Incumbents pledge greater visibility in wake of campaigns' end

There's a good chance that Northampton residents will see more of Mayor Clare Higgins over the next two years, and they'll also hear more about the city's accomplishments. Ditto for Easthampton, where Mayor Michael Tautnzik says he may add more walking around the community into his schedule of city travel. With the rigors of the bruising political campaign behind both incumbents, each said Wednesday that they want to continue records of work for their respective cities, but also to reach out more to residents of varying viewpoints and opinions.
--Higgins says she will make stronger case to city residents | Video interview
--Tautznik reflects on lessons learned, pledges to get back to work | Video interview

Displaced Ward 3 councilor reflects on outcome

NORTHAMPTON - Ward 3 voters sent an incumbent city councilor with nearly two decades of public service packing Tuesday, electing instead a political neophyte.

The question is why - and the answer is, of course, complicated.

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.
--Follow continuing updates on Twitter
--Video: Easthampton goes to the polls
--Audio: Listen to Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins's victory speech at the Paradise City Tavern

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.
--Follow us on Twitter for instant results from the races
--Video: Easthampton goes to the polls

Voters nix landfill growth over aquifer in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON - Shall the city expand the regional landfill over the Barnes Aquifer? No, said 63.8 percent of Northampton voters who chose to answer the nonbinding question at the polls Tuesday.

Longtime observer joins council: Tacy bests Jacobs for Ward 7 seat

NORTHAMPTON - After years of speaking to city councilors from behind the public podium, Gene A. Tacy finally gets his own microphone and a seat at the table.

Ward 7 voters on Tuesday picked the longtime ward resident to represent them over Deborah Jacobs by a margin of 936-731.

Plassmann defeats Reckman in Ward 3

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."

Schwartz cruises to victory in Ward 4

NORTHAMPTON - Attorney and community activist Pamela Schwartz cruised to victory Tuesday in the race to represent Ward 4 on the City Council.

Her competition, Brian P. Foote, dropped out of the election in mid-October, paving the way for a decisive 741-217 win by Schwartz. Foote's name remained on the ballot because he withdrew after ballots were printed.

Two fill at-large seats on Northampton council

NORTHAMPTON - Voters Tuesday picked experienced City Councilor David J. Narkewicz and newcomer Jesse M. Adams to fill the two at-large positions on the City Council. The pair bested Kathleen Silva, who was seeking a seat on the council for the third straight election.

Flynn, Young snag Northampton school panel seats

NORTHAMPTON - Just after learning they'd won election to at-large School Committee seats, Michael B. Flynn and James J. Young agreed they have a lot of work ahead of them.

Carney wins by a landslide in Ward 1

NORTHAMPTON - Incumbent Ward 1 City Councilor Maureen T. Carney cruised to a third two-year term in Tuesday's election, beating Andrew J. Vidal-McNair by a wide margin.

Carney garnered 853 votes to Vidal-McNair's 364, securing 70 percent of the vote.

Clock ticks until polls close in Northampton, Easthampton

In three hours, 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.

Clock ticks until polls close in Northampton, Easthampton

In three hours, 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.

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: Northampton

The following candidates are on the ballot in Northampton's municipal election today. Ballots will vary slightly depending upon the ward.

Mayor

(vote for one)

 · Mary Clare Higgins

106 Laurel Park, candidate for re-election

 · Michael R. Bardsley

50 Union St. #4

City Clerk

(vote for one)

Unopposed candidates to join Northampton school boards

NORTHAMPTON - At least four newcomers will join the city's nine-member School Committee in January, while one write-in candidate hopes to join two uncontested incumbents on the Smith Vocational and Agricultural School's three-member trustees board.

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.

Controversial landfill question on ballot Tuesday

NORTHAMPTON - City voters Tuesday will weigh in on a ballot question asking their opinion about the proposed expansion of the Glendale Road landfill.