Town Election Guide - Marblehead Current

23 May

Parent group pushing for $2.5 million override

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Sports, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Local parents who support the $2.5 million permanent tax override on the ballot in the June 20 election are launching a “Vote Yes for Marblehead” campaign. “'Vote Yes for Marblehead' will be working in the coming weeks to advocate for the successful passage of the override,” the committee said in a statement to the Marblehead Current. “As residents, taxpayers and parents, we simply could not stand by silently while critical public safety and education services are at risk of being drastically reduced.” The override, which…

22 Mar

Tweaks to election process on Marblehead Town Meeting warrant

Kris Olson0 CommentsLocal News, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Compared to a proposal to extend the terms of members of the Select Board to three years, three other Town Meeting articles that would tweak the way local elections are administered may prove to be less controversial. In Article 53, the second-to-last article on the warrant, resident Jonathan Lederman is proposing that the town accept the provisions of a state law, G.L.c. 53, §9A, which would clarify that the final date for obtaining blank nomination papers for nomination to town office shall be “48 weekday…

22 Aug

QUESTIONS FOR 8TH ESSEX CANDIDATES: No. 2 — Tell us about a view-shaping event

Will Dowd6 CommentsLocal News, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

The Marblehead News posed a series of common questions to the six Democratic candidates for state representative from the 8th Essex District. There is no declared Republican candidate, meaning the winner of the primary Tuesday, Sept. 6 is likely to head to Beacon Hill to serve Marblehead, Swampscott and a portion of Lynn. Over the next two weeks, the Marblehead News will post the candidates’ responses to our questions, side by side, alternating the order as we go. Previous question: Q1. Tell us about yourself.…

17 Jun

Question 1 proposes capital spending in four parts

Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

Marblehead has a history of exercising fiscal prudence within the Proposition 2 1/2 framework to finance capital projects. The process usually unfolds with town officials or a group of citizens identifying a capital need, developing a budget and timeline, and embarking on a campaign to garner community support. Debate plays out in the lead-up to Town Meeting. If the project secures a two-thirds vote on the Town Meeting floor, it heads for a town-wide referendum. If the project captures a simple majority in that second…

17 Jun

Marblehead school officials: Question 2 would fund long unmet needs

Will Dowd0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

In Question 2 on the Tuesday, June 21 town election ballot, school officials are asking to override by $3 million Proposition 2 1/2, which annually limits increases to property-tax assessments to 2.5 percent. Education officials say the money is needed to fill a significant funding gap in the district’s $43 million budget that has grown over multiple years. QUESTION 2: Shall the Town of Marblehead be allowed to assess an additional $3,051,093 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of the School…

15 Jun

How, where to vote on June 21

Kris Olson0 CommentsTop Stories, Town Election Guide

Polls will be open across Marblehead from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 for voting in the annual town election. This year's ballot features contested races for Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Health, Town Moderator, Light Commission and Cemetery Commission. Voters will also decide the fate of two ballot questions proposing overrides of Proposition 2 1/2. Voters must vote in their own precincts. Polling places are as follows: Precinct 1: Old Town House, One Market SquarePrecincts 2 and 3: Abbot Hall Auditorium, 188…

10 Jun

FOR BOARD OF HEALTH: Thomas McMahon

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 40 years (with some back and forth in my 20s / early 30s in Boston / Salem) Occupation/education: Investment Management. Bachelor's degree in economics and history from University of Colorado at Boulder. Graduate of Marblehead High School class of 2000. Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Seeking election to the Marblehead Board of Health. What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? The follow-up questions will put these into more detail but I actually have four issues I’d like to tackle which…

10 Jun

FOR BOARD OF HEALTH: Helaine Hazlett

Will Dowd1 CommentTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: I am Helaine Hazlett, candidate for re-election to the Board of Health. I am pleased to be invited to contribute to the Marblehead News Group’s Election Guide. I have lived in Marblehead for over forty years and have been a public servant in this town for most of my adult life. My husband and I brought up our four children here, where two of them and their families continue to reside. Occupation and education: I am running for re-election to the Board…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Alexa Singer

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 22Occupation/education: Chief pilot and tenured professorAppointed positions and/or elected offices: Select Board (Board of Selectmen on the ballot) What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election?I am deeply committed to giving back to my community. Sustainability planning is at the top of my agenda, and I look forward to continuing my work on the town’s Climate Action Plan. I am also focused on improving our infrastructure and ensuring Marblehead’s long-term fiscal health. Strengthening the relationship between citizens and town…

10 Jun

FOR SELECT BOARD: Jim Nye

Will Dowd0 CommentsTown Election Guide

Years in Marblehead: 60 Occupation/education: President/CEO National Grand Bank of Marblehead Bentley College 1985 Appointed positions and/or elected offices: Selectman 2005-present What are three reasons/issues as to why you’re running for election? I love Marblehead and am thankful for the many opportunities that the town has provided me and my family. Over the past 17 years, we have managed the town budget efficiently and economically within the scope of Proposition 2 ½ with no general overrides required. This success has been due to the great teamwork between the…