The election committee pulled off a trifecta which is rare in the world of elections.
We’re always talking about problems. It’s time to highlight success. We need to thank our election committee for a job well done. Within 31/2 weeks Election Committee Chairman Robin Tobey, and her committee members, Mingo Teixiera, Wayne Frye and council liaison Rita Gonsalves pulled off a multi-faceted election that was prone to major problems. Robin was short two members but they pushed through. Robin’s about business. Monitors Joanne Peters, Evelyn Fermino,Yvonne Tobey, Lauren Thornton, Gayle Andrews, Pauline Peters and Alex Pocknett did voter sign-in and issued ballots. Erin Bassett handled security well. He was short staffed too, but he handled it.
Robin really had an 18 hour election day (let alone the week prior). The long hours 7am-7pm may not have been necessary for an anticipated vote of 700 (661 turned out). The drive thru was slow but a good idea for Elders who should be allowed to drive thru in the future.
There were complaints about the long drive-thru line but everyone who was eligible voted. A three tiered election is hard to pull off. Drive-thru, registration and walk-in is rarely done all at once, but Robin, her team and security pulled it off. There was no beak at 11:30 by the way.Everyone worked, together.
THE ELECTION SIDE SHOW
Cedric showed up to vote and a bunch of tribal members nearly lost their minds. You can understand why. The US attorney ordered him to have no contact with the “victims.” That would be us. But there’s no tribal law that says he can’t vote.
Together forever. Winnie and Cedric. You’re not the only one confused.
You would have thought it was the return of Metacomet the way Winnie Johnson was screeching and gyrating across the parking lot cheering Cedric on. Her frail figure and spastic behavior made onlookers dizzy. As word spread through the crowd of voters more became irate complaining to others in line and to monitors. It was vintage Mashpee. And they said it loud enough for him to hear.
Prior to that solo act, Winnie was raving and cursing accusing people of stealing her signs. She was spewing nonsense on Facebook. Apparently it was behavior unbecoming to the new council that did not approve and made that clear. The Cromwell days of letting her get away with inappropriate behavior are long gone.
Besides Winnie has enough baggage to load a freight train. All we can do now is pray that she gets better. That she heals.
