CLOSE CALL

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I’m sitting in my room on this Friday night relaxing, listening to the rain outside. Next thing I know, I hear a sound of a loud revving engine right next to my house, possibly over it. Following the revving sound was a huge bang. I knew for sure that something had just crashed.

My roommate came running out of her room to tell me that a plane had just missed our house!

Immediately we called 911 and went out to investigate. It was about 500 feet from our house, if less. We could see all of the commotion right through the woods.

I just wanted to thank all of the emergency medical technicians, police and firemen and everyone who was at the scene. They responded immediately. Not even five minutes later were they on the road rushing to the scene and were able to locate it.

At times like these we truly appreciate the Island. We are such a tight knit community full of loving and dedicated people.

Megan Klein

West Tisbury

BEER AND WINE AGAIN

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I am writing to voice my concern over the re-emergence of the beer and wine bill that was defeated by a vote early this year. Through e-mails from supporters, I have been made aware of their efforts to push this issue for another vote.

As a resident and voter of Vineyard Haven, I oppose this bill and cannot help but feel frustrated with the fact that we will likely have this issue before us again. The town as a whole has repeatedly voted no, but the proponents continue to force-feed this bill to us. As many have stated in the past, this issue is a Pandora’s box that will never be closed once it is opened. I am saddened to think that the character of our town could be in jeopardy simply for the financial gain of very few.

The fact remains, this will not come for a ballot vote if it does not get the support it needs at the town meeting. I ask all residents of Tisbury who oppose this issue, to remain vigilant. When the article is brought to town meeting, come out and be heard.

J. Joseph

Vineyard Haven

WALL STREET OUTRAGE

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to Cong. William Delahunt:

I am a resident of Martha’s Vineyard and have been following with wide eyes the unfolding events on Wall Street and in Washington. I am outraged by the proposal of Paulson and Bush that seeks to reward the very people that caused this financial meltdown with unprecedented powers and zero oversight — not to mention hundreds of billions of taxpayers’ dollars. The timing of this crisis is a bit suspicious and the American people must not be duped into another plundering orgy by the Republicans and their central banking cronies, who evidently will stop at nothing to pursue their agenda. Their agenda of control and publicly funded private profit has not only crippled our economy and once great nation, but our democracy as well. Please, good sir, I ask that you do all in your power, to represent the voice of the people of this district and fight this plan that will do nothing for the American people but enslave them, while benefitting greatly the crooks that I believe orchestrated the whole disaster.

Keith Bassett

West Tisbury