NORTHAMPTON — An outspoken opponent of the city’s stormwater fee will be campaigning around the issue in a new way — as a mayoral candidate.
John Riley, owner of Gabriel Books on Market Street and founder of the Iron Horse, said that as mayor he would roll back the fee he asserts is a disguised tax. As someone who has lived and done business in the city for 42 years, he said he also hopes to address the issue of “declining foot traffic” downtown.
Riley, 67, said he’ll start out the summer with a low-key campaign, focusing on getting out and talking to residents. Anthony Patillo, a former building commissioner in Northampton, will serve as his campaign manager.
“We’re going to keep it very frugal, as my administration will be,” he said.
Incumbent Mayor David Narkewicz said he welcomed the opposition.
“Congratulations to Mr. Riley on deciding to run,” he said. “I look forward to the campaign.”
Roy Martin is also running for mayor after eight previously unsuccessful bids. Candidates have until July 27 to collect required signatures, which must be certified, before they are officially placed on the November ballot.
Northampton’s stormwater fee, which the City Council approved in 2014, was designed to raise $2 million a year to comply with federal mandates on flood control and stormwater runoff. Charges are assessed on residents and businesses according to a formula related to properties’ impermeable surface areas.
Riley said while the stormwater fee issue was one that “pushed me over the edge,” there are plenty others he cares about. The heroin epidemic, for one, touched him personally with the loss of his 19-year-old son 17 years ago, and he said he’ll fight to rein in its impacts in Northampton.
“It’s only gotten worse, so it’s pretty sad to watch,” he said. “That will be a big issue for us.”
Riley said he would also like to open more space along the Connecticut River for public use. He said he would be a staunch supporter of libraries and schools. And he said he would like to do more to bring undertold stories to light — perhaps through a museum — so visitors see the city’s rich history, from Sojourner Truth to Sylvia Plath.
“Utilizing our current resources we could highlight our town to an international audience,” he said in a statement.
Besides the mayor’s race, a School Committee spot for Ward 6 and the city clerk’ s post are the only contested races to develop for this fall’s municipal elections in which all incumbents face re-election.
The fact that there remain so many uncontested city races, Riley said, is a detriment to democracy. Points go unchallenged, he said, perpetuating the status quo.
“It’s time to have some debate,” he said.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.