Viewpoints - Marblehead Current

15 Mar

TRANSPARENCY: Honor Sunshine Week by requiring hybrid meeting access

Will Dowd0 CommentsMunicipal Matters, Opinion, Viewpoints

During the early months of COVID-19, governors in New England states issued executive orders allowing municipalities to meet online so long as the public could attend remotely. The democratic benefits of this arrangement quickly became evident. According to a public official quoted in a 2020 study, the changes “made it a lot easier for residents who have other things to do, to be heard. People with family obligations, elder care, or child-care issues.” The executive orders that prompted these changes, however, have long since expired.…

01 Mar

LETTER: Re: Living within your budget….

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Local News, Opinion, Viewpoints

To the editor: I would like to echo concerns stated by Mr. Jack Buba in last week's letter (Feb. 22). Evidently, many town citizens (and administrators) need to be reminded that since 1995 the Marblehead Community Charter Public School (MCCPS) has been successfully operating on a fixed state-funding budget based on a per-pupil expense (PPE). For 28 years, 230 students per year, in fourth through eighth grades, have been receiving a first-class education without incurring deficits and/or overrides. How does that happen, and why isn't…

01 Mar

LETTER: Cross-pollination is critical for Marblehead small businesses

Will Dowd0 CommentsBusiness, LETTERS, Opinion, Viewpoints

To the editor Just got through reading Virginia Buckingham's column, “Bringing Back a Bookstore,” and I could not agree more about the void that Spirit of '76 left in our community by closing. It cut right to the core and spirit of Marblehead. Marblehead has been faced with years and years of small businesses opening up and closing their doors, almost to the point now where our streets are lined with real estate offices and the dentist office that occupies our former bookstore. Yes, a…

01 Mar

EDITORIAL: Sour taste lingers

Will Dowd0 CommentsCurrent Editorials, Opinion, Viewpoints

At quick glance, one could see that no one seems 100% satisfied with the compromise that had been expected to allow the tennis courts at the Veterans School reopened for pickleball last week as a sign that the Recreation & Parks Commission did its job. However, look closer, and you can see the opposite is true. To review, the group Marblehead Pickleball raised about $65,000 to help convert four tennis courts at Vets into six dedicated pickleball courts. Then, this fall, it partnered with Rec…

01 Mar

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY: Reconsidering the seagull

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints, Virginia Buckingham

“Rats with wings.” That’s the common derogatory descriptor about that common sea bird, the gull. Last summer, one wily airborne rodent grabbed an entire overflowing lobster roll from my hand just as I was taking a first bite. Darn rat! Mostly though, gulls are a casually observed but uncontemplated part of our daily landscape. We might notice one pecking at an unlucky crab or perched on a neighbor’s chimney. But we don’t give their presence a second thought, even seconds later. Unexpectedly for me, the…

01 Mar

KITCHEN CALL: The art of popover perfection

Will Dowd0 CommentsLocal News, Opinion, Top Stories, Viewpoints

I am a cook. Not a baker. Not a pastry chef. I do not bake cakes, cupcakes, pies, breads or pizza from scratch. But from time to time, I am prompted by occasion, necessity, emergency — or ego. Never if the item must be kneaded, rolled or yeast risen. Linda Bassett, the Marblehead Current’s cooking columnist, has mastered the art of baking popovers. COURTESY PHOTO My pies are prepared with gluten-free pie shells from Crosby’s Market. (This has nothing to do with gluten. These…

12 Feb

Marblehead author’s new book explores ‘The Root of Evil’

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

The title of my new book, “The Roots of Evil — A Postmodern Exploration of the Unintended Consequences of Civilization,” is much more daunting than the actual text. The original intended audience for the book was those who practice psychotherapy; however, it quickly became apparent that the ideas expressed in the book might be important for the public as well. I originally conceived the book 15 years ago, during the George W. Bush administration. The front cover to Marblehead author Evan Longins' new, 'The Roots…

08 Feb

EDITORIAL: Passing the Marblehead Town Meeting gavel

Will Dowd0 CommentsCurrent Editorials, Opinion, Viewpoints

Jack Attridge is our new town moderator, and what a year to start a new job. For the first time in almost 20 years, voters will likely be asked to pass a general override to enable the town to maintain its current level of services. We are living in challenging times right now with various strong and vocal disagreements on so many issues. It is not unreasonable to believe that this current climate may permeate our Town Meeting when controversial articles are being debated. It…

23 Jan

LETTER: Cheers for Marblehead principals

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

I write to offer three cheers for Marblehead principals Mary Maxfield (Brown School) and Hope Doran (Glover). I've had the chance to sit in on meetings with each of these experienced educators, savvy administrators. The subject of these meetings has been safety at school arrival/dismissal. Whether kids arrive by bus, car, on bicycle, by wheelchair or o foot, they're clearly dedicated to providing a safe route to school — from home, to campus and from there into the building. Moreover, Principal Maxfield related that she…

17 Jan

REVIEW: Excess and indulgence: ‘Babylon’

Will Dowd0 CommentsEntertainment, Opinion, Viewpoints

"Babylon" might be the single most over-hyped, expensive piece of junk to hit theaters post-COVID. In a time where streamers are thriving, and theaters need saving, "Babylon" hurts. 'Babylon' is a disaster. Margot Robbie and Diego Calva in 'Babylon.' COURTESY / SCOT GARFIELD / PARAMOUNT PICTURES At the height of silent movies in Los Angeles in 1926, Mexican migrant Manuel "Manny" Torres (Diego Calva) wants to join the business. Slowly but surely, he makes his way up. But through drugs, crimes, and failed friendships, he's…