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Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
March 3 - March 9, 2005 Edition
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March 3, 2005 Historical Society faulted To the Editor: This is a copy of a letter to Warren Hollinshead, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society: For the last 30 years my family and I have had the pleasure to walk the trails through the woods near Beetle Swamp in Edgartown as it is not far from my farm. Every time I would pass through I would be amazed anew to enjoy a natural environment so much like Chilmark, with rolling land, large oaks, greenbriar and viburnum, as well as a natural openness that let you see through the woods into the dense brush of the swamp. I knew that it was owned by the Historical Society and was land-locked and I hoped and prayed that, when the time came to sell it, the society would honor the land’s unique attributes and the Society’s own mission to “preserve the history of Martha’s Vineyard” by finding a conservation agency to buy it. When the Land Bank was created, and later bought the wetland property abutting this parcel, I was confident that eventually this beautiful section of woods and swamp would be adjoined to the Land Bank Sweetened Water Preserve. I wonder if you can imagine the shock I felt when walking there last week after the snow finally melted to discover yellow ribbons tied around trees and extensive brushcutting of the undergrowth. I felt sick; then angry; then depressed. It felt like a member of my family had died. I felt betrayed. Upon investigation, it turned out that the Land Bank had made an offer to your board in September 2003, which was too low. Instead of negotiating a higher price with them, which is the way it is always done, your next communication to the Land Bank was a year later to say that you had just signed a contract to sell to the developer who owns the large house abutting the land to the west. How could you do that? With your responsibility to our community as the keeper of our heritage, how could you just blow off the Land Bank and all the residents and visitors to Martha’s Vineyard they represent? Present and future generations of Vineyarders could have enjoyed the deep serenity that this place offered our souls. It is particularly ironic that you sold this land for such a modest price, $100,000. The Land Bank could easily have come up to that for nine acres of Eden. Here is where I fault the Land Bank as well. They should have honored the land and your organization with at least that much as a starting price. If they, and your board, had walked the land before negotiations, and had talked to each other in good faith, I wouldn’t be writing this letter. I acknowledge that your deal calls for an additional $100,000 if the new owner is able to get a building permit due to wetland considerations. Big whoop. I further acknowledge that, despite your shafting of the Land Bank, your board has tried to do a good thing by restricting the land to one habitable dwelling and no subdivision and that the land must become adjoined to the existing house lot. I admit that my grief was alleviated to some degree to know that it would not become an extension of the suburbs. Matthew Stackpole told me that he thought the new owner might put a horse barn and pasture there. If it were another location, I would be glad to hear it — it is a good use of land — but a difficult trade for what I thought was a sacred spot. My faith in the Martha’s Vineyard Historical Society as stewards of Island culture and tradition, especially concerning our values toward land and water, has been lost by the action of this current board. Furthermore, your lack of consideration for your sister Island organization, the Land Bank, is shameful. I suggest that you think carefully and consult your community before making major decisions in the future. My remaining hope is that the new owner might generously share a carefully sited trail along the edge of Beetle Swamp through a sale of a trail easement to the Land Bank. Perhaps you could help with this. James A. Athearn Edgartown Bob’s big heart To the Editor: I am writing regarding the letter from Gary Williams in the Feb. 17 issue regarding Bob Darlington. I am one of those many people who Bob always helped whenever Bob would see me. Whether I was inside or outside the store, he would stop whatever he was doing to help me out to my car. During our walks to my car we would chat about many things. Not once in my many years of having our chats did he ever say anything bad about anyone. No matter the weather, snow and ice, pouring rain or sunny and beautiful, he always made sure I and my groceries made it to my car safely. He never wanted anything for his kind deed. He would just say to me that my smile was enough. We here on the Island want to have gentle souls who have big hearts living around us. Bob is one of these people. He has proven it to so many people over the years. I am in no position to help bring Bob back to the Island. The only thing I can do is write this letter and say prayers. But maybe someone reading our letters will have a way to help Bob come home. Linda A. Buckley Vineyard Haven Health care cooperation To the Editor: Bravo. It was heartwarming to see your article about the recent Health Forum on the front page. Hopefully, it brought to the attention of this community the fact that the health care providers on the Island, both traditional and alternative, are striving collectively to provide the best possible health care for our residents, not an easy task. It is truly amazing that so many diverse entities are working together to obtain that goal. It was stated that one of the possible objectives is to open a walk-in clinic in conjunction with the hospital. The article did not mention that Island Health Care, the first rural health clinic in Massachusetts, is already in existence at the Triangle in Edgartown. Although not directly a part of the hospital, it offers adult primary and urgent medical care, hopefully on a same-day care basis. Please, continue the good work of keeping us informed on our health care issues and please, put the announcement of the next forum (March 13, 4-6 pm at the Hebrew Center) on the front page for all to see. Many thanks. Patsy McCornack Vineyard Haven Grass is not always greener To the Editor: I am shocked and disappointed that the selection committee for a new school superintendent has overlooked the talented and superbly qualified assistant superintendent for school curriculum, Dr. Margaret Harris. Dr. Harris has been an active and beneficial member of this community for years, offering to the young people of this Island her myriad gifts as a visionary, innovative, and charismatic educator. I have personally had the pleasure of witnessing and participating in some of her intellectually challenging high school social studies classes, which addressed important worldwide political and social issues. A brilliant and courageous educator, she truly cares about awakening the minds of her students and honing their abilities to understand and discuss intelligently, and thoughtfully, both sides of complex and sometimes controversial issues. She taught her students to think, and that is what real education is all about. Since leaving her post at the high school, where she was able to develop her administrative skills by serving as a department head for 23 years, she has spent the past two years gaining even more administrative experience in her role as a regional school administrator. The combination of these skills, coupled with her intimate knowledge of the Island, its schools, and the needs of its students, are qualifications, which in my view would be pretty difficult to beat. With Dr. Harris at the helm, I feel certain that all of the Island’s public schools would flourish and become even better than they now are. Once again, the Island is looking outside the community to fill a crucially important position when the right person is right here. I hope that this continuing grass-is-always-greener syndrome, which seems endemic to this Island, will not result in the loss of not just one, but two very valuable people that this community truly needs and loves. Now that would be a pity. Joanne Horgan Vineyard Haven Did not intend to break the law To the Editor: I wish to extend my sincerest apology to the Oak Bluffs community and, regardless of the appalling and unsafe condition that I found the structure to be in, I regret my actions in demolishing the building at 45 Circuit Avenue two weeks ago. It was certainly never my intention to circumvent the law, and I am hopeful that I will get an opportunity to rectify the situation. I look forward to working with the Oak Bluffs historic commission and town officials toward building a structure on this site that will reflect the historic character and charm of Oak Bluffs and be a credit to the community. Gene V. Erez Oak Bluffs Homeward Bound To the Editor: This letter is in regards to the name for the new ferry. Although the names you are considering all have an Island connection, I would like to add a new name to the list: Homeward Bound. It doesn’t matter which port you are heading into, a lot of the passengers are, in fact, homeward bound. Let’s give our new ferry a new name of its own. Lillian J. Hammond Oak Bluffs Why not Marge? To the Editor: We are having an extremely difficult time believing that the Martha’s Vineyard school superintendent’s search committee did not include Marge Harris as a finalist. Here is an educator who has given her all to the schools of the Island. She is one of the very best in her field, with an outstanding grasp of all the diverse communities that live here. To think that 45 minutes or an hour with the other candidates can equal more than Dr. Harris’s contributions for almost 30 years is unbelievable. Anyone can dazzle for a short time. Anyone can sound and appear the answer to all the needs and wishes of the committee, but does that compare to Marge, who has spent a lifetime teaching and working in the Island’s schools, interacting with her community, serving on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, raising a family of four, and so much else? She rightly has received the respect of her students, their parents, and the community in general. What worries us is that the search committee — and the school committee when they hired someone else for interim superintendent — think that Marge will continue working here and so they can avail themselves of her expertise and have the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, they and we might end up with a situation that is not even half as good. Barbara and Chris Murphy Chilmark Oppose wind farm To the Editor: This letter was sent to Karen Adams, project manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: We oppose the currently planned “windmill project.” We do not oppose the serious search for efficient wind-power solutions. There are still unanswered and unexplored questions regarding the design technology and the site of this project. The design of the windmills is merely a huge version of old-fashioned small ones. However, simply enlarging existing designs to adapt them for vastly larger uses never works well as an engineering principle. Perhaps this is why such a huge project will provide so little actual power. (The proponents have stated there will not even be enough additional power to enable the closing of the Plymouth Nuclear Plant — a source of present and continuing poison for all future generations.) One person who spoke at the Vineyard hearing suggested that new designs are in the works, as for instance, one with “rotors enclosed in cylinders.” What about the phenomenon of spaces that enhance actual wind speeds and strengths, as tunnels and skyscrapers in cities do? Why must we use water space here the United States? Of course Europe, including Denmark, must use water sites because they have no land. But the U.S. does have many potential land sites to use for more creative, efficient wind-use projects. Please do not approve this potentially obsolete, environmentally risky, huge experiment for Nantucket Sound. Desmond W. and Ann L. Margetson Oak Bluffs Good care, and right on time To the Editor: On Feb. 25, my wife required immediate medical attention, and I called 911. Less than five minutes later Sgt. Skipper Manter of the West Tisbury police department, also an EMT, was on the scene. Although it was past 11 pm, the ambulance and four additional EMTs were at our home less than 10 minutes after they were alerted. EMTs Jennifer Gardner, Simon Bollan and Sloan Hart attended to my wife, while Martina Masteromonaco gathered pertinent medical information from me. I witnessed extraordinary professionalism, and I congratulate and thank them for rendering such wonderful care. My wife was transported to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and immediately attended to by Dr. Casper and Nurse Beth Smith. Their care was phenomenal. My wife and I thank the entire medical team for their efforts and expertise. We are very fortunate to have medical care such as that available to us. All of those mentioned should be extremely proud of their accomplishments. Ted and Ann Howes West Tisbury Not a match To the Editor: As someone who has worked in a variety of schools all my adult life, I should like to respond to your published letters of disappointment regarding the search for a superintendent — or, for that matter, a principal. Institutions, schools included, have life cycles and have different needs at different times. Sometimes the need is for growth and change, sometimes for consolidation, for instance. Therefore, the elimination of a candidate should be seen not as a personal rejection but as the determination of the searchers that, in a particular case, the resume and the need are not a match. Margaret Logue West Tisbury No place for wind turbines To the Editor: Did you ever wonder why trees don’t grow at sea? Trees are eminently practical beings. Engineering marvels, they transform sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into energy. Their timeline is not quite in sync with ours, but their common sense is unassailable. Like the rest of us they endeavor to make the best use of their surroundings and take advantage of any opportunity to better their species. In other words, their sense of economics is pure. If there were an advantage to be gained by populating the oceans with trees, we would surely have seen green among the waves. They would have evolved a way to make it so. But trees are far more sensible than that. Humans, however, are hobbled by hubris. Once a mind is affixed to an imperative, nothing as banal as common sense can shake it loose. If I may add mine to the cacophony of voices lauding or disparaging the proposed wind generator farm in Nantucket Sound, here is an observation on the matter that has not been, to my knowledge, elucidated heretofore. The appeal of windmills for energy transformation is manifold. Renewable, independent, clean, and reliable energy sourcing is an alluring ideal. However, like all ideals made manifest, realization must be judged against the touchstone of reality and its cold, indifferent facts. The discipline of simple economics is our tool to illuminate such facts. Like it or not, economics rules our lives. To uncompromisingly enunciate, recognize, and understand the underlying factors that support or condemn any venture to success or failure is crucial to its success. Infatuation with an idea or ideal may propel that concept into reality, but it shall not sustain it. In this proposal there is an inherent flaw. By all accounts, the economic viability of the proposed venture rests upon the current caprice of Congress in offering financial incentives to capitalize and initiate such a project. Therein lies the hubris, the tragic flaw that dooms this particular incarnation of the wind farm concept. In a well-meaning effort to promote new or developing technologies that may truly be entirely appropriate in other locales, the coarse tool of governmental industrial policy here enables an appropriate technology in an inappropriate venue. And to recognize it in time to prevent disaster; one must unblinkingly recall both the nature of being human and the vulnerability of being at sea. There is a vast difference between the organization, energy, management, and determination necessary to initiate such an endeavor and that to run it. All the players have recognized that it is simply the profit motive that propels this project into being. In and of itself, this fact is rightly offered without judgmental prejudice. Many, if not most, good things spring from this motivation. However, what have we thus created? For anyone who has been on the high seas, respect for Mother Nature is an easy leap. The violence inevitably forced upon anyone or anything permanently placed upon our oceans is inconceivable to those who have not experienced it. All mechanical things have a failure mode designed into them. None are immune to extremes of weather and tectonic forces. And such extremes are inescapable at sea. In addition, simple mechanics dictate that all moving parts wear, indeed wear out. It is only a matter of time and fortune when such will occur. The controlling issue I raise is, who will deal with the inevitabilities of mechanical and structural failure in normal operation and that inflicted by the extremes of fate? To adequately consider this question, I suggest we examine the only two wind turbines of significance constructed in recent memory (during the 1970s) in our neighborhood. A rather conventional wind generator was built on the west side of Cuttyhunk that could be seen from Gay Head. Independently financed and built, overcoming numerous obstacles, its creators did their job well; and the machine provided power to an island otherwise depending solely on diesel generators for electricity. A more dramatic machine was also constructed here, atop an old portion of the Tisbury dump. Funded by the DOE and other outside agencies, the Darrieus (aka catenary) rotor resembled the Greek letter phi; and when viewed from the sea, spinning with sun glinting off its dual airfoils, it was indeed a thing of enchanting beauty. It was made to pump water for the town. Both machines worked just fine but required attention to upkeep that called for an almost religious devotion. They both soon became orphans. Economic viability was missing. The zealots who created them were gone. The romantic attachment needed to sustain their maintenance was not there. At great cost, the local taxpayers finally funded their dismantlement. These machines were sitting safe and sound on dry land, easily accessible. These machines had the good fortune never to experience extremes of weather or other natural phenomenon. These machines hold a lesson for those of us now considering a similar, but far more ambitious and far more vulnerable project. When the money is made and the things constructed those inspired and vigorous individuals who ramrodded this venture into being shall be gone. Who shall be left to deal with the debris when the subsidies dry up, the machines wear down, better technologies soon make these dinosaurs obsolete, and, with a simple twist of fate, nature frowns upon our part of the world? The flotsam and jetsam will be our legacy, the testament to our folly. Build these engineering marvels on a mountain ridge. Perhaps, build them on the outer Cape, Otis or the Elizabeth Islands, or Muskeget, or Nomans, but do not build them at sea. Only the worst sort of arrogance can deny the truth of these observations and conclusions, can deny the vulnerability of these behemoths to neglect and the perils of the open ocean. Simply put, the numbers, the practicalities do not add up. Without the incentive to maintain it, any venture will fail. Depending upon unrecompensed enthusiasm is foolish. Inevitably, these creatures of an idealistic vision shall become orphans when their intrinsic lack of self-sustaining economic viability — recognized by all even today — stares us in the face with hard hitting costs and consequences. We already know this reality. We wish it would go away so our dreams could come true. They may, but we shall have to work harder at it. Or at least do it in a safer, more accessible location. This real estate comes at too high a cost. A deferred cost, indeed, but therein lies the danger. A deferred cost is a hidden cost, too easily overlooked or berated. The danger is lurking to ensnare those whose idealism trumps their common sense. Those whose vision is clouded to the realities of long-term economics, of human nature, a danger that shall ultimately belabor us all, friend and foe of this proposal. This project carries a legacy of unintended, but significant, consequence. I dare say if there were a gain to be had in populating the sea with forests, the trees would already be there. They’d find a way. If one recognizes that at least one of our overriding imperatives, if not the only one, is to hand our children a world that can create more value than it destroys, than it costs, it is clear that this project does not meet that criteria. Simply put, local experience teaches this proposal is simply not sustainable. The concept is appealing. The need for energy is real. This may be the right solution but absolutely in the wrong place. James A. Glavin Aquinnah MVC should approve Youth Tennis changes To the Editor: Imagine the Bunch of Grapes showing up at Martha’s Vineyard Commission meetings to argue against public library expansions. Or Wind’s Up trying to hamstring the efforts of Sail MV. Or the Toy Box trying to squash the Red Stocking Fund. It’s pretty hard to picture Cronig’s coming out against the Island food pantry because it would never happen. But once again, a private interest has showed up at the commission hearings to try and make life more difficult for Vineyard Youth Tennis. Since opening their new facility, Vineyard Youth Tennis has provided free tennis lessons to hundreds of Island kids, many of whom might otherwise never have the chance to pick up a racket and learn to hit a ball. As the parent of a child who has benefited, I encourage the commission to approve the small changes that Vineyard Youth Tennis is requesting. Their desire to occasionally run parent-child clinics is totally reasonable and should be approved; why shouldn’t parents learn how to reinforce the good groundwork that kids are getting at the center so that they can go hit with their children at other public (and yes, private) courts on the Island. In my mind Youth Tennis should be allowed to keep their bubble up and open as long as they want, regardless of any impact on drivers’ views of Goodale’s grand canyon. And of course Vineyard Youth Tennis should be allowed to hold charity events. Finally, a kids tennis program is not and never has been a significant factor in traffic at the Blinker that no longer blinks. At least not in comparison with the endless expansions at the airport up the road. It’s time stop being suspicious and start saying thanks to the backers of Vineyard Youth Tennis for opening their wallets and building a beautiful facility and a free program for Island kids that is second to none. Paul Schneider West Tisbury A treat To the Editor: To the new owners of Lambert’s Cove Inn and Restaurant, Kal & Scott: We couldn’t believe that you could accomplish all that you have in such a short time. We dined in your beautiful restaurant on Valentine’s Day and had a delightful experience. The food was fantastic as well as the service. The ambiance was warm and romantic, with just the right music playing in the background. After dinner we enjoyed live music in the lovely, newly decorated library as well as the cozy, comfortable parlor. Anyone walking through your doors is in for a memorable treat. You do good work. Ron and Kay Nelson Vineyard Haven No way by summer To the Editor: I was saddened to read Holly Nadler’s letter in last week’s Times expressing her frustration at being a victim in the mess created by the demolition of the building at 45 Circuit Avenue. It’s unfortunate that people and sometimes businesses get hurt when people make stupid mistakes. I do think however it’s time for a reality check. I speak as an architect with some passing knowledge of construction and construction timelines when I note that even with full permitting in hand and the best of construction conditions, that building could not be rebuilt and ready for occupancy by the summer season. The possibility of a summer season occupancy disappeared when the decision was made to demolish instead of renovate. If Ms. Nadler wasn’t made aware of that, then she was done a grave disservice by her landlord or builder. Doug Ulwick Oak Bluffs Visual integrity To the Editor: I would like to publicly thank Joe Alosso for a job well done. He has seen to it that one of the largest and most intrusive wastewater utility boxes in the Oak Bluffs Cottage City Historic District has been removed. It was the box at 54 Narragansett Avenue in front of Hank and Phyllis Dechalus’s house. I know that other boxes have received some plant screenings and that there was a box in the Campmeeting that was moved and screened, but this is the most visible positive change so far in correcting a problem that created a visual blight on this historic and treasured neighborhood. I want to commend Joe for his effort here and to encourage more remedial work in the near future in order to restore the visual integrity that our wonderful historic district deserves. Renee Balter Chairman Oak Bluffs Historical Commission It required help To the Editor: The FARM Institute recently closed on the sale of our land and buildings at Herring Creek Farm and was granted a long-term lease by the town of Edgartown for the 200-acre Katama Farm. Breathing new life into an important piece of Island heritage is a thrilling endeavor and a tremendous responsibility. Our long-range restoration plan for Katama Farm envisions an educational and farming campus where the entire community will find programs that enrich their lives and their connection to the land. However, none of this would have been possible without the perseverance of our friends Suzanne Lanzone and Maggie White at Hob Knob Realty. They helped us achieve the best possible result from the sale of our property, which allowed us to move forward with the lease at Katama, and they have generously contributed to the mission of The FARM Institute. Thank you, Hob Knob Realty, for your outstanding support of our organization and the Island community. John Curelli Executive Director For the Board, staff, kids and critters, The FARM Institute Congratulations To the Editor: I write to congratulate you and your staff for earning an award for coverage of the Vineyard side of the war in Iraq; for community involvement for the paper’s end of year coverage; and for local election coverage; all from the New England Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest for 2004. As a long-time reader, frequent source, and occasional subject of your writing, I know you have done a good job for your readers and for the Vineyard community. I’m glad NEPA recognized it as well. Eric T. Turkington State Representative IEH board faulted To the Editor: This letter was sent to Ann Wallace, head of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Women’s Support Services program: In regards to your letter to the residents of Island Elderly Housing dated Feb. 14, 2005, I will take each question as you have done. 1. Since I have lived here, which I am grateful for, since 1994, we have had at least nine turnovers. You cannot convince me there was something wrong with all these employees. I think the first place you should check is with the Island Elderly Housing management office. 2. I think it is a sad situation when the tenants have to appeal to the board on losing employees. Then we are completely ignored and we are treated as if we are just a bunch of old people who don’t know what is going on. It is unfair when we contact board members and are not given the courtesy of an answer. I refer to a meeting several of us had with Bob Edmunds who told us he would get back to us. 3. Just because we are happy and feel comfortable with staff members is no reason to make their life miserable. As we grow older we need a little joy and laughter in our lives, Jay and Kevin provided that. 4. As for the illegal renting of the third-floor apartment at the Love House, maybe it has stopped but not before Carol Lashnits spoke to the residents here about renting it out. I think it’s about time the board starts checking where the real problem lies; it sure isn’t in the employees. 5. Is the board so blind that they don’t want to rock the boat? Well, now the residents have had it and it is time for something to be done. We should be aware of what is going on and this includes being told the truth, not a spin on the truth. We don’t like having people we care about and people who care about us suddenly gone. The board needs to shape up. Marilyn J. Fredrick Vineyard Haven Too big for a reservation To the Editor: This letter was sent to Marc Hanover, the Vineyard Steamship Authority member: Yesterday, I called the Steamship Authority to make two boat reservations — one for March 26 and one for April 29 (this is nine weeks away, and I have an off-Island doctor’s appointment at 11:15 am). I gave them my profile number and requested to depart on the 9:30 am boat for both dates. I was told that both boats were sold out for that time on both dates because of “the size of my vehicle,” but that there was space available later in the afternoon or I could call back one week prior for preferred reservations. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, so I asked if there was space available for these dates and times for “standard” vehicles and the answer was yes. I then asked if this was a new policy, because I have never had a problem because of the size of my vehicle in order to get a reservation. I was told no and that they only reserve a limited number of spaces per boat for trucks over 18 feet in length (mine is 18 feet, 1.5 inches) and less than 20 feet. To regress, back in the fall of 2002 (prior to the new pricing and regulation policy) I purchased a Toyota Tundra standard single-cab truck in order to transport my two sons’ belongings to and from college. This is my only family vehicle. Then the pricing policy changed on vehicles, based on length. I now pay, on and excursion ticket, $20 more than regular price because my truck is 18 feet. I don’t necessarily agree with this policy of being penalized in terms of price because of my vehicle size, but I really object to this reservation policy of being penalized in terms of space available. Since you and I have been on the Island, approximately 25 years each, boat reservations were always on a first-come, first-served basis. How on God’s earth can there be space still available on these boats, and I can’t get a reservation because of the size of my family vehicle? This policy must be changed. I won’t use the term discrimination — this is just outright crazy. And please keep in mind that “larger than standard vehicles” (and who determined what is a standard vehicle size?) are paying an additional price for the space they occupy. Can you please see what you can do to get this policy changed, and in the meantime I guess I’ll have to put my doctor’s appointment back 6–12 months and then maybe I’ll be able to get a reservation. Les Phillips Oak Bluffs Rehab, not punishment To the Editor: Regarding the article describing the escape and eventual re-capture of a jailed inmate in the issue of Feb. 10, I can’t be sure that I follow the logic. Three escapes within the last six years, an ongoing case of corrupt guards causing violence to inmates, and an unusually high recidivism rate for a county lock-up. Does this in fact “...confirm the need for a new facility?” Not for me. Before the sheriff asks the community to spend several million dollars and devote 10 acres of valuable land to a new facility, we should know that virtually 99.9 percent of all the inmates that pass through his jail will eventually be released into our society. As such, his first priority must be the rehabilitation of each inmate. Most of these are our sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, who by luck of birth have or have not had the advantages of some others. Our obligation to those whose behavior has crossed the legal boundaries is to educate or reeducate those who need it, re-motivate those who have fallen into depression, rehabilitate those who have come to realize the value of life, and most important respect those who have satisfied the legal requirements of their situation and re-entered our society. Building new prisons to punish ever greater numbers not only perpetuates a failed system, but is patently counter-productive. Rather, spend that money on better back-to-work programs, more sophisticated substance-abuse programs, challenging G.E.D. classes, and technical training aimed at available living-wage jobs. Then as an inmate is released, continue not with the dehumanizing probation drill as it currently exists but with counseling, and encouragement, and incentives aimed at promoting progress, not merely searching for failure. Of course this also costs money, but the results are far more valuable to society than a new prison staffed with inadequately trained and unmotivated turnkeys. Kirk Briggs Vineyard Haven |
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