For the first time in more than two decades, Larry Mercier is
sleeping past 4:45 a.m. And as snow blanketed the Island Tuesday
morning, Mr. Mercier watched through the window of his North street home
instead of through the windshield of one of Edgartown's snowplow
fleet.
Retirement is a big change for the veteran Edgartown highway
superintendent, who stepped down from his post in early December.
Jail Employees Vote Union Membership After Long Dispute
By MANDY LOCKE
The lowest ranking jail employees offered Massachusetts Correctional
Officers Federated Union (MCOFU) a seat at the county negotiating table
Tuesday afternoon, as seven deputy sheriffs cast votes inviting the
union into the facility.
"Everyone is relieved, but we're anxious to know where
we go from here," said deputy sheriff Phill Fuentes.
County Faces Political Crisis
Leaders Schedule Second Meeting to Wrestle with Turmoil Caused By
Departure of Top Manager; Commissioners Seek Answers
By JONATHAN BURKE
The Dukes County commissioners this week held their first meeting
since the abrupt departure of county manager Carol Borer, and went home
without taking action to address the crisis.
Who needs Broadway when you live year-round on Martha's Vineyard? Turn the camera lens back on the last year, and you can spot enough drama for a dozen plays, both comedies and tragedies.
Ideal grist for the mill, money and power spurred much of the political intrigue and battles of 2002, whether the stage was the Steamship Authority, the Martha's Vineyard Hospital or the southern woodlands, which lived another year in its wild state - free of golf balls and putting greens.
Looking back over 2002, the Island's economy showed strength during a year of uncertainty and possible war.
Land, the Island's most formidable asset, held its value. According to James Lengyel, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Land Bank, land and housing values grew in 2002. Land bank revenues for the six-month period from July 1 to Dec. 31 were up 12 per cent over the first six months of 2001. Transactions were up four per cent.
Now that heavy rain and snow have arrived, last year's dry
summer is a distant memory. In fact, the Island ended up with more
rainfall than usual in 2002.
Organizers of Last Night, First Day, the Island's own New
Years celebration, were feeling good about their success yesterday.
Valerie Richards, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard
Chamber of Commerce, said: "I was thrilled. The turnout for most
of the events was fabulous. The fireworks were fabulous. Whoever parted
the clouds and the fog deserve a great thanks."
Vineyard Haven Hosts New Year Festival
By C.K. WOLFSON
Perhaps nature was conspiring against Island holiday celebrations by
subjecting First Day activities in Vineyard Haven Wednesday to the same
chilly rain that dampened the Christmas weekend in Edgartown. Town
streets were almost deserted, stores darkened and colors faded to gray.
But nature was no match for the laughing, energetic children who
were entertained at the town's churches and gathering places. It
was a day that owed its brightness to the smiles of Island children and
their parents.
Dukes County Manager Quits
Carol Borer Suddenly Leaves Post After Retirement Pay Package
Dispute and Commitment to Serve in Transition
By JONATHAN BURKE
Staff arriving at work yesterday at the airport county
administration office yesterday got a surprise - the office of
Dukes County manager Carol Borer was empty and she was gone.
Mrs. Borer had announced plans to retire at year's end two
months ago, but at that time she agreed to stay on as temporary manager
and to assist in the transition to a successor.
It would be the ideal night to kick off another season of SafeRides, but the student-run service that gives kids in trouble a free ride home won't be up and running this New Year's Eve. The service officially starts up Jan. 10.
