Community Services and Union Far Apart on Economic Issues

By MANDY LOCKE

Three weeks shy of the anniversary of the landmark vote which brought a union into Martha's Vineyard Community Services, the health and human services agency and 35 of its employees have yet to nail down a first contract.

"The more difficult issues have been left for now. It's going to be arduous," said Rob Doyle, an employe of Island Counseling Center, one of Community Services' five programs, two of which are unionized.

Voters in West Tisbury Reject Money Articles a Second Time

By MANDY LOCKE

There was something oddly familiar about the political week in West Tisbury.

On Wednesday at a special town meeting, just as at town meeting six weeks ago, voters approved spending items.

And yesterday, in a special town election, just as at the town election six weeks ago, voters vetoed that spending.

The result:

* No money to continue funding a police officer position created three years ago through a federal grant; voted down 277-99.

Martha's Vineyard Commission Approves Hillside Village Housing, with Conditions

By MANDY LOCKE

The Martha's Vineyard Commission is wrestling a new kind of development animal these days.

Legislative Budget Proposals Salvage Many Island Programs

By MANDY LOCKE

There's potentially good news coming out of Beacon Hill this week for the Island - as good as financial news can get in a climate that brought a $3 billion revenue shortfall.

Island public schools, the Vineyard Affordable Child Care Project and Family Planning of Martha's Vineyard could escape merciless cuts this year, avoiding dire hits that the governor's proposed budget announced in February.

But a showdown awaits the state Senate and House of Representatives.

In Annual Rental Shuffle, Some Exit

By MANDY LOCKE

The Island's great annual migration is underway as Vineyarders hit the road in trucks loaded with all they own - moving out of winter rentals into new spots for the summer season.

In a surprise vote late last night, the Martha's Vineyard Commission narrowly failed to approve plans by Island Elderly Housing for a five-unit apa