News Briefs
Published: April 1, 2010
Luck of the draw means American dream
Seven lucky house hunters won the right to buy affordable houses in the Eliakim's Way affordable housing development at 250 State Road in West Tisbury. The rights to buy the solar-powered, energy- efficient homes were awarded Tuesday, by lottery from a pool of 21 qualified applicants.
Mathew Coffey's and Christine Conley's names were the first drawn for the first house in the development, a three-bedroom priced at $295,000. They qualified for the drawing because their combined income is below 120 percent of the average median income (AMI) for the region.
The second house, a two-bedroom priced at $270,000, went to Bonnie Tilton Jackson.
House three went to Philippe and Madeline Ezanno, and house eight went to Justin Bryant and Emma Kiley. The three-bedroom houses were priced at $255,000, and the couples qualified because their incomes were below 100 percent of the AMI.
House four went to George and Christine Kinsman, and house seven went to Paul Galligan and Emily Wash. Each is a two-bedroom house priced at $225,000.
The final house, number six, went to Amanda Cohen. The two-bedroom house is priced at $175,000, and was set aside for someone earning less than 80 percent of the AMI.
The Island Housing Trust developed the properties, which were built by South Mountain Company. The Dukes County Regional Housing Authority conducted the lottery and helped applicants through the qualification process.
All of the lottery winners must now secure financing and close the real estate transaction.
President taps Chilmark seasonal resident for post
President Barack Obama will nominate Donald Berwick, a medical scholar and Chilmark seasonal resident, to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Mr. Berwick's appointment to head the nation's largest health care system is subject to Senate confirmation and follows passage of landmark healthcare legislation.
Mr. Berwick, 63, heads the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, an independent nonprofit Cambridge-based organization dedicated to the improvement of health care throughout the world. He is also a clinical professor of pediatrics and health care policy at the Harvard Medical School, and a professor in the department of health policy and management at the Harvard School of Public Health.
In 2006, Mr. Berwick accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker at the Vineyard Nursing Association's annual meeting. His talk was titled, "Crossing the Quality Chasm: Can We Set New Standards for American health Care?"
In a telephone conversation yesterday, Robert Tonti, VNA chief executive officer, said Mr. Berwick's talk was engaging and interesting.
"He was very impressive talking about using process to improve hospitals in the U.S. and around the world. They have had a lot of success," Mr. Tonti said. "Clearly, in my view, his background makes him eminently suited to this job. There will be a lot of challenges, but he brings a wealth of experience and I think a good, strong attitude to improving our health care."
A spokesman for Dr. Berwick said unfortunately, Mr. Berwick could not comment on anything to do with a possible pending nomination until it is official.
Windemere seeks volunteer van drivers
For residents of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the Island's only nursing home, the opportunity to leave the facility is often contingent on the availability of a driver for the specialized wheel chair lift van.
In a recent letter to family members and friends of Windemere residents, Betsy Burmeister, Windemere recreation director, appealed for volunteer van drivers. Ms. Burmeister said the van has an automatic transmission and is easy to operate. Drivers must participate in a brief class. There is no written test.
"It is so wonderful for the residents to get out of the facility and see the Island that we all enjoy so much," Ms. Burmeister said. "The more people that learn to drive the van the more the residents can get out and enjoy the Island."
For more information, call 508-696-6465, ext. 722
Times honored by Daybreak Clubhouse
On March 25, representatives of the Daybreak Clubhouse of Martha's Vineyard Community Services, along with Cape and Islands Representative Tim Madden, honored the Martha's Vineyard Times at the annual Massachusetts Employment Celebration at the State House.
Representatives of Clubhouse programs from across the state assembled in the Great Hall of the State House Thursday for ceremonies honoring program contributors. From left to right: Jonathan Burke of Daybreak, Tony Omer of The Times, David Grey of Daybreak, and Representative Tim Madden. Click on photo to enlarge. Photo by David FoxRepresentative Madden presented a plaque and a congressional certificate to Tony Omer of The Times.
"Congratulations to the Martha's Vineyard Times for receiving this award in recognition of 15 years of loyal support to the Daybreak Clubhouse," Mr. Madden said. "Daybreak members each week and each month mail out the subscriptions and bills for the Times. The Times sees the person, not the illness, and recognizes the business opportunity to hire excellent employees. On behalf of the Daybreak Clubhouse and the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, I thank you and extend my enthusiastic congratulations."
The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition (MCC) hosted the event held in the Great Hall attended by representatives of more than 30 Clubhouse programs from across the state, representatives and senators.
Clubhouses support people who have mental illness by enabling them to live independent, productive lives. They provide housing and education supports. They combat stigma. They also provide jobs in a variety of settings.
Last year, Clubhouse members across the state earned over $13 million dollars. Thirty-eight different businesses, such as The Times, employed over 1,900 citizens.
"It is paramount that people have the opportunity to work. That is the way to regaining one's footing, and to pride and accomplishment," Jonathan Burke, employment coordinator at Daybreak, said.
MVC holds public hearing on Rickard's Bakery
The Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposal by Kathryn and Michael (Gates) Rickard to add a retail section to their bakery, Rickard's, on Cook Road in Tisbury. The hearing takes place at 8 pm at the commission's offices in Oak Bluffs.
The Rickard proposal triggered review as a development of regional impact (DRI) because of a previous DRI decision on the property, in 1989, when James Rogers applied to build the two-unit, 6,400-square-foot building. The MVC approved his proposal with conditions, including one restricting the building to wholesale business.
Mr. Rickard said he received permission from the town of Tisbury to operate a small retail business out of his bakery, which he started last November. Then he received a call from the MVC shortly before Christmas informing him that the building was still restricted to wholesale business under the previous DRI conditions.
The Rickards propose to add a 200-square-foot retail section to their 3,200-square-foot bakery for the retail sale of breads and pastries made on the site and hot and cold beverages. Sandwiches will not be sold, and signs will be minimal.
Most of the commission's land use planning committee's concerns focused on the impact of the bakery's proposed business expansion on traffic on Cook Road, a short stretch of narrow road. The committee did not agree with MVC commissioner John Breckenridge's suggestion that the bakery remove donuts from foods listed on the DRI application as possible menu additions. He was concerned donuts would attract more patrons and generate more traffic.
The MVC staff completed a traffic scope study for the bakery, which the LUPC approved. The MVC commissioners will make a site visit to the bakery tomorrow morning.
Calling all contractors
Island contractors can get an inside view of how to secure work on local public works projects tomorrow, when the state Division of Capital Management (DCAM) sponsors a workshop in conjunction with the town of Tisbury.
The workshop is scheduled for 3 pm, Friday at the Katherine Cornell Theatre at Tisbury Town Hall.
Certified general contractors and sub-contractors must do all work that involves public funds. The certification process involves documenting the financial health, experience, licensing, and insurance requirements of the construction firm. Harry Schoenbrun, assistant manager for contractor certification at DCAM, will attend the workshop to explain the process and answer questions.
New management at Second Hand store
Abigail Leighton is the new manager of the Second Hand Store in Edgartown. The Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club announced Ms. Leighton's appointment this week. She is a former Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club member, who has a long family history with the club, according to a press release. Her father, Gary Leighton, is a former club athletic and program director, and her great uncle, Sam Leighton, was the first executive director when the Second Hand Store opened. Ms. Leighton has worked as a program supervisor at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club and most recently was the assistant manager at the Second Hand Store. Revenue from the Second Hand Store supports club programs.
Citrine makes a move
Citrine Beads and Imports has moved from West Tisbury to Main Street, Vineyard Haven, between the Mansion House and Mocha Mott's.
The shop will have an opening party Friday, April 2, from 4 to 9 pm. For more information, call 508-693-4445.
Paul Watts named chief lending officer
Fielding Moore, President and chief executive officer, announced that Paul Watts has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at The Edgartown National Bank. "Since joining the Bank in June, Paul has demonstrated his superior leadership skills and greatly enhanced our lending programs," Mr. Moore said in a press release.
The bank also announced that Mary Maida has joined the bank as vice president and commercial loan officer and John Coskie has joined the bank as assistant vice president and senior credit analyst.
"As a local community bank, we are always willing to sit with customers to discuss any borrowing request," Mr. Watts said. "We can be flexible, creative and timely with our decisions as all lending approvals are made here on the Island, by Islanders." The Edgartown National Bank, founded in 1905, is an independent community bank serving the Island of Martha's Vineyard.
Edgartown dentist moves to Vineyard Haven location
Long-time Edgartown dentist Garrett Orazem has moved his practice to a new building in Vineyard Haven. For many years, Dr. Orazem, a graduate of Harvard School of Dentistry, maintained his office in his Edgartown house.
He has since relocated his office to 31 Beach Road, a new two-story office building adjacent to the Art Cliff Diner. The building is equipped with an elevator that opens directly to the office providing ease of access for patients who may have mobility challenges. Dr. Orazem is accepting new patients. For more information, call 508-693-1951.
Corrections
A story about the arrest of Peter Duart in the March 25 issue of The Times, "Tisbury man flees before arrest for rape," reported that he was elected to the planning board as a write-in candidate following his release from prison. According to the Tisbury town clerk's minutes, Mr. Duart was a write-in candidate for the finance committee (FinCom) in the April 2006 election. He received 13 votes but was not elected.
Mr. Duart, the only candidate on the April 2007 ballot for one seat on the planning board, was elected for a five-year term through 2012 with 566 votes.
In April 2008, he was elected to the FinCom with 21 write-in votes but did not serve because of a town bylaw that prohibits a person elected or appointed to an office that deals with expenditures or appropriations of funds from also serving on the FinCom.
