To the Editor:

My name is Lynne Fraker, and I am running for the position of the Tisbury representative to the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank Commission in the upcoming April 23 town election. I have been a Tisbury resident for the past 28 years.

During all that time I have been actively and passionately involved with a variety of environmental issues. I have worked for the Tisbury harbormaster, Tisbury waterways, spent the past 23 winters as a Tisbury commercial scalloper and operating a charter sail business out of Tashmoo. For 20 years I have actively consulted on permitting coastal dock and dredge projects with Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and on the Cape. I am proud to have organized and to maintain a much-needed public space at the Lake Street Landing, complete with a Little Free Library and memorial benches.

All this experience has led me to become a strong advocate for environmental protection balanced out with public access. This makes me a strong candidate for Land Bank commissioner.

The building boom has taken a lot of land out of public access. I fully support the Land Bank mission to use the public transfer fees on real estate purchases to conserve what little land still remains for a variety of public uses. Anyone who has visited any Land Bank property comes to appreciate what has been preserved. I am looking forward to being part of the Commission’s decisions to purchase and then conserve properties for a variety of public uses throughout the Island.

The Land Bank, essential to preserving property for public uses, has run into some conflict with the public over purchase and management of some properties. I would like to have the opportunity to work with the Land Bank Commission on better ways to communicate with the public, looking at the very important role of advisory boards and how they communicate with the public and the commission. I intend to work hard with the commission toward meeting the goal of balance in purchase and management of properties.

My passion and advocacy for conservation and public access will be a great addition to supporting the Land Bank. It’s the reason why I am a candidate for Land Bank commissioner. I hope I can count on your support April 23. Thank you.

Lynne Fraker
Tisbury