Government Takes Stand Against Corruption
According to Yahoo News "it was Bye-bye to Blago, the corrupt
Illinois governor. He may have left politics, but we'll always
remember his hairline.
Rod Blagojevich, the disgraced former governor of Illinois, was
removed from office this week. After making an impassioned plea
for his job that apparently fell on unsympathetic ears, state
representatives not only took away Blago's job, they banned him
from seeking any political office in the state of Illinois. Ever."
Bye Bye Blago...Bye Bye Bouschor...something sounds familiar here.
An overwhelming majority of Sault Tribe voters tried that with
Bouschor but with too many of his kind in control, including the
corrupt Sault Tribe judicial system, the voters were kicked in
the teeth. Now he's back, and an overwhelming majority of
Sault Tribe members are losing their jobs and medical benefits
including Elders, whose health is suffering as a result.
Many blame Bouschor's retaliation for putting him out of his
beloved 'seat of power' for the last four years. Of course, the
economy is also to blame but many of the "first on the list to go"
were anti-Bouschorists while the highly paid 'new hires' have a
history of pro-Bouschorism.
If Blago tried this, he would most likely end up in prison and
when it comes to ethics and justice, it does prove that there is
strength in numbers....unless of course, you are a member of the
Sault Tribe where ethics and justice are nothing more than a joke.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
What do you get when you rub two rocks together.....?
Why Tuff Tony Grondin, of course!
He sends emails to hundreds of people and then for some reason, most can't reply unless we erase all the unfamiliar names out and replace with those from our own address book. So I will do it this way since he is such a fan of my blog, "Little Miss Sunshine....In Your Face"
Tony 'Two Rocks' Grondin made several 'claims' that I will respond to...
Claim #1....
Two Rocks Tony says that I am not Mackinac Bands. Could of fooled me, my grandmother, her mother, her father, her grandfather and so on. Pond is the name Grondin...don't forget it. As a matter of fact, here is a little help for you to look it up... Archibald, William, Louis...all Pond's.
Then there is my greatgrandmother's side...Perault, Pero and Cadotte. Two Rocks Tony should probably keep busy so look that up and get back to me.
Claim #2...
R Janetos is not Indian. Who cares, his wife and son are and that gives him a right to voice his opinion. How about the Greeks there Tony...are they Indian? Must be friends of yours by now, huh, Two Rocks?
Claim #3...
Darryl Brown is somehow associated with the Mackinac Bands. Wrong again...try Ance Bands aka Mackinac Tribe. Two Rocks Tony, you are looking more misinformed than ever.
Claim #4...
Recruitment held in Cheboygan. September fest for Mackinac Band members and anyone else that wanted to come. We had a potluck, a short meeting to introduce new directors and members and Vicky Lynn treated us to some very lovely music. Beautiful day with several Sault Tribe members in attendence, as well.
Members who have enrolled have the contact information and if they don't, they know where to get it....the same place they asked for it in the first place. Duh....poor Two Rocks.
$15 for an MB card....so what. How much does it cost to produce your Sault tribe member card and how much are you charged "millions"? The MB equipment that makes the cards came directly out of the pocket of one of our board members.....cost him a few grand. Maybe some day, we will be able to compensate him not only for the equipment but for the supplies as well.
As a matter of fact, all the MB directors are unpaid but still travel to attend the meetings. We also throw cash in the pot from our own pockets to pay board expenses unlike the Causley's who got hundreds of thousands in grants in just a few short years. Where is that money? We, the current MB board, held fundraisers and, again, threw money in from our own pockets to pay off the more than $10,000.00 in credit card debt left behind after the removal of John Causley.
Out of the pocket of the same board member that bought the card making equipment, came the banner and drums which he designed and hand painted himself.
Don't let me forget the childrens Christmas party we put on in Cheboygan. The gifts collected in the Sault area went to Sault Tribe families and the half dozen blankets I made (out of my own pocket) went to tribal Elders, a couple of who live at Tendercare.
You know what you are Tony Grondin?...Jealous. You have been trying so hard to be somebody but just can't seem to get there. You tried so hard that you were bought off with just a cup of coffee from Joe McCoy to come around to his way of thinking. Can't deny it because you said it yourself....except the 'bought off' part. You just called it 'sat down with McCoy and he bought me a coffee so now I am on his side'....or words to that effect.
Hope you don't mind getting your reply so publicly, Two Rocks but your comparison of the current Mackinac Band board to the Sault Tribe board is like trying to fit a mitten on an Elephant...not even close!
He sends emails to hundreds of people and then for some reason, most can't reply unless we erase all the unfamiliar names out and replace with those from our own address book. So I will do it this way since he is such a fan of my blog, "Little Miss Sunshine....In Your Face"
Tony 'Two Rocks' Grondin made several 'claims' that I will respond to...
Claim #1....
Two Rocks Tony says that I am not Mackinac Bands. Could of fooled me, my grandmother, her mother, her father, her grandfather and so on. Pond is the name Grondin...don't forget it. As a matter of fact, here is a little help for you to look it up... Archibald, William, Louis...all Pond's.
Then there is my greatgrandmother's side...Perault, Pero and Cadotte. Two Rocks Tony should probably keep busy so look that up and get back to me.
Claim #2...
R Janetos is not Indian. Who cares, his wife and son are and that gives him a right to voice his opinion. How about the Greeks there Tony...are they Indian? Must be friends of yours by now, huh, Two Rocks?
Claim #3...
Darryl Brown is somehow associated with the Mackinac Bands. Wrong again...try Ance Bands aka Mackinac Tribe. Two Rocks Tony, you are looking more misinformed than ever.
Claim #4...
Recruitment held in Cheboygan. September fest for Mackinac Band members and anyone else that wanted to come. We had a potluck, a short meeting to introduce new directors and members and Vicky Lynn treated us to some very lovely music. Beautiful day with several Sault Tribe members in attendence, as well.
Members who have enrolled have the contact information and if they don't, they know where to get it....the same place they asked for it in the first place. Duh....poor Two Rocks.
$15 for an MB card....so what. How much does it cost to produce your Sault tribe member card and how much are you charged "millions"? The MB equipment that makes the cards came directly out of the pocket of one of our board members.....cost him a few grand. Maybe some day, we will be able to compensate him not only for the equipment but for the supplies as well.
As a matter of fact, all the MB directors are unpaid but still travel to attend the meetings. We also throw cash in the pot from our own pockets to pay board expenses unlike the Causley's who got hundreds of thousands in grants in just a few short years. Where is that money? We, the current MB board, held fundraisers and, again, threw money in from our own pockets to pay off the more than $10,000.00 in credit card debt left behind after the removal of John Causley.
Out of the pocket of the same board member that bought the card making equipment, came the banner and drums which he designed and hand painted himself.
Don't let me forget the childrens Christmas party we put on in Cheboygan. The gifts collected in the Sault area went to Sault Tribe families and the half dozen blankets I made (out of my own pocket) went to tribal Elders, a couple of who live at Tendercare.
You know what you are Tony Grondin?...Jealous. You have been trying so hard to be somebody but just can't seem to get there. You tried so hard that you were bought off with just a cup of coffee from Joe McCoy to come around to his way of thinking. Can't deny it because you said it yourself....except the 'bought off' part. You just called it 'sat down with McCoy and he bought me a coffee so now I am on his side'....or words to that effect.
Hope you don't mind getting your reply so publicly, Two Rocks but your comparison of the current Mackinac Band board to the Sault Tribe board is like trying to fit a mitten on an Elephant...not even close!
Monday, January 26, 2009
"The Gift"
Mac Band will inventively begin establishing their membership by adopting a constitution that will protect the people from the greed and political scourge that has set on the Sault Tribe. Most likely, they will have learned how easy it was for a handful of greedy opportunists and misfits to take control of the resources when there isn't any rule of law preventing it.
The Sault Tribe gift is one that will forever be ingrained in the memories of every Mac Band descendent who had a taste of membership with the Sault Tribe. The gift has shown them that checks and balances, oversight and accountability must be in place for any trust to be enjoyed. It is only good business.
Thirty thousand members couldn't get their leadership to adopt a new constitution. They didn't have any recourse for the corrupt actions of those that held the trust of their people.
Even, when events like the 7+1 took millions of dollars from the tribe.
Even, when the chairman had secret deals and spent millions without knowledge or consent of the Board of Directors.
Even, when the will of the people (by referendum) was established, it didn't hold.
Even when the entire election process is in question with missing ballots and mysterious boxes of ballots appear on the counting floor.
Even, when one board member refuses to acknowledge any member that was of lineal descent to the Mac Band as citizens with full rights.
The "gift" was the way to avoid the misery and shame experienced by those that call themselves Soo Tribe citizens.
Submitted by RJanetos
The Sault Tribe gift is one that will forever be ingrained in the memories of every Mac Band descendent who had a taste of membership with the Sault Tribe. The gift has shown them that checks and balances, oversight and accountability must be in place for any trust to be enjoyed. It is only good business.
Thirty thousand members couldn't get their leadership to adopt a new constitution. They didn't have any recourse for the corrupt actions of those that held the trust of their people.
Even, when events like the 7+1 took millions of dollars from the tribe.
Even, when the chairman had secret deals and spent millions without knowledge or consent of the Board of Directors.
Even, when the will of the people (by referendum) was established, it didn't hold.
Even when the entire election process is in question with missing ballots and mysterious boxes of ballots appear on the counting floor.
Even, when one board member refuses to acknowledge any member that was of lineal descent to the Mac Band as citizens with full rights.
The "gift" was the way to avoid the misery and shame experienced by those that call themselves Soo Tribe citizens.
Submitted by RJanetos
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Rogue is a Rogue is a Rogue...
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Allard Teeple was hired without a board vote, to represent the Sault Tribe in its Greektown dealings.
There are three things wrong with this...
One, to enter into a contract to represent a tribe requires a positive majority of the board of directors ( 7 of its 13 members. ) After discussing the hiring, the board then consented to Chairman McCoy hiring him. Hiring like this violates the open meetings act, the parlimentary meeting rules, and the tribe's constitution.
Two, it gets more serious when you consider the following...
...Mr. Teeple was hired before he gained suitability as a vendor through the Michigan Gaming Control Board ( a requirement when working for a casino )
...This will mean an Acknowlegement of Violation fine of $ 200,000.00, or more.
...It might put the Sault Tribe's Greektown Gaming licensing in jeopardy.
Three, Mr. Teeple worked previously for the tribe, reporting to Bernard Bouchour. In September of 2000 he threatened to sabotage the licensing process for Greektown, if he didn't get a raise...30 % plus a $ 100,000.00 bonus. To placate him, Bouschour proposed to the board to pay off Mr. Teeple his annual salary x two years ( 2 x $ 100,000.00 = $ 200,000.00 ) To board members, it was akin to blackmail.
Though the five year severance prohibition to rehire Mr. Teeple has elapsed, to hire him again requires a vote of the Board ( a positive majority because it undoes somethng the board previously enacted )
Wow, talk about circumventing the law...
Or, about incompetence...$ 200,000.00 or more, in a fine...when the working poor are getting scalped.
Was director Hoffman put up to proposing this, or was it his own idea...
So much for unholding the constitution or any of that oath of office pagentry...
Obviously a rogue is a rogue is a rogue...
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Do You Know Anyone With the Symptoms Listed Below....
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can't concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely
bad things will happen
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Denial that anything is wrong
People with bipolar disorder may need
help to get help.
Often people with bipolar disorder do not realize how impaired they are, or they blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness.
A person with bipolar disorder or other behavioral disorder may need strong encouragement from family and friends to seek treatment.
A person who is in the midst of a severe episode may need to be hospitalized for his or her own protection and for much needed treatment. There may be times when the person must be hospitalized against his or her wishes.
Family members of someone with such disorders often have to cope with the person's serious behavioral problems, such as wild spending sprees during mania or extreme withdrawal from others during depression, and the lasting consequences of these behaviors.
Many people with bipolar disorder benefit from joining support groups such as those sponsored by the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). Families and friends can also benefit from support groups offered by these organizations
Certain other diseases can mimic the above symptoms but if you know someone that has been acting out of character, becomes hostile and aggressive or believe that others, even their friends and family, are plotting some imagined crimes, or do not seem to be the person you knew them to be, contact one of the above agencies, the person's family doctor, or your local health department or hospital for advice.
Behavioral illness's are often misdiagnosed but all time spent trying to determine the correct diagnosis as well as a treatment plan can save a friend or family member from a lifetime of embarrassment and irreparable damage.
Without care and proper medication, sufferers can be a danger to themselves and others and their actions can have long lasting or permanent damaging effects on those around them. To assume that a family member or friend's unusual behavior is something to be ignored is irresponsible when the lives of others are adversely affected and sufferers need help to help themselves.
Information summarized from the following sources:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder
psychcentral.com/lib
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications
www.helpguide.org/mental
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can't concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely
bad things will happen
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Denial that anything is wrong
People with bipolar disorder may need
help to get help.
Often people with bipolar disorder do not realize how impaired they are, or they blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness.
A person with bipolar disorder or other behavioral disorder may need strong encouragement from family and friends to seek treatment.
A person who is in the midst of a severe episode may need to be hospitalized for his or her own protection and for much needed treatment. There may be times when the person must be hospitalized against his or her wishes.
Family members of someone with such disorders often have to cope with the person's serious behavioral problems, such as wild spending sprees during mania or extreme withdrawal from others during depression, and the lasting consequences of these behaviors.
Many people with bipolar disorder benefit from joining support groups such as those sponsored by the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). Families and friends can also benefit from support groups offered by these organizations
Certain other diseases can mimic the above symptoms but if you know someone that has been acting out of character, becomes hostile and aggressive or believe that others, even their friends and family, are plotting some imagined crimes, or do not seem to be the person you knew them to be, contact one of the above agencies, the person's family doctor, or your local health department or hospital for advice.
Behavioral illness's are often misdiagnosed but all time spent trying to determine the correct diagnosis as well as a treatment plan can save a friend or family member from a lifetime of embarrassment and irreparable damage.
Without care and proper medication, sufferers can be a danger to themselves and others and their actions can have long lasting or permanent damaging effects on those around them. To assume that a family member or friend's unusual behavior is something to be ignored is irresponsible when the lives of others are adversely affected and sufferers need help to help themselves.
Information summarized from the following sources:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder
psychcentral.com/lib
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications
www.helpguide.org/mental
Sunday, January 18, 2009
TOLD YOU SO.....
Comments from members of the Sault Tribe make it undeniably clear why it was necessary to fire so many employees, reduce the Elders check to almost half, force the Elders to pay for their transportation to their doctors, cut children's and educational programs and prevent the publication and reporting of what goes on at the board meetings.
'Sunday, Joe McCoy & his wife, along with Keith Massaway and possibly Tom Miller are all flying to Washington for the Inauguration although it isn't verified if Keith or Tom are taking their spouses.'
Who's paying...the tribal members who lost their jobs, the Elders who were not given a choice to give back almost half their land claims check? What was the total cost of all the children's and educational programs that no longer exist? Is that paying the required $50,000 to cover McCoy's donation for tickets to watch an historic inauguration not to mention his spouse or (girlfriend)as well as whoever he else he takes with him?
"Hey Joe, how we gonna go to D.C.?" "Just take it out of the mouths of the kids and old people, that's where. We're gonna have ta get rid of a bunch a workers so we can hire all my buddies....ya know..I owe 'em" "Aren't the members going to be angry, Joe?" Barnyard says, "Don't let that whining you hear disrupt our plans. The harder we make it for the Elders to get to their doctors, the quicker they will be out of our hair." "Yeah, just tell them you will sue and then drive by their house's to make sure they know you mean business."
"Good idea, BJ."
"Get out your calculator's to see where else I can, oops, I mean, we can get more money." "Funny how money talks so loud...we got the rest of those dumb ass, greedy board members to go along but we will cut them loose when the time comes."
"The Board of Directors approved a Consultant Contract with Allard Teeple, long time supporter of Bernard Bouschor and McCoy, according to information from individual tribal
members, was upset that this information hit the streets."
"BJ Hoffman is behind the Am Ch. 14: "Sergeant at Arms" because he want to shut up tribal members from speaking at the meetings so everyone will look happy happy during the televising of the meetings."
One thing DJ will go down in history for is his war cry "WAAAA...shut up or I'll tell!"
Now get out your own calculators people and see how many jobs were lost, Elder land claims cuts, children and educational programs gone to pay for McCoy and Bouschor's debtors
/creditors,(whichever way you want to look at it).
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Chairman McCoy's cousin, director Abramson's brother and uncle to director Hoffman...Mike McCoy...is the Sault Tribe's lobbyist in Lansing, Michigan.
Mr. McCoy has been there since the state was formed in 1837. He's paid a $110,000.00 and he manages somehow to get by on that.
To his credit, Mr. McCoy has managed to bring several lobbying firms on board for the Sault Tribe. We've already mentioned Capital Counsel, LLC, good friends of Mr. McCoy, and their $850,000.00 payday.
In addition to Capital Counsel, LLC, there is also the Ogitchtakwe Lobbying firm. These folks are good friends with director Abramson and were brought on board for $200,000.00.
Then, there is Cusmano Kandler and Reed, other good friends of Mr. McCoy, who he has succeeded in enlisting at $ 100,000.00.
So for those of you who have wondered what Mr. McCoy is doing in Lansing, now you can see that he's been busy. And surprise, surprise, surprise...some observers suspect we may have the good fortune of having Mr. McCoy representing us at the inaugural events, too.
There not sure where the $ 50,000.00 donation will come from though (the price of the ticket to those events.)
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Now just sit there and close your eyes, pretend it's not happening and maybe it will all go away. What is happening right now is nothing less then open embezzlement from the tribal members. I don't care what anyone else wants to call it. Recognition was sought for the members of the tribe, not just a chosen few. If you have a membership card then the board and chair are representing you. If they are not properly representing you then you have a right to stop them. If members are losing jobs and benefits while friends and family of the board and chair are obtaining personal gain then the board and chair are not doing the job they were hired for so FIRE THEM!
It's simple, the proof of the board incompetency, (even though they are trying to hide it) is right in the faces of those with no jobs and families who are losing their homes because of the greed of the Chairman and BOD.
Embezzlement is to misuse, misappropriate funds for one's own use. Did the tribal members give the board and chairman the authority to use grant money and federal funds that were intended for programs such as health, education and welfare to fatten their own pockets, provide them with luxurious trips at the cost of jobs and homes of members or to hire more of their own family and friends? I don't think so!
Embezzlement is what this is in my opinion. As a sovereign nation, we define what embezzlement is when it comes to funds intended for members of the Sault Tribe. What program are these funds coming from to pay expenses and donations for the inaguration if the tribe is broke? I'll ask the question again. Did the tribal members authorize the Chairman and the BOD to use federal,land claims,health, educational and grant funds for their personal gain and enjoyment?
If the members provided an account and approved such excess spending or if the Chairman and board can prove that this excess is not coming from tribal funds then all is well....right?
Tribal members....
you have the right to put a stop to this. Otherwise, just go back to sleep.
'Sunday, Joe McCoy & his wife, along with Keith Massaway and possibly Tom Miller are all flying to Washington for the Inauguration although it isn't verified if Keith or Tom are taking their spouses.'
Who's paying...the tribal members who lost their jobs, the Elders who were not given a choice to give back almost half their land claims check? What was the total cost of all the children's and educational programs that no longer exist? Is that paying the required $50,000 to cover McCoy's donation for tickets to watch an historic inauguration not to mention his spouse or (girlfriend)as well as whoever he else he takes with him?
"Hey Joe, how we gonna go to D.C.?" "Just take it out of the mouths of the kids and old people, that's where. We're gonna have ta get rid of a bunch a workers so we can hire all my buddies....ya know..I owe 'em" "Aren't the members going to be angry, Joe?" Barnyard says, "Don't let that whining you hear disrupt our plans. The harder we make it for the Elders to get to their doctors, the quicker they will be out of our hair." "Yeah, just tell them you will sue and then drive by their house's to make sure they know you mean business."
"Good idea, BJ."
"Get out your calculator's to see where else I can, oops, I mean, we can get more money." "Funny how money talks so loud...we got the rest of those dumb ass, greedy board members to go along but we will cut them loose when the time comes."
"The Board of Directors approved a Consultant Contract with Allard Teeple, long time supporter of Bernard Bouschor and McCoy, according to information from individual tribal
members, was upset that this information hit the streets."
"BJ Hoffman is behind the Am Ch. 14: "Sergeant at Arms" because he want to shut up tribal members from speaking at the meetings so everyone will look happy happy during the televising of the meetings."
One thing DJ will go down in history for is his war cry "WAAAA...shut up or I'll tell!"
Now get out your own calculators people and see how many jobs were lost, Elder land claims cuts, children and educational programs gone to pay for McCoy and Bouschor's debtors
/creditors,(whichever way you want to look at it).
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Chairman McCoy's cousin, director Abramson's brother and uncle to director Hoffman...Mike McCoy...is the Sault Tribe's lobbyist in Lansing, Michigan.
Mr. McCoy has been there since the state was formed in 1837. He's paid a $110,000.00 and he manages somehow to get by on that.
To his credit, Mr. McCoy has managed to bring several lobbying firms on board for the Sault Tribe. We've already mentioned Capital Counsel, LLC, good friends of Mr. McCoy, and their $850,000.00 payday.
In addition to Capital Counsel, LLC, there is also the Ogitchtakwe Lobbying firm. These folks are good friends with director Abramson and were brought on board for $200,000.00.
Then, there is Cusmano Kandler and Reed, other good friends of Mr. McCoy, who he has succeeded in enlisting at $ 100,000.00.
So for those of you who have wondered what Mr. McCoy is doing in Lansing, now you can see that he's been busy. And surprise, surprise, surprise...some observers suspect we may have the good fortune of having Mr. McCoy representing us at the inaugural events, too.
There not sure where the $ 50,000.00 donation will come from though (the price of the ticket to those events.)
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Now just sit there and close your eyes, pretend it's not happening and maybe it will all go away. What is happening right now is nothing less then open embezzlement from the tribal members. I don't care what anyone else wants to call it. Recognition was sought for the members of the tribe, not just a chosen few. If you have a membership card then the board and chair are representing you. If they are not properly representing you then you have a right to stop them. If members are losing jobs and benefits while friends and family of the board and chair are obtaining personal gain then the board and chair are not doing the job they were hired for so FIRE THEM!
It's simple, the proof of the board incompetency, (even though they are trying to hide it) is right in the faces of those with no jobs and families who are losing their homes because of the greed of the Chairman and BOD.
Embezzlement is to misuse, misappropriate funds for one's own use. Did the tribal members give the board and chairman the authority to use grant money and federal funds that were intended for programs such as health, education and welfare to fatten their own pockets, provide them with luxurious trips at the cost of jobs and homes of members or to hire more of their own family and friends? I don't think so!
Embezzlement is what this is in my opinion. As a sovereign nation, we define what embezzlement is when it comes to funds intended for members of the Sault Tribe. What program are these funds coming from to pay expenses and donations for the inaguration if the tribe is broke? I'll ask the question again. Did the tribal members authorize the Chairman and the BOD to use federal,land claims,health, educational and grant funds for their personal gain and enjoyment?
If the members provided an account and approved such excess spending or if the Chairman and board can prove that this excess is not coming from tribal funds then all is well....right?
Tribal members....
you have the right to put a stop to this. Otherwise, just go back to sleep.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Smoke'm If You Got'em
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...In construction work, the guys who smoke get the most breaks. In tribal government, the guys who play the game get the most loot.
Take chairman McCoy for example, and director Massaway. They're attending the inaugural events in Washington, D.C.. Let's hope they have a good time. To get a ticket to these events, you have to donate $ 50,000.00.
The cost here for tribal members...$ 100,000.00.
What's chairman McCoy and director Massaway going to bring back with them. What ever it is, I'm sure we will all want to see it. It's going to be precious, whatever it is.
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Take chairman McCoy for example, and director Massaway. They're attending the inaugural events in Washington, D.C.. Let's hope they have a good time. To get a ticket to these events, you have to donate $ 50,000.00.
The cost here for tribal members...$ 100,000.00.
What's chairman McCoy and director Massaway going to bring back with them. What ever it is, I'm sure we will all want to see it. It's going to be precious, whatever it is.
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Friday, January 16, 2009
"Just the Facts, Ma'am"
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...
Sergeant Friday on Dragnet when discussing a burglary with a lady : " Just the facts, Ma'am. "
...The tax exemption for directors doing treaty related work was the brainchild of one of the now infamous 7 + 1 defendants. Federal grants to the tribes are regulated by the solicitor general's office and are taxed as income by the IRS. The tax exemption effectively created a tax loophole for the tribe.
...Directors received a 17 to 20 % exemption and the chairman received a 25 % exemption. When treaty related work was done, this tax exemption effectively paid a large portion of their
salaries...$ 11,390.00 toward each director's and $ 25,000.00 toward the chairman's.
...When negoiations with the state on the hunting and fishing consent decree were ongoing, the tribe met the treaty related work requirement, and the exemptions were claimed. Subsequently, when the exemptions continued to be claimed over time until last year, tax auditors called them into question.
...Rather than doing a time study and showing how they were claiming the tax exemptions legitimately, the directors raised the tribal support budget and paid themselves out of it ( casino
profits )...to the tune of $ 150,000.00...a lot of your money.
...Obviously the directors didn't want to call attention to the fact that they weren't attending enough conservation committee or Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority meetings ( doing treaty related work ) to continue to claim the tax exemptions.
...At a time when they've been busy trimming the budget and taking services away from the membership, they weren't doing their own jobs and, as a result, they ended up costing the tribe tens of thousands. They didn't want the membership to know it...because it was unconscionable. And they didn't want the IRS to take them to task...because they were claiming the
exemptions illegally.
.Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Sergeant Friday on Dragnet when discussing a burglary with a lady : " Just the facts, Ma'am. "
...The tax exemption for directors doing treaty related work was the brainchild of one of the now infamous 7 + 1 defendants. Federal grants to the tribes are regulated by the solicitor general's office and are taxed as income by the IRS. The tax exemption effectively created a tax loophole for the tribe.
...Directors received a 17 to 20 % exemption and the chairman received a 25 % exemption. When treaty related work was done, this tax exemption effectively paid a large portion of their
salaries...$ 11,390.00 toward each director's and $ 25,000.00 toward the chairman's.
...When negoiations with the state on the hunting and fishing consent decree were ongoing, the tribe met the treaty related work requirement, and the exemptions were claimed. Subsequently, when the exemptions continued to be claimed over time until last year, tax auditors called them into question.
...Rather than doing a time study and showing how they were claiming the tax exemptions legitimately, the directors raised the tribal support budget and paid themselves out of it ( casino
profits )...to the tune of $ 150,000.00...a lot of your money.
...Obviously the directors didn't want to call attention to the fact that they weren't attending enough conservation committee or Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority meetings ( doing treaty related work ) to continue to claim the tax exemptions.
...At a time when they've been busy trimming the budget and taking services away from the membership, they weren't doing their own jobs and, as a result, they ended up costing the tribe tens of thousands. They didn't want the membership to know it...because it was unconscionable. And they didn't want the IRS to take them to task...because they were claiming the
exemptions illegally.
.Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sault Tribe Rumours
Truth or nonsense is the question but the rumor is that casinos in Hessel, Christmas and Manistique are in line to have their doors closed.
With the economy in a steady downturn, it is not a surprise that casinos would bite the dust along with many other forms of entertainment not required for daily survival. If only the Sault Tribe had diversified their business entities rather than rely on casino profits as the end-all of revenue to support the tribe's entire existence.
It will never cease to amaze me of the lack of hindsight and the incredible ability of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors to fail at almost everything and I only say 'almost' because there must be something they have succeeded at lately...right? Oh yes, they have successfully managed to hang onto their excessive board salaries even under the intense scrutiny of the tribal membership.
Let's all give them a hand...right square in the middle of their backs as we shove them out the door.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...
Last year the board raised the budget by $150,000.00 to pay for their salaries, after tribal auditors questioned their use of a tax exemption for doing treaty related work.
In other words, not enough of them had the time to go to a conservation committee meeting for the 17 to 20 % tax exemption to pass approval by the solicitor general's office, so they increased the tribal support budget (money directly out of casino profits) to pay themselves.
How many doctor visits would a $150,000.00 pay for...?
How many Christmas parties for your children...?
Having needlessly spent $150,000.00 of your money this way, were there any meaningful consequences for the individual board members...? Let's not kid ourselves...
The board members had a choice: they could have done a time study and shown the solicitor general's office how they did enough treaty related work, and thus qualified for the$150,000.00. Or,they could have increased their tribal support budget so they wouldn't be audited, and
wouldn't be caught by the IRS.
Of course they chose the latter, costing you $150.000.00. Had they went to enough conservation committee meetings, or taken an active interest in the tribe's other treaty relations with the country, the time study would have been done and the tax exemption would have paid their salaries.
You have to wonder, were they committing tax fraud...
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Day Late and a Dollar Short
The Mackinac Bands was adopted into the Sault Tribe by resolution before the Bands had a chance to organize. There was no vote, no opportunity to vote but the Sault Tribe absorbed the MB members like one twin may absorb the other before birth. Only later, when problems arise, is the real truth discovered.
Decades later, the Mackinac Bands has never been included in the Constitution of the Sault Tribe which leaves us at risk of being disenrolled and left with nothing. Considering the fact that the members of the MB have not exactly prospered by this failure to include us, it is too late to include us now that the Sault Tribe leaders have shown what they are capable of.
Exactly what has the Sault Tribe provided for members of the Mackinac Bands?
There is a medical center in St.Ignace but they are unable to provide the level of care that the state-of-the-art health center in Sault Ste, Marie provides for Unit One members or those prepared to travel the distance. The Mackinac Bands Board of Directors are busy researching plans to pick up where the Sault Tribe has left off in regards to the members of the MB and the lack of care provided to members in need.
It is important to remember that the majority of the Mackinac Band members live south of the bridge and it is un-Indian like to set borders for our people.
No more will the Sault Tribe make decisions for the enrolled members of the Mackinac Bands. Any further decisions regarding our members will be completely under control of the Mackinac Bands and enrolled members who will decide our own fate from here on. We will vote on our own future.
If you want a vote in your future, enroll today and have a voice as well as an invitation to actively participate on the many committees that we are in the process of forming.
We currently have volunteer openings on several committees including Enrollment, Cultural, Public Relations, AMBIE (Advancement of Mackinac Bands Indian Education) Communications, Health and Wellness and Economic Development Committees. We are looking for those ready to roll up their sleeves to secure a real future for yourselves and your families.
Don't know if you are Mackinac Bands?
Half or more of the members of the Sault Tribe are Mackinac Bands so you have a 50-50 chance of being MB.
How do you find out?
You can locate ancestral lineage by checking the Horace Durant Rolls which can be accessed by the internet or you can call the Sault Tribe Enrollment Department.
All information provided to the Mackinac Bands Enrollment Department will be held in the strictest confidence.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Someone's Not Too Happy with Tribal Members who Complain...
The Education Rewards, or rather Education Incentive program is not an entitlement program. It was created at a time when the Tribe was doing well financially. One of the drawbacks was that everyone was eligible, regardless of financial need. Thus we were giving Tribal dollars away to those who may have been able to pay for all their own expenses. It is very understandable that this program would be one of the first to go in hard times, in an effort to cut back the fluff. But then you would not have something to complain about about.
Responsible students who have a genunine need of financial assistance make sure their apply for their tribal higher education grants on time. These monies are still available and are based on financial need, not just given away to anyone. Did you get off your complaining butt and apply for this program ? Doesn't sound like it. Clean up your language or get off the internet. Oh I see that you have comment moderation. Why even ask for comments if you filter out the ones you don't like?
Speaking of Entitlement,why do the Board of Directors feel entitled to their paychecks when they are largely responsible for the financial hardship that the members and terminated employees are forced to suffer?
Define responsible student in genuine need of financial assistance. Would working 2 jobs and attending classes fulltime while maintaining a 3.7 GPA be regarded as a responsible student?
How about walking to classes to save gas and money...does that qualify as responsible? Do letters from professors commenting on my great work ethics and attendence that accompanied an A qualify as deserving?
I inquired several times about this program months before classes even started and was told to bring in my grades at the end of the semester. Does that qualify as getting off my butt? Well it is the end of the semester and there is no money. No big deal. That won't stop me but it sure may put a dent in those that counted on that money to buy their books. I never bothered since being informed by those that did that they were turned down because the program was cut.
What's the matter....couldn't find what you were looking for? Apparently not since you declined to give your name. So keep looking for those B-A-L-L-S. There I spelled it...is that better? Now grab your leg with both hands and yank real hard to get your foot out of your stupid mouth!
Responsible students who have a genunine need of financial assistance make sure their apply for their tribal higher education grants on time. These monies are still available and are based on financial need, not just given away to anyone. Did you get off your complaining butt and apply for this program ? Doesn't sound like it. Clean up your language or get off the internet. Oh I see that you have comment moderation. Why even ask for comments if you filter out the ones you don't like?
Speaking of Entitlement,why do the Board of Directors feel entitled to their paychecks when they are largely responsible for the financial hardship that the members and terminated employees are forced to suffer?
Define responsible student in genuine need of financial assistance. Would working 2 jobs and attending classes fulltime while maintaining a 3.7 GPA be regarded as a responsible student?
How about walking to classes to save gas and money...does that qualify as responsible? Do letters from professors commenting on my great work ethics and attendence that accompanied an A qualify as deserving?
I inquired several times about this program months before classes even started and was told to bring in my grades at the end of the semester. Does that qualify as getting off my butt? Well it is the end of the semester and there is no money. No big deal. That won't stop me but it sure may put a dent in those that counted on that money to buy their books. I never bothered since being informed by those that did that they were turned down because the program was cut.
What's the matter....couldn't find what you were looking for? Apparently not since you declined to give your name. So keep looking for those B-A-L-L-S. There I spelled it...is that better? Now grab your leg with both hands and yank real hard to get your foot out of your stupid mouth!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sault Tribe....Where Losers Win!
So you worked hard to get that great GPA and hoped to be
rewarded through the Sault Tribes education rewards program.
You were planning on that $250-$500 to pay for your books
for the next semester.
Well think again, smarty pants. No rewards for you! The
board doesn't want to give up a dime of their unearned
paycheck to those more deserving so the educational rewards
program for college students was cut to zero!
They eliminated necessary positions but kept on their own
family members in their overpaid jobs.
They lowered the Elder checks and then asked them to give
it back (if they couldn't screw them out of it).
They cut the children's programs but put a bar in the Big Bear
all ages sports arena.
They cut family assistance programs for the umemployed and
disabled so the board wouldn't have to give up their expense
accounts.
The Biggest Losers, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors are
really the Big Winners because they have not given up one
dime of the paycheck that they don't deserve while everyone
else has been forced to sacrifice.
The worst part, they have not shown a shred of conscience and
don't care about the ramifications because there won't be any
for them. They should just forget spending all that money
on the next election because it is all just a hoax anyway.
Unless the Sault Tribe members find their balls and take a stand,
they might as well just walk away.
rewarded through the Sault Tribes education rewards program.
You were planning on that $250-$500 to pay for your books
for the next semester.
Well think again, smarty pants. No rewards for you! The
board doesn't want to give up a dime of their unearned
paycheck to those more deserving so the educational rewards
program for college students was cut to zero!
They eliminated necessary positions but kept on their own
family members in their overpaid jobs.
They lowered the Elder checks and then asked them to give
it back (if they couldn't screw them out of it).
They cut the children's programs but put a bar in the Big Bear
all ages sports arena.
They cut family assistance programs for the umemployed and
disabled so the board wouldn't have to give up their expense
accounts.
The Biggest Losers, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors are
really the Big Winners because they have not given up one
dime of the paycheck that they don't deserve while everyone
else has been forced to sacrifice.
The worst part, they have not shown a shred of conscience and
don't care about the ramifications because there won't be any
for them. They should just forget spending all that money
on the next election because it is all just a hoax anyway.
Unless the Sault Tribe members find their balls and take a stand,
they might as well just walk away.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Raise or No Raise
Tuesday 30 December 2008
by: Rob Hotakainen, McClatchy Newspapers
Washington - Members of Congress have at least one reason to ring
in the new year: They've given themselves a $4,700-a-year pay raise
starting Thursday.
With the economy in a recession and millions of Americans losing
their jobs, however, members are under fire to rescind the pay hike,
which will increase their base salaries to $174,000, roughly a 2.8
percent raise.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California will get a
larger raise of about $6,100, though it's about the same percent
increase. Her salary will rise to nearly $223,500. Pelosi's office
declined to comment on the raise.
When Congress begins a new session next Tuesday, critics have an
idea for the very first vote: Block the 2009 raise for all 535
senators and representatives.
"Certainly, the timing could be a lot better.... When you look at
the rest of the country, people are hoping to hang on to their jobs,
much less get a salary increase or a bonus," said Steve Ellis, the
vice president of the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.
Other critics say that Congress has done nothing to deserve a raise.
"The general public can't help but think that lawmakers are
patting themselves on the back, and padding their wallets, for
presiding over the worst fiscal-policy blunders in recent history,"
said Pete Sepp, the vice president for policy and communications for
the National Taxpayers Union.
The issue is always sensitive for members of Congress, who've
designed a way to raise their pay automatically without even having to
vote. They call it a cost-of-living allowance that takes effect each
year, unless members vote to turn it down. Conveniently, it allows
them to leave no evidence that could be used against incumbents in
re-election campaigns.
"It's a gimmick to essentially avoid something that would be
politically dicey," Ellis said. "And both parties are complicit in
this system and benefit from it."
Members of Congress don't often snub an opportunity to make more
money. It happened most recently in 2007, when the Democratic-led
Congress decided to forgo a raise because it hadn't approved an
increase in the minimum wage. Last January, members received an
automatic increase of 2.5 percent.
Ellis said that Congress would be wise to delay its 2009 raise
until the recession ended or unemployment declined. That would show
that public officials are making a "shared sacrifice" during times of
economic difficulty, he said.
While members of Congress will receive a raise, 12 percent of
seniors are living at or below the poverty line, said Daniel
O'Connell, the chairman of The Senior Citizens League. A senior who
receives average Social Security benefits will get a $63 monthly
increase in 2009, he said.
The congressional pay raise is expected to cost taxpayers $2.5
million next year.
"This money would be much better spent helping the millions of
seniors who are living below the poverty line and struggling to keep
their heat on this winter," O'Connell said.
He said that members of Congress were increasing their salaries
after questioning the multimillion- dollar compensation of auto
executives earlier this month.
"As lawmakers make a big show of forcing auto executives to accept
just $1 a year in salary, they are quietly raiding the vault for their
own personal gain," O'Connell said.
Four members of Congress from Indiana have announced that they
won't accept the pay increase: Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, Republican
Reps. Mike Pence and Dan Burton and Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth.
In Florida, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez and Republican Reps. Gus
Bilirakis and Ginny Brown-Waite said they'd vote to block the raise if
congressional leaders allowed a vote. California Democratic Sen.
Dianne Feinstein said she wanted nothing to do with the raise.
Feinstein, the chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee,
intends to donate her raise to charity, spokesman Phil LaVelle said
Tuesday.
Finding anyone brave enough to defend the pay hike in Washington
these days is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
When they're asked to comment, usually accessible members quickly go
missing, are on vacation, are extremely busy with family members or
can't be reached on their cell phones because they're in remote
locations. Some congressional aides, however, speaking privately, said
they wouldn't be surprised if public pressure forced Congress to
revisit the issue when members returned to work next week.
Sepp called the latest raise "sadly, not surprising" and said it
was indicative of a Congress that was out of touch with voters.
"If 9-11, the resulting economic slowdown and wars couldn't deter
these folks from taking a pay grab, how could the current recession
shame them into doing the right thing?" Sepp asked. "Salaries for
senators and representatives are about the only federal expenditure
that average Americans can directly relate to, and yet lawmakers can't
grasp why people get so upset over such a relatively small amount of
money in the federal budget."
from: http://www.truthout .org/010109C
by: Rob Hotakainen, McClatchy Newspapers
Washington - Members of Congress have at least one reason to ring
in the new year: They've given themselves a $4,700-a-year pay raise
starting Thursday.
With the economy in a recession and millions of Americans losing
their jobs, however, members are under fire to rescind the pay hike,
which will increase their base salaries to $174,000, roughly a 2.8
percent raise.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California will get a
larger raise of about $6,100, though it's about the same percent
increase. Her salary will rise to nearly $223,500. Pelosi's office
declined to comment on the raise.
When Congress begins a new session next Tuesday, critics have an
idea for the very first vote: Block the 2009 raise for all 535
senators and representatives.
"Certainly, the timing could be a lot better.... When you look at
the rest of the country, people are hoping to hang on to their jobs,
much less get a salary increase or a bonus," said Steve Ellis, the
vice president of the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.
Other critics say that Congress has done nothing to deserve a raise.
"The general public can't help but think that lawmakers are
patting themselves on the back, and padding their wallets, for
presiding over the worst fiscal-policy blunders in recent history,"
said Pete Sepp, the vice president for policy and communications for
the National Taxpayers Union.
The issue is always sensitive for members of Congress, who've
designed a way to raise their pay automatically without even having to
vote. They call it a cost-of-living allowance that takes effect each
year, unless members vote to turn it down. Conveniently, it allows
them to leave no evidence that could be used against incumbents in
re-election campaigns.
"It's a gimmick to essentially avoid something that would be
politically dicey," Ellis said. "And both parties are complicit in
this system and benefit from it."
Members of Congress don't often snub an opportunity to make more
money. It happened most recently in 2007, when the Democratic-led
Congress decided to forgo a raise because it hadn't approved an
increase in the minimum wage. Last January, members received an
automatic increase of 2.5 percent.
Ellis said that Congress would be wise to delay its 2009 raise
until the recession ended or unemployment declined. That would show
that public officials are making a "shared sacrifice" during times of
economic difficulty, he said.
While members of Congress will receive a raise, 12 percent of
seniors are living at or below the poverty line, said Daniel
O'Connell, the chairman of The Senior Citizens League. A senior who
receives average Social Security benefits will get a $63 monthly
increase in 2009, he said.
The congressional pay raise is expected to cost taxpayers $2.5
million next year.
"This money would be much better spent helping the millions of
seniors who are living below the poverty line and struggling to keep
their heat on this winter," O'Connell said.
He said that members of Congress were increasing their salaries
after questioning the multimillion- dollar compensation of auto
executives earlier this month.
"As lawmakers make a big show of forcing auto executives to accept
just $1 a year in salary, they are quietly raiding the vault for their
own personal gain," O'Connell said.
Four members of Congress from Indiana have announced that they
won't accept the pay increase: Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, Republican
Reps. Mike Pence and Dan Burton and Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth.
In Florida, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez and Republican Reps. Gus
Bilirakis and Ginny Brown-Waite said they'd vote to block the raise if
congressional leaders allowed a vote. California Democratic Sen.
Dianne Feinstein said she wanted nothing to do with the raise.
Feinstein, the chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee,
intends to donate her raise to charity, spokesman Phil LaVelle said
Tuesday.
Finding anyone brave enough to defend the pay hike in Washington
these days is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
When they're asked to comment, usually accessible members quickly go
missing, are on vacation, are extremely busy with family members or
can't be reached on their cell phones because they're in remote
locations. Some congressional aides, however, speaking privately, said
they wouldn't be surprised if public pressure forced Congress to
revisit the issue when members returned to work next week.
Sepp called the latest raise "sadly, not surprising" and said it
was indicative of a Congress that was out of touch with voters.
"If 9-11, the resulting economic slowdown and wars couldn't deter
these folks from taking a pay grab, how could the current recession
shame them into doing the right thing?" Sepp asked. "Salaries for
senators and representatives are about the only federal expenditure
that average Americans can directly relate to, and yet lawmakers can't
grasp why people get so upset over such a relatively small amount of
money in the federal budget."
from: http://www.truthout .org/010109C
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