INFORMATION, PLEASE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am writing to say hello from the smallest state in the union, Rhode Island. I am creating an oral poster project on a state. I chose to do my report on Massachusetts. I am writing this letter in hopes that some of your readers may help me with this project. My teacher explained that firsthand information from citizens of our chosen state would be much more helpful than information, pictures or tourist information. Any response would help me so much with my project. Readers can send information to me at my school: Goff Junior High School, 974 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, R.I. 02861.

Jose Albuquerque

Pawtucket, R.I.

The writer is a seventh grade student in Brian Gilmore’s geography class at Goff Junior High School, an urban school district in Pawtucket, R.I.

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REPEAL 40B

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Yes, Martha’s Vineyard does have an affordable housing problem but retaining 40B is not the solution to this distressing situation. Forty years after its enactment, Massachusetts has not improved its affordable housing situation. This poorly-written law allows real estate developers to bypass local zoning and conservation restrictions, as long as 20 to 25 per cent of the units are deemed affordable. Another requirement of the law imposes a 20 per cent profit margin on developers but the legislation lacks adequate oversight measures. Developers are allowed to pick their own auditors and although state officials, including the inspector general, have uncovered huge illegal profits, they are unable to intervene. Unfortunately opponents of 40B developments are often vilified as elitist “not in my backyard” types or even racist, sometimes by well-meaning advocates of affordable housing who have not familiarized themselves with the total picture. Communities throughout the state have been degraded because of this law. Before you make a decision on how to vote on this matter do a little homework. Check out YesTwo.org. Repeal of 40B would force our state legislators, local elected officials and concerned citizens to work together for other solutions. I urge voters to vote yes on Question Two to repeal 40B.

Barbara Babcock

Vineyard Haven

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OBVIOUS CHOICE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

After reading your front page article on Oct. 15 referencing “Force Backs Dan Rossi as Chief,” I was dismayed to learn that a search committee created by the town of West Tisbury has once again failed to seize the opportunity, months ago, to make the obvious, yet rudimentary decision to select the best of breed among its police force ranks to become its new police chief.

The town of West Tisbury, through its own act of casual intelligence, invested in years of police enforcement training, personnel development and endless evaluation of its police department, has the audacity to create an elaborate search process which is a direct insult to its taxpayers, never mind the hard-working, dedicated, yet loyal members of its current police force. Has the town given any thought to the kind of message they are sending to the community as well as the Island in general when they brazenly created a search committee to conduct a nationwide search to find the right person to lead an eight-person police force? Did the town really let the prior police chief run a department for nearly 20 years without any form of a succession plan? The answer should be no! Why would the town risk tampering with the morale of their existing police department in order to cover their backside before making the obvious decision? Has the town forgotten about the morale debacle that went on in Vineyard Haven a few years ago when those town officials scoured the mainland for their former gem of a chief?

What is this nonsense that the town has narrowed down the list from 16 candidates to four finalists? Does the town really think a police officer from Canton, Conn., having no filament of an understanding about the operations of the town of West Tisbury and the varied relations among the countless Island-wide emergency and enforcement agencies, services, personnel etc., can do a better job than one of the well trained, highly skilled, proven leaders among our own police department? As for their other finalist, but I am hoping this was a misprint in the Gazette, how can a police lieutenant overseeing the MTA in a city with nearly 10 million citizens bring any transferable skills to a town with barely a population of 2,600 citizens. Has the town lost sight of the unique safety and enforcement demands of our small community that is perennially augmented by tourist and seasonal homeowners for a few months each year?

Why for the love of God is the town considering an MTA policeman out of New York city and a deputy chief from Canton, when the town has invested taxpayer money for years to create a very competent and capable police force? The town needs to do the right thing now! Please stop the charades and select the most competent, loyal, intelligent officer from our existing police force. It appears to be very clear that there is an individual within our existing police force who has a long-term exemplary record of service, great leadership skills, and is highly respected among his peers and the community. Please do not squander our tax dollars that were used to build the existing police force. The town needs to get behind their police force and show them the same level of support and respect that the police force has provided to the town and its taxpayers. How long does a person need to act as chief before the obvious decision will be made by the town?

George Rogers Jr.

West Tisbury

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TOO SIMPLE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Eradicating the deer population seems too simple a solution to the tick problem and wiping out an entire species on the Island is worrisome. Has anyone thought about the fact that raccoons and skunks have no predators and prey on ground-nesting birds which eat insects, including ticks? Or the fact that other animals — sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, mice, and dogs are also hosts to ticks? Or why there were so few ticks this summer (because of lack of rain and high temperatures?) as compared with other years?

Martha Moore

West Tisbury

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TICK CONTROL

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Concerned about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases? Guinea fowl (African pheasants) are not for everyone, but their favorite food is ticks, and they can be quite effective natural controls in open grassy areas. They can fill a niche left open by the decline of our native ground-feeding birds, such as pheasant, grouse, and quail, which were fairly common a few decades ago.

The best way to introduce guinea fowl to a property is to get the neighbors on board before you begin. Flocks of guineas which are seen as a neighborhood project have been quite successful in several areas of the Island. Guinea fowl have a 40-square-mile range in their native lands, and although they won’t roam that far here, they are no respecters of private property, so it is important that everyone agree to them.

Guineas have a lot of character but they do squawk a lot, and quite loudly. They dig holes to dust bathe in, sometimes in inconvenient spots. They run around like they have no sense. Some people find them endlessly amusing, others find them equally annoying. It is best to find out which kind of person you are before getting guinea fowl.

Once you decide you want them, the best way is to purchase young ones (called keets). Keep them in a house or pen for a month or so before releasing them. The idea is that they know no other home before they settle down in your yard. Adult guinea fowl moved to a new place will scatter to the four winds.

Surprising as it may seem, now is the time to purchase juvenile guinea fowl for introduction. For more information or to purchase keets, call Native Earth Teaching Farm at 508-645-3304, or visit nativeearthteachingfarm.org.

Rebecca Gilbert

Chilmark

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BURN EDUCATION

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to the commissioner of the state Department of Recreation and Conservation.

I am writing to express my gratitude for the programs Aaron Whiddon has made available to residents of Hopps Farm Road in West Tisbury: A good slide show, home evaluations and a cooperative effort to improve our street, fire-wise.

The coordination effort with volunteers from The Trustees of Reservations, the Nature Conservancy and tree experts with MacArthur Tree Service was super. I was impressed with the professionalism. The outline of the plan, supervision of the work and the evaluation of the effort at the end of the day, just great.

In the past, I have expressed a fear of controlled burns in the state forest. After meeting the people, like the Florida burn group, top-notch, I have changed my mind. I completely support controlled burns. It would make a lot of sense to burn according to the plans for the area off Old County Road, especially after the current mowing. Please continue to push for execution of the original plan.

I hope that what we experienced would be used by more groups, especially other road associations in the Skiffs Lane-Great Plains Road area. I am sure more people would be interested, very interested, if they would attend Aaron Whidden’s slide show. I hope the local newspapers would help get the word out. Again, thanks.

Peter Lenkoski

West Tisbury

COME AGAIN?

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I was surprised that Herb Foster would advocate standing up for oneself (“Selling Tickets of Intimidation,” Oct. 1 Gazette). Is he sure he is not a Republican?

Bonnie Greene

Atlanta, Ga.

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HEARING AID FACTS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

My 35 years of hearing impairment and wearing hearing aids does not make me an expert on either subject. However, the experience has taught me that there is a vast difference between hearing professionals, such as professionally-trained audiologists, and hearing aid companies such as the one which opened recently in Vineyard Haven and has flooded many of us with direct mail and newspaper advertising.

Over the years, friends who have found that their hearing seems to be going downhill have asked me to help them determine how to approach the problem and find their solution.

The first thing I tell them is that the mission of a hearing aid company is to sell a particular brand of hearing aid whereas the mission of an audiologist is to evaluate (not just screen) the hearing problem and suggest optional solutions which may or may not include an aid. A complete diagnostic evaluation is often covered by insurance. Secondly, if the problem is due to excessive wax, one has to go to an ear doctor for wax removal. Third, very few hearing aids are sold at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, so beware of special price promotions which really are not unusual or so special. Fourth, most hearing aid manufacturers use feedback and noise management systems so the availability of one is not unusual.

And finally, an “invisible” hearing aid is simply one which is set completely in the ear canal, is produced by many hearing aid companies and has been available for many years.

Having a hearing problem and wearing aids is not the most comfortable way to live, even if the impairment is only the loss of high-range sound. One’s expectations of hearing aids are often unrealistic. Unlike eyeglasses which can help one recover 20/20 vision, aids do not create perfect hearing, but they can help significantly if one starts with a thorough diagnostic evaluation by a professionally trained audiologist.

That is why I go to and always recommend Leslie Segal-Pallas at Vineyard Audiology. It’s the best chance of getting the straight story and all of the pertinent options.

Ned Orleans

Vineyard Haven

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LIBRARY SUPPORT

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

As a concerned Edgartown resident, I would like to urge voters to speak up in support of our wonderful Edgartown Public Library.

I have served on the board of the Edgartown Library Foundation, a volunteer, nonprofit organization, for the past six years. The library trustees originally developed plans for a 21,000-square-foot library to include our present Carnegie building. Voters approved the town’s purchase of the adjacent Warren House property, providing room for the expansion, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners committed to pay 25 per cent of the construction costs. Unfortunately, we did not succeed in raising enough funds for the balance of the project.

This past spring, the selectmen, in cooperation with the library trustees, formed a building design committee. The committee was asked to evaluate two sites for an expanded library: renovation and expansion of our present Carnegie building using the Warren House property; and renovation of the former Edgartown school building on the West Tisbury Road.

The building design committee has accomplished a lot in six months. They defined the programs and services of the library, hired a project manager and have found an architect.

The committee is expected to make a recommendation to the selectmen for approval soon. Next, they would submit a new grant application in January. The good news is that this new grant would pay about 50 per cent of the construction costs. Edgartown voters would be asked to approve the design at the April 2011 annual town meeting. Initially, very rough estimates indicate that, in addition to the debt for the Warren House property, our portion of the costs might be between $2 million and $3 million, or roughly $30 per year for the average taxpayer (this amount would decrease each year as the debt is reduced).

My concern is that, at a recent meeting, the building design committee seemed hesitant to ask the Edgartown voters for the funds. It is good that the members are keeping the taxpayers in mind and that they are trying to keep costs down. But now they are considering limiting the expansion to 10,000 square feet, which would give the people of Edgartown a very inadequate library space. This is actually little more space than the present library.

The foundation has raised over $1 million in cash and pledges in the previous capital campaign. Donors will be encouraged to fulfill their pledges once a new plan is approved. Edgartown has been talking about the additional space needs of our library for the past 23 years. We need to act now.

Do you care about our library? Are you willing to pay for a new library? Do you have a location preference? Let the committee know your thoughts. The committee holds public meetings nearly every week at the library. Meeting notices are posted in advance in the town hall.

Anne M. Vose

Edgartown

CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This is a copy of a letter sent to members of the Edgartown library building committee:

I would like to share my comments and observations relating to decisions about the location and the size and the cost for the expanded library.

When I attended the public meting held at the town hall at the beginning of August, I heard the question asked of the chair, Chris Scott, “Isn’t it true that at the town meeting four years ago the voters overwhelmingly approved the money to buy the Warren house enabling the expanded library to stay at the Carnegie site?” He replied, “Yes.” And then the questioner asked those present, “Can I see from a show of hands how many of you would like to see the library remain at its present location?” Those approximately 75 people attending enthusiastically indicated their preference for the library to stay where it is. Was this the only invitation to get public opinion, other than the early Monday morning meetings? It seems very important to listen to what the voters want.

The issue of not enough parking at this location was minimized by several observations. One was that no significant public building in the town has generous parking, Neither the county courthouse, nor the town hall, nor the movie theatre nor the Whaling Church has adequate parking to accommodate their capacities. People walk or take the bus or park outside of town. Chris Scott remarked that there were 500 people in the Whaling Church attending a concert the previous night. And where did they park? It was noted that Edgartown is a walking town. Having the library at one end invites people to walk through the town. This is good for business. Another person reported how the library parking lot often is filled with non-library users. That is a problem that is impossible to enforce and underlines the fact that a large parking lot is not desirable for this site.

Several weeks later I attended a lecture on the history of the construction of this architectural gem. An Edgartown native, Frank Alden, a prominent architect designed the building in 1905. He designed a gracious building that is still tasteful and functional both inside and out. Even though there have been additions, at 9,000 square feet it is too small to meet the current demands.

Studies show that the optimum size library for Edgartown’s population and usage is 15,000 square feet. The library serves many more purposes than just lending books. It must have space designed for computers, meeting rooms, special programs for children, teens and adults, concerts, a quiet place to read and to collect one’s thoughts, just to name a few.

I understand that the committee is leaning toward the old school building as an alternative site. I do not know the comparative costs, but I do know that it would be a shame to abandon the current historic Camegie library building in favor of an ordinary school building. The location for me, a Chappaquiddick resident is ideal, and as I mentioned earlier, this location encourages people to come through town. It would not be cost effective to have two locations. It seems that it is not too much to ask the people of Edgartown to come up with an extra $30 per year to finance a bond to pay for the proposed expansion of the library at its present North Water street location. I implore the building committee to be visionary, to look ahead and to match the state’s generosity of a 50 per cent construction grant by deciding on a 15,000 expanded Carnegie library.

Joan Adibi

Edgartown

FESTIVAL SUCCESS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I would like to congratulate the Edgartown Board of Trade, festival chairmen Melissa Vincent and Carol McManus, festival director Elizabeth Lopes, public relations director Robin Jones, the Boathouse, the Edgartown Yacht Club, and all the volunteers, chefs, vendors and sponsors for a job well done with the fourth annual Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival.

Thank you so much for including the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club as a beneficiary and participant in this wonderful event. We are beyond grateful for the support and exposure, and thank everyone who attended the festival’s events.

Looking forward to next year.

Peter Lambos

Edgartown

The writer is executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ and Girls’ Club.