Budget issues, administrative responsibility and educational philosophy were all topics of discussion at the final interviews for three Chilmark head of school candidates this week.

Hosted by Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss and the up-Island regional school district committee, the interviews took place on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the Chilmark school.

Tisbury selectmen have ordered a comprehensive report into operation of the town police force, driven by internal conflicts which this week forced Chief John Cashin from his job.

Mr. Cashin stepped down from the position on Wednesday, less than a week after he labeled his department dysfunctional and accused selectmen of undermining his authority with the force.

His departure, engineered at two extraordinary meetings of the selectmen on Friday and Monday, came two and a half months before the expiration of his three-year contract.

With a series of lawsuits between two well-known Island businessmen threatening fuel service for boaters in Oak Bluffs harbor this summer, town officials are scrambling to build and operate their own filling station near the Island Queen dock by the Fourth of July.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

May 15 61 54 .10

May 16 62 49 .05

May 17 65 56 Trace

May 18 60 48 .14

May 19 51 41 .05

May 20 65 49 .00

May 21 75 54 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 61 º F.

A thin crescent moon will appear low in the western sky early in the evening on Monday. Only those with an excellent view of the western sky have a good chance of seeing it then, so consider a beach stroll at Menemsha, an ideal spot.

That Stockbridge Crowd

From Gazette editions of May, 1984:

Tom Thatcher of West Tisbury signed papers that officially sold the Lillian Manter Memorial Youth Hostel on the Edgartown-West Tisbury road to American Youth Hostels, Inc. of Washington and the Metropolitan New York Council in New York city. Mr. Thatcher has owned the hostel since 1968, and had managed it since 1964.

JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

The boat schedule changed on Tuesday, and you can already tell from increased traffic on the roads and in town that new visitors are here, with more expected this weekend which is the official start of the summer season. Many a backyard grill will be fired up for the first cookouts of the season. Fiddlehead Farm stand in North Tisbury opens for the season today; in fact, all of the town businesses except for the new State Road restaurant are now open.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

There was joy in the Weisman household earlier this month when Hugh and Suzanne announced the engagement of their daughter Ali to Malcolm McDowell. Both are educators in New York city who became engaged one recent spring day on Windy Gates beach. They are planning a Chilmark wedding in October. Congratulations to all!

JUNE MANNING

508-645-2574

(lthslnks@gis.net)

Would you believe, more than three days in a row of sunshine? The lilacs are in full bloom, the shad are bursting with buds, beach plum bushes are also blooming, and mayflowers are found along ancient paths. Spring has perhaps finally arrived.

The Outermost Inn opens this evening with dinners being served nightly, with the exception of Monday nights when Captain Hugh Taylor, his wife, Jeanne, and their staff take the night off. Please call for reservations, 508-645-3511.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)