SLIPPERY DEALS AND FOUL-UPS ATTRACT SAULT TRIBE CHAIRMAN

From The News-Herald...Huron Township. August 28TH, 2010

"She said it’s irrelevant that Pinnacle is in a land bank. She said the property has a value of $14.5 million, and should pay its taxes.
Mary Collins, a township Board of Review member, said at Wednesday’s meeting that she couldn’t believe an entity that size wasn’t taxed.

“I can’t figure out for the life of me how we missed Post-It Stables,” she said.

Crains Detroit

COMMENT FROM ANONYMOUS POSTER:
" JP... Post it Stables, owes the twp. police $150K for services rendered, they have not paid water bills on time, their electric has been shut off twice for non-payment, they have not lived up to their promises made to the twp. and they have not been good neighbors. They knew they owed taxes, Jerry Campbell is a multi-millionaire, and multi business owner. You can't tell me he didn't know that he owed taxes... "

Post-it Stables / Did the Sault Tribe Buy It?

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Did the Sault Tribe buy Post-it Stables (a horse racetrack) and the 320 acres it sits on for $180,000.00, plus back taxes of $1,460,000.00, or did it buy seven acres near the racetrack for the smaller figure.
Those questions were batted around yesterday by Huron Township and Wayne County officials. They concluded, that there has either been sloppy clerical work...as the sale recorded in the registers of deeds office is for the whole racetrack...or there has been some top secret communications going on between Post-it Stables and the Sault Tribe.

Seeking an answer to that question, The News Herald, providing news services to the lower river, called both the Wayne County Register of Deeds office and the Sault Tribe and neither had responded as of late yesterday.

Township officials say Post-it Stables also owes $150,000.00 for police protection and is in arrears with its water bill. Although no land use plans have been filed todate by the Sault Tribe, township officials speculate that they want to build a casino.

The answer is out there somewhere. Perhaps a board member can help you with it.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

SURE SAW 'US' COMING!

Let's see now...blow $77,000,000.00 on attorneys and legal fees to come up with a plan to exit from bankruptcy but the Sault Tribe chairman, Joe McCoy, backed out at the last minute on 'said plan' even though it could have saved Greektown and kept it under the ownership of the Sault Tribe otherwise known as 'US'. Instead McCoy chose to give Greektown away but to "WHOM?"

Imagine what $77,000,000.00 could have provided for 'US'. 'US' would not have lost jobs and the 'Elder US' would not have been forced to give up so much including medical assistance. Those of 'US' who are students would not have had to give up education assistance that the leaders of 'US' provided very little of to begin with.

Investment firms were prepared to loan 'US' the money to pay off creditors at a very favorable rate with a payment plan that would still leave 'US' with the revenue to re-fund the lands claim that was drained to pay attorneys and poorly laid business plans which, as it turns out, amounted to none at all.

Now McCoy made the decision to purchase property at almost $26,000.00 an acre. Say what?!...$26,000.00 an acre?! Wow...what a lucky broker who made that deal and a seller who saw a sucker just waiting to bite. Did McCoy do it for 'US'? Not likely, since he never asked 'US' if it was okay to invest more of our money on something we were never informed of in the first place. Did McCoy send the Elders a thank you note for giving up so much so he could use more of their money without permission?

It's not really fair to say that 'THEY' saw 'US' coming...'THEY' did see McCoy, likely assisted by Bouschor, the king of failed business ventures, coming though....didn't they.

Sault Tribe Enters Into Another Mess?

"Another concern for Doom is that Post-It Stables sought and received a land division on the 320-acre property and sold seven acres to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for $179,000 for to-be-determined development."

"A land division can’t be granted unless all taxes are paid in full, she said. There must be verification that all the taxes are paid."

Do we even own this land? And if we do, we certainly hope we are not going to get stuck with a tax bill. Why is it time and time again our leaders are incompetent to check all the facts before making such a purchase? We blame this on the old board.

Taxes

Nathan Wright

Michigan’s New Green Economy & Green Jobs

Experts gather at UAW Family Education Center on Black Lake to discuss

Michigan’s New Green Economy & Green Jobs

Featuring US Senator Debbie Stabenow


On Monday, August 30, numerous stakeholders from business, education and training, labor, environmental, and community organizations, who are currently working on various facets of creating a green economy, will gather at the UAW Family Education Center on Black Lake to discuss Michigan’s New Green Economy and Green Jobs.

The Panel Discussion promises to be an extraordinary event dedicated to transforming our ideas into action and building a revitalized, green economy that creates good jobs and preserves Michigan’s economic and environmental security. The meeting will include discussions by experts on policy, green job creation and workforce development, civic engagement and education, and sustainable development, followed by a roundtable discussion.

What: The Michigan’s New Green Economy & Green Jobs panel discussion is the premier event for bringing together key stakeholders - including union, economic developers, environmental, business and elected leaders - to share ideas and strategies for building the new, green economy. The discussion comes as the U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would drive the development of a clean energy economy.



When: Monday, August 30, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.


Where: Walter and Mae Reuther UAW Family Education Center, 2800 Maxon Rd. Onaway MI, 49765


Details: Statistical data proves Michigan needs to embrace the New Green Economy. There has been a paradigm shift to a new economy. Michigan has been the “green state” for decades with our natural resources and affinities, but that has not translated into economic growth. We will discuss the need to innovate and be on the forefront of the New Green Economy. We will also discuss regional growth plans and collaboration based on a strong vision and strategy.


PANELISTS:

KEYNOTE: US Senator Debbie Stabenow

Ric Evans, Paradigm Energy Services; Instructor, Northwestern Michigan Community College

Andy Hayes, President, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

Kurt H. Schindler, AICP, Regional Land Use Educator, Michigan State University Extension

Beth L. Sommers, Green Jobs Specialist, Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth


COST: There are no registration Fees – Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation


RSVP: Brenda Archambo, archambo@src-milp.com


Name:

City/State:

Email:

Phone:


Brenda Archambo, MI Outreach Consultant
National Wildlife Federation
Phone: 231-625-2776 | archambo@src-milp.com

DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL?...NO DEAL

"According to the tribal constitution, members can referendum any expenditure of $10,000. The board hid the purchase, they broke tribal law."

The words of this anonymous poster regarding the recent expenditure of $180,000 for property near a racetrack near Detroit are worth taking into consideration.

Although real estate transactions may be discussed in closed session in order to secure the best deal, there is no reason to maintain the secrecy once the transaction has been made. We should also expect that a full, chronological accounting of all of the details regarding the Greektown catastrophe, as well as the voting matrix, will be published in an upcoming issue of the Sault Tribe newspaper because the members require an explanation of the who's and why's behind the failure.

Many Sault Tribe members feel that the action of withholding such extensive information involving finances is nothing short of a conspiracy. Billions of dollars have flowed through the tribe but members are not afforded the right to know how it is spent but they always seem to come up on the short end of the deal.

The 'Don't ask, Don't tell' theory doesn't apply here. If the members had more to say about how our money is spent there would likely be a lot fewer questionable deals being made.

TOO MANY QUESTIONS...TOO MANY SECRETS!

Why did McCoy pull the plug on Greektown when there is valuable proof that it could have been saved...legally, lucratively and with all cards in full view of everyone with an interest?

What part did Bernard Bouschor play in that decision?

Why did the Michigan Gaming Commission bypass the gaming license regulations to approve the new ownership?

What is the connection between allowing Greektown to be dumped and the purchase of property near a racetrack in Detroit?

What have McCoy and Bouschor gotten us into this time with the bigger question being...with whom?

Who stands to gain from all these questionable and secretive deals?

Will the Sault Tribe citizens see any benefits or did we just reinvest our future into another one of Bouschor's doomed-to-fail schemes?

What happened to the discussion between Bart Stupak and Sault Tribe regarding Greektown and the land it sits on? What is the reasoning behind the sudden silence?

We are a long way from having these questions answered but the answers are there and they will be found.

DID YOU KNOW...?

Did you know that the Sault tribe bought a parcel of land near the race track in the Detroit area for $179,000.00?

CRAIN"S DETROIT BUSINESS

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO GREEKTOWN

It is not just tribal members and employees of Greektown who ask the question: How did the Sault Tribe's Greektown Goldmine go bust? The answer to that lies heavily not with 'how?' but 'why?'.

A surprising, inside source has revealed the chronological events that led up to the sinking of Greektown. Thousands of hours were invested in a lengthy and laborious 2 year process that could have kept Greektown in the hands of it's rightful owners,the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and those who suffered the most over the loss...Sault Tribe members. Using the words of the source, "it was a trip down the Rabbit's Hole to Alice in Wonderland."

The investors were in place with the question being "how much does the tribe need to get Greektown out of debt?" The answer received to that question had more responses than a TV game show with none of them being the same answer twice. "All over the map" were the descriptive words used to define the response from McCoy, who couldn't even be clear and precise in such dire times, with one minute the need being $55 million, and the next, the 'price' jumping to $750 million.

Chairman McCoy and a handful of directors (count them on one hand plus 1 or 2?) sat on their haunches while a team of hired professionals, who specialize in locating the 'gold' by smoozing with big capital sources, worked diligently to present a "very, very attractive offer for the tribe." According to the source, "Everything was upfront, legal, on the table...nothing under...."

Instead of moving towards a resolution to save Greektown, McCoy and his team blew through an estimated $75 million for lawyers and bankruptcy costs and lost Greektown because they could never get their brains in formation enough to formulate a plan.

They blew it! The tribe's cash cow, that began making money hand over fist once the tribal authorities were removed from access to any decision making, now belongs to someone else. Tribal members lost jobs, our elders lost much in the way of healthcare and all members lost benefits due to the incompetence of those who could have saved our cash cow from being slaughtered.

So the question remains of not 'how' but 'WHY?'. That answer may someday be answered. Greektown is lost to the Sault Tribe but somebody, or several somebodies, won. WHO...and HOW MUCH?

Paquin Notice of Sentencing

Please CLICK HERE to see Fred Paquin's Notice of Sentencing.

Director Pine / A Crafty Legislator?

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...The information packets given out to board members at the closed session asking them to drop the 7+1 case were collected by legal and directors were not allowed to keep any of them.

Interesting...was this the follow through of a crafty plan by a crafty tribal legislator to get her mother, Jolene Graham, and her mother's first cousin, director Bouchour, off the hook, allowing them to keep the unauthorized money they took from the tribe, or was it a legal issue?

Very likely it was the first...getting them off the hook? If so, it must have taken a lot of planning and coordination. And just possibly a little help from somewhere else, the chairman, perhaps, somebody in legal, director Bouchour? Somebody else...?

At any rate, this is a worst case example of a tribal director doing what amounts to taking the law into their own hands, and trying to litigate a lawsuit in a political forum instead of in a court of law where it belongs. Fortunately, the board of directors saw through what she was doing and struck her down...voting unanimously to forbid her to participate in any more discussion on the issue, and disqualifying her from any future vote on it.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Director Pine / A Snob?

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Tribal Internet writer's excite Director Pine's supporters. She made reference to this fact some time ago. In her first unit report the director gives Internet writer's a left handed compliment...awarding them with dubious credit for getting her elected.

But this is what Director Pine is all about: sending encoded messages to her supporters which she believes only they will understand. Just as she has encoded the behaviors of the real Anishanaabe.. kind and respectful people who are capable of unconditional love...she also has encoded the behaviors of Internet writer's...as those people who don't understand the ways of the real Anishanaabe.

Her reference to Internet writer's is delivered with tongue-in-cheek. It's almost as though she believes she has the market cornered when it comes to kindness and understanding.

What is missing from the paragraph, however...is simple honesty. Despite the fact that she makes reference to truth as being a real anishnabe value, she doesn't come across herself as being an 'honest In-jun'. Quite to the contrary, whereas Native Americans were known for their personal courage and honesty, director Pine comes across as someone who's a snob...as though she's putting on airs.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

DEB PINE LIE # 1, 2,3 ?...TO BE CONTINUED

I received a string of emails today with numerous complaints about Deb Pine's claims that along with myself, Nathan Wright, Charles Forgraves, and Tony Grondin, all supported her in the recent election.

Well folks, that was a lie. Was it the 1st, 2nd, 3rd lie she has told or is it the 100th...who knows? Her arrogance and inability to speak the truth apparently blinded her to who she is up against. She picked the wrong group to lie about since we are among the most outspoken members of this tribe and aren't too likely to let such lies slide by.

I sent an email to my list of tribal members and wrote a message on my Facebook wall as well as on the wall of several tribal members, including Aaron Payment's, Charles Forgraves' and Nathan Wright's to let them know about Deb Pine's lie in her first opportunity to communicate with tribal members and this is nothing less than what most of us expected from Pine and will continue to expect from her. The others she lied about are taking similar actions.

You lied to the entire tribe, Deb Pine, and you had it published for free in the Sault Tribe paper. You have been abusing your power since the second you became a director. Those you lied about, and to, don't have the same opportunity to publish anything free in our own paper so we will use whatever means we have to counteract your lies.

One thing we have to be thankful for...Deb Pine cannot vote on any issues regarding the 7 + 2 lawsuit in which her mother played a significant role. So much effort was made by Bouschor and his cohorts to get her a seat on the board...all for nothing. Looks like the joke is on them. It's going to be an interesting 4 years...if she makes it that long.

Council woman, Deb Pine Lies To The Membership In First Unit Report

By Nathan Wright...from the Sault Tribe Guide
Pine's comments are an abuse of power, a display of poor judgement and lack integrity.

In Council woman Deb Pine’s Unit Report on page 24 of the August issue of Win Awenen Nisitotung (Sault Tribe Newspaper) she states, "I would like to thank the following for their unconditional love and support in that good anishinabe way." She then lists several people including myself who did not support her. I would like the Sault Tribe membership to know I did not support Deb Pine. This is an outright lie and should be a testament to her character. If she is willing to lie to you about this, then what else will she lie to us about? I feel justified in calling it a lie because if it were only meant to be sarcastic, it was lost on 99.9% of membership; so what’s the point?

One of the biggest reasons I did not support Deb Pine was due to her unwavering blind support of Bernard Boushor. Recently Deb handed out a document outlining Bernard and her mother’s contributions to the Sault Tribe prepared by Bernard's attorneys to the board in a closed meeting. The Sault Tribe attorney immediately picked up these documents and the board voted unanimously to keep Deb out of participating in the Tribe’s case against Bernard’s due to her conflicts of interests. In Deb’s view she believes because Bernard and her mom brought the tribe so much money we should overlook the money he owes the tribe. I disagree. Unethical behavior, such as stealing Tribal artifacts and robbing the Tribal coffers in the dead of night, cannot be wiped away by any good deeds of the past. One could also argue that while Bernard and Deb’s mother did in fact bring money in to Sault Tribe, they were hired, and paid a hefty sum to do so. Remember this was no beneficent act on their part. It was their JOB!

The above article can be read in full at http://saulttribeguide.blogspot.com/2010/08/deb-pine-lies-to-membership-in-first.html

CHECK OUT THIS LINK

Very Interesting...

KARMA FINDS KIBBLE

Holly Kibble joined the ranks of the unemployed recently much to the surprise of those she supervised and worked with.

Recently Kibble was arrested for drunk driving and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. According to the current Sault Tribe personnel policy, her actions were cause for immediate termination. Kibble, who tried to make excuses and downplay her activities that led to the charges against her, failed to convince the judge that it was just a mistake...no big deal.

A former employee, who was terminated for a similar but lesser charge, pushed hard at the McCoy administration to force them to abide by the same standards that are applied to all other employees. This is how you make things happen...you stand up and make your voice heard.

Kibble has been throwing her weight around at the wrong people and for the wrong reasons for too long. Karma finally found her.

NO NEWS

So far there has been no validity to a report of more arrests. Wishful thinking perhaps but so far the source has been unable to substantiate the information.

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.