The governor's ferry task force that recently staged a
four-month crash course on the Steamship Authority has now opened the
door for a major overhaul of the public boat line that has served the
two Islands for 41 years.
When campers from the Vineyard's own Camp Jabberwocky went on
an unusual tour in Canada this year, their slogan was a single question
that was at once jocular and earnest. "How's your
news?" they inquired in on-the-street interviews with everyday
people.
As the year 2001 comes to a close, it is perhaps an apt question for
the Vineyard: How's our news?
An escalating contract dispute between management and
nonprofessional workers at the Windemere Nursing Home and Rehabilitation
Center will now go to federal mediation - and workers at the
Island's only nursing home will file a complaint charging unfair
labor practices.
Senior managers at the Steamship Authority knew months in
advance that the starboard engine on the New Bedford passenger
ferry Schamonchi was likely to fail, the Gazette has learned.
A professional marine survey prepared for the boat line
three months ago reported in some detail on the worn condition
of the engine. "The machinery, especially the starboard engine,
is approaching the end of its useful life, with major overhaul
due. The generators are of older vintage. Spare parts will be
scarce," wrote Michael L.
Falmouth SSA Member Brings Board Consensus On Fast-Ferry Proposal
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
In a dramatic act of leadership that swept away two months of
tension, threats and personal attacks, the freshman member of the
Steamship Authority board of governors yesterday led his board into a
unanimous vote of approval for a two-year pilot high-speed ferry program
between New Bedford and the Vineyard.
In a clean sweep that leaves the 21-member Martha's Vineyard
Commission intact for an intensive development review of the Down
Island Golf Club project, the state ethics commission has cleared
five members of the commission of conflict of interest.
"I've been cleared," said commission member James
Athearn yesterday.
NANTUCKET - Signaling an abrupt shift in direction on the
ambitious new service model, Steamship Authority general manager Armand
Tiberio said yesterday that the boat line will ax two key elements of
the model, including the controversial scheme to replace all three
ferries on the Nantucket run with one multipurpose high-speed ferry.
"If we are not going to be able to use technology - if
the position is that a high-speed vessel is not okay, then so be
it," Mr. Tiberio said.
NANTUCKET - Placing a surprise trump card on the table in the
testy and complicated match over opening up ferry service from New
Bedford, Steamship Authority governors announced yesterday that they
will take immediate steps to buy the ferry Schamonchi, a privatepassenger ferry that operates between New Bedford and the Vineyard.
A house on Starbuck's Neck in Edgartown whose history as a
summer home dates back a full century was sold this week for a record
$21.8 million.
The home, still known to most Vineyard residents as the former Sharp
house, was purchased by a private buyer. This marks the second record
sale for the same house in less than two years.
