Relax. I'm not trying to get anybody in trouble. I was tired of rolling my eyes whenever I heard a shrill voice bring up "what the Walker council did to us(Tribe)." I pieced together all this info about the other side of the 2003 takeover so that people can draw their own conclusions about what happened.
I was under the impression that the sole reason for the takeover was to get the Walker council to honor the recall petitions and to call a special election. Which the Walker council finally did, but the chief appointed council snubbed them. After this, the chief appointed council lost all credibility especially when they took all that money from the casino and spent it. I was disappointed in both councils for not putting aside their differences to prevent our casino from being shut down.
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here's an online pdf version of the file as well
ReplyDeletehttp://tiny.cc/takeoverpdf
The machinations which legitimized Bear’s control of the casino—and the Meskwaki tribe—are as complex as they are heated. Examination has found large contributions to campaigns and a questionable lobby group; dedicated resolve from two U.S. senators to resolve a conflict that left many jobless.
ReplyDeleteTom Jochum, a spokesman for the Bear council, revealed last week that Bear gave $50,000 during the dispute to a group founded by Gale Norton, who by 2003 was Secretary of the Interior, the cabinet agency which oversees tribal affairs.
“It was Abramoff’s suggestion,” Jochum recalls, saying the lobbyist remarked, “if you want to be a player in Washington, [the group’s leader] is extremely close to Gale Norton.”
Jochum’s disclosure raises the amount of "KNOWN TRIBAL DONATIONS" to Norton’s former advocacy group, Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, to $300,000. He calls the donation “regrettable.”
“If I had to take one thing back, that I was involved with, that would have been it,” he said.
While the competing councils duked it out, their lobbyists and lawyers profited. Abramoff’s firm pocketed $75,000 a month—some $300,000 in 2003, and another $900,000 in 2004.
Tribal accounts show that $400,000 in hundred dollar bills was withdrawn from an account opened by the Bear faction shortly before the first elections in May and four days after the National Indian Gaming Commission ordered the casino to be closed.
Jochum said he didn’t know about the withdrawal. Betsey McCloskey, a casino spokeswoman, did not return a call seeking comment. Jochum says the transfers weren’t significant, noting the Walker council had their time in court and had lost on repeated occasions. “If there’s a suspicion of money or expenditures they can go to the National Indian Gaming Board in Iowa,” he remarked
Since the Bear council took control, Jochum has also seen an increase in receipts. Under Walker, Jochum was paid less than $100,000 a year; NOW he makes $25,000 a month. Jochum says he now employs three people to assist his efforts.
Having always been against lobbyists, or at least the idea of the tribe hiring them, i say it's time to get rid of them. I know they claim to help the tribe maintain it's casino market through political means, but that is not needed. I remember when Prairie Meadoews was first built, "They are gonna take OUR money" was the most often heard scream.The remedy found, hire a lobbyist.Flat-out stupid! The ONLY real way to maintain your market is to be better than the competition. SIMPLE. Always look for ways to improve. If we were to build our casino better (and we have)...and add service way above the others, they will come to us first and often. It's business made simple. Uncover a lobbyist and you will find a lawyer. And what do lawyers want?? right...and will do anything BUT WORK to get it. Oh yeah..while at it, RAISE those slot payout ratio amounts. Way too low . When the casino first opened THAT was the attraction. BIG payouts. Now we look greedy. doesn't anyone get it?? you make emoney...you share money..everyone wins in the end. No need for lobbyists. I think by now all if not most see that lawyers and the like have taken this tribe for an unpleasant ride. enuff alreddy..
ReplyDelete"what the Walker council did to us" is just an excuse to cover the BS instilled upon the tribe via the homer council. while both sides were only concerned about power, control and money, the community was forced to choose sides. both councils made withdrawals from the banks that unfortunately will never be seen again. as makani stated, the only ones to profit were lawyers and lobbyists.
ReplyDeleteas for being "better", unfortunately the tribe had the opportunity to expand to be the "best" casino getaway in the state. instead they added a couple restuarants, few more machines, tables, a spa, and more rooms. more of the same, just another plain casino in my opinion. what happened to the "family approach" i first heard when the ideas of expansion were being tossed out? they could have added an indoor water park or outdoor activities, or a larger concert venue and brought real acts to Meskwaki. instead they focused on how many more slots they can pack into each area, while increasing payouts to the wrong people. the tribe had the opportunity but failed to capitalize.
i agree
that the casino needs to up it's game, unfortunately others are realizing the same and posting about it.
ReplyDeletehttp://americancasinoguide.com/casino-reviews/iowa/meskwaki-bingo-casino-hotel.shtml#jreview_2502426