The midterm elections are over. The president and Democrats did not so much lose as they abdicated to Republicans and the extreme right–wing of the Republican party, the Tea Party, by not effectively communicating a persuasive message of their vision for the nation, accomplishments, and the heavy lifting they were doing on behalf of the American people.

The town of West Tisbury has begun a discussion about what, if anything, should be done to maintain the Mill Pond, a man-made impoundment of the Mill Brook in the center of West Tisbury. So far, the discussion has focused mainly on dredging the pond again; the pond was last dredged in 1970.

I congratulate Bill Keating on his win. This letter is not aimed at him, just the system in general in which we all live. I hope Mr. Keating has the ability to stand up to special interests and keep the people in mind when he is tempted with money and power. I would also like to encourage him to look outside the box in his search for solutions and not be restricted by the status quo. I’m sure I speak for the entire district when I wish him the best of luck.

Moving on:

Edgartown’s Too-High Horse

The six Island towns have long coexisted like members of a lively, diverse and sometimes scrappy family, each with its own character, personality and style, but with an unwritten inside rule: Never think you are better than someone else.

Lately Edgartown has begun to show signs of doing just that and it’s not wearing well with the other towns whose leaders are far too polite to say something about it.

Autumn Days

It was a flash of white foretelling the future, the fine white coating on the fields along State Road Wednesday morning. Kids in cars cried out, Is it a snow day? Not yet, thought their parents. The first killing frost came late this year; fall has been gentle and colorful and relatively peaceful, elections notwithstanding, and most of us are unwilling to let go quite yet.

DEEP LOSS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette: