MORE ARRESTS?

Last night (Friday-July 30, 2010) I received a report of more arrests that took place by federal agents regarding allegations of embezzlement and fraud related to misappropriation of federal grants.

Because of the way rumors tend to start based on overheard or misconstrued comments one never knows if this news is based on assumptions, gossip, wishful thinking, or facts. Of course, this report in itself can also be the source of rumors so hold tight
people. Whether true or not at this point in time, I have little doubt that more arrests are forthcoming.

As soon as the report can be substantiated or unproven, the names and available information will be posted on this site.

MESSAGE RECEIVED!

Once again the members have spoken....NO DEAL, NO SETTLEMENT for Bernard Bouschor. Deb Pine, daughter of Jolene Nertoli and relative of Bouschor's was not allowed to vote because of the obvious conflict of interest. Denise Chase made the motion but the remaining details regarding who voted pro-tribal members or pro-Bouschor is unavailable at this time.

Also today, according to the former chairman Aaron Payment, Deb Pine attempted to contact his boss....why? Surely Pine would not be attempting to use her power as a board member to influence or conspire with an employer against a tribal member? This sounds all too familiar to me and to others who have been at the whim of an errant director who wields their power like a billy club. The days of intimidating tribal members by threatening them with their jobs are over. Conspiracy is a felony and cause for removal.

If the message isn't clear that the tribal members are not going to take it anymore, we are only just getting started.

NO FREE RIDE FOR FRED PAQUIN

With the recent announcement of a guilty plea by Fred Paquin to ripping off the federal government and the Sault Tribe members as well as the release of details of his plea agreement, some are concerned that Paquin will get a slap on the hands, a free ride past 'Go', a 'Stay Out of Jail' card and the option of having his criminal record expunged in the future.

It's a federal crime...he pled guilty to a felony...expunged isn't going to happen. No judge (with the exception of a judge appointed by crooks) would expunge the record of a former police chief for federal crimes. A lot of good 'expunged' would do when Paquin's crimes have been all over the news. Fast Freddie will do some prison time, fines and restitution will need to be paid. His reputation isn't worth a pound of dirt. He won't be able to show his face ever again since he will be tossing out the names of his former friends and associates as perpetrators of crimes like trick or treat candy in order to keep his daughter out of prison and himself serving less than he would otherwise. Prison...a year or more...doesn't matter because he is done, ruined, as he should be and just as he has done to others.

The feds were listening, they built their case and thanks to that slime ball Fred, there will be more arrests to come. Knowing that the tribal embezzlers, who have stolen money that belonged to all of us-that was meant for education, healthcare and jobs for tribal members, might be lining up for their day in court and will be ruined just as Fred is now, makes me pretty darned happy. Justice, regardless of jail time, has been done-will be done. They will be ruined just as they have done to many innocent tribal members and former employees.

As a matter of fact, I would like to say 'hello' to some of them. If you are reading this and you think you have gotten away with some freebies because you had access or knew the right people, you might want to get your affairs in order and figure out how you will be paying us back....before you go to jail would be preferable-thank you very much.

The feds have their eyes on those in this tribe who stole federal funds so if anyone has anything to say, the time is now. Do something great for your fellow tribal citizens and point the feds in the right direction. Several, past and present, who serve on the committee of the Mackinac Bands have knowledge of and access to numerous documents that support past allegations of misuse of federal funds...approximately $800,000 in ANA grants not to mention those under the Department of Health and Human Services has a familiar ring to it...a reminder to the feds may be in order.

FRED PAQUIN'S LIST

Fred Paquin made a deal with the feds and the courts that can change his future from living a hellish life in prison or a shorter term in purgatory. Not only will he be smacked with a big fat fine, he could serve a prison sentence of 1-5 years. The court also ordered him to pay full restitution for the thefts he has been charged with.

The best part of this is what most of us expected....Fred agreed to "cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Inspector General, the United States Attorney's Office and any other law enforcment agency...consisting of all steps necessary to uncover and prosecute...any and all criminal activity of which he is aware...truthfully testifying before grand juries..."...and the list goes on.(Plea agreement document will be posted soon.)

What we really want to know is...Who is on Fred's List?

WHY NOT!!!

Most of us would have no problem with any of our directors asking "why" especially if it were a question that was expressing a concern of protection for the tribe and/or its members. But, the question "why" was asked in defense of a rumored relationship between the Chairman and Vice-chair of the Sault Tribe that may create a situation where a conflict of interest could result in faulty decisions. If Director Pine was completely unaware of the rumors of infidelity then the 'why' would have had a tone of curiosity not anger.

Director Chase was right regarding her concerns and in making the motion in order to prevent the continuation of conflicts, as we have seen so often in the past when Paquin or Bouschor have been allowed to vote on their own demise. The fact that no one seconded the motion was the real surprise, considering where inaction and conflicts of interest have gotten us in the past.

As much as I would have preferred to sidestep the infidelity crap, it has been thrown into the circle for discussion quite often lately. I personally believe it's all true especially since the big public blowout yelling match at the local bowling lanes between Lona Stewart and Lana Causley over McCoy. Lona Stewart was fired which proves that such relationships do cause problems within the organization and takes the focus off the immense financial problems we are facing and other issues such as why the hell Bouschor is still sitting on the board.

Denise Chase was right on target when she tried to prevent McCoy from voting to break the tie for VP since it was obvious which way he would vote...not in the best interest of the tribe but in the best interest of himself and Causley. The question that should have been asked was "Why Not?"

WHY OH WHY?!

Sault Ste. Marie, MI..." Why?! " contemptuously spoken at the July 13Th board meeting by director Pine of unit one, when a motion was made by director Chase of unit 4 to have Chairman McCoy recuse himself from voting for vice chairman nominee / unit 2 director Causley.

Director Chase made the motion based on hearsay and rumors that vice chairman nominee / director Causley and Chairman McCoy of unit one have been having an affair while traveling together on tribal business trips. The rumors and hearsay originated with former and present board members, who were and still are in a position to know what's going on in their group.

No one would second director Chase's motion. Why?! perhaps because there wasn't any hard evidence of the affair...pictures, tapes...but only circumstantial evidence. And while murderers are convicted on circumstantial evidence, apparently an affair between two of the tribe's highest officials can't be...on the exactly same kind of evidence.

Does this conclusion support, why there was no seconding of Chase's motion? We have to wonder, "Why?!" wasn't there any seconding...can directors Malloy or Howelwell or Carr-Anderson, answer that "Why?!' for us?

"Why?!' director Chase's concern: public officials are commonly held to a higher standard. After all, they represent the tribe. The necessity for two tribal officials traveling together, where one has done so in the past, raises the additional question: if the allegations are truth, on whose dime are they traveling...yours of course, the memberships..

Humility: director Pines' contemptuous outburst, "Why?!"came across as spoken by somebody who has an exaggerated perception of the importance of their position. Director Causley and Chairman McCoy's affair demonstrates how individuals caught up in the aphrodisiacs of power and money...confuse their priorities. After all, the chairmen is married and has a family. In the same vein, director Causley's fight with the now-fired, chairman's ex-girl friend, ex-executive secretary, Lona Stewart, demonstrates how childish and crazy these situations can get.

In the final diagnosis...this is an obvious and disgraceful mess.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...The McCoy Administration had two years to put together a bankruptcy reorganization plan and failed to do so. With no plan to emerge from bankruptcy, it never had a credible chance to retain the Detroit Casino.

Instead, it made last minute gasps, hoping to retain the casino on technicalities. However, both of them fell through. More bungling by the McCoy Administration. It appears Greektown was built on land that never was put in trust and therefore could be sold to non-Indian gaming interest. Neither did the Michigan Gaming Control Board give any credence to the tribe's ballyhoo about the short time it took to license the new owners.

We're left now with a Chairman who has been stripped of his executive powers and is little more than a gavel, and a Vice Chairman who has no credentials to do either job. The tribe is mired in debt up to its ears, akin to the country's national debt and no one seems to understand what is going on...

With a weak leader who is powerless to represent the tribe as a whole, we're left with a committee of unit representatives who are busy running errands for their constituents. The ship of state has been left to flounder...without direction and without leadership.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SAULT TRIBE MEETINGS?!

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors meetings just aren't what they used to be. A tad bit unorganized with an agenda that consisted of headings but no content. The meeting lasted a very short time with much of it spent in closed session.

There was a surprise or two...one being a vote to choose the next VP with Cathy Abramson voting for Tom Miller instead of Lana Causley. The tie was broken by Chairman Joe McCoy who chose Lana as his co-partner instead of Tom. Pat Rickley, who has been a disappointment to those who elected him, also chose Lana over Tom. Rickley lost most of his support because he did just the opposite of what he told his supporters he would do if elected. Many believe it will be a piece of cake for any opponent he will face when his term is up in 2 years.

A special meeting date was set with much effort to arrange it so that it didn't conflict with the meeting with the United States Attorney, as announced by Kristi Little. Oddly, some of the directors found it necessary to quickly state repeatedly, 'yeah, the annual meeting we usually have with the United States attorney.' "Yup, him,..the United States attorney that comes every year to meet with us." "Yeah, the normal meeting we have every year with the U.S. attorney..." I had the distinct feeling they were leaving something out of the picture, like "Oops."

It is also notable that Deb Pine, daughter of Jolene Nertoli and relative of Bouschor's continued to represent herself as arrogantly as she has since she was elected. A motion was made by Denise Chase asking the chairman to excuse himself from voting should there be a tie vote for VP. Leaning forward, Pine extracted as much drama as she could muster up with a flip of the head and slamming her eyelids up and down as if trying to slap down a fly, expelled one angry word, "Why?" For all her showy effort, there were few members to show it to since there were only a dozen or so members in the audience. No one seconded the motion...fear of what Pine would do?...the motion failed.

Come back to the meetings people...I have high hopes that three of the new directors will provide support for those directors who have continued to work in the tribes best interest. Let them know you appreciate their efforts with your attendance. Hope to see you there.

WALK THE LINE AND STAY FOCUSED

That is likely what the tribal members would ask of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors. Personal grudges, gossip and greed must be kicked to the curb and the focus should be placed on saving the tribe's assets as it should have been all along. Nothing else matters except preventing the incredible losses we have endured from happening again.

Directors...take a good look at the top and see who has pulled the plug on the tribe and allowed our assets to leak at a rate that was barely noticeable until it was too late. We need a reorganization of the tribe starting at the top for no other reason than the department heads have failed miserably in holding up their end, ensuring that all preventable losses were under control and that employees were treated decently so that they want to be productive and loyal.

No excuses can be made for those who had the power to do the right thing. We should all be part of the decision making and the direction we want to go in but instead we have been shut out. Time to patch the holes and get this ship afloat.

The only thing any of us ask of elected officials is to make this tribe whole again and the time to start is now. The message sent to the board with the recent election is clear...either walk the line from day one and stay focused on rescuing what's left of this financial mess, that the members of the Sault Tribe were dragged into, or start looking for a new job.

PREDICTION...TIE VOTE FOR VICE CHAIR?

"It looks like the race for the Sault Tribe officer positions (Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), to be voted on next Tuesday - July 13th at 6pm, is heating up and could result in a tie vote. If a tie occurs, the Tribal Chairperson will cast the tie breaking vote.

The Tribal Chairman should consider that if he has any conflicts of interests in his personal relationships with any Board members, that he should abstain from voting in the event of a tie. If the Chairman is unwilling to do the right thing by the people of the Tribe, the Tribal Board should make a motion and second to call into conflict any votes for officers nominations for which the Chairman has a personal relationship. The Tribal Board should call this conflict before the vote. Of course, those officer nominees with a conflict of interest could spare the Tribe further embarrassment by declining the nomination as most Members know of this conflict.

Close personal relationships of a non-professional nature, have no place in public governance. Sault Tribe members deserve a higher caliber of personal and professional conduct from their elected officials. Carrying on a personal private relationship that threatens to cloud decision making is un-ethical and depending on the relationship - even immoral."

ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTOR

VICE CHAIR...NO CONFLICTS PLEASE

With each election comes the appointment of a new Vice Chairperson for the Sault Tribe. Who will it be this time? Who will be chosen that has the experience to take over for the chairman if, for any reason, he can't preside over the meetings?

We have had to deal with more than our share of conflicts of interest...no more please. Just this once make it about the people and not about self interests, lobbying for votes and travelling buddies.

Are you ready, Sault Tribe Board of Directors, to do the right thing, make the right decisions and for the right reasons or will you be looking for a new job with the next election? Leave the conflicts elsewhere and bring your goodwill instead.

Getting Cultured-Up

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Culture seems to lend itself to people feeling special or superior. Years ago, those who were cultured-up knew something about opera and ballet, or classical literature...Shakespeare, Dante, Aristotle, Socrates, whomever.

Nowadays it's knowing the 'first language' or having regalia or Native American Spirituality. It's become something of a litmus test in some circles...hey, are you a real Indian? What do you know about the seven grandfathers?

Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom, see you later...

It's enough to make one wonder, how many of our ancestors went to thirteen years of public school and then on to four years of state college, all the while receiving religious training at the local church. How many of them learned the 'first language' in a class or wore their Native American regalia as though it were a period costume.

Hey, Pow Wows are wonderful. They're great social and spiritual events. So are naming ceremonies and feasts and sweats. But they're just that...social and spiritual events. Through them members can revisit the past while visiting with their loved ones. While enjoying this aspect of their culture, they can feel special...even superior to others for a while.

However, other than these social and spiritual activities, the past is where it belongs...in the past. Tribal culture today is as much about education, training, employment and government as, in the past, it was about agriculture, hunting, fishing and gathering. This is where the Sault Tribe needs to encourage its youth to feel special and superior others...not in its social and spiritual activities.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Getting Cultured-Up":
Yes, we are now dealing with internal prejudice. Questions about how much one attends pow wows in employment interviews, who is relative to who seems to be important. While a few are benefiting from the tribe and the three families that are absorbing it all, they are not cultural, in fact The Sault Tribe is called the cultureless tribe in California.

NEW DIRECTORS..RENEWED HOPE FOR THE SAULT TRIBE

Recently a gathering to celebrate the election of new directors was held at Aaron Payment's home on Shunk Road in Sault Ste. Marie. As usual, Aaron was the ultimate host, greeting each and every guest with a hug or a handshake accompanied by eye to eye, face to face friendly conversation.

DJ Malloy, Cathy Hollowell and Deb Pine, three of the newly elected directors, attended to greet those they will be representing. Malloy and Hollowell were clearly at ease conversing with the individuals in the crowd as the guests gathered around them.

Pine, although friendly to some, appeared to be uncomfortable in the presence of some guests....myself for one. That's understandable considering I don't pull any punches when it comes to setting the record straight or voicing my opinions. It's not a secret that my opinion of Pine is less than positive.

Pine did mention in her ads that she is a relative of Aaron Payments but she failed to mention that her mother is Jolene Nertoli and one of the recipients of your money that was paid out when Bernard Bouschor was ousted as chairman. She also didn't mention that Bouschor is her uncle just as she didn't warn voters of the position she takes on the 7 + 2 lawsuit. Should we judge our elected representatives based on who their relatives are?...of course not or we would all be in trouble.

But once elected, the director's job is to represent all tribal members without prejudice since it is our money that pays them for their service. So far, Pine has shown disrespect to all those who question her stand on the 7 + 2 lawsuit. Again, I am not at all surprised and can certainly see which side of the family Pine derives her attitude from.

On the bright side, and there is a foreseeable bright side, Malloy and Hollowell will put out the necessary effort to work with those directors who have your best interests at heart.

Once Denise Chase and her family arrived, the mood lightened even more. As we gathered around to listen to their ideas and plan for the tribe, the concern over the direction our tribe has taken seemed to lift somewhat. The knowledge that flowed between the minds and out of the mouths of these three comrades renewed my faith that there is hope and that most of the newly elected and several of the sitting directors will unite in their efforts...all in the best interest of the Sault Tribe.

Not So Silent Observer....on Pine

Former Sault Tribe Chairman, Aaron Payment, hosted a Backyard Celebration in honor of the newly elected Board Directors. Inviting everyone to come and show their support for Directors Malloy, Pine, Hollowell, Carr, Chase and Massaway.
Mr. Payment wants to see the tribe take a new path away from the greed, mismanagement and corruption of the past. It was billed as an opportunity to discuss the pressing issues facing the tribe.

The most controversial candidate among this group was Deb Pine. She surprised everyone by garnering more votes then the incumbents, although, she wasn't the highest vote getter. DJ Malloy earned that distinction with 1560 votes.
Pine's behavior, at the gathering, was cordial to some but less so to others. Her contempt for those that oppose her or her uncle Benard Bouschor was apparent. She was overheard thanking tribal member Lynne Weaver for "all of the publicity". She was referring to the considerable amount of negative press offered by the readers of Weaver's Blog "LittleMissSunshineinyourface ". Reaction to her candidacy , by the readers, was not favorable. Pine's position on the 7+2 2.66 million dollar theft from the tribe was the main issue. She is in favor of forgiving the culprits....which included her mother and uncle.

Observers said that her effort to find friendly support was met by people moving away from the table she selected to sit at and as she approached groups some would disappear within seconds of her arrival, as if she were poison. Hopefully she will be able to overcome her reputation as being an arrogant believer in entitlement.

Her choice will be to work in the best interest of the tribe or be scorned by the membership that have been harmed by the actions of those she is loyal to.

Anonymous by Choice