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ROBERT Reckman

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Angela Plassmann

NORTHAMPTON - Angela D. Plassmann defeated incumbent Ward 3 City Councilor Robert C. Reckman Tuesday by 68 votes.

Plassmann captured 576 votes to Reckman's 508 votes, winning in both Ward 3 precincts.

"I'm pretty elated," said Plassmann, 39, at City Hall. "The residents of Ward 3 are putting their confidence in me, and I won't let them down."

"The real work's going to start now," she said, shortly after a roar went up from the crowd to salute her victory.

Plassmann and Reckman emphasized some of the same issues on the campaign trail, including infill development and redevelopment of the Three-County Fairgrounds.

But some Ward 3 voters interviewed said it was their approach to tackling these issues, among others, that set the candidates apart.

"I think the results of the election really rotated around several issues in Ward 3 on which the candidates had very different stances," said Gerald Budgar, who co-founded the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association with Reckman several years ago. "I think there were some people who were not happy with where Bob was on these issues."

A longtime Board of Public Works chairman, Reckman, 61, became Ward 3 city councilor two years ago when he ran unopposed. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday. But in a recent interview, he said he hoped voters would value his more than 20 years of volunteerism and service on various boards and committees in local government.

Plassmann's victory was hailed by North Street Neighborhood Association founder Adam Cohen, who said the former City Council clerk would do well representing the interests of Ward 3 residents.

"I think Angela will be much more proactive on issues of crime and drug use," Cohen said. "She cares about the condition of streets and accessibility."

Cohen said the landfill expansion debate may have played in Plassmann's favor, given that she opposed the expansion and supported a non-binding ballot question on the issue. Reckman's position was less clear, which had much to do with the City Council's so-called legal "gag order" on the matter.

Plassmann celebrated with supporters at the Northampton Brewery after the election results were posted, along with At-Large City Councilor - and defeated mayoral candidate - Michael R. Bardsley, whom she greeted warmly there.

Earlier at City Hall, Plassmann said she looks forward to working with Mayor Clare Higgins in a new term and was grateful to voters for giving her the edge over an incumbent.

"It was quite the compliment," Plassmann said. "It was a great race. There was no negative campaigning in it."