Property off Old County Road at center of controversy.
Mark Lovewell

Film Festival Buys West Tisbury Property, But Will Resell

Julia Wells
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<p>The Martha&rsquo;s Vineyard Film Festival Wednesday took ownership of the Walsh property in West Tisbury, but announced that it would resell the property, possibly to a neighbor group that is a potential buyer.</p>

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival Wednesday took ownership of the Walsh property in West Tisbury, but announced that it would resell the property as quickly as possible, preferably to a neighbor group that surfaced this week as a potential buyer.

The announcement followed a flurry of confusion after it came to light that negotiations with the neighbor group to take over the purchase and sale agreement had fallen apart.

Late last month MVFF announced plans to buy 694 Old County Road, 12.5 acres and a farmhouse formerly belonging to the late Cynthia Walsh, for $1.4 million.

News of the sale sparked a strong public backlash from neighbors and others concerned the proposed use as a campus for the film festival would be out of keeping with the rural residential neighborhood.

Farmhouse belonged to the late Cynthia Walsh.
Mark Lovewell
Farmhouse belonged to the late Cynthia Walsh.
Mark Lovewell

West Tisbury artist Rez Williams confirmed Wednesday that a neighborhood group had formed an LLC and made a full-price offer to MVFF to take over the sale contract.

“We were negotiating with the film festival, but it did not come together,” Mr. Williams said early Wednesday afternoon.

As a result, a closing set for Wednesday between MVFF and the Walsh family went forward.

Speaking to the Gazette an hour after the closing, MVFF spokesman Brian Ditchfield said the third-party deal fell through after a trustee for the Walsh family declined to agree to it, acting on advice of counsel, West Tisbury attorney George Brush.

“It’s been crazy — our dealings with the neighbor group have been them have been really amicable it was all good as far as we were concerned and we were ready to sign that deal,” Mr. Ditchfield said. “I’m not sure why the seller pulled out, but they did.”

MVFF founder and executive director Thomas Bena was unavailable for comment, Mr. Ditchfield said.

But he said MVFF now owns the property, although it no longer plans to relocate its operation to Old County Road. Instead it will instead resell the property.

“We heard the neighbors and the community pretty clearly that this is not the right spot,” he said, referring to the public backlash.

Mr. Ditchfield said he did not know what price MVFF would ask.

“The film festival is not in the real estate business,” he said, adding: “We are the owners of the property, but right now we are exploring other options. We are going to continue talking to the neighbors, to conservation groups and to others.”

He said he hopes MVFF can sell to the neighbor group. “We are definitely going to be talking to them,” he said.

Mr. Williams indicated Wednesday that the group would still be interested.

“Right now we are just passively sitting here,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued Wednesday, MVFF struck a conciliatory note.

“Our aim is to build community, not divide it,” Mr. Bena said in the statement.

“It’s reassuring to know that in the current climate of rumors and anonymous online comments, we can still meet face to face to overcome conflict and embrace the true spirit of our Island community,” Mr. Ditchfield said in the statement, continuing: “Even though the option to transfer the purchase and sale has been taken off the table, we are going to continue to work with the abutters to preserve the land, and we hope the community will help the MVFF find a better location.”

The statement said MVFF is actively seeking another property, possibly “a rustic barn in which to gather the community, encourage all art forms, educate, and discuss the issues of our times.”

The film festival was founded in 2001 by Mr. Bena as a grass-roots winter film event for year-round Islanders. It has since grown and expanded through the years to include more events and educational programs, including for families and children.

Comments

Submitted by sjs (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 20:35

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Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

I'm very glad to hear this. Thank you, Brian D., for your lucid comments. All through this mess I've had the feeling that the MVFF staff (some of whom I know personally and respect enormously) has a far better grasp of what "community" is about than the MVFF board. Here's hoping that when the next opportunity comes up, the board will consult the staff *before* the manure hits the spinning wheel.

Brian Ditchfield Edgartown

Thanks for your kind words about me, Susanna. I want to be clear though that we had full support from the board in working with the neighbors to come to an agreement. I take full responsibility for the "manure." I thought that we would buy the property and work with the neighbors and the community to create the plans for the space. I clearly miscalculated. We are going to continue looking for land that is better. Our vision is to create a rustic barn gathering space that encourages all art forms. When I was young I would hang at the Wintertide. I feel like the Vineyard is missing a space like that where all ages can gather. If anyone you or anyone else has ideas they'd like to share, you can feel free to reach email me at [email protected].

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

Brian, thank you so much for your comment. I too think of Wintertide *all the time.* During this conflict between WT and MVFF, I sometimes thought to myself "If this were a Wintertide thing, I might even push for it." The wonderful musicians of MV long for a place to play, like Wintertide or the all too brief Pit Stop. I've got a couple of wonderful musician friends from off who would love to play here, who would be well received here, but they can't play for free any more than I can edit for free, so the libraries are not an option (unless one goes months in advance to the Cultural Council or the various Friends groups). I like what MVFF is doing, even though I can't afford to attend many events and I'm not primarily a film person -- films are mostly produced somewhere else and brought here for us to look at, and I would much rather look at and listen to work that is produced *here.* Because we have a lot to say, and we are not being heard anywhere, even in our own back yards. I learned a big lesson in the 1990s: Featherstone succeeded because it had access to money and land, and Wintertide failed in large part because it had neither. (Yeah, I was there: I know there were other factors. <g>) Is there a way to pull all this together, and get those of us with similar interests pulling in the same direction? I don't know. I'm not good at hatching ideas, but if someone else -- no pressure on you or anything <g> -- comes up with one, I'm there.

Jackie Chilmark

@susanna: Featherstone continues to do well also because it fills a need that was not met elsewhere on the island, except in bits and pieces. There are great classes and workshops and opportunities to learn from amazing talents there-- plus all their community events. Featherstone gives us something enriching that we want and can't get anywhere else on the island. And I believe it answers Brian's question of filling a space, a rural one at that, where all ages can gather. I've even been to opera and poetry readings there. The problem with MVFF's plan so far is that they are not the only game in town. Many islanders, myself included, do not want to see rural space developed for a mcbarn that covers film, food, discussions, and art experiences that are already available to us. Except for kids' filmmaking, we have access to everything MVFF says they want to do but bigger. Bigger is not better, it's just bigger. And I am against the mindset of the biggest game in town-- just as I don't get anyone who wants to build the biggest trophy house. The music venues on the island have all closed for a reason, but there is still great music to hear at different sites, some large, some small. It was a mistake for MVFF to second guess what islanders want or need because, clearly, their thinking is too self-oriented as is clear by a plan for the 6000 square foot barn in the West Tis HD. Really, what were they thinking? Your first comment was right on the money, as usual. Brian and Thomas publicly announced 5 years ago that they were searching for a MVFF home and wanted community input. That did not happen and there doesn't seem to be any reassurance from both the board president and the executive director that their future plans will actually be what is a benefit to islanders. I think it was only a very small group who thought the mcbarn was a good idea and it's great that MVFF listened, even if it was after the fact of the purchase and sales agreement (with no contingencies!). Let's hope they stick to their word this time about community input. But this is a small island that many do not want to see developed with big stuff, so MVFF has to think hard about what they want for themselves as separate from what is actually good for the island. I personally am boycotting the MVFF showing in a few days of Thomas Bena's documentary, One Big Barn, paid for by people who own trophy homes, because I don't support this sort of hypocrisy about whose trophy McThing is okay and whose is not.

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

Jackie, I'm talking about the meetings that eventually led to the establishment of Featherstone. The year was, IIRC, 1991. The core group of artists that eventually became the kernel of Featherstone had the connections to money and land that the Wintertide people didn't. All we had was "sweat equity." That wasn't enough.

Jeff Chilmark

Jackie it seems to me you've never been to anything MVFF has done because there is nothing "Mc" about anything they do. We sit on hay bales at their festival and the community comes together in a wonderful organic way. I am sick of people talking ill of something they clearly have never experienced. You are right about one thing. They have asked for input about a home for many years. I am one who has shared my thoughts and I know of many others like me.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 00:34

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Tom Engley west tisbury

one comment and a very sad one at that after 150+ NIMBY comments . my wife is on that board and she truly cares about our town Shame on you Susanna j. Sturgis

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

The MVFF board is responsible for the actions of the organization. The actions of the organization in hatching plans for this property without regard for the neighborhood or the people in it raise questions about the board -- not about the board's individual members, but about the board as a whole. I have no idea which board members were for it, which against it, and which might not even have been consulted about it. This is not about Mr. Engley's wife. This is about how a generally well respected island nonprofit made a big miscalculation. It's worth considering how and why this happened, no? So MVFF won't make the same mistake again, and other organizations can learn from its example?

Islander

I second Susanna's comment.
Even though a nonprofit board of directors obviously has ultimate legal authority and responsibility, in practice many boards kind of follow the lead of their executive directors. A typical board meeting might start with a "report" by the ED to the board. Unless a committee of board members has been formed to look into the nuts and bolts of a plan, it is common (that is, it can happen, not that it always happens) that the ED basically lays out the plans, and the board says, "Fine!" The more concentrated the funding of the nonprofit (in terms of numbers of funding sources), the more likely it is, I believe, that this dynamic will be operative. A nonprofit that must justify its activities to a clutch of foundations every year, detailing the populations served, etc., and exactly how, might have a different board dynamic.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 09:00

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Nancy Dole West Tisbury

I don't think NIMBY is the important lesson here. The opposition to the MVFF was more than that. It was/is not in the West Tisbury Historic District in a residential neighborhood. There is a difference, the HD was established by town vote, and the MVFF board should have been aware that this would matter to more than just the abutters. If they had reached out to the community before announcing their plans on their website as a done deal, they might have been wiser. Suzanna is simply pointing that out, and saying that it is important to do that. It's about putting the horse before the cart. I am grateful that the town values its historical character and wishes to preserve it. And I sincerely hope that the MVFF finds a home in a place that is more appropriate. Imagine this in Seven Gates, as has been mentioned by a few people, tongue in cheek, and you can see exactly why the rural agricultural setting old barn thing is going to be a bit tough to pull off. But not impossible.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 14:31

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Barbara Vineyard Haven

The statement said MVFF is actively seeking another property, possibly “a rustic barn in which to gather the community, encourage all art forms, educate, and discuss the issues of our times.” Isn't that Featherstone?
I question why we need 3 non-profit organizations to show movies on this island. The demand for charitable dollars is so competitive - donors should start demanding consolidation instead of empire building.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 16:38

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Tim L West Tisbury

I am upset with my town officials. I hope they didn't scare off a good organization from coming to our town. I feel like those of us who wanted the MVFF in West Tisbury got no voice. I hope they still consider a home here. They should know that there are plenty of us in West Tisbury who would love them here.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 18:06

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Ella MV

Wow, 12.5 acres would be a great tract for clustered affordable and "workforce" housing. It would solve several problems; it could keep the area residential and maintain the "rural" character and provide housing for the people who maintain the island.

Year Round Resident MV

Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions. Does West Tisbury have sufficient affordable housing to prevent a Chapter 40B development? They might, I don't know. But, it would be amazing if the MVFF was able to turn something distasteful to the residents of West Tisbury into something the residents would applaud - affordable housing! As far as the historical district, I believe it only applies to the front portion of the property. 12.5 West Tisbury acres divided into several lots (25% allotted to affordable housing) divided by 1.4 million sounds like a developer might even make some money.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 07:29

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Washashore Edgartown

I really have to take issue with some comments. First, Susanna Stugis's "hatching" comment. Once against applying conspiratorial or evil intentions is about dividing people. They only purchased the land. Second, these ideas are hatched in a NIMBY fashion. I'm really tired of the up island people adding to the traffic and general congestion of down island. I really feel that the down island towns should start treating the up islanders like off-islanders for the way they take and don't give back. Please the weak examples that people in West TIsbury talk about are not close to being good enough. You are are bad neighbors.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 10:52

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Brooke Hardman Ditchfield Edgartown

Over the last few weeks, I have had a front row seat to the dispute over the MVFF’s purchase of 694 Old County Road and proposed project there. Not only have I worked with the MVFF over years and been an enthusiastic patron of it’s programming, I am also married to Brian Ditchfield, MVFF’s Managing Director and Head of Programming. I have watched my husband, who grew up on this island, work tirelessly with joy and love to do good work for the home that has given him so much. So it has rattled my sense of place, community, and simple human decency to witness the maelstrom of hatred, arrogance, and ignorance that has run rampant on the part of some members of our island in regards to this project. Never in my life did I think that our island, known for it’s informed and educated community, it’s love of the arts, it’s spirit of connection, conversation, and collaboration, it’s way of doing things just a little differently, could fall prey to the current climate of our times and resort to the preaching of negative misinformation on social media without the slightest effort to reach out to the source and get the facts by talking to each other. I am saddened that I overestimated our honor and integrity.
I am thankful to those of you who did reach out to the MVFF to get the facts. I am thankful that you now know for yourselves the simple, responsible, community driven vision the MVFF and its outstanding board of directors had for the site; a vision that included conservation and preservation in addition to education, agriculture and art. A vision for something truly unique that does not yet exist on this island. No “mega-plexes”. No “restaurants”. No “apartment complexes” or over sized “parking lots”. No ego driven desires to be “the biggest game in town”. I am thankful the MVFF heard the concerns of interested parties and took those concerns to heart. I am thankful that the MVFF is moving on to find a better place to build their home with the support, love, and blessings of so many people.
I sincerely hope that the next time a situation like this arises on our island, and we all know it will, people will take the time to get the facts, talk to one another, and proceed with respect and kindness rather than jumping on social media to ignorantly rant. I also hope, and this is perhaps the most important wish of all, that you will consider the people, the families of those you would slander. Know that your actions have consequences and that words hurt. They can hurt deeply. They can hurt permanently. And they can hurt not just the person you shout them at. They hurt their spouses, their young children, their friends and neighbors. Hatred, arrogance, and ignorance is a most destructive combination. It brings society down to its lowest level. Let’s try to fly high above that base rhetoric it in the future, to preserve all that is good, special, and beloved about our island and it’s people.

Bob Carlson West Tisbury

Also, if you are the Brooke who directed Chicago at the High School. You should know it was wonderful. I felt like Broadway came to Martha's Vineyard for a weekend. I went twice.

Islander

Brooke is right. It shouldn't be about personalities.
That also means about the personalities and intentions of good and creative people.
The principals do seem to think that it is about their personalities, but in a positive way.
Being creative and having good intentions is not a justification for in effect creating public policy by unilateral financial fiat.
One can safely assume that all who have commented are good people.
Most of them just as well intentioned as the principals behind the MVFF.
And many of them are as creative, too.
This story about making big plans absent community input.
That is what this is about, not about personalities, either negatively or positively interpreted.
Next time around, reach out to the community first. That shows humility, consideration, and respect.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 13:12

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Martha Magee

Thomas Bena is a good man.
His heart is in the right place.
I trust that an even better solution can be found that's a Win:Win for everybody.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 14:22

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Bob Carlson West Tisbury

I couldn't agree more, Brooke. Our community can do better. I'm sorry your for your family and Mr. Bena's. Keep trying to do the good work. There are many of us who support you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 16:21

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Rex Treadwell Edgartown

Tone deafness to community sentiment and a shoot first, figure-out-the-details-later strategy has its consequences, independent of the personalities involved. Hopefully all are wiser for the experience.

Brooke Hardman Ditchfield Edgartown

There was absolutely no "shoot first, figure out the details later" strategy. There was a vision to involve the community in the creation of a space rather than to dictate to the community what would be built in their neighborhood. And yes, all are wiser for the experience. Unfortunately, it is now obvious that kind of collaboration isn't possible on our island anymore.

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

"Shoot first, figure-out-the-details-later" sums it up pretty well. Contrast this approach with what the West Tisbury library did when it became clear a few years ago that it had outgrown its home. It held meetings to solicit input from the community. As the plans developed, it made presentations here, there, and everywhere to let the community know what they were up to. Yes, there were questions. Yes, there was opposition. But they never stopped soliciting comments and input. And when the proposal went to town meeting (with a considerable price tag attached) the community was 99.9% behind it -- about as close to 100% as you can get in this town, or on this island. Building consensus takes time and effort. That's the real lesson here.

Tim T Vineyard Haven

Susanna, remember though that the WT Library had their land first. All that MVFF did is announce that they were buying land. You never gave them chance to do community input or present a plan. It seems to me that you guys were the ones "shooting" before there were any details to shoot over. I've read your blog and you seem like a really smart person. I hope next time - if MVFF or another organization dares to have a next time - that you give them a chance to do what the library did before you all create outrage.

Christopher Mara Edgartown

Susanna, terrible analogy. The library built on the land where the library already was. The library is a town department. A real absurd analogy

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

If you think the analogy is "absurd," you're missing an important point. Sure, there are differences between the two projects, but they have something big in common: they wanted and needed community support. The library people put a lot of time into building that support. MVFF didn't, and the community whose support they needed did not react kindly. I don't live in that neighborhood, but I drive through it often enough in all seasons to have grave doubts about how it would be affected by the traffic and activity level of MVFF's summer programming. This should have been anticipated and dealt with in advance.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 14:25

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Jackie Chilmark

Hold on. There would have been no "dispute", none, if MVFF had done what it repeatedly says it does, not the opposite. Harsh criticisms of MVFF are viewed as hateful, arrogant and ignorant? Thomas Bena says he founded the film festival "to spark discussion, debate and action". How can anyone associated with MVFF complain about the community not loving on the MVFF after what they tried to do? How the MVFF went about purchasing the Walsh property-- with zero community input and in direct opposition to how they publicly announced they would look for a home-- was the antithesis of the "community driven vision" we keep hearing about. Everything followed from there. It was disrespectful and unkind to pull the wool over the community's eyes, not even telling its own members, pretending "a spirit of connection, conversation, and collaboration" when there was none. It is not lack of honor and integrity to notice and speak against such a discrepancy. The organization can ask itself why it put itself in the position it found itself in, in the first place. “There’s no question in our mind that this is the place,” Thomas Bena said about the Walsh property after the community erupted in outrage and MVFF was insisting they would stay the course. The after-the-fact invitation to "come talk to me" remains a poor response and terrible excuse for what MVFF had already legally committed itself to. It's great that they now say they hear the community and want input and will sell the property they could not back out of buying (no contingencies in the P&S agreement). The community is grateful for the better-late-than-never good intentions, but despite them, MVFF could not have possibly proceeded with their plans for the Walsh property with the public tide so against it. The years of certain legal fees would have bankrupted MVFF. The public is aware of the last minute, neighborly good intentions, as well as the cold reality of finances forcing the decision. It is not disrespectful to notice and say out loud what the MVFF was up against. In fact, it is dishonest for anyone representing MVFF to pretend this is not part of the circumstance. We hold accountable our organizations and individuals who state lofty visions and goals for our community, who invite debate and openness, and who say they are committed to protecting our rural areas from development. Following through on their commitment, only after back-peddling on a move seen by some as "sleazy", is not heroic, btw. Mistakes happen, for sure, and they are forgivable. But if it is part of a pattern of saying one thing and doing another, that is no way to foster good will. Sorry, but no medals for MVFF for doing what they said they were going to do in the first place-- after trying pretty darn hard not to. We shall move forward from here.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 15:26

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Jackie Chilmark

As a person who is very critical of how the property purchase was handled and came to the public's attention, mere weeks before closing, it is not a criticism of the creative good your husband brings to the community. It's not fair to judge that a collaboration is not possible when the MVFF went ahead with zero collaboration in the Walsh property purchase, so you don't actually know. It was "buy first, tell the public later", contradicting everything we were told MVFF stands for. A vision that is not shared until after the fact is not really a vision; it was more of a scheme being forced on neighbors, the town and the community at large.

Chris Mara Edgartown

This is an example of the mean-spirited and basically terrible behavior of those people against this land purchase. Calling it a scheme, not separating the purchase of land with any development. Choosing to accuse the MVFF of evil intentions for actions that occur on this island on a daily basis, namely buying land. They bought the land. That's all they had done and that's all that's been done. Buying the land was time-sensitive. Those of you who didn't like this have as much responsibility as you would like the MVFF to have. Namely to act civility. You haven't and none of you disavow the terrible things said here and on social media. Now I have to reveal that Brian Ditchfield is my nephew. It's important that everyone understands that I have some skin in the game. Something that many of you people posting here haven't mentioned in your posts. That you're abutters or you have had conflict with the MVFF or persons at the MVFF before. Mostly though you're let the MVFF, a good organization run by very responsible people be bullied. I too have lost faith in good works to overcome money.

Tim T Vineyard Haven

Are you kidding? No one gave MVFF a chance to share their vision. That's what we have Planning Boards, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Historic Commission, and the MV Commission for. We have all of these regulatory bodies in place for checks and balance. It seems to me town officials and a bunch of NIMBYs went crazy and chased away a good organization before they even got to present a plan in any official capacity. I'd be really upset with my town if they operated this way. We shouldn't rule by lynch mob anymore.

Tim T Vineyard Haven

By the way I was responding to Jackie. Chris, I agree with your comments. It is time for civility. That is why I don't usually engage on message boards like this. It really takes you down a rabbit hole of negativity.

Jackie Chilark

"This year we also decided to announce our dream of building a home for the festival on Martha’s Vineyard... We are now engaged in an Islandwide brainstorming session and hope that more of our community will want to get involved." ~Excerpted, from June, 2011. Fast forward 5 years: "What made sense to us was to buy the property first and then have the conversations,” Thomas Bena said earlier this month to the Gazette. So, BUY FIRST, TALK LATER. “There’s no question in our mind that it’s the right property for us,” said Thomas Bena also to the Gazette earlier this month. "At the time [at the March, 2016 Planning Board meeting] Mr. Bena outlined plans to build a 6,000-square-foot barn for film events, as well as plans to grow food on the property and sell it." ~from the Gazette, also earlier this month. “I founded this thing to spark discussion, debate and action,” Mr Bena said of the festival, again to the Gazette. We expect our non-profits to abide by what they tell us and to honor their own words. When they invite our involvement and wish to spark debate, we should have (had) it. When MVFF and their family and friends start fudging and qualifying (it hadn't gone before the MVC, yet, lol) about precisely when they actually want any involvement, and then cry foul at critical debate, that makes MVFF seem not community-minded at all. Talk the talk? Then walk the walk. Stop making excuses.

Jackie Chilmark

Not kidding, Mr. Murphy. No one at MVFF gave a chance to the community to share in the vision about where to buy property and build a 6000 square foot barn, even though MVFF explicitly invited our involvement in the process 5 years ago. In 5 years did they forget to mention a barn and forget to qualify their invitation that community would not be informed or allowed to participate in any ideas until after a purchase and sales agreement with no contingencies was signed? Now you say we were supposed to wait for plans to go to the MVC and other boards to be involved? Are you kidding?

Susanna J. Sturgis West Tisbury

Chris and Tim, if you want to talk about money -- what kind of organization commits to a $1.4 million purchase without a plan in place and fundraising well under way?? None of the shoestring nonprofits I've been involved with could even dream of such a thing.

And really, this talk about bullying and mean-spiritedness is way, way overblown. I've been following the story online and in the papers since it surfaced at the end of May. I attended and spoke at the June 1 WT selectmen's meeting. I've been impressed with how temperate most of the comments have been, compared to other controversies I've witnessed over the years -- and one big reason is that so many of the commenters are familiar with MVFF, have attended many of its programs, and/or know members of the staff. Your refusal to even acknowledge the possibility that MVFF might have miscalculated is not going to enhance MVFF's reputation.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/27/2016 - 13:17

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I Could Choose Peace Instead of This Earth

Never have I lived in a place where there was so much anger, fear, fighting and conflict. The them and us mentality is so old paradigm. Despite the natural beauty, magic, creative intelligence and resources, sadly, Martha's Vineyard is far from a peaceable isle.

Love is the answer to every question.

The human Ego is suspicious at best and vicious at worst.
ONLY LOVE IS REAL.

The rest is just a mass hallucinination.

Until we each choose Love and Peace instead of Fear, wars on every scale will continue to generate more fear, ugliness and separation.

I wish this for Martha's Vineyard, for every human heart, and for the whole world.

PEACE BE WITH YOU

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