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<p><em>By ALEX GIMARC</em></p>
<h2>Casino-Themed Employee Event Announcement</h2>
<p>This week, the Municipality announced a casino-themed Annual Employee Incentive Awards Night, taking place on November 1 at the Dena’ina Center. The announcement was distributed to all municipal employees via email, highlighting the intriguing connection between the Eklutna Tribe, its casino, and local government officials.</p>
<h2>Age Restrictions Raise Questions</h2>
<p>One aspect that caught my attention was the stipulation that attendees must be 18 years or older. This restriction hints at activities typically associated with adults, like gambling, alcohol consumption, and other vices, which raises important questions about the event's nature.</p>
<h2>Analyzing the Event's Theme</h2>
<p>The event's Casino Royale theme comes at a time when the administration is actively supporting the Eklutna Tribe's casino operations. Therefore, it’s only natural to wonder how this event connects to the tribe’s interests.</p>
<h2>Seeking Clarification from HR</h2>
<p>I reached out to the HR Director on June 4, formally inquiring about the age restriction and whether gambling or alcohol was involved, given the municipality's typically family-friendly events. I requested clarification on how the Eklutna Casino might be related to this event.</p>
<h2>HR’s Prompt Response</h2>
<p>On June 5, I received a detailed response from the HR Director. They clarified that the Annual Employee Incentives Awards is organized by a committee of municipal staff and that this year’s event format was influenced by employee feedback. The event aims to foster team spirit and camaraderie among staff.</p>
<h2>Event Details</h2>
<p>The dinner will feature a plated meal and extend into the evening, with tickets priced at $50 per person. While there will be a no-host bar, the event's casino theme will involve tokens and games, with no real money gambling permitted. Notably, the Native Village of Eklutna has no involvement in this occasion.</p>
<h2>Looking Forward</h2>
<p>I appreciate the quick clarification, which seems to address all concerns. As we move towards the event date, I look forward to seeing how things unfold, keeping in mind the importance of verification in my evaluations.</p>
<p><em>Alex Gimarc has resided in Anchorage since retiring from the military in 1997. His interests span science, technology, environmental matters, economics, military affairs, fishing, and disability policies. His column “Interesting Items” covers significant Alaska-related news. He is also a former small business owner and IT professional.</em></p>
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