Wait for casino cash continues

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New compact sparks special LRSB meeting
Posted: 5:41 PM Oct 22, 2008
Last Updated: 7:07 PM Oct 22, 2008
Reporter: Mark Peterson
Email Address: mpeterson@wndu.com

13 comments

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It appears that more patience will be needed before a payoff comes to communities near the Four Winds Casino near New Buffalo.

The casino promised to share some of its wealth with locals who faced higher expenses for things like police protection. However, that promise has not yet been kept.

The first scheduled payment to local government was due in December.
Instead, that payment was withheld due to concerns over the local board that was created to accept and distribute the cash, the Local Revenue Sharing Board.

A new compact unveiled this week seeks to address the concerns by making changes to the board, but some say that won’t happen quickly.

“It’s not something that means there’s going to be money tomorrow or in the next week or anything,” said Roland Oselka, who is the New Buffalo Township Clerk, and a member of the Local Revenue Sharing Board.

“It could still be a little while before the money starts rolling,” agreed Dr. Michael Lindley, Superintendent of the New Buffalo Schools.

For instance, the compact changes the three-member Local Revenue Sharing Board to a five member panel.

“I think it’s going to be more difficult when you have five people having to agree, and each one has a veto power on both the bylaws and the distribution formula,” said Oselka. “I think it’s hard enough to get three people to agree; now we have five.”

While the new compact makes clear that the New Buffalo School System stands to receive a payment equal to the amount of property taxes the casino would be required to pay, “you can only pay in lieu of taxes if you know what the taxable value of the property is, so there needs to be a process put in place,” according to Dr. Lindley. “Until that’s done, no distribution will take place.”

The scenario is one that Oselka finds discouraging. “Everybody welcomed the casino here, I think New Buffalo Township gave them as much support as they possibly could to come here and t hen to not get the funding that was promised to us, I think that’s created some ill will.”

Nonetheless, the Local Revenue Sharing Board will waste no time trying to free up the cash. A special meeting has been scheduled for Monday to go over the terms of the new compact line by line.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: MM on Oct 25, 2008 at 04:50 AM
sounds like the chief wants to keep his wompom from the white man.sounds like the white man needs to send the indians some blankets as an x mas gift.that's a historical reference just google it. this is appalling what these frauds are doing.you promised to pay and didn't. talk about indian givers.

Posted by: ? Location: ? on Oct 24, 2008 at 03:11 PM
See Cheif No one has answer Or comments

Posted by: Big Chief Location: Michigan City on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Who was here FIRST..the indians or the state.

Posted by: ? Location: ? on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:44 PM
What about all the treaties the govt sign and didnt honor. Should all the people have to get off the land. Since the land still belongs to them. Our dioes it work only one way?

Posted by: Scott Location: Mishawaka on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I enjoy going to the casino once in awhile. If they did not keep their part of the agreement - SHUT THEM DOWN NOW!!! They could have made the payment into an escrow account, to be distributed by the proper government officials when everything got straightened out. This is just an example of those running the casino not wanting to give the help to the community, that they had agreed to do!! Instead, they are holding on to the cash and making the interest money being generated instead of the community making the extra earnings, while the panel thing is sorted out. It would be nice to see everyone boycott four winds, if the state will not shut them down.

Posted by: roger Location: nappanee on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:08 AM
i think this is breach of promise or contract on behafe of the indian tribes and unless they pay up they should be made to shut the doors untill everthing is paid up. its only fair

Posted by: Pat Location: Rolling Prairie on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Well, let them open ANOTHER ONE, take the peoples money, and homes, do you really think they are there to make you rich? Think again. Ask them how many mortgages they own, from people gambling? And run out of cash. I have never been there and do not expect to ever go! I know of many people that have lost everything to these casinos, their homes and families, children going hungry, cause parents gamble the money away, yea, we need one more.

Posted by: DJ Location: South Bend on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Let this be an example of what will happen in the future, when they want to open more casinos. They promise the county all this money, get their casino built and then you get nothing. Don't let them build one more! There more harm than good!

Posted by: Jane Location: Three Oaks on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:01 AM
How sad they haven't lived up to their promises. Take note Dowagiac and Hartford ! They want to come put in casino's in your backyard now, pay attention to what's going on down here.

Posted by: Captain Dan Location: Union Pier on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:55 AM
No new compact should have been struck without provision for immediate payment to the state and county. This further shows how inept Michigan's governor is.

Posted by: Tom Location: South Bend on Oct 23, 2008 at 06:59 AM
The State of Michigan should shut down the Four Winds Casino till they pay up. Period!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 22, 2008 at 07:18 PM
What garbage ! They won't keep their end of the deal, CLOSE EM DOWN !!!!!