Dylan Thomas
The birds of the winged trees flying my name Above the farms and the white horses I rose in rainy autumn And walked abroad in a shower of all my days. – Dylan Thomas
April 6, 2018
A Matter of Social Justice
I read the letter to the editor, “Voter Choice on Fluoride” and I was moved to write a letter answering Scott Ellis.
Hello, Nicholas
Kara Steigelman of Edgartown announces the birth of a son, Nicholas Alexander Steigelman, born March 29 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Annual Town Meetings 2018
The Island spring political season officially kicks off on Tuesday night when voters in four towns gather to conduct business.
Voter Choice on Fluoride
On April 12, 2018, the citizens of Edgartown have the right to vote for or against adding fluoride to our water system.
Clean Water
That’s what the residents of Edgartown get when they turn on a faucet.
Tisbury School Tops Town Warrant
The $46.6 million proposal to build a new school is by far the most anticipated item at the Tisbury annual town meeting next week. Voters will also consider the future of the Tisbury town hall.
West Tisbury Faces First Override in 14 Years
With an override looming for the first time in 14 years, voters in West Tisbury will likely have one eye on the issues of the day and another on their wallets when the annual town meeting convenes next week.
Oak Bluffs Tackles Moped Ban, Spending, and Beach Rules
A moped ban, a $30.3 million budget, new rules on parks and beach use and a hefty list of capital improvements are all set to come before Oak Bluffs voters at their annual town meeting this year.
Experience Vs. New Direction in Edgartown Selectman’s Race
An incumbent running on his 24-year record of service to the town will face off against a political newcomer promising change in a two-way selectmen race at next week’s Edgartown election.
Edgartown Voters to Wrestle with Large Budget Overrides
A growing budget, a lengthy agenda featuring nearly $6 million in budget overrides and the end of an era await Edgartown voters when they gather next week for special and annual town meetings.
Two Seats, Three Candidates in Oak Bluffs Selectmen’s Race
Three candidates are running for two open seats on the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen this year, each with a distinct vision for what they hope to accomplish in the coming three-year term.
Ferry Service Gets Back to Normal
The ferry Island Home made her way down Vineyard Sound from Fairhaven and into the Vineyard Haven harbor Thursday afternoon, signaling a possible return to normalcy for the Steamship Authority.
Don’t Tamper With Town Water; Fluoride Is Risky Business
I am writing in response to the recent Edgartown board of health’s move to add fluoride to our municipal water supply.
Fluoride Is a Proven Health Commodity
On April 12, the voters of Edgar town will decide whether to follow the advice of the town board of health on a very important issue.
With Finances, Future Is the True Arbiter
This year’s West Tisbury warrant seeks your approval of $19.8 million in appropriations.
Override Is for the Good of All
While there are no contested offices in this year’s annual town election, the town of West Tisbury will — for the first time in 14 years — need to turn to its voters to pass a Proposition 2 1/2 override question in order to support the budget for the coming fiscal year.
Sole Survivor
A single male heath hen, almost certainly the sole survivor of its species in the whole world, showed itself this week.
Facts Matter, So Does a New Tisbury School
The preservationist in me wants to renovate and add to the existing Tisbury School, but the facts do not support the notion.
Invest in the Future
It is time to accept the fact that we need a new school building in Tisbury.
Clarifying the Numbers
We hope Tisbury will see the value in building a new school that will serve our students for the next 50-plus years.
Town Will Benefit
The 89-year-old Tisbury School is a tired, cramped, outdated school.
Cherished Symbol
At a presentation at the Vineyard Haven Library in winter 2016 to garner support for their article on the town warrant, representatives of the school building committee assured attendees that a renovation of the existing school was one of the options they would study if the funds were appropriated. The committee continued to say this…
A Consumer Decision
The proposal to fluoride our wonderful Edgartown water supply is worrisome.
Nothing Superfluous
Dental hygiene is the responsibility of the individual.
Many Unknowns
There are a lot of unknowns regarding potential effects fluoride could have on our bodies.
Orwellian
Proponents of fluoridation are asking people to believe fluoridation is so beneficial to teeth that we should ignore evidence of neurotoxicity.
Clear Benefits
The Dukes County Health Council supports local dental practitioners in their position regarding fluoridation of public water supplies.
Silly Gimmick
Tisbury town meeting voters will have an opportunity to change the bylaw that mandates that articles be taken up at random.
Ferry Woes
It’s been a terrible month for the Island due to the ongoing problems at the Steamship Authority. The cancellation of boats because of weather or mechanical problems and the poor response by management are the latest crises, but they serve to highlight deeper issues. The board of governors isn’t serving its true purpose as outlined…
Land Bank Revenues: March 30
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $240,277.50 for the business week ending on Friday, March 30, 2018.
Moon, Mars and Saturn
Saturday morning, in the hour before most awake, three celestial objects appear close together in the southern sky.
High School Fund Divides Finance Committees
A proposal to establish a new fund for improvements to the buildings and campus at the regional high school will come before voters in every Island town this year.
Real Estate Transactions: March 26 to March 30
32 Ocean View Avenue Realty Trust, purchased 32 Ocean View avenue in Edgartown from Arthur and Margaret F. Nicol for $8,000,000 on March 30.
The Muse
The Muse MV concludes its inaugural series of youth song writing workshops with an event at the Oak Bluffs Library on Saturday, April 7, from noon to 1 p.m.
The Alison Mead Show
Just in time for Spring is a photography show by Alison L. Mead at the Feldman Art Space at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven. There will be a reception on Friday, April 13 at 6:15 p.m. Stop by to meet the artists and be see pictures of baby lambs and more. The…
Teddy Bears Hug Back
The Teddy Bear Suite holiday fundraiser presented a check for $41,000 for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys & Girls Club.
Zero Waste Week
Next week begins the first ever Island-wide Students for Zero Waste Week.
Chilmark Town Column: April 6
Clearly we are doing a reasonable job shaping our next generation of future thinkers, innovators, artists, creators, writers, leaders and more.
Aquinnah Town Column: April 6
Spring has come to Aquinnah as the pinkletinks arrived on March 31 and the herring are already heading up into Squibnocket Pond to spawn.
West Tisbury Town Column: April 6
Well, some folks have already begun planting peas in their gardens last weekend and cleaning up the garage to locate the lawn mower that will be delivered to Jim’s Power Equipment in Vineyard Haven for a spring tune up.
Vineyard Haven Town Column: April 6
It seems hard to look forward to spring but perhaps by Tuesday, April 17 we shall.
On Chappy: April 6
Mark on your calendar for Saturday, May 19 for the next household hazardous waste collection at the MV Refuse District transfer station on the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.
Edgartown Town Column: April 6
April Fools. Oh wait, we got snow on April 2.
Migration Maneuvers
The pace of migration is beginning to pick up. Not surprising as we sort of had spring-like weather over the Easter weekend, maybe the first southerly winds we have had this year.
Spring Snow
It’s just not right when Easter is early and winter refuses to let go.
Missing Moths
You might not know what you are missing! This winter we’ve had rain, snow, wild waves and wind, but something has seemingly disappeared from our lives.
The Community That Sings Together
This weekend the Island Community Chorus is digging deeply for a concert highlighted by Vivaldi’s classic Beatus Vir, composed for double choir and orchestra.
Please Adopt Us
Greetings from the animal shelter. Good news, Thomas the teenager found a lovely young adult to meet his match. Jump high, dear Thomas.
Peter Martell, Businessman Who Relished Role as Emergency Manager
The colorful, gumptious Oak Bluffs businessman and former longtime emergency management director, died Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Chappy Cell Tower Wins Final Approval
Marking the end of six years of deliberations and debate, the Edgartown planning board voted 4 to 1 to approve the installation of a permanent cell tower on Chappaquiddick at a packed meeting Tuesday night.
Edgartown Post Office Has Surprise Delayed Opening
here was a great deal of confusion at the Edgartown Post Office Tuesday morning, where the service windows did not open until after 11:15 a.m.
Yard Receives Major Grants
The Yard received grants from three sources totalling $1.1 million. The Boston-based Barr Foundation awarded the Chilmark dance colony $950,000 to help continue its year-round programming efforts.
Edible Vineyard to Cease Publishing Magazine
Citing a shifting landscape of costs and advertising revenue, Edible Vineyard will no longer publish its quarterly magazine, and instead produce a cookbook.
Ferry Woods Hole Cleared to Return to Service
The ferry Woods Hole has been cleared for service and is expected to return to the Vineyard route after two days of trials on the Nantucket route, Steamship Authority general manager Bob Davis said.
Student Arrested at High School for Marijuana, Pellet Guns
A Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School student was arrested Monday after he was found on school grounds in possession of marijuana and pellet guns, according to Oak Bluffs police.
West Tisbury Swears in New Chief of Police
Matthew Mincone was officially sworn in as the chief of police in West Tisbury, taking over for Daniel Rossi who announced his retirement in the fall.
Towns Consider Joining Federal Opioid Case
About 75 municipalities in the commonwealth and hundreds in other states have joined a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
MVC Outlines Nitrogen Reduction Plan for Pond Health
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission presented a water quality management policy with an emphasis on the high nitrogen in coastal ponds.
With Two Ferries Still Out, SSA Works to Keep Up With Demand
With two main Vineyard ferries laid up in Fairhaven, the Steamship Authority said it would continue to use a privately-contracted high-speed passenger service to the Island at least through midweek.
Flying Horses Gallops to the Rescue of Spring
The Flying Horses carousel opened its 143rd season on Saturday, but inside the wooden structure, all those years seemed to blend together.
Hospital Hires New Communications Director
After a difficult year in community relations, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has appointed Katrina Delgadillo as its new communications director.
