Watching the two Easthampton mayoral forums this past week reminded me how much our city’s strength comes from people who know how to listen, build trust, and get the day-to-day work done. That’s why I’m ranking Lindsi Sekula first for mayor.
Lindsi has been at the heart of city government for seven years — drafting budgets, coordinating departments, and helping Easthampton move through complex transitions from COVID response to sustainability planning. She doesn’t talk about transparency; she practices it. She helped establish our sustainability coordinator and energy-advocate positions, linking climate goals to real household savings. She understands how to turn policy into service — how to keep the lights on, the sidewalks safe, and the public informed.
As a parent raising her family here, Lindsi speaks with empathy grounded in lived experience. She knows what it means to navigate schools, special-needs services, and rising costs, and she approaches leadership as both a public responsibility and a personal calling. Her commitment to inclusion, especially around LGBTQ+ rights, safety, and community voice, is unequivocal. In a time when so many leaders posture, she shows up, listens, and gets to work.
For second choice, I’m ranking Salem Derby. With two decades of City Council service he offers institutional memory and a solid record on green policy, housing, and civic infrastructure. His long-standing commitment to public education and affordable housing demonstrates both values and skill in moving initiatives from idea to implementation.
Both candidates bring integrity and dedication to Easthampton. But where Derby offers continuity, Lindsi Sekula offers readiness and renewal — a forward-looking, inclusive, and informed leadership that understands both the mechanics and the meaning of public service.
On Nov. 4, I will mark Lindsi Sekula as my #1 choice for mayor and Salem Derby as #2, ensuring Easthampton’s future is guided by experience, empathy, and steady, transparent leadership.
John Walber
Easthampton