Easthampton’s next mayor must be more than merely compassionate, transparent and responsive. Our mayor also needs to find new opportunities for economic growth, protect and improve Easthampton’s environment, and champion causes for justice and equity. We need a mayor who has an innovative vision for the future of Easthampton and takes the initiative to realize these goals.

The mayor Easthampton needs is Salem Derby.

I first met Salem as a teacher when he was heading a program to support middle school students by creating afterschool clubs. Because of Salem, I formed a club that built meaningful connections with and between students. Later I had the honor to serve alongside him on Easthampton’s City Council. He advocated for affordable housing, created an environmental ordinance for procuring city vehicles, and never shied away from bringing fresh ideas to the council. He brought sorely needed creativity to a past council that resisted change and lacked forward thinking. He continues to be a skilled problem solver to this day, recognizing underutilized city resources to quickly and affordably expand downtown parking.

But most distinctively, he is a visionary who explores new areas and ideas for improving our community and drawing visitors to our businesses. It’s small ideas like exploring the reuse of Pepin Gym, or suggesting a grand project to restore the walking bridge between new city and the mills in the style of the Bridge of Flowers. And when it’s the community that puts forward a vision, he doggedly and pragmatically works to achieve it. His sincerity, passion, and desire to work with others are contagious. You want to work with him to make big things happen because you both love Easthampton.

His drive to better Easthampton is evident in the many achievements he shared during the mayoral forums. His values are grounded in caring for others and working hard to help them. His enthusiasm to work with others can be attested to by many.

I’m proud to have worked alongside him, to call him my friend, and to endorse his candidacy. This is a rare chance to choose an exceptional mayor — Salem Derby.

Michael Tiskus

Easthampton