Will Dowd - Marblehead Current

21 Jun

Marblehead voters turn down $3M permanent override for schools

Will Dowd1 CommentLocal News, Marblehead Public Schools, Politics, Top Stories

In their annual election on Tuesday, Marblehead voters tuned down a proposed $3 million permanent override that sought to supplement the town's $43 million education budget. According to preliminary machine and hand counted results, the Proposition 2 1/2 override was defeated by a vote of 3,921 "no" votes - or by 67 percent - to 1,798 "yes" votes. A total of 5,845 ballots were cast in a turnout that depleted the town's stockpile of ballots. The measure would have raised Marblehead's levy limit and would…

20 Jun

LETTER: Know the facts before voting on Question 2

Will Dowd1 CommentOpinion, Viewpoints

As Election Day nears, yard signs and door hangers have appeared around town making unsubstantiated claims that investing in our public schools is not in the best interest of Marblehead citizens. Every Marblehead voter who goes to the polls on June 21 has a decision to make on Question 2, but let’s make sure those decisions are guided by facts: The Marblehead Public Schools have a strategic plan. It’s on the website for anyone to review. It was created by a committee of 26 and…

17 Jun

Marblehead marks Juneteenth with storytelling, music and poetry

Will Dowd0 CommentsMarblehead Public Schools, Press releases

The Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination, in conjunction with North Shore Juneteenth Association, staged Marblehead's second annual Juneteenth ceremony on Wednesday, June 8. Organizers called the ceremony a huge success and extra special with Marblehead Public Schools students involved. Greg Coles from Greg Coles Dance & Drum donated his time to share African drumming, storytelling and history. Student representatives to the MTFAD Alexis Earp and Celia Sliney ran the ceremony on the lawn outside Abbot Hall. The role of the student representative at MTFAD is…

17 Jun

Marblehead Public Art Committee unveils new mural outside Arnould Gallery & Framery

Will Dowd0 CommentsPress releases

The Marblehead Public Art Committee officially unveiled its newest installation, “Marblehead Gaze” by Marblehead artist Grace Menslage (center). Joining her at the celebratory reception in her honor are her father, John, (left) and her brother Luke (right). The mural will be on display for the Marblehead Festival of Art and through July 11 on the outside wall of Arnould Gallery and Framery at 111 Washington St., in Marblehead. The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce’s Public Art Committee has officially unveiled its newest art installation – “Marblehead…

17 Jun

Question 1 proposes capital spending in four parts

Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

Marblehead has a history of exercising fiscal prudence within the Proposition 2 1/2 framework to finance capital projects. The process usually unfolds with town officials or a group of citizens identifying a capital need, developing a budget and timeline, and embarking on a campaign to garner community support. Debate plays out in the lead-up to Town Meeting. If the project secures a two-thirds vote on the Town Meeting floor, it heads for a town-wide referendum. If the project captures a simple majority in that second…

17 Jun

Marblehead school officials: Question 2 would fund long unmet needs

Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

In Question 2 on the Tuesday, June 21 town election ballot, school officials are asking to override by $3 million Proposition 2 1/2, which annually limits increases to property-tax assessments to 2.5 percent. Education officials say the money is needed to fill a significant funding gap in the district’s $43 million budget that has grown over multiple years. QUESTION 2: Shall the Town of Marblehead be allowed to assess an additional $3,051,093 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the School…

10 Jun

FOR BOARD OF HEALTH: Thomas McMahon

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 40 years (with some back and forth in my 20s / early 30s in Boston / Salem) Occupation/education: Investment Management. Bachelor's degree in economics and history from University of Colorado at Boulder. Graduate of Marblehead High School class of 2000. Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Seeking election to the Marblehead Board of Health. What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? The follow-up questions will put these into more detail but I actually have four issues I’d like to tackle which…

10 Jun

FOR BOARD OF HEALTH: Helaine Hazlett

Will Dowd1 CommentTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: I am Helaine Hazlett, candidate for re-election to the Board of Health. I am pleased to be invited to contribute to the Marblehead News Group’s Election Guide. I have lived in Marblehead for over forty years and have been a public servant in this town for most of my adult life. My husband and I brought up our four children here, where two of them and their families continue to reside. Occupation and education: I am running for re-election to the Board…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Alexa Singer

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 22Occupation/education: Chief pilot and tenured professorAppointed positions and/or elected offices: Select Board (Board of Selectmen on the ballot) What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election?I am deeply committed to giving back to my community. Sustainability planning is at the top of my agenda, and I look forward to continuing my work on the town’s Climate Action Plan. I am also focused on improving our infrastructure and ensuring Marblehead’s long-term fiscal health. Strengthening the relationship between citizens and town…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Jim Nye

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 60 Occupation/education: President/CEO National Grand Bank of Marblehead Bentley College 1985 Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Selectman 2005-present What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? I love Marblehead and am thankful for the many opportunities that the town has provided me and my family. Over the past 17 years, we have managed the town budget efficiently and economically within the scope of Proposition 2 ½ with no general overrides required. This success has been due to the great teamwork between the…