An attempt to hike Aquinnah commercial shellfish licenses from $200 to $1,000, to help fund an apparent six-figure shortfall in the town budget, sparked outrage in the fishing community this week.

The Oak Bluffs annual town election is active this year with four key contests. Five candidates are running for two seats on the board of selectmen; three candidates are running for one seat on the school committee; two candidates are running for a seat on the water commission; and two candidates are competing for town moderator.

The election is next Thursday at the town public library. Polling hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In a repeat of sorts of a hotly contested race three years ago for West Tisbury assessor, longtime incumbent Michael Colaneri will face once again a challenge from Jonathan Revere in next week’s annual town election. Voters also will choose between Tara J. Whiting and Jemima James to replace outgoing town clerk Prudence Whiting, who is retiring after 12 years.

In the only other contested race, four candidates — Sarah Carr, Harvey Garneau, Melissa Hackney and Isaac Russell — are contesting two three-year terms on the library board of trustees.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding local businesses that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are still available to small businesses economically impacted by the fire in Tisbury that occurred on July 4, 2008.

“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the May 15 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Two Island men accused of attacking and robbing the elderly ticket taker of the Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven last September pleaded guilty this week in Dukes County Superior Court to reduced charges as part of a plea bargain agreement with prosecutors.

Two well-known Oak Bluffs landmarks are being worked on in anticipation of summer.

The photogenic bandstand in Ocean Park (often erroneously called the gazebo), is undergoing a restoration.

And the Tabernacle in the Camp Ground is being refitted with original stained-glass clerestory windows. The work on the Tabernacle is part of a much larger $3 million restoration project which is taking place in phases over a period of years.

Note: The  Heath Hen, once a plentiful bird throughout New England, was last seen by James Green in West Tisbury on March 11, 1932.

The Ballad Of Boomin’ Ben

(The Tragic Tale of the Last Heath Hen)

I looked for my lady,

hoped she was near

playing “hard-to-get” games

in the Spring of that year.

I searched and I searched 

under brush, by the sea;

Gas

Prices for regular unleaded gas as of Apr. 7:

Edgartown

Airport Mobil $2.699 Depot Corner $2.699

Edgartown Mobil $2.759

Oak Bluffs

deBettencourt’s $2.659

Jim’s $2.679

Vineyard Haven

Citgo $2.629

Tisbury Shell $2.659

West Tisbury

Up-Island Automotive $2.609

Menemsha

Menemsha Texaco $2.599

Massachusetts state average (source: AAA) $1.981

Grocery Basket

Some 1,500 lower-income Vineyard residents face the prospect of having to find new health insurance because the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has determined its current insurer is not directing enough patients to its affiliated hospitals in Boston.

A warrant long on articles but short on controversy awaits voters at Edgartown annual town meeting Tuesday.

Voters will be asked to approve a $26 million operating budget for the coming fiscal year along with a legion 53 warrant articles. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Old Whaling Church; moderator Philip (Jeff) Norton Jr. will preside.

Selectman Arthur Smadbeck credited early and conscientious work of town departments for the lack of fuss on the warrant this year.