A s a longtime Edgartown resident, I was surprised to hear news reports that I might be paying more than my share to support the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

As a member and present chairman of the MVC, I was more surprised to hear some people saying that things the MVC does for the Vineyard aren’t necessary for Edgartown.

Wearing both hats, I sat down and made a list of the ways my town has benefited over the years from the MVC’s work. What follows is part of it.

Protecting the Edgartown Great Pond and Sengekontacket:

What follows are comments made by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, addressed to Robert A. DeLeo, the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

In the past several weeks, comments in Island news papers have questioned the necessity of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission or whether Vineyard town zoning laws are now strong enough to protect the Vineyard.

In 1974, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission legislation was drafted by Vineyard residents and put into law by the state legislature to give an added layer of review and protection for the unique resources of the Vineyard.