With only days until Election Day, I wanted to share my thoughts on serving as your mayor for the last four years and why I’m asking for your support to serve a second term.
The question I hear most is, “Why do you want to do this?” After all, when I became mayor in January 2022, things in the world were already hard and have only grown more disturbing.
When I began, we were in the Omicron wave of the pandemic, which disrupted the economy, schools, and budgeting. In September of my first year, we received a call claiming the Texas governor was dropping busloads of “migrants” at City Hall, prompting me to quickly assemble a plan to feed, clothe, and house an unknown number of people. The call proved a hoax. But because such political stunts were actually happening, we remained ready with good plans in place.
Now in my fourth year, we face an entirely different set of unprecedented threats. Tariffs have unsettled the economy and impacted housing construction. The federal government is slashing aid to cities and nonprofits. Instead of Republican governors dropping off busloads of people, a Republican president is sending armed agents to snatch hard-working immigrants from our communities. Even the military is being used against its own people.
The job of mayor is hard enough without the federal government making everything worse. But I love Northampton too much to walk away from the challenges that we must face.
I fell in love with Northampton when I visited Smith College 35 years ago. My love has only deepened since I returned 20 years ago. We have a special community of people ready to step up and take care of each other. People are moving here from across the country because they feel safer and welcomed here.
For me, stepping up means bringing my municipal government experience to the job of mayor, even as the job gets tougher.
When I first ran for mayor, I did so because I was prepared, having served eight years on the City Council, including two years as council president. Now, after four years of managing a $145 million municipal government, overseeing 20 city departments, and working alongside hundreds of employees, I know I’m the most prepared to shoulder the responsibility of being mayor in this treacherous time.
And I have great confidence in Northampton’s future because I’ve been working with engaged residents, inside and outside government, and with our dedicated state and federal delegation. Together, we’re making big, positive changes:
A new Division of Community Care that has helped nearly 1,700 people in distress with unarmed responses. A new climate action department that has reduced energy use in municipal buildings by almost 20%. Support for the creation of 282 affordable housing units. The addition of eight firefighters and one dispatcher to handle increased calls to Fire/Rescue. Big increases in road and sidewalk funding, with new paving projects underway. Doubling the tax work-off program for seniors and veterans. A record 32% increase in annual appropriations for Northampton Public Schools.
Of course, this doesn’t mean there’s not more to do to address public health, safety, climate, housing, and education. For example, recently state investigators informed us that last year our public schools did not adequately meet the needs of students with individualized education plans. This is a legal and moral standard. Our school administrators and staff — who I know take this charge with the utmost urgency — have begun working to implement the state’s corrective actions.
This task may get even harder with the Trump administration decimating the Education Department’s special education division. But, we must work together and make sure every child gets the education they need.
I know we will have hard days. But when you’re mayor, you savor the uplifting moments: a student getting their diploma, a small business opening in Florence Center, a rebuilt side street sidewalk, a treatment program graduate with a room full of support, a new energy-efficient boiler cutting cost and carbon, or a team of Division of Community Care responders helping a community member find housing.
Those moments don’t happen without people stepping up. Here this happens every day in countless ways. That’s why I love Northampton, and love working with the people of Northampton. I’d be honored if you elected me again as your mayor, so we can keep working and face what’s ahead together.
Gina-Louise Sciarra is the current mayor of Northampton and a candidate for reelection.