Kadoka propane vendor accused of racism

In 1991 I was the Sysco rep who supplied the entire cast and crew of Thunderheart with fresh fish, full grocery supplies and other goodies. Coast to Coast Catering rented an inactive but well-equipped restaurant in Kadoka owned by the family that operates Discount Fuel. I drove out there from Rapid City in a refrigerated truck nearly every day during filming and Coast to Coast Catering spent almost $500,000 with me. Graham Greene gave me his autograph on the back of one of my business cards. 

I knew the family and the president of Discount Fuel, Marc Carlson whose white employee was involved in this racist incident. 

In a January 17, 2021 letter to the Crazy Horse School (CHS) Board and the Eagle Nest district, Pine Ridge reservation resident Richard Meyers wrote a memorandum intended to make public the unacceptable behavior and attitude of a propane vender used by CHS & Eagle Nest district. The business was established in 1980 and incorporated in the state. It has been in business for approximately 41 years. It generates an estimated $1.4 million in annual revenues and employs approximately 16 people at the address 511 Sd Hwy-73 in Kadoka. According to the letter, the Eagle Nest district member was sworn at and told by the employee, “You people think you get things for free.” [Racist Rant by Propane Vendor] 

Carlson's brother-in-law and co-owner of Discount Fuel, Grant Patterson was acquitted of rape in 2002. Patterson's son, Joey was involved in the beating death of the son of a Minnesota Vikings player. I called on Patterson's first wife when I was still with Twin City Fruit and she operated the kitchen at Discount Fuel, another big account of mine in Kadoka. Paul Miller sold Twin City Fruit and me to Sysco in 1990.

#Thunderheart #TBT with @valkilmer and Graham Greene. Pine Ridge Rez, 1991. @oglalanation #NoDAPL #Pipeline @msainat1 @LakotaTimes @LouDPhillips pic.twitter.com/sxNDsYFCYH

— John Fusco (@JohnFusco12) July 27, 2018