The Lighthouse Keeper
BY DANIEL W. DRAKE
’Tis the season for resolutions and predictions. New Years resolutions, generally, are well-intentioned attempts to deal with human failings, in particular those of the one attempting to be resolute. Having long ago learned which road is paved with good intentions, the making and promulgation of resolutions for 2007 will be left to others.

Making predictions is much more fun than making resolutions while, at the same time bearing much less accountability. If the ten pounds you resolved to lose is still with you next New Years, you will unfailingly be reminded of it every time you look in the mirror. On the other hand, with predictions, you can forget about them once they are made, because it is unlikely that you or anyone else will remember them a year later.

Thus setting the stage, avoiding resolutions, we intrepidly embark upon some predictions for 2007 on Nantucket.

Stories that will carry forward from 2006 in to 2007 and, perhaps, beyond, include:

• The almost never-ending saga of the Town of Nantucket vs. Waste Options. No, we aren’t referring to the lawsuit appealing the recent arbitration award, although this will certainly be in the news in 2007. The broader situation brings to mind Siamese twins, conjoined as it were, by a contract that proves as difficult in its execution as the sharing of vital organs. The twins turn and twist and fight each other, but at the end of the day they have to live together. The sad fact is that over the next 20 years, the remaining term of the contract, the taxpayers of Nantucket will be scolding the twins while, at the same time, subsidizing whatever is required to insure that their mutual support system — no matter how inefficient — doesn’t fail. The story is not going to go away.

• The handiwork of the Town Government Study Committee, which will continue on the front page as the Committee’s final report is submitted and as the Warrant Articles it submitted are discussed by the Finance Committee and voted up or down at Town Meeting. After Town Meeting, however we will hear nothing more on this subject for five years.

• The Sconset Beach Nourishment project. As the applications wend their way through the regulatory process, emotions will ebb and flow almost as often as the tides. Such emotions fuel the news; therefore the milestones in the process will be newsworthy,

• The notorious Sheriff of the County of Nantucket will be in the news again. Enough said.

• The Planning Board’s attempt to take the three Alternates to task for various perceived misdeeds. Whether or not there is any substance to the bill of particulars, the methodology of the rebuke was heavy-handed and ill-advised. Whatever the outcome, the cost to the participants on both sides, and perhaps ultimately to the taxpayers of Nantucket, will be significant. Unhappily, some of this will be in the news

There will be other stories that carry over into the new year, but we need space for some predictions of what 2007 will bring upon us:

• Soon again there will be another election for selectmen. Already, the speculation is rife about who will run for the two contested seats and who will not. Of equal interest is the make-up of the board after the election. The change in one seat last April created a sea change which few, if any, anticipated. What could a change in two seats do?

• No one should be surprised if the honeymoon between the School Board and Superintendent Pellicone comes to an end. Indeed, before very long, we may be hearing of some domestic quarrels over possible trouble in the River City of Nantucket’s public schools.

• While it isn’t a new story, the subject of the airport terminal will return to the front pages. Why was the state funding lost? How does the town deal with the significant deferred maintenance issues of the existing building, as well as airline tenant concerns? What is the response to the Department of Homeland Security which has been waiting patiently for the new terminal to bring passenger and baggage security screening conditions up to par? Will the federal government now dictate certain actions? The Airport Commission has a lot to deal with and its decisions will all be important news.

• It will certainly be newsworthy if there is an opportunity to grant the Everett Pierce “It was a Short Stay” award to another senior official.

• In its annual renewal of liquor licenses, the Board of Selectmen will make it a condition that one full-service restaurant has to be open on Christmas Day to take care of visitors and other lonely souls. It would really be news if the highest level of officialdom were to take a constructive step on behalf of tourism.

…and so on.

And then there are the things we don’t know about and only get from a crystal ball. Ours gave up these newsworthy tidbits:

• The rented quarters inspection program presently being promoted by the Health Inspector will not be instituted. In its place, the drug helicopter will be given equipment to identify the number of box springs in a building. The information thus obtained will be turned over to local immigration officers who will deport to America the landlord of any building which violates the permitted size/box spring ratio. (Box springs unaccompanied by a mattress are exempt.)

• At the recommendation of the Automobile Study Committee, in the summer months all streets in the vicinity of the steamboat wharf will be made one-way leading towards the pier. The resulting decrease in autos on the island will solve the congestion problem. That islanders and visitors also will starve is deemed irrelevant.

• The Board of Selectmen, on the recommendation of the Town Manager will hike the sewer connection fee to provide funding for an endowment to pay for an annual beach party for nonvoting taxpayers at the 40th pole. In order to prevent fraternization, the only voting taxpayers invited will be the selectmen.

On second thought, enjoy 2007 and forget about all this stuff. That, despite myself, is

my resolution. I

• • •

The “Lighthouse Keeper” reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent the editorial position of The Nantucket Independent. Please send any comments to drake@nantucketindependent.com.