Well, that was an Island disaster, wasn’t it? I’m not talking about the incredible amounts of snow and winds. I’m referring to the utter lack of preparedness on the part of the Tisbury Department of Public Works.
Well, that was an Island disaster, wasn’t it? I’m not talking about the incredible amounts of snow and winds. I’m referring to the utter lack of preparedness on the part of the Tisbury Department of Public Works. Did the plowers go off -Island on an early Florida vacation? Were the plows on loan to Macy’s for their next parade? What possible reason could the DPW have for being AWOL? Thank goodness one town driver decided our street was plow-worthy, but of course that meant a miniature replica of the Great Wall of China was erected at the end of our driveway. My wife and I got to work with our shovels, but were saved by a wonderful Good Samaritan, Gary Ben David, who saw my wife’s efforts and my gray hair and offered to plow us out. While he labored, he justifiably complained about Tisbury’s “shame.” He waved goodbye as we vainly offered to pay. Now that’s a community-minded guy! We heard stories on the street that several private plowers called Tisbury’s DPW Wednesday and were rebuffed by “We have everything under control.”
All I can say is, if everything is under control in Tisbury, it’s also under two feet of un-driven snow. Still!
Arnie Reisman
Vineyard Haven
Comments
If Mr. Reisman read the
peterpeter martha's vineyardIf Mr. Reisman read the headline on the Gazette he would see the word "historical" and his letter to the editor, while trying to prove a point is just sophomoric and hysterical. I do understand his wash-a-shore mentality thinking that he and his wife are the only two that matter but the reality is his wealth laden street, while they pay taxes like all of us on island, is still a secondary, if not third tiered road system. Historical is an understatement. A long storm, measured in feet with snow drifts higher and hurricane force gusts.
First you complain no plow, then you complain about a plow (all because he moved snow for you to get on to your street but erected a Wall of China. Well, Mr Reisman, I have been to the Great Wall of China and you sir, did NOT have the Great Wall of China blocking you in. I can assure you that.
The schools have not been adequately done, the sidewalks are still untouched, senior housing all over the island is not plowed adequately and they have Vineyard Nurses trying to get to patients and Meals on Wheels trying to deliver for our seniors sustainability. All you can think about is how you rate more than our kids and elderly. Playing the victim might have worked with you and Paula off island but this is a community where we all matter.
Well, that was uncalled for.
Marie TisburyWell, that was uncalled for. Thank goodness we still have electricity with which to communicate/ argue with each other. Mr. Reisman has been called many names in peterpeter's reply. Please, just cool it, buddy. It sounds like conditions on MVI are still pretty bad. Let's cut each other some slack. Got a shovel? Here comes another one...
I have to admit that as
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownI have to admit that as accomplished as Mr. Reisman is, and he has a right to complain - it's a free country, as they say - his letter smacks of entitlement and cluelessness. The operative thoughts in his letter are devoted solely to his plight alone. If that's not obtuse, I don't know what is - the Vineyard faced a massive blizzard. We all had to dig out amid difficulties. The Island roads all had to be dealt with, for schoolchildren, hospital workers, police and firemen, and other essential workers as well as the truly elderly. We are very sorry you were snowed in, boo hoo. We look forward to your response.
Oh, I should add to my
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownOh, I should add to my previous comment, maybe he was inside too long and got crabby, but give it a break, Mr. Reisman!
I don't know about Mr.
jack obI don't know about Mr. Reisman's situation (although I now know his point of view) but what I wish to say is that here where I live in senior housing, the guys worked tirelessly during and after the storm to keep us safe and to ensure that we were plowed. As far as I can tell they stayed up 36 straight hours to do so. I am so grateful for people like these. Whatever they are paid, it is not enough. I and my neighbors consider ourselves very lucky to have such people helping us. They even pushed cars out of their driveways the next day when people had trouble leaving. I am sorry that Mr. Reisman was inconvenienced and perhaps felt at risk during that time. I have no way of ascertaining the efficiency of the plowing only to say that I am sure that the various towns and private contractors all did what they could in order to keep us safe. Clearly, however, there is a lack of manpower for which nobody can be faulted. As previously mentioned, this was an "historic" storm, something we may come to expect more and more. We'll see. All in all, we were very lucky here. And we are fortunate to have people like Mr. Ben David who truly care about their neighbors.
Oh please, everyone, lighten
Arnie Reisman Vineyard HavenOh please, everyone, lighten up. I am not some elitist living in a McMansion. My complaint was leveled at a DPW that, according to several private plowers, refused help when they clearly needed it.
Fair enough complaint, but it
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownFair enough complaint, but it doesn't come across that way according to several private individuals in the comments. If the DPW needs to be upbraided or improved, contacting the town directly is probably a better way to get results.
Yes, I did just that, and was
Marie TisburyYes, I did just that, and was told "we are doing the best we can." Whatever that means. Of course this has been a very tough storm to cope with, and I choose to cut everyone some slack, from Mr. Reisman to the DPW. I am just waiting to hear what happened. Our street was only plowed once during the entire storm. The more I hear, the more I know I should be grateful for that! I wonder, though, what happened?
Mr. Reisman should consider
John Jr Vineyard HavenMr. Reisman should consider that "we heard stories on the street" are rumors and unless you hear it from the horses mouth, considered unreliable on this island. Like Jack from ob, I am grateful as well for the effort these people put in to clear what they have done so far. While I am sure there is blame to be placed, the letter to the editor section usually doesn't get things accomplished on this island. Let's face it, Reisman is no Art Buchwald who could write a letter to the editor and get change (the movie theatre in VH). Marie, Peter Peter did not name call, it's his opinion and no cooling off is needed. Mr. Reisman and his tongue in cheek letter is fair game for taking any pot shots since his is a pot shot at town workers (going on early vacation to Florida, great wall of china, on loan to Macy's). The 1 per centers sarcasm is lost on me for I don't even know what Macy's is. I live on island and shop at brickmans.
What a lot of hooey. You
Marie TisburyWhat a lot of hooey. You cannot leave the Vineyard to shop, and so shop at Brickman's? You must be kidding. Brickman's is more expensive than Macy's, so if you are trying to make ends meet try the thrift shops and yard sales. Brickman's, indeed. And I hardly think Mr. Reisman deserves the name calling and sarcasm in these replies. The Tisbury DPW got some 'splainin to do.
Since you were snowed in, it
EdSince you were snowed in, it's clear that you were unaware of the situation outside of your street. In my opinion Tisbury was probably the best plowed out of the 3 down island towns.
This storm was immense in its power and the plows struggled to make a dent as the winds blew snow right back onto freshly plowed streets. There were massive front end loaders getting stuck and drifts over 8 feet tall. I saw the DPW drivers working tirelessly for three days straight.
The plows were not AWOL, they were working hard for hours on end.
When the snow falls, we are
Susan Johnson Vineyard HavenWhen the snow falls, we are all equal. All who live in a community are equal - notions of entitlement go both ways. No one has a more essential right to be right, and all have the right to complain about that - and boy we equally go about it! And boy are we lucky for that. As we know from the news, not everyone can do that. What is really amazing great, in my opinion, about all of this is that a concern for each other emerges as our central debate. More than the storm, this aftermath has been a rallying point on the notion of community and our interrelation as individuals and thus we become community. Me- my car is still undercover, but am grateful that I can walk to town if need be. Not everyone can. This really came home to me when t looked like I might not be able open my door.
Ignorance at its best. There
Wow! OBIgnorance at its best. There is a joke that a friend of mine came up with. It goes: how many August tourists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Each one, and the rest of the world to revolve around them. Substitute the author's name and the joke is just as relevant. The key word for this storm is historic Mr. Reisman; meaning rarely/never happened previously. Grow up and come back to Earth.
Martha's Vineyard was hit
Brenda OBMartha's Vineyard was hit hard by the blizzard. As there was a driving ban in effect you should have sat back and relaxed. Read a book or rested up. Or whatever you need to do to relax.
The emergency responders needed out, then the vehicles, hospital and major roads to the hospital. Elderly and those with medical conditions.
You were not even a blip on the list. Again a driving ban was in effect so there you are.
Today Friday we had someone plow us out.
Accept your position here with us natives or catch the next ferry back to civilization.
Thankful for the hardworking
Thankful West TisburyThankful for the hardworking men & women who braved this historic storm for the community. Every town struggled, every private plow struggled and many stepped out of their own homes to help shovel neighbors! Our Transport Angel who drove medical personnel to and from work along with Boy Scouts who shoveled their hearts out. We all have our place in this community some choose to step up when the going gets tough and others well... They post a letter like this. On a more interesting side note! Who wants to bet this particular street gets plowed dead last from now on? Good job to all those who went above and beyond to free us from this historic storm.
Arnie has it exactly right.
David Behnke VIneyard HavenArnie has it exactly right. The lack of preparedness of this town is simply appalling. This is New England. It snows. This wasn't at all that amazing a storm. Big yes, but historic no. The town's equipment is totally inadequate and the response of our elected officials totally ineffectual. And while all the "wash a shores "comments are cute and amusing, they are also very tiresome. We are one community and we all deserve basic public services that protect us and keep us whole. That didn't happen in this storm. I hope that the our elected officials will take a very hard look at what they did and didn't do and make it better the next time around. For now, the roads remain a hazard and an embarrassment. The good thing is how all of our neighbors pulled together on William Street. Everyone looked in on one another. Most of the people on the street cleared their sidewalks and in many cases plowed roads at their own expense that the town was ignoring. They went door to door (including I might add Arnie and Paula) checking that everyone was ok through the storm. That is what makes the Vineyard special. That is why we moved here. But in this instance, our town leadership did not live up to what we thought it was. I hope that this experience will cause everyone to pause and do better next time. As of this evening, William Street is still a total mess.
The sense of community you
Lynne Fraker Vneyard HavenThe sense of community you speak of was evident all over the Island. Folks everywhere pulled together to help their neighbors, this was not unique to William Street. Many hired plows, snowblowers and shovelers to help out, with volunteers and the Boy Scouts helping those who could not afford to hire out. Much of this help coming through Islanders Talk. DPW is not there to shovel your sidewalk. To be frustrated because your road did not get plowed when you thought it should is one thing, but the sarcastic, not so witty comments coming from William Street is what separates you from the rest of us. "Cute and amusing"? "Lighten up"? Anyone who has been through a storm predicted as this one was, would be prepared to shovel. This was essentially a 2 day winter hurricane. Was the DPW Director prepared? The jury is out. Certainly the crews worked tirelessly. There are way too many unsubstantiated rumors, and lots of tired, frustrated plow drivers. I do hope that the public gets a full report of the good, bad, and the future. So, if you feel William Street is a priority, complain to the Selectmen, but let the sarcasm go.
People are ready to talk
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownPeople are ready to talk about how "all the neighbors pulled together" and "that is what makes the Vineyard special" - somehow they are unaware that they are neighbors among a much larger community of neighbors and that that larger community of good neighbors is what makes the Vineyard truly special. Some people are disappointed with the town's response, Mr. Reisman is one of those people. But he doesn't need to make light of the situation with sarcasm, even if he writes in good faith.
People R E L A X
Aaron Rogers on the bench in GreenbayPeople
R E L A X
I sit here and read all of
A Nobody TisburyI sit here and read all of these thoughts and opinions and cant believe how entitled everyone feels. It was a historic storm with an historic out come. Its not going to be the last either. Like the history channel motto History made everyday. There will be another storm of historical important. But as far as the Town of Tisbury DPW. I feel they did leave emergency services high and dry or buried and stuck. There was no help for emergency services during the whole storm. It was stated by an DPW employee the Tisbury Fire Department was not a priority. I think that the people that needed emergency service would disagree. I watched as firefighters (Volunteers Who just have a strong desire to help others) having to shovel out the front of the doors so that ems and other department vehicles could continue to do there jobs. The town only plowed the fire station four time the whole storm but drove by 20 plus. So to all you people worrying about your cars and driveways during the storm its not just about you. This is a community that means we work together. I just wish we did it more.
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