Important Role

I am writing in response to the vocal opposition to the plans by Thomas Bena of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival to develop a parcel in West Tisbury into a community gathering space, including food and films as well as educational programs and lectures. There are good reasons to have zoning restrictions in place, as Mr. Bena knows well. And there are good reasons to have some exceptions. In this case, both sets of reasons boil down to this: nurturing and protecting community.

I see this theme of nurturing and protecting community as the central and continuing theme of Mr. Bena’s service to the Island community through the film festival, with its Hay Café and childrens’ programs, through his effort to put in place reasonable limits on house size in Chilmark, and through this new project of developing a community gathering place. One of the remarkable things about Mr. Bena’s efforts is that they have proved so successful in bringing both year-round and summer residents together, to engage in dialogue about important issues, and to have fun together, as a community.

Though change is threatening, no one is picketing the roundabout these days. And community goods often require some level of individual sacrifice. Still, I think Mr. Bena would be very open to hearing the will of the citizens of West Tisbury through a vote at town meeting clarifying zoning restrictions and/or offering concrete town support for an alternate venue for a year-round community gathering space (other options have already been explored). One benefit of this method rather than trial by online jury is that the votes of those who tend to be quiet count as much as those whose voices are loudest. And a number of folks have commented to me quietly that they hope Mr. Bena isn’t getting discouraged by the recent negative comments regarding this project to create a community gathering space. It seems to me that those of us who don’t have the initiative ourselves to create a space to fulfill this important role for the Island community, in a geographically central location, ought to support those who do.

Jake Davis
Chilmark

First, let me agree with Jake Davis that TMVFF brings quality entertainment and food to the venues they use. Good stuff. But if, as you say, Mr. Bena knows the "good reasons to have zoning restrictions in place," then why would he announce that in West Tisbury, in this place, those rules do not apply to him? The voters of West Tisbury have already spoken, loudly and clearly, what their desires are for this property when they designated its zoning Rural Residential and included it in the even more restrictive Historic District. This means no business activity, no movie theaters, no festivals, no cafes. I call on the board of directors and all associated with TMVFF to show some respect for these decisions. And I have a great idea for a location - the 8+ acres in Chilmark where Mr. Bena and his family reside, located on a main road without any dangerous intersections nearby. Perfect, really. Plenty of room there. Because, as you say, "community good often requires some level of individual sacrifice." So let Mr. Bena sacrifice his own peacefully quiet rural lifestyle.

Amen to that. I think more specificity is needed regarding assertions of what the MVFF brings "to the community." What constitutes this community? Normally when nonprofits write grant applications they must describe in detail the community they serve, and provide metrics. My impression and that of some other commenters is that the community served is primarily up-Island, and primarily white and privileged. Sure, we all like to discuss controversial subjects, but it can be a rather expensive activity. My impression is that MVFF wishes to continue to serve a fairly elite community and some people are "insiders." So, are they really an all-Island nonprofit? Have they done outreach to increase participation by the Vineyard's African American community into their programming and events for both adults and children? The Brazilian community? Do they have any metrics at all on the populations they serve? Or is this more of an "angel" situation where the bills get paid by a few heavy-hitting donors, and there is no need to write grant applications to and be assessed by foundations nor to indicate which populations and segments of the populations served and also the need for the services. A move to Oak Bluffs---say, Lola's, or the Island Theater---and some real outreach could do a lot to truly widen the population served by this nonprofit. If the MVFF wants to retain the up-Island cachet, then the Bena property in Chilmark would seem to be an obvious candidate at the top of any short list of properties where the festival could seek a permanent home. Then some of the $1.4 million could be used for outreach to underserved segments of the MV community, perhaps also at venues in down-Island towns, with free programs.

Subscribe or become a Friend of the Vineyard Gazette and receive our free newsletters and free and discounted tickets to Gazette events along with our award-winning news and photography.

Directory

Sections

Towns

Important Role

Comments (2)

Comments

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Directory

Sections

Towns

Search form

Important Role

Comments (2)

Comments

Add a comment

YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS