Voters said NO! And they just won't go away.
Tribe blasts Gov. Patrick for casino vote
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is blaming Gov. Deval Patrick for resounding defeats in Freetown and Lakeville and is vowing to continue the fight for its federal rights to an Indian casino.
Patrick's refusal to negotiate with the tribe discouraged voters from going to the polls and hampered the tribe's ability to gather support, tribe Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais said in a statement about the next steps for the Vineyard-based tribe.
Lakeville voters stood in the rain to say NO! How much more clear can they be?
Patrick refuses to open compact negotiations with the Aquinnah because the administration's legal advisers say the tribe waived its rights to an Indian casino in a land settlement approved by Congress in 1987. The tribe's position is federal Indian gaming law supersedes that land deal.
Andrews-Maltais questioned Patrick's motivation and insists the Aquinnah have the same legal rights to develop a casino as the Mashpee Wampanoag, which is currently in talks with Patrick for a $500 million casino project in Taunton.
"Moreover, the governor's conclusion and position is not only legally unsupported, it is also morally wrong," she said. "The state should treat both tribes equally and not choose to benefit only one of the federally recognized tribes over the other. But this is what is happening now. The state should give both tribes an equal opportunity for economic development and economic self-sufficiency."
The governor's office reiterated its stance.
"Multiple administrations have maintained the same position on the Aquinnah's status for the past 15 years in recognition of the fact that these two tribes are in two different situations under state law," spokeswoman Kimberly Haberlin said.
The Aquinnah tribe is proposing to build a $167 million casino and hotel project on 500 acres that straddle the Lakeville and Freetown town line.
It is in a race to meet a July 31 deadline imposed by the state legislation authorizing three casinos and a single slot parlor.
On May 29, Freetown voters rejected the proposal 954 to 308, and in Lakeville on Saturday, the tribe suffered another loss — this time 1,735 to 172.
Derek Maksy, chairman of the Lakeville Board of Selectmen, said voters have spoken loudly and clearly. [Even as Mr. Maksy was meeting out of town with Adam Bond to promote the Casino.]
"The people spoke 10-1 that they don't want it, and my job is to carry out the will of the voters," he said. "I don't think we're going to entertain any further conversations with them."
Maksy said the board will turn its attention to the Mashpee tribe's proposal in Taunton to make sure it doesn't have any adverse effects on Lakeville.
He said the town plans to speak out at upcoming sessions held by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Lisa Pacheco, a selectman in Freetown, did not return a call seeking comment.
Andrews-Maltais and tribe lawyers have said they might sue the state to block the legislation from being implemented. The tribe could also seek a federal lawsuit if Patrick continues to refuse negotiating in good faith, legal experts have said.
The tribe would have to wait 180 days from March 5, the day it first asked Patrick to negotiate.
"The Aquinnah tribe is currently weighing its options and will ultimately take the appropriate steps necessary to protect our rights," Andrews-Maltais said.
"We are more determined than ever to pursue a first-class gaming and entertainment enterprise that will provide economic self-sufficiency for tribal members and an economic benefit to the region as a whole."
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