The Candidates In Their Own Words: Nantucket Land Bank Race

We invited the two candidates vying for the one open seat on the Nantucket Land Bank Commission to introduce themselves to Nantucket Current's readers, share their platform, and explain why voters should choose them in this race in 500 words or fewer.

Neil Paterson

The Land Bank is at a pivotal moment. As our community evolves, we must continue adapting and responding within the scope of our enabling act. We are currently advancing two collaborations on Jefferson and Boynton Lane, and the board is realigning its approach to serve all facets of our population by adapting to once-uncomfortable ideas.

I believe I am the right candidate to continue this evolution, offering deep institutional knowledge and a proven track record of hard work. I am proud of my history of public service and remain passionately committed to our island.

Having been chair for eight years and experienced bringing different views forward places me in a unique position to continue service.

As I shared at the Civic League, I am open to serious discussions regarding indoor recreation and potential collaborations. A topic on which my position has evolved. Additionally, I am focused on the increasing trend of wealthy homeowners using litigation to curtail public access. I will fight strongly to protect these public rights for everyone.

Coming from a farming background, I am uniquely positioned to develop ways to support our agricultural community, such as establishing a cold storage building to serve the food hub and extend shelf life.

I ask for your support and your vote.

Graham Veysey

I first came here at 18 for a summer job, though if I’m being honest, I was also following a guy who eventually became my husband, so I guess that worked out pretty well!

Like a lot of people, we fell in love with Nantucket. But what brought us back for good was the life we could picture building here in the community

Now I’m raising three girls here while running a business, and I see the island differently than I did at 18. I run on Land Bank trails often and still catch myself stopping to appreciate how lucky we are to have them. The land is part of what makes Nantucket special, but the people are the other part.

The trails, the beaches, the open space, and the people who live here year-round are all part of what makes Nantucket, Nantucket. They’re the fabric of this island, all woven together.

That sense of connection matters just like preserving land.

So I am running for Land Bank because I want to help shape the next 40 years, balancing preservation with community needs, looking at how the Land Bank can use both its land and its resources for the highest and greatest good.

Institutional experience matters, but so do fresh voices, and I think the Commission would benefit from adding a new perspective.

Over the past few months, I’ve been pushing for updated athletic facilities for island kids. As a former coach and parent of three athletes, especially after this past winter, I’ve seen how badly our island needs more places to play, practice, hang out, and just be together. If you have seen that dedication, you know I will bring that to my role at Land Bank.

In 2023, the Commission voted that indoor recreation falls outside the scope of the Land Bank Act. I disagree with that interpretation. The Act explicitly states that the act itself should be “liberally construed,” and it specifically references “future public recreational facilities and use.” To me, that leaves room for more creativity and a bigger vision for community recreation. Think about what an indoor recreation or community center could mean for this island, especially for year-round families. Miacomet Golf Club already proved that creative interpretations of the Act can benefit the broader community. And honestly, last time I checked, the 19th hole is indoors and they have the best tater tot nachos!

I also believe the Land Bank can do more to support year-round families staying on Nantucket. The current first-time homebuyer exemption has not kept pace with today’s housing market. Homes under $2 million purchased by first-time homebuyers should be exempt from the Land Bank fee.

I’m not someone who sits quietly on the sidelines when something matters to this community. I show up, I speak up, and I ask questions. That’s the energy and perspective I’d bring to the Commission, and that’s why I’m running.