The trappings of a resort community may be the Vineyard's bread and butter, but the flipside - the seasonality, the economic pressures, a housing market far out of reach of most working people and even the private beaches - may be the ingredients underlying rates of depression, substance abuse and suicide that are higher than the state and even national averages.

It began 10 months ago as an idea.

Buoyed by an eleventh hour surprise of almost $300,000 in free cash, Aquinnah voters wrapped up their annual meeting Tuesday night in an unfamiliar way: $2.7 million in spending with no need for a Proposition 2 1/2 override.

And with a turbulent fiscal year now nearly a memory, the town heads into a new year on July 1 with its financial house in order.

In a race that pitted experience against idealism, Camille Rose defeated Faith Vanderhoop for a seat on the board of selectmen in Aquinnah's annual election on Wednesday.

A record turnout of voters came out to the polls in the second smallest town in the commonwealth. In fact, two-thirds of the 368 registered voters - a total of 248 voters - cast ballots on a bright spring day. The final tally was 131-111.

In a race that pitted experience against idealism, Camille Rose defeated Faith Vanderhoop for a seat on the board of selectmen in Aquinnah's annual election on Wednesday.

Steamship Authority Downsizes; Savings Estimated at $1 Million

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Senior managers at the Steamship Authority quietly announced yesterday that a total of 23 positions were eliminated earlier this year by offering severance packages to employees.