L E T T E R S
A GREAT SEASON

To The editor:

This past week has been an historic one for Nantucket High School Soccer with the Varsity Boys squad going all the way to the regional finals.

All of the Whalers soccer team would like to express our gratitude to our fans that came to support us and show their Whaler Pride both on and off island. They were always the largest group, loudest and best fans in the stands.

We want to thank the Boosters Club who supplied buses for the Thursday and Saturday games. Without them the travel for many of our fans would have been impossible.

We would like to thank the girls varsity soccer team for their enthusiastic support and cheering, coming to all of our games. Thanks to Nancy Larrabee, Athletic Director, who did a great job organizing all the details for the two home tournament games as well as the off island ones.

Lastly we would like to show our appreciation to our parents and all of those behind-the-scenes people who helped organize travel plans, chaperone the students and make the fan travel possible.

It was a great season with a final record of 17-4-1. But, without all of the Nantucket fans those wins would not have meant so much.

Thank you all for your support. We'll see you next season! Sincerely,

- Caleb Mitchell and Russell Bartlett

Co-Captains, Nantucket Boys

Varsity Soccer

PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE RESPONDS

The following letter was originally sent to Frank Spriggs, vice chairman of the Nantucket Planning Board, and is reprinted here at the author's request.

Dear Mr. Spriggs:

I am writing in reply to your letter dated October 23, 2006, and received on October 28, addressed collectively to Planning Board Alternates Jason Flanagan, John Wagley and myself, with copies sent to the members of the Board of Selectmen, the body which appoints the three alternates to the Planning Board.

As you know, this communication related to the Planning Board's September 25 decision to reprimand all three alternates for issues regarding attendance and timeliness at Planning Board meetings. Public discussion among the four (of five) members present at that meeting (Chairman Visco was absent) was conducted without any prior discussion with any of the alternates and was not listed as an agenda item for that meeting.

Nonetheless, following discussion, a decision was made and ratified by formal vote of the board. It should be noted that none of the alternates was present at the time, as the business of the meeting which would have necessitated the presence of any of the alternates had been concluded.

The vote to send a letter to us was subsequently reported in the Inquirer and Mirror. It accused the alternates of "spotty attendance," a collective characterization which I challenged at the October 12 meeting based upon records provided to me upon my request to Planning Department staff.

An analysis of these records for all the elected members and alternates from October 1, 2005 to the present is attached. You will note that the records demonstrate that the attendance of the alternates is as good as, if not better than, that of all but two of the elected members.

However, that is not the substantive purpose of this letter. My reason in writing to you at this time is to seek justification from you, in the absence of a recorded vote of the entire Planning Board, for enlarging the original subject of your motion and vote of September 25 to include collective, nonspecific, unsubstantiated and undocumented allegations against all three of us.

These allegations include, among other matters, attendance and participation at meetings while "under the influence," "racial biasing," and criticism of any one or all of us for exercising our right to free speech in forums outside of Planning Board meetings.

The board's allegations, made in an official communication with copies to the Board of Selectmen and also available to the public and now being reported in detail in both island newspapers without specificity as to which of us is being accused of the proscribed behavior, and with no other notice than that contained in your letter, "paints us all with the same brush," and represents an egregious violation of our individual privacy rights.

It should be further noted that the first two paragraphs of your letter represent the first and only documentation I have received about the role of alternates on the Planning Board. Perhaps had this guidance been provided at the time of our appointments (July, 2005 for Mr. Wagley and myself), we would not find ourselves at this avoidable juncture.

I also want to bring to your attention a conversation I had with Peter Sutters of the Inquirer and Mirror on Tuesday, October 31. Mr. Sutters informed me that in a conversation with you earlier that day, you had advised him that you had called all of the alternates to inform them which accusations pertained to each one of us.

For the record, I must state that I never received a call from you as reported to me by Mr. Sutters in which you spelled out to me any of the alleged transgressions in your October 23 letter. Now we read in the November 1 edition of The Nantucket Independent that the list of my shortcomings has been further enlarged to include "humming and leaving a mess."

For the record, I believe it is incumbent upon the board to address a letter to each one of the alternates individually containing specific circumstances of each accusation of inappropriate behavior cited in your October 23 letter. If you cannot provide the specific dates, times, context, and activities allegedly attributable to each one of us individually, your letter represents nothing more than undocumented specious allegations in support of a letter officially voted to address one issue - attendance - and subsequently enlarged to include a plethora of complaints you apparently feel compelled to lodge against us.

Given public circulation of this letter and now its reporting in both newspapers, it appears to some citizens that, at best, it demonstrates a fundamental lack of civility and fairness accorded BOS-appointed alternates by elected members of the board. At worst, it is a poorly concealed and petty attempt to damage our individual and collective reputations and/or a political maneuver to attempt to undermine potential recommendations of the Town Government Study Committee (TGSC) regarding the future makeup of the Planning Board.

In closing, Mr. Spriggs, for the reasons stated above, I do not accept your letter of October 23. Not one of these concerns has appeared in minutes of the Planning Board prior to September 25, 2006, which is, in the case of Mr. Wagley and myself, more than 16 months after our appointments.

Surely, in our circumstances, had these alleged events been problematic to the board, they would have been raised far sooner than at this time when the coincidence with the release of the TGSC's recommendations certainly makes them highly suspect. Accordingly, I request that your reply in answer to this letter contain copies of all unaltered and unappended notes or other source documents with the specificity outlined above in which these subjective and anecdotal complaints have been recorded. I will look forward to your prompt reply at which

time I plan to comment on any specific allegations which pertain to me. In the absence of a response which provides the above documentation, I would urge you to rescind your letter, as has been requested by Mr. Flanagan, and make immediate restitution and/or apology to the alternates whose reputations and characters you have publicly sullied without just cause or due process.

Sincerely,

- Charity I. Benz

LET'S REVIEW THE CHAIRMAN'S COMMITMENT

To the editor:

I find it disturbing that the Planning Board has sent a letter to the alternate which has been given to the newspaper for public notice reprimanding them for "spotty attendance."

Curiously I looked over the attendance record for the Chairman of this board. He skipped seven consecutive meetings last winter. No mention was made of this? By comparison, two of the alternates missed two meetings each in that same winter stretch of three months. This board operates on a twice a month schedule, surely not a burden of time investment.

How is it that an elected Chairman of multiple terms feels entitled to disappear for the winter? My understanding is the Planning Board has an enormous workload of pressing projects which require attention in a timely manner. How is it that the leader of this board takes the winter off in Florida and business is conducted without his presence even once in seven meetings and yet no reprimand is made for his absence?

Perhaps it is time to review the commitment or lack of it in regard to the Chairman of this board and instead of demeaning the alternates who have volunteered to serve the town, be grateful that they pick up the slack in the long winter months and whenever else regular members do not attend.

- Leslie B. Johnson

ACCCUSATIONS ARE EXTRAORDINARY

The following letter was originally sent to Andrew Vorce, Nantucket planning director, and is reprinted here at the author's request.

Dear Mr. Vorce:

The huge escalation of public charges/accusations/ implications in the above letter as opposed to those relating only to attendance in the September 25, 2006 Planning Board vote and reported in the subsequent Inquirer and Mirror article was simply extraordinary.

Given this, I have been advised that I/we should have copies of the tapes that recorded Planning Board meetings on September 25, 2006 and October 12, 2006. Please consider this a formal request for these.

If transcripts have been prepared of these tapes, I request copies of the transcripts in addition to the original tapes themselves.

You are probably also aware that Ms. Benz has requested from Mr. Spriggs the material and specifics of the greatly expanded charges in his letter of October 23. For the record, I am thoroughly in accord with Ms. Benz's letter.

I would also like to note for the record that Mr. Spriggs' assertion to the Inquirer and Mirror that he had called the Alternates to explain the charges against them has not happened in my case. I have heard nothing from him at all either in the past or since the letter about these matters.

I also join Mr. Flanagan and Ms. Benz in requesting that if Mr. Spriggs is unable to supply the specific dates, times, context and activities to each of the Alternates, he should promptly rescind the letter and make immediate restitution and apologize to each and/or all of us.

Finally, I will, of course, be glad to cover any expense incurred in promptly getting me the tapes requested above. I would appreciate your confirming receipt of this letter as well as when I should expect to receive the tapes and transcripts.

Sincerely,

- John R. Wagley

IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL

To the editor:

For someone as articulate as Grant Sanders to write an editorial about the Community School and say, "To tell you the truth, my knowledge of what goes on at the Community School is pretty slim," and continue to belittle the classes (including the talented instructors and students) was a shame. Allow me to enlighten you, Grant, as to all that the Community School offers Nantucket.

The Nantucket Community School is the broad name, or umbrella, for several smaller organizations. They include: Magic Years Preschool, The Community Network for Children, including Playgroups, Parent Education and Tuition Assistance. Then there are the Children's Enrichment programs like Arts and Discovery, School's Out-extended day program, World Language, Summer ACKventure Camp, and sports camps. The Community Pool covers child and adult learn to swim, Dolphins Swim Team, memberships, rentals/retail, and lifeguards.

The Adult Education area is even more impressive; it covers Adult Accredited classes, Enrichment and Art Classes, Health and Wellness classes, Computer classes, Language Arts, Workforce Preparation and Training, Adult ESL, and finally, Adult GED.

How do I know all of this? I attended the Nantucket Community School Forum on Oct. 30. I left there feeling that the handful of people that attended did appreciate the Community School and were supportive of the amazing variety of classes that are offered.

Yes, there was confusion as to who the Community School was, but that was discussed in detail during the productive discussion that went on for well over 1 1/2 hours. That is one of the goals during this time of public input - making sure the community does understand what it is the Community School is doing for all of us, and how Patty Roggeveen and her team can make it better.

I suggest that the community attend the next segment of the Community School forum which will be held on Nov. 30. And be on the lookout for the survey coming out in December.

To be honest, I have taken a number of classes with the Community School. They include photography, beading classes (filled to capacity with 16 people in attendance), cake decorating (filled to capacity and another class was created to accommodate the high level of interest) and wine education classes (Leslie is amazing).

I am the mother of two children, ages 6 and 3, that have grown up attending CNC (Community Network for Children) playgroups. I was so impressed years ago when we moved here I got involved and now have been leading playgroups and doing volunteer work for over four years. My daughter, Paige, participates in the children enrichment classes after school like cooking, music and literacy

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through art, ballet, gymnastics and other summer offerings. And what parent hasn't spent their fair share of time at the pool watching swim lessons or enjoying the open swim? How about that for variety.

I am grateful for the Community School. The Community Network for Children has been a lifesaver for this washashore. My family has met and grown up with others that value the simple things that the Community School affords our families on Nantucket at limited or no cost.

Don't get me going on how unbelievable it is that the above operates on a pencil-thin budget, limited staff and cramped-for-space work conditions (all of these things which were learned at the forum on Oct 30). I applaud Patty Roggeveen and her staff, including the teachers and instructors that work hard and share their creative talents. We are so fortunate on this island to have the Community School. I am wondering how many other people feel this way.

- Stacey Williams

ENRICHING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

To the editor:

The Nantucket Community School (NCS) is dedicated to identifying and meeting the lifelong learning needs of our diverse island, including developing, organizing and administering high-caliber courses, services, programs, and special events to enrich the mind, body, and spirit.

Adult programs focus on enhancing workplace skills, supporting personal interests, and encouraging health and wellness. Children's programs offer enrichment opportunities in the arts, sports and sciences, while helping to meet the needs of working families on the island with reliable, quality after school, summer and preschool care.

The NCS is charged with balancing its operating budget each year largely through revenue from fees generated by class enrollment. Courses only run if enrollment is high enough to pay expenses.

Many adult classes, like our ballroom dancing, European knitting, beading, and building shaker tables, are so popular they run consecutive semesters with waiting lists. Educational offerings also fill quickly, especially our English language classes despite the tuition we require. And, we have awarded over 200 college credits in the last year-and-a-half for courses on Nantucket in partnership with Cape Cod Community College. Most exciting this year involve our efforts to provide medical training for nurses and EMTs.

Community participation in program development is encouraged, and occurs through our program-based Advisory Committees. These committees - Community Pool, Children's Enrichment, Adult Education, Literacy, Community Partnerships, and Massachusetts Family Network - meet once a month to review programs and budgets, and to provide an important venue for discussion. If you would like to join one of these groups, please call our office at 228-7257 extension 1571.

Our success depends on community input and quality instruction. We thank the many who work with us to support such a vital Island resource as the Community School - especially our instructors who work hard to share with Nantucket their passions and talents. All of our days are enriched by their productive energies.

- Patty Roggeveen

Director, Community School

WIND AS ENERGY RESOURCE

To the editor,

There is one factor in the Cape Wind debate that is perhaps most important of all: the wind resource in Nantucket Sound. This simple cornerstone of the project is often overlooked.

October provided some stunning examples of the winds here. From the 4th through the 7th wind speeds averaged 23 miles per hour with gusts in the 30s. From the 27th throughout the 30th winds howled with sustained speeds of 35 to 40 miles per hour and gusts of 45 to 55 miles per hour. The wind blew at these speeds around the clock during those days.

The wind farm is designed to produce maximum power with speeds of 27 knots at 250-feet above the water where the wind blows even harder. During the 8-day period mentioned above, power output would be 422 megawatts. The average demand for the Cape and Islands is 230 megawatts with 1 megawatt powering 1,000 averaged size homes. Also during this time period the wind farm would be powering homes in Southeastern Mass.

A clean, renewable power plant that produces power for 422,000 homes for days at a time with zero emissions and no fuel cost is extraordinary. In concert with improved energy conservation and efficiency in our homes, businesses and vehicles, our impact on the environment is greatly improved.

We need to enter into long-term power contracts with Cape Wind to save millions over their life. No power plant proposal anywhere in recent memory has been scrutinized as closely as this one. I visited offshore wind farms in Denmark where no operational problems have been found in 15 years. We have an excellent chance to embrace this cutting edge energy production technology right here right now.

- Carl K. Bochert