On Dec. 4, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission will deliberate and possibly make a decision on the proposed Ocean View Hotel. If you have been following this story, you know that not only the surrounding neighborhood, but the extended neighborhood is overwhelmingly against it.

We are not against a hotel or against a restaurant. We are against the magnitude of the project, the blocking of long established views of the ocean and adjacent park, the disruption of air flow, the injection of dozens of visitors simultaneously, the elimination of privacy in the surrounding properties, the potential harm to legacy septic systems and the surrounding ecosystem, and the list goes on and on.

This is not a “not in my backyard” issue. This is a “when will this happen in my backyard” issue. Look at the number of requests that are being made for out of character projects all over the Island. People who truly care about the future of Martha’s Vineyard need to be engaged now. It may already be too late, but some of us are trying to stand up against the onslaught and could really use the support.

How can you help?

If you are aware of the goings on, letters are helpful. Even better, show up at the Dec. 4 MVC meeting (or Zoom in). Speaking is not required. Your presence will speak for you.

Please help us stop this incremental commercialization of the Island you cherish. If not now, when? If not you, who?

Toni Dorsey

Oak Bluffs