<p>Despite fierce opposition, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival leaders said they intend to follow through with plans to buy a tract of residential farmland in West Tisbury.</p>
Despite fierce opposition from the Island community, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival leaders said this week they intend to follow through with plans to buy a tract of residential farmland in West Tisbury where they hope to build a permanent home.
In an email that went out to members last Thursday, the festival said it planned to buy 12.5 acres and a house at 694 Old County Road, property formerly belonging to the late Cynthia Walsh. A purchase and sale agreement has been signed to buy the property for $1.4 million. A closing is set for June 22, reportedly with no contingencies.
Old County Road resident Mark Reisman criticized MVFF plan.
Old County Road resident Mark Reisman criticized MVFF plan.
No plan has been presented yet for the property. And any plan to develop it would need to clear a gauntlet of required regulatory approvals, including from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and an array of local boards.
“What made sense to us was to buy the property first and then have the conversations,” film festival founder and director Thomas Bena told the Gazette on Thursday. “There’s no question in our mind that it’s the right property for us.”
In late March, Mr. Bena attended a meeting of the West Tisbury planning board where he described a concept that includes a 6,000-square foot barn for film events, along with a commercial kitchen and a farming operation.
Mr. Bena said festival leaders are working to raise $2 million for the project, and that an eight-member board of directors voted unanimously on May 3 to buy the property. Steve Bernier, a well-known Island businessman and Chilmark resident, is chairman of the MVFF board.
West Tisbury selectman Richard Knabel called for festival leaders to reconsider.
West Tisbury selectman Richard Knabel called for festival leaders to reconsider.
Meanwhile, outrage simmered in the community and online this week, finally spilling out at a meeting of the town selectmen on Wednesday after a story on the Gazette website had attracted a flood of comments from readers. Following about an hour of discussion, board chairman Richard Knabel publicly called on the festival directors to reconsider their plans.
“The film festival is certainly entitled to pursue their proposal,” Mr. Knabel said. “However, it clearly already has become a very contentious and divisive issue, even before a more definitive plan has been presented. I fear the situation will only become more inflamed if the proposal is in fact pursued.”
No representatives from the film festival attended the meeting. But festival managing director Brian Ditchfield said Thursday that reconsidering the plans would be premature. “We haven’t even secured the land yet,” he said. “As we do that and as we begin any planning process, absolutely we plan to reach out to abutters and beyond.”
Mr. Bena said when he met with the planning board in March he understood that because the film festival is an educational nonprofit, it could be permitted in a residential area. Mr. Ditchfield was also confident the project could be permitted. “We’ve had legal advice, we’ve had advice from friends and board members, and we’ve seen that precedent here on the Island,” he said. “So we felt as if we should move forward.”
More than 50 people attended the selectmen’s meeting Wednesday, held at the Howes House, including the historian David McCullough and his wife Rosalee McCullough, longtime West Tisbury residents. Those who spoke out against the proposal included at least two people from other Island towns.
Mark Reisman of Old County Road criticized the approach. “The festival’s quick purchase of the property without any public notice and a contract that apparently has no contingency clause suggests an approach designed to intimidate residents and local governmental agencies,” he said.
Several people took aim at the festival’s mission as a nonprofit. Rez Williams, an artist who lives off the end of Old County Road, argued that a state law exempting some educational programs from land-use restrictions would not apply in this case. He noted that in its official mission statement, the festival describes its main purpose as “offering an enriched film program.”
Property formerly belonging to late Cynthia Walsh includes Greek revival home.
Property formerly belonging to late Cynthia Walsh includes Greek revival home.
“We seem to have a conflict here on the face of it,” Mr. Williams said of the proposal.
Chilmark Library director Ebba Hierta, who lives in West Tisbury, also criticized the festival for claiming to have a mostly educational purpose. “This is a minuscule fraction of their overall activities,” she said. “What they are proposing here is an entertainment-restaurant complex. What else is a facility with a commercial kitchen that intends to sell food to the public?” She called on the selectmen to take a lead in rejecting the proposal.
But Chilmark resident Chris Murphy pointed out that people have the right to buy property, and he urged those present to reserve judgment. “You all ought to turn around and take a look in the mirror,” he said. “If I wanted to do a project, would I want a lynch mob out there looking at me before I even get started?” He continued:
“We should all take a deep breath. Really take a look at what’s being proposed. And as far as I can see, not a lot is being proposed yet.”
Tony McClellan, who lives across from the Walsh house, took exception to being called part of a lynch mob. “We are residents . . . in the neighborhood who live there because we like the community,” he said. “And we see it being abused.” His comments drew applause.
Location off Old County Road.
Location off Old County Road.
Despite the outrage and frustration, the meeting never fell out of order and the mood was mostly upbeat.
Several people spoke of their fondness for the neighborhood. Cynthia Riggs, a novelist whose family has owned the Cleaveland House on Edgartown West Tisbury Road for generations, said she had originally opposed efforts to form a historic district, since residents already maintained their historic properties, but she later came around.
“Somebody pointed out to me that yes, you may keep up the tradition of the village and the rural character of the land, but what would happen if somebody sells a house . . . [with] an inappropriate plan for that property,” she said. “I hope that the mission of the district to keep us a rural community will continue to stand.”
Nancy Dole, a member of the historic district commission, said the commission’s power to condition a project at the Walsh property would be limited to the first 800 feet from the road. (The property is about 2,218 feet long and 295 feet wide at the road.) “The historic district commission is not going to be able to stop a 6,000-square-foot building in there — appropriate or not,” Ms. Dole said.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Knabel again emphasized that the plans have hardly taken shape and only recently entered public awareness. “This took a fairly long time for it to percolate,” he said, noting the March planning board meeting. “But now it certainly has.”
In asking the film festival to withdraw its plans, Mr. Knabel said he was speaking only for himself but he acknowledged a demand for clear leadership from town citizens.
“I call on Tom Bena, Steve Bernier and the film festival board, for the good of all concerned, to reconsider their proposal, and spare us all the needless and prolonged unpleasantness and expense it will more than likely cause if they choose to go forward,” Mr. Knabel said.
While they did not attend the meeting, festival leaders said later they saw the process more as an opportunity than a trial.
“We have a mission here to gather people and to spark discussion, debate and action,” Mr. Bena said. “And that’s how we want to go through this process.” He also anticipated a series of public forums this year, but only after the festival takes ownership of the land.
“There’s no question in our mind that this is the place,” he said.
Comments
Local film maker Thomas Bena
elisha wiesner chilmarkLocal film maker Thomas Bena will be showing his film about giant trophy homes ruing Martha's Vineyard in his giant trophy movie theatre.
Mr. Bena wants anyyone who
Burned once ChilmarkMr. Bena wants anyyone who has questions to come and talk with him and he will be sure to address those concerns. Nothing but BS. He will invite you and your concerns and not budge an inch as to what he will ultimately propose for that site. We have read what his vision is,he's just waiting for all the uproar to settle down so he can talk some sense to all those who have over reacted and will surely come around to agree with their plan,
If Tom Bena and the staff of
Paul W.TisburyIf Tom Bena and the staff of the MVFF still have "no doubt" about this location, then they never will. It seems that that their mission(ambition)
trumps all, even their own self stated love and care for this community. The fact that not one person from the MVFF showed up to the first meeting
says much about how they will proceed. They seem to want a fight. They should be given one. P.S. Bena should apologize for his insult and snobbery towards the much loved and
successful efforts of Richard Paradi, et al.
It's probably time to take Mr
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownIt's probably time to take Mr. Bena up on his offer and start speaking with him as he wishes, at his offices, and "walk the property" and see if he is a man of his word. I suspect that there's nothing there of much substance to speak about at all in the end. Here's why. He and the board have made their decision and the rest must live with the choice he and the board have made. What I think will happen, however, is that the extraordinary offense taken by neighbors from taking this approach, that comes from authentic concerns about the character and propriety of West Tisbury and of this particular property, will galvanize more decisions. I can't imagine that the MVFF staff, Mr. Bena, Mr. Bernier and the board would propose that they could call the community of the island and of the town supportive if the residents of the town take them to court. Even if the MVFF would succeed in that case, which despite Mr. Ditchfield's explanation of consulting legal representation already is not at all nearly a certainty, is that how they want their new chapter to be born? Think about it: a brave new venture that came about because of a lawsuit won against the very community they propose to join in collaboration, successful communication, and a spirit of common town and Island good? It's incomprehensible. Therefore, the viability of the project as a positive contribution to the neighborhood and the town has already been extinguished and what may be left is the protracted, ugly, difficult fight between the MVFF and the residents of West Tisbury. Don't close your eyes to this MVFF, you do so much good for the island as an entity already. You don't want to birth your new campus in the wake of a legal challenges and of a town community that is completely and totally against what you plan to do. A down payment may not be able to be returned, but that is the least of concerns.
If Bena and his board had
IslanderIf Bena and his board had bought up the HTR (brilliant idea from Ms. VanBelle!) and turned it into an art center they would have had the Vineyard at their feet, parking and restaurant and all. They could even probably get permission build some kind of housing there, for interns, guest artists, etc. Similarly, if they had bought the farm with the idea of putting a conservation restriction on it that allows them to lease the house and fields to a farmer who will farm a portion of it to provide food for their restaurant plus some MVFF products such as . . . be creative (honey?? More bees needed all around), result: Island at their feet. It is really too bad that they didn't appeal to the public for ideas BEFORE!!
As it is, the whole thing looks like a gigantic ego trip. Regarding the role of the board in all this, Mr. Bernier, has, I believe, also tried to force a meat-processing plant on a residential neighborhood. Steve Bernier has done a lot of good on the Island and I think is a genuine environmentalist. But . . .Do he and his business and future endevours and leadership potential really need the questions and the bad press?
Dean- a clear, balanced,
Julian Wise ChilmarkDean- a clear, balanced, lucid statement- thank you. Very insightful.
Now that Thomas has everyone
Mike Marcus West TisburyNow that Thomas has everyone's attention...can anyone suggest a good alternate site on a farm perhaps that might be suitable and acceptable?
Why do they need a FARM?
Juleann West TisburyWhy do they need a FARM? Perhaps the large fields at the entrance to Seven Gates Farm would be available . . .
Why a farm? Farms are for
WT Family WTWhy a farm? Farms are for agriculture and livestock. A simple MLS search reveals the following: Lola's is for sale. A building is already there, so it even though it is more expensive, they would most likely save on building costs. The mini golf course is for sale. They may be able to remove the golf course and turn it into a barn with a theatre and restaurant. The grocery store across from Cronig's in VH (it's the one in a red barn) is for sale too. That's only 1.5 mil and already has the barn on the property! All of these are in commercially zoned areas. I wonder if the MVFF has even considered a commercially zoned home? I get the allure of a film festival on a farm, but we have such limited farm land on our island, it would be a shame to see any of it turned into a commercial venture.
The Hollywood elitists have
Hal EdgartownThe Hollywood elitists have now officially arrived and the opinion of the 99 percenters doesn't matter
I guess I am late to the
Local Parent MVI guess I am late to the party... I had no idea of this plan, but I have to say, it sounds GREAT!!! Come on guys.. traffic is already awful in the summer. This won't make a dent. And why are we so hung up on the size of the building?? It's not a McMansion.. it's a theater for crying out loud! And a barn theater..cool! Though I honestly am not sure exactly what that entails, but it sounds fun and call me crazy if you want, but I trust the MVFF to build something nice and tasteful with an appropriate Vineyard feel. I'm sorry, but I am just looking at it from a different viewpoint than all of you. I would LOVE a nice place like this to bring my kids in the summer and throughout the year! I guess I can picture a nice lawn for the kids to run around, plenty of space for the Cinema Circus, occasional live music and a nice theater for folks to gather to watch great movies and documentaries, and have meaningful discussions . Now if that doesn't sum up life on the Vineyard, than I don't know what does. The idyllic part anyway. :) Give this a chance and let's trust a group that has always put on wonderful events for our community. Let's give them a place of their own. I'm sure they will take good care of it.
Let's trust the group that
BeenThereDoneThat ChilmarkLet's trust the group that has wreaked havoc on Beetlebung Corner in Chilmark for years? Cars parked in every available spot, at the community center, the bank, the school, the library and the post office and still illegally parked at the Chilmark Tavern and all over the road sides? A group that snuck in alcohol sales in a dry town? A group that runs a weekly restaurant on without a permit, selling food not just to their movie patrons but to the multitude? And do this in a residential neighborhood? I would not wish that on my friends in West Tisbury. Oh, yes, the festival people are creative and quite successful. But they are not good neighbors.
I reckon the Chilmark record,
IslanderI reckon the Chilmark record, including running a pop-up restaurant and serving booze without a license, will be relevant when this thing comes before the MVC. A quick look into the books and tax returns/statements might answer a lot of questions as to how this nonprofit operates.
As for the schedule of "nonprofit, cultural, enriching" events in a residential zone and historic district, if the MVFF gets to do what they want, perhaps the Agricultural Society will be allowed to do the same: Show movies for an entrance fee, sell food to the public, and rent out their hall for public events, and cause a traffic jam on the Panhandle Road every day of the year. AFAIK, the Agricultural Society is not allowed to do any of these things and is sharply restricted as to what they can do with their facility, and how often.
Have fun, MVFF, getting Skipper Manter to let you tread where the MVAS is not allowed to go.
The festival people may be
Steve McQuiggan ChilmarkThe festival people may be creative, but as someone who's done business with this organization I can say that most of the staff and management were some of the most unprofessional people I've ever dealt with. There are a couple of good workers among them, but they are not running the show.
This does sound idyllic and I
Empty Nester West TisburyThis does sound idyllic and I would probably attend many functions if it were built. I can go home to my peaceful neighborhood when it's all over and not be affected in any way.
I can't seem to wrap my head
Dee Ouchman Isles of LangerhansI can't seem to wrap my head around how a film festival company qualify as a C3 non profit or the like. What kind of films do they show? 20 minute instructional movies on how to properly brush your teeth like in the Army? Documentaries? PBS reruns?
As far as I can tell, the
not a fan west tisburyAs far as I can tell, the educational aspect is only for tax purposes. After a disappointing viewing, totally unorganized I wanted to give them a second chance but I was sorely disappointed. As anyone here in March knows, its basically an event for the rich, with a few islanders in the mix just to make it "authentic" and "community oriented". And don't get me started on the two-tiered ticket prices which I find frankly repulsive.
The catering to the wealthy
Jackie ChilmarkThe catering to the wealthy is very obvious and not at all the "island way" that the MVFF pretends. The final time I could bring myself to attend a March frenzy to get into an overcrowded film, there was a separate entrance for "special" people who entered the theater area earlier than the rest, getting the best seats. And of course, you couldn't sit in the comfy couches with signs that read RESERVED for the really big donors. Thank you for commenting on the reality of the MVFF's idea of "community oriented". I guess some are more "community" than others, according to how much they give the MVFF.
The arrogance is pretty hard
Have my cake and eat it too, West TisburyThe arrogance is pretty hard to handle on this one.
"Im disappointed that the community doesn't bring me ideas, walk the property with me, partner-up and talk about the business I want to build in a historic residential neighborhood...I'm doing this for the Island, I'm making people think differently"..
Seriously? It's the historic district of West Tisbury! Get over yourselves guys. This is a very bad and terribly selfish idea that the Islanders clearly are not in favor of.
If you want a home for the film festival now artbarn/farm/restaurant/camp/platformfortheselfrighteous, play fair, and buy one in a properly zoned area. It may not be the bucolic country setting that you dreamed of, but sometimes we have to make decisions for the greater good. You won't be forever altering the historic district and your gain won't be at other peoples expense. It would however, be something you could be proud of.
Three links that may be of
Where's the 990? West TisburyThree links that may be of interest to those of us who like to do our homework on agencies we support.
The first is the non-profit research site; guidestar.org which that allows you to research non-profits so you can make smart choices on the ones you'd like to support. Every non-profit must complete a 990 filing with the state and this 990 is public information. Guidestar makes these easily available to the public online for free. The 990's list the amount of money that goes towards salaries vs programs etc and it even lists the salaries of the top paid people in the organization. Anyway, there is no non-profit named The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival or MVFF listed for some reason. http://www.guidestar.org
It's not listed here either:
http://www.charities.ago.state.ma.us
Every other island non profit is.
The second is this:
http://tmvff.org/donate/
I did a search on Guidestar
IslanderI did a search on Guidestar and, similarly, found no listing for the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival.
I did find a listing for the Martha's Vineyard Film Society.
You can create an account/ password and then get basic financial info on any 501(c)3 nonprofit.
At the "donate" page the MVFF
IslanderAt the "donate" page the MVFF states that is is a 501(c)3 organization.
Are they a "project" or "program" of some other 501(c)3?
If so, that organization's name should be made public.
You are right. I just looked
Carol Lampson now California, formerly ChilmarkYou are right. I just looked them up on Charity Navigator (the largest of these services, I think) and all of the other Vineyard not-for-profits were there, including the MV Film Society, but not the MV Film Festival. So - what is the name and Federal tax ID of the alleged educational not-for-profit? That is a completely appropriate question. Not-for-profits are already subsidized by taxpayers by their avoidance of the necessity of paying corporate income tax; part of the deal for receiving that subsidy is accountability through filing Form 990 information returns with the IRS which are published by Charity Navigator and the like. The only not-for-profits that need not file are those with receipts of less than $50,000 per year (gross receipts, including donations - not net income) - they file a 990-N postcard.
Ok, found this:http:/
Jackie ChilmarkOk, found this:http://nonprofits.findthecompany.com/l/43556/Sea-the-World-Productions-…
This is an interesting and
Juleann West TisburyThis is an interesting and vital piece of information. The community deserves an official explanation from Mr. Bena and Mr. Bernier.
The legal name of The Martha
Ebba Hierta West TisburyThe legal name of The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival is Sea The World Productions. Their tax documents are available through Guidestar under that name.
After viewing the WT
Juleann West TisburyAfter viewing the WT Selectmen's meeting I learned (from Rez Williams) that the MVFF files with the IRS as Sea the World Productions, operating as MVFF. This organization HAS filed a 990.
Have you checked Sea the
JackieHave you checked Sea the World Productions Inc? I'd do it, but I don't know how. These questions should have been addressed by Thomas and the board of the MVFF in a public community question/answer session-- much, much earlier than now.
Seems like that would have
Annie Cook ChilmarkSeems like that would have been a logical -- and politically practical -- way to go.
Yes- I did, and I was very
Yes West tisburyYes- I did, and I was very suprised that a non-profit with a Budget of around 400k, would spend 1.5 million on a property and atleast another 2 million on new infanstructure? Seems fiscally irresponsible of the Board.
When I travel up-island I
Patrick A. EdgartownWhen I travel up-island I love the sense of space and harmony. I am not sure this is really an appropriate space. Oak Bluffs 'would be more appropriate for this venue.
I have a great idea... The
Kathryn WtI have a great idea... The MVFF moves to Oak Bluffs/VH..... we as a Town purchacse that property for affordable housing???? LETS DO IT!! NO brainer..
Affordable Housing on that
Marjory Potts West TisburyAffordable Housing on that site -what a great idea! And fix up the historic farmhouse for high end rental to subsidize the Affordable Housing. Win-win! (Working with neighbors to keep density appropriate for area.)
Cant this go some where else?
Charles ChilmarkCant this go some where else?? Who needs It ??? Whats the point?? Where do they get there money???...oh right there non profit....
Lets follow the money?? That will tell you need to know.
CW
A sad sad story. Thomas and
Sad ChilmarkA sad sad story. Thomas and Steve, are you willing to sink the ship over this? Every member of the board, every employee of the MVFF, Brian ,Hillary, you are all compliant. If this moves forward you will be suing your friends, neighbors and the town of West Tisbury..For what? Vanity? Pride? You will all be losers in the end, even if you win.
From the MVFF Website:
elisha wiesner chilmarkFrom the MVFF Website:
Board President
Steve Bernier
Board of Directors
Thomas Bena
Joanna Cole
Anne Evasick
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte
Dawn Porter
Mitch Rubin
Advisory Board
Natasha Bacigalupo Ziff
Lisa Berkower
Alan Berliner
Laurie David
Catha Day-Carlson
Mollie Doyle
Scott Frank
Jill Iscol
Jan Kaplan
Arleen McGlade
Claudia Miller
Edward Miller
Mahsa Noble
Nancy Parrish
Jessica Roddy
Tobias Vanderhoop
Monina von Opel
Marilyn Vukota
The right this wrong the MVFF
Jim Fulton Off-IslandThe right this wrong the MVFF should close this deal (if it cannot be stopped), immediately re-list it for residential sale only, then find another spot to screen its films.
Maybe something can be worked out with the Ag Hall, or in a commercial zone by up-island Cronigs or those immediate environs.
We really can our suburbs and rural areas, too, with a little more planning and forethought.
I appreciate your concern but
Washashore EdgartownI appreciate your concern but I want you to think about this: The MVFF doesn't want to cut down a single tree. They want to build a barn in the back of the already cleared land. If someone else buys this land what will happen? It could be broken up into 4 lots with 4 McMansions on them. Maybe more. Who really loses there?
Actually, the property was
Ebba Hierta West TisburyActually, the property was subdivided into two lots in 2007 with a deed covenant that limits it to just that - two lots, not four. This information is available to anyone who searches the property in the state land records, free online. Do your homework, folks. Bring some facts to the table.
Isn't there another business
Spectator EdgartownIsn't there another business right down the road (Granary Gallery)? Also, if it is a historical district how did they get homes with swimming pools and tennis courts?
I wonder, are these the same people that campaigned against putting a shoulder/bike path on the roads up-Island and now sit witness as people die because of their short-sightedness selfishness?
It seems there are a lot of people here that want to tell everyone else what to do with their property, but allow their yard to look like a dump, they send their kids to school without immunizations and treat public property as their own by making access almost impossible.
If what the MVFF is proposing is allowed under the law they can do it, and best of all this project will serve to benefit the entire Island community.
@"Isn't there another
Nat's Farm@"Isn't there another business right down the road (Granary Gallery)? "
The Graneary Gallery is located in a red barn that has been at that location for generations, and it was always red. it is a fairly low-traffic business. I never see more than ten cars in the small parking lot.
@"Also, if it is a historical district how did they get homes with swimming pools and tennis courts?"
Not sure whom "they" refers to, but presumably to the people who have houses that were built as part of the Nat's Farm project (VOLF and Sheriff's Meadow). I don't think Nat's Farm is in the historic district.
You can read about Nat's Farm and the reason there are 27 house lots there (invisible from the road, BTW) as part of a conservation plan, here:
http://www.sheriffsmeadow.org/sheriffs-meadow-property-detail.php?did=11
If you look at the proposed
Check it out Google MapsIf you look at the proposed location with Google Maps and Google Earth you will see home directly across from the proposed site with swimming pools and another with a pool and a tennis court which is right on the road. The shot of the Granary Gallery has 11 cars in its parking lot at that time. There's also a Bed and Breakfast in the same area.
Maybe they should put
Lucas OBMaybe they should put affordable housing on the location instead...... I wonder how the "Residents" would feel about that.....
They always push this stuff on OB... but not in there back yard.... oh no....
WT already provides its share
Ellen Weiss West TisburyWT already provides its share of the island's entertainments. We host the Fair, the Farmer's Market (which clogs the road all on its own), and the Vineyard's premiere book-sale. We have treats galore for everyone--concerts, exhibitions, films, a strawberry festival (!), lectures, discussions, and a host of children's events at the Library, Church, Polly Hill, Senior Center, public and private art galleries, Grange Hall, and Ag Hall. Plenty of wedding venues too. We also provide the essentials: up-island's only supermarket, drugstore, and auto repair shop plus one of our two gas stations. Isn't this enough, folks? Are there no limits?
Yes, seems like the MVFF
IslanderYes, seems like the MVFF should definitely remainin Chilmark. I think most of their natural constituency (from both geographical and temperament p.o.v.s) is in Chilmark. Thomas Bena is a Chilmark resident and is a strong advocate for retaining Chilmark's rural values. Chilmark is the place to run the experiment on how rural values can be retained while building an extensive entertainment, camp, and food service venue. I would love to see data on the residential profile of festival attendees since the festival's inception.
Does the MVFF have such data?
It seems to me that any
Annie Cook ChilmarkIt seems to me that any creative enterprise that "outgrows" its original digs must determine how to build constructively on its popularity: in this case, finding a bigger, more stable space in which to grown, thrive and, it seems, contribute to the island's cultural life. I am a bit mystified as to why the MVFF chose this particular battle, given the areas on the island already zoned for commercial use: I would think those areas would give them more "elbow room" to run their enterprise and avoid inadvertently giving rise to a quasi-commercial complex in what is essentially a historic village. The island as a whole --- reflecting a microcosm of the issues facing much of the rest of America --- has been tumbling in the past few years toward a collision between the demands of its commercial and housing interests and the notion of sustaining and preserving the rural/fishing villages/farmland/marshlands that make the island such a special place to live and visit. Look at the situation in Menemsha in the summer: there's an impending test case on the whole question of "accommodating convenience for the many" versus preserving and conserving beauty and accessibility for all of us. Residents vs. visitors, natives vs. "washashores" (what a condescending word; I would delete it from the local vocabulary if possible) ... it doesn't matter where you come from if you aren't willing to be honest about the situation and have some ability to look at these dilemmas from various perspectives, as well as acknowledge your own agenda. Everyone needs to be part of the solution and to operate from a less selfish and more socially and environmentally pragmatic basis.
In which to "grow"...as an
AnnieIn which to "grow"...as an editor, I hate typos; especially my own, and in a public forum!
I am lucky to live close to a
Leslie Mignault New RochelleI am lucky to live close to a film center very much like the one that is being proposed for West Tisbury. The Pelham Picture House shows an eclectic mix of art house films, documentaries, and first run movies. They also have moviemaking classes for kids. It has enriched my family's life immeasurably to have a Film Center we can walk or bike to.
The Pelham Picture House in
Bucolic is GoodThe Pelham Picture House in New Rochelle looks like a charming venue and location.
It must be in a commercially zoned "urban" location, since it is on a busy-looking street in a built-up area, with two gas stations on one side and it looks like a shopping center on the next block. Thus, the idea may be the same, but the location and setting, and unquestionably the legal and zoning situations, are quite different. The Pelham Cinema looks to be in exactly the type of surroundings that many here are suggesting the MVFF target on the Vineyard. A location in a commercially zoned area where there is already a building, possibly even an old theater, good accessibility, and, most important, no need to destroy one or more precious things in order to create an ambitious film center/camp.
I think one of the issues is
Washashore EdgartownI think one of the issues is that many people aren't aware of what MVFF's plans truly are. They would be great custodians of the land. Right now it's a private parcel. In the hands of MVFF it could be enjoyed by all of the island. The plans they have for the barn are for more than films. Though film will play an important part of what they do it's only one aspect of the arts. Music, theater and dance are also important. These arts are hard to incorporate in a conventional movie theater and they are not served very well in the Chilmark Community Center. People need to take a step back and think in a thoughtful way about this and not give a knee-jerk reaction. The people who run MVFF are very considerate, decent people who want to build something that enhances life on this island. What MVFF wants to build isn't your standard entertainment structure. They want a barn-like building that is really in keeping with this island and most especially the land it sits upon.
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