LETTERS
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THE SYSTEM WORKED

This is intended to be an open letter to all town residents.

To the editor:

On Tuesday, May 6, 2008 after a full school day and a school committee meeting, I was stopped by the State Police on my way home from dinner.

The officer explained that I was stopped because, in his opinion, I had crossed over the center dividing line in the roadway. I was asked, and subsequently agreed to participate in a series of field sobriety tests. At the completion of the tests, the officer informed me that he wished to take me to the police station to conduct an additional test.

At the police station I willingly agreed to submit to a breathalyzer examination. After completing the test, I was informed that I was free to leave because the results demonstrated that I was not operating my motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. I was not charged with any traffic violations, nor did I receive a citation as a result of the events on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

I would respectfully inform those of the Nantucket community that I appreciated the vigilance of the State Police in ensuring that people operating motor vehicles on our roadways do so safely.

As to my personal circumstances, the system worked as it was intended and the results of the scientific testing exonerated me.

- Robert Pellicone Superintendent of Schools

COMMITTEE ADDRESSES SITUATION

To the editor:

On Tuesday, May 6, following dinner out with friends, the Superintendent was involved in a traffic stop by State Police. After passing a breathalyzer test, a warning was issued for a marked lane violation. No citation was issued and no further police action was taken.

The Superintendent notified the Committee of this incident and we met with him as a group on Monday, May 12, to discuss the circumstances and to review our expectations that he present himself in his public life in a manner that is in keeping with the status of his position. We have discussed with the Superintendent our expectation that the good judgment he brings to his professional responsibilities extends to his off duty time spent in public. The Committee understands that this event has been a distraction from the important mission of providing the best education for our students.

While we acknowledge the potential gravity of this event, the Committee and the Superintendent are committed to moving forward and we will continue to work together on behalf of Nantucket's students.

- Nantucket School Committee

Sue Genthner, Chair; Jenny Garneau, Vice-Chair

Jane Miller, Secretary; Robin Harvey; Tim Lepore

A LOW POINT FOR SCALLOPING

To the editor:

Developer Gary McCarthy may be "very excited" about having reached a settlement for Great Harbor Yacht Club and it is nice to believe that they "look forward to being a responsible, active member of Nantucket's waterfront," but I think we need to be very clear about what has happened here.

Due to the unfortunate combination of a weak Conservation Commission board in 2005 and the heavily financed and relentlessly litigious approach of the GHYC, we are losing essential scallop habitat in Nantucket Harbor.

This is not a good outcome for the only remaining viable bay scallop fishery on the east coast, one that is already under threat from declining water quality and other environmental factors. I am deeply saddened by the now inevitable habitat destruction from dredging, pier placement and the propeller scour of large vessels in this fragile and historically fertile area. This settlement marks a low point in the lengthy and storied history of the Nantucket bay scallop industry.

- Marina S. Finch COUNCIL GRATEFUL

To the editor:

On behalf of the Nantucket Arts Council, I'd like to thank the Nantucket community for their overwhelming support for our successful 2008 Winter Concert Series, which concluded on Mother's Day with a rousing "Opera to Broadway" concert by Boston baritone Thomas Jones, performed before a full house at the Congregational Church's Old North Vestry.

The diverse lineup of performances began in February at the Coffin School with the classical Nantucket duo of pianist Robert Behrman and violinist Armen Ghazaryan, followed by The Western Wind a cappella vocal ensemble from New York in March and the spirited Quartetto Gelato of Canada in April. Under the outstanding direction of Nantucket Arts Council board member Dr. Gerry Mack with the assistance of fellow Arts Council board members and staff, the Series delighted Nantucketers who showed their support by purchasing tickets for the events. Based on the community's response, we hope to continue this program in 2009 and look forward to the same level of support as this year.

The Winter Concert Series would not have been possible if not for our generous underwriters. They are Tom and Muffy Lewis, the Livingston Family Foundation, the Seidman Foundation, Christine Sanford, the Rev. Georgia Snell and National Grid. We are especially grateful to Friends of the Nantucket Public Schools for making a choral workshop, led by The Western Wind ensemble, possible at Nantucket High School in conjunction with their Winter Concert Series performance. We also thank Hy-line Cruises and Mind's Eye Productions for in-kind support.

The Arts Council additionally thanks Mitchell's Book Corner, Bookworks and Dan's Pharmacy for handing Series' ticket sales. We also appreciate the publicity provided by The Nantucket Independent, Mahon About Town, Yackon.com, Yesterday's Island, Plum TV and the Inquirer and Mirror.

Our mission is to promote the appreciation of, provide access to and support the arts on Nantucket yearround. Thank you, Nantucket, for supporting us as we continue to carry out programming in support of this goal.

- Reggie Levine President, Nantucket Arts Council