News in Brief
August 25, 2005
Pam Dolby named new Town Administrator in Edgartown
In an interview meeting on Monday, Edgartown selectmen chose Pam Dolby to replace Peter Bettencourt as town administrator when he retires at the end of the year from the position he has held since 1966.
Mr. Bettencourt told the Times on Wednesday he wasnÅft retiring for any pressing reason, though after 40 years, he said it was time.
"It's been a great ride, very enjoyable in many ways due to
the people I've worked with," he said. "That's the way
it is with any job, that's why I've been able to do it for so many
years."
"Peter Bettencourt can't be replaced," said Art Smadbeck,
chairman of the Edgartown selectmen. "But Pam Dolby has every
qualification necessary to become the next Peter Bettencourt."
Ms. Dolby has held many positions at town hall, though her primary duty for many years has been as the administrator of the Parks Commission.
She begins her new job January 1, 2006.
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Vineyard Foodshop reopened
The Vineyard Foodshop bakery and deli on State Road in North Tisbury,
long known as Humphreys, is once again open for business.
Owner Joyce Duarte, who inherited the property from her brother,
Bart Humphreys, had hoped to be open by the Fourth of July, but
necessary repairs and upgrades of the facility, as well as bitter
wrangling among the descendants of Argie Humphreys, the founder
of the business, pushed back the opening until earlier this month.
Ms. Duarte had for some years leased the bakery to her niece and
her niece's husband, Donna (Kirby) and Michael Diaz, but last fall
Ms. Duarte decided that she would operate the business herself.
The Diazes, who enjoyed a successful following at the North Tisbury
location, now operate Humphreys stores in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs,
and, most recently, Vineyard Haven. A court decision in June permitted
the Diazes to continue to use the name Humphreys.
The North Tisbury store, the original Vineyard Foodshop, will continue
to operate until cold weather forces it to close in the late fall.
Late nesting blamed for extended closure of Norton Point
Beach
Just in: The County announced Thursday that Norton Point will
open for vehicle access on Saturday, August 27.
Norton Point Beach, the county-owned three-mile-long sand link
between Chappaquiddick and Katama, is not expected to be reopened
to off-road vehicle traffic for at least another ten days.
Sheriff Michael McCormack said the lengthy beach closure was necessary
to protect a late-nesting colony of least terns and two pairs of
piping plovers. Both species are protected under state and federal
laws.
The beach will remain closed until the chicks can fly, which is
not expected to occur for another week to ten days, he said. In
previous years the beach has been opened in mid-August, but few
chicks have survived.
Once the chicks hatch, it takes approximately 30 to 35 days before
they can fly. But natural predation by gulls, crows, and skunks,
and storm wave washover all take a toll.
Mr. McCormack said a late successful nesting effort followed earlier
failed attempts. As a result the beach must remain closed.
The beach route provides access for fishermen and residents of Chappaquiddick
who want to avoid the wait to cross Edgartown harbor by ferry.
He said erosion has made it impossible to provide an alternative
route or even allow for a partial opening. "Unfortunately,
we have to wait," he said.
Mr. McCormack said he would ask the county commissioners to drastically
reduce the cost of a county beach permit for the remainder of the
2005 season, which would include the upcoming bass and bluefish
derby.
He said that if his department retains responsibility for the beach
he intends to be especially active in protecting nesting shorebirds
to avoid a repeat of this season when the birds" first attempts
failed.
The sheriff's department was given responsibility for managing Norton
Point following the departure of Rob Culbert, county beach manager.
The county recreation department, which is overseen by the county
manager, now consists of one employee, Nathan Durawa who, with volunteers
from the Audubon Society, is monitoring the chicks, said Mr. McCormack.
"Blue Pages" outlines how to protect our water
supply
A blue booklet inserted in todayÅfs issue of The Times is designed
to provide Islanders with a comprehensive guide on how to protect
the VineyardÅfs water supply.
ÅgThe Island Blue Pages - A Guide to Protecting MarthaÅfs Vineyard
Waters,Åh contains facts and illustrations about our water as well
as specific actions that each of us can take to help safeguard it.
The Blue Pages project was led by the MarthaÅfs Vineyard Shellfish
Group. The bulk of the financial support came from the Wampanoag
Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) through a grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
The health of the IslandÅfs water depends on the choices that each
person makes, according to the Blue Pages authors.
The booklet provides basic information about the IslandÅfs water
cycle and watersheds, as well as practical information about water
conservation techniques, the proper use of cleaning agents, the
effects of polluted road runoff, careful waste disposal, good boating
practices, and tips on native landscaping.
For more information, call the MarthaÅfs Vineyard Shellfish Group
at 508-693-0391.
Senator O'Leary will hold Island office hours Tuesday
Senator Robert A. OÅfLeary (D-Barnstable) is scheduled to hold district
office hours on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Tisbury
Senior Center in Vineyard Haven. A press release from the Mr. OÅfLearyÅfs
office advises that residents and community groups that would like
to meet with the Senator to discuss legislative and policy issues
should call his Boston office at 617-722-1570 to schedule an appointment.
Open door forces charter jet back to airport
A charter jet that took off from MarthaÅfs Vineyard Airport on Sunday
afternoon was forced to return to the airport when its door opened
after it had climbed to about 1,000 feet.
Airport officials said that they do not know what caused the door
to open. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking into
the incident.
Sean Flynn, acting airport manager, said that the open door caused
the jet to depressurize, but that it was not a serious problem because
the jet did not have to maintain a different cabin pressure until
it reached 12,000 feet.
Mr. Flynn said that there were four passengers and two pilots aboard
the chartered Astra jet, which was headed to Sarasota, Fla. He said
that emergency medical technicians examined all six people after
the jet landed safely back at the airport. No injuries were reported,
he said.
Fire and emergency personnel from Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West
Tisbury responded to the airport after the pilots reported the incident.
Mr. Flynn said that the pilots did Åga fantastic job,Åh and landed
the jet safely without incident.
Extra boats will run on weekends
The summer exodus from MarthaÅfs Vineyard that begins right after
the annual Agricultural Fair often makes it impossible to secure
Steamship Authority (SSA) reservations to leave the Island.
Wayne Lamson, SSA general manager, said the boatline will add unscheduled
runs when the situation warrants, and doing so will not require
calling in extra crews.
He said the freight boats have been used throughout the summer to
make extra runs on Friday and Saturday night on reservation-only
weekends.
SSA traffic volume continue slump
Steamship Authority traffic remained lackluster through August 7,
according to the boatlineÅfs most recent report. Compared with last
yearÅfs figures, passenger volumes to and from the Vineyard were
down 3.6 percent and autos off 1.5 percent. Freight traffic, which
now includes larger SUVs and pickup trucks used for non-commercial
purposes, was up 9.2 percent for the year to date, as of the end
of the first week in August.
In dollar terms, figures show a 12.3 percent rise in freight revenue,
a four percent increase in passenger revenues, and a 1.8 percent
increase in income from automobiles. All told, these increases amount
to nearly $100,000 more in revenue than was recorded by the end
of the first week in August a year ago.
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Islanders join protest against Iraq war
Dozens of Islanders gathered at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven last Wednesday evening in a show of support for Cindy Sheehan, who is camping out near President BushÅfs ranch in Crawford, Texas, waiting to talk to Mr. Bush about the war in Iraq, in which her son Casey died.
Promoted by MoveOn.org, the national grassroots organization that led the effort to oppose the invasion of Iraq, the local vigil was one of 1,700 that took place simultaneously across the country. In addition to showing solidarity for Ms. Sheehan, the group at Five Corners was there to show Ågthat we support our troops, but that we donÅft support this illegal war,Åh according to Liz Toomey of Vineyard Haven, who organized the event in conjunction with the MarthaÅfs Vineyard Peace Council.
As the sun set and the light fell, the candles that participants held came to life. The quiet, respectful crowd of more than 60 attracted tooting horns and thumbs-up and peace signs from many passing cars.
Couple seeks missing bag
containing infant's clothes
In the time it took a couple to change their 18-month-old baby before walking off the 8:15 pm ferry on Sunday, August 14, a duffle bag containing all of his clothes disappeared from the luggage cart at the Vineyard Haven Steamship Authority terminal.
Derek and Leigh Fairchild-Coppoletti, parents of Theodore, are hoping that whoever mistakenly took the bag will call them to arrange for its return soon at 508-693-6067 or 415-218-6622 (cell).
The black bag, about three feet long and one foot high and wide, has a shoulder strap and handles, a large central compartment, two side pockets, and an embossed lionÅfs head and the word ÅgLionbridgeÅh on one side.
Not only did little TheoÅfs bag contain almost his entire wardrobe, but also his special blanket. Many of the articles of clothing were gifts from family and friends, and have sentimental value for Mrs. Fairchild-Coppoletti, as well.
She has a long history with MarthaÅfs Vineyard, summering here as a child and marrying her husband in a ceremony on the Island. Residents of San Francisco, she and her family are visiting her mother, Joanna Fairchild, who lives in Oak Bluffs and operates Vineyard Coach and Concierge.
The Fairchild-Coppolettis would greatly appreciate the return of TheoÅfs bag so he can sleep with his special blanket and wear his own clothes while enjoying three weeks with grandma.
Permanent Endowment Fund seeks grant requests
The Permanent Endowment Fund, an Island community foundation, is seeking grant requests from not-for-profit organizations and public agencies for grants from the endowmentÅfs general discretionary fund and the James P. Cahen Fund.
General discretionary fund grants are awarded to non-profit 501 (c) (3) organizations primarily for capital, start-up, and special needs, and not for operating expenses.
Cahen Fund grants must relate to medical, surgical, and health-care services. Preference is given to services that benefit low-income residents of MarthaÅfs Vineyard.
Grant requests should be submitted no later than Sept. 5 for consideration later that month. Applications are available online at www.permanentendowmv.org. Applications may also be obtained by mail by contacting Gail Craig, administrative assistant, at 508-627-3754.
During the 2004 grant-making process, the Fund awarded $23,000 to 14 Island organizations and public agencies, including the Vineyard Nursing Association, Island Elderly Housing, Vineyard House, and the YMCA.
MV Bagel Authority sold
The MarthaÅfs Vineyard Bagel Authority, a popular eatery on Main Street, Vineyard Haven, was sold on August 5, but the new owners say there will be little change.
Jim Demarco sold the Bagel Authority to longtime employee Patricia Meyer and her business partner, Angela Yamauchi.
Ms. Meyer said other than extending hours of operation and the introduction of a pizza oven, she and Ms. Yamauchi plan little alteration to the business.
Summer hours of operation will extend from 4 to 5 pm Sunday through Thursday and to 7 pm on Friday and Saturday. Over the winter, Ms. Meyer and Ms. Yamauchi will equip the business to sell a variety of pizzas and diversify the baked goods selection to include more pastries and cookies.
Ms. Meyer began work at MV Bagel Authority in 2000. Before the sale, she managed the store under Mr. Demarco and successfully operated it during his absence.
After an Aruba vacation last winter, Mr. Demarco asked his employee if she would be interested in purchasing the store. The initial question was considered a quip. Six months later, Mr. Demarco repeated his offer and Ms. Meyer accepted.
Ms. Meyer is a Brazilian immigrant of Japanese decent. Ms. Yamauchi is a former house cleaner who quit her job to invest time in the business.
ÅgEverything will be the same, but we are going to improve to welcome the customers. I just want to say thank you to customers,Åh said Ms. Meyer.
Aquinnah invites Islanders to a shingling party
Members of the committee working to restore the Vanderhoop Homestead, the distinctive house at the Gay Head cliffs that overlooks Moshup Trail, are sponsoring a shingling party from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday (the rain date is Sunday).
The committee is looking for people with some shingling experience to help with re-shingling the sidewalls. According to organizers, the goal is to fully re-shingle the building in one day.
There will be free parking at the Aquinnah circle, and lunch will be provided. For more information, call Mitzi Pratt at 508-645-3035.
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