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News in Brief
September 8, 2005
Island schools to host visit from Jordanian school official
Island schools will offer a glimpse of American education, technology, and culture to Ibrahim Shhab, a visiting Jordanian school administrator, on September 21 to 29 through the Fulbright teacher exchange program.
Mr. Shhab's visit resulted from the efforts of Margaret Harris, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Martha's Vineyard Public Schools. She received notification about the exchange program as a former Fulbright participant herself, and asked James Weiss, the superintendent, about their school system applying to host a visiting administrator. He told her, "This sounds great, absolutely – try for it."
About a week after submitting the application, Mrs. Harris received notification that Martha's Vineyard schools were selected for a visit from Mr. Shhab. He and nine other Jordanian school administrators arrive in the United States on September 10 for a one-week orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by school site visits and a computer course there.
Mr. Shhab's week on the Island will be spent interacting with teachers and students, in addition to learning about the American education system and its technology. He will "work-shadow" with Mrs. Harris, who plans to make sure he visits all of the schools and meets as many students, teachers, and administrators as possible, as well as school committee members.
In addition to educators, Mrs. Harris plans for Mr. Shhab to meet community and business leaders. "We will be trying to do a whirlwind tour in five days. I hope he has a lot of energy, because we are going to be moving him very quickly," said Ms. Harris.
She and her husband Jamie will house Mr. Shhab for the week. Mrs. Harris said she views the exchange program as an exciting educational opportunity for the Island school system and the entire community. "We welcome the opportunity to have somebody from a part of the world that we would like to learn more about," she said.
The Fulbright Program was named for Senator J. William Fulbright (1905-1995) of Arkansas. Elected to Congress in 1943, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the House adopted his Fulbright Resolution supporting international peace-keeping efforts, leading to the United StateÅfs participation in what would become the United Nations.
He was elected a senator in 1944. Legislation establishing the Fulbright Program passed in the Senate without debate in 1946. Since then, the teacher exchange program has helped nearly 23,000 teachers and administrators contribute to mutual understanding between the U.S. and countries around the world.
Lagoon Pond ramp
to remain open
Fishermen participating in the month-long Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby and fall scallopers can grab their gear and head to the Lagoon Pond launch ramp and parking lot whenever they are ready. The facility will remain open indefinitely, according to a state public access board official, despite an announcement a few weeks ago that it would be closed for three to four months for reconstruction, beginning sometime after Labor Day.
"The project will not be going through this fall," said Doug Cameron, public access board assistant director. "The contractor withdrew his bid."
Last month, a contract for $638,893 was awarded by the state to AGM Marine Contractors of Mashpee. Scheduling of the project, which was to take three to four months, was contingent on the public access boardÅfs receipt of the funds. The funds were expected to be transferred a few weeks ago but have not come through, Mr. Cameron said.
"Part of the reason for the contractor"s withdrawn bid was the holdup of funds for this job. With that, combined with the recent jump in gas and oil prices, the bid that he made back in June certainly does not reflect the current conditions," said Mr. Cameron.
"Our plan is to regroup a little bit, and probably look at some options. One would be to see if there is some way to negotiate within the parameters of the project if we could, or to renegotiate," Mr. Cameron said.
Timing of the project is difficult. The permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prohibits construction of the facility from January 15 through May 30 because of possible adverse impacts on winter flounder.
Pennywise project
clears major hurdles
The Pennywise Path affordable housing project, a 60-unit mixed income, town-planned, rental subdivision in Edgartown, passed two of its last major hurdles this week.
Yesterday morning, the Edgartown selectmen signed a 99-year lease with The Community Builders Inc. (TCB), a non-profit housing developer based in Boston which the town chose to build and manage the subdivision.
The selectmen also signed a right-of-way easement with the Vineyard Golf Club, which will allow the town to run sewer lines through the golf club property to the development.
"The town is very excited," said Michael Donaroma, Edgartown selectmen, who has been one of the project's leaders. "These were significant steps, and it looks like things are moving forward and we are ready to roll."
The $14 million project is yet to get underway because the town is still waiting for $6 million in federal tax credits to fund the project.
In February, the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which is responsible for distributing federal tax credits for affordable housing, funded only 11 of the 28 projects that had applied for the money. The Pennywise project was not one of the recipients.
This week, Alan Gowell, a member of the Edgartown affordable housing committee, said he is optimistic that the town will be funded in the next round of tax credit awards, this fall.
"The state will have their biannual distribution of tax credits this month, and Edgartown has been led to believe that the state will be able to fund the Pennywise project," said Mr. Gowell. "Official notification wouldn't come until October or November, but we are very optimistic that Pennywise will be funded this fall."
If the town does receive the funding this fall, town officials said that TCB could break ground as soon as next spring.
Harley riders sponsor
Red Cross benefit
The Martha's Vineyard Harley Riders Club is sponsoring its First Annual "Ride for the Red" Poker Run to benefit the local Martha Vineyard's Red Cross Chapter in providing operating funds on September 11, at 10:30 am. Motorcyclists and antique car enthusiasts alike can enjoy a great ride, and compete to see who will win the "best poker hand" grand prize.
The entrance fee is $20. Participants start at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs. At each of the five stops they will make, they draw a card, and at the end of the ride, the person with the best hand wins.
Following the event, everyone will meet at Hinckley Lumber on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven for a barbeque party. Call Wayne Guyther at 508-693-0075 if you have any questions.
West Tisbury needs a
CPA bylaw
The West Tisbury selectmen will present a draft of a CPA bylaw on Wednesday, September 14, at 5 pm at the Howes House.
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was approved by the voters at the annual town election in April. CPA funds will be generated by a three-percent property tax surcharge (matched by the state) and may be used for affordable housing, historic preservation, or open space preservation. At a special town meeting in October, the town will vote a bylaw to establish a committee to spend CPA funds, as required by the act.
The current draft says that the CPA committee should be seven members, five appointed from and by town boards as required by the enabling legislation, one appointed from and by the finance committee, and one at-large member appointed by the selectmen. The bylaw will also spell out the duties of the CPA committee.
Wednesday's meeting will be a regularly scheduled selectmen's meeting, but it will be held at a later hour and at the Howes House to facillitate public input in advance of the town meeting. Voters may read the current draft on the town web site (http://www.town.west-tisbury.ma.us/).
You're invited
As part of the Edgartown National Bank's celebration of it 100th anniversary, Islanders are invited to two events next week. The bank will host a wine and cheese party on Tuesday, September 13, from 5 to 7 pm at the bank's Main Street, Edgartown headquarters.
On Thursday, September 15, it's an ice cream social, from 3 to 5 pm, at all four bank branches, in Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs.
Land Bank seeks
public comment
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank has scheduled its annual series of public input sessions. The purpose is to solicit public comment on future land bank acquisitions, management policies, or any matter relating to the public agency at a joint meeting of land bank commissioners and town advisory board members.
The down-Island session is scheduled for Sept. 12 at 5 pm at the Oak Bluffs School. The up-Island session is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 5 pm at the Chilmark town hall.
The land bank, established in 1986 by an act of the state legislature and endorsed by Island voters, purchases open space with funds raised through a two percent surcharge on real estate transactions.
SCORE offers business management class
Cape Cod SCORE is offering an eight-week course, beginning next week, in the basic skills of starting and managing a small business.
Business planning, financing, sales and marketing, e-commerce, pricing, taxes, accounting practices, and record keeping are among the many subjects that will be covered by the professional business counselors from SCORE.
According to a SCORE press release, the course is aimed at the needs of all types of companies, business owners, employees and those individuals who are thinking of starting or expanding a business.
The course cost $85, and begins on Sept. 14. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
Anyone interest in participating in the course can register at the high school on Saturday, Sept. 10 between 11 am and noon, or call the Martha's Vineyard SCORE office at 508-696-9687.
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