Island Escapes Deep Cuts In Aid to Towns, Schools

By MANDY LOCKE

On the last day of the session, state legislators finally approved a
five-month overdue budget slated to trim $650 million from the
commonwealth's spending. But the sweeping cuts in the $22.25
billion state budget did not dip drastically into local Vineyard aid for
towns and schools.

"It could have been worse," said Cape and Islands Rep.
Eric T. Turkington Wednesday morning, after having studied the budget
proposal for less than a day.

After spending much of the last two years in political hot water over gun-toting rangers, sheds with no building permits and the stewardship of a beloved general store, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) now finds itself in a state of inner turmoil, its members at odds with each other.

Hospital Nurses Union Takes Its Case to Island Community

By JULIA WELLS

Nurses at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital this week fired back
at chief executive officer Kevin Burchill, charging that he has forced
them into a bitter contract dispute that, left unresolved, could spell
the end of high-quality nursing at the Island's only hospital. The
nurses also said they will now take their case into the Vineyard
community in a public appeal for support.

Forget the season behind them; forget the playoffs ahead. This week, for the football squad and fans alike, Saturday's battle for the Island Cup - like many a legendary sports rivalry - is the only thing that matters.

Martha's Vineyard enters Saturday's game against Nantucket at 9-1, having already clinched the Mayflower League Large title. The Vineyarders have outscored opponents 180-40 in their last five games.

At 5-4, the visiting Whalers have had a disappointing season. But ending the trophy's two-year stay on the Vineyard would turn it into a successful one.

Golf Club Hearing Draws Large Crowd For an Evening of Passionate
Discussion

By JULIA WELLS

Quoting Thomas Jefferson and Joni Mitchell, conservationists squared
off against golf enthusiasts last night as a public hearing wore on over
a proposal to build a luxury private golf club in the last unbroken
stretch of woodlands in the town of Oak Bluffs.

Falmouth SSA Member Brings Board Consensus On Fast-Ferry Proposal

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

In a dramatic act of leadership that swept away two months of
tension, threats and personal attacks, the freshman member of the
Steamship Authority board of governors yesterday led his board into a
unanimous vote of approval for a two-year pilot high-speed ferry program
between New Bedford and the Vineyard.

After a year of negotiating details to build a regional composting facility on the Island, the Martha's Vineyard Refuse Disposal and Resource Recovery District committee voted last night to ship waste to a composting facility in Marlboro on a trial basis.

"This is to ascertain whether it's logistically feasible to ship off," said Richard Skidmore, chairman of the district committee.

Tisbury Selectmen Take Firm Stance Against Two Fast Ferry Service
Plans

BY JOSHUA SABATINI

Tisbury selectmen this week agreed the Steamship Authority should
postpone further action on fast ferry service until the concerns of the
town are satisfied and alternative possibilities are studied.

Contract talks between management and nurses at the Martha's
Vineyard Hospital are now at a bitter standoff, and hospital chief
executive officer Kevin Burchill said this week that he is prepared for
the possibility of a strike.

"Everything is now off the table. We're prepared for the
worst but we expect the best," he said.

Tisbury Selectmen Reject Bid to Bring Fox Ferries Into Harbor

BY JOSHUA SABATINI

Fox Navigation, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in
Connecticut, wants to resume high-speed ferry service to Vineyard Haven
harbor next season, but Tisbury selectmen denied the company a harbor
use permit at a public hearing Tuesday night.