Ten Brazilian immigrants, said to be in violation of deportation
orders, left the Island yesterday morning in handcuffs - hauled
away by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents aboard
a United States Coast Guard vessel.
School Statement on Koines Incident Reveals Job Change for His
Supervisor
By CHRIS BURRELL
In an attempt to quell concerns and anger about the handling of a
scandal uncovered at the regional high school last June, the principal
and Vineyard schools superintendent this week shed more light on how
they plan to clean house at the school.
East Chop residents mourned the end of an era this week, reacting to news that an old Victorian in the heart of Oak Bluffs' Highlands district may fall to a wrecking ball in the coming months.
Tisbury Sets Nov. 18 Meeting on Ferry Fee
By ALEXIS TONTI
Tisbury will hold a special election Nov. 18 to determine whether
the town will charge a 50-cent ferry fee for each passenger departing
from the Vineyard Haven terminal.
The Tisbury selectmen, who unanimously support the fee, said Tuesday
it will generate as much as $300,000 a year for the port community.
If approved, the fee will take effect in the new year.
As Enrollments Drop, Schools Ask Why; High Cost of Housing Cited in
Chilmark
By CHRIS BURRELL
Faced with steadily declining enrollments, the Vineyard's two
regional school district committees have decided it's time to
investigate what's causing the drain of kids from their
classrooms.
They are examining birth rates and planning to conduct exit
interviews with families and students who left their schools, trying to
figure out whether the downward spiral is part of a national trend or
more of a Vineyard anomaly.
Open Space Bond Funding Faces Cuts, Legislators Say
By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer
Cape and Islands Rep. Eric T. Turkington and a growing group of
state legislators took sharp aim at the Gov. Mitt Romney administration
this week as reports surfaced about plans to slash funding for the state
open space bond bill.
At Firemen's Muster, Duty Calls for Tisbury
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
West Tisbury volunteer firemen placed first at the Dukes County
Firemen's Muster on Sunday. This was their third consecutive win.
More than 200 people gathered at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs to cheer
firemen from five Island towns and a visiting team from the town of
Carver as they competed for top honors in the annual competition.
Executive Assistant Quits County Post
Marsha Smolev Had Leveled Charges of Hostile Work Environment;
Attorney Studies Case
By ALEXIS TONTI
The executive assistant to the county manager, Marsha Smolev, has
resigned, leaving the position without clear resolution regarding her
previous allegations of a hostile work environment and sexual harassment
by a county commissioner.
When leaders of the Island Affordable Housing Fund (IAHF) say they'll be collecting $14 million within five years, it's clear there's no room for negotiation.
"There's a lot to be done," John Abrams, chairman of the young non-profit's board, said flatly.
