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Amherst is an incredible community. Choosing to serve the town in any capacity, be it advocacy and organizing, committee engagement, journalism, volunteerism, or more, is an act of love for our community.

 

This platform comes from my deep care for this town and those of us who live here. It is informed by our community. The most important component of this platform is that it is not rigid. As your councilor, my role is to listen to you, do my research, and combine those into policies which reflect the bright future Amherst has. I have shown my ability to do that in the past two terms and look forward to your support in continuing to learn, grow, and make change in the years ahead.

Platform Highlights:

Advocacy & Revenue

Amherst’s must continue to advocate for state support in sustaining and building our community. I have and will continue to advocate for improvements in PILOT, housing and infrastructure funding, transportation access, and more.

Improved Processes

We are a form of government still in its infancy in Amherst. Our processes need to be updated to improve community access and engagement. As a councilor, I identify and bring forward changes to improve how we function, while applying an antiracist lens and a focus on equity and access.

Intentional Budgeting

We need to think differently about how we build our budget, and bring more voices to the table. I am committed to working collaboratively to resource our community needs to the best of our ability, including infrastructure, schools, public safety, and staffing.​

Climate
Action

We need to move beyond individual choices and into collective action, prioritizing emissions reduction. I have taken decisive action on this on the Council, and will continue to prioritize municipal action.

Record Highlights

I am proud of the work I have done on the Town Council over the past two years. Below is a selection of those accomplishments.

Climate Action

  • Brought forward the action for the Town of Amherst to opt in to the Specialized Energy Building Code

  • Acted as liaison with the Energy and Climate Action Committee

  • Facilitated the incorporation of specific climate action goals from the ECAC into the Town Manager goals for 2023.

  • Spoke on behalf of the Council advocating for west-east rail at the state-level.

Human Rights

  • CoSponsored a bylaw Ensuring Safe Access to Legally-Protected Reproductive and Gender Affirming Health Care with Councilor Hanneke.

  • Cosponsored the proclaimation for June to be LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Amherst in 2022 (with Councilor DeAngelis) and 2023 (with Councilors DeAngelis and Hanneke).

  • Coauthored with Councilor Miller a Resolution in Support of Access to Reproductive Care.

Housing

  • Sponsored with Councilor Hanneke a home rule petition regarding a housing transfer fee on select properties to benefit affordable housing and capital needs.

  • Supported the acquisition of the former VFW site as a future behavioral shelter location

  • Advocated to state legislative panel on housing needs for Amherst

Advocacy and Process

  • Revamped the process for establishing goals for the Town Manager as well as the performance evaluation process.

  • Brought about change in process to bring the Council Vice President into meetings with the Town Council President, Town Manager, and State Legislators.

  • Collaborated with School Committee members to propose a collaborative long-range fiscal impacts task force.

  • Led the process to pass the charge for a successor body to the African Heritage Reparation Assembly.

  • Authored resolutions congratulating the ARHS Girl's Swim Team, UMASS Women's Basketball Team, Monte Belmonte and the Food Bank of Western MA.

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