LISA’S ORDEAL

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I would love to talk about how Lisa Scannell, known to many as Lisa Ben David, is a dedicated member of the Martha’s Vineyard equine community, about how her passion and discipline is contagious, or how her knowledge of all things horse related is never ending. But none of this is news to anyone. Anyone who knows Lisa knows that’s she is a strong, driven individual who never cuts her students any slack in training them to be the best horse people that they can be.

If you have ever ridden with Lisa you know that she is tough. She’s even brought me to tears once or twice, but for every bit of tough that she is, she is twice as compassionate. A little less than 10 years ago my sister and I had an equine emergency. No questions asked, for the following 24 hours Lisa was by our sides for anything we needed. We lost our horse that night under controversial circumstances but Lisa was there for us through the whole ordeal.

Lisa is currently enduring her own equine-related ordeal. After an unfortunate accident, and a critical surgery, Lisa is left recovering. Not only is Lisa an asset to our equine community but I consider her my mentor and friend. I am certain that I speak for many when I say I would not be the horse person I am today without her influence and guidance. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation for Lisa Ben David Scannell, donations can be made to You’ve Got A Friend, Inc. with her name in the memo line. P.O. Box 1317, West Tisbury, MA 02575.

Martha Vancour

Edgartown

•

ISLAND LEXICON

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Over the last 30 years or so, the phrase “on-Island” has been more and more used.

Years ago, you didn’t hear that term. “Off-Island” was in common usage, and for many, “here” and “away” were sufficient.

What are others’ recollections of this usage? When did it first arise? From where? Your thoughts and observations are solicited. Thank you.

Tom Hodgson

West Tisbury

•

OVERVALUED, OVERTAXED

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Watching all the consternation about funding for everything from towns to charities, my observations always end up with the same question. Does anyone else see the absurdity that the Island community suffers financial troubles in a place where weekly rentals range from $1,200 to $50,000, with an amazing number of these rentals being in the $10,000 to $25,000 range per week. Rental properties for transients are considered commercial under state law for assessing real property.

The disparity is in the land value part of your property tax bill. If the assessors assessed under the law the weekly rentals would be paying a greater portion of the towns’ budgets, the residents’ property tax bill would go down and the average residential property land value would not exceed $50,000. This is an easy program to implement. Year-round residents show proof of residence, much like Tisbury’s resident exemption, and their land property value drops to a residential value. Sorry, only one residence allowed. Because all of our homes are assessed based on their value as a rental, the reality is that if you do not rent weekly or to the tourists, you are overvalued and overtaxed.

The competition for housing between residential and commercial interests is and has always been the cause of the overpriced housing problem, and to add insult to injury the resident is over-assessed and taxed at a commercial value.

Even Walt Disney would have failed if he forgot to sell tickets. Some day smarter policies will prevail but I have been tooting this horn since 2000.

Oh well.

Donald Muckerheide

Vineyard Haven

•

FOOTE VISION ENDURES

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This past Friday evening the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard had its third annual summer fundraiser and celebration at a private home in Edgartown overlooking Eel Pond. On a very warm but beautiful evening over 150 guests were serenaded by musician and journalist Mark Alan Lovewell and entertained by auctioneer extraordinaire Trip Barnes who conducted a live auction and directed a silent auction. The auction items included art, unique gifts, landscaping services and a painting that was created that evening by well-known local artist Meg Mercier. Many local businesses and individuals generously donated their time, talent and financial support to make the evening a resounding success.

This third annual fund-raising party was created so that the vision of the late Kitty Foote begun more than 75 years ago, caring for the animals of Martha’s Vineyard, will continue. When the Foote Memorial Shelter operated by the MSPCA closed its doors two years ago, a partnership was formed with Dukes County government and a private board to continue to provide care and shelter for the animals of Martha’s Vineyard. In those two years nearly 300 pets have been given shelter and have been adopted by new families.

The MSPCA is now in the process of donating their building to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard which is being approved by the IRS as a not-for-profit organization. Very shortly the shelter will be operating by itself, separate from the support of Dukes County government.

We live on an Island where pets have always been a treasured part of our culture. (To many, the enduring symbol of Martha’s Vineyard is a black dog.) The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard’s work is completely supported by donations. Friday evening’s fundraiser helped raise needed funds to continue the shelter’s work but the work is ongoing and the Shelter operates through the support of the community. Please visit them on Pennywise Path in Edgartown and make a friend.

Greg Orcutt

West Tisbury

•

BOOK SALE SUCCESS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The Library Friends of Oak Bluffs thank the community for making our annual book sale this past week our most successful sale to date. In the heat and humidity, enthusiastic shoppers came out in droves to our indoor-outdoor book sale. The library friends thank the library staff for their assistance and support throughout the year. Additional thanks to our town highway department, council on aging and town administrator’s office, as well as to the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard, Jim’s Package Store, local media and shops for publicizing our book drives and sale, and our neighbors who donated so many wonderful books.

Sincere thanks to our volunteers Patty Buck, Patience Campbell, Sue Collinson, Pat Connelly, Betty Daniels, Constance DeFelice, Megan Farrell, Don Hinkle, Penny Hinkle, Liz Huss, Beth Kehoe, Betsy Marshall, Janice Mead, Hank Moore, Colleen Morris, Barbara Peckham, Alice Phillips, Carol Seale, Abe Seiman, Rachel Seiman, Susan Tirabassi, Lois Virtue, Heather Wey, Alan Willens and Ron Zentner. And a huge thank you to El Edwards for leading the effort throughout the year.

A final note of appreciation goes to the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club — their Second Hand Store provided the perfect outlet for all our leftover books. Neighbors helping neighbors . . . that’s what it’s all about.

Thanks to all for your overwhelming support of the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs and the Oak Bluffs Public Library.

Marilyn Miller

Oak Bluffs