House Backs New Bedford Vote on SSA Board

Whaling City Wins Most Issues; Two Islands Get Little in Return

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

BOSTON - Ending a four-year hostile crusade by the city of New Bedford to restructure the Steamship Authority, state legislators finally surrendered this week, approving a bill that meets nearly all the demands of the Whaling City, including an immediate voting seat on the boat line board of governors.

State Official Hit on New Bedford Stand

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

A prominent Boston attorney who represents the Steamship Authority fired back yesterday at the state attorney general for climbing into bed with the city of New Bedford in the latest political gambit around the public boat line that is the lifeline to the two Islands.

State Attorney General Urges New Bedford Vote in Political War Over SSA

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

The Massachusetts Attorney General touched off a fresh storm of politics on Beacon Hill this week when he sided with the city of New Bedford in the war among state legislators over a bill to restructure the Steamship Authority.

Developers Sketch Outline of Proposals for Woodlands Area

By JULIA WELLS

Anxious to regain the upper hand following a defeat in the Massachusetts Land Court last week, the developers who want to convert the southern woodlands in Oak Bluffs to a private luxury golf course - and now also luxury housing - scrambled to put out the word that they have a new deal on the table.

MVC Power of Review on Housing Projects Upheld in Key Ruling by State Land Court

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

In a groundbreaking decision that affects every town on the Vineyard, the chief justice of the Massachusetts Land Court ruled last week 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.

House Delays SSA Vote; Island Political Maneuvers Press New Bedford Case

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

An acrimonious political campaign to restructure the Steamship Authority went into yet another stall this week when a much-anticipated floor debate in the state legislature was diverted to a back room by House Speaker Thomas Finneran. The move by Mr. Finneran came amid a week-long swirl of politics, including a series of secret maneuvers by a small group of Vineyard officials who are now working to promote the interests of New Bedford.