In the debate with Dan Seidman, candidate for planning board, he is unwavering in the planning board’s refusal to address the waterfront zoning bylaw, even though it will not permit cultural businesses within the cultural zone along the waterfront. Instead he proposed guided tours of the wooden boat yards and of the many captain’s houses. I don’t know how you all feel about this idea, but I have a hunch that the recipients of these blessings may prefer that the tours might be better served if they could be directed to somewhere else.

I have been portrayed by my opponents as a one-issue candidate. And I live in the zone I am concerned with, am an artist, and could conceivably have a gallery on the water. A horrible and heinous idea in their opinion.

Well, they need to re-think this because it is not in our plans at all. But it is important that if someone else someday wished to do this, that it would be possible. And if Vineyard Haven is going to be a culturally distinct and arts-oriented community on the water, as they have announced, then it should be possible, not impossible.

As to being a one-issue candidate, that is not true. I am focusing on some important issues. The road, the zoning, the school, the need for affordable, net-zero, housing. In addition there are a myriad of other issues, all of which I am eminently capable of understanding, researching, and offering solutions to based on my learning, training, and experience.

Frank Brunelle
Vineyard Haven