THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 27, 2026 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Page 3 Vote YES on Malden’s Future: Protect Essential Services and Our Community To the Editor: On Tuesday, March 31st, Malden voters will have a big choice to make as we head to the polls to vote on our city’s first ever Proposition 2 ½ override. As Mayor, and as someone who proudly calls this community home, I am voting “YES” because I am deeply committed to the future of our community and truly believe that this is a necessary step to safeguard vital services for our residents. Malden is not alone in facing serious fiscal pressures. Communities across Massachusetts are increasingly turning to overrides simply to maintain essential services. Rising inflation, escalating healthcare costs, and declining state aid have forced difficult choices in cities and towns everywhere. Like many communities, we are working to preserve the frontline workers who keep our city functioning every day—our police officers, firefighters, DPW crews, librarians, and other dedicated public employees. Malden, however, faces an additional and significant challenge. The Commonwealth’s education funding formula disadvantages our city more than nearly any other community. While state support for our schools has declined, required education costs continue to rise. As a result, Malden has been forced to do more with less for years; stretching local resources to ensure our children receive the quality education that every child deserves. We are a diverse community of 70,000 residents, each with different experiences and needs. Local government carries the responsibility of meeting residents where they are and responding to those needs wisely. Investments in parks, clean water infrastructure, public health programs, and neighborhood services may impact residents differently, but together they form the foundation of a city that works for everyone. For some families, these services are convenient or supportive; for others, they are critical and ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ About The Budget Override A s a Malden homeowner and parent of a Linden kindergartner, I’m voting Yes on Questions 1A and 1B on March 31! In addition to the firefighters and police we rely on to keep our community safe, and the roads, parks, and playgrounds we use daily, we are avid users of the Malden Public Library, which would face devastating cuts if the budget shortfall is not met. We’re especially distressed at the possible loss of *three* librarians, availability of the children’s room, and evening/weekend library hours (the only times we can visit), but it’s bigger than that—every Malden resident would be impacted by these cuts. What’s more, if Malden doesn’t pass the override on the first try, we may end up locked in a downward spiral Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/ Advocate.news.ma of cuts and decreased services that becomes increasingly difficult to fix with every passing year and ultimately makes our community a worse place to live. It’s a revenue problem, not a spending problem—state law caps our property tax growth, so only voters can change the devastating math that is kneecapping us. I want my child to grow up in a city that invests in its people. Please vote Yes with me! Sincerely, Amy Bennett life-changing. They are delivered every day by our dedicated municipal workforce and are vital to the quality of life we share. Today, Malden is facing unprecedented financial pressures from economic forces beyond our control. Without additional revenue, we will be forced to make deep cuts to local jobs and essential services. I understand and respect that some residents oppose tax increases as a matter of principle or personal circumstances. Those differences of opinion are part of a healthy democracy. At the same time, the services supported by this override are foundational to Malden’s strength, safety, and stability. On March 31st, I am voting to preserve the services that keep us safe, support our children and seniors, maintain our roads and parks, and ensure that Malden remains a city that works for everyone. I respectfully ask you to join me in voting YES on Questions 1A and 1B. Thank you for your consideration. Signed, Gary Christenson Mayor PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195
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