Previously Gov. Engler wrote:
September 26, 2002
Vanderbilt residents voice casino opinions
- Some are unhappy, some are pleased that town may not get casino
By DAN SANDERSON
Record-Eagle staff writer
VANDERBILT - Vanderbilt officials and residents want some explanations from Gov. John Engler and the Bay Mills Indian Community on their recent pact that would allow the tribe to build a casino in Port Huron …
... The pact would settle a Bay Mills land claim to 110 acres of state and private land in the Charlotte Beach area in the Upper Peninsula's Chippewa County. In return, the tribe would be allowed to take land for a casino in Port Huron into trust through the federal Department of Interior.
"...the Bay Mills Tribe in using the Charlotte Beach homeowners as political pawns. Make no mistake about it - Congressman Stupak's proposal is solely about trying to give the Bay Mills Tribe an otherwise illegal casino in Otsego County."
"...the state of Michigan has stood by these properly owners since day one, defended them in court, and won the dismissal of the Bay Mills lawsuit against the Charlotte Beach owners. I have no doubt that this dismissal will hold up on appeal..."
The pact hinges on congressional approval of a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing. Rep. David Bonior, D-Mt. Clemens is expected to introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Tom Shields, president of the Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group, confirmed Wednesday that the proposal to build in Vanderbilt is no longer on the table.
"The basic feeling is that they're still very interested in Vanderbilt and would like to do something there in the future, but the economics of the Port Huron location were too good to ignore," Shields said.
Note:
Shields is the long-time political/PR guru for the Ilitch Family and often spokesman for their various enterprises and front groups. At least 2/3rds of his Lansing PR firm's clients have some affiliation with the Ilitch Family.
His quote makes it clear that the Bay Mills Indians and their financial backers, The Ilitch Family & associates, were looking to leverage the land claims for the most lucrative highly trafficked urban location.
The agreement with Engler limits Bay Mills to three casinos in the state and does not permit more electronic gaming facilities besides the three in Detroit and 20 tribal casinos across the state. Bay Mills has two casinos in Brimley …
… "This is a unique opportunity that presented itself that would settle the land claim, bring years of litigation to a close and limit the Bay Mills tribe to three casinos in the state," said Susan Schafer, Engler's spokesperson.
Stupak said he would back Stabenow's bill "if she can move it."
"I appreciate the governor's help in resolving this issue," he said…
But Governor Enlger had previously written:
"...I find it remarkable that Congressman Stupak would step in at this late date and join with the Bay Mills Tribe in using the Charlotte Beach homeowners as political pawns. Make no mistake about it - Congressman Stupak's proposal is solely about trying to give the Bay Mills Tribe an otherwise illegal casino in Otsego County."
"...the state of Michigan ... won the dismissal of the Bay Mills lawsuit against the Charlotte Beach owners. I have no doubt that this dismissal will hold up on appeal..."
… Gayle and Dave Embree, who operate a small grocery store, were split on their support of a Vanderbilt casino…
Gayle said she hoped the casino would help the schools and village financially and questioned why Engler changed his stance on the expansion of casinos.
"He said he could not justify any more casinos and now that his term is up - boom - Port Huron gets one," Gayle said.
Meanwhile, Port Huron officials expressed surprise and disappointment over Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's plan to fight their efforts to open a casino. And gaming experts said Port Huron has several hurdles to face, including Detroit's opposition.
Dennis Whittlesey, a Washington gaming expert, said Detroit lobbyists could make it tough to gain congressional approval for the casino agreement between Gov. John Engler and the Bay Mills Indian Community. (FULL STORY)
http://www.gtherald.com/2002/sep/26reax.htm
You may also want to review these posts:
The Verifiable Truth: Port Huron struggles, is worthy of a break; but editor fails to recognize local casino plan has national shockwaves, which supersede local needs
The Verifiable Truth: in Governor John Engler's opinion, "Michigan has enough casinos"
The Verifiable Truth: Aide negotiated '11th Hour' Port Huron casino deal for Gov. Engler; then returned to private practice, retained by those who got the deal
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