Opinion

To the editor: With 2026 fast approaching, I expect that Marbleheaders will soon begin to have a more rigorous and honest conversation about how we fund our town and the services we rely on. It is encouraging to hear town leaders, led by Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin, publicly acknowledge the need for a general override in 2026. For years, Marblehead’s operating costs have grown faster than revenues due to the constraints of Proposition 2 1⁄2, which caps annual property-tax increases. Over time, that structural imbalance…

To the editor: If you were walking your dog on the Hawthorne Pond trail in Marblehead at approximately 3:40 PM on Dec. 11, please contact me. My dog lost a piece of his ear and had to have stitches.  Unless I can establish that the dog who bit him was currently on rabies shots, my 2-year-old Siberian husky will have to do an extended quarantine and will miss his beloved twice daily playtime at the dog park with his best buddies. I can be reached…

To the editor: I write this letter with a heavy heart. I am witnessing a tragic repeat of history that occurred only 85years ago. Back in 1938, Prime Minister Chamberlain of Great Britain travelled to Munich, Germany to meet with Hitler. After the meeting, he arrived back in Great Britain. Stepping off the plane, he waved a paper in his hand to a cheering crowd and yelled, “Peace in our time.” Great Britain had acceded to the wishes of Hitler. In 1939, a horror like…

To the editor: Do you want to hear exceptional live orchestra or Pops music from Boston Symphony Hall? Well, we have a "jewel in the crown" right here in Marblehead! Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish has a concert program that rivals Boston. A person doesn't have to travel to Boston, pay for parking, make a reservation for tickets and pay high ticket prices. We are so fortunate to have inspiring music right here in our midst. I have now attended two of the…

I am writing in reference to the article on Chief King’s response to criticism regarding lack of enforcement of Social Hosting Law. Chief King states, “When enforcing the Social Host Law, which we do in Marblehead, not every call meets the legal threshold for charges or fines… Many situations require careful investigation, documentation, parental engagement and, whenever it is appropriate, an arrest or diversion may occur.”  Maybe I am thinking of this too simplistically but if parties have been repeatedly rousted at the same addresses…