There isn't anyone qualified on the board to run a casino and the tribe is failing as a result. I think this tribe may have a better chance of success if we extended the seperation of powers to a whole new level to include casinos and enterprises.
If we are going to live as a sovereign nation, we need to carry that concept all the way through. At one time, when the tribe was still gathering members, it wasn't necessary to seperate our administrative powers and operations remained all under one roof.
It may be time to take a good hard look at the way we operate. For example, placing all "Mid Jim" store/gas stations under one general manager with local managers running each faciltiy. One general manager qualifed to keep prices consistent with the local markets as well as maintaining a consistent level of service and standards so that all Mid jims had the appearance of a chain or franchise. One merchandise manager of retail sales to oversee sales and productivity of all gift shops. This can be done by recognizing the abilities of existing employees and a reorganization of the "corporate"(tribal) policies.
We need expert help with our casinos. They lack the appeal that other tribal casinos have. They seem to be more like barns with little glitter and glam to draw customers other than gamblers. Who approved those ridiculous billboards and commercials? What do cartoon forest animals have to do with casinos? The advertising should generate excitement, nightlife with lots of flash and glam instead of ridiculous claims that gambling is 'natural'. Why are there Kewadin billboards in Traverse City, Petoskey, Marquette and numerous other locations with no mention of where the casinos are located?
What a waste that more was not included in the St. Ignace location! So much more could have been done for tourism in that area if the tribe didn't throw away so much money in all the wrong places. If we could do it all over we could have developed that area and included a waterpark, golf course, resort, spa, pool, etc...
How sad that, with all the millions that have passed through the Sault Tribe, all the leaders thought they were capable of handling it or just wanted to hold on to the power instead of turning it over to those with experience, a vision for the future and an honest interest in what was best for the tribe and its people.
Instead, the tribe is failing miserably and it is all because of greed and corruption as well as 'the powers that be' and 'the powers that were' not being willing to give it up to someone that can handle it. We need experts and reorganization but that takes money but, if all the rumors are correct then it is already too late.
So sad what has been done to so many people. How embarrassing for this tribe and its members when so many other tribes have been able to flourish and take care of its members. I think many of us focused on the political side and our priorities were based on who we favored as chairman. It got away from all of us because we put too much faith in our political favorites. No one on the board is capable of running the casinos and enterprises and they have proven it to the members. It's time for the board to admit their failures and turn it over to someone that knows what they are doing before we crash and burn.
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