NORTHAMPTON — Reminder Publishing has sent questionnaires to ward City Council candidates on the ballot ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.
Last week, we ran responses from candidates in races from Wards 1-3. This edition features the responses of candidates in the races of Wards 5, 6 and 7.
This year’s race in Ward 5 is between two newcomers: Vincent “Luke” Rotello and Aline Davis. The Ward 6 race see’s incumbent Marianne LaBarge face off with Chris Stratton. The Ward 7 race is between incumbent Rachel Maiore and Susan Timberlake.
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, by ward.
Reminder Publishing: What are one or two things you think voters should know about you?
Davis, Ward 5: I’ve just retired from 27 years of teaching — 25 of those in a public school. I’m also in my second term on the School Committee. I’m committed to taking what I’ve learned as a committee member and teacher to move Northampton forward. My committee experience would be meaningful for the City Council — I served on the capital projects review committee, negotiation, superintendent evaluation, and rules and policy subcommittees and I’m legislative liaison. I understand the budget, making hard decisions regarding sustainability, and the needs of the rest of the city. I’m proud that Ward 5 Councilor Alex Jarrett has endorsed me.
Rotello, Ward 5: I’m a 24-year-old working-class organizer running for City Council in Ward 5 to address urgent needs across our ward and city — to fund our schools, to ensure transparency, accessibility and accountability in our local government, and to bring strong representation of working people in our political processes.
LaBarge, Ward 6: I have lived in Northampton all my life, own a home with my husband Richard, and raised two sons who attended public schools and graduated and went on to college. I have passionately represented Ward 6 and the city for over 26 years, I have served on nearly every committee of the council, and I know how to get things done! I was highly involved in designing multiple ordinances and resolutions. These have given residents a better quality of life.
Stratton, Ward 6: I came to Northampton to be with family during the challenges of 2020, and love what I found here: the quiet of life in Ward 6, the strength of our neighborhoods, and how I can be in the woods in five minutes. I enjoy biking our roads and trails, but recognize cars are how our lives practically work. I seek to represent you as a councilor who will prioritize schools and city services, keep taxes affordable, look deeply into the issues, and examine how each proposal would impact your life, before I cast a vote on it.
Maiore, Ward 7: I’ve been honored to serve on City Council for three terms, including two as Chair of the Finance Committee, and this past term as Council Vice President. Through many changes in our city, I’ve stayed true to my independent voice while working collaboratively with a wide range of councilors. As a working-class solo parent of three, I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet and to worry about the future. I carry that lived experience with me every day, and it keeps me grounded in the realities that so many families face — you are not alone.
Timberlake, Ward 7: As a life-long old-fashioned Republican (Massachusetts moderate), I have a long successful career re-engineering companies (nonprofits and municipalities) in trouble. I’ve worked on projects for both Republicans and Democrats. I’m pro-business, pro-choice and socially libertarian, but not a libertine. A life-long conservationist (all Republicans use to be conservationists) and financially conservative; I appreciate our city of Northampton’s perspective on open space (I co-authored Bemont’s Open Space Plan.) I appreciate even more that we have financial reserves for what’s coming down next from our federal government. It isn’t going to be pretty.
RP: What are some of your top priorities/issues for your ward that you’d like to address in the first few months?
Davis, Ward 5: As a School Committee member and longtime educator, I’ve demonstrated my dedication to children, teachers and quality public schools. I will continue to advocate for and ensure that Northampton Public Schools are effective and sustainable. An important responsibility of a councilor is constituent service. I am prepared to listen to questions and concerns, provide accurate information, and to respond in a timely manner. One of the top concerns mentioned by Ward 5 residents is road safety and the need for traffic calming. I would like to collaborate with community groups and other city councilors to find remedies for this problem.
Rotello, Ward 5: It is urgent that we democratize our budgeting practices. Our capital planning and infrastructure improvements must be subject to public scrutiny and accountable to community needs. Likewise, our City Council must opt in to ensure strong funding for our schools and act as a check and balance on the mayor — irrespective of who is elected.
LaBarge, Ward 6: It is obvious that the cost of living in Northampton is a top concern. Seniors, disabled people and working families are tapped out. A cycle of regular property tax overrides is developing, and we need to break it. Chapter 70 is the primary source of state funding for public elementary and secondary education in Mass. Northampton faces challenges with Chapter 70, particularly in the context of rising education costs, and periods of high inflation. The Student Opportunity Act concerns persist regarding whether the funding adequately keeps pace with actual costs and addresses the specific needs of all students and educators, including special needs, their paraprofessionals and their IEP’s.
Stratton, Ward 6: I will prioritize using the revenues our city already receives to fully fund our schools, fix our roads, staff our essential services, and prioritize people over agenda projects, so that we can keep taxes and fees reasonable. I see the downtown proposal as not only unworkably disruptive and hostile to the car travel Northampton lives require, but shaped by politics in disregard of the actual crash data. Safety instead requires simpler, sensible things: lane lines, raised crosswalks, and directing those of us who bike beyond the rail trail to ride visibly and predictably where drivers can see us.
Maiore, Ward 7: In these challenging times, I am committed to providing steady, responsive leadership that strengthens Northampton’s “bread and butter” services — our schools, senior services, and roads and sidewalks. These are the foundations of a healthy, resilient city, where no one is left behind and everyone is safe and can thrive. I will continue to fight to keep them strong.
Timberlake, Ward 7: A. Cool the rhetoric. There are a lot of voices I don’t agree with, but I sure would like to hear them, because they’re smart. I’ve been doing a show called “Civil Politics” on Valley Free Radio, 103.3 WXOJ-LP in Northampton. We model how to fight fair, yet strongly disagree with people — it is known to make a resilient community. B. We need our DPW to fix the storm drains (right now), especially on Water Street and then plan for the increased rainfall due to the climate changes we know are coming. (Increase the DPW budget for infrastructure).
RP: What is your overall message to voters ahead of the election?
Davis, Ward 5: I can bring a positive, productive, and experienced presence to the City Council, and I am committed to excellent constituent service. We have a lot to do to keep our community unified, sustainable, affordable, and supportive to those in need, and I would like to do my part if elected.
Rotello, Ward 5: Our country is in an extraordinarily precarious situation. This election will profoundly shape our city’s response to the Trump administration, and the moment demands a clear strategic approach from the ground up. Business is not as usual, and our city needs elected leaders that can act accordingly. To read more about me and where I stand, visit RotelloForWard5.com or reach me at RotelloForWard5@gmail.com.
LaBarge, Ward 6: A strong voice for all neighbors of Ward 6. I am proud to serve as a City Councilor in Ward 6 and in our community that embraces tolerance and diversity. I am an experienced City Councilor with a record of getting things done. I believe I have an obligation to my residents of Ward 6 and I will continue to be a persistent, tireless and effective worker. I have always been available. Please vote for me on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Stratton, Ward 6: I am running to create a City Council which fulfills its duty as an independent and counterbalancing branch of government. I bring a lifelong love of learning how things work, solving problems, and determination to prioritize the basic needs of our people such as schools, roads and affordability. Because I’ve seen firsthand the contrasts of life here and elsewhere, I believe that Northampton needs a government which reflects our shared desire to be the best version of what we already are, not a government with the agenda of remaking our city as something else. Learn more at chrisward6.com.
Maiore, Ward 7: In the days ahead, our city will continue to face challenges and tough decisions, but I believe in our ability to meet them, together. We have more in common than we sometimes realize, and it’s by building on that common ground that we move forward. I am committed to building a government that is open, accessible and serves the people it was created to serve: you.
Timberlake, Ward 7: I am very comfortable asking tough questions, being a contrarian — perhaps making folks uncomfortable in getting to the root of the problem (Harvard taught me.) We have to do that more carefully than I did during the boom years because our young, our old and middle-aged people are seriously struggling. Our social network is very fragile right now. We need all voices and all the elbow grease available. It doesn’t matter if the opinions differ, diversity of opinion is healthier. Instead, we need to work with all of us for new solutions for Northampton. I am optimistic.
