Regarding Stop and Shop’s proposal for an expanded supermarket and parking garage on Water street in Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard Commission executive director Mark London has put together a list of 27 questions that Stop and Shop needs to respond to. These questions relate to some very basic issues that surround this project, such as flood plain issues.

We understand the need for the president’s security, but the forbidding detour signs directing all traffic to North Road seriously hurt West Tisbury businesses, just at the most active part of the summer — and will continue to do so all this week.

This is an open letter to President Obama. I’m writing to express my opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline from the tar sands of Alberta to The Gulf Coast. It’s time for the country to begin a new paradigm, off fossil fuels. Rejecting the pipeline is a step in that direction.

Despite the president’s well-studied, highly polished and loudly proclaimed deep regard for the embattled middle class, perhaps those who might listen carefully may be able to overhear the Obamas and their friends and associates exchange among themselves the basest, most patronizing and contemptuous sounds of amused derision whenever the topic of the challenges of ordinary people is broached, with the clinking of champagne glasses providing accompaniment.

As every Gazette readers know, the Chilmark Road Race just celebrated its 36th year. The Gazette has been a big part of the race’s success with reporter after reporter writing wonderful pre-race and post-race stories along with magnificent accompanying photos from Alison Shaw, Peter Simon, Mark Lovewell, and others.

When someone dies, you comfort yourself and others with statements like, “At least she is not suffering anymore” or “He died doing what he loved” or “She lived a long and full life” or “He has gone to a better place.” Or if it is a baby, you say, “Little one has gone to be an angel.”