LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Turn signals, time to tip your hand

To the Editor,

The time arrives each year when a little tutorial is in order for our highly esteemed summer visitors. This is obviously not needed by our yearround friends who all have perfect manners and understand the niceties of traffic in general and on Nantucket in particular. So here goes:

Turn signals are installed in your car so you can warn those around you, and the one behind especially, what you are planning to do when you get to the corner in question. The inventor miserably failed to install any benefit into the turn signal mechanism for those turned on after you have made the turn.

What is the correct advanced warning? Around here, where traffic is slow to moderate, a lead of three to four houses should be both polite and ample. Another easy measure would be to insure that your turn signal clicked at least four times before you put on the brake. On open highway much more lead time is advised unless you want a trunk full of 18-wheeler.

On Nantucket there are certain polite traditions which we use that are seldom used in America. One is to flash headlights or wave hand signals to someone who is indicating a desire to turn left to assure him that if he turns you won't run him down. Another involves special corners like Union and Francis where, when going in town on Union we turn on our left signal if we plan to go straight (so the oncoming car on Francis won't cross in front) and the right turn signal to allow the oncoming car to start right up and go around us. There are also some potentially fatal pedestrian and bicycle crossings like the one in front of our Marine Home Depot and the other at Fairgrounds and Old South where bicycles are rampant. I suppose it is asking a great deal for visitors to absorb these courtesies in two weeks. But there are some people who live "over there" who are quite bright and may be able to do the remarkable.

Pete Sawyer

Successful Fireworks

To the Editor,

So once again we had a little drama on the Fourth of July, but all's well that end's well and the community's patient perseverance paid off for a fun show. PHEW.

I would like to thank all who helped and contributed to this year's Fourth of July fireworks. Thank you to Dave Fronzuto and the Marine Department for their constant professional commitment in making sure that the fireworks make it securely onto the barge and for keeping our waters safe. Thank you to Libby Gibson and the Board of Selectmen for offsetting our extra costs for the barge and contributing to the event. In addition, I am grateful to Paula Leary for the use of the NRTA buses, Police Chief Bill Pittman for his help and Fire Chief Mark McDougall and both their staffs for their time. In addition I would like to include Grucci Fireworks, Jimmy Manchester and AT Wilce from Park and Rec, the Nantucket Lodging Association and the Nantucket Visitor Services Committee for their assistance in this event. I truly want to thank David, Kevin and the rest of my Staff for their continued support during a challenging time and to let them know I always appreciate their efforts.

Lastly, I would also like to thank the people of Nantucket for their patience during a stressful time and their impressive cheers when the fireworks show continued. Even though the weather can be challenging on this Island, the community's encouragement and their appreciation for this long standing Island event is truly valued by all involved.

Most Sincerely,

Kate Hamilton