To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the recent article by Barry Stringfellow published Sept. 17, “Bradley Square gridlocked, again.”
In my opinion, this article is riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements. First of all, in reference to a town vote when, according to Mr. Viaggio, voters rejected the creation of an historic district in the Bradley Square area; this refers to a special town meeting that was held on June 21, 2011, with 85 voters present. Prior to this, at the annual town meeting on April 12, 2011, there was a warrant article authored by the Cottage City Historic District (CCHD) who, after one year of intensive study, public hearings, and the approval of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, asked the town to approve the Denniston property as part of the CCHD. That article required a two-thirds vote. There were 248 registered voters present, and the vote to approve was in excess of two-thirds.
There was a legal written description of this property provided in the article, but in reviewing the articles passed at our town meeting, the Attorney General ruled that a map should have also been provided as part of the article, and therefore, the map had to be presented and accepted at a subsequent meeting that was held on June 21. The article was defeated by a vote of 33 to 52. So, 52 people in the town decided that this property should not be included in the Cottage City Historic District. A drop in the “registered voters bucket,” I might add.
Second, Mr. Viaggio states that the Oak Bluffs Historical Commission (OBHC) said the building “needed to be saved” and that “they” didn’t think that the town vote had any significance. Untrue. The OBHC was presented with overwhelming evidence of the historical significance of this property, and therefore, in accordance with the demolition-delay bylaw, found it necessary to vote that the building should be declared preferably preserved. The only action the OBHC can actually take is to delay demolition for six months. During this time, the OBHC offers to work with proponents to see if a building can be saved, and if not, perhaps some historic elements rescued and used elsewhere. The option to move a building is another possibility. And, if all else fails, there is always the hope that the developer will consider some kind of memorial for the site, so that future generations will at least know of its importance to the community.
As for the opinions of Mr. Packish and Mr. Vail about the role of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, they are just that, opinions.
As for the position of the NAACP, apparently neither Mr. Vail or Mr. Packish were at the groundbreaking for the Bradley Square project to hear the “official” stand taken by the NAACP, Governor Deval Patrick, Representative Tim Madden, and the important message delivered by Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree and Dean Denniston, who focused on the historic importance of restoring the Bradley Church.
For anyone who might question the historic importance of this property, I suggest they go to the town clerk’s office and ask to see the study that was done by the CCHD in 2010–11 in preparation for the annual town meeting vote in April 2011.
If that isn’t enough, I would strongly urge that readers go online and read an article by Gwen McAllister published in The MVTimes that describes the historic significance of the Bradley Church in announcing the important exhibit, “The Bradley Memorial Church Exhibit,” that was featured this spring at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
Additionally, the African American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard has chosen the Bradley Church as one of the significant historic sites for Oak Bluffs and Martha’s Vineyard.
I believe that Mr. Viaggio knew most of the above when he purchased the property. The ideas that he says he has for the site are reasonable and would probably enhance the neighborhood greatly. Should he be more forthcoming and even proactive about some kind of recognition of the historic significance of the site, perhaps even enlisting the aid of the OBHC and the MVC, I think he might find some positive support.
Renee Balter
Former member, CCHD
Member, OBHC
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