Eight candidates are running for seven seats on the Dukes County Commission. The Gazette emailed questions to all the candidates asking them to speak to their qualifications and the role of the commission.

Tristan R. Israel
Town: Tisbury
Occupation: Owner, 
Tristan’s Landscape

Reason for Running

First and foremost I believe in public service and giving back to the community we live in. Public service can take many forms and being able to facilitate Islandwide initiatives and services is something I find valuable and rewarding. I hope to continue my advocacy for all of the residents of Dukes County, and that is why I am running.

Qualifications

I am a small business owner and I have been involved in local Island government for over 30 years. I am a selectman in the town of Tisbury and I have served as a Dukes County Commissioner for 10 years. I have also served on many other local boards, both governmental and charitable, dealing with everything from wastewater management to affordable housing. I was a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission for five years as well. Having said all that, I still try to bring a positive but critical eye to what we do at the county level.

Role of the County Commission

I have and will continue to advocate for Dukes County to strengthen public social services for Vineyarders and to access more state funding that often gets left on the other side of Vineyard Sound. Making the county a conduit for Islandwide efforts at economy and shared local services is also an ongoing goal of mine. It is important that the public trust what we do and how we deliver services. Supporting our youth and our aging population and our vets all continue to be major priorities of mine.