Fund-Raising Goals Seek Many Millions

Capital Projects Planned for Vineyard from Hospital to Town
Libraries Expected to Cost $71 Million

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Few would dispute their worth: the updating of the Martha's
Vineyard Hospital, the architectural restoration of a historic Island
landmark, the expansion of services for residents seeking to recover
from drug addiction.

But they all cost money - often more money than first
expected, as construction costs race upward.

Edgartown Fishermen Sound Off Over Changes to Dinghy Docks

By RACHEL KOVAC

A proposal by the new owners of the Navigator Restaurant in
Edgartown to relocate the dinghy docks outside the restaurant has
commercial and charter fishermen up in arms.

Slated to go into effect in May of 2006, the plan saw quick approval
with little or no public discussion this week. It surfaced for the first
time at the weekly selectmen's meeting Monday and was approved by
the park and recreation department yesterday morning.

The Atlantic codfish, once the most important fish in the waters of southeastern New England, is on the verge of collapse. Conservation measures that have restricted fishermen throughout the Northeast over the last three decades may have only delayed an inevitable long-term death march for the cod, scientists and fisheries managers say.

While fishermen continue to harvest cod, scientists report that cod stocks are so depleted on Georges Bank there may not be enough fish left to bring about recovery, unless drastic measures are taken to protect the female population.

Property Inventory Rises; Brokers See Slowdown

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

More properties are coming onto the Vineyard real estate market,
dampening what had been an explosive increase in sales prices.

"Prices have continued to move up, but not as quickly as
sellers would like," said Jim Hogan of Tea Lane Associates in West
Tisbury, who has appraised and sold real estate on the Island for the
past 12 years.

Her schedule is never-ending. This summer she has managed to put together a full season of plays at the Vineyard Playhouse, direct two plays at the same time - Rounding Third and Romeo and Juliet - fill the Monday Night Special schedule with new works and famous names and still enjoy the beauty a Vineyard summer offers.

Her schedule is never-ending. This summer she has managed to put
together a full season of plays at the Vineyard Playhouse, direct two
plays at the same time - Rounding Third and Romeo and Juliet
- fill the Monday Night Special schedule with new works and famous
names and still enjoy the beauty a Vineyard summer offers.

Draft legislation for the proposed Martha's Vineyard Housing Bank will circulate around the Island this month as organizers seek public comment before the bill is filed in the state legislature some time in early September.

If approved at the state level - a prospect that many are calling difficult - the legislation would still need to come back to the Vineyard for another round of binding votes.

Vineyard Artists Display Best Work at Annual Show in Tabernacle

By SAM TELLER

The towering martini glass is filled with what looks like a
strawberry margarita, and two swollen green olives peer out. The pimento
stuffing forms the pupils of an unusual pair of eyes. Set on a solid
black and marigold background, the olive eye cocktail is the subject of
artist Bill Buckley's oil painting, That's The Martini
Talking.

In West Tisbury, the board of assessors decides not to mediate a tax appeal, landing the town in an extended slugfest at the state level that has yet to conclude.

In Oak Bluffs, residents complain about what they see as a lack of responsiveness from the building department and the zoning board of appeals.

In Dukes County, a turf battle between the county and airport commissions has resulted in a legal judgment that could cost local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Is Vineyard government, in some instances, going awry?

Testing Strength in Government

Analyzing Trends Across Island as Legal Disputes Increase; Citizens
Debate Causes, Leaders Take Stock

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

In West Tisbury, the board of assessors decides not to mediate a tax
appeal, landing the town in an extended slugfest at the state level that
has yet to conclude.

In Oak Bluffs, residents complain about what they see as a lack of
responsiveness from the building department and the zoning board of
appeals.