Page 5 - April 2012 • Southern California Gaming Guide

April 2012 Tribes in the News
RIn Memoriam: Richard M. Milanovich
ichard M. Milanovich, the longtime leader of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, died on Sunday, March 11th, after a long ght with cancer. He was 69 years old. Starting as a member of the tribal council in 1978, Chairman Milanovich served as secretary from 1982 to 1984, when he was elected chairman. In Rancho Mirage,
Chairman Milanovich oversaw the development and construction of the Agua Caliente Casino in 2001, as well as the opening of the new $90 million Spa Resort Casino in 2003 and the Spa Hotel’s Well Spirit Center Fitness Center in 2004. He also oversaw the construction and opening of the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa new hotel and expansion in 2008, followed by the completion of the entertainment venue, The Show, in February of 2009.
Of the multitude of local and national reactions to Chairman Milanovich’s passing, Ernie Stevens Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association said,
“We have lost a truly brilliant mind and a tireless warrior for all of Indian country. No one symbolized the ascendance of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians better than my friend and mentor Chairman Richard Milanovich. He was a man with a kind heart, who loved his people and led them from poverty to great success. His heartwarming leadership kindled a re in all our hearts to serve Indian Country and protect Tribal Sovereignty. I know we have all been touched by the legacy Richard will leave behind and he will truly be missed. I am honored to have worked and learned from this great warrior, leader, and teacher.”
Governor Jerry Brown spoke of Chairman Milanovich’s “indomitable spirit.” at the memorial service and issued the following statement:
“As the long-standing Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Richard reshaped his community, helped preserve its rich heritage, and left a legacy that lives in the thousands of lives he touched. Richard was a good friend and he will be missed.”
FErom the Publisher...
ach month we highlight featured Southern California casinos’ extraordinary values on our pages. These are the amazing ways for casino guests can stretch their entertainment dollars, have more fun, play longer and win more. Sometimes they include new players club member sign-up bonuses, and quite often they
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We all love to play slots, and this year, we are devoting a cover feature for the Best Slots 2012. The new Southern California Gaming Guide Best SlotsTM is the first annual poll where you can tell us your favorite slots and where you like to play them. Your write-in choices will determine the first annual Best Slots including Best Video Slot, Best Reel Slot, Best New Slot Innovation, plus, the casinos with the Best Casino Slot Floor, Best Players Club, the Best Casino Slot Tournaments, and more! From April 1st to April 30th, we will accept completed ballots either mailed in or filled out online at TheGamingGuide.com. An independent source will tally the results of all reader ballots and the Southern California Gaming Guide Best Slots 2012 will be announced in the June 2012 issue. Read about the great drawing prizes on page 15. We hope you will be one the cash drawing winners.
For over 40 years, Earth Day—April 22nd—has inspired individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. In celebration of Earth Day, perform an “act of green” and recycle your copy of the Southern California Gaming GuideTM at the end of every month. In our effort to conserve resources, the Southern California Gaming Guide is printed on 100% recycled paper, using soy-based inks.
And check out a great Earth Day recycling event at Harrah’s Rincon this month on page 20.
Take a moment and read below about Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Chairman Richard M. Milanovich. His passing is a major loss to California tribal government.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all U.S. servicemen and women and their families for their personal sacrifices for our country all over the world. Many of our extended Gaming Guide family have completed their tours, but to all those who still serve in Afghanistan, I wish a safe landing home soon.
Meanwhile, keep your gaming experience entertaining. Wager within your means, and have fun at the casinos!
Volume 11, Number 4 • April 2012
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Chairman Milanovich also served as the chairman of the
Advisory Committee to the Office of Special Trustee for the U.S. Department of Interior, which oversees the federal government’s duciary responsibilities to manage tribal trust funds.
In 2004, he was appointed to the Native American Stewardship Committee for the prestigious Autry National Center. In addition, Mr. Milanovich has served as a member of the Bureau of Land Management’s California Desert Advisory Council, and the Native American Heritage Commission. e tribal leader served as an advocate for HIV prevention with the Desert AIDS Project for more than 10 years, and was a supporter of Hike 4 Hope to support women’s cancer programs.
He was a member of the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy; a founding member of the Santa Rosa Scenic
Committee; and an appointed member to the National Monument Advisory Board for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument; and a lifetime honorary member of the Desert Riders.
Mr. Milanovich served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963. In 1994, he returned to school to ful ll a lifelong ambition to secure his college degree, and received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management from the
University of Redlands in 1996.
His contributions include helping raise the Agua
Caliente people from poverty to an economic power in California through gaming revenues and eventual economic diversi cation. In 1999, he was in uential in the negotiation of a tribal gaming compact with the state of California under the administration of Gov. Gray Davis.
April 2012
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
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