FALSE AND MISLEADING

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I write in regards to comments made by Mr. Nixon, principal of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, in the Vineyard Gazette May 28 article, “Parents Appeal in School Marijuana Case.”

Mr. Nixon’s comment in regards to “educational options of excluded students” includes the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. His statement, “You can go to the charter school,” is false and misleading. Enrollment in the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School is based upon Massachusetts Charter School Law, the capacity of our facility, and the school’s enrollment policies. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools in Massachusetts have enrollment caps, which limit the number of new students we are allowed to bring into our school each year.

Mr. Nixon’s comments have given the public, and families who have children who have been determined “excluded” from the regional high school, misinformation. I am disappointed by Mr. Nixon’s false and misleading statement regarding the enrollment policy of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Discussing another school’s policies in the midst of attempting to explain his school’s policies and decisions is irresponsible, especially when the information that he states about the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School’s policies is incorrect.

These unfortunate comments regarding the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, its students and teachers, and school community will not hinder this week’s celebration of achievement, creativity and service to our community culminating in Saturday’s high school graduation ceremonies. The Class of 2010 wonderfully represents the values and pillars of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School — Freedom, Democracy, Cooperation, Responsibility, Respect, and Trust. Our 2010 graduates will soon make positive contributions to the communities of Hampshire College, University of Vermont, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Mount Holyoke College, Cape Cod Community College, Champlain College, and the School of Visual Arts.

Please feel free to join us in celebration on Saturday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School in honoring the extraordinary achievements of the Class of 2010.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond.

Robert M. Moore

Vineyard Haven

The writer is director of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School.

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FOR TED HARRIS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The staff at Island Health Care rural health clinic was so very sad to learn last week of the death of our colleague and good friend Dr. Edward Harris.

Ted discovered our little clinic in 2006, and in a single e-mail with a copy to the Massachusetts Medical Society, offered to volunteer his services a half day per week, lined up the necessary malpractice coverage, and started a relationship with us and our patients in need of rheumatology services that was to resume — as it had with every summer since — when he arrived this year in May.

He loved working with our nurses, nurse practitioners and medical interpreter staff, and made sure that administration regularly knew how highly he valued them. Certainly, the feeling was mutual. We will all miss him as another summer begins, this time without him.

Our best to his friends and family, and our deepest gratitude to Ted.

Cynthia Mitchell

West Tisbury

The writer is executive director of Island Health Care.

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CANCER SUPPORT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On behalf of the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Island people who contributed to our very successful fund-raiser, An Evening under the Stars, held on May 20 at Mediterranean restaurant on Beach Road in Oak Bluffs.

Our group prides itself in having no administrative costs. We have no office, no executive director, not even a cancer support group telephone. We try to save money everywhere we can so that money donated goes directly to those in need. Therefore all the money that we raise stays here on the Island and goes to Island residents and their families who are battling cancer and could use some financial assistance.

We could not carry out our mission and have done so well on our recent fund-raiser without the help of many people. We acknowledge with gratitude Doug and Leslie Hewson, owners of the Mediterranean, who provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere and to their staff who were gracious and accommodating throughout the evening as they provided outstanding food and service. This is the sixth annual fund-raiser that the Hewsons have hosted for the group and we can only say again and again how thankful we are to have formed this wonderful relationship for the benefit of cancer patients.

The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank and Leigh Carroll of Carroll’s Trucking covered all expenses incurred with the event so that all the proceeds will go directly to Island residents with cancer who need help. We could not accomplish our goals without their generous support.

To all the many Island vendors who provided the food, flowers, door prizes and items for the gift bags, we are so grateful for your interest and support in what we do as an organization.

To the many people who attended on May 20, we are so glad that you could come and hope that you enjoyed the evening. We thank you for your attendance and we welcome your continued support.

A very special thank you goes to all of you people on the Island who answered our plea to make a donation even if you couldn’t attend the event. The response was outstanding.

Last year the support group distributed $49,900 to cancer patients on this Island who needed our help. We are pretty proud of that accomplishment! We now have replenished our treasury and have funds available. We encourage any Island resident who is dealing with cancer and needs temporary and emergency financial help to please call 508-627-7958. All inquiries are confidential.

Also remember that for sharing, strength and hope, a support group meets every Wednesday at noon at the Hebrew Center on Centre street in Vineyard Haven. Recently a caregivers group has also been established which meets on the second Wednesday of each month at noon at the Hebrew center. All meetings are confidential.

No one with cancer needs to be alone.

Jane C. Carroll

Vineyard Haven

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CAPE WIND THREAT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This letter comes from the heart. I have lived on the Cape most of my life and still return there. Over the years I have seen the Cape face many challenges but few compare to the current Cape Wind threat. These are my concerns:

• First, misinformation from Cape Wind. This will not help Cape Cod and it will not lower anyone’s electric bills. It’s the opposite.

• Second, it will be a problem for recreational boaters, airplanes, tourism and the fishing industry. Can anyone trust what the government agencies say or the approvals they make in light of all that has come out about BP, political deals and the Gulf of Mexico?

• Third, these turbines are more than half the length of the Titanic. Visible day and night, they will also make noise, kill birds and be covered with bright lights.

• Last, the potential for a massive oil spill in Nantucket Sound is real and Cape waters, marshes and ecosystems are as fragile as any on our coasts.

Please look at the real motives for this ill-conceived and disastrously located first offshore wind farm and do whatever is in your hearts to stop it.

Charles Birdsey

Centerville

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CARDS OF COMFORT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

People from all around the country will be invited to write sentiments to those who are in need of hope and comfort. This event will be taking place on Sunday, June 6, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Bible Church table, during Inspiration Weekend at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs.

The Martha’s Vineyard Cards of Hope and Comfort Ministry would like to invite the Island community to contact us if they know of anyone who may benefit from receiving a card. Only the first names of those receiving the cards will be on the cards. Last names and addresses will not be available to the public.

Our contact information is: e-mail: mvbiblechurch@gmail.com; 508-693-3832; M.V. Bible Church, P.O. Box 8, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or just stop by our table and ask us to have a card made available for someone in need of compassion.

Anyone wishing to touch the heart of someone in need of emotional and spiritual support is invited to stop by our table to sign a card.

Linda M. Guilford

Vineyard Haven