A note to Gazette readers and letter writer Larry Lewis. If more attention was given to energy conservation and efficiency in this wasteful society we live in, the need for problematical wind turbines would be lessened. Coincidentally, saving energy rather than making even more, will go much toward reducing CO2 emissions and addressing the climate crisis. A major contributor to climate change is the epidemic of carelessness, especially in the United States, regarding the use of energy already being generated.

It was the night of Sept. 11 when the president was mourning losses with families at Arlington Cemetery and elsewhere, and simultaneously dealing with world events in the disaster in Libya, and the outbreak in Cairo. And Mitt Romney took to the airwaves. With limited information, he chastised the president for not condemning this immediately

There are many benefits and hardships from living on an Island. I would like to expound on one of the benefits which we experienced at our annual fundraiser this past August. I am referring to Rising Tide Equestrian Center’s party that was held on Wednesday, August 8. There are over 200 nonprofit organizations here on the Vineyard, and most of us rely on the generosity of Island residents and businesses to help us make our yearly financial budgets. Especially in this time of economic uncertainty, fundraising is a real challenge. Many businesses are asked many, many times for support from all of us in the nonprofit sector.

Comcast’s final offer requiring individual Chappy homeowners to pay $3,800 up front to receive cable service is the best evidence that the corporation has no intention of servicing our island. So we continue to be part of the 19 million Americans where high-speed Internet is not available, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Has Comcast negotiated with transparency with the all-Island town committee dealing with this issue? Edgartown’s Pam Dolby doesn’t think so. She has asked Comcast for “some type of proof that this project will cost $1.58 million.” Comcast spends billions in deals with NBC Universal, GE and other acquisitions, but plays financial hardball with us. Chairman Brian Roberts, in a recent interview about his corporation, said, “What do we stand for? What are our values?” I think we know. Bob O’Rourke Chappaquiddick

In response to the latest Comcast proposal for cabling Chappaquiddick, it is doubtful that any homeowner located along a town or state road on the entire Island of Martha’s Vineyard has had to pay to get Comcast service to their property. Martha’s Vineyard homeowners located miles down private subdivision roads have received cable service without having to pay a dime beyond their monthly bill. Yet Comcast has suggested that on Chappaquiddick we should kick in $3,800 each to build a system that Comcast will profit from for years to come. The amount of $3,800 paid over...

What follows are edited comments from the Gazette website reacting to the Gazette story last week about Le Grenier going on the market.

You will be missed, Jean. My wife Pat and I will forever remember nights at your delicious table . . . especially a night several years ago when we had the absolute pleasure of sitting next to a party which included the lead violinist of the Paris Symphony who treated your guests to a most delightful private concert.