I had a dream last night that our democracy today looked like our forefathers intended — a government run for the people, by the people. In my dream, it was a time where our elected officials were selfless, hardworking individuals who (due to the new voting rules) were able to work together as one cohesive body because their only role in congress was to educate themselves on the bills and resolutions coming up and then to advise their constituents accordingly.

We have been coming to the Vineyard for 36 summers without a break. Like many people, we treasure the peace and tranquility the Vineyard is known for. We are lucky to live in a wonderful part of Edgartown near the Harbor View Hotel. Recently we have been bombarded by incessant airplane noise. When I was having breakfast at the Katama Airfield, I was surprised to see that there were now three bi-planes, not just the red one that we had become accustomed to hearing flying low over our neighborhood.

The August 17 edition of the Gazette featured a front page story on the negative effects of CO2 on the ocean. Let’s remember that wind power emits no carbon dioxide but was and is roundly opposed by many Islanders. What hope is there for a solution to increased carbon dioxide production when clean alternatives are opposed by the people?

In her August 24 letter to the Gazette, Barbara B. Rivers quotes Thomas Sowell in describing what she sees as the negative aspects of re-electing President Obama. She ends her letter with a suggestion to think about Mr. Sowell’s words. So let us, indeed, think — specifically let’s think about the man who is the source of the quote.

The Oak Bluffs selectmen have decided to take away our right to vote. The roundabout was not allowed on the ballot. The rest of the Island voted against the roundabout and I believe Oak Bluffs would have, had they the opportunity.

In your article about Angela Davis, you mistakenly describe her as an advocate of rights and liberties. She is anything but that. As a longtime leader of the American Communist Party, she has adamantly refused to speak up on behalf of the civil rights or civil liberties of those oppressed by Soviet Communism and others on the left. Let me recount an experience I had with her, which I reported in my book Chutzpah.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $110,114 for the business week ending on Friday, August 24, 2012. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.

Much of the land bank revenue last week came from the town of West Tisbury, where three transactions resulted in $66,200. In Edgartown, six eligible transactions yielded $32,814. One transaction in Tisbury generated $11,100. No eligible transactions were recorded in Aquinnah, Chilmark or Oak Bluffs.

Hilary Mathews and Matthew Kavanagh of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania announce the birth of a son, Liam Makonikey Mathews-Kavanagh, born on August 26, 2012 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Liam weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.

As the 2012 presidential race heats up — from the GOP convention in Tampa to much ado about a campaign video scuffle on the Vineyard — the new ninth congressional district will have its own excitement in next week’s state primary, with an incumbent congressman facing a primary challenger and two Republicans vying for a spot on the November ballot.

The Sept. 6 primary will be the first time the voters will go to the polls as part of the of the new district, which was the result of redistricting last fall.

As the Chilmark planning board continues to work on crafting a bylaw to regulate large houses, the town zoning board of appeals sounded off this week about the proposed bylaw, saying among other things that the planning, not zoning board, is the proper committee to review large houses under any new rules that the town decides to adopt.