SAULT TRIBE UNDERCOVER AGENTS HIDE THE TRUTH

Isn't that the new title that should be given to the majority of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors...'Undercover Agents'? With the exception of five or so, aren't the remaining directors really working 'undercover'? Undercover from the scrutiny of the members, that is. Mystery novel terminology, like 'beneath a cloak of secrecy' or 'swathed in deceit,' certainly describes those board members we have come to distrust. It's not because we are a bunch of suspicious, feeble-minded, minions as some in control would like to think, but it is what we have not only learned to do, but what we need to do, as a result of the actions of the same old deceivers.

I almost puked when I read the title of Bernard Bouschor's unit report. What a bunch of 'pat-me-on-the-back', 'don't-hate-me-for-taking-your-money', 'love-me-cause-I-said-so' B.S. Anyone under the watch of an entire tribe could have done the same as he claims to have done. Anyone with a good dose of honesty, integrity, deep concern for every fellow man, woman and child, and a friggin' conscience could have done twice as much, if not more, than Bouschor did for our tribe.

Lets compare..take a look at what Bay Mills Indian Community, located in Brimley, MI, just 20 miles or so from the Sault, has done with much less. Two casinos, a world class golf course, an RV park & campgrounds, a wonderful community college, an elementary school, a very nice community and housing development, a health center, a police department and soon a mini-mall. Members can lease a plot of land from their tribe, at a cost of $1 for 99 years, on which to build a home. I know I have missed a few great things but they have done more for their people with a lot less than the Sault Tribe has done with much more.

What else did we get from Bouschor besides his grandiose claims:...a huge, doomed-from-the-start, failed money pit called Greektown, thirty-plus (30+) failed businesses, lots of questionable backroom deals, insider information (rumors or truth?) of millions gone to the Cayman Islands, Netherlands and Australia, the infamous 'Barge' and a whole lot of legal problems and associated costs. Many employees feared for their jobs under his rule, and rightfully so. Members were threatened for speaking out and employees were approached while on the job by his henchman and told they better be voting for old Bernie.

Look what happened when he took over the tribe again. People were fired and their right to file a grievance or appeal was also taken away. They lost their years of earned vacation, sick and personal time but Bernie votes to pay off his old buddy, Fred the former police chief (who is sitting in federal prison for embezzlement) for his sick time. Pat yourself on the back Bernie and thanks...you did us proud or so you would like the rest of the world to believe!

On top of everything else, we have to listen to a few directors who whine and complain because we have the internet and we use it. How are they supposed to keep their secrets if we keep posting them on the internet? Information about our tribe isn't going to be printed in the Sault Tribe newspaper nor will we hear about it at a tribal meeting. This is what we are left to do and this is what it will be.

We also have the right to referendum and have only just begun to use it. So what if it costs 30-40 grand. The blame lies solely with Chairman McCoy, who holds the secrets, that create the problems, that result in petitions and referendums. It has even been suggested that this site and others are being used to incite a revolution. A revolution is, according to the dictionary, "A fundamental change in power or organizational structure that takes place in a relatively short period of time. Complete change from one constitution to another. Modification of an existing constitution." Okay than....a revolution it is.

No longer do we have to talk only among ourselves, and fortunately, we have a couple of directors who are not afraid to speak out. It may not be a short period of time to do what must be done but the truth is....change is coming.

Lynne Weaver


Sault Tribe Government / A Bad Influence On its' Own People
From:
Charles Forgrave

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Well, members can be thankful for the Payment Referendum defeating the Gatzaros/Campbell proposal for a casino in Romulus. The proposal would have given them 26% of the gross proceeds for the life of the casino and your money would have built it.

The new proposal voted by the board is a much better deal: plans are for developer Sawruck to get 14% of the gross proceeds for six plus years and he will pick up all the financing associated with licensing, developing and building it.

What is disappointing again is the way the board handled the deal. Instead of bringing it forward for a public debate before voting, the board voted on it and then, late into the referendum period, released information on it and set up informational meetings.

The board has a terrible track record when it comes to investing your money...and why they think they can do a better job of it without your help is puzzling. They seem to be under the delusion that you elected them to make those decisions without any consultation with you.

The problem is that it's not their money they're investing, it's yours. They don't have any skin in the game and, success or failure, they still get paid the same. They make money transacting the deal itself: on kickbacks for influence peddling and on consulting fees and employment opportunities for themselves and their family and friends. With their 'me first' attitudes they can be wrong and still make money for themselves. It's you that gets hurt if your investment fails, not them.

Well anyway, thanks to the Payment Referendum you won't have the Gatzaros\Campbell deal hanging over your heads. It will be quite a surprise if Mr. Sawruck is able to get his deal approved by the state and federal governments. However, it will be a good deal for the tribe, if he is successful.

Sadly enough, there are still unanswered question concerning this latest deal. Members suspect that Gatzaros and Campbell are somehow involved in it through Michigan Gaming LLC. Others have questions about the name of the company incorporated by Sawruck.

This lack of communication is a pathetic state of affairs. Members have to wonder, who are these people that represent them? Why do they keep everything secret the way they do? They act like dictators in Northern Africa the way they control information.

What it amounts to is that tribal leaders are ignorant. They don't understand government or how democracies work. They haven't studied it. Hundreds of years ago, countries did away with kings and dictators and Indian Chiefs. They revolted against them and set up constitutional democracies. No longer were they subject to the whims and foolishness of despots, they could now put their faith in constitutions and institutions and public offices. Government was not longer about individual people, it was about systems and laws and rules.

Unfortunately, the Sault Tribe is stuck in the past. Your leaders seem to think they're your moms and dads. They treat you like you're kids who can't be trusted with money decisions...who don't need to know what they're doing with your money. You don't need benevolent leadership. You don't need any of their paternalistic caring. They work for you. Many of them aren't qualify for the board positions and you need to get rid of them...like they have so often gotten rid of many of you.

Get rid of your corrupt leaders and set up a government that is an example for your children. This board behaves like a bunch of gangsters. There's so much misrepresentation of the facts and lying and distorting and dissembling of the truth that decent people want nothing to do with it. You want your children to connect to their government and be proud of it. You want a government who's inner workings are not shameful and sleazy and a bad influence on your children.

Six years ago you spent $400,000.00 to write a new constitution. The board voted and said after the constitutional committee was finished with it, they would review it and send it out for your vote. Well, they didn't do it. You put up with too much from them. It's time for you to get madder than hell and get rid of most of them. Have them either send the new constitution for your vote or vote them out of office. Under the circumstances you may have to settle for democracy once every four years.But remember, you don't need them. The best thing you can do it to get rid of them. Lots of talented people with college degrees are willing and able to do a better job of handling your business for you.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave