Narkewicz steps into at-large race
June 26 ,2009
Northampton council shuffle: Dostal won't run,
Narkewicz steps into at-large race
By James Lowe, Daily Hampshire Gazette
By James Lowe, Daily Hampshire Gazette
NORTHAMPTON - After 55 years of either working for
the city or serving as an elected official, City
Councilor James M. Dostal announced Thursday he
will not seek re-election to his at-large council
seat in November.
Meanwhile, two-term Ward 4 Councilor David J. Narkewicz joined Dostal on the steps of City Hall to announce his intention to seek election to an at-large seat.
The two men's joint announcement only adds momentum to a Northampton political season that will be busier than any in recent history - and certainly will lead to many new faces in city politics.
At-Large City Councilor Michael R. Bardsley is leaving his longtime council seat to challenge incumbent Mayor Clare Higgins for her office, opening the way for new faces in both at-large council seats.
In addition to Narkewicz, two other city residents, Kathleen Silva of 119 Riverside Drive and Jesse Adams of 187 Main St., Apt. 4, have announced their intention to run for an at-large seat, though more candidates may emerge.
Dostal's decision to step down brings to four the number City Council seats in which incumbents are not seeking re-election.
The Ward 4 seat now occupied by Narkewicz has one announced contender, Pamela Schwartz of 22 Columbus Ave. In Ward 7, where 10-term council veteran Raymond W. LaBarge announced that he is not seeking re-election, Eugene Tacy of 158 N. Maple St., who ran for mayor two years ago, indicated his intention to seek election, as has George J. Russell Jr., of 7 Heffernan St., who ran against LaBarge two years ago.
Candidates need to collect 50 signatures from registered voters and submit them for certification to the city's registrar of voters at City Hall by July 28.
City Hall announcement
Dostal announced Thursday that he is stepping down at the end of this, his fifth term. Dostal is an at-large councilor, which means he is elected by voters all over the city.
Meanwhile, Narkewicz - who announced his decision not to run for a third term representing Ward 4 in March - said he plans to seek election to Dostal's seat, with his blessing.
"I turned 72 last week and I've re-evaluated my position with the city," Dostal said of his decision not to seek re-election. He and Narkewicz made their announcements at a small gathering including their families on the steps of City Hall.
A Ryan Road resident, Dostal said he wants to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, who are 5, 6 and 7.
Asked what he considered highlights of his 10 years on the City Council, Dostal replied: "I think every year with the city is a highlight."
His involvement in municipal business stretches back 55 years to 1953, when he joined the Department of Public Works. As superintendent of the department's water division, he oversaw the creation of Northampton's first wastewater treatment plant in 1958. He retired from the DPW in 1996.
Dostal also served on the School Committee for 10 years before running for City Council in 1999.
And on Thursday, Dostal was acting mayor - an occasional duty of the council president - while Mayor Clare Higgins was out of town.
Narkewicz praised Dostal and his wife, Nancy Dostal, a longtime Bridge Street School teacher, for commitment to Northampton.
"Both Jim and Nancy have given a life of service to our city," Narkewicz said.
Higgins, reached by cell phone, said she's relied on Dostal for his knowledge of the schools and public works.
"I'm going to really miss him," she said. "And I'm not going to stop calling him and asking his advice even if he's not an elected official."
Change of heart
Narkewicz, 43, of South Park Terrace, said Dostal persuaded him to seek a council seat again by running for city-wide office. A stay-at-home father of two, Narkewicz told the Gazette four months ago he would step down at the end of this year because he wanted to return to "civilian life."
He also attributed his decision to stay in the running to his recent work with the Vote Yes! Northampton effort to pass a Proposition 2½ tax override.
"Working on the override has re-energized me," he said.
Narkewicz chairs the Transportation and Parking Commission, as well as the Northampton Education Foundation. He also serves on the Ordinance, Finance and the Public Safety committees.
Higgins said she hopes Narkewicz remains on the council through his at-large run.
"He brings a wealth of experience I think it'll be valuable for the council to hold on to," she said.
Meanwhile, on the School Committee, members Teddy Milne, Lucy Hartry and Davina Miller have announced that they are not seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, two-term Ward 4 Councilor David J. Narkewicz joined Dostal on the steps of City Hall to announce his intention to seek election to an at-large seat.
The two men's joint announcement only adds momentum to a Northampton political season that will be busier than any in recent history - and certainly will lead to many new faces in city politics.
At-Large City Councilor Michael R. Bardsley is leaving his longtime council seat to challenge incumbent Mayor Clare Higgins for her office, opening the way for new faces in both at-large council seats.
In addition to Narkewicz, two other city residents, Kathleen Silva of 119 Riverside Drive and Jesse Adams of 187 Main St., Apt. 4, have announced their intention to run for an at-large seat, though more candidates may emerge.
Dostal's decision to step down brings to four the number City Council seats in which incumbents are not seeking re-election.
The Ward 4 seat now occupied by Narkewicz has one announced contender, Pamela Schwartz of 22 Columbus Ave. In Ward 7, where 10-term council veteran Raymond W. LaBarge announced that he is not seeking re-election, Eugene Tacy of 158 N. Maple St., who ran for mayor two years ago, indicated his intention to seek election, as has George J. Russell Jr., of 7 Heffernan St., who ran against LaBarge two years ago.
Candidates need to collect 50 signatures from registered voters and submit them for certification to the city's registrar of voters at City Hall by July 28.
City Hall announcement
Dostal announced Thursday that he is stepping down at the end of this, his fifth term. Dostal is an at-large councilor, which means he is elected by voters all over the city.
Meanwhile, Narkewicz - who announced his decision not to run for a third term representing Ward 4 in March - said he plans to seek election to Dostal's seat, with his blessing.
"I turned 72 last week and I've re-evaluated my position with the city," Dostal said of his decision not to seek re-election. He and Narkewicz made their announcements at a small gathering including their families on the steps of City Hall.
A Ryan Road resident, Dostal said he wants to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, who are 5, 6 and 7.
Asked what he considered highlights of his 10 years on the City Council, Dostal replied: "I think every year with the city is a highlight."
His involvement in municipal business stretches back 55 years to 1953, when he joined the Department of Public Works. As superintendent of the department's water division, he oversaw the creation of Northampton's first wastewater treatment plant in 1958. He retired from the DPW in 1996.
Dostal also served on the School Committee for 10 years before running for City Council in 1999.
And on Thursday, Dostal was acting mayor - an occasional duty of the council president - while Mayor Clare Higgins was out of town.
Narkewicz praised Dostal and his wife, Nancy Dostal, a longtime Bridge Street School teacher, for commitment to Northampton.
"Both Jim and Nancy have given a life of service to our city," Narkewicz said.
Higgins, reached by cell phone, said she's relied on Dostal for his knowledge of the schools and public works.
"I'm going to really miss him," she said. "And I'm not going to stop calling him and asking his advice even if he's not an elected official."
Change of heart
Narkewicz, 43, of South Park Terrace, said Dostal persuaded him to seek a council seat again by running for city-wide office. A stay-at-home father of two, Narkewicz told the Gazette four months ago he would step down at the end of this year because he wanted to return to "civilian life."
He also attributed his decision to stay in the running to his recent work with the Vote Yes! Northampton effort to pass a Proposition 2½ tax override.
"Working on the override has re-energized me," he said.
Narkewicz chairs the Transportation and Parking Commission, as well as the Northampton Education Foundation. He also serves on the Ordinance, Finance and the Public Safety committees.
Higgins said she hopes Narkewicz remains on the council through his at-large run.
"He brings a wealth of experience I think it'll be valuable for the council to hold on to," she said.
Meanwhile, on the School Committee, members Teddy Milne, Lucy Hartry and Davina Miller have announced that they are not seeking re-election.