More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
Catherine
even more interestin'...
As reported earlier through another source, the bingo license WAS pulled.
http://www.gazetteonline.com/go_article_index/0,1337,2,00.html
<::photo::> A pedestrian walks along the Eighth Street SE side of the Emerald Knights
bingo hall last night. The group rents the building at the corner of Second Avenue
and Eighth Street SE and offers bingo there Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.
(The Gazette/Laura Segall)
<::bingo chart::> Details the money involved from 1999 through 2003 - Source: Iowa
Department of Inspections and Appeals quarterly gambling reports
BINGO SPELLS TROUBLE? State seeks info from Emerald Knights
By Kurt Rogahn, The Gazette
Thursday, April 22, 2004, 10:29:40 AM
CEDAR RAPIDS -- Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps -- formed nearly 40 years ago
here to provide music education to young people -- still raises money through bingo
games three nights a week though it hasn't fielded a drum and bugle corps since 2001.
It won't even try to put young people on the field this summer. It can't. Most all
its equipment has been sold, a Gazette investigation revealed, and the group said it
is still paying off debts.
The group's leaders, Board President Bob Nissen and Secretary Susan Paine, said the
group is in compliance with regulations on non-profit organizations as long as it
continues to use its bingo revenues to pay off debts.
Neither will say who is still owed money or how much. They won't say who else is on
their board. And they won't say what the Emerald Knights -- which once marched at
Disneyland and Disney World -- does with money from bingo games.
=====================================
ON THE NET
More on drum corps: www.dci.org
Non-profit Form 990 reports: www.GuideStar.org
=====================================
But the Emerald Knights will have to tell the Iowa Department of Inspections and
Appeals.
That agency, which oversees charitable gambling in Iowa, last week sent Paine a
letter from Sherry Hopkins, manager of the Social and Charitable Gambling Program,
that gave the group 10 working days to supply information The Gazette had been
seeking as part of an investigation into the Emerald Knights' finances. Emerald
Knights must give:
-- A description of the group and its purpose, including current membership numbers.
-- An accounting of all income for calendar 2003, including gambling receipts,
membership dues and other charitable activities.
-- An accounting of all expenses paid last year, to whom and for what amount.
-- A listing of all charitable donations made by Emerald Knights in 2003, to whom and
for what amount.
Failing to provide the information could jeopardize the group's license, Hopkins
warned in the letter.
So far, it's only an inquiry and not a state investigation, said David Werning,
Department of Inspections and Appeals spokesman.
Emerald Knights' gross bingo receipts topped $830,000 in 2003, a figure boosted by
last year's seven-month closing of Meskwaki Bingo and Casino at Tama. After
expenses, plus paying $600,000 in prizes, the games earned $163,000. That's twice
Emerald Knights' bingo earnings in each of the previous two years.
Still, the charity's refusal to tell where that money went is a violation of public
trust -- as well as state and federal law, experts involved with non-profit ethics
and law told The Gazette.
Emerald Knights hasn't filed required financial statements with the Internal Revenue
Service since 2000, the IRS confirmed. Those documents, called Form 990, must be made
public.
Moreover, Emerald Knights said in reports it filed with the state that bingo is its
only income. Iowa law says a group getting 90 percent or more of its funds from
gambling must give away $3 of every $4 in proceeds to another, separate charity.
Asked whether the state acted on information in those reports, Werning said Emerald
Knights' reporting income from bingo alone "would certainly pose questions for
further analysis."
Past trouble with IRS
Questions have been posed before. Emerald Knights' non-profit status was threatened
three years ago in an IRS audit, because its corps had been inactive since 1996. The
IRS audit prompted the group to field a drum and bugle corps in 2001, sparking a new
round of debt.
Moreover, Jessica Toomsen, former corps bookkeeper, said Emerald Knights bingo didn't
raise much money other than to sustain itself.
Asked about that, with the additional question, "Why go on?" Nissen paused, then
said he had wondered that himself. He said he hoped Emerald Knights could still help
young people.
Nissen said local businesses are owed money, but would not say which ones or how much
they are owed. He said bank loans have been paid off. He also would not say whether
the corps still had uniforms or instruments, buses, trucks or other equipment and
declined to acknowledge that the group had not filed its required financial statement
with IRS since 2000.
"I told you, 'No comment,'" Nissen said. "Just write what you have to. Let's get it
over with."
Supporting the corps
Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday nights in a rented
building at 712 Second Ave. SE. For years, games played in this onetime Handler
Dodge showroom helped pay for a caravan of buses, trucks, trailers and a chuck wagon
that carried up to 120 young people. The youth, from Eastern Iowa and surrounding
states and accompanied by chaperones and instructors, traveled competition circuits
around the nation from late June to mid-August.
Sponsors once included civic and service clubs. But rising costs overtook the
ability of bingo and other fund-raisers to pay the bills. Vicki Schaffer, program
and operations director for Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in Dubuque, said it is not
unusual for a drum and bugle corps to have a quarter million dollars in debt. Some
corps have dissolved, and others have suspended performing to pay back debt.
Greg Orwoll, executive director of Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, said the demise of
Emerald Knights has less to do with the coupling between bingo and the drum corps,
than the program's faulty coupling with the community. "They just didn't have a lot
of support."
The first drum and bugle corps in Iowa started in 1927 in Cedar Rapids. By the late
1930s, at least three drum and bugle corps operated in Cedar Rapids, including the
all-girl Cavaliers, formed in 1938.
Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps began for boys in 1965. Five years later, girls
were admitted. Bingo began in 1974.
Money problems caused the corps to sit out the 1979 and 1985 seasons. In 1991, a new
name, Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, came with a new partnership with Knight Command
of Davenport. That hookup ended with the season.
Struggle to survive
The Cedar Rapids group came back in 1992 as Nite Express. Nissen's daughter, Angie,
who graduated from Central City High School in 1998 at age 18, marched with Nite
Express, beginning when she was 13. She then joined a drum and bugle corps out of
Rockford, Ill. "It did wonders for her," her father said.
Nite Express folded after the 1996 season, citing a debt of up to $160,000.
A spring 1998 announcement said Emerald Knights again would be its name, with
membership open to all ages. But Emerald Knights did not march again until 2001,
after the 2000 IRS audit.
"We should have taken two or three years to really strengthen the organization before
we put a corps on the field," said Brian Rood, the corps' former executive director.
"But the IRS had just come through and told us, 'You have to do something now or
you're going to lose your (non-profit) status.' It put us between a rock and a hard
place."
The IRS found no wrongdoing, said Toomsen, of Center Point, who briefly served as
bookkeeper after the audit.
But the group couldn't meet touring expenses, so Toomsen left at the end of the 2001
season and turned the books over to then-board members David and Suzanne Windisch of
Solon. "Bingo didn't do much more than sustain itself," Toomsen said.
Suzanne Windisch, who later turned the books over to Nissen, said the board discussed
alternatives to remaining in its current building or using volunteers at bingo
instead of paid staff. She and her husband left Emerald Knights in early 2002 more
in frustration than in any disagreement, she said.
Not only was community support for the group lacking, but school band directors
wouldn't send players, more than one source said.
Emerald Knights recruited some out-of-state players instead of local youths, said
Slayton Thompson, director of the existing All-City Drum and Bugle Corps, sponsored
by the Cedar Rapids Community Schools and the Iowa Department of Corrections.
"The leadership has to have a relationship with the band instructors," Thompson said.
The relationship between Emerald Knights and local band instructors "was like a
roller coaster."
The 2001 tour attracted 30 Emerald Knights members, the minimum needed. After a fall
banquet that November, a winter camp was announced, but it couldn't even attract the
minimum, the Windisches said. The board broke up in early 2002 amid talk about
trying again to field a corps that summer.
Paying the debts
Money problems mounted.
Court records reveal the Windisches made two short-term loans to Emerald Knights in
fall 2001, one for $1,607 to cover a telephone bill, truck repairs and other tour
expenses, and the other for $5,000 to cover utilities on the bingo hall. The couple
won a small claims court judgment a year ago that was not satisfied until April 8,
after The Gazette interviewed Bob Nissen and Susan Paine.
That payment settled the last existing court judgments against Emerald Knights.
Already settled were other actions filed in 2002 and 2003. In late 2001,
then-director Rood wrote a mechanical contractor and a photocopier repair business,
asking the firms to take a tax write-off for the money Emerald Knights owed them or
to work out a time payment plan. Instead, the two companies took the Emerald Knights
to court. Also, Farmers State Bank filed a small claims action for non-payment of a
loan.
Rood, who also left the Emerald Knights in 2002, said the buses and trucks were sold
to other drum and bugle corps. All-City's Thompson said the drums went to Jefferson
High School. Colts Drum and Bugle Corps of Dubuque bought some of the horns and a
souvenir trailer.
For the Emerald Knights ever to march again, they'd have to start from scratch.
Rood said Nissen has been a hard worker, trying to keep Emerald Knights together as
best he can. "He doesn't have a lot of experience," Rood said, "but his heart is
there. He probably hasn't been friendly, but it's not that he's trying to hide
anything."
Still, Nissen refused to supply last year's Return of Organization Exempt from Income
Tax, a report to the IRS that a charity must provide the public when asked. "You can
retrieve this from the Internet," he said.
The Emerald Knights' latest form, for 2000, is posted at www.GuideStar.com by
Philanthropic Research, Inc., a public charity that posts charities' federal Form
990s. "It can be a red flag when an organization isn't willing to come forward with
this important information," said Suzanne Coffman, GuideStar's communications
director.
Iowa law also says the public can look into the finances of a public charity, said
Paul Morf, an attorney in Cedar Rapids who serves on the boards of three non-profits.
"The reason a non-profit is tax-exempt is that it's doing things that benefit the
public," Morf said. "As a board member, I am a trustee for the community. I would
think the community would have a right to review the efforts of the community
trustees who run an organization for the benefit of the community."
Jeff Ream
>Subject: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/15/2004 11:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <hQVTc.1565$yj3.2...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
Jeff Ream
I am the drummer your color guard captain warned you about
JJAYBOYD
>
LOLOLOLOL Catherine is behind the EK because she hasnt had a bingo lis.
revoked... give her time.. she'll work on it.
Jason
Kingpin
> >From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
> >Date: 8/15/2004 11:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
> >Message-id: <hQVTc.1565$yj3.2...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
> >
> >All too familiar... And this makes the appearance of "Dakotah Lawrence" - in
> >2002 -
> >even more interestin'...
> >
> >As reported earlier through another source, the bingo license WAS pulled.
And your point is what exactly?
I wish people would get their facts straight. The Emerald Knights
bingo game and the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps are two
SEPARATE organizations. The corps is not affected by this, only the
game itself.
MJ
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:hQVTc.1565$yj3.2...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com...
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Catherine
"Kingpin" <king...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com...
And you are?!?!?!?!
Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is
supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its volunteers.
And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by
allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into organizations
and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Catherine
news:OFcUc.198121$tH1.10...@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Great find of an April article. Has this not been discussed already?
When it's discussed as thoroughly as - say, my tattoos - when I think the issue of
business scams, er... interests is far more pertinent to the "morphing" of the drum &
bugle corps activity than the former...
Not that yer unsigned post means shit.
Jeff Ream
let's go with that one, i like that best
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/16/2004 9:41 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <5ndUc.2098$yj3.3...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
Jack Gillen
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:5ndUc.2098$yj3.3...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "Kingpin" <king...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com...
>
> > > >Subject: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
> > > >From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
> > > >Date: 8/15/2004 11:27 PM Eastern Standard Time
> > > >Message-id: <hQVTc.1565$yj3.2...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
> > > >
> > > >All too familiar... And this makes the appearance of "Dakotah
Lawrence" - in
> > > >2002 -
> > > >even more interestin'...
> > > >
> > > >As reported earlier through another source, the bingo license WAS
pulled.
> >
> >
> > And your point is what exactly?
> >
> > I wish people would get their facts straight. The Emerald Knights
> > bingo game and the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps are two
> > SEPARATE organizations. The corps is not affected by this, only the
> > game itself.
>
> And you are?!?!?!?!
>
Again, the better question is, "Who the F**K do you THINK you are, Nutella?"
--
"If you understood everything I say, you'd be me!" --- Miles Davis
Kingpin
>
> Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is
> supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its volunteers.
>
> And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by
> allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into organizations
> and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Who am I? I only marched there for 3 years. The CORPS is fine. It
is the GAME that has lost its status.
Kingpin
>
> Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is
> supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its volunteers.
>
> And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by
> allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into organizations
> and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Kingpin
>
> Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is
> supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its volunteers.
>
> And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by
> allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into organizations
> and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Kingpin
Someone who marched with the corps for three years.
> Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its volunteers.
> And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into organizations and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Why are they separate, smart business practices, maybe? The
liabilities of one does not affect the other.
Catherine
documents (apparently), there was a 30 or so member corps in 2001, and prior to that
the last year a corps was actually fielded was 1996.
Given your sincere interest in writing these wrongs, you might wanna contact the Iowa
Gaming people and right this slander of yer corps' honor.
I think they would also be interested in how exploiting corporate structures intended
to get away with something - which corresponds to other people and alleged corps who
like getting away with something - constitutes "smart business practices" rather than
corporate fraud and exploitation. Good luck, pookie. I think yer gonna find that
such "corporate protections" don't protect criminals and/or business interests
disguised as drum & bugle corps....
-- Catherine
Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
Date: 17 Aug 2004 06:13:14 -0700
Message-ID: <3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 198.70.192.10
X-Trace: posting.google.com 1092748395 7021 127.0.0.1 (17 Aug 2004 13:13:15 GMT)
> And you are?!?!?!?!
>
> Interesting how you can separate the game from the corps - given that the game is
> supposed to exist only based upon the legitimacy of the corps... and its
volunteers.
>
> And why MUST the two organizations be separate, hmmmmmmmm? Am most interested by
> allegedly nonprofit groups who appear to me to put far more effort into
organizations
> and organizational structures than they do retaining members.
Who am I? I only marched there for 3 years. The CORPS is fine. It
is the GAME that has lost its status.
"Kingpin" <king...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com...
Jeff Ream
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/17/2004 8:21 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <hixUc.2349$yj3.4...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
Kingpin
are doing just that. Thanks for the input, but unless you're a part
of the Cedar Rapids drum corps family, we'll take our advice from the
people who are paid to handle this matter.
Dave
illegal is going on? The article reads like they have just failed to submit
the appropriate paperwork and accounting reports to the IRS. That happens
often with organizations that are understaffed or going through personell
changes. But that doesn't automatically mean that they are ripping anyone
off. And if you knew anything about non-profit law and Bingo regulations
you would know why there are separate organizations. Bingo revenues can
only be used for specific purposes, paying salaries and rent is NOT allowed
under these regulations. But if they in turn donate money to the other
organization, then that organization can use it pay those expenses. That is
just one example of how it works. But why do I somehow think that you don't
really care. You have found a new target of your harassment tactics. Your
day just isn't complete unless you're harassing somebody.....
Dave
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:dpdUc.2100$yj3.3...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com...
Catherine
news:3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com...
> I marched in the late 80's. Happy now? As for helping the
> corps, we are doing just that.
Really? According to the news and the issues with the Iowa gaming board, there is
*NO* corps - hasn't been since 2001 when 30 or so ringers (prolly) were brought in to
fulfill the corporate bingo requirements. Prior to that, there hasn't been a corps
since 1996.
If you have information to the contrary, please let us know. Oh - someone besides
"Dakotah Lawrence" as well...
> Thanks for the input, but unless you're a part
> of the Cedar Rapids drum corps family,
Sorry, apologist and enabler of predators (whomever you are). But I'm a part of the
drum & bugle corps family PERIOD, and I am sick of drum & bugle corps being better
known as a bingo scam to some people than an historic military fraternal musical
genre.
> we'll take our advice from the people who are paid to handle this matter.<
Now, there are people with the Iowa gaming commission and members of the local Cedar
Rapids community family who are quite interested in knowing just who IS getting paid
to handle any matter - corps and/or bingo.
Care to enlighten us? After all, there isn't anything to hide here... is there?
-- Catherine
Catherine
news:10i6hol...@corp.supernews.com...
> And what proof do you have in your possession that something
> underhanded and illegal is going on?
Given the joy in resume credits amongst blandos? The LACK of information, the lack
of a corps...
> The article reads like they have just failed to submit
> the appropriate paperwork and accounting reports to the IRS.
> That happens often with organizations that are understaffed
> or going through personell changes. But that doesn't
> automatically mean that they are ripping anyone off.
Dave - you may think most people are stupid, but I can assure you most are not -
particularly where this sorta scam and EVERYONE are concerned.
> And if you knew anything about non-profit law and
> Bingo regulations you would know why there are separate
> organizations. Bingo revenues can only be used for
> specific purposes, paying salaries and rent is NOT
> allowed under these regulations. But if they in turn
> donate money to the other organization, then that
> organization can use it pay those expenses. That is
> just one example of how it works.
I understand that a legitimate organization using bingo as part of a legal charity to
raise money for enduring goals doesn't need to play corporate incorporation games.
Even more amusing is your claim of relative expertise in bingo/"drumcorp"
organizational structures to launder, er... move money around the intentions of the
charitable bingo laws while pointing out that it's no biggie for a group not to be
able to provide simple accounting reports.
Whatta fraud.
> But why do I somehow think that you don't really care.
Possibly because you are obviously full of shit?
> You have found a new target of your harassment tactics.
Hey Dave - I'm from Southern California. We've been dealing with bingo scams and
scammers using and destroying corps since the mid-1970s. The "mentality that rules
DCI" ain't new...
> Your day just isn't complete unless you're harassing somebody.....
>
> Dave
Not at all. I'd be more than happy to just play my horn and not come here and
"debate" <::yawn::> with genkuses such as yerself. But, duty calls...
BTW - the reason I might spend a lotta time criticizing EVERYONE and EVERYTHING on
RAMD is because there's a damned lot worth criticizing. As is often pointed out to
me, I am not as strident as I could be and many of the Many are.
Which is OK. I've got the next 40 or so years...
-- Catherine
JJAYBOYD
Bingo scheme ready to go to add to your list of illegal activities? And this
group beat you to the punch?
Seems you always need to stick your ass somewhere it doesnt belong...
die now.. you and wage.
please.
Jason
Jeff Ream
are you the bingo crusader now?
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/18/2004 8:22 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <PoSUc.2367$yj3.4...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
Jeff Ream
well we know the answer to his question now
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/18/2004 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <HwSUc.2368$yj3.4...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>
Jeff Ream
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: Ron Allard R...@Diceman.com
>Date: 8/19/2004 9:18 AM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <k5a9i0t0u7os820kb...@4ax.com>
>
>On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 00:22:07 GMT, "Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>Sorry, apologist and enabler of predators (whomever you are). But I'm a
>part of the
>>drum & bugle corps family PERIOD, and I am sick of drum & bugle corps being
>better
>>known as a bingo scam to some people than an historic military fraternal
>musical
>>genre.
>
>What was military about VK in '77?
>What was military about BD in '78?
>What was military about MBI in '87?
>What was military about Midwest Legends at the Brass Ensemble in 2001?
>("Roll Out The Barrel"? Wearing Cheese Heads? Please...)
>
>What's military about "Elks Parade", "Down By The Station", "NYNY", "Big
>Noise",
>"Alabama Jubilee" or most of the Sky Alumni repertoire?
>
>In fact, what's military about them at all?
>You were in Scranton in 2002 when they came out of the stands in their street
>clothes because it was raining.
>What was military about that!?
>Did that upset you?
>If so, why did you join them?
>
>Have you ever told them how "un-military" they are - and how they have
>perverted
>their "signaling weapon" origins?
>Did you ever complain to them about how Hy Dreitzer wrote all those
>"non-military" charts?
>
>Did you ever bitch about Pepe not having "military presence"?
>(Did you ever even see him live with Sky!?)
>
>I have been a Skyliner fan for decades - and I *love* the Alumni corps (even
>with you in it) - but they haven't been "military" since way before you ever
>heard of them...
>
>So why do (or did) you travel all that way to play with such a non-military,
>irreverent corps?
>
>Hypocrite.
>
>
>--
>Ron in Vegas <NOT!>
>
>"Because there was always something about the Skyliners...
>and that music..."
>- Donnie Solinger
Melodious Thunk
<snip, for semi-humorous follow-up>
> Have you ever told them how "un-military" they are - and how they have
> perverted
> their "signaling weapon" origins?
Epiphany! I finally get it! It was the pre-bingo scam!
It was *always* meant to be band. And if the AL and VFW had been better endowed financially, we
wouldn't have wasted all them generations playing them godawful bugles!
Jack
> But I'm a part of the drum & bugle corps family PERIOD...
I guess every family has it's own "crazy Aunt Catherine" whom nobody
wants to talk to or leave the kids alone with. Sad, but true.
Catherine
"Melodious Thunk" <rep...@website.com> wrote in message
news:replyto-F63418...@orngca-news04.socal.rr.com...
Precisely - to the blando mind. Bugles are too damned challenging - let alone
execution marching.
-- Catherine
JJAYBOYD
>alone
>execution marching.
>
for someone whose never finished a season... you talk as if you are some kind
of bugle virtuoso.. LOL
jason
Tony flo
I am also an alumni of the corps, 1994 - 1996, I hope that the corps
can eventually take the field once again. This is just another
stumbling block impeading the progress of thier comeback, but I hope
it will overcome and EK/Nite Express can come back again.
As for Catherine's comments...I would say that is another worthless
ramble from a person who don't have their facts straight. Before you
speak, this goes for you to ream, please know all of the facts before
you open you blow holes.
It's people like that who are not letting a great activity like ours
grow.
Tony "Haku" Flores
1994-1996 Nite Express (EK) Contra
Catherine
news:4cfb2db6.04082...@posting.google.com...
> king...@hotmail.com (Kingpin) wrote in message
news:<3528be6e.04081...@posting.google.com>...
> > I marched in the late 80's. Happy now? As for helping the corps, we
> > are doing just that. Thanks for the input, but unless you're a part
> > of the Cedar Rapids drum corps family, we'll take our advice from the
> > people who are paid to handle this matter.
>
> I am also an alumni of the corps, 1994 - 1996, I hope that the corps
> can eventually take the field once again. This is just another
> stumbling block impeading the progress of thier comeback, but I hope
> it will overcome and EK/Nite Express can come back again.
Hey, I don't know if you are or not. But for you to mischaracterize this as you are
is silly.
> As for Catherine's comments...I would say that is another worthless
> ramble from a person who don't have their facts straight. Before you
> speak, this goes for you to ream, please know all of the facts before
> you open you blow holes.
Problem is, "Tony flo", is that none of the persons who should be speaking openly -
given that there's nothing fraudulent being intended and all, according to y'all,
right? - are doing so.
If we in drum & bugle corps had known all the facts in the 1960s and 1970s, quite a
lot of things would be different now. But the problem isn't people who ARE asking
questions which SHOULD be asked. The fact that they aren't being answered, and the
answers the same amongst all audiences, are proof that the reality is WORSE than
decent people think.
> It's people like that who are not letting a great activity like ours
> grow.
>
> Tony "Haku" Flores
> 1994-1996 Nite Express (EK) Contra
You mean the ones keeping secrets - and those accusing people who ask questions of
not-niceness - doncha?
"Great Activity" does NOT have anything to do with DCIA. Pathetic fraud is more like
it...
-- Catherine
Tony Flores
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
I'm sorry but I am sure those that are keeping the dream of fielding a corps
again are not trying to commit a fraud on the people that donate their
money. If the same people are running the bingo that were running it when I
was there, then it may have been a mistake in paperwork not a malicious
fraud.
Catherine
news:1taWc.10302$O52....@newssvr29.news.prodigy.com...
Like the last 10 years of bingo playas?
> If the same people are running the bingo that were running it when I
> was there, then it may have been a mistake in paperwork not a
> malicious fraud.
You really don't know - not that you care - about the current state of affairs in
bingo frauds across the country, duya?
I can't say whether or not the "same people are running it" (names, Mr. Expert?
since there's honestly no malicious fraud going on here...). But I do know that
these currently caring individuals - yanno, the ones who care so very much about
ensuring that drum & bugle corps remains in Cedar Rapids, all "for the kids" no doubt
(LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL) - ain't talking to the community or to interested local parties -
same as all those other current bingo frauds across the country.
If you have any information to the contrary, yer more than welcome to share it here.
Otherwise, I'll take it as the usual stonewalling from EVERYONE in any objective
"on-the-record" forum and replacing it with defrauding bullies here on RAMD. Such
"excellence"... <NOT>
Sure was a lotta net profits over 10 years and only 1, mebbe one and 1/2 seasons to
show for it. Mebbe 100 kids altogether? Where did all that money go.... After all,
there's no malicious fraud here, right??
-- Catherine
Jeff Ream
thanks, hope to see them back too.
(psst btw i offered no info on your corps good or bad, only to refute her
claims as being the usual worthless BS, it's ok tho, no apology neccesary)
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: tony...@sbcglobal.net (Tony flo)
>Date: 8/22/2004 5:55 AM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <4cfb2db6.04082...@posting.google.com>
Tim Morgan
future of the Emerald Knights. One thing from the article that seemed
true to me, the corps didn't have the community support it
could/should have had, especially with some of the band directors.
It's not unusual that if there hasn't been a corps in 3 years, and
then had a 4-year hiatus before that, people in the community will
begin to wonder what's going on, or even make assumptions. It would be
nice if, at the very least, the corps still maintained its website,
http://www.emeraldknights.org, and let folks know generally what's
up. My last experience with the corps rather pissed me off: the interm
director of the corps talked about getting an alumni corps together
(this was 1998) and scheduled a practice with us- we explained to her
we'd be coming from Madison, WI, so please call us if there are any
changes. So we drove down there (3 hour drive) only to find the bingo
hall locked. So, then we drove back (3 hour drive). Nonetheless, I was
still interested when they fielded a corps in 2001. I know that the
people involved with the corps at the time were honest people, some of
them I marched with. I also marched with both kingpin ('88-'89) and
tony ('94), and know that they both want EK/NEX to have a future, and
are just sticking up for their corps. I'm willing to consider there
might be something fucked up going on now or in the last couple years,
but it's also possible that the corps is on autopilot, in which case
there should be money saved up. It always seemed like for some of
those people, working in that wretched bingo hall was their destiny. I
wouldn't work there again even for scam money. If it's true that the
bingo game was only sustaining itself, then good bye. The earth is a
better place without that damned whole-in-the wall, smoke-filled,
smoke damaged, emphazema factory populated with selfish, middle-aged
hags demanding less ice in their soda and more chicken in their soup,
who will never care what a drum corps is. Except... that that bingo
hall funded my corps. What now?
Tim Morgan
Emerald Knights 1988-1990
Knights 1991
Quad City Knights 1992
Nite Express 1994
Crossmen 1995
Tony Flores
to get it off the ground again. I wish I could do more to further the cause.
But being out here in Nevada I know there is little I can do. There has to
be a group of people out there that want to continue the long tradition of
drum corps in Cedar Rapids. If any one knows of any drop me a line so I can
see what I can help out with.
"Tim Morgan" <timothy_...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cb452325.04082...@posting.google.com...
Catherine
<not> sig - and check out the next posts for those interested in RAMD frauds!!! Tim,
I wouldn't recommend giving information to this guy... Vegas, eh?
Search Result 7
From: tony_...@sbcglobal.net (tony_...@sbcglobal.net)
Subject: Re: Banned by Sound Machine
View: Complete Thread (64 articles)
Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.drumcorps
Date: 2002-07-08 21:01:04 PST
If you have the guts, try DCP!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony Flores
dcp
this is a drum corps planet
"Daniel Scerpella" <dscer...@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:I1qW8.6180$0U5.1...@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> If you have a disagreement with a bando about slotting on Sound Machine,
> evidently that gets you banned. As messy and contentious as RAMD is, at
> least you get to state your opinion. Thanks alot Dave Schaafsma.
>
>
Search Result 11
From: tony_...@sbcglobal.net (tony_...@sbcglobal.net)
Subject: Re: Emerald Knights Hire New Corps Director
View: Complete Thread (17 articles)
Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.drumcorps
Date: 2002-05-20 23:38:05 PST
Coming from a former member of the Nite Express, I wish you the best of
luck in this new venture.
Tony Flores
1994-1996 Nite Express Contra
"CotyLawrence" <cotyla...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020520230850...@mb-mr.aol.com...
> Emerald Knights is pleased to announce the hiring of their new Executive Corps
> Director Dakotah Lawrence. Dakotah, with consultation of former director
> Brian Rood have decided to split the corps office allowing the corps to become
> more innovative with recruitment. This "WIND OF CHANGE" proves to be an
> exciting move for the corps, and is expected to allow the corps to grow and be
> readily available to more people. The Ceader Rapids IA based corps will now
> call Elizabethtown KY one of its new homes. The corps will continue to be
> based out of Ceader Rapids as well. The corps plans to hold camps in both KY
> and IA, and plans to do a full Div III tour. Plans to begin recruitment of
> staff are underway, and all questions about the staff or if you are interested
> in becoming part of the staff can be made through Brian Rood, former EK
> Director and new President of the Board at bcr...@emeraldknights.org
> Information on membership can also be made through Brian Rood at
> bcr...@emeraldknights.org ........Have a great 2002 season and be on the look
> out for the WINDS OF CHANGE
Search Result 17
From: Catherine (cather...@yahoo.com)
Subject: Re: PLEASE READ
View: Complete Thread (87 articles)
Original Format
Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.drumcorps
Date: 2002-02-04 17:13:18 PST
"Tony Flores" <tony_...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:3C5F2E41...@sbcglobal.net...
> I* am sorry, i did not know. please accept my apology
Sure.
<please see my private e-mail to you>
-- Catherine
>
> Catherine wrote:
>
> > "Tony Flores" <tony_...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> > news:3C5E32CA...@sbcglobal.net...
> > > Can we get this ANAL WART Catherine Burr Kicked off this news group.
> > > This kind of language is not appropriate on this newsgroup, nor shoud it
> > > be tolerated.
> > >
> >
> > Mr. Flores --
> >
> > I have NEVER been diagnosed by any OBJECTIVE 3rd parties with anal warts.
> >
> > Please stop attempting to start rumor, rumors about things that YOU will
> > NEVER have any reason to care about.
> >
> > Also, Mr. Flores, given your predisposition to not liking me - based on our
> > off-RAMD exchange... Gee, and to think I'm the only one on RAMD who has a
> > bad attitude <yeah, right>.
> >
> > -- Catherine
>
>
"Tony Flores" <tony...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:5qxWc.7436$QJ3...@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...
Catherine
posts if profanity offends you...
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:PAxWc.7018$FV3....@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Flores" <tony_...@sbcglobal.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.marching.drumcorps
To: "Catherine" <cather...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: PLEASE READ
> I* am sorry, i did not know. please accept my apology
Sure. These people are good, and have fooled ALL of us at least once -
sometimes multiple times. And RAMD has been their place for such
propaganda - with EVERYONE laughing at how decent people will actually
BELIEVE them. That's why I was targeted after a month in the Kilties -
when they knew if I found them out, I wouldn't stand for it, and wouldn't
stand for the Kilties being used to cover such filth.
Frankly, I'm very pleased to see EVERYONE lying about me so obviously - more
and more people all the time are realizing the truth - and they just keep
helping it along!!!
Thanks for having integrity enough to apologize. You've just outshone quite
a few Hall of Shamers and gods of all time...
JHuf810870
>Hey Tim, long time man, it was great to hear from you. I hope there is a way
>to get it off the ground again. I wish I could do more to further the cause.
>But being out here in Nevada I know there is little I can do.
nevada? NEVADA?!?! where are you at?
Ü
jan....in vegas.........SHUT UP, ALLARD!
Tony Flores
Tony Flores
"JHuf810870" <jhuf8...@aol.combytethis> wrote in message
news:20040823224407...@mb-m14.aol.com...
Tony Flores
live in Reno, NV. Tim is a life long friend in drum corps, and a former
member of a great corps. I was just trying to do my part to see if we can
revive an awesome organization.
And back in 2002, I was just wishing someone trying to revive a great
organization. It's called being nice...apparently you have no idea what that
is.
Tony Flores
"Catherine" <Catherine@yahoo!!!.com> wrote in message
news:PAxWc.7018$FV3....@newssvr17.news.prodigy.com...
JHuf810870
>I live in Reno.
dang it! i was hoping there were more corps people in vegas........seeing as
how we just lost one........
Ü
jan
SHUT UP, ALLARD!
Kingpin
> to get it off the ground again. I wish I could do more to further the cause.
> But being out here in Nevada I know there is little I can do. There has to
> be a group of people out there that want to continue the long tradition of
> drum corps in Cedar Rapids. If any one knows of any drop me a line so I can
> see what I can help out with.
Tony email me and I can give you a few numbers to call.
Edward King
Emerald Knights
1987-1989
TerriGolden1957
> Hey crack head...I mean Catherine, there is more to Nevada than Las Vegas, I
> live in Reno, NV. Tim is a life long friend in drum corps, and a former
> member of a great corps. I was just trying to do my part to see if we can
> revive an awesome organization.
>
> And back in 2002, I was just wishing someone trying to revive a great
> organization. It's called being nice...apparently you have no idea what that
> is.
>
> Tony Flores
>
-Terri
Catherine
THE GAZETTE'S EDITORIAL
A GAZETTE investigation has done more than raise questions about a bingo hall in
Cedar Rapids. It has spotlighted weakness in Iowa oversight of charitable and social
gaming ... and demonstrated the public's never-ending apathy. How else to explain
people more concerned about where they could keep playing a game than whether the
charitable game was actually supporting a charity?
To recap: Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps has turned in its charitable gaming
license rather than appeal revocation. The group initially planned to continue its
bingo games while it fought the state's removal of its license. But accusations
against the group are so serious that an attorney for the Iowa Department of
Inspections and Appeals, which regulates social and charitable gaming, called on
Emerald Knights to suspend bingo or put all proceeds in escrow
during the appeal. Had the group not done so, the attorney promised further action.
Turning in the license ended 30 years of Emerald Knights bingo.
It does not end possible state or federal criminal action. And it does not answer
one nagging question posed by The Gazette's reporting: Where has the money gone?
Charitable gaming in Iowa has to do more than just entertain. Yet Emerald Knights
Drum and Bugle Corps, which started the bingo games to pay for music education for
young people, appears to have done no more the past four years than provide a place
for grown-ups to smoke and play bingo. ``Appears'' is a key word, because key people
in Emerald Knights declined to say where bingo proceeds went.
Charities are not to behave as if what they do is no one else's business. State and
federal laws are designed to ensure transparency, so donors can know what their
contributions accomplish. Charitable and social game operators report basic
information to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. They are also to
retain detailed records of inventory and other aspects of game operation. Charities,
meanwhile, each year tell the Internal Revenue Service where their money comes from
and where it goes. Emerald Knights apparently filed whatever state reports necessary
to keep its license, but failed to inform the federal government about activities
related to its tax-exempt status.
The IRS does not disclose when it investigates an individual or group, so information
is hard to come by. Still, what is known about the relationship between Emerald
Knights and the state makes one question the ``honor system'' of enforcing Iowa's
charitable gambling laws.
The state Department of Inspections and Appeals did little more than accept reports
from game operators. Regulators did not act when Emerald Knights reported it had no
income other than bingo proceeds, nor did they act when expenses exceeded 25 percent
of net receipts. With just two clerks who feed reports into a computer and a program
manager who has other duties as well, the staff is too small to do more than wait for
someone to complain, according to a department
spokesman.
Budget cuts or no, Iowa can do better. It must do better, now that word is out
about the sorry degree of supervision of social and charitable gaming licensees.
Tim Morgan
Likewise. I caught up with Ed a bit on an earlier post upon
discovering RAMD. I'm not sure what can be done... too little
information. Being in Madison I'm not in a position to help either.
Great town to see the rest of the corps, though. Seems like what the
corps needs is another Ron Thibidoux, though maybe not exactly him,
but someone with that sort of dedication. I know '97 was a sad time
for members of NEX- the corps was really on its way to the top 17 and
then, who knows? But here we are 7 years later... anyway for what it's
worth, I am grateful the topic's been brought up, and that I finally
got to read the full article. On the gazette website, I could only
read a snippet.
Tim Morgan
Emerald Knights 1988-1990
Knights 1991
Quad City Knights 1992
Nite Express 1994
Crossmen 1995
"Tony Flores" <tony...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:<5qxWc.7436$QJ3...@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com>...
Jeff Ream
my god, you have such a bug up your as about corps w/bingo.
get a hobby or better yet, drive your ass up to one of the Wi corps and support
them by playing in their bingo games.
>Subject: Even More - Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam, and
>Editorializing on "drumcorp" bingo in general
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/24/2004 9:16 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <vLRWc.4511$ZC7....@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com>
Catherine
"Jeff Ream" <jeffsn...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20040824234539...@mb-m18.aol.com...
> what ties do you have to the corps that makes you judge and jury?
>
>
> my god, you have such a bug up your as about corps w/bingo.
>
Why are you advocating the same sort of apathy decried by the editorial?
(It's a rhetorical question for my intended audience, Ream - am not interested in
whatever bullshit you have to say in response.)
> get a hobby or better yet, drive your ass up to one of the Wi corps and support
> them by playing in their bingo games.
And buy into precisely what is being criticized herein, and not merely by me?
Awwwwwwww....
Jeff Ream
all the facts, make the situation worse.
of course i forgot, you revel in that
your mom must be so proud
>Subject: Re: Even More - Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam, and
>Editorializing on "drumcorp" bingo in gen
>From: "Catherine" Catherine@yahoo!!!.com
>Date: 8/24/2004 11:51 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <Q0UWc.3241$037...@newssvr16.news.prodigy.com>
Jack Gillen
> you may actually, by sticking your nose in and ranting, as wella s not
knowing
> all the facts, make the situation worse.
>
>
> of course i forgot, you revel in that
>
>
> your mom must be so proud
>
Dude, if I was Catherine's mom, I'd have to kill myself!
Peace,
Jack
--
"If you understood everything I say, you'd be me!" --- Miles Davis
JHuf810870
>SOMEONE's been watching WAY too much CSI, what do you think, Tony?
kinda like those folks in chicago that "forget" that there's a lot more to the
state.....doesn't that bother you, too?
Ü
jan
TerriGolden1957
It's like when someone calls us all "FIB's". That REALLY pisses me off.
-Terri
jhuf8...@aol.combytethis (JHuf810870) wrote in message news:<20040825010505...@mb-m21.aol.com>...
Kingpin
> you may actually, by sticking your nose in and ranting, as wella s not knowing
> all the facts, make the situation worse.
>
>
> of course i forgot, you revel in that
>
>
> your mom must be so proud
Thanks for the support Jeff.
Edward King
Emerald Knights Drum & Bugle Corps
1987-1989
Jeff Ream
>Subject: Re: Even More - Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam, and
>Editorializing on "drumcorp" bingo in gen
>From: king...@hotmail.com (Kingpin)
>Date: 8/25/2004 8:50 AM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <3528be6e.04082...@posting.google.com>
JJAYBOYD
kinda funny since isnt that how REAL drum corps (according to psycho twats
definition) made money 'in the day'?
Jason
JJAYBOYD
>
>Peace,
>Jack
and as I have said before... if she were dead Id dig her up just to slap her.
Jason
JHuf810870
>Sure does.
>
>It's like when someone calls us all "FIB's". That REALLY pisses me off.
>
my mom and dad were just out here for a week...one night we were watching the
news, and the local (vegas) newscaster REALLY butchered blagojevich's
name......i don't think either of my parents were going to stop laughing any
time soon...
i guess it's pretty contagious, the whole state through?
Ü
jan
marilyn
wrote:
>you may actually, by sticking your nose in and ranting, as wella s not knowing
>all the facts, make the situation worse.
>
>
Why not read the articles yourself, and see how "bad" it already is?
http://www.gazetteonline.com/
TerriGolden1957
(snips)
You have found a new target of your harassment tactics. Your
> day just isn't complete unless you're harassing somebody.....
>
> Dave
>
>
Now that's the truth.
-Terri
TerriGolden1957
> BTW - the reason I might spend a lotta time criticizing EVERYONE and EVERYTHING on
> RAMD is
(translation) I have nothing else to do. I have no children, no
boyfriend, nothing. I have a computer with internet access.
> because there's a damned lot worth criticizing.
(translation) I have a twisted, distorted view of myself. I think I
am on high moral ground and everyone and EVERYONE is so SO far beneath
me.
> As is often pointed out to
> me, I am not as strident as I could be and many of the Many are.
(translation) I really have no proof. I throw out bullshit like
throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping some of it sticks. It's the
OJ defense.
>
> Which is OK. I've got the next 40 or so years...
Oh God, let's hope not. I hoping for the world becoming a better
place....... And really, you aren't adding much to the mix, are you?
>
> -- Catherine
-Terri
Tony Flores
Knights organization. We had a great thing going in the mid-90's, may be
even a top-12 corps in the making by now. I hope this is just a stumbling
block in the re-imergance of the Emerald Knights as a competitive corps. The
organization needs strong leaders and a strong plan to raise money for the
corps again. The bingo can be reopened if that strong leadership can be
found. I do not want the tradition of NEX/EK to disappear forever. The DCI
flags in the bingo hall always gave me a sense of pride, especially that I
was a part of one of them. There is room for another corps in Iowa, maybe
even a move to St. Louis or KC, to thrive. We FMM's of that organization
cannot give up, we can make it happen again. IF a fraud did take place then
shame on them for taking advantage of the people that thought they were
supporting a good cause...trust can be established again, but with a new
management group. I would happily volunteer to do what I can al the way out
here from Reno, but we need some local supporters and people to revive the
corps. I hope it can be done
Sincerely,
Tony "Haku" Flores
1994-1996 Nite Express (EK) Contra
TerriGolden1957
The out-of-state newscasters should just say "Blago". hahahaha!
-Terri
TerriGolden1957
Catherine seems to be very concerned about the bingo situation
involving the Emerald Knights and Cedar Rapids. I'd say she's only
about 250 miles away. I think she should offer to help straighten out
this situation. Get in her ride, drive to Cedar Rapids and make short
work of this mess.
We'll all be very grateful.
-Terri
TerriGolden1957
JJAYBOYD
Hey.. if she can drive to NY to be with the Skyliners.... she can do this.. but
she wont..
Jason
Jeff Ream
>Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam
>From: jjay...@aol.com (JJAYBOYD)
>Date: 8/26/2004 6:39 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <20040826183912...@mb-m10.aol.com>
Jack Gillen
> let's hope she's legally licensed
>
>
If she has her license back, and her car doesn't get repo'd again, she can
just tool on down and write them a worthless check.......
--
"If you understood everything I say, you'd be me!" --- Miles Davis
> >Subject: Re: More on the Emerald Knights (Cedar Rapids, IA) bingo scam