Ward 1 Newsletter (02/18/23): Reparations Commission approved
The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution calling for a commission "to study racialized harms perpetrated against Black residents, workers, and students in Northampton, historically and currently." The resolution is sponsored by Garrick Perry (Ward 4) and at-large councilors Jamila Gore and Marissa Elkins. The resolution states "that [...]
Mayor announces ARPA community recovery grants
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra during Thursday's City Council meeting announced the 61 projects that received grants totaling $4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act money designated by the city for community recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects will support recovery, build resilience and reconnect the community. I was one [...]
Ward 1 Newsletter (02/03/23): Reparations Commission proposed
A resolution calling for a commission "to study racialized harms perpetrated against Black residents, workers, and students in Northampton, historically and currently" received strong support from every city councilor when it was introduced Feb. 2. The resolution is sponsored by Garrick Perry (Ward 4) and at-large councilors Jamila Gore and [...]
Ward 1 newsletter (1/21/23): Cap on retail marijuana shops approved
Cap on cannabis dispensaries The City Council on Thursday voted 6-3 to approve an ordinance capping at 12 the number of retail marijuana dispensaries in Northampton. I voted with the majority, and President James Nash (Ward 3), Marissa Elkins (at-large) and Garrick Perry (Ward 4) opposed the ordinance. It now goes to [...]
Ward 1 newsletter (1/06/23): Money for Resilience Hub approved
Resilience Hub The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved appropriating $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money to purchase the former First Baptist Church at 298 Main St. for use as the Community Resilience Hub. The vote came after Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra told the council that the city had extensively explored about [...]
Ward 1 newsletter (12/16/22): Cannabis dispensaries cap proposed
Cannabis dispensaries The City Council on Thursday began discussing a proposed ordinance to cap at 12 the number of retail marijuana dispensaries in Northampton. The measure was referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters, of which I am a member, for further deliberation during a virtual meeting at 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9, [...]