QUESTIONS WITH NO ANSWERS

The article below was sent to me along with a message that the tribe actually paid more than $450,000 for the property. This opens up another round of questions:


Horse Race Track Says Wayne County “Perfectly Comfortable” With Controversial Land Deal
By Tom Gantert | Oct. 3, 2010

Wayne County was aware of a horse racing track's plans to sell some of the 240 acres of land it bought from the county for $1, according to Carl Herstein, an attorney representing Post It Stables, the corporation that owns Pinnacle Race Course.

The Huron Township race course became the subject of an internal investigation by the county after it was learned that Post It Stables sold seven acres of the land to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for $179,000. The seven acres was part of 240 acres bought from Wayne County for $1.

Carl Herstein, a partner in the Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn law firm, said county officials were "perfectly comfortable" with the track selling the $1 land because it was part of a bigger plan to attract development to the region.

When asked if the county approved of the land being sold to an Indian tribe, which would remove it from the county tax rolls, Herstein said, "You'd have to ask them."

Wayne County Deputy Chief Executive Azzam Elder said in an e-mail that he was out of town last week and would look into the matter when he returned. Wayne County Administrator Robert Ficano didn't respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Herstein said the track ownership is considering the sale of five more parcels, although he didn't know how large the parcels would be.

Documents from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation talk about the horse racing as part of a redevelopment of the racing area.

Herstein said Post It Stables, owner of the race track, has spent a lot of money on infrastructure improvements on the property, such as more than $1 million spent on drain improvements.

Wayne County Commissioner Ed Boike has called for an internal investigation of Wayne County's dealings with Post It Stables.
At which point did anyone from the tribe become involved? Did the Chairman, any member of the Board of Directors, or anyone with the authority to make decisions to work or seal deals such as this one partake in any arrangements prior to the land sale of $1 to Post It Stables?
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At which point did anyone from the tribe become involved? Did the Chairman, any member of the Board of Directors, or anyone with the authority to make decisions to work or seal deals such as this one partake in any arrangements prior to the land sale of $1 to Post It Stables?

Why is the law firm of Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn making statements in regards to actions of the Sault Tribe? Shouldn't the chairman be knowledgeable enough to speak for us? How much has the tribe paid this lawfirm to date? It has been reported that they have received between $55 and $77 million just over the last few years.

Just a few years ago these same board members and several of the tribal crazies were making a huge deal over what was being paid to one of our own tribal members who served as general counsel so why aren't they screaming their heads off over what we are paying this lawfirm? If you hire a lawfirm wouldn't you expect it to look out for your interests. What did we get for that amount of money besides more debt?

Something doesn't smell right about this whole deal. What do you think?
Lynne Weaver