Tautznik reflects on lessons learned, pledges to get back to work

EASTHAMPTON - Still a tad bleary-eyed 12 hours after winning a seventh term in the most competitive political race of his career, Mayor Michael A. Tautznik vowed Wednesday that he will work harder to make more people feel included in city government.

Mayors survive challenges in Northampton, Easthampton

Don't count two of the leaders of Hampshire County's two cities out. Incumbent mayors held on to their jobs in Northampton and Easthampton Tuesday. Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins fended off a challenge Tuesday from Michael R. Bardsley, outpolling him in a hard-fought race by 344 votes. Easthampton Mayor Michael A. Tautznik also won support for another term Tuesday by a wide margin, securing more than 49 percent of the vote in a four-way race.
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Clock ticks until polls close in Northampton, Easthampton

In a little more than an hour, it will all be over. Months of campaigning, debating and fundraising for the Easthampton and Northampton mayoral, City Council and School Committee will be decided when polls close tonight at 8 p.m. City clerks are anticipating a wave of voters will enter polling centers from 5 to 8 p.m. as people cast their ballots following the work day.
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Two newcomers join Easthampton City Council

EASTHAMPTON - The Easthampton City Council will have two new faces in the coming year, voters decided Tuesday.

The three at-large council incumbents showed strong support at the polls, with newcomer Andrea H. Burns of Pleasant Street clinching the final seat.

Voter turnout picks up over lunch in Northampton, Easthampton

The pace of voting picked up over lunch, poll wardens in Easthampton and Northampton said this afternoon. Voting in the two city elections - which include mayoral, City Council and School Committee races - may reach or exceed the predicted 50 percent turnout rate, well above the 30 to 40 percent of registered voters that local elections typically draw to the polls.

E-Day: After the politicking, the voters will have their say Tuesday

City clerks in Northampton and Easthampton say heated contests for mayor in those cities could lead to 50 percent voter turnout today - much higher than the typical 30 to 40 percent turnout for local elections without a presidential contest.

Local ballots at a glance: Easthampton

Ballots in Easthampton will list candidates in the following order. Ballots will vary slightly depending upon precinct.

Mayor

(Term of two years, vote for one)

 · Margaret Prendergast

2 Gaugh St.

 · Michael A. Tautznik,

166 Hendrick St., candidate for re-election

As technology expands, so does the long hand of campaigning

While they continue to lean heavily on time-tested strategies to sway voters, candidates for office in Easthampton and Northampton have also expanded their campaign toolboxes to include interactive Web sites, Facebook pages and email newsletters.

Campaign Notebook: Win or lose, election night parties going on

It's a non-partisan election here, but that doesn't mean there won't be political parties Tuesday night.

With Election Day at hand, the four candidates for mayor are staking their gathering places after the polls close at 8 p.m.

The candidates will celebrate or commiserate with supporters at the following city establishments:

No contests, but new faces on Easthampton school board

EASTHAMPTON - An estimated $43 million new high school project, three new school administrators and the search for a new superintendent will greet the new School Committee next year. Tuesday's election will mean the board loses two veterans, keeps four members for a second term and takes on two newcomers in January.

Easthampton teachers union chief backs Kwiecinski

EASTHAMPTON - Easthampton Education Association President Meredith Balise has campaigned for mayoral candidate James P. Kwiecinski by visiting city homes with the candidate for three months, though she says the union has not endorsed the candidate.

Easthampton mayoral vote offers choice for residents

EASTHAMPTON - It's been a long and robust election season for city voters and the four people who are battling it out to be their mayor.

Tuesday, voters will head to the polls to choose among the four - incumbent Mayor Michael A. Tautznik, at-large City Councilor James P. Kwiecinski, community activist Margaret Prendergast and Conservation Commission member Albert J. DiCarlo.

As election day draws near, Easthampton politics sizzle

EASTHAMPTON - The final mayoral forum of the election season will be held Friday at the Lathrop Community on Bassett Brook Drive at 2 p.m., offering an opportunity for people to ask questions of the candidates, a format that differs from previous forums.

At your service: Meet the six unopposed candidates for Easthampton school board

EASTHAMPTON - The School Committee gets a makeover this term, with veteran Chairman Thomas Brown and longtime member Brian Fink stepping down and newcomers Nancy Lee Sykes and Bonnie Katusich poised to step on.

Briefings: City election official predicting big crowds

EASTHAMPTON

City Clerk Barbara LaBombard is predicting a "busy day" of voter turnout Tuesday, the city's bi-annual Election Day when residents will elect their next mayor, city councilors and school committee members.

Candidates get down to business

EASTHAMPTON - Asked Wednesday evening to identify one thing they would want to accomplish in the next two years if elected, the four candidates for mayor had different answers.

Easthampton's Tautznik out-raises and out-spends opponents

EASTHAMPTON - This year's mayoral race has resulted in the heaviest campaign fundraising in Easthampton's history, with incumbent Mayor Michael A. Tautznik raising five times more than his next-highest-spending competitor, James P. Kwiecinski.

Nov. 3 could bring major change in Easthampton council makeup

EASTHAMPTON - The City Council could see a significant makeover, with seven candidates seeking four at-large seats in the Nov. 3 election.

Forum focuses on Easthampton Council race

A four-way mayoral race is grabbing attention this fall, but there's a bustling City Council contest under way too, the busiest council race since 2003.

Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the seven candidates competing for election to the four at-large seats on the Nov. 3 ballot Monday.