News
Snow frosted the Boston Common on Monday and the gold dome of the state house glowed beneath a bright January sun on temporary release from cloud cover. Inside, the newly sworn-in freshman Cape and Islands Rep. Tim Madden began his first full week representing his district.
Mr. Madden of Nantucket is the first islander to represent the Cape and Islands in 30 years.
Tower Grants
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation is accepting inquiries for its 2009 Community Mental Health grant cycle. Organizations located on the Vineyard that focus on preventing or alleviating psychological disorders and substance abuse among children and adolescents and that address one or more of the foundation’s funding priorities may be eligible for funds. The deadline for inquiries is March 4. Visit their Web site at thetowerfoundation.org for more information.
Festival Network, the national entertainment promoter that has held concerts in Ocean Park featuring the Boston Pops for the past two years, has yet to pay approximately $5,000 owed to the town for use of the park last summer, and questions have surfaced about whether the company will be holding a concert on the Vineyard next summer.
The Oak Bluffs fire department received a $65,500 grant this week through the Department of Homeland Security to install a new ventilation system at the fire station that will remove toxic diesel exhaust from emergency vehicles inside the station.
Oak Bluffs fire chief Gilbert (Peter) Forest said the funding will be used to install the much-needed system. The grant was secured through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters program with the assistance of U.S. Sens. Edward (Ted) Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Rep. William Delahunt.
Adam Wilson, president of the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard, announced that Nina E. Ferry, daughter of Michael and Beth Ferry of West Tisbury, has been awarded a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship for the years 2008-2009. Ms. Ferry graduated summa cum laude from Assumption College in 2007 majoring in English literature. During her undergraduate years, she spent a semester abroad studying at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
On Monday, Jan. 19, the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. membership and award event at the Oyster Bar Grill in Oak Bluffs. The featured guest speaker will be a distinguished Vineyarder, Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, former Oak Bluffs chief of police.
Major General Carter is currently assigned as the Adjutant General for the Massachusetts National Guard.