David Rockefeller, our wealthy and generous summer neighbor, loves Maine as it is, but he also recognizes the need for economic development. He made it clear, in an interview with the Bangor Daily News, that his principal interest is in preserving the beauties of the Maine coastline, particularly Mount Desert Island. His father assembled and donated much of the land for Acadia National Park, and he oversees the family gardens and carriage roads and helps finance social and preservation efforts. His summer home is in Seal Harbor.

Some summer residents see only the vacationland aspects of Maine and resent any change at all. Some fought for a decade the widening of the Maine Turnpike, which keeps bringing in new summer tourists but which also is a lifeline for Maine’s business and commerce. Some love things as they are so much that they spoke seriously of having a toll booth installed at the causeway at Trenton and charging a fee for entry into Mount Desert Island.

Not David Rockefeller. And not a good many other summer and year-round residents who are active in an organization called MDI Tomorrow.

It works for both preservation and development in harmony with each other. The project began with a community forum in 1987. It already has helped organize bus service, an affordable housing project in Bar Harbor, and an island-wide health plan. Two hundred Mount Desert Island residents met at a community conference in November to discuss future needs. Working groups will report in the spring on further plans for the community’s future, including economic development.

Mr. Rockefeller sees MDI Tomorrow as a model for development efforts in other parts of Maine. Planners in Ellsworth and Blue Hill already have been consulting with the MDI leaders.

He continues to demonstrate his serious interest. Leaders of the group got word a few days ago that a substantial Rockefeller check would soon be in the mail.