Key Witnesses End Longest Tax Appeal Case
By IAN FEIN
BOSTON - On the final day of a protracted property tax appeal
hearing that poses broad implications for West Tisbury, selectman John
Early yesterday undercut critical testimony from the town's
principal assessor.
Mr. Early bracketed the case as both the first and last witness to
testify in the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board hearing that began May
3 and became the longest and costliest residential property tax appeal
in the history of the commonwealth.
Katrina's Wake: Devastation of Hurricane Touches Life on
Vineyard
By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer
Devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina may delay the delivery of
the new Steamship Authority ferry Island Home for six months or more.
But the likely postponement of the new $30.5 million ferry for the
Vineyard is just one of the ripples reaching the Vineyard in the
aftermath of the hurricane, which authorities now say may have left
thousands dead in New Orleans and beyond.
Simmering Labor Dispute Leaves Bussing Unsettled for Start of School
Year
By RACHEL KOVAC
Vineyard schools superintendent James Weiss fielded his first
controversy this week when a simmering labor dispute between bus drivers
and the company under contract with the school district bubbled into the
public arena.
Red Cross Will Sponsor Training for Volunteers
In response to a surge of calls from Vineyard residents wanting to
help with disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the
Martha's Vineyard Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer a
special training session for volunteers on Saturday.
The all-day training will be held tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging on Wamsutta avenue.
Spanish-speaking trained personnel are needed. For more information call
508-696-0092.
Hospital Campaign Sees More Pledges
Capital Fundraising for New Building Inches Up from $20 to $25
Million; Trustees to Target More Donors
By JAMES KINSELLA
When seasonal Edgartown residents Robert and Sheila Hoerle were
asked to donate money to help rebuild the Martha's Vineyard
Hospital, they were happy to oblige.
In the first week of August, four towns on the Vineyard sent 345 tons of garbage to the mainland. Things Islanders threw away ranged from a bicycle that a child outgrew to trash left over from a summer party.
Environmental Hazards Found on Island
By JAMES KINSELLA
Recycling is driven by a desire to better protect the environment.
But a tour of Vineyard transfer stations over the past week revealed
instances where recycled materials might have been hurting rather than
helping.
The tour by a Gazette reporter and photographer found broken
fluorescent light bulbs and car batteries resting on the ground, oil
leaking out into puddles and metals stored on bare ground. All are
violations of state rules governing the handling of recyclables.
Ending months of speculation, a federal advisory commission voted unanimously Friday to close the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, a move that could jeopardize future emergency evacuations and air-sea rescues on and around the Vineyard.
State officials and congressional delegates, who lobbied heavily to keep the base open, now are vowing to fight the federal recommendations and base closure by all legal means.
"This was obviously a very disturbing development," Mark Forest, an aide to Cong. William Delahunt, said yesterday.
The boaters on the water were not the only winners Sunday at the 15th annual Martha's Vineyard Oar and Paddle Regatta.
It was the first time a pilot gig boat from Vineyard Voyagers participated. It was the first time for live music on the beach. And the nonprofit organization Friends of Sengekontacket will receive a check for more than $1,000, raised through registration fees.
Housing Bank Legislation Open for Review at Public Forum in Tisbury
Senior Center
By BRIEN HEFLER
The Martha's Vineyard Community Housing Bank Coalition will
hold a public forum to discuss and review draft legislation for the
proposed Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank tonight at the Tisbury
senior center from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
