This is an open letter to the board members and advisors of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival:

I am writing to you in regards to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. What the MVFF, and by extension you as a board member or advisor, are trying to do with the purchase of land in West Tisbury is completely out of line with what any community-minded organization would ever attempt. The property is not zoned commercial, yet Thomas Bena and I’m sure the MVFF’s lawyers believe they have found a loophole to allow the construction of a 6,000 square-foot building to be used by the MVFF in the protected historic district of West Tisbury. This is against the wishes of the town government, residents and quite possibly against the law.

At the selectman’s meeting last week, dozens of residents spoke out against the MVFF’s plan and not a single person from the town spoke in favor. The Vineyard Gazette’s two recent stories on the MVFF’s actions have received over 200 comments, virtually all negative. When the lawsuits begin flying, and make no mistake, they will, you will be suing the town of West Tisbury, your friends, neighbors and community members. If you could please explain to me how you can possibly support the MVFF’s current plan of action, I would appreciate it.

Elisha Jerome Wiesner
Chilmark