Political Appointments Gone WildDarcy Chase was hired as the Shores Casino Manager for one reason. Her Moms vote for Aaron Payments plan of lunacy. She certainly wasn't qualified. There are many many Sault Tribe Member Employees who are much more qualified than her. Below is an excerpt from the St. Ignace News outlining Chase's qualifications.
December 15, 2005
Darcy Chase Hired as Casino Manager at St. Ignace KewadinDarcy Chase of Moran has been hired as the general manager of Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace. The former assistant casino manager was appointed interim general manager in May.
In her new position, she oversees the work of approximately 400 casino employees and works with department managers toward the smooth operation of the casino, which is owned by Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Ms. Chase was born and grew up in Manistique and attended Northern Michigan University. She began working for the tribe as a student at Tribal Social Services, then became a family resource specialist at the Tribal Health Center in Manistique. She joined Kewadin Casinos as marketing coordinator for the Manistique and Christmas casinos in 1999 and was appointed assistant casino manager at Kewadin Shores in January 2004.
She is the daughter of Frank and Denise Chase of Manistique.
Yep Denise Chase's daughter who happens to be a Secretary for the Sault Tribe and who sits on the Sault Tribe Board of Directors. With no floor experience, Darcy Chase was hired into a Top Management position then. You can see she was hired as Assistant Casino Manager at Kewadin shores in January of 2004.Now what does that bring into mind? Not only did Denise Chase support Aaron Payments plan of destruction, but she also supported Bouschors. Bouschor was the Chairman when she first was promoted. It is no big secret Bouschor and Payment set-up Denise Chase's and Tom and Martha Miller' relatives with good jobs and other deals in lieu of their vote.People in Unit Four need to realize that their representatives are filling them with empty promises come Election time, while they take care of their friends and relatives. Think about it. In all the time on the Board, how many resolutions did Unit Four Representatives bring to the table? You folks in Unit Four need change.
Obviously she was politically hired to an Upper Management position under Bernard Bouschor in Jan, 2004. Bouschor lost the Election and she was all Payments. No Casino experience and she jumped right in the middle of the construction of the infamous "Mistake by the lake". A construction abortion that cost the Tribe millions in lost revenue.
Sault Tribe Press Release
Kewadin Casino Appoints C.O.O.
Thursday, 26 May 2005
Kewadin Casinos has announced the appointment of current Kewadin Shores Casino Manager Anthony Goetz to the position of Interim Chief Operating Officer of Kewadin's five casino properties. With the advent of promoting Anthony Goetz to the position of Interim C.O.O, his second in command at the Kewadin Shores Casino, Darcy Chase will be promoted to fill the role of Interim General Manager at Kewadin Shores located in St. Ignace, Michigan.
According to Tribal Chairperson Aaron Payment, "Tony Goetz is the highest ranking Tribal team member and has the longest length of service of any of our executive management team members in the area of gaming. I am very proud to be able to promote two highly qualified Sault Tribe members to their new responsibilities.
"Mr. Goetz has worked in the gaming industry for over 17 years. He began his career at the Vegas Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie in 1988 as a blackjack dealer and was promoted to Pit Boss in 1989. In 1991, he was promoted to Kewadin Shores Casino Manager at the St. Ignace property and has been there through all the expansions of the business. In 1999, he was additionally assigned oversight responsibilities for the Manistique and Hessel casino properties. Mr. Goetz was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie and after attending Sault Area Schools served in the US Marine Corps. He is married to the former Donna Captain and has 4 children and one grandchild. Mr. Goetz is also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
"I'm honored to accept this appointment and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead for Kewadin Casinos, " stated newly appointed Kewadin Casinos Interim C.O.O. Tony Goetz.
Darcy Chase, who is currently the Assistant General Manager at the Kewadin Shores Casino has been in the gaming industry for the past 6-years and has been working for the Sault Tribe for 18 years. In 1999, Ms. Chase embarked on her gaming career as the Marketing Coordinator for both the Manistique and Christmas casinos. In 2000, Ms. Chase was hired as the Assistant Casino Manager at the Christmas Casino and then in 2004 was hired as the Assistant Casino Manager at the St. Ignace Casino. Ms. Chase is also a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
"I have been working within the Tribe for 18 years and I am very happy to see how the Tribe has developed in that time. As a Tribal member, I am very proud to be able to stay within my community and work," stated Chase.
The new C.O.O. will report to the Kewadin Casinos Gaming Authority with operational supervision provided by Aaron A. Payment, Tribal Chairperson/ CEO.
The recent promotion of managerial team members marks Kewadin Casino's commitment to improving gaming operations and improving customer service, while advancing opportunities for Sault Tribe members.
PAYMENT IS PROUD TO HAVE APPOINTED POLITICAL EMPLOYEES
There have been many reports from St. Ignace that Darcy Chase has been escorted out of the Shores Casino for being plastered. What a way to set an example.
She has been suspended from work at least two times, and the word is she was recently again suspended. Sleeping on the job, getting thrown out of the Casino. What next?
The Board can and needs to terminate Darcy Chase. Stop the embarrassment!
The Paquin Situation
Former Director Paquin was suspended several times within the last year. Now the FBI and BIA are allegedly investigating suspended Chief Of Police Paquin. During all this time Former Director Paquin and suspended Chief Of Police Paquin has been getting paid. The Community is tight lipped on this one. Regardless if the FBI and the BIA are investigating Former Director Paquin and suspended Chief Of Police Paquin, there must be some very serious allegations.
The Tribe has a tendency to protect the higher echelon regardless of what they have done. Maybe it was because of the infamous evergreen contracts crafted under Bernard Bouschors watch? Below are some of the various articles that were published Nation wide regarding Fred Paquin.
Sault Tribe Police Chief Scandal « Turtle TalkDec 13, 2007 ... Fred Paquin, who is also police chief for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was removed as chairman of the Detroit casino in ...turtletalk.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/sault-tribe-police-chief-scandal/ - 36k - Cached - Similar pages
Smoke Signals: CHIEF OF POLICE: FRED PAQUIN SUSPENDED DUE TO ...FRED PAQUIN SUSPENDED DUE TO FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Chairperson Aaron Payment announced the Sault ...chippewatribe.blogspot.com/2008/05/chief-of-police-fred-paquin-suspended.html - 60k - Cached - Similar pagesSault tribe police chief returns to work - PowWows.com GatheringMarie, Michigan (AP) The police chief with the Sault Ste. ... Tribal spokesman Cory Wilson tells that Fred Paquin returned to workrecently. ...www.powwows.com/gathering/news/43971-sault-tribe-police-chief-returns-work.html - 56k - Cached - Similar pages
St. Ignace: Fred Paquin Faces 2nd Suspension
Fred Paquin of St. Ignace has been suspended from his post as the tribe's chief of police for a second time in eight months. Sault Ste. ...www.yourstreet.com/2008/5/13/26/3333237/fred-paquin-faces-2nd-suspension - 25k - Cached - Similar pagesNews From Indian Country - Sault tribe police chief returns to workThe police chief with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa is back on ... Tribal spokesman Cory Wilson tells that Fred Paquin returned to work recently. ...indiancountrynews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2908&Itemid=109 - 33k - Cached - Similar pages
Greektown Casino Chairman Steps Down After Assualt Charges ...Dec 15, 2007 ... Fred Paquin, the chairman of the Greektown Casino board of directors has ... Paquin, aged 50, is also a police chief for the Sault Ste. ...news.777.com/2007-12/casino-chairman-faces-assualt-charges - 21k - Cached - Similar pages
Smoke Signals: Sault Tribe Retaliation Layoffs?
Darryl Brown, funded by advertising sales to the Sault Tribe news, ... Fred Paquin - suspended for theft. Under investigation by the FBI and the BIA. ...chippewatribe.blogspot.com/2008/08/sault-tribe-retaliation-layoffs.html - 64k -The Oakland Press: Police
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) -- Prosecutors have dismissed an assault charge ... Fred Paquin, 50, reached an agreement with the state attorney general's ...www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/030308/pol_20080303387.shtml - 38k - Cached - Similar pages
Macomb Daily : BREAKING NEWS: Greektown Casino chairman resigns ...Fifty-year-old Fred Paquin also is police chief for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He denies an assault. But he has been suspended with pay ...www.macombdaily.com/stories/121307/loc_20071213011.shtml - 36k - Cached - Similar pages
IndianzCom News Assault charge against exSoo police chief droppedProsecutors in Michigan dropped a misdemeanor assault charge against the former police chief of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Fred Paquin ...www.indianz.com/News/2008/007425.asp - 13k - Cached - Similar pages
Assault case topples Greektown Casino chairman"Fred Paquin, who is also police chief for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was removed as chairman of the Detroit casino in November -- only ...www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=170313 - 11k - Cached - Similar pages
In the first incident involving the former legal secretary Paquin entered into a deferred prosecution agreement. If he doesn't engage in any assaultive or threatening behavior for the next six months and completes an assessment and counseling, the charge will be dropped. Something obviously happened or Paquin would have never been under those restrictions.
So do we continue to pay this nuisance when the Board just passed a resolution to restrict evergreen contracts? The Tribes eyes have been blackened enough?
Terminate Paquins contract and pay him his 6 months pay and move on. Why continue to pay someone who is not working? If Paquin is found guilty then what? How will the Tribe retrieve the money he made during the suspension? Let's not forget the three State Police incidents reports and the Massey case.
In the last Election history was made. The people voted change and expect change.
Politically Using Our Elders
Since inception, the so deemed Elder check as been a political football. Initially the Tribe was making money hand over fist. Then came the greed of a few. In order to justify the high salaried employees who sat on the board and reaped every and any benefit possible. They devised a plan.
That plan was to appease the Elders and figure the rest wouldn't complain. Then comes the continual promises around election time to pledge to increase the Elder dividend. All knowing full well that the Tribe was in deep financial trouble and are top heavy. This body knew full well that each and every Member is a stockholder.
Tribe Mails Out 2000 Dividend Checks"Sault Tribe's Elder Dividend Program"
From John Hatch Communications Director Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians NAIIP News Path ~ Sunday, January 7, 2001
SAULT STE MARIE, MI - The Sault Tribe's Elder Dividend Program mailed checks to 2,020 elders Jan. 5. Each check totals $1,280.14 and was sent to tribal elders who turned 60 years of age by Dec. 31, 2000.
This year's Elder Dividend payment totals about $2.8 million and comes from a $19.7 million land settlement the federal government paid to the Tribe in 1997, which the tribal Board of Directors invested and earmarked to fund yearly Elder Dividend payments.
Chairman Bernard Bouschor said the program is an investment that tribal elders can rely on. "It's distributed about $7.9 million to tribal elders since 1998 and it will continue to generate funds for future generations," Bouschor said.
The program is one of several trust accounts the tribe created in the past five years to provide future funds to tribal services. Known as the Tribe's Self-Sufficiency Program, these trusts accounts annually generate millions of dollars to help elders pay for medical supplies, provide elder employment opportunities, help members with college expenses, and provide member funeral benefits.
The Three Kings (Bouschor, Lumsden, and Payment) and their small court. That included Shagen, Paquin and Chase.
Bouschor - A 17-year incumbent who also served as CEO of Northern Michigan Casinos and Greektown.
Lumsden - A three term Board Member. Lumsden was on the board when it created the position of executive director to oversee the tribe’s government programs and services. He applied for the position and was hired by chairman Bouschor.
Paquin - The infamous Chief of Police and longtime Board Member with a tattered background. Currently suspended with pay from his Chief Of Police job. Pending an investigation by the FBI and BIA.
Shagen - He was first elected to the Sault Tribe Board of Directors in 1998 and was again elected to the board of directors in 2003. He also served as Chief Counsel for the Tribe.
Payment - Elected in 1996. Former Vice Chairman under Bernard Bouschor. He also held the seperate position of Deputy Executive Director. As board vice-chairman, Payment helped create and set the salary scale for the position he now holds.
All had high paying jobs and the luxury of making their own rules and wages by sitting on the Board at the same time.
If you are an Elder and think you benefited from this. We are here to tell you that a small group of others benefited big time at your expense. They knew if you could be appeased the others would not complain. They didn't even bother to include the disabled who by tradition are special people.
Not Enough Money
During that time there was really no Board Members who worked full-time for the people. Certain ones figured they needed more money for their now lavish lifestyles. Verbatim from an article in the Detroit News.
"The most recent of the raises came in October 2000 when, with the tribe hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, board members increased their salaries 33 percent. They made the hike retroactive, going back five years.
At the same time, the board gave tribal employees a modest 6-percent raise. It wasn’t retroactive.
The annual salaries of board members jumped from $48,000 to $64,000. Those who had been on the board for five years pocketed $80,000 in back pay.
The raises came at a time when the tribe was contemplating cutting services and staff at several of its businesses. Since the salary increases, the tribe has laid off 170 casino workers.
Because the board meets about six hours a week, the salary increase made board members — who get the equivalent of nearly $200 an hour — among the highest paid legislators in the country.
Tribal spokesman John Hatch insists board members deserve the money because they have responsibilities beyond attending meetings." End of article.
This happened nearly 8 years ago. The Board of Directors have not had a raise since. With the rate of inflation, the rising cost of living, and the rising of Meetings and workshops. The Board is probably at about the right salary. At least some of them. About half the Board consider their political responsibility as part-time.
Rumor Control
There have been rumors that Aaron Payment is working behind the scenes with a certain segment trying to reduce the Board salaries he helped create himself. Again the word is the Elders and a few disgruntled Employees are key in Payment's plan to continue to hijack the Tribe because he lost in the Election. Again Payment uses his false persona to misdirect Tribal Members on the truth.
One Of The Tribes Tough Guys
John Hatch has always been one of the biggest opportunist in the Tribe. Of course you have his Sister Nancie who is equally opportunistic as well.John Hatch made a statement to the Detroit Free Press unofficially that was simply not true. The article is below.Sault Tribe Laying Off Workers To Fight Deficit
BY MARGARITA BAUZA FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER August 2, 2008
Greektown Casino's majority owner, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is laying off 2% of its 2,000-member workforce as the tribe struggles with a $15-million budget deficit.
Spokesman Cory Wilson said layoffs are under way and will happen across the board at its five Kewadin casinos and its governmental operations. The tribe is majority owner of Greektown Casino, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May.It also owns five casinos in the Upper Peninsula, which are in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Hessel, Christmas and Manistique. Wilson said the tribe's dire financial straits are partly because of Greektown Casino's financial troubles."Casino revenues are down across the state, tourism is not the same, gas prices are high, a lot of things that play into this," Wilson said. "All Sault tribe laying off workers to fight deficit of our operations are doing anything we can to avoid more layoffs. This is a last resort. "Wilson said he was unclear how the layoffs would affect services to the tribe's members such as health care and education but it is doing what it can to keep them intact.A tribal statement said: "Over the years, millions in tribal reserves has been dwindled down to nothing. According to financial analysts, if changes are not made, the tribe will not recover."The tribe's leadership declined to give specific numbers on job cuts. However, John Hatch, a former spokesman, said 369 cuts are expected to take place in the next 10 weeks and about 65 people were laid off this week.Tribe member Nathan Wright, 41, a Web site administrator, was laid off Thursday. "I was told that they were downsizing ... and that we would be eligible for unemployment. Normally, there's an appeal process, but it's not available right now," Wright said."There's a lot of places that are downsizing right now, but usually they get the top-heavy people, not the small guys like myself. But we're a
tribe, and that's how we do things, I guess."
Contact MARGARITA BAUZA at 313-222-6823 or mbauza@freepress.com.
END OF ARTICLEJohn Hatch The MusclemanUnder the Bouschor and Payment Administrations, John Hatch always got his way. He has physically threatened many Tribal Members and Employees in the past. His most recent incident was at a Board Meeting where John Hatch pushed and threatened a Tribal Board Member. Hatch's intent was to clearly start a physical confrontation. This Director stood above that and the Police were called in and escorted Hatch out the door. John Hatch is under the assumption that he can do whatever he wants to whoever he wants on Tribal Land. His days of lawlessness are about to be over.No Stranger To Cover-ups And Excuses11/12/01 Spokesman for Sault Tribe unhappy with negative press By SCOTT BRAND/The Evening News
SAULT STE. MARIE -- A scathing indictment of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians sitting Board of Directors and Tribal Chairman Bernard Bouschor appearing in Sunday's edition of The Detroit News, drew sharp criticism from Tribal Spokesman John Hatch early today.
"First of all the articles were heavily sensationalized," he said. "The people interviewed are those from our community who are regularly in political opposition. ... In every area that they worked on they ignored our responses, ignored our documents and presented the information in the harshest manner possible to sensationalize the story."The Detroit News articles that start as the top story on Sunday and jumped back to nearly two full pages inside allege a widespread series of abuses with tribal leaders reportedly squandering the $250-million-a-year empire and keeping the money from the members who need it the most. In addition, the 29,000 members have little or no control over how the money is spent and are unable to hold the leadership accountable when those moneys fail to fund tribal services.
Bouschor's salary of $100,000 a year as tribal chairman, plus an additional $167,000 as the tribe's chief operating officer for casino operations were also called in to question as The Detroit News explored a large, retroactive pay increase. The board of directors received a similar bonus as their pay jumped from $48,000 to $64,000. According to published calculation, tribal legislators are knocking down approximately $200 an hour and most of them have other jobs as well. Many of those full-time jobs, it turns out, are upper echelon positions within tribal operation.Restrictive election ordinances, The Detroit News further alleges, prevent approximately two-thirds of the 29,000 members from engaging in tribal politics. Secretive business dealings, a high rate of federal investment into tribal programs and no apparent mechanism for profit sharing were also cited in the investigative report."We are astounded that a newspaper like The Detroit News would produce such negative and biased news," said Hatch, adding that while the publication is known for hard-hitting exposs this particular series crosses the line. "It's not just hard-edged, but in this case they moved into fantasy."This is not just investigative reporting, but a wrongful condemnation of tribal communities everywhere," said Hatch. "We don't feel it was fair or on-target. It was over-dramatized and over-sensationalized. They discounted all of our initiatives, policies and procedures that have helped to move the tribe from a poor community to one where there is health care, education and housing."He also added the story lacked balance as the reporters from The Detroit News failed to use any documents or quotes that showed the tribal administration in a positive light: "They didn't let the facts get in the way of their reporting."Admitting there is not much the tribe can do immediately to counteract the negative press it received Sunday, Hatch indicated meetings with The Detroit News and responses in the tribal newspaper are planned."To be honest with you it will take a while to recover from such an onslaught, but we will," he said. "We will take the time to get our message out there."END OF ARTICLEBig BullyOn 7/21/02 John Hatch was taken into custody for the following.Pair arrested
SAULT STE. MARIE -- Sault Police visited the 1600 block of Riverside Drive at approximately 10 a.m. Saturday serving a pair of warrants in the process. John P. Hatch, 50, and XXXXXXXXX, 24, both of the Sault, were taken into custody on separate disorderly-fighting warrants.The arrests stem from a police investigation into a July 6 altercation at the Sugar Island Ferry Dock.Both men were processed at the station and released from police custody with the posting of $100 cash bonds.Board And Police ActionIt is time the Board and the Police act within their legal parameters and solve this pessimistic behavior by John Hatch. He like anyone else is not above the law. An example needs to be set to prove the Tribe has no tolerance for this behavior.
The Proverbial Carrot
TWO PERCENT IS BLOOD MONEY AND SHOULD BE PROHIBITED! WE ARE A SOVEREIGN NATION AND THAT MONEY IS OURS! IT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON IN BOARD MEMBERS POLITICAL ARSENAL
CAVEAT: This article is one of a series of editorial articles that express personal opinions and views. They are written with no pretensions to be error free. I will gladly correct substantial errors of fact. My opinions can change, depending upon my awareness of changes in factual information. It is my intent to remain focused on specific public issues, regarding the personalities involved. For all I know, all the characters are saints, concerning their private lives and other public business...
02/12/07 The following letter, concerning the apparent corruption of Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians gaming 2% revenue distribution, was written with the intent of pursuing the subject as an agenda item at a future Manistique City Council meeting. Manistique City Manager Sheila Aldrich's reports and communications, at the Manistique City Council meeting of 02/12/07, changed my intentions, immediately. I will not waste my breath, or the Manistique City Council's time; rather, I will say what needs to be said, here.
12/12/06 Beware of Sault Tribe Indian Givers Bearing Gifts In 1996, as a Manistique City Councilman, I took exception to a great deal of misleading publicity that labelled, as a "gift", the $500,000 provided the City of Manistique, by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The money was used to complete the basic construction of Manistique's multi-purpose recreational building, and provide a usable ice rink. As city councilman, I voted for the terms of a written contract that purchased the use of the facility,
over a ten year period, for specific periods of time, and sold, to the Sault Tribe, the right to name the facility, and provided certain other specified consideration. I do not know if that "gift" was carried on the Sault Tribe's books as payments from the 2% of its net video slot machine revenue that it owed local governments, i.a.w. tribal gaming compacts with the State of Michigan. At the time I voted to accept the contract, beyond "gambling revenue", I knew nothing about where the 2% money came from, what it was supposed to be used for, what strings were attached beyond the contract, or if any State controls applied. Regarding those involved, putting the "deal" together, I assumed, at the time,that the project was, primarily, the consequence of the close business relationship between Sault Tribal Board Chairman Bernard "Bernie" Bouschor and First Northern Bank President, Ronald "Ronnie" Ford, with the encouragement of other community movers and shakers that stood to gain, in some fashion. At the time, I couldn't imagine that the Sault Tribe had nothing better to do with $500,000 of tribal money than to give it to the City of Manistique, for the recreational benefit of a few tribal members that might use the facility.
In the apparent context of a confidence game, it seemed, to me, that the obvious Manistique publicity value of the "gift" spin was a "no brainer", regardless of the truth of the matter, and City Manager Housler was anyone's ""yup-yup" man", and a required partner. It was an easy sell to Manistique. What I didn't understand was why a $500,000 "gift", that benefited so few Sault Tribe members, was acceptable to Bernie Bouschor's political rivals. What I didn't know was that the Sault Tribe, in general, benefited by the use of 2%funds to purchase benefits for Sault Tribe members. What I didn't know at the time, and still don't, was if the money used to purchase the use of the recreation building was represented, to the State of Michigan, as 2% money, to be distributed to local governments. What I do not know, is if the apparent, and likely, accounting slight of hand,allowed the skimming of $500,000 of Sault Tribe money, for other purposes. Over the following years, I came to understand the reason and purpose of what was referred to as "2% money". I learned to appreciate, first hand, the corrupting economic and political influence that is wielded by easy gambling money, when it is invested in a local bank presided over by the morally bankrupt. I learned what "2% money" buys, when the Sault Tribe chooses the government entities, or facilities, that it will support with discretionary "2%money", over which it has sole control to determine what "2% money grant" request is most deserving, or not. I learned that nothing in the Tribal Gaming compacts, with the State of Michigan, suggest or state that "2% money" is to be used by the Tribe to purchase goods and services for tribal members; quite the contrary, the money is to be allocated to government entities or non-profit organizations for them to spend, as they deem necessary. According to terms of the gaming compact, no additional "payback" or "kickback" or "benefits" for Native American casino owners is implied, suggested, or required. The gaming compacts hint nothing of bribery and blackmail, as a necessary part of qualification for 2% funds. With the progress of time, the consequences of the corrupt business dealings between Bernie and Ronnie severely crippled the bank, and cost Sault Tribe members, and other bank investors, a substantial fortune, that few people wish to acknowledge, or remember. So why should the financing of Manistique's multi- purpose recreational building be free of their corrupting influence? At the Manistique City Council meeting of December 11, 2006, an agenda item regarding the multi-purpose recreation building was introduced by City Manager Aldrich.
After a short discussion, Council voted, unanimously, to approve a $75,000 contract with the Sault Tribe, for the Tribe to purchase the use of the multi-purpose recreation building for specific periods of time, along with other consideration, for five years. At that televised meeting, the verbally stated source of the funding was the tribal-state gaming compact mandated 2% money. No part of the Council approved written contract indicated the origin of the funds, beyond the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Assuming that Manistique City Council members, and the City Manager, knew what they were talking about, AND, assuming my basic understanding of the origin, purpose and distribution of "2% money" is correct, why is the Sault Tribe buying services, by written contract, for tribal members, with the money bound by the state gaming compact to be distributed to
local governments, or non-profit organizations of its own choosing? Assuming my understanding is correct, why is the City of Manistique selling substantial value to receive a "2% money grant",that is, by the written terms of the contract, not a grant, but payment for the contracted use of recreational facilities, and more? Who are the current civic leaders and tribal leaders that are so brain-dead,from my perspective, that they choose to maintain a decade old perversion, into a confidence game, of a relatively benign term of the gaming compacts.
I never read that tribal members purchased the right to hunt with the new law enforcement pistols that 2% money purchased for the Schoolcraft County Sheriff Department. I never heard that the Sault Tribe purchased the right to use the county jail for a pow-wow, because they provided 2% money to help local law enforcement. I never read that the Tribe bought the right, with 2% money, to change the name of our "Bishop Baraga" park to Ronnie Ford or Bernie Bouscher Park. I have yet to read of a contract to time share the new public safety pumper truck, with 2% money. I have no reason to believe that the 2% money that has gone to LSSU,Habitat for Humanity or an animal shelter, purchased any entitlement, for any tribal members, to periods of free or contracted tuition, room and board, or pet care. So why do I see a process corrupted in 1996, in part due to my ignorance,continue to bare the legacy of Ronnie and Bernie's "Creative Accounting 101", that gored the community so deeply? Am I a blind ol' geezer, already, whose perception of the world is the consequence of little more than senile dementia?
I understand the Manistique City Council approved contract of December 11 as the spawn of the 1996 contract, the one I voted for, some 10 years ago. It was claimed, at the time, that the one half million dollars was "2% money". Needless to say, IF the $500,000 was 2% money, and my current understanding is correct,how did the Tribe get to write it off as 2% grant money, when they used it to purchase recreational benefits for Sault Tribal members? How will the Sault Tribe account for the recent $75,000 of 2% money that it used to purchase recreational benefits for Sault Tribe members, for the next five years? IF that 1996 $500,000 was not 2% money, then my concern is little more than knowing, for sure, that it was not credited to the gambling compact mandated 2% money allocations, and that $500,000 in real 2% money was distributed; in addition to the $500,000 the Sault Tribe used to purchase tribal recreational benefits. My same concerns apply to the $75,000 of the December 11, 2006, City Council approved contract. It should be apparent to all, from this rant, that I admit that I was, regarding the 1996 contract, too naive and ignorant to understand the details of what I consider now, a blatant public confidence game, that I was part of.
No other public official, in 1996, or later, has expressed any concern, that I am aware of, regarding the propriety of the 1996 contract, or the contract approved on December 11, 2006. To me, it is as if confidence games are a necessary and acceptable local government procedure to achieve political goals, or Manistique's elected officials are incapable of learning. In 1996, I would never have voted, knowingly, to sell, by written contract, the use of city recreational facilities for 2% grant money. I would never have been part of a confidence game that could enable the Tribe to claim, to the State,that it distributed $500,000 in 2% money, if it didn't. Do I know that the Sault Tribe did claim, to the State of Michigan, that the 1996 $500,000 contract purchase money was 2% grant money? No I do not. Do I "think" they did? Yes, with little doubt. I have waited 10 years for the appropriate opportunity to speak and I am more than willing to ask, now, the questions that may alleviate any ignorance and delusions I may have acquired during that period. I hope the answers I hear make more sense than those I heard 10 years ago, and that my speculated "con by compact" is nothing more than a figment of my imagination. To me, the 1996 contract looked like a scam, it smelled like a scam, and, in my mouth, it still tastes like a scam. To me, the 2006 contract is no better. There is a reason for the historical control, by organized crime, of the "vice" related businesses of drugs, prostitution and gambling. I have patronized all of them, in past lives, and I know of which I speak. Just in case the Manistique City Council, and City Manager Aldrich, fail to understand my concerns, or choose to ignore my concerns; from my perspective,the 2% money is legislated unconditional compensation for the local Kewadin Casino's impact upon the community's resources and infrastructure, under the guise of a "sovereign nation". In return, the Sault Tribe gains a government right to victimize local residents by preying upon a facet of basic human nature; the perpetual search for pleasure and thrill.
I do not like what I perceive to be the Sault Tribe equivalent of organized crime, conspiring with local leaders, to dictate to the non-tribal residents of Schoolcraft County what the Tribe will gain, additionally, in return for the 2% of net slot revenues that buys their State granted right to victimize local residents. The two written contracts are testimony to my claims. They stand as testimony to the fact that the Sault Tribe purchased substantial value for that which the Sault Tribe, and the City of Manistique, claimed to be 2% money grants, as required by the terms of the gaming compacts. If the purpose of the 2% grants is to provide the Sault Tribe a tax-free means to purchase goods and services, for tribal members, then you have my abject apology for this public tirade, but, before my apology becomes effective, I will need far more reason than the past self-serving and vague public proclamations of civic responsibility and Sault Tribe largess. Part of the gambling wealth generated by preying on productive members of society is used to purchase political influence to prey upon them, further. As far as I am concerned, the December 11th unanimous vote by Manistique City Council,along with the 1996 contract I voted for, were bought by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, acting as a criminal enterprise.
01/12/07 The following is quoted from the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians newspaper, "Win Awenen Nisitotung", dated 01/12/07, page 7, within the article titled "Saving Anishinabeg Artifacts". I read this, at the breakfast table, on the morning of 01/15/07, one month after writing the rest of this article. "Two percent funds are derived from the compact we signed with the State of Michigan to allow us the right to operate casinos in Michigan. The compact reads that two percent of the net revenue from the slot machines must be given to local units of governments. This money must be given freely and accounted for by the tribe as such. You have seen the photos in the paper before. It goes for roads, fire trucks,animal shelters, sports teams and numerous community improvement projects." I never thought, when I wrote my justified rant, that I would read a plain English statement of justification for my ire, from a Sault Tribe source, before the recent ill conceived agreement was signed by the Mayor of Manistique, Dave Peterson, and the Sault Tribe Chairman, Aaron Payment. Sincerely, Peter Markham"
Since I wrote the first part of the "letter", in 12/12/06, I sought a copy of the signed 12/11/06 contract from the Manistique City Clerk's office,and from Manistique City Manager Aldrich. Every time I asked, I was told that thecontract was not confirmed by personnel of the Sault Tribe. At the Manistique City Council meeting of 02/12/07, under the agenda catchall heading of "Reports and Communications", City Manager Aldrich announced, as a simple matter of fact, that the Sault Tribe approved the agreement. No details,or reference to a signed agreement; little more than might accompany a personal agreement, sealed with a hand shake, to complete a "done deal", with everyone's understanding of the terms. After the meeting was adjourned, I asked City Manager Aldrich where I might get a copy of the signed contract. With a guilty look on her face, she told me there was no written signed contract. Assuming I had misunderstood her, I rephrased the question. Same answer; no written contract. Paul Olson, wearing his Pioneer Tribune "Ace Reporter" hat, spoke up and asked if the City had the money. Aldrich said it had. While I was present, I heard no mention of an amount, at any time, during or after the council meeting, but was informed later that Aldrich had stated that the City had received $7,500. I haven't the slightest idea whether the money was a bag of cash, check, casino tokens, how much, for what, and for whom. The City now has an amount of money,acquired under mysterious circumstances, vouched for by nothing more than the empty and vague words of Manistique city officials; that I have learned to distrust. Regardless of whether new recreational benefits were purchased for Sault Tribe members, in 2007, by a verbal contract, with current two percent revenues, they were definitely purchased in 1996, by the terms of a written contract, with money that may have been for that purpose; or not. Still, 10 years later, the same old shell game.
03/12/07 During the "Reports and Communications" agenda item, of today's Manistique City Council meeting,City Manager Sheila Aldrich stated that there were "no strings" attached to the $75,000 two percent gambling revenue to be used to finish the kitchen of the multipurpose recreation building. There was no comment by any council member. I have no idea what happened to the consideration documented in the contract signed by Mayor Dave Peterson. Perhaps I imagined all that I wrote of and no explanation is due, regarding the most recent verbal agreement spoken of this evening. Why the sudden difference, compared to the last two written versions,that documented what the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians were purchasing with the two percent money, instead of distributing, freely? Would the State of Michigan care to fill in the details, so conveniently omitted at tonight's council meeting, that changed apparent fraud to appropriate compensation, by evading the responsibility to state the reasons for the changes from the documented agreement? Had I not spoken up, would the residents of Schoolcraft County have to submit to continued bribery, or blackmail, to get what was due? How easy it is to maintain the fiction of responsible, moral, ethical and law abiding officials, by ignoring the details of public responsibility.
