Kenosha casino backers cash in chips

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 2, 2001.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum's no-more-casinos stance, renewed emphatically just before his inauguration, began to sink in Thursday.

"It's over! It's done! Put a stake in it," said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, referring to the ambitious plan by the Menominee tribe to buy Dairyland Greyhound Park and put a $275 million casino complex there.

Antaramian said it was time for Kenosha to move on and pursue alternative developments to bolster the local economy.

Joseph Madrigrano, a Kenosha lawyer and investor in the project, took a swipe at McCallum's reasoning for dousing the casino deal but said it was time to accept the inevitable.

"He's the governor now," Madrigrano said. "I guess it's over."

The tribe and a group of non-Indian investors have spent millions of dollars and three years of effort to try to win the multiple layers of approval needed to create a satellite reservation where a casino could be built.

Another off-reservation casino deal in Hudson also likely shares the same fate, given McCallum's opposition. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has not yet ruled on bids for casinos in Kenosha or Hudson, but even if the agency approved the deals, the governor has the power to kill them.

McCallum, in an interview with the Journal Sentinel, said the deals are toast.

"It's done; it's done," McCallum said emphatically of the Kenosha deal before he was sworn in as governor.

The plans of other tribes that want to open casinos off their reservations also are doomed, according to the new governor.

"I've said there will be no expansion of gambling in Wisconsin, off-reservation gambling," the Republican governor said.

"There are four areas that have been in the works: Beloit, Lafayette County, Hudson and Kenosha," McCallum said. "They can save their money as of noon on Thursday. If contracts haven't been committed to, if they're not signed, they're done."

The Menominee plan won the approval of Kenosha voters and had a powerful ally in ex-Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, who negotiated a blueprint for the Kenosha casino. But as of noon Thursday, Thompson was out of office and on his way to Washington.

Though rumors swirled early Thursday of some last-minute gesture by Thompson that could keep the Kenosha deal alive, nothing materialized.

George Lightbourn, state secretary of administration for Thompson and now for McCallum, said Thompson made no commitments to the deal Thursday and there were no more discussions about the casino before Thompson formally resigned as governor.

Menominee Tribal Chairman Apesanahkwat was not available for comment. Roy Berger, Dairyland's executive vice president, held out hope that McCallum might be persuaded to change his mind, if the project wins federal approval.

"The big obstacle we have is getting the project out of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington," Berger said. "Once we do that, I think then you can sit down and, hopefully, the governor will be receptive."

Mark Goff, a spokesman for the proposed Chippewa Meadows casino in Hudson, declined to comment on McCallum's comments. The Hudson casino is backed by the Sokaogon (Mole Lake), Red Cliff and Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa bands and the Florida owner of the St. Croix Meadows dog track.

The Hudson deal has been in the works for over six years and has had a rocky road, including an initial rejection by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, only to be revived after a lengthy investigation into allegations that influence-peddling played a role.

The bureau agreed to reconsider and issue a final decision by Feb. 20, after investigators determined that campaign donations to the Democratic Party and President Clinton did not influence the initial rejection of the Hudson casino. But the casino is not supported by local officials.

McCallum said he remained staunchly opposed to any expansion of gambling because, he said, gambling does not create wealth.

"Casinos redistribute wealth," McCallum said. "They don't create anything new. They take money from people, shift it around, keep a good portion of it, and we're supposed to be happy because a little bit of it dribbles back into government coffers."

Steve Schultze reported from Milwaukee and Richard P. Jones reported from Madison. Correspondent Dave Cole in Kenosha also contributed to this report.

Political changes dim the outlook for a new casino

Wisconsin's next governor against gaming, will likely veto Hudson plan

GARY DAWSON STAFF WRITER

Hudson, Wis.
The advent of the Bush administration in Washington and the imminent ascension of Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Scott McCallum to the state's highest post would appear to dim the prospects of a new megacasino in Hudson considerably.

Both George W. Bush and McCallum oppose the proliferation of tribally operated casinos. McCallum, who would have veto power over the Hudson facility, opposed creation of the state lottery and has said that he will not approve additional casinos in Wisconsin.

Despite the long odds, casino backers have not lost heart. And opponents have not let down their guard. Neither supporters nor opponents have let up on their lobbying and legal efforts. In fact, the past week has seen stepped-up rhetoric and some last-minute court maneuvering.

Casino backers were emboldened by a preliminary Bureau of Indian Affairs decision in their favor last week. The BIA rejected claims that a casino at the financially struggling St. Croix Meadows Greyhound Racing Park would harm the environment. It wasn't the final decision by the agency, which said it will make a final determination by Feb. 20.

The proposal of Chippewa Meadows Gaming & Racing is a joint effort of three poverty-stricken northern Wisconsin Ojibwe bands -- the Lac Courte Oreilles, Sokaogon and Red Cliff -- and the owners of the dog track. The track has been suffering from low attendance virtually from the time it opened in 1991 and annual financial losses that have soared as high as $7 million.

Under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, establishment of tribally operated casinos outside of Indian trust lands requires the approval of both the federal government and the affected state's governor.

The BIA rejected the Hudson casino application in 1995, citing both local political opposition and complaints from competing Wisconsin and Minnesota tribes that feared the new coompetitor would cut into their casino profits. But to settle a lawsuit alleging influence-peddling by the Democratic administration, the Interior Department agreed to reconsider the application.

Fred Havenick, the principal owner of the dog track, and gaiashkibos, the Lac Court Oreilles chairman and spokesman for the three sponsoring bands, believed they had a better chance of winning approval under the Clinton administration. Under Bush, who battled with Texas tribes over proposed casinos, Hudson casino supporters felt they were looking at a stone wall.

``I think they wanted to push this thing through before Clinton's political appointees left the department,'' said John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which opposes the casino and paid for a critical environmental study.

That might explain the surprise 11th-hour announcement by Chippewa Meadows in December to add $35 million to the revenue-sharing payments it was promising to local governments if the casino is approved. That announcement and subsequent smaller agreements have committed the partnership to more than $90 million in payments over 10 years. The payments would result in significant property tax reductions for Hudson and St. Croix County taxpayers.

But the city of Hudson has refused to support the casino. It withdrew a resolution of outright opposition to settle a lawsuit by the bands, who contended that the city had an obligation not to oppose the facility. St. Croix County also has refused to pass a resolution of support. Gov. Tommy Thompson has said support from both governments would be necessary to win his approval.

After last week's Bureau of Indian Affairs ruling, critics launched an urgent counterattack at the county level. Over objections from Chippewa Meadows and county board members who feared it could entwine the county in a lawsuit, the supervisors voted 22-7 for a resolution stating the county ``is not in favor'' of the casino.

While the resolution's final wording was softer than language proposed earlier, Supervisor Nancy Bieraugel said she hoped it would sound a death knell for the casino.

Week's end brought more maneuvering. Supporters of the casino said a court might view the county's action as opposition -- as it initially did in a preliminary ruling in the lawsuit against Hudson.

Meanwhile, the Prairie Island Dakota Community in Minnesota, which operates Treasure Island Resort & Casino, continued to press its suit opposing the casino, alleging the federal government failed to consult with other Indian nations over the proposal as required by federal law.

And the St. Croix Band of Ojibwe, which operates three casinos, asked for an injunction in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Thursday. The band, a former supporter of the casino, asked the court to halt the government's reconsideration of the Hudson application. The band contends that the government erred in ruling that the casino would have no significant impact on the environment.

Gary Dawson, who covers western Wisconsin, can be reached at gddawson@pioneerpress.com, toll free at (800) 739-3921 or at (715) 381-1808.

Ballot Initiative Loses by Tight Margin

On November 7, 2000, a historic effort to end parimutuel dog racing in Massachusetts through a citizens ballot initiaitve fell short of its goal. The final polling results were 49% YES to 51% NO. Far from a mandate, the tracks will stay in business by just a few thousand votes.

A profound thank you to all GREY2K volunteers for throwing your lives and hearts into this campaign. Talent, determination, boundless energy, and deep commitment to a just and compassionate cause were evidence of the better side of human nature. Our achievement for the dogs, while not the prize that we wanted, was still remarkable. Over 1.2 million Massachusetts citizens voted to end dog racing. GREY2K television ads aired hundreds of times on the major Boston channels in homes throughout Massachusetts and surrounding states. We were outspent 4 to 1 by our opponents, who were forced to spend over $2 million to whitewash their industry's record.

Because of the GREY2K effort, citizens of Massachusetts and surrounding states will never look upon this activity in the same light again. Check this site over the next few weeks to see how the greyhound advocacy effort will continue and how you can help. Thank you again to all those who were willing work so hard and donate so generously to try to bring about real change.

GREY2K DEMANDS TRACK SPOKESMAN APOLOGIZE FOR
COMPARING ANIMAL ADVOCATES TO NAZIS

Boston — Grey2K today denounced inflammatory comments made by a spokesperson of Massachusetts dog tracks and demanded that he apologize. As reported in the Boston Herald (9/30/2000), Glenn Totten responded to Grey2K's well documented charges of abuse and killing in the dog racing industry by declaring that "[t]his kind of character assassination based on fabricated information was a political tactic perfected in Nazi Germany."

Grey2K spokesman Carey Theil condemned Totten's statement. "Comparing 150,000 registered voters who signed their name in support of ending the killing and abuse associated with dog racing to Nazi Germany is irresponsible and inappropriate," he said. "Further, to make such a comment on the eve of the Jewish New Year is outrageous and insensitive."

Theil said he was not surprised at the new low to which the racetrack industry's statements have sunk. "This is another attempt to hide from the voters the fact that the racing industry admits killing over 7,000 dogs every year nationwide."

The greyhound racing industry's indifference to the suffering of racing greyhounds is well known in Massachusetts. In a recent interview with the Metro West Daily News (9/10/2000), Totten explained that "[d]ogs are property. We're supposed to be able to do what we want with our property."

In Massachusetts alone, a racing greyhound is put to death every five days, according to the Massachusetts State Racing Commission. GREY2K (Greyhound Racing Ends Year 2000) is a group of over 1,000 volunteers from across the state who have joined together to end the killing and abuse associated with greyhound racing. Grey2K collected over 150,000 signatures in less than 100 days to place Question #3, which will appear on the November ballot, before the voters.

GREY2K STATEMENT REGARDING TRACK PRESS CONFERENCE

Grey2K is confident that once the people of Massachusetts learn the truth, they will vote to put down an industry which does little good for our state, and does tremendous harm to thousands of greyhound dogs.

It should be no surprise that the well-funded, powerful and politically-connected greyhound industry continues to put out distorted and false information. For years, this industry has made a concentrated effort to cover-up its killing and maltreatment of greyhound dogs.

Industry claims that greyhound racing is well-regulated contrast with the participation today at this press conference of a number of people who are responsible for regulating this industry. They can not be expected to be impartial regulators of this industry when they are here today, advocating for this industry at a political event.

The greyhound industry's zealous campaign of misinformation begins with its very name, the "Massachusetts Animal Interest Coalition", a disguise created to deliberately deceive people of its true identity as the Greyhound Industry.

The truth is, the "Massachusetts Animal Interest Coalition" is nothing but a thinly veiled front for an industry that prospers on the death and destruction of greyhound dogs. Ironically, the facts are that the greyhound industry is itself dying, providing little tax base or good-paying jobs for Massachusetts.

Over the next several weeks, we will put the greyhound industry on trial and expose the industry's inhumane treatment of greyhound dogs.

RACING INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON SHOWS TRUE FEELINGS

Boston-Grey2K today decried remarks made by a spokesperson of Massachusetts dog tracks that dogs are property and that "we're supposed to be able to do what we want with our property."

The remarks were made by Glenn Totten, a spokesperson of Massachusetts' two greyhound tracks, in a MetroWest Daily News feature article written by David Caruso. In the article, Totten said, "This is an assault on our Constitutional rights. It is not American. Dogs are property. We're supposed to be able to do what we want with our property." The front-page article appeared in the September 10 edition of the newspaper.

"Mr. Totten's comments demonstrate the industries' attitude about how these animals are little more than disposable property," said Carey Theil, Director of Media and Research. "This attitude explains why the tracks have no problems with, by their own estimates, killing 7,000 dogs each year."

"If the track owners feel that dogs are property and they should be allowed to do what they want with their property, how can they be trusted to care for these greyhounds," continued Theil. "The documented cases of abuse, neglect and killing by the racing industry, along with statements like the one made by Mr. Totten, prove that the only way to end the killing and abuse is to end greyhound racing."

Totten's comments may conflict with Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to cruelty to animals, under MGL Chapter 272: Section 77. These laws were designed to protect animals from the very attitudes displayed by Totten.

For more information, or to obtain a full copy of MGL Chapter 272: Section 77, contact Carey Theil at 617-666-3526.

September 11, 2000

GREY2K RELEASES PROOF OF CRUELTY AND KILLING
IN MASSACHUSETTS DOG RACING

Boston-Grey2K today released a list of 18 documented cases of greyhounds that suffered abuse or death from the dog racing industry. These cases involved dogs that were starved to death, abandoned, euthanized, burned to death in unsafe conditions, donated for medical research, or that died from racing injuries.

These cases also document greyhounds that suffered from untreated injuries, as well as greyhounds afflicted with untreated infections, gashes, sores, parasites, and malnutrition.

All of these cases occurred in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and surrounding states, involve greyhounds that once raced in the Commonwealth, or involve trainers or owners now racing in the Commonwealth. Once greyhounds become too slow to race in the Commonwealth, most are sent to lower-level tracks in New Hampshire and Connecticut. All of these cases are verified by media documentation, public records, or testimony before the State Legislature.

"The greyhound industry itself admits to killing 7,000 dogs every year," said Carey Theil, Director of Media and Research. "This is what happens to thousands of these dogs when they are no longer profitable. A lucky few are adopted, the rest suffer horrible deaths."

The cases released today also include 280 dogs who, according to the mass racing commission, were put to death by the dog tracks in the Commonwealth over the last four years. That amounts to a greyhound being killed once every five days, all in the name of entertainment

Grey2K is a grassroots organization comprised of over 1,000 volunteers across Massachusetts. Grey2K collected 150,000 signatures in less than 100 days with an all-volunteer effort to place a Question on the November ballot ending greyhound racing. This November, by voting Yes on Question #3, voters can end greyhound racing in the Commonwealth forever.

 

 

 

Greyhound refuge racing to find new home

By Monte Whaley
Denver Post Staff Writer

Jan. 7, 2001 - ERIE - A knock on the door brings Pride, who hops up to the stranger on his three legs. Not far behind is 12-year-old Sweet, who is blind and needs help maneuvering around a hallway corner. Clearly, the two greyhounds can no longer race. But they've embraced the quiet life in this farmhouse and greyhound refuge run by Torri Morris. Now their retirement years are headed for a drastic change. Development pressures are forcing Morris to relocate Rocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption Inc. Morris, who has run the nonprofit agency for seven years, has until the end of the month to find a home for Pride, Sweet and 40 other greyhounds. Morris is learning that discarded animals, and the people who care for them, are not immune from the pangs of Colorado's rapid growth. "I was so shook up about all of this," said Morris. "I'm just now settling down to figure out what to do." Morris and a group of volunteers have cared for greyhounds on 30 acres owned by a greyhound breeder. Her tall and gangly wards are either too old or otherwise no longer up to racing on tracks. She's been able to find homes for more than 500 of the dogs over the years. But recently, the property owner sold the parcel to a developer who wants to subdivide it for homes. The developer, Curt Hale, has allowed Morris and the greyhound group time to find a new home for her and the dogs. Hale has also bought equipment for the pens where the greyhounds roam, Morris said. But he's losing money on the land and has told the organization he needs to take it over by the end of January to prepare the area for development, Morris said. Hale declined to comment. Pet-rescue groups and humane societies say Morris' plight is common. Sheltering lots of pets demands a lot of land, which doesn't come cheap anymore in the metro area. "Opening any kind of kennel facility that houses that many dogs is a challenge," said Martha Smith, a member of the All Breed Rescue Network. The hope is to find a spot in a relatively desolate area, where noise and other complaints are few. But in Colorado, homes soon emerge close by and pressures mount to relocate. "It's real difficult to find any place that is suitable," Smith said. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley wanted to build a new shelter for local animals at a site outside of Boulder. But the nonprofit agency soon found that it's tough to compete with subdivisions for land, said Dori Villalon, the society's associate director. "We were pretty limited. There aren't a lot of places where there isn't a lot of growth already," she said. The shelter decided to undergo a $5.8 million expansion on its current site, at 2323 55th St. Rocky Mountain Greyhound Adoption rests on a spot girding for commercial and residential growth. Broomfield has plans for a regional transit center and subdivisions at Interstate 25 and Colorado 7, not far from where Morris' greyhounds now gallop and play. Two subdivisions, that could bring almost 3,000 homes, will soon pop in Erie, just northeast of the greyhound site.