What Happened Here?
How might this have been handled differently? How should this have been handled? • Never act without investigating the facts. • Always deliberate calmly. • Never take an action without first creating an administrative record (this will slow things down and provide a cooling period. • Avoid jumping to conclusions.
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Sources of Conflict: Lack of Clearly Defined Roles
The tribal gaming ordinance provides that the tribe must ensure that gaming facilities are constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with appropriate public health and safety standards. The gaming commission conducts an inspection of the fire suppression system and issues an NOV because some of the fire extinguishers were expired. An angry GM calls the tribal chairman to complain. The chairman convenes the council, which challenges the TGRA’s authority, stating that the tribal health dept. is responsible for conducting all inspections. In the meantime, the GM arrives with a fire inspection certificate from the county fire marshal, who had conducted a surprise inspection three months ago. The council is now upset to learn that a state agency is enforcing state law within the tribe’s jurisdiction.
The tribal reporter picks up the story with a headline reading: Fire Threat at Tribal Casino. The phones at the casino, the commission, and the council begin ringing off their hooks.
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Homer Law, Chtd. 2006
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