~ Guest Commentary ~ Malden override to save city services fails, 49-51

First Gateway City to attempt Proposition 2½ override since 2008

(Editor’s Note: This is a press release sent by Yes For Malden)

Tonight is a loss for our City. The services we love and that keep our community strong – from our plow drivers to our first responders to our children’s librarians – are now at risk of not showing up when we need them most. Our public servants will again be asked to do more with less. This time, with less staff. Too many people will lose good, dignified jobs because of tonight’s results. The voters have chosen the path we take, and we must all live with those consequences.

We will continue to lean on the community that powered this campaign. Our 70 volunteers include first-time canvassers, seniors putting pen to postcard, and residents old and new talking with their neighbors about why they love Malden. We were joined by our siblings in the labor movement with generous support above and beyond what they are normally called to do. That community will sustain us in the days ahead, when we have tough conversations about the future of our City. We know that we cannot do this alone, and we know that our challenges ahead are large.

We are the first Gateway City to attempt a Proposition 2½ override since 2008. Malden has a long and proud history of charting our own path forward, and making history when we need it most. We are not done saying Yes for Malden.

“Disappointed is certainly the word that comes to mind with tonight’s outcome, but the voters have spoken and we will move forward,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I want to thank every resident who took the time to participate in this process. Whether you supported or opposed the override, your engagement reflects a shared commitment to Malden’s future. While this is not the result we hoped for, we respect the decision of the community. Our finance team will now begin the difficult task of identifying necessary reductions to balance the budget. These decisions will require careful, thoughtful prioritization of the services our residents rely on. Our community has faced challenges before and we will find a way to move forward together.”

“While tonight’s outcome isn’t the one we hoped and worked so hard for, we are still committed to doing the difficult work of setting up our community for a stable financial future. Malden’s strength is in coming together as a city to overcome difficult moments, and this will be no different,” said City Council President Amanda Linehan. “We hope our residents will continue to stay engaged in the budget process moving forward as we confront the tough decisions we are going to have to make.”

“We had clearly hoped for a different result,” said Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald. “The cuts we’ll have to make will be painful. That’s why it was so important that the voters themselves made this call. The deck is stacked against cities like ours who need more help from Beacon Hill to be able to sustain the basic services our residents rely on.”

Yes for Malden is a grassroots group of Malden residents working to protect critical community services in Malden. Learn more at yesformalden.org. The Malden City Clerk’s Office is the ultimate source for election results.