Island Teacher Challenges Eric Turkington

By IAN FEIN

The race for Cape and Islands state representative pits an eight-term incumbent Democrat from Falmouth against a Republican high school Spanish teacher from the Vineyard.

Rep. Eric T. Turkington is well known throughout the district that he has served for 16 years. James R. Powell is best known in West Tisbury, where his ancestors reach back to the Mayhews.

"I don't think [Mr. Turkington] is doing enough for our district. He's not hustling enough," Mr. Powell said.

Oak Bluffs Town Official Is Ordered to Pay Fines for Violating State Laws

By CHRIS BURRELL

The enforcement branch of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has found that Joseph N. Alosso - an Island official in charge of two municipal sewage treatment plants on the Vineyard - deliberately violated more than half a dozen state environmental regulations last year during the construction of a septic system for his new four-bedroom house in Oak Bluffs.

Aquinnah residents head to the polls next week in the latest attempt by selectmen to override the state-mandated tax cap and ease the town's financial crisis.

At a special town election Thursday residents will vote whether to approve a Proposition 2 1/2 override request. The override request - the third since the beginning of the summer - comes in conjunction with a $103,000 supplemental budget, approved at special town meeting in late September.

Passenger and Car Fares Stay the Same But Commuters, Truckers, Schools All Can Expect Sharp Increases

HYANNIS - Vineyard residents will shoulder the bulk of next year's rate increases, which were unanimously approved by Steamship Authority governors at their monthly meeting in Hyannis on Wednesday.

Proposed renovations to the West Tisbury town hall will once again be the center of public debate when voters gather for a special town meeting in

Candidates Vie for Cape and Islands Seats

By CHRIS BURRELL

On paper, the race for the Cape and Islands senate seat in the state house looks like a battle of the brains.

A pediatrician with a Harvard MBA, Republican challenger Dr. Gail Lese is trying to bring down a history professor, the incumbent Democrat Sen. Robert O'Leary. A third candidate, Luiz (Lou) Gonzaga, running as an independent, holds a doctorate in business administration.

All top-heavy resumes aside, the politics in this race are anything but tepid.