Three Tribal Council incumbents were returned to office and Michael J. Thomas was re-elected as chairman during annual elections on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Reservation in early November.
Chairman Thomas, Rodney A. Butler and Charlene R. Jones were re-elected to Council, among 12 candidates vying for three spots on the seven-person Council. And all were elected to three-year terms as well.
"I'm deeply grateful to the people that they wanted to keep me in this position a little while longer," said Chairman Thomas. "Most important, I am committed to the same goals for the Nation - a shared commitment" and working together as a community.
The voting took place at the Community Center on the reservation on Nov. 5. A high turnout of voters 18 and older participated.
Four candidates from the Council vied for the chairmanship, including Vice Chairman Kenneth M. Reels.
"The membership followed through the process of democracy," Vice Chairman Reels said. "The people spoke, and now it's time for all of us to pull together to work together as a team to move the membership and the region forward." (More)
Land assignments make first reservation mortgages a reality
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| HISTORIC – Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Michael Thomas signs the first land assignments issued to Tribal Members, making them eligible to receive the first mortgages on the reservation. Looking on, from left, Tribal Councilor Chalita Young, Tribal Member Tammy Shrouds, Vice Chairman Kenneth Reels, Tribal Members Tina Harris and John A. Colebut, Councilor Richard E. Sebastian and Secretary Charlene Jones. Stephanie Powers photo |
September 27, 2006 marked an important day in not only Mashantucket Pequot history, but Indian Country as well. John A. Colebut, Tina Harris, and Tammy Shrouds became the first Tribal Members to be issued land assignments, which will allow them to apply for a mortgage. They have been approved for an acre of land each, and are in the process of building their new homes on the reservation.
"It gives our people a vested interest in a piece of tribal property that they are to care for hopefully forever," said Tribal Chairman Michael Thomas. "And so this is a big sign of moving forward into the future."
For the first time in history local banks will be supplying mortgages on the reservation. Mortgages have not been possible before because the land on reservation is held in trust by the federal government, so commercial lenders would've been unable to foreclose on the property (More)
A taste of the West Coast comes to Mashantucket
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| Mashantucket Pequot Elders Council Chairman Vernon Eleazer Jr. cuts the ribbon to open Foxwoods' latest restaurant, California Pizza Kitchen. Looking on, from left, Foxwoods President John O'Brien, Tribal Council Treasurer Rodney Butler, and California Pizza Kitchen founders Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax. Tebo photo |
The latest exciting dining option opened its doors to an eager crowd at Foxwoods Resort Casino on October 3rd. California Pizza Kitchen, located next to Cedar's Steakhouse in the Theatre District on the main concourse, welcomed patrons after a ribbon-cutting ceremony and introduction by franchise owners Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax.
"The one thing we've learned is that every restaurant is on its own in a community," said Flax. "We are part of the fabric of your community, and we pride ourselves on being connected to that community."
Rosenfield said they were thrilled to be here in Mashantucket and thanked the staff for the hard work they put into helping the restaurant come together.
"The core of what we do, focusing on the customer, service and quality of the experience, is achieved by the great people that work for us," said Rosenfield.
Over 21 years ago, attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax traded in the courtroom for the dining room. Having always wanted to get into the restaurant business, they pitched their legal pads to serve hearth-baked pizzas. California Pizza Kitchen is a leader in authentic California-style cuisine with a recognized consumer brand and an established, loyal customer base. There are currently nearly 200 California Pizza Kitchen's in 27 states and five foreign countries. (More)
2006
Framed against the sky, the lone tree on a knoll represents
Mashantucket, the "much-wooded land" where the Pequots hunted and
kept alive their identity as an independent people. Displayed on the
knoll is the sign of Robin Cassasinnamon, the Pequot’s first leader
following the 1637 massacre at Mystic Fort. The fox stands as a
reminder that the Pequots are known as "the fox people."
Pequot basketweave pattern.
A gift from the Winged Ones, feathers
carry prayers to the Great Spirit.