Beyond Differences: Island Families Are Enriched by Adoptions

By JESSIE ROYCE HILL

Sometimes they get funny looks in town when they are walking with their children. People ask insensitive questions just because their children don't resemble them. Are you their real parent? Are they really brother and sister?

On an Island predominantly white, a number of couples and singles have chosen to adopt children of color, bringing diversity into their homes and community.

"Ten years ago we started an infertility group.

Safe Haven: Special Camp Lets Kids Live in the Moment

By C.K. WOLFSON

A clothesline of colored towels flutters like Tibetan prayer flags.
Two campers nap on the sun-warmed sand of the volleyball court. Others
bundle together, all elbows and skinny legs, on a slowly swinging
glider, or sprawl like soft sculptures on couches in the common room of
the youth hostel.

Boat Line Chief Triggers Contract Talks

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

A gnarly two-year struggle over issues of governance and lines of
authority came to a new head last week when Steamship Authority chief
executive officer Fred C. Raskin launched a process that may lead to his
resignation - and a hefty severance deal to boot.

Mr. Raskin gave written notice to the boat line board last week that
he intends to terminate what is called a readjustment period under the
complicated terms of his contract.

Oak Bluffs Results Were a Surprise - Is Healing of Long Battle
Under Way?

By Julia Wells

In Oak Bluffs the landscape has changed, and it's not just the
daffodils and day lilies. In this seaside town of honky tonk and
gingerbread and emerald parks, the landscape of local politics has also
suddenly changed.

For Conservation Commission, a Tangled Issue in Pond Docks

By MANDY LOCKE

The West Tisbury conservation commission must now act as judge and
jury for a key town leader - sorting through selectman Jeffrey
(Skipper) Manter's request to permit four docks in Tisbury Great
Pond that he has been using for years.

The verdict must come down within three weeks, and the conservation
commission - a board appointed by selectmen - isn't
quite sure how to sort through the mess.

Here's what they know:

District Attorney to Seek Grand Jury Indictments in Jail Inmate
Beatings

By ALEXIS TONTI

The Cape and Islands district attorney said yesterday he will go to
a Dukes County grand jury to ask for indictments as the result of a
state police investigation into allegations of officer collusion in two
separate inmate beatings at the Dukes County House of Correction.

"We will more than likely be presenting evidence to a grand
jury in the coming weeks," said Michael Trudeau, the first
assistant Cape and Islands district attorney.

Last summer the eminently credible Walter Cronkite was correct as
usual when he predicted, "I'm expecting him to be right up
on that platform as he's been all these years, so I'm not
going to waste any tears."

Art Buchwald, succumbing to the request of Possible Dreams
cochairmen Kerry Scott and Amy Eisenlohr, has rescinded the decision he
made in August to step down as auctioneer of the high stakes fundraiser
for Martha's Vineyard Community Services.

West Tisbury Stays in District, Approves Spending Increases

By CHRIS BURRELL

In the end, it was all about distrusting the numbers. Against a
backdrop of confusion over whether exiting the Up-Island Regional School
District would save money or cost money, West Tisbury voters this week
demanded an independent cost analysis.

In the first regulatory review under its own maiden government since
the superior court decision on sovereign immunity last year, the
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) this week permitted itself to
build a 6,500-square-foot community center off Black Brook Road in
Aquinnah.

The community center will be built around a wetland.

Island's Boat Line Representative Urges County Board to Focus
on Large Issues

By ALEXIS TONTI

Growing tensions at the Steamship Authority were exposed this week
as the Vineyard boat line governor delivered an impassioned speech
defending authority management and describing dysfunction among the
board of governors.