WIND TOWERS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I just don’t feel comfortable that any planning agency on this Island has the comprehension or rules in place to handle the potential for the proliferation of hundreds of steel towers that may be constructed on this Island in the coming years.

Absolutely and unquestionably wind energy must and should be harnessed. But as the Martha’s Vineyard Commission preamble says, we must weigh the benefits to the detriments. The benefit of a single private tower, that will only supply a percentage of energy needs of one family needs to be questioned. The detriment could be noise for a whole community and visual impact to thousands. Not one planning agency or wind regulation on this Island even considers what happens 10 years from now; if the wind turbine becomes obsolete, who will remove the rusting towers?

There should be a trained subcommittee of the MVC that is empowered with the task of determining the benefits or detriments of each wind tower. Right now there is no MVC review. The Island is about to install hundreds of tall steel towers, without any regional review, subject to only local regulations.

I think Vineyard Power (vineyardpower.com) might have the solution. An offshore wind farm that benefits all member Vineyard residents, but without the need of any towers here on the Vineyard.

Community wind is the answer, not hundreds or thousands of privately-owned steel towers.

Paul Adler

West Tisbury>

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ACCIDENT WAITING

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I can’t believe the new bridge walkway barriers were designed so unsafely. Kids are sitting and standing on the railings next to the road one foot from the oncoming traffic. It’s a terrible accident waiting to happen. Please fix this as soon as possible before a child is killed! Use something temporarily as soon as possible.

Edward Goracy

Glastonbury, Conn.

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HOW AMERICAN?

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

In my 78th year I have a nagging question. When do I become an American? I was born here but my grandparents were from Lithuania, a tiny country of only a few million people on the Baltic Sea. They were immigrants in the late 1880s.

My husband and I have the same ethnic background so our children might qualify for registration in a club similar to the AKC. During our school days we had friends who were called French, Irish, Greek, etc.

Of course some were of varied ethnic backgrounds. No AKC qualification possible for them. If America is a melting pot, when are we going to melt? When are African-Americans going to become Americans? Why are the light-skinned and brown people called black? Aren’t they Americans?

The Vineyard graduating students with their colors of origin have intensified my curiosity. I think I am an American. I know I am a Vineyarder by desire since falling in love with the Island on a day trip over 60 years ago. Summer vacations and occasional brief visits have confirmed that.

Lucille Lapinskas

Nashua, N.H.