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OPINION
HISTORY
I beg to differ: ‘They’ are us
Renovations on Washington Street
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IN THIS ISSUE
DIXEY COLLECTION
Follow the tracks
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June 14, 2023
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 29
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
ELECTION
Town to decide override Tuesday
Months of contentious debate come down to June 20 vote BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Marblehead has not voted to raise its property taxes beyond a state-mandated cap of 2.5% annually in nearly two decades, and the $2.5 million override on the June 20 ballot is dividing
neighbors. Last month, a group of citizens formed the “Vote Yes for Marblehead” Committee to promote the override. “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,” override supporters wrote. In June, residents formed “The Six Percent is Too Much Committee” with the slogan “$2.5 million forever is too much with no strategic plan.” The override opponents say the town has overspent and mismanaged taxpayers’ money.
“The taxpayers we represent also face rising costs, and many have not received a raise in years; some have taken paycuts, been forced to change industries or retired early to care for a dependent,” Sue MacInnis, the committee’s treasurer and chairwoman, told the Marblehead Current. “They must live within their budgets; we expect town leaders to work
GRADUATION
hard and wisely spend only the hard-earned dollars we give them.” The structural deficit The general override aims to address a structural deficit in the fiscal year 2024 municipal budget. Raising the additional property taxes would cover town services cut from the $112.5 OVERRIDE, P. A10
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Buckey contract eyed for June 15 agenda
GOOD AS ‘GOLD’
BY LEIGH BLANDER
CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD
Members of the Class of 2023 exit the Marblehead High School field house after their graduation on June 9.
Diplomas conferred on Class of 2023 letsaid.us not make this a tragedy,” she They had been only staying in the as town bids farewell to principal relationship “for the kids,” she said. BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Sometimes, it’s for the best. Class President Lucy Sabin “broke up” with Marblehead High School before a sea of hundreds of families, teachers and friends in the school’s field house during commencement exercises on Friday evening. “I’ve had these feelings for a while now, and I think it’s time I tell you, dear Marblehead High School: It’s not
me; it’s you. Wait, no. It’s not you; it’s me,” said Sabin to laughter. “The time we had together will always be special to me when we’ve both grown so much from this relationship, but we must move on.” Pretending to speak to the high school, she told it to consult her “exes,” the Marblehead Community Charter Public School and Glover School, if it was “upset.” “Parting is such sweet sorrow, but
“You’re a little all over the place — 14 different schedules. Baby, how am I supposed to keep up?” she said. “The bell has rung for the last time, and we have to say goodbye. I thought I’d never date a high school, and then I met you.” In the valedictory address, Yasen Kadiyski Colón said graduates are entering a rapidly changing world in which artificial intelligence is taking
Just days before the June 20 election when Marblehead voters will decide whether to raise their taxes to fund the schools and other town departments — and choose two School Committee members — the School Committee was expected to discuss Superintendent John Buckey’s contract on June 15. School Committee Chair Sarah Fox told the Marblehead Current that she planned to add Buckey’s contract School Committee to the agenda for Chair Sarah Fox June 15, which is the said she would add School Committee’s a discussion of last meeting before Buckey’s contract the election and a new to the June 15 agenda. committee is seated. “There was a request made by [Committee member] Sarah Gold to have Dr. Buckey’s contract added to the agenda for next Thursday’s meeting,” Fox said. “In the spirit of transparency, since this is such an important item, I want to make sure everybody is aware that this request is made, and it will be on the agenda.” School Committee Vice Chair Tom
GRADUATION, P. A3 CONTRACT, P. A11
THREE DECADES OF SERVICE
Rabbi Meyer steps down with memories and optimism BY LEIGH BLANDER
Rabbi David J. Meyer, one of Marblehead’s longest-serving faith leaders, is retiring.
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
COURTESY PHOTOS
One of the longest-serving faith leaders in Marblehead history, Rabbi David J. Meyer is retiring from Temple Emanu-El this month after serving there for 31 years. His advice to his successor? “Continue building on the strength of this inclusive, joyful community and have the courage to try new approaches,” Meyer said. “And make sure you look at the ocean every day.” Meyer, 65, arrived in Marblehead in July of 1992, a fresh-faced rabbi who grew up in a suburb outside Kansas City. He and his wife, Marla, settled in Marblehead and raised two sons. They plan to stay in town.
Looking back at highlights over his long career here, Meyer doesn’t hesitate to list his first one. “When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, the team sent the trophy to every town in Massachusetts. Temple Emanu-El was the Marblehead site.” When asked how the temple was chosen, he answered with a laugh, “We had connections.” Meyer is a big baseball fan who wrote and read essays for the NPR program, “Only a Game.” Other highlights include leading two interfaith trips to Israel with now-retired Rev. Dennis Calhoun at Old North MEYER, P. A10