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Updated: 5:01 PM Jan 5, 2009
Golden Moon Cuts 570 Jobs
Philadelphia, Miss. The Golden Moon Hotel and Casino is cutting back its operation to three days a week, meaning the loss of hundreds of jobs. Posted: 10:19 AM Jan 5, 2009 |
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Posted by: Red
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:11 PM
It is a sad, sad day in Philadelphia, Ms today....I don't think so many people have been let go since U.S. Motors shut down....but if memory doesn't fail me...at least they were warned ahead of time. Myself and all the others that were let go today were cheated out of a chance to plan ahead. But, alas, it has been done...I do agree with some of the other comments made on here...the management team are all busy trying to load up their pockets. I worked their when Chuck Miller was there and he was a kind man...always spoke to everyone..no matter what position you worked..he cared about the associates...now you have (GENERAL)..lol Paul Harvey and DALE HIPSH ...I maybe have seen the General all of 4 times since he has been there and he never spoke and Dale Hipsh looks at us common folk like we are dirt under his fingernails. Where do these people get off being so arrogant...who do they really think they are? The Casino was better off without them and Miko
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Those of you who are claiming this is racism evidently have no idea of how things work out there. Let me break it down: When you apply for a job at the resort, or at any tribe-owned business, part of what you agree to is their openly disclosed tribal member preference policy. Basically that means you can be let go at any time in favor of a tribal member having your job. Yes, it's wrong but it's also legal. When you deal with a Native American tribe it's a whole different set of rules that you're dealing with. Technically you're not even in Mississippi when you're on a reservation as it's federal land. In short: What they did may have been morally wrong but it was legal. Those affect should deal with their loss and move on. Sitting there and playing the blame game isn't going to do anyone any good and may only cause grief for everyone involved.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Pat: When you apply for a job at the Pearl River Resort (or for any job at a tribal owned business) you agree that you can be terminated at any time if/when a Choctaw wants your job. They have an openly disclosed policy of tribal preference. It's legal. Like it or not when you deal with a Native American tribe it's a whole new ball of wax. It's their land, their business and their policies. Technically you aren't even in Mississippi when you're on the reservation, as it is federal land. What they did may have been morally wrong but it's legal. No one can, nor should, sue. Deal with the loss and move forward as best as they can.
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Dekalb
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:58 PM
When Miko got in the Administration he fired alot of good hard working tribal employees and that was a slap in the face to tribal people. Look what he has done to his own tribe. He's only in for himself. With this big turmoil why is he and his family going to the Obama Inauguration?
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:11 PM
ps they are a race.. DEF. The term race or racial group usually refers to the concept of categorizing humans into populations or groups on the basis of various sets of heritable characteristics...so take the idea of lack of education and stow it
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Anonymous please dont tell me what cant be done the fact it is done and cant be done.. they cant own the land but they can own the business and it is up to the elders that make the laws... as messed up as I have seen this.. and the way they have even treated their own people would be fitting them to loose it all ... do I sound harsh yup.. have i been in issues where the law or rules say one thing and people do another you bet... thats life power and money.. that simple...
Posted by: Washee
Location: Rez
on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:02 PM
The term "Chahta first" does not mean anything negative or discriminating to any race. Choctaws have been third class citizens far too long in Mississippi and are just struggling for a better life. The reality is that most jobs are held by non-Choctaws at our own entities while our own Choctaw employees are but a small percentage. For those that have lost their jobs who have families to feed and care for as well as themselves, Choctaws have been dealing with this issue for a long time. Choctaws have been told to seek jobs at their own casinos by non-Indian establishments. Is this not discrimination? Golden Moon is on Tribal Land governed by tribal sovereignty so it is safe to say that it should be dominated by Tribal (Choctaw) employees for the betterment of their health, education and welfare. In the words of Barack Obama, "Change has come and change is good".
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Pat, Non Choctaw is not a race. Therefore, it wouldn't be discrimination. The casino is situated on tribal lands not state. A seperate entity altogether! Do some research before you speak. ED: Another tribe cannot own the Choctaw casino because of the tribe state compact. You people need more education about Indian Country before blog out against Choctaws! Yes, management is the issue here but there are other problems there besides casino employees because they have other businesses that employ non Choctaws. Those are likely to lose employees soon but the resort is the largest employer. Wait and watch the fall of a tribe.
Posted by: da 1
Location: jxn
on Jan 5, 2009 at 06:07 PM
well i guess miko got wat he wanted. He's destroying phillip martins empire the one he built 4 the tribe. chief martin never done this to his people. they need chief martin back. miko needs a change.
Posted by: Pat
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Did I hear correctley? All that were laid off were "non" Choctaw? If it were any other race doing that it would be called "discrimination".
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: North Mississippi
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:41 PM
If they would have listen to the employee's back in 98 or 99 when they were all being told they don't need a second casino just another hotel they would not be in the pickle they are in now and they would not being having a SECOND lay off there. I personaly am a former employee of the resort and was let go in the first lay off and since my leaving there I have been back there 2 or 3 times in almost five years. They have done nothing to keep the players they had or the ones they have now they are steadly leaving to go to the other casino's on the coast and in the delta. I do understand the times are bad and cuts have to be made but this is nothing more than the greed of the tribe's menagement back then and now. I heard about the Chief in the Casino over the New Year week play high dollars, and pulling money out like it was nothing to be conerned about. Well I say to the management of the tribe you reap what you so. To the rest of you I wish you the best of luck in what ever you do.
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:31 PM
btw John.. read the hand book.. that all need to sign there... you will find out they have gone against even the rules there as far as it is seen only those of the star was cut not the moon.. but then as the 15th it will have a new owner... not sorry all see this as a slap in the face and you lost creditability to all that the tribe deal with
Posted by: mary
Location: philly
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Its strange, the tribe said that its bad, but yet they have thier chief playing in the casinos like its no tomorrow.
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 04:15 PM
John follow the money... then you will find the trouble.. you speak about about change... but what all see isnt change ... change stars with honesty and here their wasnt any but rumors and all was told no one was to get fired so please save the PR...
Posted by: Mike
Location: Choctaw
on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:52 PM
The resort is firing employees who make $30000 or less a year yet retaining the services of people like Dale Hipsh who makes $350000 a year. Hipsh was paid over $100000 to come work for the resort in "transition" and "relocation" fees. The resort preaches integrity and loyalty, yet is firing lower range employees who have worked there for years, day 1 in some instances, in favor of high salary people like Hipsh. I wonder if hes going to get terminated since hes non-choctaw or did miko adopt him and Harvey into the tribe?
Posted by: JOHN
Location: PEARL RIVER
on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:34 PM
As a tribal member I feel very badly for the emloyees that have been layed off. A small number of us tribal members have been making an effort to change the way our tribal government and tribal businesses are being handled. I hope we will be able to save our casino business not just for our tribal members but so those of you who have lost your jobs can return and together we can make it a sucess again. Please do not judge the whole tribe for the mistakes in judgement of a few in leadership position. We agree the current casino management team has alot to do with our current situation. I just hope we will have the time and the backing of the rest of our tribal members to make the neccesary changes.
Posted by: Leroy
Location: Kemper County
on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:06 PM
The Choctaws are making their cuts to non tribal members, I hope whites and Blacks stick together and let tribal members gamble and eat in the restaurants.
Posted by: Stu
Location: Noxapater
on Jan 5, 2009 at 02:05 PM
"Choctaw First" is another term for modern day racism. We all are in this together. Every race in America is being effected by the current economic decline. Only laying off non-tribal members is a slap in the face to anyone that has supported the casino that is not of Native American descent. It is all races that have financially kept the resort running. The tribal leaders need to take a long look in the mirror when they awake in the morning. If all that they see is a color, then we all will see an even bigger down fall on the Pearl River Resort.
Posted by: michael
Location: union
on Jan 5, 2009 at 01:08 PM
instead of firing the people who make a difference, i.e. bartenders, cocktail servers, etc., start from the top and get rid of the crooked and selfish upper and lower management. As a former employee at golden moon I chose to leave on my own due to lack of leadership and proper management. Now I am on the outside looking in. I was a VIP guest on New Years Eve and I watched the bartenders and cocktail servers doing there best to give the customer service that should be given. However managers were standing against the walls observing with comments that could be heard by the guest. Why bring in management from other places like Florida to run a casino when there are qualified people in the state such as myself that could have made a difference. Miko, you are a good person and want change for the tribe but shame on you for letting such poor manegment run down such a wonderful business. And shame on supervisors and managment for being so selfish and greedy.
Posted by: Melvin
Location: Philadelphia
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Harvey and Beasley continue to blame others rather than their own incompetency. I bet they and the consultants are still raking in their big bucks.
Posted by: Casey
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Surely they didn't let any black people go. You know we owe them so much. HA! HA! HA! There's a piece of change that you democrats voted for!
Posted by: Fred
Location: Philadelphia
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Amazing to see Harvey's comments. How would this guy know - this is the first casino he has ever worked at. Beasley and Pattison put him in there and he has no experience. The tribe better wake up fast or they will not have anything left to save.
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Kimberly the moon was sold and Seminal's from Fla. are taking it over on the 15th..
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:27 PM
the jobs are cut in both... star people are getting it today.... all non triable personal is being let go....
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:46 AM
People who scream for change should remember that it can be bad.
Posted by: Fred
Location: Philadelphia
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:39 AM
No leadership at the tribe or at the resort. The tribe voted for change - I guess they are getting what they wanted. Change - negative change.
Posted by: DON
Location: MERIDIAN
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Because they are crooked.
Posted by: Loen
Location: Redbone
on Jan 5, 2009 at 11:01 AM
The tribe voted for change with Beasley. I guess they got change - bad change. Between Beasley, Kernal Paul Harvey, Titan Agency and Doug Pattison the casinos do not have a chance.
Posted by: ed
Location: Meridian
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:56 AM
yup yup they just forgot to tell you they just axed about 900 people there... this morning... the rate they are being run I wont give them long before they have it run in the ground.. yes times are tough but management is a big part of the problem it seems all over ...
Posted by: WORRIED
Location: FARAWAY
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:45 AM
ALL IS FAIR BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WORKER'S??THEY REALLY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT REMO'S..THESE PEOPLE GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO SERVE YOU AND PLEASE......AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN NO JACKPOTS HIT SO THERE YOU HAVE IT....
Posted by: Kimberly
Location: Philadelphia
on Jan 5, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I am a employee of Golden Moon and I would just like to say that the handling of this situation was dirty! Mgmt in every dept denied this to the end! This news site was the first news of this we as employees got. The Mgmt denied and almost made fun of our fears of the rumors we heard. They had no consideration of us or our families! Slow economy or not it did not have to come to this. Catering to so called "High rollars" that come once or twice a yr, flying in flowers from japan, china, and the mediterranian, throwing the everyday player to the side and not allowing comps for simple meals. The reason for this is MIS MANAGEMENT or LACK OF MANAGEMENT! As an employee this hurts mostly because they denied it to the end and gave us no time to prepare for something else. I personnally have two kids to feed! I worked Sat night and they still at that point were denying. I want to know WHY! |
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someone called me an "idiot!" I am no Idiot!!! I think things through before I talk! This person has made me disapointed in him or her. perhaps, he should think things through before opening his mouth! I have noticed many non Indians who work at the casinos are prejudiced against Choctaws. When I say Non Indians, I am talking of Afro Americans as well. It is disapointing for me to know that the very people who should know and understand the consequences of rascism also think the noble Choctaw is beneath them. We do not want racism in Choctaw establishments. White folks, you are the worst! if you dont like us, go to non Choctaw establishments to work! AS far as, people who say bad things about us, well... there will always be those people.IDIOTS!!! We have come a long way from the negative days of the past. Hope that our economy will regain its composure and our black and white neighbors will come back to work. We need you!!!
ARE WRONG. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS SAYING IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN DONE WRONG, GET REVENGE. THOSE REMARKS THAT WERE SAID MAYBE THE REASON WHY YALL GOT LAID OFF. THINK TWICE AND DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU. AS FOR OTHERS THAT WERE LAID OFF, IM DEEPLY SORRY AND JUST REMEMBER, WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER ONE WILL OPEN, I PRAY FOR YOUR FINANCES AND HEALTH TO BE ABUDANT. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR MGMT BUT, I CAN SAY. ITS NOTHING PERSONAL, JUST BUSINESS. THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MADE THOSE DECISIONS WERE NON-TRIBAL MEMBERS...REMEMBER THAT. WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY TRIBAL MEMBERS IN UPPER MGMT, THINK ABOUT IT! THE SAME ONES YOU SAT IN THE ADR WITH AND KISSED THEM IN THE REAR ARE THE ONES WHO MADE THE DECISION WHO WAS GETTING LAID OFF. I AM A WELL EDUCATED YOUNG MAN AND I TELL YOU THIS, FOR 10YRS I'VE TRIED TO GET A JOB IN PHILADELPHIA AND HAVE NEVER GOTTEN ONE, TELL ME... HOW MANY TRIBAL MEMBERS DO YOU SEE WORKING FOR THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, HOW MANY NON TRIBAL MEMBERS WORK FOR THE TRIBE? RESPOND
ONCE A AGAIN RACISM IS BEING THE MAIN FOCUS OF A BUSINESS DECISION THAT WAS MADE. THE WHITE FOLKS, BLACK FOLKS, AND SO FORTH THINK THIS WAS A BAD DECISION THAT WAS MADE BECAUSE IT WAS DONE TO THEM. FIRST OF ALL, HOW DO YALL KNOW HOW IT IS TO LIVE ON THE REZ, WE WERE PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE AND NOW WE GOT SOMETHING, THERE YALL GO TRYNA TAKE THAT TOO. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CHOCTAW PEOPLE, YALL WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THOSE JOBS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT LOSING. IT IS JUST LIKE A FAMILY BUSINESS, ARE YOU GONNA LET GO YOUR FAMILY FIRST OR YOUR FRIENDS? WHY IS IT,MOSTLY NON-TRIBAL MEMBERS HAVE NEGATIVE REMARKS AND RACIAL COMMENTS TO SAY ABOUT THE SAME PEOPLE THAT EMPLOYED THEM OR CURRENTLY HAVE THEM ON THEIR PAYROLL. I THINK THE ONES LIKE MECULE FROM L'VILLE AND BETTY FROM CHOCTAW ARE JUST MAD THEY GOT LAID OFF, CRY A RIVER AND GET OVER IT. WHAT DONE IS DONE, YALL ARE GROWN UPS, ACT LIKE IT, OR DOES THAT HAVE TO BE TAUGHT TO YOU TOO. WE TRY TO TEACH KIDS THAT RACISM IS WRONG, RACIAL REMARKS AND COMMENTS
I think the way the resort handled the termanation of 570 employees was very low and cowardly done. I think someone should take a stand and lead all employees (none tribal) and guest(none tribal) into not coming to the resort and the tribes downfall will be fast and hard and all of them will return to drinking antiseptic without nontribal people. The reason they need nontriabal people is because they are not smart and one of the lowest tribes in the world.
Hey Betty i guess now you'll be begging for some salt pork to feed yourself and your children. Maybe they can let you use the faucet outside for some water too.
I was let go. Not once did I ever call in to work or was even late. As far as complaining you never heard that from me either. BUT I DID come in on my day off to releave several choctaw for ballgames, fairs,hangovers,and SHOPPING DAYS. So Pearl River Resort, WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND. Your Casino's are going to close just like your manufacturing business did. And like years ago, Choctaws will be walking back to williamsville to beg for salt pork to feed there children.
Theron Dixon you are a friggin idiot! My wife worked diligently at her job for years, and never once complained when she had to come in for a Choctaw who was either Drunk or Lazy to come to work!
Ed: you really think you what is best for Choctaws but you don't even know the history of Indians. The are no other owners you just an idiot. The reason some of the employees were released because they really were no asset. They were mainly employees compliaining about their jobs and work environment. They got comfortable not realizing how important their jobs were and how it affected decisions. Not all GM non-Indians were released. That is why it called restructing. Please, provides a solutions instead of qoting.
That's right Theron, I never understood why non-indians think they can speak of on behalf of Choctaw news/business/ politics, oh yeah because the prior Admin gave the non-indian more power that the Choctaws themselves.. YES,contact ur local official/leaders, what have they been doing to provide you jobs while the Tribe has carried yall for years.... they are the ones accountable to you, not the tribal elected leaders nor the tribe
OH theron - GET REAL. You are such a blind eyed idiot. The reason "others" would not hire Choctaws is the same reason their casino is closing. CHOCTAWS know if they dont want to work the tribe will keep them feed, schooled, and housed. Like us "others" NO WORK, NO JOB, NO NOTHING.
As Choctaws, we should support our leaders and encourage them to do what is best for Choctaw people. It is not good to hear that the good people that work there have been cut. Some people feel that it is immoral just to cut non indian jobs, but we, as Choctaws have pulled ourselves up by our own bootstraps to provide jobs for Choctaw people. Mississippi has never helped us.In fact, Mississippi tried to keep us from having a casino. Mississippi would not give us opportunity for work.There is a law called "Indian preference" in employment opportunities in Native American businesses and government. This law became necessary because white establishments would not hire Native Americans. Even the Bureau of Indian Affairs only hired white people until this law took affect. It was white congressmen who saw the dispairity and destitution on Indian reservations who passed this law with the encouragement of Indian Health Service. Non Indians, you have Mississippi to help you in your time of need.
We all have heard the rumor a long time ago all that was in the Phialdelphian newpaper was true and it just the tip of a hugh iceberg.We the little people could see what was happening mangement just did't care, They were just running everyone away as long as their pockets were getting fat why care about everyone else. Now that the casino in Atmore Al. is open it's too late.
As a choctaw I have worked for casino from the day they open. I see people here are saying that we employ more non- choctaws than choctaws. I know this is so. But to tell the truth I am disapointed at my fellow choctaws. more would have jobs if they were willing to work. I have seen them take adavanage of their jobs and so many ways. I believe if it was not for the non- choctaws we would have been closed at both casinos years ago. so as a choctaw I want to tell everyone who has lost their jobs I am sorry and their is alot of us fighting for you. we will make a come back. and when we do i hope you will come back with does of us that know we need you so bad. Thank you for everything you have done. love you your fellow brothers.
If the tribe is so worried about money then why do they let there chief use the casino as his own cash bank he gambles and is paying paul harvey alot of money yet harvey has no hands on experience and hired doug patterson back just to milk more money out of the choctaws . The first mistake was changing chiefs bacause this one wants to get rid of the golden moon casino and will be ruining the silver star casino into the ground .I find it interesting that no one in philadelphia with money who use to eat at philip M restaurant will not eat at mikos and it is not just the food that is bad but no one respects the new chief. he thinks the casinos are his to spend money and if there is no money for the choctaws they need only to look at there new chief he is the reason there is no money for his own people. The tribe really needs to think about getting rid of a chief that thinks of only himself and not his own people.
Martin's empire?!! PLEASE! I respect Mr. Martin 4 all that he done butPlease, be open minded, his "empire" created a debt for the MBCI for 25 years-FACT! Debt was always snowballed every Martin election so no one outside his non-tribal circle would see the TRUEFINE LINE Yes,from the "OUTSIDE" everything seemed fine/dandy but nontribals during his admin.were being treated better than HIS own tribal members!FACT! Under Phillip's administration all the Choctaws at the resort would have gone on layoff first! Yes,Miko Denson may have exhibited questionable behavior which is disappointing BUT keep an open mind Phillip was not an angel in his younger days either!! partying, gambling, firing Choctaws who went against him,,,, so to have the opportuntiy to live through 2 Chiefs of our tribe, the only difference I see is one PUT us in debt, and the other is pulling the stops to stop the debt from growing, cause the GOVT or anybody else 4 that matter ain't going to bail us out.