Thea Ruckhaus, 13, stepped onto the deck of the Arabella, tucked her violin under her chin, and began to play The African Reel.

State Attorney General Thomas Reilly Brings Bid for Governor to the Island

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Thomas F. Reilly, the man who stands a chance of becoming the next governor of Massachusetts, sits in the shade of an East Chop porch and appreciates Martha's Vineyard.

"Every time we take the ferry across here, our eyes just light up with the beauty of Martha's Vineyard and how relaxing it is and what a wonderful place this is," he said.

Oak Bluffs Shakeup Continues as Inspector Fires Secretary

By JAMES KINSELLA

Newly appointed Oak Bluffs building inspector Jerry Wiener fired the secretary to the building department yesterday because he said she was not doing her job.

Eliza Usher, who has worked for the town building department since May of 2001, was terminated by Mr. Wiener on Monday morning.

"The work wasn't getting done," Mr. Wiener said yesterday afternoon.

Fund-Raising Goals Seek Many Millions

Capital Projects Planned for Vineyard from Hospital to Town Libraries Expected to Cost $71 Million

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Few would dispute their worth: the updating of the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, the architectural restoration of a historic Island landmark, the expansion of services for residents seeking to recover from drug addiction.

But they all cost money - often more money than first expected, as construction costs race upward.

Property Inventory Rises; Brokers See Slowdown

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

More properties are coming onto the Vineyard real estate market, dampening what had been an explosive increase in sales prices.

"Prices have continued to move up, but not as quickly as sellers would like," said Jim Hogan of Tea Lane Associates in West Tisbury, who has appraised and sold real estate on the Island for the past 12 years.