The season has begun

That's the political season on Martha's Vineyard that I'm talking about. The Annual Meeting warrants have closed in four of the six towns. Nomination papers have been filed. So, for the next six weeks or so we'll be talking about the election and Town Meeting.

As usual, Oak Bluffs has the most interesting race. A former Town Administrator, Casey Sharpe, opposes a current Selectmen, Kerry Scott. Reading between the lines of newspaper articles over the past year or so, one gets the sense that Mesdames Sharpe and Scott are not exactly close friends. And, then, longtime Town activist, Linda Marinelli, started her campaign for re-election to the Board of Health by calling the cops on one of her opponents who, Ms Marinelli believed, was posting an "inappropriate" sign in Town Hall.

West Tisbury, where I live, should be quieter although there are enough contests to keep life interesting. There are two candidates for the Selectman's seat of John Early, who is retiring after thirty years in office. One candidate happens to be Mr. Early's ex-wife, the other opposed Mr. Early three years ago.

The Finance Committee will have a new face or two. Skipper Manter, who has served eight (?) terms on the committee has decided not to run. His seat and that of another long term committee member, Sharon Estrella, are up for grabs. There will be three candidates - Ms Estrella, Ann Nelson (owner of a book store) and Joan Ames (activist) - for two seats.

Jonathan Revere, who came close last year, will once more challenge Cynthia Mitchell for a seat on the Board of Assessors.

West Tisbury interest in politics is so great this year that there is even a contest for Library Trustee.

I suspect, however, that the Town's interest will be focused more on two warrant articles. The Space Needs Committee will be looking for seed money to get the Town Hall project finally off the ground. The Town has been talking about a new Town Hall since the last century (really only ten years or so), but has been unwilling to approve any final construction plans brought before Town Meeting. I suspect that the vote will come down to a question of whether the Town wants to pay the costs to restore the historic Town Hall or is willing to pay less for a new building.

The other lightning rod warrant article concerns the school district. The Finance Committee has sponsored an article to have the Town withdraw from the district. The committee has been complaining about the high cost of the school (it's now about $23,000 per pupil for a grammar school) for years. The Town approved a non-binding resolution to withdraw from the district in 2005, but has never had an opportunity to vote on the matter at Town Meeting. This is a classic battle of those who seem to be willing to pay any price for education and those who feel that the Town's and taxpayers' resources are not infinite and that the school district must be more fiscally responsible.

It will be an interesting six weeks.