The race is on in West Tisbury for John Early's seat

By Susan Vaughn - March 1, 2007

Dianne E. Powers and Cynthia Riggs have submitted nomination papers to run in the April 12 town election for the selectman's seat being vacated by John Early.

After 30 years and 10 terms on the board of selectmen, Mr. Early announced recently that he will not run for re-election He is currently board chairman.

Ms. Powers is the Dukes County Register of Deeds, an elected post. Ms. Riggs is a mystery writer and active in town affairs. She was defeated last May for a one-year term in a special election for assessor against Cynthia Mitchell, who had been serving as interim assessor.

Other contested seats are on the board of assessors, the finance committee, and the library trustees.

Jonathan Revere will challenge Ms. Mitchell for a three-year term on the board of assessors. He lost a bid for a seat on that board to incumbent Michael Colaneri by 10 votes in last year's town election. The board has three members.

Virginia C. Jones and Daniel Waters are running as library trustees candidates, along with incumbent trustee Ernest P. Mendenhall, for two available three-year terms.

In the finance committee race, Joan Ames and Ann K. Nelson are running against incumbent Sharon Ann Estrella for two three-year terms.

Leah Smith is running for a four-year term on the planning board. Ms. Jones, who is currently serving on the planning board, is running for a two-year term.

Unchallenged incumbents for re-election include moderator F. Patrick Gregory, board of health member David A. Merry, town treasurer Katherine Logue, tax collector Brent B. Taylor, town clerk Prudence M. Whiting, tree warden Jeremiah Warden, and park and recreation commission member Robert W. Holt.