To the Editor:
The Oak Bluffs board of selectmen (BOS) gave our community a glaring example of why over 40 percent of eligible voters stayed home on Election Day. At last night’s meeting, after pledging to vote on the appointment to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) for the town, they kicked that can further down the road in a most insulting manner. They may spin this in several ways while attempting to justify their demeaning, insular behavior, but the truth speaks for itself. Just as the voters did, whom the board chose to ignore, then disenfranchise.
I was a candidate for election. By a very narrow margin, both town- and Island-wide, I was not elected. Soon after the election, I submitted a written request for appointment. Along with that request, I sent information about my qualifications and background, and an offer to meet with any of the selectmen to answer questions. An email was sent out to the three of us seeking appointment, stating that we were on the agenda for the Nov. 29 meeting. At that meeting, I was the only applicant who showed up.
Selectmen Gregory Coogan and Michael Santoro spoke of perhaps needing to advertise the position. Discussion ensued about the fact that three candidates put their names in and no one else had expressed interest. They spoke of how, back when the MVC was started, the appointee was a member of the BOS. It was agreed that both these roles are time-consuming, and no one on the board was able to add the role. After more discussion, the board agreed to hear me, since I was the sole candidate present. I spoke of why I wanted the appointment, my qualifications, and the fact that I have been studying the MVC since July when I decided to run, and am prepared to hit the ground running in January. I offered once again to meet with any of the selectmen to answer further questions. The board decided to postpone the vote until yesterday (Dec. 13).
Last night, after reading John Breckinridge’s letter of withdrawal, the BOS feigned not knowing of his decision. Strange, considering I received calls earlier in the day telling me I had the appointment. The rest of the details will, I’m sure, be reported in a news article. So I won’t go on about them. People spoke on behalf of the will of the voters. I beat the two other candidates by more than 1,000 votes. Others spoke of this being an insult to me and my qualifications. Mr. Santoro said that people had come to him and expressed interest. To that I say, Where are they, Mr. Santoro? Why didn’t they formally seek appointment? Mr. Coogan spoke of how the appointment has nothing to do with voters/how many votes someone received. Mr. Coogan, the voters you disenfranchised with those words elected you! I’m hoping that won’t happen again.
As a board, you degraded this process. A member of the audience spoke out and said that Lisa Regan is interested in the appointment. Where was she last night, and the past month? She stepped back from some of her school committee duties several months ago, citing not having enough time. She has not been attending those meetings. Now she is ready to make a significant time commitment to the MVC?
When through “consensus” you decided to kick the can further down the road again, I was asked if I could be available to attend another meeting in two weeks. I stood and spoke my truth. No, I don’t want to be considered as “your” appointee. Not one of you availed yourself of my offer to answer questions or meet with you. You dismissed the will of the thousands of people who voted for me. Shame on you. You are what’s wrong with politics in this country. You are why new people don’t get involved. I believe that’s exactly how you want it, so you can hold your perceived power.
I know snarky comments were made after I left the meeting. The truth is that if you want to know where the responsibility lies for this fiasco, you need only look in the mirror, but alas, that’s the hardest place to look.
Susan Desmarais
Oak Bluffs
