RARE SURVIVOR

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Carole Cohen misses the point. I did not decide the pre-Revolutionary Tilton/Weckman house was historically significant, the town of Chilmark did, when it designated it as such in the town’s master plan. Which is why public comment is invited before a rare survivor of 250 years of Island history is consigned to a dumpster and lost forever.

The Vagelos family knew this when they bought a property with a historic house on it. That was their choice, as it is their choice whether or not to listen to expressions of community concern (which the historical commission at Chilmark town hall will continue to accept in writing until June 29).

Ms. Cohen seems to think money is the only thing that buys the right to an opinion. But the last time I checked, in this country, speech is still free.

Geraldine Brooks

Vineyard Haven

MANY SPRINGS TO COME

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

The following letter was sent to Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss and regional high school principal Stephen Nixon:

After the mingling of grief and celebration on Class Night last week, I’m sure you shared the sense of ineffable loss and acute frustration as to how frequently this particular tragedy occurs on our close-knit Island. Why does nearly each graduating class have to learn anew the tragically irreversible dangers of speed, alcohol and driving?

As a community, it’s clear we must act. I have heard suggestions of creating a video of the precious lives lived and lost over the years here to this deadly combination. Perhaps when school resumes in the fall this worthy cause could evolve into a student task force brainstorming ways to deter this risky behavior.

Safe Rides is a great idea; so too is reinstating driver’s education classes.

My idea, hopefully to prevent similar occurrences in the future, particularly at this heady time of year while honoring this young, bright life, is this: students, or any willing driver, would pick up a banner at the high school, similar to those bicyclists sometimes use. For the full week before graduation these banners, attached to vehicles, would become symbols explaining why these drivers choose not to exceed 40 mph the week long, day and night. During Jena Week I don’t think it would be a bad thing to get us all to slow down, to become more mindful of all our precious lives in the thrall of many springs to come.

Joining in the heartfelt condolences to both these good families,

Susan Puciul

Chilmark

NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

I’ve never had a reason or opportunity to attend Class Night until this year. From the moment I entered the Tabernacle on Friday evening June 12 with my family I could feel the energy of the evening building. I watched as students dressed in their ceremonial white and purple robes filled the space as their family and friends smiled with pride and anticipation. I listened to the names of students being called to the stage to be honored for their academics, citizenship, talents, etc., and thought what an incredibly generous and caring community my grandchildren are fortunate to be part of.

But what brought us to our first class night was to honor the memory of our daughter Wendy Weisman Jenkinson, who loved this Island and shared her love of cooking with so many people. This class night we were privileged to give the first scholarship award in our daughter’s name from the Permanent Endowment Fund of Martha’s Vineyard to Lyle Vogel, a student who is passionate about cooking and who plans to follow his dream as our daughter was able to do. Oh, what a night!

Suzanne Weisman

Chilmark

CHICKIE’S THANKS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Chickie and the Seidman family would like to thank all the people who expressed their support in favor of his staying with his owner, Jessica Seidman. Arriving in the form of an egg as a birthday gift six years ago, Jessie and Chickie formed a special bond from the moment he hatched. Raised as a pet, Chickie probably did not realize he was a chicken until he went to the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair at three months and first met other chickens. He has gone to the fair every year since.

In reference to Ms. DeCosta’s e-mail response, she is mistaken on several points.

First, Chickie was and is a pet. Since he was and is a pet, we were not “raising fowl.” As a result, we did not originally apply for a permit from the town.

Second, I was not a board member of the Lambert’s Cove Property Owners’ Association (LPCOA), but was appointed and served as president for several years. Being extremely familiar with the bylaws, there is no bylaw that states “no fowl.” Ms. DeCosta, as an original board member, should know this.

Third, after several years of residency on our property as a treasured family pet, and having his picture in the paper with Jessica and President Clinton, a resident of LCPOA who lives two-tenths of a mile from our house complained. Prior to that time, we did not receive or hear any complaints about Chickie. At the original ZBA hearing, only one abutter objected, but even that abutter did not want him removed. All other abutters, who wrote letters and e-mails, were in support of Chickie.

Lastly, thanks also needs to be given to T. George Davis, Chickie’s attorney. Chickie has asked me to express his heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional legal counsel in bringing this matter to a happy conclusion.

Daniel Seidman

Vineyard Haven

BE KIND TO BIKERS

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

A random act of kindness: that is what car drivers need to exhibit toward bike riders. There are many more cars on the road than bike riders, so it seems the drivers could be just a little more patient when they encounter a bike rider.

I always use the bike paths when they’re available but Slough Cove, Road to the Plains and Clevelandtown Road do not have paths, so I use the road. I also use my bike in town to run errands, shop and make appointments to avoid parking my car.

Today I was riding on Winter street, Main street and North Water street when two cars blew their horns. Did they need to pass? I was riding 10 to 12 mph. Cars shouldn’t be going faster than that just to be safe. These streets are narrow, have parked cars and pedestrians crossing at will.

So car drivers, the next time you encounter a bike rider remember to do a random act of kindness — share the road!

Carolyn Connors

Edgartown

WHAT A PICNIC

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

This is a thank-you letter to the over 400 people from every town on the Vineyard who joined us at the Tisbury Waterworks, now known as the Tashmoo Spring Pumping Station, for another spectacular Memorial Day celebration.

Thanks to the Water Works, the Tisbury DPW and the Vineyard Playhouse, we had a perfect venue for this year’s picnic.

Our special thanks to everyone who donated food and equipment, to those who volunteered to help with the grill, the ice cream and the games, to those who provided the boats, the pony rides, the music and the food, and especially to Isabel West, Dana Nunes and Linc Hanson for resuming this wonderful Island tradition.

What a terrific way to begin yet another summer on Martha’s Vineyard.

Patricia Carlet

Vineyard Haven

Patricia Carlet is a member of the town Memorial Day picnic committee, along with Harriet Barrow, Aase Jones, Sandra Kingston and Marie Laursen.

The Vineyard Gazette welcomes letters to the editor on any subject concerning Martha’s Vineyard. The newspaper strives to publish all letters as space allows, although the editor reserves the right to reject letters that in her judgment are inappropriate. Letters must be signed, and should include a place of residence and contact telephone number. The Gazette does not publish anonymous letters.