I am endorsing incumbent Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra; Gwenevra Nabad for Ward 1 city councilor; Benjamin Spencer and incumbent Garrick Perry for at-large city councilor; and Roberta “Robbie” Saner Sullivan for at-large School Committee in the contested races on the Ward 1 ballot in the general election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Ward 1 voters will cast their ballots at the Jackson Street School.

After working with Mayor Sciarra as a city councilor during the past four years, I am excited to endorse her for a second term. With the support of the City Council, Mayor Sciarra has made an unprecedented investment in the Northampton Public Schools by adding $10.7 million to its budget, while establishing new citywide programs including the Division of Community Care and the Climate Action and Project Administration Department, and this year increasing Public Safety staff by eight firefighters and one dispatcher.

I appreciated how Mayor Sciarra involved a cross-section of the community in financial decisions when I served on the advisory committee that recommended how to spend $4 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to support some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens. Mayor Sciarra stands for visionary, compassionate and inclusive leadership.

I enthusiastically endorse Gwen Nabad to succeed me as Ward 1 city councilor because she is the only candidate with experience in Northampton municipal government who will bring a unique voice to the City Council and an understanding of the wide range of services required to meet the needs of vulnerable residents.

Gwen stands for equity and a holistic approach to closing inequality gaps in housing, public education and responding to the climate crisis.

As chair of the Northampton Housing Partnership, Gwen understands the need to add housing at all income levels, while paying particular attention to providing for lower-income and working families, seniors and people with disabilities.

Gwen is a long-time renter in subsidized housing and the parent of children who received special education services in the public schools. She is active in Grow Food Northampton and a member of the Northampton Survival Center’s client advisory committee.

As a result of those experiences, Gwen is a strong advocate for tenants’ rights; sustainable, inclusive schools; climate justice; and food security.

Gwen will listen to all her constituents and consider the needs of the entire city while bringing an independent voice to the City Council

Garrick Perry, Benjamin Spencer and Robbie Saner Sullivan are all candidates who share my vision for forward-looking leadership and who will make fact-based decisions informed by engaging with all their constituents. They will work collaboratively and respectfully with their colleagues and municipal staff to meet the needs of the entire city.

The other candidates in contested races on the Ward 1 ballot are Jillian Duclos, mayor; Michele Ronco, Ward 1 city councilor; Deborah Henson and Margaret Robbins, at-large city councilor; and Tiffany Jewell and Emily Serafy-Cox, at-large School Committee.

Running unopposed are Alena Bartoli, Ward 1 School Committee; incumbent trustees of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Richard Aquadro, Michael Cahillane and Julie Spencer-Robinson; Lolan Sevilla, Frederick Kass, and incumbents Rebekah Anderson and Ann Ruocco, Forbes Library trustees; and David Murphy, elector under the Oliver Smith will.

There will be in-person early voting in City Hall on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 20 to 24 and Oct. 27 to 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The deadline for applying for mail-in early voting ballots is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28. More information is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/2274/Early-Mail-In-Voting

The deadline for registering to vote before the general election is 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.

Stan