Keith Massaway
Unit 3 Autocrat
How Keith Massaway was Elected in Unit 3 should be the 8th wonder of the world. Up until recently Massaway could never be found in Tribal circles anywhere. However, he could often be found with his good pals at the Historical Society. The infamous Fast Freddie is his first Cousin and mentor. Many in the area believe that Fast Freddie put his cousin Keith up to running. Why? To put a stranglehold on the 2% distribution.
Fast Freddie knows how to pick them. The only criterion is to be easily persuaded. Keith Massaway certainly fits that profile. Massaway is a follower, not a leader. He had everything given to him through his Fathers family business. All the positions he held in the past were positions nobody wanted. In doing that, how could even the dullest piece of brass not shine?
Fast Freddie knows how to pick them. The only criterion is to be easily persuaded. Keith Massaway certainly fits that profile. Massaway is a follower, not a leader. He had everything given to him through his Fathers family business. All the positions he held in the past were positions nobody wanted. In doing that, how could even the dullest piece of brass not shine?
Pet Projects
After being elected Massaway learned quick from Fast Freddie. The first thing he did was put the City in his pocket. The City didn't care who it was, they only cared about how much it was. His good friends on the Michilimackinac Historical Society could hardly wait. Massaway was to make his first campaign promise listed below.
Raising funds and trying to save the Dr. Benson Collection and the Fort DeBaude Museum.
He raised funds alright and they came from the Sault Tribe. The Tribe committed in the neighborhood of around three quarters of a million dollars and possibly more. All 2% money for a Non-Governmental entity special interest project.
In the link below the Advocate points this out quite clearly in the article titled, Fort de Buade - The Other Story.
http://hli-wrc.com/mba/?m=200808
It's quite baffling to why the Sault Tribe would donate so much money for these items and the dilapidated building that houses them. This became a very controversial item, even up until this day. Massaway became the golden boy amongst his pals in the Michilimackinac Historical Society. Another added insult to the boondoggle by the bay quagmire.
Just this past fall Massaway gave the St. Ignace High School Football Team permission to practice at the "Free-Dome by the bay". Why? Because he can. The Board has no leash on his activities in Unit 3. That is the Tribes Dome, not Massaway's.
Also Massaway recently allocated 2% funds for the sprinkler system for a practice field football field when reading class was cut from academics. This is confirmed by Tribal Elder Tony Grondin in an email below.
Re: The Government Owned Newspaper
Sunday, February 8, 2009 9:34 PM
From: "Tony Grondin"
By the looks of all the ink on page 5 of the paper our leaders feel the I-500 is more important than the membership. While considering cuts from the elders funds, communications, etc., apparently sponsorship of the race was more important.
Also becoming more and more apparent Autocrat Bernard Bouschor is rubbing off on the McCoy Administration. Autocrat Bouschor rubbed it in our faces like this administration when they publish a quarter page picture of Goetz and Bouschor happily giving away our money.
BUT IT WAS A HARD DECISION according to their unit "REPORTS TO THE MEMBERSHIP. Kind of like Keith Massaway's reply "SO WHAT" when I told him it wasn't right to give away 2% money for a sprinkler system for a practice field football field when reading class was cut from academics.
After being elected Massaway learned quick from Fast Freddie. The first thing he did was put the City in his pocket. The City didn't care who it was, they only cared about how much it was. His good friends on the Michilimackinac Historical Society could hardly wait. Massaway was to make his first campaign promise listed below.
Raising funds and trying to save the Dr. Benson Collection and the Fort DeBaude Museum.
He raised funds alright and they came from the Sault Tribe. The Tribe committed in the neighborhood of around three quarters of a million dollars and possibly more. All 2% money for a Non-Governmental entity special interest project.
In the link below the Advocate points this out quite clearly in the article titled, Fort de Buade - The Other Story.
http://hli-wrc.com/mba/?m=200808
It's quite baffling to why the Sault Tribe would donate so much money for these items and the dilapidated building that houses them. This became a very controversial item, even up until this day. Massaway became the golden boy amongst his pals in the Michilimackinac Historical Society. Another added insult to the boondoggle by the bay quagmire.
Just this past fall Massaway gave the St. Ignace High School Football Team permission to practice at the "Free-Dome by the bay". Why? Because he can. The Board has no leash on his activities in Unit 3. That is the Tribes Dome, not Massaway's.
Also Massaway recently allocated 2% funds for the sprinkler system for a practice field football field when reading class was cut from academics. This is confirmed by Tribal Elder Tony Grondin in an email below.
Re: The Government Owned Newspaper
Sunday, February 8, 2009 9:34 PM
From: "Tony Grondin"
By the looks of all the ink on page 5 of the paper our leaders feel the I-500 is more important than the membership. While considering cuts from the elders funds, communications, etc., apparently sponsorship of the race was more important.
Also becoming more and more apparent Autocrat Bernard Bouschor is rubbing off on the McCoy Administration. Autocrat Bouschor rubbed it in our faces like this administration when they publish a quarter page picture of Goetz and Bouschor happily giving away our money.
BUT IT WAS A HARD DECISION according to their unit "REPORTS TO THE MEMBERSHIP. Kind of like Keith Massaway's reply "SO WHAT" when I told him it wasn't right to give away 2% money for a sprinkler system for a practice field football field when reading class was cut from academics.
SO WHAT!!
Massaway says So What! What planet does this guy come from? In the current world of technology, reading is essential to every single Child or Human Being. Now it's been established that Massaway has no commonsense. None! This is why the Sault Tribe has to develop some strict rules regarding 2% distribution.
Massaway says So What! What planet does this guy come from? In the current world of technology, reading is essential to every single Child or Human Being. Now it's been established that Massaway has no commonsense. None! This is why the Sault Tribe has to develop some strict rules regarding 2% distribution.
Massaway Is All Talk
Director Massaway is all talk. He takes one stand and then votes the other way on it. In his December 2007 Unit Report he says one thing and then shortly after votes the other way. However, he was not alone. Every Board Member except DJ Hoffman voted to giveaway around a million dollars to the Employee Incentive Program, when the Tribe was in deep financial trouble. Below are extracts taken from Massaway's report on 12-2007.
http://www.saulttribe.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=848&Itemid=300
Keith Massaway Unit III Representative
Sault Tribe Board of Directors
http://www.saulttribe.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=848&Itemid=300
Keith Massaway Unit III Representative
Sault Tribe Board of Directors
Do we really want to borrow on a hope?
"When is enough, enough? Can we ever give a big enough bonus? Can we ever give a large enough raise? Will we ever supply services that encompass everyone in every situation? The answer is no. I have been told by our CFO and others in accounting that the years 2007 and 2008 would be very difficult for our tribe. We almost made our fiscal 2007 year a success by balancing the budget. We emptied every cash account in order to do this. The board then voted to give an employee incentive. That puts the budgets in the red for 2007 by over one million. We cannot borrow the money from the banks in 2007 without a dollar for dollar match. We do not have the money to match the bank. I do not want to use our Land Claims Fund, so what does that leave the board to do? This is what governments call an unfunded mandate, that means the government makes a law to do something but has no funds to make it happen. There is also a referendum period of 30 days. The members of the tribe have the ability to send any decision of the board out to a vote of the people. I have been told that this process has been started and this issue of the incentives may go out to a vote. We cannot send out the check even if we could find the money because the vote of the people could overturn the decision of the board. That is where the incentive lies today, in limbo.
To compound this problem, in 2008, we will be $9 million short in our budget. The 2007 budget had a $28 million infusion of money that came from our businesses and enterprises. In 2008 that infusion will be only $17 million. With cuts and savings that we can make, we cut the $11 million difference down to $9 million. We must borrow $9 million. Onto this problem we add that this is an election year. Proposal after proposal comes to increase spending. Incentives, elder dividends, raises, program needs and several other worthy requests are arriving at an alarming pace. Do we keep adding to the debt or do we try to hold the reins tighter and slow down the run away horse? Some state that 2009 is our golden year, we will get an influx of $20 million from Greektown. That is a projection that has been presented to the board. I have been in business all my life and I know that projections are basically, a best guess. When pressed, it was later stated that Greektown has never met any of its projections to date. I am not saying that this projection will not be realized, I am just not going to count on all of this money. Do we really want to borrow on a hope? Do we really want to dig the tribe into a deeper hole hoping to be saved later?"
End of extract
My, my. What a savvy businessperson. Would he do that in his own business? He says not in his 11-2007 Unit Report.
11-2007 extract
Another issue is the incentive program (Christmas bonus) for our tribal enterprise employees. If the incentive is for only the tribal employees, then it is considered a per capita payment and our lawyers say we cannot do that. If it goes to all the employees, then the expense becomes enormous. I have owned businesses and have had many employees. I know how important the incentive is. I personally believe if there is any money over and above in the budget we should give everyone an incentive.
Recently our chief financial officer gave us a long presentation on the facts of the budget. He stated, “If we give out any bonuses we would have to borrow the money from the bank.” That puts the board in a predicament. If we don’t borrow, we may squeak by with a balanced budget in 2007. If we do borrow, then we will be putting the continued burden on the next year’s budget and compounding the poor financial outlook of 2008.
Another issue is the incentive program (Christmas bonus) for our tribal enterprise employees. If the incentive is for only the tribal employees, then it is considered a per capita payment and our lawyers say we cannot do that. If it goes to all the employees, then the expense becomes enormous. I have owned businesses and have had many employees. I know how important the incentive is. I personally believe if there is any money over and above in the budget we should give everyone an incentive.
Recently our chief financial officer gave us a long presentation on the facts of the budget. He stated, “If we give out any bonuses we would have to borrow the money from the bank.” That puts the board in a predicament. If we don’t borrow, we may squeak by with a balanced budget in 2007. If we do borrow, then we will be putting the continued burden on the next year’s budget and compounding the poor financial outlook of 2008.
End of extract
This is hardly what the Sault Tribe needs in a Leader. This hardly what Unit 3 needs in a leader. Aaron Payment used to say that certain people talk out of both sides of their mouths. I believe he was referring to Massaway and Fast Freddie, and anyone else who didn't fit his political ideology.
This is hardly what the Sault Tribe needs in a Leader. This hardly what Unit 3 needs in a leader. Aaron Payment used to say that certain people talk out of both sides of their mouths. I believe he was referring to Massaway and Fast Freddie, and anyone else who didn't fit his political ideology.
The Deal On 2% Distribution
It seems all along that Unit 3 reps. may have been mis-allocating 2% money. In an inquiry by Tribal Elder Tony Grondin below, that question is asked.
January 26, 2007
Honorable Judge, Gordon J. Quist
U.S. District Court of the Western District of Michigan
110 Michigan NW
399 Federal Bldg.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
RE: Civil No. 1:90 CV 611
Dear Honorable Judge Quist,
I am respectfully requesting clarification of a portion of Part 8 of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; Hannahville Indian Community; and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Plaintiffs, v. John Engler, Governor of the State of Michigan, Defendants.
Part 8, page 6, “Each tribe shall determine which local unit or units of governments shall receive payments and the amounts thereof; provided however, the guidelines governing the tribes in making said determinations shall be based upon compensating said local units of government for governmental services provided to the tribes and for impacts associated with the existence and location of the tribal casino in it’s vicinity; and provided further, however, that out of said aggregate payment, each local unit of government shall receive no less than an amount equivalent to its share of ad valorem property taxes that would otherwise be attributed to the class III gaming facility if that site were subject to such taxation.”
Am I to understand that, “ad valorem” means the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, owners of Kewadin Shores Casino, located in St. Ignace Township, County of Mackinac, State of Michigan is to make payment from 2% monies to St. Ignace Township in the amount equal to the Taxable Value of Kewadin Shoes Casino to include all buildings and contents?
Further, am I to understand that the taxable value of this class III facility is to be determined by the St. Ignace Township taxing authority using the Michigan taxable formula applied to all other class III properties in St. Ignace Township?
As for any violation of Civil No: 1:90 CV 611, could you please tell me the enforcing venue of any alleged violation? Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Elliott A. Grondin
251 Pine Trail
St. Ignace, MI. 49781
Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Elder
St. Ignace Township Resident
You Go Tony!!!
Perhaps in due time Tribal Elder Tony Grondin will share the response he received.
If the claims are true that the 2% allocation should go to St. Ignace Township, then Massaway and those before him have some explaining to do. This was questioned before many times in the past. St. Ignace Township didn't get jack from the 2% autocrats in Unit 3. This all should be done within the legal parameters of the 2% Compact. Chairman McCoy claims he has Tribal Attorney and St. Ignace homeboy, Aaron Schlehuber on it. Another loyalty that is in question.
The Advocate on 2% http://hli-wrc.com/mba/?p=138
When the day is done, Massaway can say he kept only one of his campaign promises. All the rest are lies. Just look at his Mentor Fast Freddie and you will see how Massaway works the ropes.
It appears that Massaway may be trying to influence freshman Director Rickley. Will director Rickley become his own man and do the right thing?
Below are Massaways watered down promises.
It appears that Massaway may be trying to influence freshman Director Rickley. Will director Rickley become his own man and do the right thing?
Below are Massaways watered down promises.
Always available to Constituents
1. I WILL NOT BE FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE. THIS BOARD SEAT WILL BE MY FULL TIME JOB.
2. I WILL SET UP AN OFFICE SO YOU CAN MEET WITH ME IN PRIVATE. I WILL HOLD OFFICE
HOURS TWICE A WEEK, THREE HOURS AT A TIME SO YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHERE TO
REACH ME.
3. I WILL CALL BACK, I WILL RESPOND, I WILL CARE.
1. I WILL NOT BE FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE. THIS BOARD SEAT WILL BE MY FULL TIME JOB.
2. I WILL SET UP AN OFFICE SO YOU CAN MEET WITH ME IN PRIVATE. I WILL HOLD OFFICE
HOURS TWICE A WEEK, THREE HOURS AT A TIME SO YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHERE TO
REACH ME.
3. I WILL CALL BACK, I WILL RESPOND, I WILL CARE.
Higher Education
Increased funding for vocational and technical job training for our youth and our tribe at large.
Increased job assistance, training and procurement of jobs for our tribal community first.
Work to have a merit based tuition waiver for all aspiring youth.
Work to have a merit based tuition waiver for all aspiring youth.
Social Services
Our tribal youth programs are on the chopping block at the federal level and we must make sure that we retain them because our youth are our future and we must help them all we can.
Listen and support our elders. The elder group in St.Ignace area are
doing great things and they are working well together putting on their
programs. We as a board must encourage and participate with them.
Health Care
To make the new hospital and Tribal Health Center dream a reality so
we will have increased access to health care locally.
To tirelessly work on budgets so we can best utilize the money we have
in the best places and to direct a fair share of tribal revenues toward
health care. I believe that health care for elders and children should be
one of our highest priorities. I’m committed to improving and extending
all types of medical services to all tribal members.
Elder Commitment
we will have increased access to health care locally.
To tirelessly work on budgets so we can best utilize the money we have
in the best places and to direct a fair share of tribal revenues toward
health care. I believe that health care for elders and children should be
one of our highest priorities. I’m committed to improving and extending
all types of medical services to all tribal members.
Elder Commitment
To be involved, to go to elder meetings, go to elder events, to listen, to help,to bring their spirit to the Board of Directors. To make sure the Elder dividend never goes down and will always increase. To record our past so others may understand who we were and who we are, so we can remain true to
our heritage and culture. To help elders establish local goals that will
improve tribal awareness and communication with all facets of our
community.
In just over a year there will be another Tribal Election and Massaway is expected to run again. "Look not at what he has done for you, but look at what he has done for himself"
Vote No To The Autocratic Director
