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Study Commission Members
William O'Brien III (Chairman), Paddy Moore (Vice-Chairman), Jeff Kristal (Treasurer), Jim Newman (Clerk),
John Alley, Tim Connelly, Tad Crawford, Mimi Davisson, John Early, Art Flathers, Dan Flynn, Carlene Gatting, Tristan Israel, Lenny Jason, Richard Knabel, Les Leland, Nora Nevin, Linda Sibley, Ted Stanley, Holly Stephenson, Paul Strauss, Roger Wey, Woody Williams
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Study Commission Mandate
The Dukes County Charter Commission was formed as a result of the November 2006 election. It is made up of 23 commissioners, fifteen of whom were elected Island wide and seven are the sitting Commissioners of the County of Dukes and one who serves as the Chairman of the County Advisory Board on Expenditures.
The Charter Commission’s operations are strictly governed by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in particular Chapter 34A Section 8 which states:
“It shall be the function and duty of the Charter Commission to study the form of government of the county, to compare it with other forms available under the laws of this state, to determine whether or not in its judgment the government of the county could be strengthened, made more clearly responsive or accountable to the people or whether its operation could be more economical or efficient, under a changed form of government”.
By law the charter commission must report its findings and recommendations to the citizens by May 2008. After that, depending on the recommendations, the matter is to be submitted to the citizens for their vote at the November 2008 general election.
The Charter Commission faces a substantial task. It has been hard at work for the past few months getting organized and developing a work plan. Soon we will begin the first part of the work plan—studying the existing form of government here in Dukes County. Each of the 23 Commissioners takes the mandate from the citizens very seriously and is committed to doing the best possible job.
Lastly we are interested in your participation with us in this very important mission. In that regard we invite you to come to our meetings or, if not able, then to tune in to the proceedings as they are shown on MVTV. We invite you to write the Commission with any questions or information you would like us to receive at P.O. Box 2925 Oak Bluffs, 02557.
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