We must strive to make Northampton a city where people from all backgrounds and income levels feel welcome and are able to build a comfortable life for themselves and their families. But it will take work to reduce barriers to living in Northampton, and dismantle systemic racism that is here, as it is everywhere. I am committed to continue working for expanded affordable housing, great public schools, accessible public transportation, and public safety services that protect and respect all.

I am a strong supporter of the planned Community Resilience Hub, which will connect Northampton’s unhoused and climate vulnerable residents with critical services, help them meet their basic needs, and provide emergency shelter, as well as be a daily safe space. 

I supported the successful effort to make long-needed zoning changes to allow for more attainable two-family homes by right throughout the city, as well as affordable and smaller units. This is designed to reduce barriers by increasing housing stock, affordability, and access to housing.

In co-creating and appointing the Policing Review Commission, I established a mandate that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color account for a majority of its members, and I will continue efforts to ensure that all communities in Northampton are heard and represented. 

I have also sponsored numerous City Council resolutions and ordinances in support of reproductive rights, immigrant protections, refugee settlement, and protections for transgender and non-binary individuals.

There is a great deal more work to be done to carefully examine our ordinances, as well as policies, for bias and inequity, and as mayor I would work closely with the City Council and members of the community to identify and address such measures.