THE MOHEGAN TRIBE HELD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. THE MEETING WAS ABOUT STOPPING THE WORK ON THE EARTH TOWER (PROJECT HORIZON HOTEL), THE SO-CALLED NORTH PROJECT.
SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE AROUND ME TRIBAL MEMBERS SAID, WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING? THE OVERWHELMING SENTIMENT WAS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE BUILING IT EITHER.
THE QUESTION ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING WAS ASKED OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL. CHAIRMAN "TWO DOGS" BOSZUM RESPONDED, THAT IT WAS STILL GOING ON. SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE SAID, IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE TRIBE MONEY BUT TAKE AWAY FROM THE TRIBE. THE CHAIRMAN STATED THAT THE TRIBE NEEDED AND WANTED A GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER AND IMPLIED
THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH PROJECT HORIZON. CHAIRMAN BOZSUM TURNED THE QUESTION OVER TO PHIL CAHILL (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE MOHEGAN TRIBE) WHO SAID WE HAD CONTRACTS FOR 64% OF THE WORK. AT THIS POINT, HE SAID WE WOULD END UP WITH A SHELL OF A BUILDING.
IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO PAY PENALTY'S FOR BREAKING CONTRACTS ON THE HOTEL, THEN WHY NOT THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, TOO? AT THIS POINT, I THINK THE MOHEGAN TRIBE DOES NOT WANT THIS BUILDING NOW OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE MEETING WAS QUICKLY ADJOURNED, SO THAT THE MEMBERSHIP COULD GO AND WATCH THE CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL GAME. THE PUTTING OF PROJECT HORIZON ON HOLD FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS AND IT'S RAMIFICATIONS, IS IN MY OPINION, A LOT MORE IMPORTANT THEN A BASKETBALL GAME.
THE MTGA SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE MEETING GOING UNTIL EVERY ONES CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED.
THE BUILDING OF THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER AT AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF EIGHTY NINE (89) MILLION, MAY BE TOO MUCH DEBT FOR THE TRIBE TO SHOULDER. COULD BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING EFFECT PER CAPS OR SERVICES AND BENEFITS OF TRIBAL MEMBERS? AT THE MOMENT THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT'S DEBT IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 102 MILLION DOLLARS. MAYBE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE WERE RIGHT, IT SHOULD NOT BE BUILT.
THE TRIBAL COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER THE TRIBES REQUEST NOT TO BUILD THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER. THE GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY CENTER BELONGS TO THE MOHEGAN PEOPLE AND AS SUCH IT SHOULD BE OUR DECISION WHETHER IT IS BUILT OR NOT.
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2 comments:
In light of recent events, I would have to agree that perhaps now is not the time to build a 100 million dollar government building that will not generate cash flow when we are putting on hold construction that would generate cash flow.
I agree with "rab" - Not only will it not make money, it will be an additional drain as we pay for heating, cooling, extra security, etc., AND the extra $$$$$ in interest if we have to float a bond issue at this point in time. The reason that the fed, gov. may pump in all that money [700 bil$], is that there is no money around for people to borrow for car loans and mortgages - so business stagnates [too few people pay cash upfront for things] and anyone looking for credit must pay premium prices...I think the council should step up to the plate and display some of that fiduciary responsibility they should shoulder for the good of our Tribe. Some of those mil$$$ coming back from the KC deal that went bust could also be used to mollify those whose contracts we will need to break. These are extraodinary times and they demand extraordinary leaders - step up, wherever you are...
Natinihak
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