NORTHAMPTON — The six candidates making their bid for two at-large city councilor seats in Northampton spoke at a candidate forum Tuesday night, focusing on everything from affordable housing and public school funding, to infrastructure improvement and government transparency.
Two at-large city councilors will be elected on Nov. 4. The forum drew some 300 people to Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence who were hoping the debate would help lock-in or sway their votes toward specific candidates for the Sept. 16 preliminary election when voters will thin the field to four candidates.
The six candidates include Deb Henson, Benjamin Spencer, Garrick Perry, Meg Robbins, William O’Dwyer and Yakov Kronrod. Perry is the only candidate who is an incumbent running for reelection, with the other current at-large councilor, Marissa Elkins, not seeking reelection.
A father of two, Perry has served on the council for four years, first as for Ward 4, then as an at-large councilor. He has worked in a variety of retail and service jobs, expressing his love for balancing the many roles he fills in the city, both in business and government.
“I’m always excited to learn and gain a proper perspective and contribute all I can to our community and to make our lives better,” he said. “Being a city councilor is a lot and I’m hoping to use my experience, dedication and passion to be a guiding force for this next council.”
Robbins sees her profession as a history teacher, educational consultant and whole school change coach in public schools, as one that lends its skillset toward that required by a councilor. She served as a Ward 1 representative on the School Committee from 2022-2024 and wants to see more communication to the citizens through Northampton’s government.
“We love Northampton for its unique personality, its foibles and flaws, its deep connection for us as home, but for many of us, we’re not sure what our city is up to,” said Robbins.
Along with experience in special education, Henson was also a lawyer. Besides the schools, there are many topics of focus and concern for Henson including necessary infrastructure upgrades, L3Harris and the vulnerability of underserved groups.
“I decided to run for city council because of the crisis in our public schools,” said Henson. “As a former special education social worker who now lives in this well-educated city, I’m shocked that our schools are failing our kids.”
O’Dwyer, a democratic socialist, is a strong advocate for affordable housing as a student and renter in Northampton, and someone who was in foster care and receiving SNAP benefits. If elected, he hopes to help form a tenant protection board and stand up against federal action from the Trump administration.
“The people of Northampton deserve not just bread but roses too, a city where all of us can afford to live and live well, where wages are fair, the cost of living is low, public transit is well funded and accessible, and where the music, arts and restaurant scenes can flourish,” said O’Dwyer.
An active member of the Northampton community for more than 35 years, Spencer has been involved as a parent, through work and someone who simply enjoys local government. He’s been an advocate for housing justice in the city, raising concerns about the development on the south campus of Village Hill and advocating for affordable housing on Chapel Street.
“I’m running to be councilor at-large because I want to help,” said Spencer. “I want to help people understand how they can engage with their community in ways that are constructive, productive and rewarding.”
Kronrod’s advocacy work started in college at the University of Maryland, while working various jobs to make it through school. He has an eye for detail through his experience and expertise working with ethical AI, understanding emotional intelligence and educational programming.
“I have backbone, but I know how to disagree and commit. I will always speak up for truth, justice and those without a voice, and I will always stand up for my principles.” he said.
The candidates spent about 90 minutes answering questions asked by panelists or submitted by the audience. Candidates weighed in on topics including City Charter changes, transparency in government, Picture Main Street and more.
Transparency on the council
Candidates were asked about a rising call from the community for more transparency between the council and the residents. Henson sees this as an issue. Spencer doesn’t see a lack of transparency. O’Dwyer, Kronrod, Perry and Robbins see room for improved outreach.
“I don’t feel like there is a transparency problem taking place in the city,” said Spencer.
As an frequent meeting attender, Spencer feels the idea of a lack of transparency can rise when people do not seek information enough. He mentioned that the city posts agendas online, 48 hours before meetings, which are then recorded.
O’Dwyer concurred that the council engages the public well through “incumbency tip initiatives,” part of what inspired him to run. However, he knows there needs to be more outreach to the community, specifically for people who cannot attend meetings due to busy schedules, such as students like himself. He would hope to engage those groups more through stronger outreach to renters, service workers and more.
Robbins sees room to implement a communicative, strategic plan. The plan would increase outreach from the city, which she sees as a responsibility of the council, referencing Ward 5 City Councilor Alex Jarret who writes many newsletters.
Akin to her opening statement, Henson believe there is a transparency problem in the city. She referenced people she has heard from who have tried to give input on the Picture Main Street project, but have not been welcomed. Similar to Picture Main Street, see sees the budget as a major component to the city’s government that does not welcome input from residents and is secretive during the planning process.
Perry sees room for improvement for city communication, though he wants to move away from the “myth of transparency.”
“I think publicity and putting information forward is important, and I will first readily admit that we don’t always do the best job of that, myself and sometimes the city. I think we could do better connecting with our community,” he said.
Kronrod sees the need for improved outreach, referring to his expertise in AI as a response, “I’m going to say a very unpopular two words, artificial intelligence. It’s a scary word. I happen to be an expert in the field of ethical, safe implementation of AI, and there are ways to utilize it to increase data access, transparency, give people a chance to ask questions about the budget, questions about past meetings, summarize proceedings.”
Picture Main Street
The candidates were asked how they would support business owners during the Picture Main Street project, many of whom are worried about losing revenue while the downtown remake is under construction.
Kronrod has spoken with many businessowners and recognizes their concerns about the project and how it will affect revenue, but he feels the project will improve accessibility. He thinks it will move forward and it is time to look at ways to support businesses through options like a city business liaison, making parking free downtown and promoting shop local campaigns.
Spencer said the project is “long overdue for the city of Northampton, and it is three things: It is a safety improvement project, it is an economic development project and it is an accessibility and equity project.”
He feels Main Street is a jewel in Northampton and this project will help drive economic development.
Robbins said the city does not actually have the funding for the project right now and showed displeasure toward the project. She pointed out that many businesses are supported by tourists more than community members, and the businesses are still paying off mortgages and loans. Business in general has not recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If that’s the picture that our city wants to have, then that’s a picture that we should all be part of the conversation we’re creating. But thus far, it’s one that we’re just left with a sort of Disney World vision on what the future might be and that’s not working well for many constituents in this city,” she said.
Perry spoke to his background in restaurant, entertainment and publicity industries. He thinks it is important to spread the word that the businesses will still be open during this transition. Additionally, holding events will help support business revenue.
O’Dwyer said the city has to consider businesses, and how they have been in a weak position after the pandemic and with rising commercial rents downtown. He wishes the city would have been more proactive earlier to support those businesses. Additionally, if the project gives more access to vehicles, then there needs to be more investment in a transit system.
Henson is not sure if the project will happen, sharing her six years of experience working on the board of directors for the Downtown Northampton Association. She thinks a trial run would be beneficiary. “If this plan is as great as it’s supposed to be, let’s show it. Let’s do a trial run,” she said. She showed concern about accessibility issues as well.
Bond rating, stabilization funds
Candidates were asked about their thoughts on the city’s bond rating and stabilization funds. There was a general consensus in favor of using the city’s bond rating to acquire more loans, but for different reasons and measures.
Robbins called the bond rating terrific and also, underutilized. She suggested reducing the amount of cash used for capital improvement projects by taking out more loans. She also wants to see more open discussion from the city surrounding spending on essential services. “The timing is now to reconsider the fact that we’re being told by our city auditor, the one who visits us annually, that we need to change the way that we do that,” she said.
Spencer feels the bond rating can be used to help support capital improvement projects, specifically maintaining government buildings and road maintenance. “We need to be able to fix them if something breaks, and we need money on hand to do that, I think that this is a way to make sure that we’re prepared for things that are not predictable.”
Kronrod feels it is important to balance and distinguish how the city uses bond ratings and stabilization funds, but portions of each can be used for capital expenses. He is a proponent of using the bond rating if it saves money for the Department of Public Works and public schools.
Perry said it is important to be cautious and not override the stabilization funds that are part of a far-reaching plan. Overriding these funds runs the risk of increasing tax rates which he noted are already high. Though, he still thinks capital projects are important to improving quality of life in the city.
O’Dwyer noted that the city is currently paying for capital improvement projects primarily with cash. Part of what inspired him to run was he felt the city was reaching too far into the future without meeting the current needs of the community. He thinks it would be beneficial to pay more toward loans to invest now and improve quality of life.
Henson referenced the reserve fund for Northampton, which she said is one of the highest in the state. Part of this is about prioritizing the budget and she feels those priorities should go toward children and street repairs. She thinks the city should use its strong bond rating to take out loans to pay for these types of services.
Division in the city
Candidates were asked about significant issues that have caused division within the city council and community, and whether they think there needs to be more civil discourse or whether this is simply democracy at work.
Answers to the question varied. Robbins and Spencer both spoke to the lack of support and voice given to children in the city. Spencer referred to the many city meetings he has been to, understanding that frustration that can arise when one does not agree with a city decision.
“The reality is that people have come meeting after meeting to say, please listen to the children … And it hasn’t happened. That piece needs to change,” Robbins said.
O’Dwyer wants space for everyone’s voice to be heard and does not support personal attacks.
Perry spoke to the importance of having nine diverse voices on the council. While he said disagreements happen amongst the council, they manage to work together to resolve issues. Still, there can be room for improvement.
Henson sees disagreements as a part of democracy. Although, she sees a barrier to information between the city and citizens, feeling if this barrier was more transparent, less people would be feeling frustrated over the state of discourse.
Kronrod believes it is important for everyone to assume positive intent. He cited his work teaching emotional intelligence, highlighting there are no bad emotions. Though, common ground needs to be found and agreeance must be made over factual evidence.