08.02.23 - Volume 1, Issue 34

School Committee meets in private again

BY LEIGH BLANDER

On Monday, the Marblehead School Committee met in another executive session, closed to the public, to discuss the early termination of Superintendent John Buckey, whose contract runs two more years.

The school district’s attorney Colby Brunt was there.

Committee member Brian Ota, who filed a discrimination complaint against Buckey, recused himself.

The School Committee’s efforts to move on from Buckey have sparked a heated debate in town, with hundreds of people tuning in for a July 26 Zoom meeting (that was adjourned after one minute) and dozens

more posting to social media and writing letters to the editor. (Read the letters beginning on page A7.)

Buckey and his attorney Mike Long say the School Committee has not given them any reason for Buckey’s potential dismissal. On June 6, the committee — which then still included now-former members Sarah

Gold and Tom Mathers — gave Buckey a “proficient” rating in his annual review. He has received that rating the last three years and was awarded a 2.5% raise last year. A previous School Committee extended his contract an extra two years in 2021.

“We have not been told the basis for this action,” Long

Sailors across ages and regions join historic Marblehead regatta

said about the committee’s efforts to oust Buckey. “It may be that experienced committee members have harbored ill will for COVID-related practice in the district. If this is the case, their rationale fails to consider the public health directives imposed by state

FEDERAL PANDEMIC F u NDs Board OKs $1.4M for rail trail

Another $1M to finance technology upgrades

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

The Marblehead Select Board approved investing $2.4 million in federal pandemic relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act into modernizing financial software, expanding the municipal fiber network and making accessibility upgrades along the Marblehead Rail Trail.

The board’s largest allotment, $1.43 million, will replace two aging pedestrian bridges over the Forest River near the Lead Mills Conservation Area to enhance accessibility and safety for all trail users.

BY WILLIAM J . DOWD

Generations of sailors have gathered in Marblehead Harbor for over a century, drawn back each summer to one of America’s longest consecutively-run regattas.

The 130th Marblehead Race Week tested veterans and newcomers alike as winds shifted over four days of racing from July 27-30. Hundreds of sailors, young and old, competed in 145 boats during the classic New England regatta hosted by the Boston, Eastern and Corinthian Yacht

Clubs. Some traveled from as far as California and Canada.

The fleets included sleek International One-Design sailboats, the classic Town sailboats with their large sails and the compact Rhodes 19 sailboats. Ten modern J/105 sailboats with their large jibs were also there, as well as Etchells sailboats and nearly 20 J/70 sailboats, popular for their speed and handling.

Racing commenced Thursday in a welcome 12-16 knots of wind — a lively, if challenging breeze for smaller boats sailing the course. But

Mark Luckes, a 25-year sailing veteran from Marblehead, said lighter winds require just as much skill to harness.

“When the breeze disappears, it’s frustrating but you really have to keep your patience and adjust,” said Luckes, who skippered Menace, an Etchells. “You have to drive the boat fast, even in very light air.”

True to New England’s moody coastal weather, winds diminished over subsequent days before thunderstorms forced organizers to

Town Planner Becky Cutting explained during the July 26 Select Board meeting that the current bridge decks “contain metal gratings and lips that can cause bikes to crash and make the crossings difficult to navigate for those using wheelchairs, strollers or mobility devices.”

Cutting emphasized rebuilding the bridges will be “vital to ensure accessibility and enhance the trail experience for all users.”

The project will remove tripping hazards by installing new flat bridge decks made of wood that integrate better with the surrounding nature area. Wider spans, railings and graded approaches will also improve safety and navigation. Linking existing portions of the Marblehead and Salem rail trails was another driving factor highlighted.

“It would not only link the Salem trail

Summer roadwork, construction hard to avoid

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP sounding off from construction trucks backing up. Tires rolling over steel plates, milled and torn-up roads. Pipes stretching across sidewalks and roads. The smell of heat radiating from freshly laid asphalt.

Marblehead has witnessed a flurry of construction and roadwork this summer, with local drivers and commuters dodging orange cones and navigating a maze of streetclosure detours.

Between 2020 and June 2023, there have been about 38 construction and road projects, according to Marblehead Public Works Director and Water and Sewer Superintendent Amy McHugh.

McHugh told the Marblehead Current that the work may seem

never-ending to frustrated residents and businesses,

but she stressed that more often than not, methodical coordination and decisionmaking underlie each project. McHugh collaborates with utility companies and town departments — National Grid, Comcast, Verizon, Marblehead Municipal Light Department, Water and Sewer Department and Marblehead Department of Public Works — to upgrade aging infrastructure.

“When you want a street paved, expect four years of inconvenience,” she said. “There’s so much old infrastructure; we can’t just pave everywhere immediately.”

Much of Marblehead’s

NEWSROOM

Community Editor - Will Dowd  wdowd@marbleheadnews.org

Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org

- Leigh

Boost your Interview IQ with Eric Cole

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Eric Cole, owner of Interview IQ, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about Cole’s unique blend of career search and interview skills coaching, go to interviewiq.com.

Tell us about Interview IQ and why you started it. Let’s face it, finding a job today can be confusing and overwhelming!

Nearly 50% of college graduates say they don’t even know where to begin their search. That is why we started Interview IQ to offer a unique blend of career search and interview skills coaching. The inspiration for Interview IQ came from my 30 years as a hiring manager and coach. I have interviewed and hired over 1,000 candidates and know what it takes to find the right job and have a successful interview.

What I’ve learned is simple. First impressions are key. Most recruiters say they only need 90 seconds to make a hiring decision and since most candidates go through multiple interviews before receiving an offer, strong interview skills are a necessity!

My belief is that interviewing is a skill that can be learned, but it must be practiced. At

Interview IQ, we’ll teach you how to tell “your story” in a confident and compelling way. We use mock interviews to enhance soft skills, improve behavior-based answers and reduce anxiety. Practice improves all of these. Contact us today to see if Interview IQ is what you have been searching for.

Here’s what we do.

Self-assessment: Our self-assessment services include a review and analysis by our career coaches and follow-up sessions with

you to discuss an action plan.

Career assessment: Find the job that is right for you. Develop your personal brand: Review and refine your resume, LinkedIn profile, social media and networking skills.

Interview prep: Learn to tell “your story.”

Interview practice: Refine and practice your skills through mock interviews and feedback from our coaches.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Don’t wing it! Unless you have the luxury to wander, have a plan and a destination. One of my favorite quotes is by Yogi Berra. “If you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.”

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? Marblehead Harbor. There is something restorative about being on the water!

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? In my spare time I manage my son’s rap/rock band. The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is dedicated to the promotion of Marblehead. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.

CONTRIBUTORS

Thomson - Secretary

Richard Weed - Treasurer

EDITORIAL BOARD

Ed Bell

Virginia Buckingham

Kris Olson

Will Dowd

Robert Peck

Joseph P. Kahn

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Marion Warner Greely

FOUNDERS

Jessica Barnett

Ed Bell

Leigh Blander  Will Dowd

David Moran

Kris Olson

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Marblehead News

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Marblehead Current is published every Wednesday by Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is mailed to all homes and businesses in Marblehead, MA 01945.

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off?’”

BY CLAIRE TIPS

“We’ve had a great first year,” Rich Jordan told the Current on a recent summer afternoon about his public launch

service, Jordan’s Launch. Stationed at the State Street Landing since last summer, Jordan’s Launch is available to anyone who needs a harbor ride.

“We started [Jordan’s

Protection Bylaw This hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker ’s March 12, 2020 Order Superseding Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30A, section 18 and the Governor ’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by emailing: engineers@ marblehead.org. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Instructions to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the hearing. The link to the agenda is: https://www.marblehead.org/node/285/ agenda/2023

Brian LeClair Chairman Marblehead Conservation Commission

Launch] because, out here, there was limited public access,” said Jordan. He explained that people who aren’t members of a yacht club can take his launch, as well as boaters visiting from out of town who need to get to rented moorings. The cost is $10.

Those who have no particular destination but are simply looking for a harbor cruise can also use Jordan’s Launch. Jordan shared his favorite harbor cruise story about a retired man, roughly 90 years old, who had never seen Marblehead from the water before

but was finally able to do so with Jordan’s Launch.

“We just checked out the boats,” said Jordan. “We were out for about 20 minutes, nice summer night, and we got in and he asked ‘Do I have to get

Finn, named after Jordan’s 8-year-old black lab, is the only boat that is currently operating out of Jordan’s Launch. The single boat works pick-ups and drop-offs anywhere in Marblehead Harbor. A second boat is being built and will be named Huck, after Jordan’s 2-year-old black lab.

“If I want to expand I have to get some more dogs,” Jordan joked.

Jordan’s labs aren’t the only members of his family involved in the launch service. Jordan’s daughter, Sarah, is in charge of hiring, scheduling and more.

As for the future of Jordan’s Launch, Jordan hopes to leave a lasting impact on the town of Marblehead so that everyone is able to enjoy the harbor. “We don’t know where we’ll end up,” he said. “But we’re here for the long run.”

Jordan’s Launch is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. on the weekends, rain or shine.

Help us deliver sustainable local journalism. Please consider supporting the Marblehead Current by making a tax-deductible donation at marbleheadcurrent.org/donate. For stock transfer donations, please contact: Kathryn Whorf at kwhorf@marbleheadnews.org.

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Advertising is available on our website and in our weekly printed newspaper. To learn more, contact our Director of Community Relations, Marion Warner Greely, at mgreely@ marbleheadnews.org, or visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/ads.

VOLUNTEER Join us. We invite you to help support our effort to establish and maintain a free press for a strong community. To get involved, visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/volunteer.

REACT

We’re standing by to listen to your ideas. Please drop us a line and let us know what you would like to see in your community newspaper. Send your thoughts to info@marbleheadnews.org.

Eric Cole runs Interview IQ in Marblehead.

CuZNER IN NAtu RE

Creating a ‘bird studio’

BY RICK CUZNER

A few years back, I planted a small flower bed in my backyard with flowers such as bee balm,

which are great hummingbird attractants. Having a garden does two things. First, it attracts the hummingbirds. Second, it allows me to have my camera set

up on a tripod, ready to capture images in a small defined area. This creates a “bird studio” of sorts. Once the hummingbirds arrive, typically around late May or early June, I often see a steady presence. This same method works well for photographing other bird species as well.

The ruby-throated hummingbird, the only hummingbird that nests in the eastern United States, is

a remarkable creature with an astounding metabolism. It consumes more than its own weight in insects and nectar daily due to its rapid energy expenditure. When faced with unfavorable conditions where food is scarce, these hummingbirds can enter a state known as torpor.

This state, akin to mammalian hibernation, results in a drastic reduction in their metabolism, making an entranced hummingbird

nearly impossible to rouse. Mass Audubon notes when in flight, the ruby-throated hummingbird’s wings produce a distinct ringing or buzzing noise as they beat around 53 times per second.

The Marblehead Current is proud to collaborate with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 15 years, he has captured thousands of nature photographs of the wildlife in Marblehead.

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IN THESUMMER, FOODINSECURITYHEATSUP

Summer is aslow time for Marblehead Food Pantry donations, but the need in our community never wanes. Can you donate any of the following to help your neighbors?

pasta flour and sugar

white rice

evaporated milk

pasta sauce

dish liquid

canned chicken

canned tuna

peanut butter

cooking oil

beef stew

ketchup

TO DONATE: Visit the Masonic Lodge (62 Pleasant St) on Tuesdays from 9:00am to 11:00am. Turn into the driveway to the right of the building and look for asign near the walkway. You will be greeted inside by apantry volunteer. Call 781-631-5335 to make alternate drop-off arrangements. Other non-perishable items welcome!

Residents of Marblehead are invited to use the Pantry once perweek, Tuesdays (9am-12pm)or Thursdays (5pm-7pm).The MarbleheadFood Pantry is located in the Starofthe Sea Parish Center (80 Atlantic Avenue). From the parking lot in front of the Center, the Pantry is the last door on left. Please bring abill or other correspondence mailed to you within the past three months.

This message is brought to you by:

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Hummingbird photos by Rick Cuzner

infrastructure under streets dates back generations. Castiron gas and water mains from the 1920s remain in service, as do clay sewer pipes from the 1890s and drainage lines from the post-WWI era.

“All of the work has to happen separately because we are all in the same underground footprint. Everybody needs space — so they have to go one at a time,”

McHugh said. “Each utility needs its own specialized equipment and space to work.”

That is why McHugh’s crews and the utility companies can’t pursue multiple projects on the same street at the same time. The work must happen in a sequence. In New England, infrastructure projects are also mostly restricted to summer months. Gas line work is the only exception that sometimes continues through winter.

“We have a pavement assessment that shows roads rated in different colors so we knew where they were,” explained McHugh. “Before we begin paving, we look at gas, water and sewer and other utility needs.”

The water distribution system under the Water and Sewer Commission’s oversight includes more than 83 miles of water mains, a storage tank, over 845 hydrants, two booster pumping stations and a billing system for over 8,000 customers.

The commission also oversees the wastewater collection system, which encompasses 28 lift stations and more than 100 miles of pipe, directing wastewater to the South Essex Sewerage District for treatment.

McHugh noted that they spent $1.2 million of the $12.5 million earmarked for sidewalk and pavement repairs and upgrades in a $25 million debt exclusion that voters approved in 2021.

“I won’t pave until the infrastructure is upgraded,” she stated.

unearthing old trolley tracks. With that complete, water mains were replaced to improve fire flows. Concurrently, aging stormwater drainage is being upgraded.

McHugh believes the finished product will justify intermediate frustrations, confident the infrastructure overhaul will benefit the neighborhood for decades.

McHugh asks for patience as construction continues.

Ellen Berry lives on what one might call this season’s construction epicenter: Where Bessom Street and Pleasant Street meet.

“I understand that they are trying to get all this work done,” Berry told the Marblehead Current. “We actually live in a town where they are proactive about all this.”

Many residents and businesses have voiced complaints at Select Board meetings and in emails to McHugh about the constant construction noise, roads closed without notice and confusing detours on their daily commutes. Some downtown businesses have also attributed a dip in customers to construction.

really like to know not just how long and when these projects begin and end but also what each project is for.”

Many residents and businesses have voiced complaints at Select Board meetings and in emails to McHugh about the constant construction noise, roads closed without notice and confusing detours on their daily commutes. Some downtown businesses have also attributed a dip in customers to construction.

construction every summer hurts small businesses like hers that depend on bumps from summertime tourism.

McHugh pointed out that several modes of communication exist: public meetings before utility shutoffs, regular email updates and online notices.

When it comes to construction, it’s best not to have exceptions on substantial completion.

four or five years,” she said.

McHugh stressed that shortterm headaches caused by street construction will give way to gains like improved water flow, drainage, traffic flow and safety once aging systems are upgraded.

“Staying focused on the longterm vision gets me through the short-term challenges,” she said. “Plus, it’s necessary work that needs to be done.”

At Village Pharmacy on Pleasant Street, pharmacist Sabino Russo said that while construction affects business, his loyal customer base and delivery service help offset challenges.

Maria Torres, owner of Maria’s Gourmet on Bessom Street, said construction deters customers from patronizing her shop.

“Construction is unpredictable,” she acknowledged. “Managing expectations around timelines and delays remain challenging.”

“We can get around that whole construction situation,” he said. He advised patience, agreeing upgrades will benefit Marblehead long-term.

The Pleasant Street and Bessom Street project demonstrates lengthy utility coordination before repaving. Slated for repairs years ago, gas line upgrades happened first,

While Berry acknowledges and appreciates the town’s proactive efforts, she, like many others, asks for clearer communication about the ongoing projects.

“The sticking point is communication,” Berry said. “I’d

“People avoid coming into this area,” she said. “They know it’s going to take 15 extra minutes.”

While acknowledging infrastructure improvements help, Torres emphasized

While residents want repaving, McHugh stresses methodical planning.

“The worst thing we can do is spend paving money on a street someone else is gonna dig up in

“There is very little wiggle room to get the construction done, based on weather, based on the school season,” he said. “We all have to have a little patience.” to ours, and make it accessible, it would also be the prototype for the width of the new trail and how it would look,” Cutting said.

The Lead Mills Conservation Area bridges will be reconstructed with stabilized surfacing at a consistent 11-foot width meeting regulations for accessible shared-use paths.

Marblehead and Salem jointly acquired the Lead Mills open space in 2014 for conservation and recreation purposes. The site once housed lead mills that produced 6,000 tons annually for products from paint to bullets.

After a 1968 fire, the property sat vacant for decades before the two communities collaborated

to repurpose the scenic waterfront area. Upgrading the connecting trails fulfills the vision to maximize public access and enjoyment of the preserved lands.

Software upgrades

The second approved expenditure, totaling $463,803, will replace Marblehead’s outdated

financial management software with a new cloudbased enterprise platform.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said the existing software they are using is outdated, inadequate and no longer supported by the company that owns it. They plan to replace it with an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, a cloud-based platform that will manage all financial applications.

“This is a game changer,” said Kezer. “You’re solving so many problems we deal with daily by moving in this direction.”

The new system will include capabilities like accounting, budgeting, payroll, human resources management and more. The total cost for the migration to the new

system is $463,803 as a one-time cost, and the annual ongoing cost would be over $200,000 for the town and $200,000 for the schools.

According to Finance Director Aleesha Nunley-Benjamin, this will eliminate reliance on syncing disjointed databases.

“Right now it’s very disjointed using multiple systems we don’t need,” said Nunley-Benjamin. “This new platform will streamline everything into efficient and transparent processes.”

Kezer highlighted benefits including advanced analytics, automation, remote access and resident convenience like online tax payments.

The $463,803 will cover all data migration and implementation costs for

the software overhaul.

Fiber-optic connections

Rounding out the allocations is $500,000 to replace and upgrade Marblehead’s municipal fiber optic connections.

Kezer explained the current “daisy chain” layout has no redundancy, meaning any disruption knocks facilities offline.

“Simply moving a box could potentially knock our dispatch center offline,” Kezer said. “It highlights how precarious the system is.”

The funding will

establish a high-capacity looped fiber network connecting all municipal buildings, schools, utilities and major intersections.

According to Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, the enhanced connectivity will expand critical broadband capabilities

across Marblehead’s public infrastructure.

“I give this my highest recommendation based on public safety priorities,” stated Gilliland.

Kezer credited the seven-person ARPA Working Group for extensively evaluating proposals based on carefully designed criteria. Public input also directly shaped the final projects put forward.

The federal government bars the town from spending ARPA funds on filling regular deficits, hiring new staff or addons to existing programs unless those new programs, add-ons or staffers only exist for the life of the ARPA money — which is three years.

While not all proposed uses received funding, Kezer said the process ensured resources were strategically maximized.

Other expenditures have run the gamut from $200,000 for mental health treatment and support to $27,313 for updating classroom equipment in local schools. Marblehead had $6.1 million in total ARPA funds, with $2.7 million already allocated.

With this latest $2.4 million approval, approximately $968,000 remains available for additional projects until 2026.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead and Salem jointly acquired the Lead Mills open space

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Protracted Gallo hearing costing

over $5K per month

Attorneys for town, officer ask for another delay

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

The attorneys for the town and for Police Officer Christopher Gallo are both asking for another extension to submit closing briefs in the officer’s disciplinary hearing. The first extension expired on July 31.

“I have told both attorneys that this is the last extension,” Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Current.

“I have asked them to inform me of how much time they need before I set a date.” Kezer said the attorneys need more time to “transcribe all of the audio recordings.”

The delay prolongs

Gallo’s paid administrative leave, which has cost Marblehead taxpayers approximately $214,800 to $220,000 since June 2021.The factfinding public hearing concluded in May with Police Chief Dennis King recommending Gallo be

fired. Kezer then asked the town’s and Gallo’s attorneys to submit closing briefs by June 30. However, Kezer, as the hearing officer, extended that deadline after counsel for both sides requested more time.

Kezer said he would use the attorneys’ briefs to determine his own recommendation for disciplinary action (or lack thereof) to the Select Board. The town administrator said he would need 30 days once he receives the attorneys’ briefs to draft his recommendation and estimated that would mean the board would decide Gallo’s fate in September.

In the meantime, the prolonged process is costing taxpayers approximately $5,400 per month in salary while Gallo remains on paid administrative leave.

Gallo is accused of spending more than 100 hours at home while on duty

over a four-month period and of violating police policies involving a domestic disturbance at his home.

In 2021, an anonymous citizen provided photos to the state’s Office of Inspector General, showing Gallo’s police cruiser parked outside his home during his shifts that started at midnight. Gallo admitted to spending some time at home but claimed that the photos were fabricated by former police officer Tim Tufts. Tufts resigned after Gallo reported him for allegedly carving a swastika into a fellow officer’s car.

The other subject of the pending disciplinary complaint is a domestic disturbance at Gallo’s home in July 2021. Gallo’s then-girlfriend claimed he was abusing her, her children and her dog. Although Gallo was never charged, King launched an investigation due to the involvement of alcohol and children at

the scene. Gallo argued that it was impossible to stop his girlfriend from drinking.

In his May testimony, King determined that Gallo’s actions constituted “conduct unbecoming an officer” and accused him of dereliction of duty, falsifying records and violating various policies. According to required information submitted to the state’s Peace Officer Standards and

Training Commission, Gallo had amassed 11 “sustained” disciplinary complaints, by far the most among Marblehead officers, which had led to multiple suspensions and reprimands during his career of more than 22 years.

Following the public hearing in May, Gallo expressed his desire to clear his name, stating that living in town with the accusations hanging

over him had been challenging. He mentioned he was working in another profession, operating heavy machinery, which he enjoyed and for which he was well compensated. However, he felt he was too young to retire as a police officer.

The Marblehead Current’s associate editor, Leigh Blander, and consulting editor, Kris Olson, contributed reporting.

health and education officials on Marblehead and every other district in Massachusetts. Blaming Dr. Buckey for COVID is convenient, but not fair or rational.”

Long added, “Perhaps some members are angry about the failed override and the program cuts, particularly freshman athletics, which followed. In his position as superintendent, Dr. Buckey’s duty is to make policy and programmatic recommendations to the committee. As to newer members, in service on the committee for only a few weeks, and in the absence of publicly stating their concerns, Dr. Buckey and the community may never know their true motivations.”

What’s the reason?

Fox has repeatedly declined to answer questions about what the committee is discussing or why they may want to replace Buckey.

According to Buckey’s contract, the School Committee can let him go without cause with 100 days’ notice and a $94,000 payment. It can also fire him for cause, but must allow him to appeal in a hearing.

Long continued: “He has had no opportunity to defend himself against unstated reasons for this proposed action, despite a clear history of proficient performance evaluations by several School Committees over several years. This action will apparently occur without a public hearing on ‘charges,’ without meaningful and issue-specific input from the community and without an opportunity for Dr. Buckey to defend himself and his professional reputation.”

Some speculate that the School Committee may blame Buckey for the handling of a bullying investigation involving a Marblehead High School coach who was asked not to return this fall. Buckey’s attorney insists the superintendent handled the case correctly.

Long explained that Buckey met with a student, her family, then-principal Dan Bauer and Athletic Director Greg Ceglarski last August about the student’s claim she wasn’t getting enough playing time. The word “bullying” was never

used, according to Long. Buckey didn’t hear anything more about the situation, until the family filed an official complaint under the state’s anti-bullying law two months later.

“So, as to what Dr. Buckey knew and when he knew it, he became aware of a ‘bullying’ complaint at the end of October 2022,” Long said. “As Marblehead’s policies dictate, the investigation was initiated by the student services director, Paula Donnelly. For reasons of ensuring the integrity of the investigation, Dr. Buckey did not contact the investigator, nor was he instructed by Marblehead’s counsel to do so. In fact, it would have been inappropriate for him to do so, as Marblehead’s policies, the law and good sense do not permit him to thumb the scales of an investigation one way or another.”

Balloon investigation

On July 26, police responded to a report of a balloon tied to the residence of a School Committee member the night of the public meeting that was adjourned as soon as it started “on advice of counsel,” according to Fox.

“The balloon had markings resembling two eyes and a mustache, and no writing,” according to a statement issued by Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King. “This incident coincided with the day a School Committee meeting was being held, which people had strong feelings about. Some people have inferred the residence was targeted as a result of the meeting. We have nothing at this time to confirm or deny that.”

Messages to the School Committee member involved were not returned.

Reaction pours in Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Tom Scott told the Current, “Marblehead has got to get their act together. This will be your seventh superintendent in the past 15 years. That includes permanent and interim superintendents. That’s not good for a long-term plan for a district.”

Scott continued, “John came [to Marblehead] during COVID and got the district through a very difficult period. He has generally good performance evaluations, then the School Committee turns over, and all

of a sudden he’s gone. There’s something wrong with that look.”

The Current reached out to several town leaders, past and present, as well as students and teachers, who have worked with Buckey. David Harris, former School Committee member, said Buckey’s potential termination is “very sad and very disappointing at the same time.”

Harris was on the School Committee that hired Buckey. Current chair Sarah Fox and member Jennifer Schaeffner (who was elected back to the committee last month) were co-chairs of the search committee, he said.

“It’s been about a month since Brian Ota and Jenn Schaeffner were elected to the committee, and now we’re at this point. We’ll be without a superintendent, we have a new assistant superintendent who just came on board, and we just had turnover in the high school,” Harris said, referring to Bauer leaving last month to become Danvers’ new superintendent.

Yasen Colón, who just graduated as valedictorian from Marblehead High, offered this response:

“Considering the new committee makeup, I can’t say I’m really surprised. I know many students and faculty members have been upset with several of his recent decisions, and so I understand the desire for a change in leadership.”

Colón did not elaborate on what those decisions were.

Jonathan Heller has taught in Marblehead for 18 years, has kids in the schools here and is co-chair of the local teachers union.

“My concern is for the children of Marblehead and the educators of Marblehead,” he said about the vote to possibly terminate Buckey’s contract.

“We are in a perpetual cycle where we keep turning over our

CONTROVERSY TIMELINE

` JULY 2020 Buckey hired School Committee hires Dr. John Buckey as superintendent, following Maryann Perry and interim Bill McAlduff.

`

JULY 2021 Contract extended School Committee gives Buckey a “proficient” rating on his performance review and extends his contract for another two years, until 2025. The vote is 4-1 with Sarah Fox dissenting. (Fox is now the committee chair.)

`

JUNE 2022

Buckey receives raise School Committee approves 2.5% raise for Buckey following a “proficient” performance review rating. Vote is 4-1, with Fox the lone dissenter.

` SPRING / SUMMER 2022

Ota leaves Glover Brian Ota’s contract as Glover School principal is not renewed.

` SUMMER 2022

Ota files discrimination complaint Ota files a complaint against Buckey with Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

`

JUNE 6, 2023

Buckey rated “proficient” School Committee votes 5-0 to give Buckey a “proficient” rating on his performance review.

`

JUNE 20, 2023

Ota and Schaeffner elected Ota and Jenn Schaeffner are elected to the School Committee.

` JUNE 22, 2023

Ota files possible conflict of interest report Ota files “possible appearance of conflict of interest” report with town clerk immediately after being sworn in.

` JUNE 29, 2023

School Committee meeting New School Committee meets for the first time.

top administration, and it makes it very difficult for educators to support the new initiatives and programs brought into our district.” Heller continued, “In my interactions with John Buckey as a teacher and [union] co-president, we’ve had a positive relationship. He’s been responsive. He always worked to come to a positive resolution. He was growing into his role of superintendent. He came in at the start of COVID. That’s tough. This is a rallying cry for our community to come together to support our education system. It just feels like we’re starting all over again.”

Jackie Belf-Becker served 18 years on the Select Board before losing her seat in June, and also served on the School Committee in the late 1980s through early 1990s. She is distraught about the possible termination vote.

“It bothers me that this move by the School Committee will make a very unstable situation worse,” Belf-Becker

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JULY 21, 2023

First executive session

The School Committee holds an executive session with the district’s attorney to discuss Buckey’s contract. Ota recuses himself, after checking with the state Ethics Commission.

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JULY 24, 2023

Public meeting scheduled

The School Committee scheduled a Zoom meeting for Wednesday evening, July 26, with the agenda item “Superintendent Contract – Early Termination Clause.”

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JULY 26, 2023

One-minute meeting

After less than one minute, the School Committee adjourns a virtual meeting with more than 235 people tuned in to discuss Buckey’s early termination, citing advice of counsel.

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JULY 26, 2023

Police respond to report of balloon Police respond to a report of a balloon (with eyes and a mustache drawn on it) tied to the residence of a School Committee member. Police Chief King says the incident is not necessarily related to the recent events.

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JULY 27, 2023 Cresta announced as superintendent designee School Committee Chair Sarah Fox sends an email to district directors stating that Assistant Superintendent of Finance Michelle Cresta has been named the superintendent designee.

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JULY 31, 2023

Second executive session held The School Committee held another executive session (closed to the public) to discuss Buckey’s contract. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the meeting was adjourned to executive session about a minute later, with Ota again recusing himself.

told the Current. “Marblehead is going through financial troubles, and I fear that firing the superintendent will deter qualified candidates from applying for the position. I also fear that this turmoil will adversely affect our property values and any future override needs.”

Belf-Becker referenced another superintendent who left the district.

“Let’s not forget that we had a situation when Superintendent Greg Maass chose to resign after continuous harassment by a small group,” Belf-Becker said. “We also had our next superintendent who had to resign because of the illegal manipulation of school funds and who was supported by a current committee member. The current superintendent should be allowed to finish out his contract in order to continue to stabilize the program.”

This remains a developing story. For updates, visit MarbleheadCurrent.org.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

The protracted disciplinary process involving Officer Christopher Gallo costs Marblehead taxpayers approximately $5,400 monthly.

Superintendent John Buckey is shown outside the Brown School on the first day of school in 2022.

EDItORIAL

Sunlight and the superintendent

Let’s start at the beginning. Does the Marblehead School Committee have a right to end the tenure of our town’s school superintendent, John Buckey, two years early?

Yes, when a previous board voted in July 2021 to extend what initially had been a three-year contract until 2025, it negotiated the right to terminate the contract by giving Buckey 100 days’ notice and a payment of $94,350.

But — as a matter of good governance rather than legality — should the board exercise that right without engaging the community in a conversation as to whether that is the right decision, all things — including the cost to the town — considered? That’s where the board loses us.

Yes, the state’s open meeting law, G.L.c. 30A, §21, allows a board like the School Committee to go behind closed doors for “strategy sessions” in preparation for contract negotiations or to not compromise its bargaining or litigating position.

But details about what is being offered to whom are not what residents have rightfully been clamoring for.

No, they are seeking answers to a more fundamental question: Why do these negotiations need to be happening at all? On that front, the School Committee has been silent, leaving residents to guess as to what changed so drastically in a matter of weeks after the previous board voted unanimously to rate the superintendent’s performance as “proficient.”

We know one thing that changed — the composition of the board. But should not the new board defer to its predecessors’ determination, at least until it builds up more firsthand experience supervising the superintendent? As at least one of our letter writers has noted, there is clear incongruity between our Select Board wanting to take a deep breath before reappointing a whole host of volunteers — all the way down to shellfish constables — and our new School Committee members walking into the job and thinking they part ways with the superintendent on “day one.”

If those new members campaigned on the idea “a vote for me is a vote for firing the superintendent,” we must have missed it. If instead we are right and they kept coy on that subject until they obtained the power to let him go, it is a pretty strong acknowledgement that the voters did anything but give them a mandate to make such a consequential decision. Indeed, the public input forced upon the board members through our letters pages and elsewhere makes that all the more clear.

Ultimately, the School Committee does not have to listen to the voices that have filled our letters pages, which have predominantly urged the board to stay the course with Buckey (though, to our ears, those voices seem well worth listening to, given the writers’ experience on the school and other town boards, in classrooms or simply as parents). But it does have an obligation to explain why they have chosen to take the town down a different path. Thus far, it has utterly failed to meet that obligation.

Absent any information coming from the School Committee, we’re left to guess what “the problem” is with John Buckey.

Buckey’s attorney Mike Long told the Current he and his client have been left in the dark, too. Long floated theories. Maybe this stems from “ill will for COVIDrelated practice in the district” or the failed override, and the program cuts that ensued. Other ideas floating around in the ether center on Buckey’s failed attempts to add a diversity, equity and inclusion director and a communications director, or declining enrollment numbers and substandard scores on at least some tests.

But, as Long says, “In the absence of publicly stating their concerns, Dr. Buckey and the community may never know their true motivations.”

If any of these guesses are, in fact, what is animating the School Committee’s apparent decision to move on from Buckey, they have an absolute obligation to say so — and before any decision is made. Others may be able to bring additional information to the table that rounds out the picture. The board might hear that, actually, the town does think that hiring a DEI coordinator is a worthy expense, especially as noxious antisemitic graffiti has had to be removed from the very buildings the School Committee oversees, for example.

One can only surmise that the School Committee has no interest in having that conversation or receiving that feedback. That’s a shame, plain and simple.

By the time you are reading this, the School Committee may have “finished the deed.” John Buckey may have been given a big bag of tax dollars and sent on his way. (As former School Committee member Tom Mathers noted in a letter to the editor, it may far exceed the $94,350 in his contract, given the need for the town to buy its way out of any potential legal claims Buckey may have.)

The question will become how best to move forward. To be sure, there will be work to be done — made harder now — to convince talented school administrators that Marblehead is a good place to work. But there is also a need for the School Committee to acknowledge its duty to welcome the community into its decision making.

The School Committee has seemingly chosen a new path for the district. Next on its agenda should be a new approach to the way it does business, one that prioritizes transparency and inclusion — not just in word, but in deed.

EVERY tHINg WILL BE OKAY

Still paying it forward

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

The book, “Pay It Forward,” by Catherine Ryan Hyde was first published in 1999. That was before the viral promotion offered by Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, yet that one book and later a movie sparked a worldwide movement based on a simple premise. Instead of repaying a good deed to those who did you the kindness, “pay it forward” by performing good deeds for others. By doing so, Hyde posited, you can change the world.

I think I saw the movie but I don’t remember reading the book so I recently picked up the 15th anniversary edition published in 2014. Hyde noted in a new introduction how extraordinary it was, given the publishing world’s fickleness, that a market would still exist for one novel out of hundreds of millions that many years after publication. The novel’s central idea had staying power because it was so powerful. While the story she wrote is fiction, its roots are based on her own life experience.

Hyde was living in California, driving a beat-up Datsun. She was heading home through the rundown neighborhood she lived near when she saw smoke starting to come out of one of the vents. This was before cell phones and Hyde noted were it not for the smoke, she’d have stayed locked in her car, hoping help would come. Instead, she got out and saw two male figures barreling towards her. Her fear turned to astonishment when they moved past her, and one popped the car’s hood open from the inside and the other used a blanket and his bare hands to put out the engine fire. By the time the fire department arrived, the fire was out and the two men were gone and Hyde had no way to thank them. They not only saved her car and possibly her life, they transformed it.

After that, Hyde found herself keeping an eye on the side of the road and if she saw someone broken down, she always stopped and helped. She had never done that before. A wannabe writer, Hyde used the experience to form the storyline in which a young boy takes a school assignment to make the world a better

place and puts a positive twist on a pyramid scheme — doing good deeds for three people and only asking they “pay it forward” by doing good deeds for three more people and so on.

It’s not unusual to see social media posts about the pay it forward phenomenon today. Sometimes, it’s a report of a tab being picked up by a stranger at a restaurant; more typically it’s someone paying for the coffee of the driver behind them in line, which the recipient promises to pay forward by doing the same. They are small acts of kindness in a world that needs more of them.

So, I was a little taken aback when I saw a post on Facebook dissing that small generosity and proposing that instead of paying for someone’s coffee in the Starbucks line, when that person can clearly afford to buy their own, to help someone in need.

I think the post missed the point of paying it forward.

As Hyde notes, “My idea was to add a new twist, a way of encouraging kindness to catch on… there’s the exponential math — you do something nice for three people, and they do something nice for three more people. Each.”

She means something different than performing individual acts of charity, though the positive impact of personal philanthropy is obvious.

Hyde was banking on the innate generosity of the human spirit. That being on the receiving end of an act of kindness, however small, is so meaningful that it would act as a key to unlock a genuine desire to give the same feeling to someone else. And so on.

“We know it will make things better, not worse, so what more do we need to start?” Hyde asks.

If I can’t get Barbenheimer tickets this weekend, I think I’ll search on demand and re-watch the movie inspired by Hyde’s experience and book. And if I’m ever in the drive-through line and get a nice surprise when I pull up to pay, I promise to pay it forward, threefold. It makes things better not worse and that’s a pretty good place to start.

Virginia Buckingham is the president of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors. Her column appears weekly.

Maintaining Marblehead’s trails

BY ROBERT FRENCH

Perhaps surprisingly, Marbleheadowned natural open spaces include five miles of trails for public use. Whether walkers are looking for a quiet retreat from busy neighborhoods, exercising or following new forest and field growth, the paths chosen never close. Keeping them open and usable throughout each year is a job assumed by volunteers of the Marblehead Conservancy.

Trails need attention. A passing storm may take down trees or branches, dropping them onto the paths. Such blockages must be removed and the area cleared for safe passage.

Depending on the surface and slope, rain and melting snow can erode muddy trail surfaces. To fix this, trail crew volunteers dig drainage ditches and create water barriers to take water off the trails. But it is regular usage in any weather and through all seasons that causes the greatest need for repair work.

Walking wears a trail surface, exposing rocks and tree roots and making them possible tripping hazards and often injuring the roots. Experience has shown that covering the trails with wood chips helps protect tree roots and reduces the chance of tripping.

Thankfully, the Health Department makes wood chips available at the transfer station, and the Recreation and Parks Department assists in moving large quantities of them to drop-off points near the trails.

Marblehead’s open space is your open space. To find an open space near you, visit the Marblehead Conservancy website at marbleheadconservancy.org or scan this QR code to take you directly there.

Moving the chips from these drop sites to worn trails is done manually by volunteers as trails are too narrow for vehicles.

Trail servicing, then, requires a good deal of work and is carried out through the year. Conservancy trail crews are the primary source of labor with assistance, on occasion, from Scouts and students. As a wonderful example, the Marblehead High School cross country teams, which use the trails for practice,

provided the largest single effort in 2022 to re-chip trails in Wyman Woods.

In addition to resurfacing worn trails, trail crews also trim trails of overgrowth. Often, alien invasive plants, like bittersweet and multiflora rose, try to overrun a trail, so removing invasives and replacing them with native plants is also an important task of Conservancy trail crews.

Some trail servicing work can be planned, some cannot. Sometimes, things “just happen”. Although Conservancy volunteers walk the trails frequently, reports of situations or areas that need attention often come from visitors. People can visit marbleheadconservacy.org to email the trail crew.

Robert French is the president of the Marblehead Conservancy.

Dick Marcy, a Conservancy Trail crew volunteer, clears a fallen tree from the boardwalk at Hawthorn Pond.

Editor’s note: Unfortunately, we did not have enough space to print all the letters we received related to the status of School Superintendent John Buckey. We also continued to receive additional letters after our submission deadline for print publication (Friday at noon) passed. To see all the letters, please see marbleheadcurrent. org/lettercollection.

Many of these letters were written as public comments to be read at the July 26 School Committee meeting, which was adjourned after one minute.

Marblehead’s Zoom gavel

To the editor:

It is hard to conceive of a more transparently vengeful and cowardly action than the Marblehead School Committee’s pending invocation of an “early termination clause” in the contract of School Superintendent John Buckey. Should the School Committee approve this at its extraordinary “virtual” Zoom-only meeting July 26, not only will its own reputation be discredited but our proud town will take its place alongside some of the more reactionary bastions of idiocy in the American polity.

The members – co-chairs Sarah Fox and Jennifer Schaeffner, Brian Ota, Alison Taylor and Meagan Taylor, will meet like a secret society in their own homes, and look at each other’s pictures on Zoom. Never mind that last Friday’s meeting was held in executive session, freezing out the public from witnessing grim deliberations that led to the calling of the July 26 session. Never mind new board member Brian Ota’s sudden aperçu, aided by the State Ethics Commissioner’s reminder that voting on the removal of a superintendent against whom one is pursuing a lawsuit, is illegal. (Reminder to self, Mr Ota: don’t vote.)

In fact our Commonwealth has given members of this School Committee a giant fig leaf to hide behind every time they are to conduct an even slightly controversial discussion. Under Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, members now have every right to hide from their electors in the friendly byways of Zoom until March 31, 2025. No public meetings at all, if they so wish. One suspects they will milk this hall pass for all that it is worth.

Board members should look urgently to the advice that is flooding in from other parts of the Commonwealth, most notably from Tom Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. In case they missed his remarks reported elsewhere in the Marblehead Current, Scott laid it out for those whose own case of petty-mindedness blinds them to the consequences for our cash- and reputation-strapped town’s education system in the long term.

Marblehead has got to get their act together, said Scott. Despite mixed tenses which would be spotted by a middleschooler, it’s a sentiment with which Marblehead residents of all grades can heartily, and even desperately, agree.

Rhod Sharp is a Marblehead elector. He was misled into voting for Mr. Ota, but is unlikely to do so next time.

Rhod Sharp Franklin Street

An open letter to School Committee

To the editor:

I hope that you will all be comfortable sitting there behind your screens at this evening’s meeting!

In the interests of transparency and community engagement, could you please explain why tonight’s meeting is not convening in a hybrid format?

Could you please share why the early termination of Dr. Buckey’s contract is even up for discussion, let alone up for a vote?

Dr. Buckey received a 5-0 vote of proficiency on his latest performance evaluation, what on earth merits this action?

Is this a personal vendetta against Dr. Buckey?

Do you honestly believe that terminating his contract will leave our district in a better place than it is today?

Do you think that we have the additional $94K, plus legal fees, to pay Dr. Buckey off?

Do you think that we have the finances to engage in a protracted legal battle should you choose to terminate Dr. Buckey with cause?

In just 37 days, this newlyseated committee has brought our school district to its knees.

Do you honestly think we are going to have a plethora of candidates applying to fill Dr. Buckey’s position should you terminate his contract?

If you truly believe that all of this is the correct course of action, please know that this decision will haunt our district for years to come, put an end to any hope of a future general override and decimate any confidence that the town, our families and our teachers have in our schools.

If, by some quirk of fate, you decide not to terminate Dr. Buckey, do you honestly think you have created an environment in which he can move on and function effectively?

You have undermined and denigrated Dr. Buckey, as well as Michelle Cresta, and created a toxic work environment for our entire administration.

There is only one decent and honorable course of action that you can take. You must all resign from this committee immediately and before any vote is taken on Dr. Buckey’s contract. You have allowed your personal feelings to cloud any remnant of good judgment that you might have had and are not fit to make that decision.

Paul Baker Overlook Road

Members are ‘voices for voiceless’

To the editor:

I am proud of the newly elected School Committee for taking action from Day One in office. This is why you were overwhelmingly supported in the polls. We believe in you.

Although it is an unfortunate situation that we have found ourselves in — we elected the School Committee to make tough decisions. We entrusted them with confidential information about our children and our staff. We therefore expect thoughtful dialogue when evaluating a change such as one in superintendents and firmly believe in accountability. We anticipate the School Committee to continue honoring the confidentiality of our employees and do not expect releasing information that would be inflammatory or breach a code of ethics.

It is imperative that the outcomes considered are solution-oriented and center our children and their safety. Nothing else matters except protecting our most vulnerable. I believe in the School Committee.

Throughout the process, the School Committee members have exemplified professionalism, authenticity and integrity. They are our voices. They are the voices for the voiceless. I have full confidence that they have and will continue to fulfill their duties and obligations in this difficult situation.

Our children are watching.

Megan Sweeney Beacon Street

Current member: All deserve better

To the editor: Due to the immediate adjournment of the School Committee meeting last night (July 26), neither the community nor the committee had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the possible early termination of the

superintendent. Therefore, I am sharing the statement I had planned to make during the meeting.

I am deeply disappointed by this committee’s consideration to invoke the early termination provision in Dr. Buckey’s contract. For the record, I fundamentally disagree with this committee’s plan to remove Dr. Buckey from his position as superintendent. To start, as it is the most obvious, this action has considerable financial implications at a time when our town and school district are already experiencing economic challenges. We have a contract with this superintendent that stipulates a financial penalty for terminating without cause — not to mention the significant legal fees we have incurred, and the likely cost associated with a search for a permanent successor. Members of this committee have campaigned on — and pride themselves on — transparency, public participation and strong governance. However, this process has shown a complete lack of these principles. This has all transpired in the middle of the summer, when teachers and parents are away and (hopefully) enjoying a well-deserved break. Meetings have been hastily scheduled and held on Zoom. Information has been withheld from the full committee. The reason for the executive session has changed without any additional information provided to the committee, the public or Dr. Buckey. Members of this committee have also disregarded operating protocols, best practices and their word. These conversations are happening behind closed doors, without authority from the full committee or opportunity for public input.

In addition, this committee has not fulfilled its responsibility to effectively manage the superintendent. If there were concerns about the superintendent’s ability to carry out his duties, committee members should have brought these concerns forward sooner — certainly during the evaluation process — to ensure they were addressed and mitigated before they got to this point. In addition, this committee has not set effective and measurable goals, nor has it implemented a comprehensive and consistent evaluation process.

The School Committee has a set of protocols, best practices and policies to ensure a productive working relationship amongst ourselves and with the superintendent. These have been developed in accordance with MASC [Massachusetts Association of School Committees] recommendations and in the best interest of this district. Unfortunately, by not abiding to these guidelines, this committee has created a hostile working environment for the superintendent and put the district at significant risk.

No matter the end result, this process has been incredibly divisive to the community. The actions of this committee have affected staff morale, disrupted the stability of our schools, detracted from the positive work of the district and will negatively impact our budget and ability to hire a successor superintendent. Even if this committee is resolute in their decision to remove Dr. Buckey from his position, consideration should have been given to a more productive, transparent and respectful approach.

Our community deserves better than this. Dr. Buckey deserves better than this. Most importantly, our children deserve better.

Meagan Taylor Cloutmans Lane

Like super, ‘presume positive intent’

To the editor:

I write today in support of our current School Committee members, who have been slandered, abused, belittled, trolled and threatened over

the last 30 days by former members of their own circle and a small-but-belligerent group of local citizens in support of the superintendent. The superintendent’s supporters must not have been paying attention to his lessons and emails during his tenure here, as Dr. Buckey himself regularly asks us to “presume positive intent.”

It is possible that Dr. Buckey’s most vocal supporters do not have his endorsement to attack current committee members for using the executive session to discuss the matter of his contract. It is possible they do not understand what executive session is for (exactly this) and therefore feel they should be included in the process. But why not follow his lead and presume positive intent?

Our current committee chair has always acted with the best intentions for our students. Why stop trusting her now? Why do those on the fringe of the committee — former members and citizens who lost their bids to become members — not presume positive intent the way they did when two longserving principals lost THEIR contracts in the name of “a new direction”?

Why not presume positive intent the way they did when Dr. Buckey had to send our honors students to Edgenuity online to make a remote learning plan work?

It is time for the adults on the sidelines to follow the advice of Dr. Buckey and presume positive intent while they await the outcome of the new committee’s executive session. Trust that what this committee is doing is being done with the best interests of our students and townspeople in mind.

As adults, we have the tools to withhold panic and judgment and even temper our disappointment when the outcome is not personally pleasing.

So, in honor of Dr. Buckey’s many pleas and convincing emails, I challenge you, supporters, to take his words to heart and until the outcome is revealed, presume positive intent.

Let your school committee do their job in peace and safety.

Sincerely,

Colleen Nial Bowden Street

Parent/FinCom member: Let leadership continue

To the editor:

Dear School Committee members — I was very distressed to read that you are considering terminating Dr. Buckey’s service as superintendent of Marblehead Schools. As a member of the Finance Committee and parent of a recent graduate of Marblehead High School, I have been immensely impressed by Dr. Buckey’s leadership of the school system during a very challenging time and his sincere efforts to build trust and strengthen communication with town officials and the community at large. While the override failed this year, the close collaboration between town officials and school leaders has built a strong foundation for a unified approach to a longterm solution next year. Removing Dr. Buckey now in the midst of this critical moment for Marblehead schools will undermine that effort substantially.

I’m also concerned about what Dr. Buckey’s removal suggests about the review and evaluation process that he just completed. After nothing but successful reviews, including one just a month ago, removing Dr. Buckey now suggests that his removal is not related to his job performance. Why engage in a review process at all if the results do not guide your decisions about his contract and compensation? Turnover of School Committee members does not justify deviating from this practice.

Marblehead schools are at a critical juncture. As you know, substantial and consistent investments are needed to bring

staffing levels and programs offered to the standard that we should expect for an exemplary school system. That will only be accomplished by creating community-wide support and consensus for those increased investments. I am confident that the new town leaders and Dr. Buckey’s team have built a strong foundation for developing a comprehensive, longterm plan for the town and school system that can win support from Marblehead voters. Removing him precipitously for no apparent performancerelated reason undercuts that momentum and could set the school system back for years. I urge you to reconsider your decision and allow Dr. Buckey to continue to lead the Marblehead schools.

Sincerely, Cam Staples Rowland Court

Former colleagues should resign

To the editor:

This was written to be given as public comment at the School Committee meeting on July 26 and has been edited to be printed since that meeting was abruptly canceled without hearing from any members of the public.

I had hoped that my time spent in School Committee meetings was over; however, I could not sit by last night while this malfeasance continued. The main reason I ran for re-election this spring was because I feared this kind of scenario happening, as it has been wholly apparent for years that some members were pursuing the covert goal of removing Dr. Buckey from his job as superintendent. Rather than rooting for his success, they were rooting for his failure.

The standing of our town within the broader region is being hurt right now because of this fiasco. It’s being seen as yet another instance of “Marblehead being Marblehead.” The director of the state superintendent organization, Tom Scott, has told us to “get our act together.”

There were superintendents from across the state and country who were logging on and prepared to speak at the meeting last night. They were there to bear witness to this spectacle of leadership fueled by hate and resentment.

I am not writing this to defend the superintendent. I am writing this to call out the irresponsibility, thoughtlessness and deceit being demonstrated by this board. I ask that you cease and desist immediately before it costs the district and the town any more precious funds or stature. We have already fired teachers and placed the cost of sports on the backs of parents, and now you are running another superintendent out of town. The cost alone is incomprehensible under our current circumstances. Those funds should be spent on student-facing items and support for our overburdened teachers.

In the past few days, many people have reached out to me. I’ve been told about the chair contacting staff members on their personal time. I’ve been told that she is speaking with the previous interim superintendent to see if he will come back once they have dispensed with Dr. Buckey. I was also made aware that she has offered the interim superintendent job to Michelle Cresta. So much for open meetings, transparency and “making the sausage in public.”

Most concerningly, I’ve been told that teachers and administrators who are in support of Dr. Buckey are afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation by this committee. It has been 37 days since the election. The lack of appropriate governance, communication and executive leadership demonstrated by this committee is palpable in the community now. Elections have consequences. But so does lying, false and duplicitous campaigning, unethical behavior and irresponsible leadership.

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Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race supports Marblehead domestic violence survivor

BY LAURIE FULLERTON

Now in its second year, the Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race, held on Sunday, July 23, featured 54 boats in a race off Marblehead as part of a fundraiser event organized by friends, family and the Boston and Eastern Yacht Clubs for Lindsay Smith, a Marblehead sailor and domestic violence survivor.

Pursuit racing is a variant of racing where boats start in reverse order, with their start times pre-determined by their ratings and the course length. The diverse fleet of boats enabled many in the sailing community to come together to compete and show support for the Smith family, who are a multigenerational sailing family from Marblehead — including 10-time world champion and two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Jud Smith, Lindsay’s dad.

All net proceeds from the race registration to the food and dockside events went to the Fast Mermaid Fund, set up for Smith to help with medical costs her insurance doesn’t cover.

Smith nearly died when she was shot in the head in November of 2021 by her ex-boyfriend. She has been receiving physical therapy in Boston through Project Walk, and by all accounts her progress has been very good despite some earlier, debilitating setbacks.

“This event is near and dear

Race Week

From P. A1

cancel all races July 29. Lighter 5-10 knot winds returned for the final day of competition July 30. “It was a challenging week weather-wise, but we got in some good racing and people really made the most of the changing conditions,” said race official Suzy Schneider. “We heard sailors had a great time both on and off the water.”

According to organizers, among the J/70s were several professional teams training for their upcoming world championship tournament in the nimble boats.

Closer to shore, there were single-person Laser sailing dinghies for youth and adults — a recent addition to the event, and a welcome one for sailors of the small, agile boats in the area. There was also the longawaited return of the iconic Lightning sailing boats at Race Week. The Viper 640 class of high-performance boats had the most boats registered out of any class, with 23 boats registered for the Viper 640 New England Championship.

Schneider credited race officials, volunteers and yacht club staff for managing logistics like launching hundreds of boats daily. She also observed a resurgence in young blood getting involved.

“It was wonderful seeing so many young people involved this year,” said Schneider. “We’re definitely returning to preCOVID numbers and welcoming a new generation to carry on traditions here.”

to my heart because it is not only a tribute to Lindsay and all that she has been through. It is also a very nice and well-run regatta that the whole sailing community worked hard at making it a success,” said Annie Hogarty Kaull. “Lindsay is a very special person, a tough cookie. Today we are so lucky to have her here on earth and we are also able to appreciate each other even more.”

Months before the shooting, Lindsay was campaigning an allwomen’s Etchells team called Fast Mermaid and Jud Smith had fashioned a pink spinnaker for

the team. Now, the Fast Mermaid logo has become an emblem of support for Lindsay. Her former

Etchells teammates have also remained inspired to compete at all major sailing events including the upcoming Etchells New England championship on Oct. 6-8 in Marblehead.

“We really feel this was the best turnout we have had in a long time on the racecourse with 54 boats racing on a Sunday afternoon off Marblehead,” said Robert “Bump” Wilcox of New Wave Yachts in Marblehead and co-owner with Jud Smith of the Tripp 41 AFRICA.

“What we like about pursuit racing is that for those that race a lot of weekends against

the same people it is often hard to win. In a pursuit race, you have the hope of beating these fast-racing yachts as the smaller, slower boats start first. Also, it is a chance for smaller boats to be out on the line with some of these incredibly fast boats. Keeping the lanes clear and finding your way up the course is a great challenge. After doing it last year, everyone wanted to get out there again this year. We did do a lot of promotion and it is for a good cause.”

First place this year went to the Summit 40 “Escape Velocity II” owned by Ben Chigger of Manchester, with the Farr 30 Indra owned by Tom Linkas placing second overall. Third place went to a J/70 “Locomotion” owned by Daan Goedkoop. The pursuit race also had one design boat that started, in some cases as a fleet and in other cases quite close together including the Etchells, Rhodes 19, J/70 and Ensign.

“We were all here to show our community’s support for Lindsay at the first event last year,” said skipper of the Fast Mermaid Etchells team Casey Williams. “It is an amazing accomplishment, and we are so proud and humbled by how well she has done.”

For results and more information about the event go to theclubspot.com/regatta/ V68MwaQsrG/results

Young Marblehead sailors Pearse Dowd and Dylan Balunas were happy just to get on the water. The amateur youth and their crew took Locomotion, a J/70, to a mid-fleet finish.

“We just tried to keep our heads out of the boat, watch for wind on the water and shift gears quickly without getting frustrated,” Dowd said of light air tactics. “No race is ever the same. The conditions will never be identical. There’s always some component you’re not expecting.”

He and Balunas have honed skills sailing various boats over the years through local yacht

clubs.

“It was challenging, but the variety is what makes sailing so much fun,” Balunas added. “No two races are ever identical.”

Joan Thayer of Marblehead competed on an all-female Rhodes 19, Garuda, a design dating back to 1949 when it was built locally in town.

“We really just go out and sail for fun,” Thayer said. “You have to relax when the wind totally dies and just enjoy being on the water.”

Find the regatta’s results at https://bit.ly/47eLs6k

COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE

Jud Smith, along with his wife Cindy, daughter Lindsay, and team, raced on AFRICA. At the helm was race organizer Robert ‘Bump’Wilcox.

Lindsay Smith competed in the Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race.

COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE.

Sailors of varying experience levels navigate the challenges of fluctuating winds and weather patterns at the regatta.

Sailboats align at the starting line on Sunday.

hurt by this are the children. It does not seem possible to salvage the stability of the current administration. So I will ask that every member on this committee tender their resignation immediately. You have shown that you are unable to follow the School Committee operating protocols set forth for appropriate governance, and the only precedence established here is that the community can count on you to continue to behave inappropriately. Allow everyone to heal (once again) over the remainder of the summer and let another committee make the decision on the next superintendent of Marblehead Public Schools.

Sarah Gold Reed Street

‘Body of work’ warrants retention

To the editor: To the School Committee: The measure of someone’s performance should not turn on whether you agree with every decision made or not made, but rather on the body of their work. With that in mind, I write to express my support for Dr. Buckey to remain as our superintendent.

Throughout Dr. Buckey’s tenure, he has shown unwavering dedication to our children, transparency in leadership and a genuine commitment to the betterment of Marblehead’s educational system. As a result, it is disheartening to hear about the efforts to terminate his contract. This is particularly the case because:

1. Dr. Buckey has led the district through the pandemic and the reopening of schools and, as such, understands what this district needs going forward and is uniquely positioned to continue to improve our children’s learning, instruction and social-emotional wellbeing — this includes his work on the district’s strategic plan, Planning for Success.

2. Dr. Buckey’s leadership and inclusive decision-making — which accounts for all stakeholder interests — has had a positive impact on our school and broader communities.

3. The district will be ill-served — financially and reputationally among residents, prospective

residents and potential district employees and leaders — by early termination and attempting to secure what I believe would be the eighth superintendent in a 15-year span.

4. The School Committee has not yet articulated a reason — let alone a material cause — for terminating his contract early; it has not found his leadership lacking; in fact, it previously credited his leadership by extending his contract and approving a raise.

I urge the School Committee to reconsider moving forward on a vote for early termination of Dr. Buckey’s contract and give him the opportunity and support to continue his important work in cultivating a positive, inclusive and successful academic environment for our students and community.

Thank you.

Brian Birke West Shore Drive

Former board member: ‘Put kids first’

Good evening: As a School Committee member for seven years, I participated in one superintendent resignation, one interim hiring and the hiring of Dr. Buckey. While each of those three situations was unique, they all had one thing in common — determining what was in the best interest of our students, staff and community.

In the spring of 2020, I was one of five members who overwhelmingly selected Dr. John Buckey to be our next superintendent. In his first two years, Dr. Buckey’s leadership skills during COVID played a key role as he directed our district through remote learning, hybrid learning and COVID guidance that seemed to change daily.

Throughout the pandemic, he would always say the priority was keeping students and staff safe, then figuring out the best way to deliver the curriculum.

Also happening during this time was the Brown School construction project. Dr. Buckey was an active participant in the weekly meetings and helped keep the project on track. Throughout the project, he led his team of administrators and staff who were educating the displaced students at three different temporary locations across the

than the required lot width, frontage and side yard setback and exceeds the maximum height limit located at 42 Gallison Avenue in the Shoreline Single Residence District. The new construction will be within the side yard setback. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker ’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. c. 30A, § 18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation. platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8787834 7282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdl IE3cy92SklTU l BTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.1naiblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

district.

Dr. Buckey has done an outstanding job at hiring quality staff and advocating for funding that will meet the 21st-century needs. In 2022, the town supported capital funding for enhanced school safety, overdue upgrades to technology and investments in building maintenance.

His work with Assistant Superintendent Michelle Cresta has the school’s fiscal house in order, priorities in line, budgets balanced and for the last three years has had a positive balance at year’s end.

Dr. Buckey has moved to Marblehead and embraced all that we love as citizens. He can be seen at school events on weekends and evenings, at 911 memorials, town parades and out on the water with husband, Kevin, and dog, Rocky (who was named in a contest held with students at the Glover School).

In 2022, after completing Dr. Buckey’s thorough evaluation, we voted to extend his contract for two years.

I will close by using a phrase from Dr. Buckey’s weekly updates to the community: “Good People of Marblehead” — and School Committee. Rather than creating yet another educational void and wasting taxpayer dollars, let us come together tonight, by not exercising the early termination clause, putting our kids first and moving forward — not back where we’ve been before.

David Harris Waldron Street

‘Let School Committee do their job’

To the editor: Over the last week, I have followed the evolving story of Superintendent Buckey’s contract negotiation with an increasing sense of dismay and disappointment as passions and emotions have clouded judgment and erased any appearance of neutrality and decorum.

In all school districts, parental involvement is not only common, it’s necessary. Involved parents are the force behind the spirit of a school. They put their time and talents to work with fundraising and volunteering, they turn up in school colors to cheer at games, they buy tickets to concerts and school plays, and give enthusiastic standing ovations to the performers and the

amazing staff that always goes above and beyond what is asked of them. A district that does not have involved parents is unlikely to succeed.

However, in the Marblehead Public School system, the boundary between parental involvement and undue influence has been blurred and is contributing to a crisis of its own creation.

For any elected official, exposing oneself to public disapproval is an accepted — if uncomfortable — occupational hazard. Yet what our School Committee has been subjected to this week by a cohort that seeks to exert influence has been intolerable. From personal attacks and insults published online for the world to see, to violations of privacy and sneaky acts of intimidation, this has crossed the line between disapproval to abuse.

As a community, we’ve been divided before; we are not a monolith. We practice different religions, we vote for different parties, we eat steak, we are vegans and we are passionate about our schools and what our children are learning… but never before have we seen such a relentless and coordinated campaign of vitriol against our duly elected School Committee by parents, town officials and others.

This School Committee is not in place by accident; they ran for election, won in some cases by an overwhelming margin and are now tasked with doing a job few would envy. But it seems that envy and anger is driving a stake into the very heart of our schools, and it’s tearing our town apart. Any person with an ounce of self-awareness who might benefit from these acts would distance themselves from this bitterness and call for this to stop.

Our School Committee has made a very difficult decision under very difficult circumstances. It should be noted that this decision will be welcomed by many people who are reluctant to speak out in support due to the fear of retaliation or social ostracism. However, I have faith that this decision reflects what the majority of the School Committee believe will be best for our district in the long term, even if it is unpopular within a group that fears change.

It is time to let the School Committee do their job. And anyone who would like to be part of that committee in

the future is welcome to launch their campaign at any time, hopefully with dignity and respect for the people they may end up serving with.

Xhazzie Kindle Jersey Street

Teacher-parent makes case for stability

To the editor: Please note that I am submitting this letter as a resident, parent and teacher.

As a teacher and a parent, I have found Dr. Buckey to be fair and collaborative. He set a goal to be more present in the schools and followed through with this goal. Dr. Buckey has been the most visible superintendent in our schools during my 17-year tenure as a Marblehead Public School educator.

As the coordinator of the VillageXperience sixth-grade trip to Camp Bournedale, I have extended an invitation to each of the seven different superintendents over the past 15-plus years. Dr. Buckey is the first and only superintendent who joined the sixth-graders for a day at Bournedale.

While at Bournedale, Dr. Buckey visited students in classes, ate meals with students and chaperones, engaged with students during recreation times and joined our Science Idol panel as a guest judge.

As a parent, I have witnessed Dr. Buckey attend student events at Glover School, like the annual Trunk or Treat, and join community meetings. During COVID, Dr. Buckey even dressed up in costume and greeted students and families as they drove around the high school at the Boo Through.

If the School Committee decides to terminate the contract of the superintendent of schools, it will once again thrust our district into turmoil. We have excellent teachers in our schools who have been the glue that has held our district together through this perpetual cycle of changing school leadership.

As a teacher, I want to see our students get the very best education possible. I want to embrace new programs and initiatives, but this becomes more difficult with each change in leadership.

I’m not sure if the School Committee and community recognize how much time we put into training and planning for each new program and initiative. We utilize our planning blocks and PLCs, attend professional development and spend additional time at home after-school hours, only to see all that hard work and planning get replaced each time our leadership changes. You can imagine how this impacts a teacher. It is frustrating and demoralizing.

As a teacher, I want to see the impact of our hard work and planning by looking at the cumulative data that we gather each year, allowing me to grow as an educator, drive instruction and provide students with the exemplary education they deserve.

I am concerned, as both a parent and teacher, about how this will impact our schools moving forward. We want to attract and retain the very best educators. I believe that the two main factors that drive a person’s decision to accept and/or remain in a job are salary and work environment.

Marblehead Public Schools are not competitive with

surrounding and like communities concerning teacher salaries. We also have a history and reputation of instability with leadership.

It leaves me to wonder what will attract the next generation of educators to Marblehead. It has been stated that there is low turnover in staff in our schools. This may be true, but only because education is the one profession where experience is a detriment in applying for a teaching position. An experienced teacher typically will cost a district too much money. Experienced teachers typically have no choice but to remain in their current district or take a salary decrease.

With the current teacher shortage, this narrative is changing. We now have MPS teachers looking to teach elsewhere and are getting multiple offers at a salary comparable to or greater than what they earn in Marblehead.

For our children’s sake, we cannot allow this to happen to our district. We need to work together to rally our community, establish a budget supporting our students, provide a salary structure that will attract and retain the best educators, and provide sustained stability by retaining our school leadership. Massachusetts is an education leader in our nation. If we want Marblehead Public Schools to continue to be an exemplary school district, we must change the narrative and perception within our community and throughout the Commonwealth. Our children’s future depends on it, and our children deserve an exemplary education.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonathan Heller Ralph Road Voter feels

‘duped, angry’

To the editor:

Because the public comment period occurs at the beginning of the meeting, I am forced to guess at the purpose of an agenda item that says “Superintendent Contract — Early Termination Clause.” Did something egregious happen between the superintendent’s May 15 evaluation where he was rated “proficient” (unanimously voted by all five school committee members) and this July 26 School Committee meeting?

Or does this committee believe that removal of a superintendent on a whim, without a basis in performance, is just fine? (Something I would characterize as a $90,000 whim that the town/ district will have to pay?)

Several members of this current committee were part of the search that brought the superintendent to Marblehead. It is the job of the School Committee to support the superintendent, the district’s educational professional, to make sure he/she is successful. If you are unable to do this as a School Committee member, that is on you (i.e., your personal shortcoming), and you should step back or resign.

Moreover, to those newly elected to the School Committee, I assert that you should have publicly stated your goal in running for office was to remove the superintendent and/ or that you had lodged a complaint against him. None of this was

Chamber seeks nominations for community awards, board of directors

The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Nominating Committee is seeking nominations from the community for its 2023 Community Awards and the Chamber’s board of directors.

Community award nominations: Each year, the Chamber recognizes individuals and businesses whose commitment to the community of Marblehead goes above and beyond.

The Chamber once again requests participation from the community in nominating individuals and businesses whose

commitment to the town of Marblehead is outstanding. To nominate a “Business of the Year,” please only submit businesses that are members of the Chamber, the Chamber said.

Nominations are due Monday, Aug. 14, 5 p.m. For information about previous winners, to review current Chamber members or to download the form, visit marbleheadchamber.org.

Awards will be presented at the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce’s 71st annual meeting on

SPRING INTO SUMMER!

Thursday, Sept. 14.

Board of directors

nominations: The Nominating Committee is also seeking letters of interest from Chamber members who are interested in serving on the Chamber Board of Directors.

If you or a member of your organization is interested in serving the Chamber in this capacity, send your resume and letter of interest to:

Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, Nominating Committee, 62 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA 01945 by Monday, Aug. 14, 5 p.m.

revealed to the public at Candidates’ Night and speaking for myself as an engaged voter, I feel duped and angry. Where is that “transparency,” “accountability” and “collaboration” you touted at Candidates’ Night when it applies to your own interaction with the public?

I don’t know what you intended for this evening, but I ask that you delay a vote until the public is fully aware of your reasoning and allowed to weigh in. The School Committee owes the public an explanation, without hiding behind lawyers.

Marblehead has been through this scenario before, in 2013, when the district lost Superintendent Greg Maass due to actions of three members of the School Committee. Alas, apparently the lessons of that massive debacle have not been learned, and we are doomed to repeat these failures, at great cost to us all.

Kathleen Leonardson Cloutmans Lane

Quick decision makes no sense

To the editor:

Anyone paying attention to town politics will know that our new Select Board has spent many hours deliberating about the timing of their volunteer committee appointments. The discussion is around whether it makes sense for appointments to occur shortly after an election or whether it’s better to have the (possibly outgoing) board appoint because they have worked with said committees and therefore understand the inner workings of the positions. It makes sense that perhaps newly seated board members might not be prepared to make such important personnel decisions so early in their time on the board.

And yet our new School Committee is comfortable voting on the possible termination of our district leader just five weeks after being sworn in?

Clearly, among you there are axes to grind. But I’d like to point out that the axes you grind here won’t ultimately fall on the head of John Buckey.

I’m confident any hiring committee worth their salt will meet Dr. Buckey and be impressed by his considerable achievements and accolades. And after a quick Google search and a

look at his resume they’ll say, “Oh, Marblehead. Now, we understand.”

No, in fact your axes will fall on our administrators and principals. Specifically and problematically on Michelle Cresta… and on Julia Ferreira and Michelle Carlson, each now asked to move forward in critical district leadership roles without the guidance of the superintendent who supported and hired them, if with any superintendent at all.

And these axes you grind fall on our teachers… who have asked for district stability time and time again. They’ve steered us through COVID, continued to purchase classroom supplies from their own pockets and recently lost colleagues to layoffs after two failed overrides.

And if this committee is brazen enough to bring forward another override attempt in 2024? With an interim super at the helm, you undoubtedly guarantee its failure for yet another year or more.

I would ask if, after tonight’s vote, you feel you can say you’ve done the right thing for the parents, teachers and the students you claim to support. Can you say “yes, we know better” while looking them in the eyes?

You chose to hold this meeting on Zoom. I think we have our answer.

Cindy Schieffer Beach Street

‘Entire community being impacted’

The decision to discuss the early termination of our superintendent is not in the best interest of this community. How many times are we going to keep doing this? The national reputation of this district continues to deteriorate. We are in a dangerous pattern of dismissing superintendents. Why would any new administrator want to come here? Look at our history. It speaks for itself. We need the stability, transparency and fiscal responsibility this School Committee promised, campaigned on and assured us they would provide. We cannot continue to build upon our already terrible reputation, create tension and uncertainty for our administrators and teachers, and make it impossible for administrators to succeed here.

Dr. Buckey has tirelessly tried to rebuild our district after the turnover of his

six predecessors and then COVID. Less than two months ago, he received a 5-0 overall proficient evaluation. If there were such egregious concerns about his performance, concerns that rise to the level of early termination, why weren’t they raised then? How did so much change since the election to merit this move? It seems impossible.

Let’s recall that two members of this current school committee served on the search committee that brought Dr. Buckey to the community as one of two finalists for the superintendent position. That search yielded a 5-0 vote to hire him. Three of you were part of that vote. You are now moving towards early termination of the candidate you brought to us, and voted unanimously to hire. How do you expect us to trust your judgment about any new hire or about anything else?

How do we even recover from yet another superintendent turnover at the hands of this newly formed committee? How do we recover from the events of the last few weeks? I fear that we cannot. Too much damage has been done. The town is in turmoil. Horrible things are being said and done to one another. We are forgetting that in the end, there are no winners or losers here except for the students and staff who will ultimately suffer the most.

This destructive pattern has to stop or we will never be a solid, stable, financially sound, top district that attracts and keeps talented leaders and teachers or helps our students successfully reach their goals. Most importantly, we need to come together as a community rather than working to fracture this district even further. We are not modeling the very best practices we expect of our students as we build a K-12 portrait of a graduate. We are failing, and the entire community is being impacted.

Your decision to discuss early termination does not reflect my voice as a parent, taxpayer and constituent that you represent. Our students and staff deserve better than this.

Melissa Kaplowitch Camille Terrace

Collective social media break proposed

To the editor: Last fall, I shared a conversation with my neighbor Alison Taylor in her driveway where she said, “I believe people can have differing opinions and beliefs, but we at least can show respect. This is our home.”

That conversation meant a lot to me then and even more so now.

It was a reminder that this town is something beautiful, special and a storied place to call home.

In the spirit of that conversation, I am ashamed that someone thought it funny or appropriate to engage

in such a lowbrow act of idiocy as to leave a balloon depicting a clown at her back steps. I am equally sorry that I did not get a chance to see who did it, nor that I could offer more than a “we will keep an eye out for you and [your child]” comfort. However, that is what neighbors do for each other… regardless of one’s opinions, beliefs, political allegiances or even cultural mores because “this is our home.”

Contemporaneously to this act, Dr. Buckey had a photo uploaded anonymously to one of the town community pages in the caricature of a clown, another act of lowbrow idiocy meant clearly to inflame tensions and suspicion in an already contentious situation. It is equally shameful and embarrassing.

In the spirit of transparency, Dr. Buckey is a friend of mine and has been for 15 years, and for the length of that friendship I have found him to be a man of character and of hard work, with a decades-long devotion to education, educators, students and their families. I am immensely proud to call him my friend and that he so eagerly pursued the chance to be our superintendent.

Further, given his tenure started just a month before the world as we knew it stopped and changed forever, I am also immensely proud of the tireless efforts he put forward in guiding this community through an event few on earth (thankfully) have living memory of. In my capacity as a resident, a taxpayer and hopefully a future father myself, I wish to say that I am grateful for his ongoing service to the people of Marblehead.

I am not looking to persuade or castigate anyone — but ask that each of us pause for a moment and reflect on how bellowing into our collective echo chambers only escalates and magnifies the vitriol that has come to a head this week.

I may disagree with the means, manner and process by which this new School Committee is operating under, but as they say “elections have consequences,” just as decisions stemming from those elections have consequences both immediate and longterm that we must contend with collectively.

I appreciate that the aforementioned trauma of COVID-19 did little to dampen the atmosphere of fractured communal bonds both locally and nationally, but the veracity, insinuation and character attacks at large have left us looking small, petty and vengeful. Such an environment is wholly unrecognizable to me and is not indicative of the town I grew up in, and it is not a town philosophy in which any would wish to raise a child.

I am under no illusions as to the final act of this drama, but I would hope

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS

The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday August 22, 2023, at 7:45 P.M.,

that there could be some dignity, grace and decency introduced. No one side is blameless, and no one side is without its merit, but all should be thankful for those who volunteer to be the leaders of our community, our school district and guarantors of our future success and growth as a town.

In a final ask, in the spirit of Barnegat, or Clifton, of Shipyard or West Shore, I wonder if we might take a collective break from the civic rot that is social media and just enjoy being neighbors again? We are so much better than this, and we know it.

Kevin Vigneron Orne Street

Students, teachers, staff need stability

To the editor: This letter was emailed to the School Committee on July 26 to be submitted for public record.

Dear Members of the Marblehead School Committee,

To be placed in public record, I am writing to you in regards to the agenda item, “Superintendent Contract — Early Termination Clause” for tonight’s, Wednesday, July 26, school meeting.

I am a parent of a 2021 MHS graduate and also parent to a rising senior at the high school. As a volunteer for the past 13 years, I have been and am currently very involved in our schools and am committed to their success.

I am greatly concerned about ton ight’s discussion regarding the early termination of Dr. John Buckey’s contract. It is also very worrisome that this agenda item tonight has not been well communicated to our community. A discussion of this importance requires significant and thoughtful input from faculty, staff, parents and other stakeholders.

Add to this concern, to have this discussion during the summer while vacations are common and when people are not as “tuned in” as during the school year is very poor timing.

Early termination of our superintendent’s contract is a major decision, one with widespread implications. In our current environment, when our budget is greatly challenged, when many in school administrative leadership positions are new to their posts and with a newly configured School Committee, stability is paramount. We need continuity of thought, we need experience and cohesive decision-making. Even the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents has put out a message that we need to get our act together.

to wonder how the School Committee plans to fund the $94,000 payout that accompanies an early, without-cause contract termination.

Echoing the MASS [Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents] executive director’s sentiments, I believe we can do better than continuing our history of having a revolving door in our superintendent’s office. The superintendent’s role is often a thankless and difficult position; no one can expect to agree with all decisions from this office.

I do think we can all agree that our students and teachers/staff need stability to be successful.

Julie Duggan Dodge Road

Board strays from handbook guidance

To the editor:

I am a 20-plus-year resident of our beautiful town and love our sense of pride, community and beautiful history. It is a sad day when my love of this town is being challenged by a group of community members… our School Committee.

I have had the privilege of my three children going through the Marblehead Public School system and have found Dr. Buckey to be one of the most engaging, open and communicative superintendents. He is driven to get to know our community, as a member of our Rotary Club and an ongoing contributor to the growth of our community. His participation and exceptional love of our town is evident.

For example, my daughter’s art was featured in an exhibit at Abbot Hall, and Dr. Buckey surprised us all with a trip to see the students’ artwork.

According to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, it is “the responsibility of the school committee to inform, as well as to listen to, constituents” (source: masc.org/resources/ member-handbook/).

I do not feel that our current School Committee informed nor listened to our community. I don’t recall any parent, educator or student group convened to review and/or discuss Dr. Buckey’s role.

It is important to acknowledge that leadership roles in education can be challenging, and nobody is without flaws. We should embrace a culture of continuous improvement and provide constructive feedback to help Dr. Buckey grow further as an educational leader.

for the construction of home addition and deck at 24 Cloutman’s Lane (Map 176, Parcel 28) in an area subject to the Wetlands Protection Act and the Marblehead Wetlands Protection Bylaw This hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker ’s March 12, 2020 Order Superseding Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. c.30A, section 18 and the Governor ’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by emailing: engineers@ marblehead.org. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Instructions to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the hearing. The link to the agenda is: https://www.marblehead.org/node/285/ agenda/2023 Brian LeClair Chairman Marblehead Conservation Commission

In the July 2023 superintendent’s review, Dr. Buckey was given “Proficient” and “Needs Improvement” rankings, but nothing has been communicated that suggests a reason that warrants early contract termination. Taking privacy laws into consideration, our community has the right to understand the issues at hand, realizing the lasting consequences such a decision will have.

As a side issue, one has

Send

I am writing to express my strong and sincere urging that you reconsider the decision to move forward with an early termination of Dr. Buckey’s contract. I believe it is essential to give him the opportunity and support he needs to continue his vital work in cultivating a positive, inclusive and successful academic environment for our students.

Together, we can support our current leadership and build a brighter future for our students.

Deb Payson Arnold Terrace

Seasiders advance to NSL playoffs

BY CLAIRE TIPS

“The best year we’ve ever had is right now,” said manager of the Marblehead Seasiders Joe McKane in a recent interview about the town’s summer baseball team. The Seasiders, founded eight years ago by McKane, are in the North Shore Baseball League playoffs after winning nine games, tying one and scoring 19 overall points in the summer season. You can check out the standings and follow the team at northshorebaseball.com/.

The Seasiders baseball team is made up of players, ages 18 to 26, from Marblehead, other North Shore towns and beyond.

Colin Dhaliwal ventured all the way from his home in California to come play for McKane, who has followed him in his baseball career since he was 14 years old.

Dhaliwal graduated high school on June 10 before receiving a call from McKane about coming to play for the Seasiders this summer.

“[Colin] said ‘When do you want me?’” McKane told the Current. “I said, ‘June 11, we have a doubleheader.’”

There are currently only

four Marblehead players on the Seasiders’ roster. McKane attributes this to the Marblehead High School Varsity Baseball Coach Michael Giardi, who manages Peabody’s NSBL team, the Peabody Champions. Giardi, who’s fostered a close relationship with the Marblehead community over the years, has managed to recruit several Marblehead athletes onto the Champions.

However, despite Giardi’s efforts, MHS graduates Brady Lavender and Schuyler Schmitt have remained loyal to McKane

MARBLEHEAD ARts A ssOCIAtION

and the Marblehead team.

McKane considers Lavender and Schmitt to be two of the “star” players on the team. McKane also highlighted pitcher James Giugino from Methuen, pitcher Ian Gallagher and his brother Ryan also from Methuen, captain Trey Blackmer from East Boston and Mike Mitchell from Salem, who helped coach another player on the team, Harry Lynch, at Essex Tech. McKane reflected on two games that stood out to him from the 2023 summer season. On July 18, the Seasiders went

on the

season the Seasiders have had this summer.

against the highest ranked team in the league, the Northeast Tides. The game resulted in a 0-0 tie stretched over eight innings with Giugino and Ian Gallagher pitching.

“Pitching is 75 percent of the game,” said McKane. “If you don’t have the pitching, you’re not going to the playoffs.”

The second game that stood out from the season was against the Beverly Recs on July 23. After falling behind, 4-0, the Seasiders came back and won 5-4

with Lavender hitting the gamewinning run.

McKane started the Seasiders eight years ago after driving by Seaside Park on a summer afternoon and seeing no one playing baseball on the field. The park’s grandstand was built in 1916 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Seaside is the best park in the North Shore, hands down,” said McKane. “When I started out, I said, ‘I’m gonna make [the Seasiders] like a minor league team.’”

McKane passed out programs at Seasiders’ games, hired a website designer and raised roughly $10,000 a year. He’s now cut back to primarily writing weekly newsletters about the team’s achievements and raising $3,800 a year from the community.

Though managing the team takes a lot of work between scheduling the games, recruiting players and more, McKane appreciates the team and even thinks of them as family.

“We’ve been through a lot of thick and thin,” said McKane. “I have three sons and the Seasiders are like my fourth son.”

Last chance to view MAA summer members show

BY BENJI BOYD

The Marblehead Arts Association welcomes the public to the historic King Hooper Mansion for its biannual summer members exhibit. The gallery, located on 8 Hooper St., hosts a varied collection of nearly 150 works available for purchase and viewing. The exhibit will close on August 6, making way for the MAA’s upcoming solo member shows.

The MAA is celebrating its 101st birthday and the legacies of many of its long-standing members, some of whom have been in the association for half a century, with a vibrant exhibit incorporating as many styles and mediums as years it has been around. Though the artwork includes everything from oil paint to fiberglass, the submitted pieces generally fall into one of four genres: fine art, 3D art, sculpture and photography. The gallery contains a healthy mix of categories — a byproduct of the numerous and artisticallydiverse body of featured members.

To become a member of the MAA, an artist must be juried in by preexisting members by submitting five personal pieces for consideration.

In recent years, the MAA has become increasingly open to new styles and techniques, allowing it to host a show with a little something for everyone. The MAA’s Director of Operations Xhazzie Kindle commented that the variety of work that comes in for each member show never fails to surprise her.

“You know, you get used to an artist doing a very specific type of thing… and then they’ll bring in something completely new,” she told the Current.

“We see them grow, we see them take chances and be really brave, which is really amazing.” Although

the members exhibit has no required theme, climate and location certainly inspired several popular motifs. From hyper-realistic portraits of sailboats on serene waters to a massive fiberglass portrait of a blue gorilla, the artwork at first glance seems too varied to tie together. However, when asked what theme she would assign to the open exhibit, Kindle was quick to sum it up.

“I’d say nature.

Especially in the summer, a lot of the pieces seem to be landscapes, food or more about the natural world.” Sure enough, many of the pieces incorporate warm natural colors, depictions of wildlife and inspiration from the great outdoors.

Common subjects – such as oceanscapes, abstract art and even birds — are often grouped by room, allowing viewers to focus on one idea at a time. A quick detour from the members exhibit brings one to the Cushman Gallery, proudly decorated by the works of young artists from the Acorn Gallery, and the Painting the Town exhibit. The product of a collaboration between the MAA and the Festival of Arts, Painting

the Town displays the work of artists tasked to paint scenes from the town in the same stretch of time, resulting in a collection of views of Marblehead seen through different eyes sharing the same sunny weather.

Once an artist becomes a member, they can apply to have a six-week solo show.

During their time, the MAA encourages artists to make the Hooper Mansion their ‘second home,’ by hosting workshops, events and even having lunch in the galleries with their friends. The MAA is currently preparing to host seven upcoming solo shows once the members’ exhibit is over.

Of the unsold work from the current show, several

pieces will be selected to go on to a small satellite exhibit at the YMCA to receive additional exposure.

Despite the many challenges the building offers for staging galleries – such as the many windows and abundance of pesky natural light — the MAA has made the mansion its home and put it to good use. It strives to make the home base a true community space by hosting workshops, gallery openings, and fundraisers. Even the back garden and basement ‘tavern’ are open for public use. Looking forward, the MAA is open to incorporating events outside the jurisdiction of visual art, such as book readings

LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Marblehead Conservation Commission will hold a VIRTUAL (zoom) public hearing beginning at or after 7:00 P.M. on August 10, 2023 for a Notice of Intent application filed by Marblehead Municipal Light Dept. (owner) for repairs to seawall and adjacent lawn and landscaped areas at 80 Commercial Street (Map 113, Parcel 22) in an area subject to the Wetlands Protection Act and the Marblehead Wetlands Protection Bylaw This hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker ’s March 12, 2020 Order Superseding Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. c.30A, section 18 and the Governor ’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by emailing: engineers@marblehead.org. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the hearing.

The link to the agenda is: https://www.marblehead.org/ node/285/agenda/2023 Brian LeClair, Chairman Marblehead Conservation Commission

and poetry nights. For now, it encourages all Marbleheaders to come view exhibits or experience them online

at marbleheadarts.org, in the hopes that they can support their artists and perhaps even inspire a few new ones.

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS

The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday August 22, 2023, at 7:45 P.M., on the request of Michael Klatwitter & Lori Arena to vary the application of the present Zoning Bylaw by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting nonconforming property with less than the required lot width, frontage and side yard setback located at 41 Stony Brook Road in the Single Residence District. The new construction will exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended, and Pursuant to Governor Baker ’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. c. 30A, §18. This public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom. us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead. org and the comments will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind, Secretary

Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by emailing: engineers@marblehead.org. For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the hearing. The link to the agenda is: https://www.marblehead.org/node/285/ agenda/2023 Brian LeClair Chairman Marblehead Conservation Commission

‘Dappled Light’ by Patricia Scialo uses the technique of encaustic photography by applying wax on top of black and white portraits.

‘Blue Hill, Maine’ by Ray Crane is a hyper-realistic oil painting included in the ‘fine arts’ category of the exhibit.

COURTESY PHOTO Founder and general manager of the Marblehead Seasiders, Joe McKane, reflects

successful

COURTESY PHOTO / JULIE GAUNT

The Marblehead Seasiders celebrate after scoring their fifth win of the season against the Powerhouse, 2-1.

Dr. Louis A. Pocharski

When Dr. Louis Anthony Pocharski was a boy growing up in Salem Willows, he transformed an old dinghy into a racing boat, complete with a sail his mother had sewn from a bed sheet. His sailing prowess grew from there: Lou went on to win numerous local, regional and national regattas, as well as the 1967 Lightning World Championship.

Carol A. Thorn

Carol A. Thorn, 86,

The oldest son of Louis Sr. and Estelle (Lotarski) Pocharski, Lou graduated from Tufts University

a resident of Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 5, 2023.

Carol was the daughter of Donald H. Haider and

where he played varsity hockey and was a member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity. He then received a doctor of dental surgery degree from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. His foray to the Midwest brought him to Nancy Hartwig, a University of Michigan graduate student who would become his loving wife (and occasional sailboat crew) of 50-plus years.

Lou opened his oral surgery practice at Salem Hospital. He joined the Salem Rotary Club, where he served a term as president.

Lou and Nancy settled in

Genevieve Brennan Haider of Winnetka, Illinois, and the granddaughter of Frank Brennan and Margaret Blake Brennan of Chicago, and Donald H.

Marblehead, where they had two children, Mark Walter and Susan Stephanie. Much time was spent on the water in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Lou’s retirement years were equally active, playing competitive golf near their winter getaway in Amelia Island, Florida, and watching over five grandchildren — Noelle Lena, Christopher Wyatt, Amelia Catherine, Aidan Louis and Shaun Callum — and enjoying the company of his daughterin-law (Sandra) and son-in-law (Marpa).

Haider and Anna Nolan of Wisconsin.

Carol was raised in Winnetka, where she attended Saints Faith, Hope, and Charity Catholic Church. She received her bachelorof-arts degree from the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto and her masterof-arts degree in art history from Pope Pius XII Institute in Florence, Italy.

After a few years in advertising with J. Walter Thompson, Carol became a European tour conductor.

In 1963, Carol married Frank A. Thorn of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and in 1967 they moved to the sailing town of Marblehead, where they raised their three children and were active members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.

In 1979, Carol founded Lighthouse Realty in Marblehead. Carol was one of eight who chartered Christie’s Great Estates, and she was an initiating member of Who’s Who in

Luxury Real Estate.

Dr. Pocharski died on July 21, 2023, at age 90, surrounded by his children, who will remember him for his strength, competence, love and indomitable spirit. Lou was predeceased by his wife, Nancy, in 2021.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Neighborhood Care, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (neighborgoodcare.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for the Pocharski family.

When Frank retired from General Electric in 1987 after 36 years, the family began spending more time in Naples, where Carol was a longtime docent at the Baker Museum (ArtisNaples), and Frank played golf. They both attended St. William Catholic Church.

Carol was an avid swimmer (including synchronized swimming), skier, figure skater and tennis player. She always had a happy song in her heart. Carol will be remembered for her love of family and her deep devotion to her Catholic upbringing. She will also be remembered for her generosity, kindness and loving nature.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, Frank, who passed away in 2012 after almost 50 years of marriage. Carol is survived by her three children: Genevieve

Thorn of Naples, Frank Thorn of Naples and Donald Thorn of St. Clair Shores, Michigan; her

sister, Donna Migely of Winnetka; and her brother, Donald Haider of Chicago. Carol was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Haider.

A private funeral Mass will be held on Aug. 14, 2023, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, with interment to follow at Waterside Cemetery. A private family Mass will also be held in Naples. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Thorn family may be shared at eustisandcornell funeralhome.com.

John Dennis ‘Sully’ Sullivan

John Dennis “Sully” Sullivan was born on July 4, 1966, and raised in Marblehead. He passed away following an accident on July 22 surrounded by his family and loved ones.

John Dennis received his B.A. from Regis College in Denver, Colorado, in 1988; his MBA from Northeastern University in 1992; his Master of Arts in History from Harvard University; and his Ph.D. in Law, Policy & Society in 2000 from Northeastern University. He started his corporate career at Putnam Investments and W.R. Grace in Boston, and co-founded Reliant Renal Care. He then transitioned to academia at Boston University and was assistant dean for partnerships and student success, as well as an associate professor of administrative sciences, and former chair of the Department of Administrative Sciences.

During his time at BU, he taught graduate and undergraduate

Taduesz Michael (T.M.) Urban, 98

Taduesz Michael (T.M.) Urban left this world peacefully in his sleep on July 23 at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Marblehead. He was 98 years old.

Born on May 17, 1925 in Sedziszow, Poland, to Adam Urban and Stephania (Bielak) Urban, Tad’s life spanned almost a century and a good part of the world. His brother, Joseph, died in an accident at an early age. It was April 1940, when Tad was 14 years old, that the occupying Russians in Lwów, then Poland, threw him, his baby sister and his parents onto three different cattle cars. Fifteen days later he was in Kazakhstan and ended up at a work farm. When they didn’t feed the workers, they struck, were arrested and sent to jail. That saved his life. They

courses, both in Boston and internationally, and mentored students on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, investments and financial markets through his dual appointment at the Law School. Throughout his academic career, he was also recognized for his expertise in business development of renal dialysis facilities that care for patients with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) and providing consulting expertise for mergers and acquisitions relevant to this field. He was a fellow for the Department of State. He authored many business books

and articles and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

An avid sports fan, he regularly played tennis and paddle tennis and was a member of the Eastern Yacht Club. His favorite sporting event was the annual Beanpot, and one of his happiest memories was when his favorite team, Northeastern University, won the beanpot for the first time in 30 years. John Dennis lived life to the fullest, including his telling of humorous stories, following the books of Nelson DeMille and his love of sailing. He was also a member of the Clover Club and involved with the development of the Marblehead Community Charter Public School.

He loved going with his father and his son to science fiction movies; his favorite being the Star Trek series. Being born on the Fourth of July, his parents, John and Barbara, always told him as a young boy that the fireworks were meant especially for him to celebrate his birthday. He always enjoyed his favorite homemade Oreo cheesecake on his birthday, celebrating with his family and parents every year. He was dedicated to his

That allowed him to be old enough to sign up for a Polish army unit fighting under the Brits. In September of 1943 he crossed the Mediterranean from North Africa to central Italy. His lifelong fix-it skills were put to good use repairing tank radios as he and his fellow Poles fought at Monte Cassino in May 1944. Polish losses there were 1,150 dead and 3,049 wounded. And on Sundays, the Nazis and Allies had a truce and he would drive his jeep to the beach where he would swim for miles alone. He always loved the sea.

fed him in jail and he learned Russian from the prison guards. Tad would become fluent in five languages: Polish, Russian, Italian, English and German. His little sister starved to death. After the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union and broke the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in June 1941 they sent the prison guards to the front and Tad made his way across Kazakhstan to Iran and then Iraq using his skills and wits and newly learned Russian. He doctored a birth document by changing the year of his birth from 1925 to 1923.

Karen Xaiver Patch, 69

After the war, in London, he met Olga Hofbauer, a Viennese Jewish refugee, earned an electrical engineering degree, married and had two children, Joseph Michael and Margaret Irene. Then the young family, including Olga’s Viennese mother Flora, emigrated to Australia, where Ray was born and where he built his family’s home. Then on to New Jersey, where David Richard was born. He was a brilliant electrical engineer. His ideas and patents and products were at the core

Karen Xavier Patch, 69, of Marblehead, and Rotonda West, Florida, died July 16. She was born September 25, 1954, in Boston to Robert C. Xavier and Jacqueline Xavier Oldham. Patch is survived by her husband of 25 years Charles W. Patch; sister Susan Page and her husband Daniel Page and niece

Cornelia (Nina) Green Stutz

Cornelia (Nina) Green Stutz, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Cambridge and Marblehead died peacefully at her home in Chapel Hill on June 15. Nina was born in Boston on June 13, 1947, to Jean Porter Green and Edwin Thurston Green. She went to Shady Hill School, the Winsor School and Boston University, studied at the Longy School, and studied also at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She married Rolf Sturman Stutz in

1976. They lived in Cambridge and Marblehead and had one daughter, Cornelia Mead Stutz Cormier.

Nina loved many, many things. She was passionate about the

children John and Kiki – they were the loves of his life, and they will sorely miss their father. He always coached their baseball and softball leagues, and was an active family man, often bringing them to Disney movies such as “Up” and “WALL-E” and crafting Halloween costumes like a Thomas the Tank Engine suit for John. He took his family on many adventurous sailing trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, playing his favorite Jimmy Buffet CDs. Devoted to family, he is survived by his parents, John and Barbara Sullivan of Brooksby Village, Peabody, and his two children, John F. Sullivan and Kiersten (Kiki) Sullivan with his former wife Holly Sullivan of Beverly Farms, and his sister Elizabeth Titus & her husband Robert Titus of Marblehead; nephews Sean M. Sweeney, Jr. of Wakefield and Charles C. Sweeney of Marblehead, and adopted brother, as well as cousin Dr. Peter Schlegel and his wife Samantha Pfeifer of New York, New York; and all his close cousins (and spouses, where appropriate): Deborah DeBenedictis (Antonio) of West Roxbury; Mary Giuliana

of Multi-Amp, an electrical testing equipment company. He never received the recognition or the compensation for his contributions.

Olga died from breast cancer in 1962. The family lived in many places as Tad advanced his career. He ended up working for GE and was a key player in the Apollo program; designing and supervising the UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) that ensured that all the key equipment at Cape Kennedy would always have power. He was one of the country’s leading experts in high-voltage power and taught a generation of electrical engineers and electricians. It also nearly killed him. He survived a 1975 12,000 volt electrical short circuit accident.

In 1974, Tad married Vivien Hoffmann. That marriage would last for 42 happy and travel-filled years. They lived in many places, Georgia (three locations), Delaware, Texas and Maryland (three locations). In 1988, he supervised the construction of a custom home, designed

Danielle Page and her partner Stephen Blevins; sister Bobbie Xavier and her daughter Bonnie Magee and her partner Anthony Navarro; sister-in-law Betty Patch Rickard and family; sister-in-law Bonnie Patch Grillo and family; and step-sister Judith Beaupre and family. Patch lived a simple life, finding pleasure in her love of animals, especially her West Highland white terriers. She was an accomplished home cook known for dishes like her potato salad, deviled eggs and meals

theater, singing and dancing in many Vincent Shows (and she could command the stage!), producing three shows as show chairman, designing and making scenery and costumes.

She designed and made wonderful clothes for her family and friends, including her own superb wedding dress.

She volunteered at her daughter’s school, most notably on the committee that produced “Celebrations on the Charles” a cookbook of juried recipes.

She designed kitchens professionally and beautifully before Rolf started Zoll Medical. After that, she was his unpaid top helper and sounding board, interviewing candidates, writing annual reports, doing everything

Submissions should include the name of the funeral home serving the deceased’s family, along with a daytime phone number for a person to contact, in case we have

(Christopher) of Reading; Peter McIntyre of Miami, Florida; James McIntyre (Michelle) of Nashville, Tennessee; Anne Herzog (William) of Wakefield; Kara Hardiman (Edward) of Danvers; David McIntyre (Judy) of Franklin; James Leahy (Noreen) of Lynbrook, New York; Judith Leahy (Judy) of Gastonia, North Carolina; Patrick Leahy (Mary) of Phoenix, Arizona; Thomas Leahy of Danvers; Terence Leahy (Lisa) of N. Attleboro; Brendan Leahy (Jennifer) of Athens, Georgia. At the time of his passing, he was engaged to be married to Mary Theresa Gray of Marblehead. In memory of John Dennis, we ask that donations be considered to Northeastern University in his name or St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring St., Danvers 01923, online at stjohnsprep.org/remember. The wake will be held Friday, August 4, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. Salem. Services will be held Saturday, August 5, 10 a.m., at the St. John’s Prep Chapel in Danvers. For more information or online guestbook, please visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.

by his son Ray, in Grasonville, Maryland. They traveled the world together; Europe, Australia, Africa to visit Tad’s daughter Margaret, and their favorite, Hawaii (25 times). In 2017, he realized his dream of cruising through the Panama Canal. Marrying Vivien brought her family into his and he loved them and taught them and was silly with them. Vivien passed away in 2016 and from that day on he missed her dearly and included her in every grace he said.

Tad leaves behind his four children; Joseph Michael (Virginia, Florida), Margaret (Johannesburg, South Africa), Raymond (Massachusetts), David Richard (West Virginia) and Vivien’s three children; Mary Ann (Maryland), Robin (California) and John (Connecticut). He also leaves 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild.

Tad was always a teacher. Contributions are welcome to be made in his name to Engineers without Borders; ewb-usa.org.

for her husband. She traveled extensively, including cruises to the Caribbean and South Pacific.

Patch poured love onto her nieces, never forgetting gifts and cards on birthdays and holidays. Friends remember her kindness, gentleness and ease.

A celebration of life potluck will be held August 6, 1 p.m., at 7 Bayview Rd. Donations in Patch’s memory can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at secure.aspca.org.

she could to make that company a resounding success and to support Rolf when he took it public.

Rolf died in 1999. After that, Nina moved to Chapel Hill, a place Rolf, a graduate of UNC, had loved. She volunteered assiduously for the National Inclusion Project, and wrote and illustrated a charming book, “Let’s All Party,” advising on inclusion in children’s parties.

Many of the people who have written to or called us have commented on Nina’s sense of humor. She was a fine and loyal friend, a hard and effective worker, a source of terrific ideas — and fun.

Nina leaves her daughter Cornelia Mead Stutz Cormier

any questions about the obituary.

(Jim); and her grandson, Jackson James Cormier; her sisters, Hope Green Arns and Merrill Green Belmer; her nephews, Charles Belmer (Cynthia) and Thurston Belmer, and niece and nephews Sue, Tom and Paul Arns; her great-niece and great-nephew, Lianna and Oliver Belmer; her sisters-in-law, Ann, Hannah and Lisa; her friend and loving caregiver, Rebecca Porter; her cat, Eddie; and many, many loving friends. She was predeceased by her husband Rolf and by her parents.

Nina’s memorial service will be held August 16, 11 a.m., in the Bigelow Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at CremationSocietyNC.com.

Best Bets for Aug. 2 through Aug. 8

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Leigh Blander

Alice Howe Quartet

Friday, August 4, 7:30 p.m.

Join Homegrown House Concerts for the Alice Howe Quartet at 23 Rowland St. Howe is an L.A.-based singer-songwriter-guitarist who performs blues, folk, country, soul and rock. More info at https://sites.google.com/view/homegrownhouseconcerts/ upcoming-shows?authuser=0

Celebrate Marblehead’s new bookstore

Wednesday, August 2, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.

Join the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce as it welcomes Saltwater Bookstore with a aribbon-cutting ceremony at 134 Washington St. An avid reader and longtime Marbleheader, Laura Cooper opened Saltwater in May after visiting bookshops from Beacon Hill to Notting Hill.

Fun Bucket

Friday, August 4, 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.

Head out to The Beacon at 123 Pleasant St. to dance to Fun Bucket. These four musicians have shared stages with greats like U2, Natalie Cole, Matchbox 20, Carlene Carter and New Kids on the Block.

Gallery Stroll & Art-making

Sunday, August 6, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Stroll through Marblehead’s galleries, find inspiration and then gather with others to create your own piece of art. Creative Spirit and MacRae’s Sustainable Goods are hosting this workshop. Explore the galleries independently first and then meet at 2 p.m. at MacRae’s, 108 Washington St. The workshop will be facilitated by local artist and Creative Spirit owner Peyton Pugmore. Cost is $55. Register at creativespirit.com.

Let's ta lk re al estate.