Tisbury, Oak Bluffs at Polls Tuesday

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Voters in Tisbury and Oak Bluffs go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to adopt a ferry passenger surcharge that was approved by the state legislature earlier this year.

Factors Listed in Islander Mishap

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Poor preparation, faulty communication and the uncharacteristic failure of an experienced captain to keep proper command of his vessel - these are key factors that led to an alarming accident on the ferry Islander five months ago, a Steamship Authority report has found.

Superior Court Judge Will Not Revisit Ruling on Sovereignty of Tribe

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

A Dukes County superior court judge yesterday stood fast by a decision he made five months ago that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) cannot be sued because of sovereign immunity.

"This court declines the … invitation to revisit [the] issues, leaving the propriety of its decision for resolution by a higher court," wrote the Hon. Richard F. Connon, an associate justice of the superior court.

SSA Declines Release of Report on Accident

By JULIA WELLS

Three months after an accident that nearly claimed the life of one of its employees during a routine training exercise, the Steamship Authority is refusing to release the results of its own internal investigation into the mishap.

Land Court Upholds Power of MVC To Review 40B Housing Projects

Developer of Golf Club Will Appeal

By JULIA WELLS

Gazette Senior Writer

For the second time in less than two years, yesterday a Massachusetts Land Court judge ruled that the Martha's Vineyard Commission has full power of review over low and moderate income housing projects under Chapter 40B, a section of state law commonly known as the anti-snob zoning statute.

Life at The Ledge: Skateboarders Soar, and Wait for New Park

By JULIA WELLS

It's a weekday afternoon in downtown Vineyard Haven, and the sounds of early autumn are all around. On Centre street, a narrow side lane that angles steeply west of Main street, a light breeze ruffles the canopy of venerable old shade trees. But on this day there is also another, more distinctive sound in the air. It's the whack of composite hitting pavement, followed by the low thunder of wheels rolling.