Ward 4 Endorsements
"As a downtown business owner for the past 28 years and a
lifelong resident of Northampton, I know the importance
of having elected officials who are responsible and
responsive. I believe that David Narkewicz has both of
these qualities and that he will bring a level of
professionalism, commitment and thoughtfulness to the
City Council. His experience on various boards will serve
his constituents well and his years of service to the
Northampton Education Foundation exemplify his dedication
to the educational needs of Northampton students. Vote
David Narkewicz for Ward 4 City Council."
Rich
Cooper, State Street Fruit Store and Cooper's
Corner
"I attended a coffee hour at a neighbor's home to listen
to David Narkewicz speak about his candidacy for Ward 4
City Council. I already knew David the devoted
stay-at-home father, having watched his two beautiful
daughters grow up during their many visits to the store
where I work. I also knew about his impressive
qualifications and his active involvement in our city.
Watching David the candidate lead a neighborhood
discussion with intelligence, thoughtfulness, and concern
for the issues facing our ward and city only confirmed
that I was making the right decision to vote for him for
Ward 4 Councilor."
Barbara
Edwards, Madison Avenue
"I'm supporting David because he cares about the rights
of all people in our city."
Marjorie
Hess, Masonic Street
"David has been a major contributor to the city-wide
debate on automobile safety and the impact on
neighborhoods of increasing traffic. His clear vision and
leadership ability has earned the respect of all those
working with him on the Transportation and Parking
Commission where he serves as our Chair. He will be a
strong voice on the City Council for a comprehensive
transportation plan that contributes to a healthy city."
Alex
Ghiselin, Baystate Village (former Ward 5 City Councilor)
"I have very much enjoyed working with David on education
issues in Northampton. He's conscientious and dedicated
and would work hard for Ward 4."
Anne
Lombard, Allen Place
"David
has been a good friend and neighbor with a view of our
community that balances Northampton's important economic
and social concerns. His legislative background,
experience in city government, and demonstrated
commitment to public service make him one of the
strongest candidates we could hope to find in a City
Councilor."
Chris
Cahillane, South Street
"When
choosing a candidate, I look for someone who is
open-minded, a good listener, and is willing to devote
the time necessary to make thoughtful, informed
decisions. I believe that David has these strengths and
will be a great asset to Ward 4 and Northampton."
Christina
Citino, Burts Pit Road
Co-Chair, Northampton Progressive Democrats of
Massachusetts
"We have been lucky to have David Narkewicz and his
family as our neighbors for over ten years. David puts
enormous energy into everything he does and is deeply
committed to his family, home, community, and the public
schools. He is genuinely broadminded when listening to
the ideas of others and will represent all ward residents
when making decisions as a City Councilor."
Jeanne
and David Hoose, South Park Terrace
"I
have worked with David for the past three years on the
Endowment Committee of the Northampton Education
Foundation and on the NEF Board. He has been incredibly
energetic, hard-working, and generous with his time in
those volunteer endeavors. He is ever the voice of reason
and is an excellent problem-solver. We will be lucky to
have a person with his qualifications, talents and
character serving on the City Council."
Susan
Rosen, Crescent Street
"If I were to try and construct an ideal candidate for
Northampton's City Council, I would find it hard to
improve on the qualifications, experience and personal
qualities of David Narkewicz. David is extremely
competent and knowledgeable, solidly prepared for this
role by having served our city in numerous ways. David is
open-minded, direct and unpretentious. He's an
independent thinker who listens to a variety of
perspectives and gets the facts rather than jumping to
conclusions. He would be an exceptionally hard-working,
dependable and effective city councilor, and I urge the
voters of Ward 4 to elect him in November.
Ellen
Nigrosh, Bates Street
"I have served with David on the board of the Northampton
Education Foundation (NEF) for many years and can attest
that he is a hard worker, a leader, and a strong
supporter of our public schools."
Gerald
Budgar, Bridge Street
"David is intelligent, hardworking and exceptionally
capable and was an invaluable member of my staff."
Congressman
John Olver, Amherst, MA
"As a former Ward 4 City Councilor, I understand the need
for an intelligent, dedicated and hard working candidate
to represent this important area of our city which
includes downtown. I've worked with David Narkewicz and
he has the experience and leadership skills to be an
outstanding City Councilor."
Edward
McColgan, Leeds
Ward 4 City Councilor, 1966 - 1968
State Representative, 1968 - 1973
"David
Narkewicz has the intelligence, poise, experience, and
temperament to be an excellent City Councilor for Ward 4.
I'm delighted that he is running and proud to endorse his
candidacy."
Rita
Bleiman, Ward 4 City Councilor
"I've known and worked with David for many years and have
found him to be an intelligent, hard working and
honorable person. He is also a dedicated parent of two
young children with many years of public schooling ahead
of them. As a School Committee member, I can't think of
anyone I would rather work with on the City Council to
ensure that the issues of our ward, schools and city are
addressed."
Lucy
Hartry, Ward 4 School Committee Member
"In
addition to his commitment to the city and his wealth of
experience in community and governmental activities,
David brings a wide range of positive personal attributes
to the job of City Councilor. He is easygoing and
accessible. A deeply compassionate person, he is able to
listen to and understand the concerns of individual
citizens. He has proven himself to be a dedicated leader
who is not afraid of hard work. And I especially
appreciate David's sense of balance and perspective,
being able to get involved in specific issues but never
losing sight of the big picture. Finally, David is a man
of great integrity; he inspires trust and confidence
because he is honest and straightforward."
Michael
Bardsley, City Councilor at Large
Ward 4 City Councilor, 1993 - 1999
"In Ward 4, David J. Narkewicz deserves the support of
voters. In no part of the city is development more an
issue than in Ward 4, where both the Smith College
science center and the Village at Hospital Hill have at
times dominated the debate. On both, Narkewicz has shown
an understanding that is balanced and practical. The
Village at Hospital Hill, a mix of commercial, industrial
and residential development, is one of the most ambitious
projects in the history of Northampton . Narkewicz is
best suited to dealing with the realities at hand rather
than certain theories of what might have been."
The
Republican, November 5, 2005