Old land use battles were a silent backdrop last week when the
Martha's Vineyard Commission had its first look at a new bank
project now planned for the site of the former Nobnocket garage in
Vineyard Haven.
On the subject of money, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital
this year the watchword is up: Cash is up, patient volume is up and
contributions are up.
The hospital released draft combined financial statements this week,
and the numbers show that the Vineyard's only hospital ended its
fiscal year solidly in the black - even after factoring in a
$198,000 operating loss at the Windemere Nursing Home and Rehabilitation
Center.
State Attorney General Will Intervene to Appeal Tribal Sovereignty
Case
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly quietly announced
this week that he will intervene in the Aquinnah court appeal over
sovereign immunity, adding clout to a case that will ultimately test the
strength of a historic 1983 Indian land claims settlement agreement.
"We intend to enter into the appeal on behalf of the
commonwealth," said Corey Welford, a spokesman for the state
attorney general, on Tuesday.
Boat Line Treasurer Says He Is Willing to Return to Role of Interim
Chief
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
Marking an auspicious new tack for the embattled Steamship
Authority, Wayne Lamson, the respected longtime boat line treasurer, has
volunteered to step in as interim chief executive officer, the Gazette
has learned.
In a letter sent to SSA governors last week, Mr. Lamson offered to
take over the top spot at the boat line as CEO Fred Raskin prepares to
leave after barely two years on the job.
West Tisbury Voters Reelect John Early and Approve Eleven Override
Questions
By JULIA WELLS
Voters in West Tisbury stuck with the old ways and handed longtime
selectman John Early a tenth term in the annual town election yesterday.
Mr. Early, who was first elected 27 years ago and is the senior
selectman on the Vineyard, won easily over challenger Cynthia Riggs. The
final tally was 553-189.
Island Land Bank Buys West Tisbury Pondfront Under Blind Trust Cover
By JULIA WELLS
The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission deliberately
concealed its identity as a publicly funded government land trust when
it bought two strategic waterfront properties in West Tisbury -
one on Ice House Pond and another on the Tisbury Great Pond.
For Steamship Governor, Heated Questions About Direction,
Accountability
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
Amid fresh eddies of controversy swirling around the Steamship
Authority, Vineyard boat line governor Kathryn A. Roessel came under
heavy fire this week from an array of county officials - including
members of the Dukes County Commission, her appointing authority -
who demanded better communication and more accountability.
Aquinnah Officials Ask for Public Input on How to Raise Revenues,
Hold Taxes
By JULIA WELLS
How to boost revenues without raising property taxes in the second
smallest town in the commonwealth - Aquinnah selectmen will tackle
the topic at a public meeting this week.
The selectmen voted to schedule the special session during their
regular board meeting last week.
Hospital Is Exploring Ties to Oak Bluffs Sewer Line
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
Leaders at the Martha's Vineyard hospital said this week that
the plan to build a new hospital also now includes an emerging plan to
tie into the Oak Bluffs sewage treatment plant.
"We have begun talks with the town of Oak Bluffs, and we know
that nothing would be better than getting everything out of here,"
said hospital board vice chairman Tim Sweet yesterday.
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