SHABBY EMBARRASSMENT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

With the recent enhancements to Oak Bluffs: the ferry terminal, the beautiful brick sidewalks and the continued efforts by many business owners to upgrade the appearance of their Circuit avenue shops, it is disappointing that the Hall family has yet to take steps to improve the very shabby appearance of their two Oak Bluffs theatres. Given the very visible location of their properties, it is an embarrassment to the town and something that cries out for immediate action on their part.

John Kelly

Oak Bluffs

•

THE DUNBAR STORY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

What a pity Tyler Lewis, in his excellent description of Robert Weaver, the Portrait of a Powerful Man by Stan Murphy (August 20 Gazette) did not say or perhaps did not know that Dr. Weaver was one of the many distinguished graduates of Dunbar High School, the institution discussed two days before by Charles Ogletree’s panel, The Dunbar Story: Achieving Success in an Era of Segregation.

Coincidentally the Gazette unfortunately did not cover this important panel. Is the Afro-American community that large or is coverage by the Vineyard Gazette that selective?

Adelaide M. Cromwell

Vineyard Haven

•

DOWNTOWN PRESS CENTER

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The White House press corps left the Mansion House on Monday, and even with the few days of rain, it was a good visit. Every day, these men and women who travel around the world and the country, complimented Main street and talked about coming back. Every day, quite a few of them took breaks and returned with shopping bags. Every day they compared us favorably to some of the other Presidential destinations. A few commented that they even liked it better here than in Hawaii.

The Mansion House would not have been able to provide accommodations and office space for the press without the help of our neighbors: Brickman’s, George Crawford, Educomp, Joe Grillo, Eric Hammarlund, the chamber of commerce and Plum TV helped us with the parking needs of the press. Thank you. Without parking help, we would have been unable to provide enough spaces for the press who needed immediate access to their cars.

Even though the last week in August is usually busy, we hope that the in-town presence and excitement of the press added positively to the 2010 Vineyard Haven season.

Susan and Sherm Goldstein

Vineyard Haven

The Vineyard Gazette welcomes letters to the editor on any subject concerning Martha’s Vineyard. The newspaper strives to publish all letters as space allows, although the editor reserves the right to reject letters that in her judgment are inappropriate. Letters must be signed, and should include a place of residence and contact telephone number. The Gazette does not publish anonymous letters.