CasinoCityTimes.com

Home
Gaming Strategy
Featured Stories
News
Newsletter
Legal News Financial News Casino Opening and Remodeling News Gaming Industry Executives Author Home Author Archives Search Articles Subscribe
Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter!
Related Links
Recent Articles
 

Governor Granholm Makes Two New Appointments to the Gaming Control Board

12 May 2004

Late Monday afternoon, Governor Granholm made two additional appointments to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The Governor appointed Donald Robinson, of Donald L. Robinson & Associates (a consulting firm in Detroit), for a term expiring December 31, 2004. Mr. Robinson succeeds the late Honorable Geraldine Bledsoe Ford, and he will serve through the end of the term Judge Ford was originally appointed to.

The Governor also appointed Barbara Rom of Bloomfield Hills to the Board for a term expiring December 31, 2007. Ms. Rom is a partner in a large law firm in Detroit where she practiced in the areas of workouts, bankruptcy, insolvency, and commercial litigation. Ms. Rom is a past president of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association and has been actively involved with numerous groups and committees on a wide range of legal issues and community service matters. Ms. Rom has been selected by Crain's Detroit Business as one of "Detroit's Most Influential Women."

These two new Board members join three existing members to fill out the Board. The other three members are:

  • Damian Kassab of Rochester, Chairman of Warren Bank. Mr. Kassab is designated as chairperson of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. He was originally appointed to the Board in August 2003 for a term expiring December 31, 2004, succeeding Larry Garberding who had resigned.
  • The Honorable Benjamin Friedman of Huntington Woods, partner of Friedman & Lichterman, P.C. law firm and previous 45-B District Court Judge. Judge Friedman is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2007. He succeeds The Honorable Roman S. Gribbs whose term has expired.
  • Honorable Michael Stacy is the last of the original five appointees appointed by former Governor Engler. He was reappointed in 2002 for a four-year term expiring December 31, 2006. He is a retired Wayne County Circuit Court Judge who remains active by assisting with alternative dispute resolution and by serving as a visiting judge.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is a volunteer position. None of the Board members get compensated for their time and all are acting in a true community service role.

Furthermore, by acting as a Board member, these individuals forego any opportunity to conduct business with licensed operators and suppliers under the strict provisions of the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Thus, they are truly dedicated to serving the public. Over the years, it has astounded me that so many talented people have been willing to make the sacrifice and commitment to serve in this capacity.

Governor Granholm has really put her mark on this Board, with four of the five members being her appointees. Under the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, the Board is statutorily required to be bipartisan and traditionally, the members of the Board have been able to work very cooperatively. Hopefully, this spirit of cooperation will continue. It has served the Detroit market very well.

David Waddell
David Waddell is an attorney for Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. (RMC), which assists businesses in navigating the legislative, regulatory and licensing systems governing Michigan’s commercial and tribal casino industries. He is the co-author of The State of Michigan Gaming Law Legal Resource Book and one of the founders of The Michigan Gaming Newsletter.

David Waddell Websites:

www.michigangaming.com
David Waddell
David Waddell is an attorney for Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. (RMC), which assists businesses in navigating the legislative, regulatory and licensing systems governing Michigan’s commercial and tribal casino industries. He is the co-author of The State of Michigan Gaming Law Legal Resource Book and one of the founders of The Michigan Gaming Newsletter.

David Waddell Websites:

www.michigangaming.com