West Tisbury Ousts Veteran Selectman

Challenger Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter Is Winner by Large Margin Over Incumbent John S. Alley

By JULIA WELLS

Nine-term selectman John S. Alley lost his seat to Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter in a surprise trouncing in the West Tisbury annual town election yesterday.

Mr. Manter beat Mr. Alley 593 to 357.

Golf Course Developers Agree to Dismiss Property Rights Claims in MVC Lawsuit

By JULIA WELLS

Attorneys for the Down Island Golf Club have backed away from a portion of their massive lawsuit against the Martha's Vineyard Commission, agreeing to dismiss two counts that involved property rights claims.

West Tisbury Shows Town Hall Plans

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

A $10 million-plus annual operating budget, a laundry list of override requests that adds up to more than $800,000 and a town hall expansion project with a $3.7 million price tag - next week when the voters of West Tisbury gather to conduct the annual business of the town, the prevailing winds are expected to be out of the pocketbook.

The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank, the Felix Neck Wildlife Trust and the Massachusetts Audubon Society closed on a land purchase last week that will

Report Calls for Changes to Strengthen Future Role of Island Planning Agency

By JULIA WELLS

Overhaul the review process for developments of regional impact. Encourage districts of critical planning concern. Forge better working relationships with the Island towns. Improve staff work. Improve public relations. Planning, planning, planning.

These are the central themes in a comprehensive report card on the Martha's Vineyard Commission released this week by commission executive director Mark London.

Texas Pollsters Open Oak Bluffs Campaign on MVC Withdrawal

By JULIA WELLS

Oak Bluffs voters began receiving calls this week from a Texas polling company in what appears to be the opening salvo for a heated political campaign prior to a special town election on possible secession from the Martha's Vineyard Commission.

On May 13 Oak Bluffs voters will be asked to say yes or no to town withdrawal from the MVC.