Three large land parcels make up 1000-acre Paradice Hunt Club

Michael J. Malik, Sr. reportedly owns a 1000-acre commercial game reserve and hunting property known as the Paradice Hunt Club in Northern Michigan. Reportedly Tom Celani was at one time a partner with Malik in the Paradice venture. The Paradice Hunt Club property includes several lakes and straddles Roscommon and Ogemaw Counties. Three primary parcels compose Paradice Hunt Club:


Roscommon County, MI
Parcel#: 0091240090020
Owner: PARADICE HUNT CLUB
Acreage: 324

Parcel#: 0091250010020
Owner: PARADICE HUNT CLUB
Acreage: 640

Ogemaw County, MI
Parcel#: 00303000900
Owner: PARADICE HUNT CLUB II LLC
Address: 5902 GREENWOOD RD GLADWIN, MI 48624
Acreage: 159.50

Click map to see Paradice Hunt Club at maps.live.com

Mike Malik received DEQ permit to dredge two lakes at his Paradice Hunt Club

The following public notice was published to inform the public of a hearing to consider allowing property owner Michael J. Malik, Sr. to dredge and complete other related work surrounding two lakes at his Paradice Hunt Club, a private 1000-acre commercial game reserve and hunting grounds.

The public notice reveals details about Paradice Hunt Club and it's surrounding locations.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2001
8:00 p.m

PUBLIC HEARING ON PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY MIKE MALIK, DETROIT, MICHIGAN. The Land and Water Management Division will hold a public hearing at the Edwards Township Hall, 3601 Wicks Road, West Branch, Michigan. The hearing will be for Permit Application Numbers 01-65-0038-P and 01-72-0029-P, submitted by Mike Malik, 2211 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. The applicant proposes to dredge in three areas of wetlands that are located along the shoreline fringe of Little Frost Lake to facilitate fishing and swimming. The total amount of dredging would be 9,377 cubic yards and would be disposed of on the applicant’s property to the northeast of Little Frost Lake. Also proposed is the dredging of 77 cubic yards of sediment from Campbell Lake and the construction of a boat launch and dock. The projects are for private use and are on the same property located in Edwards Township, Ogemaw County, and Nester Township, Roscommon County, Michigan. Information Contact: Brian Rudolph, Land and Water Management Division, 989-686-8025, extension 8366.

Microsoft maps.live.com: Paradice Hunt Club
Topo Map: Paradice Hunt Club and surrounds
See Google Maps: Paradice Hunt Club

Former Interior Official says Rep. Don Young frequently pushes matters that aren't in the public interest and fails

In a story published 12.10.08 about Rep. Don Young (R-AK) losing his leadership position as ranking member on the House Natural Resources Committee, the Anchorage Daily News quotes Deborah Williams, a former Clinton Administration official who worked under Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt as saying:

"When Don Young sought to advance the public good in that position, it was a pleasure to work with him and he was very effective."

"But again and again, when he sought to advocate for legislation or interests that were not in the public interest ... he was thwarted and spent a lot of energy and political capital on issues that did not advance."

Williams' statement is perhaps exemplified by the numerous failed schemes Rep. Young helped advance throughout the last decade intended to grant approvals for Detroit casino syndicators to build a third Bay Mills Indian Community casino in Port Huron, MI, 300+ miles by automobile from the tribe's reservation on Michigan's Upper Peninsula -- plans nevertheless backed by several of Rep. Young's more significant Michigan-based campaign contributors including Mike & Marian Ilitch and their Detroit-based gaming and development partner Michael J. Malik, Sr.

Proponents of the Port Huron casino schemes say the project would be good for the local economy. Opponents say the plan sets a dangerous national precedent for the approval and subsequent widespread expansion of off-reservation gaming establishments nationwide; and that non-Indian casino syndicators are simply exploiting tribes and seeking to find "reservation-shopping" loopholes in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) so they can build, manage and profit from "off-reservation" Indian casinos located in more lucrative urban markets.

ADN article recounts Rep. Don Young's history with House Natural Resources Commmittee

12.10.08

Young bumped from top House committee spot
RESOURCES: Longtime chair acknowledges taint from federal investigation.

By ERIKA BOLSTAD

ebolstad@adn.com

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Don Young, who wielded considerable power on the House Committee on Natural Resources in the 1990s as chairman and in recent years as its senior Republican, on Wednesday lost his top spot on the panel...

...It definitely is the end of an era, said Deborah Williams, an environmentalist who now heads Alaska Conservation Solutions. In the Clinton Administration, Williams worked for then-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt as a top aide on Alaska issues while Young headed the Resources Committee. In that role, she often testified about Alaska-related matters at his committee meetings, and occasionally, sparred with him.

"When Don Young sought to advance the public good in that position, it was a pleasure to work with him and he was very effective," Williams said. "But again and again, when he sought to advocate for legislation or interests that were not in the public interest ... he was thwarted and spent a lot of energy and political capital on issues that did not advance."

Young took over the Resources Committee in 1995 after Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives in the 1994 elections. At that time, the Natural Resources Committee was renamed the House Resources Committee -- a signal that its focus would be less about conservation and more about resource development. At one of Babbitt's first meetings with Young at the helm, at a committee hearing on a federal wolf reintroduction program, he told Young: "Mr. Chairman, I have no doubt about who the alpha wolf is in this room."

Young held the chairmanship of the committee until internal House rules on term limits for committee chairmanships forced him to step aside for Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah. Hansen held the seat for two years before the Republican Young had mentored, Rep. Richard Pombo of California, took over as chairman.

Young then took over as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he oversaw the $286.4 billion highway spending bill in 2005 that included money for what became known as Alaska's "bridges to nowhere." It also earmarked $10 million for the now-infamous Coconut Road interchange study in Florida that, this year, prompted Young's colleagues to ask for a federal investigation into how it was inserted in the bill... (Complete Story)

GOP pressures Rep. Don Young to step down as ranking member of House Natural Resources Committee

As reported by The Associated Press in an article published 12.11.08 in the New York Times:

Rep. Don Young of Alaska stepped down under pressure as the senior Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, saying he wants to focus on clearing his name in a corruption investigation.

Three Republican officials said Young acted after House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio told Young privately he would oppose Young if he sought to retain his post. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, saying they were not authorized to discuss the events.

$2.5M taxpayer subsidy so Ilitch can demo its decaying structures in west Foxtown

First, recall the dashboard graphic published in the Detroit News on 9.23.08 to demonstrate the uparralled decline of Michigan's economy and that the week before on 9.17.08 Forbes ranked Michael Ilitch #301 on its annual list of the "400 Richest Americans."

And now, in an article published 12.11.08 in Crain's Detroit Business it has been disclosed that various Ilitch Family-owned entities (Olympia Development of MI LLC, Olympia Entertainment LLC, Elizabeth Street Properties LLC, etc.) will receive $2.5 million from taxpayers to demolish six strucutres that Ilitch boarded up and then left decaying during the last decade. Ilitch purchased these devalued properties with intention or in some cases was nearly gifted them by the Wayne County Treasurer; and now he wants another handout?

Capping the demolition list is the historic Fine Arts/Adams Theatre Building located on W. Adams Ave. in Grand Circus Park.

In the 12.11.08 Crain's story, Fred Beal of J.C. Beal Construction Inc. reports the facade of the Fine Arts Building will remain intact echoing a previous promise by Ilitch spokeswoman Karen Cullen. (Fine Arts is coming down; Ilitch Lifts City Hopes; Ilitches Downtown Power Play)

Included among the other buildings that would be demolished are West Grand River Lofts at 2030 W. Grand River Ave., and the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Noble Mythic Shrine at 2203 Cass Ave.

This is yet another of the Ilitch Family's taxpayer subsidized demolition plans. It will level all but two major structures from property controlled by Ilitch-owned entities in the west end of Detroit's Foxtown -- an area in downtown Detroit that's home to the headquarters of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., and where various Ilitch enterprises are dominate property owners. If this latest round of demo goes forward as planned, left standing on Ilitch owned property in the near vicinity would be just two pre-existing structures: (1) the former Chin Tiki Restaurant building featured prominently in Eminem's 2002 feature film "8 Mile;" and (2) the historic Moose Lodge Building which Ilitch acquired from promoter Blair McGowan.

At a time when working men and women in Michigan are facing some of the most desperate economic times in their adult lives, one of the richest men in America is asking for several million dollars in taxpayers handouts so he can demolish structures he let decay throughout the last decade. Is that just how rich guys in Michigan do it; spend their money flying around on corporate jets and other luxuries while they watch their business enterprises decay and then ask taxpayers to bail them out?

View comprehensive map @ live.com

Ilitch to get another $2.5 million from taxpayers to again demolish buildings

12.11.08

Detroit authority to pay for demolition of Ilitch company buildings

by Nancy Kaffer

Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority approved $2.5 million in state-funded grants to demolish six dilapidated downtown buildings owned by the Ilitch family’s Olympia Development.

The demolition funds are part of a pre-Super Bowl state allocation targeting Detroit’s most dilapidated structures.

Capping the demolition list is the historic Fine Arts/Adams Theatre Building in Grand Circus Park.

Also, buildings at 479-481 West Columbia, 2203-2211 Cass Ave., 2030 West Grand River Ave. and 145 Elizabeth St. would be completely demolished and replaced with hard-surface parking lots, said Fred Beal, president of Ann Arbor- and Detroit-based J.C. Beal Construction Inc.

The Fine Arts/Adams Theatre Building’s façade will remain as part of an agreement with the city’s Historic District Commission. Olympia will pick up the tab for the estimated $500,000 façade stabilization, Beal said.

The five smaller projects should be completed by the time the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Final Four basketball tournament comes to Detroit in April, he said.

Two board members, attorney Jan Appel and downtown businessman Ted Gatzaros, voted against the project.

The Ilitch family’s ownership of the buildings gave some board members pause, leading to questions about the use of public money to demolish privately owned buildings.

Gatzaros asked whether Olympia-owned properties were those most in need of DDA-funded demolition.

“We need to prioritize where we apply money,” he said.

City officials urged action, pointing to the three years that have passed since the funds were initially made available.

“We have buildings falling down all around us and the owners won’t let us take them down,” said Douglas Diggs, director of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department. “I don’t think there’s any way to say these buildings shouldn’t come down. This impacts all of downtown.”

Original Article: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20081211/FREE/812119975

See comprehensive maps of more than 160 Iitch-owned properties in Downtown Detroit

indianz.com: Shinnecock Nation leader backs Suffolk County casino task force

as posted 12.11.08 at indianz.com:

Shinnecock Nation leader backs casino task force A top Shinnecock Nation leader backed legislation to create a task force that would help the tribe open a casino. Lance Gumbs, the senior trustee for the tribe, envisioned a "destination" resort. The legislation, introduced in the Suffolk County Legislature, would help identify a site for the facility. As part of a lawsuit, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is agreeing to a timetable to consider the tribe's federal recognition petition. A hearing takes place today in federal court. Get the Story:
• Shinnecock leader supports casino task force (Newsday 12/11)
• County backs Shinnecock casino effort (The Southampton Town News 12/10)

Expanded MotorCity Casino Hotel bringing in less revenue

According to an article published 12.10.08 in the Detroit News:

"Year-to-date casino revenues are up for Detroit's gaming market as a whole, but only because of large gains at MGM Grand; both MotorCity and Greektown are taking in less revenue this year than they did in 2007." (Complete Story)

On 12.05.08 both Standard & Poor's and Moody's lowered the credit ratings of and raised default concerns related to Ilitch-owned CCM Merger, Inc., the parent of Detroit Entertainment LLC, which does business as MotorCity Casino. Both ratings firms placed CCM Merger on Negative watch lists.

BusinessWeek: Detroit Tigers, Inc. is a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

BusinessWeek's profile of Detroit Tiger, Inc.:

"Detroit Tigers, Inc. offers sports and entertainment services. The company manages a professional baseball team that participates in Major League Baseball. Additionally, it auctions game memorabilia and markets match tickets, sports merchandise, apparels, and accessories through its Website. The company was formed in 1901 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Tigers, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings, Inc."

BusinessWeek's profile of CCM Merger, Inc. (parent of Detroit Entertainment LLC which does business as MotorCity Casino) indicates it too is a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

John M. Kotlar, VP of Tax Affairs at Ilitch Holdings is registered as Resident Agent for Ilitch Holdings Inc., CCM Merger Inc. and Detroit Tigers Inc.


Mich.gov: Detroit Tigers, Inc.; Ilitch Holdings, Inc.; CCM Merger, Inc.; Detroit Entertainment, LLC

BusinessWeek: CCM Merger, Inc. is subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

BusinessWeek's profile of CCM Merger, Inc.:

CCM Merger, Inc. owns and operates a casino in Detroit, Michigan. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. CCM Merger, Inc., operates as a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

In a separate profile BusinessWeek explains that Detroit Entertainment, LLC, which does business as MotorCity Casino, is a subsidiary of CCM Merger, Inc.



Mich.gov: CCM Merger, Inc.; Detroit Entertainment, LLC; Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

BusinessWeek: Detroit Entertainment, LLC is a subsidiary of CCM Merger, Inc.

BusinessWeek's profile of Detroit Entertainment, LLC:

Detroit Entertainment, LLC, doing business as MotorCity Casino Hotel, operates a hotel and casino in Detroit. Its amenities include guestrooms, bars, a restaurant, a radio bar, a library, and a chromatics lounge. The casino offers reel games and table games, as well as video poker and video slots. It also provides night runs and free shuttles from multiple locations. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Entertainment, LLC operates as a subsidiary of CCM Merger, Inc.

Mich.gov: Detroit Entertainment, LLC; CCM Merger, Inc.; IH Gaming, Inc.

Standard & Poor's uncovers declining cash flows at MotorCity Casino

12.05.08

Apparently after putting MotorCity Casino's parent CCM Merger, Inc. on CreditWatch and downgrading its credit and default ratings on 12.05.08, Standard & Poor's discovered the parent of MotorCity Casino had a more significant decline in cash flows than had been understood in taking those actions and and as such Standard & Poor's was forced to revise downward and publish the recoverability ratings of Senior Notes CMM Merger, Inc. is owing investors.

Standard & Poor's put MotorCity Casino parent CCM Merger on CreditWatch

12.05.08

CCM Merger Rating Cut To 'B-' And Placed On CreditWatch

Negative Growth in gaming revenue has recently moderated in the Detroit gaming market, leading to weaker credit measures for CCM Meger, Inc., and a minimal cushion with respect to the company's total leverage covenant, despite debt repayment during the third quarter. We expect that CCM will begin to report moderate declines in EBITDA comparables beginning in the first quarter of 2009, and possibly as soon as the fourth quarter of 2008, based on our expectations for continued softness in consumer spending and the anniversary of the tax rollback on Jan. 1.

Moody's dowgrades ratings and default probably, gives negative outlook to MotorCity Casino parent CCM Merger

12.05.08

CASINOS: MotorCity owner rating cut

CCM Merger Inc., which owns the MotorCity Casino in Detroit, had its credit rating lowered by Moody's Investors Service because of its earnings outlook and concerns over meeting loan conditions amid the U.S. recession.

Moody's cut its debt rating and default probability to B3 from B2, with a negative outlook. The change affects about $956 million in debt.

The ratings change comes as the company faces "continued weakness in overall consumer spending and gaming demand trends as well as the additional pressure on the southeastern Michigan economy from the current challenges faced by the three major U.S. automobile manufacturers," Moody's said Thursday in a statement.

See post at Detroit News

Ilitch Holdings & MotorCity Casino: what's the true relationship?

What is the true relationship between Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and MotorCity Casino?

Consider that Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is headquartered at 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Marian Ilitch holds numerous business titles in most all of her family’s business enterprises, chief of which is vice chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. John Kotlar, an attorney, is vice president of tax affairs at Ilitch Holdings.

An 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by MGM Mirage on 3.25.05 for the period ended 3.22.05 included an exhibit (EX-10.2) represented to be correspondence from Marian Ilitch, as representative for CCM Merger, Inc., making certain representations to MGM Mirage. The correspondence from Ilitch (CCM Merger, Inc.) was represented on Ilitch Holdings, Inc., letterhead.

An Agreement and Plan of Merger among various parties including Mandalay Resort Group and CCM Merger, Inc., and dated 3.25.05, notes that correspondence if to CCM Merger, Inc., should be directed to the attention of Marian Ilitch c/o Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Marian Ilitch, vice chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., is president of CCM Merger, Inc. John Kotlar, Ilitch Holdings’ vice president of tax affairs, is resident agent for CCM Merger, Inc. The registered office for CCM Merger is recorded at 2211 Woodward Ave.

CCM Merger, Inc. is likely the parent of IH Gaming, Inc., which has been identified as a “gaming investor” and is the survivor of a merger with Circus Circus Michigan, Inc. Ilitch is president of IH Gaming. Kotlar is designated as resident agent for IH Gaming.

Ilitch is also president of Atwater Management Corporation, the manger of Atwater Casino Group, LLC. Kotlar is designated as resident agent for both entities. The addresses of both entities are recorded at 2211 Woodward Ave.

Atwater and IH Gaming are likely members of Detroit Entertainment, LLC, which does business as MotorCity Casino. Ilitch controls both members.

Reuters and others have identified Christopher Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., as a member of MotorCity Casino’s Management Committee.

On 9.21.07, the Michigan Gaming Control Board voted to approve a key man gaming license at Detroit Entertainment, LLC, for Christopher Ilitch.

A report published on 4.25.05 by Thompson Financial Mergers & Acquisitions was titled “Ilitch Holdings, Inc. acquires MotorCity Casino from Tracinda Corp.”

Westlake Securities, a mergers and acquisitions consultant to the Atwater Entertainment Associates which held membership interest in Atwater Casino Group, published a report indicating his client sold its interest in MotorCity Casino to Ilitch Holdings, Inc., for more than $106 million.


BusinessWeek's profile of CCM Merger, Inc. reads, "CCM Merger, Inc. owns and operates a casino in Detroit, Michigan. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. CCM Merger, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Ilitch Holdings Inc."

A Notice of Public Offering distributed by Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch on 7.11.05 to raise capital for Ilitch-owned CCM Merger, Inc., read, "...to fund the April 2005 acquisition of 75% interest in MotorCity not controlled by CCM's principal shareholder, Marian Ilitch, co-owner of the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers and Little Caesars Pizza."

A corporate profile for the Detroit Tigers, Inc. by Hoover's reads, "The baseball franchise is part of Ilitch Holdings, owned by Mike and Marian Ilitch. The Ilitches, who bought the Tigers in 1992, also own the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, part of MotorCity Casino, and Little Caesar Enterprises."