Real Estate Licenses: Matt Cullen, John Miller, Tom Vigliotti

Michigan Real Estate License History

Name	Profession	License Type	License Number (hyper linked)
Cullen, Matthew Paul	Real Estate	Associate Broker (WRE, Inc.)	6502123791
	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6504250457
	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6501250457
WRE, Inc.	Real Estate	Broker	6505229315
		Broker	6501229315
Miller, John C.	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6504183954
	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6501183954
Vigliotti, Ralph T. (aka R. Thomas Vigliotti)	Real Estate	Associate Broker (Ralph Vigliotti, Realty Inc.)	6502102313
Ralph Vigliotti, Realty Inc	Real Estate	Branch Office	6503256982
	Real Estate	Broker	6505093803
	Real Estate	Broker	6501093803

Matthew P. Cullen has been president and a director of WRE, Inc., a GM subsidiary noted as providing relocation services, since 1996.

According to the Bureau of Commercial Services, Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, all three men have current licenses which expire 10/31/2009.

Tigers set to surprass all-time ticket sales record with 4th best attendance in AL

Attendance record nears

July 20, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers are on course to set an all-time club attendance record this season, said Bob Raymond, the team's vice president for marketing and ticket sales.

Raymond said Thursday the team had just surpassed the 2,704,794 mark in tickets sold for this season -- the club's all-time attendance record, set in 1984, their most recent world-title season.

"Mr. Ilitch is smiling," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm happy for the Ilitch family -- they deserve it. Anybody who can go through what they went through for 13 years (before last year) -- if anybody deserves it, they do."

Surpassing 1984 is especially impressive because the Tigers played that season in Tiger Stadium, which held about 10,000 more fans than Comerica Park.

The Tigers have sold out their last nine games at Comerica, which holds just more than 40,000. As of Thursday, they were close to selling out all three games of this weekend's series with Kansas City.

For the season, the Tigers are averaging about 36,400 fans per game, good for fourth in the American League, just behind the Red Sox. The leaders are the Yankees (about 51,800 per game) and Angels (about 41,400).

John Lowe

Taxpayers picked up $400k bill for Tigers new seats; next day Ilitch paid $525 million for casino

from the March 19-25, 2005 archives of BallPark Digest:

Taxpayers foot bill for Tiger seats

Posted March 20, 2005
Financially strapped Wayne County is picking up $400,000 of the total $1.2 million needed to add 900 seats to the right-field bleachers at Comerica Field, the home of the Detroit Tigers. The team will pick up the rest of the cost; the project is expected to be completed by Opening Day. The deal irritates some fans and taxpayers, especially since it came one day after Marian Ilitch, the wife of Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, bid $525 million to become the sole owner of MotorCity Casino.

A Detroit News reader survey at the time indicated:

The Wayne County Commission has decided to pay $400,000 toward the cost of adding 950 seats to Comerica Park. Do you support this expenditure?

Yes 14.55%
No 85.45%

UPDATED: Michael Malik's Michigan real estate license history

Michael J. Malik's

Michigan Real Estate License History

Name	Profession	License Type	License Number
Malik, Michael J.	Real Estate	Associate Broker	6502110617
	Real Estate	Associate Broker	6502110618
	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6504121838
	Real Estate	Individual Broker	6501121838

From July 1, 1982 until May 31, 1985, Michael J. Malik also held a Residential Builder License (#2101062699).

This chart links to details available from the Bureau of Commerical Services, Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

It's noted that the employers for the associate broker licenses were Mary-Ann A. Short (License Number: 6504086494) and Henry J. Perkowski (License Number: 6504040464) respectively. Short held an associate brokers license under Gordon Westrick (Westrick Associates Inc., Real-Estate One). Perkowski has also held an associate brokers license (License Number: 6505231209) with Isles Realty Inc. since 1988.

originally posted 7.19.07

Smithsonian national land survey shows U.S. indigenous languages and maps tribes

This graphic was originally produced by William Sturtevant for the Smithsonian Institution in 1967 and also used by the U.S. Geological Services in an attempt to map 18 U.S. indigenous languages and the general ancestral territories of tribes associated with those languages.

Click for larger view

Negative finding for Harsens Island Bridge proposal; does that impact Malik's 450-acre residential development?

the Harsens Island news is reporting:

"The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)has denied Permit Application Number 07‑74‑0023‑P, submitted by Detroit International Bridge Company, 12225 Stephens Road, Warren, Michigan.

The Detroit International Bridge Co., owned by Grosse Pointe billionaire Manuel "Matty" Moroun, also operates the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor.

The applicant proposed construction of a bascule bridge across the St. Clair River from Algonac to Harsen's Island, approximately 3.7 miles downstream from the confluence of the north and south channels of the St. Clair River, to provide an alternative means of transport between the mainland in Algonac and Harsens Island.

Denial by the MDEQ does not necessarily mean the project is "dead."

DIBC has 60 days to file an appeal of the MDEQ permit denial. Mr. Dortman did mention, however, that the appeal process can be a lengthy one. There are MDEQ appeals which have been on file for years.

According to Mr. Dortman at the MDEQ, The DIBC permit application was denied due to a number of criteria within each of the Acts mentioned above. Some of the denial criteria includes:

• Fisheries impact, including the state protected Lake Sturgeon
• Proposed bridge piers located on land not owned by DIBC
• Riparian rights - proposed bridge would cross adjacent land areas
• Public trust - State's ability to protect natural resources"

Moruon and casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr. own homes next door to one another in Grosse Pointe Shores.

It is believed the construction of this private toll bridge linking Harsens Island to the mainland near Algonac is linked to plans by Michael Malik to develop a 450 acre residential development project, centered around a man made lagoon with canal access to the North Channel, on Harsens Island.

Governor of Mariana Islands describes his relationship with Abramoff, Doolittle

7.18.07

Governor of Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands says he is cooperating in lobbying probe


By David Whitney, Bee Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Benigno Fitial, governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, said Thursday that he still regards jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Rep. John Doolittle as "good friends."

But the hearing at which Fitial had just testified revealed just how much some friendships can cost. Abramoff's in jail for political corruption, in part because of his dealings while representing the commonwealth.

Doolittle, R-Roseville, is under investigation because of his relationship with Abramoff. Fitial said he is "cooperating" with prosecutors but would say no more on the advice of his Los Angeles attorney, Thomas Pollack....(more)

Barstow Council gambles on young wastewater firm

7.19.07

OPINION: Council gambles on young wastewater firm

By SCOTT SHACKFORD

City Council’s risky decision to switch firms for the upgrade of Barstow’s wastewater treatment facility could ultimately save taxpayers money — or it could backfire terribly, costing us untold millions.

Council voted 3-2 Monday to cancel its contract with HDR Inc. and to turn to MicroMedia to develop an upgrade based on technology that is less proven but allegedly cheaper. The company has been in business for four years, and Barstow will be the firm’s first major wastewater contract.

The decision has already cost us $1.7 million, the amount the city has already spent on the process. That’s not a small amount of money for a community Barstow’s size. Part of Mayor Lawrence Dale’s justification for switching firms is his belief the cost estimates by HDR have already doubled since the city contracted with them, though city staff have said that the cost was subject to change based on what technology the city chose for the upgrade.

If Dale and council members Tim Silva and Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre’s votes to change firms turn out to be right, residents will ultimately save money. MicroMedia claims they can complete the upgrade for $15 million as opposed to $24 million from HDR. If true, even with the money we’ve already lost, that would be about $7 million in savings.

But given MicroMedia’s lack of history, that is one great big “if.” We stand to lose much, much more if MicroMedia’s technology isn’t as effective as they claim. The city is obligated by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board to upgrade the wastewater facility by 2009, due to a significant amount of nitrate pollution in our water. Nitrates present a health risk to infants.

If the city does not meet Lahontan’s 2009 deadline for a facility upgrade, it could face fines up to $10,000 per day. These council members are risking a lot on MicroMedia’s ability to provide what they claim, without an established reputation to back it up.

We’re not going to say that the decision is wrong, because MicroMedia may well provide what they say they can provide. We are going to say that this decision is a huge gamble, and when you gamble with millions of taxpayer dollars, you tend to get only one chance at the table. If this project goes bust, Dale’s, Silva’s, and Hackbarth-McIntyre’s political careers may not recover.

Malik Vigliotti partnership?

Did Michael J. Malik and R. Thomas Vigliotti enter into (or attempt to enter into) a business partnership in 2002/03?

Attorney William Serwer who represents Michael J. Malik on a majority of business matters filed documents with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth forming MV Land Holdings, LLC in February 2002.

Eleven months later, on January 3, 2003, Serwer filed documents dissolving the entity.

Indianz.com: Saginaw Chippewa Tribe prepares for new casino

as posted 7.18.07 at Indianz.com:

"The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday for its new casino.

The tribe plans a modest facility on trust land in Saganing, a historic Chippewa community near Standish. [The lands are already held in trust for the tribe]. The 32,000-square-foot casino will have more than 700 slot machines and 40 electronic table games.

The casino is expected to open by the end of the year. It will employ about 300 people.
The tribe operates the much larger Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant.

Get the Story:
New casino should open by year’s end (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 7/18)"

Indianz.com: Judge orders Indian land determination on casino

as posted 7.18.07 at Indianz.com:

"Citing an administrative record 'lacking in substance,' a federal judge in Oklahoma today ordered the Interior Department and the National Indian Gaming Commission to determine whether land owned by the Chickasaw Nation qualifies for gaming.

The tribe signed a compact with the state to conduct off-track betting at several locations. But the Bureau of Indian Affairs never determined whether a particular site could be used for gaming, Judge David L. Russell said in a 10-page opinion.

'The court concludes that because it is not apparent from the administrative record that the proper determinations were made with regard to the Chickasaw off-track wagering compact, that this matter should be remanded to the Secretary for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,' Russell wrote.

The land at issue was taken into trust after 1988. Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, that means it can't be used for gaming unless it meets one of the exceptions in Section 20 of the law.

The Chickasaw Nation claimed a former reservation exception that applies to Oklahoma tribes. But Russell said there was 'insufficient' evidence in the record to support the claim.

'The court concurs, and again, concludes that such a finding was necessary before the Compact could be approved, and that in the absence of such a determination, the approval of the Compact was arbitrary and capricious,' he wrote.

This is the second time in recent months that a federal judge has ordered an Indian lands determination. In New York, the NIGC was taken to task for failing to determine whether the Seneca Nation could open a casino on land taken into trust after 1998.

Get the Decision: Apache Tribe v. US (July 18, 2007)"

Prediction for Detroit Tigers is classic George W. Bush

7.18.07

In an interview with ESPN, President George W. Bush complimented Tigers owner Mike Ilitch and predicted the Tigers will return to the World Series.

"I think Detroit will be in the World Series," Bush said. "I think they'll nose out Boston. I know that may be counterintuitive, but their young pitching is great, and they've got the flamethrower Zumala back."

He was later informed the flamethrower's name is Zumaya.

note: Bush once predicted R. Keith Olberg would be California's next Secretary of State -- voters had a different idea. So instead, Olberg was hired as the lobbyist for Marian Ilitch's California gambling interests. And then remember Bush also predicted that Sadam Hussein had Weapoons of Mass Destruction too (WMDs).

Indianz.com: Costs of Mashpee Wampanoag casino vote detailed

as posted 7.17.07 at Indianz.com:

"Costs of Mashpee Wampanoag casino vote

The town of Middleboro, Massachusetts, doesn't have enough money to pay for a vote on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's proposed casino agreement.

The vote, to be held July 28, will cost more than $120,000. But the town only has $50,000 in reserves.

The tribe wants to build a casino resort in the town and offered to pay $7 million a year plus $150 million in infrastructure improvements. The town responded with a higher proposal, which the tribe rejected as 'hostile.'

The two sides continue to negotiate and say they will have an agreement in time for the vote."

YouTube: Citizen Activist urges Council to abandon Mayor's failed casino strategy

Barstow Citizen Activist Larry Halstead 6.04.07

Mr. Larry Halstead, a citizen activist and former candidate for City Council who frequents the Barstow City Council meetings; rose during the July 16, 2007 Council meeting to challenge City leaders to acknowledge Mayor Lawrence Dale's failed six year Indian Casino strategy.

The activist challenged the Council to identify any independent third parties not under the influence of Detroit-based Barwest or either of its two tribal partners who express confidence that the parties will get their plans approved by the California legislature as Halstead reports he has found no one.

The activist put forth a challenge to the Council which has been silent on the matter following the directions of the Mayor. Halstead suggested they consider tendering their resignations when Barwest fails to win approvals by the latest deadline extension -- September 15th.

The parties have made no progress in the legislature since concluding negotiations on agreements with the Governor in 2005 nor been willing to make any changes to their plans. Their original plans for one Barstow casino owned by the Los Coyotes Tribe were denied by the Governor in 2004. The Detroit casino syndicators first began talking with Barstow officials about an Indian casino in 2001/02.

Rep. Don Young's political defense legal bills highest in House

7.17.07

By Paul Kane

washingtonpost.com Staff

Justice Department probes of congressional corruption continued to provide big business for Washington's white-collar criminal defense attorneys, who billed at least $1 million in the second quarter to current and former House members involved in federal investigations.

With at least 11 such politicians -- including several forced from office last fall -- facing probes including the Jack Abramoff bribery conspiracy and the House page instant-messaging scandal, top-flight legal talent was in high demand.

The largest payout for current members came from Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), whose campaign shelled out more than $262,000 to a pair of top Washington firms: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, which took more than $242,000, and Tobin, O'Connor, Ewing & Richard.

Unlike some of the others on the list, Young has not been the target of a subpoena. But Mark Zachares, a former staffer on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee while Young chaired it, pleaded guilty this spring to trying to help Abramoff's clients in exchange for the promise of a future job at his firm.

In addition, Young's current district director in Alaska recently lobbied for an energy conglomerate whose chief executive pleaded guilty in May to bribing several state lawmakers. Young and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who has hired his own team of lawyers to deal with that probe, were the top recipients of donations from the executive and that company.

After spending $25,000 on Akin Gump in the first quarter, Young's campaign told reporters the funds were spent out of "caution." Yesterday, his congressional office deferred comment to Young's campaign staff, which declined to answer questions about his legal aid.

Former representative Mark Foley (R-Fla.), who resigned last fall after the FBI began investigating a series of inappropriate instant messages with teenage boys who were formerly House pages, spent more than $277,000 from April through June from his campaign funds, according to reports filed this weekend with the Federal Election Commission.

The FEC and congressional ethics committees have routinely allowed members to tap their campaign war chests to pay legal bills if they are under investigation for actions taken in the course of being a member of Congress.

"Lawyers rejoice," said Norman J. Ornstein, a congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Ornstein noted that the average cost for one of the lawyers who handle ethics investigations has grown to $600 an hour. "This is serious stuff. . . . Obviously, it's also a reflection of the fact that we've a lot of folks under investigation," Ornstein added.

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), the former speaker who underwent questioning from the ethics committee during its review last fall of the Foley matter, spent nearly $60,000 on legal bills in April and May, slightly less than the $70,000 he paid to his attorneys in the first quarter. Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) , his successor, spent $52,939 on legal bills related to his civil lawsuit against Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) over a leaked copy of a conference call Boehner participated in more than 10 years ago.

Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), who has faced scrutiny over earmarks he provided to campaign contributors, spent $31,000 on his defense. Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), whose family business was raided by the FBI last April, spent $25,000. Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.), whose investments and campaign contributions have been under investigation, spent $22,671. And Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), who was closely linked to Abramoff, spent $50,584.

Defeat at the ballot box does not mean the bills go away.

Former congressman Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), whose daughter's offices were raided by the FBI just before he lost his reelection bid, paid $25,000 to his lawyers this spring as investigators continued to examine official actions taken on behalf of his daughter's lobbying clients. Weldon also paid $5,000 to a firm for "investigative services."

Former congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), who has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Abramoff, paid more than $102,000 to a legal team, according to his FEC report, and still owes $106,000.

A handful of federal political campaign disclosure records indicate Michael Malik as an employee of Ilitch Holdings

Federal political campaign contribution records on file for Michael Malik of Michigan provide a variety of employer descriptions and addresses since 2000.

His contributions are often bundled with contributions from various members of Detroit’s Ilitch Family. And although Michael Malik often reports his office address is the same as the Executive office suite for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. headquarters in Detroit, he’s rarely reported that he is employed by Ilitch Holdings.

These eight political contribution records filed with the Federal Elections Commission indicate that Michael Malik was employed by Ilitch Holdings at the time he wrote the checks. Donors are required to provide the details to committees which file the actual disclosure documents.

Donor	Employer/Occupation	Date	Amount	Committee
Malik, Michael Detroit, Mi 48201	Ilitch Holdings	8/31/2004	$595	Republican Party of Maine
Malik, Michael Mr Gladwin, MI 48624	Ilitch Holdings / Executive	8/27/2004	$595	New Hampshire Republican State Cmte
Malik, Michael Detroit, MI 48201	Ilitch Holdings	8/25/2004	$745	Republican Central Cmte of Nevada
Malik, Michael Detroit, MI 48201	Ilitch Holdings	8/24/2004	$2,530	Republican State Cmte of Michigan
Malik, Michael J Mr Sr Detroit, MI 48201	Ilitch Holdings	8/18/2004	$1,265	Republican Party of Minnesota
Malik, Michael Des Moines, IA 50309	Ilitch Holdings	8/24/2004	$1,042	Republican Party of Iowa
Malik, Michael J Mr Sr Detroit, MI 48201	Ilitch Holdings / Executive	7/15/2004	$25,000	2004 Joint State Victory Committee
Malik Sr., Michael J. Detroit, MI 48201	Ilitch Holdings	8/25/2004	$892	Arkansas Leadership Committee 2004 Fcrc (R)

Details obtained at politicalmoneyline.com and newsmeat.com and verified at www.fec.gov

This begs the question, is (was) Michael Malik an employee of Ilitch Holdings or not? If so, why does he fail to report that generally; and if not, why did he report that to these eight particular committees?

CCM Merger, Inc - Standard & Poor's latest credit ratings

CCM Merger, Inc.

Detroit, Michigan

Gaming | Hospitality | Entertainment

(parent of MotorCity Casino a Detroit Entertainment LLC d/b/a; owned by Mrs. Marian Ilitch)

Instrument	Maturity Date	Rating	Rating Date
US$100 mil delayed draw term bank ln due 04/25/2012	Apr 25, 2012	BB-, 1	Jun 07, 2007
US$100 mil revolv cred fac bank ln due 04/25/2010	Apr 25, 2010	BB-, 1	Jun 07, 2007
US$300 mil 8% nts due 08/01/2013	Aug 01, 2013	CCC+	Jun 22, 2006
	Aug 01, 2013	CCC+	Jun 22, 2006
US$550 mil sr secd term bank ln due 04/25/2012	Apr 25, 2012	BB-, 1	Jun 07, 2007

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

Obligations rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. 'BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and 'C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

Plus (+) or minus (-)

The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Link to: Standard & Poor’s ratings page

Barstow General Plan Documents name tribes with historical ties to the greater Barstow area

From the City of Barstow's General Plan:

IV.2 ARCHAEOLOGIC AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN
Technical Report


IV.2.26 - CULTURAL/HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Ethnography
At the time of Spanish contact, the project area was occupied by the Vanyume Native American group. Little is known of the Vanyume other than they appear to be a small population of hunters and gatherers exploiting a large area between the Kitanemuk to the west, the Serrano to the south, the Kawaiisu to the west, and the Chemehuevi to the north and east (Greenwood and Mcintyre, 1979:28). Their territory centered along the Mojave River from the Daggett-Barstow area eastward about one-third of the way from the river to the Providence Mountains, and westward to the Serrano territory...

...The Vanyume became extinct through missionization in the 1770s, with the Chemehuevi, Mojave, Serrano, and possibly Chumash moving into their area...

General Plan states any Barstow project must involve local consultations, names 4 Tribes acknowledged by BLM

From the City of Barstow's General Plan:

IV.2 ARCHAEOLOGIC AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN
Technical Report

IV.2.5 - Native American Concerns
Another category of resources which is included under prehistoric resources, includes ethnographic elements pertaining to Native American issues and values. It would be presumptuous for any non-Native American to draw conclusions about the special concerns which the local Native American community may feel towards a specific project. Native Americans recognize all prehistoric sites within their territory as art of their heritage. Potential disturbance and destruction of any resource can adversely affect the values of their culture and their ability to transmit these values to future generations. Therefore, any project must involve consultation with and involvement from local and regional Native American cultural entities as listed by the Native American Heritage Commission. The local Barstow office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maintains a listing of representatives of Native American groups who claim an association with the Barstow area; specifically the Serrano, Kaaiisu, Fort Mojave, and Chemehuevi.

Labor's Gribbon and others threatening statewide referendum to overturn California's recently approved gaming compacts

California Union Boss Jack Gribbon, is considering a statewide referendum to overturn recent tribal Gaming Compacts negotiated by Governor Schwarzenegger and approved by both the California Senate and Assembly.

Gribbon who heads up the hotel workers union UNITE-HERE had hoped to block the compacts from being approved by the legistature without additional provisions expanding the powers of unions to organize in tribal casinos. Despite mounting a full on six month assault that began in January and building a coalition that included Detroit casino syndicators Barwest LLC, Las Vegas interests, a broad spectrum of Labor interests, women and others, Gribbon failed to make a difference. All powerful Labor has met its match in the gaming tribes after ruling California politics for decades.

John Myers at Capitol Notes reports:

"And while there's still some time to see if this actually happens, that time is limited. A referendum must be submitted for the ballot within 90 days of the statute being enacted (a timeline triggered by Schwarzenegger's signature earlier this week). And it would take about 434,000 signatures per casino compact... or more than 1.7 million... to get four separate ballot measure referendums qualified.That would take a lot of money; but then again, all of the interests involved have deep pockets. And the political battle, if it happens, could be epic."

BIA office opposes off-reservation casino

as posted 7.16.07 at Indianz.com:

The Bureau of Indian Affairs in Eastern Oklahoma is opposing an off-reservation casino sought by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.

The tribe wants 10 acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas, placed in trust for a casino. But local opposition prompted Jeanette Hanna, the director of the regional BIA office, to recommend the application be denied.

The recommendation will be sent to the BIA central office in Washington, D.C. It's not likely Hanna will be overturned.

In addition to local opposition, the Choctaw Nation opposed the project. The Choctaws operate a casino near the Arkansas border.

Aerial photo of possible Foxtown site for a new Detroit hockey arena posted at Flickr

This aerial photograph shows the area in the Foxtown neighborhood of Downtown Detroit likely to be the location of a new hockey arena. The original photo was uploaded to Flickr by bohemianrobot's

click for larger image

California audit faults use of gaming revenues

as posted 7.13.07 at Indianz.com:

"California audit faults use of gaming revenues

The California Bureau of State Audits issued a report on the use of gaming revenues by local communities.

Tribes share a portion of their revenues with local communities to address the impacts of gaming. A committee of local and tribal officials determines which projects receive money.

The report said the money wasn't always used for project that mitigate gaming. Of the 30 grants reviewed, 10 were only partially related to the effects of gaming and five weren't related at all, the bureau said [Summary | Full Report]

Local officials disagreed with the assessment of some of the grants. They said they can tie projects such as an anti-gang program to gaming.

Get the Story:
State audit says casino-impact funds misspent (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 7/13)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz"

Menominee Replace Troha

as posted 7.13.07 at Indianz.com:

"Menominee Nation names new casino project director

The Menominee Nation of Wisconsin named Eric Olson as the full-time director for its off-reservation casino project.

The tribe wants to convert a racetrack in Kenosha into a casino. The Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., has yet to make a decision on the proposal.

Olson takes over from local businessman Dennis Troha, who sold his stake in the project after pleading guilty to making illegal campaign contributions. He was a donor to Gov. Jim Doyle (D) who has the power to approve or reject the casino.

The Menominee Nation is facing intense opposition from the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, which operates an off-reservation casino in Milwaukee..."

Indianz.com: BIA: Off-reservation casino faces 'uphill battle'

as posted 7.10.07 at Indianz.com:

"BIA: Off-reservation casino faces 'uphill battle'

Off-reservation casinos face an 'uphill battle' with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthrone in charge, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said.

The BIA is reviewing two off-reservation casino proposals in Wisconsin. But George Skibine, the number two at the BIA, said it's not clear either will win Kempthorne's support.

'Given the secretary's position on off-reservation gaming, it is an uphill battle,' Skibine told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Menominee Nation hopes Kempthorne will say yes. The tribe and its supporters launched a newspaper ad and web site (http://www.casinocompetitionforwisconsin.com/) to counter attacks from the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, which operates an off-reservation casino in Milwaukee.

The other off-reservation casino is being proposed by two Chippewa tribes. Skibine said a BIA decision on the Menominee casino could come by the end of the summer..."