May 31, 2021 Seminole Tribune
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Hollywood celebrates Get to know Trevor Thomas wraps Mother’s Day Rollie Gilliam III up season at Warner v COMMUNITY v 6A EDUCATION 2B SPORTS v 6B www.seminoletribune.org Free Volume XLV • Number 5 May 31, 2021 Florida Legislature overwhelmingly Employees ratifies gaming compact adjust to Tribe’s ‘All the people partial of Florida are reopening winners’ BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Staff Reporter BY BEVERLY BIDNEY When the Seminole Tribe declared an Staff Reporter emergency March 16, 2020, and closed all tribal offices, no one knew what the ensuing Sports betting just gained a foothold in 12 months would entail. Florida and, pending federal approval, the The tribe tightened its belt as businesses, Seminole Tribe will be its exclusive operator. restaurants and casinos closed nationwide The Florida Legislature overwhelmingly due to the spread of Covid-19. To keep approved the gaming compact between employees safe, many departments went into the Seminole Tribe and the state. It passed virtual mode; others stayed open to continue the Senate on a 38 to 1 vote May 18. The to provide in-person services. House of Representatives passed it on a 97 But with the accessibility and to 17 vote May 19 – the last day of a special effectiveness of vaccines, on April 5 the tribe session convened to consider the 30-year enacted a limited reopening of tribal offices. compact. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill Safety measures are still in place. Building May 25. occupancy must be 50% or less, in-person Before it went to the Legislature, the service is by appointment only, Covid-19 compact agreement was signed April 23 safeguards are still followed and no indoor by DeSantis and Seminole Tribe Chairman Image via Florida Channel large gatherings are permitted. Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International, addresses a House committee May 17 in Tallahassee. After being closed for a few months The compact guarantees the tribe will early in the pandemic, tribal casinos began send the state a revenue share of at least Indian gaming through the Indian Gaming would begin no earlier than Oct. 15 at the Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida,” reopening about a year ago under safety $2.5 billion over the first five years or $500 Regulatory Act (IGRA). The Secretary tribe’s casinos. The tribe would license sports Chairman Osceola said in a statement. “It is a guidelines and reduced capacity. The Ah- million per year, and about $20 billion over of the Interior has 45 days from receipt of betting to pari-mutuels statewide and receive historic and mutually-beneficial partnership Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and Billie Swamp Safari the 30-year duration. the compact to approve or disapprove it. If 40% of its revenue. Additionally, craps and between the State and Seminole Tribe that have remained closed until further notice. The deal must be approved by the Interior takes no action within that time, the roulette will be allowed at the tribe’s casinos. will positively impact all Floridians for Employees recently returning to the U.S. Department of the Interior, which is compact is considered to be approved to the “Today, all the people of Florida are decades to come.” workplace are adjusting to wearing masks in led by Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), the extent it complies with IGRA. winners, thanks to legislative approval of the office, getting their temperature checked first Native American cabinet secretary in If final approvals are met, sports betting the Gaming Compact between the State of and remaining socially distanced. U.S history. Interior has jurisdiction over F See COMPACT on page 4A F See WORKPLACE on page 5A Ground broken for long-awaited trading Miss Universe winner post on Immokalee Reservation crowned at Seminole BY BEVERLY BIDNEY Rec90 fuel. The plans include two canopies; completed in seven months, or by the end Staff Reporter one in the front for regular vehicles and of November, according to Mauro Laguzzi, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino small trucks, and one in the back for semi- project manager. IMMOKALEE — The wait is over for trucks and recreational vehicles. The trading “We believe it will provide a valuable the Immokalee Reservation. post will work with the nearby Seminole asset to the community and the tribe,” said BY KEVIN JOHNSON crown, and I hope to serve the world through Decades after first being floated as an Casino Hotel and accept players’ points for Golden Johansson, executive director of Senior Editor my advocacy for equality in the year to come idea, a trading post will finally be built on gas and items inside the store. operations for the STOF board. “We were and beyond.” the reservation. Ground was broken April “Everyone needs a gas station,” said able to work through the pandemic and HOLLYWOOD — Hard Rock and the Meza is from Chihuahua City. She has 29 during a small ceremony that featured President Mitchell Cypress. “Whatever finalize the plans.” Miss Universe competition – each with vast a degree in software engineering. As an elected officials and residents. stumbling blocks they threw in front of us, Those plans include a dedicated tobacco international recognition – proved to be a activist, she works closely with the Municipal “It took us a long time to get it rolling,” the shovels are ready today.” counter in the store, as well as a beer cave, natural partnership. Institute for Women, which aims to end said Big Cypress Board Rep. Joe Frank. Immokalee Council Liaison Ray Garza 15 coolers for beverages and dairy items Hard Rock has venues in nearly 70 gender-based violence. She is also a certified “The original idea was made in the early remembered when tribal kids on their four- and three more for frozen seasonal foods. A countries; the Miss Universe contestants, make-up artist and model, whose lifestyle 2000s. We started pursuing it about 10 years wheelers were stopped by police on their coffee and food service counter rounds out who spent a week at Seminole Hard Rock includes being vegan and participating in ago and got it on the books a couple of years way to get gas at a nearby station. The the store. Hotel & Casino Hollywood, represented 74 extreme sports. ago. We had to hit the reset button a couple reservation’s residents will no longer have The site will feature 27 parking countries. Pitbull was scheduled to perform at the of times, but the community is happy to see to go onto the main road to fuel up because spaces, four handicapped spots and two After days of photo shoots, charity competition, but he was replaced by Luis it.” the trading post will be accessible without for trailer parking. The trading post will be work and rehearsals, the 69th Miss Universe Fonsi. Reigning Miss Universe Zozibini The trading post will join the Seminole leaving the reservation. accessible by two main entrances and exits competition culminated with the crowning of Tunzi, from South Africa, crowned the new Tribe of Florida Inc.’s other trading posts in “Council gave us the seed money to on Immokalee Road and two secondary ones Andrea Meza, Miss Mexico, as the winner, champion. Julia Gama, Miss Brazil, was Hollywood and Brighton, which have been start this,” Garza said. “The county gave us for direct community access. on May 16 in front of a television audience runner-up. operating for several years. a lot of hurdles to jump, but the money was “Joe (Frank) and Ralph (Sanchez) put that officials said reached more than 190 During the week of preparation, many The Immokalee Trading Post will still there.” their hearts into this project, even during countries and territories. contestants shared photos and videos on feature 10 gas pumps, five electric vehicle “This is a big day for Immokalee,” added Covid,” said Hollywood Board Rep. Gordon Entertainer Mario Lopez and model social media of scenes from Seminole Hard (EV) charging stations and a 7,200-square- Immokalee Board Liaison Rafael Sanchez. “Ollie” Wareham. “By putting those shovels Olivia Culpo hosted the event from the stage Rock, including with the Guitar Hotel as a foot convenience store. The dispensers will “The shovels go in the ground today and by in the ground, the Board kept every promise.” of Hard Rock Live. backdrop. The Seminole Tribe’s Cheyenne the end of the year it will be done.” Kippenberger, who recently concluded a offer regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel and F See TRADING POST on page 4A Meza, 26, plans to use her reign as Miss Construction is expected to be Universe as an advocate for women’s rights two-year reign as Miss Indian World, met and against gender-based violence. with Tunzi and some of the contestants. A “I am so honored to have been selected few contestants participated in Hard Rock’s among the 73 other amazing women I stood traditional guitar-smash at the Guitar Hotel. with tonight,” Meza said in a statement. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe F See UNIVERSE on page 4A Benjamin Askinas Beverly Bidney Andrea Meza, from Mexico, is crowned Miss Universe on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Immokalee Council Liaison Ray Garza, left, and Immokalee Board Liaison Rafael Sanchez move some dirt during the Immokalee Trading Post groundbreaking Casino’s Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. April 29. The dirt in the two boxes was brought from the construction site nearby. INSIDE: Editorial......................2A Sports.............................5B Visit the Tribune’s website for news throughout Community..................3A Education....................1B the month at seminoletribune.org 2A • The Seminole Tribune • May 31, 2021 Three newcomers, three incumbents win seats in tribal election Editorial STAFF REPORT S.