Letters to the Editor
Published: February 25, 2010
Sovereign Menemsha
To the Editor:
After watching several conflicts between two of the Chilmark selectmen and Menemsha, I think I may have a solution. It might be in the best interests to split, making Menemsha the town of Menemsha, with Warren Doty as its selectman, as he seems to be the only one truly interested in keeping Menemsha like it is without a lot of bureaucratic nonsense. Chilmark would get to keep the two others. The present harbormaster could be stationed at Upper Chilmark Pond with his new building and let Menemsha run the harbor itself. Wouldn't this be simple? Thank you.
Jon Vincent
New Bedford
Crickers invite support
To the Editor:
To the People of Chilmark: two of the selectmen have decided to make the shack owners get insurance for our Menemsha Crick lots, even though the town already has insurance. I called the two selectmen that voted for this, and I was told they were doing this for the good of the Chilmark people and taxpayers. The two selectmen passed this without any input from us, as we weren't notified of this meeting. My guess is we aren't considered Chilmark people or taxpayers, so they just passed it.
If you want to help us get this repealed, please go to the town of Chilmark website and click on Selectmen. All the info is there, or better still, come to the meeting March 2, at 7 pm, at the Chilmark town hall. If you don't want to help us, please just stay home.
Thank you.
Walter (Pat) Jenkinson
Chilmark
Too big
To the Editor:
Once again the proposal of a large building (larger than the Menemsha Texaco) for the harbor department is in the works. This structure would rest on a cement foundation, thus making it permanent, and changing Menemsha forever.
Several years ago the parks and recreation committee granted permission to erect a temporary structure (on a fishermen's lot) for the harbormaster to use. This present structure seems to fit in just fine and serves its purpose for the smallest harbor on the Island. It can easily be repaired at a small cost. If it really must be replaced, a small garden-type shed could be purchased very cheaply, placed on skids and removed during the off-season.
This is not the time to spend big money on something we don't need. Especially since it is only used during the summer season. Two years ago, the finance committee did not recommend this. Open space on the harbor is a great asset to have and to leave to our children and visitors.
Whatever happened to make-do? I believe a meeting will be held on March 2. Thank you.
Wayne V. Iacono
Chilmark
Wampanoag says no to Cape Wind
To the Editor:
I've sent this letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
My name is Captain Buddy Vanderhoop, and I am a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah. I speak for my tribe when I state that we are unequivocally against the Cape Wind offshore wind farm as proposed at Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound. We are certainly not against wind power or other alternative energy projects, we are very much for new "green" technologies. We are just against putting 130 440-foot wind generators over a 25-square-mile industrial plant-sized area of Horseshoe Shoal. If not just for environmental reasons, we are opposed to this location for deep cultural and spiritual reasons that span centuries of our culture and beliefs.
We, the Wampanoag are the "People of the First Light," and our culture dates back to prehistoric times here in New England. "People of the First Light" refers to our reverential connection with the sunlight over the water to the east (where Horseshoe Shoal is). We are a federally recognized tribe, and maintaining and protecting tribal cultural resources is a top priority of our tribe. For centuries we have considered our surrounding waters sacred territory, and we hold ceremonial sunrise events that face the eastern shore (overlooking Horseshoe Shoal). We would consider this "industrial complex" in this hallowed area of Nantucket Sound an abomination of our tribal rights. It would mar our sacred waters and disturb ancestral grounds that lie on Nantucket Sound's seabed. It would constitute in effect a broken commitment on behalf of the federal government regarding our treaty rights.
As President Barack Obama has stated, "My Indian policy starts with honoring the unique government to government relationship between tribes and the federal government and ensuring that our treaty obligations are met and ensuring that Native Americans have a voice in the White House. Indian Nations have never asked much of the United States, only for what was promised by the treaty obligations made by their forebears. So let me be clear: I believe that treaty commitments are paramount law, and I'll fulfill those commitments as president of the United States." So if he meant what was promised, we want not only to be heard, but we want our treaty commitments held up as "paramount law." In addition, we feel that Nantucket Sound should be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, giving it the protection that it so warrants.
There are just so many negative impacts this project - as proposed - would have not only on our tribe, but for everyone. First off, the noise and disturbance from the wind farm during construction, operation, and maintenance would result in damage to or loss of habitat, changes in species behavior, species mortality and overall changes in the sound's ecology and water quality. The lengthy and destructive construction process would include dredging, jet plowing, and pile driving which would threaten all forms of benthic, marine and avian species in the area. I am a commercial fishermen and fishing charter captain on Martha's Vineyard and am particularly concerned with the impact such a project would have on the local fisheries and local fishermen.
The area is a designated "essential fish habitat." It is also a traditional and lucrative fishing ground where many local fishermen earn the majority of their annual income. Navigation of mobile fishing gear between the 130 towers would be hazardous, if not impossible, and would displace commercial fishing from Nantucket Sound. In addition, the plant's 10-story electrical service platform would hold 40,000 gallons of hazardous oil in the middle of the 130 turbine complex. It could very well be a disastrous oil spill waiting to happen in the midst of some of the most prime fishing grounds on the East Coast. Not to mention the impact something like that would have on tourism, public safety, endangered species, etc.
Despite some of the propaganda out there, the majority of Cape and Island residents oppose this Cape Wind project as proposed on Horseshoe Shoal. However, as I am sure you know, a compromise has been proposed that would move the wind farm to an alternate site in close proximity to the disputed location. This proposed site south of Tuckernuck Island provides the developer with a strong, economically viable location. A much better site that we feel respects the concerns of local residents and our tribe. So to emphasize, we are not just being "difficult," not certainly just putting up roadblocks at any cost to the idea of wind power technology here in our local waters - we are willing to compromise. Let our tribe state that emphatically. We just feel that Horseshoe Shoal is not the place for such a massive project on so many levels.
There also should be a serious discussion about a land-based wind farm complex location as well. One possible viable location, as we see it, would be Otis Air Force base on the Cape. Also I feel that we the public need to know more about the actual costs associated with a Cape Wind farm project, regardless of site location. We need some real "transparency" regarding the reality of the effect on the ratepayer and if there actually will be a viable benefit locally. One last point, we also need to seriously consider other alternative, green technologies and policies that would bring our energy costs down, reduce our carbon footprint and have the least effect on the local environment.
On behalf of me and my tribe, I thank you for your time and consideration regarding our position on this critical issue. The Horseshoe area of Nantucket Sound is a local treasure and needs to be preserved for generations to come. To quote an ancient Native American saying, "Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our children".
Captain Buddy Vanderhoop
Aquinnah
Strenuously opposed
To the Editor:
This is a copy of a letter to the Edgartown selectmen and the Edgartown planning board.
Once again a minority of Chappaquiddick residents who favor the construction of a paved bike path on Chappaquiddick have found a way to push this unwanted and unnecessary project forward against the wishes of the majority of Chappaquiddick residents who strenuously oppose it.
They have underwritten a class project by a group of students at a Boston university to propose options for such a path - and have apparently maneuvered town officials on both your two boards into appearing to support the bike path project itself.
As a homeowner on Chappaquiddick whose family has been connected to this extraordinary island community for almost a century, I dearly hope this is not so. A "mixed use bike path" - if built - will have one and only one certain consequence for Chappaquiddick: it will bring hundreds if not thousands of additional visitors to the island every year and put the special qualities of the island at serious risk. This might be desirable for various commercial interests on the island, but not for the majority of Chappaquiddick residents who love the rural pace and quiet intimacy of the island as is. One thing is for sure: It will change the character of the island forever. It will cause more speed and more congestion on the macadam and dirt roadways, create longer and more frustrating lines for the ferry, despoil significant portions of island wetland and vegetation in its construction, spend thousands of taxpayer dollars that are in short supply, and inevitably lead to further intrusions on the quality of Chappaquiddick life.
Supporters of the path say it will make the road safer. I would ask: Safer than what? Unlike the roadways of Edgartown (and every other Vineyard town), there has never - repeat, never - been a pedestrian or bicyclist fatality on a Chappy roadway caused by a motorist.
With all due respect, I would submit that the Edgartown planning board and highway department should not be holding public hearings on the merits of a student class project in Boston concerning options for a bike path on Chappaquiddick.
The question is not what the options are for a bike path that most Chappaquiddick residents reject. The only valid question at this point is whether any such bike path is necessary or desirable. The answer is a resounding no.
Timothy Leland
Chappaquiddick and Boston
The answer was no
To the Editor:
This is a copy of a letter to the Edgartown selectmen and the Edgartown planning board.
It recently came to my attention that while the selectmen, the planning board, and the MVC recently denied support to the Chappy Path Committee (CPC) for several reasons, including that they lacked adequate levels of community support, currently the CPC and the Edgartown planning boards and the highway department are involved in a joint design review effort and have enlisted a team of Northeastern University graduate students and their instructor to present design options for a Chappy Bike Path.
Where is the appropriate due process and due diligence? Why are design options being reviewed by the Edgartown planning board and the highway department without any prior community discussion or selectmen involvement? Where are the selectmen in this process? Where is the town's assessment that informed these designs? What was the judgment regarding the environmental and geological impacts, given that this path would run through wetlands, conservation lands, and special habitats? Who verified the appropriate licensing, certification, and relevant experience of the mechanical and environmental engineers (or, as I understand, students) who are involved in this informal yet formal effort?
As a taxpayer, isn't it reasonable to expect that the selectmen would be involved and assess levels of community support before any effort proceeded to design review? Wouldn't then a process be developed for a full and professional assessment to be performed; one that includes a full review of the appropriate licensing and experience base required by a design team?
I am tremendously concerned that this dialogue and effort has stepped outside of an accepted community process, and I would ask the boards to answer just what process do they consider themselves following presently?
As a 10-year Chappy resident and landholder, I submit that the Edgartown planning board and highway department should not be holding public hearings on the merits of a student design team on a project such as the bike path on Chappaquiddick.
The only step the boards should be involved in now is answering the first valid question at this point and that is, "Is such bike path necessary or desirable to the community?" This was done and the board received the community's answer. That answer was no. I would hope the board will explain its actions and involvement on why they are continuing to put town time, energy, and effort participating in or sanctioning any subsequent activities.
Jack McCauley
Chappaquiddick
A shovel and a helping spirit
To the Editor:
This winter has been particularly hard for the elderly and the infirm. And no less for the police and firemen. In spite of tough working conditions during the recent heavy snowfall in early February, a young policeman from Vineyard Haven rescued me from the Steamship Authority Park and Ride on State Road with great courtesy, speed, and a fine attitude.
Matt Gebo saw me and my car buried in snow and instead of calling someone to help me (at what cost?) he went for a shovel and quickly did it himself. It was done with humor and no feeling that I was a great pest to his morning. I drove away feeling lighthearted and positive about the world. Thank you, Matt, for your shovel and your spirit. All police take notice.
Roberta Mendlovitz
Vineyard Haven
Extreme kindness
To the Editor:
I am writing to say thank you for the kindness shown by Vineyard residents when I became ill while visiting my family during Presidents' Day weekend. In particular, I would like to thank the EMTs for their calm and friendly demeanor when they responded to my mother's call, as well as the extremely helpful staff of the emergency room at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. Thanks to their assistance, I am home and feeling much better.
Megan Harrington
Watertown
Grateful for the restaurants
To the Editor:
This letter is one I planned to write before learning of the closing of Bowl and Board and M.V. Bagel Authority's sudden closing (with no notice to M. Dupon, their landlord, who has tried valiantly to keep Le Grenier open year-round for many years).
We know our Vineyard is called a summer resort, but so are many other New England spots.
For some time I have noticed via ads that several inns and motels on the Cape, several in Maine that are nowhere near skiing areas and even one inn on Nantucket have not given up efforts to have visitors in winter, as seems to have happened on our Island.
With a number of very nice restaurants willing to remain open year-round, why have all innkeepers on the Vineyard given up advertising in the cooler months of the year? Perhaps they haven't, for I only see Boston papers regularly. Vineyard ads are not to be found in those papers.
Does the Chamber of Commerce have a role here? I am just one of many "unaffiliated" retirees, grateful for the restaurants that make a go of it on our Island all year, and stores as well.
Leigh Smith
Vineyard Haven
