Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Another High Five for Todd Gravelle

For the first time in the history of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors, the decision was made to reduce the board salaries by a whopping 25%. A well-timed move on the part of Todd Gravelle was reluctantly given unanimous approval by the board, effective immediately. This is a savings of over $200,000 a year but it is not enough.

What else could they do in this election year, especially considering the state of the tribe's finances? The first cuts rightfully belonged to the board because of the failure by most of them to pay attention to the business end of the tribe. Start taking a look at those expense accounts for the board and find another 25-50 grand.

The next step should be to examine salary ranges per position versus state and federal standards. I have no doubt that the tribe's pay scales are way out of whack with the cream going to the top and the bottom barely surviving on skimpy unfair wages. The financially responsible next move, while not too popular, would be to look at wage caps, with some reductions in order.

If the casinos are falling behind their competition, then there is a failure at the top level of management to promote and manage our resources properly. Other areas within our tribe that have failed or operated below what should be expected needs to be closely scrutinized for mismanagement and it certainly appears that there is a lot of it. It is time to hold all managers responsible for their failure to hold up their end and a 'hit 'em where it hurts' approach may be just the ticket.

A drastic reduction in salaries with the possibility of a year-end bonus based on profits may be the incentive necessary to motivate managers to take their jobs more seriously with part of that bonus trickling down to the team members.

Wage caps and early retirement incentives need to be strongly considered....make way for those willing to start near the bottom of the pay scale and climb the ladder for the position. Incentive awards could help ease the pain such as "Kewadin points" with a dollar value placed on them that can be used as cash within the Sault Tribe enterprises.

For example...customer praise for a good deed by a team member could result in a 100 point coupon which could mean a reduction in the price a team member pays for gas or other items at MidJims. Place a reasonable value on the points such as $5 per 100 points with individual coupon points beginning at 25. If a team member is motivated to do a good job and management is being fair then those points can add up fast. A team member holding off going to lunch on time in order to fulfill or assist in an obligation could mean a 25 point coupon to add to their collection for a future dinner or discount at DreamCatchers.

The whole point is to increase team member incentives and morale which should have a positive impact in the way they do their job which would, in turn, benefit the whole tribe. Management is responsible for business failures or successes and their salaries and benefits should be affected by profits.

Bite the bullet, do the research, set the salaries to state and federal standards, cap where necessary and offer cost of living instead. Make the necessary salary adjustments, set position levels with salary ranges not to exceed a specific amount for ALL positions in order to begin to pay back the Elder fund and to be fair to everyone.

The challenge is there for the board and HR....lets see if they can handle it.

Lynne "Wind Weaver"

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Frieheit....You Da Man....or something?!!!

Every species has its misfits, mutts or runts of the pack. Some are really quite cute while others are frightening or repulsive. Even the Sault tribe has our share of runts, mutts and misfits and there is one that tops the list.

We all know of someone that feels inadequate amongst their peers. Their reactions to everyday situations stretch from one extreme to another. Some are shy and withdrawn while others seem to have no limits and lack the self control and good manners to fit in with most of society. While most people have a sense of what is tasteful or what is unacceptable public behavior, there are some that cannot begin to fathom the difference between the two.

We probably all remember or heard of that rotten kid that terrorized anyone weaker, younger, smaller, sadder, quieter, and smarter than they were. As kids, we probably didn't give a lot of thought as to why a kid would behave that way. I always felt it was their upbringing...or lack of.

I was raised to respect others and to assist the weak and sickly and befriend the shy and introverted. I learned to stand up for what was right and speak against the wrongs done not only to me but to others. Those are essential human qualities and my character and integrity was built with the assistance of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, educators and a multitude of others that walked through my life.

Maybe not all are so lucky or maybe some suffer imbalances or mental illness that makes it impossible to control their behavior. That is the only explanation for the chronic crass, lewd, disgusting and bullyish behavior displayed by a member of the Sault Tribe against even our members suffering physical ailments.

A friend told me of an incident that just sickened me. My friend is Nancie Hatch who suffers from a physical ailment that requires her to use a cane for stability and to relieve pain. As she made her way through the casino this evening, Betty Freiheit approached her and began yelling at her and making fun of Nancie's use of a cane. She ranted and raved and called Nancie names and....I repeat, made fun of Nancies use of a cane.

This sorry excuse for a human Frieheit, also known as Betty the Rottweiler, very publicly pursued, while verbally attacking, a respected former school administrator who turned a poorly run Indian school with a bad reputation for it's failure to educate into an award winning academy with a huge waiting list.

Betty, the thing from the bottom of the swamp, feels the POWER when she attacks the sick and the innocent, as she is so well known for. She is the name caller, the one who goes to employers to complain about the most assinine things such as when she went to my broker to complain that I sold a house to someone she didn't like. Well duh, I am a realtor.

Betty refers to many Indians as albino Indians if they are lighter in color and will let you know just how she feels about you whether on or off the reservation. She has been known to yell insults at members across parking lots or inside retail stores, even those that have their children and grandchildren with them. Betty envisions herself to be the tough guy, the biggest bad ass redneck you will ever come across. There is no telling what the she-he will do next.

Gotta wonder what she sees when she looks in the mirror. Can't imagine what goes through that putrid mind of hers that makes her think calling the ill and physically handicapped names is acceptable to any decent human being.

Does she feel empowered when she attacks those that can't or won't fight back? Or, does she attack the sick and handicapped because they can't or won't fight back. Yup...I think that is what it is. Betty the Rottweiler is really the mutt..the runt of the pack. This is her defense for her own lack of self esteem and to cover up her own multitude of deficiencies she sees in herself.

We got your number Betty. You have the human form of rabies. You are just a bigmouth who spews filth at just about anyone that crosses your path because you want to be the one to do it before someone does it to you first.

Not to worry Betty, most people aren't like you....thank God for that. So go ahead Betty, be da man, the name caller, the hate spewer....we know why you do it. By the way Betty, how did you like a little taste of your own medicine.....I'm betting you don't.

Lynne "Wind Weaver"

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Native American Nations

Native American Nations

1855 Treaty with the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians

1855 Treaty with the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians

1836 Treaty with the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians

1836 Treaty with the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians

Crash and Burn or Call for Help

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.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Regarding Fred Paquin

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Fred & Friends Flock Together":
Lynne,
First of all I would like to tell you to keep up the good work! Anyone that knows Fred, Knows you speak the truth! I have heard that Fred and his few supporters are telling everyone that his victim dropped all the charges against him, again Fred cant help but Lie to make himself look like he did nothing wrong. A deferred Prosecution does not mean that the victim has dismissed the charges, it means that in a sense he admits to manhandling the victim but made a plea agreement with the prosecutor. He is on six months of probation!! That means he did something wrong! They don’t put innocent people on probation!! And if he violates his probation then the courts will pursue charges!! Wont it be a crying shame if Fred returns to be the Chief of Police, a police chief on probation what a laugh~!
Q: What is a deferred prosecution?
A: A deferred prosecution is a disposition obtained as a result of a plea agreement with the prosecution. It is similar to a deferred judgment in that the case against you is frozen while you are on probation. However, with the deferred prosecution you do not enter a guilty plea to a charge prior to being placed on probation. If you successfully complete the probationary period the charges against you are dismissed. As with a deferred judgment, there is no record of a conviction. If you are alleged to violate the terms of the deferred prosecution, a hearing is held. If you are found to violate the terms, the case proceeds as if the plea agreement it had not been entered. You will be asked to enter a plea to the charge(s). If you plead not guilty, the case is set for trial. Unlike a deferred judgment, you do not give up your right to a trial by entering into a deferred prosecution. Prosecutors are much more reluctant to grant you a deferred prosecution than a deferred judgment. If you receive a deferred prosecution you will still have to be tried if you violate your probation.

Fred's Friends Comments



Sorry but he was not cleared of any wrong doing as is explained by the post that will follow.
LW

Ms. Weaver,After being told about your website, I felt a need to respond to at least one of these articles.
As a long time friend of Mr. Paquin's I can assure you that the email's or letters, or calls you have recieved of this nature are in no way a representaion of Mr. Paquin, or of his friends. It does seem that you are completely portraying him in a negative manner, all of the time. Give him a break already. He has been cleared of any wrong doing. I am not so sure that these emails you speak of arent just sent in by an Aaron supporter to juice up your webspot or whatever this is.
Here are the facts.He has never been convicted of any crime, not even a speeding ticket as far as I know of. You keep calling him a wonam beater, when there was not even enough evidence to go to trial. Your wrong Ms. Weaver. I know there are people out there that want to see him fail but it didnt happen, so get over it. There are a lot of people that want to see you, Aaron, and the Sault Tribe fail, but its not right to spread lies about you if you have done nothing wrong is it? If is is, let me know.Please stop slandering Mr. Paquin and any other Board Member you dont take a liking to.

Gotta Love a Great Sense of Humor!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Fred & Friends Flock Together":
I heard he had his head examined and it came back 70% Polyester and 30% Rayon. Toupee or not toupee that is the question

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Fred & Friends Flock Together

The post below was sent as a comment to one of my articles titled "When All Else Fails, Fake It..
Sorry if this is offensive to anyone but it was important that I post it in it's entirety and will explain immediately following.

Holden and Sharon Caulks to me show details 7:21 AM (10 hours ago) Reply

Holden and Sharon Caulks has left a new comment on your post "When All Else Fails....Fake It":
Hey Lynne,Arent you going to post a congratulations to Fred Paquin for fighting the good fight and winning his court battle. Or are you going to continue to smoke aarons meat sickle and bash anyone who disagrees with your precious skunk headed freak. You dont have to answer, I already know. We all know how trashy and bias you are. I cant believe your last name isnt bias. Well, tell ****** we all feel very bad for her, I mean we would have loved to see her perjur herself in court whikle she tried to explain her infidelity and tramp like ways.
Stay in touch Lynne Cleaver.


Often when I have difficulty making up my mind about a particular situation or person, I weigh the pros and cons or the good and bad of it all. Someone makes a mistake, whether large or small, admits the wrong, pays their dues to society, makes every effort to make amends to those that suffered as a result of their mistake, then that person does deserve a certain degree of forgiveness..

But if Fred Paquin had made one mistake by being involved in an altercation with a female and as a result admitted that a man of his size, involved in a physical assault against a small female is not exactly a fair fight or a manly thing to do, was apologetic and willing to pay his dues then he should be forgiven.

Fred Paquin was caught on camera in the midst of a gaming violation. Could have been an honest mistake...a case of forgetfulness or it could have been a deliberate act fueled by a " I- can-do-what-I-want-because-I-have-the-power-to-get-away-with-it" attitude. Who is going to tell the Chief of Police and a director on the board of the Sault Tribe what he can and cannot do?

Fred Paquin took no police action when he was informed by Bernard Bouschor that he was about to relieve the tribe of 2.7 million dollars. When he was offered the same deal, why did he turn it down? Was it because he knew it was wrong or because he was making an awesome salary double-dipping as well as having double the power....too much to give up?

Fred Paquin was accused of sexual harassment which resulted in the loss of the victim's career when she was terminated for reporting the numerous incidents.

Since I have spoken repeatedly of Paquin's dirty deeds, I have had calls and anonymous emails from those who claim to be aware of other victims that are afraid to report the other incidents of ????? Because they are unreported, I cannot even hint at the details of the accusations. I can only suggest that they do us all a favor and do the right thing.

Any decent person with a normal level of integrity would agree that this man should not be wearing a badge representing someone who swore to uphold the law. If Paquin could take the assault charge along with the sexual harassment charge and the gaming violation and get a job as a police chief or even just as an officer with another department then I guess he should be allowed to remain as police chief of the Sault Tribe.

But what police department would hire someone with that sort of record? Wouldn't they be fearful of opening themselves up for lawsuits by hiring someone with that record on their force? I don't think he could get hired elsewhere if he had to to be honest and include the above details so why allow him to dirty the name of the Sault Tribe Police any longer?

Back to the post from the "Caulks" who are defending Fred's right to beat up a woman because "they" believe she is disreputable herself. The "Caulks" may not be aware that Paquin is now on probation, has a no-contact order with the victim and her family, must apologize to the victim, must have his head examined and agree to counseling for his problems with women.

To me, he...oops I mean the "Caulks" sounds like someone who has been in a similar situation, didn't take responsibility for "their" actions, blamed others for "their" own mistakes, believes there is nothing wrong with the way Paquin lives his life, and seems to pity the victimizer instead of the victim.

But the point is, how many people do you know that you consider to be of good moral character that would write the sort of sexually graphic dirt "the Caulks" wrote while criticizing the morals of Paquin's victim? It's pretty clear to me that "the Caulks" have no room to talk.

One last point, Payment supporters do not write that sort of filth because they are a different breed of people with higher moral standards than those that would support Fred Paquin's actions and I would like to say "thanks" to the "Caulks" for giving me yet another opportunity to point that out.

Lynne "Wind Weaver"
Our right to make changes through referendum is the one voice we have left....use it.