David Dombrowski is one of the three current candidates currently in the race for Northampton Mayor.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
NORTHAMPTON — Former Northampton police officer David Dombrowski threw his hat into the ring of 2025 mayoral candidates earlier this year and said now is the right time after years of weighing the decision.
Dombrowski is a Northampton native and served the city as an officer for 20 years. He made clear early on that his run for mayor is about making Northampton more affordable across the board.
“I’d like to see Northampton become affordable for many of us already living here. To keep it affordable for our sons and daughters. Keep jobs here and bring in additional businesses,” Dombrowski said. “To have our kids receive the best education possible in a stable effective learning environment. For the city to be responsible with our taxpayer dollars we all work so hard for.”
Dombrowski said he has been considering a run for mayor for the last six years and if elected, he wants to revitalize the city’s downtown space. He added taxes are high and he would work to combat that and the impacts to downtown foot traffic he has noticed over the years.
“They’re [downtowns across America] just dying and that’s a fact. That’s because of all the e-commerce and big people in the field, so revitalizing Northampton’s downtown is a focus,” Dombrowski said. “I also want to see things grow as far as [the] real estate aspect of it. I’m focused on bringing back mom and pops. Usually if the business takes in $100, at least roughly $40 stays with the community. That’s important to me when the large companies and big box stores don’t have people living here. They’re not reinvesting so I really want to see entrepreneurship grow.”
Dombrowski said his main focuses would be on downtown revitalization through businesses and getting better foot traffic back downtown, as well as infrastructure across the city.
Dombrowski said that having served two decades as an officer in the city before retiring honorably, he was able to build a wide perspective of the different facets that make up Northampton’s municipal government. He added the job also came with plenty of opportunities to meet with the community in times of concern and having open and honest conversations.
“And as a mayor, I think that you can sit down and talk with people even if you’re at odds or don’t agree and come to some sort of resolution. Maybe a win-win, maybe it’s not always your best win, but you can at least compromise from either side and come to a resolution, and not turn backs on each other and fight it out where nothing gets accomplished,” said Dombrowski.
Dombrowski said he wants to conduct a forensic audit on the accounting and financial records of the city.
“That would incorporate all departments. Another part of that is there’s a big issue with the schools. There seems to be a lot of turmoil there from the top down,” Dombrowski explained. “I’d like to get that straightened out.”
Wednesday, June 18, Dombrowski will host a kickoff party at the Florence Elks Lodge for his campaign and reveal more details on his vision for the position. He added, he hopes interested supporters come out to support and he looks forward to sharing his full plans related to his candidacy for mayor.
“I want to bring back a bustling Northampton,” Dombrowski said looking ahead at his campaign.
