Editor’s Note: What follows is a selection of comments posted on the Gazette Web site last week in response to the story about a preliminary application by Tara and Daniel Whiting to tear down the Old Parsonage house in West Tisbury.

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A majority of the citizens decided to secure by peaceful means if possible, a change in the existing form of government and an adhesion to a democratic system of elections of officers. Desiring to spare the aged head of the government any unnecessary personal humiliation, they addressed a letter to him which stated “First our wish for you is that you would be pleased to lay aside your government and act with us so we shall choose you to be in place this year, and afterward as the yearly choice by election shall fall.”

For Valentine’s Day, an essay about love and something more, first published in the Gazette in February, 2011.

Land Bank Position

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to the Edgartown selectmen from the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank.

I am writing regarding the mini-park on Main street. You had asked the land bank to consider contributing to its acquisition.

The land bank commission has now discussed this matter several times in the past few weeks and has determined that it does not support land bank involvement here. The central reason is financial. Allow me please to explain.

CALL FOR CANDIDATES

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

A functioning democracy requires the participation of its citizens.

That is something which we in the United States take for granted.

But the reality is that very few people actually take the time and trouble to take part in their local political processes, leaving decisions that affect them to be made by the very few activists.

By participation, I don’t just mean speaking up at annual town meeting.

Saving Parsonage House

The old house is one of those places you drive by — nearly every day if you live up-Island and frequently if you live anywhere else on the Vineyard and come through West Tisbury on State Road. Probably you take it for granted, and that’s the way it is with the old houses and barns of the Vineyard that are so much a part of its architectural and living character and history.

We take them for granted until they are gone.

Tonight’s gibbous moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. The moon is between the star clusters Hyades and Pleiades. The Hyades is one of the largest star clusters you can see in the night sky. It is the mythological head of Taurus, with the bull resembling the letter V. To the right of the moon is the Pleiades.

Welcome, Genevieve

Stacy and Julian Wise of Chilmark announce the birth of their daughter Genevieve Dorothy Marie Wise on January 27, 2011 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Genevieve weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces. She joins her brother, Henry, and sisters, Ruby and Nina.

Divided Past

From Gazette editions of February, 1986:

When the Edgartown selectmen proposed a subdivision moratorium last week, they were unaware that just one night earlier the West Tisbury selectmen and members of the planning board had proposed the same thing for their town. It was pure coincidence.

NANCY GARDELLA

508-693-3308

(vhavenvgazette@yahoo.com)

This is a long-delayed Valentine card to my friends, the manager, Liza Buckley, and the staff at Cumberland Farms. What would I do without these people? They make my every waking day wonderful; visiting in the morning is my social hour, along with the usual suspects who show up for coffee and a newspaper. The crew is friendly, helpful, cheerful and caring. Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!