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.

James Vercruysse
Town: Aquinnah
Occupation: Cabinetmaker

Reason for Running

I believe in public service and I am proud to represent our wonderful town of Aquinnah. I am also looking forward to working with the commission’s executive director, Adam Turner and the commission staff on the important planning issues that we will be focusing on in the next year. In addition to our regular meetings, the commission is going to hold additional full commission meetings to work on specific planning challenges facing our Island such as economic development and smart growth, ways to prepare for our changing climate, water quality issues, affordable housing for lower and moderate income residents, to name a few. The commission would also like to work with all the towns to select and take action on specific planning goals that have been identified in the Island Plan document.

Qualifications

I had previously served as an elected representative on the commission in the early 2000s for a period of six years. I am familiar with commission procedures and have read Chapter 831, the commission’s enabling legislation, many times. I show up to meetings and I also participate regularly at the committee level.

Commission’s Unique Mission

I feel that the Commission is of great value to all the towns in Dukes County. The professional staff is willing and able to work with town selectman and town boards to update and contour their bylaws to make possible solutions to current issues such as housing density and water quality.

Our new executive director Adam Turner is working tirelessly to maintain open communications with all town officials which I think will lead to a better understanding of the positive role that the Martha’s Vineyard Commission plays Island wide in both regulatory and in planning issues.

Available Time Commitment

I currently spend about 12-15 hours per month.