Kris Olson - Marblehead Current

17 Jun

Mentuck Ocean Race extends early bird deadline

Kris Olson0 CommentsPress releases

The early bird registration deadline for the second annual Michael A. Mentuck Memorial Ocean Race has been extended until June 30, according to Bruce Baker, race chairman and vice commodore of the Boston Yacht Club. The race is due to leave Marblehead Harbor on Thursday July 7 for the 253-nautical-mile course up to the Matinicus Rock off the coast of Maine. “We are hoping that the weather gods may be more amenable this year and enable entrants to complete the full course, starting in Marblehead…

16 Jun

Introducing the Marblehead News Group

Kris Olson0 CommentsAbout Us, Top Stories

What you see here today is just a fraction of what we hope to become — with your help. We are veteran journalists and local residents who for the past several months have been laying the groundwork to launch the Marblehead News Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news outlet covering the town. Those involved in guiding the effort include (but are not limited to): Ed Bell, former Boston bureau chief of the Associated Press, MHTV host and Marblehead Harbor Rotarian;Jessica Barnett, teaches communications at Salem State…

16 Jun

NOT THE SAME OLD THING: The importance of ‘local’

Kris Olson1 CommentTop Stories, Viewpoints

"The best way to be global is to be local."Alex Atala I know, I know, this quote sounds like some Alice in Wonderland, "Sometimes down is up, sometimes up is down" kind of concept, but really, it's absolutely true. We are all citizens of the world; we all live on this beautiful blue marble and have our humanity in common. But let's face it: When you drill down to a region, a country, a state, city, town, or street, the picture changes a bit, doesn't…

16 Jun

Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Kris Olson0 CommentsMarblehead Public Schools

Marblehead High School bid goodbye to 246 members of the Senior Class June 3 in acommencement ceremony both jubilant and poignant. Pointing to the Wright Brothers, valedictorian Jeffrey Lederman urged his classmates to “leaninto their confidence and take risks.” He reminded them that they all have the opportunity tochange the world A poignant moment came when Dahlia Galante accepted the diploma of her late brother, James. He was a star Marblehead High School football player who died in a car crash three months before graduation.…

15 Jun

How, where to vote on June 21

Kris Olson0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

Polls will be open across Marblehead from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 for voting in the annual town election. This year's ballot features contested races for Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Health, Town Moderator, Light Commission and Cemetery Commission. Voters will also decide the fate of two ballot questions proposing overrides of Proposition 2 1/2. Voters must vote in their own precincts. Polling places are as follows: Precinct 1: Old Town House, One Market SquarePrecincts 2 and 3: Abbot Hall Auditorium, 188…

11 Jun

Help us choose a new name!

Kris Olson0 CommentsAbout Us, Local News, Top Stories

An independent dedicated group of local journalists and Marblehead citizens has spent the last several months working toward creating a new independent news source that is hyper-focused on Marblehead and built on a sustainable non-profit model governed by a local board of directors. With the help of a kind local attorney (thanks, David Moran!), we wound our way through the IRS thicket as well as the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office and established a bona fide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Marblehead News Group. We brainstormed…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Erin Noonan

Kris Olson0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: Hometown, returned in 2014 with my husband to raise our 3 kids Occupation/education: Attorney, (MA Bar admittance 2006) Private Bar Trial and Appellate Advocate Children and Family Law Division of CPCS. Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Board of Selectmen 1st Term 2021-2022 What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? To continue to bring my vocal perspective as a returning resident with a young family and professional skill set. We can preserve our traditions and honor our unique history,…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Bret Murray

Kris Olson0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 37 Occupation/education: Director of risk management, local higher education college New England Law Boston, Juris Doctor Boston College, MS in Administrative Studies University of Massachusetts Amherst, BA in History and Political Science Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Marblehead Select Board 2011 to 2017 What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? If elected, I would focus on the three main things: a strategic plan, improve our town communications and increase transparency. Strategic Plan: Our town has many great initiatives underway, but…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Moses Grader

Kris Olson0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: Over 30 years and from multi-generational Marblehead family. Occupation/education: I am a co-founder and managing partner of Little Harbor Advisors, an investment management firm based in Marblehead. My early career experience includes big five accounting consultancy, investment banking, venture capital and U.S. Marine Corps. I have a BA in economics/English (Tufts) and an MBA (Harvard). Appointed positions and/or elected offices: I served on the Finance Committee of the town of Marblehead for nine years (2008-2017), the last six years as its chair. I…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Jackie Belf-Becker

Kris Olson0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 46 years Occupation: Private law practice; Former Director, Special Education Appeals for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, member of Massachusetts Bar Elected offices: Five-and-a-half years on Marblehead School Committee, 17 years on Marblehead Select Board What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? I have been lucky enough during my two decades as an elected official in Marblehead to have worked cooperatively alongside people who brought to the table of public service a multitude of different ideologies, skill sets and…