Historical Society Moves Ahead with $25 Million Building Plan

By JAMES KINSELLA

The Martha's Vineyard Historical Society is pursuing an
ambitious plan to triple its exhibition and storage space in a project
that could cost about $25 million.

Society executive director Matthew Stackpole yesterday said that, if
all goes according to plan, construction of the society's new
museum could begin on its property in West Tisbury in 2009, with an
opening in June 2010.

Lagoon Drawbridge Replacement Work Begins Early 2007

By MAX HART

The first phase of the Lagoon Pond drawbridge replacement project
- the construction of a temporary bridge on the pond side of the
span - is now slated to begin in the new year rather than this
fall as planned.

Contrary to what was announced publicly at the time, former Oak
Bluffs town administrator Casey Sharpe did not resign three months ago,
but was terminated without cause by the selectmen - at her own
request - triggering a clause in her contract that paid her more
than $76,000 in salary and benefits.

A team of Island police officers arrested a Martha's Vineyard
Hospital doctor at his office Tuesday on an outstanding warrant from the
state of California which charges him with illegally prescribing
powerful diet pills over the Internet.

Dr. Gerald C. Morris, 35, is accused of being part of an
international drug scheme involving the illegal prescription of drugs,
money laundering and identity theft.

While town and school officials up-Island continue their years-long debate over the fairness of their regional school district, the Massachusetts department of education is preparing to enforce statewide changes that could dramatically alter not only up-Island district finances, but also how every Vineyard town pays for the regional high school.

Nancy Gardella, the new executive director of the Martha's
Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, had a lesson in Island living shortly
after moving here and starting her job last month.

Eighteen years ago, when Cronig's Market and Up-Island
Cronig's owner Stephen Bernier first decided to open his grocery
stores on Sundays through the off-season, he was met with outrage in the
community.

Nonprofit Collaborative Tracks Charitable Giving on Vineyard

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

A new study shows that philanthropic giving to many Island-based
nonprofit organizations fell from 2003 to 2004.

The study, conducted by the Martha's Vineyard Donors
Collaborative, is based on the filings that the organizations are
required to do with the Internal Revenue Service as part of their
nonprofit status.

Hospital Plan Peppered with Questions

By IAN FEIN

Neighbors last week aired concerns about plans for the new $42
million Martha's Vineyard Community Hospital, while other Island
residents asked pointed questions about the wisdom of rebuilding such a
critical facility on the vulnerable 13-acre property off Beach Road in
the Eastville section of Oak Bluffs.

The comments came during a public information session hosted by the
Martha's Vineyard Commission last Thursday at the Tisbury senior
center.