The 57th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish
Derby starts tomorrow morning. For some of the Island's anglers,
it can't start fast enough. Fishermen started talking about this
year's derby months ago. They talked about the derby when the
first striped bass arrived in Vineyard waters in April.

County Drafts Plan to Boost Revenues on Real Estate Fees

By JOSHUA SABATINI

A funding plan, drafted by county manager Carol Borer, proposes a
new method for Dukes County to receive significant revenue while
providing tax relief to Island towns.

The plan hinges upon passing legislation that would allow the county
to impose a one per cent fee on the gross sale price of all real estate
transfers in Dukes County, made up of the six Island towns and Gosnold.

At their special town meeting Tuesday evening, Tisbury voters
decided that the town's future infrastructure is more important
than holding the line on water rates and taxes.

In about an hour, voters decisively approved funding for the
wastewater treatment project, a third town well and rehabilitation of
about 4,000 feet of water mains.

Island Teachers Study Portuguese in Brazil

By JOSHUA SABATINI

Two staff members at the Tisbury School went the extra distance this
summer to foster a more productive relationship with Brazilian students
and their parents.

Charlie Braun and Emily Broderick spent a month in Brazil, studying
both the Portuguese language and the local culture. Mr. Braun was in
Salvador, and Mrs. Broderick visited Maceio.

Islanders Pray for Peace on Remembrance Day

September 11 Service Brings Worshippers from Many Faiths

By MANDY LOCKE

While Americans braced against the threat of another war on the
first anniversary of the terrorist attacks that shook the nation, a
group of Vineyarders gathered in a cozy chapel on Tisbury's Main
street to pray for peace.

"Let us know there can be no understanding where there is
mutual rejection," said Carolyn Eddy, one of a half-dozen
speakers.

Oak Bluffs Presents Passionate Defense of the Martha's
Vineyard Commission Before Legislative Committee Hearing

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

An overflow crowd from Oak Bluffs and other Vineyard towns turned
out for a state legislative hearing yesterday that was marked by an
outpouring of passionate support for the Martha's Vineyard
Commission and the unique role it has played in the protection of the
Island for the last 28 years.

According to new statistics released this week by Martha's
Vineyard Hospital, the number of people injured in moped accidents
during the first seven months of the year dropped sharply for the second
year in a row.

Just one week before it was slated for demolition, a waterfront house on West Tisbury's North Shore burned to the ground yesterday in a blaze that kept firefighters from three towns working for nearly six hours straight.

September 11: Island Remembers the Fallen

Solemn Ceremonies on Avenue of Flags Mark Anniversary

By ALEXIS TONTI

September 11 is a part of our collective consciousness. Though the
Island sometimes seems far away from the mainland and mainland concerns,
the tragedies of that day have resonated here as they have throughout
the nation.

Taygeta was one of more than 60 boats participating in last
Sunday's 25th annual George Moffett Memorial sailboat race. Named
after one of the seven stars in the small star cluster Pleiades, Taygeta
is also one of the longtime stars in this annual autumn race.