UNHELPFUL DIATRIBE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Our family has summer vacationed on the Vineyard for two weeks for the past 35 years, many of which were spent on the Family Campground. We live in New Jersey and for a number of years I have subscribed to your newspaper and much admired its content, particularly the editorial pages where the citizenry often debate interesting issues, many thorny. But sharp differences are for the most part debated in a civil and thoughtful manner, and a strong sense of community and seeking common good solutions permeates it all.

Quite frankly, I was disappointed that you chose to publish the letter from Peter Robb in your Nov. 12 issue. It has the characteristics of a blog, which often are not known for thoughtful discourse based on hard facts and realities and generally lack any historical or forward-looking perspective. Hurling hand grenades in every which direction and showing disrespect for the President are hardly helpful in these troubled times when we should be focusing on solutions to difficult problems. And cherry picking comments made by pundits in support of one’s views is hardly helpful for these same reasons.

Perhaps Herb Foster’s op-ed piece stepped over the line and should not have been published too, though I don’t recall that it struck me that way, probably because I agreed with a lot of what he was saying, and without resorting to a highly offensive diatribe as Mr. Robb did. Mr. Foster obviously hit a raw nerve with the right-wingers.

I would hope that the Gazette would refrain from publishing provocative letters and op-ed pieces dealing with national politics and the current multiple problems facing our country, unless they have a balanced look at our difficult plight. I see that as the bailiwick of The New York Times and other major newspapers. I was recently given an article published in The Atlantic which I think states very well our current difficult situation in a sobering, balanced way, which is available online (theatlantic.com, where is honor in America). Perhaps you could publish something along these lines as an op-ed piece.

Bill Becker

Princeton, N.J.

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COMCAST RESPONDS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I’m writing in response to last month’s story, “Comcast Data Is On Demand” and to share some pertinent information about the Comcast network and our products and services on Martha’s Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard is connected to Comcast’s network via fiber optics — the same way that we serve every Comcast community in the country. Comcast has leased fiber from NSTAR via its undersea cable. The connection links to our on-Island hybrid-fiber coax infrastructure which brings fiber to the streets and then to homes and businesses across the vast majority of the Island.

This advanced fiber optic network enables Comcast to provide high-speed Internet with speeds up to 50 Mbps and beyond, more than 3,000 HD choices each day, and voice services for consumers and businesses along with other advanced services.

Our fiber-optic network is an important part of the Island’s digital economy, and we are continuing to invest in the innovations that will keep all of our Island customers on the cutting edge of technology.

As our negotiations continue on our cable license renewal, Comcast is committed to providing a superior customer experience which will not be affected as a result of ongoing discussions. We look forward to reaching an agreement that works for local officials, for Comcast and, most importantly, for our customers.

Thank you for your interest in this topic and for this opportunity to respond.

Tim Murnane

Boston

The writer is vice president of government and community relations for Comcast’s greater Boston region.

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COST OF DOING BUSINESS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

What happened to Black Friday on the Vineyard? Nothing! If you inquire of our local merchants, they will advise you that there was no added revenue forthcoming from this last weekend as the beginning of holiday sales. What happened to the thought of increased sales?

First of all, the local merchants made no attempt to have any substantial price specials compared with the large sales on the mainland. No, 10 per cent off is not going to draw much of a response in today’s market. Our merchants will complain that this kind of sales promotion is hard to have due to the increased cost of getting their merchandise here on the Island. Along with the increasing commercial rents imposed by greedy landlords, transportation costs are high. I went off-Island for a family Thanksgiving dinner. As I drove up to the booth where they check your ferry reservations, the small booth held three Steamship Authority employees. The first one noted my name and then relayed it to his fellow employee standing two feet away over a computer to check my reservation. Overseeing all of this was a third employee sitting down reading his newspaper with a cup of coffee and a doughnut. This took place at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning before any rush to leave the Island. As I approached the ferry itself, there were three employees taking turns to take my ticket, and then there were eight employees directing me in parking my car on the ferry.

Is there any doubt why the cost of the ferry increases every year? Need a job? The solution is to contact your local elected official and he will get you a job with the Steamship Authority. Yearly ridership on the ferry keeps dropping and the Steamship Authority keeps increasing its employment figures along with regularly scheduled yearly wage increases for employees.

Look around any weekday and you will see loads of trucks from UPS and Federal Express. Whether I need clothing, appliances or toys for the children, the Internet furnishes merchants with low prices and free shipping. I needed some snow tires for my car, and a local merchant quoted me a price of a little over $760 plus the cost of installation. While I was off-Island I went to Town Fair Tires and had a full set of name brand snow tires installed for $500.

In the recent elections, some of the new people trying to win their races promised lower taxes and cutting the budget, but our local people voted for the same old elected officials that gave us increased taxes along with a substantial hike in the sales tax.

Oak Bluffs needed more income, and so they hiked the hotel tax rather than make further cuts in their budget. A local hotel merchant was quoted as saying that he did not think that the tourists would even notice the increase. This summer I saw day-trippers bringing bagged lunches to cut down on the expense of spending the day here. Costs are important, and they hurt our economy and prevent its growth.

Costs here on the Vineyard are important, and there will be no recovery until we search out the reasons for our higher costs and stop them. I would love to support our local merchants with my business, but first we all have to support those practices that will lower the cost of goods here on the Vineyard.

Frank E. Johnson

Oak Bluffs

CANADIAN FALLACY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Bill Delahunt and Mark Forest neglect to mention in their interview this past week in the Vineyard Gazette that currently there is no way for Canada’s utility-scale electricity to be transmitted over the existing power lines traversing Vermont or New Hampshire — for the well-known fact that these transmission lines do not have the capacity.

To gain that needed capacity, the following will have to occur first: Planning, design and engineering, public hearings, local approvals, land purchases, takings, bidding and finally construction. In the end this will add an estimated $1 a month to our electric bill.

All that will take a minimum of five years and probably closer to the 10 years Mr. Delahunt and others have managed to help oppose and delay America’s energy revolution beginning here in Massachusetts.

Meanwhile the Cape Wind project, ready to be built and operational within two years, will bring a brand new industry, new construction, thousands of high-paying job opportunities, millions in tax revenue and millions in added tourist revenue.

Doesn’t it seem rather strange that Mr. Delahunt and Mr. Forest are lobbying for us to purchase Canadian electricity, and bring to another country all that I have noted above?

Also noted in the story: “The James Bay Project, under construction since the 1970s, has flooded an area of pristine wilderness the size of Belgium. In the 1990s there was vociferous objection by the aboriginal Cree population, who had used the surrounding rivers for fishing and trapping for thousands of years. Subsequently a $70 million settlement between the government of Quebec and the Cree was agreed upon.”

Almost comically, the Gazette story states: “Mr. Forest claims that the Canadian government has been more tactful in its approach with the native population.” The Cree forever lost an area the size of Belgium (11,787 square miles) and were paid $70 million. Tactful indeed.

Mr. Forest has the audacity to say: “In Massachusetts people have been quick to dismiss the concerns of Native Americans about offshore wind . . . but in Canada the concerns of the indigenous population have been a huge priority.” Really?

Notably, the U.S. has embarked on a thoughtful process to remove many dams as possible so that we may reclaim our devastated fisheries. It would seem more than logical to advance more wind farms — at least to many who are forward thinking, informed, thoughtful, and wise.

I take heart in this noted in your piece: “Ironically, an ongoing project to divert the Rupert River at the southeastern end of Hudson Bay has some in the native Canadian community calling for the construction of wind turbines rather than the continued diversion and damming of rivers.”

I am curious just whose payroll, company, state and country Mr. Delahunt and Forest will be working and lobbying for in the next few years?

Because with no thanks to them, we will soon have the most environmentally correct and significant project to hit Cape Cod since the National Seashore Park graced our waters — Cape Wind. And I’ll gladly pay the $1.25 a month anytime.

Stephen Peckham

Centerville

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TANGLED UP AND BLUE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I have a lot in common with the Kohlbergs. I feed stray animals, give to the church, love newspapers and made my money in New York — $22,000 a year tops — from 1976 to 2002. I worked at Y& R starting in a high-production typing pool and graduating to print producer. I figured up composite sizes for ads to be engraved and marked up proofs for color corrections clients wanted. You know, if the KFC bucket of chicken needed to be more golden, I marked more yellow.

This was the 1970s and the ad agency offered mutual funds at Merrill Lynch, a client, at no cost. I could invest 10 per cent through payroll deduction. “The market, how glamorous,” I thought. I studied the risk factors and fund descriptions and divided my money three ways: 25 per cent low risk, 50 per cent average risk and 25 per cent above average risk. I thought one and three would cancel each other out at worst and my ambitions and conservative sides were both satisfied. In a few statements, I saw bonds, the low risk I had picked, kept losing money, so I reallocated the money. Maybe it was 50-50, then 75-25 leaning toward risk. Then back to 50-50 when I had done well. It was like race car driving. When you are way ahead, you sit on the lead. I never withdrew a cent. I rolled over all the dividends. The market was going great guns.

Well, this is like the bible; you know how the story ends. I wanted to say that I love the Vineyard Gazette and hope color print is not added. It belongs in magazines. I loved Mr. Kohlberg’s expression that projects “get tangled in somebody’s underwear.” That must have been what happened with the bundling of high-risk mortgages.

Bonnie Green

Atlanta, Ga.

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LETTER TO THE OBAMAS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to President Obama and his family.

This seems to be a good time to send you a note of encouragement. You cannot imagine how grateful a little old lady like me is to have you in the White House. First, I never forget the historic moment when Barack Obama was elected to be the President of the United States of America. What jubilation for America to see a great spirit and intellect in the most important office of the land. Second, Michelle’s presence as an intelligent, warm, poised, and caring First Lady sets a great example for every American woman, especially for my three daughters who are close to her age. One of my daughters tends her own vegetable garden on Martha’s Vineyard, and is inspired by Mrs. Obama’s starting a White House garden, only one of Michelle’s initiatives. Malia and Sasha are beautiful children, inspiring hope for the future through their fresh approach to whatever life presents. Their grandmother who dedicates herself to the care of these treasures must not be forgotten. Though I do not know her, I know something of her purpose, interest, and love, since I also care for two granddaughters but not as a live-in grandparent — what an admirable commitment.

What do Malia and Sasha call their grandmother, I wonder? And Beau — a friendly dog with much bounce I’m sure — who, like my dog, is always loyal and welcoming no matter what’s going on in the world.

The challenges for our historic president are the kind that no other man could face. Without going into detail, I understand that the problems and complexities of the country and the world must weigh very heavily on you as a family. Yet the family must be the one wellspring that renews the courage and determination of our president. This old grandmother who turned 74 in August — same birthday as Bill Clinton but 10 years more advanced! — will never lose faith in family. Please stay true to yourselves and to what you stand for — I admire you all.

Special praise to President Obama who tackles with unflinching confidence the big, bad events that face him every day plus relentless critics who have nothing productive to offer. The burden of great men is a load of great problems — so, like lifting an exercise bar, your experiences, Mr. President, may be painful but will make you only stronger. Yes, you can!

That continues to be the hope and wish of this dedicated supporter, citizen, grandmother. Cheers and holiday greetings.

Sarah (Sally Scott) Cook

Chilmark and Cambridge

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TRUE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Community events are usually conjured up to be the ideal gathering of family and friends to witness or participate in some special activity designed to bring one another closer together.

The Oak Bluffs tree lighting was and is just such an event.

Hats off to the those who would not let winds from the southeast at 30 miles per hour accompanied by rain keep them from this annual gathering of family, friends and good old St. Nick!

A very special thanks to the Vineyard Brass Ensemble who were flexible, spirited and giving of their talent and wonderful caroling music in the shelter of the historic Arcade building between Sharky’s and the Locker Room.

In the true spirit of community, there are so many to thank: the PTO, who got the word out to all school parents to bring food and children (six large laundry baskets were collected for the Island Food Pantry); Brian Weiland, his children and students for their spirited holiday music; Mark and Bernie Crossland for all the great holiday decorations in Ocean Park, downtown and especially in Sunset Lake; the highway department for lighting the avenue and keeping our town looking so great all year long; Paul Mahoney for the great tree; Mike Santoro and friends for the warm and welcoming Game Room, hot chocolate and support; the hot chocolate servers, Holly Alaimo, Priscilla Sylvia and John Newsom; the Friends of Oak Bluffs for the red bows everywhere; and most of all the Oak Bluffs fire department for bringing Santa and his helpers who picked up and delivered all the wonderful gifts of food and gave children the renewed excitement that comes with this truly ideal community event.

Best wishes for a great holiday!

Renee Balter

Oak Bluffs

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PENELOPE’S TRIBUTE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On behalf of the board of directors, staff and clients of the Vineyard Health Care Access Program, I would like to express my gratitude for the generous donations made by the family and friends of Penelope Dickens. Penelope’s family and friends decided to honor the access program by making us the beneficiary of contributions made in tribute to Penelope following her tragic death earlier this year. This fall they organized a unique fundraiser — so fitting for a unique individual like Penelope — by selling her elegant clothing at Penelope’s Boutique, located at Pyewacket’s in Vineyard Haven. Much effort went into organizing, displaying and selling the clothes and I cannot thank all of the people who helped enough. Special thanks go to the owner of Pyewacket’s and hostess of the boutique, Karen Coffey, as well as Leslie Graham, Roxanne Kapitan, Claire Sullivan, Lorraine Cottle, plus other friends too numerous to mention.

The Health Care Access Program helps over 2,500 Islanders every year with affordable health care including health insurance, dental care, and prescription assistance as well as enrollment assistance for the disabled and seniors, food stamps and emergency assistance, and more.

We are deeply appreciative of this thoughtful and heartfelt effort. May Penelope’s indomitable spirit shine on us all.

Sarah Kuh

Oak Bluffs

The writer is director of the Vineyard Health Care Access Program.

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SOLAR PROGRESS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

To monitor the solar project in our town, type solren.com/SolrenView/livesites into your browser, then type in Fall River Electrical in the box next to installer name and click on that company. Look in the box that appears and click on the Edgartown Wastewater Plant. From here you can see what the recently installed solar panels are producing daily, weekly, monthly, hourly since they were installed. You can click on “View Inverter Direct” and get additional information on the energy we are generating.

Hope you find this interesting; we hope to save upwards of $5,000.00 per year with this installation.

Joe Alosso

Edgartown

The writer is facilities manager for the Edgartown wastewater treatment plant.