A portion of South Road in Chilmark is slated to be closed to traffic during President Obama's visit to the Island, the Chilmark selectmen learned on Tuesday.
Police chief Brian Cioffi said at the selectmen's weekly meeting that the Secret Service is proposing closing South Road to traffic from Meeting House Road to Wootton Bassett Road from August 10 through 18. Emergency vehicles and residents of the area will be allowed access. The road closure will begin around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Mr. Cioffi said. Traffic will be diverted to Middle Road and North Road.
Mr. Obama and the first family are set to arrive on Saturday and stay at a private home on Snail Road. The home is owned by David Schulte. Utility crews working around the property held up traffic on South Road Tuesday afternoon and the sign marking the road has been taken down.
Mr. Cioffi said signs will be placed along South, Middle and North Roads, as well as Music street to warn the public about the closure.
Lucy Vincent Beach will remain open to the public, Mr. Cioffi said. He also said security plans are still being developed for Chilmark Pond, which is accessible from the house.
Plans are still subject to change, Mr. Cioffi said.
News of the road closure was met with sharp criticism by selectman and chairman of the board Warren Doty.
“My response to this is we've had the president come to our town three times and it's been very cordial and there's been very little disruption and we love to have him,” he said. “This would change that approach . . . and be very disruptive.
During past visits the president has stayed at Blue Heron Farm, a 28.5 acre estate located off South Road and accessed by a long dirt road. That home was sold in December 2011 to Lord Norman and Lady Elena Foster, who have chosen not to rent out the property.
Mr. Doty said he spoke directly to the Secret Service supervisor on Tuesday, who said the location of the new rental house was a factor in the road closure decision.
“Their claim is that the president has rented a home that is only 385 feet from the road, and that is very close to a public way,” Mr. Doty said. “They feel that with the heightened security alerts in America today, that if they're charged with protecting the president they need to close traffic.”
Mr. Doty said no plans are in place with the Vineyard Transit Authority bus route yet, and deliveries to businesses need to be addressed.
“It would affect all up-Island businesses a great deal,” he said. “You could get there but in general it's going to be a hassle. I've requested that traffic not be diverted onto Meeting House Way; diverting onto a dirt road is a terrible mistake. This is something that's happening and it's not as if they asked us what we thought.”
“I’m very pleased that the chief has cooperated so well with the Secret Service and that we’ve worked together each year, but it could be an inconvenience this year,” Mr. Doty said.
Mr. Doty said if residents wished to complain about the proposed closure, they should call the White House switchboard. The board went into executive session to discuss “security issues” with Mr. Cioffi at the end of night.
On Wednesday the town sent out an email to the town listserv, saying “anyone aggrieved by this closing should email or call the White House.”
The White House can be contacted at 202-456-1111 or whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments.
For photos of recent Vineyard vacations, see the gallery Past Presidential Vacations: Obama Family Visits the Vineyard.
Comments
other people live on that
roberta kinnecom mashpeeother people live on that road...ridiculous.....I think next year he should go to Nantucket and spare us one year
Just wondering about the plan
Chilmark Road Race Runner Oak BluffsJust wondering about the plan for the excess traffic for the road race? It could cause major delays.
The road race will not be
Road race volunteerThe road race will not be effected by this closure as we are usually done around noon.
You New England libs voted
Bundarules Patriot, USAYou New England libs voted for him. Why don't you just keep him up there..
Why can't he save the
O'Bummer SucksWhy can't he save the taxpayers some money and have a "staycation" at the White House? Do us all a favor!
You Vineyarders love liberals
Trog ElsewhereYou Vineyarders love liberals, so live with 'em...
Too bad this isn't an
DJToo bad this isn't an election year. Then he would come to the Vineyard because it would look bad to his voters. Now that the election is over he is back.
anyone complaining is just a
concernedanyone complaining is just a closet racist and doesn't want to see his kind on their streets
This is typical BS from the
Dan ChilmarkThis is typical BS from the Left. Anytime someone complains about a "person of color" it's automatically Racism. If it were Bill or Hillary Clinton staying here it would elicit the same comments from residents. The only way to stop racism is to stop caring what color skin you have and stop expecting to be treated differently because you are black or white or purple. And go back to Chicago, Obama, and see what your gun-laws and welfare reform credits have done to the Windy City. Or better yet, vacation in Detroit - they could use your fun money and wouldn't mind if you closed the street - most are deserted anyway.
The issue isn't Mr. Obama. It
Ted Stanley W TisburyThe issue isn't Mr. Obama. It's the fact that a sitting PRESIDENT is coming here which creates the unwelcome disruptions. Perhaps more people would tolerate the inconvenieces if there was some evidence of respect being offered by the White House. Sadly none seems to be forthcoming, and sader still, I have no expectation of that changing. Another leadership opportunity lost.
POTUS closes the Middle East
Paulli D EdgartownPOTUS closes the Middle East embassies and says travel is OK. But here on our island they need to close a road for POTUS because the house is a short distance to the road. This guy lives a double standard, do what I say not as I do. Sounds like a Kennedy family member.
He is staying in. $7 million home, he sets the example for all you unemployed people out there doesn't he? Why not stay in DC and visit the local attractions? I would say to any POTUS, go somewhere else.
I love liberal on liberal
Louie barber York PAI love liberal on liberal crime. Most of the island voted for the Obama, and finally after 5 years you get firsthand experience with the great uniter. Perhaps Dear Leader will speak and you can get Chris Matthew' style tingles up you leg to ameliorate the discomfort of not being able to use your mansion for 14 days. I love it so.
a whole lot of people on this
alexisa whole lot of people on this island do not have mansions, live here year round and are not wealthy by any means. They are the ones affected by things like a road-closure.
What in heaven's name are you
Steve ChilmarkWhat in heaven's name are you talking about?
It is interesting that the
Rowdy9 kalamazooIt is interesting that the very people who put this disaster with a capital D in office are now complaining about everything he does.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
The majority of people in
Flyboy7588 NJThe majority of people in Mass. voted for this arrogant dolt. Now deal with it.
Chilmart voted overwhelmingly
B. Ray Holland FloridaChilmart voted overwhelmingly for Obama. They get what they wanted.
The entourage should go
Annonymous West TisburyThe entourage should go elsewhere if they are so concerned about security. They shouldn't inconvenience those of us who live and work here year round!
The President needs a new
ChilmarkerThe President needs a new travel agent/vacation planner. Security should have been first priority in the list of required amenities. Unbelievable that a house rented for the president of the United States is so close to the main road.
Stop the whining. It is what
Cmackie62 Vineyard HavenStop the whining. It is what it is, and only a week. Democrat or Republican, this would always be the case with any POTUS, no matter where he/she travels. The world will not end because the president has decided to vacation on the Vineyard.
I am old enough to remember
Caroline New YorkI am old enough to remember presidents of yore. As a child I can well recollect seeing Eisenhower playing golf like any other person on the links, at most one or two secret service, no motorcade; he was famous for driving his own car around. I know the world has changed but this president has taken the need for security to a whole new level. And that's NOT a good thing.
August is the busiest
Ency Fokos ChilmarkAugust is the busiest vacation time on the Vineyard. Renters pay a lot of money to enjoy their time here. Some are only here the same time as the President plan to be here. They should not be deprived the freedom to move and drive around as always.
Whine whine whine. That's all
BillyB OBWhine whine whine. That's all you folks in Chilmark do is whine. Grow up.
People should reflect on the
Allison davis ChilmarkPeople should reflect on the reasons why two of the last three Presidents have chose to vacation in the Vineyard. The Vineyard is a microcosm of what's good about this country and welcomes everyone. The First Family vacationed in the Vineyard years before he became president. We should be pleased that the person who has the world's most difficult job returns to the Vineyard for relaxation,quality family time and to recharge his batteries.
Forget about political
Bunny ChilmarkForget about political preference, this is a big pain for all. Seems like the Secret Service is over the top in their requirements. That said, a better house could have been chosen. I am all for the POTUC getting some vacation time and privacy but ironically he is depriving others of the same peace and quiet that he seeks. Next year take Michelle and the girls to see the national parks out west!
Considering all this man has
Dave Ex North Water StreetConsidering all this man has done for our country, he and his family deserve a nice, peaceful respite on our Island. Compare this minor inconvenience to the night Sinatra and Mia moored that aircraft carrier in Edgartown Harbor and ran that that damn generator all night!
It's still open to residents.
VineyardK Martha's Vineyard, MAIt's still open to residents. Everyone else take middle road back down island. Doesn't sound like most of the commenters have ever been here... What's the problem, exactly??
LOL at the "liberal dem" trolls. Total number of problems this should cause = 0. But it sure makes a good national headline: Obama's Vacation Closes Busy Street.
I am disgusted by all the
Shirley W. Mayhew West TisburyI am disgusted by all the whiney people who think their lives are going to be ruined by making a detour for nine days. How did they get to the hospital when the Lagoon Bridge was being rebuilt? How did they ever get through the months when the roundabout was being built? You are probably right, "Concerned" - a bunch of closet racists.No wonder the Secret Service is worried - and the world is a different place when Eisenhauer was president, "Caroline". It's not the president but the Secret Service who decides how much protection he needs.
Closing South Road in August
Nancy Dole West TisburyClosing South Road in August doesnt seem like a good idea, it increases the likelihood of accidents with the added traffic on middle and north roads. People are in a big hurry here in the summer. Late night traffic etc. Might be wise to have extra police along those roads. And say so. Perhaps the choice of rental was not well thought out if that level of security is needed.
Thank you for the telephone
June Manning AquinnahThank you for the telephone number at the White House. I just called ! This is going to be very disruptive, not only for residents of the Vineyard but for the hundreds of people who are VTA bus riders each day. I would be opposed to the buses traveling over the bumpy Meeting House Way. In fact, the VTA buses are not even allowed on Middle Road. This was not well thought out in the planning and perhaps there would have been a more secure place for the Obama's to stay. I kind of appreciated going through all of those check points twice a day during the Clinton family visits, while volunteering to deliver meals to the Secret Service. Those were greater days and very fond memories. A different time indeed!
I wish people would remember
Bruce Stone EdgartownI wish people would remember that the President is never on vacation. I am glad his family can enjoy our Island together to get at least a little respite. Half the time I go to Chilmark I use South Road and half the time I use Middle Road because they are both beautiful drives. For nine days, if I go to Chilmark I'll just use Middle Rd. I spend more time stuck in the triangle at Edgartown each day than it would take to take the detour around the President's location. I'm sure locals in the area will be accommodated. I don't think this is a big deal.
Unless you are personally
Steve Fischer South Road ChilmarkUnless you are personally affected by the temporary closing of a section of South Road your hate filled trash talking will be ignored. I am on South Road and I'll have to detour. So? Stop whining on the internet about everything Obama. It makes you sound dumb.
Sadly, the level of frenzied
Carol formerly ChilmarkSadly, the level of frenzied hatred in some of these comments shows exactly why the Secret Service has to be so careful. Good job, Secret Service - keep them safe. And residents who live between/on Wootton Bassett and Meetinghouse can still get thru. My aunt on Old Hunt Place, Abel's Hill will have to go the long way around, but she won't care - it's not that far, for God's sake. Thank you, Obamas, & have fun on South Beach.
Welcome First Family! We are
Marie EdgartownWelcome First Family! We are thrilled that you have chosen the Vineyard again. You have great taste.
Thanks, Marie. What a classy
BillyB OBThanks, Marie. What a classy post. I think the whiners are always louder than all of us who welcome the President and his family here.
Are the VTA buses running up
Not an Obama Lover didn't vote vote himAre the VTA buses running up -Island?
Don't feel too bad. When we
Ken S EdgartownDon't feel too bad. When we lived in South Florida they once closed A1A (main road along the beach) for almost a month so they could film that movie classic, "Bad Boys 2".
Ken...that is hilarious!
Cara West TizKen...that is hilarious! Thanks for bringing a little humor. I'll be on the island next week, as I have been every summer (either working or vacationing) when the first families have visited. Sure, I have to make a few tweaks to my plans and take a detour or two but I don't mind as long as I get to enjoy the island I love. I'll still make it to the beach, out to dinner, to the fair and fireworks. My focus will be on my family and friends and enjoying my time on the rock.
Not all islanders are libs
Donald Mac VHNot all islanders are libs and not all islanders voted for him.
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