The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council and Vineyard Offshore have formalized a years-long partnership, making an initial $200,000 available to a new community fund designed to support clean energy projects.
Now that the Mashpee town election is over and done with, a segment of the townâmembers of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribeâwill now turn its attention to the tribeâs election. Voting for the tribal election is set for Sunday, May 16.
The election will reshape the tribal leadership just months after the former chairman of the tribal council, Cedric Cromwell, was removed from his post after being indicted on federal charges for his alleged role in a bribery scheme involving plans to build a casino in Taunton.
The candidates in the four-way race for the chairman position include Aaron Tobey, Brian Weeden, Nelson Andrews Jr. and Kyle Bassett. Profiles of the candidates for the chairman position can be found on the Enterprise website.
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Nelson Andrews Jr., Kyle Bassett, Aaron Tobey Jr. and Brian Weeden are campaigning for the position.
The chairperson presides over tribal council meetings and acts as the tribe’s official spokesperson. They also serve as the coordinator over all tribal government activities.
The tribe’s last two chairmen have either been convicted of federal crimes or are currently facing federal charges. Some of the candidates have cited the need to restore the integrity of the tribe’s governing process and improve accountability.
The election is currently set to take place through mail-in balloting, with Election Day scheduled for March 26. However, three tribal members, including Tobey, have sued the tribal council and the tribe s election committee to allow in-person voting and reschedule the election to a later date.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is scheduled to hold elections on Friday, March 26, to choose a new chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and tribal council member.