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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 2015New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] This Newsletter is formatted for use on all browsers.View this email in your browser From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson August 2015 Volume 6, Number 8 July 4th Update At its meeting on July 22nd, the Board of Selectmen had a brief discussion regarding non-sanctioned events involving alcohol that occur on Town property. Specifically, the Fourth of the July “party” at Nobadeer Beach, and activity during Memorial Day weekend. The situation at Nobadeer on the Fourth is generally regarded as “out of control”. Staff has been directed to prepare a public safety plan to address these situations going forward. The plan will likely involve a combination of efforts including additional/stronger law enforcement-staffed checkpoints in various areas on and off the island including possibly Hyannis at the ferry terminals; zero tolerance for underage drinking and open containers on Town property; a social media campaign to encourage people who want to come to the island to celebrate holidays and other events, to do so safely and responsibly; and discussions with the ferry lines about restricting/prohibiting the transport of alcohol. As the plan develops, we will likely be having additional public discussions at Board meetings about it. Below is a video of our DPW beach raker cleaning up Nobadeer Beach on the evening of July 4th after the party goers had left. New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] New Human Resource Director Stephen Tuzik We would like to welcome our new Human Resources Director, Steve Tuzik, to Nantucket. He has over twenty-five years of broad and progressive experience having started with ABB, a Fortune 500 company, in 1989 and most recently working for Parsons, an employee-owned global engineering firm, where he was based in Colorado. He has held leadership positions, both domestic and international, in the industrial, power, automation and infrastructure business segments. Steve earned his Bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1985 and his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2005. He has held Society for Human Resource Management certifications, been a guest speaker regarding international human resources and an active participant in charitable organizations throughout his career. New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Upcoming Projects First Way Temporary Path Before the start of the school year, a temporary safety path will be installed on First Way. This walking path will ensure a safe route for those walking to and from school. The path will be brush cut and a split rail fence will be installed to separate the path from the roadway. Long term plans to improve First Way for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists are in development at the moment. This temporary path is a great solution as the plans become ironed out. New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Silvio Genao, Town Engineer, reviewing the road layout at a public information session at the site this week. Town Pier Parking Lot This September, the Town Pier Parking Lot will undergo a much needed facelift. This redesign and repair will add more parking spaces and create a more efficient parking area. New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Comparing Notes On Monday, August 10th, I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Cecil Rhambo, the Assistant City Manager for Carson, CA. We connected through Scott Leonard, a local resident. We discussed a range of topics from cost-of-living issues to meeting agendas and topics, public participation in municipal government and various concerns of our respective communities. It is always interesting and gratifying to hear from other professionals in the field. I felt a little sheepish when Cecil mentioned that his twice a month City Council meetings which start at 6:00 pm often run past midnight - I pledge not to complain when Board of Selectmen meetings go until 10:00 pm… Meet Your Town Volunteers Maribeth Maloney - Commission on Disability New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Maribeth and her family Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket? A: I first lived on Nantucket year-round from September of 2003 until June of 2007, at which time my family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona for six years. I returned to Nantucket as a year-round resident in September of 2013. Q: Where are you from? A: I was born and raised in Reading, Massachusetts, attended Boston College and Suffolk University Law School. That said, I consider myself to be a New Yorker, in addition to being a Nantucketer. I lived there from 1987 to 2003, spent most of my professional career there, both of my kids were born there, and we lived three blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11. That makes you a New Yorker for life, regardless of where you hang your hat. Q: What is your job? A: I am an attorney. I left practice in 2011 to be able to focus my attention on my kids. Q How long have you served on the (committee, board, commission, volunteer position)? A: I was appointed to serve on the Commission on Disability this past June. Q. Have you served on any other Town boards or committees besides that one? A: I have not. Q: What interests you about serving the Town and makes you want to be involved? A: My teenage son, August, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and has been wheelchair bound since he was 12 years-old. As his mom, his caregiver, and his advocate, I see the world through his eyes. When I see, for instance, that a new restaurant has opened on the island, my first thought isn’t – Oh, that looks great…I can’t wait to go there, rather, my first thought is – August would love to go there…I wonder if he will be able to get inside. And by “get inside,” I mean enter the premises easily, with dignity, without having to struggle. It is my hope that business owners be motivated to New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] raise the bar in terms of how “accessible” is defined in the long run, as opposed to adhering to minimum standards required by regulations. At the first Commission meeting I attended before becoming a member, I announced that I was fairly certain I was the only person on island who traveled around town with a shovel in my ramp van all winter so that I could clear pathways for August to gain entry to an alarming number of local businesses that did not bother to do so. Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving? A: As a new Commission member, I will say that I hope the most rewarding part of serving will be to inspire – and if that doesn’t work – require, people, businesses and entities to be conscious of those among us who have disabilities, whatever they may be, and do the right thing. The right thing is not always the easiest thing. Q: What is the most challenging part? A: Since I am new to the Commission, I cannot yet speak to the most challenging parts in an informed manner. However, I believe that one aspect will be balancing the need to provide accessibility to disabled people while maintaining the unique and distinctive Nantucket architectural aesthetic. Despite how deeply I am personally impacted by mobility/accessibility issues, I, too, was first drawn to the island because of its cobblestone streets and scrupulously preserved historical charm. My own home, which is handicap- accessible, is an example of the balance that can be struck. I feel that I cannot leave this question without also mentioning the individual challenges that I have on a regular basis in the new Stop & Shop parking lot where, more often than not, there are no handicap spaces available. I have had encounters with people with out-of-state license plates and disabled placards, but no disabled person in sight. One example was a woman with CT plates who had clearly just come from the beach and was loading her Yukon with her teenage daughter. I approached and asked her who/where the disabled person was. She said that it was her father who was back at the house and has Alzheimer’s. I could see the embarrassment and shame on her face as she looked at August in his wheelchair, but the vast majority of the many rule breakers will never have to look him in the eye. I have also had encounters with islanders who have Nantucket placards yet somehow are able to gamely operate enormous pick-up trucks. I am a tall, fit woman and I am not physically challenged, but would barely be able to get in and out of some of these vehicles without a step ladder. I think that the physicians who sign off on disabled placard applications should give equal thought to whom they are giving a parking space to and whom they are taking one away from. If, for instance, shortness of breath deems someone disabled, I have no idea how such people make it through the huge store itself without being short of breath. Q: If you could change one thing about Town government, what would it be? A: I have no complaints about Town government. I think it’s as close to an actual democracy as any government can be. Q: What is your favorite spot on Nantucket? A: My favorite spot on Nantucket is my own backyard. I know that sounds very Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but it’s true, whatever the season. I am an early riser, and I love going outside to look at the sky and feel the island’s personality on any given day. Those who only experience Nantucket in the summer do not know what they are missing. This Week in Town Government New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Trivia Questions August Trivia Which 3 street signs go "missing" the most? New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] July's Trivia Who was Wilkes Square named after and what did this person do? Correct Answers: Paula Leary, Paula Lundy Levy, and Jim Lentowski Here is Paula Lundy Levy's full answer... Wilkes Square was dedicated in 1934 and named for Francis “Frank” Leroy Wilkes. Frank was born on February 19, 1897, the son of Edgar Wilkes of Nantucket and Emma Phenix (Pheonix) Wilkes of Lynn, Massachusetts. He was a seaman on the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Miami that was later recommisioned the Tampa and placed into the United States Naval Service during World War I. On the evening of September 26, 1918, after guiding a convoy to the Irish Sea, the destroyer Tampa was steaming through the British Channel when she was torpedoes and sunk by the German submarine UB- 91. Frank was killed along with all 115 crew members and sixteen passengers, the United States Naval forces’ greatest combat-related loss during World War I. His story is included in Tuck’t In: A Walking Tour of Historic Prospect Hill Cemetery Nantucket, MA. A book I wrote for the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association. Proceeds from the book will fund preservation, conservation and restoration at the cemetery. Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to Newsletter New Voice for Our Island's Disabled, Missing Street Signs, and Meet Stephen Tuzik http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=d8b6899b52&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:51:19 PM] Copyright © 2015 Town of Nantucket, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences