December 23, 2005

UPS Workers Shift Into Overdrive for Holiday

For John Costa, time is of the essence.

So it is understandable if a grimace washes over his face as he examines the boxes stacked to the ceiling of the tractor trailer that has backed into the loading dock at the United Parcel Service (UPS) distribution center in Vineyard Haven.

by Max Hart

Tax Case Talks Come to End

The chairman of the West Tisbury board of selectmen reversed position last week and called off settlement talks with town resident William W. Graham about his costly property tax case with assessors.

by Ian Fein

Union Dispute Is Still Stalled

Union Dispute Is Still Stalled

Steamship Authority Managers Leave Last Offer on the Table; Vessel Workers Will Continue Under Expired Contract

By JAMES KINSELLA Gazette Senior Writer

Three days before Christmas, Steamship Authority management and the union that represents 230 unlicensed vessel workers remain locked in a protracted…

by James Kinsella

Behind the Scenes for 40 Years: Longtime Town Manager Retires

Some people crave the spotlight. Peter O. Bettencourt is not among them.

“Oh, God,” Mr. Bettencourt muttered Monday, when Arthur Smadbeck, chairman of the Edgartown selectmen, let it be known that the selectmen had a memento of appreciation for their town administrator’s nearly 40 years of full-time work for the town.

by James Kinsella

Federal Discussion of Magnuson Act Centers on Quotas

As revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management Conservation Act of 1996 make their way through Congress, debate is intensifying over how to stop overfishing off the New England shoreline. The stakes are high: The measures now being written into the act will affect fisheries management throughout the United States for the next five years. Much…

by Mark Alan Lovewell