Contested races in Easthampton and Northampton had voters put pens to ballots to show their support for candidates Tuesday morning.
In Northampton, voters said civic duty drove them into the brisk temperatures to vote. On their ballots, Northampton voters had choices in the races for mayor, city clerk, Ward 3 city councilor, and the School Committee’s Ward 6 and 7 seats.
A divisive mayoral election in Easthampton pitted what some said was new blood against long-time politicos. Voters saw contested races for mayor, at-large city councilor, Precinct 2 city councilor, and at-large School Committee seats.
The promise of continued economic growth and concern over a troubled school district drew Easthampton residents to the polls Tuesday. With two candidates — longtime City Councilor Joy Winnie and attorney Nicole LaChapelle — competing for mayor to succeed Karen Cadieux, voters weighed their experience and skills.
Among the voters were former Easthampton Mayor Michael Tautznik and current District 5 City Councilor Daniel Rist. Both said they voted for Joy Winnie for mayor, citing her experience and fiscal responsibility.
“Running this city, it’s a $40 million business,” said Rist. “You don’t walk into it without experience.”
“Institutional knowledge is important,” said Tautznik. “I think Joy represents the best opportunity to retain that institutional integrity in the community.”
Rist pushed back against the idea that LaChapelle is a candidate more welcoming of immigrants.
“She is just as progressive as the other candidate,” Rist said of Winnie. “And both candidates are good; just Winnie has the experience to get things done.”
Some residents, however, saw the election as an opportunity to shake up the political establishment. Bruce Homstead, 75, voted for LaChapelle because he saw Winnie as a continuation of Tautznik’s and Cadieux’s legacy.
“I think Easthampton needs a break from the past,” he said. “Nicky has a sharp mind and is a critical thinker and will probably be a better communicator.”
Bullying in the Easthampton schools is a major concern for Homstead, who said that 30 years ago he pulled his son from the public school for that reason.
“I think Nicole, being a former superintendent of the schools, will help address that,” he said.
Homstead continued, “I’m concerned about the money we’re spending on education. I think education is due for a major reworking in this country. Kids are learning differently, and we aren’t prepared for that.”
CindaHurteau, 52, owns Phillips Plumbing and Heating and manages several properties in the Easthampton area. She voted for Winnie because of her support of small business, but also followed the School Committee elections closely.
“We have so many more kids than a year ago,” said . “There’s been an explosion these past few years. They call it the new Northampton.”
Lisa Evans, 57, an Easthampton resident of over 20 years, voted for LaChapelle based on what she saw online.
“I do not like what some of (Winnie’s) followers are saying on Facebook,” she said. “They seem like they want some sort of imagined past.”
Michelle Markley, 48, voted for LaChapelle because she thinks she will be able to address the issues of racism at Easthampton High School recently investigated by Attorney General Maura Healey.
“It was racism. Institutionalized racism. I thought the attorney general’s report was great at outlining the problems and coming up with a plan of action,” she said. “I’ve been amazed for people not seeing it for what it was.”
Markley said she is concerned about how the city will pay to fix problems in the school system without raising taxes and pushing out lower-income residents as more students leave for charter and private schools.
Eddie Downey, 44, who said he is a personal friend of LaChapelle’s, voted for her because he thinks she will make a good negotiator.
“She knows how to get money,” he said. “Winnie says that and she passes the buck … but to be mayor you have to be in charge.”
Downey continued, “It’s not just old Easthampton anymore, it’s a city.”
An hour after the polls opened at Robert K. Finn Ryan Road School, 124 people turned out to cast their ballots in two precincts.
“There seems to be a good flow of traffic for this type of election,” said J.M. Sorrell, warden for Ward 6, precinct A. “We’re happy for that.”
Across the school’s gym, Ward 6, precinct B Warden Alicia Ralph shared Sorrell’s sentiment.
“We’re pleased because it’s been steady,” Ralph said. “ We were afraid that it’d be very quiet but it’s nice.”
After standing outside holding a sign earlier that morning, Douglas Hebert, 74, took a break from campaigning to cast his ballot.
“I vote every year. Period,” Hebert said. “I’m what you call a super voter.”
A committee member of city clerk candidate Pam Powers’ campaign, Hebert said Powers is “very, very good at what she does.”
Exiting the school, Thomas Murphy, 47, and his sons stopped to take a selfie with their “I voted” stickers.
“It’s an important civic duty. I wanted to show my sons that it is important to vote,” Murphy said. “That means you have a say in how your government gets run.”
Murphy said he was excited to vote for incumbent David Narkewicz. “I think our incumbent is doing a good job and I’d like to see him continue.”
For Lorraine Weimann, 70, the city clerk race was important.
“I believe the candidate I chose has more experience to actually do the job then relying on family history,” she said, declining to name her pick.
Casting her ballot in person for the first time in 15 years, retired city employee Maryellen Scott said it felt great to be at the polls.
“I would never not vote,” said Scott, who previously voted via absentee ballot.
Recalling her own experience working for the city, Scott said she voted for Robert Driscoll in the clerk’s race. “I think he’s the better candidate,” Scott said. “Having worked in City Hall, I know what goes on.”
At the Florence Civic and Business Center, voters trickled in. By about 8:40 a.m. 58 people had already made their voices heard.
For Vis Taraz, 38, voting is an important way to demonstrate to her young children the important culture of civic and political engagement.
Aldo and Elaine Tibani said they voted as part of their civic duty.
“We want to have a say in our government and we want to be able to complain about it with a clear conscience,” Aldo Tibani said with a laugh.
Excited about the mayoral race, Tibani said that position has a real effect on the direction of the city.
“I voted for Narkewicz,” Tibani said. “I think he has done an excellent job, not perfect.”
Lines of voting booths filled the gym at Smith Vocational High School, which served as the polling place for two wards and three precincts.
Just after 9 a.m., a total of 225 people had cast their ballots.
Putting on her bicycle helmet after voting, Amy Martyn said she felt fortunate to have the right and the privilege to elect the people who represent the community.
This year’s election was the first time in years voters had a contested race for city clerk.
“I think we had two really good candidates,” Martyn said of the city clerk candidates.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com. Sarah Robertson can be reached at srobertson@gazettenet.com.