Letters to the Editor
Published: July 22, 2010
Chappy bike path unneeded
To the Editor:
On Saturday morning, about 50 Chappaquiddickians gathered to hear Chappaquiddick Bike Path advocate Dan Dulaski, funded by the Chappaquiddick Path Committee, give the third presentation of his plan for a two-way side bike path along the north side of the Chappaquiddick Road.
The timing was such that Path Committee chairman Bob Colvin and member Melissa Kagan could not stop themselves from mentioning the tragic accident involving the young mother falling from her bike, which she was attempting to ride on a poorly designed and maintained sidewalk in Vineyard Haven. This, as if the accident along the busy road which carries more than 20,000 cars a day, 10 times the number ever recorded on the Chappaquiddick road had anything to do with the safety of bicyclists on Chappy.
The case for why the town, state or federal taxpayer's money should be spent ripping up bucolic Chappaquiddick, where 18-wheelers are rarer than piping plovers, was never really made. Dulaski's report was barren of any indication of a Chappy safety or traffic study but was full of "might, could, possibly will happen" fear-monger talk.
The fact is there have been only eight reported bike accidents on Chappy between 1991 and 2009, just 2.5 percent of Edgartown's total of 325 (135 of which involved motorists). Incidentally, more than 60 percent of the town's bike accidents occurred at locations where a bike path was available. It is easy to understand why only 85 of 498 Chappy property owners surveyed by Dulaski responded (using the provided prestamped return envelopes) that they wanted a multi-use path along the Chappaquiddick Road.
Dulaski reports that Stuart Fuller of the Edgartown Highway Department could build the sub-standard, eight-foot-wide path, including felling all but a few trees and filling the wetlands as necessary for only $1.4 million. A vacationing selectman from Lenox reported that $6 million ($2 million/mile) was the cost there. Why either of these amounts would go to Chappaquiddick to satisfy the whims of 17 percent of those property owners, when cyclists are dying along the roads of mainland Martha's Vineyard, is beyond me.
Bob Colvin indicated he might ignore his friends and neighbors on Chappaquiddick and go to the Edgartown voters looking for approval to build his path on Chappaquiddick. I hope those who are looking to spend money on bicycle safety will follow the Martha's Vineyard Commission's Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Committee's lead. They have studied the present paths and have plans to improve and expand the existing paths and route indicators where there are real dangers and traffic conflicts. Hopefully the money could fund the police and safety officers of Martha's Vineyard together with the Chamber of Commerce to provide bicycle safety education for both our residents and visitors, rather than build a path on Chappaquiddick where it is not needed.
Roger Becker
Chappaquiddick
Don't suspend disbelief
To the Editor:
The first oil field was discovered at Prudhoe Bay on March 12, 1968, by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and Exxon. They re-injected the associated gas for future use, but now don't believe America needs all that gas. They have determined U.S. needs for natural gas can be met by fracturing America's underbelly of shale rock a couple miles down.
Common sense would seem to indicate that a natural gas pipeline paralleling the existing oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, on American soil, built and managed by Americans would be the preferred option, and in all likelihood, cost less than the $35 billion pipeline proposed through Canada. The pipeline bifurcates in Alberta, so oil companies can use the gas to heat and melt the bitumen in the Canadian tar sands. Whatever's left will be sent down to the lower 48?
But I keep forgetting, America doesn't really need all of that Prudhoe Bay natural gas. There is more than enough for everyone, locked in rock just waiting to be blasted with a chemical cocktail, under pressure, that just might lubricate tectonic joints, just enough to make them slip a little.
By the way, the EPA will be undertaking a two-year study to pass judgment and allay citizen concerns with regard to safety. Don't worry about the next two years. The industry has things well in hand; just trust them to do it right. After all, the chances are very, very, small that a possible land-based Deepwater Horizon-type incident might occur in the next two years from our hydraulic fracturing operations.
Oh, and don't concern yourself with Russia's participation in the Canadian pipeline project. It has nothing to do with any deals that might have been struck as payback for our involvement with President Reagan's strategy that hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union, freeing up a third of Soviet oil and natural gas in the Caspian. Russia's participation is a mere coincidence.
Oh, and the reason the Congress hasn't yelled and screamed about this not being an all-American project, has nothing to do with the money we will spend on the upcoming election. We believe the Congress wants to help our friends north of the border first, and America second. That just seems to be the American way.
Peter Cabana
Vineyard Haven
Make room for cyclists in Tisbury
To the Editor:
Like many other people, I was shocked by the death of Dina Decceca. She died in a horrendous accident. However, had the town of Tisbury acted upon the recommendations of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee (part of the Martha's Vineyard Commission) in 2006, that accident could have been avoided.
I work for one of Oak Bluffs' oldest bicycle shops. During the summer, we put more than 100 cycling tourists on the road every day. Cycling tourists are vital for Vineyard businesses, bringing millions of dollars to other Vineyard businesses around the Island.
Every year I've rented bicycles, our shop has always encouraged renters to visit Edgartown and not Tisbury, largely because of State Road, which is horrendous for cyclists. The warnings have only increased since Ms.Decceca's accident.
If Tisbury businesses wish to see any hint of the patronage Edgartown receives, they must push their selectmen to incorporate room for cyclists in their town, especially on (or around) State Road.
Otherwise, tourists on bicycles will continue to be told to avoid Tisbury, and Tisbury businesses will suffer as a result.
Peter Friedrichs
Oak Bluffs
Menemsha harbormaster thanks all who helped and adds a cautionary note
To the Editor:
The fire on July 12, which rapidly engulfed the historic Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha Harbor, was disastrous. But what could have been a horrific tragedy with loss of life, serious injuries and major loss of property was averted by the rapid and skilled response of emergency services personnel and members of the harbor community.
While firemen from all over the Island fought the fire, fishermen helped to move local fishing boats and visiting boats to safe locations and other emergency personnel and volunteers helped to evacuate visitors and vehicles from Menemsha.
There are many unsung heroes, and rather than pick out one, or even many names, for special commendation, I am writing on behalf of the harbor, the town, and our wider maritime community, to thank everyone who acted that day or who has volunteered subsequently to help clean up and get the harbor up and functioning again.
Thank you, and well done.
On another topic, as Menemsha Harbor is recovering from the disastrous fire which consumed the Coast Guard Boathouse and various parts of the harbor infrastructure of car way and docks, as well as boats, we have been juggling boats around the harbor to ensure that our fishing community can get back to work, and making sure that recreational boaters can visit the harbor.
We have also been working with owners who lost boats or whose boats were damaged to make sure that their problems are resolved. And the selectmen, the executive secretary and my department are working to effect repairs to the West/Filled Dock as promptly as possible. Some of this can be accomplished quickly, but there are parts of the puzzle which will take months.
Chilmark and the Coast Guard have had a long and honorable history of working together to ensure the safety and well being of the local maritime community, and we very much appreciate the efforts of the local Coast Guard personnel, who have worked hard to assist during this difficult time.
We understand that there is a detailed legal process (dictated by higher-ups) that needs to be followed in this and similar situations. Some members of the maritime community have criticized the process, but they should be aware that it is necessary in order to make sure that any and all claims are processed in an efficient and effective manner.
We appreciate everyone's hard work, offers of assistance, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation. Thanks.
Dennis Jason
Harbormaster
Menemsha
It's a matter of safety
To the Editor:
It is with sadness that we are all were made aware of the bike accident that claim the life of a young mother in Vineyard Haven. I wonder if those residents of Chappy fighting the bike path are now having second thoughts in their opposition. I will not spell out their names, but we all know who they are. They are the ones that put up the argument against affordable houses as it might disrupt the lives of the bugs on the particular empty lot or voiced support for a private helicopter pad.
Do you guys really want to pick up a copy of the local newspaper and read of a similar bike accident on Chappy?
Their real main argument is that they wish to curtail the tourist traffic and maintain the exclusiveness of their residences. With all of the beauty on Chappy, the tourists will continue to come to the island. It is just a matter that most of us want to ensure their visit here to be a safe one.
Edward Duncan
Chappaquiddick Road
Edgartown
Without your help
To the Editor:
Thank you to everyone who helped put out the boat house fire on July 12. Without this all Island effort, so much more would have been lost. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Barbara and John Armstrong
Menemsha
Rules are rules, sometimes silly
To the Editor:
It is time everyone took a good look at the picturesque town of West Tisbury with its farmlands, lush greenery, flowers for sale, homemade road signs and unique businesses — quaint little town with many distractions to the eye, beautiful flowers growing in our greenhouses, chairs hanging from trees, balloons pointing the way to a summer BBQ, freshly baked pies for the taking, and flags outside of businesses.
Today Bea's Fabric Shop & Antiques was graced with a visit from our town inspector and was told to remove her flag from her road sign. When Bea asked why, she was told "Someone complained it was distracting." Then she was told, "You are only allowed to fly an American flag, we had a meeting." The flag in question was red, white, and blue, and said antiques on it. It was facing away from the roadside so as not to distract anyone's view of the road. But rules are rules, and Bea removed the flag.
But then she noticed that her new, red and white sign was also measured? It is perfect to town regulations thanks to Cottle's Lumber, which is always so helpful to Bea. Beatrice Amaral has been in business since 1969 and in that time she has shown the town she has a tiger in her tank. Let's not think that because she is in her 80s she is not as feisty as she was when she was in her 20s. She is, and we are very proud of her.
Last summer a very nice minister was driving by our property and was distracted by the landscaping and pretty flowers on the side of the road, so much so that he drove off of the road and into our driveway and hit our dog, killing our dear Buddy. Our dog was not in the road, not on the side of the road, but on our property. The driver was distracted by flowers. If you are driving a vehicle, you should be focused and not so easily distracted by flags, flowers, or signs.
But nevertheless, Bea's Fabric's & Antiques
has complied by removing the antiques flag and will fly our nation's colors instead. Now, Bea's still offers vintage and dressmaker fabrics, old sewing machines, handmade gifts, antiques, and collectibles as she has done for 41 years.
Bea's will be offering a 10 percent discount on any antique purchase if you bring this letter in to the shop. You can always count on a happy face to greet you, some lovely items to pick through, a dose of town gossip, and you are welcome to pull up a chair and work on a knitting project with Bea, Sherri, and Stella.
Lets get this straight once and for all: Bea Amaral is not going anywhere. If she should leave us, then I will be here, her daughter. Please, as a public service, stay focused while driving in our beautiful town stop and get out and smell the flowers. Wait, make sure your tires are off of the blacktop or you might open a new kettle of fish.
Sherri Church
Business Partner
Bea's Fabric Shop & Antiques
West Tisbury
Traffic lights needed
To the Editor:
Given the traffic and accidents on Martha's Vineyard due to increased traffic in the summer, I do not understand why traffic lights are not installed. This is particularly true in places like the intersection of Five Corners in Vineyard haven, intersection of State and Old County Roads in West Tisbury, and the Vineyard Haven/Edgartown Road at the flashing light.
Traffic lights provide safe traffic movement and do not spoil the beauty of the Vineyard. It could save lives and prevent accidents.
Doris Howe
West Tisbury
Beware when shopping for electricity
To the Editor:
Many consumers on the Cape and Martha's Vineyard have received an offer from Dominion Retail to "Lock-in a Low, Fixed, Electricity Price." As a municipal aggregator, the Cape Light Compact is supportive of competition in the energy market so that consumers have options for their energy supply. However, we are disappointed that Dominion Retail's letter to consumers does not reflect the evolving and current Cape Light Compact electricity prices, which are lower than both the Dominion offer and the past Compact rates quoted in the letter.
The recent Dominion offer, while providing the average electricity price for the Compact and NSTAR from January 2007 through June 2010, does not include what its own average price was over this same time period. Since all suppliers work in the same marketplace, it's probable that Dominion's price over this time frame was approximately the same as NSTAR and the Compact's.
Too, Dominion does not provide consumers with the fact that they can currently purchase electricity at prices substantially below the 9.49 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) offered in the Dominion letter.
In the January 2010 to June 2010 time period, Compact residential customers had a rate of 8.790 cents per kWh, which is lower than Dominion's price.
In the upcoming July 2010 to January 2011 time period, the Compact's residential price is 7.990 cents per kWh, a 9.1% reduction in the rate from the first six months of this year and 1.5 cents per kWh lower than Dominion's stated price.
Robert P. Mahoney
Town of Dennis Representative and
Chairman, Cape Light Compact
East Dennis
Step away from the clay cliffs
To the Editor:
I was blessed to have the opportunity today, Friday July 16, to enjoy several hours at Moshup's Trail Beach at Aquinnah, taking in the sun, sand, and surf. I was wandering beyond the Land Bank Beach to the base of the cliffs and was amazed and disgusted by the abuse of the clay cliffs by my fellow beachgoers that day.
Scooping up handfuls of clay, face painting and body painting were bad enough, but the worst was watching one young woman climb to the top of a clay embankment and slide down the clay slope with a shower of loose material showering down with her, laughing all the way. In another time I would have said something, but in this day and age, who dares?
There were many signs clearly posted and clearly being ignored. The cliffs are a visual treasure to be admired, not to be abused. It's time to remind ourselves and our visitors to respect what we admire. Don't touch the clay, folks.
Doug Ulwick
Oak Bluffs
Disappointing visit to the new ER
To the Editor:
I am very proud of our community for coming together to build a "better hospital." My questions are what are we doing about staffing. Right now we are in the peak of the season, we have 17 ER rooms, one triage room and no place in the ER waiting room for people to become comfortable. We run the ER, as far as I have seen, with one doctor. I am not impressed with the bedside manner of the ER, just my opinion. It seems to me that triage needs to be redone. Prioritize the need, not on a first-come first-serve basis.
I could be wrong. If I am wrong, ok. If not, it needs to change. I just spent six hours in the ER trying to get my grandson hydrated. It took five hours to get what we needed. We were patient, understanding, but also advocated for the little guy. Just took time and commitment. I was amazed by some of the staff, with their attitudes, and overall disappointed. I understand there were at least five ambulance runs while we were there, understandable chaos with only one doctor in the
ER. This is an Island hospital, not a city hospital. My point is that in summer months, as far as I'm concerned, there should be two doctors in the ER and double the staff. Winter, hey, take it easy. We Island people are easier to deal with than you think. I am disappointed and, as a health care advocate, embarrassed by my experience in the ER.
Elizabeth Jones
Vineyard Haven
A rebuttal
To the Editor:
In a letter in the July 15 MVTimes, entitled "In response to the POINT advertisement", Paul Pimentel, in reference to the POINT advertisement of July 1, complains how tiresome it is to have to set the record straight, and then, in the guise of doing so, goes on to mislead your readers in a number of particulars.
Mr. Pimentel states, "Wind power will reduce our oil dependence. Transportation, home heating and some electricity, comprising 62 per cent of our Island energy use, is derived from oil..."
How can this be when the transportation sector alone uses 70 percent of our oil? ISO New England, the regional power grid operator, reports that in 2000, roughly 15 percent of New England's electricity came from oil-fired power plants. Today, it's roughly 1.3 percent.
"Some may recall that Cape Wind was pushed as a way to reduce our dependence on oil for electricity," said Mark Forest, chief of staff for congressman William Delahunt. "Looks like much has already been accomplished — without Cape Wind."
Mr. Pimentel writes, "Wind power will reduce carbon dioxide emissions — about 1.3 pounds for every kilowatt hour we generate with wind."
This, of course, assumes that wind can be "harvested" and used when needed. Unfortunately, without the ability to store wind for future use when needed, it can't.
A far more effective and less expensive way to reduce CO2 emissions is to put some of the inordinate public money currently devoted to subsidizing wind and use it for conservation — both retrofitting, thereby creating jobs and saving money estimated to be as much as $130 billion per year, and reducing emissions by 1.1 gigatons a year.
Mr. Pimentel writes, "National Grid will pay about a third more per kilowatt hour for energy generated by Cape Wind than conventional sources... Vineyard Power members will pay less than they do now..."
If only that were true. Cape Wind is two to three times higher, not one third higher. They have contracted for 20.7-24.4 cents in year one This rises to 40 cents per kilowatt hour in the final year of the contract. Today, people pay 8 cents per kWh. This is a windfall for the developer and a good deal less than a bargain to the rest of us who pay for it as both tax payers and rate payers.
Mr. Pimentel asks, "As noted in the ad, taxpayers will pay 30 per cent of the cost to construct offshore wind turbines. According to Saturday's New York Times, taxpayers already pay oil, coal, and gas companies $4 billion a year in subsidies that began in the late 19th century, to help stimulate a new business then. Give you any ideas?"
Cape Wind alone, one project among many, would receive $600 million in subsidies. Give you any ideas?
If the economics are so propitious, why are Walmart and others opposed to the Cape Wind contract because of its high price per kWh? Why did Spain just decide to eliminate subsidies for wind?
It is understandable that Mr. Pimentel, president of Vineyard Power, would take the position he does, but perhaps his enthusiasm for wind has somewhat dimmed his objectivity.
Wind is not a silver bullet. It may be silver buckshot —but at what cost and allocation of resources that could go to more effective and efficient sources of alternative energy?
Let's be smart in our public expenditures for a sustainable environment.
Andrew Goldman
Chilmark
Director of POINT
Amazing coverage
To the Editor:
Just a note to say that the coverage of the harbor fire was simply amazing. The investigation, detail, and especially the storytelling was top notch. Nelson Sigelman and the crew at the paper did a terrific job. The photographs are stellar as well. I get the Seattle Times daily, and I'm not sure a paper as large as ours has had coverage of a local story that matches that of your paper. Job well done.
Dan Clifton
Seattle, Wash.
Do you think this is funny?
To the Editor:
Another bench has disappeared from the bus route to and from Vineyard Haven. This time, across from Hillside Village. In its place is a very soiled upholstered chair or recliner. Does some one think this is amusing? If you know anything about this dirty joke (?), call the V.H. police or the VTA.
Priscilla Sinatra
Edgartown
Please return my photos
To the Editor:
To the person who picked up the wrong photos from Mosher's over the weekend, or Monday, could you please return them as soon as possible. They are very important to me. I'd be glad to give you copies if you'd like. If you are off-Island, I'd be glad to pay the postage. I've already returned yours. Thank you.
Wayne V. Iacono
Chilmark
To make cycling safer
To the Editor:
I offer heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the recent tragic cycling accident in Vineyard Haven. I'd like to offer a perspective on how to increase bicycle safety on Martha's Vineyard.
I've been a passionate cyclist for 50 years. The safest places I've cycled are those outside of the US where cycling is viewed as a serious transportation option, as opposed to a recreational activity suitable primarily for children. In North America, Montreal is the pre‑eminent example, with over 300 miles of dedicated bicycle paths. One can cycle all around the city on paths that permit no pedestrians and are separated from motor traffic with pylons. Contrast this with American bicycle paths such as those on MV, where shared use combines experienced cyclists traveling at 15–20 mph with much slower folks walking their dogs, roller blading, jogging, and pushing baby carriages. I find cycling on shared use paths far more dangerous than riding the road, and twice in one day recently we were almost hit by cars emerging from private driveways that cross the bike paths to reach the roadway. Shared use paths also suffer from hazardous debris such as accumulated leaves and sand. Creating more shared use paths is not a path to increased cycling safety (and please note that cyclists, by Massachusetts law, "shall have the right to use all public ways in the commonwealth except limited access or express state highways," so cyclists can not be forced to use bike paths.)
In the absence of bike paths expressly designed and maintained to facilitate bicycles as transportation, what can we do to increase bike safety? I offer the following:
• Teach children (and adults as necessary) how to properly ride bicycles on the road, and how to do a basic safety check on one's bike. Encourage the use of safety equipment such as lights, reflectors, helmets, and mirrors (more important to cyclist safety than a helmet because mirrors help avoid accidents). Make it clear that along with the right to operate a bicycle on public roads comes the responsibility to understand and obey all applicable traffic laws, signs, and signals.
• Amend Massachusetts' law governing motorists overtaking a bicycle to define "safe distance" so as to require motorists to allow a minimum of three feet between their vehicle and the bicycle, as has been legislated in many other states including N.H., Maine, and Conn. In other countries this distance is larger. Here on the Island I've been passed by large trucks with less than a foot to spare, which leaves no margin for error on either the driver's part or mine.
• Build awareness of the law on the part of motorists, including the section in Chapter 89, Section 2, which states, "If it is not possible to overtake a bicycle or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so or wait for a safe opportunity to overtake" (italics mine). I feel I have been more seriously endangered by impatient motorists than by inattentive ones.
• Encourage law enforcement personnel to step up enforcement of such laws with both motorists and cyclists.
• Build an Island‑wide awareness of why increased and safer use of bicycles benefits all.
As a nation, we are faced with the economic and environmental consequences of our petroleum consumption while coping with the health and cost impacts of what many consider an obesity epidemic. As an Island we add to that the impacts of traffic congestion. Every commute to work or school, trip to town for shopping and errands, or dash to the beach after work that is accomplished on a bike is one less trip by car — fewer emissions, less traffic and parking congestion, fewer dollars going overseas for oil, and more calories expended to stay healthy. It's cheaper, too.
The Vineyard is similar to other places where cycling is a key transportation strategy, such as the Netherlands, where 27% of all trips are by bike, or Denmark with 18%; it's got a mild climate, much of it is flat, and much of what most people need is close to where they live, well within cycling distance for a healthy person. In the past six weeks I've driven about 100 miles in my car, and 3‑4 times that on bicycles. Make it safer to do so, and many more will discover how fun and rewarding it is, which benefits us all. Please join me in making this happen.
Marc Rosenbaum
West Tisbury
Trimming the old fashioned way – sensitively
To the Editor:
Thank you to the town of Chilmark Highway Department for the beautiful work they have been doing clearing the North Road. Rather than using the "mangle machine" that the state has used on the State Road in recent years, which leaves the roadside looking like a tornado passed through, they have been carefully clearing the brush by hand, resulting in a neat, attractive, still green, roadside. Thank you for taking the time to do it right. It looks great.
Lynne Silva
Chilmark
