Economic Forecast: Sunshine, After All

Rental Market Season Begins Slowly, but Bookings Even with Last Year; Ferry Reservations Filling Up

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The war in Iraq, four straight months of vicious winter weather followed by something that only vaguely resembled spring - perhaps it's little wonder that the economy on the Vineyard this year is like the lilacs: late to bloom.

Martha's Vineyard Commission Approves Hillside Village Housing, with Conditions

By MANDY LOCKE

The Martha's Vineyard Commission is wrestling a new kind of development animal these days.

Teenagers who found themselves in trouble and needing a free ride home this year telephoned the SafeRides hotline at nearly twice the rate they did

Voters in West Tisbury Reject Money Articles a Second Time

By MANDY LOCKE

There was something oddly familiar about the political week in West Tisbury.

On Wednesday at a special town meeting, just as at town meeting six weeks ago, voters approved spending items.

And yesterday, in a special town election, just as at the town election six weeks ago, voters vetoed that spending.

The result:

* No money to continue funding a police officer position created three years ago through a federal grant; voted down 277-99.

In Annual Rental Shuffle, Some Exit

By MANDY LOCKE

The Island's great annual migration is underway as Vineyarders hit the road in trucks loaded with all they own - moving out of winter rentals into new spots for the summer season.

Oak Bluffs Turns to Healing Rifts from Election

Fault Lines Can Still Be Seen

By CHRIS BURRELL

The phones have stopped ringing, and the yard signs are down. In Oak Bluffs this week, there is a weary sense of relief that the town finally has its answer: They will remain in the Martha's Vineyard Commission.

"People are so tired of fighting," said Renee Balter, a resident and executive director of the Oak Bluffs Association. "Now it's finally been settled."