I know Quaverly Rothenberg, and I find her to be a remarkable public servant. I first met Quaverly when I taught her children in preschool at Bridge Street Elementary School. It quickly became clear that Quaverly cared deeply about public education, not just for her own children, but for all of the children. She also helped to build community among the preschool families, especially reaching out to the less connected families, including those new to this town and this country.
She was a force of positivity, support, and community building. Plus she often made me laugh, and her children were very much their own people — clearly nurtured in an environment of appreciation for who they were. She and her children were a great addition to our preschool classroom. After that introduction, I followed Quaverly’s career as a city councilor in town. She is what I think a public servant should be but rarely is. She cares deeply about all of her constituents, is available to them, really listens, and then goes to work to help them.
A woman told me that she was supporting Quaverly because she was a disabled veteran and a softball player. The city had removed a portable toilet from the field, and she couldn’t play without access to a bathroom. She went to Quaverly, and within days they had their portable toilet back. Whether its snow on the streets, sidewalks that aren’t accessible for folks in wheelchairs, or families of children that aren’t getting what they need, almost everybody in Ward 3 seems to have a story of going to Quaverly for help, and her being so available, caring, and ready to go to work for them. This is a dream of what a public servant can be.
As a retired teacher who taught in the Northampton Public Schools for 20 years, I am so deeply appreciative of how much Quaverly cares about, and fights for our schools, and all of our children. Without reservation I support Quaverly for another term on our City Council.
Jean Flegenheimer
Florence