Restoring the Public Trust

The stripping of protected Vineyard conservation land to provide native plants for a private estate on the North Shore in West Tisbury has thrust the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation — the venerable land trust founded by the late longtime editor of this newspaper who campaigned fearlessly for the preservation of the Vineyard environment — uncomfortably into the public eye.

Violating Its Charter

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

My family and I are at a loss to understand the reasons why the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation board of directors permitted the strip-mining of trees, plants, and grasses from Foundation properties, as described and photographed in the Vineyard Gazette of May 16. The properties involved, furthermore, are also designated as priority habitats by the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Therefore, any restoring of these properties should be done only if in accord with the Endangered Species Act.

White Flower Parade

Dodging a Sex Offender

Last March the West Tisbury library trustees suddenly found themselves confronting what for most small town volunteers was the dilemma of a lifetime. Disturbing reports had come about the director of the town library through the town police department. Howard Curtis, who had been hired in June of two thousand and six, was an alleged sex offender. At that point there were no charges against Mr. Curtis, only allegations.

Time Out in Tisbury

Following a passionately fought campaign about whether Tisbury should allow restaurants to sell beer and wine, voters have spoken on the matter by the most slender of margins — two votes.

A recount of the historic tie vote decided the matter last week, and Tisbury will remain a dry town.

Backers of the alcohol sales initiative, having come so close, now want to bring the issue back before the voters as quickly as possible.

But the town is weary from this campaign and needs a rest.