EASTHAMPTON — The election picture is starting to come into focus in Easthampton, where there will be at least three new faces on the City Council next year, along with a new mayor.
Though candidates still have another six weeks to make their campaigns official, as of this week, three candidates have announced a mayoral run: current mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula, City Councilor At-Large Jason “JT” Tirrell and city resident Robert Laferriere. Sekula and Tirrell have submitted their nomination papers, making them eligible candidates. Sekula was the first to announce her candidacy in March followed by Tirrell and Laferriere.
Residents still have time to file to run for mayor, city council and school committee, but they must submit their nomination papers along with signatures from 100 residents by Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. Precinct councilors only need 50 signatures.
Tirrell’s decision to run for mayor will leave his at-large seat on the council open. Besides Tirrell, the two other at-large councilors not running for reelection are Brad Riley and Peg Conniff. Conniff was an interim councilor filling the vacant seat of Owen Zaret, after he resigned.
Meanwhile, five candidates have pulled papers to run for the four at-large positions on the council. Among them are incumbent Koni Denham and newcomers Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid, Nathan Markee, Jonathan Schmidt and Karl Prahl. Here are brief bios of these candidates.
Koni Denham
Denham will be making a push for her third term as councilor. Denham has served on the council for four years and lived in Easthampton for nearly 13 years, renting in the city prior to that period.
“There are a several reasons why I’m running for re-election. First, I love Easthampton and I want to be a part of working with others to address the challenges that our little city will be facing in the near future,” Denham said in an email to the Gazette.
Denham credits her four years on the Finance Committee and time spent on the Ordinance Committee as vital experience that will help her navigate the fiscal challenges the city faces.
Denham is proud of what Easthampton has accomplished to support residents, despite having a smaller budget than neighboring communities. She wants to focus on making Easthampton an affordable place to live for all residents in a time where the cost of living is rising. She hopes her experience in multiple sectors of the city’s government will help provide a smooth transition through the process of electing a new mayor.
“I’ve spent the last four years learning about the ins and outs of how the city works and tried to create opportunities to involve residents in the municipal process,” Denham said. “I’ve collaborated with city departments to address community concerns and solve problems, as well as educate residents about city government procedures. I’m not afraid to be the lone voice speaking up on an issue and doing what is right for the city given our challenges.”
Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid
Jamrog-McQauid, a lifelong Easthampton resident, is no stranger to the community. Going through public elementary and middle school, and spending the past four years on the Easthampton Affordable and Fair Housing Partnership, he hopes to continue advocacy for an affordable and equitable community.
“I am a lifelong resident and have seen over 27 years how this city has grown into the vibrant community I’m proud to call home … ,” Jamrog-McQuaid said in an email to the Gazette. “If elected as city councilor, I will ensure that housing affordability is a top priority for Easthampton by continuing the fight for rent stabilization and expanded tenant protections.”
Jamrog-McQuaid led the Easthampton Housing Coalition for over three years and contributed to writing Easthampton’s resolution in support of lifting the statewide ban on rent stabilization. He studied in Texas for an undergraduate degree before returning to Easthampton to study at University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning a master’s degree in public policy and administration.
He works as a economic and public policy research assistant at the Donahue Institute at UMass, which has given him hands-on experience informing policymaking at the state and local level. Using what he has learned through his role in higher education, he hopes to make a more sustainable and eco-friendly Easthampton.
“If elected I would continue to bring my experience and knowledge to my work for Easthampton, along with an open mind to learning new lessons from other councilors and the community more broadly,” Jamrog-McQuaid said.
Nathan Markee
Markee has lived in Easthampton for more than six years as a father, and a self-employed contractor and artist.
“My motivation for running for City Council stems from my desire to take my passion for public service and turn it into tangible results for my community,” Markee said in an email to the Gazette.
The community activist serves as the chair of the Easthampton Democratic Committee and on the board of directors for Easthampton Media. Markee said he has worked in grassroots organizing for over 20 years, working on local, statewide and national political campaigns. He has met numerous people by going door-to-door advocating for the campaigns he has worked on.
Markee wants to help make Easthampton a better place to live through his passion for public service. Part of his motivation for running comes from a concern about the impact of decisions that the “federal administration is making including funding cuts, policy changes and priority shifts.”
“I strongly believe that it is up to us to create the kind of community that we want to live in,” Markee said. “I want to live in one that is affordable, caring, and inclusive: one that not only meets the needs of each of us, but provides opportunity for each of us.”
Jonathan Schmidt
Schmidt is an Easthampton native who has worked closely with the public schools’ community in the city. He has previously served for four years on the Easthampton School Committee and works as a youth librarian at the Easthampton Public Library, giving him the opportunity to engage with the city’s government.
“I excel in thinking laterally, engaging in collaboration, and planning for the future, and I am excited to bring these skills to the Council at such a critical moment in time,” Schmidt said in an email to the Gazette.
Schmidt serves as treasurer for the Easthampton Democratic Committee and for Easthampton Media. He hopes to engage further with the supportive and loving community of Easthampton, by advocating for organizations and services that help meet the needs of residents. Schmidt will focus on multiple issues including food and housing security, education and cultural enrichment.
During his time on the School Committee, he helped guide the public schools system through the COVID-19 pandemic, while overseeing construction of Mountain View School. He explained the necessity to lead through the pandemic with reason and empathy when many challenges needed to be faced.
“In times of hardship, it is a great privilege to feel the support of an engaged and loving community …,” Schmidt said about living in Easthampton. “I’m looking forward to devoting much of the next few months to getting out in the community and talking with voters.”
Karl Prahl
Prahl is a local farmer at Underline Farm in Easthampton and frequently engages in community activities including hosting a tent at the city farmer’s market on Sundays.
Due to the busy farm season in the summer, Prahl is not confident he will continue his campaign for a seat on the council. Although, he has not confirmed he is out of the race.
Other races
In other council races, Precinct 1 Councilor James “JP” Kwiecinski, Precinct 2 Councilor Felicia Jadczak, Precinct 3 Councilor Thomas Peake, and Precinct 4 Councilor and interim Mayor Salem Derby have pulled papers to run and retain their seats. Precinct 5 Councilor Tamara Smith has not pulled papers yet, but is expected to, according to the city clerk.
No challengers for the precinct seats have emerged. Derby will be able to return to his seat after his spell as interim mayor.
There are seven seats on the school committee, including the mayor. In addition to Derby, current members include Laura Scott, Megan Harvey, Linda Sue Markee, Sam Hunter, Eric Guyette and Timothy St. John.
St. John is the only member not running for reelection, after filling the seat of Ben Hersey, who resigned in May. Currently, the new candidates that’ve emerged are Bonnie Atkins and Allison Malinowski.
Voters will be asked to select six School Committee members on Nov. 4.
Sam Ferland can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com
