAVE NOW IN THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT BUILDING. IT IS RUMORED THAT SOME EMPLOYEES MAY NOT EVEN BE IN THE NEW BUILDINGS, WHAT ABOUT ARCHIEVES AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTION, IS THERE ROOM FOR THEM? WHAT ABOUT AS THE YEARS GO BY AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND COLLECTIONS GROW, HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THE EXPANSION OF THE SIZE OF OUR GOVERNMENT? IS THE BUILDING BIG ENOUGH? IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS LARGE OPEN SPACES THAT WILL BE IMPRESSIVE BUT NOT OF ANY REAL VALUE IN ACTUAL WORKING AREA.
WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE GARAGE IN THE BOTTOM WILL BE FOR HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. WILL IT BE SET UP SO THE TRIBAL MEMBERS WILL NOT KNOW IF THESE OFFICIALS ARE THERE OR NOT?
ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER, AT FIRST WE WERE TOLD WE WERE GETTING TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, NOW WE ARE HEARING ONE. AT LEAST ONE BASKETBALL COURT WILL BE FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN WITH THEIR OWN ENTRANCE AND LOCKERS. WHEN IT IS BASKETBALL SEASON WILL THE TRIBE BE ABLE TO USE THIS BASKETBALL COURT? WILL THE TRIBAL MEMBERS BE ABLE TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY, WITHOUT HAVING TO SIGN IN? WILL THERE BE SECURITY TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY? WILL WE BE LIMITED IN THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER BECAUSE OF ITS' ATTACHMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING?
AT WHAT COST? WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO COST EIGHTY NINE MILLION DOLLARS. IT WAS TOLD TO US IN CONFIDENCE BY ONE OFFICAL THAT HE BELIEVES IN THE END THE NUMBER WILL BE ABOUT A HUNDRED MILLION, IF NOT MORE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO START PAYING FOR IT BEGINNING 2015. IF WE START PAYING IN 2015 WON'T WE HAVE TO PAY MORE BECAUSE WE DELAYED STARTING TO PAY FOR IT? AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IN 2045 PRESUMING A THIRTY YEAR LOAN, 300 MILLION? WHAT ABOUT COST OVERRUNS? WE ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE THEM.
MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DO THIS, CONSIDERING THE TRIBES DEBT OF WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS AT THE MOMENT. DO WE WANT THIS ADDITIONAL DEBT, WITH OUR DEBTS OF THE MOHEGAN SUN AND POCONO DOWNS? WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY?
INSTEAD OF BEING LIKE A RABBIT ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH LOOKING FOR A DIRECTION TO RUN, MAYBE WE SHOULD BE LIKE A TURTLE. MAYBE WE SHOULD BE SLOW AND DELIBERATE WITH A VIEW OF OUR DESTINATION.
FIVE FLOORS TALL. WE WERE TOLD THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WIIL BE ON THE TOP FLOOR. DIDN'T WE ELECT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS? HOW COME THE ELDERS AREN'T ON THE TOP FLOOR TOO? WHY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT?
WE HAVE SEEN THE FLOOR PLANS, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. SOME WORKERS SEEM TO HAVE MORE ROOM AND OTHERS HAVE LESS THAN WHAT THEY HAVE NOW IN THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT BUILDING. IT IS RUMORED THAT SOME EMPLOYEES MAY NOT EVEN BE IN THE NEW BUILDINGS, WHAT ABOUT ARCHIEVES AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTION, IS THERE ROOM FOR THEM? WHAT ABOUT AS THE YEARS GO BY AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND COLLECTIONS GROW, HOW ARE WE GOING TO HANDLE THE EXPANSION OF THE SIZE OF OUR GOVERNMENT? IS THE BUILDING BIG ENOUGH? IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS LARGE OPEN SPACES THAT WILL BE IMPRESSIVE BUT NOT OF ANY REAL VALUE IN ACTUAL WORKING AREA.
WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE GARAGE IN THE BOTTOM WILL BE FOR HIGH RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. WILL IT BE SET UP SO THE TRIBAL MEMBERS WILL NOT KNOW IF THESE OFFICIALS ARE THERE OR NOT?
ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER, AT FIRST WE WERE TOLD WE WERE GETTING TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, NOW WE ARE HEARING ONE. AT LEAST ONE BASKETBALL COURT WILL BE FOR THE CONNECTICUT SUN WITH THEIR OWN ENTRANCE AND LOCKERS. WHEN IT IS BASKETBALL SEASON WILL THE TRIBE BE ABLE TO USE THIS BASKETBALL COURT? WILL THE TRIBAL MEMBERS BE ABLE TO GO TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY, WITHOUT HAVING TO SIGN IN? WILL THERE BE SECURITY TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY? WILL WE BE LIMITED IN THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER BECAUSE OF ITS' ATTACHMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING?
AT WHAT COST? WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO COST EIGHTY NINE MILLION DOLLARS. IT WAS TOLD TO US IN CONFIDENCE BY ONE OFFICAL THAT HE BELIEVES IN THE END THE NUMBER WILL BE ABOUT A HUNDRED MILLION, IF NOT MORE. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO START PAYING FOR IT BEGINNING 2015. IF WE START PAYING IN 2015 WON'T WE HAVE TO PAY MORE BECAUSE WE DELAYED STARTING TO PAY FOR IT? AT WHAT INTEREST RATE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST IN 2045 PRESUMING A THIRTY YEAR LOAN, 300 MILLION? WHAT ABOUT COST OVERRUNS? WE ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE THEM.
MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DO THIS, CONSIDERING THE TRIBES DEBT OF WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MILLION DOLLARS AT THE MOMENT. DO WE WANT THIS ADDITIONAL DEBT, WITH OUR DEBTS OF THE MOHEGAN SUN AND POCONO DOWNS? WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY?
INSTEAD OF BEING LIKE A RABBIT ZIG ZAGGING BACK AND FORTH LOOKING FOR A DIRECTION TO RUN, MAYBE WE SHOULD BE LIKE A TURTLE. MAYBE WE SHOULD BE SLOW AND DELIBERATE WITH A VIEW OF OUR DESTINATION.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
UPDATE ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
I WAS ADVISED OF ANOTHER WAY TO CHANGE THE MOHEGAN CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VII-VOTING SECTION 2 WHERE IT READS"IN EACH TRIBAL ELECTION, EVERY REGISTERED VOTING MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH ELECTIVE POSITION AVAILABLE"
AGAIN THE PROBLEM, IS THE PHASE "SHALL BE ENTITLED" AND THE ELECTION LAW SAYS "REQUIRED." AS IT STANDS NOW YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR EVERY POSITION ON THE BALLOT FOR YOUR BALLOT TO COUNT. FOUR POSITIONS OPEN YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR FOUR PEOPLE. YOU CAN NOT VOTE FOR LESS THAN THE FOUR.
THE ADVISE WAS THAT A TRIBAL MEMBER OR MEMBERS COULD FILE AN ACTION AGAINST THE ELECTION COMMITTEE CHALLENGING THE LAW. THE DECISIONS COULD BE APPEALED, THEN AFTER THE APPEAL IT COULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ( COUNCIL OF ELDERS). THEY COULD CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION OR BRING THE MATTER AS AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE ON. I AM NOT QUITE SURE HOW THE FINAL PROCESS WOULD WORK.
I COULD BE WRONG BUT IF I AM RIGHT WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT AVENUES TO FIX THE ORDINANCE OR CONSTITUTION ON THIS MATTER. SEE PREVIOUS STORY ENTITLED
"ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED."
AGAIN THE PROBLEM, IS THE PHASE "SHALL BE ENTITLED" AND THE ELECTION LAW SAYS "REQUIRED." AS IT STANDS NOW YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR EVERY POSITION ON THE BALLOT FOR YOUR BALLOT TO COUNT. FOUR POSITIONS OPEN YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR FOUR PEOPLE. YOU CAN NOT VOTE FOR LESS THAN THE FOUR.
THE ADVISE WAS THAT A TRIBAL MEMBER OR MEMBERS COULD FILE AN ACTION AGAINST THE ELECTION COMMITTEE CHALLENGING THE LAW. THE DECISIONS COULD BE APPEALED, THEN AFTER THE APPEAL IT COULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT ( COUNCIL OF ELDERS). THEY COULD CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION OR BRING THE MATTER AS AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE ON. I AM NOT QUITE SURE HOW THE FINAL PROCESS WOULD WORK.
I COULD BE WRONG BUT IF I AM RIGHT WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT AVENUES TO FIX THE ORDINANCE OR CONSTITUTION ON THIS MATTER. SEE PREVIOUS STORY ENTITLED
"ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED."
ARCHAEOLOGICAL TECHNICALITY
WE ASKED THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ABOUT A PIECE OF LAND THAT IS BEING EXCAVATED AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF CROW HILL ROAD AND ROUTE 32 INTERSECTION, IN UNCASVILLE.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS WAS TOLD BY ANOYMOUS SOURCE THAT THE ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE NEVER DID ANY WORK ON THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION.
AT FIRST, ONE OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SAID THEY HAD. THEN ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY HAD NOT. I REALLY DO NOT THINK IT MATTERS BECAUSE THERE WAS A HOUSE THERE . THERE IS ALSO WALL ON ROUTE 32. IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING IS DISTURBED ANYWAY.
HERE IS THE TECHNICALITY, IF CONSTRUCTION IS DONE ON THE RESERVATION, THEN IT HAS TO HAVE AN ARCHAEOLICAL SURVEY (TEST PITS) DONE. A REPORT IS SENT TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS FOR THEM TO SIGN OFF ON, AND THEN CONSTRUCTION CAN BE DONE. IF THE PROPERTY IS NOT IN TRUST (PART OF THE RESERVATION) THEN NO ARCHAEOLIGAL STUDY IS NECESSARY.
THIS TECHNICALITY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AND FIXED.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT ACHAEOLOGY, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE AREA IN QUESTION WAS DISTURBED, SOMETHING COULD STILL HAVE BEEN FOUND. NOW IT IS LOST FOREVER.
BROKENWING EDITORIALS WAS TOLD BY ANOYMOUS SOURCE THAT THE ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE NEVER DID ANY WORK ON THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION.
AT FIRST, ONE OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SAID THEY HAD. THEN ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY HAD NOT. I REALLY DO NOT THINK IT MATTERS BECAUSE THERE WAS A HOUSE THERE . THERE IS ALSO WALL ON ROUTE 32. IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING IS DISTURBED ANYWAY.
HERE IS THE TECHNICALITY, IF CONSTRUCTION IS DONE ON THE RESERVATION, THEN IT HAS TO HAVE AN ARCHAEOLICAL SURVEY (TEST PITS) DONE. A REPORT IS SENT TO THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS FOR THEM TO SIGN OFF ON, AND THEN CONSTRUCTION CAN BE DONE. IF THE PROPERTY IS NOT IN TRUST (PART OF THE RESERVATION) THEN NO ARCHAEOLIGAL STUDY IS NECESSARY.
THIS TECHNICALITY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AND FIXED.
EDITORIAL UPDATE: I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT ACHAEOLOGY, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE AREA IN QUESTION WAS DISTURBED, SOMETHING COULD STILL HAVE BEEN FOUND. NOW IT IS LOST FOREVER.
PLEASE DO NOT KILL BAMBI
I RECENTLY WENT TO A RANGER STATION IN CONNECTICUT, TO DO THE RESEARCH FOR THIS STORY. I AM NOT AGAINST PEOPLE HUNTING OR HAVING GUNS, ALTHOUGH IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE THEM OR CARRY THEM ON THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION.
LAST YEAR AND PREVIOUS YEARS THE RESIDENTS AT FORT HILL EDLER HOUSING HAVE HEARD SINGLE GUNS SHOTS DURING THE DAY. WITH ONE SHOT FIRED, THE PEOPLE SAY, WHERE DID THE SHOT COME FROM?
BOW SEASON STARTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. BIRD SEASON STARTS OCTOBER 18, 2008 WHEN HUNTERS CAN SHOOT TURKEYS, PHEASANT AND DUCKS.
DEER SEASON STARTS NOVEMBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008.
HERE IS WHAT ALLEGEDLY SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING, INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR DEER SEASON, POUCHERS ARE GOING IN THROUGH THE BACK INTO THE AREA OF THE POWER STATION BEHIND FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. THEY DO THIS WHEN BIRD SEASON IS ON SO IF YOU HEAR A GUN SHOT YOU THINK SOMEONE IS BIRD HUNTING. IT IS BELIEVED WHAT THEY ARE REALLY DOING IS SHOOTING A DEER, WITH ONE SHOT SO PEOPLE CAN NOT FIGURE FROM WHERE THE SHOT CAME FROM. THEY THEN WE THINK DRAG THE DEER OUT TO ONE OF THE SIDE STREETS AND TAKE THE DEER AWAY.
THIS IS THE SPECULATION WE GOT FROM SOME INSIDERS. THE RANGERS DID CONFIRM THESE KINDS OF THINGS ARE INDEED HAPPENING, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF IT WAS HAPPENING IN UNCASVILLE -FORT HILL AREA.
IF THIS INDEED HAPPENING BY THE POWER STATION, WHAT ABOUT COCHEGAN ROCK?
I THINK THESE ALLEGED ACTS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT MAYBE TRIBAL POLICE AND SECURITY SHOULD BE CHECKING THIS AREA MORE. IT WAS REPORTED ALLEGEDLY THAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THAT COPPER WAS STOLEN FROM THIS VERY POWER STATION.
THAT ALSO BRINGS US TO ANOTHER PROBLEM, IT SEEMS EVERYTIME WE CHECK OUT COCHEGAN ROCK, WE NEVER SEE SECURITY PROTECTING IT LIKE WE AGREED TO WITH THE BOY SCOUTS. WHAT ABOUT LIABILITY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GETTING HURT THERE?
SO IF YOU HEAR A SINGLE GUN SHOT, THINK THIS , PLEASE DON' T KILL BAMBI?
LAST YEAR AND PREVIOUS YEARS THE RESIDENTS AT FORT HILL EDLER HOUSING HAVE HEARD SINGLE GUNS SHOTS DURING THE DAY. WITH ONE SHOT FIRED, THE PEOPLE SAY, WHERE DID THE SHOT COME FROM?
BOW SEASON STARTS SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. BIRD SEASON STARTS OCTOBER 18, 2008 WHEN HUNTERS CAN SHOOT TURKEYS, PHEASANT AND DUCKS.
DEER SEASON STARTS NOVEMBER 1, 2008 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008.
HERE IS WHAT ALLEGEDLY SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING, INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR DEER SEASON, POUCHERS ARE GOING IN THROUGH THE BACK INTO THE AREA OF THE POWER STATION BEHIND FORT HILL ELDER HOUSING. THEY DO THIS WHEN BIRD SEASON IS ON SO IF YOU HEAR A GUN SHOT YOU THINK SOMEONE IS BIRD HUNTING. IT IS BELIEVED WHAT THEY ARE REALLY DOING IS SHOOTING A DEER, WITH ONE SHOT SO PEOPLE CAN NOT FIGURE FROM WHERE THE SHOT CAME FROM. THEY THEN WE THINK DRAG THE DEER OUT TO ONE OF THE SIDE STREETS AND TAKE THE DEER AWAY.
THIS IS THE SPECULATION WE GOT FROM SOME INSIDERS. THE RANGERS DID CONFIRM THESE KINDS OF THINGS ARE INDEED HAPPENING, ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF IT WAS HAPPENING IN UNCASVILLE -FORT HILL AREA.
IF THIS INDEED HAPPENING BY THE POWER STATION, WHAT ABOUT COCHEGAN ROCK?
I THINK THESE ALLEGED ACTS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT MAYBE TRIBAL POLICE AND SECURITY SHOULD BE CHECKING THIS AREA MORE. IT WAS REPORTED ALLEGEDLY THAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THAT COPPER WAS STOLEN FROM THIS VERY POWER STATION.
THAT ALSO BRINGS US TO ANOTHER PROBLEM, IT SEEMS EVERYTIME WE CHECK OUT COCHEGAN ROCK, WE NEVER SEE SECURITY PROTECTING IT LIKE WE AGREED TO WITH THE BOY SCOUTS. WHAT ABOUT LIABILITY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GETTING HURT THERE?
SO IF YOU HEAR A SINGLE GUN SHOT, THINK THIS , PLEASE DON' T KILL BAMBI?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
THE WUSKUSO (A NEWSLETTER)
ABOUT A YEAR AGO AS I WAS LEAVING A WEDNESDAY COFFEE HOUR, A TRIBAL MEMBER FROM FLORIDA SAID, I NEVER KNEW THINGS WERE LIKE THIS HERE. SHE SAID, SHE HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT SHE WAS GETTING THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE WUSKUSO. THE WUSKUSO IS A NEWSLETTER NOT A NEWSPAPER. ON THE COVER IT SAYS OFFICIAL TRIBAL NEWSLETTER.
THE DEFINITIONS OF THE TWO IS AS FOLLOWS;
NEWSPAPER- DAILY OR WEEKLY NEWS PUBLICATION
NEWSLETTER-A SPECIAL GROUPS' NEWS BULLETIN, ISSUED REGULARLY
A NEWSPAPER IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACCURATE, UNBIASED, HONEST, STATE THE FACTS AND LOOKED AT AS BEING TRUTHFUL.
A NEWLETTER IS WHAT THEY DO IN BIG COMPANIES TO GIVE THE WORKERS THE BOSSES OPINIONS AND IDEAS, AND TRUTHFUL FACTS (THE BOSSES' AGENDA). NOTE IN THE DEFINITIONS SPECIAL GROUPS'
AN ALLEGED CASE OF THIS, HAPPENED YEARS AGO, WHEN AT A QUARTERLY MEETING , WHICH LEAD TO AN ETHICS IVESTIGATION. IT IS ALLEGED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD GIVEN TO A WORKER IN THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT EITHER A LARGE SALARY ADVANCE OR LOAN WITHOUT SUPPOSEDLY TELLING THE REST OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ABOUT IT. IT IS ALSO ALLEGED THAT THE CHAIRMAN ALSO GAVE TO TWO OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, LOANS AGAIN WITHOUT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL KNOWING ABOUT IT. IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE TRIBAL CHAIR HAD ASKED AN ADVISOR IF HE COULD GIVE THE LOANS/SALARY ADVANCES AND HE WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. I AM NOT SAYING ANYONE DID ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THESE ARE THE ALLEGED FACTS THAT LEAD TO THE ETHICS INVESTIGATION.
IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED THAT THE WUSKUSO PRINTED THE STORY AND ENCLOSED THE NAMES OF THE THREE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE LOANS OR SALARY ADVANCES.
IT IS THEN ALLEGED THAT THE WUSKUSO CAME OUT THREE DAYS LATER THAN NORMAL AND DID NOT HAVE THE NAMES. WHAT HAPPENED? IF THE NAMES WERE THERE TO START WITH, THEN WHAT HAPPENED? COULD IT BE THE WUSKUSO WAS PRINTED TWICE? WAS THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO TOLD TO TAKE THE NAMES OUT?
MOVE FORWARD TO THE AUGUST 6, 2008 WUSKUSO. IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WROTE THE ARTICLE ON PAGE 3, ENTILED MTGA ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008. THIS WAS THE ARTICLE THAT SUPPOSEDLY REPORTED ON THE CASINO'S EARNINGS BUT FAILED TO REPORT THAT EARNINGS (PROFITS) FELL BY 89%. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE EARNINGS BUT LEFT OUT (CONVENIENTLY) THE EARNINGS.
IN ANOTHER CASE, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS ALLEGED THE WUSKUSO STAFF WAS TOLD TO HOLD THE WUSKUSO BACK SEVERAL DAYS, SO THAT IT WAS SENT OUT LATE. THE ALLEGED INCIDENT IS ABOUT A CONTRACTOR WORKING FOR THE TRIBE AT SHANTOK, ( IN THE PERIOD WHEN THEY WERE REDOING THE POND AT SHANTOK,) REMOVED DIRT AND MOVED IT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ALSO TECHNICALLY IN SHANTOK,
SOME PEOPLE THINK THERE MAY BE MORE CASES, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT.
WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND CERTAIN HIGH RANKING STAFF READ THE WUSKUSO BEFORE IT GOES OUT. WHY ARE THEY DOING THAT?
WE THINK THE PEOPLE WORKING ON THE WUSKUSO, ARE FINE, HARD WORKING, DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOB OF GIVING US INFORMATION. WE DO FEEL HOWEVER THAT BY THE WUSKUSO BEING READ BEFORE IT GOES OUT, MAY BE A FORM OF CENSORSHIP. WE ALSO FEEL THAT BY THIS VERY PRACTICE, PUTS UNDO PREASURE ON THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO TO PUT OUT A PRODUCT ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE IN LEADERSHIP ABOVE THEM.
HOPEFULLY FROM THIS ARTICLE, YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THE WUSKUSO IS AMPLY CALLED A NEWSLETTER.
UPDATE- THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ADMITTED TO HAVING THEIR STAFF WRITE THE EARNINGS REPORT THAT WAS ON PAGE 3, AUGUST 6, 2008 WUSKUSO.
THE DEFINITIONS OF THE TWO IS AS FOLLOWS;
NEWSPAPER- DAILY OR WEEKLY NEWS PUBLICATION
NEWSLETTER-A SPECIAL GROUPS' NEWS BULLETIN, ISSUED REGULARLY
A NEWSPAPER IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACCURATE, UNBIASED, HONEST, STATE THE FACTS AND LOOKED AT AS BEING TRUTHFUL.
A NEWLETTER IS WHAT THEY DO IN BIG COMPANIES TO GIVE THE WORKERS THE BOSSES OPINIONS AND IDEAS, AND TRUTHFUL FACTS (THE BOSSES' AGENDA). NOTE IN THE DEFINITIONS SPECIAL GROUPS'
AN ALLEGED CASE OF THIS, HAPPENED YEARS AGO, WHEN AT A QUARTERLY MEETING , WHICH LEAD TO AN ETHICS IVESTIGATION. IT IS ALLEGED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL HAD GIVEN TO A WORKER IN THE MOHEGAN GOVERNMENT EITHER A LARGE SALARY ADVANCE OR LOAN WITHOUT SUPPOSEDLY TELLING THE REST OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ABOUT IT. IT IS ALSO ALLEGED THAT THE CHAIRMAN ALSO GAVE TO TWO OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, LOANS AGAIN WITHOUT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL KNOWING ABOUT IT. IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE TRIBAL CHAIR HAD ASKED AN ADVISOR IF HE COULD GIVE THE LOANS/SALARY ADVANCES AND HE WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. I AM NOT SAYING ANYONE DID ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THESE ARE THE ALLEGED FACTS THAT LEAD TO THE ETHICS INVESTIGATION.
IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED THAT THE WUSKUSO PRINTED THE STORY AND ENCLOSED THE NAMES OF THE THREE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE LOANS OR SALARY ADVANCES.
IT IS THEN ALLEGED THAT THE WUSKUSO CAME OUT THREE DAYS LATER THAN NORMAL AND DID NOT HAVE THE NAMES. WHAT HAPPENED? IF THE NAMES WERE THERE TO START WITH, THEN WHAT HAPPENED? COULD IT BE THE WUSKUSO WAS PRINTED TWICE? WAS THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO TOLD TO TAKE THE NAMES OUT?
MOVE FORWARD TO THE AUGUST 6, 2008 WUSKUSO. IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WROTE THE ARTICLE ON PAGE 3, ENTILED MTGA ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008. THIS WAS THE ARTICLE THAT SUPPOSEDLY REPORTED ON THE CASINO'S EARNINGS BUT FAILED TO REPORT THAT EARNINGS (PROFITS) FELL BY 89%. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS AN ARTICLE ON THE EARNINGS BUT LEFT OUT (CONVENIENTLY) THE EARNINGS.
IN ANOTHER CASE, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS ALLEGED THE WUSKUSO STAFF WAS TOLD TO HOLD THE WUSKUSO BACK SEVERAL DAYS, SO THAT IT WAS SENT OUT LATE. THE ALLEGED INCIDENT IS ABOUT A CONTRACTOR WORKING FOR THE TRIBE AT SHANTOK, ( IN THE PERIOD WHEN THEY WERE REDOING THE POND AT SHANTOK,) REMOVED DIRT AND MOVED IT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ALSO TECHNICALLY IN SHANTOK,
SOME PEOPLE THINK THERE MAY BE MORE CASES, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT.
WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND CERTAIN HIGH RANKING STAFF READ THE WUSKUSO BEFORE IT GOES OUT. WHY ARE THEY DOING THAT?
WE THINK THE PEOPLE WORKING ON THE WUSKUSO, ARE FINE, HARD WORKING, DEDICATED PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOB OF GIVING US INFORMATION. WE DO FEEL HOWEVER THAT BY THE WUSKUSO BEING READ BEFORE IT GOES OUT, MAY BE A FORM OF CENSORSHIP. WE ALSO FEEL THAT BY THIS VERY PRACTICE, PUTS UNDO PREASURE ON THE STAFF OF THE WUSKUSO TO PUT OUT A PRODUCT ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE IN LEADERSHIP ABOVE THEM.
HOPEFULLY FROM THIS ARTICLE, YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THE WUSKUSO IS AMPLY CALLED A NEWSLETTER.
UPDATE- THE TRIBAL COUNCIL ADMITTED TO HAVING THEIR STAFF WRITE THE EARNINGS REPORT THAT WAS ON PAGE 3, AUGUST 6, 2008 WUSKUSO.
COFFEE HOUR WEDNESDAY NINE A.M.
THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS WILL MEET FOR A COFFEE HOUR AT NINE A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2008 AT FORT SHANTOK.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TRIBAL MEMBERS, TO ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
YOU, THE TRIBAL MEMBER ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE TRIBE. THE GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR YOU. AGAIN, COME AND ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE ON YOUR MINDS. FIND OUT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING. COME AND VOICE YOUR OPINIONS AND IDEAS.
SEE YOU THERE.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TRIBAL MEMBERS, TO ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
YOU, THE TRIBAL MEMBER ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE TRIBE. THE GOVERNMENT EXISTS FOR YOU. AGAIN, COME AND ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE ON YOUR MINDS. FIND OUT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING. COME AND VOICE YOUR OPINIONS AND IDEAS.
SEE YOU THERE.
DEDICATION OF MONUMENT AT THE ROYAL BURIAL GROUNDS
ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008 THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WILL MEET IN NORWICH, AT THE ROYAL MOHEGAN BURIAL GROUNDS AND DEDICATE OUR NEW MONUMENT TO HONOR THE MOHEGAN ANCESTORS WHO HAD BEEN BURIED THERE.
MOHEGANS KNOW THE WHAT HAPPENED THERE, A GRAVE INJUSTICE. THIS MONUMENT IS ONLY A SMALL WAY OF OUR REMEMBERING OUR ANCESTORS AND TRYING TO RIGHT A WRONG DONE TO US A LONG TIME AGO.
PLEASE ATTEND? IT IS AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR US, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
AS THERE IS LIMITED PARKING IN THAT PART OF NORWICH, WE SUGGEST YOU USE THE BUS PROVIDED FOR US AT SHANTOK. THE BUS IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT NINE A.M., I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
MOHEGANS KNOW THE WHAT HAPPENED THERE, A GRAVE INJUSTICE. THIS MONUMENT IS ONLY A SMALL WAY OF OUR REMEMBERING OUR ANCESTORS AND TRYING TO RIGHT A WRONG DONE TO US A LONG TIME AGO.
PLEASE ATTEND? IT IS AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR US, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE.
AS THERE IS LIMITED PARKING IN THAT PART OF NORWICH, WE SUGGEST YOU USE THE BUS PROVIDED FOR US AT SHANTOK. THE BUS IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT NINE A.M., I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
Monday, August 11, 2008
REMEMBERING CHIEF G'TINE'MONG 12/25/1918-10/01/2007
IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS ALMOST A YEAR SINCE WE LOST OR BELOVED CHIEF G'TINE'MONG, RALPH STURGES.
HE PASSED AWAY ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. HE IS MISSED BY THE ENTIRE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHO LOVED HIM DEARLY.
WE THINK THAT THE TRIBE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ON OCTOBER 1ST TO REMEMBER HIM.
MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, COULD COME UP WITH A SPECIAL WAY FOR US TO HONOR HIM.
HE PASSED AWAY ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. HE IS MISSED BY THE ENTIRE MOHEGAN TRIBE WHO LOVED HIM DEARLY.
WE THINK THAT THE TRIBE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ON OCTOBER 1ST TO REMEMBER HIM.
MAYBE THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS, COULD COME UP WITH A SPECIAL WAY FOR US TO HONOR HIM.
ELECTION LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
AS I WALK AROUND SHANTOK DURING THIS CULTURAL WEEK, I KEEP TALKING TO TRIBAL MEMBERS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY THINK OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION.
THEIR REACTIONS ARE , THEY CAN FIND TWO OR THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TO VOTE FOR. TO HAVE THEIR BALLOT COUNTED THEY NEED TO VOTE FOR ALL FOUR POSITIONS OPEN FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS . THEY REALLY DO NOT WANT TO PICK FOUR WHEN ONE,TWO OR THREE IS ALL THEY REALLY WANT TO VOTE FOR. . THEY WOULD NOT PICK ALL FOUR IF THE ELECTION ORDINANCE DID NOT SAY "REQUIRED."
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE VII-VOTING
SECTION 2 " IN EACH TRIBAL ELECTION, EVERY REGISTERED VOTING MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH ELECTIVE POSITION AVAILABLE."
THE CONSTITUTION USES THE PHASE "SHALL BE ENTITLED."
THE ELECTION ORDINANCE USES THE WORD "REQUIRED"
THE CONSTITUTION IS CLOUDY ON ITS' INTENT. IT COULD MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE THE ENTIRE BALLOT OR YOU HAVE TO. THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD USE THE WORD "MAY" AND THIS WAY TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD VOTE ANY NUMBER UP TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS,
SOME MEMBERS WILL SAY OTHER TRIBES VOTE THE WAY WE PRESENTLY VOTE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION DOES NOT SAY WHAT OURS DOES. IN THE UNITED STATES YOU CAN VOTE WHAT YOU WANT ON THE BALLOT AND YOUR BALLOT COUNTS. SO WHY SHOULD WE BE DIFFERENT? COULD IT BE THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEMS HELPS THE INCUMBENTS?
IF YOU LIKE OR DO NOT LIKE THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND VOICE YOUR OPINION. AT THE VERY LEAST THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SHOULD DO THE WILL OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE , PUT AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OUT SO THAT A MEETING COULD BE HELD AND TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD VOICE THEIR OPINIONS. IF THE MEETING IS FAVORABLE TO AN AMENDMENT CHANGE , IT SHOULD BE SENT FORWARD TO THE MEMBERSHIP, SO THEY CAN DECIDE ONCE AND FOR ALL, WHAT THEY WANT.
IN MY OPINION ANOTHER WAY IS THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD CHANGE THE ORDINANCE, IF THAT IS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLES , AND PRESENT THE NEW ORDINANCE TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR THEM TO VOTE ON. HOWEVER, IT WOULD STILL NOT REMEDY THE FLAW IN THE CONSTITUTION..
HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER ELECTION WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE PEOPLE, THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO PICK, BECAUSE OF AN ORDINANCE THAT IN MY OPINION, VIOLATES THE INTENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORY ON SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY?
THEIR REACTIONS ARE , THEY CAN FIND TWO OR THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TO VOTE FOR. TO HAVE THEIR BALLOT COUNTED THEY NEED TO VOTE FOR ALL FOUR POSITIONS OPEN FOR THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS . THEY REALLY DO NOT WANT TO PICK FOUR WHEN ONE,TWO OR THREE IS ALL THEY REALLY WANT TO VOTE FOR. . THEY WOULD NOT PICK ALL FOUR IF THE ELECTION ORDINANCE DID NOT SAY "REQUIRED."
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE, ARTICLE VII-VOTING
SECTION 2 " IN EACH TRIBAL ELECTION, EVERY REGISTERED VOTING MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CAST ONE VOTE FOR EACH ELECTIVE POSITION AVAILABLE."
THE CONSTITUTION USES THE PHASE "SHALL BE ENTITLED."
THE ELECTION ORDINANCE USES THE WORD "REQUIRED"
THE CONSTITUTION IS CLOUDY ON ITS' INTENT. IT COULD MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE THE ENTIRE BALLOT OR YOU HAVE TO. THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD USE THE WORD "MAY" AND THIS WAY TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD VOTE ANY NUMBER UP TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS,
SOME MEMBERS WILL SAY OTHER TRIBES VOTE THE WAY WE PRESENTLY VOTE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION DOES NOT SAY WHAT OURS DOES. IN THE UNITED STATES YOU CAN VOTE WHAT YOU WANT ON THE BALLOT AND YOUR BALLOT COUNTS. SO WHY SHOULD WE BE DIFFERENT? COULD IT BE THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEMS HELPS THE INCUMBENTS?
IF YOU LIKE OR DO NOT LIKE THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND VOICE YOUR OPINION. AT THE VERY LEAST THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS SHOULD DO THE WILL OF THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE , PUT AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OUT SO THAT A MEETING COULD BE HELD AND TRIBAL MEMBERS COULD VOICE THEIR OPINIONS. IF THE MEETING IS FAVORABLE TO AN AMENDMENT CHANGE , IT SHOULD BE SENT FORWARD TO THE MEMBERSHIP, SO THEY CAN DECIDE ONCE AND FOR ALL, WHAT THEY WANT.
IN MY OPINION ANOTHER WAY IS THE ELECTION COMMITTEE COULD CHANGE THE ORDINANCE, IF THAT IS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLES , AND PRESENT THE NEW ORDINANCE TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL FOR THEM TO VOTE ON. HOWEVER, IT WOULD STILL NOT REMEDY THE FLAW IN THE CONSTITUTION..
HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER ELECTION WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO CHOOSE PEOPLE, THEY DO NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO PICK, BECAUSE OF AN ORDINANCE THAT IN MY OPINION, VIOLATES THE INTENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.
PLEASE CHECK OUT PREVIOUS STORY ON SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY?
Sunday, August 10, 2008
THIRTY OR FORTY MILLION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP
YEARS AGO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE WAS BIDDING ON GETTING THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY. SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT ACRES DIRECTLY ACROSS THE THAMES RIVER FROM THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO. IN THE END WE WERE THE LAST BIDDER STANDING. THE THEN GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT, GOVERNOR ROLAND WAS SAID TO BE WILLING TO SIGN IT OVER TO THE MOHEGAN TRIBE FOR ONE DOLLAR. THE ONLY MAJOR REQUIREMENT WAS THAT THE TRIBE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE CLEANED UP AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF FORTY MILLION DOLLARS. THE MOHGEAN TRIBE PASSED ON IT.
WE WERE TOLD ONE TRIBAL COUNCILOR SAID THE CLEAN UP COULD HAVE COST EIGHTY MILLION, MAYBE.
REMEMBER THIS , MY FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE GET THE BEST TAX AND OTHER ADVANTAGES AS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE, IN CONNECTICUT . WHEN WE LEAVE CONNECTICUT WE ARE JUST ANOTHER BUSINESS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
MOVE THE CLOCK FORWARD, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GOES FOR THE POCONO DOWNS DEAL. TODAY THAT DEAL IS UP TO ABOUT BETWEEN FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION AND SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ACCORDING TO A MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. I SAT IN A WEDNESDAY MORNING OPEN SESSION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GAMING AUTHORITY AS ROLAND HARRIS ASKED FOR THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP THE LAND FILL AT POCONO DOWNS. THE REQUEST WAS APPROVED. SO IN THAT FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY TO SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, THERE IS THIRTY MILLION TO CLEAN UP THE LAND FILL AT POCONO DOWNS..
LET US GET THIS STRAIGHT, $1.00 PLUS MAYBE 40 MILLION AND WE GET 768 ACRES ADJOINING THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION IN CONNECTICUT, OR 550 TO 600 MILLION OF WHICH 30 MILLION IS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP IN PENNSYVANIA? WHAT WAS THE BETTER DEAL?
EDITORIAL NOTE: ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11,2008 AMBASSADOR, COUNCILMAN MARK BROWN CALLED AND SAID THAT THE STORY WAS INACCURATE. WE ARE TRYING TO CONTACT OUR SOURCE AND AGAIN VERIFY HIS VERSION. . WE REQUEST OF MARK BROWN, TO PLEASE RESPOND TO US EITHER BY FAX OR E-MAIL, OR WE WILL GLADLY MEET WITH HIM TO HEAR HIS VERSION OF THE EVENTS, SO WE CAN THEN PRESENT HIS SIDE. READERS WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE TALK TO OUR SOURCE AND RECEIVE MARK BROWNS' STATEMENT.. THE PHASE THAT MARK BROWN OBJECTED TO WAS TAKEN OUT BECAUSE IT REALLY DID NOT CHANGE THE STORY.
WHEN BROKENWING EDITORIALS TALKS TO OUR SOURCES, WE TALK TO THEM WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL NOT USE THEIR NAMES NOR ENDANGER THEM IN ANYWAY. IF WE WERE TO USE THEIR NAMES THEN THE SOURCE WOULD DRY UP AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND OUT THE THINGS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF PROTECTING THEM.
IF ANY OF OUR READERS, REMEMBERS ABOUT WHEN THE MOHGEAN TRIBE AND CONNECTICUT WERE NEGOTIATING ABOUT THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY, PLEASE COME FORWARD? YOU CAN USE THE E-MAIL. WE WILL CONTINUE OUR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SITUATION.
WE WERE TOLD ONE TRIBAL COUNCILOR SAID THE CLEAN UP COULD HAVE COST EIGHTY MILLION, MAYBE.
REMEMBER THIS , MY FELLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS, WE GET THE BEST TAX AND OTHER ADVANTAGES AS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE, IN CONNECTICUT . WHEN WE LEAVE CONNECTICUT WE ARE JUST ANOTHER BUSINESS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
MOVE THE CLOCK FORWARD, THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GOES FOR THE POCONO DOWNS DEAL. TODAY THAT DEAL IS UP TO ABOUT BETWEEN FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION AND SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ACCORDING TO A MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. I SAT IN A WEDNESDAY MORNING OPEN SESSION OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE GAMING AUTHORITY AS ROLAND HARRIS ASKED FOR THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP THE LAND FILL AT POCONO DOWNS. THE REQUEST WAS APPROVED. SO IN THAT FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY TO SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, THERE IS THIRTY MILLION TO CLEAN UP THE LAND FILL AT POCONO DOWNS..
LET US GET THIS STRAIGHT, $1.00 PLUS MAYBE 40 MILLION AND WE GET 768 ACRES ADJOINING THE MOHEGAN RESERVATION IN CONNECTICUT, OR 550 TO 600 MILLION OF WHICH 30 MILLION IS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP IN PENNSYVANIA? WHAT WAS THE BETTER DEAL?
EDITORIAL NOTE: ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11,2008 AMBASSADOR, COUNCILMAN MARK BROWN CALLED AND SAID THAT THE STORY WAS INACCURATE. WE ARE TRYING TO CONTACT OUR SOURCE AND AGAIN VERIFY HIS VERSION. . WE REQUEST OF MARK BROWN, TO PLEASE RESPOND TO US EITHER BY FAX OR E-MAIL, OR WE WILL GLADLY MEET WITH HIM TO HEAR HIS VERSION OF THE EVENTS, SO WE CAN THEN PRESENT HIS SIDE. READERS WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE TALK TO OUR SOURCE AND RECEIVE MARK BROWNS' STATEMENT.. THE PHASE THAT MARK BROWN OBJECTED TO WAS TAKEN OUT BECAUSE IT REALLY DID NOT CHANGE THE STORY.
WHEN BROKENWING EDITORIALS TALKS TO OUR SOURCES, WE TALK TO THEM WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL NOT USE THEIR NAMES NOR ENDANGER THEM IN ANYWAY. IF WE WERE TO USE THEIR NAMES THEN THE SOURCE WOULD DRY UP AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND OUT THE THINGS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF PROTECTING THEM.
IF ANY OF OUR READERS, REMEMBERS ABOUT WHEN THE MOHGEAN TRIBE AND CONNECTICUT WERE NEGOTIATING ABOUT THE NORWICH HOSPITAL PROPERTY, PLEASE COME FORWARD? YOU CAN USE THE E-MAIL. WE WILL CONTINUE OUR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SITUATION.
UPDATES ON TREES IN POND AT SHANTOK AND ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS SIDEWALK AND ROADWAYS
ON THE ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR SIDEWALK AND ROADWAYS, I RECEIVED SOME E-MAILS STATING " HOW DO YOU PUT A VALUE ON A HUMAN LIFE?" OF COURSE YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE TAG ON A HUMAN LIFE. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT. I STATED THE CASINO HAS DONE THINGS TO PROTECT ITS' WORKERS AROUND ROUTE 32. THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING. THE STORY IS ABOUT WHO HAS JURISDICTION AND WHETHER THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO AND FOXWOODS RESORTS CASINO SHOULD BE PAYING FOR ROAD WORK, THAT IS TECHNICALLY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND LOCAL TOWNS REPONSIBILITY.
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE TREES IN SHANTOK, I WAS TALKING TO A PUBLIC WORKS WORKER AND HE STATED THAT THE TREES IN THE WATER WERE GOOD BECAUSE THE FISH IN THE POND LIVE UNDER THEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE AND OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS HAD PUT LARGE BASS IN THE POND. HE SAID THAT TO GET THE TREES OUT, THE PUBLIC WORKS WORKERS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE FIVE TREES OUT TO GET ONE TREE OUT. I STILL THINK THE TREES ARE AN EYESORE AND IF PUBLIC WORKS CAN NOT DO IT OR DO NOT WANT TO DO IT, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD HIRE SOMEONE WHO CAN.
THANK YOU READERS FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOUR COMMENTS SHOW THAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS ACTUALLY DOING WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO DO. IT IS GETTING TRIBAL PEOPLE TO TALK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE TREES IN SHANTOK, I WAS TALKING TO A PUBLIC WORKS WORKER AND HE STATED THAT THE TREES IN THE WATER WERE GOOD BECAUSE THE FISH IN THE POND LIVE UNDER THEM. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE AND OTHER TRIBAL MEMBERS HAD PUT LARGE BASS IN THE POND. HE SAID THAT TO GET THE TREES OUT, THE PUBLIC WORKS WORKERS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE FIVE TREES OUT TO GET ONE TREE OUT. I STILL THINK THE TREES ARE AN EYESORE AND IF PUBLIC WORKS CAN NOT DO IT OR DO NOT WANT TO DO IT, THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD HIRE SOMEONE WHO CAN.
THANK YOU READERS FOR YOUR COMMENTS. YOUR COMMENTS SHOW THAT BROKENWING EDITORIALS IS ACTUALLY DOING WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO DO. IT IS GETTING TRIBAL PEOPLE TO TALK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT.
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