9-Year-Old Child Left Alone In Hotel Room At Casino
The Day ---- Published on 4/22/2009
Mashantucket - A Massachusetts woman was arrested Monday after police said she left a 9-year-old alone in a hotel room.
Joanne Salvatore, 53, of Quincy was charged by the state police casino unit with leaving a child unsupervised in a public place of accommodation.
Police said that Salvatore left the girl alone in a hotel room at the Great Cedar Hotel for more than an hour. The 9-year-old called 911 and said she was alone in the room.
Security paged Salvatore, who was on the casino floor.
Salvatore was arrested and released on a $250 bond. The Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident.
Salvatore is scheduled to appear in court June 8.
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE; Why are these kinds of thngs happening? The same thing seems to be happening in the Mohgean Sun Casino, too. Our children, are our most prized possessions and yet people, don't seem to believe that. Is the desire to gamble that great? Is this a problem in casinos and hotels across America? What do you think?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
HIGH COURT RULING RESTRICTS CAR SEARCHES BY POLICE
ARTICLE TAKEN FROM THE NEW LONDON DAY WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2009 C1
The Supreme Court put a new limit on police searches of cars Tuesday, saying that "countless individuals guilty of nothing more than a traffic violation" have had their vehicles searched in violation of their rights.
In a 5-4 decision, the justices set aside a 1981 opinion that had given police broad authority to search cars whenever they made an arrest.
Instead, the justices said an arresting officer could search a vehicle only if weapons were potentially in reach of the suspect or if there was a reason to believe the car contained evidence related to the arrest. For example, if the driver was arrested for a drug crime, the car could be searched for drugs.
Justice John Paul Stevens, speaking for the court, said merely arresting a driver does not "provide a police entitlement" to search the vehicle without a warrant.
Brokenwing Editorials thought that its readers should know about their rights if they are stopped by the police.
The Supreme Court put a new limit on police searches of cars Tuesday, saying that "countless individuals guilty of nothing more than a traffic violation" have had their vehicles searched in violation of their rights.
In a 5-4 decision, the justices set aside a 1981 opinion that had given police broad authority to search cars whenever they made an arrest.
Instead, the justices said an arresting officer could search a vehicle only if weapons were potentially in reach of the suspect or if there was a reason to believe the car contained evidence related to the arrest. For example, if the driver was arrested for a drug crime, the car could be searched for drugs.
Justice John Paul Stevens, speaking for the court, said merely arresting a driver does not "provide a police entitlement" to search the vehicle without a warrant.
Brokenwing Editorials thought that its readers should know about their rights if they are stopped by the police.
SMOKE AND MAYBE FIRE OVER CASINO BAN
Smoke And Maybe Fire Over Casino Ban
I have a friend who suggests, in response to the growing state-tribal standoff over a casino smoking ban, that the state relax.
If the casinos want to keep their smoking environments intact for all their smoking customers, let them. Smoking may kill you but apparently it's good for the gambling business. The nonsmokers can choose to stay home.
”I'd pump smoke into the places,” he said.
Connecticut lawmakers, on the other hand, watching out for the interests of employees, who have no choice in the matter, and also bowing to their new union muscle, this week continued to press the issue.
In fact, members of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, voting boldly 8-3 in favor of legislation eliminating the casinos' exemption from the bar and restaurant smoking ban, seemed to be calling the bluff of Mohegan Chief Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, who is threatening to withhold the state's share of the slot machine revenues if the state persists in snuffing out casino smoking.
Attorney General Blumenthal showed no sign, either, of backing down this week from a confrontation, saying “I will fight to adopt and enforce this law.”
Indeed, Blumenthal appears to have a legal slam dunk on his hands if the law passes and the Mohegans make good on their threat to shut off the slot machine money or at least put it in escrow.
The court-imposed compact that allows the tribes to operate their casinos is quite specific about the resolution of disputes in federal courts. It plainly says a tribe's sovereign immunity is no defense for not abiding by the terms of the compact.
”(The tribe) consents to the exercise of jurisdiction over such action and over the tribe by the United States District Courts . . . to enforce the provisions of this compact,” it says.
As for the state insisting on a smoking ban, the compact is quite clear that health and safety standards at the casino be “no less rigorous” than those imposed by the state and that the state may “require the tribe to cooperate with any state agency generally responsible for enforcement of such health and safety standards in order to assure compliance.”
Furthermore, the compact is also quite clear the tribe must abide by all laws of the state of Connecticut regarding the service of liquor. That could soon include one insisting the liquor be served in a smoke-free environment, as it must now be everywhere else in Connecticut.
The Mohegan chairman has offered no credible legal argument in making his reckless threats to Connecticut lawmakers
He could even be putting the tribe's business at risk. It's not inconceivable that a federal judge could even shut the whole thing down if it's found that the tribe is willfully violating the terms of the compact and withholding payments it has agreed to make to the state.
I don't think they ought to pump smoke into the casinos, although I'm not so worried either about customers who choose to hang out in a smoky gambling hall.
But I think Connecticut legislators are right to try to protect the health of state workers, in the same way lawmakers in other gambling jurisdictions around the country are working to improve casino air quality. All of them are looking at ways to phase in these bans to minimize the impact on business.
But even in a recession, the notion that people's health should be sacrificed in the name of making more money seems hopelessly greedy.
This Is The Opinion Of David Collins.
"Regional"
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE; David Collins is correct about most of his view on the smoking ban legislation and the casinos' response. The only thing that I disagree with him, is that Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, is not the Chief of the Mohegan Tribe. Bozsum is the Chairman of the Tribal Council. From all the tribal members, I have talked to, the vast majority don't want him to ever be the chief. Most members said they don't have any respect for him.. Bozsum is up for re-election. Do you think he will get back in? What do you think?
I have a friend who suggests, in response to the growing state-tribal standoff over a casino smoking ban, that the state relax.
If the casinos want to keep their smoking environments intact for all their smoking customers, let them. Smoking may kill you but apparently it's good for the gambling business. The nonsmokers can choose to stay home.
”I'd pump smoke into the places,” he said.
Connecticut lawmakers, on the other hand, watching out for the interests of employees, who have no choice in the matter, and also bowing to their new union muscle, this week continued to press the issue.
In fact, members of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, voting boldly 8-3 in favor of legislation eliminating the casinos' exemption from the bar and restaurant smoking ban, seemed to be calling the bluff of Mohegan Chief Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, who is threatening to withhold the state's share of the slot machine revenues if the state persists in snuffing out casino smoking.
Attorney General Blumenthal showed no sign, either, of backing down this week from a confrontation, saying “I will fight to adopt and enforce this law.”
Indeed, Blumenthal appears to have a legal slam dunk on his hands if the law passes and the Mohegans make good on their threat to shut off the slot machine money or at least put it in escrow.
The court-imposed compact that allows the tribes to operate their casinos is quite specific about the resolution of disputes in federal courts. It plainly says a tribe's sovereign immunity is no defense for not abiding by the terms of the compact.
”(The tribe) consents to the exercise of jurisdiction over such action and over the tribe by the United States District Courts . . . to enforce the provisions of this compact,” it says.
As for the state insisting on a smoking ban, the compact is quite clear that health and safety standards at the casino be “no less rigorous” than those imposed by the state and that the state may “require the tribe to cooperate with any state agency generally responsible for enforcement of such health and safety standards in order to assure compliance.”
Furthermore, the compact is also quite clear the tribe must abide by all laws of the state of Connecticut regarding the service of liquor. That could soon include one insisting the liquor be served in a smoke-free environment, as it must now be everywhere else in Connecticut.
The Mohegan chairman has offered no credible legal argument in making his reckless threats to Connecticut lawmakers
He could even be putting the tribe's business at risk. It's not inconceivable that a federal judge could even shut the whole thing down if it's found that the tribe is willfully violating the terms of the compact and withholding payments it has agreed to make to the state.
I don't think they ought to pump smoke into the casinos, although I'm not so worried either about customers who choose to hang out in a smoky gambling hall.
But I think Connecticut legislators are right to try to protect the health of state workers, in the same way lawmakers in other gambling jurisdictions around the country are working to improve casino air quality. All of them are looking at ways to phase in these bans to minimize the impact on business.
But even in a recession, the notion that people's health should be sacrificed in the name of making more money seems hopelessly greedy.
This Is The Opinion Of David Collins.
"Regional"
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE; David Collins is correct about most of his view on the smoking ban legislation and the casinos' response. The only thing that I disagree with him, is that Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, is not the Chief of the Mohegan Tribe. Bozsum is the Chairman of the Tribal Council. From all the tribal members, I have talked to, the vast majority don't want him to ever be the chief. Most members said they don't have any respect for him.. Bozsum is up for re-election. Do you think he will get back in? What do you think?
EARTH DAY 2009
When the first European explorers, traders and settlers first met the first people (the Native Americans) it was quite a different world than today.
The first people were one with the earth. The earth was their mother. The Native Americans were a part of the environment. It was a way of life, where you survived because of the things that were around you. The first people were connected. They thanked Mundu for the gifts of life that were imparted to them. They shared the land, it was Mother Earth.
Europeans equated land with wealth. They had the idea, that people owned the land. By surveying the land, the Europeans set in motion the dividing and selling of land. To them it was something one possessed. It was worth fighting and dying for. Unlike the first people, Europeans looked at the land for the minerals, wood, etc. that they could take from the land. Eventually the Europeans took control of the colonies and took, plundered the earth they took from the first people. Over time this uncaring philosophy caused pollution of the air, the waters and the very earth they walked on. Some places may never heel. They scarred Mother Earth.
In September 1969, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, of Wisconsin proposes an Earth Day for the spring of 1970, with demonstrations on the environment. He was in favor of "Zero population, because of an over human population on the earth.
Nelson said: "The bigger the population gets, the more serious the problems become ... We have to address the population issue. The United Kingdom, with the U.S. supporting it, took the position in Cairo in 1994 that every country was responsible for stabilizing its own population. It can be done. But in this country, it's phony to say 'I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration.'"
Senator Nelson first proposed the nationwide environmental protest to thrust the environment onto the national agenda.” "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked." Nelson was worried about "global cooling.: The proposed Earth Day was April 22, 1970. Senator Nelson hired Denis Hayes as the coordinator of the events.
"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...."
The modern environmental movement starts on April 22, 1970, by the participation of twenty million Americans (20,000,000).. The staff organized by Denis Hayes, enlisted thousands of colleges and universities to protest coast to coast across the United States. The fight was about oil spills, factory pollution, power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, the loss of the wilderness, extinction of wildlife and other things. These people had a common thread in saving the environment. The people wanted something like what the first people had when the Europeans came here over 400 years before. Ralph Nader started talking about the environment that same year.
Today, over 200 million people in 141 countries around the world are participating to save Mother Earth.
In 1990, the cause turned to recycling efforts worldwide. It paved the way for a 1992, United Nations Summit in Rio De Janeiro.. Now the cause focused on clean energy and global warming.
By 2000, the Internet was used by up to 5,000 environmental groups around the world to organize hundreds of millions of people around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people were at the national Mall in Washington D. C., in the United States.
In 2007 over a billion people participated in Earth Day events worldwide.
"We're going to be focusing an enormous amount of public interest on a whole, wide range of environmental events, hopefully in such a manner that it's going to be drawing the interrelationships between them and getting people to look at the whole thing as one consistent kind of picture, a picture of a society that's rapidly going in the wrong direction that has to be stopped and turned around.
Things that we can all do everyday of the year including Earth Day are:
Reduce:
Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
Buy and use only what you need.
Buy products with less packaging.
Buy products that use less toxic chemicals.
Reuse:
Repair items as much as possible.
Use durable coffee mugs.
Use cloth napkins or towels.
Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
Reuse boxes.
Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
Reuse grocery bags as trash bags.
Recycle:
Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans.
Here it is Earth Day April 22, 2009, and again we (the Mohegan Tribe) have nothing planned for the day. The Council of Elders (actually anyone in the Mohegan Government) should be taking the lead and finding ways for Mohegans to participate in this worthy cause. Maybe we could have walked around Shantok and picked up bottles, cans, glass and papers in the woods. Maybe we could do it this coming Saturday, April 25, 2009. Maybe we could have our Earth Day on May 15, 2009, when we have our clam bake.
Can we do it? Should we do it? Why aren't we doing it? Do you know? Should we be thinking of Mother Earth like our forefathers? She is our Mother, shouldn't we take care of her?
The first people were one with the earth. The earth was their mother. The Native Americans were a part of the environment. It was a way of life, where you survived because of the things that were around you. The first people were connected. They thanked Mundu for the gifts of life that were imparted to them. They shared the land, it was Mother Earth.
Europeans equated land with wealth. They had the idea, that people owned the land. By surveying the land, the Europeans set in motion the dividing and selling of land. To them it was something one possessed. It was worth fighting and dying for. Unlike the first people, Europeans looked at the land for the minerals, wood, etc. that they could take from the land. Eventually the Europeans took control of the colonies and took, plundered the earth they took from the first people. Over time this uncaring philosophy caused pollution of the air, the waters and the very earth they walked on. Some places may never heel. They scarred Mother Earth.
In September 1969, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, of Wisconsin proposes an Earth Day for the spring of 1970, with demonstrations on the environment. He was in favor of "Zero population, because of an over human population on the earth.
Nelson said: "The bigger the population gets, the more serious the problems become ... We have to address the population issue. The United Kingdom, with the U.S. supporting it, took the position in Cairo in 1994 that every country was responsible for stabilizing its own population. It can be done. But in this country, it's phony to say 'I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration.'"
Senator Nelson first proposed the nationwide environmental protest to thrust the environment onto the national agenda.” "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked." Nelson was worried about "global cooling.: The proposed Earth Day was April 22, 1970. Senator Nelson hired Denis Hayes as the coordinator of the events.
"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...."
The modern environmental movement starts on April 22, 1970, by the participation of twenty million Americans (20,000,000).. The staff organized by Denis Hayes, enlisted thousands of colleges and universities to protest coast to coast across the United States. The fight was about oil spills, factory pollution, power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, the loss of the wilderness, extinction of wildlife and other things. These people had a common thread in saving the environment. The people wanted something like what the first people had when the Europeans came here over 400 years before. Ralph Nader started talking about the environment that same year.
Today, over 200 million people in 141 countries around the world are participating to save Mother Earth.
In 1990, the cause turned to recycling efforts worldwide. It paved the way for a 1992, United Nations Summit in Rio De Janeiro.. Now the cause focused on clean energy and global warming.
By 2000, the Internet was used by up to 5,000 environmental groups around the world to organize hundreds of millions of people around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people were at the national Mall in Washington D. C., in the United States.
In 2007 over a billion people participated in Earth Day events worldwide.
"We're going to be focusing an enormous amount of public interest on a whole, wide range of environmental events, hopefully in such a manner that it's going to be drawing the interrelationships between them and getting people to look at the whole thing as one consistent kind of picture, a picture of a society that's rapidly going in the wrong direction that has to be stopped and turned around.
Things that we can all do everyday of the year including Earth Day are:
Reduce:
Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
Buy and use only what you need.
Buy products with less packaging.
Buy products that use less toxic chemicals.
Reuse:
Repair items as much as possible.
Use durable coffee mugs.
Use cloth napkins or towels.
Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
Reuse boxes.
Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
Reuse grocery bags as trash bags.
Recycle:
Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans.
Here it is Earth Day April 22, 2009, and again we (the Mohegan Tribe) have nothing planned for the day. The Council of Elders (actually anyone in the Mohegan Government) should be taking the lead and finding ways for Mohegans to participate in this worthy cause. Maybe we could have walked around Shantok and picked up bottles, cans, glass and papers in the woods. Maybe we could do it this coming Saturday, April 25, 2009. Maybe we could have our Earth Day on May 15, 2009, when we have our clam bake.
Can we do it? Should we do it? Why aren't we doing it? Do you know? Should we be thinking of Mother Earth like our forefathers? She is our Mother, shouldn't we take care of her?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
MOHEGAN SUN CASINO PRESS ROOM
Mohegan Sun Announces Sports Bar Sponsorship Within the New Yankee StadiumFriday, May 02, 2008, 3:34:27 PMUNCASVILLE, CONN (May 2, 2008) – Mohegan Sun announced today a three-year sponsorship agreement for a Mohegan Sun themed sports bar during the 2009-2011 seasons.
The Mohegan Sun themed sports bar will occupy an area known in the existing Yankee Stadium as the “Batters Eye,” and will be located directly behind center field and above Monument Park, providing fans with a bird’s-eye view of the field. The 4,900-square-foot sports bar will have a capacity of 322, including approximately 132 ticketed seats positioned within a glass-enclosed section. The Sports Bar is one of many areas within the new Yankee Stadium that will also be utilized for corporate events and business functions on non-game days.
“Mohegan Sun is extremely pleased to be a part of the new Yankee Stadium,” said Mitchell Etess, president and chief executive officer, Mohegan Sun. “This is an outstanding opportunity and we are thrilled to be associated with the best name in baseball.”
“We are excited to continue our long-term relationship with Mohegan Sun in the new Yankee Stadium and look forward to our fans enjoying the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar,” said Michael J. Tusiani, New York Yankees Senior Vice President, and Corporate Sales & Sponsorships.
The Mohegan Sun themed sports bar will occupy an area known in the existing Yankee Stadium as the “Batters Eye,” and will be located directly behind center field and above Monument Park, providing fans with a bird’s-eye view of the field. The 4,900-square-foot sports bar will have a capacity of 322, including approximately 132 ticketed seats positioned within a glass-enclosed section. The Sports Bar is one of many areas within the new Yankee Stadium that will also be utilized for corporate events and business functions on non-game days.
“Mohegan Sun is extremely pleased to be a part of the new Yankee Stadium,” said Mitchell Etess, president and chief executive officer, Mohegan Sun. “This is an outstanding opportunity and we are thrilled to be associated with the best name in baseball.”
“We are excited to continue our long-term relationship with Mohegan Sun in the new Yankee Stadium and look forward to our fans enjoying the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar,” said Michael J. Tusiani, New York Yankees Senior Vice President, and Corporate Sales & Sponsorships.
NEW YORK TIMES STORY
MOHEGAN SUN DON'T BLAME US
But for those sitting in the two sections that flank the structure built to house the sports bar and bleacher cafe, the views to right and left field are obstructed.
If Jeffrey Maier had interfered with Tony Tarasco’s attempt to catch Derek Jeter’s home run in the 1996 American League Championship Series in the current stadium, fans in Section 239 would have seen it — but only on the television sets embedded in the walls\\
All this rightly concerns Mitchell Etess, the president and chief executive of the Mohegan Sun. The hotel and casino, based in Uncasville, Conn., was already a Yankees sponsor and extended its presence last May with a naming rights deal through 2011 for the sports bar.
“We don’t want to be held responsible for the impact the facility has on the view of seats there,” Etess said Wednesday in a telephone interview. “We had no say in the construction of the stadium, and I’m certain that this was designed long before we made the deal.” The Mohegan Sun has nothing to do with the running or the profits of the sports bar; it only has its name on it.
Etess said it wasn’t until recently — “along with everyone else” — that he learned the sports bar was part of the bleacher protrusion that will obscure the views of up to 1,048 fans. For their trouble, the Yankees belatedly cut prices in Sections 201 and 239 to $5 (all others pay $12 to $14).
Alice McGillion, a Yankees spokeswoman, said Etess almost certainly was not told of the shadow that would be caused by the sports bar/bleacher cafe. “Since there are no obstructed seats in the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar, it wouldn’t necessarily have come up,” she said.
But the reality that the Mohegan’s name would be on the 4,900-square-foot sports bar that blocks fans’ views is a material fact that should have been disclosed by the Yankees and also pursued by the hotel-casino — especially because it’s not cheap to buy the naming rights.
The Yankees and the Mohegan Sun would not disclose the price of the deal.
Jim Andrews, a senior vice president of IEG, a sponsorship research, valuation and consulting company in Chicago, said that the minimum price was probably $1 million but that the “multiplier for new Yankee Stadium was probably two or three, so it’s probably $2 million or more.” But, he added, “You’re not paying to be associated with an obstructed view.”
He said he was surprised that the Mohegan Sun didn’t demand to see how the sports bar/bleacher cafe would be built. “If I’m the Mohegan Sun, I’m not happy,” Andrews said\
He said he was surprised that the Mohegan Sun didn’t demand to see how the sports bar/bleacher cafe would be built. “If I’m the Mohegan Sun, I’m not happy,” Andrews said.
Ross Sheingold, who runs the New Stadium Insider blog, said by e-mail that the Yankees, not the Mohegan Sun, were to blame. “The Yankees are likely too stubborn to do this,” he wrote, “bthe Yankees’ president, said, “I don’t think so,” when asked if the team would take those 1,048 seats out of circulation, paint them black and expand the batter’s eye.ut it might not be a bad idea to tear the sports bar down and go back to the drawing board.”\
He said the team could have had no seats or unobstructed ones in that area. “The decision was to do obstructed seats — those few seats — and we’re pleased,” he said. “They’ve sold out.”
The goal was to cash in on the center-field expanse that the Yankees had not monetized in the old stadium where the batter’s eye was. Having cut the original $12 list price of those 1,048 seats by $7 will mean losing about $600,000 this season if all 81 home games sell out.
But that will be more than made up by revenue from the sports bar’s rights fees, food and beverage sales, tickets ($90 to $95 each) and memberships (of a price not yet announced) to certain season-ticket holders, and from the concession sales at the bleacher cafe.
•
The team is certain that its fans are happy with $5 seats in these recessionary times. “People like you might have a problem, but fans are eating them up,” Levine said. “They’re in phenomenal demand, at $5. The average paying customers don’t have a problem yet.”
Yet. Only fans who attended the two exhibition games against the Cubs last Friday and Saturday could judge the views, and not all were pleased. The real test will start on opening day next Thursday. Will fans paying $5 accept the discount view for the discount price? And will they try to ameliorate the obstructions by wandering to the terrace at the bleacher cafe for a better vista?
Last Friday, security hustled fans lingering on the terrace back to their seats after they bought their food. But Levine said: “They can stand in the terrace as long as they want. There are no hall monitors.” But, he said, if too many fans stand there, safety concerns might lead security to direct people back to their seats. “It’s a common-sense approach.”
But for those sitting in the two sections that flank the structure built to house the sports bar and bleacher cafe, the views to right and left field are obstructed.
If Jeffrey Maier had interfered with Tony Tarasco’s attempt to catch Derek Jeter’s home run in the 1996 American League Championship Series in the current stadium, fans in Section 239 would have seen it — but only on the television sets embedded in the walls\\
All this rightly concerns Mitchell Etess, the president and chief executive of the Mohegan Sun. The hotel and casino, based in Uncasville, Conn., was already a Yankees sponsor and extended its presence last May with a naming rights deal through 2011 for the sports bar.
“We don’t want to be held responsible for the impact the facility has on the view of seats there,” Etess said Wednesday in a telephone interview. “We had no say in the construction of the stadium, and I’m certain that this was designed long before we made the deal.” The Mohegan Sun has nothing to do with the running or the profits of the sports bar; it only has its name on it.
Etess said it wasn’t until recently — “along with everyone else” — that he learned the sports bar was part of the bleacher protrusion that will obscure the views of up to 1,048 fans. For their trouble, the Yankees belatedly cut prices in Sections 201 and 239 to $5 (all others pay $12 to $14).
Alice McGillion, a Yankees spokeswoman, said Etess almost certainly was not told of the shadow that would be caused by the sports bar/bleacher cafe. “Since there are no obstructed seats in the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar, it wouldn’t necessarily have come up,” she said.
But the reality that the Mohegan’s name would be on the 4,900-square-foot sports bar that blocks fans’ views is a material fact that should have been disclosed by the Yankees and also pursued by the hotel-casino — especially because it’s not cheap to buy the naming rights.
The Yankees and the Mohegan Sun would not disclose the price of the deal.
Jim Andrews, a senior vice president of IEG, a sponsorship research, valuation and consulting company in Chicago, said that the minimum price was probably $1 million but that the “multiplier for new Yankee Stadium was probably two or three, so it’s probably $2 million or more.” But, he added, “You’re not paying to be associated with an obstructed view.”
He said he was surprised that the Mohegan Sun didn’t demand to see how the sports bar/bleacher cafe would be built. “If I’m the Mohegan Sun, I’m not happy,” Andrews said\
He said he was surprised that the Mohegan Sun didn’t demand to see how the sports bar/bleacher cafe would be built. “If I’m the Mohegan Sun, I’m not happy,” Andrews said.
Ross Sheingold, who runs the New Stadium Insider blog, said by e-mail that the Yankees, not the Mohegan Sun, were to blame. “The Yankees are likely too stubborn to do this,” he wrote, “bthe Yankees’ president, said, “I don’t think so,” when asked if the team would take those 1,048 seats out of circulation, paint them black and expand the batter’s eye.ut it might not be a bad idea to tear the sports bar down and go back to the drawing board.”\
He said the team could have had no seats or unobstructed ones in that area. “The decision was to do obstructed seats — those few seats — and we’re pleased,” he said. “They’ve sold out.”
The goal was to cash in on the center-field expanse that the Yankees had not monetized in the old stadium where the batter’s eye was. Having cut the original $12 list price of those 1,048 seats by $7 will mean losing about $600,000 this season if all 81 home games sell out.
But that will be more than made up by revenue from the sports bar’s rights fees, food and beverage sales, tickets ($90 to $95 each) and memberships (of a price not yet announced) to certain season-ticket holders, and from the concession sales at the bleacher cafe.
•
The team is certain that its fans are happy with $5 seats in these recessionary times. “People like you might have a problem, but fans are eating them up,” Levine said. “They’re in phenomenal demand, at $5. The average paying customers don’t have a problem yet.”
Yet. Only fans who attended the two exhibition games against the Cubs last Friday and Saturday could judge the views, and not all were pleased. The real test will start on opening day next Thursday. Will fans paying $5 accept the discount view for the discount price? And will they try to ameliorate the obstructions by wandering to the terrace at the bleacher cafe for a better vista?
Last Friday, security hustled fans lingering on the terrace back to their seats after they bought their food. But Levine said: “They can stand in the terrace as long as they want. There are no hall monitors.” But, he said, if too many fans stand there, safety concerns might lead security to direct people back to their seats. “It’s a common-sense approach.”
MOHEGAN SUN SPORTS BAR
MOHEGAN SUN SPORTS BAR
The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar offers an atmosphere within the Stadium where members find themselves only an arm-length away from the playing field where baseball history will unfold.
Members will have the opportunity to mingle and watch the game from the high-top table bar area while enjoying premium sports bar food items such as the Juicy-Juicy stuffed burger, blue crab mini tacos, pastrami grinder, sushi lobster wrap and truffle fries.
Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Menu:
Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Menu »
You need the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) to view the menus.
The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar features two full bars and is sure to become the members' favorite hang-out spot, even after the game has ended.
DRESS CODE: Appropriate attire is required at all times. Attire will be deemed appropriate at the sole discretion of the New York Yankees.
PLEASE NOTE: Memberships purchased after April 14, 2009 will start with the 2nd Home Stand on April 30th.
Membership is presently being offered to all Full, 41 20, 15, 12 and 11 Game Ticket Plan Licensees, subject to availability.
Join The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Today:
Full Season Membership: $750.00Buy Full Season Membership Now »
41-Game Plan Membership: $410.00Buy 41-Game Plan Membership Now »
20-Game Plan #1 Membership: $250.00Buy 20-Game Plan #1 Membership Now »
20-Game Plan #2 Membership: $250.00
The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar offers an atmosphere within the Stadium where members find themselves only an arm-length away from the playing field where baseball history will unfold.
Members will have the opportunity to mingle and watch the game from the high-top table bar area while enjoying premium sports bar food items such as the Juicy-Juicy stuffed burger, blue crab mini tacos, pastrami grinder, sushi lobster wrap and truffle fries.
Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Menu:
Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Menu »
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The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar features two full bars and is sure to become the members' favorite hang-out spot, even after the game has ended.
DRESS CODE: Appropriate attire is required at all times. Attire will be deemed appropriate at the sole discretion of the New York Yankees.
PLEASE NOTE: Memberships purchased after April 14, 2009 will start with the 2nd Home Stand on April 30th.
Membership is presently being offered to all Full, 41 20, 15, 12 and 11 Game Ticket Plan Licensees, subject to availability.
Join The Mohegan Sun Sports Bar Today:
Full Season Membership: $750.00Buy Full Season Membership Now »
41-Game Plan Membership: $410.00Buy 41-Game Plan Membership Now »
20-Game Plan #1 Membership: $250.00Buy 20-Game Plan #1 Membership Now »
20-Game Plan #2 Membership: $250.00
PAUGUSETT POW WOW
Uncasville, Connecticut, Saturday April 18, 2009----It was a beautiful sunny morning in the sixties (60's). A perfect day for a ride in a convertible.
I called the Editor of Feather News and said to him, let's go to the Paugusett Pow Wow. He gets the directions and called another tribal member to see if she wanted to go too. We meet and head to the pow wow with the top down, but not before all three of us put baseball caps on our heads.
Up Route 2 to exit 18 and we turn west to Haddam. We turn on a back road travel about two miles and end up at an bridge across a lake. There was sign for the pow wow on the swinging gate leading into the parking lot.
We paid our $3.00 each to see the pow wow. The pow wow was actually over the top of a ball field, complete with the bases still in place. The ball field was surrounded by trees, complete with a locked out house. To the west was the lake, quite tranquil. It was a great place for a pow wow. I thought, it must have been like this in the old days at the Mohegan Church.
There was about a total of about 120 people in attendance, that includes the vendors, the dancers, drummers and visitors. The one drum group of four first people (Native Americans) were excellent. When the drummers took a break later in the day a flutist played. It was quite moving. The simplicity of the musicians and the atmosphere were quite fitting for the environment. It all came together. It was natural.
The grand entry was scheduled for 12:00 P.M. (noon). It happened at about 1:30 P.M. As one (1) first people said we never wore watches in the old days. Indian time.
The dancers were dancing to the different dances. At one time there was about 40 participants dancing in the roped off circle in the middle of the field. . The dancers put their hearts into their dancing. They were one with Mother Earth. Some dancers danced every dance they could. I don't know where they got the energy. They seemed to love it. It was wonderful. No competitions, just people participating in their heritage. It was moving.
We saw Joey James there, with his tent. He said, he had heard that things were happening to me. I said someday, I would explain it to him. It was good to see him. I asked how the Mohegan Wigwam Committee went the other week. He said he missed me. I said, I would like to have been there. I really liked working on that committee. As always his crafts, that he not only sells but makes, were of the finest quality. It was good to see him. One of my companions bought a brown swede vest. Joey James gave her a discount. She looked good in it.
The craft venders, had all native American goods. Only one vendor had some stuff from China. It was good to see. All the items being sold were wonderful quality. I bought two (2) ribbon shirts. I wanted to contribute. These people sure were not making a fortune at the gate.
There was only one (1) food vendor. She was a Masaphee Wampanoag. The food was good. We had the Indian Tacos, the fried bread and two strawberry iced teas. Everything was good.
After sitting on the grass for several hours, we decided to leave. It was a good day for the three Mohegans in our group and the one Mohegan who was there working to make it all work. We put the top up on the convertible. As we drove off, heading back to Uncasville, Connecticut, I thought how it had been a great day.
A good day for Mohegans. A great day for the Paugustts. I hope someday the Paugusetts get Federal recognition. What do you think?
I called the Editor of Feather News and said to him, let's go to the Paugusett Pow Wow. He gets the directions and called another tribal member to see if she wanted to go too. We meet and head to the pow wow with the top down, but not before all three of us put baseball caps on our heads.
Up Route 2 to exit 18 and we turn west to Haddam. We turn on a back road travel about two miles and end up at an bridge across a lake. There was sign for the pow wow on the swinging gate leading into the parking lot.
We paid our $3.00 each to see the pow wow. The pow wow was actually over the top of a ball field, complete with the bases still in place. The ball field was surrounded by trees, complete with a locked out house. To the west was the lake, quite tranquil. It was a great place for a pow wow. I thought, it must have been like this in the old days at the Mohegan Church.
There was about a total of about 120 people in attendance, that includes the vendors, the dancers, drummers and visitors. The one drum group of four first people (Native Americans) were excellent. When the drummers took a break later in the day a flutist played. It was quite moving. The simplicity of the musicians and the atmosphere were quite fitting for the environment. It all came together. It was natural.
The grand entry was scheduled for 12:00 P.M. (noon). It happened at about 1:30 P.M. As one (1) first people said we never wore watches in the old days. Indian time.
The dancers were dancing to the different dances. At one time there was about 40 participants dancing in the roped off circle in the middle of the field. . The dancers put their hearts into their dancing. They were one with Mother Earth. Some dancers danced every dance they could. I don't know where they got the energy. They seemed to love it. It was wonderful. No competitions, just people participating in their heritage. It was moving.
We saw Joey James there, with his tent. He said, he had heard that things were happening to me. I said someday, I would explain it to him. It was good to see him. I asked how the Mohegan Wigwam Committee went the other week. He said he missed me. I said, I would like to have been there. I really liked working on that committee. As always his crafts, that he not only sells but makes, were of the finest quality. It was good to see him. One of my companions bought a brown swede vest. Joey James gave her a discount. She looked good in it.
The craft venders, had all native American goods. Only one vendor had some stuff from China. It was good to see. All the items being sold were wonderful quality. I bought two (2) ribbon shirts. I wanted to contribute. These people sure were not making a fortune at the gate.
There was only one (1) food vendor. She was a Masaphee Wampanoag. The food was good. We had the Indian Tacos, the fried bread and two strawberry iced teas. Everything was good.
After sitting on the grass for several hours, we decided to leave. It was a good day for the three Mohegans in our group and the one Mohegan who was there working to make it all work. We put the top up on the convertible. As we drove off, heading back to Uncasville, Connecticut, I thought how it had been a great day.
A good day for Mohegans. A great day for the Paugustts. I hope someday the Paugusetts get Federal recognition. What do you think?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
TEA PARTY
Everyone who lives in the United States knows that your federal and state income taxes are due on April 15th every year. This year something extra happened around the United States on April 15. It was tea parties.
The tea parties were rallies by Americans, all across the country protesting our taxes. In colonial times, there had been a tea party in Boston, about tax on tea by the British Government on the colonies. The colonists of Boston dumped tea off the ships in to Boston Harbor to show their anger over the tax. They supposedly said, "No taxation with out representation."
In Norwich, Connecticut, on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, (on a beautiful sunny spring day), between an estimated 1,000 and 2,000 Citizens of Connecticut came together to celebrate, the modern day tea party. This time there was no dumping tea into a harbor. There were however, talks by speakers of all political parties about our freedoms and rights as United States Citizens. The speakers talked of our Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press. The right to peacefully gather and talk about taxes was mentioned.
The theme was that we (U.S. taxpayers) pay taxes and have no control how the money is spent. Americans do have representation, but no say in how our tax dollars are spent. People were critical of how President Obama was spending the tax dollars. In Obama's defense, no one seems to know how to fix the economy. All the different parts of the United States economy are in shambles.
The police had no problems, that I could see. It was a large crowd of people, all getting along in unity of the cause. Cars were driving past the park, blowing their horns in support. It was a good day for the people of Norwich.
In the Mohegan Court System, Mohegan Tribal members are fighting for our (the Mohegan Tribe's) freedoms and rights. The right to vote for who you want, and the right to speak and print what you want. Another case may be on the horizon soon.
How about the government community center building that no one seems to want? How about the Project Horizon hotel? What about a government that wants to expand to Palmer, Massachusetts? Who is responsible for the losses the Mohegan Sun Casino is having?
As I left, I thought does this apply to the Mohegan Tribal Government? Is our (the Mohegan Tribe) government spending revenues without considering the wishes and desires of the tribe? Do we have a representative government? How hard is it for the Mohegan Tribal Council to do the will of the people? Should we remember how the government functions at election time? Should any of the five Tribal Councilors who are running for re-election be worried? Should they go?
Maybe the Mohegan Tribe should have a tea party? What do you think?
The tea parties were rallies by Americans, all across the country protesting our taxes. In colonial times, there had been a tea party in Boston, about tax on tea by the British Government on the colonies. The colonists of Boston dumped tea off the ships in to Boston Harbor to show their anger over the tax. They supposedly said, "No taxation with out representation."
In Norwich, Connecticut, on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, (on a beautiful sunny spring day), between an estimated 1,000 and 2,000 Citizens of Connecticut came together to celebrate, the modern day tea party. This time there was no dumping tea into a harbor. There were however, talks by speakers of all political parties about our freedoms and rights as United States Citizens. The speakers talked of our Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press. The right to peacefully gather and talk about taxes was mentioned.
The theme was that we (U.S. taxpayers) pay taxes and have no control how the money is spent. Americans do have representation, but no say in how our tax dollars are spent. People were critical of how President Obama was spending the tax dollars. In Obama's defense, no one seems to know how to fix the economy. All the different parts of the United States economy are in shambles.
The police had no problems, that I could see. It was a large crowd of people, all getting along in unity of the cause. Cars were driving past the park, blowing their horns in support. It was a good day for the people of Norwich.
In the Mohegan Court System, Mohegan Tribal members are fighting for our (the Mohegan Tribe's) freedoms and rights. The right to vote for who you want, and the right to speak and print what you want. Another case may be on the horizon soon.
How about the government community center building that no one seems to want? How about the Project Horizon hotel? What about a government that wants to expand to Palmer, Massachusetts? Who is responsible for the losses the Mohegan Sun Casino is having?
As I left, I thought does this apply to the Mohegan Tribal Government? Is our (the Mohegan Tribe) government spending revenues without considering the wishes and desires of the tribe? Do we have a representative government? How hard is it for the Mohegan Tribal Council to do the will of the people? Should we remember how the government functions at election time? Should any of the five Tribal Councilors who are running for re-election be worried? Should they go?
Maybe the Mohegan Tribe should have a tea party? What do you think?
Friday, April 17, 2009
'"MOHEGAN SUN: DON'T BLAME US"
New London Day, Wednesday April 15, 2009 Section A pages 1 and page 4
MOHEGAN SUN; DON'T BLAME US
Etess says casino linked to obstructed views at Yankee Stadium in name only
By Lee Howard Day Staff Writer
If you've got tickets to the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium, enjoy the game, but don't blame the Mohegan Sun if you can't see a play in the outfield.
With the first official game in Yankee Stadium only a day away, the New York faithful already are grousing. But this time it's not about the lousy play of the overpaid players or the off-field antics of injured star Alex Rodrigues--it's about, of all things, the placement of the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar.
Turns out that Yankees baseball executives---men of the people all---decided turmoiled an exclusive sports bar overlooking center field that obstructed the views of more than ,1,000 fans. Only when fans compllained about tne obstuction---which makes it hard for people in two sections of the stadium to see action in parts of the outfield---did the Yankees' brass reduce prices there from the $12 to $14 range to a rock bottom $5.
According to an article in the New York Times, the obstructed views left a bad taste in the mouths of fans who attended two preseason games in the new stadium. But Mitchell Etess, president and chief executive for Mohegan Sun, which signed a three-year deal rumored to have cost ;42 million or more, downplayed the controversy Tuesday, saying "no ones b;a,ed is" for the sports bar's design.
"No one's saying that the Mohegan Sun sports Bar is blocking people's views," he said in a phone interview. "We never felt like Mohegan Sun would be held responsible."
Indeed, Mohegan Sun had nothing to do with the design of Yankee Stadium and doesn't run the bar itself or get any revenue from its operation, he said. Etess, a Yankees fan, said the naming of the sports bar simply gave Mohegan sun a branding opportunity in critical market for the casino operation.
"We just have our name associated with the stadium and the Yank es," Etess said. "people talk about it on TV. We've been partners with the Yankees for probably about 10 years."
Etess said he first got wind of the controversy about the 4,900 square-foot sports bar through blogger complaints forwarded to him. But he didn't seem particularly concerned that the obstructed view seats ---which are clearly marked on tickets --would spill over into any sort of antipathy toward the Uncasville casino, and he didn't seem inclined to try to reclaim some of the money the sun paid for the sports bar's naming rights.
"We have no issues with the Yankees," Etess said. "We've just kind of happy to ber associated with the Yankees. It's a very professional organization."
The bar includes game seats cost in up to $95, and others can gain admission by paying from$250 to 750 for a membership. The bar has a capacity of a little over 300.
Members will have the opportunity to mingle and watch the game from the high-top table bar area while enjoying premium sports bar food items such as the Juicy-Juicy stuffed burger, blue crab mini-tacos, pastrami grinder, sushi lobster wrap and truffle fries," according to an online promotion of the sports bar.
The sports bar reportedly has great views of the field and is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. And that;a good thing, because cutting the price of more than1,000 tickets ts for each Yankee Stadium home game will cost the team, about $600,000 this season, according to the Times.
The Yankee approached Etess about naming the sports bar, which he said is part of a comprehensive marketing agreement that inclues using the Mohegan Sun name in print ads and directional signs. The casino also gets free tickets as part of the deal, which Mohegan Sun can use at is discretion.
"It's a great way to get ingrained into an amazing, conic place," etess said.
MOHEGAN SUN; DON'T BLAME US
Etess says casino linked to obstructed views at Yankee Stadium in name only
By Lee Howard Day Staff Writer
If you've got tickets to the home opener at the new Yankee Stadium, enjoy the game, but don't blame the Mohegan Sun if you can't see a play in the outfield.
With the first official game in Yankee Stadium only a day away, the New York faithful already are grousing. But this time it's not about the lousy play of the overpaid players or the off-field antics of injured star Alex Rodrigues--it's about, of all things, the placement of the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar.
Turns out that Yankees baseball executives---men of the people all---decided turmoiled an exclusive sports bar overlooking center field that obstructed the views of more than ,1,000 fans. Only when fans compllained about tne obstuction---which makes it hard for people in two sections of the stadium to see action in parts of the outfield---did the Yankees' brass reduce prices there from the $12 to $14 range to a rock bottom $5.
According to an article in the New York Times, the obstructed views left a bad taste in the mouths of fans who attended two preseason games in the new stadium. But Mitchell Etess, president and chief executive for Mohegan Sun, which signed a three-year deal rumored to have cost ;42 million or more, downplayed the controversy Tuesday, saying "no ones b;a,ed is" for the sports bar's design.
"No one's saying that the Mohegan Sun sports Bar is blocking people's views," he said in a phone interview. "We never felt like Mohegan Sun would be held responsible."
Indeed, Mohegan Sun had nothing to do with the design of Yankee Stadium and doesn't run the bar itself or get any revenue from its operation, he said. Etess, a Yankees fan, said the naming of the sports bar simply gave Mohegan sun a branding opportunity in critical market for the casino operation.
"We just have our name associated with the stadium and the Yank es," Etess said. "people talk about it on TV. We've been partners with the Yankees for probably about 10 years."
Etess said he first got wind of the controversy about the 4,900 square-foot sports bar through blogger complaints forwarded to him. But he didn't seem particularly concerned that the obstructed view seats ---which are clearly marked on tickets --would spill over into any sort of antipathy toward the Uncasville casino, and he didn't seem inclined to try to reclaim some of the money the sun paid for the sports bar's naming rights.
"We have no issues with the Yankees," Etess said. "We've just kind of happy to ber associated with the Yankees. It's a very professional organization."
The bar includes game seats cost in up to $95, and others can gain admission by paying from$250 to 750 for a membership. The bar has a capacity of a little over 300.
Members will have the opportunity to mingle and watch the game from the high-top table bar area while enjoying premium sports bar food items such as the Juicy-Juicy stuffed burger, blue crab mini-tacos, pastrami grinder, sushi lobster wrap and truffle fries," according to an online promotion of the sports bar.
The sports bar reportedly has great views of the field and is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. And that;a good thing, because cutting the price of more than1,000 tickets ts for each Yankee Stadium home game will cost the team, about $600,000 this season, according to the Times.
The Yankee approached Etess about naming the sports bar, which he said is part of a comprehensive marketing agreement that inclues using the Mohegan Sun name in print ads and directional signs. The casino also gets free tickets as part of the deal, which Mohegan Sun can use at is discretion.
"It's a great way to get ingrained into an amazing, conic place," etess said.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS REVENUE DOWN FOR MARCH
Five (5) of the eleven (11) casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey are in serious financial scrapes. That coupled with the performance of March and it is quite troublesome.
The three (3) casinos that bear the Trump name have filed for bankruptcy. The Resorts Casino is behind in it's debt payments. The Tropicana is supposedly close to being in bankruptcy, too.
The numbers for March, 2009 are not good. In fact, since the casinos were legalized in New Jersey in 1978, this is the worst monthly decline in the history of the casinos. The eleven (11) casinos showed a total win of $318.4 million, a 19.4% decrease compared to March, 2008. it breaks down like this, slot machines were $218.1 million a decrease of 21.3% and table games of $100.3 million for a decrease of 14.7% compared to the same month the year before.
The state of Nevada had a 18.1% decline in revenues comparing March 2009 with March 2008. Casinos on the Las Vegas strip had a decrease in business from March 2009 compared to March 2008 of 23.5%.
Dan Heneghan, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said, "Results were also impacted by having one less Saturday this March than last March. A big snow storm early in the month also depressed revenues a bit. I don't know about the casinos financial situation is having as much of an effect as news about the economy in general. And people who see folks round them getting laid off are cutting back on spending as well."
The Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwood Resorts Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods have not reported their performance for March, 2009, yet. The Connecticut casinos revenues should be out next week.
If Atlantic City and Nevada are any indications, then the performance at the Mohegan Sun Casino will not be good either. We (the Mohegan Tribe) should expect a decline in revenues for March 2009 compared to March 2008.
Tribal Members should unite in wanting better performance form our casino. Things can not be allowed to continue the way they are going. In my opinion, if things do not pick up, and economists are not predicting a quick fix, then the next thing will happen is your benefits and other things will either be decreased or taken away.
Is it time for change? Is it time for new management? Is it time for new members on the Tribal Council (MTGA)? What can be done to fix this situation? Do you know? Does management know? Does the tribal government know? Is it time for change? What do you think?
The ultimate question, that should be asked of the Mohegan Tribal Council is what have you done for us (the Mohegan Tribe) lately?
The three (3) casinos that bear the Trump name have filed for bankruptcy. The Resorts Casino is behind in it's debt payments. The Tropicana is supposedly close to being in bankruptcy, too.
The numbers for March, 2009 are not good. In fact, since the casinos were legalized in New Jersey in 1978, this is the worst monthly decline in the history of the casinos. The eleven (11) casinos showed a total win of $318.4 million, a 19.4% decrease compared to March, 2008. it breaks down like this, slot machines were $218.1 million a decrease of 21.3% and table games of $100.3 million for a decrease of 14.7% compared to the same month the year before.
The state of Nevada had a 18.1% decline in revenues comparing March 2009 with March 2008. Casinos on the Las Vegas strip had a decrease in business from March 2009 compared to March 2008 of 23.5%.
Dan Heneghan, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission said, "Results were also impacted by having one less Saturday this March than last March. A big snow storm early in the month also depressed revenues a bit. I don't know about the casinos financial situation is having as much of an effect as news about the economy in general. And people who see folks round them getting laid off are cutting back on spending as well."
The Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwood Resorts Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods have not reported their performance for March, 2009, yet. The Connecticut casinos revenues should be out next week.
If Atlantic City and Nevada are any indications, then the performance at the Mohegan Sun Casino will not be good either. We (the Mohegan Tribe) should expect a decline in revenues for March 2009 compared to March 2008.
Tribal Members should unite in wanting better performance form our casino. Things can not be allowed to continue the way they are going. In my opinion, if things do not pick up, and economists are not predicting a quick fix, then the next thing will happen is your benefits and other things will either be decreased or taken away.
Is it time for change? Is it time for new management? Is it time for new members on the Tribal Council (MTGA)? What can be done to fix this situation? Do you know? Does management know? Does the tribal government know? Is it time for change? What do you think?
The ultimate question, that should be asked of the Mohegan Tribal Council is what have you done for us (the Mohegan Tribe) lately?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
BARTENDERS REJECT THE UNION
On Wednesday April 8, 2009, about 340 workers that serve alcohol in Foxwoods Resort Casino voted on whether to be represented by Local 371 of the United Food and Commercial Worker's Union.
The Union went through the Mashantucket Pequot Nation's proper channels to ask for the vote to take place. The results were 207 against the union and 133 for the union. The union is seeking to unionize about 400 workers. About 371 actually voted.
Michale Speller, President of Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods said, "We are very pleased with the vote of confidence that these employees have given the beverage department management today."
Speller also said, "These team members displayed extraordinary professionalism throughout the weeks leading up in the election and clearly agreed that having an outside organization come between us was not necessary. The entire management team looks forward to an exciting future where we will do everything we can to make Foxwoods even better for all of our employees and our guests."
Brian Petronella, the President of UFCW said, "I am very pleased with the outcome of the vote, based on Foxwoods anti-union campaign and I'm hopeful that within the next few months we'll have another election through the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board)."
The way I understand it, under the Mashantucket Pequot's law the unions can not put this up for a vote for at least one (1) year. Under the National Labor Relations Board, the vote could be conducted as early as the next day. The NLRB allow one thing and the tribal law is another thing.
It was good to see that the workers at the Foxwoods casinos were allowed to vote on whether they wanted the union to represent them. It was good to see that both management and the unions behaved properly. The workers have spoken by their votes. The union should respect the decisions of the workers. The union should respect the laws of the tribe. The tribe should respect the union. Will the controversy continue? What do you think?
In my opinion, it was a good day for the Mashantucket Pequots. What do you think?
The Union went through the Mashantucket Pequot Nation's proper channels to ask for the vote to take place. The results were 207 against the union and 133 for the union. The union is seeking to unionize about 400 workers. About 371 actually voted.
Michale Speller, President of Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods said, "We are very pleased with the vote of confidence that these employees have given the beverage department management today."
Speller also said, "These team members displayed extraordinary professionalism throughout the weeks leading up in the election and clearly agreed that having an outside organization come between us was not necessary. The entire management team looks forward to an exciting future where we will do everything we can to make Foxwoods even better for all of our employees and our guests."
Brian Petronella, the President of UFCW said, "I am very pleased with the outcome of the vote, based on Foxwoods anti-union campaign and I'm hopeful that within the next few months we'll have another election through the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board)."
The way I understand it, under the Mashantucket Pequot's law the unions can not put this up for a vote for at least one (1) year. Under the National Labor Relations Board, the vote could be conducted as early as the next day. The NLRB allow one thing and the tribal law is another thing.
It was good to see that the workers at the Foxwoods casinos were allowed to vote on whether they wanted the union to represent them. It was good to see that both management and the unions behaved properly. The workers have spoken by their votes. The union should respect the decisions of the workers. The union should respect the laws of the tribe. The tribe should respect the union. Will the controversy continue? What do you think?
In my opinion, it was a good day for the Mashantucket Pequots. What do you think?
THEY DID IT AGAIN
Who did what? What happened? Do you know?
I have been told that allegedly in the new Wuskuso, (a tribal publication that will come out this weekend), that one of the articles is about the new Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-35.
The new Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-35 replaces the old Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-24 which was canceled by the Tribal Council of the Mohegan Tribe about two weeks ago, after about 40 tribal members signed a petition against ( rescind) it. I have been told that petition was never mentioned in the any publication of the tribe. If that is true, how come it was never mentioned?
Tribal members again rose to the occasion and filed another petition to rescind the new ordinance (Freedom of Information Ordinance) 2009-35. According to an Election Committee member, the petition was accepted by the Election Committee and was sent to the Tribal Council. The Constitution of the Mohegan Tribe requires the Tribal Council to send out for a vote by tribal members to decide if they want Ordinance 2009-35 rescinded (canceled). This is supposed to happen according to the Mohegan Constitution within 60 days of receipt of the petition from the Election Committee.
In my opinion, the Tribal Council looks out of touch with the wishes and desires of the Mohegan membership. . Here, we have the Tribal Council supposedly telling the membership in the tribe's publications about this great law they created. .Before Mohegan Tribal members get to read the publications, it has already been rescinded by the membership. Members by signing the petition have shown their distaste for the law (2009-35). Will the tribal publications tell the membership of the petition?
Does the Tribal Council look foolish? Does the Tribal Council look out of touch with the wishes of the Mohegan Tribe? Are they (the Tribal Council) doing the will of the people? What kind of government keeps doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome? Will the Tribal Council now cancel 2009-35? Should we (the Mohegan Tribe) remember this at election time? How hard is it for the Tribal Council to do the will of the people? Do you know?
Thirty Eight Mohegan Tribal members signed a petition to do away with (rescind) the new Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-35). Will 2009-35 be canceled by the Tribal Council next? Will the Tribal Council let the Mohegan Tribe vote on this issue? Will the Tribal Council again create another new Freedom of Information Ordinance to replace 2009-35? Do you know? What do you think?
I have been told that allegedly in the new Wuskuso, (a tribal publication that will come out this weekend), that one of the articles is about the new Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-35.
The new Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-35 replaces the old Freedom of Information Ordinance 2009-24 which was canceled by the Tribal Council of the Mohegan Tribe about two weeks ago, after about 40 tribal members signed a petition against ( rescind) it. I have been told that petition was never mentioned in the any publication of the tribe. If that is true, how come it was never mentioned?
Tribal members again rose to the occasion and filed another petition to rescind the new ordinance (Freedom of Information Ordinance) 2009-35. According to an Election Committee member, the petition was accepted by the Election Committee and was sent to the Tribal Council. The Constitution of the Mohegan Tribe requires the Tribal Council to send out for a vote by tribal members to decide if they want Ordinance 2009-35 rescinded (canceled). This is supposed to happen according to the Mohegan Constitution within 60 days of receipt of the petition from the Election Committee.
In my opinion, the Tribal Council looks out of touch with the wishes and desires of the Mohegan membership. . Here, we have the Tribal Council supposedly telling the membership in the tribe's publications about this great law they created. .Before Mohegan Tribal members get to read the publications, it has already been rescinded by the membership. Members by signing the petition have shown their distaste for the law (2009-35). Will the tribal publications tell the membership of the petition?
Does the Tribal Council look foolish? Does the Tribal Council look out of touch with the wishes of the Mohegan Tribe? Are they (the Tribal Council) doing the will of the people? What kind of government keeps doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome? Will the Tribal Council now cancel 2009-35? Should we (the Mohegan Tribe) remember this at election time? How hard is it for the Tribal Council to do the will of the people? Do you know?
Thirty Eight Mohegan Tribal members signed a petition to do away with (rescind) the new Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-35). Will 2009-35 be canceled by the Tribal Council next? Will the Tribal Council let the Mohegan Tribe vote on this issue? Will the Tribal Council again create another new Freedom of Information Ordinance to replace 2009-35? Do you know? What do you think?
HARTMANN GOES TO MASSACHUSETTS
Last Friday April 3, 2009, Jeffrey Hartmann, the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority) Chief Operating Officer, went to Springfield, Massachusetts to promote a proposed casino in that state. The MTGA is looking to open a casino in Palmer, Massachusetts (about 55 miles from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut).
A poll that was released five (5) days earlier on Monday, March 30, 2009 was mentioned. The poll was by the Center for Public Analysis at the University of Massachusetts. The report concluded that the residents of the State of Massachusetts would support two or more resort casinos. The results were 51% in favor and 31% against. The survey was of 1,256 random residents. The margin of error was 2.8%.
Clyde Barrow, the Director of the Center of Public Analysis said, "support for casinos is deep and wide, and growing majorities of Massachusetts citizens believe the fiscal and economic benefits of resort casinos will far outweigh any real or imagined social costs."
Hartman said, "The poll results are consistent with our internal research." The MTGA plans to build in Palmer an estimated $500 million to one billion dollar ($500,000,000.00 to $1,000,000,000.00) resort casino.
In my opinion, what the survey really shows is that the people of Massachusetts who were surveyed were looking for a way to help the unemployment situation (create more jobs) and bring tax revenue to the state.
Evidently, Jeff Hartman did a good job of promoting a casino for the MTGA in Massachusetts. The question is do we (the Mohegan Tribe) want to do this? Should the MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) instead be working on making the Mohegan Sun Casino more profitable?
Here we (the Mohegan Tribe) go again. Could this be another Pocono Downs? At Pocono Downs, it is estimated that between 55% to 62% comes off the top and goes to the State of Pennsylvania. The only enmity making out on the deal is the state. In my opinion, the Mohegan Tribe isn't.
Is this expansion or diversification? Does the MTGA have the financial resources to do this? Where is the MTGA going to get the money to fund this project? What other sacrifices will the Mohegan Tribe have to endure because of the MTGA wanting to do this? Is the Mohegan Sun management making the decisions? Are they good decisions?
Is this a case of the tail wagging the dog? Does the majority of the Mohegan Tribe want to do the Palmer project? At what cost to the tribe? Is this like the Project Horizon (Earth) hotel that was stopped being built? Is this like the government community center that was stopped? Could this possibly be another bad decisions by the Mohegan Tribal Council? Do you know? What do you think?
A poll that was released five (5) days earlier on Monday, March 30, 2009 was mentioned. The poll was by the Center for Public Analysis at the University of Massachusetts. The report concluded that the residents of the State of Massachusetts would support two or more resort casinos. The results were 51% in favor and 31% against. The survey was of 1,256 random residents. The margin of error was 2.8%.
Clyde Barrow, the Director of the Center of Public Analysis said, "support for casinos is deep and wide, and growing majorities of Massachusetts citizens believe the fiscal and economic benefits of resort casinos will far outweigh any real or imagined social costs."
Hartman said, "The poll results are consistent with our internal research." The MTGA plans to build in Palmer an estimated $500 million to one billion dollar ($500,000,000.00 to $1,000,000,000.00) resort casino.
In my opinion, what the survey really shows is that the people of Massachusetts who were surveyed were looking for a way to help the unemployment situation (create more jobs) and bring tax revenue to the state.
Evidently, Jeff Hartman did a good job of promoting a casino for the MTGA in Massachusetts. The question is do we (the Mohegan Tribe) want to do this? Should the MTGA (the Mohegan Tribal Council) instead be working on making the Mohegan Sun Casino more profitable?
Here we (the Mohegan Tribe) go again. Could this be another Pocono Downs? At Pocono Downs, it is estimated that between 55% to 62% comes off the top and goes to the State of Pennsylvania. The only enmity making out on the deal is the state. In my opinion, the Mohegan Tribe isn't.
Is this expansion or diversification? Does the MTGA have the financial resources to do this? Where is the MTGA going to get the money to fund this project? What other sacrifices will the Mohegan Tribe have to endure because of the MTGA wanting to do this? Is the Mohegan Sun management making the decisions? Are they good decisions?
Is this a case of the tail wagging the dog? Does the majority of the Mohegan Tribe want to do the Palmer project? At what cost to the tribe? Is this like the Project Horizon (Earth) hotel that was stopped being built? Is this like the government community center that was stopped? Could this possibly be another bad decisions by the Mohegan Tribal Council? Do you know? What do you think?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
THE TALE OF TWO GOVERNMENTS
This is the tale of two governments. One is the United States Government and the other is the Mohegan Tribal Government. Let's look at their differences and the dealings of the two (2) government with their citizens.
Shortly, after President Barack Obama took office, at the end of January 2009, he opened to the citizens of the United States all kinds of information to them that had been unavailable, before then. He believed that the American voter (citizen) had a right to know. He felt that the U.S. government should be transparent. He felt the government should be more open. It lead the citizens of the United States to believe that the government didn't have anything to hide. The new policy was showing the world and the people of the United States, that he was welcoming scrutiny.
This was totally different, than President George W. Bush ( the previous President before Obama), who was viewed as secretive by the media and some of the people of the United States. Bush who had a very low approval rating (estimated at about (18%) was not very forthcoming in the last days of his presidency. Some people viewed Bush as a bad president and criticized him for not being upfront with Americans. People felt he had something to hide. Some of this had to do with the Bush Administration's handling of the War in Irag. They felt he was not doing the will of the people. Two presidents and two different views on what information and how it should be given out to the American people.
Now let's turn, our attention to the local area (Uncasville, Connecticut). The government we are going to look at is the Mohegan Tribal Government. In my opinion, the Mohegan Tribal Government is more like the last days of the George W. Bush presidency than like the beginning of the Obama presidency.
What did the Mohegan Tribal Council recently do? They passed a Freedom of Information Ordinance. The first Freedom of Information Ordinance was Ordinance 2009-24. It was rescinded (canceled) by the Mohegan Tribal Council after it had been petitioned against by members of the Mohegan Tribe.
Last week they passed a new freedom of Information Ordinance, Ordinance 2009-35. This sounds good, we (the Mohegan Tribe) need a provision to protect our right to get information from our government. Unfortunately, the problems with the first Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-24) are still in the new Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-35). What the Tribal Council did, was take the first paragraph of Ordinance 2009-24 an put it in the middle of 2009-35. They took the second paragraph of 2009-24 and made it the second paragraph of 2009-35. They took the third paragraph of 2009-24 and made it the first paragraph of 2009-35. The only main difference is they changed the days that the COO (Phil Cahill) has to decide if he will give you the information from ten (10) days to two (2) days. He still has five (5) days after the decision to provide the information. It is still a RESTRICTION OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE. It is still a bad law. It needs to go.
The perception, by tribal members I talked to, was that the Mohegan Tribal Government believes in being secretive and not forthright. Their popularity by the voters is low. It seems like people don't trust them. The Tribal Council doesn't seem to be able to accept criticism very well. Instead of being more transparent, they are less co-operative with their citizens. They have passed laws that are prohibitive. The vote was eight in favor and one against. The one against was Councilor Mark Hamilton. When asked, Mark Hamilton said it was because it was basically the same law as before but just changed a little bit. He said it was still prohibitive to the Mohegan people. He was right.
There is your story, one of hope and opportunity, and a bright future. One of secrets, possible hidden agendas, and creators of bad law. Which is which? Why is the Mohegan Tribal Council the way it is? Why did they make this law (2009-35)? Do you know? What do you think?
Shortly, after President Barack Obama took office, at the end of January 2009, he opened to the citizens of the United States all kinds of information to them that had been unavailable, before then. He believed that the American voter (citizen) had a right to know. He felt that the U.S. government should be transparent. He felt the government should be more open. It lead the citizens of the United States to believe that the government didn't have anything to hide. The new policy was showing the world and the people of the United States, that he was welcoming scrutiny.
This was totally different, than President George W. Bush ( the previous President before Obama), who was viewed as secretive by the media and some of the people of the United States. Bush who had a very low approval rating (estimated at about (18%) was not very forthcoming in the last days of his presidency. Some people viewed Bush as a bad president and criticized him for not being upfront with Americans. People felt he had something to hide. Some of this had to do with the Bush Administration's handling of the War in Irag. They felt he was not doing the will of the people. Two presidents and two different views on what information and how it should be given out to the American people.
Now let's turn, our attention to the local area (Uncasville, Connecticut). The government we are going to look at is the Mohegan Tribal Government. In my opinion, the Mohegan Tribal Government is more like the last days of the George W. Bush presidency than like the beginning of the Obama presidency.
What did the Mohegan Tribal Council recently do? They passed a Freedom of Information Ordinance. The first Freedom of Information Ordinance was Ordinance 2009-24. It was rescinded (canceled) by the Mohegan Tribal Council after it had been petitioned against by members of the Mohegan Tribe.
Last week they passed a new freedom of Information Ordinance, Ordinance 2009-35. This sounds good, we (the Mohegan Tribe) need a provision to protect our right to get information from our government. Unfortunately, the problems with the first Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-24) are still in the new Freedom of Information Ordinance (2009-35). What the Tribal Council did, was take the first paragraph of Ordinance 2009-24 an put it in the middle of 2009-35. They took the second paragraph of 2009-24 and made it the second paragraph of 2009-35. They took the third paragraph of 2009-24 and made it the first paragraph of 2009-35. The only main difference is they changed the days that the COO (Phil Cahill) has to decide if he will give you the information from ten (10) days to two (2) days. He still has five (5) days after the decision to provide the information. It is still a RESTRICTION OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE. It is still a bad law. It needs to go.
The perception, by tribal members I talked to, was that the Mohegan Tribal Government believes in being secretive and not forthright. Their popularity by the voters is low. It seems like people don't trust them. The Tribal Council doesn't seem to be able to accept criticism very well. Instead of being more transparent, they are less co-operative with their citizens. They have passed laws that are prohibitive. The vote was eight in favor and one against. The one against was Councilor Mark Hamilton. When asked, Mark Hamilton said it was because it was basically the same law as before but just changed a little bit. He said it was still prohibitive to the Mohegan people. He was right.
There is your story, one of hope and opportunity, and a bright future. One of secrets, possible hidden agendas, and creators of bad law. Which is which? Why is the Mohegan Tribal Council the way it is? Why did they make this law (2009-35)? Do you know? What do you think?
DRINKING AND DRIVING, DEADLY
THE DEFENDANTS, MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
When people get behind the wheel of their cars after drinking alcohol, the situation can turn deadly. Two Connecticut men were brought before Judge Robert Young, in the Superior Court of Norwich on Monday, April 6, 2009. The defendants were Christopher Brulotte, 25, a construction worker of Lisbon, Connecticut and Mitch Leaghi, 51, a casino pit manager, of Uncasville, Connecticut.
Both men have been charged with second degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and driving under the influence.
Brulotte, allegedly was driving north of I-395 on Sunday night, April 5, 2009, when he crashed his Jeep Grand Cherokee in to the rear of Toyota Cambry being driven by Iris Soto, 59, of Willimatic, Connecticut. Ms. Soto died at the scene. Her passenger, Myrna Rodriguez, 65, of Willimatic, was treated for minor injuries. brulotte's blood alcohol level was .228 and .220 when taken at 1:01 A. M. and 1:33 A. M. Brulotte supposedly said, "I'm gonna get what I deserve. I didn't mean to hurt anyone." The judge set Bruiotte's Bail at $100,000.00. His next court date is April 28, 2009.
Mitch Leaghi, who works for the Mohegan Sun Casino, turned himself into police after he found out that an arest warrant had been issued for his arrest. On October 8, 2008, Leaghi allegedly was driving east on Route 2 when his vehicle side swiped a west bound car, then hitting another westbound car and then finally hitting a bus with Foxwood Casino workers in it. The car that was struck by Leaghi was driven by Arnott, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, who had just gotten off of work. He died at the scene. The bus driver and two (2) of his passengers were hospitalized. Leaghi's blood alcohol level was .186. The legal limit is .08 in the State of Connecticut. Judge Young set bail at $75,000.00 and ordered Leaghi to return to court on May 6, 2009.
The moral of this story, is please don't drink and drive. Both Route 2 and I-395 seem to be very dangerous highways. These seem to an abnormal number of accidents that happen on both roads. These accidents are tragic to the victims as well as the drivers. Lives were shattered. Things will never be the same for these people. Is there anything that can be done to stop this situation/ Do you know? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Congratulations to UCCON women's basketball for winning The NCCA Championship. Well done.
When people get behind the wheel of their cars after drinking alcohol, the situation can turn deadly. Two Connecticut men were brought before Judge Robert Young, in the Superior Court of Norwich on Monday, April 6, 2009. The defendants were Christopher Brulotte, 25, a construction worker of Lisbon, Connecticut and Mitch Leaghi, 51, a casino pit manager, of Uncasville, Connecticut.
Both men have been charged with second degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and driving under the influence.
Brulotte, allegedly was driving north of I-395 on Sunday night, April 5, 2009, when he crashed his Jeep Grand Cherokee in to the rear of Toyota Cambry being driven by Iris Soto, 59, of Willimatic, Connecticut. Ms. Soto died at the scene. Her passenger, Myrna Rodriguez, 65, of Willimatic, was treated for minor injuries. brulotte's blood alcohol level was .228 and .220 when taken at 1:01 A. M. and 1:33 A. M. Brulotte supposedly said, "I'm gonna get what I deserve. I didn't mean to hurt anyone." The judge set Bruiotte's Bail at $100,000.00. His next court date is April 28, 2009.
Mitch Leaghi, who works for the Mohegan Sun Casino, turned himself into police after he found out that an arest warrant had been issued for his arrest. On October 8, 2008, Leaghi allegedly was driving east on Route 2 when his vehicle side swiped a west bound car, then hitting another westbound car and then finally hitting a bus with Foxwood Casino workers in it. The car that was struck by Leaghi was driven by Arnott, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, who had just gotten off of work. He died at the scene. The bus driver and two (2) of his passengers were hospitalized. Leaghi's blood alcohol level was .186. The legal limit is .08 in the State of Connecticut. Judge Young set bail at $75,000.00 and ordered Leaghi to return to court on May 6, 2009.
The moral of this story, is please don't drink and drive. Both Route 2 and I-395 seem to be very dangerous highways. These seem to an abnormal number of accidents that happen on both roads. These accidents are tragic to the victims as well as the drivers. Lives were shattered. Things will never be the same for these people. Is there anything that can be done to stop this situation/ Do you know? What do you think?
Editorial Footnote: Congratulations to UCCON women's basketball for winning The NCCA Championship. Well done.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
CRUNCH TIME FOR UCONN WOMEN
Last week UCCON's mens basketball team was knocked out of the NCCA Championship in the first round of the final four. Tonight it is the UCONN women basketball's turn to win it all (the NCCA Championship).
Tonight on ESPN at 8:30 P.M. UCONN (38-0) takes on Louisville (34-4) at the Scottish Center om St. Louis, Missouri. UCCon got to the finals by beating Stanford 83 to 64. In that game UCCon's senior point guard, Renee Montgomery scored 26 points.
Tara Van Dderveer, Standford's coach said after the game about Montgomery, "I think she really was the difference maker. I told Geno after, I said, 'That's the player of the year, right there. She's phenomenal."
Tonight< UCCOn under Coach Geno Auriermma, could add to the NCCA Championships of 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. This is probably UCONN's year to win it all. Go UCCON go.
Tonight on ESPN at 8:30 P.M. UCONN (38-0) takes on Louisville (34-4) at the Scottish Center om St. Louis, Missouri. UCCon got to the finals by beating Stanford 83 to 64. In that game UCCon's senior point guard, Renee Montgomery scored 26 points.
Tara Van Dderveer, Standford's coach said after the game about Montgomery, "I think she really was the difference maker. I told Geno after, I said, 'That's the player of the year, right there. She's phenomenal."
Tonight< UCCOn under Coach Geno Auriermma, could add to the NCCA Championships of 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. This is probably UCONN's year to win it all. Go UCCON go.
Monday, April 6, 2009
LETTERS TO THE DAY
On Saturday, April 4, 2009, in the Day, in Section One, on page A4, under Letters to the Day, was the following letter. Please read it, you might find it informative.
LETTERS TO THE DAY .........Tribal annexation too costly for taxpayers.............."This is regarding the article titled"""Congress weighs effect of Supreme Court decision on tribal annexation," published April 2...............The following line from the article shows that the reason that annexation and federal recognition are desired is to fleece the taxpayers to pay for their government services ---rather than taxing themselves as other governments do. ..........."A panel of experts warned the committee....that a change in the status of tribal land could affect money for schools, hospitals and businesses on tribal lands."...........Curious, isn't it, that tribes see an injustice in having tow levels of tribes, but not in having tow levels of citizens: tribal and non-tribal"..........B.P., North Stonnington.
The reason, I posted this letter from the day, is because I believe it is important that tribal members understand how the general public of Connecticut view land issues by both federally recognized tribes and other business interest. In my opinion, it is obvious from the letter writers comments, that she did not understand the difference between annexation and land into trust.
The Mohegan Tribal Government (especially the Tribal Council and Council of Elders) need to do a better job on informing the people of Connecticut on these issues. We (the Mohegan Tribe) are not doing a very good job on this front. How can we do a better job? Do you know? Does the Tribal Council know? What do you think?
LETTERS TO THE DAY .........Tribal annexation too costly for taxpayers.............."This is regarding the article titled"""Congress weighs effect of Supreme Court decision on tribal annexation," published April 2...............The following line from the article shows that the reason that annexation and federal recognition are desired is to fleece the taxpayers to pay for their government services ---rather than taxing themselves as other governments do. ..........."A panel of experts warned the committee....that a change in the status of tribal land could affect money for schools, hospitals and businesses on tribal lands."...........Curious, isn't it, that tribes see an injustice in having tow levels of tribes, but not in having tow levels of citizens: tribal and non-tribal"..........B.P., North Stonnington.
The reason, I posted this letter from the day, is because I believe it is important that tribal members understand how the general public of Connecticut view land issues by both federally recognized tribes and other business interest. In my opinion, it is obvious from the letter writers comments, that she did not understand the difference between annexation and land into trust.
The Mohegan Tribal Government (especially the Tribal Council and Council of Elders) need to do a better job on informing the people of Connecticut on these issues. We (the Mohegan Tribe) are not doing a very good job on this front. How can we do a better job? Do you know? Does the Tribal Council know? What do you think?
DAVISON TO COURT TODAY
Uncasville, Connecticut, Monday April 6, 2009............Ken Davison, a Mohegan Tribal member will be in Mohegan Tribal Court challenging the Election Ordinance.
Motions will be heard In the case of Davison v. Mohegan Tribe Election Committee. Davison is asking for some evidence that has been filed to be removed as evidence. The attorneys for the Election Committee are supposedly asking for a dismissal.
The case involves, Davison's belief that he should not have to vote the total number of positions on a ballot, for his ballot to count. In other words, if there are four positions then a Mohegan Tribal Member voting in the election, according to the Election Ordinance, must vote for four positions for his ballot to count. Davison believes, the Mohegan Constitution allows tribal members to vote for less than the total number of positions available and the ballot should count. The election law and the Mohegan Constitution are at odds.
Most of the Mohegan Tribal members, I talked to believe that they are being made to do something (voting) they really don't want to do. They are being made to vote for people, that they would not normally vote for, for their ballot to count. The very process, influences the out come of the election. People are doing something that violates their constitution rights. Their Freedom of Choice is being influenced. This is wrong. The end result in the vote count is wrong, because people are not voting the way they want to vote.
The Mohegan Tribal Council has hired the three outside lawyers to fight Davison's challenge. Wouldn't it be better if the Tribal Council did the will of the Mohegan People? How much is this costing the tribe? Does anyone know? How about putting the Election Ordinance up for a vote? How about letting the people decide? Could it be that the present system helps the incumbents? Are some of the Tribal Council running for re-election? Does this situation have something to do with it? What do you think?
The motions will be heard today, in the Mohegan Tribal Meeting Room at 2:00 P.M. See you there.
Motions will be heard In the case of Davison v. Mohegan Tribe Election Committee. Davison is asking for some evidence that has been filed to be removed as evidence. The attorneys for the Election Committee are supposedly asking for a dismissal.
The case involves, Davison's belief that he should not have to vote the total number of positions on a ballot, for his ballot to count. In other words, if there are four positions then a Mohegan Tribal Member voting in the election, according to the Election Ordinance, must vote for four positions for his ballot to count. Davison believes, the Mohegan Constitution allows tribal members to vote for less than the total number of positions available and the ballot should count. The election law and the Mohegan Constitution are at odds.
Most of the Mohegan Tribal members, I talked to believe that they are being made to do something (voting) they really don't want to do. They are being made to vote for people, that they would not normally vote for, for their ballot to count. The very process, influences the out come of the election. People are doing something that violates their constitution rights. Their Freedom of Choice is being influenced. This is wrong. The end result in the vote count is wrong, because people are not voting the way they want to vote.
The Mohegan Tribal Council has hired the three outside lawyers to fight Davison's challenge. Wouldn't it be better if the Tribal Council did the will of the Mohegan People? How much is this costing the tribe? Does anyone know? How about putting the Election Ordinance up for a vote? How about letting the people decide? Could it be that the present system helps the incumbents? Are some of the Tribal Council running for re-election? Does this situation have something to do with it? What do you think?
The motions will be heard today, in the Mohegan Tribal Meeting Room at 2:00 P.M. See you there.
Friday, April 3, 2009
ATLANTIC CITY
Here we go again. Atlantic City gambling revenues are down again. Let's look at Atlantic City Casinos' results and also the results at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut....
Linda Kassekert, Chairwoman of the New Jersey Casino Commission said, "Last year was a particularly challenging one for Atlantic City's casino inustry. The decline in revenues and gross operating profits reflect the decline in the overall economy as well as the continued incerase in competition from gaming operations in neighboring states."
The resluts weren't good. In fact they were horrible. The Atlantic City casinos had 48.8% in gross operating profits for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. The gross operating revenues for 2008 was $940.9 million campared to $1.25 billion in 2007. That's $940.900,000.00 to $1,250,000,000.00. That's a decress of about $209 million ($209,000,000.00).
Gross operating profit represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, charges from affilates and other noncash charges. This the formula is supposedly used to measure profitabily of casinos, industry wide in the United States.
Occupancy in the Atlantic City hotels was down to 87.8% for 2008 compared to 91.6% in 2007. However, there were an additional 2,500 rooms available in 2008 compared to 2007.
Kassekert said, "While the occupancy rate fell a bit, more people actually spent the night in casino hotels last year. The total number of occupied room nights increased by almost 213,000."
For 2008 slot machine winningsw were down 9.6% compared to 2007. Table games in Atlantic City were down about 3% comparing 2008 with 2007. Total gaming revenues were down about 7.6% for 2008 compared to 2007.
Let's look at slot wins in Connecticut for 2008. Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand Casino were down in slot winnings 7.1% for 2008 compared to 2007. The Mohegan Sun Casino was down 6.5% for the same period (comparing 2008 with 2007).
Atlantic City casinos had a terrible year in 2008. The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino had a terrible year in 2008. THE MOHEGAN SUN HAD A TERRIBLE YEAR IN 2008.
Yes, the additional competition had an effect. However, these new casino just didn;t open up over night. They were years into planning, and construction. Yes, the economy has something to do with it. Why didn't the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Autrhority, the Mohegan Tribal Council) plan ahead for a slump in the economy? Was it poor palnning?
In my mind, the Mohegan Tribe, now finds itself in serious financial straights. The ultimate responsibility falls on the Mohegan Tribal Council. Who wanted to build a hotel we (the Mohgean Tribe) couldn't afford/ Who wanted to build and would again if things loosened up, staart building the government community center?
Harry Truman, when he was the President of the Unied States said, " The buck stops here." Ultimately what happens in the U. S. Government is the responsibility of the President. Shouldn't we apply the same standard to the Mohegan Tribal Council? Should we remember the mess we are in at election time? Should some of these people go? What do you think?.
Linda Kassekert, Chairwoman of the New Jersey Casino Commission said, "Last year was a particularly challenging one for Atlantic City's casino inustry. The decline in revenues and gross operating profits reflect the decline in the overall economy as well as the continued incerase in competition from gaming operations in neighboring states."
The resluts weren't good. In fact they were horrible. The Atlantic City casinos had 48.8% in gross operating profits for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. The gross operating revenues for 2008 was $940.9 million campared to $1.25 billion in 2007. That's $940.900,000.00 to $1,250,000,000.00. That's a decress of about $209 million ($209,000,000.00).
Gross operating profit represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, charges from affilates and other noncash charges. This the formula is supposedly used to measure profitabily of casinos, industry wide in the United States.
Occupancy in the Atlantic City hotels was down to 87.8% for 2008 compared to 91.6% in 2007. However, there were an additional 2,500 rooms available in 2008 compared to 2007.
Kassekert said, "While the occupancy rate fell a bit, more people actually spent the night in casino hotels last year. The total number of occupied room nights increased by almost 213,000."
For 2008 slot machine winningsw were down 9.6% compared to 2007. Table games in Atlantic City were down about 3% comparing 2008 with 2007. Total gaming revenues were down about 7.6% for 2008 compared to 2007.
Let's look at slot wins in Connecticut for 2008. Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand Casino were down in slot winnings 7.1% for 2008 compared to 2007. The Mohegan Sun Casino was down 6.5% for the same period (comparing 2008 with 2007).
Atlantic City casinos had a terrible year in 2008. The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino had a terrible year in 2008. THE MOHEGAN SUN HAD A TERRIBLE YEAR IN 2008.
Yes, the additional competition had an effect. However, these new casino just didn;t open up over night. They were years into planning, and construction. Yes, the economy has something to do with it. Why didn't the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Autrhority, the Mohegan Tribal Council) plan ahead for a slump in the economy? Was it poor palnning?
In my mind, the Mohegan Tribe, now finds itself in serious financial straights. The ultimate responsibility falls on the Mohegan Tribal Council. Who wanted to build a hotel we (the Mohgean Tribe) couldn't afford/ Who wanted to build and would again if things loosened up, staart building the government community center?
Harry Truman, when he was the President of the Unied States said, " The buck stops here." Ultimately what happens in the U. S. Government is the responsibility of the President. Shouldn't we apply the same standard to the Mohegan Tribal Council? Should we remember the mess we are in at election time? Should some of these people go? What do you think?.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
WELCOME
It's new. It's funny. It's informative. I like it. It's great. It's fiction. The situations seem familiar. It's a hoot. It's cool. It's for Mohegan Tribal Members. You should check it out.
What is it? It is the new blog, I found at Feather News. http://www.feathernews.blogspot.com/. You should check it out, it's under websites, entitled NEW BLOG.
Welcome aboard. I understand that a new blog, with political cartoons, is coming soon, too.
What is it? It is the new blog, I found at Feather News. http://www.feathernews.blogspot.com/. You should check it out, it's under websites, entitled NEW BLOG.
Welcome aboard. I understand that a new blog, with political cartoons, is coming soon, too.
PETITIONS
Recently, Mohegan Tribal Members made a petition to rescind Ordinance 2009-24, the Freedom of Information Ordinance. Supposedly, the Wuskuso never mentioned the petition.
The Mohegan Tribal Council's response was not to allow, this bad law (nick named the Restriction of Information Ordinance) to go, for a vote by the entire tribe. The Tribal Council killed (rescinded) Ordinance 2009-24.. It looks like, the Tribal Council never wanted the tribal membership to decide if they wanted the law or not . The Tribal Council took away the power, that the petition gave the tribal members who signed the petition to bring a bad law up, for a vote by the membership.
Last week, within the seven (7) day period 40 tribal members again signed a petition, in response to the Tribal Council's cancelling Ordinance 2009-24. This time the petition was to enact a Freedom of Information Ordinance of their own. This has never been done before. Other petitions have been done to rescind ordinances, never to enact an ordinance.
In my opinion, the Mohegan Constitution provides for the enactment of an ordinance by petition under Article XII -Article to Petition, Section 1...:"The members of The Tribe reserve to themselves the power to propose ordinances and resolutions and to enact or reject the same at the polls independent of the Tribal Council upon petition of thirty-five (35) of the registered votes within seven (7) days of such action.." Notice the phase "TO ENACT."
Two different petitions and I believe not one mention of either petition in the Wuskuso. How come?
I believe, that even though the Election Committee accepted the petition, that they will not send it forward because of the Law on Petitions. I believe, it will not be sent to the Tribal Council, who then would then be mandated to be send out to the membership, the proposed ordinance.. The Tribal Council would have 60 days, to send it out for a vote by the membership. This is what the Mohegan Constitution proclaims must be done. The Election Committee will have to abide by the Election law which specifies 40% of the eligible voters of the tribe to sign the petition. It appears, the Constitution says one thing and the law says something completely different.
Could a court case be coming? Should the Mohegan Tribal Council fix a law that clearly violates the constitution? Why isn't the Tribal Council doing the will of the people? How come the Wuskuso, supposedly, never mentioned the petitions? Do you know? What do you think/
Editorial Footnote: I have been informed that the Tribal Council passed a new Freedom of Information Ordinance on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 The vote was 8 to 1. Eight in favor and one against. Who do you think voted against the new ordinance? Is it another bad law?
The Mohegan Tribal Council's response was not to allow, this bad law (nick named the Restriction of Information Ordinance) to go, for a vote by the entire tribe. The Tribal Council killed (rescinded) Ordinance 2009-24.. It looks like, the Tribal Council never wanted the tribal membership to decide if they wanted the law or not . The Tribal Council took away the power, that the petition gave the tribal members who signed the petition to bring a bad law up, for a vote by the membership.
Last week, within the seven (7) day period 40 tribal members again signed a petition, in response to the Tribal Council's cancelling Ordinance 2009-24. This time the petition was to enact a Freedom of Information Ordinance of their own. This has never been done before. Other petitions have been done to rescind ordinances, never to enact an ordinance.
In my opinion, the Mohegan Constitution provides for the enactment of an ordinance by petition under Article XII -Article to Petition, Section 1...:"The members of The Tribe reserve to themselves the power to propose ordinances and resolutions and to enact or reject the same at the polls independent of the Tribal Council upon petition of thirty-five (35) of the registered votes within seven (7) days of such action.." Notice the phase "TO ENACT."
Two different petitions and I believe not one mention of either petition in the Wuskuso. How come?
I believe, that even though the Election Committee accepted the petition, that they will not send it forward because of the Law on Petitions. I believe, it will not be sent to the Tribal Council, who then would then be mandated to be send out to the membership, the proposed ordinance.. The Tribal Council would have 60 days, to send it out for a vote by the membership. This is what the Mohegan Constitution proclaims must be done. The Election Committee will have to abide by the Election law which specifies 40% of the eligible voters of the tribe to sign the petition. It appears, the Constitution says one thing and the law says something completely different.
Could a court case be coming? Should the Mohegan Tribal Council fix a law that clearly violates the constitution? Why isn't the Tribal Council doing the will of the people? How come the Wuskuso, supposedly, never mentioned the petitions? Do you know? What do you think/
Editorial Footnote: I have been informed that the Tribal Council passed a new Freedom of Information Ordinance on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 The vote was 8 to 1. Eight in favor and one against. Who do you think voted against the new ordinance? Is it another bad law?
DID IT HAPPEN?
This weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, the State Police of Connecticut will be patrolling and setting up sobriety check points in Montville. Specifically targeted is the area of Route 2-A .
I understand last weekend there were sobriety check points in the same area. On Route-2A in Uncasville, is two () exits between I-395 and the Mohegan Pequot Bridge (the eastern border of Montville Township). Exit 1 is the exit on and off Route 2-A to Route 32. Exit 2 is the on and off ramps leading into the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Insiders said that the Mohegan Tribal Police last weekend were checking cars leaving the parking garages at the Mohegan Sun Casino to see if the drivers were intoxicated. I have been told, although I couldn't confirm it, that drivers that the Mohegan Police felt were a little under the weather, were told to go back in the casino or go sleep it off for a few hours.
If this really happened, then stopping the drivers from going out on the roads and highways of Connecticut is a really good idea. With that in mind, maybe certain questions should be addressed.
Why let the patrons of the casino get to the point, where by their driving away from the casino, they are endangering themselves and other innocent people? Maybe the casino needs to do a better job of controlling the drinking inside the casino. I understand that giving people free drinks keeps patrons in the casino, so that they will gamble more. It also affects the judgement of the casino patrons. These are adult people (the patrons) making decisions for themselves.
What was the motive for what the Mohegan Police supposedly did (checking drivers leaving the parking garages) ? Was it because of the check points in Montville? Was it because of the alleged drunk driver who allegedly left Ultra 88 (night club in the Mohegan Sun) who drove the wrong way down I-395 resulting in the death of a Connecticut College student? Is this a real problem? Are the servers at the casino overly serving patrons? Are the staff at the casino serving the alcohol trained well enough?
Ultimately who is responsible for this situation (over serving patrons) in the casino? What is the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Mohegan Tribal Council) doing about this situation, if in fact it exists? Do we (the Mohegan Tribe) have a responsiblity to keep our patrons safe? Is the MTGA doing a good job on this front? What can we do? What should we do? What do you think?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: If you are going near the casino, this Saturday or Sunday, please don't drink and drive. .
I understand last weekend there were sobriety check points in the same area. On Route-2A in Uncasville, is two () exits between I-395 and the Mohegan Pequot Bridge (the eastern border of Montville Township). Exit 1 is the exit on and off Route 2-A to Route 32. Exit 2 is the on and off ramps leading into the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Insiders said that the Mohegan Tribal Police last weekend were checking cars leaving the parking garages at the Mohegan Sun Casino to see if the drivers were intoxicated. I have been told, although I couldn't confirm it, that drivers that the Mohegan Police felt were a little under the weather, were told to go back in the casino or go sleep it off for a few hours.
If this really happened, then stopping the drivers from going out on the roads and highways of Connecticut is a really good idea. With that in mind, maybe certain questions should be addressed.
Why let the patrons of the casino get to the point, where by their driving away from the casino, they are endangering themselves and other innocent people? Maybe the casino needs to do a better job of controlling the drinking inside the casino. I understand that giving people free drinks keeps patrons in the casino, so that they will gamble more. It also affects the judgement of the casino patrons. These are adult people (the patrons) making decisions for themselves.
What was the motive for what the Mohegan Police supposedly did (checking drivers leaving the parking garages) ? Was it because of the check points in Montville? Was it because of the alleged drunk driver who allegedly left Ultra 88 (night club in the Mohegan Sun) who drove the wrong way down I-395 resulting in the death of a Connecticut College student? Is this a real problem? Are the servers at the casino overly serving patrons? Are the staff at the casino serving the alcohol trained well enough?
Ultimately who is responsible for this situation (over serving patrons) in the casino? What is the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Mohegan Tribal Council) doing about this situation, if in fact it exists? Do we (the Mohegan Tribe) have a responsiblity to keep our patrons safe? Is the MTGA doing a good job on this front? What can we do? What should we do? What do you think?
EDITORIAL FOOTNOTE: If you are going near the casino, this Saturday or Sunday, please don't drink and drive. .
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