For Nantucketers, nothing carries the importance or the impact of the Steamship Authority. Almost everything we buy or use comes rolling off the big white ships, whether it is fertilizer for the tomatoes or Cat-Scans at the hospital. The tourists and their SUVπs come rolling off the boats in June and July, then roll back on in August and September. The SSA has become so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us barely think of it, as we barely think of water or electricity.

However if the SSA sniffles, we all get the flu. These days we should all be carrying our tissues with us and have one hand on the Nyquil. In our slow, stagnant summer, the boat line is off 5%. Clearly, something must be done, and raising rates should be one of the answers.

But our representatives to the boat line should ask some very hard questions about these rates and some of the expenses that they will pay for. The increase in our rates will help pay for the disastrous decision to buy the Scamonchi and itπs resultant loss of $800,000 a year. Further, the line is looking at dropping $400,000 on an ≥in-float≤ magazine. With two radio stations, two local televisions stations, two newspapers, four local magazines, and all of those websites, Nantucket merchants have more than enough ways of advertising their wares. Itπs unlikely that the ≥in-float≤ magazine will be able to do anything except put out the party line with some really pretty pictures of the administration.

Moreover, this budget represents the ≥cost-allocation≤ formula adopted this year. ≥Cost-Allocation≤ is a glittering, pretty business euphemism for each island pays for its own boats. Practically, this means that the costs of running the boat line weigh more on the Nantucket side of the equation. Fair enough, some would say, but the SSA should then consider ≥cost allocating≤ the Vineyard routes with the full cost of the Scamonchi.

Our representatives should also ask hard and serious questions about the new fare structure. The fares appear to hit year-round islanders hard. For the summer tourists, the Occasionally High Speed Flying Clud will cost one dollar more and autos will cost $15 more. But year round Nantucketers will eat $15 dollar increases in the excursion rates, a 7.5% increase for truck traffic, and a $200 increase in year round parking at the SSA lots.

This structure protects the only boat with increasing ridership, while hitting the boats with declining ridership. This fare structure can only exacerbate that problem. The Occasionally High Speed is the sexier vessel and appreciated by many of the tourists that ride it. I am sure the management has already thought about the neat-o pictures it will use in its magazine. As it has increasing ridership, it would make the most sense to increase its rates more. More revenue could be generated with a smaller increase.

Meanwhile, that 7.5% increase in freight costs will get handed off onto the Nantucket consumer. That same consumer will dig deeper to go off for Christmas and Thanksgiving with the family.

The SSA management needs to address a 5% shortfall fairly and effectively. Asking Nantucketers to pay a heavier price for their line is not unreasonable. In renegotiating the warranty for the Flying Clud and in jettisoning the Scamonchi, the management has taken significant steps to reduce the red ink.

As we pay more, we will ask for more. We ask that the terminals and boats be clean and well maintained. We ask that the SSA not waste almost a half-million on a mouth organ or on any more silly excursions to New Bedford. Finally, we ask that the Flying Clud become a better revenue source than photo-op.

A Slow Autumn

As we move into the center of September, we have lost most of our summer visitors. The neighbors houses are dark now, Main Street has parking places available throughout the evening, and the beaches have been returned to the walkers and the gulls.

But even though the seasonals have left, the season hasnπt. The water continues to be warm enough for swimmers and stripers, the surf has gotten large enough for adolescents young and old, and the golf courses and walking paths as green and as welcoming as July.

Money is still being made, of course. The Plutocrats Gulfstream in for a quick 18 at the new golf course before dinner at The Pearl. The weddings are going as fast as Ted Anderson can say the words and Polly Warner can dish the food. The Gray Line day-trippers wander around the historic district looking for t-shirts for the grand kids, ice cream, and the Oldest House. But on a Wednesday morning, you can park next to the Bartlett truck and spend a half hour on the bench talking baseball to Jack without smelling a cigar, hearing a cell-phone, or seeing any Lily.

September and October are the secret pleasures the island keeps for us all summer. They are the ≥After Hours≤ months that come after the crazy rush of July and August. We can all sit at the table, catch out breath and notice for the first time the great mackerel back skies of Autumn.

Looking around the roads this last week, familiar cars are newly weighted down with kayaks, fishing poles, surfboards, and golf clubs. We are all taking our island vacation in September this year.

What a great time to do it.