Fourteen candidates are running for nine seats on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. The Gazette emailed questions to all the candidates asking them about their reasons for running, qualifications, and to speak to the unique mission of the 41-year-old regional planning agency.

Fred Hancock
Town: Oak Bluffs
Occupation: Technical director

Reason for Running

I grew up with the idea that citizens needed to participate in their local institutions as a civic duty and that it was more productive to participate than to just sit on the sidelines and complain.

I had always meant to do this but never really got around to it until seven years ago when John Breckenridge told me that the town was looking for someone to appoint to the MVC and he asked me if I had ever considered doing something like that. That was the nudge that I needed. I was the Oak Bluffs appointee for five years and then two years ago, I decided to run as an at-large MVC member. I am running for reelection because I feel that I can still make a contribution and that the MVC is an extremely important organization for preserving what we all cherish about the Island.

Qualifications

I came to the commission with no formal planning experience, but having great interest in planning issues. After my first year, my fellow commissioners elected me to be their vice-chairman for two years. I was then elected chairman for three years. In the last year of that term, I facilitated the transition in the executive director’s position. This last year I was appointed chairman of the MVC’s land use planning committee. Part of the responsibility of that position is reviewing our development of regional impact checklist. Because of all of the above, and participation in many subcommittees, I have a very thorough knowledge of the policies and procedures of the MVC and do my best to explain to people who attend our meetings what is happening because sometimes it can be confusing if you haven’t experienced it before.

Commission’s Unique Mission

I think we do a pretty good job. We get complaints from those who don’t think there should be any regulation, and from those who think we have not done enough. We are most visible to the Island in our regulatory role, reviewing developments of regional impact (DRIs), or districts of critical planning concern (DCPCs) where we are able to allow the towns to write their own regulations with the authority of the MVC which they would not be able to do on their own under state law. Our new executive director is also raising awareness of our planning function and making the MVC a leader in affordable housing and nitrogen reduction planning. Six of the MVC’s 10 employees work exclusively as planners.

When we make decisions on DRIs, we weigh the benefits and detriments of a project. In doing that, we look at these issues. The enabling legislation says that we have to do what is mentioned above, while maintaining a sound local economy. There is always a balance to be considered.

Available Time Commitment

I spend 20-24 hours a month on MVC matters.