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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 12 - May 18, 2005 Edition
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May 12, 2005 Engaging article To the Editor: Thank you for an engaging article about how solar energy can be a renewable energy resource for our Island and how kids enjoy learning about this technology as they build model solar cars. High winds and a northeaster delayed the model solar car race last Saturday during Energy Day, so we will now hold the race at each of the participating schools as sun and wind allow this week and next. I also want to thank each of the teachers who have participated so enthusiastically in this model solar car project — Jenn Lukas from the Charter School, Gale Meister from the Edgartown School, Dan Johnson from the West Tisbury School, and Lynn Gatchell from the Tisbury School. Without their expertise, guidance, and eagerness, we wouldn’t have this strong program with animated students and their families. Nan Doty Chilmark Not a founder, but a beneficiary nevertheless To the Editor: I want to thank Dan Cabot for the wonderful article he wrote celebrating the success of the Martha’s Vineyard Special Parents Group. However, I do need to make a correction. I was not a founding member. When I arrived here in 1984, parents had been gathering for several years. The founding member was Elise Elliston, who connected with other parents: Dottie Fisher, Pete Hatt, Corrine Hatt, Pat Vann, Russ and Margaret Hamel, and Eileen and Tim Maley. Forgive me if I have forgotten anyone. My family and I were the beneficiaries of a dedicated, committed, values-driven parent group, and I am very grateful to have benefited from the vision of these founders. Kathy Fitzgibbon Vineyard Haven Why wine? To the Editor: I applaud the effort to create and sustain decent, safe, affordable, and sober housing on the Vineyard, and anywhere for that matter. While I recognize and applaud the value of any community support for folks in recovery, your article left me feeling a bit unsettled. Regarding the sixth annual Vineyard House Celebration Gourmet Dinner, a fundraiser for the Island program that provides “a safe, sober place to live for Islanders in early recovery from substance abuse,” Carol McManus, Vineyard House board president, organized the event and donated wine. Ironic? Would the American Cancer Society distribute donated tobacco products at one of their fundraisers? Ben Sullivan Boston Great job To the Editor: I just wanted to let you know that we were all so pleased with the article that Dan Cabot did about HomMed and the CPOC’s that the nurses use (MV Times, May 5, Page 36). There was a lot of detail, and the information was pretty technical. He did a great job and he got the details down perfectly. Barbara Welsh Director of Development and Communications Vineyard Nursing Association Oak Bluffs Overwhelming generosity To the Editor: This past Saturday, the NA Convention was scheduled to take place in a tent next to Sunset Lake. On Friday, late in the day, the decision was made to cancel the tent due to the impending storm. Laury Binney, the principal of the Oak Bluffs School, was contacted to see if there was a chance that the convention could take place at the school. Not only was the answer yes, but the spirit of cooperation and generosity was overwhelming. Fred Thornbrugh, the custodian at the school, could not do enough. He made it happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you Fred for helping to make this possible washout a total success! The NA folks were thrilled and the convention was better than originally planned. It’s so reassuring to know that the community spirit of Oak Bluffs is as strong as ever and that people really do care about one another so deeply. Renee Balter Oak Bluffs Express at the Blinker To the Editor: I learned on Wednesday, May 4 why Oak Bluffs officials aren’t concerned about the long traffic lines at their 4-way stop at the Blinker. They enjoy an express lane. At 3:40 pm, my wife and I approached the Blinker intersection from Vineyard Haven. The back-up was about 25 cars. As we inched our way forward, a truck behind us turned onto the bicycle path and proceeded unimpeded up to the intersection. Some minutes later we arrived at the intersection. The truck was nowhere to be seen. The truck had big letters on its side: “Oak Bluffs Highway Department.” Lawrence E. Harrison Vineyard Haven Right to life To the Editor: On my way to Quaker Meeting I saw a large seagull struggling in and out of traffic on Beach Road. He was screaming his rage at cars passing by, trying to lift his huge wing, which was dragging on the ground. He was trying to lift off but couldn’t. I didn’t know what to do but couldn’t leave so parked my car near the sea wall. Soon another car stopped, asked me what was going on. They called the animal control, which said we should wrap the bird in a blanket and they would be there in 15 minutes. It really was 15 minutes, but it seemed like more than that. A young man, Mr. Sebastian, asked me if I had a blanket. All I had was two small towels and a bag. But he took off across the road, wrapped the bird up as firmly as he could given the strong body of this wild creature. He held the bird, which was in shock, as close as possible and we talked. All I did was stroke the bird’s body to calm it. The young man and I talked of our love of nature and the heedless driving on this road. I asked him what he would be doing if he had not decided to rescue the gull. “Oh I would like to be with my wife and baby,” who were in his car. As we waited we observed the beauty of the bird’s bright yellow eyes and the strength of the one wing that wanted to be free. Soon the animal control truck drew alongside us with a cage for dogs. The sea gull strongly attacked the cage but at last he was in. The driver thanked us and drove away. I hugged my new friend and we all went our ways. We knew the wounded gull would soon be put to sleep, but at least he would not be continually run over by drivers who don’t care. I hope someone who reads this will remember a creature’s right to life and slow down on Beach Road. Jane L. Brown Oak Bluffs Better uses for the housing fee To the Editor: Questions I have about affordable housing: First of all, how long do you have to live on the Island to become eligible? Second, what is considered affordable on this Island? In order to pay for it, a certain amount of income will be required. How is this land being obtained and rights of way, too? How much do we need the Land Bank and how much land do they need? When I bought my house, I paid a small percentage to the Land Bank, against my will. And my next house, if it is on the Vineyard, I will have to pay a higher percent. This I find wrong. I would rather have the money donated to the hospital or to an Island health care system for people who need it. Not just the young couples or the low income, but also for the couples that aren’t quite ready to collect social security, and then get on Medicare. That’s quite a chunk of change to pay, and we need it. There are a few Island kids that are fighting in a foreign country right now to liberate the oppressed. When, and hopefully, they come home alive, are they going to be able to afford housing on the Island? Oak Bluffs had the best youth lot program that I have seen. They manage to do a lottery based on eligibility: they drew your name, you got a lot. I know a lot of those families, and they all deserved them, and better yet most of them are on the fire department, giving back to the community. Good job. The tribe has done very well taking care of their own. We’re losing a lot of volunteers, educators, tradesmen, and local color, and it is very sad to watch this happen. The Indians claimed when all the color from the Gay Head Cliffs runs out, it will be the end of mankind. You’ll lose all the local Island color long before the cliffs give way. An added tax, as little as possible, is still another burden on a stretched budget. Re-think why we have the Land Bank and how much land they need and how much of a percent you could really use elsewhere. Jon R. Mayhew West Tisbury Helping comes naturally To the Editor: I am writing to publicly thank members of the Steamship Authority reservation staff for their patience and their unbelievable help. After making ferry reservations for years, I somehow managed this time to do absolutely everything incorrectly. I used the wrong form to book renter reservations, I made reservations originating in the wrong direction and I did all of this repeatedly. Unraveling this was not simple. In fact, I feel very blessed that staff were willing to try. Shari Duncan fielded my first frantic call, researched my questions, returned my call giving me excellent guidance. Robin Tanguay spent a ton of time figuring out what I had done and managed to relay this to her supervisor, Maureen Buckley, with a straight face. Between the two of them everything was corrected. I even got a hefty refund. We are indeed lucky to live in a place where helping each other comes so naturally. Many thanks. Jean Entine Aquinnah Unrestrained pets a nuisance and threat To the Editor: This spring, while biking in the State Forest and on the Island bike paths, I have encountered dozens of dogs, all of which were running free, unleashed. I have been barked at, chased, knocked off my bike, and bitten more than once. This is usually an unpleasant experience and often detracts from the enjoyment of the activity. State and Island rules, laws, or regulations prohibit dog owners from allowing their pets to go unleashed in these areas. I know this, in part, because I have seen the numerous signs announcing the leash requirement posted about the forest and paths. I assume the dog owners have seen them, too. I could be wrong, but more and bigger signs are not going to put leashes on these animals. Unassuming bike riders notwithstanding, ground dwelling, nesting wildlife are put at risk by free-roaming canines. Our State Forest, Land Bank properties and other sanctuaries were established not only for our safe enjoyment, but also to preserve creatures of lesser life forms that otherwise cannot exist in our developments and subdivisions. Unrestrained pets are harmful to the Island’s wildlife, its ability to reproduce, nest, and simply survive. It is probably naïve to believe a letter, article, or announcement in an island publication would do much to change the conduct of pet owners in this regard. Until or unless dog owners are willing to self-police themselves by keeping their pets leashed in public places, Island authorities should implement some enforcement and, if need be, penalize the offenders. Paul Mohair Chilmark Thanks to the voters To the Editor: I would like to thank the voters of Oak Bluffs for the confidence they expressed in me at the polls in the recent town elections. I also wish to thank The Martha’s Vineyard Times for its endorsement of my candidacy and the kind words it said about me in its editorial of April 14. I will do my utmost to listen to the people’s ideas and opinions and make my decision based on what I believe to be in the best interest of the town. I look forward to serving as one of the selectmen for the next three years in Oak Bluffs, which is alive and well on Martha’s Vineyard. Duncan Ross Oak Bluffs Abutter criticized Edgartown library plan To the Editor: In regards to the Edgartown library project and a number of misinformed letters to the editor, we would like to point out there is an abutter who not only sent a letter to the ZBA expressing objections and concerns, but also attended and spoke at a number of meetings, including the ZBA meeting. That abutter is the Edgartown Inn. We would just like to set the record straight. Sandi Hakala Manager Edgartown Inn Stunning decision To the Editor: I was stunned to read in the April 22 issue of the Gazette that the Edgartown board of appeals had turned down the Edgartown Free Library Expansion Project. That three of the members of the appeals board could arbitrarily vote down this project is hard to believe. This carefully planned and architecturally revised concept of expansion for the Edgartown Library, so needed, and supported at the town meeting by Edgartown voters and the historic district commission, would have provided the community with a topnotch facility with the space and facilities a modern library needs today. What an opportunity the town has forfeited by denying this well-conceived addition to the cultural and intellectual wellbeing of Edgartown. Why, if Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Chilmark have moved ahead in providing new library facilities for their towns, cannot Edgartown take advantage of the purchase of the Warren House, a substantial grant, and community support to expand their library facilities for present and future needs of this community? I praise the dedication, time, and effort put into the planning of this project by the trustees, especially Nancy Ambrose, Diane Bongiorno, and to Tony Bongiorno, who has given much of his valuable time and expertise to bringing this whole project to fruition. I also feel the library staff and director Ann Tyra are exceptional in their professional capacity and support. Edgartown is most fortunate to have their talent and input. Don’t let them down on this. Betty Henrikson Savannah, Georgia |
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