To the Editor:

As the owner of a summer house on the Vineyard since 1962, this thought never crossed my mind. It was only since we retired to our home in Oak Bluffs in 2010, and I became a member of the Oak Bluffs Finance Committee and the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, that I began to think about what winters were like on the Island.

At that point, my wife and I began to seek out friends, whom we found plentiful, activities which also already existed, e.g., bridge, movies, discussion groups, nature, and worship. As we began to settle in, we had to adjust to some of the difficulties faced by all year-round residents — health care, high cost of living, and nor’easters.

However, once I got involved in the political process, I became concerned about how both the Town of Oak Bluffs and the Island of Martha’s Vineyard prioritize the spending of their financial resources. The first thought I had was how much of our money was used to promote tourism. Having some Idea of how much if this money actually went into town coffers, I began to question whether this was a good investment.

After discussing the question of whether town secularism could be transferred into regionalization, a definite “no-no” on the Vineyard, I continue to wonder how such a change could help all year-round residents in reducing their taxes. Having spent most of my life in New York City and Long Island, I was astounded by how much money is spent by forgoing group purchasing, costs of delivery of products and supplies to the Vineyard, and not localizing providers of services, e.g., police, fire departments, libraries and government departments.

And finally, looking at the amount of money that has been raised through fundraising and bonding for such spectacular edifices as the Oak Bluffs Fire Department and Martha’s Vineyard Museum, projects costing millions of dollars, causes me to wonder why we cannot also provide food, clothing, and shelter for those less fortunate people who have decided to make Martha’s Vineyard their home.

I know that this letter will upset many people on the Vineyard, as it calls for large-scale changes. I would hope that you would not regard these views as reflecting those of any committees or groups with which I am associated, and to consider the ideas expressed here for the general good and not attacking any individual or group.

Abraham Seiman

Oak Bluffs