Last nights meltdown resulted in Traditional leaders looking to meet with the Governor and legislative leaders to discuss the make up of the controversial compact or “treaty” between the tribe and the Commonwealth. The Cromwell administration is now back peddling and trying to hold a forum to review the compact with tribal members after the fact. After the fact .
Tribal members had no input nor were they consulted, as is the tradition in the tribe, or allowed to review the deal. Council members were given an hour to review the document and then it was taken up. Carlton Hendricks, Jr. as always complained bitterly about the process that shut out any participation.
Quan Tobey who heads the tribal environmental department red flagged the deal and informed the committee members who were enraged.
Leaders of the the Game and Fish committee were furious with Cedric Tobey Cromwell and his cousin Aaron Tobey, who negotiated the deal, because both are considered ill equipped to represent the cultural and traditional needs of the tribe…..or anything else. Traditionalist were angry about a host of sections in the plan that erode aboriginal rights.
Cromwell has so disenfranchised the tribe from the process, tribal members want to make sure that Governor Patrick, the Speaker and Senate President know that they have no confidence in their representation of tribal needs to the Commonwealth. The issue has also shown that the Governor has no interest in ensuring the integrity of the process by continuing to deal with an administration so reviled by it’s people and operate without a mandate or authority.
Sen. Montigny says slow this baby down
This afternoon, New Bedford Senator Mark Montigny “ laid it ( compact ) on the table.” That basically means the legislation is dead in most legislative proceedings, because it is too controversial to deal with right now. It may be delayed, but even Montigny said it was moving “too swift and speedy.” There may be other reasons involving his constituents in Southeastern Ma…..but whatever, he granted the tribe a reprieve from one of the worst treaties in Indian Country. If we had LIT the Feds would never accept the 21.5 to be paid to the state. It almost appears intentional.
It explains why the Cromwellians are trying to get an extension on the July 31 deadline.
They can’t get it done.
