LETTERS - Marblehead Current

19 Apr

LETTER: After close call, crossing guard issues plea

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Views & Reviews

To all Marbleheaders: I am a crossing guard who works at the corner of West Shore Drive and Jersey Street, crossing fourth- through sixth-graders safely to and from the Village School. I have the responsibility to protect our future generation, and I take that responsibility very seriously. The kids I cross every day I refer to as “my kids.” And on the morning of Friday, April 14, the day before their vacation started, I was crossing a set of twins, and all three of us…

19 Apr

LETTER: Support of audit of Legislature well-stated

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Views & Reviews

To the editor: Thanks to Cathy Marie Michael and Judith Black for their thoughtful letter (“DiZoglio obligated to audit Legislature,” April 12) regarding state Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s “bravery in announcing her intent to conduct the first audit of the state legislature in 100 years.” I had newspaper clippings about DiZoglio’s intention piled next to my computer but hesitated writing for fear I wouldn’t be able to articulate clearly the issue within the word count needed. I’m a Democrat, but I’m not pleased with the actions…

19 Apr

LETTER: Sponsor explains municipal audit article

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Views & Reviews

To the editor: As the sponsor of Article 45, “Enhancements to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,” I would like to share the intent of the article and the benefits that will accrue to the town with its passage. Contained in this article are provisions that will make a positive contribution to the town audit by facilitating the public’s access to audit information and providing a more open and independent process for reviewing the final audit report. I was motivated to pursue this citizen’s petition after…

19 Apr

LETTER: Articles 51, 52 would help foster informed citizenry

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Views & Reviews

To the editor: Your article "Select Board runs afoul of the law" (Current, April 19) points out the problem in our town of incomplete minutes from the Select Board on one occasion. In this case, an alert citizen complained to the AG's Office. But most boards and committees are derelict in providing informative and timely minutes. How can we know what is going on in town? Townspeople want to know what is going on! We may be sick, disabled, have old or young to care…

12 Apr

LETTER: Column touched ‘head, heart and spirit’

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Views & Reviews

To the editor: I was moved by the honesty and beauty in the perspective piece by Laura McKowen (“Our dreams are not in conflict,” Marblehead Current, April 12). Her writing manages to touch the head, heart and spirit all at once. As someone who knows the good folks of Marblehead and other similar towns, I can attest that we don't intend to be hypocritical, but often, we are. We don't want alcoholism and addiction in our communities, but by burying our heads in the sand…

12 Apr

LETTER: NIMBY: An affliction that hurts us all

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

I was embarrassed and most saddened to read the comments made by my neighbors concerning the sober living home at the April 3 meeting. I hope that everyone read the wonderful article from Laura McKowen that accompanied the article on the hearing, as it debunked the mean-spirited and ignorant concerns voiced on what a sober community really is and what its true impact is for all of us. If we truly cared about our community and our fellow man, we should be welcoming these homes.…

10 Apr

LETTER: Firefighters thank Female Humane Society

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: The Marblehead Fire Department would like to acknowledge Directress Barbara Spiess Miller of the Marblehead Female Humane Society for their generous donation to our Senior SAFE program. SAFE and Senior SAFE is a Massachusetts Department of Fire Services grant program that the Marblehead Fire Department has participated in and received for the last 25 years. The grant provides funding for student fire education in our schools, and Senior SAFE is a partnership with Marblehead Council on Aging. We are experiencing a delay…

08 Apr

LETTER: DiZoglio obligated to audit Legislature

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Uncategorized

To the editor: As a concerned citizen of Massachusetts, we are appalled by the amount of power held by the speaker of the State House over the legislative process. It is unacceptable that one person has the ability to control which bills are allowed to pass, who chairs committees and even where legislators’ offices are located. This level of control creates a situation where the voice of the people is stifled and the principles of democracy are undermined. The fact that the speaker controls any…

08 Apr

LETTER: Vote ‘yes’ to change Select Board term

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: The Marblehead Select Board has a very unique service format, a one-year term. No other Select Board or School Committee we know of has a one-year term. Most towns have a three-year term for a reason. It improves governance and builds commitment. Article 44 proposes moving to a three-year term to do just that while maintaining cherished traditions. Governance Many tend to think of the Select Board as a legislative body, but it is an executive body, as the board functions collectively…

28 Mar

LETTER: ‘We couldn’t be prouder,’ APL foundation tells town

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS

To the editor: Kudos to Abbot Public Library for the start of construction at 235 Pleasant St. this spring. Thanks to our town’s generous taxpayers (who approved the $8.5 million override request in 2021) and the private donors who gave $1 million towards the $9.5 million library renovation project, our 17th-century town is indeed getting closer to having a 21st-century library. Once again, through this successful effort, our Town honors the time-tested public-private partnership history of our library’s humble origin that began 146 years ago as…