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Gene Mahon

ISLAND DEER HUNTING SEASONS 2007 Deer hunting season begins Oct. 15 with bow and arrow hunters taking to the scrub oak. That season lasts through Nov. 24, followed by shotgun season, which runs from Nov. 26 through Dec. 8, followed by primitive firearm season Dec. 10 through Dec. 31.

Island explorers must be aware that hunters are out from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Hunting is prohibited on Sundays. Although there are fewer deer hunters who use bows and arrows, some of the dos and don'ts of being outside at this time of year bear reminding.

If you need to get out and walk, wear at least one article of bright neon orange clothing. If you take your dog, clothe it in a similarly colored sweater or vest, or at the very least, a fluorescent orange or yellow dog collar. In general, be wary of hunters while walking or cycling, realizing that they won't always see you or hear you.

For hunters, Nantucket's deer check station is out at the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Plant at the end of South Shore Road. You can purchase anterless deer permits online at www.sport.state.ma.us/. When you take your deer out to the check station to have it examined and weighed, you can purchase another permit at that time.

THE NUMBER As far as protecting the island's natural world goes, taking care of our harbors tops the list. Now there will be an actual number we can use to say how much more pollution Nantucket Harbor and Polpis Harbor can handle.

On Oct. 9, the Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on Nantucket to release Nantucket's TMDL number and explain its significance and usefulness. The Total Maximum Daily Load number was generated by the Massachusetts Estuaries Project, an analysis of 89 estuaries, harbors and bays in Southeastern Massachusetts.

The TMDL number represents the total amount of nutrients - sewage, fertilizer and other toxic runoff - that a given body of water can absorb before it dips below its ability to sustain life and into the realm of beach closures. Nantucket will likely use its TMDL number to limit development within harbor watersheds to help clean up Polpis Harbor and keep Nantucket Harbor clean.

The public hearing begins at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

GENE MAHON RECEIVES ACHIEVEMENT OFMERIT AWARD Each fall the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce board of directors presents an Achievement of Merit award to a chamber member for "outstanding and consistent commitment to responsible business practices and community service."

At the annual Fall Membership Dinner on September 20, Gene Mahon was presented with this year's award.

Gene's history in business and community service on Nantucket is extensive and diverse. From 1971 until the present, he has owned such businesses as Quintessence Photography Gallery, The Roadhouse Nightclub, The Nantucket Restaurant Guide, Nantucket Copy Center, Nantucket Print and Poster Gallery, Nantucket Video, The Camera Shop, Pocomo Productions Videography, Pocomo Publishing, Nantucket Television, Mahon About Town, Nantucket Digital Imaging, and has done freelance photography. Atireless volunteer, he also donates his time on various boards and town committees, including Nantucket AIDS Network, The Nantucket Arts Council, Nantucket Behavioral Health, The Opera House Cup Committee, the Cable Television Advisory Committee, Nantucket Community Television, Friends of the Nantucket Film Festival, and Nantucket Visitor Services.

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTORS, OFFICERS At the September 20 annual membership meeting of the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce the 2007/2008 slate of board of directors and officers was ratified. Joining the chamber board are newly elected directors Mike Allen of Tidal Creek Corporation; Mitch Carl of the Nantucket Lodging Association; Russell Carson of Nantucket Bank; Bill Ferrall, N Magazine; Wendy Hudson, Nantucket Lodging Association and Gene Mahon, Nantucket Visitor Services.

Continuing directors are: Annye Camara, Annye's Whole Foods; Cormac Collier, Nantucket Land Council; Sheila Egan, Swain's Travel; Bob Gardner, Wannacomet Water Company; Chuck Gifford, Nantucket Cottage Hospital; Peter Greenhalgh, Nantucket Historical Association; Tom Mleczko, Captain Tom's Fishing Charters; Chris Morris, Arno's 41 Main Street; Caroline Sallee Reilly, ACKtivities; Patricia Rottmeier, Marine Home Center; Jim Storey, Nantucket Island Resorts; John Stover, Stover Engineering; D. Anne Atherton, Nantucket Civic League; Bernie Coffin, Nantucket Association of Real Estate Brokers; Debbie Dilworth, Town Assessor, Nantucket Finance Department; and H. Flint Ranney, Steamship Authority.

The executive board for 2007/2008 includes Chris Morris as president, Sheila Egan and Scott Thomas as vice-presidents, Debbie Dilworth as treasurer, Peter Greenhalgh as secretary, Sheila Egan as nominating committee chair and Caroline

Sallee Reilly as public relations committee chair. I