The recent Gazette editorial “Subtraction by Addition” regarding the seemingly endless disagreements between the Dukes County Commission and the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission provided a rudimentary account of events since the start of 2014, but where is the analysis?

Both governmental bodies are floundering, if not failing. After decades of observing local politics, it seems fair to say the quality and effectiveness of a government body is inversely proportional to the frequency with which their activities are reported in the press.

Neither the county commission nor the airport commission seem to understand their inter-relationship or their independence. Governmental bodies and individuals need to realize and understand they must be both responsible and accountable, and how these two required elements differ.

The county commission is responsible for county departments and individuals under its umbrella, yet as elected individuals they are ultimately accountable to the voters of Dukes County.

The airport commission on the other hand is responsible for the airport, which encompasses airport management, employees, tenants, and both direct and indirect users. The airport commission has claimed autonomy, citing state law which provides that airport commissions “shall have the custody, care and management of the municipal airport.” However, the county commission seems to believe otherwise.

Although it may rightly claim autonomy, the airport fails to address or even recognize the matter of accountability. If it is not accountable to its appointing authority, then to whom? Surely it must be accountable to someone or something.

The county commission recently chose to expand the airport commission board, as they are empowered to do. Presumably its action was born out of a compulsion to act responsibly rather than seeded by a drive to command power and authority. In any case, the timing of the county commission’s action is at least questionable.

The visceral, immediate and predictable reaction was cancellation of the most recent regularly scheduled airport commission meeting by unknown officials at the airport who consequently sought an injunction from the court citing interference with their autonomy. The result? An important body of local government which cannot or will not convene to conduct business until this dispute is adjudicated, (which it should be noted, is not the equivalent of resolved).

Neither body seems to appreciate the value and fragility of respect and how it affects associated complex relationships both within and without each organization (a topic which exceeds the scope of this missive).

The county commission claimed the recent outpouring of citizens willing to serve as evidence worthy of expanding the airport board. But where were these same people last January when the county commission sought applicants? Perhaps the scent of chum in the water has excited the inhabitants. Perhaps those who stepped forward felt they could act as white knights. Regardless, those who chose to volunteer deserve our sincere thanks.

If there is a single positive outcome amid this fracas it’s that the county commission may have finally come to realize the value of taking great care in granting appointments, and the consequences of failing to do so.

Finding knowledgeable, fair minded, and dedicated citizens to serve is challenging. That challenge is compounded when respect is lacking. People choose to serve or stand aside for a variety of reasons. An appointed body lacking respect from the public is an unappreciated deterrent to those who might otherwise be willing to serve.

Using lawyers and courts and expecting them to resolve these differences is remarkably expensive, lengthy and historically unsustainable. Going forward every board member must ask: How will the public be served? Will our next action add or subtract respect?

Ted Stanley lives in West Tisbury.