Tisbury’s newest select board member is Christina Colarusso, the winner — by just three votes — of Tuesday’s three-way race for select board.
Tisbury’s newest select board member is Christina Colarusso, the winner — by just three votes —of Tuesday’s three-way race for select board.
With 681 voters casting ballots at the town’s emergency services building on Spring street, Ms. Colarusso received 314 votes to incumbent Abbe Burt’s 311. The third candidate, MacAleer Schilcher, received 49 votes in the official totals posted by the town on Wednesday.
Tuesday's unofficial tally had Ms. Colarusso's lead at six votes, but that was narrowed in the official count.
Tisbury voters also approved a ballot measure allowing the town to borrow its share of costs for the upcoming feasibility study at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.
Ms. Colarusso campaigned with friends and family members including her father, Al Colarusso, who was by her side when the polls closed. Ms. Burt, who narrowly defeated Ms. Colarusso in a January election to fulfill the last months of former select board member Larry Gomez’s term, told the Gazette she did not plan to contest the vote.
“They want a youthful person [and] I think that’s what the town got,” Ms. Burt said.
Ms. Colarusso, who works for the Martha’s Vineyard Airport, told the Gazette she hopes to encourage more young Tisbury residents and other diverse voices to take part in local government.
She will begin her three-year term with the next select board meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. May 24 in the Katharine Cornell Theatre and online.
Comments
Yes more young people like
Tom Engley West TisburyYes more young people like Christina need to get involved. Good luck.
Yes, but it was an odd
Islander MVYes, but it was an odd comment for Ms. Burt to draw attention to her age, it felt like she blamed her loss on age, which is disappointing. Congratulations to Ms. Colarusso and to the town of Tisbury.
I thought she was being very
Marie Laursen TisburyI thought she was being very gracious. Thank you, Abbe.
It sounded to me as though
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyIt sounded to me as though she was explaining her decision not to seek a recount by pointing out that younger blood on the select board is a good thing. She's also signaling trust in the town's election process. Good for her.
Odd comment to say the least.
Tisburyarian VHOdd comment to say the least. “And that’s what the town got”. Almost like a slap in the face of young good change.
Actually it is emblematic of Tisbury’s issues. The older regime feel the younger generation is not capable of leading so the mature ones continue to stay on in ALL capacities of town government to the detriment of all it’s citizens.
Younger, diverse and newer ideas is what keeps our community engaged and safe. The same ole same ole stale keep it the way it used to be is a choke hold on our community and keeps it from moving forward . It’s easy to see the people in office and the good steps made to forward our town and unfortunately it’s easier to identify the people in office and the huge costly mistakes that occurred when they were there.
Tisbury has a long list of missteps. All self inflicted by the resistance of “hanger ons” that didn’t know when it was time to go. New blood is good, not what the town got, it’s what the town needed.
As a Tisbury voter who
Jason Peringer Vineyard HavenAs a Tisbury voter who changed my vote from the last election, I will cite one singular reason: abstaining from a vote. If any elected official abstains from a board vote, you have failed to represent the constituents who elected you. This is how we arrived at the current $100M Tisbury school project. Three years to make a difference... let's go!
Cheers to both of these women
LC VHCheers to both of these women for serving/being willing to serve their community.
Well done, Christina!
Islander Too TisburyWell done, Christina!
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