BY THE BOOK

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I agree with the sentiments expressed in the Gazette by the owners of the Victorian Inn and more recently by Jane Dean regarding the inappropriateness of a tasteless and potentially noisy cafe located on South Water street.

Both sets of writers are however unfortunately misinformed as to the role the historic district commission was allowed by law to play in this decision.

The commission’s mandate is to pass judgment solely on matters broadly restricted to architectural review. Frequently, as in this case, projects have already been approved by other town entities as to usage and suitability. The commission has no power to grant or deny restaurant licenses.

Maybe Southport does this sort of thing better than Edgartown, but the insinuation contained in the statement of “unknown influences working” on town committees does not really help the cause either.

Martin L. Berger

Edgartown

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NO CALLS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Why is there no Verizon cell phone service in Chilmark? Why is there no Verizon wireless access for boaters in Menemsha harbor? Why was Verizon so quick to provide a land line at the end of the dock for Relamar this week?

For those of us who arrive in Menemsha by boat and rely on our Verizon cell phones for contact with agencies like the Chilmark EMS or the USCG station Menemsha or the hospital or the police or the harbor master, we have no access to any of them because Verizon does not provide wireless service there. The rest of the Island has coverage. Why is it not provided up-Island in Chilmark?

Is Verizon uninterested? Or are the residents of Chilmark obstructionists? What does it take to get a local tower or repeater station there?

When Verizon removed the pay phones on Basin Road in Menemsha, an emergency phone was placed on the outside wall of the harbor master’s office. I know only because it was shown to me when I was discussing the lack of cell phone service and the lack of an emergency land line with the harbor master. I asked boaters on the moorings in Menemsha harbor as well as on the dock if they knew about the emergency phone. Not one knew that such a phone exists.

This is a serious safety issue. In the absence of a readily identifiable land line as an alternatve, there is no contact with the rest of the Island, let alone with the rest of America.

For the few who have AT& T cell phone service in Menemsha or the rest of Chilmark, access is iffy at best. Sometimes a signal is available at the end of the beach, mostly not. Sometimes a hike up North Road to the top of the hill from Menemsha can get a weak signal. Mostly not.

So my question remains: Why is there no reliable cell phone service in Chilmark?

Harris C. Faigel

Chestnut Hill

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KEEP SSA OFFICE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to Vineyard Steamship Authority governor Marc Hanover:

The other day I went online to get a car reservation on the Steamship Authority Web site and couldn’t open the reservation site. I tried various times and was unsuccessful each time, so I decided to call the 693-9130 number. Couldn’t do that either — the phone just rang and rang — no message, nothing. I tried that a number of times, and I couldn’t get through at all. So then I got in my car and drove to the airport where I found two very nice women at the front desk, one of whom helped me immediately get my car reservation, no trouble at all.

The Internet works occasionally, the automated phone lines work occasionally, but the people who work in the office are always there to personally help us. The idea of shutting down the Steamship Authority office is not a good idea for the Island. The personal touch is one that we should celebrate, and I certainly hope that the SSA will do their utmost to find another office that will continue to help us who live on the Island.

Barbara Murphy

Chilmark

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ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

While your July 8 heat pump article was flashy, it failed to direct readers to their most cost-effective, energy-saving options, including thick insulation, air sealants, south-facing windows, shade trees, insulating curtains and zoning components. These are like the Volkswagon Beetle, while a heat pump is a Ferrari.

Chris Fried

Vineyard Haven

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HOME-BIRTH ASSIST

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital maternity staff:

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your high level of respect during our home birth transport to the hospital Saturday, July 2. We were so happy to work in collaboration with your wonderful doctors, nurses and other employees. We believe that a positive relationship between hospital staff and home-birth midwives is integral to providing safe and satisfying care for women who choose to birth at home. We look forward to working together with you in the future in the beautiful new maternity wing.

With sincere gratitude and admiration.

Sybille Andersen, Meg Athearn

and Lila Fischer

West Tisbury

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GOOD FOOD, GOOD WILL

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

At the conclusion of a very busy season, the Island Food Pantry set aside an evening to say thank you to 20 strong business supporters of the Pantry at a dinner provided and hosted by Smoke ’n’ Bones owners Diana and Jono Osburn and Stew Robinson at their restaurant in Oak Bluffs. Island businesses support the Pantry with food donations, sales of pantry logo stickers, farm produce and cash donations. One business donated 10 per cent of its sales in the month of October. Over a delicious meal of smoked chicken, baked beans, corn bread and cole slaw, business owners relaxed and got better acquainted with each other in addition to receiving the gratitude of the Pantry. The Island Food Pantry extends its thanks to the entire business community on the Vineyard for their thoughtful and generous support.

Armen Hanjian

Vineyard Haven

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CROSSWORD CHALLENGE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Okay, I know this won’t go down as a highlight of commentary this season, but can you send this note along to the sadist responsible for the layout/typesetting of your crossword puzzles please. I can get through the Friday puzzle, printed full across the bottom of the page, requiring a contortionist’s talent to fold the paper in such a way that you don’t get neck strain moving your eyes from the questions to the blocks. But the Tuesday puzzle — seriously! If you used any smaller typeface you’d need a pair of Coke bottle glasses to see the words. Give us old fellas a break, will ya?

Charlie Kernick

West Tisbury

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ROOF RAISING

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On Tuesday, July 5, the Island Housing Trust and Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard produced a benefit concert titled Raising the Roof at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. The Trust and Habitat would like to thank our wonderful performers, Pete and MacKenzie Wasner and Islander Willy Mason, as well as all of our business sponsors, the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, and our many volunteers for all their contributions to making this a successful event.

Philippe Jordi

West Tisbury

Neal Sullivan

Edgartown

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FINE ARTICLE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Thank you and Mark Lovewell for the fine article about Matthew Stackpole.

Congratulations to Matthew. And congratulations to Sail Martha’s Vineyard for recognizing and honoring Matthew with the Walter Cronkite Award.

Matthew has earned this award by generously giving his heart and talents for the betterment of Martha’s Vineyard more than can be expressed in words.

Judy Bruguiere

New London, N.H.