Traffic is down, revenues are down, there's an economic downturn going on and the weather has been awful.

Before Any Appeal, Tribal Case Judge Will Be Asked to Reconsider Ruling

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The attorney who represents the Gay Head Taxpayers Association said yesterday that he will ask a superior court judge to reconsider a decision made last week in favor of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

How Two Islands View Boat Line

It Threatens to Become an Issue: Nantucket Is Feeling Isolated, After Long Run of Unity with the Vineyard

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Fresh fault lines at the Steamship Authority these days may threaten to undermine the traditional bedrock of unity between the Vineyard and Nantucket.

The 43-year-old public boat line is chartered to provide dependable year-round ferry service to the two Islands.

In a land-use decision that has potentially far-reaching implications for every town on the Vineyard, a superior court judge ruled last week that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) cannot be sued because of sovereign immunity.

If allowed to stand, the ruling by the Hon. Richard F. Connon has the power to turn a landmark 1983 Indian land claims settlement on its head.

Connecticut Developer Refiles Massive Housing Proposal for Woodlands

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The developers of the Down Island Golf Club slipped back onto the scene this week, quietly reviving a dormant plan for a massive affordable housing project in the southern woodlands section of Oak Bluffs.

An attorney who represents Connecticut developer Corey Kupersmith wrote a letter to the Martha's Vineyard Commission late last week, asking to have the housing plan put back on an active track.

Homeland Security Yields Big Grants

Close to a Million in Federal Dollars Is Designated for Steamship Authority and for Town of Oak Bluffs

By JULIA WELLS

Homeland security came home this week when federal officials announced the award of two hefty grants totaling some $900,000 to improve port security on the Vineyard and in Woods Hole.

The money will go to the Steamship Authority ($624,000) and the Oak Bluffs emergency management department ($285,000).