A tidal wave of numbers, percentages and statistics - the results of last year's state MCAS test - came washing over Vineyard schools, challenging school leaders to avoid comparisons and identify trends that show where teachers are getting it right and where they might be falling short.

Boat Line Unveils Early Plans for New Islander

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Early concept drawings were unveiled last week for a 250-foot,
doubled-ended ferry that will eventually replace the Islander, the
dependable and beloved Steamship Authority ferry that has plied the
route between Woods Hole and the Vineyard for 52 years.

Questioning the need and citing possible negative effects on the
mom-and-pop gas stations up-Island, the Martha's Vineyard
Commission voted without dissent last week to reject a plan for a new
gas station on State Road in Vineyard Haven.

"I don't think we should be building any more facilities
to accommodate the automobile, and this is going to rob Peter to pay
Paul," said commission member Tristan Israel.

The son of an Edgartown commercial fisherman is this year's
winner of the 21st annual Kids' Derby, held Saturday at the Oak
Bluffs Steamship Authority Wharf. Adam Castro, 6 years old, caught a
19-inch fluke; his father is Scott Castro.

More than 250 youngsters from around the Island participated in the
morning of fishing and prizes. Most of the top winners of this
year's contest caught fluke - large, doormat-sized fluke.

Falmouth SSA Governor Sues Selectmen to Block His Ouster

By JULIA WELLS

The standoff between Falmouth Steamship Authority governor and board
chairman Galen Robbins escalated yesterday when Mr. Robbins filed a
tough complaint in federal court against the Falmouth selectmen, who are
trying to oust him as the town's boat line governor.

Among other things, the complaint charges that the selectmen
violated Mr. Robbins's First Amendment and civil rights when they
took steps last month to remove him as boat line governor.

Across the country and possibly even overseas, tourists who visited the Island are back home flipping through their snapshots and looking at pictures of the Gay Head Lighthouse, the Whaling Church, windswept Vineyard beaches and Bill - Bill the cat.

On the surface, front-burner issues in West Tisbury don't appear to have changed much in the last couple of years.

Vineyard Democrats broke ranks with the rest of the commonwealth
this week, throwing their support to former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert
Reich over state treasurer Shannon P. O'Brien in the primary race
for governor.

New Bedford Presses for Fast Ferries in First Expanded SSA Board
Meeting

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

After a few scant minutes of statesmanship, the newly appointed
Steamship Authority governor from New Bedford quickly changed tack
yesterday, unveiling a surprise plan for fast ferry service between New
Bedford and the Vineyard and mouthing an old sales pitch from last year.

The 57th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby began Wednesday
without a hitch. Brendan Langley, the weigh master, was dressed for the
ordeal of weighing in each of the four species of fish: striped bass,
bluefish, false albacore and bonito. When the weigh-in headquarters
opened at 8 a.m. fishermen were already standing outside. In 15 minutes
all four species of fish had made an appearance on the scale.