Two members of the West Tisbury selectmen appeared before the Martha’s Vineyard Airport Commission on Wednesday to urge the panel to deny a proposal from an advertising company to sell space in the airport terminal and along the tarmac that would cater mostly to high-end, affluent visitors arriving on Island by private jet.

“We feel this is against the grain of what this Island is about,” said Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter, chairman of the West Tisbury selectmen. “We are proud of our uniqueness; we are proud of our heritage; we are proud that when you come to our airport you see people talking to each other and not watching television,” he said, adding:

“That sort of thing is fine in Providence or Boston, but not Martha’s Vineyard.”

Opposition to the plan, at least among the Island’s elected officials, has been nearly universal. Selectmen in Aquinnah, West Tisbury and Chilmark unanimously agreed to write letters to the airport commission expressing dissatisfaction with the plan. This week Oak Bluffs selectmen agreed to do the same.

“In my opinion it’s just inappropriate for the Island. This is a rural place and I want it stay a rural place . . . this seems out of place here,” said selectmen Roger Wey at the regular meeting Tuesday.

The airport commission first discussed the proposal from Luxury Media Partners last month as a means to generate additional revenue in the face of decreasing federal and state support. Luxury Media Partners caters exclusively to luxury brand businesses and sells space to advertisers who appeal to more affluent clientele.

The plan calls for advertising to be placed on small billboards facing the tarmac visible to arriving passengers, while small video displays would also be placed inside the terminal. Luxury Media Partners sells space at the airport serving East Hampton, N.Y., and has had preliminary discussions with airport officials on Nantucket.

A 20-page proposal submitted to the airport commission states that the Martha’s Vineyard airport draws “the wealthiest segment of residents and visitors.”

Profits from the sale of ad space would be split 50-50 between the airport and the company; the company estimates the venture could generate between $100,000 and $200,000 in the first year and between $1 and $1.5 million over a five-year span for the airport.

The projections are based on five sponsor displays, two 52-inch digital video screens and displays visible to passengers and automobile traffic. Sponsor displays would be illuminated after sundown.

But West Tisbury selectmen echoed the thoughts of many other town officials at Wednesday’s airport commission meeting when they said no price is worth it.

“This isn’t East Hampton or Longboat Key. We don’t want to change what makes this place so special,” said selectman Richard Knabel.

Members of the airport commission as well as airport manager Sean Flynn said no plan has yet been approved.

Mr. Flynn said the commission is simply considering the plan as one of several options to boost revenue at the airport. He said the airport is on sound financial footing but added that the money was needed to keep the airport safe and solvent. “This money is not for growth, it’s for maintenance. Buildings don’t last forever. We’re not trying to extend the runway or bring in larger airplanes. We are trying to provide the best airport possible for everyone,” he said.

Frank Gildea, chairman of the airport commission, agreed.

“We are proud of this facility, but to run a quality facility it takes money . . . the planes are still coming, the people are still coming. We have a fiduciary responsibility to provide a safe airport. It’s not a question of simply keeping our airport quaint,” he said.

But West Tisbury resident Joan Ames, who was also in attendance, said the airport has always been a rural, county airport and should remain that way. “I can remember when it still had roses growing out of the split rail fences,” she said.

Mr. Flynn said the commission would give the comments full consideration. “I am glad you came here today . . . too many times people come out with their concerns after the fact and it’s frustrating. I think this is a good way to do business,” he said.