On the surface, front-burner issues in West Tisbury don't appear to have changed much in the last couple of years.

Vineyard Democrats broke ranks with the rest of the commonwealth
this week, throwing their support to former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert
Reich over state treasurer Shannon P. O'Brien in the primary race
for governor.

New Bedford Presses for Fast Ferries in First Expanded SSA Board
Meeting

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

After a few scant minutes of statesmanship, the newly appointed
Steamship Authority governor from New Bedford quickly changed tack
yesterday, unveiling a surprise plan for fast ferry service between New
Bedford and the Vineyard and mouthing an old sales pitch from last year.

The 57th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby began Wednesday
without a hitch. Brendan Langley, the weigh master, was dressed for the
ordeal of weighing in each of the four species of fish: striped bass,
bluefish, false albacore and bonito. When the weigh-in headquarters
opened at 8 a.m. fishermen were already standing outside. In 15 minutes
all four species of fish had made an appearance on the scale.

Cape Housing Plan Is Studied on the Island

By MANDY LOCKE

Island towns may be ready to learn a few lessons from a cousin
across Nantucket Sound.

Two years ago, the town of Barnstable invited year-round residents
who were hiding illegal apartments in basements, attics and in the backs
of their houses to take advantage of town resources to get such
residences up to code. The town offered a detailed plan to comply with
local ordinances and a rehabilitation loan to swallow the cost of
necessary upgrades.

Adelphia Breaches Contract with Island

Towns Charge Cable Television Giant with Failing to Deliver Payments
for Community Access Channels

By JOSHUA SABATINI

Adelphia Communications, the nation's sixth largest cable
operator, has breached the 10-year contract it signed with the six
Island towns last year, says the Island's cable advisory
committee.

Tivoli Day Celebrates 25th Anniversary

By BRETT FERRY

The hot, busy months of summer offer working Islanders a short
window of opportunity to hustle a year's earnings.

When the close of the season nears, few year-round residents can
recall taking a relaxed afternoon stroll through Oak Bluffs - they
only remember scurrying up and down the street, head down, dodging
tourists and trying to get quickly where they needed to go.

Polls Open Today for State Primary

Vineyard voters go to the polls today to cast ballots in the state
primary and Democrats in particular are expected to turn out to make
choices in an unusual four-way race for governor.

Senate president Thomas F. Birmingham, state treasurer Shannon P.
O'Brien, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich and former
state Sen. Warren Tolman are vying for the Democratic gubernatorial
nomination.

SSA Rate Cuts Gather Backing

New Bedford and Barnstable Join Expanded Boat Line Governing Board
for Monthly Meeting on the Vineyard Thursday

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

No rate increases and a possible reduction in excursion fares
- these are the key monetary themes this week as Steamship
Authority governors prepare to discuss a preliminary budget for the
coming year.

Football Team Opens Season with Big Win

By JOSHUA SABATINI

They charged onto the football field shouting "No Mercy, No
Mercy," as the setting sun shone on the backs of their purple
jerseys.

For the 2002 Martha's Vineyard football squad, it was a
fitting moment minutes before last Friday's season opener, at home
against the Coyle-Cassidy Warriors. The current players, part of a
program with a long list of shining achievements, will strive to carve
their own path of glory from now until Dec. 7, the day of the Super
Bowl.