Cape & Islands News

Korean sailor airlifted

Coast Guard airlifts ill crewmember from South Korean Naval vessel

A Coast Guard helicopter crew airlifted a crewmember experiencing abdominal pain from a South Korean Naval vessel about 200 miles east of Cape Cod Tuesday night.

The master of the South Korean vessel, Hwacheon, called Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Mass., around 3 p.m., requesting assistance for the 50-year-old man who had been experiencing pain for the past three days.

The Coast Guard directed the Hwacheon, which was about 450 miles east of New York City and out of range for a helicopter hoist, to altar course and head toward Cape Cod.

Once the vessel was within range, a Jayhawk helicopter crew was launched around 8:30 p.m., and a Falcon jet crew launched around 9 p.m.   A video clip from the previous press release is available HERE.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew hoisted the man around 10 p.m. and transported him to the Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis, around midnight, where Hyannis Fire Department took him to Cape Cod Hospital.

"The District One Coast Guard team was proud to serve the crew and naval cadets aboard the South Korean Navy Ship, Hwacheon, and help out a fellow mariner in distress," said Lt. Aurora Fleming, a First Coast Guard District Command Center duty officer.

The crewmember was reported to be in stable condition. 

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Host family on Ellsbury; Vietnam vets to be honored in Falmouth; Free CO alarms

Upper Cape News, October 31, 2007

   ^{Sandwich Marina. cctoday photo.}

Headlines from the Enterprise:
Falmouth selectmen look for ways to work with CPC on town needs
- Community Preservation Act of 2005 still a powerful tool to town officials
Falmouth Hospital Auxiliary reaches goal of raising $500,000
- Two years ahead of schedule auxiliary completes its pledge
Falmouth ZBA to ask selectmen to approve legal help
- Members of ZBA Appeals agreed to approach selectmen about retaining lawyer to review upcoming projects
FHS students told of lessons learned from handicaps
- Falmouth residents spoke to 11th graders about living with disabilities
Group spells out reasons to change Falmouth ZBA
- Working group looking into whether Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals should have five voting members rather than three
Mashpee man held in connection with fatal accident on Route 151
- Bail has been set at $50,000 for 23 year old who allegedly caused a July accident that killed two people
Marshfield man dies in accident on Seacoast Shores Boulevard
- Police are still investigating weekend crash that killed a man and left his sister in intensive care
Falmouth veterans services to honor those who served in Vietnam
- Roughly 60 Vietnam vets, some of whom are dead to be honored this year
"Spoon River" revisited at Grange Hall Benefit
- Benefit performances scheduled November 2nd and 3rd
Applications available for parade
- Applications for the 44th Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade now available

Read these and other stories in the Enterprise here. 

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Headlines from the Falmouth Bulletin:
A mother knows:
- Host mom was early witness to Ellsbury's greatness
Car accident claims second life
- Sarah Duggan, 18, of Plymouth has died from injuries sustained in an October 27th crash in Falmouth
University of Delaware's Garvine chosen for WHOI's Ketchum Award
- Garvine will be 14th recipient of the Bostwick H. Ketchum Award
Murray, Coan to join FFRD to distribute free CO alarms
- Free carbon monoxide alarms to be distributed Thursday the 1st
Predictions for another fall classic: Town Meeting
- Predictions on this year's articles

Read these and other headlines in the Falmouth Bulletin here. 

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Headlines from the Sandwich Broadsider:
A grand old Grange
- Fundraiser November 2 & 3
Historic district committee adds new faces: Election November  27
- Committee will have a new look following upcoming election
Tax title auction set for December 6
- A 34 acre parcel at the end of Atkins Road among pieces of land the town has decided to sell to get the land back on tax rolls
Jarvis Street Extension residents request street name change
- Folks request name change to Sunrise Lane
Helfrich reappointed to Sandwich Cultural Council
- Selectmen voted unanimously to reappoint Helfrich to council
Water Quality Advisory considers Popponesset Bay project
- Committee met to consider funding a large-scale project to reduce Nitrogen levels in bay

Read these and other stories in the Sandwich Broadsider here. 

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Greg Watson: The power of renewable energy non-profits as 'trim tabs'

^{The Heritage House Hotel in Hyannis was the scene Thursday evening for the fouth annual meeting of the 9,000-member, grassroots advocacy group Clean Power Now.  Above, those attending listen to Cape Cod TODAY publisher Walter Brooks accepting the group's award for "Excellence in Journalism."  In photos at right, executive director Barbara Hill welcomes the crowd, CPN President Dick Elrick presents Charles Kleekamp with an award for most active board member, and in bottom photo, accepts the journalism award from CPN's Chris Stimpson (photos, Liz Argo)}

Clean Power Now enters fifth year with 9,000 members
Awards given at annual meeting in Hyannis 

By Jack Coleman, capecodtodayreporter.com

Speaking before more than 100 people who turned out for Clean Power Now's annual meeting on Thursday, state renewable energy official Greg Watson described a powerful observation from the late Buckminster Fuller.

"One of Bucky's great insights was an understanding of whole systems leads to the discovery of one of more 'points of leverage' that offer the best opportunities for changing the course of a system, no matter how large and/or powerful," Watson told those at the meeting, held at the Heritage House Hotel in Hyannis.

 Fuller referred to this as the "trimtab" principle, Watson said, then quoted Fuller directly:

"Large ocean-going ships traveling a good clip require a great deal of energy to turn the rudder and change its course. This is due to their momentum and the density of the water that must be overcome. However, if a small flap - trim tab - is placed on the trailing edge of the rudder right above the water level, it can be  turned with a relatively small amount of energy. When it turns, it creates a partial vacuum, which in turn pulls the rudder and ultimately changes the course of the ship."

Watson described the efforts of the 22-acre New Alchemy Institute in Hatchville where he worked as education director. Founded in the 1970s, New Alchemy was a leader in what Watson described as "Appropriate Technology" and its mission "was to develop environmentally sound approaches to meeting society's basic needs: food, energy, energy, shelter and clean water." (follow this link for text of Watson's remarks)

More than three decades ago, New Alchemy researchers "demonstrated that we know how to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels," Watson said. "One-tenth of an acre of their raised-bed organic gardens were able to support the annual vegetable needs of 13 people. Passive solar greenhouses were able to operate throughout the winter months solely on solar power." An old barn on the site was renovated and turned into an auditorium. "Superinsulation" and energy conservation eliminated the need for central heating.

"This," Watson said, "is how grassroots non-profit organizations like New Alchemy and Clean Power Now can bring about major social change with relatively modest resources. That kind of thinking and approach to problem-solving is needed more today than ever. The lack of commitment on the part of the Bush administration to addressing climate change calls for a coordinated grass-roots effort. That is precisely what CPN represents."

2,500 new members in last year, group increases activities

Greg Watson,  Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Technology at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental AffairsNow in its fifth year, Clean Power Now formally took shape in the spring of 2003 in response to creation of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a well-funded opposition group focused on thwarting the Cape Wind project.

CPN Executive Director Barbara Hill outlined the organization's efforts and successes over the past year and said "there has never been a time in our history when 'thinking globally and acting locally' has more urgency."

Hill described attending the United Nations' three-day, 60th annual DPI/ NGO (Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations) conference with its theme this year of, "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All." Attending were more than 1,700 people from 66 countries and 491 NGOs.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the delegates, Hill said, by stating that "few issues match climate change in the threat they pose to all of humanity or the joint efforts they demand from us."

Mikhail Todishev, a representative of the Russian Association of Indigenuous People of the North, "shared heartbreaking descriptions of what is happening in a far eastern Siberian village."

Speaking through a translator, Todishev said that "animals to feed the bears are becoming less as the ice territory is decreasing." As related by Hill, Todishev said parents in his village bring their children to school in the morning while armed with shotguns.

"They do this because the infiltration of polar bears into their village has increased tenfold since the Arctic ice on which they traditionally live and feed is disappearing," Hill said.

"When we began spewing pollution into the air on a massive scale," Hill said, "we lost the right to make decisions based solely on the impacts to our immediate environment, especially when our impacts began to affect people who not only live halfway around the world but who do relatively nothing to contribute to these impacts. If we are going to build a new wing on a hospital or an additional retirement home, we will need additional electricity. So, beyond what impacts occur in the immediate vicinity that are visible and obvious to local residents, there are significant impacts to residents in faraway places."

"Not only humans but the bear also has the right to clean water, fresh air and a supportive habitat"
- CPN's Barbara HillWhat made the recent Cape Cod Commission decision to reject Cape Wind's application for its cables to come ashore "so egregious," Hill said, is that by holding Cape Wind "to a much higher standard than similar electric cables and essentially obstructing the project, the decision shamefully ignores and lacks any global perspective."  

 "Cape Wind must be built," Hill said. "Time is short and the impacts to our energy use must be mitigated. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. Not only humans but the bear also has the right to clean water, fresh air and a supportive habitat."

Staff grows and "end game" is now

Hill introduced CPN's newest staff member, Jen Filiault,  an unpaid summer intern who's been hired as organizational and outreach coordinator. Filiault graduated from the University of Vermont wit a dual degree in political science and French and her interest in renewable energy was heightened by a trip last year to Costa Rica to study sustainable development and eco-tourism.

Hill praised Chelsea Harnish, CPN's membership coordinator and longest-serving staff member for her "consistent commitment, exceptional work ethic and willingness to assist in all facets of the organization." Addressing the meeting, Harnish said CPN's membership roll had increased by more than 2,000 members over the last year and that the organization has also scheduled or taken part in at least one event during that time.

Hill also introduced CPN's new media strategist, Steve Crawford, principal of the Arlington-based Crawford Strategies. Crawford worked as press secretary to former governor Michael Dukakis and currently serves as an adviser to Gov. Deval Patrick. His other clients have included Outward Bound and Amtrak.

Minerals Management Service  of the US Department of the Interior is expected to release a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Cape Wind in late November, Hill said, followed by four public hearings after the holidays. A final permitting decision by MMS on the wind farm could come by the end of 2008.

Kleekamp, Brooks honored 

Those attending the meeting also heard from Bill and Dorte Griswold, who described their summer visit to the energy self-sufficient Danish island of Samso. The Griswolds organized two previous CPN trips to Denmark in 2004 and 2005 to see land-based and offshore wind farms.

CPN Vice President Chuck Kleekamp was honored with an award as most active board member while capecodtoday.com publisher Walter Brooks received CPN's Outstanding Journalism award.  

"Walter's lived on Cape Cod for 40 years, and has, I believe, as much right as any of us to know what's right for this part of the world and to demand that what's right gets done," said CPN board member Chris Stimpson, who traveled from New Hampshire to attend the meeting. "I think I first became aware of Walter when a certain well-funded but unrepresentative local organization declared that 'all local businesspeople are against the Cape Wind proposal.' The publisher of CapeCod Today shot back that he was a local businessman and he was fully in favor of the proposal.

"But this is where Walter's methods differ from certain elements of the local conventional press," said Stimpson (whose remarks can be read in their entirety here). "Sure he writes and publishes editorials in favor of Cape Wind, but those editorials have an annoying habit of pointing out facts that other news organs may not have found room for, to put it kindly.

"I literally started CapeCodToday due to the failure of the old media to cover the most important issue on Cape Cod since establishment of the National Seashore" -Walter Brooks"But more importantly, as blogfather of CapeCodToday, he opens the pages of his site to commentary from all comers," Stimpson said. "He doesn't censor or edit or filter the submissions, which means that anyone with an opinion on anything from Wampanoag tribal affairs to Flower Club politics to Cape Wind can express that opinion for all to see. And this is more open and honest than any other coverage we've seen, certainly on the Cape Wind issue."

Accepting the award, Brooks described how his interest in Cape Wind was temporarily sidelined by the September 2001 terrorist attack, to be renewed by persistent misinformation about the project in the months to follow.

"I literally started CapeCodToday due to the failure of the old media to cover the most important issue on Cape Cod since establishment of the National Seashore" in the early 1960s, Brooks said.

Jack Coleman is an editor, reporter and blogger at CapeCodToday and former media adviser to Clean Power Now.

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The tale of two island boats; Aquinnah Tribe news; $2.7 M Beach Restoration; Police probe officer's conduct.

Martha's Vineyard  Headlines, October26, 2007

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Joins Seneca Nation in Bid to Build Casino
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) publicly stepped back into the casino game this week, as tribal leaders formally announced that they have formed a business partnership with Seneca Nation, an upstate New York tribe that owns and operates three successful casinos...

Island Schools Superintendent Braces for Reaction to Budget
Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss unveiled an eye-opening $3.5 million budget for the coming fiscal year last week, a 20 per cent increase over 2006...

Owner of Quitsa Strider in Menemsha Sells His Fishing Rights, Ending an Era
One of Menemsha’s most respected fishermen, Jonathan Mayhew, has quit fishing the high seas. 

Mr. Mayhew recently sold his federal permits, giving up his license to ply the offshore waters of Georges Bank for cod, flounder and other fish.

A Vineyard native who grew up in a family of generations of fishermen, Mr. Mayhew, 56, said a chapter has closed in his life. He said he worries now for the future of young local fishermen facing current fishing rules...

Court Ruling Favors Aquinnah, Upholding Townwide DCPC
Marking a key win for the town of Aquinnah in its long-running legal battle with James J. Decoulos and Maria Kitris, who want to open up Moshup Trail for development, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled yesterday on two separate fronts, finding:
• Mr. Decoulos has not won the right to subdivide two lots he owns off Moshup trail.
• The Aquinnah townwide district of critical planning concern is valid...

Beach Restoration to Cost $2.7 Million
Oak Bluffs voters may soon be asked to spend $100,000 to pay for engineering work associated with an ambitious waterfront improvement project along Seaview avenue from Oak Bluffs harbor to Farm Pond...

Rogers Path Case Tests Public Rights On Island Ancient Way
Scott Bermudes jealously guards his privacy. So back on Nov. 27, 2001, when he got word that a land bank employee was coming to mow the old path which runs through his block in West Tisbury, he went down to order them off, as he had done with others who wandered across his land on the path...

Tiffany Smalley Finds University Life Rewarding
Ask someone when they think the first Native American attended Harvard and they might guess somewhere in the 1950s. Perhaps they’ll go back as far back as the mid-19th century. In fact, the first Native American was a Vineyarder, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, and he graduated from Harvard in 1665. Now, more than 300 years later, the second Wampanoag tribe member to attend as an undergraduate is settling in as a freshman.  “I think it is such a perfect time for me to have got here, ” says Tiffany Smalley, 18, surrounded by her textbooks under the yellow umbrellas of a Harvard Yard cafe. One of her first acts on campus was to sign up for the Archeology of Harvard Yard, a practical class which aims to exhume what ’s left of the Indian College buried under the quad. By looking down at the dig site from her red brick dormitory hall, Ms. Smalley can monitor the recovery of her Harvard heritage every morning...  (On right; The Indian Bible translated by John Eliot in 1665.)

Read the rest of the Vineyard Gazette.
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Nantucket Headlines, October 26, 2007

New life for old boat
Fisherman wants dragger for home
Moored in Nantucket Harbor, the 67-foot Miss China is on her way to becoming a houseboat. New owner Joe Dooley cannot move aboard the former dragger, however, until he complies with several marine safety and environmental regulations.  According to Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto, the Miss China has sat moored at the piers near Hy-Line Cruises' Hyannis terminal for the last year-and-half. Dooley, a scalloper who is already living on a much smaller boat in the harbor, had her towed to Nantucket several weeks ago - not to fish with, but to live upon...

Police probe officer behavior
The Nantucket Police Department is conducting a probe into whether officers acted inappropriately, used racial slurs or may have targeted a group of black youths during an incident that occurred on Aug. 8 on the Broad Street strip. Police Chief William Pittman said once the investigation is complete he will release the information to the public.

Frank Morral named new president of TWN
Pam Murphy takes final bow after three years
The curtain closed on Pam Murphy's three-year presidency of the board of the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket last Thursday night as Frank Morral was voted as its new president during the annual meeting. "Now it's time for a little Pam time," said Murphy. "I'd like to get back on the stage and have a little fun.

LEADING LADIES
AN INDEPENDENT SERIES • PART 3 WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
For many of the island's women in government, their work revolves around numbers, so it is vital that they are grounded in an ability to calculate with accuracy and maintain orderly processes for the efficient functioning of their offices.

Marine Department works to regulate commercial eel, quahog and mussel fisheries
Nantucket has commercial fishing regulations for bay scallops, but not for mussels, eels and quahogs. Because of this ommission in island fishing regulations, Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto is preparing to research and author new commercial guidelines for the harvesting of these three marine species.

'Sconset Trust plans restoration
Sankaty settles into new home
Sankaty is home now, firmly connected to her new concrete foundation by two-and-a-half feet of new concrete. Working with local contractor Gerald Minihan, International Chimney of Buffalo, N.Y. on Oct. 15 built concrete forms around the bottom of the lighthouse from its foundation up.

Read the rest of the Nantucket Independent.   

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Sturgis MCAS scores soar; Sandy Neck Light shines

News from the Mid Cape, October 26, 2007

   ^{Hyannis Harbor, Hyannis. cctoday photo.}

Headlines from the Barnstable Patriot:
Dropping the dropout rate
- BHS has seen a decline in recent years, but students are still dropping out
Whose Main Street is it anyway?
- Retail replacement riles neighbors of miniature golf course
Split tax vote may come before new council seated
- Currently sitting town council may be making the decision this year
St. Peter's new interim washed ashore long ago
- Rev. Robert Williams Anthony appointed interim priest in Osterville
A federal salute for Barnstable
- Janet Joakim enjoyed her second trip to DC much more than the first
Atsalis contacts church about political signs
- Atsalis found signs on church grounds inappropriate
No barrier to art at the airport
- Seascapes brighten security buffers
Sturgis students go to space
- Astronaut with Falmouth ties shares shuttle experience

Read these and other stories in the Barnstable Patriot here. 

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Headlines from the Register:
Sturgis MCAS scores soar
- Students at the charter school are definitely making the grade
Gearing up for winter
- Advocates continue fight to end homelessness on Cape Cod
A Special night
- Sandy Neck Light shines again
South Street sidewalks get community support
- Overwhelming support at public meeting, project to continue
DY's biggest test
- 31-7 win gives DY a 7-0 record
Medium wavers' reach extends around the world
- Only about 900 people worldwide are medium wave DXers, two live on Cape, three miles apart
Dolphins tie up, Gonsalves, Harwich
- D-Y ties Harwich in girl's field hockey
Commission's new director targets Cape's future
- Niedzwicki, who recently replaced Fenn, has his finger on the pulse of the Cape's future

Read these and other stories in the Register here. 

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Oil spikes at $92 a barrel, triple what it was when Cape Wind was proposed in '01

^{[ This morning in the Times of London]}
Supply fears push oil above $92, a 50% increase since start of this year
Prices On Cape are already 30 cents above Off-Cape

Oil price pushes through yet another record amid supply fears ahead of winter, putting ressure on OPEC to raise production  Oil prices have risen to yet another record after unexpected falls in supplies of US crude stockpiles stoked fears of winter shortages.  US crude for December jumped to a record-peak of $92.22 a barrel in early European trade, while London Brent also hit a fresh all-time high of $89.30. The increase means that oil has climbed about 50 per cent since the start of the year...

“US moves on Iran and continued worries of supply are factors now." US crude oil stocks unexpectedly fell by 5.3 million barrels last week. Tensions in the Middle East and a record low dollar also helped fuel the oil price climb. The weak dollar fuels oil buying as investors view dollar assets as relatively cheap. “The market is founded on fear and supply-side concerns,” said an analyst at National Australia Bank, told Reuters. “The US moves on Iran and continued worries of supply are the factors now."

Fears of a supply crunch have been underlined this week by producer cartel OPEC. Abdullah al-Badri, OPEC’s Secretary General, said world oil markets were well supplied, while dollar weakness and a flood of speculative investment had helped push prices up to record levels.... Times of London. 

Prices just Off-Cape now running 30 cents a gallon cheaper
That's $7 more for the average fill-up here

Prices in Hyannis this morning here.
Prices in Bridgewater this morning here.

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3 in 5 on Cape Cod & Islands now approve wind farm

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Minot Lighthouse sunken past revealed

Sunken history, revealed
Find and document the remains of the original Minot's Ledge Lighthouse

Story and photos by Petty Officer Etta Smith 

Twelve brawny men, mostly strangers, pile into a cramped room and gather around a conference table. They listen carefully to the meticulous instruction of a National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration scientist as he explains the process for measuring and documenting underwater artifacts. The men are as unfamiliar with the techniques being taught as they are with each other. As they learn the methods, they make light-hearted jokes with one another to break the ice.

Who are these men? Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team divers from California, New York, Florida and Massachusetts.

ATLANTIC OCEAN- (June 19, 2007) Coast Guard Cutter Abbie Burgess, homeported in Rockland, Maine, lowers a small boat to the water in support of an archaeological survey dive around Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, about four miles east of Scituate, Mass. 12 Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team members from all over the country to document the remnants of the lighthouse that collapsed into the ocean in 1851, just one year after its construction. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Etta Smith)

The mission? To find and document the remains of the original Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, a lighthouse that collapsed into the ocean in 1851, only one year after its construction.

After a brief training session with NOAA staff at Coast Guard Sector Boston and a short, hands-on exercise in the parking lot, the divers were ready to explore the seabed surrounding the current Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, about four miles east of Scituate, Mass.

This archeological expedition was the result of the culminated efforts of active duty, reserve, retired and auxiliary Coast Guard members in conjunction with more than nine other agencies.

"The project goal was to document the underwater remains of the original lighthouse structure by documenting individual items and mapping their locations to produce a map of the submerged site," said Lt. j.g. Keith Meverden, the Coast Guard's underwater archaeologist on the project. "This information is used to create a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places."

While several assets and agencies collaborated to carry out this mission, perhaps the most unique tool used throughout the week was a remote operated vehicle, from MSST Boston.

This was truly an uncommon mission for the divers and the ROV operator. Typically, MSST divers and the ROV 

ATLANTIC OCEAN- (June 18, 2007) Petty Officer 1st Class Carl Shipley tugs his remote operated vehicle from sea to the deck of Coast Guard Cutter Abbie Burgess, homeported in Rockland, Maine. The ROV was used in support of an archaeological survey dive in search of the remnants of the original Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, about four miles east of Scituate, Mass. Shipley, of the Maritime Safety and Security Team in Boston, worked with 12 MSST divers from all over the country to document the remnants of the lighthouse that collapsed into the ocean in 1851, just one year after its construction. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Etta Smith)

are deployed in support of homeland security missions, said Petty Officer First Class Carl Shipley, the ROV operator from MSST Boston.

Working outside of his typical harbor environment, Shipley inevitably encountered new challenges at Minot's Ledge.

"For me, the most challenging part was dealing with the currents around the ledge," he said. "I was forced to add extra weight to the robot, allowing the robot to dive to the sea floor, but it also made the robot very hard to maneuver."

Although Shipley encountered challenges on the dive site, the project leaders said Shipley's ability to adapt accordingly proved beneficial to the mission.

The ROV helped the archaeologists and dive teams by allowing a larger area around the lighthouse to be searched, said Lt. j.g. Keith Wilkins, from MSST N.Y., the lead dive officer on the project.

"This area (covered by the ROV) was in addition to the area originally laid out by the underwater archaeologists," said Wilkins. "After seeing the video recording of what the ROV had seen, we could start a search around the marker buoy that was dropped."

On the third day of the deployment, Shipley discovered remnants of iron beams that are believed to be structural support legs for the fallen lighthouse.

While Shipley overcame unexpected difficulties at Minot's Ledge, the dive teams enjoyed the benefits of the off shore environment.

"Visibility being about ten feet throughout the operation was a nice treat because in N.Y. Harbor we are lucky if we can see our hand in front of our face," said Wilkins.

ATLANTIC OCEAN- (June 20, 2007) Two divers from the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team measure and mark an iron beam near Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, about four miles east of Scituate, Mass. The iron find is believed to have been structural support for the original lighthouse. This photo was taken by a remote operated vehicle, controlled by Petty Officer First Class Carl Shipley. The ROV was used in support of an archaeological survey dive in search of the remnants of the original Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, that collapsed into the sea in 1851 only one year after its construction. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer First Class Carl Shipley)

The improved visibility was an asset to the operation because divers said finding artifacts that have been resting on the sea floor for more than 150 years can be difficult.

"I literally had my face in every nook and cranny I could see on the ocean bottom," said Wilkins.

Shipley compared it to, ‘looking for a needle in a haystack.'

Not only were the artifacts hard for the divers to identify but Meverden had the task of translating the divers' descriptions, sketches and measurements the divers had recorded on underwater slates.

"Trying to interpret data gathered underwater from a second-hand perspective was challenging," said Meverden. "It was difficult to assess what was being located on the bottom without seeing and touching it for myself."

The ability to see and touch these artifacts allows us to preserve history for future generations. Since the initial dive, subsequent smaller dives have taken place to continue the search for artifacts and details with which to map the site.

"This operation showed how standardized military dive training allows for several dive teams to come together as one cohesive unit within a very short period of time," said Wilkins.

 Bringing 12 strangers together to work in an unfamiliar environment, with new equipment and techniques could have presented many opportunities for failure. However, because of the standardized training each diver received, the divers met on Sunday and were in the water documenting artifacts on Monday to enable historians and archaeologists to continue to learn from the secrets history leaves behind.

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Eldredge Library haunted?; 142 field goals for Gonsalves; Harwich too old for fluoride?

Lower Cape News, October 25, 2007

   ^{The USCG speeds through Chatham Harbor. cctoday photo.}

Headlines from the Cape Cod Chronicle:
CHATHAM
Hinchey named runner-up for Naples exec job
- Chatham town manager may be taking the reins in Florida
Sou'Wester project dead, property on auction block
- Property along with adjacent parcel going on the auction block October 30th
Feds fund Monomoy transportation study
- Study to look at flex bus route expansion
Planning department reorganized
- Organization comes after town fails to fill planner job
Dredging Mill Creek outlet studied
- Town studying viability of dredging outside Mill Creek
Mooring bylaw revision examined
- New waterways bylaw to address mooring concerns
Scientists monitor break tides
- Firm uses Chatham's new inlet to test wave current meter
Do ghosts haunt the stacks at Eldredge Library?
- More than one employee thinks the library is haunted
Haunting Chatham's many cemeteries
- A tour of Chatham's nineteen cemeteries
HARWICH
Startup costs for fluoride in town water would be $300,000
- Health board member thinks it's not necessary given Harwich's older population
Deadline nears for municipal golf course changes
- Confusion over decisions made creates anxiety and concern
Meetinghouse gets donations
- Friends get historic donations for South Harwich Meetinghouse
Fennell access work underway
- Public access way being installed at Wychmere Club
Grants fund muddy creek, fertilizer studies
- $75,000 in grants will pay for two separate studies
SPORTS
Gonsalves becomes the all-time leading goal scorer
- Senior Lauren Gonsalves scored her 142nd goal for Harwich field hockey
Cape Tech/Harwich downs Martha's Vineyard for first Mayflower Large League Win
- Crusaders made a splash on Saturday
EDITORIAL
Meet the challenge, Harwich schools
- Double dose of bitter medicine with NEASC evaluation and MCAS

Read these and other stories in the Cape Cod Chronicle here.

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Headlines from the Harwich Oracle:
Feds seize Main Street property
- Authorities say the building was purchased with drug money
High court OKs Oyster Creek dredging
- Harwich lost final appeal to prevent the dredging of Oyster Creek
Town renews license with meetinghouse Friends
- Group will be allowed to continue fullscale renovation for the next three years
Selectmen okay road race, with conditions
- Permission given for the 17th Annual Bob McCourt Run for Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's
Local anti-war activists to join Boston rally
- Cape Codders for Peace and Justice will head for Boston on Saturday
Gonsalves states her case
- Lauren Gonsalves scores 142nd field hockey goal
Crusaders set for "Clash on the Canal"
- Team will face their toughest test on Friday night

Read these and other stories in the Harwich Oracle here. 

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Headlines from the Cape Codder:
Mooring bylaws to be comprehensively written
- Several issues to address as Chatham bylaws are written
Seashore, Monomoy receive $2.65 million for transportation improvements
- FTA will fund four separate Cape Cod transporation projects

Read these and other stories in the Cape Codder here. 

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Coast Guard Recommends against Fall River LNG facility

This is what a Liquified Natural Gas ship looks like in harbor.

Coast Guard says no to Weaver Cove LNG terminal in Fall River
Finds waterway unsuitable due to navigational safety

The Coast Guard announced today its determination that the waterway approach to the proposed Weaver's Cove Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in Fall River is unsuitable for LNG tanker traffic due to navigational safety challenges.

In his letter of recommendation, the Captain of the Port and Commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, Capt. Roy Nash, said that a segment of the transit route extending from Sandy Point to the Weaver's Cove site, presents significant navigational safety challenges to the proposed LNG vessels' size and transit frequency.

"Vessel masters would face extraordinary navigational maneuvers when transiting the waterway and the safety risks are too great to favorably recommend the waterway as suitable." said Nash.

Chief among the Coast Guard's concerns is the limited maneuvering room between the old and new Brightman Street bridges. The bridges are nearly parallel to each other and are only about 1100 feet apart.  The opening in the old bridge is only 98 feet wide and is not aligned with the new bridge opening.  The proposed tankers are well over 700 feet in length, over 80 feet wide, with drafts up to 37.5 feet.

The proposed transit route would also bring LNG vessels to within 100 feet of the U.S.S. Massachusetts museum, the Braga Bridge and the State Pier.

Nash stated "After an exhaustive analysis of a considerable amount of information, I have concluded that such transits cannot be conducted safely on a routine, repeatable basis, and that the risk of a mishap in Mount Hope Bay, and particularly in the Taunton River in the vicinity of the two Brightman Street bridges, is unacceptably high."

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead agency for permitting construction of LNG facilities. The Coast Guard assists FERC by comprehensively assessing the suitability of the waterway for LNG transits.  For more information about FERC and its approval process, visit FERC's website at ferc.gov.   The letter of recommendation can be downloaded here.
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Big victory in fight against LNG plan 

EAST BAY - The U.S. Coast Guard issued a recommendation Wednesday afternoon against allowing liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport over waterways in the Mt. Hope and Narragansett bays to a proposed facility in Fall River... 

Rep. Raymond Gallison, a long-time opponent of Weaver's Cove's plan to build a facility in Fall River, praised the Coast Guard's decision.  "The waterways of Narragansett Bay, Mt. Hope Bay and up into the Taunton River are not suitable for the LNG tankers," he said. "I applaud this negative letter of recommendation."

The proposal by Weaver's Cove, a subsidiary of the Hess Company, to build an LNG facility in Fall River has been controversial since it was first proposed in 2004. Organizations like Save the Bay and Save Bristol Harbor have fought against the transportation of LNG over the water, citing the catastrophic effect an accident could have and how much it would affect existing traffic on the bay ... East Bay Newspapers.

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Coast Guard helps when hospital helicopters are grounded

Coast Guard crew airlifts ailing man
9,599th rescue by Air Station Cape Cod

A Coast Guard crew airlifted a 36-year-old man from Nantucket Cottage Hospital and transported him to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston around 12:55 a.m., today, after high winds grounded the hospital's helicopters.

A crew aboard a Jayhawk rescue helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod responded to a call requesting medical transfer from Nantucket to Boston around 11:28 p.m., Tuesday.

The helicopter crew transported the man to Logan Airport where they were met by Beth Israel Deaconess Ambulatory Services for further transport to the hospital.

The man's condition is unknown.  The sustained winds were measured to be around 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

"When other emergency transportation means are unavailable, the Coast Guard provides this life saving service," said Lt. j.g. Adam Young, the public affairs officer at Air Station Cape Cod.  Air Station Cape Cod counts this as their 9,599th case.

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Lures lost; School board seat to fill; Teaticket man stabbed; Cubellis family to rebuild

Upper Cape news, Oct. 24

   ^{The water pump at the Dexter Grist Mill, Sandwich Center; cctoday photo.}

Headlines from the Enterprise:
Selectmen raise questions about Nantucket Village in North Falmouth
- Falmouth board votes to send negative referral to state housing officials
Consultant presents Falmouth wastewater plant sites - public hearing to follow
- Could turn out to be town's largest public works project to date
Fundraising earn Morse Pond students Energy Superstar Award
- Students given chance to make a difference in the world at last year's energy fair
Wellness Center promotes fitness among Falmouth students
- Physical education expanded and improved thanks to grant
"This I Believe" chosen for Year of the Reader
- Book edited by Jay Allison of Woods Hole and Dan Gediman chosen for next year's Falmouth townwide read
Visitor loses unusual collection in Woods Hole
- Canvas bag of homemade fishing lures sought
Eight apply for seat on Falmouth School Board
- Eight apply for one opening, up for a town vote in May
Teaticket man seriously injured in stabbing
- Marstons Mills man arrested for allegedly stabbing a Teaticket man in his home
MCAD agrees to hear discrimination complaint involving Falmouth Officer
- Commission found probable cause in the case of Officer Ruben J. Ferrer
Planning board expected to vote on Woods Hole rezoning article
- Town to decide if formerly residential zone will be made a business district
Three FHS students arrested after bomb threat
- Falmouth High students were arrested Friday after threat

Read these and other stories in the Enterprise here. 

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Headlines from the Bourne Courier:
Bourne may face override vote for police, fire department jobs
- Selectmen say town faces a $1.8 million deficit for operations in fiscal 2009
Reducing trash disposal rates: Why not compost?
- A consultant claims compost could lengthen life of Bourne landfill
Patrick bill would reward small power generators
- Greater rewards for those who generate their own renewable energy
Fashion and school pride: Jewelry designer gives back to communities
- Sale of Angela Feltman's jewelry popular and part of proceeds benefit local school art programs
Cubellis  family vows to build  new Mezza Luna
- Landmark restaurant destroyed by fire, family decides to rebuild

Read these and other stories in the Bourne Courier here. 

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Headlines from the Falmouth Bulletin:
Bullard happy to see water everywhere
- The Earth is misnamed, according to the president of the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole
Eight in running for school committee vacancy
- Eight to be considered for one open position
Falmouth Academy receives $100K financial aid grant
- The Hermann Foundation of East Falmouth has awarded the grant
Couch potatoes need not apply
- Voyage offers high seas classroom for lifelong learners

Read these and other stories in the Falmouth Bulletin here. 

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Headlines from the Sandwich Broadsider:
Restaurant acknowledges credit card breach
- If you dined at Not Your Average Joe's in August or September, you may have been affected
High School MCAS results impressive
- Sandwich students happy with results
Long Range Plan guides town's progress
- Continually referenced, reinterpreted and revised
Golden Triangle deal still a work in progress
- Due to zoning requirements, large area of vacant land will remain vacant well into the future
Selectmen will try again on Roberti Farm
- Board will seek new bids

Read these and other stories in the Sandwich Broadsider here. 

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CapeCodToday's Peter Kenney nominated for a Best of the Blogs award

Bring on the BOBs
The Great Gadfly garners a nod

It was announced Tuesday, that CapeCodToday's own Peter Kenney was nominated for a Best of the Blogs (BOB) award for his Great Gadfly blog.  The BOBs is an annual blog competition sponsored by Deutsche Welle, an international broadcaster of German news and radio.  In its third year, the BOBs is the biggest blog competition in the world.

BOBs are awarded for the best blog as well as other categories including best podcast and best videoblog among others.  Top honors will be awarded to the best blog in each of  ten language categories including English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.  Mr. Kenney has been nominated in the English category.

Blogs were submitted by users and if approved by BOBs editors were added to the BOBs site in the appropriate language category.  Bloggers who focus on current affairs and trends are given special attention.  Over 7,000 blogs and podcasts were submitted.

According to the website, the BOBs have "entered the final stretch" with November 15th being the last day to vote.  The jury, made up of fifteen international, independent journalists, media experts and blog experts has chosen a "short list" of 150 nominees in 15 categories.  When creating the short list, the jury took into account prose, creativity, design and user friendliness.

Peter in the Top Ten for voting 

Cast your votes here for Peter before the November 15th deadline.The Great Gadfly made the Top Ten English cut along with other blogs such as Metaversed, TPM Muckracker and Valour-IT.  See the list of all nominees here.  The winners will be announced on November 15th at an awards ceremony in Berlin.  In addition to their BOBs, winners will be awarded a laptop, an iRadio and a multimedia player.

As the Great Gadfly, Kenney investigates and comments on the workings of Cape Cod town and county government.  See his blog on CapeCodToday here as well as his other blog, Wampagate here, where he reports on the Wampanoag of Mashpee and their efforts to build the Commonwealth's first casino.

The editors and publishers of CapeCodToday wish to extend our congratulations to Peter on his nomination and we encourage CapeCodToday and Peter's readers to cast their votes before the November 15th deadline.

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DA O'Keefe gets $31,344 raise; Porn suspect out on bail, teaches at HS; Wealthy control Commission; Seashore gets money and hunting

DA's salary to go up 26 percent to $149K
Guv's paycheck increases 4 percent to $147K in same bill


     Hypocrisy in Action
                By Jim Horton
What happens when a government body wants to deny an application, but doesn't want to be ridiculed?
   It asks for more information, then more information, then more information again until an applicant quits in frustration. 
   That appears to be what is happening here. The Cape Cod wind generation project is a nationally publicized example of NIMBY (Not in My Backyard). The wealthy who reside there want environmentally generated power as long as it is done somewhere else. It seems clear that they have power over the Cape Cod Commission, and the Commission is doing their bidding. The developer has a weapon too. He can continue to publicize his difficulties to expose deliberate malingering in the hope that public pressure will get the Commission to act. It is a waiting game now -- who can outlast the other.  Jim Horton,
Online Public Relations.Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe and the rest of the state’s district attorneys will see their annual salary jump 26 percent, from $117,499 to $148,843, under a supplemental budget signed yesterday by Gov. Deval Patrick.  The pay hike, the first for Massachusetts district attorneys since 1999, was approved by the House and Senate. The district attorneys will first get a raise to $144,508, retroactive to January, before their pay rises to $148,843 in July.

“We thought it was important to do that because they hadn’t had their salaries adjusted since 1999, and this increase is a reflection of that,” said David Guarino, a spokesman for House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi.  The $278 million “supplemental” budget is in addition to a $26.8 billion spending plan approved by the Legislature earlier this year ...  Inquirer & Mirror.  
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Nantucket Man Out On Bail After Porn Arrest
Computer Discs, Videos Found, Police Say,
Reportly teaches sailing at Island High School

A Nantucket man who was arrested on child pornography charges after leaving a digital camera in a Cape Cod hotel room has been released after posting $25,000 bail.

Barnstable police said a hotel employee who found the camera called police after seeing images of an adult male engaged in sex with young girls.

William Constable was arrested when he returned to the hotel to retrieve the camera ... Investigators said Constable is suspected of having traveled to Southeast Asia several times and allegedly videotaped himself having sex with adolescent girls ...  WCVB.    Read the report in the Inquirer & Mirror. 
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Bay State projects getting federal transit money
CC National Seashore gers $2.6M for buses & trolley

Several projects around the state are in line for federal transit money, including a plan to improve transportation at the Cape Cod National Seashore.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is getting just over $2.6 million to purchase buses and trolley, and complete planning for a more integrated parking system ... WPRI. 
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National Park Service Reinstates Hunting on Seashore
Four-year ban on hunting in Cape Cod comes to a close

The National Park Service has approved a plan to permit a century-old hunting tradition to resume on the Cape Cod National Seashore, a popular federal hunting area in New England.  On Oct. 12, the National Park Service announced the reinstatement of pheasant stocking at the Cape Cod National Seashore for the next 17 years and pheasant hunting indefinitely. The agency will also increase upland bird habitat and establish a spring turkey hunt. The plans are part of a court-ordered environmental assessment of the Seashore's hunting program.

"Since the anti-hunters filed suit five years ago to stop the hunt, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and sportsmen have encouraged the Park Service to do what it must to maintain Cape Cod's hunting heritage, which has existed there since the early 1900s," said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president & CEO ...  Buckmasters. 

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Great Point ferry hits boat and pier in Hyannis

Coast Guard responds after ferry strikes pier

The Coast Guard reported Sunday night that it had responded after receiving reports that a passenger ferry struck a pier in Hyannis Harbor, Mass., and pushed it into a moored fishing vessel about 6:30 p.m., today.

A 41-foot utility boat from Station Woods Hole, and personnel from Marine Safety Detachment Cape Cod, Mass., arrived on scene with the ferry Great Point at about 8:15 p.m., to assess damage and check for any pollution.

The Great Point, which was carrying about 100 passengers, has only cosmetic damage, and about 10-feet of the pier is significantly damaged. Initial reports indicate that the fishing vessel is not damaged. There does not appear to be any pollution. 

The ferry, owned by Hy-Line Harbor Tours, was inbound to Hyannis from Nantucket, Mass.

No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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Derby ends with records; More waste from boats; Ancient way tree-cutting dispute; Steamship Authority budget busted by oil; Harbor building stirs emotion

The work goes on in Menemsha

Headlines from Martha's Vineyard, October 19, 2007

Plan for Building On the Harbor Stirs Emotion
   The Menemsha harborfront, long defined by a history of providing open dock space for working draggers and lobstermen, must be protected, a vocal gathering of Chilmark fishermen told their selectmen early this week. The fishing industry is ailing and the harborfront endangered, they said..
SSA Budget Is Busted by Oil
Rising Price of Crude by Barrel Stymies Boat Line Governors in the Struggle for Accurate Revenue, Expense Forecast.
   Rising world oil prices have blown a million dollar hole in the budget of the Steamship Authority and forced the boat line to refigure its budget for a second time...
Superior Court Judge Hears Arguments In Ancient Way Tree-Cutting Dispute
   Middle Line Road is not much of a road. But it’s a heck of a legal problem, as quickly became evident when the controversy over its 270-year history and uncertainty over its future use landed in the Dukes County superior court in Edgartown this week...
Vineyard Haven Handles More Waste from Boats
   The Vineyard Haven harbor’s two pump out boats carried between 12,000 and 15,000 gallons of raw sewage from holding tanks on boats to the town’s sewer system during this past boating season, according to harbor master John (Jay) M. Wilbur 3rd...
Derby Ends With Records All Around
   An eye-popping derby to be sure but no eyes popped wider than junior angler Chris Morris’s when his key sprung open the padlock that awarded him the 19-foot Boston Whaler complete with a 115-horsepower Mercury motor and a trailer last Sunday at the 2007 62nd...
County Charter Study Group Meets to Narrow Options
Vineyard Commission Considers Review Of Joseph G. Moujabber’s Illegal Garage
It’s a Jungle in Edgartown: Selectmen Run With Panthers
Accident Sees Car End Up on Trailer
Hospice Honors Polly Brown at Saturday Breakfast
Police Await FBI Tests To Identify Brazilian Man
Body of Man Overboard Found on West Chop
Tilton Sisters’ Market Specializes in Coffee, Spice, Everything Else
Clear Weeds, Waters with State Funds
Mill Pond Plan Set for Special Meeting
Restored 1936 Motorcycle Travels to Canary Islands

 Read the Gazette here.

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The airports to nowhere

At right: Senator Kennedy was tracked down in a Senate hallway by a CNN reporter who recorded his misleading statements about the $8-million dollars he and Senator Kerry had "earmarked" in the new transportation bill, monies which will be taken away from priority airports on the FAA list which does not include Barnstable or Nantucket. Click here or on  the photo to hear the CNN interview.

Senators Kennedy, Kerry earmark $8M for Barnstable and Nantucket airports
Funding was intended for terrorism upgrades and to shorten airport delays

By Walter Brooks, capecodtoday 

CNN broadcast a special report today on the "earmarks" which both Massachusetts US Senators have added to the transportation bill which is designed to relieve the historic delays in the major airport hubs nationwide.

The bill seeks to relieve hours-long flight delays at major hubs like Atlanta, Newark and Philadelphia.  Instead $8 million has been earmarked for the tiny commuter airports in Barnstable and Nantucket by Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

Mr. Kennedy told CNN "there were security issues" at the two airports. He added the funds were "on the comprehensive list ... and they are well deserved." The two airports here service the towns where Mr. Kennedy and Kerry have homes. 

When CNN contacted the FAA they were told these three small airports were not on the priority list which was made up of the nation's major airport hubs, not small commuter or connector airports.

The Kennedy-Kerry $8 million dollar earmarks will deny other, larger priority airports the funds they need. See the CNN video of Kennedy here.

The Kennedy-Stevens connection 

It was ironic, at least, that a similar earmark of $3.5 million was added to the same bill by Alaska Senator Ted Stevens for the tiny Akutan airport in the remote Aleutian islands. Mr. Stevens was enlisted by Mr. Kennedy last year in an attempt to block the Cape Wind project by having the powerful Republican insert a "stealth" ammendent" in a previous transportation bill.

Akutan island (see map above) is located in the eastern Aleutians, 766 miles southwest of Anchorage.  The island's major employer, a fish processing company, is also a major contributor to Senator Stevens.

See the CNN report on Stevens here. 

Frequent and lengthy flight delays are increasing and worsening, putting 2007 on track to break records set in 2000, according to a Department of Transportation inspector general report.

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Stun guns; Swap shop fees; Summer rentals illegal?

Outer Cape News, October 19, 2007

   ^{Rock Harbor in Orleans. Photo by Jane Booth.}

Headlines from the Cape Codder:
Veterans' names added to monument
- The names of 19 Orleans vets have been added to the monument on Main Street
Pre-emptive strike
- Brewster seeks to define a wind turbine policy
A neglected salt marsh is reclaimed
- Restoration of a small salt marsh in Orleans taking place through the end of October
Selectmen seek more info about stun guns
- Wellfleet police chief wants to equip his officers with stun guns
Father erects memorial to son shot by police
- Permanent memorial for David Hill, shot by police in Eastham in 2006
Non-residents upset over swap shop fees
- $10 for non-residents to check out the free items at the Eastham transfer station's swap shop

Read these and other stories in the Cape Codder here. 

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Headlines from the Provincetown Banner:
Summer home rentals - could they be illegal?
- Does renting your home seasonally violate Provincetown zoning laws?
Chincoteague ponies come to Pamet Valley
- Five of the famed ponies will reside on John and Rella Rice's 9 acre Truro farm
Visiting teacher brings taste of Thai culture to PHS
- Amornmarn Vipatayothin from Thailand visits Provincetown High students
Thousands flock to shellfish fest
- It's estimated about 18,000 people attended the Wellfleet OysterFest this year
Dancing with the stars
- It's time again for the Provincetown Dance Festival
I "vant" your blood
- WHAT transforms into Castle Nosferatu

Read these and other stories in the Provincetown Banner here. 

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Cape Cod Commission gives thumbs down to Cape Wind

Four members of the Cape Cod Commission look over documentation relating to the Cape Wind project in preparation for Thursday's vote by the commission 0n Cape Wind's application to brings its cable ashore in Yarmouth to connect with a switching station off Mary Dunn Road in Barnstable. From left, commissioners  Frank Hogan (Orleans),  Rosylin Garfield (P'town), William Doherty (Harwich), Ernest Virgilio and a commission recording secretary (cctoday photo)

Cape Wind expected to appeal decision by Cape's regional regulatory agency
Clean Power Now members walk out of meeting

By Jack Coleman, capecodtoday

In a decision that shocked few, the Cape Cod Commission voted  12-0 Thursday to reject an application from Cape Wind Associates for cables from its proposed offshore wind farm to come ashore in Yarmouth and connect with the regional grid.

The vote came after an extended and occasionally contentious public hearing in a crowded Assembly of Delegates hall at Barnstable District Court.

Following two nights of public hearings last month and several lengthy meetings with Cape Wind, a commission subcommittee recommended last month that the full commission deny Cape Wind's application for falling short of two dozen minimum performance standards.

 Just before the commission voted late Thursday afternoon, chairman Robert Jones pointed out that a negative vote by the commission would be a "procedural denial only."

"We're not addressing  anything else, and I hope that decision, however it proceeds, will be accurately and completely described," Jones asked of reporters covering the hearing, "as opposed to just a flat-out denial."

Commission member and subcommittee chair Elizabeth Taylor of Brewster made the motion preceding Thursday's vote.

Taking part in the vote were commissioners Jones, Taylor, Chuck Lockhart, Leo Cakounes, Michael Blanton, Mark Harding, John Harris, Alan Platt, Frank Hogan, Roslyn Garfield, William Doherty and Ernest Virgilio. Commissioner Royden Richardson, a former member of the Barnstable Town Council that cast a symbolic vote against Cape Wind several years ago, recused himself prior to the vote.

"Obviously it was the right decision," said Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound CEO Glenn Wattley after the vote.  "There was no question the commission was trying  to do a diligent job of getting as much information as possible. And there were definitely gaps."

Cape Wind will appeal decision to state

That Cape Wind will appeal the commission's decision is virtually certain, but the route to take remains unclear. During the commission's review, those representing Cape Wind frequently pointed out that the state Energy Facilities Siting Board in May 2005 approved Cape Wind's plan to connect to the regional grid. This, Cape Wind maintains, rendered largely moot any negative action taken by the commission.

Representatives of Cape Wind pointed out that the siting board last year overruled the commission after it rejected a Keyspan application to place electrical cable after the siting board had already approved the project.

Prior to the vote, commissioners heard 20-minute presentations from commission planner Phil Dascombe and Cape Wind attorney David Rosenzweig. 

Of particular concern to commission planners was open space mitigation, an emergency response plan, potential impacts to eelgrass and shellfish beds, dredging and Cape Wind's cables coming ashore in an area vulnerable to damage during hurricanes.

"The issues  that we were involved with were very critical issues, they were substantive" - Cape Cod Commission member Elizabeth Taylor of Brewster"The issues that we were involved with were very critical issues, they were very substantive," said commission member Elizabeth Taylor of Brewster, who chaired the subcommittee that last month recommended the full commission turn down Cape Wind's application on procedural grounds without prejudice.

While Cape Wind first applied to the Army Corps of Engineers in November 2001, Dascombe said, the commission's oversight did not begin until this past  March, after state Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles determined that the project "adequately and properly complies" with state environmental laws.

This triggered the commission's review of Cape Wind as a so-called Development of Regional Impact, a designation usually reserved for land-based projects exceeding 10,000 square feet but also extending to those undergoing a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review.

DRIs must comply with minimum performance standards that could include open space mitigation and precautions with hazardous materials, as mandated by the state law that created the commission.

Of 31 applicable standards in Cape Wind's application, the proposal met only eight, Dascombe told commissioners prior to the vote. Cape Wind did not meet six of the standards and provided insufficient data for another 17.

Commission planners outlined their concerns with Cape Wind's DRI proposal in a 29-page report released Sept. 4 a few days before the start of the public hearing. The hearing stretched across two evenings, with several more meetings held between representatives of Cape Wind and the commission. All told, the hearing and meetings lasted more than 20 hours, Dascombe told commission members.

In late September a commission subcommittee voted to turn down Cape Wind's application "on procedural grounds without prejudice."

 "In taking this regrettable step the Commission is providing the people of the Cape all the evidence they need to know that the Commission has been captured by a few special interests with enough money to buy just about anything they want, including the government agency intended to protect us all." - Clean Power Now Director Barbara HillCape Wind attorney David Rosenzweig disputed Dascombe's claims, saying that Cape Wind "responded thoroughly, appropriately and in good faith to all of the commission's requests for information, data and explanation."

Once Secretary Bowles announced in March that Cape Wind passed environmental muster with the state, specific deadlines for the commission's  review took effect, Rosenzweig said. "These timeframes were not imposed by Cape Wind but by statute," he said. The commission had until Sunday to act on Cape Wind's DRI, unless Cape Wind agreed to a second extension, on top of a two-week extension allowed last month. 

Rosenzweig also questioned the "disparity" between the commission's rigorous review of Cape Wind's proposed transmission lines and a similar project to bring a cable from Nantucket to Hyannis in 2004. While Cape Wind's DRI proposal was pending before the commission, Rosenzweig said, the commission "elected not to exercise its discretionary authority to review the second Nantucket Electric cable."

"That cable was laid through Lewis Bay, its landfall in proximity to Cape Wind's proposed landfall, proceeds under public ways in Barnstable and connects to the same Barnstable switching station," Rosenzweig said. "The similarities between the two projects are striking" and include the same jet-plowing technology for placing the cables.

The Nantucket cable also passed through eelgrass in Lewis Bay, according to a map shown by Cape Wind after the vote, while the tranmission lines from the wind farm would not. Potential impacts to eelgrass were among the concerns cited by commissioners. Read the letter from Cape Wind President Jim Gordon here.

Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound attorney Patrick Butler disputed the analogy between the Nantucket Electric and Cape Wind transmission lines, asserting that the Nantucket cable triggered a different level of regulatory review which did not include the commission's "mandatory jurisdiction." Butler also said the two projects differ in the extent of their impacts and the Nantucket cable was "water-dependent," while not elaborating as to why Cape Wind's undersea cables would be any less so. 

Among the information requested by the commission but not provided by Cape Wind was an oil spill emergency response plan, said Windstop.org founder Cliff Carroll, in case of an accident or malfunction at a wind farm transformer platform holding 40,000 gallons of coolant.

"In fact, we learned during these hearings that our local fire and police department responsible for such a disaster have never even been contacted during the entire six-year period that Cape Wind has been in existence," Carroll said.

Responding to complaints that Cape Wind was unwilling to extend the commission's review several more weeks, in time for the federal Minerals Management Service to release its Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Rosenzweig said "such an open-ended extension ... would have undoubtedly led to additional extensions" relating to other permitting decisions. 

"I think that kind of accusation is absolutely out of place and I will not tolerate it." - Commissioner  William Doherty.In his criticism of Cape Wind, Charlie McLaughin, an attorney representing the town of Barnstable, cited "the old saw about Lizzie Borden, who having dispatched her parents, then complains and begs the court's mercy because she is now destitute of parents."

"I'm reminded of that old saw simply because I think this is the position Cape Wind has put you in," said McLaughlin (who's apparently forgotten that Lizzie Borden was acquitted).

"Whatever can be said of the Cape Wind proposal, one thing is very certain - they have a superb public relations group who has managed  to sell the proposition that green is good at any cost," McLaughlin said. "And I suggest to you that you are being asked to sign a blank check."

Barbara Hill, executive director of the pro-wind farm non-profit Clean Power Now, read from a statement she released on Wednesday in anticipation of the commission rejecting Cape Wind's DRI application.

 "In taking this regrettable step," Hill said, "the Commission is providing the people of the Cape all the evidence they need to know that the Commission has been captured by a few special interests with enough money to buy just about anything they want, including the government agency intended to protect us all."

Hill, CPN members stage a walk-out 

Hill left the meeting after making her remarks and before sharp rebukes from two commission members, including county commissioner Bill Doherty. About a third of the audience left with Ms Hill, mostly CPN members who had picketed the courthouse before the meeting began.

An angry Doherty said he took "great exception" to Hill's "implication that any of this commission, especially including myself since I stand for public office and would be soliciting funds to support that, that I have received, or any member of this commission has received, any money or any financial gain or anything of substance that would change our opinion about what we're doing here."

"I think that kind of accusation is absolutely out of place and I will not tolerate it," said Doherty. "Now, having said that ..." Doherty added in an abrupt and conciliatory change of tone, prompting the only laughter in the two-hour meeting. The commissioners have an obligation to act on behalf of Cape Cod residents, Doherty said. ""We are the people who represent their interests."

Harwich commission member Leo Cakounes was also displeased with Hill's remarks. "I personally was very insulted by what she said and I think it was wrong," Cakounes said. "I'm a hard-working individual, I've been on the phone all week with staff, I didn't even know if I could make the meeting or not, I do not get paid for this, neither does any of my other associates up here."

Prior to the hearing, Cakounes said, he was leaning toward a vote of "approve with conditions" but decided to defer to the subcommittee's recommendation.

Jack Coleman is an editor, reporter and blogger at capecodtoday and a former media adviser to Clean Power Now.

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Cape Wind statement about the Commission's vote today

Statement from Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind: 
On Cape Cod Commission vote against clean, renewable energy

Boston, Oct. 18, 2007:

“With the price of oil approaching $90 per barrel, increasing calls for energy independence and action on global warming it’s sad and disappointing that the Cape Cod Commission would vote to deny Cape Wind’s application for its buried electric cables to deliver 75 percent of the Cape and islands' electricity with clean, renewable energy.

“The Commission’s denial based, not on the merits but, on claims that Cape Wind provided insufficient information does not square with the record.  Since 2001, Cape Wind has been providing extensive information about these cables to the Cape Cod Commission and State and Federal agencies.  In fact, in 2005 the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board approved Cape Wind’s electric cable because it found that Cape Wind would provide needed renewable electricity, deliver significant air quality benefits, lower electric costs and increase electric transmission reliability.  In 2007, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs approved Cape Wind’s Final Environmental Impact Report and Massachusetts Environmental Secretary, Ian Bowles, wrote:

‘Overall, the project represents a balanced and thoughtful commitment to action that will contribute to the long term preservation and enhancement of our environment.’

“Cape Wind is committed to ensuring that Massachusetts becomes a global leader in offshore renewable energy while contributing to a healthier environment and increased energy and economic security.  We intend to pursue the necessary relief required to override the Cape Cod Commission’s attempt to delay important renewable energy benefits for Massachusetts citizens.”

• Link to a comparison of the Cape Cod Commission review of Cape Wind cables with their review of the Nantucket cable that demonstrates an arbitrarily much higher standard has been used in their review of Cape Wind:
• Link to Cape Wind's letter to the Cape Cod Commission dated Oct. 16, 2007:

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South Street sidewalks; Cell phone scuffle; Dennis PD up and running

Mid Cape News, October 18, 2007

   ^{Bass Hole Boardwalk in Yarmouth Port. Photo by Jane Booth.}

Headlines from the Barnstable Patriot:
Charter prohibition on multiple elective offices "takes precedence"
- Local regulations take precedence, says Secretary of the Commonwealth's office
Charter commission advocate defers to Milne
- Lopez gives up TV debate slot at councilor's request
Candidates running for two offices would have to choose
- If Milne wins reelection, he will have to choose between two positions
Cape Wind wants conditional
- Cape Wind says subcommittee should recommend conditional approval
Barnstable schools see MCAS success
- Scores on the rise throughout the district
From homelessness to coming home
- Homeless Not Hopeless organization secures its first program home
Smoky drill clears the air at Cape Cod Hospital's tower
- Mock evacuation proves instructive
Students working to make Barnstable No Place for Hate
- Group has been working for more than a year
Pain D'Avignon makes bread delivery to Iraq
- A taste of Hyannis for soldiers in Iraq

Read these and other stories in the Barnstable Patriot here. 

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Headlines from the Register:
A special day for Special Olympians
- 200+ athletes attended the Special Olympics Senior Sports Classic on Sunday
Community College names new trustees
- Academic year begins with new members and leadership on the board
AmeriCorps boosts Cape projects
- College grads from around the country give back to the community
Delahunt says US should follow German approach to energy independence
- 14% of all electricity in Germany is generated by wind, sun and other renewables
Commission votes Thursday on Cape Wind proposal
- Final hearing Thursday afternoon
South Street sidewalk project delayed in South Yarmouth
- Residents question the safety of the curbs
The greening of Yarmouth
- Agricultural commission will promote farming
Cell phone calls violate Dennis town policy
- Dennis administrator to reimburse the town
Open for business
- All systems running at new Dennis Police Department
Sox appeal
- South Dennis man has long perspective on Red Sox
Zoning changes okay,  golf hikes  postponed
- Results of Tuesday night's town meeting

Read these and other stories in the Register here. 

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Cape Wind refutes commission's claim of inadequate data

Wind farm developer disputes Cape Cod Commission denial of project
Commission uses same language to oppose that it used to endorse

Statement of Clean Power Now
Says Commission is controlled by wealthy special interests

CPN Executive Director Barbara Hill made this statement on the pending Cape Cod Commission decision on Cape Wind 
   “It is a forgone conclusion that the Cape Cod Commission will refuse to grant Cape Wind’s permit for an underwater cable today. It is clear that the Commission is poised to claim it is somehow lacking enough information.
   What is also clear is that the Commission has made a mockery of the important role it is intended to play in protecting all the people of Cape Cod. More than 8,000 pages of federal and state permitting related reports have been released. Yet the Cape Cod Commission subcommittee’s recommendation claims it does not have enough data to make an informed decision.
   In taking this regrettable step, the Commission is providing the people of the Cape all the evidence they need to know that the Commission has been captured by a few special interests with enough money to buy just about anything they want, including the government agency intended to protect us all.”The company proposing 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound is disputing a decision by a Cape Cod Commission subcommittee to deny the project.  In a letter to the full commission, which is a regional planning agency, Cape Wind says the review of the project has been extensive and unprecedented.

This paragraph from the Cape Wind letter to the Commission sets the tone of their response;

Cape Wind believes that, over the almost six years during which Cape Wind’s DRI Application has been pending before the Commission, the Commission has had ample time to conduct its inquiry and complete its review of the jurisdictional transmission lines. First, with respect to the Commission’s statutory authority and relevant review period, the Cape Cod Commission Act, Chapter 716 of the Acts of 1989 (the “Act”), dictates very specific timelines established by the Legislature for the Commission’s review of DRI applications. Where a proposed project is subject to review pursuant to MEPA, Section 13(b) of the Act requires the Commission to begin its hearing process on a DRI Application within 45 days of issuance of a Certificate from the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (the
“Secretary”) on an applicant’s FEIR. Secretary Bowles completed his review of the FEIR in a timely manner, i.e., within the explicit limits imposed by the Legislature, and issued his Certificate confirming the statutory adequacy of Cape Wind’s FEIR on March 29, 2007.

Accordingly, the Commission opened its public hearing process on May 11, 2007 (i.e., the very last business day of the allowed 45-day period). Section 13(a) of the Act requires the public hearing to close within 90 days following its opening date. The Commission thus closed its public hearing on August 8, 2007 (i.e., the very last day of the allowed 90-day period). No extension of this 90-day period is permissible under the terms of the Act.

The commission has scheduled a vote at a meeting at 3 p.m. today on their sub-committee's recommendations which experts say will be quickly over ruled quickly by the state because the Cape Cod Commission lacks any jurisdiction in this area.

180 degree turn between Cape wind and NStar 

A short time ago the commission approved another similar transmission line for a new cable for Nantucket which came ashore in Yarmouth at the same spot. In its approval letters to the Massachusetts Energy department (MEPA), the commission used language almost exactly the opposite of today recommendations against the Cape Wind cable.

As matters now stand, the Cape Cod Commission is the only agency in either state of federal government which is not satisfied with the data provided about the project by Cape Wind. 

• Read the Cape Wind response here.
• Read the Commission report here. 

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Coordinated effort begins to stop sewage dumping in Nantucket Sound

By Jack Coleman, capecodtoday.com reporter  

HYANNIS -  A drive to designate the state waters of Nantucket Sound as a No Discharge Area (NDA) where pleasure boats and passenger ferries can no longer discharge sewage has begun.

Nearly two dozen people turned out Thursday morning for an informational meeting at Barnstable Town Hall on working toward acquiring an NDA designation for Nantucket Sound within the state's three-mile jurisdiction.

"We're trying to get a sense from this meeting if the designation is desired," said Scott McKenna, Cape and Islands' coordinator for the state Office of Coastal Zone Management , which arranged for the meeting to be held. Attending the meeting were state, federal and town officials, Cape harbormasters, representatives from environmental non-profits and local residents.

The issue of sewage dumping in Nantucket Sound gained traction in recent months since it was first reported by Moses Calouro at capecodtoday.com last May, followed by a series of stories by capecodtoday correspondent Sam Pearsall.

No Discharge Area designations are already in place in Wellfleet, Chatham, Harwich, Hyannis, Falmouth, Nantucket, all of Buzzards Bay and the Connecticut coastline, Narragansett Sound and the inland waters of Rhode Island, and the waters surrounding Block Island. An effort to designate all of Cape Cod Bay as an NDA has been underway for two years, McKenna said.      

As defined in a fact sheet distributed at Thursday's meeting, a No Discharge Area (NDA) is "an area of coastal or inland waters where all discharges of boat septage are prohibited regardless of treatment. The federal regulations pertaining to NDAs are found at 40 CFR - 140.4(a). The process for designating an NDA requires actions at the local, state and federal levels."  

Attending Thursday's meetings were harbormasters from Barnstable, Yarmouth and Falmouth, local residents, staffers from environmental non-profits such as Nantucket Soundkeeper, an offshoot of the anti-Cape Wind Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, and a representative from Hy-Line Cruises.

As described during the meeting, the process of receiving NDA designation can be time-consuming and unwieldy, involving a single town or city, a group of communities or the state applying to the  federal Environmental Protection Agency.

 EPA officials review the application, visit the site of the proposed designation, meet with state environmental officials and decide in favor of the submission if certain criteria are met: adequate pumpout facilities, an ongoing public education campaign and public support.

"That's what we're trying to do now, get a sense of that," said Stephen McKenna of the state Office of Coastal Zone Management. 

Obtaining adequate funding for pumpout facilities, from a combination of private and public courses, could prove pivotal in receiving the designation.

If new or upgraded stations are needed, state and federal grants can help offset the costs. The state Division of Marine  Fisheries administers Clean Vessel Act grant funding from the federal government that cover 75 percent of purchase and operation costs of pumpout facilities. The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management office has a similar program, Coastal Pollutant Remediation, that provides money for facility design and installation.

How likely is that funding, asked Eric Shufelt, assistant harbormaster in Barnstable and manager of the town's four marinas. 

Federal officials may decide to change the allocation formula in the future, warned Scott Callahan of Coastal Zone Management, with the state receiving less money as a result. "It might not benefit us in the same way in the future," Callahan said.

 Sue Nickerson, representing Nantucket Soundkeeper, asked about the difference in cost between pumpout facilities for pleasure boats and commercial vessels. 

That type of analysis has not yet been done for the towns on "the south side of the Cape," those facing Nantucket and Vineyard sounds, McKenna said. But based on work toward acquiring an NDA designation for Cape Cod Bay, "it's pretty significant," he said.

Whale-watch vessels out of Provincetown, McKenna pointed out, require "fast turnaround" between trips and "high volume" discharge.  

Similar trips are made out of Plymouth Harbor, Callahan said, where Coastal Zone Management provided $50,000 to the town for a pumpout facility. But the town footed part of the cost, laying the pipe and maintaining the facility.  He estimated a cost of $50,000 to $100,000 for pumpout stations for larger commercial vessels but "closer to the high end."

 Even if NDA designations were acquired for Cape Cod Bay and the state waters off the southern shore of Cape Cod, getting boaters and ferry operators to comply with the measure could be difficult.  

 Often when spills or accidents occu, Shufelt said, "the hard part is finding out what boat did it."

The best route is through educating the public, said Falmouth Harbormaster Gregg Fraser, a sentiment repeated several times during the meeting. Boaters entering Waquoit Bay see a large sign declaring its waters a No Discharge Zone, he pointed out.

"I don't think enforcement is ever going to be the way to resolve this," Fraser said. 

Hy-Line Cruises, represented at the meeting by Martin Reilly, supports "the concept of a No Discharge Zone in state waters, and we are also supportive of a No Discharge effort in federal waters."

 Hy-Line ferries plying Nantucket Sound discharge untreated sewage into federal waters, while Steamship Authority vessels treat their waste before dumping it in the Sound. The Steamship Authority was not represented at Thursday's meeting.

 Hy-Line officials have already met with State Senator Robert O'Leary, Reilly said, and are looking into acquiring state funding for a large pumpout facility needed for their vessels.

The next step in the process, McKenna said, would formation of a working group to coordinate efforts toward the designation, as being done for Cape Cod Bay.

Nantucket Soundkeeper volunteers have been collecting water samples around Nantucket Sound for data to be included in the NDA application.

 Links:
EPA site on No Discharge Zones
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Boaters' Guide to Tide and Pumpout Facilities

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MCAS: Chatham shines, Harwich not as much; Golf grousing; Cardiac care

Lower Cape news, Oct. 17

   ^{Boats anchored by Chatham Harbor. Photo by John Fitts.}

Headlines from the Cape Cod Chronicle:
CHATHAM
Chamber seeks to become economic development arm of town
- Town would have to create an economic development committee and appropriate $30-$85K in addition to taxpayer money already supporting the chamber
Chatham's Lisa Jason named March of Dimes Ambassador
- Owner of Salon Fabulous becomes MA March of Dimes Ambassador
"Visionary" nurse honored at Chatham gravesite
- Gathering held at the grave of Agatha Cobourg Hodgins, the founder of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
State of the art equipment improves Chatham cardiac care
- AutoPulse Resuscitation System aids rescue workers in Chatham
School "report card" issued
- More than 85% of goals in school department's five-year strategic plan have already been accomplished in the first year
Bill will help save working waterfronts
- Harbormaster Stuart Smith points to the potential for serious problems down the road
Chatham shines in MCAS results
- Chatham out-performs state average on 2007 tests
HARWICH
NEASC accreditation report hits Harwich High School hard
- Peer review highlights need for improvement in teaching and learning standards
Harwich strong in MCAS English, but slips in math
- School officials are "generally satisfied"
Golf Committee wants legal review of pro shop operation
- Pro shop doors to close under directive of State Ethics Commission, town wants review
Golf Committee upset with less than advisory role
- Member of committee frustrated over decisions being made against their recommendations
Fennell to comply with access requirement
- Snow Inn access compliance will be met by December 1
Marini Trust agrees to cluster development
- Proponents of the Monomoy Landing development along Muddy Creek are finally agreeing to meet the recommendations of town agencies
SPORTS
 Chatham girls soccer squad begins to get back on track
- Series of streaks, some good, some bad this season
Cape Tech/Harwich fumbles away Mayflower Large League Opener
- Team learns lesson the hard way, there is no room for error

Read these and other stories in the Cape Cod Chronicle here. 

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Headlines from the Harwich Oracle:
Police look for suspect who impersonated officer
- Man impersonating cop pulled over an elderly woman in North Harwich
NEASC criticizes Harwich High School's physical condition
- Deteriorating physical condition and curriculum and management concerns included in report
Merkel Beach parking offer not a bad deal, some say
- Public hearing went on as planned even though amendment in question was withdrawn
Tax time
- Harwich property tax bills are arriving in mailboxes, first part due November 1
Home heating utility rates expected to climb again
- Community outreach and fuel assistance representatives are expecting to hand out more applications this season for aid
A 'berry good' education
- Volunteers at Brooks Academy Museum are busy teaching cranberry 101

Read these and other stories in the Harwich Oracle here. 

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WHOI names first woman president; Study: birds adapt to turbines; Civics 101

 Upper Cape Cod News, October 16, 2007

   ^{The Sandwich Boardwalk--still a big draw in the fall. Photo by Jane Booth.}

Headlines from the Enterprise:
Committee to restore Veteran's Monument
- Committee formed to restore 1925 World War I Memorial
Plans filed for 175-unit Chapter 40B project in North Falmouth
- Developers of Ballymeade have filed an application to build "Nantucket Village"
WHOI names first woman president
- Susan K. Avery has been named the first female president and director of the oceanographic institute
Webster Woods housing report released
- Subcommittee released draft report on feasibility of town-sponsored affordable housing
Falmouth students reach beyond classroom with technology
- Students now able to learn from off-site experts via computer
Falmouth coastal  pond committee to press ahead on studies
- Studies show shellfish habitat has changed for the worst, action is now imperative

Read these and other stories in the Enterprise here. 

_____________________________

Headlines from the Bourne Courier:
The view from Main Street
- Antique Alley dealer says business scene is underappreciated
Study shows birds adapt to turbines
- Bill Evans, acousitc data tracking pioneer shares thoughts with Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Town looks at options in Cahill case
- How should planning board proceed with the replacement of former member Charles Cahill
Planning board looks down Cape
- Criticizes Cape Cod Commission for action in Truro
Legg may try again for conservation restriction
- Kenneth Legg may ask for reconsideration of his 28 acre conservation restriction request
Pocasset artist wins 2008 waterfowl stamp contest
- Gregg Coppolo wins with his black duck hen decoy
General contractor will likely decide future of new grade school plan
- GC bids open Thursday afternoon for new elementary school

Read these and other stories in the Bourne Courier here. 

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Headlines from the Sandwich Broadsider:
Forums will look at potential 'big ticket items'
- Sandwich residents will have the chance to meet with the town do discuss potentially costly projects
Historic District Committee election November 26
- Two seats currently open on committee
Getting involved
- Sandwich High civics students required to see government in action

Read these and other stories in the Sandwich Broadsider here. 

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Island mourns 17-year-old soccer star; P'town's 10-year-old oil spill cleanup to begin; Passenger making claim was not on plane

   Islanders came together at Sunday's tribute, where Kate's classmates consoled one another 

Nantucket Community mourns passing of Kate MacLellan
17-year-old soccer star died unexpectedly last Thursday

A celebration of life was held Monday afternoon for 17-year-old Kathryn Wilder "Kate" MacLellan, who died unexpectedly last Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of mourners, including Ms. MacLellan's friends and classmates at Nantucket High School, filled the First Congregational Church to overflowing to honor her memory.

And also to say goodbye to a gentle, shy Nantucketer.

Waves of sadness and disbelief settled over the island over the weekend, as people heard of the death of the Nantucket High School honor student, standout player on the girls' soccer team, and talented artist, dancer and musician. Students and parents gathered at the high school Thursday evening as planned parent/teacher meetings were cancelled. Counselors from the schools, island agencies and the Interfaith Council were available that night, throughout the next day and for the remainder of the weekend... Nantucket Independent. 
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10-year-old oil spill cleanup to begin
Discovered during P'town's new sewer construction

PROVINCETOWN – A decade-old oil spill that came to light as a result of sewer construction on Winthrop Street will be cleaned up by Cape Cod Oil, according to department of public works director David Guertin. 

A meeting last week between the environmental engineer in charge of the spill, which occurred in 1997 when a reported 50 gallons of fuel oil spilled during a transfer to a Cape Cod Oil delivery truck, and the town resolved the question of who will bear the cost of the clean up. Cape Cod Oil will work with Metcalf & Eddy, the engineering firm overseeing construction of Phase 2 of the town’s sewer project, to remove the contaminated soil. Cape Cod Oil is in the process of contracting with a local construction company to help with the clean up, Guertin said...  Banner.  
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Passenger who claims door came open during CapeAir flight not on plane

A woman who provided the Times with a terrifying account of a hatch opening during a Nantucket to Hyannis flight Friday night was never aboard the plane, according to a Cape Air official.

Cape Air spokeswoman Michelle Haynes said Bernice Maynard — the woman identified by the Times as a passenger — was not on any Cape Air passenger list Friday.  Haynes and two passengers contacted yesterday also gave a different, and much less dramatic, account of what occurred Friday night when a hatch on the Cessna 402 opened as the plane approached Barnstable Municipal Airport...  Inquirer & Mirror. 

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McCain endorses Cape Wind

Presidential candidate John McCain comes out in favor of wind farm 
Speaking in New Hampshire, describes himself as "strong supporter"

Updated, 6:30 p.m. Sunday after McCain touts wind farm live on C-SPAN

By Jack Coleman, capecodtoday.com 

US Senator John McCain has become the first Republican presidential candidate to endorse the Cape Wind project proposed for Nantucket Sound.

McCain was approached by this reporter after he spoke last night at a town hall forum in Amherst, N.H. (as shown in photo). Asked if he supported the Cape Wind project, McCain said that "absolutely I'm for it," describing himself as a "strong supporter."

 "Except for the fact that maybe it spoils somebody's view," McCain said, a clear allusion to Senator Edward Kennedy's opposition to Cape Wind, "what in the world would you be opposed to it for?"

McCain becomes the second major presidential candidate to endorse Cape Wind, following on the heels of Democrat Bill Richardson, who expressed his support during a fundraiser in Boston last month.

McCain was instrumental last year in thwarting an effort by Kennedy, aided by Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens and Congressman Don Young (architects of the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere") in their attempt to derail Cape Wind through backroom machinations in Congress.

McCain's position on Cape Wind  puts him at odds with fellow GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a former Bay State governor who opposes the wind farm.

Speaking Saturday afternoon at the "Global Warming and Energy Solutions" conference in Manchester, N.H., McCain described the energy policies he would pursue as president, as did Richardson when he addressed the conference on Friday.

At one point in his remarks, McCain said of alternative energy that "everyone loves wind, everyone loves solar, everyone loves tidal," according to Barbara Hill, executive director of the pro-wind farm non-profit Clean Power Now.

When it came time for questions, Hill pointed out that "well-funded" efforts by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound had sought for years to derail the project.  But Cape Wind was also supported by many thousands of people, she said. Are you in favor of Cape Wind?

 "I'm in support of that," McCain responded, according to Hill, drawing robust applause from those at the conference. "I'm sorry if it spoils someone's waterview."

McCain reiterated his support for Cape Wind during a campaign stop Sunday afternoon in Hopkinton, N.H., an appearance broadcast live on C-SPAN. McCain wasted little time in focusing on two major issues - climate change and US reliance on foreign oil.

"I'm for wind, I'm for tide, I'm for solar," McCain said, as broadcast by C-SPAN. "By the way, I'm also for that wind project up off Cape Cod as well."

McCain added a caveat that could prove problematic for many environmentalists. While "all of those sources of energy need to be developed," he said, referring to renewables, "I think at this moment in time, nuclear would make a great contribution."

"The fact is, nuclear power is an integral and vital part of any improvement that we are going to make in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," McCain said.

As for climate change, he said, "I'll be glad to continue the debate with people who don't believe that it's real, and that discussion needs to go on, and I respect it, but shouldn't we do what Tony Blair said and err on the side of caution? And there are a lot of things we can do without you having to put on a sweater and shiver in the dark this winter." 

McCain also warned of a "perfect storm" brewing from American overreliance on oil from abroad. "We have got to reduce our dependency on foreign oil," he said. "It is an absolute national security requirement." 

Eighteen months ago, McCain said, terrorists were thwarted before attacking an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. "I'm told by experts that if that suicide bomber attack had succeeded, oil would have gone to $150 a barrel overnight," he said. "Now we cannot afford this kind of vulnerability."    

Jack Coleman is an editor, reporter and blogger at capecodtoday.com and former media adviser to Clean Power Now; photo credit, Jack Coleman.

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Pamet cleanup; Options for old firehouse; It's OysterFest again!

Outer Cape News, October 11, 2007

Headlines from the Cape Codder:
Seashore drops plans to fight Truro house
- The CCNS will not fight plans to construct a house on Old Outermost Road
Selectmen review options for old firehouse
- Affordable housing, storage, summer PD dorms, office space or much needed bathrooms
Commission to review "Hopper landscape" home
- Cape Cod Commission voted to review the home as a development of regional impact
Christian's closes doors in Chatham
- Owner looking to revitalize business and reopen
Pamet cleanup effort planned
- Spring citizen cleanup being planned in Truro
It's OysterFest time again!
- Wellfleet readies itself for the annual oyster celebration this weekend
Provincetown to hold business summit
- Summit to be held October 18 at the Provincetown Theater
Home heating oil prices to spike by 22%
- Turning down the thermostat may not do the job this winter
Eastham tax bills due soon
- First half of FY2008 payments due November 1.

Read these and other stories in the Cape Codder here. 

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Headlines from the Provincetown Banner:
10 lots proposed for Chateau subdivision
- Town may loose another 54 hotel rooms, as Best Western Chateau Motor Inn proposes conversion
Bucking the trend
- Truro Central sees enrollment rise
Oyster salute!
- 'Fleetians fest features host of tasty treats, contests and entertainment
Mailer: a man of his words
- The Fifth Annual Norman Mailer Society Conference to be held this weekend
Plenty of reasons to see "Reason to Live"
- Meryl Cohen's sixth Women's Week play meets with good reviews
CCA out-kicks Lady Fishermen, despite late rally
- P'town girls lose 3-2 in Cape soccer action
Warriors take ACL lead
- Nauset boys soccer wins 2-0 over Barnstable

Read these and other stories in the Provincetown Banner here. 

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Christy's eyes Chatham Mobil; Chatham movie name change; Harwich considers fluoridation

Lower Cape News, October 11, 2007

Headlines from the Cape Cod Chronicle:
CHATHAM
Christy's eyes Chatham Mobil property
- Christy's to convert service station to a Christy's Market
Christian's allowed to remain closed while being "repositioned"
- Selectmen vote to overlook year-round liquor license rules & regulations
Permanent design review committee OK'd
- Group will review designs of buildings and other public construction projects
Seagulls gather at Oyster Pond
- Flock takes up residence at Oyster Pond Beach
"Chatham" movie name changed
- Film will be known as "The Golden Boys" overseas
Volunteers sought for Oyster Pond Park
- Bulb planting to take place Friday, October 12th
Main Street down to one lane
- One lane access will begin the 15th and last about 3 days
HARWICH
Health board examining fluoridation of town water
- Board of health weighing benefits of fluoridating town's water
Capital Committee issues caution on Police Station costs
- Police station building committee needs to look closely at costs and space needs
Commons moves forward
- Conservation Commission expresses interest in Harwich Public Commons concept
Students call for voting age change
- Some Harwich students say drop it to 16
Cranberry Valley woes on mend
- Greens recuperate after bad summer conditions
EPOCH Nursing Home hearing
- State Department of Health to hold hearing regarding transfer of ownership
SPORTS
Steadfast commitment
- Harwich High brother and sister athletes observe Ramadan
Chatham golf team strokes its way to another fine season
- Team faring well even after top two players graduating last year

Read these and other stories in the Cape Cod Chronicle here. 

_________________________________

Headlines from the Harwich Oracle:
High-end havens
- What $1 million buys in Harwich
Police station cost a moving target
- PD building committee on the defensive
Parents team up to build skateboard park
- Group tries to resurrect skateboard park
Wychmere club owner, DEP still at odds
- Club owner withdrew proposed amendment to his state license
Single RFP for town's proposed cultural centers
- Only one request for proposal necessary for two projects

Read these and other stories in the Harwich Oracle here. 

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Buzzards Bay Coalition wins award; Baylor resigns; Cahill found guilty

Upper Cape Headlines, October 9, 2007

Headlines from Wicked Local:
War on the warrant: Article seeks statement on Iraq
- Article for next month's Falmouth Town Meeting hopes to find its way to DC
Coalition for Buzzards Bay receives national award
- Coalition recently became the first recipient of the National Land Trust Excellence Award
You might be in Falmouth if...
- A local does Jeff Foxworthy
Baylor resignation creates school committee vacancy
- Chelsea Baylor has resigned leaving an opening in Falmouth
Back in time
- There's a major restoration project in progress in Sandwich at the First Church of Christ
Yoga instructors will bring their art to Heritage
- Heritage Museums and Gardens will be the site of a full day of relaxation
Freedom fighters
- Cape couple helps survivors of human trafficking
Bourne begins search for new DPW site
- Considering locations for new DPW building
On a high note: BHS student is headed to prestigious choral event
- Only one student going and it's Senior Kevin Pidgeon from Bourne High School
Cahill guilty, must resign planning board seat
- Bourne seat open after Cahill found guilty of accepting a bribe

Read these and other Wicked Local stories here. 

___________________________________________

Headlines from the Enterprise:
Governor must sign off on Falmouth Library funds
- Town needs guv's approval to receive promised state funds for renovation
Bringing Falmouth DPW up to date:
- Sanding system needs modernization
Falmouth sailor hopes to qualify for Olympics
- Katherine L. Smith one of 22 women attending try outs
Building Habitat Homes in Falmouth a job for a diverse group of volunteers
- Five Habitat homes to be built in Falmouth

Read these and other stories in the Enterprise here. 

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Amended Wamp land suit; EPA Says Plume Cleanup Systems Are Working; Military Support Group Offers Counseling; Other Upper Cape news

Upper Cape Headlines, October 5, 2007

Falmouth News
Details Presented On Chapter 40B Project In Woods Hole
Falmouth selectmen got their first look Monday night at a newly filed Chapter 40B development in Woods Hole.

Petition Article Asks To Increase Zoning Board Membership To Five
Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals associate member Matthew J. McNamara presented a petitioners’ article for Fall Town Meeting to the Falmouth Planning Board Tuesday night that would increase the number of voting members on the zoning board from three to five.

Atria Makes Its Case To Planning Board
“I am convinced that Atria/Woodbriar promotes longevity,” said 99-year-old Mildred P. Allen, who lives at the facility on Gifford Street.

Students Recognized In 2008 National Merit Scholarship Competition
Four Upper Cape students, two from Falmouth Academy and two from Falmouth High School, are among seven seniors from Cape and Islands high schools to be named semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship competition.

Sandwich News
Settlement Reached In Base Cleanup
Textron Systems Corporation has agreed to an $8.75 million settlement with the state and federal governments as compensation for the defense contractor’s contribution to groundwater contamination at the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

Supermarkets Pull Possibly Tainted Burgers From Shelves
Local supermarket chains have joined a nationwide recall of possibly tainted beef and stripped several brands of frozen hamburgers from their shelves.

EPA Says Plume Cleanup Systems Are Working
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued final decisions in the Superfund cleanup process of two groundwater plumes on the southwestern portion of the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

Mashpee News
Two Binghams Plan To File Amended Version Of Land Suit
Two members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe are within days of filing an amended version of the tribal land suit that sought to reclaim property in Mashpee and was first dismissed nearly 30 years ago.

School Board Greets New Staff, Responds To Student Criticism
The Mashpee schools welcomed a number of new staff members this week, including its new business administrator.

Ira Brown Chosen Springfield Principal
Ira R. Brown, former business manager for the Mashpee School Department, has been hired as the new principal of Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology.

Military Support Group Offers Counseling, Medical Help For
When John R. Janerico Jr. thinks back about returning home from the Vietnam War, he remembers struggling to readjust and the lack of services available to help him and other veterans do so.

School Committee Splits 3-2 Over More Professional Time
Mashpee High School teachers have been given one chance to make the most of some extra professional development time.

Bourne News
New Animal Hospital In Buzzards Bay
Surgery was ongoing last week in the central surgery suite at Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists, the new 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week animal hospital that opened this spring at the Bourne Bridge Approach in Buzzards Bay.

Planning Board Member Pleads Guilty To Bribery Charge
Planning board member Charles F. Cahill pled guilty to a felony count of attempting to solicit a bribe in his role as a public official Tuesday, ending the months-long process that began a year ago.

Pilot Makes Unauthorized Landing On Military Base
Brian P. Dedrick of Seekonk, 26, who made an unauthorized landing on a military runway at Otis Air Force Base on Monday, ended up in the hospital on Tuesday.

Students Break Two-Year Rut On MCAS
After two years of stagnant performance, particularly at the elementary school level, the Massachusetts Department of Education announced yesterday that MCAS scores were up across the board.

Read the rest of The Enterprise Newspapers here. 

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Airport gets support; town attorney Bob Smith remembered; Yarmouth police urge caution

Mid-Cape News, Oct. 5

Headlines from the Barnstable Patriot:
Osterville Village Association may bid for Bay School
- Association may bid to purchase the Osterville Bay Elementary School on West Bay Road
Marstons Mills wind plan anything but a breeze
- Villagers have many questions about Peck's proposed 130-foot turbines
Town council offers support to airport
- 11-2 vote of support for a $32 million terminal project at Barnstable Airport
Town attorney Robert D. Smith dies at 64
- Smith represented the town of Barnstable for 28 years
Police investigate claims against candidate
- Supporter of a district 3 incumbent claims to have received harrassing calls from the opponent
Carpenter of Cape Ministry is honored as he retires
- Retirement ceremony held for the Rev. Richard Robedee
Making memories at Cobb Astro Park
- Special project under way to remember those who have passed
Town assessments expected to be flat
- Property values not expected to change much

Read these and other stories in the Barnstable Patriot here.

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Headlines from the Register:
Bob Smith remembered as legal scholar, dedicated public servant
- Smith had represented the town of Barnstable in hundreds of cases
Barnstable Peace Week set for Oct 12-19
- No Place for Hate sponsors inaugural Peace Week
Turning back time: Family, exchange student reunite after decades apart
- Germany exchange student from 1955 reunites with host family
Seaside Festival means fall fun
-  It's time again for Yarmouth's annual autumn family-fun celebration
Police urge Yarmouth parents to be cautious
- Yarmouth police investigate two bus stop incidents
Reading Recovery closes first graders' achievement gap
- D-Y district schools surpass the state's success rate for students graduating from Reading Recovery
IFAW, stranding network merger helps marine mammals
- Merger has been long time coming
New era dawns at Elise House
- Formerly homeless couple pay it forward
Mentoring aims to strengthen D-Y schools
- Beginning teachers who are mentored more likely to remain teachers
Dennis moves forward with town office renovations
- When PD moves, old police offices eyed for town use

Read these and other stories in the Register here. 

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Bay State students outrank all other states in "The Nation's Report Card"

Massachusetts outscores all states on NAEP exams again
State's students rank first on four exams

For the second time, Massachusetts has outscored every other state in the country on three of four National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exams, and has tied for first on the fourth, Governor Patrick announced at the Aborn Elementary School in Lynn on Tuesday.


Sen. Kennedy on NAEP results
“These national test scores show that the hard work of teachers, parents and students in Massachusetts is paying off. Once again, Massachusetts leads the nation in reading and math.
   These scores are reason to celebrate, but they’re also cause for resolve in finishing the job. There’s more to do in our schools to close the troubling gaps in achievement and opportunity in too many of our schools, especially with minority students...
   I applaud Governor Patrick for his efforts to strengthen education, sustain these gains, and address the challenges that lie ahead..." 
See complete statement here. The only other time one state has ever ranked first on all four NAEP exams was when Massachusetts outscored the nation for the first time in 2005.  NAEP, also known as "The Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in core subjects. NAEP assesses representative samples of students in all 50 states and reports state-level results at grades 4 and 8.

In 2007, Massachusetts' 4th graders ranked first nationwide on the reading and math exams, and the state's eighth graders ranked first in math and tied for first with Montana, New Jersey and Vermont in reading. In 2005, the Commonwealth ranked first on reading at grades 4 and 8, and tied for first in mathematics at grades 4 and 8.

Other findings of the "Nation's Report Card": 

• Male students in Massachusetts scored higher than female students in 2007 in math at both grades 4 and 8. At grade 4, male students had an average scaled score of 254, compared to 251 for female students. At grade 8, male students had an average scaled score of 300, compared to 296 for female students.
  
• Female students outscored male students in Massachusetts in reading at both grades in 2007. Female students scored on average 238 in reading at grade 4, compared to 233 for male students. At grade 8, female students outscored male students, 278 to 269.
• Massachusetts' students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch made significant gains at grade 4, where their average scaled score in reading rose from 211 in 2005 to 214 in 2007, and in mathematics rose from 231 in 2005 to 237 in 2007.
• Suburban and rural students outscored urban students on all four NAEP exams.
  

Check your own local school or district's performance here and here.

Courtesy of the MA Department of Education. 

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Are hate crimes happening in Provincetown?

Are hate related incidents on the rise in Provincetown? Recently, Bay Windows reported that Provincetown Police Chief Warren Tobias admitted to irregularities in a Provincetown Police report of an assault.  On September 10, 2007,  Richard Hall of New Bedford was assaulted in front of Spiritus Pizza on Commercial Street. According to Hall, two to three men called him a faggot then assaulted him after he responded to their slur.

The incident is being called an assault, which has many wondering why it has not been classified as a hate crime.  Tobias told Bay Windows there hasn't been a hate crime in Provincetown since 2004 when a transgender woman was assaulted.  The police chief refutes claims that two other homophobia motivated assaults took place in Provincetown this summer.   In addition, well-known Boston-based DJ Barry Scott accused a Provincetown police officer of assault this summer.  Was the assault motivated by homophobia?  The accusation prompted town manager, Sharon Lynn to request a formal investigation into the incident.

Several sources this week, delve into the issue of hate crimes in what is thought by most to be the Cape's most tolerant, gay-friendly town.

From the Boston Phoenix:

P'town's not-so-secret vice

Beating up gay guys appears to be all the rage, and police and the DA are part of the problem

Something went seriously awry in Provincetown this summer, where several attacks with possible homophobic overtones were ignored by, and in one case was committed by, the town’s own law-enforcement officials.

The problem appears to stem from the use of temporary “summer police” — an understandable arrangement, considering the seasonal swelling of population and activity in the Cape Cod hot spot.

But those literal hired guns need to be sensitive to Provincetown’s gay population and its constant fear of anti-homosexual assaults. Instead, the town provided no special training for their summer police, setting up a disaster waiting to happen. ...  Boston Phoenix

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From EDGE Boston:

Provincetown's summer of hate?  Richard Hall fights back

(Part of a four part series on the recent string of hate related incidents in Provincetown)

It’s exactly three weeks after Richard Hall was brutally attacked by a pack of 20-something men outside of Provincetown’s Spiritus Pizza in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 10.

After getting hit with a blunt object and reportedly being dragged in the sand in the private landing next to Bubala’s by the Bay, the only thing the 56-year-old can remember from the trauma-inflicted blackout is being curled up on the beach in a fetal position, sobbing.

"It was like an out-of-body experience and could be totally invented in my mind’s eye," he recalls from his home in New Bedford. "But I have no memory after I was whacked on the back of the head, expect for that image." ...  EDGE Boston

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Read the Bay Window's article "P'town chief admits there are irregularities in police report of assault" here.

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WHAT cash theft; P'town police probe; Orleans no to turbines; Eastham no to water

Outer Cape News, Oct. 4

Headlines from the Provincetown Banner:
H2-B or not to be?
- Returning worker exemption allowed to die
Clifford captivates in pirate ship talk
- Barry Clifford on the pirate ship Whydah in Truro
Water plan gets flushed
-  Eastham residents vote down proposed $76 million municipal water plan
Clinton is woman of the year
- Kate, that is
Franklyne: moving it inside
- P'town's summertime street performers earning inside gigs
Nauset girls drop close one
- Girls volleyball loses best in five series

Read these and other stories in the Provincetown Banner here. 

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Headlines from the Cape Codder:
Couple to face  charges in cash theft from WHAT
- Former employee of  Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater and his wife face charges
Water project fails at town meeting
- Eastham says no to the $76 million municipal water project
Orleans won't resurrect wind energy project
- 3-1 vote to not reverse earlier decision to kill two-turbine project
Police probe hate incidents
- Anti-gay incidents under investigation by Provincetown police
Two vie for Provincetown town moderator position
- Richard Olson and Irene Rabinowitz running for the open position
Truro Cultural Council offers grants
- Council calling for applicants for 2008
Wellfleet 'spec houses' are no more
- Building in August called "not robust" by town building commissioner

Read these and other stories in the Cape Codder here. 

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Irregularities in P'town gay bashing report

P'town chief admits there are irregularities in police report of assault
Names not included in report, was it a "hate crime"?

By Ethan Jacobs, Bay Window

Provincetown Acting Police Chief Warren Tobias told Bay Windows Sept. 25 that police officers failed to include pertinent information in their report detailing the investigation into the Sept. 10 assault on Richard Hall, a New Bedford man who was vacationing in Provincetown. Hall alleges that the assault was an anti-gay hate crime, and he has publicly accused Provincetown police of mishandling the case (see “Man Assaulted In P’town Alleges Police Negligence,” Sept. 20).

One of the factors that led him to believe the assault was motivated by anti-gay sentiment is that the assailants did not steal his credit cards or the $200 in his walletTobias said the report, written by Officer Paul Joudrey, should have included the names of the two men who called police to report the assault and who were with Hall when police arrived at the scene. The report also failed to mention whether or not police tried to determine if robbery was a motive in the crime. Hall told Bay Windows that one of the factors that led him to believe the assault was motivated by anti-gay sentiment is that the assailants did not steal his credit cards or the $200 he had in his wallet; the police report makes no mention of whether officers asked him if he had been robbed by the attackers.

Tobias said the fact that the assailants did not steal Hall’s money may indicate that the attack was a hate crime, but he said investigators are not ruling out other possibilities.

“I don’t know the answer to that question about why [information about Hall’s money and credit cards] wasn’t in the earlier report. … As to whether or not that’s an indicator, that’s certainly a possibility. … It’s also possible that stealing his money might have been the motive, but it might have been interrupted,” said Tobias.

Last week, Hall told Bay Windows that he believes he was assaulted by two to three men outside Spiritus Pizza on Commercial Street. He said he remembers that one of them called him a faggot and that he called out a retort in response before being hit on the back of the head. After that he has no memory of the assault or of his interaction with Joudrey, other officers and a rescue squad called to the scene by two men who witnessed Hall emerging from the beach access next to Bubala’s restaurant on Commercial Street. Hall’s next memory after being hit from behind is of driving back to New Bedford after parting company with Provincetown Police.

“I believe that that information [the names of the men who called the police] should have been in the report”
    - Chief  Tobias.According to Joudrey’s report, two men called police to report the assault. The report does not give any information about who the two men were, nor does it indicate whether they were questioned by officers at the scene. It states that officers left Hall in their company, at Hall’s request, but Hall says he has no memory of the men.

“I believe that that information [the names of the men who called the police] should have been in the report,” said Tobias.

Tobias said since Bay Windows reported on the assault last week, police have contacted the two men, but he declined to say whether police had taken down contact information from the men at the scene or whether police tracked them down through other means.

“We sought them out and contacted them, and we do have statements from them,” said Tobias.

He declined to say whether the department was investigating the officers’ handling of the case the morning of the attack.

“We are continuing to work on the case,” said Tobias. “We have pursued several avenues of information gathering, although I don’t want to comment on what those are. I have had conversations with the officers involved and I am satisfied that the investigation is on track.”

Last week, Tobias told Bay Windows that police had no leads in the case because Hall could not remember anything about the men who assaulted him.

Tobias refuted a Sept. 22 report in the Cape Cod Times stating that the assault on Hall was one of three incidents over the past summer that Provincetown police are investigating as possible hate crimes. The Times detailed two other incidents, one in which a man from East Hartford, Conn., alleged that a young man called him a faggot this past June and threw rocks at other people near the intersection of Commercial and Court Streets, near the location of Hall’s assault. The paper reported that in August two gay men were hit by bicycles by a group of local youths.

Tobias said that police are investigating the two other incidents detailed by the Times as hate incidents, not hate crimes. Hate incidents involve reports to police of someone using hateful language but not committing a crime.

Tobias said there have been no reported hate crimes in Provincetown since 2004, when a transgender woman was assaulted. He said the perpetrator was convicted of a hate crime assault. To date, Tobias said, there have been eight reported hate incidents in Provincetown in 2007, not all of them LGBT-related. The prior year there were 11 in total.

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Court decision on casinos could end tribal sovereignty

Editor's Note: Poker Player Newspaper has scooped the gambling world with this important story. We are grateful for their permission to reprint it here. 

Court Rules Tribal Casino Is Merely a Casino
Treated as any other similar enterprise under labor laws

by I. Nelson Rose

I. Nelson Rose

The federal Court of Appeals has declared that, at least for labor law, tribal casinos are to be treated exactly the same as casinos that are owned by private citizens. In other words, a tribal casino is not a part of a government, but merely just another privately owned business.

At a minimum, this means that federal labor law applies to all employees at Indian casinos. This includes the laws surrounding the right to unionize, the major issue of dispute in the fight over new compacts in California.

At the maximum, the case could result in the virtual end of tribal sovereignty. Courts would never openly declare that tribes are not sovereign governments. Instead, using this decision, they could find that almost every federal and state statute and regulation applies to Indian casinos and to any other tribal business that is not limited to members of that tribe.

The major question was whether the tribe's casino is subject to the nation's labor laws. In a long, detailed decision, the Court ruled that it is.The case began with a dispute between two unions anxious to capture the workers at the San Manuel's Indian Bingo and Casino, the closest tribal gaming to Los Angeles. The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union was denied access to the casino for organizing while its rival, the Communications Workers of America, was not. The federal government naturally ruled this was unfair.

But the major question was whether the tribe's casino is even subject to the nation's labor laws. In a long, detailed decision, the Court ruled that it is.

The Court focused on the facts that most of the patrons and even employees were not members of the tribe, that casinos are not a traditional part of Indian life, and that the gaming operation was only a way to raise money, and not an essential part of the tribe's self-government.

A fundamental change in the way courts will decide if a law applies to a tribe

The Court then declared a fundamental change in the way courts will decide if a law applies to a tribe. It is well-established that tribes have sovereignty. This includes the right to be exempt from federal and state laws and not to be sued without their consent. Tribes can voluntarily give up some of their sovereignty, as they often do when signing contracts.

Tribes should be careful about appealing. The Supreme Court has made it clear that it hates tribal sovereign immunity. Tribal sovereignty can also be taken away by Congress. Until now, courts have held that this can only happen if there is an express statement by Congress limiting a tribe's sovereignty. This Court ruled that the express statement is required only when a federal or state law will interfere with a tribe's governmental functions. In all other cases, outside laws apply to Indians, unless there is a clear indication that they are exempt. So, the law has been turned on its head. It used to be that tribes were safe in assuming a law, say the requirement that casinos report large cash transactions to the U.S. Treasury, did not apply to them, because there was no express statement that tribes were required to file these reports. Now the assumption has to be the opposite: All federal and state laws, including all statutes and regulations, apply to tribal casinos unless there is an explicit statement in the law itself that tribes are exempt. Tribes are right to be worried. The Court cited a recent case from California holding that a state law dealing with political donations applies to tribes.

But tribes should be careful about appealing. The Supreme Court has made it clear that it hates tribal sovereign immunity. This case would give the Court the opportunity to declare that not only all laws, but also lawsuits, apply to tribes unless they directly interfere with tribal governmental functions or there is an express declaration regarding the tribe in an act of Congress.

This originally appeared in Poker Player Newspaper.
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A comment from James P. Lynch a nationally recognized Ethno-historical, research consultant:

The Auga Cliente ruling has sent a shutter through the Indian gaming industry. Other gaming tribes tribe to discourage the Agua Cliente from pursuing their suit knowing what might (and did) happen.

It is very doubtful that the tribe will ever appeal the decision to the US. Supreme Court. Most importantly it reaffirms the position that tribes are not sovereign, but are subject to federal law and the plenary powers of Congress.

Undoubtibly, other suits, especially those arguing against the notion of tribal sovereign immunity (which the Supreme Court has already disagreed with, but left the remedy to Congress which lacks the political will to take legislative action) will use this case to further open up tribal gaming to federal oversight. 

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Chatham community center open; Award for Harwich schools; Voting at 16?

Lower Cape News, Oct. 4

Headlines from the Cape Cod Chronicle:
CHATHAM
Selectmen endorse separate PD-Annex buildings
- Vote to move ahead with schematic drawings for two separate buildings, not a joint one
Chatham Community Center finally opens its doors
- First day attracts 130 kids, averaging 40 each day after that
Tax rate rises 5 percent
- Hike will add about $72 to median tax bill
Playground gets reprieve
- Demolition of the Robert Leathers playground put off until spring
Selectmen okay planning for MCI Park
- board votes unanimously on creating a park on town-owned land
West Chatham property buy may return
- Town purchase of 2.4-acre LaRose property may not be dead after all
HARWICH
Wastewater study aims at restoring health of harbors
- Town gets serious about impact of nitrogen
Working group shapes REPs for developing Historic Harwich School sites
- Group will seek one master developer for both projects at both sites
Harwich schools honored by statewide award
- Harwich one of only three towns/districts to receive 2007 Vanguard Model Award
Antitrust settlement impacts bus contract
- Antitrust settlement over merger of two large bus companies will impact two local school districts
Belmont Park subdivision ok'd
- Planning board has approved a 19-lot preliminary plan
Fennell withdraws easement switch
- The Snow Inn Realty Trust will not be filing an amendment with the state
SPORTS
Chatham moves closer to making states with sweep of Tech
- There's a lot on the line for Chatham Boy's Soccer
Holbrook/Avon spoils Cape Tech/Harwich homecoming
- 14-12 non-league upset
EDITORIAL
Give skateboarders a home

read these and other stories in the Cape Cod Chronicle here. 

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Headlines from the Harwich Oracle:
Prestigious hero's award for Harwich patrolman
- Patrolman Robert Hadfield, 15-year veteran, will be honored for saving a man from drowning
Public input 'key' to wastewater plan success
- Frank Sampson wants CWMP to become a household acronym in Harwich
Bulldogs escape with win over Crusaders
- Cape Tech/Crusader unbeaten record comes to end with 14-12 loss
HHS student group aims to lower voting age
- Students aim to drop voting age from 18 to 16
Cape Tech freshmen clean up town beaches
- Beach clean up part of community service learning program
Citizen group monitoring horseshoe crabs in Pleasant Bay
- Group hopes to monitor population

Read these and other stories in the Harwich Oracle here. 

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New Llama patrols; Buzzards Bay theater to reopen?; Alt energy in Sandwich

Upper Cape News, Oct. 3

Headlines from the Enterprise:
Shellfishing 101 brings rewards and dinner for clamdiggers
- 2nd Annual Cape Land & Sea Harvest (CLASH) shines
Selectmen chide ZBA for recent behavior
- An unusually bitter conflict plagues Falmouth appeals board
Lack of information, visual plan raise concerns over atria proposal
- Details on Woodbriar Golf Clubs future lacking
Soldier killed in Afghanistan leaves family in Falmouth
- Mother notified that her 31 year-old son died in combat
Guardian of Peterson Farm, Harleyk the Llama, has died
- A new llama patrols the farm
Nye Homestead renovations to go before historic district board again
- Historic District committee meets on Thursday

Read these and other stories in the Enterprise here. 

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Headlines from the Bourne Courier:
Seniors, kids explore challenges, joys of aging
- Bourne High School freshment study the issue of aging
The big picture: Buzzards Bay Theater may reopen with a new operator
- Marquee may not be dark for long; new tenant possible
Man charged after landing plane at Otis
- 26 year-old Seekonk man charged with trespassing, more
Selectmen endorse idea of changes to Buzzards Bay roads
- Board members on board for "radical reconfiguration"

Read these and other stories in the Bourne Courier here. 

Headlines from the Falmouth Bulletin:
Summer season proved pleasin' for local businesses
- Falmouth B&Bs boast bountiful season

Read this and other stories in the Falmouth Bulletin here. 

Headlines from the Sandwich Broadsider:
Wind, waves and sun
- Forum gives Sandwich residents a voice on alternative energy
Sandwich Reads Together!
- Program to highlight local author, WWII book

Read these and other stories in the Sandwich Broadsider here. 

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Fishing trip terminated for inadequate safety gear

Coast Guard ends unsafe fishing trip
Four-man crew with only three survival suits

The Coast Guard reports that it terminated the voyage of a fishing vessel Tuesday at 2:20 p.m., three miles southwest of Martha's Vineyard, after discovering the crew did not have enough safety gear aboard.

The Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead, on right, an 87-foot patrol boat from Woods Hole, boarded the fishing vessel Corvo II at 2 p.m., and found the four-person crew had only three survival suits and no other personal floatation devices aboard.

The Hammerhead was relieved by a boat crew from Station Menemsha, at 4:11 p.m., who is escorting the Corvo II back to New Bedford.

The Coast Guard instructed the master of the Corvo II not to get underway until the boat had adequate safety gear aboard.

"Fishermen need to make sure they have all the right gear aboard, especially as we're moving into the winter months," said Lt. Aurora Fleming of the First District Command Center in Boston. "If they don't have what they need to keep themselves safe and alive, we'll take action to ensure they do."

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Coast Guard assists sick sailor off P'town

The Coast Guard responded to a chartered fishing vessel about one mile from Provincetown after the vessel reported a 30-year-old male passenger was experiencing symptoms consistent with cardiac complications. 

Someone aboard the 38-foot vessel Ocean Runner called Coast Guard Station Provincetown at 7:13 a.m. Sunday, stating the man needed medical attention.

Station Provincetown launched a 41-foot rescue boat, which arrived on scene at 8 a.m., and escorted the vessel to MacMillan's Pier in Provincetown.

The man was transported ashore to an awaiting medical crew.

Oean Runner, shown in file photo on right, sails out of Green Harbor in Marshfield. 

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