Seven Candidates Vie for Two Selectmen Seats in Oak Bluffs

By CHRIS BURRELL

Some people in town are calling it an outright horse race -
seven candidates running for two seats on the board of selectmen in Oak
Bluffs. It is the most hotly contested race in this year's
political season on the Vineyard. Voters will pick their selectmen at
the polls from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs School on Thursday,
April 10.

Bottle Message Links Pen Pals Across Atlantic

By MANDY LOCKE

Ten-year-old Dylan Rice has a new pen pal.

This Edgartown school student wasn't exactly looking for an
extra hobby; he's pretty busy with school, Cub Scouts and the FARM
Institute. But ever since 17-year-old Juan Braìs Garcia Liz had
the courtesy to respond to Dylan's message in a bottle, this
Vineyard student has been paying extra attention in Spanish class.

Golf Course Developers Agree to Dismiss Property Rights Claims in
MVC Lawsuit

By JULIA WELLS

Attorneys for the Down Island Golf Club have backed away from a
portion of their massive lawsuit against the Martha's Vineyard
Commission, agreeing to dismiss two counts that involved property rights
claims.

Edgartown Overrides Appear on Ballot

By MANDY LOCKE

Scores of pocketbook-pinching articles and a few tough zoning
questions face Edgartown citizens Tuesday at the annual town meeting at
7:30 p.m. in the Old Whaling Church.

Voters will be asked to approve a $19-million operating budget
- swallowing a $707,000 general override to cover a
five-and-a-half per cent increase in town operations.

Questions of house size caps in certain neighborhoods - a hot
topic - come at the end of the 74-article warrant.

Affordable Housing Bylaw Passes at Tisbury Meeting

By JONATHAN BURKE

Tisbury voters approved an affordable housing bylaw at a special
town meeting Tuesday night.

Questions surrounding overall administration of the housing plan,
and an amnesty program within it, almost defeated the motion. In an
hour-long debate proceeding the vote, speakers suggested again and again
that the proposal - encouraging the creation of accessory
apartments - needed more work.

Headlining this year's 22-article annual town meeting warrant in Tisbury is a total budget of $15,856,073, an increase of nearly a nine and a half per cent over last year's $14,496,931.

Town moderator Deborah Medders will gavel the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, in the gymnasium of the Tisbury School.

According to Ray LaPorte, chairman of the selectmen, there is little in this year's budget likely to generate argument. Tim McLean, town treasurer, agrees.

Schools Seek Finance Help

Leaders of Island School Districts Seek Reassurance from Towns that
State Local Aid Funds Will Support Education

By CHRIS BURRELL

With annual town meeting season only days away, school leaders this
week pressured Island selectmen and town financial teams to back amended
school budgets that would earmark state funds for educational spending
and avert the need to lay off teachers for next year.

Alex Lawson's future wasn't looking too bright:
He'd quit doing his homework back in seventh grade, hung out with
the wrong kids and had some run-ins with police.

Public Questions Oak Bluffs Candidates for Their Stand on MVC
Secession Issue

By CHRIS BURRELL

When it comes to the top elected post in Oak Bluffs, there's
no shortage of applicants. In the most hotly contested race on the
Island, seven candidates are vying for two seats on the board of
selectmen in a town renowned for the drama of its political stage.

Last night at the Oak Bluffs School, the candidates made their best
pitch to voters and then fielded questions from an audience seeking to
ferret out what issues would help separate the pack.

Edgartown Grants Land Owner Choice on House Size Plan

By MANDY LOCKE

The Edgartown conservation commission Wednesday night drew a line in
the sand - forcing an Edgartown Great Pond property owner to
reduce his house proposal or take his case to the Martha's
Vineyard Commission.