LETTERS

To the editor: Well, are we? Being pricks, that is. Normally a gulf exists, here as elsewhere, between those who agonize about every little thing that’s wrong with our human condition and those who tend more to Rhett Butler’s frankly my dear… perspective. Yet David Modica’s question at one of our best Town Meetings for years is strangely unifying. Yes David, as the Planning Board’s Marc Liebman explained, “We tried the other way but it was rejected.” Politics being the art of the possible, Marblehead…

To the editor: Last week at Town Meeting, Marbleheaders came together, as we have for nearly four centuries, to cast important votes on town matters. Our collective effort mirrored the collaboration exhibited over the past few months by our elected officials, town and school administrators, and department heads. They made difficult decisions to address years of structural deficits and presented a framework to address revenue shortfalls that was approved by Town Meeting voters. Now it’s up to Marblehead voters to balance their individual finances with…

To the editor: The citizens of Marblehead asserted our unwavering commitment to our nation's founding principles and documents. In doing so at our Town Meeting, we followed in the footsteps of the citizen-led movements that helped ignite the American Revolution — the Committees of Correspondence, the Sons and Daughters of Liberty and the other civic alliances that challenged tyranny and demanded self-governance. It was not distant elites who first resisted oppression. It was the engaged citizens in small towns like Marblehead who organized boycotts, protests,…

To the editor: For the past 20 years, Marblehead has managed without a Proposition 2 ½ override — a remarkable feat of fiscal discipline. As a former Finance Committee chair and School Committee member with more than 30 years in the municipal bond market, I can attest that this success was built on conservative revenue estimating, strong fiscal controls, ample reserves and prudent debt management. These practices earned Marblehead a coveted AAA bond rating from Standard and Poor’s, placing us among the most fiscally stable…

To the editor: We are a bit too young to have been born at the Mary Alley Hospital, but we both grew up in Marblehead and are proud to have parents who are true “townies.” We chose to raise our children here so that they can have the same wonderful Marblehead adventures we experienced. After sharing in conversations with different generations of Marblehead family and friends about the current and future state of our town, we understand that a general override is not something to…

To the editor: The recent Marblehead School Committee Meeting to vote on the FY27 budget raised concerns about how one member’s view what many would consider a significant sum of taxpayer money. The main issue centers on a $750,000 “buffer” — an undedicated reserve meant to protect against unexpected healthcare costs. It’s important to note there is already an additional buffer because the health insurance budget was not reduced to reflect savings from the planned reduction of as many as 56 positions due to layoffs…

The Marblehead Food Pantry wishes to express its extreme sadness in the passing of Peggy Farrell, one of our dedicated volunteers, and member of our board. Peggy was a wonderful human being equipped with a great sense of humor. She opened and greeted everyone at the food pantry on Tuesday mornings. Volunteers and patrons all loved to chat with Peggy and enjoy her stories. Her love for her companion dog was contagious. Peggy will greatly be missed by all of us.  Fondly Marcy SchwamMarblehead Food…

To the editor: As the Marblehead community considers the upcoming Proposition 2 1⁄2 override, it’s important to be clear about what a “no” vote really means; not just for this year, but next year and beyond. Municipal budgets don’t operate in a vacuum. Costs for education, public safety, infrastructure and basic services continue to rise, often faster than the 2.5% annual levy limit allows. When revenues can’t keep pace, towns are forced to make difficult decisions. Those decisions typically mean cutting staff, reducing programs and…