As Ad Plan Is Rejected, Chief Gives Fare Warning
By ALEXIS TONTI
After months spent sparring over the Steamship Authority's controversial new marketing program, the boat line board of governors yesterday effectively scrapped it.
At the monthly boat line meeting in Woods Hole, board members first rejected a modest advertising policy developed by Vineyard SSA governor Kathryn A. Roessel, then dismantled a second set of recommendations put forth by management.
"The patient's dead," declared SSA chief executive officer Fred C. Raskin.
Oak Bluffs Town Meeting Discussion Knocks Cronyism, Lauds Lean Budget
By ALEXIS TONTI
The Oak Bluffs town meeting this week opened with a viewing of a new tourism video, Oak Bluffs: Feel the Magic. As the wind lashed the trees outside, residents were treated to visions of warm days and clear skies. A voice-over gently reminded them Oak Bluffs is the place to be.
Then it was down to business.
Island's Boat Line Representative Urges County Board to Focus on Large Issues
By ALEXIS TONTI
Growing tensions at the Steamship Authority were exposed this week as the Vineyard boat line governor delivered an impassioned speech defending authority management and describing dysfunction among the board of governors.
Tisbury Votes for Fire Truck
Also: New Police Cruisers, Cycle; Plan to Join Estuaries Program; Chairs For Katharine Cornell; Overrides on April 27
By ALEXIS TONTI
A host of pricey requests were put to Tisbury voters this week, but in the end they wrangled most over whether to replace the tattered avocado green chairs at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. In the closest vote of the night, the improvements to the historic theatre passed by a margin of 11 votes.
Boat Line Modifies Port Towns Funding
Cuts Former Annual Reimbursement, Citing New Passenger Surcharge; Tisbury Selectman Objects
By ALEXIS TONTI
In a reversal of Steamship Authority policy, senior managers at the boat line notified Island port towns this week they are withdrawing an annual reimbursement for police assistance and traffic control.
SSA chief executive officer Fred C. Raskin said the revenue now collected by the towns from a new ferry passenger surcharge relieves the boat line of its former obligation.
Town Administrator Is Announced
By ALEXIS TONTI
Tisbury voters this week waded through the special town meeting with little debate, approving the bulk of the articles under consideration, among them a barking dog bylaw, new sewer and septage regulations and a professional enhancement fund for Island teachers.
A bare quorum of about 100 residents came to the meeting Tuesday night at the Tisbury School gymnasium. Town moderator Deborah Medders took the podium only a few minutes past the scheduled starting time.