Tisbury selectman Denys Wortman this week announced he was stepping down from the position, and endorsed Tisbury attorney Geoghan Coogan to fill his place on the board.
Mr. Wortman told Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting he would step down, effective April 28.
He has served just one three-year term and had planned to go around again, but changed his mind after learning of Mr. Coogan’s interest. Age was a factor, he said. He is 70; Mr. Coogan is 32.
A proposal to build a summer performing arts stage near the Aquinnah Cliffs easily cleared its first hurdle at a special town meeting on Tuesday, despite strong resistance from some Wampanoag tribal representatives.
Two local men, Ted Cammann and Jim Glavin, are behind the move to use the natural amphitheatre within the circle near the Gay Head Light as a venue for concerts, theatrical and dance performances, children’s programs and other cultural events.
The taxpayers of Tisbury have been warned they will have to come up with some $1.5 million each year for the next 30 years to meet their currently-unfunded liabilites to town employees.
The huge figure is contained in a comprehensive analysis, carried out by Jon Snyder of the town’s finance and advisory committee, of the problem posed by the failure of Tisbury — and other Martha’s Vineyard towns and regional entities — to provide for health insurance and other post-retirement benefits.
In the face of possible legal problems and sharp criticism over their actions, Tisbury selectmen this week reversed their decision to sponsor a warrant article reopening the contentious issue of beer and wine sales in the dry town.
The most remarkable aspect of the about-face was the fact that alcohol sales proponent Jeff Kristal, who initiated the move for selectmen to get involved in the matter at the previous board meeting, also initiated the move at this week’s meeting for the selectmen to step aside in the matter.
Dr. Raymond (Rocco) Monto talks about this treacherous, icy weather in different terms from most of us. He calls it his orthopedic stimulus package.
When your work involves repairing the strains, sprains and breaks which accompany frozen ground, these are busy times. He reckons business is up at least 25 per cent.
Sitting among the other people using the computers at the Vineyard Haven library on a bleak, icy day this week, Jon and Rick blend right in. The only hints of their difference are a couple of small piles of possessions nearby.
These men are homeless, and for them, the primary purpose of coming here is not research or reading, but warmth.
It would no doubt come as a surprise to the other Vineyarders tapping away at adjacent terminals to know this. It might even surprise them that homelessness exists on the Island.
