Column: Bay Mills chair eyes a new off-reservation casino

Monday, April 18, 2011  

"It might sound optimistic to the edge of delusional, but the longtime leader of the Bay Mills Indian Community says he expects the tribe will open a casino in Port Huron within the next 15 months.

"Late spring or early summer of 2012," Jeff Parker replied when I asked if he could predict an opening date. "It's a lot of stuff to get done in a year."

Indeed it is. For starters, Bay Mills must win a legal challenge it appears to be losing. It also must strike a deal with Gov. Rick Snyder, whose position on a Port Huron casino is unknown.

And who knows what new bedevilments to expect from the tribe's relentless opponents, led by a phalanx of well-paid lobbyists and lawyers marching to the orders of MGM Grand, the Chippewa of Mount Pleasant and the Ottawa of Petoskey?"

Get the Story:
Mike Connell: Parker says casino will open next year (The Port Huron Times Herald 4/17)

District Court Decision:
Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community (March 29, 2011)

Related Stories:
Judge won't issue stay for Bay Mills off-reservation casino (4/15)
Column: Bay Mills Indian Community ready to battle for casino (4/4)
Column: Down but not out for a Bay Mills off-reservation casino (4/1)
Bay Mills Indian Community to appeal decision against casino (3/31)
Editorial: Don't give up on Bay Mills off-reservation casino bid (3/31)
Bay Mills Indian Community closes its off-reservation casino (3/30)
Judge orders Bay Mills to stop running off-reservation casino (3/29)