Interim Manager at Woods Hole Started Out at the Ticket Window

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

His first summer job was in a hardware store where he learned how to
fix screen doors.

Today at age 53, Wayne Lamson has been called on to fix something
bigger than a screen door - way bigger - but those who know
the soft-spoken, highly capable Steamship Authority treasurer think he
is more than up to the job.

For the fifth time in three decades, this week Mr. Lamson stepped in
as interim general manager of the SSA.

New Ferry's Design: Last Call for Comment

SRC="http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2004/08/06/content/new_ssa_vessel_sm.jpg"
WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="70"
ALT="Photo" BORDER="2" ALIGN="right"
VSPACE="6" HSPACE="6">

By ALEXIS TONTI

It's Not My Job to Monitor Compliance, Oak Bluffs Building
Inspector Tells Board

By CHRIS BURRELL

Oak Bluffs selectmen said they wanted clarity, but Tuesday
night's meeting with building inspector Richard Mavro shed almost
no new light on how the replacement of a small garage on the North Bluff
mushroomed into a three-story building.

Island Transport vice-president Scott Dario said yesterday the only way his company will keep running buses for the Vineyard schools is if they can strike a deal for more money and greater autonomy for deciding snow days and disciplining drivers.

Edgartown Library Expansion Sought

Special Town Meeting Set for August 31; Plan is to Buy Captain
Warren House; There Is Desperate Need for Space

By ALEXIS TONTI

Edgartown residents will convene this month for a special town
meeting to decide whether to purchase a property adjacent to the
Edgartown Free Public Library to make room for expansion of the
century-old library.

Rental units versus privately owned homes: That's the subject
of a survey being mailed to Chilmark residents today about a proposed
affordable housing project at Middle Line Road.

The decision to seek resident input on the subject comes after
discussion at a selectmen's meeting Tuesday, and as a group of
approved homesite applicants have written a letter to the board citing
the urgent need for private home lots.

Changes Underway in SSA Priorities

An Olive Branch Toward Nantucket; Islander Meeting Will Be August
12; Can Rates Be Held Down?

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Change is the watchword these days at the Steamship Authority,
palpable and overnight change.

Alleging Contract Lapses, Schools' Bus Company Says It
Won't Run in Fall

By CHRIS BURRELL

Just one month before a new school year is supposed to get in gear,
the owner of the bus company contracted to transport students is locked
in a dispute with school leadership and says he won't roll out the
buses.

In a highly-charged letter written Friday, James C. (Jack) Dario
Jr., president of Island Transport, Inc., told Vineyard school committee
members he has decided to end the service provided by his company.

A bit of spontaneity, a little arm-twisting and a contagious spirit of generosity turned last night into another record-breaking year for the Possible Dreams Auction. The 26th annual benefit raised more than $515,000 in about three hours for Martha's Vineyard Community Services, just surpassing last year's half-million mark.

Today's lesson is turtles.

A tiny boy wearing a T-shirt, shorts and cap stands up suddenly and
shades his eyes with his hands.

"I can't see, Gus - sorry!" he exclaims.