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Blimp With 70-Foot Screen To Be Based In Atmore
June 8, 2009
Atmore will soon become home to a blimp with one of the world’s largest airborne television screens.
The blimp will be used by the Poarch Creek Indians’ Gaming Authority to promote their $235 million Wind Creek Casino facility in Atmore. It will be stationed on 15 acres of land leased from the City of Atmore.
The A-170LS Lightsign Lightship will have a 70 foot wide, 30 foot high full motion LED screen with 235,200 full color pixels. The blimp is 178 feet long, and it holds 170,000 cubic feet of helium. It has a cruising speed of 32 mph with a maximum speed of 48 mph. The 5×6 foot cabin holds up to four passengers plus the pilot.
The lightship will be piloted by Capt. Carl Harbuck, a former Army helicopter pilot.
The Wind Creek Blimp will travel to major events in the Southeast over the next year, promoting the casino. It will arrive during a ceremony, weather permitting, on June 14.
Comments
28 Responses to “Blimp With 70-Foot Screen To Be Based In Atmore”
Just wish I could get a free ride in the blimp.
FYI: For those who maybe interested…my husband and I “just rode thru” the whole parking lot [6-12-09] about 10 PM and there were only a hand full parking places available. I don’t have a clue if it’s anything to do with “blimp weekend” or not…but this was the most we have witnessed since the opening. [my husband buys his tobacco @ the smoke shop] We usually go during the week…during the day so this was maybe just the time of night maybe. I can say one thing tho…I believe everyone that parked there…made the choice to do so.
I, myself have not quite been on the Tribal Roll yet for one year but I am a Proud Poarch Creek. Our Family researched the ancestors for over 25 years knowing we belonged at Poarch but my grandparents DID NOT do the paperwork when necessary so that left us…with no LIVING ancestor on the roll when we needed one there to connect to. Eventually the roll was opened and the word “living” removed so then our whole family qualified “IF” we could connect to our ancestor on roll then. After census records, birth certificates, marriage records, a divorce decree and maybe other papers I can’t remember…and almost 1 year later to the day…our family…in staggered letters and dates got on the Tribal Roll. Dont’ get me wrong, I’m not complaining…just explaining. (and glad to be here)
Now, during this past year I have tried to educate myself to the happenings of the Tribe. I have almost used Google up, I think. lol But here’s some info for those who don’t know about how SOME of the “spending” works. Before the Tribe can pay out “per capita checks” they have to file an “allocation plan” with the BIA and they have to approve it. And before the BIA will approve the plan, they will first make sure that the Tribe can still continue doing what it does for it’s people and the community projects the Tribe presently sponsors. And before I forget…the “per capita” part of the payments can ONLY be UP TO 25% of the profits IF I UNDERSTAND this correctly. Some one correct me if I’m not right. PLEASE!!! But anyway…at first I was confused about the Blimp. But now I’m gonna look at it as another Business of the Tribe and not worry about it. I have other things to Google now.
FYI- as an Federally Recognized Indian Tribe of Alabama we have the right to give Indian Preference on jobs and it does state that on the application that everyone fills out. It is not like we are hiding anything.
PCI – all the way. dont hate!!!
where is all this money comin from????!!!!!! yea i mite be only 15 but i watch and listen to tha news and why ain’t they using tha money for something that they really need and not some “toy”.
I don’t care how much advertising they do or with what.
I for one will never go and spend money at the casino, purely because I have been and also know a lot of non indian people who have went to interviews on these jobs they have listed, and saw first hand that “NON INDIAN” was written accross the top of the application.
If you are going to hire only indians (I know they have hired a few non indians for the purpose of non discrimination) then I say let only the indians go and spend money at your casino.
On the website for jobs, it clearly states that preference will be given to all indians.
But I bet preference isn’t given when a non indian walks in the casino to spend money!
I don’t begrudge anything that the Poarch Indians have accomplished to this point, but I do wish that the facts would be brought to light. Every enterprise that PCI has been involved with, wether it failed or not, has been funded by the federal government. There is absolutely no risk on their part. I do, however, have a problem with the tribe continuing to receive public monies to fund private enterprises, at my expense. I think the reparations have been paid back many times over. This has become a glorified welfare system, with no end in sight. The unfortunate part is the tribe doles out the mony as they see fit, usually to pad the pockets of the tribal council and their interests. I would run for tribal council to receive an 80k a year job also. They meet once a month? Come on PCI, take care of your folks and park the blimp.
“were the first recipients of “germ warfare” when given blankets infected with disease”
Not really on two different fronts.
First, the germ theory was not known or accepted at the time. Biological warfare, though, is close enough so I give you that one.
Second, it was a common practice to let sick people enter beseiged cities because attackers had noticed other people got sick around them and the enemy was soon dead or too weak to fight.
Since I threw out the first, I need to throw in another to have at least two: the sale of infectous blankets was not an act of war but simply unscrupulous business actions. The traders had noticed they could sell the blankets, wait until all were dead, gather the blankets and sell them again.
I have read that over ninty percent of the native american population was killed without ever meeting a european.
Creek Nation has tried to help Atmore, but Atmore didn’t want any part of it. Reckon now some are kicking themselves in the behind. Atmore should have worked with the tribe instead of against them.
Good for the Native Americans, whatever you get isnt enough. Your people were murdered by a conquering force by the hundred thousands and were the first recipients of “germ warfare” when given blankets infected with disease. I’m glad to see you doing well and living up to the proud people that you are.
Instead of PCI needs to take care of it’s on back yard first and it’s on people . Their are SEVERAL other things that this money could have been used for for to benefit their own community . But just as usual the few out there ,keep getting richer and they keep the rest pushed down .
The Yea Sayers Probably dont have many financial obligations in their path that
they can not handle…Most tribal members..more than folks know are struggling
not only with how they are going to pay their monthly due notes,..but their weekly
and daily groceries that have to provide for themselves and their families…In my
opinion, The TRIBAL COUNCIL members that plan and spend the budget of
WindCreek and the tribal members would be better served using TV, PRINT and
RADIO advertising like they have been…to market WindCreek….
This Election that just finished up…should be a WAKE UP call for the current and past Tribal Council Members…despite the current complacency of the Tribal
Council Members..The Tribal Members need monthly monetary help NOW while
they are still living…not waiting for WindCreek Bonds to be paid off…The PROFITS
are there..and you know it….Congratulations Newly Elected Tribal Council Member Mr. Berry Ross….”WAKE UP”..Poarch Creek Tribal Council Members.
I am proud to be a Poarch Creek Indian and glad that things are going good for our tribe.Many Native American tribes don’t have oppournitys like we do,so yes I stand behind my tribe as a fellow tribal member….
It is not difficult to see who “does not” have a vision and wants to just sit around and complain! It does take money to make money, if you are not of that crowd or don’t want them to succeed then you might want to look at the jealousy factor. The PCI do wonderful things for not Atmore but the surrounding Florida area. Don’t say they don’t because I know first hand that they do.
People should want other people to better themselves and their community. If you don’t like where you are in life then stop looking at others and do something for yourself. Go Poarch Creek Indians.
I am proud to be a poarch creek indian it is a shame of people who a jealous DONT HATE !!!!!!!
I couldn’t be happier to be a member of the Poarch Creek Indians!!! We have worked for what we have got, and deserve every bit of it.
DON’T HATE CAUSE PCI IS ONLY GETTING BIGGER & BETTER!!!!
I say go for it!! The Poarch Creek Indians have one priority and that is to get bigger and better. They could care less about Atmore, for years the indians have been on the lower end of the stick. I was raised in Atmore so I know how bad the Poarch Creek Indians had in the early 50’s to 70’s.
Where does it say how much money this blimp costs? I see how much the casino facility costs.
Also, how about those people whining about needing help with bills, just maybe……………try to get a job at the casino or hotels in the area………..
Number 1) No where in this article does it mention how much the blimp will cost.
Number 2) The Poarch Band of Creek Indians will be the saving grace for the town of Atmore. Taken a ride through “downtown” Flomaton lately?
Number 3) With the new jobs, along with the excellent benefits provided with them, no one should be complaining about “them helping the community”.
I’m not tribal, but people get a grip. Don’t hate the player.
i agree with all “WOW” they got it going on, that’s for sure, to bad everyone in the north escambia area are not “Poarch Creek Indians”—-and have money to spend like this…..
wow they want too spend this money and not put none of it into the city mark my words in a couple years atmore will be nomore it will be known as poarch alabama they are nothing but wasteful they trying to make this place something its not
Do they REALLY need this monster to get more business. From what I hear, they are packed out now. I think it is a waste of money that could be used to help people with necessities they can’t afford. There are plenty of needy families in the area. OOPS, I forgot, those people probably don’t spend money at the casino. Look on the bright side, if they could pay their bills they might go to the games for some recreation.
Some times you have to spend some money to make more money. Sounds like a good PR move for the casino and the area. Those good folks who come from out of the area and stay at local motels/ buy gas/ eat in town and just in general spend money here and then leave are a real asset.
From the utility side of life, it could also upgrade alot of water lines to accomodate fire hydrants, thus lowering insurance for the public, but what do I know about what is really important?
I tend to agree with Jerry— although, Poarch Creek Indians have done much for not only their people but for others in the community. But with that price tag… much good could be done for many in these times. Let’s face it as I take a movie quote; ‘build a casino and they will come’ hoping for their own field of dreams holds true WITHOUT a blimp. : )
Yes, Wow! Is Right.
Just wish I had the money that thing cost.
Could feed lot of people, furnish health care, and pay all their bills for a long time.
What a waste.
WOW