NANTUCKET - - The people of Nantucket had their crack at the
podium this week, turning out more than 150 strong to urge a
special governor's ferry task force to protect the Steamship
Authority and their lifeline.  "The rate-payers of the Islands
are not responsible for reviving the economy of New Bedford.
Folks, the Steamship Authority is not an entitlement program,"
declared Steve Tornovish, a member of the SSA financial advisory
board from Nantucket.  "Who is going to pay for future deficits
caused by SSA operations? Who will pay for the future fast
ferries? Certainly not Islanders who are already paying 25 per
cent more for the basic cost of living than people who live on
the mainland," said Penny Dey, a board member of the Nantucket
Sustainable Development Corp.  "Double the fuel, double the
crew, double the weather conditions and cancellations? Where do
we fit in this so-called plan for the future? They see us all as
millionaires who can just simply switch taxicabs and go
somewhere else. Please put a hum