By Alan Burke
MARBLEHEAD — Say it ain't $7, Deval.
This town had its say on Monday in Lynn as the Turnpike Authority met to hear reaction to a plan that would hike Boston tunnel tolls to $7. They didn't find any support from approximately 100 North Shore residents. Not hardly.
Rising to the occasion was Selectman Bill Woodfin. Marbleheaders have heard him erupt before — but this time he proved he can play on the road, telling the Turnpike board they didn't "have the guts to do what's right."
And getting the loudest applause of the night from the crowd.
Woodfin added that the toll hike was a "Russian roulette bullet to the head" for the North Shore and won himself a place on Boston television's nightly news programs as a result.
State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, made it clear that locals aren't exactly warming to the idea of doubling the tolls. "My office has been literally swimming in correspondence from constituents who are outraged over this proposal," she said.
Selectman Judy Jacobi emphasized her opposition by breaking an English teacher's taboo. "Please don't do this," she pleaded with the board. "It just ain't fair."
Oh, what a relief it is
In case fire chief designate Jason Gilliland had any doubts that he's signed on for a stressful job, Selectman Harry Christensen offered a subtle reminder.
Prior to voting, Christensen reminisced on one of his predecessors, Chief John Sumner Quincy "Bromo" Adams. "He was called Bromo," the selectman recalled, "because you could always find him at Eaton's (pharmacy) having a Bromo Seltzer."
"He was the first full-time chief," recalled his nephew, former Selectman Bill Conly, who added that no tie could be found to the more famous South Shore Adamses.
Reindeer on their toes
The New England Ballet Ensemble will be appearing at the middle school on Dec. 20 and 21 at 1 p.m., offering "An Afternoon of Holiday Inspirational Dance and Rudolph — The Most Amazing Reindeer of All."
Several Marblehead kids are among the 100 children and young adults who make up the ensemble, according to spokeswoman Michele Parr. Directing the show will be Lisa Moretti of Lisa's Dance Studio in Marblehead and Seanna Chmura and Susan Byrne of A Performing Arts Academy in Salem/Swampscott.
Everyone's welcome, but you've got to pay to get in, from $15 to $20.
Over the pounding main
And a pounding is exactly what Marblehead sailor Rich Wilson continues to take in his quest to compete in the Vendee Globe around-the-world sailing race. The veteran is not expected to win, but Wilson is outdoing some of his young challengers as he swept past the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean at 16th out of 30 vessels.
"The wind is down from its near hurricane strength last night," he wrote on his Web site, SitesAlive.com. "The boat is bouncing off waves in every direction, very unpleasant."
Of course, he can always climb inside and relax ... or maybe not. "Very cold. The inside of the cabin is like a lake with the condensation dripping everywhere. When the wind finally started to reduce, took several naps. The last one, I was thrown out of the bunk. ... It hurts."
Get your Scrooge on
Sunday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. will be the 23rd annual reading by the Mugford Street Players of "A Little Dickens." And if you think Bob Cratchit failed to show up last year — humbug!
It did snow last year, says director John Fogle. "Terrible weather. For the first time in 22 years, we said, 'We're not going to be able to do the show.'"
But traditions like these die-hard. The group repaired to the home of a member and, with a small audience, did their reading anyway. Snow is predicted on Friday, but Fogle is determined that Marley's ghost will appear on schedule. The venue, the Unitarian-Universalist Church, is within walking distance for many Dickens lovers.
Tickets this year are $10 for adults and $8 for juniors and seniors. For reservations, call 781-631-9106.
God bless them, every one.
