In an April 3 election, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will vote on tribal council candidates and determine if
Tribal Chairman Thurlow “Sam” McClellan should be recalled. McClellan was accused of misusing tribal credit cards during a trip to Washington, D.C. last year, and he also has been critical of the tribal council’s plan to build a $50 million, 6-story waterfront casino and hotel in Peshawbetown, Michigan.
In his column for the tribal newsletter GTB News, McClellan said the existing Leelanau Sands Casino has been losing money for several years and lost $1.8 million over the last year. He has published documents that back up his claims in his column. McClellan also noted many tribal business endeavors have failed, and stated that opening a new casino would be a bad idea.
Eric Carlson, a reporter for the Leelanau Enterprise, said tribal elders support the recall election and the 7-member tribal council is split 4-3. He said, “Sam might have violated tribal regulations but even the people submitting the recall petition have admitted it’s really just a reason to get his name on a recall ballot. In essence, the recall and the upcoming election of tribal council members is going to be a referendum on whether the tribe should move forward on this casino project.”
