tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24087571433346491522024-03-07T18:07:04.021-08:00The Verifiable TruthIt's all verifiable: archives, resources and stuff they might not tell you.<br>
A comprehensive archive chronicling the activities of Motor City casino syndicators (Marian Ilitch & Family, Michael Malik, Herb Strather, etc.); their associates, partners & affiliates; and the unfulfilled commercial & Indian casino schemes they are bankrolling in Michigan (Port Huron, Flint Township), Hawaii (Waikiki), New York (Long Island / The Hamptons), and California (Barstow).Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.comBlogger1763125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-65946622525627235452016-03-16T18:35:00.000-07:002016-03-16T18:35:33.575-07:00Controversial Casino Agent Michael J. Malik is a Police Reservist?According to the MLive.com last year Feds were looking into finances and other curious activity in Oakley, MI and discovered that controversial casino man Michael J. Malik, Sr. is a police reservist in the Saginaw County Village. See documentation uncovered and released by the Feds below. <div>
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Now, why would the 61-year-old millionaire need to have a reservists badge. And more so, why would the Oakley Police be considering a reservist with such strong gambling industry ties.<div>
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In 2009 when Malik filled out the application pictured below he described his abilities as:</div>
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Business and development skills, 45 years of boating skills on the great lakes, excellent shooting skills, excellent people skills, strong in political skills & contacts, real estate broker.</div>
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Lists as friends:</div>
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<li><a href="http://verifiable-truth.blogspot.com/search/label/William%20Serwer" target="_blank">William Serwer</a> (his lawyer)</li>
<li>David Gorcyca (former Oakland County prosecutor)</li>
<li>Bud Halewicz</li>
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Malik represented his business as <a href="http://verifiable-truth.blogspot.com/search/label/MJM%20Enterprises" target="_blank">MJM Enterprises Development</a> which he described as a Major Entertainment Development enterprise and says the company was working on casino development in New York, Michigan, California and Antigua. He indicated he also owns World Famous Whitetail Hunting Lodge and Animal Scent Co.</div>
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Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-52251830385190283912016-03-15T17:22:00.000-07:002016-03-15T17:24:00.598-07:00Barstow Official Suggests Indian Casino There May Be Part of Obama Legacy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B3aFU2pbZIIdYTY2OTdmMTItMDVhMS00ZDU4LThmOGQtNzY2NzRjMDY3MzVh&hl=en_US"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh14Ennl_VSsCa24u8S7uL9rWV2Gz59vrWIx7YMCMyx866_8DVV4c2pdwWo9t_N1zSntBAN2V093xx8jGsfhR0t50QRMe5cDxlvrM2G1VQ6YTIPyLo2bMhnGP2Yl3DVZ35yi9SH2B3fg/s200/Desert+Dispatch.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20160315/barstow-optimistic-on-casino"><b>Barstow Optimistic on Casino</b></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.9px;">City official says project may be part of Obama legacy</span><br />
Desert Dispatch | 3.15.2016<br />
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A city official
believes there is a possibility that the U.S. Department of the Interior will
approve the environmental document for the proposed Indian casino in Lenwood by
the end of the year as part of President Barack Obama's legacy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"We have
heard informally that there is the possibility that the study will be reviewed
and released by the Department of the Interior sometime before the end of the
Obama administration," Gaither Loewenstein said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The economic
development and planning manager shared his perspective on the Los Coyotes Band
of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians' bid to build a off-reservation casino in
Barstow with those attending the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast
mixer at the Ramada Inn on Tuesday morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"There
is some sentiment that perhaps he (Obama) might want to approve this as a
legacy project. For that reason, we remain guarded but optimistic regarding the
casino," Loewenstein said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once the
project clears the federal government hurdle, a compact must be negotiated with
Gov. Jerry Brown and then approved by the state Legislature.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Loewenstein
admitted that there has been a lot of confusion over the approval process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"The
confusing aspect of this project is that the stage it is at doesn't have
timelines associated with it," Loewenstein said. "It took them so
long to review it that the data got old. They had to get fresh data for the
environmental document. At this stage, the ball is in the Department of the
Interior's court."...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/20160315/barstow-optimistic-on-casino" target="_blank">Full Article</a></div>
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Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-86587488034562123402016-03-15T16:56:00.000-07:002016-03-15T16:58:59.999-07:00Property in Downtown Detroit with a history of Ilitch OwnershipAs a reminder... At one time or another, during the last decade members of the Ilitch family, Michael Malik or their affiliates and enterprises controlled all these properties in the down town Detroit area.<br />
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Take a look.<br />
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<iframe height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=z7hX12O0IQ08.k-iriwE9z_IA&hl=en_US" width="600"></iframe>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-79832669076953775152016-03-15T16:44:00.002-07:002016-03-15T16:47:10.909-07:00Despite A Hiatus, TheVerifiableTruth.com has welcomed 187,000 VisitorsAlthough administrators at TheVerifiableTruth.com have been on hiatus, the blog has still managed to welcome nearly 20,000 visits a year for a total of more than 187,000 visitors since the blog started in 2006.<br />
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Given that things are reportedly heating up for a possible BIA determination on the application by the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians and their Detroit gambling partners, perhaps we should delve back into things? Let us know what you think. <br />
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Also, if you've got news and details you want us to consider sharing regarding Marian Ilitch, Michael Ilitch, Michael Malik or their various affiliates and endeavors, forward those to allverifiable@gmail.com.Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-79182122469680991942012-02-01T08:00:00.089-08:002012-02-01T08:00:09.530-08:00Waikiki Casino Advocates: An Unlikely Coincidence or In Cahoots?<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Radcliffe & So-called Citizens Group Both Report </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Expenditures of $39,093.10</span></i></b></div><br />
Is it mere coincidence or in cahoots that Citizens for a Better Way and Radcliffe & Associates <i>both</i> reported expenditures totaling $39,093.10 for the period ended April 30, 2011?<br />
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<b>Background</b><br />
<a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/search/label/John%20Radcliffe" target="_blank"><b>John Radcliffe</b></a>, a lobbyist for gambling interests and vice president with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii,<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/73080190/Radcliffe-Associates-LLC-Articles-of-Organization" target="_blank"> re-established his defunct Radcliffe & Associates</a> in February 2011. In April 2011, he switched his representation of <a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/search/label/Marketing%20Resource%20Group" target="_blank"><b>Marketing Resource Group</b></a> (MRG) from Capitol Consultants of Hawaii <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/73071959/John-Radcliffe-RALLC-Lobbyist-Registration-for-MRG-4-01-11?in_collection=3346221" target="_blank">to Radcliffe & Associates</a>. MRG is the Lansing-based PR/Political firm representing Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., founders of Detroit's MotorCity Casino. Those casino syndicators have pursued plans to develop a Waikiki casino. Radcliffe has represented MRG and its Detroit gambling clients for the better part of the last decade. Records reviewed by TVT, suggest that MRG was the only Radcliffe & Associates client during the period ended April 30, 2011. For the period ending April 30, 2011, Radcliffe & Associates reported "other disbursements" of $39,093.10 (see disclosure below). Radcliffe did not disclose who received those payments nor has he disclosed where the nearly $40,000 he paid came from. <br />
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Coincidentally, or not, in April 2011, a so-called "citizens" advocacy group supporting plans by Radcliffe's clients to build a Waikiki casino appeared out of nowhere on the political landscape. A woman with a questionable past, <a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/search/label/Liz%20Watanabe" target="_blank"><b>Liz Watanabe</b></a>, was said to be the organizer of <a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/search/label/Citizens%20for%20a%20Better%20Way" target="_blank"><b>Citizens for a Better Way</b></a> (CFBW). However, it's clear that Radcliffe and his associates had their hand in the creation of the group. Radcliffe has denied to reporters any role in organizing, managing or funding the organization. He clearly mislead Honolulu's press corps. Among other things, an associate at Radcliffe's Capitol Consultants lobbying firm established and owns the CFBW website. In April, CFBW launched and reportedly paid for a sophisticated lobbying campaign, including robo-calls to voters, designed to urge Hawaii's legislators to approve the stand-alone Waikiki casino scheme promoted by Radcliffe's and his clients. The campaign was very similar to other political advertising campaigns launched by Marketing Resource Group in various communities where the Detroit casino syndicators have interests. Nothing in Watanabe's background suggests she has any experience or familiarity with such sophisticated paid political advertising efforts<br />
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And coincidentally, or not, CFWB also reports spending $39,093.10 during the period ended April 30, 2012 (see disclosure below). It's not clear who received the payments from Watanabe/CFBW, or where she got the nearly $40,000 she reports spending. What is clear is that Watanabe, who filed an individual $387,000 bankruptcy just weeks later, didn't use her own money.<br />
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Did Radcliffe provide Watanabe with nearly $40,000? Did Watanabe pay Marketing Resource Group (MRG) or its usual vendors to carry out the political advertising campaign? Where did Radcliffe & Associates come by funds it spent? Since Marketing Resource Group is seemingly the only Radcliffe & Associates client, it would make sense that the funds expended by Radcliffe came from MRG. However, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/80020471/Marketing-Resource-Group-Hawaii-Lobbying-Expenses-Period-Ended-April-30-2011" target="_blank">MRG only disclosed paying Radcliffe $11,890.21</a> during the period ended April 30, 2011?<br />
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<b>You be the judge: was it a coincidence that both Radcliffe & Associates and Citizens for a Better Way both reported spending exactly $39,093.10 or are John Radcliffe/Marketing Resource group in cahoots with Liz Watanabe?</b> If you believe they are in cahoots, then you should urge the Hawaii Ethics Commission and/or Hawaii's Attorney General to look into the matter because clearly they've participated in a conspiracy.<br />
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<b>Official Disclosure Filings</b><br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/79883946/Radcliffe-Assoc-Lobbying-Expenses-Ended-2011-04-30" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Radcliffe Assoc Lobbying Expenses Ended 2011.04.30 on Scribd">Radcliffe Assoc Lobbying Expenses - Period Ended 2011.04.30</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.726840855106888" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_8364" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/79883946/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-225y8af5y52znuf0xwfd" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/79883951/CFBW-Lobbying-Expenditures-Ended-2011-04-30" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View CFBW Lobbying Expenditures Ended 2011.04.30 on Scribd">CFBW Lobbying Expenditures - Period Ended 2011.04.30</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.726840855106888" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_98264" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/79883951/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-18pk7nh4th46hppmqurm" width="100%"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">
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</script>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-44916449293733004202012-01-31T14:24:00.003-08:002012-01-31T14:34:56.668-08:00Blogger: Sault Tribe's Lansing Casino Won't Happen; Mayor Irresponsibly Dangles Economic Carrot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Turtle Talk</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/commentary-on-sault-tribes-proposed-lansing-casino/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiqSXNznJPsCwXV6YxvSjgSHSnOi6DhRrWzAH5WQ4DsHLqxC2gD0xE8KYabEjH6cvL8inPOQJswVswwLMeDW0SYjEsFf6zpPoVbl7Kc6J2j22o9XOZbF4PEkU8dOqe8l_YKom8UzDC80/s200/Turtle+Talk+Masthead.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<b><a href="http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/commentary-on-sault-tribes-proposed-lansing-casino/" target="_blank">Commentary on Sault Tribe’s Proposed Lansing Casino</a></b><br />
1.23.2012<br />
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I can’t not say anything, since this proposed casino is in our own backyard. But seriously? <a href="http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/lansing-mayor-announces-sault-tribe-casino/">The mayor says in 12-24 months he expects construction to start, and then another year or so after that there will be a fully functioning Indian casino in Lansing</a>.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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We’re going to predict that it won’t happen. No chance.<br />
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Off-reservation Indian gaming is the most hotly-contested, politicized issue in American Indian affairs right now and maybe forever. Think of the interests arrayed against a Lansing casino, let alone one owned by an Indian tribe. The Detroit casinos will be opposed because it will cut into their bottom lines, and the entire City of Detroit, the Michigan Congressional delegation, the unions,everyone will throw their weight against this casino proposal...<br />
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Of course, I’m no political scientist. Politics is money (see <a href="http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2008/2008_08_205" target="_blank">Citizens United</a>) and anything can happen, including a backlash against Indian gaming that persuades Congress to ban off-reservation gaming. But the mayor’s three years is a dream, and kind of sick thing to promise to people in Lansing who might believe the mayor and see this as a real possibility for improving their lives. (<a href="http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/commentary-on-sault-tribes-proposed-lansing-casino/" target="_blank">Complete Blog Post)</a>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-86777512815175960242012-01-30T11:00:00.002-08:002012-01-30T11:24:05.765-08:00Long Island Citizens Opposed to Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans will meet Thursday, Feb. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5OBPyx4s-SrSOcmfi7O6fyQS3xozSDEQXogxXCmph3OkqcyGrx7yS_ohaVYdZ9s7FunE1GVgLm1TsJ4csov5U49RzfZOFHw9GKEYTMgc6-M4TC9clAEclpOggVFXMwgm8ow1n7-R3gQ/s1600/Stop+the+Belmont+Casino+Mtg+Notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5OBPyx4s-SrSOcmfi7O6fyQS3xozSDEQXogxXCmph3OkqcyGrx7yS_ohaVYdZ9s7FunE1GVgLm1TsJ4csov5U49RzfZOFHw9GKEYTMgc6-M4TC9clAEclpOggVFXMwgm8ow1n7-R3gQ/s640/Stop+the+Belmont+Casino+Mtg+Notice.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br />
A group organized to stop plans by Detroiters to use the Shinnecock Indian Nation to develop a casino complex at the famed Belmont Racetrack on Long Island will hold a community meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 at 5:30PM, Floral Park Recreation Center, 124 Stewart Street, Floral Park, New York. Information about the group is available at <a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.org/">StopTheBelmontCasino.org</a> or on Facebook at "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Belmont-Casino/225731060782101" target="_blank">Stop the Belmont Casino</a>."Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-19572727688533314202012-01-30T09:14:00.002-08:002012-01-30T10:39:29.227-08:00Opponents of Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans Using FacebookLong Island citizen activists have organized to fight plans by Detroiters Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Marian Ilitch to develop a casino & entertainment complex using the Shinnecock Indian Nation at the Belmont Racetrack on Long Island. To support their efforts, opponents of the Belmont Casino have developed a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Belmont-Casino/225731060782101" target="_blank"><b>facebook page</b></a>. Click the graphic below to "Like" the page and stay informed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Belmont-Casino/225731060782101" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSS0P1U0MSy2CkXithSEQ4foT1QIztcCgdQJKR9vDJ9A_E-GB5bx-zs1teCLZI-C4JIuJRccWtjGXu5CYbZ4wAN4EB_81Xd8NbNVMMXDDN4c4KXIElThAlyPaJgkHhcuIJ8vcb8SS_6FU/s400/Stop+the+Belmont+Casino+-++Facebook.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also visit: <a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.com/"><b>StopTheBelmontCasino.com</b></a></div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-240213106744246692012-01-30T08:00:00.001-08:002012-01-30T20:36:13.037-08:00Mayor Heralds Off-Reservation Casino Schemes in Lansing; Then Uses Racial Slurs to Attack Native American OpponentsLansing Mayor Virg Bernero recently announced a plan to bring a $245 million tribal casino to downtown Lansing. The casino would be adjacent to the Lansing Center near Cedar Street and Michigan Avenue. However, there's nothing to suggest that the Sault Ste Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians has the necessary state and federal approvals to build any off-reservations casino. <br />
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In fact, the former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission has <a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/2012/01/former-nigc-chair-opines-sault-tribes.html">recently opined</a> such would be illegal under current guidelines.<br />
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Bernero subsequently came under fire for what two Michigan tribes described as a <a href="http://www.freep.com/fdcp/?unique=1327984274757" target="_blank">string of anti-Indian racial slurs</a> at a fund-raising speech last week, denied Monday that he directed his remarks toward Americans Indians, but apologized “to any and all who were offended by my choice of words.”<br />
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James Ramos, candidate for San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor, on proposals for casinos in Barstow, CA. He is the former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians<br />
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<div align="center"><b>click arrow below to play here</b><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tnDUb9I_97k" width="560"></iframe> </div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-58394306884957224972012-01-27T09:02:00.001-08:002012-01-31T13:22:41.267-08:00Hawaii Gambling Advocates Push for Slots at Honolulu Convention Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/stutz/Hawaii_gaming_supporter_wants_to_place_slot_machines_at_Honolulu_convention_center.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEkCnidTSjySUXbAJEWKE77RSGMByafoEd0-NFDV1-fYfcSxtTE2u4D_6Glo2W2f5DvEpRgQEl49Ozt-qe_QK-8phlDRInSa_3ldabvrUWqy-FLbsSfbYym_RkixXjQx9_7JBi3PYFMY/s320/Las+Vegas+Review+Journal.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><a href="http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/stutz/Hawaii_gaming_supporter_wants_to_place_slot_machines_at_Honolulu_convention_center.html" target="_blank">Hawaii gaming supporter wants to place slot machines at Honolulu convention center</a></b><br />
1.25.2012<br />
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By Howard Stutz<br />
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If it’s January, then it’s time for another casino gaming proposal to surface in Hawaii.<br />
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Gambling proponents believe Honolulu’s 15-year-old convention center would be the perfect location for slot machine casino. Revenues from the games would help pay for a renovation to the facility.<br />
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Randy Tanaka, the assistant general manager of the convention center told KITV News, Honolulu’s ABC affiliate, that he was not aware anyone was pushing gaming proposals for the center.<br />
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“It’s news to me,” said Tanaka.<br />
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Hawaii is one just two states, along with Utah, that does not have any form of legalized gaming.<br />
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The Hawaii Tourism Authority said it has not taken a position on gambling, but longtime gambling supporter Joe Souki told the TV station the convention center is under consideration.<br />
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“There is some possibility we could put it there and start it off quickly,” said the Maui lawmaker.<br />
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Souki has introduced a bill for a stand-alone entertainment center and casino. It calls for a single casino, centrally located in Waikiki and not attached to any hotel.<br />
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Other bills in the Hawaii Legislature would allow Internet gambling, slot machines in resort areas and at the Honolulu International Airport.<br />
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In the past gaming legalization bills have faced stiff opposition from opponents.<br />
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<b>Blogger's Note:</b> Gambling lobbyist John Radcliffe and his clients Detroit gambling industry clients have previously floated the idea of converting some or all of the existing Convention Center space into a gambling and entertainment venue. The Detroit gambling interests have some experience converting existing space into gambling use and they have experience working with publicly owned arenas and convention centers.Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-58745588480067489962012-01-25T09:14:00.008-08:002012-01-30T11:46:28.653-08:00Editorial: Lansing casino would be a lousy bet for Michigan<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQkgkC2KdhA60X-ETsm0jMxMWZNC2Bci4ahyphenhyphen-b6LcLJQhHxYYZT-WKndOxN4SOmBImd5gN_nDOeTmm39f_mnmfXN-5M7kjfxQx57u6a_3HsDu7iQClWqrT69I33Yq0tsLS8L__znow5w/s1600/detroitFreePress.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQkgkC2KdhA60X-ETsm0jMxMWZNC2Bci4ahyphenhyphen-b6LcLJQhHxYYZT-WKndOxN4SOmBImd5gN_nDOeTmm39f_mnmfXN-5M7kjfxQx57u6a_3HsDu7iQClWqrT69I33Yq0tsLS8L__znow5w/s200/detroitFreePress.gif" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120124/OPINION01/201240310">EDITORIAL</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">By Editors, Detroit Free Press</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">As only the most recent arrivals in the long line of players looking for a piece of Michigan's casino gambling action, Lansing and Mayor Virg Bernero should know better.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5nf_FgcLUZjTpNB5bj-aOcMKfEv80GDSvZtcx7T7JKcs5ztde5rn8VvLeMoE6TOu5qADhAqi3cXUKOtDV_x_iG2iLm-9Do8WUB3GsJ9ZH9pYm5OWxTpLRYd7z5mUDDE4LTJsM6uJq8k/s1600/Kewadin+Lansing+Rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5nf_FgcLUZjTpNB5bj-aOcMKfEv80GDSvZtcx7T7JKcs5ztde5rn8VvLeMoE6TOu5qADhAqi3cXUKOtDV_x_iG2iLm-9Do8WUB3GsJ9ZH9pYm5OWxTpLRYd7z5mUDDE4LTJsM6uJq8k/s320/Kewadin+Lansing+Rendering.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Artist's Rendering: Proposed Kewadin Lansing Casino</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Michigan voters made it quite clear (58%-42%) in 2004 that they did not want more gambling in the state unless any expansion was subject to a statewide vote. Ever since, casino dreamers have tried to build upon the constitutional amendment's only exemption, which allows tribal gambling over which the state has virtually no control anyway.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">But tribal casinos are restricted to their own reservations. Every tribe that has tried to work around that restriction to date has come up empty-handed. The most recent attempt, a casino in Vanderbilt that the Bay Mills tribe opened in 2010, shut down after a federal court ruled against it. Earlier attempts included asking Congress to sign off on tribal casinos in Port Huron and Romulus, an effort that fell short.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Now Bernero is entering the same fray with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians at his side. They will either have to go to Congress or hope that the Bay Mills tribe eventually wins its court case in further hearings and sets a new precedent for defining reservation land. But neither the federal courts nor Congress should fall for the dubious logic involved.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Unless a casino can become a major destination for out-of-state travelers, it largely churns local money and removes much of it from the economy. Casinos rank as economic development tools only as part of a mix of entertainment options or, if properly promoted, as a lure for visitors. If Michigan were to develop a statewide casino strategy, Port Huron would probably better fit the development bill as the only border town without a casino.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Lansing residents -- and Michigan State students -- are already within an hour's drive of two of Michigan's 22 Indian casinos. They are hardly out of range of Detroit's casinos, either.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Presumably Bernero and the Sault tribe have marketing studies to back up their estimates of $250 million in annual revenue, with at least $5 million returned directly to the city. (By way of comparison, Detroit's casinos were estimated to have revenues of $1.4 billion in 2011 -- a figure they may never match again if a Toledo casino opens in April, as planned.) Certainly Lansing, like virtually every city in Michigan, would delight in the projected 1,500 new jobs.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">But if Lansing succeeds, it will create a precedent not just for itself but for every other city that thinks a casino is the answer to its prayers. Michigan's voters have already said they don't want to go that route -- and praying for salvation via a casino is only a reminder of how desperate people become in tough economic times.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b>Related Links:<o:p></o:p></b></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120123/NEWS06/120123046">Lansing casino builders face potential suit aimed at shutting project down</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120121/NEWS06/201210397">Lansing casino effort draws opposition</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120120/ENT11/120120052">Michigan Indian tribe wants to halt plans for downtown Lansing Indian casino</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120124/OPINION01/201240310">Editorial: Lansing casino would be a lousy bet for Michigan</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120124/NEWS06/201240342">Lansing casino plan faces a fight from 2 Detroit casinos, outstate tribes</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120123/NEWS06/120123046">Lansing casino builders face potential suit aimed at shutting project down</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120121/NEWS06/201210397">Lansing casino effort draws opposition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.freep.com/assets/freep/pdf/C4184161120.PDF" target="_blank">Letter from Phil Hogen, former NIGC chair, opposing Lansing casino</a></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b>Blogger’s NOTE:</b> Odd that owners of Detroit’s MGM Grand Casino and Greektown Casino have expressed opposition to plans for a Lansing casino while Marian Ilitch, owner of Detroit’s MotorCity Casino, has remained silent? Not really, since Ilitch and her family’s partner Michael J. Malik, Sr., have pursued plans for casinos in Port Huron and elsewhere for more than 20 years. In fact, their plans for a Port Huron casino might be tied to plans by the Sault tribe proposal for Lansing.</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-45432990139077686832012-01-24T11:01:00.001-08:002012-01-31T13:39:41.062-08:00But 54% Think Gambling in Hawaii Would Have Overall Negative Impact<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20120120_Survey_shows_support_for_casino.html?id=137744258&id=137744258&c=n" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMgGarjRu7VvxaINDoFbeohXCVpwo3UH7vPmMcjHqOGDUDPZ804zEHME_MYMhq36cMu3Q81D6nUI88qZ70fpUHBHt0zWEwz9Y7__dlZf9Htkz_Atlozbi4IvnZt4vYdOnKeQraexs3zk/s320/Star+Advertiser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="http://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20120120_Survey_shows_support_for_casino.html?id=137744258&id=137744258&c=n">Survey shows support for casino</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1.20.2012<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="mailto:ddepledge@staradvertiser.com.">By Derrick DePledge</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Three-quarters of people in a new survey say they would visit an entertainment center in Waikiki that had showrooms, movie theaters and a casino.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The Waikiki Improvement Association paid for the survey to measure local perceptions about the state's primary tourism destination. The results will likely be used to reinforce arguments by gaming interests that the state should legalize gambling.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Hawaii and Utah are the only two states without some form of gambling. Several proposals, including a Waikiki casino, have been floated at the Legislature without success.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The survey, conducted among 1,000 people statewide by SMS Research & Marketing Services, found that 76 percent would be very or somewhat likely to visit an entertainment center with a casino developed in Waikiki. The survey was taken by telephone between Nov. 15 and Dec. 22. The margin of error was 3.1 percentage points...<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">People who responded to the survey were divided about the merits of legalizing gambling. Fifty-eight percent said they believe gambling would be positive for the state's economy. <span style="background-color: yellow;">But 54 percent think gambling would have a negative impact overall.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Many people who favor a casino are lifelong residents, according to the survey, while many opposed have lived in the islands for less than five years.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Egged said the Waikiki Improvement Association has not taken a position on gambling and is not advocating any specific casino development project.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">State House and Senate leaders have said that they expect gambling bills to be debated but doubt legislation to legalize gambling would pass this session.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">"There's enough to do in Waikiki without a casino," said state Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria (D, Downtown-Waikiki). "But the question of gaming is not going to go away."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">State Rep. Tom Brower (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana), chairman of the House Tourism Committee, said lawmakers should be open to a discussion about a Waikiki casino. He said he has visited well-executed casinos in Singapore, Macau and the Philippines.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">"In order to compete, I think we have to consider gambling," he said. (<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdNjAzNzE1NjAtYmQxYy00ODE2LTg3MGEtMmQ4YmI3OGFiZjFk">Complete Story</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-78307011033233948332012-01-22T14:13:00.001-08:002012-01-30T19:23:59.046-08:00Opinion: New York Betting Too Much on Gambling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/2012/01/13632/suffolk-closeup-betting-on-a-casino/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCMIxwe01SnQpK4NahoCfw3bgJ-62LpWMet2zchJFQ2gu2LaxsVPrfasYuR6xNwa5PhpzlO_PZ8fD4Wc2M3dbKTSRTTvCQb2htYyJGtaSDd8cP_artQq3S_wh0ttwRVcHvIOK64KXS_k/s1600/Shelter+Island+Reporter.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><br />
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</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/2012/01/13632/suffolk-closeup-betting-on-a-casino/">Suffolk Closeup: Betting on a casino</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.21.2012<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Karl Grossman <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The current issue of New York magazine speaks of Governor Andrew Cuomo seeking “gambling everywhere.” That’s a bit of an exaggeration. In his recent State of the State speech, Mr. Cuomo called for a change in the state constitution to allow for non-Indian, off-reservation casinos in New York, which currently prohibits them. It’s not “gambling everywhere” but the governor does want a major expansion of legalized gambling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Cuomo Bets On A Casino” was the headline in Newsday. It referred specifically to Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens as a place where the governor wants to see a big casino.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A casino there would be a problem for the Shinnecock Indian Nation, which wants to build a casino at nearby Belmont Park in Elmont. Newsday quoted State Senator Jack Martins of Mineola as saying a casino at Aqueduct would “effectively kill” plans for a Shinnecock casino at Belmont. A broader concern is whether or not the legalized gambling market is being saturated by casinos opening all over the nation, -Native American and non-Indian.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mr. Cuomo is betting on a big financial boost for New York State through a major expansion of legalized gambling here but the market has its limits.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day of Mr. Cuomo’s State of the State speech, the New York Times reported on the “hopes of reviving Atlantic City.” Gambling revenue was down in Atlantic City, the Times reported, and there’s hope that a new $2.4 billion resort and casino, being built with state financial help, will “usher in a new era for Atlantic City.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Atlantic City has been in decline since 2006,” the Times reported, “when Pennsylvania opened its first casino, beginning a slow bleed of gamblers that have never returned. With rival casinos opening in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and upstate New York, there is little Atlantic City can do to stop the loss …”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This spread of gambling has not only hurt Atlantic City but Las Vegas, too, and severely. Factor in the impact of the recession on gambling and it would seem the industry is in trouble. So how can New York State figure on a big win?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But that’s the dream -or illusion-, not only in New York but other areas of the nation. A Times story last month reported on the Florida Legislature considering three “Las Vegas-style casino resorts” in south Florida to offset the economic downturn following the burst of Florida’s big real estate bubble.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meanwhile, what about gambling as a way for Indian tribes to break out of centuries of economic hard times? That was the basis of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the federal law that set up a system under which Native Americans were given the go-ahead -and structure- to develop gambling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a kind of long-delayed reparation for Native Americans for the loss of their homeland and culture and it has made some tribes-, including several in Connecticut-, super-wealthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These days, if you take a drive on the stretch of New Mexico between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, you’ll come upon a gambling casino every few miles, in front of each Indian pueblo, with few cars in their parking lots. And in recent years, with non-Indians being allowed to get into gambling elsewhere, it’s not just intra-Indian competition that’s diluting the market.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although legalized gambling had to come, it’s a problematic activity for society. There are the high-rollers at casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and Connecticut. My impression of the bulk of bettors, however, is that they are desperate people who mostly play the one-armed bandits, dumping in their quarters, hoping for a bonanza.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For society to benefit by drawing money from legalized gambling- as it cannot from illegal gambling- is one thing. But to promote it, subsidize it and depend on it is another.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000002; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then there’s the over-expansion, and the consequent cost to Native Americans including the Shinnecocks, who have had it tough economically for centuries and only recently achieved federal tribal recognition. They had been hoping for some payback, finally. Now the house may be rigging the game against them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-85500170329662753532012-01-22T11:08:00.002-08:002012-01-30T11:14:33.551-08:00Opponents of Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans Launch WebsiteA Long Island citizens group opposing plans by Detroiters Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., to build a casino complex in partnership with the Shinnecock Indian Nation at the famed Belmont Racetrack have organized as "Stop the Belmont Casino" and established a website, <a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.com/"><b>StopTheBelmontCasino.com</b></a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1812404939"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruT-x_PCFHwTNp9dqpR5dt0D1XgtOn19RnWGTwEHUq62va8fouN7Izhblk83YpMwaPxIsqID4GkVHN8MRuo7UXlB1HStO6WmXmC9dITYr7WQL2iQjYXDQx1cOGgPMdQwE6jM4QCkE-VA/s400/Stop+The+Belmont+Casino+Website.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.com/">StopTheBelmontCasino.com</a></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The citizens' group has also created a <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FStop-the-Belmont-Casino%2F225731060782101&ei=eesmT8O-KYXjiAKD3ejKBw&usg=AFQjCNGFYBkl2UbtW8OueWnNeReDFJXk-w&sig2=SYkunMCgsK3w7SIOsuUmgw" target="_blank">facebook page</a>.Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-72492559476190452672012-01-22T10:30:00.001-08:002012-01-30T12:01:43.252-08:00Former NIGC Chair Opines Sault Tribe's Plans for Lansing Casino are IllegalIn this letter below, Phil Hogen, former chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), opines on plans by the Sault St. Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians to develop an off-reservation casino in Lansing Michigan.<br />
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In conclusions, Hogen writes:<br />
<blockquote><i>In view of my experience as the longest-serving Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, I was asked to review this matter by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, whose concern for integrity in the Indian gaming industry I share. Unless it is first determined that lands where tribes conduct their gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act truly qualify as Indian Lands, that integrity is at peril, and all concerned need to observe and uphold the applicable laws.</i></blockquote><br />
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</script>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-43207109802048398682012-01-21T11:03:00.001-08:002012-01-30T11:07:52.249-08:00Ilitch Holdings hires another spin-meister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxpi8SFA64MbyWrDwazvXYjGrYpWkk-mUHghMXkbkDvCXtdTID-JEFaIIxWd-2w5CGPmlwqAM-9XuI1O1Wj-VL_kuuopbhNVwLROyHd1la9VZy-TzslKhRxRU2aUAo6rA2_mF1n_9uUE/s1600/PR+Newswire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxpi8SFA64MbyWrDwazvXYjGrYpWkk-mUHghMXkbkDvCXtdTID-JEFaIIxWd-2w5CGPmlwqAM-9XuI1O1Wj-VL_kuuopbhNVwLROyHd1la9VZy-TzslKhRxRU2aUAo6rA2_mF1n_9uUE/s200/PR+Newswire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/556197" target="_blank">Strachan Joins Ilitch Holdings as Communications Manager</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1.20.2012</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">DETROIT /PRNewswire/ -- The appointment of Carly Strachan as communications manager for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. was announced today by Karen Cullen, vice president of Corporate Relations.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">"Carly brings more than 10 years of communications experience to Ilitch Holdings," said Cullen. "She has a wide variety of media relations and marketing communications experience for large-scale events and entertainment, non-profit organizations and development projects that will contribute greatly to our team and help us meet our goals both internally and externally as we continue to grow our organization."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Previously, Strachan served as account manager at lovio george | communications + design, a Midtown Detroit-based agency, where she provided media relations, marketing and advertising services for clients such as the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, The Parade Company (Target Fireworks and America's ThanksgivingParade®), Hudson-Webber Foundation, Cranbrook and Midtown, Inc. At lovio george, she also provided marketing communications support for some of Detroit's major sporting events including Super Bowl XL through Detroit's Host Committee and the 35th Ryder Cup Matches and 90th PGA Championship with the PGA of America.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Her additional experience includes providing public relations and marketing support at Munro & Foster Communications in London, England and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Michigan. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Strachan is a resident of Detroit and earned a bachelor's degree in integrated public relations from Central Michigan University. She is a member of the marketing and 313 committees for the Detroit Historical Society's Past>Forward Campaign, as well as a volunteer committee member for the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and a longtime member of Detroit Synergy.</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-55147572655780763392012-01-14T09:02:00.001-08:002012-01-30T10:19:28.129-08:00Long Island Residents Organize to Battle Detroiters' Belmont Casino Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.antonnews.com/floralparkdispatch/news/20325-floral-parkers-lead-grassroots-effort-to-stop-belmont-casino.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT1E4Z-o7mY_KR0ZrK5UPTRW-cNIp5tlybHdJkTlgGuzHLcPSJH5nwWWQnJOFg1j8TC_3-fCTMj6uY9G5ByJzqutIGt0m3kHQFcuBaAD1mriJtMIY2pQ0qeTVP7-VxgUdP9YS96b2FYg/s320/Floral+Park+Dispatch.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="http://www.antonnews.com/floralparkdispatch/news/20325-floral-parkers-lead-grassroots-effort-to-stop-belmont-casino.html">Floral Parkers Lead Grassroots Effort to Stop Belmont Casino</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1.13.2012</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">by Melissa Argueta</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b>Residents initiate petition drive, letter-writing campaign to local and state officials<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Is a plan to erect a casino at Belmont Park a safe bet or a bust? Droves of concerned Floral Parkers filed into the United Methodist Church at a Stop the Belmont Casino community meeting on Wednesday night to discuss this hot-button issue and how any future plans for a casino at the racetrack can be stopped.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">How would a casino surrounding the communities of Elmont and Floral Park affect residents? Edwin Groshanz, Duncan MacDonald and Robert Moran are leading the grassroots-style campaign against the casino being built at Belmont. At the meeting, they provided facts and figures about how casinos can negatively impact the surrounding areas and how residents can join together to vocalize their opposition to local, state and federal politicians.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Floral Park resident Edwin Groshanz speaks at the Stop the Belmont Casino community meeting.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">This fall, Detroit developers rolled out preliminary renderings for a casino at Belmont to residents in the Elmont community on behalf of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. However, all propositions came to a screeching halt after Governor Cuomo’s recent State of the State Address, where he touted his own plans for legalizing gambling in New York State and building the nation’s largest convention center and casino at Aqueduct Racetrack.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Groshanz said the group began with a team of three Floral Park residents. They held their first meeting in December and have already <a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.com/">developed a website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Belmont-Casino/225731060782101">created a facebook page</a>. “We’re making decent progress and we’ve had some very nice wins in a very short time that are good for us, but I think the focus on tonight is that we don’t want to rest. We don’t want to watch and listen to what we’re seeing in the paper and take that as truth,” he explained.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Announcing plans for a petition drive and letter-writing campaign, Groshanz explained how residents can contact state and federal legislators opposing the casino. “By doing these simple steps, we’ll wind up getting, hopefully, several thousand letters to all legislators at all levels of our government...on top of that we’ll get a groundswell of community groups in support of us and we’ll get media attention,” he added.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">During the evening, Groshanz cited various studies on the subject of casinos in communities. He explained that his view of casinos is not his opinion, but derived from the statistics and studies on communities where casinos open. Specifically, he noted increased crime, traffic and pollution and decreased property values. “I think the only way we can prevent those ills, crime, resource utilization, adolescent gambling, is to make it loud and clear to our legislators that we don’t want it. It’s unacceptable and it’s not part of our life and we don’t want it coming into our community,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Groshanz maintained that despite Govenor Cuomo’s recent announcement to build a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack, there is no guarantee Belmont won’t be considered in the future as a casino site.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">“For three years, people in Mineola and people in Albany have not been looking out for our best interests. We can’t afford to rest; the time for action is now; and the time to strike is when the iron is hot and we got this iron hot a month ago and we can’t sit back and rest,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Duncan McDonald emphasized that Aqueduct could fail for many reasons such as environmental regulations. “Legislation is the key thing…the whole game is the bill in Albany. It’s not the [Shinnecock] Indian Nation. It’s what the state permits. In the worst case, it could be that gambling casinos could be anywhere they want — Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn or inside the lobby of St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">While the Stop the Belmont Casino meeting is not affiliated in any way with the Village of Floral Park, Groshanz asked concerned citizens to attend the next board of trustees meeting at Village Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The group intends to ask for the village’s help in obtaining a handicapped accessible room and various other administrative needs. “We’d like the village to support the things that we’re doing,” he added.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">While Mayor Tom Tweedy did not attend the meeting, he has stated the village’s position against the casino in this week’s Mayor’s Message. Trustee Jim Rhatigan was in attendance and informed residents that in the summer 2007, under the auspices of then Mayor Phil Guarnieri, the village established an Ad-Hoc Committee called the Taskforce for Belmont’s Preservation and Improvement. They created a Statement of Principles to address 10 concerns regarding the development of Belmont Racetrack. “That statement of principles is still available on the village’s website,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Rhatigan encouraged residents to attend the next village board meeting to discuss the issue further. “We welcome as much participation in local government as possible; fill the hall. We will note all your comments and take heed of your comments,” he added.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">To learn more about this effort or to be added to the email list, visit <a href="http://stopthebelmontcasino.com/">stopthebelmontcasino.com</a>; or via facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Belmont-Casino/225731060782101">Stop the Belmont Casino</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-12538044817060144382012-01-07T17:03:00.003-08:002012-01-27T17:11:32.945-08:00Ex-Gov. Waihee names former Hawaiian Affairs CEO to head Native Roll Commission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJxQP6jLiCUkr8XsWUv6tIUR9BoPre-ui4Nv2LWZoJJvAp3Sxf6fie8r83HSrAERaTHhWCI3lVd_s785ni06iQsdVyYKYPUz9_0t1g0s6a7HeCa3wQWD7PgnBHPX73gJVtBQPp2QdnEc/s1600/AssociatedPressLogo-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJxQP6jLiCUkr8XsWUv6tIUR9BoPre-ui4Nv2LWZoJJvAp3Sxf6fie8r83HSrAERaTHhWCI3lVd_s785ni06iQsdVyYKYPUz9_0t1g0s6a7HeCa3wQWD7PgnBHPX73gJVtBQPp2QdnEc/s320/AssociatedPressLogo-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">HONOLULU — The former chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been appointed executive director of a commission responsible for preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians interested in participating in their own government.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Commission Chair and former Gov. John Waihee said Thursday Clyde Namuo's appointment was effective at the beginning of the year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Namuo will be responsible for overseeing daily operations of the roll commission. He'll be serving without pay.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The commission was established by the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Namuo retired at the end of last year after a decade of serving as OHA's top officer.</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-88710252490795949392012-01-06T10:00:00.002-08:002012-01-27T17:21:31.884-08:00Shinnecock casino plans up in the air following Gov. Cuomo's speech; Local support wavering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdMzRmZWY0NTItNmFhOC00YTA1LTkyNzctNzZmNjZkZTE4ODU4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3KQZ1ara-gKX7EZl1cEkv07QKWcj9W6GUfGkwFC25r1nfjMUIGqtXGdVFHwzlrOXgfrB_-fwaXHLf1yBhGfPBEr2Nln0jXWcHyKWstwYyfEtD2neFQ7iL73nM0aI91_gjGuJKJTiLnk/s1600/newsday.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdMzRmZWY0NTItNmFhOC00YTA1LTkyNzctNzZmNjZkZTE4ODU4">After guv's speech, tribe eyes next move</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1.05.2012<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Leaders of the Shinnecock Indian Nation huddled Thursday to consider their next steps after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $4 billion plan to build a convention center at Aqueduct Racetrack, a move that threatens the tribe's planned casino at Belmont Park.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock trustees, said the tribe's gaming authority was meeting with tribal trustees on the Southampton reservation to consider the implications of Cuomo's State of the State message, in which he touted the convention center as well as his plan to amend the constitution to legalize non-Indian gaming in the state. Genting New York, a Malaysian company that operates a racino at Aqueduct, wants to have a full casino there.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">"What everyone needs to realize is that we made a commitment to local, state and federal officials to move to Belmont" in lieu of a plan to open a casino on tribal land in the Hamptons, King said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Meanwhile, support for the tribe's Elmont plan, first heralded as an "ideal location" last May by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, was wavering. "I'd pretty much say a casino is dead at Belmont," said Joe Rizza, a spokesman for state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who has been a vocal supporter of the tribe's plans.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">One Suffolk County legislator Thursday urged the tribe to instead turn its attention to that county, and tribal leaders made plans to meet with newly installed Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">"We certainly want to see the tribe succeed, and we can use more economic development in Suffolk County," said Jon Schneider, deputy county executive for intergovernmental affairs.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), declined to discuss the Belmont casino, which the majority leader previously supported, but said Skelos "will continue to do everything he can to achieve the best possible plan for developing Belmont, so we can create good jobs and help the surrounding communities."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Mangano was noncommital Thursday. "The county executive has made arrangements with the governor to better understand his plan and its effect on Belmont," Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The tribe also appeared to be facing a prospective opponent in Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, who had appeared onstage with Mangano when Belmont was announced.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">In a publicly released letter to a Floral Park resident dated Dec. 29, Murray said she had "profound concerns" with Nassau's "stated intention" for a Belmont casino.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Her spokesman, Michael Deery, said, "If you are asking whether the supervisor supports [a casino] . . . that faces the doors of Floral Park High School, the answer would be no, she doesn't support that."He said any such plan "has to have the support of all the communities that surround the park, and that would include Floral Park."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">But King isn't giving up on Belmont. "We hope the governor takes the same leadership position he has taken with the commercialized gaming community and sits down with the Shinnecock Nation to finally resolve the gaming vision we have," he said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Suffolk Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon), who heads a Suffolk task force on gaming, urged the tribe to move ahead quickly with a project in Suffolk. "Suffolk is the Shinnecocks' opportunity," he said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">The tribe recently voted to reject gaming contracts with its financial backer Gateway Casino Resorts. It must finalize those, or find a new developer, before it works out a state gaming compact with Cuomo."I'm confident we can work through those issues with Gateway," King said.</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-4222224528666131622012-01-05T16:55:00.005-08:002012-01-27T16:59:31.414-08:00Gov. Cuomo's plan could "effectively kill" Gateway's vision for Belmont Racetrack casino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://cuomo%20plan%20threatens%20belmont%20casino%201.04.2012%20%20by%20ted%20phillips%20%20%20gov.%20andrew%20m.%20cuomo%27s%20plan%20to%20build%20the%20nation%27s%20largest%20convention%20center%20and%20possibly%20a%20casino%20at%20aqueduct%20racetrack%20would%20%22effectively%20kill%22%20plans%20for%20a%20shinnecock%20indian%20casino%20at%20belmont%20park%2C%20a%20long%20island%20state%20senator%20said%20wednesday.%20%20cuomo%27s%20emphasis%20on%20aqueduct%2C%20in%20nearby%20ozone%20park%2C%20queens%2C%20%22would%20make%20it%20less%20likely%20that%20a%20casino%20would%20be%20viable%20at%20belmont%2C%20but%20certainly%20opens%20up%20all%20kinds%20of%20possibilities%20for%20redevelopment%2C%22%20said%20sen.%20jack%20martins%20%28r-mineola%29%2C%20who%20has%20pushed%20for%20a%20casino%20or%20other%20development%20at%20belmont...%20%20randy%20king%2C%20chairman%20of%20the%20shinnecock%20tribal%20trustees%2C%20said%20the%20tribe%20%22hopes%20and%20expects%22%20that%20cuomo%27s%20gaming%20plans%20include%20indian%20casinos%2C%20including%20those%20the%20tribe%20hopes%20to%20build%20at%20belmont%20and%20in%20yaphank.%20%20king%20said%20casinos%20at%20belmont%20park%2C%20in%20elmont%2C%20and%20aqueduct%20could%20benefit%20each%20other.%20%22the%20synergies%20can%20play%20off%20each%20other%20and%20work%2C%20so%20that%20there%27s%20room%20for%20more%20than%20one%20casino%2C%22%20king%20said.%20%22as%20the%20governor%20is%20moving%20to%20the%20next%20level%20in%20his%20plan%20for%20the%20state%2C%20we%27re%20more%20than%20ready%20to%20move%20to%20the%20next%20level%20ourselves...%22%20%28complete%20story%29/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWxql6hYrH8uvuJOkMMJjCPYHjiI00ObgD2YGK1j0YvJW8aPkwBUjK6WJJcFghkfU0yq5a1B1I0VLCOJidLJRNTHXD1Ji3iLfA3WZOkaGW2k5ac0Aa9hz7_f9vLreqpnVQeT8gd_u2Ls/s1600/newsday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdMTE0MjQ2YzgtMTk3ZS00OWM1LThhYjctYjE1MTMxZDcyZWMx">Cuomo plan threatens Belmont casino</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">1.04.2012</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">by TED PHILLIPS </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's plan to build the nation's largest convention center and possibly a casino at Aqueduct Racetrack would "effectively kill" plans for a Shinnecock Indian casino at Belmont Park, a Long Island state senator said Wednesday.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Cuomo's emphasis on Aqueduct, in nearby Ozone Park, Queens, "would make it less likely that a casino would be viable at Belmont, but certainly opens up all kinds of possibilities for redevelopment," said Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), who has pushed for a casino or other development at Belmont...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock tribal trustees, said the tribe "hopes and expects" that Cuomo's gaming plans include Indian casinos, including those the tribe hopes to build at Belmont and in Yaphank.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">King said casinos at Belmont Park, in Elmont, and Aqueduct could benefit each other. "The synergies can play off each other and work, so that there's room for more than one casino," King said. "As the governor is moving to the next level in his plan for the state, we're more than ready to move to the next level ourselves..." (<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdMTE0MjQ2YzgtMTk3ZS00OWM1LThhYjctYjE1MTMxZDcyZWMx">Complete Story</a>)</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-66931244908551044692011-12-31T16:38:00.011-08:002012-01-27T16:46:11.341-08:00Long Island Civic Group Opposes Casino at Belmont Racetrack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.antonnews.com/floralparkdispatch/news/20033-weca-opposes-belmont-ractrack-casino.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeu-txCUYTWvH4bgmZWbkjrIKt-RqOMZutLbGY4xsqU8RtOzsarHJe0tRInL34zaZKuEwbttlMrn8NW4czkywpI8uNQmTYXgV8PqbV7cEZaqPm48aRkodDsopH6FOtbSksn701lAhIUk/s320/Floral+Park+Dispatch.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.antonnews.com/floralparkdispatch/news/20033-weca-opposes-belmont-ractrack-casino.html" target="_blank">WECA Opposes Belmont Ractrack Casino</a><br />
<div>12.30.2011<br />
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A resolution was recently passed by the West End Civic Association, Floral Park’s oldest association founded in 1920, to protect the interests of the residents of Floral Park, particularly the West End residents, who have a very high percentage of voters in all local, state and national elections and pay close attention to local civil matters.<br />
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“It has come to the attention of the membership that there are some individual politicians and officer holders who are supporting the creation of a gambling casino controlled and run by a tribe of American Indians on the grounds of a Belmont Race Track and we understand that Belmont Race Track has faced financial difficulties and we desire to maintain Belmont Race Track as the premier racing facility in the United States.<br />
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“Such a casino project run by any American Indian Tribe would irreparably damage our neighborhood and our quality of life and the quality of life for our children and generations yet to come.”<br />
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“It was resolved that the membership assembled unanimously request that elected public officials oppose any such project which would involve a gambling casino under the control of or run by an American Indian Tribe. We urge our members, their families and friends to write their elected public officials asking them to publicly state their strong and unbending opposition to an American Indian Trible running a casino at Belmont Race Track.<br />
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“Our Association offers to convey a copy of this resolution to all elected government officials, especially our State Senator Jack Martins and request that he enlist the entire Nassau Delegation in the New York State Senate to oppose any such casino both through public statements and through their vote to defeat any such proposal that comes before the New York State Senate and to further direct our officers to report back to the membership through the newsletter, which goes to each West End home and through the local weekly papers, which officials support, oppose or remain silent on this issue so we can vote appropriately in the future selecting our elected officials.”</div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-69661087049429141472011-12-22T15:02:00.000-08:002011-12-22T15:02:40.100-08:00Shinnecock Coalition for Answers Wants Class-II Gaming now on Southampton Reservation; Independent Counsel Examining Pacts with Gateway Casino Resorts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v5Q9UxHS-F219BB8VhLtARZUHXtZT3lyLXzFjRHnvWkuxAyRZjhlsnVOp8Mn5zmYUnzzdXO2d7XBQeonR8GHR05B8P_LwsK16d55kTM_T7tNxNvP2KEo3IZ-NQcpODTDlzG5FxAL3_s/s1600/newsday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v5Q9UxHS-F219BB8VhLtARZUHXtZT3lyLXzFjRHnvWkuxAyRZjhlsnVOp8Mn5zmYUnzzdXO2d7XBQeonR8GHR05B8P_LwsK16d55kTM_T7tNxNvP2KEo3IZ-NQcpODTDlzG5FxAL3_s/s1600/newsday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/shinnecock-pushes-for-smaller-scale-gaming-1.3405195?print=true"><b>Shinnecock pushes for smaller-scale gaming</b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">12.21.2011</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">By <a href="mailto:mark.harrington@newsday.com">Mark Harrington</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><blockquote>Now that factions of the Shinnecock Indian Nation voted to block approval of gaming pacts with the tribe's Detroit backers, some on the Southampton reservation are making the strongest push yet to begin class-II gaming such as bingo.<br />
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The Shinnecocks' formal efforts in gaming thus far have focused on large-scale casinos with table games such as blackjack and poker -- casinos that require a state compact and layers of federal approval. Those ambitions are still years away.<br />
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But small-scale class-II gaming efforts such as bingo halls could take place on the reservation now, one former tribal leader said. He's one of many members urging Shinnecock leaders to use the tribe's federally recognized status to reconsider low-level gaming immediately.<br />
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"It's ridiculous that we would sit and wait another three to five years for gaming to come, when we could be doing small-scale gaming now," said <span style="background-color: yellow;">Lance Gumbs, a former tribal trustee who is part of a group called the Shinnecock Coalition for Answers that last week championed the vote to block pacts with Gateway Casino Resorts.</span><br />
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Gumbs said he envisions a simple, even temporary structure erected on the tribal Powwow grounds in the center of the reservation for a bingo parlor. "We're talking about what the church is doing down the street," he said.<br />
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But Randy King, chairman of the tribal trustees, the Shinnecock's official government, said the tribe would continue on its course for larger-scale, class-III gaming.<br />
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"The current plan is to discuss alternative locations west of the reservation in more suitable areas," he said of the tribe's plans for casinos at Belmont Park and in Yaphank, among others. "We hope to discuss all of this with the governor's office shortly."<br />
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Tribal leaders have worked out arrangements with local politicians to keep gaming west of County Road 105 near Westhampton, with the promise of political support. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) is among those party to the agreement.<br />
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"Congressman Bishop calls on the Shinnecock Nation to consult with the Southampton Town Board and other local government entities if they reach the decision as a tribe to pursue a Class II gaming facility such as a bingo hall on the reservation," said Bishop spokesman Oliver Longwell.<br />
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Eagerness to start some sort of gaming has reached such a level that the tribe was forced to issue a cease and desist letter to shop owners who attempted to open Internet gaming cafes on the reservation last month, several sources close to the tribe said.<br />
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On a higher level, the push for a tribal bingo parlor is a sign of impatience with the pace of economic progress on the cash-strapped reservation, and a push for broader participation in decision making.<br />
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On Monday night, the Shinnecock tribal council, an advisory body which has retained a private law firm to review the contracts with Gateway Casino Resorts that were voted down last week, met to discuss concerns about that vote.<br />
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Among them: that 1,100 Shinnecock members who do not live on the reservation were prevented from voting; only 36 hours' notice was given before the vote; and what the long-term implications of the vote itself were, according to a person who attended.<br />
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King said the trustees won't discuss or negotiate such internal tribal matters in the media.<br />
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Beverly Jensen, a spokeswoman for the tribe, said she believed last week's vote and the need for future discussions were part of the tribe's evolution now that federal recognition is in place.<br />
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"It's about the birth of a nation, for real," she said.</blockquote></div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-64433110239754976822011-12-22T08:07:00.005-08:002011-12-22T08:07:01.403-08:00More on the Shinnecock Intra-Tribal Feud and Mike Malik's Wedge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOPVA02kM4LycH6em7rZzBBNZ-lUlof1J688MTlocomBUHycpAy0ekX0Tny-aTj4Y6OrJhyb8tJ1Zj-28AgleNx3FrP_I5JVSwkn7zqxW_qMbspLAEQMipuE83JxZ4WFCmKqVE203wtw/s1600/Divide-and-conquer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOPVA02kM4LycH6em7rZzBBNZ-lUlof1J688MTlocomBUHycpAy0ekX0Tny-aTj4Y6OrJhyb8tJ1Zj-28AgleNx3FrP_I5JVSwkn7zqxW_qMbspLAEQMipuE83JxZ4WFCmKqVE203wtw/s200/Divide-and-conquer.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdYzI1NDg3YjUtOWJmNi00OTRmLWI3MjAtNTY0ODVmZDRkMGFh">A story published 4.13.2011</a> in the Southampton Press about the run-off election for Shinnecock Tribal Trustee between Fred Bess and Lance Gumbs, gives some insight into the current circumstances at play among the Shinnecock Indians.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><blockquote>Mr. Bess and Mr. Gumbs have butted heads in recent years over the direction the tribe’s casino effort should take, and the split votes hint at rival camps within the tribe over the proposal. Some tribe members have said that Mr. Bess is seen as the favorite of financial backer Michael Malik—a casino developer from Detroit who has spent millions of dollars to bankroll the tribe’s marathon legal battles with the government—a designation that has hurt his support among some tribe members and boosted it with others.<br />
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Mr. Gumbs, on the other hand, has been critical of some statements by Mr. Bess that the tribe would be interested in developing a casino near New York City, even if it meant the facility was in the Catskills—a consideration thought by some to have come from Mr. Malik. Mr. Gumbs has said the tribe should be focusing on possible sites in Suffolk County and closer to the tribe’s Shinnecock Neck reservation so that tribe members can work there. (<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdYzI1NDg3YjUtOWJmNi00OTRmLWI3MjAtNTY0ODVmZDRkMGFh">Complete Story</a>)</blockquote>Anyone who's studied the partnerships that the Detroiters have with various Native American partners will see that <span style="background-color: yellow;">a common strategy is "divide and conquer."</span> Pit one party against the other to do your bidding and then buy the love. Toe the line and the good times will roll (paychecks, party time and private planes), speak your mind or consider alternatives, you'll be cut-off, locked out and maybe even attacked. <br />
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It's all about ROI with little regard for the body-count that's left in the wake. Rules and laws, they're made to be broken -- don't look back. Mike Malik's a developer, a deal broker. He's not a steward or a life partner. He's in and he's out without much regard for the long term or relationships. Whatever it takes. Look no further than his personal life to understand that.<br />
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To learn more about the split among the Shinnecock, also read "<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3aFU2pbZIIdZWQ4ZDVlZjItODk3My00NDEzLWE1MjItNDBiZGZjYWU5ODg0" target="_blank">Shinnecock Indian Nation Leaders Split on Casino Path</a>," a story first published 7.07.2009 in the Southampton Press. Sure enough, those who play by the Detroiters' rules get flown around in grand style; those who don't, Mr. Gumbs, are on their own.<br />
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Mr. Gumbs vision is for a casino nearer to the Shinnecock Reservation. Mr. Malik's vision is for up to three off-reservation casinos as close to Manhattan as possible. Remember, he bought a $5.4 million Central Park West penthouse in 2010. And for the first seven years a casino is open, Malik and crew can make up to 30% of the take. After that, it's not his concern. Remember, he's in and out.<br />
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One might argue that the feuding is futile because at this point, without an additional act of Congress, neither vision is going to become reality. The Shinnecock currently have no trust lands -- not even their existing Reservation -- and no likely path to secure trust lands at this point. Indian gaming under IGRA is only allowed on Indian lands held in trust by the U.S. Secretary of Interior. See also: "<a href="http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/2011/12/its-carcieri-not-malik-that-poses.html" target="_blank">It's Carcieri not Malik that poses Bigger Problems for the Shinnecock Nation</a>."Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2408757143334649152.post-48457852751276218712011-12-21T05:06:00.000-08:002011-12-21T05:06:41.381-08:00CA Tribes & Alliance First Major Contributors to Gov. Jerry Brown's Tax Initiative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXNFuh8csLUfPwLe8z7dp1YuQLFz857-LabFfJGjBJIuuv2LVYtCNwOAyRI58R04ydUYfz13rOEarbErUW2KQ6igTnXfRwBKtMyoh8KOw6P5U0uRMryBkEDq2DcGs56M0uvW2w-QrKHM/s1600/Capitol+Alert+Blog+Sacramento+Bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXNFuh8csLUfPwLe8z7dp1YuQLFz857-LabFfJGjBJIuuv2LVYtCNwOAyRI58R04ydUYfz13rOEarbErUW2KQ6igTnXfRwBKtMyoh8KOw6P5U0uRMryBkEDq2DcGs56M0uvW2w-QrKHM/s200/Capitol+Alert+Blog+Sacramento+Bee.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/12/california-gambling-tribes-give-275000-to-jerry-brown-tax-ballot-initiative.html" target="_blank"><b>California tribes give $275,000 to Gov. Jerry Brown's initiative</b></a><br />
<div>12.20.2011<br />
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By <a href="mailto:kyamamura@sacbee.com">Kevin Yamamura</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span><blockquote>California gambling tribes have given $275,000 toward Gov. Jerry Brown's new 2012 ballot initiative to raise taxes on sales and the wealthy, the first known major contribution to his effort.<br />
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The California Tribal Business Alliance and two of its member tribes have written checks to help Brown's cause, said the group's political director, David Quintana. The Alliance gave $75,000, while the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians and Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians each gave $100,000.<br />
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Brown's initiative would raise the sales tax by a half-cent and increase income taxes starting at $250,000 for individuals to raise an estimated $7 billion in the first fiscal year. Both would expire at the end of 2016.<br />
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"We wholeheartedly support this governor's vision for California," Quintana said. "We want to make sure the governor's vision can get before the voters so they can make a choice. We run the gamut of businesses, and if we don't have a healthy economy our businesses are going to suffer."<br />
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The California Tribal Business Alliance was active this year in opposing a bill backed by cardrooms and other gambling tribes to legalize Internet poker. Asked about the group's legislative interests as motivation, Quintana said, "No, what this is about is the state of California. We stand firmly behind his vision."<br />
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The contributions mark the first known major financial support to Brown's initiative campaign, though it has become difficult to track donations since the secretary of state's campaign finance website, Cal-Access, failed earlier this month.<br />
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The governor must collect 807,615 valid signatures of registered voters, an effort that could cost $3 million or more, depending on how many groups are circulating petitions at the same time.</blockquote></div>Verifiablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470555183874068880noreply@blogger.com0