Indian Country Online: The 2013 Congress Will Be Held In Apartheid Country: PECHANGA RESERVATION in TEMECULA, CA

Now, our US Congress can look at attendees to this upcoming congress and LAUGH with derision.  The conference will be had on the reservation of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians which practices APARTHEID on their reservation.  

They have a them, "No Tribe Left Behind" when in fact, many tribes in CA have LEFT THOUSANDS behind.

We ask the BIA to NOT attend this conference, as it would be akin to visiting SUN CITY in South Africa, during that apartheid period.  Show your MORAL OUTRAGE and not support a tribe that has harmed so many Native Americans.

Their PRESS RELEASE

Indian Country Online: The 2013 Congress, which will be held at the magnificent Pechanga Resort and Casino on June 3-4, 2013, in Temecula, California, has just announced its complete agenda. The conference, themed, “No Tribe Left Behind,” will take a comprehensive look at the next wave of business opportunities that technology, e-commerce, and iGaming will create for the tribes and entrepreneurs of Indian Country.

Kicking off the conference on Monday afternoon will be a thorough primer, entitled, “How to Get Up and Running in 90 Days: An Introductory Session.”This session, which will include a plain-language discussion designed to allay concerns tribes might be experiencing about their own business, will set the stage for the following day. Monday evening will be the Welcome Reception in the Eagles Nest at Pechanga, providing an opportunity for attendees to relax and network with their colleagues and peers.

Day Two of the conference discusses all things online-related. Sessions include:

iGaming – Experts discuss the US tribal iGaming landscape and explore how it differs from the offshore. The session will be moderated by Michael Pollock, Managing Director, Spectrum Gaming Group.
iPlatform – An exploration of what technology and products to use and how to deploy them. The session will be moderated by Melissa Blau, Director, iGaming Capital.
iMarketing – Learn about mastering the arts of Internet marketing and online player acquisition and retention. The session will be moderated by Gene Johnson, Senior Vice President Market Research, Spectrum Gaming Group.
iOperations – How do you provide high quality, speed, and reliability for all iGaming site components while ensuring that each of these functions work seamlessly together? Hear how it is done from people who are actually doing it today. This session will be moderated by Gideon Bierer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Partis Solutions.
iFinance – Hear about potential financing options and how to tailor them to specific tribal gaming situations. This session will be moderated by Joe Weinert, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Gaming Group.
iOpportunity – An executive roundtable of eminent Native American leaders will examine leveraging these potential benefits in the conference’s culminating discussion. This session will be moderated by Victor Rocha, Founder, Pechanga.net.
Additionally, the Luncheon Keynote Address will be delivered by James Maida, President & CEO, Gaming Laboratories International, Inc.

The Congress is jointly organized and produced by Victor Rocha , the owner of Pechanga.net, a leading news aggregator for the gaming industry for over 14 years, and Spectrum Gaming Group, the world’s leading gaming research and professional services firm.


Learn More on Disenrollment, Ethnic Cleansing in Indian Gaming Country at these Links:
Gaming Revenue Blamed for Disenrollment
disenrollment is paper Genocide
CA Tribal Cleansing
Tribal terrorism
TRIBAL TERRORISM includes Banishment

Tribal Disenrollments are SHAMEFUL ACTS: Forum in NCTIMES

The North County Times has our editorial up. It's important that our readers check out the link and COMMENT at the NCTimes. Keep it up front as one of their most commented articles. Interesting to note that the editorial has run in two newspapers, and Indianz.com yet no mention in the Pechanga run website owned by Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro. And thank you to our friends at Temecula Patch for linking to the NC times article.

The North County Times and The Californian have done an excellent job in bringing the shameful acts of disenrollments of members of the San Pasqual and Pala reservations to the public.

A November editorial compared membership in tribes to belonging to a church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Membership is a birthright and shouldn't be subject to the whims and prejudices of people with personal agendas.

Tribal membership is about heritage. It's the corrupt tribal councils of the above-mentioned tribes, along with those from Pechanga of Temecula, Chukchansi and Redding that are tossing aside the history of their tribes with a dismissive attitude that should be alarming to the people of California. Pechanga ran ads for expanding gaming, claiming 10,000 years of history ---- yet quickly shed two families with more historical ties to the land, proven by the tribe's own expert, than one of their sitting council members.

Tribal governments are using sovereignty as a weapon to beat the weak and helpless. Our federal and state governments are happy to stay out of the issue by saying that membership is a tribal matter. Fair enough, but what about the government's trust responsibility to Indians, to see that tribal constitutions are followed?

Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. That simply is not what is happening on tribal reservations.

TERRORISM via Disenrollments, Moratoriums and Banishment

 The Sierra Star News prints the editorial on TRIBAL TERRORISM.  (link fixed) Thank you to Sierra Star for keeping the spotlight on the corruption. Indianz.com has also picked up the editorial. Pechanga.net hasn't put it up...wonder why?



The Fresno Bee, North County Times and Sierra Star News have done an excellent job in bringing the shameful acts of disenrollments  and and Tribal Cleansing of members of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Pala Band and San Pascual to the public.

Chukchansi leaders have forgotten tribal membership is about heritage. It’s the corrupt tribal council of Chukchansi, along with those from the Pechanga tribe of Temecula, and Redding Rancheria that are tossing aside the history of their tribes with a dismissive attitude that should be alarming to the people of California.  Pechanga ran ads for expanding gaming claiming 10,000 years of history; yet quickly shed two large families with more historical ties to the land, proven by the tribe’s own expert, than one of their sitting council members who has NO Pechanga blood.

Corrupt tribal councils are using sovereignty as a weapon to beat the weak and helpless, and terrorize them into submission. Our federal and state governments are happy to stay out of the issue by saying, that membership is a tribal matter. Fair enough, but what about the government’s trust responsibility to Indians, to see that tribal constitutions are followed? Forced evictions, such as what happened at Jamul Indian Village, and those expected at Pala shortly are acts of tribal terrorism that belies the calm peaceful face that Mark Macarro presented in his commercials for expanded gaming. Now, Macarro’s tribe practices apartheid, and recently presented his plan for segregation on the Pechanga reservation.

Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. That simply is not what is happening on tribal reservations.

On reservations across our state tribes are using fear tactics and yes, terrorism to keep members in line for fear of losing their land, homes, per capita shares and health benefits. More critical they also lose their rights to choose a representative government and to vote on issues that pertain to them. Imagine if the Republicans were able to eliminate 25% of the Democratic vote? What if anti-union proponents were able to eliminate 70% of the union votes? Well, that’s just what happened at Pechanga, Redding and Chukchansi.

Currently at Pechanga, the tribal council is threatening allottees with fines, banishment and restricted access to their property. One family is taking it upon themselves to try to force another family who was given an allotment with the creation of the reservation, off their land. They’re using their family members on the council to issue the threatening letter that is published on Original Pechanga’s Blog.

Will Pechanga Require Allottees To Wear A Yellow Star To Designate Their Status

Oh, if only the question was too far-fetched to believe, since they have already stripped voting rights and elder care from 25% of their tribe.  The Nazis forced Jews to wear these stars on their clothing in an overt act of persecution.    As we wrote about recently, the allottees on the reservation, who have had their land in the family since the beginning of the Temecula Indian Reservation, have now been threatened with trespassing charges.  A yellow star would make it easy for tribal members like the Masiel-Basquez crime family to recognize them on sight.

Top:  Yellow Star Jews in Nazi Germany were forced to wear
Bottom:  Will Pechanga force Allottees to wear emblem so Rangers can see them?



The drinking fountains at the park will be one area where the tribe could have a sign saying:  Tribal Members Only, No Temecula Indians Allowed.

They say that allottee may be excluded from their land if they are on the land of a tribal member, yet, Chairman Macarro's jackbooted Tribal Rangers trespassed on allottee's land to deliver the message. Yep, right to the front doors.     And since a sexual predator is in charge of dispatching Rangers and is a member of the tribal motorcycle "club", wouldn't you be worried?  
\
Remember, some  Moratorium People have already been excluded...

Since the casino is on tribal property, any visitor could be charged with trespassing ..for any reason.

Mark Macarro led Pechanga Tribal Council THREATENS Allottees With Fines and Exclusion From their Allotments

We have written before on the APARTHEID system in force at Pechanga at Pechanga. 

APARTHEID as described by the dictionary is:
a•part•heid
2. any system or practice that separates people according to race, caste, etc.

Pechanga is doing just that, determining that families with historical ties to the origins of the reservation are ‘no longer pure’ in their eyes. They may be Temecula Indian, but “they aren’t Pechanga.” Even though the expert hired BY Pechanga proved that we were

Here is what Pechanga members who have been stripped of their citizenship in the tribe have lost:

Pechanga now has a group living on the reservation that have:

• Lost the right to vote
• Lost their rights to healthcare provided by the government.
• Their children can no longer attend tribal schools
• They can no longer be buried in the reservation cemetery with their relatives.
• Have no access to tribal health center
• Are not protected by the Tribal Rangers. Or in some cases FROM the tribal Rangers

Here is a copy of the letter that was presented to those people living on the reservation who are called "non-members" even though most are living on land that was given to their ancestor when the reservation began, roughly 90 years before council member Russell "Butch" Murphy was adopted into the tribe.

Threatening letter by Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro and the Tribal Council including Adopted Member Russell "Butch" Murphy    Click on photo to enlarge

The threat is very clear: Fine of $5,000 and exclusion from their own property. THAT is APARTHEID, pure and simple. The tribe is trying to force residents who own property OFF the reservation. Remember when they tried to Steal allottee’s water rights?

Mark Macarro, have you NO shame?

Dear House Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, We Need YOU to Hold Hearings on Enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act

Dear Chairman Issa,

The ICRA was originally introduced and enacted as an effort to protect individual Indians form the “arbitrary and capricious” actions of tribal governments and/or officials. Unfortunately, while the ICRA was well intended and expressly forbid tribes from taking actions that violated an
individual’s rights, the ICRA failed to include an effective enforcement mechanism which would hold tribal officials accountable for violations of its provisions.

As a result, the number of civil rights violations in Indian Country has reached epidemic proportions. Thousands upon thousands have been stripped or denied the basic due process and equal protection rights provided for in the United States Constitution, the ICRA, and tribal laws.

Oversight hearings on the current civil rights situation in Indian Country are not only warranted, they are long over due. Therefore, I respectfully request that your Committee hold hearings on the civil rights problem in Indian Country and the lack of enforcement of the ICRA

Mr. Chairman, in April of 2010, Rep. Mike Thompsen thought the acts of some tribal governments so egregious, he requested then Chairman Nick Rahall hold hearings on the ICRA. This is one effort that should be bi-partisan. You should lead the way towards doing what is right.

With tribes like Pechanga, and Picayune, decimating their population and just recently, PALA which is also in your district joining a select crew of disgraceful tribal councils, PLEASE take the lead in providing enforcement of ICRA and protection for individual Indians. Sir, Apartheid is being practiced on reservations now and you need to help stop this from continuing.

$350 Million Dollar Stealing Pechanga Tribe Accuse Men of Scamming Them of $25K

The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which has used unconstitutional acts to scam over $350 MILLION from former tribal members and allottees of the reservation, accuse two men of stealing $25K. Guess they don't like it when it's done to them? Have they checked all their tribal officials expense reports?

Two men who racked up about $25,000 in jackpots on slot machines at Pechanga Resort & Casino near Temecula have been accused of fraud and grand theft, Riverside County court records show.

The men did not find a way to game the slot machines. Authorities say Hung D. Nguyen, 32, of Stanton, and Eric Hoang, 28, of Garden Grove, used stolen Visa debit card numbers to charge up the credits they used to play.

The men have also been charged in federal court, accused of stealing more than $400,000 from Chase Bank in a debit card scam that included visits to Las Vegas casinos, federal court records show.

"Without A Tribe" KNBC's Report on Pechanga's Disenrollment; See Macarro Lie in 16 seconds.

This details the disenrollment of Pechanga members in 2006.  The Paulina Hunter descendents, which was the second family to be terminated from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.  Please listen to THEIR expert Dr John Johnson speak. WE DID NOT HIRE Dr. Johnson, the foremost expert on California Indians PECHANGA DID.

Why did they not believe their OWN expert? Because he didn't come to the conclusion they wanted.  They accepted hearsay evidence versus the historical record of their own tribe.






SADLY, Lawrence Madariaga, Hunter Family Elder, has passed away. This happened because Frances Miranda, Ihrene Scearce and Ruth Masiel disregarded their experts report, and believed a CHILD MOLESTER instead.  It's a disgrace and an action worthy of your scorn.

Rep. Leader Bill Leonard Endorses San Manuel's James Ramos for County Supervisor

The former Republican Leader for the Senate and Assembly, Bill Leonard, has endorsed James Ramos for County Supervisor in the 3rd district.

"James Ramos is a man of great integrity and character and his election will help restore the public's faith in their county government," said Leonard. "James is also a dedicated public servant who donates countless hours to improving life in San Bernardino County. We are blessed that he has stepped forward and offered to serve."   OP:  WOW, the same could NOT be said about Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro could it?  A man who oversees the termination of Indians is NOT concerned about improving life, but harming it.

Bill Leonard represented San Bernardino County in the Assembly and Senate and was elected Republican Leader in both houses of the legislature. He recently finished his second term as a member of the State Board of Equalization.

James Ramos is a small business owner, long-time community leader and elected member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from The University of Redlands. James has served on numerous boards and organizations promoting business, economic and social opportunities in the greater San Bernardino area. In 2005 he was elected with strong bi-partisan support and re-elected in 2010 to the San Bernardino Community College. James has been appointed by both Republican and Democratic Governors to key state positions. He currently serves on the State Board of Education.

Ramos announced his candidacy in the 3rd district on Monday. Republican Senator Bill Emmerson has also endorsed Ramos.

Ass Kissing By Temecula Works; Pechanga Gives $4 million

After the bad publicity the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians received by stiffing the city of Temecula of $2 million, the tribe has now decided that $4 MILLION is the number it will give the city:

The Pechanga Band of Lusenio Indians will give millions to the city of Temecula for a freeway interchange project and a full-time police officer.


The tribe said it was giving Temecula $4 million to help improve the Interstate 15/Highway 79 interchange, which is used by thousands of drivers to get to its resort and casino in the area. It is also giving $185,000 to the city for one, full-time officer to direct traffic around the resort.


Temecula and Pechanga have been at odds over how much the tribe should pay for the impact its operation has on the city's infrastructure. A federal judge recently threw out the city's lawsuit against the tribe over the issue.

Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro said in a news release the tribe had "no intention of turning our back on the communtiy," despite the lawsuit.

This donation allows the City of Temecula to turn a blind, uncaring eye on the civil rights violations that the tribe has perpetrated on some of the city's residents.    An unanswered question remains:  What has happened to the agreement the tribe was negotiating with the City and County?

Please sign the Petition for Justice at this link

Civil Rights Violating Tribe, Pechanga, Asks Judge to Throw Out Lawsuit by Temecula

A hearing was set for a judge to consider the Pechanga Tribe’s request to throw out a suit the City of Temecula filed against it.

A judge will consider the matter during a hearing at a federal court in Los Angeles on April 11, according to the city’s attorney.

The city filed the suit in October because the tribe broke a deal to pay for road improvements needed to support the extra traffic caused by the casino’s recent expansion, according to city records.

The tribe agreed in April to pay $10 million toward a project called the “Ultimate Interchange,” a $24.3 million project that will improve access to Temecula Parkway from I-15.

The interchange needs improving mostly because of the crowds the Pechanga Resort and Casino attracts, according to city records.

They also agreed to pay $2 million per year for 21 years to pay for other costs the casino incurs, such as increased police presence and infrastructure upkeep.

When Temecula voters gave the tribe the okay to expand in 2008, paying for the negative impact on the city was part of the deal, said Peter Thorson, the city's attorney, in a brief filed with the court.

“In short, in exchange for the right to expand its gaming facilities considerably, the tribe made several promises to the voters regarding the analysis and mitigation of off-reservation impacts,” Thorson wrote.

The city gave four reasons the judge should deny the tribe’s request to throw out the case.

First, the tribe waived its “sovereign immunity,” which ordinarily would protest it from being sued. Second, the city will be impacted by the casino’s expansion. Third, the court decided earlier this year it has jurisdiction over this matter. Lastly, the reason the tribe gave for throwing out the suit are based on facts the city disputes, according to Thorson’s brief.

The Pechanga Tribe is well known for eliminating 25% of their tribe to capture those per capita funds, which now totals over $1.3 million from EACH of 230 members.  The resulting loss of income and health benefits have put the burden back onto the state of California.

San Manuel Tribal Chairman Focuses on Education While Pechanga Chairman Eliminated College Grads from Tribe

While Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro is well known for eliminating tribal citizens and sending many into financial hardship, as well as practcing Apartheid on the rez,  San Manuel Chairman James Ramos is well known for his emphasis on education.

The Press Enterprise has a story up on Mr. Ramos:

James Ramos is a busy man these days. He is in his second two-year term as chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, leading the tribe as it works to expand its businesses and develop its reservation.

He is chairman of the California Native American Heritage Commission and owns two restaurants in San Bernardino and Highland.

In November, voters elected him to his second term on the San Bernardino Community College District board.

This year, Gov. Jerry Brown named Ramos to the state Board of Education, the first American Indian to hold a seat on the panel.

See the link above for the rest of the story on James Ramos of San Manuel.      You can learn more about Macarro, the diminutive leader of Pechanga     Here    and HERE

MILLIONS in Indian Gaming Money IMPROPERLY SPENT in CALIFORNIA

Not only do we know that some California tribes have stolen citizenship, money, health benefits and educational assistance from tribal members, the OC Register has a story up on how the money from funds supposed to be used for gambling mitigation  were IMPROPERLY SPENT.  And expanded gaming hasn't helped either, as we discussed earlier.

The state handled more than $113 million in gaming-related dollars in 2009, the auditor said, $30 million of which was supposed to offset impacts for local governments.

“The grants that we reviewed were used to purchase a new fire truck, improve police departments’ communications systems, allow better law enforcement coverage, provide hot lunches for senior citizens, and fund shortfalls to ensure that existing services and programs, such as a science camp for local students and fire protection services, could continue,” the auditor said.

HOT LUNCHES for seniors?   While a good idea, how does a casino affect them to the point of needing mitigation funds?
Here's another one from the state auditor's report:

The benefit committee in Yolo County provided roughly $336,000 to a school district, which is an ineligible entity under state law

That should make us all feel good, when we know money is not being spent the way we thought it would.  And speaking of expanded gaming, here's some more good news:

Although the amended compacts have resulted in less revenue for the distribution fund, they have increased the revenue available to the State’s General Fund,

So expanded gaming didn't benefit those tribes that have no gaming.  Revenue available to the General Fund may have increased, but to what end?  It hasn't trimmed our budget deficit.   We need a closer eye on tribes, and local governments.
Remember, the city of Temecula is suing the Pechanga tribe for failure to PAY

BIA's Amy Dutschke Recognizes Trust Responsibility to Allottees on the Pechanga Reservation

Many members of Paulina Hunter descendents are receiving letters from Amy Dutschke, Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in response to our concerns over not  being consulted on the Water Rights Bill that Pechanga was trying to get pushed through the last Congress.
From the BIA letters, here is where the DOI admits to our water rights:

The Department of the Interior recognizes that allottees have water rights on allotted lands and that the United States has a trust responsibility, independent of any responsibility to the Pechanga Band, to protect those interests.
The Department is currently reviewing the proposed settlement legislation and its effect on allottees within the Reservation.

Please remember that the Hunter family is one of the few original allottees to maintain their land on the reservation.  We have homes on the original 20 acres we were allotted in 1895.  We were part of the Temecula Band of Luiseno Indians, which somehow disappeared and became the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which has FEW allottees in the tribe.

Next passage:

Second, while a settlement may contain a provision to the effect that a tribe shall have the right, subject to applicable federal law, to manage, regulate and control the on-reservation use of all of the water rights granted or confirmed by the settlement, it must also require that, within a set period of time following execution of the settlement, the tribe enact a comprehensive water code governing all water rights granted or confirmed by the settlement.  OP:  A tribe that came into existence 100 years AFTER we got our land would set up a code for water that is OURS and then put us at their mercy?  Do you think the tribal council cares about water for allottees, or water for the casino?   HINT:  Tribal Chair Macarro does not live on the reservation, and rarely VISITS the reservation.

To be effective, the code should contain (a) a process by which any allottee may request and receive an equitable distribution of irrigation water for use on his or her allotted lands; (b) a decision making process that gives the allottee due process of law in deciding on such requests, including a process for appeal and hearing before an impartial judge or tribunal; and (c) a provision that the code does not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior has approved those parts of it, or any subsequent amendments thereto, that address irrigation water use by allottees.  OP:  Uh, yeah, Amy, we TRIED that with our disenrollment or rather extermination from the tribe.   There IS no impartiality when someone who does NOT own land tells you what to do with your land.

Next:

We are aware that the Pechanga Tribal Government presented and discussed with the Tribal membership the Settlement Agreement, allottee rights and a section by section review of the legislation on Septmber 12, 2010.

OP:  But were you AWARE that we, the allottees were NOT party to the settlement agreement?   WE receive NO notice of the meeting, the presentation.  WE were NOT party to the construction of the agreement.     Pamela Williams was at a meeting with the tribe, interesting that we were not made aware of it.    We have requested meetings with her and haven't heard back.   We REQUESTED to be involved!

I. The Department of the Interior and Pechanga Band Failed to Notify Allottees of the Negotiations to Settle Water Rights

2. After several requests, the Department has not allowed us to participate in Negotiations

3. Pechanga Tribal Officials do not Represent the Interests of all Temecula Indians or Temecula Indian Allottees

4. Temecula Indian and Temecula Indian Allottees should be Parties to the Settlement Negotiations and consulted regarding pending Acts of Congress

5. Prior to any action, HR 5413, and other Acts, should be Amended to Reflect the Ownership Interests and Water Rights Due Temecula Indians and Temecula Indian Allottees not represented by Pechanga Tribal Officials

6. The term ‘Tribal Water Right’ should be Amended to Reflect Benefit for Temecula Band and Temecula Indian Allottees

7. Entitlement to Water Shall be Satisfied by the Department of the Interior, the Temecula Band, or the Pechanga Band; and Temecula Indians and/or Temecula Indian Allottees shall not be Subject to the Pechanga Water Code or other Pechanga Band laws

PROTECT OUR TRUST RIGHTS, Director Dutschke.

Tribe that Cheated its Citizens, the Pechanga Band asks Judge to Throw out City of Temecula's Lawsuit

The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, well known for defrauding and stealing from some 25% of its membership, asked a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit filed against the tribe by the city of Temecula, saying the court does not have jurisdiction in the case.

"The city (cannot) establish this court's jurisdiction because the tribe possesses sovereign immunity," attorneys for the tribe wrote in court papers filed Tuesday.

Temecula City Attorney Peter Thorson said Friday he had expected the request.
"Jurisdiction and sovereignty are always issues in any lawsuit filed against tribes," Thorson said. "... I'm confident that case law and the tribal-state compact will support the city's position in the lawsuit."

Attorneys for the tribe said in court papers the only waiver to a tribe's sovereignty in the compact is limited to actions between a tribe the state, not any other entity or individual person.

Temecula sued the tribe over a dispute that centers on a March agreement with the tribe.

The city contends the pact called on the tribe to pay the city at least $2 million annually to cover the city's casino-related expenses, such as police service.

The city expected the $2 million in June. But the tribe said the pact was not final until talks with Riverside County concluded. Pechanga is seven months past due in payment to the City of Temecula, and now moving on 6 years of per capita theft from one family, and 5 years from another, that total theft is

The city also contends that under the tribal-state compact, Pechanga must prepare an environmental impact report to support the expansion of its gaming operation.

Attorneys for the tribe wrote the expansion amounted to installation of slot machines, not construction or expansion projects, and does not require the study.

They also said the machines were added before a 2008 amendment to the compact that requires an environmental study before "commencement of a project."

A hearing on the lawsuit dismissal request is scheduled for March 7 in federal court in Los Angeles.

Contacts for Temecula Area VFW posts. Please send a message.

We wrote about the Pechanga Band's treatment of some veterans and active duty personnel yesterday.   For those who want to get involved and send a note of protest of their treatment here is some contact information:

Post 4089 Temecula Valley Post

28075 Diaz Rd
Temecula, CA 92590
 Phone: (951) 676-1541  

Post 1508 Richard Elliott Post

PO Box 737
Wildomar, CA 92595-0737
Phone: (951) 674-4735
 
Post 4379 Winchester Valley PostPO Box 188
Winchester, CA 92596
Phone: (951) 926-5158
 
A quick call letting them know what you read here about how Pechanga has treated their OWN veterans, and this latest episode could lead to a larger group standing up for the rights of veterans and those of terminated Native Americans.
 
Here is the contact for VFWCA:
 
1510 "J" Street, Suite 110

Sacramento, CA 95814
E-Mail address is: administrator@vfwca.org
Telephone (916) 449-8850

Pechanga Tribe Stymies Legal Process in Lawsuit

UPDATE:   The NCTIMES agrees that Pechanga Tribe deserves a raspberry for their childish behavior in not accepting the service of the lawsuit:

The 'Are You Being Served?' award
A raspberry to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians for not allowing a process server on tribal land to formally serve them with a suit filed by the city of Temecula.

If they look like punk-ass bitches, act like punk-ass bitches, sound like punk-ass bitches, what does that make the Pechanga Council?



The city of Temecula hit an early hurdle with its lawsuit against the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians: The tribe won't allow a process server to enter the reservation to formally serve the suit, city officials said Wednesday.

Mayor Jeff Comerchero said he's been briefed on the situation and he said the city plans to continue to make every attempt to serve the tribe.  OP:  Might I suggess ZABASEARCH for the tribal councils's addresses?  Mark Macarro DOES NOT LIVE ON the reservation and is not in CA much of the time.

If the tribe ultimately succeeds in stymieing the city's process server, however, Comerchero said there are other options.

"We go into the court and demonstrate that (the difficulty in serving the tribe), and that should suffice," he said.  OP:  That is correct, Joe Liska has similar problems and was able to get the court to have the summons served.  The Pechanga Tribal Council, including the tyrant Mark Macarro were forced into court.

The city filed a lawsuit in federal court this month to force the Pechanga tribe to put together an environmental report that documents how new slot machines at the tribe's casino have affected the city's costs for road improvements and police service.

Pechanga Tribe's Chairman Mark Macarro SLAMS City of Temecula

Making what seems like a veiled threat about the upcoming election, Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, noted for eliminating 25% of tribal citizens, issues a statement on the City of Temecula's decision to file suit.  

STATEMENT OF PECHANGA TRIBAL CHAIRMAN MARK MACARRO

“This absurd lawsuit shows poor judgment by the city’s elected officials. The city council has done a great disservice to the people of Temecula by jeopardizing this very generous offer of $2.5 million per year. This, just weeks before the election.
“Although the city council commonly uses litigation as a tool to conduct business, for Pechanga it is a very serious matter that is not taken lightly. It is not our tradition to solve issues through litigation. This approach has enabled us to become Temecula’s top employer and largest economic contributor.
“As we have said all along, these funds are intended to mitigate reasonable off-reservation impacts, not solve city hall’s budget deficit.”

Mr. CHAIRMAN, it was not Pechanga's tradition to eliminate members from the tribe either, you pompous windbag.   
 
OP:  Chairman Macarro seems to think that Pechanga's lack of litigation has enabled the tribe to become Temecula's top employer.   Remember when Pechanga SUED the state to keep us from voting on Prop. 94, claiming signature gathering was faulty?   It's the gaming the citizens of CA has approved that enables Pechanga to employ the people it NEEDS for it's operation.   
The CITY can mitigate impacts, by not holding or attending any more events at the Pechanga Resort and Casino.   They can choose not to promote the casino on the city website.    Remember, Temecula, that Pechanga has STOLEN over $250,000,000 from those they have exterminated from the tribe.   They HAVE the money.    They just don't want to pay YOU for your inconvenience.

City of Temecula to File LAWSUIT Against Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians for Failure to PAY

The latest news of Pechanga's failure to live up to its agreements.   The City of Temecula should no longer patronize the casino, hold events there, spend ANY city money and request their workers to do the same.

From the PE.com site: Having failed to broker a late-hour deal, the city of Temecula this afternoon will file a lawsuit against the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians seeking money to cover the impact the tribe's casino has on city services, Mayor Jeff Comerchero said.
The City Council voted in August to pursue legal action against the tribe. City officials said the tribe failed to pay a scheduled $2 million payment by June 30 as part of a long-term agreement intended to cover the cost of providing police and other services to Pechanga Resort & Casino.


Tribal leaders said the agreement wasn't official until talks with Riverside County concluded. Following the council's vote to go to court, Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro called the city's actions absurd.

Pechanga is well known for terminating 25% of its tribe via disenrollment.

Pechanga's Deteriorating Intergovernmental Relationship

ICT has a story up on the relationships between gaming tribes and local governments. We know that Pechanga has failed to pay the City of Temecula $2 million and that being litigated. The Sheriffs Dept. spends a lot of time enforcing the law at Pechanga, and that's just with the Masiel Crime Family....

From the Article:

Fifty miles away and across the county line the relationship between another city and tribe has deteriorated into a standoff that threatens Indians with a lawsuit for allegedly not providing contractually owed funds for law enforcement and other impacts from its casino.

“(The) Temecula City Council can decide to continue down a litigious path of conflict and dissipate what remains of any good will between Pechanga and the city,” said Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in a statement issued Aug. 10, the day the city his tribe borders decided to file legal action against the tribe in a unanimous city council vote.

The contrast demonstrates the varied intergovernmental relations in Southern California, where self-reliant tribes maneuver a complex web of non-Native public entities in an era of dwindling public coffers. The difference, said UCLA Law Professor Carole Goldberg, could be attributed to the political climate and history between tribes and neighboring governments.