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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
January
27 - February 2, 2005 Edition
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LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR January 27, 2005 Pennywise access decision improper To the Editor: This is a copy of a letter sent to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC): I am writing this letter in desperation and with profound hope that it will convey to you how very strongly we feel about the plan for taking 10th Street for the Pennywise Path affordable housing project. The impact that this would have on our neighborhood and our property is immeasurable. We live on 11th Street and our back yard fronts 10th Street. The houses that are behind us are not that far away. As we only bought our home Oct. 1, we have not before taken the time to walk in the woods behind it, but this morning I went out looking around to have a better feel of where this road would be and the proximity of it to our house and those of the neighbors. I was amazed. If this road is allowed to be developed, we and our neighbors will lose a lot of our privacy and solitude. Even more, we will all lose a good bit of nature, as many trees will have to be cut down. Although I am only recently a permanent resident, I have spent almost every summer on the Vineyard as my heritage is here. My mother is Laura Pachico, my grandfather was John Pachico of John’s Fish Market; my great grandfather was Manual Pachico. And so you see, our family has been a core family to the Island for many generations. For myself, it has been my dream to live here year-round for as long as I can remember and only recently has that become possible. As we all know, the price of real estate on the Vineyard is astronomical. We are by no means rich, and never in our wildest dreams did we think we would ever pay close to half a million dollars for a small house such as this, but the draw to the Island was too strong, and we put everything we had on the line and made the move. Then, a mere three months later we find out they want to cut a road basically through our backyard. To be perfectly honest with you, we were informed when we bought the house that there was a paper road out there, but we were told that because of its location and proximity to surrounding houses that it was almost a guarantee that nothing would ever be done with it. There is also a very important concern that nobody seems to be addressing. The affordable housing committee is saying there need to be two access roads to the project, and we would agree. But to have those two roads about a hundred yards or so apart is ridiculous. Imagine the impact that will have on traffic on Edgartown Road, which is already a very heavily traveled road. Especially in the summer months, it gets pretty congested. We also need to think seriously about the possibility of an emergency occurring in the housing project and there not being access for emergency vehicles to get to it because of something blocking that small portion of Edgartown Road — i.e. accident, fire, etc. The second access road needs to be from a different direction, if for nothing else then for those two reasons alone, traffic congestion and emergency access. The plan originally called for the second access road to be off Metcalf, which we feel should be pursued. But the affordable housing committee does not want to wait for the necessary legal steps to be completed to proceed with that option, even though they admit that waiting will not stop the construction of the project. We strongly feel that the plan to take 10th Street has been too hastily put together and needs to be studied in much more depth before it becomes a reality and we then all realize what a mistake it was. We would also ask that the commission look at the manner in which this whole 10th Street plan has been handled. On page 10 of the Vineyard Gazette dated Jan. 14, there was an article titled Subcommittee May Have Breached Law , which says that when members of the subcommittee decided to pursue the taking of 10th Street, they did so outside the confines of a public meeting. The article also states that although the inspection need not be posted or open to the public, deliberations must be held and decisions made in a later open meeting. None of this was done. This would be a violation of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. This would also mean that this plan was not done according to due process and should thereby be void or at the least be required to start over at the beginning. We would also like to note that we were never notified of any of this by the selectmen of Edgartown. We were made aware of the 10th Street plan by a neighbor. When we questioned one of the selectmen as to why this was, we were told that they sent out the notices based on the assessor’s records from Jan. 2004. As abutters with much to lose we find this appalling and lacking on the part of our selectmen. Also, we want to very strongly state that we do not feel that things were done properly during the vote at the town meeting on Jan. 13. Though voters’ names were checked off upon entering the meeting, we did not see evidence of separating eligible voters from non-eligible voters. Although without her permission, I will not name her, my neighbor (who is not eligible to vote), said that most of the people in her row and the rows in front and behind her stood up to vote. How can this be if proper segregation of voters and non-voters was done? We cannot imagine how the moderator could determine which votes were legitimate and which were not. We would therefore ask that a more structured vote be taken. Please, we implore you, the members of the commission, to reject the proposal of the taking of 10th Street as an access road. Please come and look at our neighborhood, come walk through our back yards and look at the proximity of this road to our homes and see the impact it will have on our environment, and on traffic and emergency situations. We further ask that you take into consideration all of our reasons for this request, and we hope that you will see the validity of those reasons. Gary and Ruth Nichols Edgartown Teaching and learning To the Editor: Thank you Kerry O’Donoghue for your article last week about your learning style and most importantly stressing “your right to learn.” You helped us as educators, both teachers and administrators, to stop and reflect on our teaching and your learning. In reality, teaching and learning are never separated; for when we teach, we learn. Thanks for your courage in telling us about your frustrations and anxieties in learning, but most importantly, for speaking up not only for yourself but for other students who may be feeling similarly. We all gained from your article. Marge Harris Oak Bluffs Editor’s Note: The writer is Assistant Superintendent of Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools. Out of touch inaugural To the Editor: This presidential inauguration cost approximately $40 million. It was the most expensive inauguration in our nation’s history. Given the fact that we are at war, I think that the money might have been better spent on improved care for our wounded soldiers and for better equipment for the men and women on the battlefield. President Bush led us into the war with Iraq that continues today. Each week more American troops are killed or wounded. More than 1,500 families have lost a loved one in the war so far. The death benefit given to these families is $12,000. If the president truly honors our troops, he could have split the money raised for the inauguration among the families. If he did, each of these 1,500 families would get $26,000 as opposed to $12,000. That is more then double the benefit. It seems to me that hosting an inaugural celebration this extravagant while the war is going on is out of touch with the soldiers whose lives are in danger every day. Crystal Miske 6th grade West Tisbury School Holiday kindness To the Editor: I would like to thank all the persons that prepared and brought food to Coast Guard Station Menemsha during the holidays. The crew greatly appreciated the kindness demonstrated by the community. Most of the station’s crew are single with relatives as far north as Canada, as far south as Texas, and far west as Washington. With no cook assigned, holiday food was very welcome. Again, thank you. Mark C. Lewis Chief Boatswains Mate Officer in Charge Station Menemsha In vain To the Editor: Nothing angers me quicker than the shortsightedness of our president as he attributes his actions to the will of God. He has taken God as his excuse. He has taken the word of God in vain. My humble opinion. R. K. Brown Oak Bluffs Tune she sang then To the Editor: Sen. Joseph Biden and Sen. Barbara Boxer seem to be Condoleezza Rice’s two biggest critics at her conformation hearing, but both had different views in previous years. Sen. Boxer, Democrat from California, accused Secretary of State nominee Rice on Tuesday of using falsehoods about weapons of mass destruction to justify attacking Iraq. During Dr. Rice’s Senate confirmation hearing, Senator Boxer said, “I personally believe, and this is my personal view, that your loyalty to the mission you were given, to sell this war, overwhelmed your respect for the truth.” Ms. Boxer stopped just short of calling Ms. Rice a liar. Many liberals and Democrats may think she did a good job at attempting to make Ms. Rice look like one of President Bush’s puppets and a liar. But it seems like there are two sides to this story, depending on what administration you happen to be serving. Ms. Boxer was singing a different song in December 1998, when she enthusiastically backed President Clinton’s decision to attack Iraq after he argued that Saddam Hussein was prepared to use chemical, biological and nuclear weapons against the world. President Clinton launched four days of air strikes on Iraq’s suspected WMD targets. Ms. Boxer claimed that Saddam had forced Clinton’s hand. She stated that the president had no choice but to act, according to a statement issued by her office. She said anyone who questioned the timing of the president’s decision ignores the fact that we were committed to act if chief U.N. weapons inspector Richard Butler reported that Saddam was not cooperating. Ms. Boxer also added that those that criticized President Clinton are blinded by political considerations. Now, I ask, did the loyalty Ms. Boxer showed to President Clinton, when she was selling that war, overwhelm her respect for the truth? And are these not the same type of weapons President Bush believed Saddam had when he decided to attack Iraq? Is Ms. Boxer interested in the truth, or is she just interested in condemning the present administration? Remember the truth is what you perceive it to be. Robert Reed Oak Bluffs Snow warriors To the Editor: As the Foreman in charge of Mass. Highway operations on Martha’s Vineyard, I would be remiss in my duties to not take a moment to praise the operation of my contract snow and ice removal operators who most worked the last three days straight. This, my 20th winter at Mass. Highway, showed the worst single event snowstorm I have witnessed. Normally, a two-inch per hour event is extremely hard to keep up with, but we witnessed sustained 5-7 inches per hour for many hours straight. With half the plows available from years past, only eight were available Island-wide. It is nothing short of miraculous that these fine men and women have gotten the state roadway system in the condition you see it in today. The obstacles thrown in their way like vehicles continuing to drive in a travel ban, sliding into snow removal equipment, taking precious equipment out of service, to break downs – and remaining plows working double and triple the normal distances expected. It is still amazing to me to be in the good shape we now find ourselves in. It is an honor and a privilege to have these fine men and women working to keep things passable for emergency travel, and then as time allowed for the rest of the motoring public. Words alone will never thank you all for the stamina, commitment and expertise you all showed and you all should be proud of what you have accomplished. I therefore thank the following: Brickstone Construction, Troy Maciel, R. L. Fullin, Mike Andrews, Richard Campbell, Jack Law, Ed Smith, Louis Smith, Bill O’Brien, Niki Fullin, Joe Turney. And all the staff who work for the above. You folks are the best of the best, and the Island of Martha’s Vineyard is most fortunate to have you all on their snow and ice watch. Edward J. Panek, CS2 Massachusetts Highway Dept. Maint.Operations- Martha’s Vineyard No better care To the Editor: To the Oak Bluffs firemen, ambulance drivers, EMTs and police: On the fifth of this month my wife Doris experienced a severe heart problem after eating breakfast. She did not think that she could make it to the car so that I could take her to the emergency room. I at once called 911, and the ambulance was here, in seconds it seemed. They came in and took charge of the situation. They were caring and helpful to me and took all the necessary steps to get her quickly and safely to the hospital. She went downhill the next day, and her doctors decided to send her to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. I went down to the ambulance entrance to say goodbye. There was the Oak Bluffs ambulance again. God bless them all. She has improved enough to be back in the Oak Bluffs hospital, and we hope that she will soon be home where she can be cared for in familiar surroundings. I was a chief machinists mate, USNR, on active duty in the Navy for 47 months during WWII and served in all areas of combat: the North Atlantic, Europe, and the Pacific. Our ship was one picked to go in the group that was to attack the city of Tokyo. The war ended and we came home. In all that time I never saw a more efficient and caring group than those that came that morning to care for my wife. God bless all of you. I have always believed in angels, especially during the war, and have asked the Lord to send one to ride with you. Ken Thorington Oak Bluffs Name game To the Editor: The Times editorial of Jan. 20 points out correctly that the SSA board’s decision to name its new ferry Island Home was taken hastily, with little discussion and no opportunity for public input. The editor also notes that the 19th century side-wheeler of that name was primarily associated with Nantucket, a place that the new ferry is unlikely to visit unless, like the Eagle, she fails first in Vineyard service. Nominations for a more locally appropriate name are now in order. One possibility honors the two sides of Vineyard Haven harbor, with East Chop painted across her stern when she is headed east, and West Chop on her stern when she is headed west. This does not imply quick repainting during turnarounds, because with ferries, double-ender means two sterns. “The stern” during any given maneuver is whichever end is coming last; the other end must serve as a bow, even though it doesn’t look like one. A classicist might think Januarius, the name of the Roman god of New Year, would be appropriate, as he is usually portrayed with two faces, so that you can’t tell whether he is coming or going. However, January and the Vineyard are a poor combination, as we are currently discovering. Of the editor’s own nominations, Nobska and Naushon have the most historic appeal, but the former belongs to an existing vessel, at least until she goes to the knackers. The more recent Naushon (ex-Nantucket) was a lemon that the SSA would just as soon forget, but the original one was the proud queen of the pre-WWII fleet. She was also a wartime heroine, crossing the Atlantic to serve as a hospital ship in the English Channel after D-Day — a handsome ship, well worth commemorating. As to Vineyard associations, Naushon Island is in the town of Gosnold, and so a part of Dukes County, as the county commissioners recognize at least once a year. Naushon is also a Wampanoag word, and their Canoe Authority connected the Island with the mainland long before the SSA, and probably with more convenient schedules. Last, but perhaps most important in a name that must be spoken a million times a year, it is short, musical, and pronounced the way it looks. W. R. Deeble West Tisbury NStar gets a star To the Editor: When all the media hype started to mount concerning an impending blizzard that was predicted to dump up to 30 inches of snow on the Cape and Islands, I believe most of us thought it was going to be just another typically inaccurate weather forecast, but as the winds picked up and the snow piled up with single digit temperatures, my attention started to focus on all the what if’s? What if the snow piled up so high that I could not get out of my driveway? The snow did pile up and I was a captive under house arrest for 60 hours. What if the power goes out and NStar cannot get it reinstated for a couple of days? The power did go out and when I heard that it was caused by two power poles that blew down near Seth’s Pond my spirits plummeted along with the temperature inside my house. The weather conditions were continually degenerating and I could not imagine anyone being able to work under such adverse conditions. I started to wonder how my family would survive the big freeze, not to mention my enormous disappointment realizing that I would not be able to watch the Patriots trounce the Steelers. Well, I was wrong because NStar got right to work curing the power outage problem and restoring electricity to my area just in time for the Pats game. If that was not enough in the way of customer service, I received a call last night from Bill Griffin, a dispatcher based in Plymouth. He was following up on the service call my wife made and wanted to know if we were all right. Thank you NStar. Go Pats! Peter C. Fyler SplitRock Real Estate West Tisbury Common factor To the Editor, You have got to be kidding me. After reading the article about Island Elderly Housing and the unfortunate departure of two very well liked and respected gentlemen, I have only one question. How about firing the executive director? Obviously there is something wrong at IEH when the resignation rate is so high. Is it true that there have been six people who have left IEH in the past year? Ouch. There must be a common factor in these resignations. What is the plan for IEH? It appears as if Carol Lashnits needs an immediate evaluation of her management skills. IEH, and the residents can’t afford to have someone at the helm who has no social skills. Good luck to you Mr. Oliver and Mr. Foley, but how sad for all the residents of IEH that your dedication to their wellbeing was not appreciated and recognized by the administration. Maggie Edwards Annapolis, Maryland Emergency personnel roll on To the Editor: I have worked at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for 30 years and have had to travel to work under many adverse conditions. This Sunday’s situation was one of the worst. That morning at 7:45 am I was scheduled to work in the ER. After escaping my parking area at home, traveling a modest 150 feet to the Edgartown/VH Rd., and plowing through a four-foot-high drift near the bike path, I was amazed to find how easy it was to get to the hospital! The crews that relentlessly cleared the roads all night, despite continuous blowing snow, outrageous snow per hour totals, and battling fatigue, need to be recognized and thanked! The Island EMS Services that day, under extremely adverse conditions, showed me an outstanding effort as they fought the unbearable elements to deliver their quality care to the Island population. These dedicated public servants made it safer for our Island community and need to be recognized. Thank you for making Island life and our day better during such a difficult time! Rick Lambos RN Edgartown |
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Martha's Vineyard Times 2004 - www.mvtimes.com
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