Election Day is Tuesday, November 3

Vote Michael Bardsley Mayor of Northampton!



Please read Michael Bardsley’s campaign summary statement on Northampton Media

See Bardsley’s biography, principles and positions - click here

Northampton citizens from across the city support Bardsley - click here

        

You may also download this paper as a PDF (226KB).

        

Local 596 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) has endorsed Michael Bardsley for Mayor of Northampton. Local 596 represents workers in our area, and has its headquarters in Holyoke. LIUNA has a half-million members in the US and Canada.

LIUNA is “the most progressive, aggressive and fastest-growing union of construction workers, and one of the most diverse and effective unions representing public service employees,” according to the union’s website. Click for more information about LIUNA.

Earlier this month, Bardsley was endorsed by the United Auto Workers’ CAP Council for Massachusetts. The UAW represents workers in other economic sectors besides the auto industry.

        

Tom Vannah, editor of the Valley Advocate, declares for Michael Bardsley in this week's issue. Read these excerpts, and see the full article.

...I believe Northampton needs a change in leadership. I also believe Northampton is fortunate to have a candidate in this race who represents the right kind of change.

Michael Bardsley is not just "Anybody But Clare," to borrow a line from one of his opponent's campaign ads. He is a 16-year incumbent city councilor, a well-known progressive leader and community and labor organizer who has for many years shared many of Mayor Higgins' views. While he has been the mayor's ally in many fights, Bardsley has demonstrated that his first allegiance is to the people who've elected him. In recent years, he has been responsive to individuals and groups who feel ignored or marginalized by the current mayor and a majority of the City Council, using his office to keep dissenting opinion and criticism from being summarily dismissed.

While he has been criticized for not providing clearly defined alternatives to Mayor Higgins' proposed policies, Bardsley has shown good sense and wise restraint in not opposing the mayor to establish a contrast purely for political purposes. Rather than being a grandstander, Bardsley is a careful and thoughtful person who approaches each issue on its own merits, guided by a commitment to democratic process—to open and accountable government, intellectual honesty, basic fairness and respect for other points of view. In his campaign, he has not offered a vision of a radically different set of initiatives than the current mayor's, but a vision for a different kind of leadership based on openness and inclusion.

...Rather than stick grimly with a mayor who, despite her many accomplishments, appears increasingly unbending in the face of public criticism, I believe Northampton should turn to someone who isn't afraid to listen or to reach out broadly for new ideas, tapping into the city's great wealth of talent and passion.

        

Our city government must take a more active, creative role in preserving our environment and in conserving our natural resources—to maintain Northampton’s quality of life for the next generations.

Achieving a sustainable city requires an engaged city. Positive environmental change mainly comes about through many small actions made by a large number of people on a consistent basis over a period of time.

Of course, while every citizen can play a part, some actions necessarily must be taken by businesses, institutions, and government. Yet in order to achieve them, community involvement and support are necessary. As Mayor, I will work to encourage increased community involvement in environmental protection and conservation issues. And I will strengthen city government’s efforts to achieve sustainability.

I will especially focus on the following priorities:

• Improvement of the city’s recycling rate
• Development of long-term plans to address the issue of solid waste reduction and management
• The strengthening of wetlands preservation regulations
• Reduction of energy consumption and costs both of city government as well as of energy consumers in the city

In taking action in these areas, I will draw on the advice of local experts as well as our citizens—and from the experience of other communities that are tackling these issues.

For an in-depth look at these issues, strategies to address them, and specific steps I will take as Mayor, please see my new Report on Environmental Issues (PDF, 66KB). It also contains important questions that I believe must be answered regarding any future plans for the Northampton Landfill.

        

There have been over a dozen debates and forums during this busy campaign season. Here is one of the more lively ones, a 27-minute debate between Michael Bardsley and Clare Higgins televised on abc40. This debate took place on October 15. Please enjoy.

        

Please view the endorsements linked below for a sense of the extensive experience, leadership skills, commitment, and compassion that have earned Michael Bardsley enthusiastic support as a candidate for Mayor.

Whether long-time residents or relative newcomers, from West Farms to Ward 3, Bardsley supporters know he will listen to and work with all in Northampton to meet the challenges our city faces and move us forward as a more welcoming, democratic, sustainable, affordable, equitable and united community.



Mary Ford, Former Mayor and City Councilor of Northampton; Administrator of Non-profit organizations in Northampton and surrounding towns



Michael Ford, Retired Dean, Hampshire College and Professor of Social Sciences and Education, Brown University, UMass, Amherst, and Hampshire College



Marianne LaBarge, Northampton City Councilor Ward 6; Committee Member of Social Services, Veterans' Affairs, Appointments and Evaluations, and Disabilities



Frances Crowe, Nationally respected local Peace and Social Justice Activist; Long-time member, American Friends Service Committee



Claudia Lefko, Director, Iraqi Children's Art Exchange; Pre-School Teacher; Advocate for Children's Education



Rose Bookbinder, Labor Organizer, Board Member/Recording Secretary, UAW; Board Member, Rosenberg Fund for Children; Graduate Student, UMass Labor School



Jordi Herold, Founder, Iron Horse Music Hall; Arts Promoter; Real Estate Developer/Historic Preservationist



Ira McKinley, Arts Promotor/Producer; Advocate for Homeless in Northampton; Organizer/Activist, Poverty is Not a Crime



Lisa Leary, Art Teacher, Northampton Public Schools; Artist



Adam Cohen, Community Activist and Blogger, North Street



Shawn Robinson, President, Pioneer Valley Young Democrats

        

        

 


Please enjoy these brief clips from media interviews at City Hall on election night, followed by a scene of celebration with campaign volunteers and supporters at Northampton Brewery: