Oak Bluffs Results Were a Surprise - Is Healing of Long Battle
Under Way?
By Julia Wells
In Oak Bluffs the landscape has changed, and it's not just the
daffodils and day lilies. In this seaside town of honky tonk and
gingerbread and emerald parks, the landscape of local politics has also
suddenly changed.
The agreement grew out of formal mediation and was signed in 1994
during one of the most heated debates in the history of the town, but
today it is a forgotten document, the details fuzzy and faded, even in
the memories of the people who signed it.
Marking a painful new chapter in the checkered history of the
Steamship Authority, the people of Nantucket voted, without dissent, at
a public meeting this week to launch a formal study of whether to secede
from the boat line which has been their lifeline for over four decades.
The study will be privately funded and led by a private group that
was spearheaded by Nantucket SSA governor Grace Grossman and port
council member Flint Ranney.
Interim Director of SSA Says Boat Line Will Work First to Fix
Reservations System
By JULIA WELLS
The improvements started yesterday.
This was the word from Steamship Authority acting general manager
Wayne Lamson, who said an array of changes are now under way aimed at
improving the telephone reservations system at the boat line. The
improvements include a change in operating hours at the central
reservations bureau in Mashpee, and a number of changes in the automated
telephone answering system.
Did the Commission Correctly Act in Refusing Gas Station? Is There
‘Tunnel Vision'? Judge Will Decide
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
The unique power of the Martha's Vineyard Commission to hear
evidence, weigh facts and use judgment in deciding whether to approve or
deny development projects went on trial last week in the Tisbury Fuel
Services case, which will now go to a superior court judge for a
decision.
Boatline Interim Manager Will Tackle Reservations and Ticketing
Problems
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
HYANNIS - Steamship Authority governors bid a quick adieu to
chief executive officer Fred C. Raskin and voted without dissent
yesterday to name Wayne Lamson, their longtime treasurer, as interim
general manager for the next four months.
"Wayne, it's a pleasure, thank you," said
Barnstable governor and board chairman Robert O'Brien during the
monthly boat line meeting held here yesterday morning.
A gnarly two-year struggle over issues of governance and lines of
authority came to a new head last week when Steamship Authority chief
executive officer Fred C. Raskin launched a process that may lead to his
resignation - and a hefty severance deal to boot.
Mr. Raskin gave written notice to the boat line board last week that
he intends to terminate what is called a readjustment period under the
complicated terms of his contract.
All fund raising, no debt. This was the message from leaders at the
Martha's Vineyard Hospital this week when they hosted a forum to
update the public on plans to build a new hospital.
Kupersmith's Attorney, Vowing Defiance of Cease and Desist
Order, Is Told Criminal Charges Could Come
By JULIA WELLS Gazette Senior Writer
Attorneys for the Down Island Golf Club have clashed head-on with
top state environmental officials, declaring bluntly that the developers
will not comply with the recent cease and desist order in the southern
woodlands.