News
in Brief
January
13, 2005
More charges
in last week’s cocaine bust
An Oak Bluffs man faces drug charges in the ongoing investigation
of a Tisbury man who was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine
last week.
Asil Cash, 25, was charged this week with conspiracy to violate
drug laws after police say they determined that he was involved
with the distribution of a large amount of crack cocaine over the
last several months. Mr. Cash is a former boys varsity basketball
coach at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and the
son of Kriner Cash, the former Vineyard school superintendent.
The charges were filed in connection with the ongoing investigation
of Jordan Burnham, 25, of Tisbury and Brooklyn, NY, who was arrested
on Jan. 5, following a traffic stop by Oak Bluffs police.
According to an Oak Bluffs police department press release, after
police stopped Mr. Burnham, they found a small amount of marijuana
and crack cocaine. As a result, police obtained a search warrant
for a house at 36 Winyah Lane in Tisbury, where Mr. Burnham rents
a room.
At the house, according to the press release, police found 81 grams
of crack cocaine with a street value of approximately $8,100. Police
also found packaging materials and evidence that they said suggests
that Mr. Burnham had distributed between $40,000 and $50,000 worth
of cocaine in recent months.
Along with the drugs and drug paraphernalia, police also found a
bulletproof vest, with special metal inserts for added protection.
Mr. Burnham was charged with trafficking cocaine (more than 28 grams),
which carries up to 20 years in a state prison, with a minimum sentence
of five years, if convicted.
According to police, Mr. Burnham had been the target of a Martha’s
Vineyard Drug Task Force investigation for several months.
Mr. Burnham was arraigned on Jan. 6 and is currently being held
at the Dukes County House of Corrections on $15,000 bail. He is
due back in court later this month.
Last week’s incident was not Mr. Burnham’s first encounter
with Island police. In August 2002, police arrested him for drug
offences, according to Oak Bluffs police.
Navy SEAL from West Tisbury cited for combat service in Afghanistan
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Rancich of West Tisbury earned a Bronze Star for
meritorious service while serving in Afghanistan from April 21 to
July 21, 2003. He received the honor in a presentation Monday.
As his career came to a close in the winter of 2003, Lt. Cmdr. Rancich
commuted between Newport Naval base and the Island home he shares
with his wife Allyson Reed, and their two sons, when he received
orders to go to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then
Afghanistan, where he served as the commander of Naval Special Operations
Forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (NAVSOF-A).
The citation dated Jan. 6, 2005, signed by Admiral V. E. Clark,
chief of naval operations, for the President of the United States,
reads in part: “Lieutenant Commander Rancich planned and executed
multiple combat operations, including no fewer than fourteen reconnaissance
missions and two direct action missions. Demonstrating exceptional
knowledge and expertise as a Special Operations Commander, he led
his unit to the pinnacle of efficiency and professionalism, whether
it acted as a supported or supporting unit. His ability to rapidly
assimilate operational situations enabled NAVSOF-A to begin combat
operations almost immediately upon deploying. Lieutenant Commander
Rancich’s careful planning and stalwart leadership were key
to the success of a direct action mission against an enemy compound
that required the coordination of multiple air, blocking and assault
forces, especially when the assault force was surprised with the
presence of over fifty unknown personnel on target. His strategic
understanding and operating acumen led to the development and execution
of a successful strategic reconnaissance and area denial campaign
in the Tora Bora Mountains. Lieutenant Commander Rancich’s
unparalleled leadership, zealous initiative, and exceptional dedication
to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with
the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Lieutenant Commander Rancich, who retires on Feb. 2 after 20 years
in the Navy, surfaced last fall as the favored general manager candidate
of former Steamship Authority Vineyard member Kathryn Roessel, who
died last year.
Authorized on February 4, 1944, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded
to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded
either for combat heroism or for meritorious service in connection
with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged
in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed
force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Oak Bluffs selectman says he won’t seek another term
In a surprise announcement at Tuesday’s Oak Bluffs selectmen’s
meeting, selectman Richard Combra said that he will not seek reelection
to the board this spring when his current three-year term expires.
“I have given it a great deal of thought. I have served three
terms, and I have enjoyed immensely the opportunity to serve as
a selectmen in the town of Oak Bluffs, to work with all of you,
and former selectmen, and all our staff, and town department heads,
and so on and so forth. But I decided it is time for me not to seek
reelection,” said Mr. Combra.
He said he made the announcement as early as possible to give the
public a chance to consider running for the position.
“I hope that this gives the opportunity to others to think
about seeking the office of selectman,” Mr. Combra told his
fellow selectmen.
Mr. Combra said he has no plans on completely withdrawing from town
government. He told The Times that he plans on running for the town
wastewater commission this spring.
At Tuesday’s meeting, his fellow board members told him that
he would be missed.
“I have always appreciated your perspective. Whether we agree
or disagree on an issue I always, or at least most of the time,
shut up and listen when you talk, because I know you have a perspective
that I didn’t see. I hope someone else will bring a perspective
like that to round out the board for us,” said Greg Coogan,
selectman.
Kerry Scott, selectman said she would be sorry to see Mr. Combra
leave. “I have learned a lot from Richard,” she said.
In other business, the selectmen approved a request from Denis Alley,
Oak Bluffs fire chief, to purchase a new $68,000 ambulance with
money from the town’s ambulance reserve fund. The fund is supported
by money that the department makes from its ambulance runs.
The new ambulance will join the town’s other two ambulances,
but will be equipped for Oak Bluffs’ new emergency response
designation of paramedic.
SSA forum will focus on telephone, website, reservations
Steamship Authority officials will hold the first Vineyard public
meeting of the new year next week to talk about broad changes designed
to improve customer service and provide more space for islanders
during peak travel periods.
The Tuesday night meeting in the Katherine Cornell Theatre in Tisbury
will also provide an opportunity for Wayne Lamson, hired last month
to be the new SSA general manager, and Marc Hanover of Oak Bluffs,
the Vineyard’s newly appointed SSA member to hear from Islanders.
The SSA hosted a similar public forum on Nantucket Monday night
attended by approximately 60 people. Mr. Lamson said the tone of
the Nantucket meeting was very positive.
Mr. Lamson said he plans to spend a few minutes reviewing improvements
made over the past five months and then talk about policy changes,
some of which were approved by the board at yesterday’s monthly
SSA meeting in Woods Hole.
Mr. Lamson said public forums are useful because he often hears
from people who might not normally call or write letters about issues
of concern.
The SSA meeting is on Tuesday, 6 pm to 8 pm in the Katharine Cornell
Theatre on Spring Street in Vineyard Haven.
Corrections
A photo published in the Calendar section of the Jan. 6 edition showed
Brian Weiland and Christine Box, members of the Sting Rays, playing
during the Star of Life Fireworks Cruise on New Year’s Eve. They
were not performing during the singer/songwriter concert. The cruise
benefited the Tisbury Ambulance Association and featured desserts
from Island chefs, live music, and front row seats for the fireworks.
A news brief in the Jan. 6 Times entitled “Man arrested for trafficking
in cocaine,” incorrectly identified Jordan Burnham as Jordan
Brown. |
