UPS Workers Shift Into Overdrive for Holiday

For John Costa, time is of the essence.

So it is understandable if a grimace washes over his face as he
examines the boxes stacked to the ceiling of the tractor trailer that
has backed into the loading dock at the United Parcel Service (UPS)
distribution center in Vineyard Haven.

Tax CaseTalks Come to End

The chairman of the West Tisbury board of selectmen reversed
position last week and called off settlement talks with town resident
William W. Graham about his costly property tax case with assessors.

Union Dispute Is Still Stalled

Union Dispute Is Still Stalled

Steamship Authority Managers Leave Last Offer on the Table; Vessel
Workers Will Continue Under Expired Contract

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Three days before Christmas, Steamship Authority management and the
union that represents 230 unlicensed vessel workers remain locked in a
protracted contract dispute, with no end in sight.

Behind the Scenes for 40 Years: Longtime Town Manager Retires

Some people crave the spotlight. Peter O. Bettencourt is not among
them.

"Oh, God," Mr. Bettencourt muttered Monday, when Arthur
Smadbeck, chairman of the Edgartown selectmen, let it be known that the
selectmen had a memento of appreciation for their town
administrator's nearly 40 years of full-time work for the town.

Federal Discussion of Magnuson Act Centers on Quotas

As revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management Conservation Act of 1996 make their way through Congress, debate is intensifying over how to stop overfishing off the New England shoreline.

The stakes are high: The measures now being written into the act will affect fisheries management throughout the United States for the next five years. Much of the discussion of late has centered on quotas, a flash point in New England where management measures so far have stopped short of placing inflexible limits on the amount of any given species of fish that may be taken annually.

Immanuel: Christmas Is Still a Time of Such Joy

Immanuel: Christmas Is Still a Time of Such Joy

By REV. GERALD R. FRITZ

Merry Christmas. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la, or so
the song goes.

Bay Scallop Landings Are Up; Fishery Shows Signs of Recovery

If Size Matters, Tiny Aquinnah Is Not So Small

By IAN FEIN

An oft-repeated phrase that has appeared in numerous Gazette news
articles and editorials over the years was found this week to be untrue.

Aquinnah is not the second smallest town in the commonwealth.

Ranked Eighth: If Size Matters, Tiny Aquinnah Is Not So Small

If Size Matters, Tiny Aquinnah Is Not So Small

By IAN FEIN

An oft-repeated phrase that has appeared in numerous Gazette news
articles and editorials over the years was found this week to be untrue.

Aquinnah is not the second smallest town in the commonwealth.

Vineyard SSA Governor Seeks Sweeping Review of License Agreements

Vineyard SSA Governor Seeks Sweeping Review of License Agreements

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

Alarmed by rising costs and falling ridership on Steamship Authority
ferries, Vineyard boat line governor Marc Hanover yesterday called for a
thorough review of SSA license agreements with private carriers.

"I'm not in favor of giving away one more seat,"
Mr. Hanover declared at the monthly boat line meeting in Woods Hole
yesterday morning.

Hospital Drive Gathers Steam

Hospital Drive Gathers Steam

$42 Million Capital Campaign Surpasses $30 Million Mark; Leaders Say
Islanders Key to Completing Project

By JULIA WELLS

Less than six months after launching the largest
capital campaign in the history of the Vineyard, Martha's Vineyard
Hospital trustees announced this week that the drive to raise $42
million to build a new hospital has exceeded the $30 million mark.

Pages