San Pascual - Valley View Casino Seeks to Assure Investors

The NIGC is very busy these days trying to put out fires. Maybe they should have gotten involved sooner. It's easier to put out a spot fire, rather than a conflagration.

From the Union Trib article:

Valley View Casino operator seeks to calm investor worries
UNION-TRIBUNE
10:31 a.m. August 5, 2008
The head of the organization that runs the Valley View Casino said in a statement to investors Monday that the Valley Center gambling hall is not threatened by tribal politics.
“The San Pasqual Casino Development Group is 100 percent confident that the San Pasqual Band will resolve their internal differences amicably,” said Joe Navarro, the organization's CEO. “Valley View Casino will continue to thrive.”

OP: AMICABLY is a positive sounding word. That means that they will either accept the people they just unceremoniously kicked out of the tribe or they will give a settlement. Good news on both fronts. Coming to their senses over their impending loss is good for San Pascual. Some at Pechanga are talking reconciliation too.

On Friday, the local superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs told tribal leaders that their government had collapsed over a membership rift and only tribal governments can operate businesses.
The National Indian Gaming Commission, which oversees tribal gambling operations across the country, is looking into the situation with the tribe

The casino development group is trying to restructure the debt it took on to buy out a prior management and expand the casino.

OP: The lenders would be FOOLISH to allow a business with so much internal strife, which could lead to the CLOSURE of the money-maker casino to restructure the loan. IN FACT, a lender could PUSH HARD to ensure that the tribe ENDS its troubles before they get any money or restructuring. That is exercising Moral Outrage to the good of all.

Cherokee Freedmen: 1866 Treaty in FULL FORCE and EFFECT

The 1866 Treaty that gave Cherokee Freedmen the rights of Cherokee citizens is in “full force and effect,” attorney Jon Velie recently told a Freedmen audience.

According to the SN treaty, Seminole Freedmen “shall have and enjoy all the rights of native citizens.” The CN treaty states that Cherokee Freedmen “shall have all the rights of native Cherokees.”
When asked to explain the difference between “native citizens” and “native Cherokees,” Johnson said she could not discuss the difference because it was at the “heart of the ongoing litigation.” DOH!

Just because the white man did not live up to much of their treaties, does NOT make it right for the Cherokee to do the same. MORALLY, do what is right. Don't be like Pechanga, Picayune and Enterprise, BE BETTER.

Cherokee Freedmen Article

Cabazon Tribe Denied More Slots; Battin Claims UNFAIR

Goodness gracious, Senator Battin, UNFAIR? We have brought you much evidence of UNFAIRNESS and you make no public mention of it? Cabazon pay into your "defense fund" did they.

The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee rejected Senate Bill 1201 by Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, to allow tribes with one of the original 61 compacts signed in 1999 to operate 2,000 machines.
But opponents countered that it's unfair to allow some tribes to get more slot machines now without negotiating amended compacts after other tribes have taken that step to get more machines.
"We think it's terribly unfair to change the rules of the game," said Cathy Christian, a lobbyist for San Diego County in opposing the bill.
BATTIN IS TWO-TIME LOSER
The committee also turned down SB 864 by Battin aimed at preventing charities from using electronic bingo games instead of paper cards.

There is lots of unfairness around SENATOR, OPEN YOU EYES.

Casino Revenue Causes Tribal Squabbles Over Membership at Redding Rancheria - Picayune- Pechanga

Some California members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Diane Watson and Maxine Waters are working hard on the Cherokee of Oklahoma issue. While Pechanga has some disenrolled members in Oklahoma, it's time they started looking in California for our problems.

ARTICLE

Now that Indian casinos dot the U.S. countryside from Atlantic to Pacific, one would assume that the economic and social plight of Native Americans would be assuaged by the wealth pouring into the tribes' coffers. While the massive revenues have definitiely helped, they have also caused greed and selfishness to divide tribal members amongst themselves.

In California, where some of the nation's richest tribes run hugely profitable casinos, some 5000 Indians have been disenrolled; that is, effectively removed from status as a tribal member. Many of the changes have alledgedly been made to keep monies in smaller circles, and to disown activists who wish a more public accounting of the dispersal of funds.

Because of the sovereign nation status of tribes, there is virtually no oversight nor legal recourse regarding tribal council actions. Those disenrolled have no appeal except to those who made the decision. No explanation of how revenue is allocated is required.

Some of the disenrollments resist all logic. The members of the Foreman family, 76 in number, were disenrolled from the Redding Rancheria because the council decided the family was not descended from a tribal founder as had been believed. The Foremans used DNA testing with the founder's remains to prove its relationship... and the council stood by its decision. OP: Yes, why let FACTS get in the way?

Fights at Pechanga Reservation : The Video. Is it SAFE for you there?

This is not Pechanga Boxing Event, it's what happens when you serve too much alcohol to the young. We told you that Pechanga had to close down their nightclubs here and the video below shows some of the reasons WHY.

THE VIDEO EMBED CODE HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT. Here is the LINK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBoOpsPLZW0




Seniors, the young aren't careful when they start fights, you could be hurt just by being in the area. It may be smarter to go to another venue rather than Pechanga. And besides, they kicked a lot of seniors to the curb in 2005 and 2006, taking away their health care and benefits. Why go to Pechanga if you won't be protected?
Church Elders is this where you want your flock to go?

Hillary Clinton is supported By Pechanga Chairman Macarro's (and civil rights violator) wife on Radio Show

Pechanga's head civil rights violator's wife to stand in support of Hillary Clinton. Dear Senator Clinton, do you care about civil rights or just campaign donations? I offered you $5,000 if you would help my family get their rightful membership back and told you I could convince at least 50 more to donate as much. Has the Macarro's even donated a PENNY to you from their personal fortune?
UPDATE: BUMP to the top, since the DNC took a look at my blog today. WELCOME.
Questions for Mrs. Clinton: Where do you stand of the Temecula Band of Luiseno Indians denying their people basic civil rights? Should African Americans be the only people concerned about civil rights?


Holly Cook Macarro, the wife of Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, will be on the Native America Calling radio talk show tomorrow. She will be speaking as policy advisor to Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton. OP: VOTE FOR OBAMA!

This would be a good opportunity for people to call in and ask Mrs. Macarro about the Senator's stance on individual Indians' civil rights when tribal officials, such as her husband, commit clear violations of tribal and federal laws enacted to protect the individuals basic rights.

For those of you who may not be aware, Senator Clinton showed her true colors in the case of the disenrollment and destruction of homes of the Schenandoah Family at Oneida in upstate New York. After talking with Schenandoah family members/supporters, the Senator stated she would look into the situation. After many months of inactivity on the Senator's part, Schendandoah family members/supporters spoke out at an interview she was having and the Senator was (1) surprised they were there and (2) at a lost for words. To say the least, nothing ever became of the Senator's pledge to look into the issue. Maybe it is because of the millions of dollars the Oneida Tribe and its tribal officials "donate" to various campaigns and political parties. For more info on the tragedy at Oneida and Senator Clinton's lack of respect for basic individual rights, get a copy of "The 14th Family" a documentary chronicling the events, which includes the interview with Senator Clinton.

As for Mrs. Macarro's husband, under his tenure as Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in Temecula, California, there have been numerous gross violations of human and civil rights committed against tribal members. As a result, over 300 tribal members, many elders and children, have been stripped of their tribal citizenship. Many hundred more eligible tribal members have been denied enrollment with the tribe as well. The results of the gross human and civil rights violations did not stop at disenrollment, as each victim was stripped of voting rights, healthcare, education, and elder benefits/assistance.

In spite of all this, Mr Macarro and Pechanga tribal officials have escaped prosecution for their acts by hiding behind the tribe's sovereign immunity.

Just recently, Mr. Macarro was appointed to the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee- he will have input on the Party's stance regarding many issues- including Indian civil rights. I guess it just goes to show that it doesn't matter you record on rights issues, as long as you can write big checks- and keep on writing them- you can get anyone or any organization to overlook your transgressions.


Link to Native American Calling home page: http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/

LATimes: Yes on Gaming Expansion and My Takedown

The Los Angeles Times gives a Yes endorsement on Expanded Gaming.

Here is my analysis of the LATimes editorial which is YES on Props. 94, 95, 96, 97

In an amazingly well thought out, well sourced and compelling editorial, the LATimes gives its endorsement on expanded gaming. Here is their convincing argument conveniently displayed under a YES on Expanded Gaming Banner, paid for by the Big 4 Tribes: There is no reason for the state to back out. Vote yes on Proposition 94, 95, 96 and 97.

OP: The state is NOT backing out. The people of California are having their say. While the ballot measure may have been sponsored by anti-expansion funds, 3,000,000 Californians signed the petitions. It’s OUR propositions now, not horse tracks and other tribes. And, remember, there are over 3,000 Indians who have been forcibly removed from their tribes since the advent of Indian Gaming, by these tribes and others, this is a civil rights issue, as Pechanga should NOT be rewarded for violating the rights of their people.

LAT: All four already were covered by compacts that grant them and other tribes exclusive rights to operate slot machines in California.

OP: So? This is completely different and a NO vote will not change the compacts that the tribes are currently working under. These four tribes will continue to make hundreds of millions of dollars each year. A no vote will not allow an expansion which will make these four tribes the Wal-Mart of gaming.

LAT:The new agreements expand the number of machines and, the tribes expect, the amount of revenue they take in; the agreements provide that 15% to 25% of the take, depending on a complex formula, will be remitted to the state.

OP: A better compact would clearly spell out the formula as to how we get paid. The state should be clear. And, if the state taxes the lottery at 83%, how can they claim that 15% is a good deal? A better deal for the state would be to collect 25-40% of the next 3,000 machines, and reduce that for the next level of machines. We should get more money up front, and if the tribes feel that the extra machines (up to 7,500) are so profitable, let them have those extra at a reduced cost.

LAT: Predictions that the state will reap more than $9 billion from these agreements may be on the rosy side because they are based on assumptions that more gamblers with more money to spend will flock to reservations.

OP: MAY BE on the rosy side? The Legislative Analyst said they will NOT meet these numbers. So then, what is the real number? Should we as voters say, “well I know they say $9 billion, but that isn’t true, so we should vote YES anyway? I think not. For the state to get $9 billion, for our 33,000,000 people, the tribes will get $36 BILLION for its 1800 people! It’s 1800 because the Pechanga tribe has thrown out 25% of their tribe and are keeping another large percentage out via an illegal moratorium. (Against the tribes own constitution and bylaws)

LAT Still, opponents are overplaying their hand. They claim that the tribes have exclusive control over how much to send the state. Not true. The State Gaming Agency will audit each quarterly payment, and although The Times would prefer those audits to be publicly available, we find the audit and dispute procedures acceptable.

OP: As a sovereign government, the tribes can and HAVE kept auditors out. They also have control over what the auditors will get. “Two sets of books?” And THIS STORY says there are still questions of payments

LAT: Voters would be foolish to believe that gambling will rescue the state from its perpetual fiscal crises.

OP: Then why in their first commercials, did the Big 4 tribes insinuate that these deals would wipe out our deficit? They won’t, only being a half-penny’s worth to our budget, while increasing the social ills to our citizens. And besides, there is a Bush recession coming. Still think that the people will have all this money to spend on gambling? And there is still the unanwered questions as to what happened to the compacts when they were sent to the Feds. It smells fishy.
See Captains Quarters for more

LAT: But it does bring in revenue while also bringing much-needed wealth to impoverished indigenous Californians

OP: Don’t make me laugh. The Pechanga Indians are currently making $40,000 per month, that’s $480, 000 per year, which could TRIPLE thanks to them taking away per capita from the 25% of their tribe that was eliminated. And, the tribe is keeping rightful members out, via an unconstitutional (Pechanga Constitutions) moratorium. Also, the Pechanga tribe, among others have tried to keep smaller tribes from getting compacts. Ask yourselves this question: Who will gain more power with our legislators, rich tribes getting richer, or impoverished tribes waiting for their chance at the table?

Vote NO to Pechanga and NO to Expanded Gaming.

Please see these sites to learn more:

http://www.pechanga.info/
http://www.tribalcorruption.com/

http://blog.myspace.com/paulinahunterofpechanga

Schwarzenegger practices POLITICS OF EVIL : Pechanga Leader Mark Macarro

What has changed between Pechanga and our Governor? Chairman Macarro, the portly head of the shrinking Pechanga tribe said this in 2003:

"An ad of this sort is an act of desperation by Arnold and it's clearly being orchestrated by Pete Wilson and his cohorts from his days as governor. It smacks of the politics of evil that were indicative of Pete Wilson," said Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, which has donated more than $500,000 to Bustamante.

Has Arnold changed his practices or has Macarro's definition of evil changed after he helped to kick out 25% of his tribe (equivalent to getting rid of 8 MILLION Californians)

Vote No to Pechanga, No to Schwarzenegger,
No to Expanded Gaming and NO to EVIL...

Here is an open letter to newspapers from Macarro:

OPEN LETTER: From Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro To California Newspapers
Dear Editor:
Arnold Schwarzenegger's hypocritical political commercials attacking California gaming Tribes are examples of "wedge issue" politics at their ugliest and most ignorant.
Mr. Schwarzenegger says we contribute nothing to California. In fact, gaming Tribes provide good-paying jobs for over 41,000 California workers.
Our Tribe alone pays $66 million in salaries every year. We pay over $9 million in employee benefits and $36 million in state and federal taxes annually.
In addition, California Tribes pay $150 million into two state funds each year for local infrastructure improvements and for the non-gaming Tribes. We contribute millions more to local infrastructure projects directly, and donate millions to public service.
We pay for our own police and fire protection, and for other services government has never provided us. The state of California provides nothing to the Indian reservations and yet we still share our resources with the local governments, because we know what it means to be good neighbors. Throughout our history we have been exploited. We have and are "paying our fair share," Mr. Schwarzenegger — many times over. We also use our earnings to educate, house and provide medical care for our people, removing thousands from the welfare rolls.
When Mr. Schwarzenegger "pandered" to the Tribes for his Proposition 49 campaign last year, Tribes gave thousands. Tribal gaming money was good enough for him then, but now that we believe other candidates are better qualified to lead California, he says we have no right to participate in the process. In spite of what he says in his commercials that are paid for by "special interest groups," we have followed all of the rules and will continue to do so. OP: Uh, Macarro, didn't you give too much to Cruz Bustamante and he had to give it back? Oh, that rule...
On behalf of my ancestors who have lived here since time immemorial, OP: Macarro, so has MINE, and you and your cohorts kicked us out of the tribe so that you can steal our money and covet our land. we find Mr. Schwarzenegger's hypocrisy shameful.
Mark MacarroTribal ChairmanThe Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians

Sacto Bee: Voters Should REJECT Props. 94, 95, 96,97

Think gambling is good for California’s future?You’re making a very bad bet
www.sacbee.com

A staggering amount of money is being spent to persuade state voters to ratify four Indian gambling deals. If approved, Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 would authorize 17,000 more slot machines for four of the state’s wealthiest gambling tribes. The deals would catapult California into the gambling big leagues, well beyond the modest increase voters were promised when they first authorized Nevada-style gambling for tribes in 1998.

This page has consistently opposed the expansion of gambling, beginning with the state lottery. We oppose the new gambling deals contained in these referendum initiatives, too. Gambling is the wrong way to grow the state’s economy. It doesn’t create new economic activity. It simply substitutes one form of entertainment spending for another. More money spent gambling means less money spent to go to the movies, eat out, play golf – all activities that don’t create gambling addiction or prey on the poor.

The growing political clout of wealthy gambling tribes that are not accountable to the wider public is worrisome, too. In a few short years, gambling tribes have become the biggest political contributors in the state. Legislators and the governor, too, rush to do their bidding.
Voters should know that the principal opponents of the new compacts have suspect motives. They include rival gambling tribes that fear competition, as well as racetrack and cardroom operators who hope to end the tribes’ casino monopoly in California so they can get in on the action. OP: And also 3,000 tribal members that have been disenrolled in violation of their civil rights.

Supporters of the new compacts, including most prominently Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have suggested that the gambling deals will provide $9 billion to help ease the state’s fiscal crisis. A clearer picture comes from the nonpartisan legislative analyst, who says of their likely fiscal impact, “Even assuming that all the 2006 compacts are ratified and a few more similar compacts are ratified in the future, we expect that compact related sources will provide the general fund with less than 0.5 percent of its annual revenues for the foreseeable future.” OP: In other words, cut a penny in half. And this is a MAYBE, or more correctly, 'within the realm of the possible, but not probable.

There is a real question as to whether California has the ability to adequately police these deals. The California Gaming Control Commission, the state’s principal gambling regulator, has been notoriously ineffective in the past.
The legislative analyst says regulators have complained that they have limited access to tribal financial reports and information related to internal controls over slot machines. They lack casino financial reports prepared by independent accountants. They are unable to conduct interim walk-through audits (as Nevada regulators do). They can’t station audit personnel at each casino 24 hours a day (as in New Jersey) to test devices.
Finally, the ambiguous language of the compacts is troublesome. Payments to the state are based in part on “the average number of gaming devices operated” during a quarter. Opponents say that by roping off machines during slow periods and thus reducing the average number of slots “operated,” the tribes can substantially reduce any payout to the state. Compact supporters claim no such manipulation is intended or allowed. Maybe not, but the ambiguity gives voters another reason to vote No on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.

Take a look at the list of NO papers on my sidebar. The three papers is support of expanded gaming? San Bernardino Sun, The Press Enterprise and the NC Times ALL HEAVILY dependent on casino ad revenues! They know better, but are going to support their bread an butter. News organizations that aren't dependent on the tribes, have a clearer head.

Can California Tribes Survive Being Rich? No on Pechanga-No on Prop. 94

My new post is up at: apoliticalblog.com

California tribes had grown their membership in the late 20th century. Picayune Rancheria had swelled their membership to over 1200. Pechanga grew from 480 members in 1979 to over 1,000 by 2003. Pechanga’s tribal constitution and bylaws call for open enrollment every January. A candidate for enrollment must show lineal descent from an original Pechanga person. It was good to grow the tribes, as they could show the Federal government how much they needed more grant money. Better to get money for 1,000 than 480.

But something sinister happened, that coincided with the approval of Proposition 5 in California. Some tribal members decided that they didn’t want to share the good fortune with their family. Pechanga enacted a moratorium, which means that they stopped enrolling people into the tribe, whether they could prove lineal descent or not. Other tribes like Redding Rancheria started disenrolling members. Chukchansi has eliminated 600 tribal members and surprise! They have kept that money for themselves. No matter the damage to elderly and young. They were tossed to the curb.

Read the rest of the story: www.apoliticalblog.com

Must See Videos on Pechanga Corruption

And why you should be voting NO on Prop. 94.

Pechanga Membership Issues

Without a Tribe One of the MOST SHARED videos in KNBC history. The extended comment section is enlightening also.

Pechanga Man Banished from Reservation

And of course, the link in a previous post that shows the real information not being shared in the tribal commercials. You know, the ones the 4 tribes have committed $30 MILLION to so far.

No on Pechanga Corruption: No on Prop. 94

This weekend we are expecting some new Pechanga videos to become available that will be drawing attention to why you should vote NO on Prop. 94. Please check back with us this weekend to get the links.

Please keep familiarizing yourselves as to WHY Pechanga should not get expanded gaming. Californians should not reward Pechanga's corruption.