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To the editor:
On June 9, our community faces an important decision. The override vote is not simply about numbers on a spreadsheet; it is about the people who provide the services that residents depend on every day.
Municipal employees are the ones who maintain our roads and public buildings, support our schools, assist residents, protect public health and safety and keep local government functioning. These employees are also taxpayers, neighbors, coaches, volunteers, members of the community and your best friend.
The reality is that if adequate funding is not approved, municipal workers will be among those who bear the consequences. Staff reductions and service cuts do not happen in a vacuum. When positions are eliminated, services decline, response times increase, projects are delayed and the burden falls on both residents and the remaining employees.
This is why the Marblehead Municipal Employee Union urges voters to support either Tier 2 or Tier 3. While there may be differing opinions on which option is best, both provide a pathway to preserve essential services, protect jobs and maintain the level of service that residents have come to expect.
This is not a question of employees versus taxpayers. Municipal employees are taxpayers. We all have a shared interest in maintaining a strong community and ensuring that our town continues to provide the services that make it a great place to live and work.
Every budget decision ultimately affects people. Behind every position is a family, and behind every service is a resident who depends on it. If we value the services our community relies upon, we must be willing to invest in the people who provide them.
On June 9, the Marblehead Municipal Employee Union respectfully asks residents to come together as one community and support Tier 2 or Tier 3. We are all on the same team, and by working together we can protect jobs, preserve services and continue moving our community forward.
Respectfully,
Lee DiFilippo
President, Marblehead Municipal Employee Union
