Local Governments Get $378,543 from Saganing Eagle's Landing
Tribe Distributes Semi-Annual 2 Percent Payments to Education, Government
May 22, 2008
By: Dave Rogers
Members of the tribal council are introduced by Chief Fred Cantu, rear.
Dick Byrne, Pinconning city manager, right, and Chief Dave Ramsey of the Pinconning-Fraser Fire Department, accept a $4,575 grant for automatic emergency defibrillators.
There was jubilation all around Thursday as officials of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe . . .
Distributed $348,543 to local schools and governments in Arenac and northern Bay counties;
Summarized payments of $92 million to Isabella County schools and governments since May, 1994;
Praised the 300 associates of the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino for a job well done; and
Predicted expansion and greater economic achievements at Saganing.
"Thanks for the jobs you've created in the community," said Ray Daniel, of Arenac County, accepting the largest grant, $90,000 for a GIS digital mapping system for the county. "The money earned here will be spent here."
The tribe received 47 applications requesting funding totaling $2.7 million, said Tribal Chief Frederico Cantu, presiding over ceremonies along with Frank Cloutier, public relations chair.
"The needs of the community were at the heart of our decisions," said Chief Cantu, and we have allocated many dollars to impact youth."
Mr. Cloutier noted that the Saganing casino was 12 years in the planning and "opens up incredible opportunities for our community."
The money represents 2 percent of the net win from Class 3 gaming, the only class being conducted currently at Saganing, said Mr. Cloutier. He predicted great growth in operations at Saganing, noting: "This is just the beginning, but it is a very healthy beginning."
Ray Daniel, of Arenac County, receives the largest grant, $90,000 for a GIS digital mapping system for the county.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
Of the total, $132,490 went to schools and $246,053 to local governmental units, said Mr. Cloutier.
Actually, the funds generated came from just the first three months of casino operations, that netted $17 million from January to March 2008, tribal officials noted.
Other distributions included:
City of Omer, $12,542, for street repair on the water tanker route;
City of Standish, $5,400 for city hall playscape;
Arenac Township, $5,790 for fire fighter safety equipment;
Lincoln Township, $46,684 for Sagatoo Road reconstruction;
Standish Township, $50,000 for Sagatoo Road paving;
Standish Area Fire Authority, $23,062 for rescue air bags;
City of AuGres, $8,000 for public safety operations;
Pinconning-Fraser Fire Department, $4,575 for automatic emergency defibrillators;
Arenac Eastern School District, $58,900;
AuGres-Sims School District, $19,500;
Pinconning Area Schools, $20,860; and
Standish-Sterling Schools, $33,230.###
