Here are 10 of the stories that most engaged Gazette readers in print and online in 2023.
Here are 10 of the stories that most engaged Gazette readers in print and online in 2023.
1. Tafari Campbell, a personal chef to former President Barack Obama, died in a July paddleboard accident in Edgartown Great Pond. His death was later ruled an accidental drowning.
Vineyarders traveled in March to state house to lobby for housing bank bill.
Vineyarders traveled in March to state house to lobby for housing bank bill.
2. Chip Chop, the historic Lake Tashmoo estate owned by journalist Diane Sawyer, was sold for $23.9 million to real estate investor David Malm after less than three months on the market.
3. Threatened by a late December 2022 breach at Norton Point, the Wacks house on Chappaquiddick was demolished in early January.
4. The lack of affordable housing on the Vineyard took center stage, culminating in a March rally by 200 housing advocates at the State House.
5. Events held at an Edgartown home associated with the Uncle Nearest whiskey brand draw the ire of neighbors, who claimed the owners violated residential zoning.
6. Using public records, the Gazette examined who owns the buildings that line the main streets of the three down-Island towns and interviewed several of the Island’s biggest landlords.
7. Voters in the three up-Island towns protested spending on a lawsuit over artificial turf by briefly rejecting the high school budget at town meeting as the stalemate about the composition of school playing fields continued for another year.
Coast Guard searches for missing paddle boarder Tafari Campbell.
Coast Guard searches for missing paddle boarder Tafari Campbell.
8. A first-of-its-kind vaccine trial for Lyme disease was halted on the Vineyard, with Pfizer citing violations in clinical standards by the administering agency. Care Access later said it was cleared of misconduct by the FDA.
9. The proposed renovation of an historic house on Edgartown’s waterfront drew protests from neighbors who said it would block public view of the harbor.
10. The iconic Aquinnah Shop restaurant overlooking the Gay Head Cliffs returned to Wampanoag hands with a $2 million sale to the Native Land Conservancy.
Comments
As a former Island Resident
Leslie Ann Lucey HyannisAs a former Island Resident who raised children there contributed to the economy and was forced to leave as my year round rental house was sold and had to leave the island 22 years ago hopefully once and for all there can be affordable housing for hard working people especially single parents! To everyone who is fighting the good fight: Thankyou! Maybe someone like me won’t be in the position I was twenty-something years ago, and can remain in the place they love and flourish in their respective work places. Again Thankyou Housing Warriors!
Thanks Leslie for reminding
OB Resident Oak BluffsThanks Leslie for reminding us that housing is not a new issue on the island. Looks like you have found a new place to live and are thriving which we all celebrate. Island living is not for everyone and the challenges are many. That being said there are thousands of us who worked hard and somehow made it work for us. It wasn't easy and our housing was never secure but we did it, we made this place our home working two or more jobs, not taking vacations, driving crappy old cars and doing whatever it took to stay here, and most importantly we never complained. It was our choice to stay and make the effort necessary to be here.
To the nice lady who 1st
Charlie Callahan (REAL NAME) So Boston/EdgartownTo the nice lady who 1st commented here,I have known a lot of people who have had to move for the same reason as you and it's a disgrace. And unfortunately in forty years here I have seen dozens of proposals ruined by rich snobs who look down on hardworking people who just don't make enough here to afford anything
Its not easy living anywhere
its expensive...but MVIts not easy living anywhere in the USA that is desirable. NYC, Palm Beach etc. Those of us who worked hard, had multiple jobs, SAVED (instead of $pending $$$ on 4WD SUV, boats, bars and exotic vacations) and rented rooms in our homes to strangers who were seasonal workers so we could pay our mortgage 'feel your pain'. But its not up to us to subsidize those unwilling to put in the effort. Not unlike forcing plumbers, mechanics, and laborers to pay federal income taxes to pay for elimination of college debt for those who chose to get a useless college degree. The wages paid here for unskilled labor are excessive and anyone that does not have a physical disability can take advantage of the market for labor.
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