Opinion - Marblehead Current

19 Oct

Y shines a (blue) light on growing need for after-school care

Submitted ContentColumns, Opinion

By Brian Flynn, executive director of the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA Licensed after-school programs managed by the Lynch/van Otterloo Y have grown by 65% over the past three years in response to the growing need for reliable childcare, reflecting a national conundrum posed by a lack of youth supervision during the post-school day, reports Brian Flynn, executive director. Nearly 475 young people are served by the Y’s after-school program at six schools in Marblehead and Swampscott. At the Swampscott Elementary School alone, 208 kids attend daily…

15 Oct

MONEY MATTERS: Don’t let these financial mistakes haunt you

Emily PromiseColumns, Opinion

October on the North Shore brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves and, of course, Salem’s famous Halloween festivities. While October is known for its haunted attractions and spooky surprises, some of the scariest surprises aren’t found in a haunted house. Sometimes, they're hiding in your finances. Current Money Matters columnist Emily Promise COURTESY PHOTO Unlike a Halloween scare that quickly fades, financial planning mistakes can quietly follow us for years, often without us realizing it until the consequences become costly. The good news? Most financial mistakes…

14 Oct

EDITORIAL: Question 1 still worth a ‘yes’

Marblehead Current Editorial BoardCurrent Editorials, Opinion

Last December, before Question 1 had even secured a spot on the ballot, the Current called it “an easy yes.” Ten months, one advisory-opinion request and a steady stream of objections later, we still think there’s merit to the proposal to make most records held by the Legislature and the governor’s office public records under state law. But some concerns raised since then, including by our own state representative, merit serious consideration. Start close to home. As the Current reported recently, Marblehead town departments have…

13 Oct

EVERYTHING WILL BE OK: The nature of sanctuary

Virginia BuckinghamColumns, Environment, Opinion, Virginia Buckingham

I took a lovely fall walk through the Audubon Sanctuary on Marblehead Neck recently, enjoying the quiet under a not-yet-colorful canopy. The path in parts was slightly muddy, rather than crunchy with leaves, from the recent Nor’easter. I gathered a perfect fallen acorn, another kind of tree nut I couldn’t identify, and a red and green spackled maple leaf in the palm of my hand, lifting the other to greet a male passerby talking to someone through his air buds. Otherwise I was alone. I…

11 Oct

LETTER: Vote like Dr. Seuss

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: Early voting for the general election starts Oct. 17. Below is an original "poem" encouraging voting in Massachusetts. It is formatted like a Dr. Seuss poem and is written to be read aloud. The Time Has Come The time is close.The day is nigh.Time to VOTE, VOTE, VOTEI don’t care why.You can vote for change.You can vote to stand pat.Your vote is election-poweredVoter feedback!In Massachusetts In 2-0-2-6John Q. Public Time to make your picks.You can vote in the primary The first of SeptemberAnd then in the…

08 Oct

EDITORIAL: ‘Marblehead loved Owen Coyne. Now, we keep showing it’

Marblehead Current Editorial BoardCurrent Editorials, Opinion, Top Stories

There are times when a newspaper's job is to explain, to put events in context, to help a community make sense of what has happened. This is not one of those times. There is no sense to be made of the death of a 17-year-old who, until a few weeks ago, was looking forward to his senior football season. Nothing we can write will change what the Coyne family has lost. Owen Coyne died Oct. 1 after a sudden brain hemorrhage. He was a senior…

05 Oct

LETTER: Democracy depends on us all voting

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: On Nov. 3, I hope every eligible voter will take the time to become informed, consider the choices and cast their ballot. Our democracy depends on the participation of its people. Voting matters, not simply as a political activity, but as one of the fundamental responsibilities and privileges of being an American. Our system of government is built on the principle that the people have a voice in choosing those who represent them, and our federal and state laws and public policies…

05 Oct

LETTER: Rest in peace, Owen

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: I am writing to express my profound condolences to the family and friends of Owen Coyne, a scholar and athlete who has passed on so suddenly in the prime of life. May he rest in peace. Joe MartinSeattle, Washington

30 Sep

LETTER: Help your neighbors this Thanksgiving season

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: The Marblehead Food Pantry is preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday season. Serving our community since 1991, we are seeking sponsors to help defray costs. The pantry provides a Thanksgiving meal to approximately 70 local households. Turkey; a bag of fresh produce, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and dinner rolls; and a pie are included. The generosity of our local businesses, places of worship, friends and neighbors help fund the pantry. Please consider a donation of $40 for a turkey, $30 for the grocery…

30 Sep

Investments can be your climate action

Elaine LeahyColumns, Environment, Nonprofit corner, Opinion

When we think about reducing our carbon footprints, what usually comes to mind are actions like electrifying our home heating systems, driving less, walking and biking more, or using less energy. These are important measures to consider, but another very effective — and often overlooked — way to make a difference is to consider our investments and what our money is supporting. Whether it’s a retirement account, mutual fund or other investment, our money doesn’t simply stay put. Financial institutions invest and lend money throughout…