L E T T E R S
KEEP SSA CONTROL WITH THE ISLANDS

To the editor:

I would like to answer the question raised by Jim Powell in his recent letter to the editor about where our State Representative, Eric Turkington, stands on the legislation being pushed by one of the SSA’s unions to change the makeup of the SSA Board for the purpose of divesting the Islands of control over our boatline.

Representative Turkington is adamantly opposed to it.

Let me also assure you that , while he may not be speaking publicly about the issue, Representative Turkington has emphatically voiced his strong opposition to the legislation where it counts — in the halls of the State House.

Last month Representative Turkington joined me, SSA Board Member Robert O’Brien, and SSA General Manager Wayne Lamson when we went to meet with the Co-Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, Senator Steven Baddour, about this matter and he argued passionately against it. He also has expressed his opposition to the other Co-Chair of that Committee, Joseph Wagner, as well as to the union directly.

The dangers of this legislation to the islands cannot be underestimated. It would transfer control of the boatline to mainland representatives whose constituents do not need the SSA, who do not have to pay any SSA fare increases, and who do not have to suffer from poor or unreliable service. We here at the SSA have appreciated the unequivocal and effective manner in which both members of our legislative delegation — Senator Robert O’Leary and Representative Eric Turkington — have upheld the islands’ interests in opposing this irresponsible attempt to take control of our lifeline away from us.

Very truly yours,

— Marc N. Hanover, Chairman

Dukes County Member WEST END, SAFE AND DEPENDABLE

To the editor:

The West End Market is a safe and dependable stop catering to the Madaket community as well as everyone visiting the west end of our island. This letter to the editor is in direct response to the July 14, 2005 article in the Inquirer & Mirror regarding the “level three high risk sex offender.” I am proprietor of the West End Market in Madaket.

The article states that John A. Green, the convicted offender living here on Nantucket, is employed at my place of business. This is not factual, and it is erroneous reporting. John A. Green has never been an employee of the West End Market.

I was not given the consideration of a phone call from that newspaper’s staff to verify the status of this individual’s employment history prior to the publishing of this front-page story.

Given the chance, I would have told them that this man was never ever an employee of mine. However, I was not offered that background check and the story did go to press. Now I am left with one extremely stained image.

I recognize the importance for families to be cautious and to be aware that there are those who do terrible things in our society. I have received numerous calls from my concerned customers. I, too, am concerned that all my customers, children and adults alike, no longer feel safe in my store as a direct result of this inaccurate reporting.

The West End Market is a safe and comfortable neighborhood stop. I am at the market everyday Memorial Day through Labor Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to oversee and attend to all of my customer’s needs. I have always been there for my customers and will continue to do so, offering a much-needed service on the west end of the island.

Stop by and see for yourself. I look forward to helping you and providing a convenient service to everyone.

Respectfully,

— Nicholas Kearney

Proprietor, West End Market