Dennis K [Keffalinos] was paid $1,600,000 for the .17 acre parcel on Grand River. That's $234/sq. ft., not a bad price. (Price reported by Verifiable on this forum, which I verified from the seller.) What is amazing is that the Ilitch entity took no steps to prevent the public from seeing the purchase price, such as filing a Valuation Affidavit. Unbelievable. That [apparent] slip-up will cost them a fortune when negotiating future purchases and may sink an arena behind the Fox if they have much more land to acquire.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Detroit forum affirms Ilitch paid record price for .17 acre Foxtown parcel
On 12.24.07 a forum participant, 3rdworldcity, posted the following affirmation of a previous TVT post in a forum thread, "Motown site (Woodward/75) back in the news:"
Thursday, December 20, 2007
LA Times columnist visits Barstow: meets Miss California-USA and the town's "Tony Soprano"
Miss Barstow has been in the news 
recently as she was crowned Miss California-USA after state pageant officials realized another contestant had been wrongly crowned due to tabulation errors. The last time a Miss Barstow made big news that local beauty queen was arrested for defacing a California Highway Patrol vehicle and became the butt of jokes in Jay Leno's Tonight Show monologues.
So seeing the latest Miss Barstow news as an opportunity to turn around the bad PR the dusty desert town got a few years back, Barstow's city leaders decided to invite Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez to town for a PR tour. Lopez followed up his visit with a column: Truth and beauties at the Crossroads of Opportunity.
Interesting that as a part of the visit, Lopez was invited to attend the morning coffee klatsch with local influence brokers held at Leonard Purdy's Barstow Tire and Brake. It's been reported to TVT that Leonardy Purdy is the "Tony Soprano" of Barstow and that Barstow Tire and Brake is Purdy's (or Barstow's) version of the "Bada Bing!" club -- the place where the "Boss" and his boys gather to exchange gossip, hatch their plans and get their marching orders.
Lopez writes in his LA Times column:
You better hurry back to Barstow Mr. Lopez if you really want those tires because if you wait too long, some of your new Barstow buddies might be in custody. Oh, and don't hold you breath on the Walmart Distribution Center, new home construction by the thousands or the scheme for side-by-side Indian casinos ... Barstow's Mayor has been promising those windfalls for the last seven years and none of those milestones are anywhere in Barstow's near future.
recently as she was crowned Miss California-USA after state pageant officials realized another contestant had been wrongly crowned due to tabulation errors. The last time a Miss Barstow made big news that local beauty queen was arrested for defacing a California Highway Patrol vehicle and became the butt of jokes in Jay Leno's Tonight Show monologues.So seeing the latest Miss Barstow news as an opportunity to turn around the bad PR the dusty desert town got a few years back, Barstow's city leaders decided to invite Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez to town for a PR tour. Lopez followed up his visit with a column: Truth and beauties at the Crossroads of Opportunity.
Interesting that as a part of the visit, Lopez was invited to attend the morning coffee klatsch with local influence brokers held at Leonard Purdy's Barstow Tire and Brake. It's been reported to TVT that Leonardy Purdy is the "Tony Soprano" of Barstow and that Barstow Tire and Brake is Purdy's (or Barstow's) version of the "Bada Bing!" club -- the place where the "Boss" and his boys gather to exchange gossip, hatch their plans and get their marching orders.
Lopez writes in his LA Times column:
It even appears that Barstow's "Boss" attempted to schmooze the LA Times's Lopez and set himself up with few "chits" by offering Lopez the favor of some discounted tires:There's plenty of backroom politics in Barstow, and more than a few critics of the mayor and council's plan for the casino, the awarding of big contracts and whatnot, so I'd have ample material to work with.
But I'm going to delay a decision for now.
At Monday night's City Council meeting, I did get a feel for Barstow's small-town charm when Mayor Dale honored the state champion cross-country team from Barstow High and declared Dec. 17 Raquel Beezley day.
The next morning, for my big tour, I joined the mayor and the beauty queen at Leonard Purdy's Barstow Tire & Brake, where local movers and shakers start each day with coffee and gossip. Or, as a sign says, "Will trade coffee for fish stories."
Even before Leonard Purdy said he could beat L.A. prices on the tires I've been shopping for, I had to admit that Barstow was winning me over.
You better hurry back to Barstow Mr. Lopez if you really want those tires because if you wait too long, some of your new Barstow buddies might be in custody. Oh, and don't hold you breath on the Walmart Distribution Center, new home construction by the thousands or the scheme for side-by-side Indian casinos ... Barstow's Mayor has been promising those windfalls for the last seven years and none of those milestones are anywhere in Barstow's near future.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Southampton blocks Shinnecock casino development; tribe irked
12.17.07
Shinnecocks irked by Southampton blocking casino
BY MITCHELL FREEDMAN
mitch.freedman@newsday.com
Tribal Trustees of the Shinnecock Indian tribe Monday charged that Southampton Town was committing "cultural genocide" by insisting that the residentially-zoned land should be used only to build houses.
The charge by tribal trustees, during an interview on the reservation, comes a few days before a federal court was to accept the wording of a permanent injunction barring the Shinnecock from developing a casino on nearly 80 acres of land in Hampton Bays.
Southampton won its lawsuit to block the tribe from building a casino.
Trustee Frederick C. Bess said Monday that generations of Shinnecocks have taken part in weddings, dances and other community rituals on the tribe's Westwoods property.
"They can't tell us if we're breaking the law or not," he said. "Do we have to get a permit to build a bonfire?"
Trustee Lance Gumbs said that the traditional uses of the land would not be stopped. "We are going to continue to do them," he said. "If we have to go to jail, we will."
The Tribal Trustees also complained that the proposed injunction drawn up by the town contains language opposing any federal recognition of the tribe. They say such a clause would make it difficult to gain that status, which would allow the tribe to apply for special federal aid programs.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bianco ruled in October that the Shinnecock Tribe did not have the right to build a casino on the Westwoods land, where its members have hunted, celebrated and conducted different ceremonies for generations.
The land, off Newtown Road, is several miles from the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on Shinnecock Bay.
After ruling in favor of the town, Judge Bianco ordered the two sides to come up with the wording for a permanent injunction to bar casino construction by Dec. 12. When they failed to reach an agreement on the language, he extended the deadline to Thursday.
Town Board member Linda Kabot, who will become supervisor, had scheduled a meeting with the Tribal Trustees last week, but canceled it.
Kabot said the Shinnecocks wanted to include language in the court order that spelled out the tribe's pre-existing uses of the land, uses which did not conform to existing zoning. "It was over-reaching," she said.
Kabot said that there are no town regulations that deal with tribal ceremonies or similar cultural events. "We only cover big activities like the Hampton Classic," she said.
BY MITCHELL FREEDMAN
mitch.freedman@newsday.com
Tribal Trustees of the Shinnecock Indian tribe Monday charged that Southampton Town was committing "cultural genocide" by insisting that the residentially-zoned land should be used only to build houses.
The charge by tribal trustees, during an interview on the reservation, comes a few days before a federal court was to accept the wording of a permanent injunction barring the Shinnecock from developing a casino on nearly 80 acres of land in Hampton Bays.
Southampton won its lawsuit to block the tribe from building a casino.
Trustee Frederick C. Bess said Monday that generations of Shinnecocks have taken part in weddings, dances and other community rituals on the tribe's Westwoods property.
"They can't tell us if we're breaking the law or not," he said. "Do we have to get a permit to build a bonfire?"
Trustee Lance Gumbs said that the traditional uses of the land would not be stopped. "We are going to continue to do them," he said. "If we have to go to jail, we will."
The Tribal Trustees also complained that the proposed injunction drawn up by the town contains language opposing any federal recognition of the tribe. They say such a clause would make it difficult to gain that status, which would allow the tribe to apply for special federal aid programs.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bianco ruled in October that the Shinnecock Tribe did not have the right to build a casino on the Westwoods land, where its members have hunted, celebrated and conducted different ceremonies for generations.
The land, off Newtown Road, is several miles from the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on Shinnecock Bay.
After ruling in favor of the town, Judge Bianco ordered the two sides to come up with the wording for a permanent injunction to bar casino construction by Dec. 12. When they failed to reach an agreement on the language, he extended the deadline to Thursday.
Town Board member Linda Kabot, who will become supervisor, had scheduled a meeting with the Tribal Trustees last week, but canceled it.
Kabot said the Shinnecocks wanted to include language in the court order that spelled out the tribe's pre-existing uses of the land, uses which did not conform to existing zoning. "It was over-reaching," she said.
Kabot said that there are no town regulations that deal with tribal ceremonies or similar cultural events. "We only cover big activities like the Hampton Classic," she said.
Barwest spokesman reports no significant progress in effort to bring casino to Barstow
Tom Shields, spokesman for Detroit-based BarWest Gaming LLC, appeared at tonight's meeting of the Barstow City Council and reported, "There has really not been any significant change in our (BarWest) effort to bring Casino gaming to Barstow." The BarWest casino scheme has been stalled, making no significant progress, since 2005; despite periodic representations otherwise by Shields.
Although California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger a strict policy of confidentiality regarding negotiations that may be ongoing with specific tribes, Shields continues to make public statement indicating negotiations with the Governor are in progress presumaby breaking with the Governor's policy requiring confidentiality, and leading some to speculate that in fact there are no active discussions underway.
Shields, once again, brought along two members of the Los Coyotes tribe but there has been no appearance by leaders of the Big Lagoon Rancheria in Barstow for months -- one news story indicated Big Lagoon was no longer involved with the Barstow casino effort although Shields has attempted to suggest otherwise.
Shields, once again, brought along two members of the Los Coyotes tribe but there has been no appearance by leaders of the Big Lagoon Rancheria in Barstow for months -- one news story indicated Big Lagoon was no longer involved with the Barstow casino effort although Shields has attempted to suggest otherwise.
Political disclosure documents indicate both individuals who accompanied Shields to the City Council meeting representing themselves as leaders of the Los Coyotes tribe have previously been paid by BarWest to make appearances in Barstow.
Shields and Shane Chapparosa, one of those who represents himself as a leader of the Los Coyotes tribe, reported that there had been elections but represented there were no significant changes in the make-up of the Tribal Council. They failed to mention whether or not Katherine Siva Saubel remained as chairwoman/spokesperson for the tribe.
A news article published in November reported that Saubel, who terminated the tribe's agreement with BarWest referred to BarWest principal Michael J. Malik, Sr. as "the Devil." Saubel and her nephew Kevin Siva were noticeably absent from the Barstow City Council meeting.
Further, Shields was forced to admit that a draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) on the two casinos BarWest has proposed had made no progress at the Department of Interior.
A news article published in November reported that Saubel, who terminated the tribe's agreement with BarWest referred to BarWest principal Michael J. Malik, Sr. as "the Devil." Saubel and her nephew Kevin Siva were noticeably absent from the Barstow City Council meeting.
Further, Shields was forced to admit that a draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) on the two casinos BarWest has proposed had made no progress at the Department of Interior.
San Bernardino County DA investigating allegations of corruption in Barstow
Several reliable sources have informed TVT that the Public 
Integrity Unit of the San Bernardino County's District Attorney's Office is conducting an active investigation, yet again, into allegations that Mayor Lawrence Dale and some members of the Barstow City Council may have engaged in unethical activities and even possibly criminal violations.
According to the District Attorney's Web site:
In September, Mayor Dale and a delegation of three of the four members of Barstow's City Council scheduled a secret meeting in Sacramento with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's aide to discuss plans for BarWest casinos in Barstow. When rumors of that meeting began to surface, Mayor Dale and Barstow's City Attorney Yvette Abich attempted to cure that obvious violation of the Brown Act's opening meeting rules by disclosing and providing a veiled report on the meeting after-the-fact.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Web site also indicates:
Desert Dispatch archives on "Brown Act" related stories:
City manager's loss due to his integrity - 12.10.07
Council accused of violating Brown Act over casino meeting - 9.18.07
Who watches the watchdogs? - 9.18.07
Editorial: Getting to the hat of the matter - 12.07.06
Meetings spark debate - 8.10.05
Activist details alleged Brown Act violations - 5.09.05
Public needs to know facts about development of Indain casinos 5.05.05
Keeping the word 'casino' off council agenda may have been violation - 7.31.03
Brown Act violation claimed by city councilwoman - 4.11.01
Integrity Unit of the San Bernardino County's District Attorney's Office is conducting an active investigation, yet again, into allegations that Mayor Lawrence Dale and some members of the Barstow City Council may have engaged in unethical activities and even possibly criminal violations.According to the District Attorney's Web site:
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos campaigned on the issue of restoring public integrity to San Bernardino County. Within the first four months after being elected, Mr. Ramos fulfilled his promise to the electorate and created the Public Integrity Unit.Several years ago, following complaints that Mayor Dale had lead the Barstow City Council into various Brown Act violations related to the BarWest casino scheme, the District Attorney required Barstow's City Attorney to conduct a public workshop on ethics and California's Brown Act for the Mayor and members of the Council.
The unit, which is comprised of two attorneys, three investigators and a secretary, handles complaints involving those people holding public office. Some types of issues might involve: The illegal use of campaign funds; residency violations; and, open meeting/Brown Act violations. The Unit will be responsible for monitoring City Councils, elected Boards and Commissions.
In September, Mayor Dale and a delegation of three of the four members of Barstow's City Council scheduled a secret meeting in Sacramento with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's aide to discuss plans for BarWest casinos in Barstow. When rumors of that meeting began to surface, Mayor Dale and Barstow's City Attorney Yvette Abich attempted to cure that obvious violation of the Brown Act's opening meeting rules by disclosing and providing a veiled report on the meeting after-the-fact.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Web site also indicates:
To insure open government, it is our expectation that there be strict compliance with the Brown Act. Our goal here will be compliance and not prosecution. Complaints and violations will be brought to the attention of an agency alleged to have violated the act. They will be monitored for compliance. Only aggravating circumstances or repeat offenses will result in prosecution. We also have the authority to file civil actions to prevent or nullify actions done in violation of the Act, and we will do so in appropriate cases.
Desert Dispatch archives on "Brown Act" related stories:
City manager's loss due to his integrity - 12.10.07
Council accused of violating Brown Act over casino meeting - 9.18.07
Who watches the watchdogs? - 9.18.07
Editorial: Getting to the hat of the matter - 12.07.06
Meetings spark debate - 8.10.05
Activist details alleged Brown Act violations - 5.09.05
Public needs to know facts about development of Indain casinos 5.05.05
Keeping the word 'casino' off council agenda may have been violation - 7.31.03
Brown Act violation claimed by city councilwoman - 4.11.01
Corruption? in Barstow: Mayor Lawrence Dale, Bureau Veritas and Micromedia Filtration, Inc.
On August 20, 2007, the Barstow City Council adopted an agenda item approving three firms that could provide future contract inspector services and directed Mayor Lawrence Dale to enter into a Professional Service Agreement with any of the three firms when the City's workload required the services of a contract inspector. Bureau Veritas was listed as one of the three contractors.
During the week of September 3, 2007, Barstow's Mayor Lawrence Dale and Councilmembers Steve Curran, Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre and Tim Silva traveled to Sacramento for the Annual California League of Cities Conference. On September 6, all four members of the City Council met with Governor Schwarzenegger's aide Cynthia Bryant to discuss Barstow's desire to host an Indian casino. Barstow's City Attorney has already attempted to cure that Brown Act violation.
TVT has learned that during trip to Sacramento, the City's contractor Bureau Veritas reportedly hosted a dinner meeting with the same four members of the City Council. There has not been any formal disclosure of that meeting. Following that dinner meeting, and after controversy erupted about the Mayor's attempts to award a $15 million sewer treatment facility contract to Micromedia Filtration, Inc., without conducting a formal open review of experienced bidders, Mayor Dale executed an agreement with Bureau Veritas to "screen" firms that would be awarded the contract.
The Sacramento dinner meeting with Bureau Veritas appears to have been yet another violation of California's Brown Act and raises serious ethics questions. One must wonder what other meetings took place that week that have yet to be made public.
During the week of September 3, 2007, Barstow's Mayor Lawrence Dale and Councilmembers Steve Curran, Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre and Tim Silva traveled to Sacramento for the Annual California League of Cities Conference. On September 6, all four members of the City Council met with Governor Schwarzenegger's aide Cynthia Bryant to discuss Barstow's desire to host an Indian casino. Barstow's City Attorney has already attempted to cure that Brown Act violation.
TVT has learned that during trip to Sacramento, the City's contractor Bureau Veritas reportedly hosted a dinner meeting with the same four members of the City Council. There has not been any formal disclosure of that meeting. Following that dinner meeting, and after controversy erupted about the Mayor's attempts to award a $15 million sewer treatment facility contract to Micromedia Filtration, Inc., without conducting a formal open review of experienced bidders, Mayor Dale executed an agreement with Bureau Veritas to "screen" firms that would be awarded the contract.
The Sacramento dinner meeting with Bureau Veritas appears to have been yet another violation of California's Brown Act and raises serious ethics questions. One must wonder what other meetings took place that week that have yet to be made public.
When was this contract (assignment) with Bureau Veritas executed: before the hosted dinner meeting or after? What was discussed at the meeting where four members of the Barstow Council were present? Why was Bureau Veritas selected by Mayor Dale to oversee the process to award the $15 million contract and not one of the other two pre-approved contract providers? Did the Council members also meet with the other two pre-approved providers?
Barstow's former City Manager Hector Rodriguez raised concerns this Fall about Mayor Dale's attempt to ensure that the Mayor's preferred candidate Micromedia Filtration, Inc. be awarded the $15 million contract. Shortly thereafter, Rodriguez would leave his job at the City. Upon Rodriguez's departure the Desert Dispatch reported the Mayor as saying:
Barstow's former City Manager Hector Rodriguez raised concerns this Fall about Mayor Dale's attempt to ensure that the Mayor's preferred candidate Micromedia Filtration, Inc. be awarded the $15 million contract. Shortly thereafter, Rodriguez would leave his job at the City. Upon Rodriguez's departure the Desert Dispatch reported the Mayor as saying:
“I did not direct the City Manager to create an RFP that would eliminate potential bidders for the wastewater facility upgrade project,” Dale wrote in an e-mail. “In fact, the City’s consultant Bureau Veritas is now moving forward with an RFP process that will be advertised with all potential bidders.”
The question is, did Mayor Dale indicate his preference to hire Micromedia Filtration to his consultant of choice Bureau Veritas? Did Mayor Dale attempt to influence Bureau Veritas in the RFP process which he suggests is underway. Was this assignement for Bureau Veritas discussed at the dinner meeting in Sacramento in which four members of the City Council were present?
What motivates Barstow's Mayor to play such hard-ball and and undertake such risky behaviors in order to strip this important contract from one provider (HDR Engineering Inc.) and award a $15 million contract to neo-phyte Micromedia Filtration, Inc., a firm with little track record of experience? Was the Office of Congressman Buck McKeon aware of any of this prior to submittal of a new $500,000 earmark for funds that would be directed to the Barstow sewer treatment plant upgrades and possibly into Micromedia Filtration's bank account?
What motivates Barstow's Mayor to play such hard-ball and and undertake such risky behaviors in order to strip this important contract from one provider (HDR Engineering Inc.) and award a $15 million contract to neo-phyte Micromedia Filtration, Inc., a firm with little track record of experience? Was the Office of Congressman Buck McKeon aware of any of this prior to submittal of a new $500,000 earmark for funds that would be directed to the Barstow sewer treatment plant upgrades and possibly into Micromedia Filtration's bank account?
Ouch! MotorCity Casino's revenues fell 3.7% despite larger gambling floor
According to reports released by the Michigan Gaming Control Board MotorCity Casino's revenues for November 2007 are down 3.7% over November 2006 despite the opening of a larger gaming floor (25% larger) back in June and the much anticipated opening of MotorCity Casino's 400-room hotel property.
Analysts have numerous other reasons to have MotorCity Casino on their watch list.
Analysts have numerous other reasons to have MotorCity Casino on their watch list.
MGM Grand gets tax break; MotorCity Casino has 3.7 percent decline in revenues
12.17.07The tax rate MGM Grand Detroit L.L.C. pays to the state and city of Detroit has rolled back to 19 percent from 24 percent now that its permanent casino and hotel are fully operational.
Casino revenue was up 14.8 percent to $46.8 million in November, compared with November 2006. By comparison, MotorCity Casino showed a 3.7 percent decline to $38.3 million, and Greektown Casino L.L.C. reported a 1.3 percent increase to $28.1 million.
MGCB: 2007 Casino Revenues
Barstow Council to hear first casino update since stories that Los Coyotes terminated Michael Malik and BarWest
As posted 12. 16.07 at the Desert Dispatch:
The spokeswoman for the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians, Katherine Siva Saubel sent a letter to Michael Malik at BarWest terminating the tribe's agreement with Barwest back in September. And in addition, Saubel referred to Malik in a subsequent news story published 11.01.07 as "the Devil."
Documents recorded 10.01.07 with the County of San Bernardino indicate BarWest quit claimed property to a partnership (PGMC Investors) that includes the father of City Councilman Steve Curran. Previously PGMC transferred title on another parcel to BarWest LLC which BarWest combined with other properties in its portfolio and then subsequently divided into new parcels.
The Council meeting tonight can be watched live on line (using Windows Media Player) at 7:30 pm pacific time or at any time there after by logging in at http://barstow.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
A casino update had been previously scheduled for the 12.03.07 City Council meeting but was pulled from the agenda at the last minute by Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale.
Government Report: City Council to discuss casino projects, new city manager
FROM STAFF REPORTS
BARSTOW— At 7:30 p.m. on Monday the Barstow City Council will meet to hear an update about casino projects proposed for the city and to discuss strategies to hire an interim and permanent city manager.
The spokeswoman for the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians, Katherine Siva Saubel sent a letter to Michael Malik at BarWest terminating the tribe's agreement with Barwest back in September. And in addition, Saubel referred to Malik in a subsequent news story published 11.01.07 as "the Devil."
Documents recorded 10.01.07 with the County of San Bernardino indicate BarWest quit claimed property to a partnership (PGMC Investors) that includes the father of City Councilman Steve Curran. Previously PGMC transferred title on another parcel to BarWest LLC which BarWest combined with other properties in its portfolio and then subsequently divided into new parcels.
The Council meeting tonight can be watched live on line (using Windows Media Player) at 7:30 pm pacific time or at any time there after by logging in at http://barstow.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Friday, December 14, 2007
Blurred lines between Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Ilitch owned gambling entities
A story in Crain's Detroit Business published 12.03.07 suggests that Detroit Entertainment LLC is "a distinct corporate venture from Ilitch Holdings Inc."
TVT's not buying that attempt to pull the wool over Bud Selig's eyes. Consider the following:
- Official press releases posted on the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Web site indicate something different:
http://www.ilitchholdings.com/Portals/0/Little-Caesars-Pizza-plans-growth.pdf
"Part of the Ilitch Holdings’ family of businesses, the company’s primary business interests in the food, sports and entertainment industries include – Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, MotorCity Casino and a variety of venues within these entities." - Official Press Releases available in the "Media Room" on the Ilitch Holdings, Inc.. Web site (there are several) even have the MotorCity Casino logo among the various Ilitch brands incorporated into the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. masthead (see graphic above) including an official press release issued on behalf of Ilitch Childrens Chairities.
http://www.ilitchholdings.com/Portals/0/ILITCH_HOLDINGS_TO_EXPAND_DEVELOPMENT_EFFORTS.pdf
http://www.ilitchholdings.com/Portals/0/icc.pdf - Then there's the matter of IH Gaming, Inc. formed in 1997 and apparently still active which would appear to stand for Ilitch Holdings Gaming.
- John Kotlar, both resident agent and Vice President of Tax Affairs for Ilitch Holdings, Inc., and also resident agent for Detroit Tigers, Inc., is also the resident agent for IH Gaming, Inc.; CCM Merger, Inc. (parent of Detroit Entertainment LLC of which MotorCity Casino is a d/b/a), Atwater Casino Group LLC; Z.R.X. LLC; and various other entities formed or aquired as part of the Ilitch ownership in casino ventures over the years. And it is noted that those entities have registered official addresses with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth at the headquarters of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., 2211 WOODWARD AVE, DETROIT MI 48201. Kotlar's official bio on the Ilitch Holdings Web site fails to mention his involvement with these Ilitch owned gambling entities.
- Marian Ilitch, reportedly the sole owner and perhaps Chairwoman of MotorCity Casino which is a d/b/a for Detroit Entertainment LLC is also the Vice Chairwoman of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. She and her husband Mike Ilitch co-founded Little Caesars Pizza and co-own the Detroit Red Wings.
- And finally a recent Free Press story indicated that Ilitch Holdings, Inc. CEO and President Christopher Ilitch is a member of the MotorCity Casino Management Committee. Christopher Ilitch's official bio on the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Web site fails to mention his official involvement with MotorCity Casino.
They can say all they want that there's no mingling of business interests -- that the Casino operations are distinct and separate from Ilitch Holdings, Inc. -- but there are red flags all over the place that suggest something different.
Just because an Ilitch or an Ilitch representative says something doesn't mean it's so. What it means is that's what they want you to -- or need you to -- believe.
To suggest that MotorCity Casino (Detroit Entertainment LLC/CCM Merger Inc) is distinct from and not a part of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is questionable at best.
Marian Ilitch tells a reporter she's got nothing to do with Tigers baseball
from a Crain's Detroit Business story by Daniel Duggan published 12.03.07:
...Behind the venture is Marian Ilitch, who heads Detroit Entertainment L.L.C., a distinct corporate venture from Ilitch Holdings Inc., of which she is vice-chairwoman and her husband, Mike, is chairman.
During the grand opening, Marian Ilitch shared her thoughts on life at home with two distinct companies, on the delays of opening the hotel, and her role in the casino design.
What is it like for you at home, when you have a company that has to stay separate from your husband's?
It's not difficult, it really isn't. I don't do any of the baseball stuff, it's his bag, it's over there. I go to the ball games, but I don't go to the press conferences. He doesn't go to mine either. It's easy to separate it. We've been together a long time, Mike and I, so we can take jabs at each other. I tell him I'll leave baseball alone as long as they don't cross Woodward looking for money.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale: allegations of racial slurs
At a recent City Council meeting in the City of Barstow a local political activist accused the 72-year-old GOP Mayor of Barstow Lawrence Dale and his buddies over at the local Masonic Lodge of frequently using a racial slur to refer to Barstow City Councilman Joe Gomez.
Gomez, of latino heritage, was raised in Barstow and was elected to the City Council in November 2004 after being endorsed by the Barstow Police Officers' Association.
Recently it has come to light that Mayor Dale who began a life-long career with the Santa Fe Railroad at age 17 failed to graduate from high school.
Dale and Gomez have often been often at odds over the direction Barstow should take if it hopes to attract an Indian gaming resort that could serve as an economic catalyst for the struggling desert community.
In 2006, an independent council majority appointed Hector Rodriguez as City Manager of Barstow much to the dislike of Mayor Dale. Since then, Dale has worked behind the scenes to undermine Rodriguez and recently succeeded at pushing Rodriguez out of City Hall. Gomez had hoped to retain Rodriguez as City Manager.
While Mayor Dale may be playing to his base with these alledged racist comments, nearly 40% of Barstow residents indicate they are Hispanic; and according to the San Bernardino Registrar of Voters, 40% of Barstow voters are registered Democrat; while 34% are registered GOP.
MotorCity Casino's November revenues third worst for 2007; hotel opening had little impact
According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, MotorCity Casino posted revenues of $38.3 million for the month of November. That was a slight increase, 1.56%, over October's revenues which were reported as the second lowest for the 2007 calendar year.
MotorCity Casino's November revenues rank as the third worst peforming month of the year.
It's significant to recognize that two of the three lowest performing months during 2007 (October & November) were reported after MotorCity Casino opened its expanded gaming floor (25% larger) in June. The lowest monthly revenues were reported in May 2007; just prior to the opening of the expanded gaming floor.
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SOURCE: Michgian Gaming Control Board
MotorCity Casino's November revenues rank as the third worst peforming month of the year.
It's significant to recognize that two of the three lowest performing months during 2007 (October & November) were reported after MotorCity Casino opened its expanded gaming floor (25% larger) in June. The lowest monthly revenues were reported in May 2007; just prior to the opening of the expanded gaming floor.
SOURCE: Michgian Gaming Control Board
MGM Grand Detroit revenues drop; Casinos' occupancy rates raise concerns
12.12.07
At MGM, many gamble, but fewer stay overnight
BY JOHN GALLAGHER and HEATHER NEWMAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
Is there too much room at the inns?
Since the MGM Grand Detroit hotel opened in early October, bookings have been running below the metro Detroit average of about 55% occupancy, raising fears whether all of downtown's new hotels will find enough customers.
George Boyer, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand Detroit, reported the soft hotel occupancy results during an otherwise upbeat report Tuesday to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
MGM's casino revenues for November were up $6 million, or nearly 15%, from the same month in 2006, when the MGM was in a temporary location. The take of $46.8 million was down from MGM Grand's debut month of October, when the celebratory opening resulted in $54.9 million in revenue, but that was expected.
Boyer did not give an exact figure for MGM Grand's hotel occupancy. Occupancy figures for the new MotorCity Casino hotel, which opened late last month, were not available, either.
Robin Boyle, a professor of urban planning at Wayne State University and co-chair of the Urban Land Institute, a real estate education association, said he wasn't surprised at the soft occupancy levels.
"To get momentum for the new hotels is going to take quite a lot of concerted efforts from all the different players, and I think that is coming together," he said. "The trouble is, these things take time, and perhaps the delivery of hotel rooms is a little bit ahead of getting this message out."
Downtown Detroit is in the process of nearly doubling its inventory of hotel rooms, with the MGM Grand and MotorCity Casino hotels and the old Hotel Pontchartrain having reopened as a Sheraton.
Also, the renovated Westin Book Cadillac, the Doubletree Fort Shelby, and the Greektown Casino hotel are all expected to open in fall 2008 or shortly after. The six hotels together offer about 2,000 rooms to the downtown market.
Leaders of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau say the new hotel rooms are key to fulfilling the city's hopes of growing its convention business.
"When you basically double the inventory of hotel rooms anywhere, it's going to take a little bit of time to balance things out," Michael O'Callaghan, executive vice president of the convention bureau, said Tuesday. "You have to create a new customer base. But I'm confident that all three casino hotels have all done their due diligence. They know that in the long run they'll all do just fine."
Some of the new hotels may be doing better than others. Scott Stinebaugh, director of marketing for the Westin Book Cadillac, said his hotel, which is to open in October 2008, already is fully booked for the January 2009 North American International Auto Show.
In other casino news, MotorCity and Greektown casinos reported revenue increases in November. Greektown's $2.5-million revenue jump followed the recent opening of its mammoth new parking garage.
MotorCity had $38.3 million in November revenues. That was up from October's $37.7 million, before it moved to its new location.
The total take for the three casinos in November declined to $113.2 million, down about $5 million from October's record combined take.
But the figure was up from the November 2006 take of $108.3 million.
Contact JOHN GALLAGHER at 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com.
Find this article at:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/BUSINESS06/712120316/1019
BY JOHN GALLAGHER and HEATHER NEWMAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
Is there too much room at the inns?
Since the MGM Grand Detroit hotel opened in early October, bookings have been running below the metro Detroit average of about 55% occupancy, raising fears whether all of downtown's new hotels will find enough customers.
George Boyer, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand Detroit, reported the soft hotel occupancy results during an otherwise upbeat report Tuesday to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
MGM's casino revenues for November were up $6 million, or nearly 15%, from the same month in 2006, when the MGM was in a temporary location. The take of $46.8 million was down from MGM Grand's debut month of October, when the celebratory opening resulted in $54.9 million in revenue, but that was expected.
Boyer did not give an exact figure for MGM Grand's hotel occupancy. Occupancy figures for the new MotorCity Casino hotel, which opened late last month, were not available, either.
Robin Boyle, a professor of urban planning at Wayne State University and co-chair of the Urban Land Institute, a real estate education association, said he wasn't surprised at the soft occupancy levels.
"To get momentum for the new hotels is going to take quite a lot of concerted efforts from all the different players, and I think that is coming together," he said. "The trouble is, these things take time, and perhaps the delivery of hotel rooms is a little bit ahead of getting this message out."
Downtown Detroit is in the process of nearly doubling its inventory of hotel rooms, with the MGM Grand and MotorCity Casino hotels and the old Hotel Pontchartrain having reopened as a Sheraton.
Also, the renovated Westin Book Cadillac, the Doubletree Fort Shelby, and the Greektown Casino hotel are all expected to open in fall 2008 or shortly after. The six hotels together offer about 2,000 rooms to the downtown market.
Leaders of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau say the new hotel rooms are key to fulfilling the city's hopes of growing its convention business.
"When you basically double the inventory of hotel rooms anywhere, it's going to take a little bit of time to balance things out," Michael O'Callaghan, executive vice president of the convention bureau, said Tuesday. "You have to create a new customer base. But I'm confident that all three casino hotels have all done their due diligence. They know that in the long run they'll all do just fine."
Some of the new hotels may be doing better than others. Scott Stinebaugh, director of marketing for the Westin Book Cadillac, said his hotel, which is to open in October 2008, already is fully booked for the January 2009 North American International Auto Show.
In other casino news, MotorCity and Greektown casinos reported revenue increases in November. Greektown's $2.5-million revenue jump followed the recent opening of its mammoth new parking garage.
MotorCity had $38.3 million in November revenues. That was up from October's $37.7 million, before it moved to its new location.
The total take for the three casinos in November declined to $113.2 million, down about $5 million from October's record combined take.
But the figure was up from the November 2006 take of $108.3 million.
Contact JOHN GALLAGHER at 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com.
Find this article at:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/BUSINESS06/712120316/1019
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Michael Malik reports a quarter of a million dollars in personal political contributions
Michael J. Malik, Sr. - reports nearly $250,000 in Federal campaign contributions:- 2008 Contribution Count/Amount = 14/$62,500
- 2006 Contribution Count/Amount = 17/$89,650
- 2004 Contribution Count/Amount = 34/$93,887
- 2002 Contribution Count/Amount = 2/$2,000
- 2000 Contribution Count/Amount = 1/$1,000
SOURCE: PoliticalMoney.com
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