Since 2004, I have had the honor of serving the people of Easthampton — as a dedicated city councilor, collaborator, and community member. During that time, I’ve listened carefully to constituents, worked alongside countless councilors who have come and gone, and focused on what truly matters: making our city stronger, fairer, and more connected.
One of the experiences that shaped my approach to leadership was serving on Easthampton’s 2008 Master Plan Committee, specifically on the Energy and Sustainability Subcommittee. We spent months listening to residents, gathering community input, and developing a thoughtful vision for the next 20 years. That plan became a roadmap for many of the city’s successful initiatives.
Recently, other candidates have spoken a lot about creating a new master plan, which is estimated to cost nearly $200,000. Unfortunately, we learned on Oct. 6 that the city did not receive funding in this round, meaning we’ll have to wait at least another year to begin. While a new plan is valuable, I don’t need to wait for one to understand what our community needs. My experience, community relationships, and ability to build consensus allow me to take action and get things done now.
Another example of collaboration was when I helped lead a partnership between mill owners, utilities, the state, and the city — a project that nearly fell apart due to a lack of vision. Through open communication and collaboration, we turned that challenge into a success story that strengthened our Mill District, bringing over 400 parking spaces, new breweries, restaurants, and businesses to Easthampton.
When I decided to run for mayor, it wasn’t about politics — it was about service. After more than two decades of commitment, I saw important projects and institutional knowledge at risk. I discovered several issues that needed attention, such as unpaid bills and overlooked cost-saving opportunities — including $24,000 in unused early payment discounts, which I corrected and then created a policy to prevent from happening again. I also helped resolve an issue where an unpaid bill of over $100,000 was stalling an important dispatch project at our public safety complex. I worked with the chief of police, researched the problem, found the root cause, and was able to get the bill paid with a little creativity and elbow grease.
Leadership isn’t about personal identity or titles — it’s about integrity, experience, and results. After 22 years of dedicated service and four months of proven leadership as interim mayor, I’m ready to continue leading Easthampton forward. Not only am I ready to lead on day one — I’m doing it now.
Salem Derby is interim mayor of Easthampton.