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Letters
To the editor: Dan Drake’s recent editorial about the appointments to the board and commissions of Nantucket was well done and brought up some great issues that I hope to clarify. First, the proposal I put to Town Meeting initially was largely jettisoned after discussions with Town Counsel. I was proposing two options, of which only one could be chosen. I chose to propose that the town adopt Massachusetts General Laws c. 40, 8d. This was the cleanest method for establishing a group that could handle the research and planning for archaeology and preservation in the community. However, it seems that my original proposal is still floating around and has caused some confusion. First, the new name is the Nantucket Historical Commission. (I do like the name NAPCom, though.) Second, in order to clarify the mandatory and permissible activities of the Commission, I have chosen to use information from an established board (the Weymouth Historical Commission) to explain what we might be doing over the next few years. That information follows below. (The Massachusetts Historical Commission, MHC, is the state historic preservation office.) I hope this helps clear up any confusion. Certainly I hope that anyone with an interest contacts me (acornhp@yahoo.com) or attends our future meetings. They will all be noticed at the town building and we invite all to attend. Thank you for your interest,
— Aaron Marcavitch
The exceptional, Libby
My Fellow Nantucketers: Since you chose me to represent you as your Selectman and County Commissioner 15 months ago, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many fine, hard working public servants. One in particular is Libby Gibson, our Town Administrator. Selectman Glowacki has asked all selectmen including myself to evaluate her performance which will be available to the public. I felt the evaluation form somewhat limited in what we were being asked to do and decided the most fair way to discuss Ms. Gibson’s performance was to talk straight with all of you, whom she serves, the people of Nantucket. The following information is based on an interview between Ms. Gibson and herself on Thursday, June 30, 2005. The evaluation was of her job performance as Town Administrator from the time I became your public servant with a little of her history here on Nantucket. Town Administrator Gibson moved to Nantucket when she was 11 years old with her family. She was born in Princeton, N.J. and then resided in California until she and her family joined her grandmother here on the island. Ms. Gibson graduated from Nantucket High school in 1984 and was, I believe, the Prom Queen. She graduated Wheaton College in 1988 and ever since has worked for the Town Government Selectmens Office. First she served two years as the Town Licensing Agent, and then as Assistant Town Administrator for four years under Suzanne Kennedy. In 1995, the selectmen promoted Ms. Gibson to the full position of Town Administrator. Since her ascent to the top of the “town hierarchy,” she attained a Masters of Public Administration from Suffolk University. As Town Administrator, Ms. Gibson stated the most controversial issue she has dealt with is consistently the same: the budget. One specific crisis that she was able to avert was that of about four years ago, when the discussion of layoffs of town employees was so serious, that she was asked by the Board of Selectmen to list those specific positions and personnel who would be laid off. She said she agonized over the decision over who, but through some clever budget balancing she was able to move the proper monies around from the stabilization fund and other one-time revenue sources to save those employees. Thus layoffs were avoided. Her leadership style is one which is steady, yet she demands the best out of her subordinates and department heads. She does not like to yell, but instead be constructive with the town employees by focusing on what needs to be improved, not on the negative. Ms. Gibson is open-minded and believes that it is the citizens “who pay the town employees” well and has emphasized this with her relationships with others. One area that Ms. Gibson does which is commendable is that she does her best to publicly recognize individuals who do a great job. An example of this recently was her recognition of Building Commissioner Bernie Bartlett and his staff’s job in their accountability of money collected. She says she does this often. One challenge she says she does face from time to time, one which is natural, is that she tries to do what’s in the best interest of the town or for all the people, not just one person. In my opinion this attribute reminds me of George Washington’s idea of “Duty first, Country forever.” If there is one attribute that stands out the most about Ms. Gibson is that she does the best she can it to be fair towards everyone. Today, we live in an ever-changing world, and many people, specifically men, feel intimidated that a woman is in the top job, running a large municipal budget of $60 million dollars. On top of this, Nantucket is one of the 14 counties in Massachusetts. While it may contain fewer permanent residents than the other 13, when all 14 counties are compared politically and monetarily per capita, Nantucket is a dominant powerhouse within the state, and even nationally. I don’t feel intimidated at all that a woman is in charge and in fact I like it. This is something that many need to accept, and sometimes after listening to some people, because they are afraid, many are afraid to accept the fact that women are just as talented, smart and capable as men. Not only are women great leaders, but they will just like they have all throughout history, continue to shape and define our future. Who knows, our next President may be a women. And to me this is acceptable, and along with that I am certain that Ms. Gibson is not only acceptable as Town Administrator, but also exceptional. Your Public Servant,
— Doug Bennett
Preserve easements
The following letter was sent to Senator Edward Kennedy, Senator John Kerry and Congressman William Delahunt and is reprinted here at the request of the author.
Dear Senators Kennedy and Kerry and Representative Delahunt: Nantucket is the fastest growing county in Massachusetts. Conservation easements (conservation restrictions) are critically important tools for towns such as Nantucket to use to balance rampant growth and public needs. When landowners permanently preserve private open land, everyone wins! Conservation easements are a cost effective way for communities to save the natural environment, including ground water – Nantucket’s only source of drinking water – scenic roads, harbors, ponds, or wildlife and plant habitats. A conservation easement permanently restricts future development. Encouraging the use of this tool by keeping the donor’s federal charitable deduction is critically important for the future of Nantucket’s fragile natural resources. Land is too expensive for conservation groups to buy and protect meaningful acreage. The Senate and House are currently discussing reforms to conservation easement legislation. The Nantucket Land Council, Inc., a nonprofit environmental organization of 1800+ members, urges you to work vigorously to preserve the charitable contribution for gifts of conservation easements, including areas less than 10 acres as well as larger areas. This is, after all, the east coast. The Land Council holds 59 conservation restrictions on 732 acres on Nantucket. Many of these restrictions are less than 10 acres, yet they work very effectively to conserve valuable community resources. The Land Council now is raising $14 million to buy a conservation restriction on 270 acres on Eel Point Road. Nevertheless, the ability to acquire easements with legitimate conservation values, no matter how large or small, greatly serves the public. Please speak out in favor of conservation easements and for keeping the federal charitable contribution for all easements, large and small. Sincerely,
— Lynn Zimmerman Associate Executive Director, Nantucket Land Council
Save this national treasure
The following letter was sent to David R. Brouillette, Deputy Superintendent, Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown Navy Yard, and is reprinted here at the request of the authors.
Dear Mr. Brioullette: As members the Cape and Islands and New Bedford legislative delegations we are writing in regards to the fate of the SS Nobska, “America’s Last Coastal Steamship.” We are concerned with any actions that may result in the loss of our country’s last coastal steamship and we are hopeful that a solution to save this vessel from being scrapped can be reached. As you are already aware, the Nobska served the New England ports and islands from 1925 until 1973, and is currently dry-docked in Charlestown Naval Yard. If fully restored to operational capacity the vessel would create a significant number of jobs in New Bedford through maritime, hospitality and ancillary services. Once operational the Nobska would enable present and future generations to experience the comfort and style of gracious steamship travel while learning about our nation’s vast history of technological progress. The restoration of the Nobska would provide significant employment, educational and economic growth opportunities for the Commonwealth. The Nobska represents an important piece of our national heritage. The vessel is the last working evidence of the manner in which larger numbers of the American public traveled for over a century. While once over 10,000 steamships traveled the coasts of the United States, today only the Nobska remains. The destruction of this piece of maritime history would be a loss to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the nation. We are currently investigating all available avenues to assure that this national treasure is not lost. Respectfully, we request that you take this into consideration as you pursue removing the Nobska from dry-dock, before we loose a piece of our collective history. Thank you for your time and consideration. If we can be of further assistance in this matter please do not hesitate to contact us.
Very Truly Yours,
— Robert A. O’Leary State Senator, Cape and Islands
— Mark C. Montigny State Senator, Second Bristol and Plymouth
— Eric Turkington State Representative, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket
Russian children will remember
To the editor: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time and services to the Chernobyl Children Project visit to Nantucket, making the day trip for these 14 young children and their host families a memorable one. The entire Island’s generosity will certainly leave a lasting impression on the children long after they return home. I’d like to express a sincere thank you to the staff and the crew at the Steamship Authority. Wayne Lamson and Flint Ranney really went out of their way to provide smooth sailing for myself and the children to and from the Island. Also, Harvey Young’s Bicycle Shop extended its generous services above and beyond the call of duty. Not only did Young’s supply us with bikes, but we even got Harvey riding a tandem and getting big smiles from the children. I would like to also thank Peter and Sally Nash, along with the staff at the Nantucket Whaling Museum, for making our museum trip possible. The newly renovated museum looks spectacular, and I know that the children really enjoyed looking over the artifacts and exhibits. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank Lisa and Warren Labonte and the staff at the Jetties Restaurant for their gracious hospitality. The children had a wonderful time getting a taste of the local ice cream flavors. All of your kindness helped give these children many wonderful memories that they will take back to Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. We all had a wonderful time visiting Nantucket, and I truly appreciate everyone’s kindness in making this trip possible. Thank you all for your generosity.
— Robert O’Leary State Senator
Email your views and your letters to the editor: Info@NantucketIndependent.com
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