To the editor:
My name is Shea Rood, and I live in Precinct 5 of Marblehead. I went to vote on Tuesday, June 10, at the field house located behind Marblehead High School. I am an 86-year-old disabled man who requires a walker in order to get around. Walking long distances is a real challenge for me and presents a safety concern when I have to do so.
When I arrived at the high school, locating the exact entrance of the field house was a challenge. I had to ask for directions to find the entrance as well as the closest handicapped parking spot. The parking lot itself was packed, and there were others in the same position as I, looking for not only regular parking but handicapped parking as well. I felt there was not enough handicapped parking to accommodate Marblehead’s seniors who were interested in voting but struggle with walking long distances. The weather that day was also rainy and cool. There were no designated drop-off/pick-up locations closer to the field house, so I was left to walk what I consider to be a long distance from the parking spot that I was at down to the field house in the rain. This is not safe for individuals with disabilities.
I feel the seniors of Marblehead were not thought of when the decision was made to move the voting location from the community center to the field house. The community center allows people to be dropped off and picked up at the front entrance. This helps to ensure the safety of the town’s seniors. This is a location that I am happy to go and vote at. Handicapped parking has never been an issue there in the past, and there was always a place to park.
When the time comes again to vote, if the field house is the chosen location, I would like to suggest offering entrance drop-off and pick-up or possibly even designated handicapped parking in the back of the field house that will allow for a shorter walking distance to the entrance. Voting in an accessible location for elderly and disabled individuals is very important. Please try to keep this in mind in the future. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.
Shea Rood
Ralph Road
