A RECENT EXPERIENCE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I hate bigots, bullies and abusive authority. I admire and respect professional emergency medical technicians, firemen, hospital personnel and police officers! The Vineyard is blessed with a preponderance of the latter four.

Gus Ben David 2nd

Edgartown

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CAPE WIND FACTS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

In a letter last week, Susan Sellers incorrectly stated that “the wind turbines proposed for Nantucket Sound will not even turn for 223 days of each year due to lack of wind.”

In fact, Cape Wind’s turbines on Horseshoe Shoal would be rotating and producing power about 86 per cent of the time due to the abundant and fairly consistent winds on Horseshoe Shoal.

In average wind conditions, Cape Wind will produce 182 megawatts of power. As a point of reference, the average electric demand of Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is 230 megawatts.

Cape Wind will also be a strong performer during times of greatest system need. Thanks to the region’s strong sea breezes, Cape Wind would have produced above-average power during 11 of the past 12 record summer electric demand events.

Mark Rodgers

North Falmouth

Mark Rodgers is communications director for Cape Wind.

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REMARKS CLARIFIED

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I did not say as reported in the Vineyard Gazette: “The future for wind turbines is further offshore, in deeper waters, where the wind is stronger.” The comment I made at the Oceans Management Plan public hearing was directed to Deerin Babb-Brott, who stated in his opening remarks that the oceans plan had only looked at waters shallower than 100 feet for the placement of wind turbines. I suggested to Deerin that the oceans plan include waters deeper than 100 feet as newer, deeper foundation designs are now better able to compete with the cost of constructing shallower foundation designs. I went on to say that by expanding the water depth, others would be able to participate and share in the burden of generating electricity within three miles off the Massachusetts coast.

Peter Cabana

Vineyard Haven

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CONSIDER TIDAL ENERGY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am not an inventor. Nor am I a developer or a businessman, and I wouldn’t even say I’m that much of politically-minded person. I am just a dad. My child and I like warm baths, hot food, and television in the evenings. I also enjoy keeping up with the local and regional news from time to time. What I’ve seen over the last couple years about the Cape Wind ordeal bothers me.

I would like to draw a correlation between the ongoing debate on the Cape Wind project and child rearing.

When my daughter is doing something that I don’t want her to do, I try to redirect her instead of reprimanding her. I choose my battles carefully, and it works. For example, if she’s about to draw on the dog with a permanent marker, I ask her if she’d like to go outside and throw the ball for the dog. Nine times out of 10 she buys the idea, and everyone is happy.

That said, I think the major players in the Cape Wind debate need to be redirected. This idea, good as it sounds for some and bad as it sounds for others, is in its simplest form creating a fight. We have to live here with each other for a very long time. Why spend our energy and time and efforts fussing when we could be doing something more productive?

There are many different potential answers to energy production in the 21st century. On the Island, we have a enormous, never-ending and natural resource readily available to us: the Atlantic Ocean. In a Gazette story last week titled “Tidal Energy Project Receives Federal Funding,” we read about an effort underway, with $600,000 for research into the idea of using the Atlantic to power our homes. A great step in a better direction.

Tidal energy would not only create enough energy for the Vineyard, Cuttyhunk and Nantucket, it could lead to electrical independence from the mainland and would create local jobs. And tidal energy systems would not be obtrusive to the eye.

I’m all for finding a greener way to create electricity. It bothers me that people are gathering to argue back and forth about wind energy while using meeting facilities powered by coal when meanwhile, just 500 yards away, the largest source of continual energy on the planet is quietly lapping our shores with its waves.

Something is wrong with this picture. Will all of you please put down the microphones, put away your cell phones, put down your pen and paper and sit down and Google “wave energy, tidal energy.” And then think about giving Cong. Bill Delahunt some support. Redirect yourselves, because after all is said and done, we still have to live together on this tiny Island and get along.

If I were in charge, I wouldn’t argue. I would simply ask you all if you’d like to go to the beach. Then you’d see the mighty Atlantic, and most likely forget about the Cape Wind project entirely.

J.S. Bianchi

Edgartown

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MAINE MARRIAGE LAW

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This spring Maine passed legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry — the same as in Massachusetts. Unfortunately opponents have put a proposal to repeal Maine’s new law on November’s ballot. Vast amounts of money from right wing hate groups across the country are being used to run a smear and fear campaign, and the new law is in jeopardy.

If Vineyarders would like to support the effort to keep the law on the books by countering the lies and distortions being spread by the right, they may do so online at protectmaineequality.com, or by sending a check to No on One/Protect Maine Equality, P.O. Box 8780, Portland, Me. 04104.

Thanks for helping out.

Bill Coogan

West Tibury and

Westbrook, Me.

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard thanks the many Vineyarders who have already bought charter memberships. To clarify the reasons for becoming a charter member, I will explain the benefits. The charter membership will allow a household of people: grandparents over the age of 62, grandchildren, and children up to age 22 along with their parents to join as a group. Each charter household will also receive 10 free passes for house guests throughout the year, a distinctive card, a towel and their name on the lobby plaque. These charter memberships are also important because they provide the capital for us to hire our staff for an opening in May. Conversely, full membership categories will be sold with more restrictions. For example, a family may join, but this will not include dependent parents over the age of 62 or grandchildren. Those members of the family would have to join on their own; so if your household includes older and younger dependents and college students, you would want to choose our charter membership as soon as possible.

Please visit our Web site at ymcamv.org for full information on this limited offer to become charter membership now. Full membership rates for individuals, seniors, teens, and families will be available at the end of this year. Or call our offices at 696-7171 to talk with someone about the best membership for you.

Peg Regan

Oak Bluffs

Peg Regan is interim executive director of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard.

MUSIC IN THE SQUARE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Our summer in Oak Bluffs was certainly enhanced by the various musical groups that performed in Post Office Square. There was the little band of teens from North Carolina, the young mother with two children, all with stringed instruments, and our favorite, Dick, the saxophonist. Talented musicians all! Our grandson was so entertained, dancing and running to the tunes. It was such a pleasant and wholesome alternative to the bar scene for many families — some danced and sang along too. We even discovered some shops we didn’t know existed. Thank you to the town of Oak Bluffs for permitting these groups to play — giving them a chance to “earn their keep” while giving us some fond memories of the summer on Martha’s Vineyard.

J.M. Rodgers

Lancaster, Pa.

ACE YOUR CLASSES

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Thanks to you and our sponsors (Vineyard Gazette, Tisbury Printer, and Vineyard Grocer) for making the first Adult and Community Education of Martha’s Vineyard (ACE MV) course sampling fair a success. The displays, Capoeira demonstrations, dancing, and delicious food provided by Chef Marvin and Vineyard Grocer blended with the enthusiasm of the instructors, volunteers and the representative from Northeastern University to make a delightful evening of fun and learning.

There’s still time to sign up for classes online at acemv.org.

Thanks again for the support.

Lynn Ditchfield

Edgartown

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JARED ENOS TRIBUTE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The family of Jared Enos wishes to convey a heartfelt thank-you for the outpouring of love and support given to us since his sudden death.

The cards, notes, calls, kind words, hugs and shared anecdotes helped ease our grief and has been a tribute to the way Jared lived his life and influenced the lives of so many.

Special thanks to the Belain family of Mid-Island Repair, Jenn Robinson, Margaret Oliveira, Kristy Rose, Randy Walpole (for the chowder sent to Maine!) and the Rev. Jerry Fritz.

Cindy Bonnell

Edgartown

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.