Equity is the bedrock. For many residents, Northampton is a tale of two cities as the wealth gap widens. I will work with and for residents in ward 1 to close inequality gaps in housing, climate, and education. As climate preparedness projects progress, I plan to advocate for equal protections for disadvantaged neighborhoods. I will continue to support the work of local non-profit organizations around food sovereignty. I plan to advocate for all, and especially the most disadvantaged children in our community for an equitable education.

Key Issues

Housing : Northampton has a shortage of affordable rentals. More than 20% of all renters in the City spend more than 30% of their income on rent.(We call this “cost burdened” in housing policy.) Our city must continue to build more housing at all income levels, with special focus on affordable housing for our lower-income neighbors, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, and working families trying to make ends meet. More housing for all also reduces rent growth in older, existing units; I will help Northampton take advantage of the state’s 2024 Affordable Homes Act.. As Ward 1 City Councilor, I will listen to residents in our ward’s developments and in single-family neighborhoods to understand your housing needs and goals. I will advocate for you and work with the City and our developer partners to preserve and increase Northampton’s affordable, accessible, and high-quality housing for all. I would like to revive the Housing Trust Fund and have creative ideas on how it could be funded.

Climate/Hazard Mitigation: We need to meet Massachusetts’ 2030 climate goals, which includes a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels. The City of Northampton has been a leader by establishing a Climate Action and Project Administration (CAPA). Inherent in that commitment is good infrastructure, clean drinking water and air, healthy soils, and hazard mitigation. Flood remediation and reducing risks from invasive species is crucial to our farms and food supply. Trees play an important part in cooling and cleaning and creating the air we breathe. Environmental/climate equity is crucial to the well-being of all who live in Northampton. I understand how these issues affect people’s daily lives through my engagement with Grow Food Northampton, my tenant advocacy in subsidized housing, and through my own passion for gardening and green space. I will be a vocal advocate for a climate resilient future for ward 1 and Northampton on the City Council.

Education: Northampton has seen tremendous energy around our public schools since the Covid pandemic, and many children fell far behind. As a city councilor, I will advocate for environmentally and financially sustainable schools that equitably invest in our most vulnerable students and across all schools. With the removal of MCAS as a graduation requirement, our schools have a wonderful opportunity to think creatively about what we want public education in Northampton to be.