Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

We understand the need for the president’s security, but the forbidding detour signs directing all traffic to North Road seriously hurt West Tisbury businesses, just at the most active part of the summer — and will continue to do so all this week.

Clearly many visitors unfamiliar with the Island are confused about just where the South Road closure begins. Traffic was down for the Farmers’ Market Saturday, attendance at the church peach festival was down by a third, and the up-Island gas station had to post a sign Sunday at the triangle, telling drivers it was open for business. As everyone knows, so much of our economy is dependent on summer visitors. Clearly the concerns of our Islanders were not on any of the planners’ minds when the security measures were implemented.

Dionis Montrowl, West Tisbury