NORTHAMPTON — With the Nov. 4 general election a few weeks away, Reminder Publishing sent questionnaires to ward City Council candidates on the ballot.
This year’s race in Ward 1 is between Michele Ronco and Gwenerva Lodi Nabad. In Ward 2, incumbent Deb Klemer is facing off against Alan Simon. In Ward 3, incumbent Quaverly Rothenberg is being challenged by Laurie Loisel.
Reminder Publishing asked each candidate the same three questions so readers can get a taste of who they are and what they hope to accomplish if elected. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
The remaining ward races will be featured in an upcoming edition.
Reminder Publishing: What are one or two things you think voters should know about you?
Nabad, Ward 1: I have current municipal experience as the Chair of the Northampton Housing Partnership. I have also served on the Select Committee to Study Barriers to Serving on City Boards and Commissions.
Ronco, Ward 1: I have broad and diverse experience as city councilor and trustee of a condo association: I understand what fiduciary duty means. I am an engineer and a manager. I managed a large union workforce, and I am working in construction of multimillion dollar renewable energy power plants: I understand what to look for in capital improvements projects. I believe in participatory policy making and in the wisdom of the crowd, and I know what collaboration to achieve results means.
Klemer, Ward 2: I am deeply committed to Northampton and actively seek ways to serve our community. By founding our local Indivisible group and organizing 25 rallies, as Chair of Ward 2 and Vice President of the Democratic City Committee, I have formed relationships with local activists and politicians. I gather information to understand the needs of our constituents, ensuring they receive accurate and truthful reports on critical issues such as road maintenance, affordable housing, and education. My work relies on the collaboration and respect I have for department heads and city employees, whose expertise is invaluable as we tackle the challenges facing our community together.
Simon, Ward 2: I have substantial prior municipal government experience as an 18-year Town Council member in Windsor, Connecticut, a community with the same population size as Northampton. As the 12-year Finance Committee Chair, I developed deep knowledge of municipal finance issues. As a council member overseeing a town manager, I know how to hold an executive accountable through precise questioning. Having done this work elsewhere, I come with an outside perspective, knowing there are other ways to accomplish our goals. I have been to every street in Ward 2 and talked to hundreds of residents. I’m ready to represent their interests.
Loisel, Ward 3: I have the experience, temperament and skills to be an effective member of the City Council. As a journalist for more than three decades, I closely covered the city of Northampton for many years, so I know how city government works and how to get things done. As a longtime resident of Ward 3, I have made deep connections and have earned the trust of residents. I am a team player, and I believe working together is the most effective way to reach our goals.
Rothenberg, Ward 3: As the current City Councilor for Ward 3, my focus is on serving the public. My office hours are seven days a week, so I’m always listening, learning, and striving to find common-sense solutions to complex problems. I ran for office because I always help those in need. So, it’s heartening to hear my constituents say things like, “This is the first time I’ve ever felt represented. You give me hope.” I hear it most often from people who’ve been marginalized by local officials. But when I look at them, I don’t see an outlier. I see someone who is part of a huge majority: the working class of Northampton.
RP: What are some of your top priorities/issues for your ward that you’d like to address in the first few months?
Nabad, Ward 1: During my first few months I plan to be responsive to residents while learning about my role as a City Councilor. I look forward to finding out which committees I will be serving on. One priority is to encourage and support resident involvement on boards and commissions. Representation is important for a thriving democracy, and civic engagement is a great way to stay informed about what is happening in our city.
Ronco, Ward 1: I will start working immediately on next year’s budget in conjunction with the review of the capital improvement plan. The goal is to fully fund schools and fill open positions in the DPW, to name a few, so we will be ready to remove snow when winter comes. I will not support an override until we go over every expense and make sure they are wise and effective. I want to make sure voters feel heard and not lectured when they bring an idea or a problem forward.
Klemer, Ward 2: My top priority is to foster a more positive and respectful atmosphere in Northampton. It is vital that we work together and communicate effectively to achieve our goals. Many constituents have expressed frustration with the negativity, misinformation, and unprofessional communication that have created a barrier to effective dialogue. I am committed to ensuring that accurate information about ongoing projects such as Picture Main Street, the geothermal initiative at Smith, and city and school budget matters is readily available. Additionally, I will focus on supporting our students, improving our roads, and addressing housing needs within the community.
Simon, Ward 2: Feedback I have gotten from my ward indicates that many feel they are not getting what they are paying for all the taxes they pay. People feel our basic services have been shortchanged and that the city is not taking care of “first things first.” It is critical the City Council looks closely at city spending to ensure the money is being spent well and we are providing services with excellence. As the only area of city spending to have suffered service and staff reductions due to mayor’s budgets, our public schools require additional investment.
Loisel, Ward 3: I would work on the issues that have been raised repeatedly by Ward 3 residents as I have knocked on hundreds of doors and engaged in dozens of conversations over the past many months: (1) Getting our streets and sidewalks in better shape. (2) Working to fill empty storefronts downtown. (3) Reducing drama and vitriol in our public discourse to get back to a City Council that works effectively together for the common good.
Rothenberg, Ward 3: Ward 3 accomplished so much this term by asking hard questions and insisting on transparency. We challenged prevailing narratives and reignited public engagement. Despite resistance from the mayor and the council majority, we stopped an override and restored essential services. If my allies win seats in this historic election, we can do so much — as a new majority with 30 diverse years’ experience in municipal finance, combined. I’d start 2026 by auditing the books and resetting priorities so that later in the year we’re fully funding roads, sidewalks, schools, ambulances, and flood-protection measures, while lowering costs for city residents.
RP: What is your overall message to voters ahead of the election?
Nabad, Ward 1: I look forward to serving as Ward 1 City Councilor, and have the time, skills, and ability to be responsive to residents and work with colleagues. I have enjoyed having meaningful conversations with residents across Ward 1. This is a difficult time for our country, and the people of Northampton must come together in order to thrive — I think we can do it! Although times are difficult, there are some things that give me hope: the Affordable Homes Act, many local and regional community organizations, and a strong food system. I look forward to the city of Northampton continuing its work on housing equity, climate/environmental justice, and an equitable public education for all.
Ronco, Ward 1: On Nov. 4, voters have a great opportunity to change the government of our city. I support Jillian Duclos for mayor and her collaborative approach. I believe we need a different approach to budgeting to ensure we fully fund our essential services first, and capital improvements second. I want to ensure proper due diligence and wise spending of taxpayers’ money to avoid repeating choices like overpaying $3.2 million to purchase the First Baptist Church, which was supposed to be a resource but just sits unusable instead.
Klemer, Ward 2: I am honored to have served Ward 2 this past term and am grateful to everyone who put their trust in me by placing me on the ballot for a second term. I commit to maintaining open and honest communication, being readily available to address questions and concerns, and diligently working to strengthen relationships with department heads, fellow councilors, and School Committee members, as well as with my constituents. In light of the current situation in Washington, it is more important than ever that we support one another and remain fiscally responsible in our decisions for the benefit of our community.
Simon, Ward 2: What started as a fight to properly fund our public schools more than a year ago has turned into an historic election for Northampton. More candidates than ever with robust dialogue and debate about where we are and where we are going. Average residents’ concerns have been left out for too long. The city administration needs to be held accountable for the consequences of its decisions. Time to end the rubber-stamp council. Time for a council that represents you. Time for a change Northampton.
Loisel, Ward 3: It is essential that elected leaders and city residents rely on facts as we work together to determine the best course of action to solve the problems we face. As a city, what are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? We must build upon the strengths as we address our challenges. No single person can solve the issues our city faces, but we can find solutions together. We will not agree on everything. But together we can find common ground. That is the hard, essential, and exciting work of democracy.
Rothenberg, Ward 3: I became a City Councilor because I truly want the public’s needs to be met — for every child to be educated, for every road and sidewalk to be safe, for everyone who lives here to age comfortably in place. And just as importantly, especially in these politically challenging times, I want to see a more perfect democracy in our city. You might not have noticed, but Northampton’s executive branch absorbed our legislature under the past few mayors, so I’m working hard to restore a balance of power. A vote to reelect me is a vote to empower the public and the council.
