Government
Dukes County sheriff Michael McCormack is staking out his opposition to a draft bill from Gov. Deval Patrick that threatens to take over the seven county sheriff departments which still operate independently of the state.
The Aquinnah Community Preservation Committee will hold hearings on March 11 on proposals for projects to be funded by CPC funds in the coming year. Open land preservation, recreation, historicpreservation and affordable housing are the maincategories for whichproposals willbe considered. Applicants mu st submit their proposals no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Proposals can be dropped off at the town hall directly or faxed to the town hall at 508-645-2310. Guidelines can be picked up at the town hall or maybe faxed to you.
In the words of its chairman, the Dukes County Charter Study Commission is on a path toward making decisions.
At their regular meeting on Feb. 14, the group, which is charged with reviewing the structure of county government and making recommendations for its future, voted to retain staggered four-year terms for members of the Dukes County Commission.
The Dukes County commissioners Wednesday night reappointed Marc Hanover of Oak Bluffs to his second three-year term as Martha’s Vineyard governor at the Steamship Authority.
Three candidates came in front of the commission to throw their hats in the ring for the position. The commissioners heard from Rodney Eldon, a former executive at Hendy International Corporation with extensive maritime experience; Rick McElhinney, a former SSA employee with 22 years of experience at the boat line; and the current governor, Mr. Hanover.
The Dukes County Commission is between a rock and a hard place. Faced with a looming budget deficit for fiscal year 2009 and a financial advisory board which has refused to consider an unbalanced budget, the commission on Friday voted unanimously to slash funding by 50 per cent to two county programs and 100 per cent of another.
The commission will ask the six Island towns and the town of Gosnold to contribute the balance to continue the three programs — the Health Care Access program, the rodent control officer and the county engineer.
The Dukes County Commission will hold a special meeting at 9:30 this morning in an ongoing attempt to draft a balanced budget for the 2009 fiscal year.
On the table is a proposal to slash funding by 60 per cent to three county programs: the health care access program, the rodent control officer and the county engineer.