Representing Easthampton
Past, Present, & Future
Map courtesy of Boston Public Library
Learn from the Past
As a former member of the Easthampton School Committee, I have direct experience working within city government. I've learned what it takes to collaborate and make decisions with others on an elected body. Serving through the height of the pandemic, I brought reason and empathy to difficult discussions, often with issues that lacked a clear right answer. Those moments taught me to lead with my values, speak up for what I believed, and remain open minded to differing opinions.
Live for the Present
Simply put: Easthampton must prioritize the services and organizations contributing to citizens’ daily lives. Now more than ever, it is critical for state and local leaders to ensure the needs of their communities are getting met; from food and housing security, to education, to free and low-cost community enrichment. This work begins with a budget that reflects our values, but it also takes advocating for people when they ask for help, supporting groups putting ideas into action, and connecting our city with regional and state efforts to achieve these same goals.
Build for the Future
We are all stewards of the future. By working now to build a sustainable Easthampton, we can leave our children with a city that is adaptable and resilient in a rapidly changing world. We need to embrace clean, renewable energy at every opportunity, and to further reduce plastic in our city. We need to support efforts to grow food locally, both on farms and in our gardens. We need to protect and conserve our sources of water. And we must educate our children for the future they will inherit.
HOUSING
I want to work toward stabilizing rent, and protecting tenants from outside interests looking to extract wealth from our community. I'd like to explore the extent to which public housing could be expanded, and to look for non-traditional pathways for folks to own their own homes (including, but not limited to, housing co-ops - I'm very interested in resource sharing, and getting folks invested in their community).
FOOD INSECURITY
We're about to see a significant rise in residents struggling to feed themselves and their family. I'll work to understand what City Council can accomplish in this regard, but if nothing else, I expect we can help to coordinate and advocate for the efforts of our local food pantries. I'd also like to look at ways to ensure the resiliency of our farms against extreme weather events, and encourage folks to grow their own food - whether by repurposing our lawns, or developing additional community gardens.
EDUCATION
I believe public education is the great equalizer of our society, and a strong school district uplifts the entire community. As a former School Committee member, I value and support the work that they do, and I see the Council as partners in ensuring students and teachers have the resources to succeed. I also understand that we rely significantly on state funding for things like transportation and special education services, and any decrease in that funding will necessitate difficult conversations and creative solutions to maintain level services.
CITY PLANNING
I intend to support development in Easthampton with a focus on the future. This means transitioning to renewable energy at every opportunity, while also planning for the risks that accompany extreme weather, so residents don't lose access to their homes or services. I want to see expanded efforts to protect and preserve the Barnes Aquifer, and to reduce the amount of plastic (and thus, microplastics) in our city. Building projects should be designed to promote walkability, facilitate improvements to public transportation and infrastructure, and respect the wildlife that shares this city with us.
HUMAN RIGHTS
I am committed to ensuring that Easthampton is as safe a place to live as possible, regardless of any individual's identity or immigration status. We are all in this together, and the fabric of our community is made stronger by the different perspectives and experiences we each bring to it. I am in full support of the Council's resolution to protect the rights of trans, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex people in our community; and I am deeply troubled by the presence of ICE agents abducting people off our streets.
HEALTHCARE
In my opinion, there is no place for 'profit' in the medical industry, and everyone deserves access to both physical and mental health care. Our pharmacies and medical facilities are stretched thin, and I expect the demand for services will only continue to grow as our population ages. This is another issue where I want to better understand the potential role of City Council, but it's important to me to ensure that our local options aren't forced to close due to rising costs or loss of staff (as we have already seen in other parts of the country).
This page is a living document.
As my campaign unfolds, I will use this space to reflect on issues facing Easthampton and our larger world. I will also answer questions that I hear frequently while connecting with voters.
Bookmark this page and visit again for updates throughout the weeks leading up to Election Day.
If you like what you see, please consider lending me your vote on November 4th!