Commentary
The composition of this letter is a col lection of thoughts and feelings that I have already shared, and some that I have not to this point. Please know that this letter is from my heart. First, I am moved by the kind words and supportive actions on the part of so many staff and community. I have had some time to digest the events of the past two and a half weeks and wanted to write, as I am aware that you have not yet heard from me regarding my reasons for my decision to become the principal of the Oak Bluffs School.
KEEP THE SS-A TEAM
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
The following letter is addressed to the Steamship Authority administration:
With the summer season un der way, it is again timely to remind people traveling around the Vineyard — visitors and Islanders, alike, whether motorist or bicyclist — of the need for safety among our narrow and often congested roads and shared use paths. For motorists and bicyclists to safely travel about, everyone needs to know the rules of the road and exercise patience.
Martha’s Vineyard is a great place to ride a bicycle. If it weren’t, I wouldn’t live here, and I suspect many other people who love the Island wouldn’t either. Not because we all ride bicycles, but because the things that make the Vineyard a great place to ride are the things that make it a great place, period. The Island is small and mostly flat, with plentiful scenic roads. The downtown areas are congested, but this is because the towns were not designed for car traffic, they were designed for people.
Eat fish, we are told, they’re good for the body and brain. Eat local fish to support the Island economy and limit the use of fossil fuels used to transport food. But eating traditionally local seafood will become a challenge as marine species struggle to adapt to changes in ocean waters due to human-induced global warming. Some species may not be local for long.
Today is Philanthropy Day on Martha’s Vineyard. Proclaimed by Dukes County, it’s a day to honor everyone, seasonal and year-round, for the tremendous amount of time and money you donate to keep the Vineyard and its nonprofits running. We salute and thank all of you for giving back. You play a major role in keeping this a special place.