LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor,

Although I want to think your hearts are in the right place, it seems your columnist's facts are not right in the September 10 issue of The Nantucket Independent which featured Pet Tracks columnist Jan Jaeger's " Ballot Question #3: The Greyhound Protection Act." OK, Let's start from Christine A. Dorchak,Esq. comments about David and Goliath. First of all, the two racing greyhound tracks in Mass. would be the David in this situation. We don't have more than 3,000 people who work for free. We do however have more than1,000 hardworking people with jobs. We don't work to raise money for a cause that has to lie to gain money from folks. Yes, I would donate money too, if I knew that "Henry," the greyhound shown on the Web site http://www.grey2kusa.org/ Racing/cruelty/html told me he was a greyhound racer. But, he and the eight other greyhounds found starving on a "Mass Breeding Farm in 2002," had nothing to do with our racing industry. Check your facts. The person who was arrested for this cruelty, should be! These greyhounds had nothing to do with our racing greyhounds. The best example I can give you is Michael Vick's fighting pit bulls. Just because Michael Vick fought his dogs, which is heartbreaking, that doesn't mean every pit bull in the world is an abused animal. I can go on and on about how well our greyhounds are cared for. I can even send you the facts, if you're interested. Here's just a few that may catch your attention: Grey2kusa has never viewed our racing kennels, although they are welcome to visit. Grey2kusa raises money to end greyhound racing, yet they are willing to let it get phased out. Please, if we abused our greyhounds shouldn't we be shut down, right away? Grey2kusa has never "rescued" any greyhound from any racing kennel. Grey2-kusa is a lobbying group. Their group doesn't have anything to do with greyhound adoption. Yes, they give one link in Mass., yet we have many links we could give you as to where our retired greyhounds go.

Best Wishes,

Sandy O'Neill To The Editor,

So many, many families have experienced Alzheimer's Disease. For those that haven't suffered this devastation in their own family, there are acquaintances that have been stricken. While there is yet no cure, there is so much we can do to provide care and quality of life for those afflicted. And there is so much more we can and need to do for the caregivers themselves - both family and professionals.

For the past 24 years "Alzheimer's Services of Cape & the Islands" has provided: Assistance to Caregivers & Professionals; a telephone Helpline; Consultation and Care Planning; Registration Assistance in the Safe Return Program for wanderers; plus Referral Services. All this is possible solely by private donations, gifts, grants and events like our upcoming "Miles of Memories" walk.

This Sunday, October 5th at noon we will kick off the 9th annual walk from the Muse to Surfside and return. Please register online at www.alzcapecod.org/walk or come and register between 11 a.m. and noon at the Muse. While walking the bike path to and from Surfside, sponsoring a walker, or simply sending in a donation online, we must all know that we will have improved the lives of those that deserve our compassion.

A special thanks to you all!

Maurice Gibbs Honorary Chair