West Tisbury Voters Reelect John Early and Approve Eleven Override
Questions
By JULIA WELLS
Voters in West Tisbury stuck with the old ways and handed longtime
selectman John Early a tenth term in the annual town election yesterday.
Mr. Early, who was first elected 27 years ago and is the senior
selectman on the Vineyard, won easily over challenger Cynthia Riggs. The
final tally was 553-189.
As Date Nears for Gay Marriages, Planners of Weddings on Island See
Modest Impact
By MANDY LOCKE
Less than five weeks before Massachusetts town clerks start handing
out marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the Island's well-oiled
wedding machine is capturing little interest from gay couples planning
to tie the knot.
Town hall veteran Melissa Kuehne saved her job yesterday, winning the post of town collector by a margin of 165 votes.
Ms. Kuehne, currently the acting town collector, has worked in Edgartown financial offices for 18 years, and she got 508 votes.
Competitor Kimberly G. Kane, fellow town hall veteran and current town accountant, secured 192 votes, while political newcomer Maureen McManus-Hill clocked in with 343.
Edgartown Planning Board Has Rough Ride in Marathon Night
By MANDY LOCKE
Twelve minutes after midnight Wednesday morning, Edgartown residents
emerged from the Old Whaling Church, worn and quiet after conquering a
record-length annual town meeting warrant in a single sitting.
Moderator Philip (Jeff) Norton Jr. managed to hold a quorum of 141
by a single voter for the last articles of the 92-article warrant.
West Tisbury School Debate a Focus of Meeting
By CHRIS BURRELL
The line-up for next week's annual town meeting in West
Tisbury is about to test voters' political stamina, math skills
and tolerance for spending sprees.
The raging debate over whether the town should withdraw from the
up-Island regional school district is expected to drive much of the
discussion - but make no mistake, the annual town meeting that
starts Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the West Tisbury School gymnasium is going
to be a whopper for more reasons than school secession alone.
West Tisbury School Debate a Focus of Meeting
By CHRIS BURRELL
The line-up for next week's annual town meeting in West
Tisbury is about to test voters' political stamina, math skills
and tolerance for spending sprees.
The raging debate over whether the town should withdraw from the
up-Island regional school district is expected to drive much of the
discussion - but make no mistake, the annual town meeting that
starts Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the West Tisbury School gymnasium is going
to be a whopper for more reasons than school secession alone.
Tisbury Votes for Fire Truck
Also: New Police Cruisers, Cycle; Plan to Join Estuaries Program;
Chairs For Katharine Cornell; Overrides on April 27
By ALEXIS TONTI
A host of pricey requests were put to Tisbury voters this week, but
in the end they wrangled most over whether to replace the tattered
avocado green chairs at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. In the closest
vote of the night, the improvements to the historic theatre passed by a
margin of 11 votes.
Edgartown Eyes Small Trial of Buried Lines
By MANDY LOCKE
Words of wisdom coming out of Edgartown town hall on the eve of the
annual town meeting included: bring a seat cushion and line up a
babysitter for two nights.
Ninety-two articles will face Edgartown voters Tuesday night -
a record number for an annual town meeting warrant. The bulk of the
town's business is financial housekeeping, but several big ticket
expenditures and zoning matters will also be debated on the Old Whaling
Church floor, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Less than two months after earning rights to share the new
Martha's Vineyard Skatepark, bikers are once again being told to
keep out.
The reversal came Monday night during an emotional parks department
meeting moments after commissioners heard pleas from teenage bikers
anxious to stay in the park. In the end, commissioners bowed to the
advice of Oak Bluffs' insurance agent and town counsel to ban
bikers.
Selectman Contest Is Three-Cornered
By CHRIS BURRELL
To hear Kerry Scott say it, next Thursday's annual town
election in Oak Bluffs and the race for selectman, in particular, mark a
pivotal moment in town.
"We're at a crossroads," said Ms. Scott, a
52-year-old business owner who is one of three candidates running for a
spot on the board of selectmen. She and Vincent Chestnut, a locksmith
and Vietnam War veteran, are trying to unseat incumbent Todd Rebello.
