This year's race for the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen matches
two veteran leaders against two challengers relatively new to the
political arena.

Both the incumbents have long ties to the community and have served
on a number of town boards and commissions.

Gregory Coogan is a longtime teacher seeking his second term as
selectman.

Attorneys Trade Charges in Graham Property Case; Closing Legal
Briefs Filed

By IAN FEIN

In closing briefs filed at the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board
this week, attorneys for West Tisbury resident William W. Graham argued
that flaws and errors by town assessors warranted hundreds of thousands
of dollars in tax relief, while the town's attorney countered that
Mr. Graham never proved that the values placed on his property were
wrong.

Beacon Hill Politics Endanger Outcome in Tax Case Dispute

By IAN FEIN

In a rush of political maneuvering that played out on Beacon Hill
this week, the chairman of the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board on
Monday withdrew her name from consideration only two days before a
scheduled hearing on her reappointment to the post.

The uncertain fate of the chairman complicates the outcome of the
West Tisbury-Graham property tax case and raises the possibility that it
may have to be retried.

West Tisbury Reins in Costs for Next Year

By IAN FEIN

After reviewing the previous town budget last spring, the West
Tisbury finance committee authored a strong letter to selectmen warning
that the rapid growth of town spending was not sustainable.

It appears the town may have stemmed the tide.

Tisbury Faces $17.6 Million Budget

By MAX HART

No overrides. No surprises. No worries?

That seems to be the general consensus regarding Tisbury's
nearly $17.6 million operating budget for the fiscal year starting July
1. Abating insurance costs, stabilized debt payments and a little help
from Tisbury's embarkation fee funds all helped keep the budget to
a manageable 5.3 per cent increase over last year.

The annual town meeting is scheduled for April 4.

Oak Bluffs voters next month will take up a balanced budget of just
under $21.8 million for the fiscal year starting July 1.

Fourth in a series of profiles leading up to the West Tisbury
election.

West Tisbury resident Jonathan Revere says he is a direct descendent
of a brother of Paul Revere. A biographer of the Revolutionary War hero
once noted that his brothers "stayed out of politics, trouble and
history."

Clearly Jonathan Revere does not take after his forebear.

Creative Streak: Students Excel in School's Growing Art
Program

By MAX HART

In 1991, students enrolled in one of the few art classes taught at
the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School had only one place to
go.

Edgartown Weighs Merits of Water Contract Request

By JAMES KINSELLA

Edgartown water superintendent Fred Domont earlier this year sought
a salary of $100,000, but saw his request rejected by the board of
selectmen.

The Edgartown board of water commissioners, the elected board to
which Mr. Domont reports, backed the salary request, which would have
represented an increase of almost 40 per cent from his current pay.

Edgartown Requests $22.7 Million Budget

By JAMES KINSELLA

Town officials will ask Edgartown voters next month to approve a
$22.7 million operating budget for the coming fiscal year.

The proposed budget represents an increase of $885,025, or 4.1 per
cent, over the current budget.

Voters also will be asked to allow the town to borrow up to
$1,965,000 to help fund a new public water well near Pennywise Path and
a new fire truck. The proposed borrowing would include $1.5 million for
the well and $465,000 for the truck.