Looking back over 2002, the Island's economy showed strength during a year of uncertainty and possible war.

Organizers of Last Night, First Day, the Island's own New Years celebration, were feeling good about their success yesterday. Valerie Richards, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, said: "I was thrilled. The turnout for most of the events was fabulous. The fireworks were fabulous. Whoever parted the clouds and the fog deserve a great thanks."

It would be the ideal night to kick off another season of SafeRides, but the student-run service that gives kids in trouble a free ride home won't be up and running this New Year's Eve. The service officially starts up Jan. 10.

A special superior court sitting is now set for next month in Edgartown on a case that will ultimately decide whether the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has the power to police itself when it comes to local zoning rules. The case will also decide the much larger issue of whether the tribe cannot be sued because of sovereign immunity.

The case has attracted little attention, despite the fact that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for every town on the Vineyard.

Greetings from the Tisbury planning board this year will come in the form of a survey that will be used to gather information for the development o

Boatline Enters Wind Dispute

SSA Will Contact Political Leaders to Express Serious Concerns About Sea Safety and Threats Posed by Wind Farm Plan

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Steamship Authority governors will add their collective voice to the growing list of groups now logging in with an array of concerns about a giant wind farm that has been proposed for Nantucket Sound.