Many Oak Bluffs residents are unaware of a critically important vote coming up at town meeting on April 9. I want you to know I realize asking people to attend town meeting is a big ask. Let’s face it, sitting through a town meeting isn’t high up on anyone’s list of fun activities. It certainly isn’t on mine. Nor were all the planning board meetings many attended. And I’m are grateful we did it.

Grateful, why, you ask? Grateful because I still encounter people who don’t know what the Oak Bluffs planning board is attempting to do to our zoning. During the process many advocated for outreach to residents and were repeatedly told that if voters wanted to know they could access the towns website. Very few people have the inclination to do that unless notified of the need. That’s just one example of how poorly this process has been handled.

Changes that will negatively impact our town, our environment, our health, our property values and downtown businesses deserve to be done with care, time and transparency. And residents must be aware of each step, consideration and proposal. Pushing these changes through swiftly is egregious. Oak Bluffs and Island residents deserve better.

Voter must attend town meeting on Tuesday, April 9. Too few have too much power right now. Voters, we need to take back our power, make our voices heard by voting NO to zoning changes.

Giving up an evening to protect ourselves, our environment and our health is a great way to spend a few hours. It might not be fun but it sure is worth while.

Susan Desmarais

Oak Bluffs