Vineyard Officials Ask Wider Public Role in Deliberations on Airport Master Plan

By JONATHAN BURKE

Island officials, from the town of Aquinnah to the Dukes County Commission to the Martha's Vineyard Commission, have requested a broader public process in connection with the airport commission's consideration of its 20-year master plan.

Junk Cars Remain on Eve of Deadline

By MANDY LOCKE

One day shy of the deadline to rid 172 battered automobiles from Edgartown's unofficial junkyard, the property is still littered with nearly 140 junk cars, dozens of kitchen appliances, countless tires and even a dilapidated doghouse.

"This is a difficult situation for everyone. The town wants it cleaned up; we want it cleaned up. Everyone's been working in good faith," said Benjamin Hall Jr., attorney for his parents' 60-acre subdivision off Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.

Diana Reilly's cookbook calls for 30 pounds of vinyl, two turntables, a mini disco ball and a fistful of blue marbles. For Scott Hershowitz, the concoction is a little more bizarre: two conga drums, a twisty little mallet, a roll of duct tape and two elastic strands beaded with camel toenails.

Vineyarders Join Faiths to Offer Holiday Thanks

By NIS KILDEGAARD

"For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea," read Varian Cassat from her place at the pulpit, and the congregation sent its response echoing from the high ceilings of Grace Church: "We thank you, God."

The litany of gratitude found its cadence and continued:

"For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends:"

"We thank you, God."

Health Survey Seeks Broad Profile of Medical Needs to Strengthen Delivery of Care to All Islanders

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Marking the first-ever study of its kind on the Island, a wide-ranging scientific health survey will be launched this winter that is aimed at developing a comprehensive health report for the Vineyard.

Tisbury Severs Firm in Wastewater Plan

Selectmen Drop Earth Tech Engineers in Sharp Dispute Over Money Issues; Rhode Island Company Gets Nod

By JONATHAN BURKE

Tisbury selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday night to terminate the town's relationship with its wastewater engineers and to jump to another firm on the eve of the town's largest municipal project in decades.

Confronted with a fee hike request from Earth Tech, the selectmen decided to move forward with the engineering firm of BETA Group Inc., based in Lincoln, R.I.