Issues
“Our lives and the issues we care about are interconnected. We cannot talk about supporting a vibrant downtown without acknowledging the importance of the arts, or our values around labor rights, and even the impacts of oppressive poverty. Likewise, we cannot discuss housing issues without also focusing on traffic and climate change. Our excellent public schools are what they are partly because we have a strong tax base and high housing costs, which for many is a crisis. Elected officials must be able to hold these complexities and create an equitable and just path forward. Our community will only be served when we bring an intersectional view to problem solving. As your City Councilor, I will do this. I will bring solutions that are inclusive, and I will center the voices of those most impacted in bringing forward the public policy that will serve all residents and businesses of Northampton.”
The Arts
“Having been a touring musician for years, I understand the importance that music and the arts have in bringing together a community. I plan to use my knowledge and experience to help revitalize Northampton’s art scene. For years Northampton was seen as a beacon of artistic creativity, innovation and exploration, and I would like to help cultivate that feeling once again. I would like to see us utilize our outdoor spaces and find ways to foster more community engagement with the arts.”
Schools
“As the father of two young children, I know first hand how important a strong education system is. I look forward to helping strengthen the school system in Northampton with a focus on ensuring that our public schools have the funding and access they need in order to properly service our community.”
Downtown Business
“I have spent nearly all of my adult life working in Downtown Northampton. I worked at Cooks Shop Here on King Street for years, as well as at Tea Trekker on Gleason, and spent a good portion of time working at many local restaurants including Union Station, and Sylvester’s. I spent over a decade on Strong Avenue working, booking, and managing Bishop’s Lounge.
I think Northampton is still at a unique crossroads. COVID hit every city and town extremely hard but for a city like ours, known for arts, culture and cuisine it has felt especially difficult.
Over my first term on city council I have enjoyed being able to utilize my experience in the service and entertainment industries and help bring new events and programming to our city. And while working on things like Summer on Strong, Masonic Street Live, and the Vibrancy Project has been wonderful, there is more work to be done.
I support the redesign of Main Street. Countless hours of hard work, study, and public input have helped us create a blueprint of what the future of downtown Northampton can be. I also know that change is difficult, and I pledge myself to help our businesses and community navigate the road ahead.”
Social Justice
“Diversity is key. Whether it is highlighting the uniqueness in each of our cities or representation on our boards and committees.
I have been doing work to help study barriers to service and diversity to bring about change because representation matters.
Im proud to have sponsored a resolution to study racialized harms against black residents and workers along with Councilors Elkins and Gore. I’m even more excited to be a part of that committee and work on ways to redress these harms and educate our community.
I look forward to helping Northampton become a city that is more inviting to workers and people of color. I want to address our housing inequality and find ways to create more work force and low income housing for those who help keep our city thriving.”