Current Editorials - Marblehead Current

28 Jan

EDITORIAL: Debate in deadly serious times

Marblehead Current Editorial BoardCurrent Editorials, Opinion

Last week, the Marblehead Current published the latest letter from perhaps the town’s biggest — or at least most vocal — supporters of President Trump. As has happened when we have published previous missives from that same writer, the Current received criticism. We were already considering using this space to address that criticism. Then immigration agents shot and killed a second American citizen in Minneapolis this past weekend. Now, it seems all the more urgent to do so. There are some who think that, as…

31 Dec

EDITORIAL: Looking ahead

Leigh BlanderCurrent Editorials, Opinion

On this page last week, we looked back at many of the stories upon which we have reported and opined in 2025. Now, as we publish our final issue of the year, we turn our eyes to 2026 to anticipate what may be some of the major events to come. We start with town financial matters. The budget: Town leaders seem united in the belief that a level-services budget will not be possible absent a general override of Proposition 2 1/2, and the numbers being…

23 Dec

EDITORIAL: In our opinion, a year to remember

Leigh BlanderCurrent Editorials, Opinion, Top Stories

Approaching the year-end holidays, we look back at many of the issues that dominated the Current’s editorial pages in 2025, motivated by our belief that Marblehead’s greatest asset is an informed and active citizenry. Civic engagement and civil discourse were two themes threaded throughout, joined by a lengthy list of topics we deemed worthy of editorial comment and, in many cases, a recommended action plan. The list included but was not limited to: · The MBTA Communities Act and whether Marblehead would…

17 Dec

EDITORIAL: An easy “yes”

Cheryl ByrneCurrent Editorials, Local News, Municipal Matters

As the Current recently reported, voters statewide do not seem like they will get the chance to repeal the MBTA Communities Act in next November’s election, as the proponent of such a question, John T. Kolackovsky of Rockport, does not appear to have gathered the required 74,574 certified signatures by the Dec. 3 deadline. One measure that has cleared the initial hurdle is long overdue, however. This proposed law would make most records held by the Legislature and the governor’s office public records under the…

10 Dec

EDITORIAL: Say it to my face

Saoirse StallingsCurrent Editorials, Opinion

Cooler heads seem to be prevailing as town leaders resume following through on their pledge to minimize the harm caused by youth substance use in response to the town’s most recent tragedy, the crash that cost 13-year-old Savanah Gatchell her life. For that, we are grateful — the topic is too important to let the conversation get derailed by personality conflicts or breaches of protocol. But before we turn the page, it is worth reviewing the conflict involving Board of Health member Tom McMahon, Police…

19 Nov

EDITORIAL: On e-bikes, a good first step

Saoirse StallingsCurrent Editorials

E-bikes offer fast, accessible transportation in Marblehead, helping reduce car traffic and pollution. They improve mobility for all ages but must be used safely and in accordance with road rules to protect everyone. Since 2020, there have been seven minor e-bike and car accidents in Marblehead. As e-bike use increases, however, more incidents may occur. Massachusetts allows two types of e-bikes — Class 1 and Class 2 — to be ridden by all ages without a license or registration. Without modification, each of these types…

05 Nov

EDITORIAL: Make a healthy choice

Saoirse StallingsCommunity Resources, Current Editorials

Have you taken the Creating a Healthier Marblehead survey yet? If not, time is running out. The window to respond to the survey will close in about 10 days, Board of Health Chairman Dr. Thomas Massaro reports. Here’s why we think you should find time within that span to answer the series of questions. First, while it has become fashionable to complain that elected officials are out of touch and unresponsive to their constituents, this stands as a counterexample. Our Board of Health is not…

15 Oct

EDITORIAL: A teachable moment

khthomsonCurrent Editorials, Opinion

We share the heartbreak and disappointment that the Marblehead High School community — and the broader community — has to confront a disturbing act of bias, the scrawling of swastikas, the n-word and other graffiti in the school’s bathrooms, for which a 15-year-old male student is facing juvenile charges. Our local educators are no doubt familiar with a number of helpful online guides to assist educators in responding to such bias incidents, as Superintendent John Robidoux has already demonstrated an understanding of what a proper…

08 Oct

Editorial: The pink of health

khthomsonCurrent Editorials, Local News

A decade ago, then-Vice President Joe Biden launched the Cancer Moonshot initiative, an ambitious attempt to cut cancer deaths in half over a 25-year period. By some estimates, more than four million lives could be saved. Relaunched in 2022, the program grew to embrace hundreds of government actions and institutional allies, including a wide array of academic institutions, nonprofits and patient groups. All had meaningful stakes in saving and improving the lives of millions. For President Biden, who oversaw formation of a Cabinet-level cancer task…

01 Oct

Editorial: Time to change the culture

khthomsonCurrent Editorials, Local News

In the aftermath of the tragic death of 13-year-old Savanah Gatchell in August, efforts are underway in some quarters of town to more aggressively address the issues of substance abuse and mental health. Immediately following Savanah’s death, the Marblehead Counseling Center made therapists available to provide grief counseling, and it has coordinated efforts with the victim-witness division of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office to assist persons who may have been witnesses to the accident. A Marblehead juvenile has been charged with motor vehicle homicide.…