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News
in Brief
May 5,
2005
File Photo by JJ Gonson
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31st
Annual Kids Trout Derby is Saturday
A young boy holds a trout he caught in an earlier Martha’s
Vineyard Rod and Gun Club Kids Trout Derby. (Unlike the folks in
The Times Calendar department, who this morning ran a photo of a
boy holding a scup, the News department knows what a trout looks
like.)
And after more than three decades, the folks at the Martha’s
Vineyard Rod and Gun Club know what they need to run a successful
trout tournament for Island children. All it takes is trout, donuts,
hot dogs, worms and hot chocolate, said Cooper “Coop”
Gilkes of Edgartown, long-time tournament chairman.
The 31st annual fishing event kicks off rain or shine at first light,
approximately 6 am, Saturday morning around the shore of Duarte’s
pond off Lambert’s Cove Road in West Tisbury. The fun ends
at 9 am.
Young fisherman in numerous categories will have an opportunity
to win many different awards and prizes. The cost to stock the pond
with hundreds of trout and run the tournament is paid for by the
club and many generous sponsors.
Club officials appreciate the cooperation of the public in holding
off fishing in the days prior to the tournament to increase the
odds that the kids will catch some fish.
Coop says there is no early fishing allowed, or wading. He reminds
parents and guardians this is a kids’ fishing tournament and
asks that kids be the only ones fishing.
Volunteers are always needed. For information, or to help out, call
Cooper Gilkes at 508-627-3909.
Chilmark Middle Line Road project advances
Chilmark selectmen hammered out a draft special town meeting warrant
designed to present debatable aspects of the Middle Line Road project
to voters in easily digestible pieces.
The town-funded affordable housing project off Tabor House Road
will be presented in the form of nine warrant articles at a special
town meeting on Monday, June 13.
The warrant was a stepchild of sorts. Selectman J. B. Riggs Parker
offered his own set of 10 draft articles at a meeting Tuesday night.
Selectman Warren Doty came prepared with a set of five. The result
was nine articles highlighting several anticipated voter flashpoints.
Arguing in favor of a 10-article breakdown, Mr. Parker continually
stressed that the project was to be built on town-owned land and
that a full debate on the important issues would pave the way for
wide town support.
Mr. Doty said he did not agree with making already approved housing
guidelines, such as the provision allowing the rental of home sites,
the subject of town meeting debate.
The nine draft articles incorporate all of Mr. Doty’s suggestions
and nine of Mr. Parker’s. Among the questions voters will be
asked to decide are: whether the units should be all rentals or
divided between rentals and ownership; if owners of houses will
be allowed to rent their houses for up to six weeks at market rates;
whether a house may be transferred to an owner’s heirs without
determining if they meet affordable housing guidelines; and what
percentage to use of Community Preservation Act funds.
Steve Schwab, housing committee chairman, said he favored a full
debate over what were important issues. As a matter of principle,
Everett Poole, town moderator, said a more detailed warrant would
make his job easier and help the voters to understand the issues.
And, once the meeting is over, the moderator added, everyone will
have had their say “and there won’t be so much debate
at the gas station in Menemsha the next morning.”
Fast ferry promotes New Bedford parking bargain
The New England Fast Ferry Company (NEFF) is offering Islanders
discounted garage parking provided by the city of New Bedford. The
company, which provides year-round fast-ferry service between Martha’s
Vineyard and New Bedford, is targeting travelers who now keep a
car in one of the Steamship Authority’s Falmouth parking lots.
The company said that through a partnership with New Bedford, Islanders
can park a car in the city’s Elm Street Garage at the special
discounted rate of $369 per year, nearly half the price of leaving
a car in Woods Hole. The SSA recently hiked year-round permit-parking
rates in an effort to make up a revenue shortfall.
The Elm Street Garage is within walking distance of the ferry dock.
A shuttle bus runs between the Elm Street Garage and the ferry dock
located at the State Pier.
“In response to many of our riders who indicated the expense
and hassle involved in arranging for transportation once they get
to the mainland, we worked with the City of New Bedford to provide
a one-time solution to the problem,” said Mike Glasfeld, President
of New England Fast Ferry Co. “The discounted rate is a real
bargain. Also, the riders’ off-Island time can be spent more
productively, whether they’re pursuing personal or business
interests.”
Island residents must appear in person at the New Bedford ticket
office on the State Pier to take advantage of the special offer.
For more information, call the NEEF toll-free number, 866-453-6800.
Photo by Ezra Blair
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Chamber
of Commerce hires new director
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) announced
Tuesday that it has hired Gary Cogley as the new executive director.
Mr. Cogley has a history of successful business leadership roles.
He is a past president and chief executive officer of the United
Regional Chamber of Commerce, based in Franklin, and a former economic
development director for the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce in Framingham.
Mr. Cogley has also held the position of director of the University
of Massachusetts Center for Enterprise, and has been an adjunct
professor for Lesley University and Clark University schools of
management.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Norman Rankow, MVCC board
of directors president, said, “Mr. Cogley is an innovative
leader with over 20 years of progressive experience as a business
developer, manager, and trainer. His strong skills in creating and
implementing marketing and his financial support strategies will
be an asset to all businesses and communities on Martha’s Vineyard.”
Mr. Cogley and his wife Nancy live in Falmouth, but own a house
on the Vineyard, and are in the process of moving to the Island.
Along with his extensive business background, Mr. Cogley is also
an instrumentalist and vocalist with a local fiddlers group, and
is an active volunteer.
Red Cross holds spring blood drive
The Martha’s Vineyard chapter of the American Red Cross will
hold a spring blood drive on Tuesday at the Masonic Lodge on Edgartown-Vineyard
Haven Road from 12:30 to 5:30 pm.
The Red Cross will provide as many blood technicians as possible
in order to keep the waiting time as short as possible. Linda Jean’s
Restaurant in Oak Bluffs will donate soup for refreshment.
All blood types are needed, according to the Red Cross. Young donors
are encouraged to participate. Donors must be over 17 years of age
and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors may be on medication, but
should know the names of any medications they are taking.
People who would like to donate blood, but cannot be at the Masonic
Lodge that day should call Grace Smith, blood services coordinator
at 508-693-8859 or 508-696-0092.
Hyannis high-speed ferry has a name
Hy-Line Cruises has a name for its new high-speed ferry that will
operate between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs beginning June 25. The vessel
will be named Lady Martha.
Philip Scudder, Hy Line vice president, said Lady Martha was submitted
by Mary DeSimone, of Oak Bluffs and was one of 340 names submitted
in the company’s “Name The Ferry” contest. Islanders
were encouraged to submit possible names for the vessel that will
start year-round high-speed service to Oak Bluffs on June 25th.
Ms. DeSimone won free travel aboard the Lady Martha for one full
year, beginning June 25th.
Prizes were also awarded in a random drawing to the following contest
entrants: Kelly Hess, Edgartown, two tickets with lunch at the Black
Cat on Ocean Street in Hyannis; Albertha Steele, Chilmark, two tickets
and lunch at Alberto’s Ristorante; Jim Seller, Vineyard Haven,
four tickets and golf at the Hyannis Golf Club; Maria Mitro, Vineyard
Haven, two tickets with lunch at Grille 16 on Main Street.
New school superintendent’s contract approved
James Weiss will step to the “head of the class” as superintendent
of the Island schools on July 1, under terms of a contract approved
by the All-Island School Committee this week.
The superintendent’s position was advertised with a salary
range of $120,000 to $130,000. Mr. Weiss will start at a salary
of $123,000 the first year, followed by percentage increases in
the second and third year, which will bring his salary up to $126,690
and $131,757 respectively.
The new contract does not provide for an annual performance bonus
and contains a clause for six months’ notice for resignation.
Mr. Weiss will receive the same benefits package as other Island
school administrators.
“He’s a reasonable guy to work with, and we’re looking
forward to it,” said David Rossi, Edgartown’s committee
member.
Mr. Weiss will leave a position as superintendent of the Sanborn
Regional School District in New Hampshire. Until his July arrival,
G. Paul Dulac will continue to serve as the interim superintendent,
a position he has filled since former superintendent Kriner Cash’s
resignation last September.
Chilmark voters approve housing bank
A total of 314 Chilmark voters, 38 percent of the town’s 829
registered voters, participated in annual balloting Wednesday, April
27. The only election contest, between Michael Halbreich and Janet
Weidner for a three-year term on the planning board, saw Ms. Weidner
win by a wide margin, 239-61.
Voters answered a nonbinding ballot question that asked if Chilmarkers
favor the creation of a housing bank to be funded by a one percent
fee imposed on the seller of any property whose sales price exceeds
$750,000. The decision favored the housing bank proposal, 182-118,
with 14 blanks.
Warren Doty, the Chilmark selectman running unopposed for re-election,
was returned to office with 231 votes.
MVC to hold forum on energy independence
The Vineyard’s energy future will be the subject of a public
forum sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) titled
“How can the Vineyard move towards energy independence?”
The forum will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 10 am in the Grange
in West Tisbury. The forum is co-sponsored by the Martha’s
Vineyard Commission and The Vineyard Energy Project.
Christine Donovan, an Energy Planner from Stowe, Vermont, will present
a draft of a ten-year Energy Action Plan for the Vineyard. The plan
is based on the solar installations and energy efficiency efforts
that have been ongoing on the Vineyard and the most effective ways
for the Vineyard to work towards a sustainable energy future and
the vision of being a Renewable Energy Island. Ideas will include
projects for biomass, wind, solar, energy efficiency and transportation,
according to an MVC press release.
Senator Rob O’Leary will describe policy options and how to
support and possibly fund the energy effort on Martha’s Vineyard.
The forum is part of Energy Day, being held from 9 am to 3 pm at
the Grange Hall, which will also feature the Cape Light Compact
Energy Fair and a solar car race at noon.
Photo by Ralph Stewart
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Nurses
complete Alzheimer¹s training course
Nurses and certified nursing assistants at Windemere Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center recently completed a six-week Alzheimer’s
training course.
The course is designed to give the caregivers the skills needed
to help treat patients with Alzheimer’s by slowing the progress
of the disease and improving the patient’s quality of life.
Among the nurses who completed the course were: (back row) Kim Maveety,
Susan Kaeka, Sheila Sennott, Elizabeth Drew, Gayle Poggi, and (seated
left) Debbie Ben David. Jen Adams, (seated right) is an Alzheimer’s
therapist and course instructor.
Jennifer Pitt, Janine Thatcher Moreis, Susan Canha, and Yvonne Michelson
also completed the course, but are not pictured.
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