"Not many of you have experienced city government as we have; nor should you. The congeniality that Clare Higgins institutionalized and David Narkewicz politicizes does not make good government. At best it fosters mediocrity, at worst corruption. The qualities needed are integrity, intelligence and a proven work ethic.

"In career and public service, Michael Bardsley has shown us these for over 30 years. He has earned a two-year term as mayor of Northampton. He has earned your vote. Please vote for Michael Bardsley."

- John Sielski and Jim Dozmati, owners of Northampton's Green Street Cafe

"I'm responding to the Oct. 19 letter [from] a parent who was offended by Michael Bardsley's comment that being a stay-at-home parent could be considered a luxury. It is unfortunate she felt offended, but the comment was not an insult to stay-at-home parents - it was a statement of societal fact. Let's face it - today, most families do not have the good fortune to allow one parent to stay at home; the Narkewicz family was fortunate to have been able to do so. The point of the comment was that Bardsley's well-rounded and varied work experiences within education and local government make him a more qualified and experienced candidate.

"During the Oct. 5 mayoral debate, there were two instances where Narkewicz cited events that occurred while Bardsley was City Council President. It was clear these examples were intended to discredit Bardsley's work ethic and his ability to lead in that position. These situations were politely explained when Bardsley provided additional information surrounding those events. My question is: Why didn't Narkewicz gather all the facts about these events before using them to try to discredit Bardsley's reputation?"

- Anita Waite

"I am writing to voice a complaint about a recently published letter that denied there was favoritism in the well-timed departure of Mayor Clare Higgins and her anointing of David Narkewicz as acting mayor.

"Such strident nay-saying struck a false tone in my weary ears. It was bad enough when her merry maids and men all banded together to put hearty 'YES' signs on their well-appointed lawns and railroad through tax increases.

"You may yet make your voice heard throughout this realm - and stand for the change nearly won the last time Michael Bardsley sought the mayor's office."

- Pam Hyjek

"Our interactions with Northampton mayoral candidate Michael Bardsley have been consistently considerate, positive, honest and informing.

"My wife, Tabitha, and I respect his 18 years of experience on the Northampton City Council, his extensive experience in the Amherst schools, his intelligent, wise and honest nature (along with his thorough handling of tough questions on the WHMP Friday morning radio show)."

- Rick and Tabitha Haggerty

"'No one has done this before.' So said Amherst High's academic program administrator. It was 2007 and I had been accepted into a teaching internship in rural Kenya. However, I was now being told that I would have to drop out if I wanted to enroll in the international internship.

"Accepting dropping out as my only option, I was sent to the on-call guidance councilor for the required signature on my withdrawal forms. Fortunately, that councilor happened to be Michael Bardsley, a man who understood my desire for a nontraditional educational path. While others had given me a typical bureaucratic response, Bardsley treated my issues with careful attention. Instead of lamenting that there was no precedent, he developed new school policy that made it possible for me to not only go abroad but also to earn high school credits.

"My time in Kenya was the most formative educational experience of my life and it would not have happened without Bardsley's proactive support. I have no doubt that his adept listening abilities and can-do mentality will translate into a great mayor. He's a man who will work for you, regardless of who you are or how easily your concerns can be dismissed."

- Luke Carroll Brown

"From 2003 through 2011, I had an ongoing battle with the city of Northampton in many futile attempts to be heard. This situation involved a zoning issue which ended in great cost of money, time and emotional stress.

"There were those in city government who turned a deaf ear to my plight and those who were willing to listen and help. I would like to acknowledge those who put forth an effort in my behalf. First and foremost, the late councilor Raymond LaBarge always kept me informed on the results of his numerous conversations with the building commissioner. He tirelessly advocated for me and my neighborhood. Councilor Gene Tacy was always willing to provide a listening ear and whatever help he could, even though my problem was new to him. Councilor Marianne LaBarge always showed an interest in my dilemma and wanted to stay informed. She was also a calming influence when the stress of the matter became too much.

"Louis Hasbrook, our new building commissioner, worked out a final resolution. He worked hard to keep me updated and consistently treated me with equality and respect.

"Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Michael Bardsley, who helped me frame my issues in terms of the city and my vision for the neighborhood where I have lived for many years. Bardsley listened, cared about my issues, grounded me and gave me hope when I felt that I had no prospect of seeing a final resolution.

"For these reasons and many more, I am casting my vote for Michael Bardsley. He cares."

- Loretta Gougeon

"Michael Bardsley should be mayor of Northampton because he has earned the people's trust, and proved himself worthy of the people's trust by saying no to unscrupulous bargaining. As homeowners, residents and citizens of Northampton, we should focus on the reality of what we need in a mayor.

"We need someone who can make mature decisions with knowledge collected from all sources and not the 'select few'. As productive citizens, we deserve a better future in the city of Northampton. We need a mayor who can realistically relate to the everyday problems in city government, distinguish between selfishness and selfless service, and be accountable for what is said and done. This person is Michael Bardsley. He was very strongly supported in the previous election, which is strongly demonstrative of his capability, and the faith of the people of this city in his ability to perform. Please cast your vote wisely again, because we do need new leadership in Northampton, but it has to be for everyone."

- Yvonne Keefe

"Being mayor of Northampton is one of the more substantial jobs in western Massachusetts. On Nov. 8, the voters will hire a CEO of Northampton, Inc., a person responsible for a budget of $93 million. It's a job for someone with deep experience in life and in the workplace, someone skilled in negotiating, someone with a long and proven track record. Michael Bardsley is the clear standout candidate for this job.

"Northampton has a robust and diverse array of constituencies. Bardsley is uniquely suited to build bridges to all of them.

"He understands that most issues have two sides, and is especially good at hearing voices that aren't amplified by money and power. Most critically, he will bring needed respect for our schools and school employees.

"The legacy of divisive politics and a broken contract must change."

- Adam Cohen

"It was brought to my attention that in 1949 a third-grade class buried a time capsule in front of the former South Street School (now a community music school). The occasion for this was to celebrate Arbor Day, so the capsule was buried under a large tree. The person who told me about this time capsule was in that class and remembered the coordinates of the 'treasure'.

"I called Councilor David Narkewicz, since the location was in his ward, thinking that he would want to have the capsule exhumed, especially since there was talk of cutting down that tree. He said he would call me for more information, but he never did.

"I believe that representing constituents doesn't always have to be about politics. Sometimes it can be about a treasure under a tree."

- Susan Adelson

"Given how serious and drab politics can get, I appreciate Bardsley's ability to be lighthearted and his sense of humor.

"Even more important, as someone who is active in the community, I have appreciated the many times he has assisted with issues with which I have been personally involved. That includes the landfill, the proposed Hilton Hotel, and more recently the way he has spoken up on a subject I raised. That is the way open hearings often follow decisions which have already been made.

"Bardsley is also talking honestly about other difficult issues, from the cost of infrastructure, to the shrinking middle class. These are difficult subjects to broach. Bardsley is doing so because he realizes to fix them, you first have to recognize them."

- Barry Roth

"The DEP gave a waiver to Northampton to expand its regional landfill over the Barnes Aquifer. In 2009, 64 percent of Northampton voters said "No" to expanding the landfill over the aquifer. As a result, in 2010 the Northampton City Council passed the Drinking Water Protection Ordinance banning the landfill from expanding over the aquifer even though several city councilors dissented.

"In the same year, the DPW and the Planning Department sought the advice of an outside attorney who gave the opinion that the landfill expansion was grandfathered. The ordinance can be overturned by a new city council with only five votes. If this occurs then the DPW and BPW will claim the landfill expansion is grandfathered and requires no city permits. The DPW, the BPW and the Planning Dept. do not want the waiver returned to the DEP.

"If the waiver is returned the landfill expansion can never go forward and the aquifer and the water supply will be protected. Mayoral candidate Michael Bardsley has stated publicly that as mayor he will return the waiver. Mayoral candidate David Narkewicz has said that returning the waiver isn't necessary.

"The Nov. 8 mayoral election will determine what happens to the landfill expansion and the fate of the aquifer."

- Jo-Anne Bessette

"Mayoral candidate Michael Bardsley has the unique ability to pull people together from all walks of life and all beliefs as evidenced by his supporters.

"His supporters are progressives and conservatives, the poor, the working class, students and professionals, straight, lesbian, gay and transgendered, Obama supporters, Bush supporters and everyone in-between.

"Bardsley is not beholden to the wealthiest of our community. If Bardsley is elected, the lower- and middle-class citizens of Northampton will be on equal footing with the real estate brokers, the trust fund beneficiaries and business people who benefited under the last administration and who are supporting his opponent...

"Michael Bardsley is the true progressive candidate in this election. Please vote for Michael Bardsley for mayor on Tuesday and please check the city of Northampton's website under 'campaign contributions 2011' to see who donated to each candidate."

- Philip H. Brocklesby

"As a lifelong resident of Florence and Northampton I am writing to encourage the voters of Northampton to vote Nov. 8 to elect Michael Bardsley as mayor.

"As an advocate for adolescents and young adults who struggle with the disease of addiction, I am adamantly opposed to incarceration for minor drug offenses. I advocate for rehabilitation treatment and follow-up sober housing. I am staunchly opposed to ignoring the affordability and easy accessibility of heroin and crack cocaine in our city.

"Michael Bardsley is unique to be our next mayor. I was fortunate to have attended all mayoral debates and listened carefully to each candidate's statements and answers to citizens' questions. Bardsley's experience as an educator, guidance counselor and his 16 years on the Northampton City Council, eight years as Council president, assures that he will be 'everyone's mayor' and will effectively address our city's problems - from bringing in new businesses, increasing living wage jobs, increasing affordable housing and addressing the drug problem in Northampton."

- Joyce Sabin-Rescia

"We believe that Michael Bardsley is the best choice for Northampton for the next two years. We believe David Narkewicz to be a good person, a good neighbor of ours, a good family man and a conscientious councilor.

"However, we have differed with the Higgins-Narkewicz administration, on the issue of a Round House parking lot hotel, the definition of 'open' government, and the refusal to meet with the teachers' union for mandated collective bargaining.

"We feel that Bardsley has been on 'our side' on these issues. Once, when he was our ward councilor, we called him to see if the city snowplow could stop walling us in. He called us back within five minutes to report that, unfortunately, the plow's course could not be altered, but that he was willing to help us shovel.

"He is known for going the extra mile, with students, convicts or anyone needing help in defining what they need. He is both a social worker and a politician, in the best sense of both terms."

- Joel and Virginia Schulman

...Bardsley, a gay man who has been a visible figure in the LGBT community for many years, began with a recollection of a gathering of LGBT and allied people in 1995, after voters repealed the city's non-discrimination ordinance.

“We were united because we felt we had a common enemy and our rights had been attacked,” Bardsley said. "Now here we are 15 years later and circumstances are different. The LGBT community - not so much the T part, but the LGB part of the community has become much more integrated and the T community has made some strides, with many more to go."

Bardsley differentiated himself from Narkewicz as someone with a long history of working with the LGBT community as it struggled for civil rights. He also noted that despite Northampton's recent history as a haven for LGBT people seeking acceptance and rights, other forces have made it more challenging for them.

“Many middle class people and families - both LGBT and straight - are finding Northampton to be an increasingly difficult place to live.”

In Massachusetts, we are fortunate enough to have candidates that are often supportive of the gay community. This year is no different. Mayoral elections for Northampton and Holyoke are particularly important this year. For Northampton, Michael Bardsley takes on David Narkewicz and Alex Morse takes on incumbent Elaine Pluta. Bardsley and Morse are not only gay inclusive and friendly, these two candidates are openly gay men alike. Although Narkewicz is not gay, his candidacy represents one of great commitment to the LGBT community, similar to Bardsley and Morse. I am confident that all of these candidates will work for the betterment of the LGBT community. However, after a great deal of deliberation, The Rainbow Times proudly endorses Michael Bardsley and Alex Morse.

This decision was not taken lightly. In Northampton, it came down to extensive experience in several different sectors of city government as well as a lifetime proven record for dedication to the working class and the LGBT community from an insider’s view--a gay man’s view. We were particularly touched by his words, spoken and via his site. His humble nature may prove to be central to understanding the changing Northampton population (racially and ethnically). A teacher himself, Bardsley understands first-hand the problems arising from a failed educational system. Understanding such a system is crucial to the betterment and sustainability of a strong educational structure, preparing better leaders and competing in a world where others are capitalizing where the U.S. once was doing it. These and others are the reasons we believe Michael Bardsley is that choice.

"Usually in Northampton, campaign reports [in non-election years] reflect very little activity. I think last year Mayor Higgins raised and spent a thousand dollars. Mine was comparable. But last year's report for David, who allegedly wasn't thinking about running for mayor, [showed that] he raised over six thousand dollars, which by Northampton standards is a large amount of money. And within that, virtually all the people who contributed to him, with the exception of family, were previous backers of Mayor Higgins... It really looks like a decision had been made over a year ago about who the candidate was going to be... There [are] clearly those who have kind of a vested interest in the direction of the city. I think you can find a lot of that evidence in the report that was filed over a year ago."