Isabella County Commission
Chair David Ling receives the disbursement for the county.
On May 30, over $3.6 million was allocated to local units of government, area public schools and other municipalities at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan’s semiannual 2 percent distribution process.
Of the $3,608,148.50 given, 98 requests or $1,488,722.13 was allocated to local area schools and 30 requests or $$2,119,426.37 was distributed to local units of government and other municipalities.
There were 128 requests funded of the possible 470 requests received (27.2% request funded).
Since the spring of 1994, the Tribe has given a total of $85,649,817.95 in 2 percent distributions and $95,866,628.18 in 8 percent distributions to the State of Michigan for a grand total of $181,516,446.13 allocated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
“When you look at the economic impact our Tribe has had to the area over the years, it is evident we have made substantial contributions to the overall quality of life in central Michigan and the surrounding communities,” Tribal Chief Fred Cantu, Jr. explains. “To be able to supplement much needed educational programs and to develop funding sources for law enforcement help demonstrate the caring nature our people have for those who raise their families here with us”.
In accordance with the consent agreement with the State of Michigan, the Tribe distributes 2 percent of its Class III gaming revenues on a semiannual basis. Since the passage of Proposal E in 1996 and with the development of gaming operations in the city of Detroit, the Tribe ceased 8 percent payments to the State of Michigan in May of 1999.
The latest distribution highlighted the importance of education through the continued funding of programs like the VISION alternative community education program ($68,000), computers in the classroom project ($84,487), school bus replacement project ($148,280) and Girls on the Run program ($88,800).
“The Girls on the Run program has been highly successful in this community and I’m proud to be a part of helping our children learn about health education and healthy lifestyles”, SCIT Prevention Team Leader and Girls on the Run Coordinator Jennifer Crawford said. “This program impact many area schools and I applaud Tribal Council for allowing the funding of this community-based effort that benefits the girls in Isabella County”.
The Tribe remains committed to law enforce in our community and that resolve can be seen through the funding of drug prosecution and reduction in Isabella County ($87,000), funding of the City of Mt. Pleasant Youth Services Unit ($200,000), the multi-jurisdictional traffic enforcement team ($150,000) and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET $150,000).
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Sergeant Tim Davis has seen the impact that Tribal Council allocation have made on drug traffic on the Reservation and as Tribal Sub-Chief, he wants to see the effort continued.
“Our community knows that BAYANET is working and Council wanted to share their annual report in the last Tribal Observer,” Sub-Chief Davis mentions. “We want the message to be clear: if you buy, sell or use illegal drugs in our community, expect to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.
The next semiannual distribution of 2 percent is scheduled for Nov. 28.