TURNED OFF

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I received a parking ticket for parking halfway up Main street in Vineyard Haven on June 24. I was shopping and having lunch with my friend. The area where I was parked had no signs advising me that there was a one-hour limit to park on Main street. My friend and I looked around for any signage but saw nothing. We enjoyed ourselves over lunch and shopping at several of the stores. Unfortunately, when we returned to the car, a lavender and white violation was secured under the windshield wiper. We looked around again for any signage and still saw nothing. The next day, I drove to Edgartown to the courthouse to complain and appeal the ticket. The town officials were abruptly polite and seemed to lack any people skills. The man who spoke to me about my appeal insisted that the law only requires the town to post one sign on each block; therefore, I was in violation of the parking rules. It did not matter that the sign was not visible at the parking site. I explained that this policy was unfair to the visitor who is lured to Main street and offered parking outside the shops. He, of course, was unsympathetic and continued to advise me of the parking rules after the fact. The ticket and my encounter with the city officials ended my trip to Martha’s Vineyard. While I enjoyed the Island and new friends, I won’t be shopping there in the future. The lack of my small contribution to the Island economy will not cause a ripple on anyone’s balance sheet; however, if more people refuse to park and shop in these unmarked areas, perhaps the businesses will fight to protect their potential customers. Perhaps the economy of Martha’s Vineyard is thriving and losing a few customers is of little significance.

Leslie Rice

Groton, Conn.

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GRATITUDE SHARED.

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

One of the benefits when my wife Phyllis died in 1993 while actively teaching is that I could choose to pay for the same insurance. I am grateful for this. Last Dec. 1, when I turned 65, due to neglect from Social Security and Medicare, I went for a time with no health insurance and had many health issues.

Elizabeth Honey MacPherson was able to put it clear to me, to work through the mire of paperwork. Most importantly, she enabled me to get my Medicare and Blue Cross old people straightened out.

She was helpful to Heather, Jennifer and myself by listening to our questions, and she showed compassion, candor and advocated for me. I found out recently, that she has not been rehired. I disagree with that decision and shall miss her guiding light and spirit. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank her publicly for her support at a difficult time in my life. I wish her well, on behalf of Heather, Jennifer and myself, and thank her for her listening heart.

The Rev. Peter Sanborn

Melbourne, Fla.