The Monthly Jamestown Gazette
June 15, 10 NE
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the first ever issue of The Monthly Jamestown Gazette. It's our goal to provide our community with timely news on a variety of topics affecting Jamestown and the Alliance. New issues of the paper will be published, copied and illustrated by hand, and circulated on the 15th of each month. Two copies each will be sent to Oceanside, Alexandria, and the Hilltop. In Jamestown, a copy of the paper will be available for reading on the premises at the tavern, at the schoolhouse, and in the reference materials section of the Jamestown library.
Letters to the editor, press releases, classified advertisements, jokes, cartoons, and original poetry may be submitted to the box outside the library/theater in the Old Museum. Foreign correspondents may send news and contributions by post. The deadline for submission is the 5th of each month prior to publication. While every effort will be made to include as many submissions as possible, publication is ultimately at the discretion of the editor.
Thank you to our volunteer staff: Assistant Bar Manager Trisha Davies, who will continue to bring us her monthly gossip column; Sheriff Earl Carter, who provides us with the Crime Report; cub reporter Kelly Coleman, who helped conduct numerous interviews; our illustrator and cartoonist Deputy Andrew Davies; and copyist and calligrapher Yukimo Ito.
Sincerely,
Connie Coleman
Editor and Chief Reporter
COMMANDER JAMES WITHERSPOON APPOINTED FISHING MANAGER
Upon the recommendation of Captain Arnold McBride, the Jamestwon Council has agreed to appoint a new, full-time fishing manager to handle the logistics of the growing operation and to coordinate occasional joint fishing and crabbing expeditions with Oceanside.
"The position has remained vacant ever since Marcus moved to Oceanside," Mayor Garland Barron told reporters. "The Navy has been loosely handling the fishing industry, but the Council decided it was time to restore more formal management."
Commander James Witherspoon was nominated for the position and approved unanimously by vote of Council. "Commander Witherspoon is a pure dead brilliant fisherman himself," Captain McBride observed, "and he's young and has the energy to handle his role as an officer of the Navy, as a fisherman, and as a manager. My talents lie more in running a tight ship than they do in running numbers, so I think he was the ideal choice." The commander began service in his new position on June 1, 10 NE.
BATTERY PROJECT MAKES HEADWAY
Water Taxi Service to Begin Operation
Senior Battery Project Manager Eugene Porter of Alexandria has informed the Alliance that a new battery for the Oceanside's six-seater, solar-electric speedboat is now operational, months before the speedboat's current battery is expected to expire. The production of a second spare battery is, the engineer says, "already in the proverbial pipeline."
Jamestown's head miner, Roger Murdoch, reports that the evaporation pools at the salt ponds in Hampton "will yield us another batch of lithium come late August." This breakthrough, along with Jamestown Navy's recent discovery of another five-seater, solar-electric speedboat in Burwell Bay, further coupled with Alexandria's scavenging of additional solar panels, should ensure the possibility of more regular travel between our communities.
The Jamestown Council has approved, and Oceanside's Chieftain Cyndie Park has agreed to, a water taxi schedule between the ports of Oceanside and Jamestown that will employ both community's speedboats. The taxi service will double as mailboat service. All mail should be deposited in the new mailbox on the Jamestown dock no later than three hours before the scheduled departure. Operation of the new water taxi service will begin June 20 and will run until a week before the annual trade fair in November. In 11 NE, operation will resume on March 20. Under the current operating schedule, a water taxi will depart Jamestown at 2 PM on Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays and will dock at Jamestown at 4 PM on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. Arrival times may vary by up to one hour depending on travel conditions.
At the recommendation of Lieutenant Mayor Carol Dixon, and upon approval from the Jamestown Council, a naval station has been established halfway between Oceanside and Jamestown to ensure the security of the water taxi route and to allow for emergency repairs and response as needed. "The station," the lieutenant mayor explained, "will be manned on a rotating basis. The Godspeed will be used as transportation to and from the weigh station and as living quarters for those manning the weigh station. Volunteers for the position will spend a total of fourteen days at a time on assignment. They'll be paid their usual rations plus ten hours of overtime."
Travelers wishing to employ the taxi service must purchase advanced tickets in person at the Monday town hall meetings. A one-way ticket is currently priced at two rounds of ammo or one eighth an ounce of tobacco. A wait list will be developed when demand dictates, with priority given to those who have family or long-term relationships elsewhere in the Alliance or valid reasons for business travel. Over the next several weeks, Captain Arnold McBride and Lieutenant-Commander Carlos Alvarado will be holding free driving lessons for those who wish to learn to skipper a speedboat, and a skipper license will be issued to anyone age 15 or up who passes the speedboat driving tests to be held on July 30, 10 NE. "An ability to serve as a water taxi skipper," Lieutenant-Commander Alvarado noted, "will increase your odds of securing passage on a water taxi. This service is going to be in very high demand."
In addition to the water taxi service, the Hilltop Colony has proposed to create a stagecoach service that will run from the Hilltop to Oceanside, from Oceanside to Alexandria, and from Alexandria back to the Hilltop. Scheduled times and ticket prices were not yet confirmed at the time of reporting.
CRIME REPORT
by Sheriff Earl Carter
May 29, 10:15 PM – Drunk and Disorderly. Seaman Jeffrey Reedus and Ensign Norman Lincoln were apprehended after their refusal to leave Madame Linda's Tavern upon closing on May 30. When interviewed by Deputy Carol Dixon, the sailors were found to be thoroughly intoxicated and arguing loudly about who possessed the superior ability to pull off successful pranks. They were placed in separate cells in the jail house, where they were given the opportunity to sleep off their condition. The two Navy men were cited for drunk and disorderly and their discipline left to the management of Captain McBride by order of the court.
June 8, 3:45 PM – Closed Case. The solid gold wedding ring that was stolen from off a nail on the cross adorning Mrs. Charity Conway's grave has been recovered. The culprit turned out to be a four-legged, canine thief. Dog, faithful hunting companion of Daryl Dixon and occasional cow herding partner to Farm Manager and Councilman Gunther Hamilton, must have pilfered the ornament in one of his afternoons of free roaming Jamestown in search of nefarious rats. The ring fortunately caused no damage to the beloved friend and was expelled last Tuesday. It has now been thoroughly cleaned and once again adorns Mrs. Conway's cross.
GOSSIP COLUMN
by Trisha Davies
The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson once wrote, "In spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." That seems to be the case here in Jamestown, as we have several exciting engagements to announce!
As we all already know, Raul Aljeandro Dominguez and Enid Arwen Narcon became engaged in February, but this month they've finally set a wedding date! The young couple will be married on November 15, 10 NE at the annual trade fair in Oceanside. Rumor has it that they won't be permanently settling in any one community, but will continue to split their time between Jamestown and the Hilltop. That's good news, because their diverse skills are treasured by both communities.
Cupid's arrow has also struck councilman and deputy Thomas Stephen Mayfield, who has become formally engaged to Kelly Ashley Wilson (a.k.a. Kingdom Kelly). Their wedding is slated for June 20, 10 NE at the Old Fort Chapel, with a reception to follow at Linda's Tavern. After the wedding, a little birdy told this columnist, Deputy Thomas plans to adopt little Harry Merriweather, Jr., who is currently seven months old. The little tyke will then take the name Harry Merriweather Mayfield.
But wait, there's more! Lieutenant-Commander Carlos Alvarado and Connie Constance Coleman are pleased to announce their recent engagement as well. The couple will be married onboard the deck of The Discovery on July 4, 10 NE, with a reception – and fireworks (wink, wink) – to follow.
It's not only fun to celebrate weddings. It's also fun to celebrate anniversaries! So this gossip columnist would like to extend a special congratulations to Daryl and Carol Dixon, who celebrated their third anniversary this May! And because this is the first edition of my column, I'd also like to go all the way back to January and congratulate Santiago and Sarah Dominguez on their first-year anniversary.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the couple with the baby carriage! At least that's the order we hope it goes in, and if your daddy is a bird hunter with a shotgun, that's probably the order it will go in (wink, wink). Which brings us to our latest birth announcement. Hailey Ella Jones was born to the newlywed young couple Rachel Borowitz and Jackson Jones on May 18, 10 NE. The little girl weighed in at 7 pounds, ten ounces and was 18 inches long. A christening was held at Old Fort Chapel on June 5, 10 NE, at 11 AM.
Speaking of births, it's time to wish a happy birthday to several Jamestownians, but since this is my first ever column this year, I'm going to have to backtrack. A happy belated birthday to Benjamin Espinosa Carter, son of Earl and Rosita Carter, who turned one in January. April was a busy birthday month! Hope Myers, daughter of Jeremy and Olivia Myers, turned one. The same month, the two sons of Mayor Garland and Shannon Barron also celebrated birthdays! Ivan Daryl (VanDaryl) Barron turned two, while his big brother Garland Bennet Barron, Jr. (Gary) turned five. A happy early birthday to Yona, daughter of Dante and Inola Smith, who will turn one before the next edition of our paper is published! And, finally, Happy Birthday to Madam Linda Cartwright, who celebrated another year of life on May 29 at a spectacular party in the tavern, complete with music from the Mason Brothers Band. (We all know to never ask a lady's age.)
ELECTIONS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER
Ballot Finalized in What Appears to Be the Year of the Woman
Elections for the nine-member Jamestown Council will be held July 1st. All full citizens of Jamestown age thirteen and up will have the opportunity to rank their choice of representatives in the Council Chambers from 8 AM to 4 PM. Results will be reported by 9 AM on July 2nd, at which point the polls will re-open for the election of Jamestown's mayor. The mayor will be chosen by the people from among the newly elected council members, and then he or she will appoint a lieutenant mayor for the year.
There are some surprises on the ballot this year, both in terms of new additions and unexpected omissions. Farm Manager Gunther Hamilton has declined to run for re-election in order to concentrate on renewing his health, though he did indicate he might run again next year. "The farm manager's job is a demanding one, and I may have overextended myself during the labor shortage that occurred in the midst of the Great Quarantine," he told reporters. "During my recent vacation in Alexandria, I realized just how much a good rest could lower my blood pressure. I reckon I need to take it easy for a spell and reduce some of my commitments, but after another year of abstinence from the devil's juice and a little rest and relaxation, I expect to be fully rejuvenated, and I can't promise I won't run for council again in July of 11 NE."
Whether Mr. Hamilton is truly taking a step back to attend to his health, or to give his wife an opportunity to shine, has been a matter of town debate, because Deputy Dianne Hamilton is now on the ballot for Jamestown Council. Indeed, this next council term may well prove to be the Year of the Woman. Deputy Hamilton is being joined on the ballot by six other women: the current lieutenant mayor, Deputy Carol Dixon, who will be seeking a third term; Deputy Sarah Dominguez, who will be making a second bid at her first term; town veterinarian and incumbent Dr. Carolyn Taylor, who has served on the council since the transition; incumbent and tavern manager Madame Linda Cartwright, who will be running for a second term; master mason and building manager Inola Chokta Smith, who has decided to seek a second term on the council after taking a year off with her baby; and Shannon Barron, who is also seeking a second term after taking two years off from the position to spend more time with her children.
The ballot is rounded out by Mayor Garland Barron and Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad, who have both served since the original transition council; Captain Arnold McBride, who is seeking a second term; Lieutenant-Commander Carlos Alvarado, who is seeking his first term; and assistant farm manager and apothecary Raul Dominguez, who is once again running for a first term.
Deputy Thomas Mayfield has declined to run again in order to concentrate on his new family commitments to his wife and stepson. Commander James Witherspoon has also opted to step back from the elections this year to dedicate more time to his newly appointed position as fishing manager. "Sorry to see Commander Witherspoon step down," journeyman blacksmith Jeremy Myers opines. "He was a young, fresh voice. We need more people under thirty-five on that council. I think I'll be voting for Raul, even if he is at the Hilltop four months of the year."
The annual debates will be held on June 25th in the theater at 7 PM and all residents and citizens of Jamestown are welcome to attend.
OBITUARY
Retired naval officer Jeffrey Lawson, age sixty-four, passed away suddenly on June 4, 10 NE. Cause of death was indeterminable, though the former officer was known to have suffered from gout, which can, according to Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad, "cause serious health complications and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and insulin resistance."
A former cruise ship safety officer in the Old World, Lawson began his career in the Jamestown Navy as a seaman and quickly climbed its ranks under the leadership of Captain John Smith, where he obtained his highest position as commander before being demoted to the position of lieutenant-commander after the death of Captain David Cummins. He ran, unsuccessfully, for the Jamestown Council on two occasions. Even in retirement, he continued to pursue his political platform of limiting foreign entanglements and restricting immigration to Jamestown through his numerous appearances at open town hall meetings.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan Miller Lawson. Funeral services were held on June 5.
CLASSIFIEDS
Classified advertisements help us to reward our volunteer staff with a monthly celebratory publication drink at the tavern. The cost for advertisements is just one round of ammo per 35 words. Please see Connie or Kelly Coleman to purchase advertisement in next month's paper. The deadline is the 10th of the month.
Services Offered
Have errands to run? Need a date night? Responsible 12-year-old with experience watching the younger orphans and helping in the daycare will provide babysitting services in your home. References available. Negotiable rates. Contact Corina Foxworth.
Family portraits drawn by a former police sketch artist and current illustrator of the Jamestown Gazette. Pen and ink. 24X16, four rounds of ammo. I'll make your family look beautiful. Contact Deputy Andrew Davies.
Help Wanted
Looking to earn some extra income? I could use extra waitstaff on Friday and Saturday nights. Duties include serving and cleaning. Ages 17 and up. Two free drinks per shift, plus tips. Contact Linda Cartwright.
Personals
Single male, age 35, seeks married (but discreet) female, age 18 – 36, for casual relationship. I have big hands, if you know what I mean. Ladies, contact Seaman Jon Rooker.
Newly single female, age 52, seeks serious long-term relationship, potentially to culminate in marriage, with an able-bodied man, age 30 to 55, who enjoys working overtime. Contact Susan Miller Lawson.