Landowner Takes the Stand in Tax Case; Vision Appraisal Defends Town
Position

By IAN FEIN

West Tisbury resident William W. Graham, who is challenging the
town's methods for determining land values and property taxes,
took the stand for the first time last week in a protracted court case
that has grown costly for both sides. But in a tense day of testimony
earlier in the week, a senior appraiser for the company hired by West
Tisbury assessors defended the town's position.

The misting rain and chilly temperatures didn\'t keep people
away from the Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll Thursday night. Men
fixing the windsor knots in their ties and women still ripping tags from
newly purchased clothes filled the tents on the Dr. Daniel Fisher House
lawn to indulge in the food and drink of the Vineyard.

The misting rain and chilly temperatures didn't keep people
away from the Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll Thursday night. Men
fixing the windsor knots in their ties and women still ripping tags from
newly purchased clothes filled the tents on the Dr. Daniel Fisher House
lawn to indulge in the food and drink of the Vineyard.

Charter Captain Dies After Capsizing in Treacherous Seas at
Quick's Hole

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

A Fairhaven charter boat captain died Sunday after his 25-foot boat
capsized in turbulent water in Quick's Hole, throwing him and four
passengers into 60-degree seas.

Underdog Tigers Land Little League Title

Championship Game Held on Saturday at Veira Park

By MAX HART

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit
Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Casey at the bat.

- From Casey at the Bat
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Selectmen in West Tisbury Fret as Legal Bills Begin to Mount

By RACHEL KOVAC

West Tisbury needs more money to pay its legal bills, and this week
selectmen expressed growing concern over the amount of money being spent
on attorneys' fees this year. At the regular board meeting
Wednesday, executive secretary Jennifer Rand advised the selectmen that
the town will not be able to cover its legal costs under the current
year's budget.

The trees are tall and the foliage is thick in these woods.
Shards of sunbeams break through the canopy of oaks, scattering light on the dense underbrush below. Ferns sprout up among huckleberry, blueberry and sassafras, hiding an occasional lady's slipper orchid. An old, winding foot path rises to the north beyond deer thickets, frog ponds and beech tree groves. Catbirds and dragonflies patrol the skies, and except for a slight breeze and the distant rumble of an approaching storm beyond Vineyard Sound, it is quiet.

Operating Losses Persist at Steamship Authority; Possible Fare Hikes
Loom

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Continuing operating losses at the Steamship Authority have raised
the specter of possible fare increases later this year, boat line
governors learned yesterday.

At the monthly boat line meeting, held in the Katharine Cornell
Theatre in Vineyard Haven, SSA treasurer Robert Davis said the boat line
had lost $9.5 million through the month of May, $1.25 million worse than
expected.

Middle Line Project Moves Into Next Phase

By JAMES KINSELLA

After settling key questions about the Middle Line Road project at a
special town meeting Monday, the town of Chilmark now must sort through
a number of financial and regulatory questions as it turns the $3.5
million affordable housing development from an ideal into a reality.

Increasing tensions at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School between immigrant and non-immigrant students prompted administrators this week to hold a one-day workshop for 25 students aimed at raising awareness about cultural intolerance and prejudice.