A recent protest punctuated by chopping forks by Anna Edey, 83, at Tisbury School has prompted at least one school official to condemn the behavior and suggest light treatment or ‘minimization’ may have had venue. On August 11, Edey went to Tisbury School with large culinary forks in hand and tried to stop contractors from felling oak trees on Tisbury School property.
School officials claimed the trees were diseased and also hindering the ongoing construction project at the school. Edey balked at these claims. During his protest, Edey did not hurt anyone with the forks. It is not entirely clear why she had them. Tisbury Police did not arrest Edey or charge her with any offence.
Tisbury Police Chief Habekost previously told The Times that Edey was “very emotional and upset about the removal of the tree”.
Two trees, oaks, were finally felled. A third is recorded in a way that suggests it will also be deleted. However, Tisbury School Committee Chair Amy Houghton said an effort was underway to spare the third oak tree.
The fork incident comes as school officials grapple with the escalating price tag of a school renovation and addition project that was first touted as feasible for $55 million. After Tisbury voters approved a $55 million loan, school officials announced that another $26 million was needed. Tisbury’s chief financial officer, Jonathan Synder, previously estimated that the tax impact of the two sums, plus an additional $5 million for paving, would increase annual taxes by more than $1,000 on a home valued at $744,000 ( $744,000 is approximately the median home valuation).
Edey has frequently criticized the project, particularly its energy efficiency. She questioned many aspects of the solar panel array discussed for the school.
Houghton condemned Edey’s forking behavior in an email to school officials and school stakeholders and suggested that if anyone at the school had done something similar, the ramifications would have been more serious.
A Tisbury Police report alleges Edey displayed the pitchforks as if they were somehow integral to the work stoppage at the school.
‘Before officers arrived,’ says a report, ‘Ms. Edey allegedly parked at the edge of the retail site, approached traffic cop Sam Koohy with a red rag, then pointed to the forks which were hidden under the fabric and said construction was going to stop, Ms. Edey then allegedly walked towards the workers with the pitchforks, and that’s when traffic cop Koohy called us .
In his email, Houghton shared concerns from parents and others that the incident was not being taken seriously enough.
“We are aware of the need to keep students and staff safe during construction,” Houghton wrote. “Closure and curtailment plans are in place to reduce exposure to staff and students. WT Rich, our construction management company has built schools including Edgartown School and has a reputation for maintaining the highest safety records. Last week, Ms. Edey, a member of the city’s climate committee, arrived on the school grounds with what appeared to be a weapon – barbecue forks – to protest works approved by city officials . A similar action by a school staff member or student would have resulted in suspension and, possibly, expulsion from the school community. Many parents and staff have expressed concern about this behavior and a perceived downplaying of actions by other residents and police. School safety during this time cannot be underestimated. We continue to review Ms. Edey’s actions with city officials. Since she is an appointed member of a municipal committee, like other elected and appointed members, she is considered a “municipal employee” and her actions will be reviewed accordingly. The school committee will coordinate with the municipal authorities on this and will put in place additional security measures in the future. Details of the school’s policy on safety precautions will not be made public.
Houghton then had a direct email exchange with Edey. In an Aug. 18 email to Edey, Houghton outlined the level of punishment a school staff member would have faced for wielding forks at school.
“School safety these days cannot be underestimated,” Houghton wrote.
In a red police response embedded in Houghton’s email, Edey wrote, “We totally agree.” Edey then asked if the pitchforks constituted a weapon.
“Showing up on school property with a weapon is not a joke and should not be minimized,” Houghton continued. “If a student or staff member had done what you did, they would have been suspended and/or fired.”
“What about freedom of expression?” Edey wrote in red after this line.
“Your continued provocation of the community to follow your example by bringing turkey forks to meetings is dangerous and reckless,” Houghton continued.
“We will bring little forks whenever something bad needs to be stopped,” Edey wrote.
“Democracy was in place when the city voted for this project,” Houghton continued.
“No, it wasn’t a valid democracy because the public hadn’t been informed enough and therefore didn’t understand enough to know what they were voting for,” Edey wrote. “The public has chosen to trust only you, the officials, and you have chosen to trust only the ‘professionals’, and that is why we are in this outrageous mess today.”
” The processWhat we follow is guided by state law, again democracy in action. Expressing your opinion is your right; however, you are an appointed member of a municipal committee that imposes a higher ethical standard on you,” Houghton continued.
“I hope you all understand that I am one who acts with the ‘highest ethical standards’ – remember the Boston Tea Party,” Edey wrote.
Tisbury Police Chief Chris Habekost could not immediately be reached to comment on Houghton’s allegation that his department downplayed the incident with Edey.
As The Times previously reported, Tisbury Police defused the situation. Tisbury Police Sgt. Max Sherman was able to speak with Edey at the scene for about 30 minutes and resolve the issue without arresting Edey, according to a report. However, Officer Nick Sidoti seized the forks, according to a report, which were temporarily kept in a cruiser. sergeant. Sherman then returned the forks to Edey, according to a report.
“I advised her to keep them in the kitchen if she could from now on, she agreed to do so and left,” a report read.
Houghton later clarified that she was not advocating Edey’s removal from the Climate Action Committee.
“I want to be very clear that at no time did I suggest that Anna be removed from the Climate Action Committee. Anna has been a valued member of this committee due to her keen interests in the realm of environmental concerns and sustainable building opportunities,” Houghton told The Times on Friday.
On Monday, Houghton clarified that she wanted Edey to be “held accountable” for behavior “against the law”. The form that responsibility should take, she said, depended on the city. “In no way, shape or form, did she encourage the expulsion from the committee, Edey was one,” she said.
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