Northampton has important choices to make in the upcoming municipal election. As a former Ward 2 city councilor and School Committee member, I have first-hand experience with how crucial it is for elected officials to build strong relationships — with colleagues, constituents, and city department heads. On both the School Committee and City Council, it is expected that members will disagree on how best to approach the issues before them. To be well-functioning in service of our city’s best interests, disagreements must be rooted in facts and the broader local, state, and national context in which we find ourselves.

To meet this current moment, I support incumbent Deborah Pastrich-Klemer for Ward 2 City Council and Angela Wack for Ward 2 School Committee.

As a constituent, I have been well-represented by Debby. For example, in June I texted her on a Sunday morning with a concern about an issue at a public utility near my neighborhood. She was unaware of the issue until I texted her; however, thanks to the solid relationships she has built with city department heads, she responded to me within 15 minutes with relevant and accurate information about what was happening. As weighty issues have come before City Council during her first term, I have seen her tackle these issues under pressure by engaging with constituents, asking questions of experts, and taking difficult votes when she believes them to be the best response to the situation before her.

Angela Wack, running for the Ward 2 School Committee seat, will bring her deep perspective as an educator and parent who chose to move to Northampton specifically for its schools and community. Her experience informs her understanding of the challenges and opportunities present in the Northampton schools, including a nuanced understanding of the current funding gap our schools are facing, an extension and direct result of state and federal disinvestment in education. She is well-prepared for the role and will be a terrific asset to Northampton’s School Committee.

We are fortunate in Ward 2 to have the opportunity to vote for thoughtful and principled candidates in Deborah Pastrich-Klemer and Angela Wack.

Karen Foster Cannon

Northampton