WHICH IS IT....FOR OR AGAINST?

Fine approved as CEO
CEO Randall Fine was approved by the Greektown Management Board and the bankruptcy court to be appointed CEO, pending approval of a background check by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Prior to the gaming board’s affirmative vote Monday, Jeffrey Gallant, with Southfield-based Keranen & Associates P.C. spoke on behalf of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians against Fine’s appointment. The tribe has been owner of Greektown, but is facing either a sale of the casino to pay off bondholders or a financial reorganization.

Keranen & Associates represents the tribe, Gallant said.

“The (tribe) asks that this be tabled,” he said. “It would appear that (Fine) has no experience as a CEO and there already is a competent internal manager.”He requested that interim CEO Clifford Vallier, who has worked for the tribe for 20 years, remain CEO.

Gallant said he was asked by Chairman Joe McCoy to make the comments. McCoy, who is also one of the three voting members of the Greektown Management Board, voted in favor of Fine’s appointment, Fine said.
"I can see that they would find it upsetting to work on this for so long and find it in bankruptcy and the situation it’s currently in,” Fine said of the tribe and the casino. “This is a relatively unsophisticated reaction to a loss of influence.”

A phone message was left with McCoy’s secretary, who said he was in a meeting as of noon Monday