New MV license plate getting closer

Posted July 5, 2007

According to Beatrice Phear, president of the Martha's Vineyard Donors' Collaborative (MVDC), the proposed Martha's Vineyard license plate is about one-third of the way home. The plate needs 3,000 subscribers to become official, and just under 1,000 have signed up. The $40 surcharge the plate costs will go entirely to Island charities, and donors' cars will sport a fancy logo and distinctive MV license number. Early sign-ups may also get to choose their own numbers (between 26 and 3000).

Ms. Phear is optimistic that the remaining 2,000 subscribers will sign up this summer, and the MVDC has designed a new, simpler application. Applications are available on the MVDC web site (www.mvdonors.org), through newspaper ads, and from various Island businesses and agencies.

Once the magic 3,000 plates is attained, the application and renewal process will proceed automatically and more simply through the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Ms. Phear estimates that the program, once established at the Registry, will generate at least $100,000 per year for Island charities. The MVDC has set up a revolving account with the Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha's Vineyard, which will distribute the money.

The design for the new plate is on the web site (www.mvdonors.org). The Registry will not officially rule on the design until the 3,000 checks are in the bank, but officials there have indicated tentative approval.