It appears that when the people stand together and speak up, positive change can occur. People do take notice. Our casino manager, Lee Harden, has imposed some tough changes in recent months, ever since his contract was extended, and they weren’t very popular to our membership. There was a back lash, and I wrote a couple of editorials about it in hopes that together, we could put a stop to the madness. Well, since then, there appears to have been a couple of changes but most of his actions continue.
For the first time in several years, there was a concert held at the LCO Casino Convention Center. I don’t know if the concert was a success in the eyes of Lee Harden (based on data), but it was quite a success to the people of our community. They were starving for some entertainment and they finally got it. Lee stated at the general membership meeting back in September that entertainment lost $800,000 for our tribe. I’d really like to know how he comes up with this figure from his data. Sure, the costs of putting on the entertainment are high, but does he not factor in that guests do stroll the casino and play slots, black jack and craps. Or, get a bite to eat. I know the casino does a great job of tracking player activity, but how can they assume that concert-goers aren’t spending in the casino.
In regards to the poker room, it wasn’t totally squashed. Two tables were moved out into the table games pit and tournaments are still being held. From what I hear, poker has two months to make a profit or it will be squashed.
Some other proposed changes may have been delayed as well.
Lorraine Gouge was one of those persons who spoke up at the General Membership Meeting. She told Lee that the whole purpose of our casino is to help our people and not “to lose sight of that.”
Lee said that the casino has shown improvement this last summer as other casino properties have shown significant losses. In a letter to the LCO News, Lee said that we’ve shown 1.57% growth in slot revenue since the long winter of 2013-14. At the membership meeting he told the members that it was one of our best summers ever.
Lorraine told Lee she disagreed with him. “I don’t believe this was one of our best summers. There wasn’t much activity and there’s nothing going on. People aren’t coming.”
Lorraine said that she didn’t think the casino is currently attracting the local population that like to gamble. “You may cater to the wealthier population but they are not here. The locals are here and the way you design to attract and keep people is important.”
Lorraine told Lee that it’s important he listen to the people. “Don’t overlook what’s important to us tribal people.”
In Lee’s letter to the LCO News, he said that increased profitability at the casino should be apparent to everyone. Well, I say, why are tribal services and programs being cut? Services to our elders are being cut. Programs that serve our community are being cut. A $3 million dollar tribal surplus has disappeared in just over a year. Tribal checks are bouncing resulting in overdraft fees over a quarter of a million dollars. How is this any sign that our casino is improving?
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