All I want for Christmas is...
Townies reveal their Christmas wishes to The Independent
BY MARY LANCASTER
Local officials in good spirit revealed their personal gift lists and professional Christmas wishes this week, offering them in short and long form with some answers serious, others playful and the majority a mixture of both. They enjoyed giving a glimpse of what they are about as regular people behind the titles and their priorities for the community they serve.

The Independent hopes that all their wishes, as well as those of the island’s residents, come true. More importantly, we hope that the people who work to make Nantucket a better place and everyone who contributes to this special place has a healthy and contented new year.

For those still having a few dimes in their pocket and with four days left until Christmas, this holiday questionnaire may prove a helpful guide. We start with the longest lists that come from the Town Clerk, the Town Administrator and the Administrator of Our Island Home. Santa, are you listening?

LIBBY GIBSON TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

“I want the new Ina Garten cookbook,” she said, also confessing her love of chocolate. “I want somebody to put some music on my MP3 player so I don’t have to and give it back to me loaded with a variety all ready to go. I would like some spa time and some new pots and pans.”

Professionally, Gibson especially hopes for a productive and straightforward FY08 budget development process and that the island’s planned public safety facility reaches completion.

PAM MERIAM OUR ISLAND HOME ADMINISTRATOR

“I’d like a personal trainer, preferably attractive, and diamonds are always good,” she said. “I would like the typical health for my family, specifically my husband, and if I have a personal trainer and I’m losing weight I’d need some new clothes, so I’ll need carte blanche somewhere.”

Meriam’s professional wish list is focused on her staff and the island’s elders. “I wish for a building that meets the 21st century. When we’re done with our space needs study I hope we come up with something for people who have to live in nursing homes to have an as home-like a setting as possible.”

She would also like for her employees to continue receiving career ladder education, and hopes that when the key staff are ready to retire there are others groomed to take their places and maintain the home’s wonderful and diverse family of caregivers into the future.

CATHERINE FLANAGAN STOVER SELECTMAN, TOWN CLERK

“There are several young families who are struggling with serious illness. I wish everyone returned to full health,” she said of her personal list. “I would love my own personal little antiques dealer who will help me clean out the attic in my 250-plus year-old house. I wish for a safe, healthy delivery of our granddaughter in a few weeks, and to win a massive lottery prize so that I could buy houses for James and Linda (her office staffers).”

Professionally, Stover wants to accomplish an accurate, complete database of the island’s cemeteries and burial places and keep building the town records database accessible to the public. She also wants to complete the last step toward her Master Municipal Clerk certification.

Now we come to the other selectmen, of which Stover is the new member elected to an interim seat on Nov. 21. Wearing that hat, her holiday wishes are to work in Nantucket’s best interest and help facilitate the board’s goals and objectives. She further wants to invite greater public involvement through citizen participation in solving some of the town’s pressing problems and to accomplish the six-point “Flanagan Stover Manifesto” she submitted at her first session for the board’s consideration.

DOUG BENNETT SELECTMAN

“Personally, I want a weight set so I can continue to stay in shape,” he said. “Professionally, I wish that we can achieve a more harmonious working environment in the government.”

WHITEYWILLAUER SELECTMEN CHAIRMAN

“I’d like a new flat screen TV set. I’m still living with a small one in the kitchen.”

Professionally, his wish is for more hours in the day because, although he finds the selectman’s job enjoyable, he said it is comprised of back to back meetings to attend to all the island’s growing issues. “If I didn’t enjoy it I’d be going crazy,” said Willauer. “I enjoy the hell out of it, but I don’t get anything else done.”

MICHAEL KOPKO SELECTMAN

“Personally, I would like a puppy. I used to walk my dog every day but she died, so I don’t walk every day. I have a pug, but she’s 11 years old and can’t do three miles a day, so I’d like a dog I can walk.”

His professional wish is to see an annual Town Meeting that draws more people than the high school auditorium can hold.

CONNIE VOGES FINANCE DIRECTOR

“I would like a complete set of Daniel Smith’s duochrome watercolor tube paints and the time to use them,” said Voges, whose creative side balances her number-driven career.

Her professional wish for the community (and the never-ending old hill at the dump) may beat all in a combination of fun and practicality.

“I would like artificial snow and a chairlift at the landfill so we can start a ski resort and make this a money-making venture.”

DIANE O’NEIL TOWN PROJECTS MANAGER

“That my children are always healthy and happy,” she said of her personal wish. Professionally, she hopes “That someone would sign the Jetties Beach concession lease.”

MARK MCDOUGALL FIRE CHIEF

“I’d like a two-week vacation in Hawaii, all expenses paid,” he said. But more than anything, he wants a big training budget for the fire department and a new public safety building.

WILLIAM PITTMAN POLICE CHIEF

“I’m going back to Illinois (where he moved from) for Christmas, and I hope to have a safe and happy trip and a safe return,” he said.

His professional wish list is long, but centers on addressing island problems such as drugs and other crimes that harm the community as well as obtaining and keeping a solid crew of officers. “I think the thing that’s been the longest is retention of officers. We have very qualified officers, but we still have a high turnover rate attributable to the island’s cost of living,” said Pittman.

He explained that the department is examining ways to deal with that issue, including having reserve and/or part-time officers to supplement the year-round staff, extending the time summer special officers are employed and the possibility of commuting officers who stay here part of the week until the town is better able to cope with the housing crisis for department workers. It is hoped by many that this issue will be resolved with the planned public safety facility property at 2 Fairgrounds Road, which will include housing.

RICK ATHERTON FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

“I’d like the Service Guy (David Gray) to teach me how to use the SewerCam,” said Atherton.

His professional wish is that a good, common sense person is appointed to the Finance Committee on Jan. 3 to replace outgoing member Lindsey Perry.

MIKE ROSEN FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER

“I would like every piece of Japanese knotweed and phragmite that grows in the marshes to leave the island — let’s say to Martha’s Vineyard.”

Professionally, he wishes the town will find a way to help working families obtain affordable housing so they can remain on the island and have a place to eventually pass on to their children. “If Santa Claus would bring us that gift, that would be wonderful,” said Rosen.

JEFFWILLETT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

“I don’t need anything,” he said. “I’m very content and happy, other than wanting things like world peace and that no one goes hungry.”

But he does have a town-related wish. “If Santa could wave his magic reindeer whip, I’d like to see a solution to the problems we have with solid waste. That would be a wonderful present, and I will even leave him a couple of recycled cookies.”

DR. ROBERT PELLICONE Superintendent of Schools

His personal list is short but important — to secure affordable housing on Nantucket for himself and his family.

Professionally, he said his wish is, “To have the resolve to make this a better school system for the children, the staff and the community.”

AL PETERSON AIRPORT MANAGER

“Personally, I’d like a new LCD TV and good health for the family,” he said.

Professionally, Peterson wishes for relief from confusion at Boston’s bureaucratic level so the terminal expansion funding can go through.

PAT CHURCH NANTUCKET SUPERIOR COURT MAGISTRATE

“To have my whole family under one roof at Christmas time,” she said of her special personal wish. “I think that’s what every mother wants.”

Professionally, she wishes the courts could gain the public’s trust. “The court system is a good system, but I think sometimes people see it as cumbersome,” she said. “I believe in the system and I want the public to believe in it, too.”

TRACY BAKALAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“I would want health and happiness for my friends and family — and maybe a new car.” Professionally, her wish is that Nantucket’s economy experiences a properous new year.

KATE HAMILTON PARDEE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NANTUCKET VISITOR SERVICES

“Globally, I want world peace, but in past Christmases when I asked my mom what she wanted she always said good children. Now that I’m happily married with two dogs I want good Border Collies. I finally get it. My real secret is when my husband surprises me with gifts, because it lets me see how he sees me — but in the past, I’ve received steak knives and a tool chest.”

Her professional wishes are that she keeps her great staff and that the notorious Fourth of July fog takes a break for the fireworks. “I would also like to build more restrooms in town,” said Hamilton Pardee. “That’s not a very glamorous Christmas wish, but it’s a reality. We need more restrooms out here.”

JIM MANCHESTER DIRECTOR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

His top wish is that his son Billy and daughter-inlaw Amy have a wonderful birth of their baby this week and that the infant is healthy, witty and wise. Professionally, he said, “I have had so much fun working for the town for the last 10 years, I hope to have as much fun in the next five years.”

MARYANNE WORTH ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE NANTUCKET COUNCIL FOR HUMAN SERVICES

As one who is dedicated to improving the lives of the island’s neediest and vital community members, she expressed these heartfelt holiday wishes:

“Personally, I wish for happiness for the three men in my life — Barry, Todd and Eric. Professionally, I wish for everyone to do a little extra something for someone and have every day be Christmas.”

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