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Massachusetts tribal leader changes won't affect plans

MASSACHUSETTS -- As reported by the Cape Cod Times: "A change in leadership of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) won't end the tribe's pursuit of a casino or its relationship with a New York tribe committed to invest in it, the tribe's chairwoman-elect said yesterday.

"Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, 48, trounced incumbent Donald Widdiss, 60, in Sunday's election on Martha's Vineyard.

"...Andrews-Maltais, who lives in Edgartown with her husband and daughter, becomes the tribe's third leader in three terms. She takes over Jan. 5.

"June Manning, a tribe member who voted for Andrews-Maltais, said the lopsided victory sends a message that tribe members weren't happy with the way Widdiss treated people.

"...Andrews-Maltais, who currently serves as the tribe's preservation officer, said she supports the tribe's latest pursuit of a casino.

"However, she has not decided whether the tribe should bid on one of three commercial casinos proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick. The governor has said the state's two federally recognized tribes will get preference in the bidding process if they agree to forgo their sovereign rights to open an Indian casino..."

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