Amy Sertl looks like a pro. She's only 10, but the strip of measuring tape dangling from her shoulders is not just a silly prop. Miss Sertl is part of the costuming team at the Vineyard Playhouse, and she's got that tape now cinched around Sarah Felder's cranium.

NANTUCKET - - The people of Nantucket had their crack at the podium this week, turning out more than 150 strong to urge a special governor's ferry task force to protect the Steamship Authority and their lifeline.

"The rate-payers of the Islands are not responsible for reviving the economy of New Bedford. Folks, the Steamship Authority is not an entitlement program," declared Steve Tornovish, a member of the SSA financial advisory board from Nantucket.

School superintendent Kriner Cash this week blasted a proposed zero-tolerance policy for high school athletes caught using drugs or alcohol, calling it an "ignorant" response to the problem and demanding new consideration of the draft policy.

The all-Island selectmen discussed both the near and distant future at their monthly meeting Wednesday night, examining educational finances and planning for the Vineyard meeting of the governor's ferry task force.

Though he was not in attendance, Dan Flynn, the Island's ferry task force representative, sent a letter urging the all-Island selectmen to send a representative to the Feb. 22 meeting at the Performing Arts Center.

An investigator into the Jan. 30 crash of a Cape Air plane in the state forest this week released the transcript of the dialogue between the pilot and air traffic controllers. It is still unknown what caused the airplane crash that seriously injured both the pilot and passenger.