Barstow Mayor refers to opponent as "The Mexican"

Apparently olitical name calling isn't reserved exclusivly for the Presidential candidates ...

Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale, must stand for re-election next Tuesday. Dale, a 72 year-old Kansas native, moved to Barstow in 1975 as an employee of BNSF Railroad. A registered Republican, He was first elected Mayor in 2000 when he defeat incumbent Mayor Katy Yslas-Yent. This election cycle Dale is faced with two opponents.

Locals believe Barstow Councilman Joe Gomez, a Democrat, is a formidable opponent and is the one candidate who could defeat Dale in his bid for re-election. Gomez was elected to the Barstow City Council in 2004. He was born and raised in Barstow. But despite knowing that, Mayor Dale has been overheard publicly referring to Gomez derogatorily as "The Mexican."

When a local community activist confronted Dale about his racist reference at a City Council meeting, Dale simply ignored the activist and failed to defend or deny the charges.

NOTE: Approximately 36% of Barstow's residents are Latino/Hispanic; while 43% are White.

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Ilitch promotes Fisher to CFO

Ilitch Holdings, Inc. today said Scott Fisher has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer for the company. President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ilitch made the announcement.

"In Scott's nearly 22 years with the Ilitch companies, he has proven to be a team player and valuable asset to our organization," said Ilitch. "He has strong business acumen, solid strategic thinking and leadership skills, and a broad understanding of the businesses -- a combination that we believe will greatly benefit our organization as we move forward."

In his new role, Fisher will continue to report to Ilitch. He maintains oversight of the finance, benefits and treasury management staffs. He takes on responsibility for the internal audit, tax, Information Technology shared services, payroll and risk management functions.

Previously, Fisher was vice president of finance and administration at Ilitch Holdings, Inc., a position he has held since May 2000. Prior to that, he held several finance positions at a number of Ilitch-owned companies including controller at Ilitch Holdings, the Detroit Tigers, Inc. and the Detroit Red Wings. (Complete Press Release)

note: although the press release announcing Fisher's promotion was issued 8.28.08, on 10.30.08 the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Web site still recorded Fisher as Vice President of Financy & Administration.

Ilitch names cousin as president of family's food distribution service

From a press release issued 10.06.08

Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, an Ilitch-owned company and one of the largest nationwide food service systems distributors in the U.S., today named industry veteran Matthew Ilitch as president of the company. The appointment was announced by Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

"Matt has tremendous experience in the industry," said Christopher Ilitch. "He knows the food service business inside and out and he recognizes the important role Blue Line plays in the success of its many customers. His understanding of the industry and our organization will serve him well and allow him to continue guiding the tremendous growth at Blue Line."

In his new role, Matt Ilitch will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day oversight of the distribution company. He will report to Christopher Ilitch.

Matt Ilitch has over 30 years of combined experience at Little Caesars Pizza and Blue Line. Previously, he was vice president of Operations & Distribution for Blue Line. (Complete Press Release)

Ilitch takes over management of theaters at GM Renaissance Center

From a press release issued 9.22.08

Uptown Entertainment, an Ilitch-owned company that operates the Palladium and Birmingham 8 theatres, celebrated the grand opening of the renovated Ren Cen 4 theatres, a four-screen cinema with state-of-the-art sound and projection located in the GM Renaissance Center, on Saturday... Uptown Entertainment is owned by Detroit entrepreneurs Michael and Marian Ilitch. (Complete Press Release)

Standard & Poor's assigns negative credit rating to Ilitch-owned casino company

Standard & Poor's changed its ratings outlook for Ilitch-owned CCM Merger, Inc., from stable to negative on 9.29.08:

"Ratings on the company, including the 'B' corporate credit rating, were affirmed. The outlook revision reflects our concern regarding the limited cushion with respect to CCM's total leverage covenant and the potential for a violation of this covenant over the near term, as this measure steps down by 0.2x in the first quarter of 2009. Having completed the expansion project at its MotorCity facility, the bank agreement requires that consideration now be given to formerly excluded debt in calculating covenant compliance for the company..."

Standard & Poor's Primary Credit Analyst: Michael Listner can be reaced at michael_listner@standardandpoors.com

Has Rep. Stupak introduced yet another bill for a Bay Mills casino in Port Huron?

10.24.08

City's latest years have been among its most notorious and divisive

By Mike Connell

...Sears joined the exodus to the suburbs, and in 1993, developer Mike Malik proposed turning the vacant Sears building on Michigan Avenue into a $60 million casino.

Malik, a native of Clay Township, envisioned a casino owned by Bay Mills, a Chippewa band from the Sault Ste. Marie area, and managed by Harrah's Casino Hotels of Nevada. The proposal failed on July 13, 1993, when city voters rejected it, 5,120 to 4,751.

A year later, voters in Port Huron Township rejected a similar proposal for a casino off the Water Street interchange of the expressway.

Malik reappeared in 2002, a year after voters endorsed a casino proposal from Don Reynolds, one of the Edison Inn's owners. In August 2002, Gov. John Engler agreed to let Bay Mills create a reservation on the Edison Inn's 15-acre site if the tribe would drop its long-standing claim to a 110-acre parcel at Charlotte Beach on the St. Mary's River.

Numerous efforts to win congressional and presidential approval of the Engler-Bay Mills' deal have failed. A new bill was introduced in May by U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. As of last week, it remained in the House Natural Resources Committee... (Complete Article)