Public Denounces Political Campaign to Force Changes in SSA Legislation; New Bedford Ferry Position Draws Fire

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The people of the Vineyard turned out in force this week to vent their views about the Steamship Authority at an old-fashioned democratic forum. The forum revealed sharp differences between the populace and a group of local elected officials who have been lobbying the state legislature to change the boat line enabling legislation.

Just a few weeks ago, Vineyard transit officials decided the North Tisbury business district would be the perfect place to relocate their bus transfer hub and put an end to all those complaints about buses ruining the historic character of West Tisbury village. All they needed was a good-sized patch of blacktop in the business district.

The remains of the Tisbury Inn will be razed in the weeks ahead. An Island contractor, Dale McClure of Watercourse Construction, met with innkeepers Sherman and Susan Goldstein of West Tisbury for three hours on Wednesday to discuss the process.

NAACP Gathering Honors King Legacy

Judge Ann Williams Asks Equal Justice for All Citizens

By MANDY LOCKE

The only thing missing from Tuesday night's NAACP dinner was the guest of honor: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was just the sort of gathering the civil rights pioneer would have loved, according to the keynote speaker, federal judge Ann Claire Williams.

Surgeon Resignation Spurs Public Uproar

Citizens Plan Open Forum to Discuss Troubles at the Vineyard Hospital; Early February Meeting Discussed

By JULIA WELLS

Heated opinions continue to percolate in the Vineyard community this week regarding the recent conflict between the chief executive officer of and a leading surgeon at Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

A giant among Vineyard businesses - in terms of people on the payroll and a profile that virtually spans the globe - the Black Dog Tavern Inc. is showing some serious chinks in its armor.