Michigan’s governor has taken charge of negotiations designed to get millions of dollars in Four Winds Casino cash into the hands of state and local governments.

While the Four Winds near New Buffalo will soon celebrate its one year anniversary, the business has yet to make promised payments designed to offset the cost of doing business—that falls on the shoulders of local communities.

The latest estimates indicate the outstanding I.O.U. totals $3.8 million.

“We want to move forward and be good neighbors,” said Rusty Geisler who represents the City of New Buffalo on the board formed to collect and distribute the cash. “We don’t want to be the bad guys.”

Today, the so called Local Revenue Sharing Board moved to straighten up its act.

“It’s a new attitude,” said Geisler. “It’s moving forward realizing that without some compromise, nobody is going to get anything.”

The L.R.S.B. took actions designed to address the constructive criticism leveled its way when it was announced that the casino cash would be withheld.

Meantime, as Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm visited Benton Harbor, it became clear that she is leading the current effort to break the stalemate.

“We're handling it, my office is handling it, Granholm said, “and I think we’re very close.”

The last some locals know, it was the Attorney General who was in charge of negotiations. Some see the change in a positive light.

“If the state were to have to file suit against the tribe to resolve this issue, it would come from the attorney general office,” said Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf.

“If we get embroiled in a suit between the sate and the tribe that could take years, and as i say we need the money now.”

For instance, the City of New Buffalo bought a $675-thousand fire department ladder truck because the casino was coming.

The city had hoped to use casino proceeds to make payments.

Instead, the city has had to dip into its general fund to do so.