<p>The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will continue plans to build a gambling hall in Aquinnah following a tie vote in a special ballot initiative to overturn the project. The final tally was 110 to 110, well short of the required two-thirds majority.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will stay the course with plans to build a gambling hall in Aquinnah following a deadlocked vote in a special ballot initiative Sunday to overturn the project.
Following a recount late in the day, the final tally was 110 to 110, well short of the required two-thirds majority. Eight votes were disqualified due to nonconformity, tribal chairman Tobias Vanderhoop said in an email Sunday evening.
“The will of our citizens, based on the result of today’s vote, is that there will be no change to present course of the tribe,” Mr. Vanderhoop said.
Earlier in the day Sunday over the course of four hours, 228 tribal members from on and off-Island converged on the tribal building in Aquinnah to cast ballots. A large number arrived in vans and busses from various locations on the mainland.
Some who voted arrived by bus.
Some who voted arrived by bus.
The special vote was called this summer after tribal members who oppose plans to build a gambling hall in Aquinnah gathered enough signatures on a petition to force a new vote. Members of the tribe first voted in 2012 to convert an unfinished community center to a class II gambling facility, essentially a bingo hall. Since then tribal leaders, including the leaders of the tribe’s separate gaming corporation, have been actively pursuing the plans.
A positive vote Sunday would have halted those plans for at least a year, former tribal chairman Beverly Wright said Sunday. Another vote may be held in a year, she said.
Balloting took place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“I would say it was evenly split, on-Island and off-Island,” Ms. Wright said. “I think the Island voters really came out to say what they wanted.”
Prior to the vote, Ms. Wright and others had worked to mobilize tribal members. “We sent out letters, we called, we spoke to every member that we saw,” she said.
Aquinnah selectman and tribal member Julianne Vanderhoop was busy Sunday morning encouraging members to come out and vote. “It’s going to be close,” she said shortly after polls closed at 2 p.m. At around 5 p.m. she reported that a recount was in progress.
The final tally was announced at around 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, three weeks ago the town of Aquinnah and a taxpayer group successfully won a federal court order temporarily blocking any work on the community center project. A legal case testing the broader questions and issues of law surrounding the tribe’s rights to build a casino was argued in U.S. District Court in Boston last week. The judge hearing the case has not yet issued a ruling.
This story has been corrected from an earlier version that reported the tribe first voted last fall to pursue building a gambling hall. The first vote was in 2012; last fall another vote was taken that reaffirmed plans to pursue gambling.
Comments
Please keep our island free
Anne robbPlease keep our island free of gambling and all the side effects that would challenge life on this fragile slip of land....it's schools, the police efforts, the hospital and even the steamship authority! There must be a better way to make a living.
I think a major point being
Chris Vineyard HavenI think a major point being overlooked here is that the tribal lands are sovereign and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head has the right to use them as they see fit. Had the rest of their lands on the Island not been taken hundreds of years ago I'm sure they would be able to find many better ways to make a living, more earth friendly and respectful of the web of life than what people have done to the rest of the Island.
buying scratch tickets and
All Tisburybuying scratch tickets and playing the lottery isn't gambling?
Give all the legal money
Elise LeBovit Gay Head, AquinnahGive all the legal money being spent, so the off Island voters who want gambling can have it in their back yard.
Have loved biking to Aquinnah
John ChilmarkHave loved biking to Aquinnah on a Sunday for blue corn pancakes and the NY Times. We'll boycott all commercial venues there (except The Outermost Inn...when we can afford it!) until the Tribe comes to their senses.
This is very sad.
jason obThis is very sad.
does the 'Martha's vineyard
JOHN S LOVEWELL edgartowndoes the 'Martha's vineyard Commission have any power to stop this very bad idea.
So, is it really possible
PaulB EdgartownSo, is it really possible that 110 people have the ability to turn a pristine island into Coney Island?
do you think the off
mike wtdo you think the off islanders really care?
all they want is the money, and being generated somewhere that does not affect their tranquility is all for the better for them.
Free money - IM IN!!
An unconscious decision at
Martha MageeAn unconscious decision at best, a materialistic disconnect and blow to the sacredness of the island at worst.
The tribe more than anyone should know that Aquinnah is magic land -- and the last precious piece of sanctuary left; and precious little of it at that.
This sacredness and true values of the Native Spirit should be preserved for future generations. A casino is the very antithesis of that.
Although Chris raises a good point, my opinion is this is just a very bad idea and I'm sad.
soooo very sad ......if
SusanM WH of OBsoooo very sad ......if gambling were a benefit to those who gamble.....there wouldn't be a gambling industry
Oy Vey. Stupidest idea yet.
ShenziOy Vey. Stupidest idea yet.
Wampanoags: WAKE UP. A gambling casino has no business here. You have not thought this through. As guardians of the Native Spirit, it is your sacred honor to protect the island from further desecration.
Have you seen the movie " AVATAR " ? If not, I suggest you see it.
Which tribe do you wish to be a part of.?
A. gambling casino in Aquinnah is a vote for the dark side.
Think again. BE WISE.Remember the interconnctedness of all LIFE - the people, the land, the trees, creatures, the elemental spirits, all living beings,who are counting on you to protect them for now and for future generations.. What kind of values do you want to instill in your children and your children's children?
Thank you on behalf of all island residents. for taking time to contemplate these values which the Native Tribes embody. You are guardiians. What would your ancestors say about this proposed gambling hall? Why don't you ASK THEM?
We are all tribe now. The Island Tribe. The Human Tribe. It's up to all of us. Let us come together for the highest good of all and not divide ourselves over a stupud idea like a gambling casino -- which cheapens the integrity of the Tribe and hurts everyone. It's a misguided idea.
Please reconsider and do the right thing -- put the casino off island as Elise has suggested. Elise is tribe as much as anyone and loves Aquinnah as much as any of you, She's a wise woman, Listen and learn. Don't be stubborn stupid.
May The Great Spirit bring LIGHT into this situation. Thank you. Namaste.I
I bow to the Light within ALL.
Chilmark should put up a toll
Peter Robb Holliston and Oak BluffsChilmark should put up a toll at the border with Aquinnah. Charge, say $10-$15 per car headed to the casino. Put the money toward DPW, Police, Fire and Gamblers Anonymous. Just a thought.
The toll booth has already
June Manning AquinnahThe toll booth has already been a thought. Notice the new fencing at Beetlebung Corner ! It shall be extended circuitously !!
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