A while back, the Editors of the Feather News and Brokenwing Editorials sat in the gallery in Norwich Town Hall and watched one of the first meetings of the Committee of the Sachem Fund. Sitting there along with the Mayor Lathrop and other Norwich representatives, were Ambassador Mark Brown and Treasurer William Quidgeon of the Mohegan Tribe.
It sounded like a great program with a lot of promise. It was going to infuse money into projects for the benefit of the city of Norwich. The fund which was to run for five (5) years was for the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich to each make payments of $200,000.00 per year. The funds were to be used for cultural events, festivals, economic development, and other things.
Yesterday in a prepared statement, Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council said, "We will discuss Alderman Nash's recommendations with the city of Norwich to determine the best course of action for everyone concerned." What was the Chairman talking about?
Chairman Bozsum was talking about the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich, Connecticut, deciding on whether do suspend the Sachem Fund for at least the coming year.
William Nash, city Alderman of Norwich (a committee member) resigned Friday, February 20, 2009. thinks that the city of Norwich and the Mohegan Tribe should suspend the Sachem Fund for one year.
Mayor lathrop of the city of Norwich supposedly stated that, he would meet next week with Comptroller Joseph Ruffo and City Manager Alan Bergren to discuss the situation. Different government officials of the city of Norwich were in favor and against the proposed suspension.
After two (2) years the Mohegan Tribe and the city of Norwich have each contributed $200,000.00 to the fund for a total of $400,000.00. The fund has approved grants totaling $594,750.00. The fund now totals $216,715.00 including interest.
In my opinion, neither the Mohegan Tribe or the city of Norwich can afford to do this at this time.. We are in tough economic times. The following may have to be curtailed or stopped: Taste of Italy Festival, July 4th fireworks, Spirit of Broadway Theater, the Norwich Arts Council and other things.
What started out with great expectations, looks like is now in severe trouble. A victim of the economy. Hopefully the Sachem Fund can be saved. What do you think?
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I think Alderman Nash's recommendation to suspend the Sachem Fund funding during these economic times is a good one to consider. Right now we are robbing Peter to pay Paul, not a good way to run business, but a good way to get backed into a corner. When that happens our choices become narrower and to the point where there may be nowhere to go but implode. Not good.
The Sachem Fund Committee has its problems and has been criticized for "lacking focus and impact." The distribution to the Fund has so far been split between 26 organizations, thus, it may have been spread too thinly to make any real difference anywhere.
Sounds like the City of Norwich can use this time to re-focus on where the bulk of the money was originally intended, and priorities can change, especially in hard economic times.
The City may need this Fund/money now more than ever, but let's face it, in these times,,, who doesn't?
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