YES TO NECTAR’S

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I was so excited to see that Nectar’s was going to continue with their entertainment at the old Hot Tin Roof and they are also going to involve Flatbread in their plans. I know Flatbread from Vermont; I’ve met several of the people that own and or work for the company and they would be a welcome addition to the Island economy. But now there is a sign that they may want to include a liquor store. This is a really bad idea; we do not need another liquor store on Martha’s Vineyard. What we need in that spot is a bowling alley. Think of it — you take the kids out for a night of bowling, grab a flatbread pizza of your choice, have a few beers and maybe watch a show at Nectar’s. I think the Vineyard could support this year-round. We need a family place that is open year-round, and I’m sure there would be some new year-round employment at the new venue.

Tom Engley

West Tisbury

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WIND MATH

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The articles this week about the Vineyard Power cooperative’s site planning meeting raised two concerns for me. As environmental Armageddon unfolds in the Gulf of Mexico, miners die in West Virginia and China, floods of fly ash inundate rural towns, and the administration doubles down on environmental risk by having taxpayers underwrite a wave of new nuclear power plant construction capable of destroying the entire country, alternative energy sources rise to the top of our personal and national agendas. My first concern is that the rush to do good needs to be tempered by sound numbers. Here on the Vineyard we all share enthusiasm for the concept of a cooperative that would let us make decisions about our own energy future.

Vineyard Power’s initial business plan in July 2009 assumed wind turbine costs of $140 million and projected that members would save $500 annually on their electric bills. By the co-op’s first membership meeting capital costs drifted to $170 million. This week’s news from the site planning meeting is that costs have floated to between $217 and $267 million, and presumably the $500 annual savings forecast for members is still solid. Good intentions are not sufficient when the numbers reach the stratosphere with no sign of how high they will really go. It would seem appropriate that we as a concerned community should be asking ourselves at this point what else could we be doing with $220 million (or a lot less) to embark on a responsible energy future before pinning all our hopes and money on 16 or 17 windmills planted in harm’s way. If it turns out after a rigorous analysis of alternatives that wind power still makes the most economic and financial sense, then let’s go forward with a solid understanding of the risks and true costs.

My second concern relates to our own environment and the love of this place that we share. When Paul Pimentel, a well-respected expert, describes the impact of moving the turbines out to sea as “it doesn’t cost as much as you might think to get out further,” it causes me to wonder why Cape Wind didn’t come to the same conclusion and spare us all the discord and concern their site poses for the Cape and Islands. Now that the Department of Interior has downsized Cape Wind from 170 to 130 turbines, it is worth noting that there has not been much hand-wringing over the financial implications of almost a 25 per cent cut in energy production capacity. Perhaps we as the taxpayers and the ratepayers are picking up the tab anyway, so Mr. Gordon still has a big smile for the cameras.

Jeff Parker

Chilmark

DREAMS CORRECTED

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Hi there. Loved the article on my wife, Paula Lyons, and me, as we humbly and respectfully accept the Art Buchwald memorial post of Possible Dreams anchoring auctioneers. We greatly appreciated the story; however, there are just a couple of things I need to clear up, to correct, before some other readers throw brickbats at me.

The Vineyard Playhouse will be doing a staged reading of my play, The Sound and the Ferry, on Monday, July 26 (not July 29 as stated in the article). Also, the ACLU of Massachusetts will be presenting An Evening Without, readings written by authors barred from U.S. entry for political reasons and delivered by Island authors, at the Chilmark Community Center on Thursday, July 29. As a host of this event, I also occupy the post of vice president of the ACLU of Massachusetts. The article inadvertently implied I represented the national organization rather than only the affiliate.

Thank you.

Arnie Reisman

Natick and Menemsha

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STEPPING DOWN

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am writing to inform the Vineyard community that I have resigned from my position as executive director of Women Empowered.

Over two years ago, when I was contracted by the board to take on the role of executive director, my goals were to recruit and develop new board members, increase the visibility of the program to the community, develop a database system, increase the donor base, increase donations, create an annual event, increase clients and services.

I believe that together we have accomplished the goals.

Therefore, it appears that now is a good time for me to make a transition. My skill set is to work with entrepreneurial organizations that are either start-ups or ones that are in need of refreshing and revitalization to develop into emerging mature organizations. I believe that Women Empowered will continue to emerge as a mature organization.

Working with the Women Empowered staff, board and volunteers has been a very rewarding experience for me. It’s tapped into my belief and passion that nonprofit organizations can positively impact their communities.

I’d like to thank all of Women Empowered’s volunteers, Vineyard foundations and donors who have generously supported me and the organization in all of our undertakings. There is no way that the organization could have reached its goals without your continued contributions and sustenance. I hope that you will keep supporting Women Empowered through your philanthropy and volunteerism.

I am sure that Women Empowered will continue to provide services to the community of Martha’s Vineyard. I wish all involved great success with future endeavors. It has been an honor to serve as the executive director.

Sheila Bracy

Oak Bluffs

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BROADSHEET BLUES

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I think you have a marvelous paper, but as I get older my arms seem to get shorter! Instead of having the paper (closed) 24 by 18 inches, to open to 24 by 36 inches, why not go to a paper that is 12 by 18 inches, opening to 18 by 24 inches? It would make this old geezer happy to be able to hold the paper myself, instead of having my wife hold one end.

All you have to do is turn the paper around!

Vin Virgulto

Edgartown. MA

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LITTER CLEAN-UP

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

A big thank you goes to the students, faculty and administration of the Oak Bluffs School, who cleaned up the long-accumulating litter along the path that goes through the woods behind the school.

As a walker and runner who frequently uses that path from South Circuit avenue to Harthaven, it was dismaying to find the peaceful woods sullied by the whole variety of American consumable discards, much of it blown off the nearby school garbage containers.

So I visited Laury Binney, school principal, who told me that the entire school was about to launch an Earth Day group of activities aimed at making the children aware of our precious environment and the need to recycle and conserve. Last Friday, apparently, everyone did their share because when my wife and I walked the path today it was delightfully clean.

Shows how a group of volunteers can make a real difference. Thanks again, Oak Bluffs School.

Steve Auerbach

Oak Bluffs

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.