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JUDGE HAS MADE ISLAND A BETTER PLACE

To the editor:

I am a Nantucket attorney who has known Nantucket District Court First Justice W. James O'Neill both personally and professionally for more than twenty five years. Before he was appointed to serve as Nantucket's First Justice, Judge O'Neill was a diligent First Assistant District Attorney in the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office who aggressively prosecuted crime on Nantucket.

As Nantucket's First Justice, Judge O'Neill has dedicated himself to the fair administration of justice on the island and we are lucky to have him presiding in the Nantucket District Court. He is an eminently qualified Judge with a good heart. Most importantly, he cares deeply about all of the people on Nantucket, including the officers of the Nantucket Police Department.

This is why I was dismayed to read William Ciarmataro's scurrilous personal attack on Judge O'Neill and the Nantucket District Court staff in last week's Nantucket Independent. I reject Mr. Ciarmataro's assertions that Judge O'Neill is "unjust" and does "not care" about the people of Nantucket because he does not live here. These assertions are without basis in fact, are offensive, and demean the reputation of a good man. Moreover, Ciarmataro's insinuation that Judge O'Neill has made Nantucket less safe is not only false, it is reprehensible.

I want to personally and publicly thank First Justice W. James O'Neill for his fairness and stellar commitment to our community. He has made Nantucket a better place and I wish him a long tenure as Nantucket's First Justice.

Sincerely,

- Kevin F. Dale GOOD SCIENCE VS. BAD

To the editor:

Recent comments on "Global Warming" by Maurice Gibbs seem more reasonable and informative than any I've read. Particularly intriguing is his suggestion that the accepted "Solar Constant" may not be constant after all, implying the possibility that solar radiation may have increased slightly, enough to effect our climate. A study from the UK supports this theory.

About 18,000 years ago, Ice Age people, inspired perhaps by hunter mysticism and awakening spiritualism, adorned the walls of their caves with Paleolithic art. One such cave on the coast of France awaited modern discovery until the invention of scuba gear. The entrance to this cave lies 135 feet below sea level.

The process that melted the great glaciers, causing global flooding of this magnitude can only be described as global warming. Geologists tell us that the planet has undergone several Ice Ages. Reason and irrefutable logic tell us that each Ice Age was ended by global warming; natural cyclical global warming that was not caused by capitalism or Al Gore's political enemies.

As the saying goes, "There is good science and there is bad science." Another is "follow the money." Good science requires unconditional objectivity and detachment. Politically skewed grant money can surely skew the process.

The ultimate question becomes whether scientific method or leftist ideology prevails. That famous, "wall of separation between church and state" should also exist between green cult and state.

Luddites, repent! Yours truly,

- Richard (Dick) B. Corkish Jr. FOR ARCHIE

To the editor: The family of Archie McColl wants to thank everybody who assisted in the care of Archie, both going to and at the hospital. Their kindness was a great help in dealing with his death. The police and fire rescue were so important as well as the people at the hospital.

The cards and flowers and many kind words mean so much to us all. It was amazing how many people he knew and knew him.

Special thanks to the Bixby's, the Braginton- Smith's, Ken Turgeon, Ted Anderson, Sean Males, Scott Harris, The Nantucket Independent, the Coast Guard and all the people who helped with his boat and the people who said if we needed help just let them know.

His family is so proud of him and misses him.

- Anna, Deedee

- Delight McColl - Diane and Bruce Holdgate

- Jaime McColl

- Peter McColl and family

- Diane and David Coombs

CIVIC LEAGUE SUPPORTS TOWN'S POSITION

The following letter was originally sent to Mr. Ben Lynch Program Chief, Department of Environmental Protection, and is reprinted here.

Dear Mr. Lynch:

We are writing in reference to the above-captioned matter on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Nantucket Civic League (NCL). Our purpose in doing so is to express the strong support of the NCL Board for the written comments submitted to the DEP for the Town of Nantucket by Whiting R. Willauer, Chairman Board of Selectmen, and David Fronzuto, Superintendent, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, in a letter addressed to you dated January 8, 2007.

The Nantucket Civic League, founded in 1903, is a non-profit organization representing 22 island neighborhood associations and 1,800 dues-paying families. Our mission is to promote the general welfare of Nantucket through informed citizen participation in community affairs. The Civic League has spo- ken out publicly a number of times in the past year or two in regard to the stewardship of our harbor.

Acting on January 22 at our monthly board meeting upon the recommendation of the NCL Executive Committee, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse the letter of the Board of Selectmen and the Marine Superintendent articulating the many concerns our community has in regard to the Chapter 91 License Application submitted by the developers of the Great Harbor Yacht Club (GHYC).

Although we understand the formal period for public comment has closed, we respectfully request that this communication be made part of the official record. It should be noted that this matter was first discussed by the NCL Executive Committee at a meeting on January 4, within the timeframe designated for public comment. However, at that time, the Board of Selectmen had not yet acted, and the next meeting of the NCL Board of Directors was not scheduled until January 22.

As you are well aware, Nantucket Harbor is a unique historic, environmental, community, and maritime resource. It is precious to those of us who live here, and to those who visit. The citizens of Nantucket look to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Department of Environmental Protection to assiduously uphold the provisions of MGL Chapter 91, especially in regard to issues of appropriate water-dependent uses on the harbor-front, public access and public safety, concerns paramount in this application.

We wholeheartedly support, and laud, the efforts of our town officials to assert the public interest in this matter and ask that you carefully consider their thoughtful comments as you conduct your review. The letter from BOS Chairman Willauer and Marine Superintendent Fronzuto, on behalf of the Town of Nantucket, clearly demonstrates to the Department of Environmental Protection the importance of this particular application to our entire island community.

Sincerely,

- Janis Carreiro Secretary, The Board of Directors

Nantucket Civic League UNDERWATER SCENARIO

To the editor:

I have been reading up on global warming and I find the following info of interest.

In the mountain chain north of India, alone, there is about 34 feet of water that could flow into the ocean in the watertable. If there is a dryspell, a breakdown of the monsoon cycle, this water will find its way into the ocean in about six years.

A 34-feet rise, excluding meltling ice, would put much of Nantucket into a shoal instead of an island. It will not take too long for the dim bulbs at Bank of America to blacklist lending on Nantucket and the resulting collapse of mortgage financed prices will make the Hindenberg look like a party balloon.

How many banks do you think will lend to underwater properties?

- William Kuntz