A bill to establish a housing bank to fund affordable housing on the Island has cleared the Massachusetts House and is before the state Senate for consideration after failing in the House two years ago.

Rep. Eric Turkington, who represents the Vineyard, said this week he is heartened by the favorable vote by the House finance committee to create the fund, now before the Senate, that could create $2 million a year in affordable housing funds for the Island.

Cape and Islands state representative Eric Turkington plans to file nomination papers this week for election as the register of Barnstable county family and probate court.

Mr. Turkington said he will not seek reelection on Nov. 4 to the state house seat he has held for nearly 20 years. He will serve the remainder of his legislative term, which expires in early January 2009.

Backlash to Vision Appraisal Technology’s 2008 real estate revaluation in West Tisbury continued this week, drawing sympathetic comments from public officials, including selectmen.

The drumbeat of criticism, largely provided by resident Joan Ames in recent weeks, drew comments from town finance committee chairman Richard Knabel and a promise by selectman chairman Glenn Hearn to reach out to town assessors to discuss the process.

Last call at The Ritz last weekend was a bittersweet harmonic of Island memories, fellowship and the final touching of a central force of Island life for four decades.

In anticipation of an expected sale later this month by Janet King to restaurateur David Ryan, the most local of Vineyard watering holes hosted a last-call weekend that drew several hundred communicants from four states to say their sayonaras.

Ms. King was overwhelmed by the swan song which, in typical Island style, began on Saturday and extended into Sunday.