Letters to the Editor

Published: July 3, 2008

Off the printed page

To the Editor:

As a very faithful, thorough reader (and a sometime contributor of letters), I feel compelled to say I like all your recent changes (added photos, elimination of astrology, etc.) except the addition of Blogs with their misspellings, misplaced apostrophes and the like - and wish you would just keep them in the Internet world, off the printed page!

I don't think you will lose readers (have you ever seen how many post-office box copies are thrown away rather quickly at the Vineyard Haven post office, to my regret - they don't know what they're missing) in the off chance that young people read those printed Blogs, the English language could be more corrupted than it already is.

L.B. Smith
Vineyard Haven

National news and views are meaningful here

To the Editor:

Regarding Harvey Garneau's Letter to the Editor on June 19, which questioned The Martha's Vineyard Times allowing writers space to state their opinions about national news.

I am a long-time lover of Letters to the Editor, believing they are the pulse of the community. I confess a preference for thoughts about current issues in America over countless, repetitive thank-you letters. It is exciting to read personal viewpoints on national politics, especially when our political climate is so explosive.

Many Island residents read only the Island newspapers. To offer space for thoughtful, provocative discourse on our presidential candidates gives me, the reader, an awareness of different hopes and anxieties in my local area. When I finish reading a Letter to the Editor from a resident who writes with passion, I know that I do or do not share his/her argument for or against the candidate or policy.

Locally, we are an intense, often strident voice about Island affairs. Nationally, we only see the total votes from our constituency for our country's leaders. For one, I would like to see more space for reader analysis of current problems "over there," knowing it affects our own backyard.

Liza Coogan
Vineyard Haven

You know who you are

To the Editor:

I am pleased that you like to visit our Island, but I am not pleased that on Wednesday morning, June 25, my car was severely damaged while it was in the hospital Emergency Room parking lot.

A reliable witness who saw your SUV strike my car and then take off was kind enough to leave a note on my windshield.

Neither I nor the police believe that you were unaware of the collision- the damage was too extensive, but on the off chance that you are unaware, it would be a good idea to contact the Oak Bluffs police who are already working to identify your vehicle.

Muriel Mill
Vineyard Haven

Turkeyland

To the Editor:

Regarding your June 19 story "Turkey gets plugged", it is unfortunate that two supposedly intelligent and able-bodied police officers resorted to killing a harmless turkey on the basis that there was a 911 call about an aggressive animal. Shame on all of you.

Neither the 911 caller, nor anyone else, including the police, were injured by this so-called villainous turkey. So you shot the turkey with a 40-calilber semi-automatic weapon five times just because it was being aggressive in its own wooded neighborhood. Wonderful. You officers must be the pride and joy of the Chilmark Police Department.

Ronald Bissett
Edgartown

Cruel and barbaric

To the Editor:

We are writing in opposition to the cruel, barbaric, and inhumane shark tournament that takes place in Oak Bluffs every summer. We are very disappointed in the Oak Bluffs selectmen for allowing this event to take place year after year. Clearly the sole purpose of this event is to make money for the town of Oak Bluffs. Innocent creatures are being killed for a profit, and the natural balance of sea life is being disrupted.

Why doesn't the town of Oak Bluffs consider hosting another event instead, such as a blues or reggae festival? That could bring in even more revenue to the town without having to kill these magnificent creatures that are becoming endangered.

We would be willing to volunteer to help form a committee for a blues or reggae festival.

Let's have people come to Martha's Vineyard for music and not for killing.

Klaus and Vicki Broscheit
West Tisbury

Turkey gone bad

To the Editor:

We read with great interest Ronald O. Whitney's (manager, Edgartown M.S.P.C.A.) letter in The Times, June 26, and his concerns about the wild turkey, "A wild turkey primer." He seems so concerned about one wild, crazed turkey: "The response should not to be to kill wildlife." Well, all reports clearly state the police certainly had just cause to kill that turkey. As Gus Ben David stated in the Gazette, June 27, "Some turkeys just turn bad and can be a real threat to humans." If a small child had gotten involved, it could have turned quite serious or deadly.

We are quite surprised at Mr. Whitney's concern for that bird, seeing that my husband and I, as well as a previous Tisbury animal control officer contacted you on numerous occasions over a six-year period concerning one of our neighbors, who was terribly mistreating and even basically torturing their dogs and cats on a regular basis. Some were even puppies and kittens. Although verbal and video evidence was submitted, you did absolutely nothing. You said that you did not consider it mistreatment. Your inaction and behavior to us and our previous animal control officer, when we went down and talk to you in person, was not only unprofessional but outright rude, cocky and arrogant. Most of those animals ended up receiving broken limbs, getting hit by cars, and getting killed, and eventually those neighbors moved off-Island. We even had to create a barking dog bylaw in Tisbury because of those same neighbors. As we told you when we went down to speak with you, we are animal lovers big time and have had cats and dogs most of our lives, so we are not just disgruntled people. Sadly we lost our cat and dog due to old age last year.

Knowing Gus Ben David our entire lives, we know that he is widely educated about birds and animals, and as far as acting in a professional and caring manner, Gus is tops.

Woody and Phyllis Williams
Vineyard Haven

It's in the stars

To the Editor:

What happened to your amazing horoscope? It is the one thing that almost made me get a year-round subscription. It was amazingly on the mark.

Thanks.

Kate Cronkite
Edgartown

Astrologer Arlan Wise's column is now available at her own website, arlanwise.com.

Impressively creative

To the Editor:

My granddaughter is a skunk, and I could not be prouder. This weekend's première performance of the Rise Student dance troupe was impressively creative and entertaining. The contemporary music coupled with the colorful Island theme was exemplary. From the littlest skunks to the stage-savvy ballet, tap, and hip-hop dancers, the show was a smile and a joy all the way through. Lead hip-hopper Evan Hall subtly entranced the audience with not only his talent but also with his charisma and pure love of performing. Kudos to Rise.

Nina Garde
Vineyard Haven

So many to thank

To the Editor:

Last Friday evening Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard held its 6th Annual Art and More auction and dinner at the Harbor View Hotel. With over 170 attendees, it was a busy, exciting and successful event. This year proceeds exceeded last year by over 30 percent, putting us on the way to funding our next home on 10th Street in Edgartown.

There is not enough room to list every person who needs to be thanked. The biggest debt of gratitude goes to the dozens of artists and craftsmen and women who donated their work to the cause of affordable housing on the Vineyard. Without their donations year after year, this event would simply not be possible.

I want to thank everyone who contributed so generously of their time and effort to making this the success it was: our fabulous auctioneers Susan Klein and Rick Lee who contributed great ideas as well as their sales skills; our executive and development directors Julie Willett and Emily Levett; my tireless, uncomplaining committee - Holly Alaimo, Paula Catanese, Salli Hart, Francine Kelly, Chris Rasmussen, and Kira Sullivan; the dozen volunteers who worked all night to assist with logistics; Tom Willett for his terrific, unsolicited preview video and providing the sound system; and, all of the Habitat board members who contributed and in other ways supported us in the months of preparation. In addition, many Island businesses provided goods and services at a discount or gratis rate which helped to keep our costs down: Cape Light Compact, Cash and Carry, the Harbor View Hotel, Humphreys, Martha's Vineyard Cookie Co., Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank, and Vineyard Gardens.

Of course, thank you to all of the attendees who bid on and purchased not only a great piece of art, but a piece of a new Island home.

Habitat's houses are true community projects. Our latest house utilized over 200 volunteers, approximately 2,000 volunteered hours, and tens of thousands of dollars of donated materials; dozens of Island businesses donated services as well. Thanks to those who contributed to the auction's success, we have a jump start on our next house, due to begin construction sometime this month. With that, some more volunteer effort and a bit of luck, by year's end another deserving family will move into their home, able to remain on the Island helping to provide the support services all of us need.

Doug Ruskin
Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard