Letters to the Editor
DAS makes sense
To the Editor:
After I attended the West Tisbury Selectmen's DAS (Distributed Antenna System) meeting the other night and listened to the pros and cons, my own position has solidified. But to begin with, a story told to me by my mother.
Many years ago, my elderly great grandmother and great, great aunt were on their way to the Chilmark Church a few miles from where they lived in Quitsa. The dirt roads were dusty and heavily rutted. Very kindly, the Vincent brothers offered to drive them in their Model T Ford. But down by Hariph's Creek Bridge the car fell over on its side. After the Vincent brothers helped the sisters-in-law out, my great, great aunt swore she'd never ride in such a terrible, unreliable, newfangled, frightening machine again, and she walked back borne.
My great grandmother waited while the brothers pushed the Model T upright, then got back in and continued to the church. She had decided that the car would get her to the church on time, not just then, but over and over and over again in the future. Regardless of the fact that automobiles were intrinsically dangerous, and frightening to horses, and that their use meant children could no longer play freely in sandy roadways, the car for all its problems became a useful tool. Now, still dangerous, it routinely transports us and our children.
Today many people are dependent on cell phones. The fact that a number of West Tisbury homes already have cell phone service is not a reason to assume everyone who wants it has it. There are pockets where residents, as well as summer people, have no service, but should. Safety is the foremost objective. Every accident is an isolated event, whether on the roadways or in our homes. I keep a cell phone and hope that one day I will have service from my home.
Contractors, deliverymen, medical personnel, people who come up-Island on a daily basis to work, parents needing to contact their children, children needing to call home - all deserve the benefits offered by 21st century communication.
Working with Chilmark and Aquinnah, in a spirit of cooperation, West Tisbury selectmen have introduced the town to cell phone service that would cover a more substantial number of townspeople with the idea that a service provider or providers would in time be able to extend that coverage to our beaches. In addition, as presented to us by Alexander Gamota of American Tower Corporation, the town would receive a fee and participate in revenue sharing.
This DAS plan makes sense.
Barbara Day
West Tisbury
Unusual exposure
To the Editor:
Nelson Sigelman is to be feted for his fine articles on WWII killed in action, Marine Pharmacist Mate 2cj Edmund J. Berube, brother to Yvonne B. Sylvia, one of the Island's outstanding women.
I should like to add that Marine Corps casualties among the corpsmen were the highest of the Pacific war on Iwo Jima, with the possible exception of Okinawa, a much larger island, later on.
"Nip" troops (Sons of Nippon, or Japan), were trained to snipe the medics with bright red crosses set against a circular white background on their helmets. Later in the war GIs and Marine medics painted the red crosses green for added safety.
I was at F.D.R. base, terminal Island, San Pedro, Long Beach, California for Navy Day, Oct. 27, 1945. While there, among the fleet I saw the burned and bombed-out hulk of a hospital ship, possibly the USS Comfort.
The big red crosses on the decks had made perfect targets for Japanese kamikaze aircraft.
Until the radical Islamist terrorist of today, the Japanese military of WW II was the most difficult foreign enemy we had fought.
Peter Colt Josephs
Chilmark
Thoughtful
To the Editor:
Thank you for your thoughtful editorial in this week's Times.
I have often been told that the definition of insanity is to try a process once and have it fail, then repeat it and expect it to succeed.
Mary H. Snyder
Vineyard Haven
Best of public service
To the Editor:
This is a copy of a letter to John Cashin.
Thank you for your honesty, your integrity, your courage, and your sense of humor. You, more than anyone I have ever met, epitomize the best of public service. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have served with you.
Marion A. Mudge
Town Clerk
Tisbury
Well done
To the Editor:
The new store manager, Deb Alpert-Sylvia and her amazing staff of the Edgartown Boys & Girls Club Second Hand Shop, deserve a big pat on their backs for a job well done.
Oftentimes during my lunch hour, I'll take a short stroll down to the Second Hand Shop, keeping my eye out for a much-needed dresser and other small treasures I might find. I felt the need to write this letter after the many times I've witnessed what this staff goes through on a daily basis. I'm so amazed at how well they handle the hundreds of distractions that occur, that sometimes I forget what I'm even looking for. Everyone is always greeted by an immediate smile when you walk through the doors and the regulars are chanted by their first names too.
Even with the enormous piles of donations daily, constant inquiries from customers about pricing, as well as trying to keep up with continually stocking the shelves with new items, tracking inventory and pricing them, this staff still manages to smile and make everyone's day a better one.
Deb and her new staff have worked really hard at improving and re-organizing the entire store and it shows. It's always a pleasant experience shopping here and I believe a big thank you is well deserved. Keep up the good work, and hats off to a job well done.
Karen Altieri
Edgartown
Generosity
To the Editor:
This is a copy of a letter to Sergeant Robert Fiske, treasurer, Tisbury Police Relief Association.
The staff and students of the Tisbury School thank the Tisbury Police Relief Association for its generosity over the course of this year. We are grateful for the assistance that has benefited our school's efforts.
The Tisbury School Pizza Night fundraiser, benefiting the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, was greatly aided by the Tisbury Police Relief Association. Your group supported the Tisbury School Tigresses, a team of staff members participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and also sponsored the 2009 Tisbury School Yearbook.
We appreciate the Tisbury Police Relief Association's commitment to our school. The consideration you've demonstrated has made it possible for us to be successful in our effort to make positive and meaningful connections with the island community. We are proud to share a positive relationship with you. Thank you for all you have done.
John Custer
Dean of Students
Tisbury School
Thank you all
To the Editor:
The mission statement of Hospice of Martha's Vineyard clearly states that we offer our services for free to all and that we are community-supported. The community of Martha's Vineyard and runners from as far away as Juneau, Alaska, earned a huge gold star on Memorial Day weekend when many friends of Hospice turned out for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Oak Bluffs Road Race.
On the morning of May 24, 526 runners and walkers of all ages assembled at the Wesley Hotel in Oak Bluffs. The weather was doing everything weather can do - rain, sunshine, humidity - and the runners and walkers took all in stride. The number of families who registered to run this race together was truly heartwarming.
Thanks to this year's very generous presenting sponsor, Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank, and the associate sponsor, Tony's Market, Hospice will be able to use every supporting sponsor and registration dollar directly for patient care.
I thank the following for their assistance and support: Roger Wey, the Oak Bluffs Road Race Committee, and the Oak Bluffs police and firemen for taking care of the official and safety needs of the runners. Thank you to Peter Martell for the excellent space in the Wesley Hotel for registration, Peter and Helen Hall of Broadway Screen Printing for the beautiful lime green tee-shirts, Tom and Marsha Seeman of Vineyard Bottled Waters for the gallons and gallons of water, The P-A club for ice to cool those gallons, Tony's Market for the cases of oranges and bananas, daRosa's for the printing of the applications. And thanks to the following supporting sponsors for their pledges of dollars; Basics, Burnham & Magnuson Builders, E.C. Cottle Inc., Hy-Line, Season's Eatery and Pub, Down to Earth, Powers Electric, Offshore Ale, Linda Jeans, Marzbanian Construction, Sullivan O'Connor Architects, Cackleberry Farm, Giordano's, Secret Garden, and Sanctuary.
Thanks also to all the many volunteers, Hospice staff and board members who gave us their time, talent, and energy to make the day so successful. The angels at the water table also deserve thanks for their support for the runners, Lal Dowley and her grandson Turlock. Thanks to the MV Times and the Vineyard Gazette whose coverage and pictures give us all the details and visuals of a very successful and happy day. Thank you all.
A sincere thank-you to the runners and walkers who participated, especially those little ones who give it their all in the one-mile fun run. You all make my day.
You see, we are truly community supported. Thank you for keeping the very important work of Hospice in your hearts.
Terre D. Young
West Tisbury
Executive Director
Hospice of Martha's Vineyard
Thank you, Joe
To the Editor:
I'd like to thank Joe, the manager at Xtra Mart, for his kindness and consideration. He was determined to get to the bottom of a situation that had arisen recently. Thank you.
Megan Klein
Vineyard Haven
Deep thanks
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), we would like to extend our deepest thanks to all who made the Wampanoag Environmental Health Consumer EXPO 2009, a resounding success. Despite the competition with some stunning weather on the day of the EXPO, nearly 300 people made their way through the exhibit hall, and 175 attended the speaker presentations offered throughout the day. There was a palpable and friendly buzz in the air as exhibitors and attendees alike shared their knowledge, questions, and ideas regarding myriad issues related to environmental health and the particular ways we, as Islanders, are affected by these issues.
So, hats off to the Harbor View Hotel staff and management for excellent attention to detail and courteous and congenial assistance all around. Chef Levon's melon elixir samples served as a delicious and refreshing pick-me-up at midday. Thanks to Pro-tek for their (forgive me) sound expertise and assistance with all things audio-visual. Where would we have been if not for the overwhelming response from our exhibitors that this was indeed something the community wished for and needed? Thank you all for the great efforts made to provide such a beneficial and generous presence, providing information and resources to help all of us to make better informed and healthier choices for ourselves, our homes and our environment.
To our speakers, thank you for going the distance and condensing so much thoughtful and expert information into such time-limited slots. We are so fortunate to have your dedication working in these fields every day.
Thanks to the Tisbury Printer for their mammoth efforts with our promotional materials and to the other local businesses that provided help along the way. Thanks to the Harvard School of Public Health and Urban Habitat Initiatives for consulting services. And, a special appreciation to those organizations and businesses that were unable to attend but offered door prize donations.
We hope to see you all and more next year. Until then, keep supporting local farms and businesses that are working so hard to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier place for all of us to live.
Ron MacLaren
Health Director
Cynthia Robinson
Environmental Health Coordinator
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)
Hats off to the dancers
To the Editor:
The Ballroom Dancers of Martha's Vineyard sponsored a dance at the Portuguese-American Club on May 24 to benefit the YMCA. The evening began with a free swing dance lesson and some impressive moves on the floor. The crowd began to swell just in time for an energized performance by Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish. What a great time. The joint was jumping while everyone danced off the cobwebs of the long off season. The energy in that room was incredible.
I cannot express my thanks enough to Janet Holladay of the Ballroom Dancers for making this all possible. It is the bringing together of community in support of our Island Y that is so heartwarming. Every little bit raised helps us toward our goal of filling the fundraising gap. My thanks also go out to all of the Ballroom Dancers of M.V. who used the money they collected over the winter to sponsor this event, to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish for their inspiring performance, and to the wonderful folks at the P-A Club for their generous hospitality and warmth.
Hats off to all of those who ventured out to dance the night away for such a great cause.
Be on the lookout for more Y fundraisers throughout the upcoming season, and by all means call me if you would like to sponsor another dance at the P-A Club.
Christine Todd
Development Director
YMCA of Martha's Vineyard
Written in the heavens above
To the Editor:
I would like to thank Katy Plasse for her work on the article she wrote about me in the May 21 issue of the MV Times.
However, I must make a few factual corrections:
I use a natal chart, not a nodal chart. Chiron is not a moon of Saturn, no, he is a minor planet in orbit between Saturn and Uranus.
And, I have been working as a professional astrologer since 1978. That's 30 years, not 20. I plan to continue working for another 30 years.
Thanks again to Katy for a well-written article.
All the best.
Arlan Wise
Chilmark
Be a good patriot
To the Editor:
Just the other day, I was helping my friend's daughter with her homework. We were having a good time. It may be true what they say about third graders: they just might be a bit smarter than adults.
Anyway, while looking through her study materials, I came across a strange booklet entitled 'Patriotic Songs.' Inside were a number of American pride songs, mostly military in nature, some of which I have never heard before. One of them caught my eye, and after reading the words, I became furious and asked the child's mother what the booklet was all about and why her little girl was told to memorize them.
Of course, I knew what the program was all about, but I was curious about why third-grade girls at the Edgartown School were subjected to such language and destructive imagery in 2009. The Army Air Corps Song blew my mind. Here is a chunk of this particularly violent little ditty:
Here they come, zooming to meet our thunder
At them boys, give her the gun
I have recently returned from a four-year tour of Southeast Asia. I taught English in Vietnam for two of those years and spent the bulk of the rest of my time photographing the incredible peoples of that fascinating region. I was also fortunate enough to have been invited into a number of homes along the way, to share a meal or a smile, with often staggeringly poor families - hard working people, rich in character, who appreciated my interest in their extraordinary way of life.
When I read the disturbing words of the song, I was reminded of the stories I had been told about tens of thousands of young girls raped and murdered during the American War in Vietnam. Now, the warmakers will do anything necessary to prevent Americans from learning the ugly truth about what actually happens in the killing fields of these crazy wars, and the soldier makers understand just what it takes to brainwash young men and women, rounded up from mostly impoverished America to fight in them.
I find it incredibly disturbing that our public schools here on the Vineyard are indoctrinating young girls and boys with such rubbish at a time when it is critical that American youth be taught an entirely different set of values.
We just concluded eight miserable years of nationalism, jingoism, and imperialism that alienated the country from most of the rest of the planet. If there is to be a peaceful future, it is essential that our educators, including parents, remove themselves from models that simply do not work.
Of course, we need a national army, and if our shores are invaded by a foreign people I guarantee, nearly everyone, including myself, will answer the call to arms, but if we continue to brainwash our children and follow the Fox News, Cheney and Rush Limbaugh right wing model, there will be no future, and America's legacy will be one of lies, ugliness, war mongering, greed and madness.
Parents, get this nonsense removed from the public schools. Be a good patriot, and do your bit to spread the message of peace, cooperation, and sharing.
Jeffrey Leistyna
West Tisbury
