OPINION: A perspective on the FY27 town budget
Select Board member Moses Grader argues a reworked ledger shows schools directing roughly 63% of operating spending, leaving municipal leaders with less room to absorb sudden expense spikes.
Independent Staff
OBITUARY: Thomas J. Sheridan, 89
Thomas Joseph Sheridan, age 89, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on March 2, just six days shy of his 90th birthday. Born on March 8 in Providence, Rhode Island, Tom was the eldest of three children born to proud Irish immigrants, Thomas and Rose Sheridan. He was raised in Barrington,
OPINION: The case for a Goldilocks override approach
By Charles H. Gessner Marblehead revenue must catch up to the burst of inflation that has plagued the United States for the past five years, due mostly to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 inflation hit 7 percent; in 2022 6.5 percent; 3.4 percent in 2023; 2.9
OPINION: Why Marblehead should reject the override
By Jack Buba Fix It First — That is how we should view this current budget crisis in Marblehead. I am happy to support an override if only the town were willing to look at alternatives other than cutting two of the services the town wants most: the library and Council
OPINION: To tax or not to tax: Is that really the question?
By Judith Black "Nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes." Of course, our distant ancestors moved here to avoid the king’s taxes, only to levy their own. The earliest, to cover the cost of the Revolution, caused a rebellion: Shays’ Rebellion. This is
Understanding the trends in our schools: Where we’ve come from — and the choices ahead
By Melissa Clucas Many Marblehead residents care deeply about our public schools — whether they have children currently in the system, grown children who once attended or simply value the strength of our town. We are living through a period of significant financial pressure across the town, and those pressures are
OBITUARY: Dr. Richard E. Yukins, 91
Dr. Richard E. Yukins, 91 We write to announce the peaceful death of Dr. Richard E. Yukins at 91 years old. Born in Brockton, "Dick" went to Harvard College, New York University and Stanford University to become a practitioner and teacher in ophthalmology. With his medical skills and
OBITUARY: Suzanne Healey, 87
Suzanne Healey, age 87, of Marblehead passed away peacefully on Feb. 12. She was the daughter of Charles and Alice Peale of North Reading. Suzanne was predeceased by her parents, her sister Patience Althoff and her husband of 52 years William J. Healey. Suzanne is survived by her daughter Kimberly
Counseling center observes National Eating Disorder Awareness Week
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDAW), a nationwide campaign to raise awareness, provide hope and support to those who struggle with eating disorders and to challenge the stigma that often goes with them, runs this year from Feb. 23 to March 1. The 2026 theme is Every BODY Belongs. Eating
Marblehead Animal Shelter spotlights cats for adoption
Marblehead Animal Shelter is encouraging residents to consider adopting a cat and is featuring several adoptable cats, including McClane, Dusty Bottoms, Carmen, Baby S and Hen. Adoption hours are Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Friday 5-7 p.m., Saturday noon-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Mark R. Collins, 62
Mark R. Collins of Derry, N.H., died unexpectedly Jan. 19 at his home. Mark was born in Chicago May 12 — Mother’s Day — the youngest of the Collins children and the only boy. Mark and his family moved to Marblehead in the 1970s where he quickly made life-long
Norma R. Dugan, 90
Norma R. (Silva) Dugan, age 90, a longtime resident of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, following complications from pneumonia. She was the beloved wife of the late George R. Dugan Jr. Born in Peabody, Norma was a proud graduate of Peabody High School, Class of 1952. She dedicated
TO THE EDITOR: More context behind firefighter overtime needed
To the editor: A recent article highlighting the amount of overtime earned by firefighters understandably caught the public’s attention. What was largely missing from that discussion, however, was the context behind why that overtime exists in the first place. The fire department is currently operating amid significant staffing shortages.
OBITUARY: Jane Rupp Cooke, 95
Jane Rupp Cooke, 95, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Jan. 11 after a brief illness. Jane spent her younger years in Pennsylvania and her teenage years in Maine where her father taught Forestry and Conservation at the University of Maine. The great outdoors was her element. She worked
OBITUARY: Judith M. Doane, 92
Judith M. Doane, 92, a lifelong Marblehead resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Salem Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Mortimer Holden Doane and Elizabeth Mary Green Doane. For many years, Judy devoted her professional life to teaching. Beginning in preschool classrooms and continuing throughout
OBITUARY:H. Louise Parker, 93
H. Louise Parker, 93, a lifelong Marbleheader, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 16, at the Bertram House in Swampscott. She was the daughter of the late William E. Parker and Ellen L. (Toomey) Parker. Receiving much recognition during her lengthy career with the New England Telephone Company, Nynex and