Island's Mid-Island Partnership dissolves
BY MARY LANCASTER
Citing a lack of volunteer board members, the 11-year-old Mid- Island Partnership, which has represented more than 100 businesses in Nantucket's central area since its inception, has officially folded.

Geronimo's owner Jan Jaeger, left, and Tresses & The Day Spa owner Theresa Davis formed the Mid-Island Partnership 11 years ago.

According to its executive board co-chairman Jan Jaeger, when the organization began its board was strong and dedicated; however, members who withdrew were not replaced due to time constraints business owners experienced with their companies.

"I and Theresa [Davis, also cochair] couldn't keep doing what we were doing," said Jaeger, owner of Geronimo's, who estimated it requires five to 10 hours a month for each board member to assist with planning for business luncheons, putting out a newsletter and other activities to benefit the membership.

"At the peak we had monthly meetings and speakers," Jaeger added. "It was significant, but lately there hasn't been much going on. It seemed like it was getting to be the same people coming every time and we didn't know what direction to go - you thought you were going in the direction people wanted, but you weren't getting any support. I don't think [the dissolution] will matter much day to day, though it may in the long term for mid-island plans not to have a cohesive group."

During its existence, the partnership provided political advocacy on issues such as relocation of the Pleasant Street post office and the area master plan, hosted special events and regular meetings with guest speakers, offered members Web page links, promoted the area through ads in the Chamber of Commerce guidebook and published a mid-island map and shuttle bus routes. Davis, owner of Tresses and the Day Spa, is saddened that the partnership has ended.

"I think it's lack of volunteerism," she said. "People are just so busy and it's hard to spread yourselves so many places. I understand that. I'm really sad that nobody came forth, but that's the way it is. The mid-island is the focal point of the island, so it's a shame and I hope someone else will come along and think it's important and start something else up.

"I am proud of what we did," Davis went on. "We did a lot. Jan and I were on the mid-island area plan committee to go to the town with an area plan. We were in meetings for three years. The idea for the roundabout was part of that and lit sidewalks to town and to the Milestone rotary. It was a lot of work and a lot of it paid off. A lot of improvements are going to come out of it."

Davis, who has also served as the partnership's treasurer, reported that the group's treasury balance of $12,939 will be divided to donate $3,200 each to A Safe Place, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Nantucket AIDS Network and Nantucket Cottage Hospital, all of which have been members.

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