In 2023 I ran for the Ward 2 City Council seat against current councillor Jennie Donahue, losing by only 12 votes. Letters my supporters submitted to the Daily News of Newburyport are below. (The Daily News editor refused to print the last two letters.)
To the editor:
As a resident of Ward 2, I am closely watching the Ward 2 City Council race and Stephanie Niketic has my vote. As a former city councilor, I appreciate what it takes to do the job, so Stephanie Niketic has my endorsement.
Ward 2, like all wards in Newburyport, has challenges unique to itself, as well as matters of importance which are citywide. Whether it's the quality of our water, emergency response systems, infrastructure, schools, city services or other key issues, I want to trust the judgment of my elected representative as much as possible. Stephanie Niketic has been working hard every day to educate herself on the myriad municipal issues for which city councilors must take a position. She's actively engaged, speaking with residents to hear directly from them what they're focused on as well. The next Ward 2 councilor will be responsible for making critical budget votes with our limited financial resources. She will have the opportunity to propose and vote for ordinances which impact quality of life for all of us. She will be responsible for responding to all Ward 2 resident inquiries and concerns by performing due diligence and considering residents perspectives.
When I served on the Newburyport City Council, I keenly remember that it could get heated at times. But members treated one another with civility and interacted with residents respectfully. A vote for Stephanie Niketic will strengthen that type of decorum. I trust Stephanie to do the job with integrity and professionalism. She is fact-driven and results-driven. She'll work hard to be as informed as possible and won't hesitate to ask the tough questions.
I ask my fellow Ward 2 residents to learn more about what distinguishes Stephanie Niketic. We residents who aren't in a position to run for a seat on the City Council, are trusting our elected representatives to serve in our stead and to vote in our interest. I trust Stephanie Niketic to represent me.
KATHLEEN O'CONNOR IVES
Newburyport
To the editor:
I echo Kathleen O'Connor Ives' support of Stephanie Niketic for Ward 2 City Councilor in "Letter: Former State Senator Endorses Niketic for Ward 2" (Oct. 19, 2023, Daily News of Newburyport).
I've worked closely with Stephanie on a number of city issues over the past couple of years, and am so thankful for Stephanie's dedication to Newburyport. She attends virtually all City Council and Planning Board meetings, and has made it her job to thoroughly understand the issues at hand. She gathers facts and synthesizes information, listening to questions from different viewpoints and educating residents on the multi-dimensional aspects of proposed ordinances, development matters such as the Brown School, etc.
Her newsletter is extremely informative, and helps me understand major issues impacting quality of life in Ward 2 and the city at large. Stephanie has demonstrated the decorum necessary to work with others and achieve results for our city. I am confident that Stephanie will be a welcome addition to City Council.
PAMELA KIPP
Newburyport
To the editor:
Incumbents are frequently reelected. Folks figure why not? Give him or her a chance to advance their agenda. And then there are people who have been watching, questioning and envisioning a City Council where councilors show up, do their homework, and are acutely aware of how things get done, or don't. I'm referring to Stephanie Niketic as the challenger to the incumbent, who must, under all circumstances, become our next Ward 2 councilor. When I mention all circumstances, I foresee leadership that can evaluate multiple issues when the political stakes are high, not just concentrate on one idea with an appeal to emotion. For years, we have received Stephanie's newsletters on City Council matters via email.
Because she has consistently attended City Council meetings (her attendance record far exceeding that of some councilors themselves!), Stephanie has for years diligently reported with utmost precision, the activities and issues of Newburyport at large with an eye on how Ward 2 is affected by and affects these issues.
Keep in mind, Ward 2 happens to encompass the waterfront, the downtown commercial district, the historic overlay district and a dense residential area farther up on State Street. We've got everything here, including a defunct gas station at a major intersection which any and all Newburyporters are increasingly anxious to see developed. Stephanie is on it. She has regularly followed up with the City Council since their 2021 agreement with Global Oil to remediate and sell the property for residential use.
Now that it is sold, and plans need to be vetted through the city, Stephanie will be keeping in touch with the Planning Department to understand where things are. She will make sure this and other redevelopment is done with sensitivity, not just to enrich a developer, all the while advocating for a comprehensive review by all those concerned. And she will let everyone know what's going on, as she has all along.
Democracy starts right here. Admittedly, I have taken this for granted far too long, having been blindly trusting in the status quo. I am now, however, so much more engaged because I have been drawn into city government due to Stephanie's own engagement.
This is no one-issue candidate. This is someone who can hear the clamoring to be heard from all corners. Grace, intelligence and most of all, showing up. Stephanie Niketic has it all. Let us in Ward 2 move forward.
JENNIFER DAY
Newburyport
To the editor:
Stephanie Niketic is one of the hardest working, non-elected residents in the city of Newburyport. Just check her attendance at meetings addressing the myriad of issues facing our city at this time. Stephanie is intelligent, articulate, well prepared and informed, particularly with issues directly impacting the residents of Ward 2.
She leads with strength, honesty, integrity and empathy. She is the only clear choice to lead Ward 2 for the next two years.
JAN SZULUK
Newburyport
To the editor:
Stephanie Niketic is the right choice for Newburyport. I'm like a lot of people who lead busy lives and presume that Newburyport's overall culture and vibe will lead to reasonable people being elected. However, voter participation in Newburyport's municipal elections is extremely low. Only 16% of eligible voters cast ballots in the preliminary election in September for example.
When I look at the Republican debacle that has brought the U.S. House of Representatives to its knees for weeks, I realize that politics doesn't run on automatic. We need to be sure that we have thoughtful, knowledgable, involved people running our government at every level.
Stephanie Niketic is an excellent example of a highly professional candidate seeking her first elected office. I have known Stephanie for over 10 years. I have seen the rigor and dedication with which Stephanie has sought to protect our wonderful architecture in Ward 2 first hand.
Recently, I've been reminded of her dedication to good local decision-making in two areas. She has been involved in getting action on the abandoned gas station on the corner of State and High off dead center where it might have languished for years. If Stephanie hadn't raise awareness of the issue and persuaded residents (through a series of informative emails) to influence city officials to take action when nothing was happening, it is likely that the abandoned gas station and sign would have remained an eyesore indefinitely. The site is now in process of being developed in accordance to residential zoning for this key location.
In addition, Stephanie has been vigorously informing us of the dangers presented by investors seeking to purchase properties and turn them into short term rental units. I believe property owners should have the right to rent their properties, but the idea of investors buying up homes for the sole purpose of turning a profit disrupts neighborhoods and diminishes the housing stock. Bravo Stephanie!
Her efforts to inform and lead are good governance skills. These traits can be seen in all the topics she focuses on. I encourage you to read her reports on such issues as those affecting the library or the difficult decisions regarding the location of Newburyport Youth Services. You'll realize that this successful businesswoman brings a lot of talent and stamina to her bid to become our councilor.
Vote for Stephanie and you'll know that Newburyport's management is in good hands. You may not always agree with her, but you'll always know where she's coming from. She has Newburyport's back.
ANIKA SAVAGE
Newburyport
To the editor:
Keeping constituents informed is essential for democratic governance. We have been living in Ward 2 for 10 years and were indebted to Jared Eigerman for his diligence in keeping his constituents informed through his regular newsletters and informational meetings during his service.
We are disappointed in the lack of communication from the current councilor, Jennie Donahue. In spite of our efforts to reach out to her, she has not included us in her mailings or any other Ward 2 communications.
We are grateful to Stephanie Niketic for her on-going communications to keep us updated on city issues. Her well-researched articles about city issues are much appreciated. They contribute to our being better informed citizens and understanding complicated upcoming votes for the City Council. We're happy to support Jared Eigerman who is running as a councilor at-large and Stephanie Niketic for our future Ward 2 councilor.
ANNE AND ALEC WHITE
Newburyport
To the editor:
There has been a lot of debate about Newburyport Youth Services, neighborhoods, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability, so I'd like to explain that these are issues Stephanie Niketic has cared about since long before she became a candidate for City Council.
I first met Stephanie Niketic when I was in middle school and went by myself to a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in order to speak up against a proposed oversized condo development project on my very small street. Stephanie introduced herself and encouraged my interest in civic participation. I met her again when I was a Newburyport High freshman and a group of my friends and I became interested in the connection between environmental sustainability, historic preservation, and affordable housing.
As the Next Generation Preservationists, we started working with the Newburyport Preservation Trust at a time when Stephanie was on the board. She taught us that if you believe in a value or a policy, you have to be willing to work hard and work productively with people who disagree. She never told us what to think or do. Instead, she always helped us understand the process and find our own voices.
Last year, Newburyport Youth Services recognized Stephanie's work empowering local youth by presenting her with an Asset Builders Award. She showed us that people of different ages can contribute equally to shaping the values and direction of the community, and her belief in us made us believe in ourselves and in our own ideas. Given the numerous and complicated issues on the table, I know that as a city councilor, Stephanie will listen, work hard and productively, and empower the people in her ward, and all of Newburyport will benefit.
I want to add that in 2018 when 21 of my friends and I wrote a letter to City Council expressing our concerns about the Safe Routes to School Project, there was a councillor who wrote back and encouraged us to keep paying attention to local issues, speak up, and stay involved, and that was Sharif Zeid, and I never forgot that he respected our views even though we were not even in his ward.
MAXIMIN CLEMENT
CHICAGO
To the editor:
The upcoming municipal election is an important one and it is my hope that Newburyport voters will turn out in large numbers to voice their choices for our city's future.
As a resident of Ward 2, my choice for councilor is Stephanie Niketic, a conscientious and concerned citizen who is a model of civic engagement. Known for her advocacy on issues of historic preservation, Stephanie is knowledgeable on many issues and will be a balanced and well-informed decision maker.
She communicates openly and honestly. A regular at city meetings, Stephanie takes copious notes and sends thorough and informative newsletters to residents who have requested them.
Her understanding of the larger needs of Newburyport can also be seen on her campaign website www.niketic.com.
Too many of our councillors appear to make decisions based on emotion and personal perspective instead of with the objectivity required of our city leaders. Stephanie demonstrates a view of the big picture with a mastery of budget impacts and funding sources available.
She has recognized the city's shortage of affordable housing as central to our lack of economic diversity, and is clear that the current issue of permitting short term rental units, in particular the investor-owned STRU's, will severely and negatively impact our neighborhoods and our housing supply.
We need a strong and decisive voice for Ward 2. Please join me in voting for Stephanie Niketic.
DIANA KERRY
NEWBURYPORT
To the editor:
Folks, it is imperative to vote for Stephanie Niketic for Ward 2 City Councilor. Stephanie favors the interests of the residents of Ward 2. Stephanie regularly attends city council meetings. She knows the ins and out and all the nuances of the issues facing our city. She has been a long-time resident advocate for our neighborhoods and for historic preservation of our beautiful city. Her advocacy dates to the 90s.
She sends out weekly, and sometime more frequent, newsletters with pertinent information regarding city governance and important issues of the day with links to all documents to those that ask to be on her distribution list. She is smart, qualified, and will perform the duties with professionalism and with respect to her constituents. Stephanie also differs from our current councilor on policy.
Stephanie believes in protections to residents from short-term rental units. Stephanie favors the rights of the current residents over outside investors and has consistently spoken up for residents on this issue.
Stephanie supported Mayor Reardon's split-rate tax this year to give some relief to residents. Donahue voted against the split-rate tax. As a result, residential property taxes went up an average of 5.8%.
Donahue recently worked with the cannabis industry, including a pot shop owner from Haverhill, a representative from the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association, and a boutique marijuana consulting firm, to introduce a communication with the intent on having the city council pass a new zoning ordinance to allow retail shops downtown, the Tannery, and the Pond Street shopping mall. This proposal removed the most basic guardrails provided by the state statute to protect our youth. In contradiction, Stephanie spoke in opposition to special interests and against the proposal.
As Ward 2 residents, we have seen the loss of assets. The Brown School is one of them. Stephanie would vote to rehabilitate the gym so our community can use it and try to keep ownership of the asset while still supporting affordable housing and a new home for NYS. These things do not have to be mutually exclusive. Donahue voted to remove the $1.8 million dollars allocated to the capital improvement program for restoration of the gym.
In her only Ward 2 meeting, Donahue argued that the residents do not need or want the gym despite multiple groups arguing the opposite, particularly for sports and the arts, not to mention many people in that ward 2 meeting that had concerns. There is $225K in the Brown School stabilization fund that, in addition to the proposed $1.8 million should have already been used to rehabilitate the gym. Instead, it sits gathering dust and falling into further disrepair. It also seems that Councilor Donahue favors the sale of the Brown School rather than other options that would retain the asset for the ward and the city, such as a long-term lease.
We need a council that can get things done for the constituents of the city without non-Newburyport outside influences. If you want a qualified, independent-thinking person who represents the best interests of the current residents of Ward 2, vote for Stephanie Niketic, the Ward 2 residents. candidate.
JOSHUA A. BAUMFELD
Newburyport
To the editor:
As our biennial political exercise draws down, I note an avalanche of letters in support of local candidates, and one in particular caught my eye as it relates to the Ward 2 race between Jennie Donahue and Stephanie Niketic. "Donahue is one of us." (Oct. 23, 2023, Daily News of Newburyport) it read, which made me groan. Whether intended or not, this is just code for us versus them which reflects the divisive nature of national politics that so distressing.
I must assume that Niketic is one of them despite her having lived here for 43 years. I suppose my wife and I are too, residents in the same house on the same street for 44 years, this despite the fact that a forbearer of mine landed in town from Ireland after the great famine, bought two boarding houses and buried a husband here, before moving south to Lynn. Too bad she didn't land on the Parker River in 1635 to claim "us" status.
During my time I have served on two mayoral committees, one for the ungodly span of 30 years. I co-chaired, with Ed Molin, the first library book sale, which netted $22,000. I have involved myself in local politics, most notably in Donna Holaday's first mayoral campaign.
In that span I have interacted with, I suppose, 15 or so Ward 2 councilors. Though I will never denigrate any citizen's desire to serve his or her community, the level of competence has fluctuated. It came to be known in one instance, for example, that our councilor who voted annually on tax rates, hadn't paid his own real estate tax for something like a decade. Those dog and pony shows are over.
When we came to town, the annual budget of the city was about $13 million. Today, how about $93 million? The medium income was $25,000. Today, it's $115,000. We bought our half house for peanuts. The other side to ours just sold for $1.4 million. Things are more complicated now, and require a degree of professionalism, competence, and the ability to maneuver among disparate personalities to get things done, as never before. Niketic brings these skills to the table. More so, I might add, than any candidate for local office here that I've ever known.
I urge voters to pull the lever for Niketic. Her dedication, over a decade of involvement in local issues, speaks for itself. She was born for this job.
JAMES CHARLES ROY
Newburyport
To the editor:
Many pressing issues facing our city will likely come to a determining vote during the next two-year session of the City Council. Infrastructure, affordable housing, and a more equitable tax rate structure--full disclosure, my father was our city's tax assessor so I might possess a more nuanced understanding of that critical issue--will dictate the long-term future of Newburyport. These issues share one common overriding element. zoning codes. There is a need to revisit and overhaul the current zoning codes to represent better the recent and planned future developments within our community.
Candidates currently running, including my Ward 2 and two at-large individuals, are committed to making a review of the zoning code a priority of the next city council. Therefore, I fully support the candidacy of Heather Shand, Stephanie Niketic, and Connie Preston. While others running share an interest, I am particularly aware of these three individuals having the intelligence and willingness to tackle a complex and often tedious yet essential issue to help ensure a robust, equitable, and sustainable Newburyport.
PETER B. CARZASTY
Newburyport
To the editor:
This year we Ward 2 voters have a tough choice: to decide between two strong candidates. This is painful, because choosing one means rejecting the other and perhaps losing a valuable voice. But, since I feel strongly that voting is a responsibility and a privilege, I do have to choose.
The candidate I choose regularly attends City Council meetings, simply as a concerned resident, and has done for years. She writes an open-subscription newsletter objectively informing Newburyport's citizens about what she learns at those meetings.
She's also attended many years of meetings about Newburyport's zoning issues, which she understands with a depth that can only help to ease the future challenges of keeping Newburyport the gem that it is: a place of beauty and rich resources that provides a good, safe home to a broad diversity of residents and businesses.
The candidate I choose can hear other voices and respond generously. She can benefit all of this city's residents with her impressive range of experience and knowledge. She can participate in important decisions with well-deserved self-confidence. The candidate I'm choosing is Stephanie Niketic.
MELISSA VOKEY
Newburyport
To the editor::
The campaign for Ward 2 councillor has most unfortunately become both uncomfortably personal and painful -- no thanks to the candidate forum moderated by the Daily News last week -- and I wish to set the record straight on some important points.
Two years ago, in the election for Ward 2 City Council election, Jennie Donahue ran unopposed. She received support from many of us in Ward 2, including from Stephanie Niketic who hosted a meet-and-greet, which I attended.
While Jennie Donahue has a long history as growing up and living in Newburyport and has overcome the loss of her eyesight with courage and determination, the political discussion, as it has been lately, should not be influenced by her disability.
Rather, it should be about Jennie's record as a councillor and the many important issues that the city faces (affordable housing, Brown School, taxes, the waterfront and, of course, advocacy and protection for the more vulnerable residents). It is essential to recognize that the election is meant to focus our attention on these issues and determine who is best to address them in the City Council.
Stephanie Niketic communicates information clearly and voices her opinions on a regular basis, keeping Ward 2 residents apprised of the issues and decisions made. This is a public service that I find very helpful. To date, I have yet to receive any communication from Jennie except for a flier asking to vote for her.
Clearly, both candidates have qualities and abilities. Each one has her own style but demeanor and decorum are important especially when it comes to public office. In the end, however, the vote is about choosing who can be the more effective and communicative councilor. Stephanie Niketic has clearly demonstrated her capabilities in that regard and I hope you will join me in supporting her as Ward 2 Councillor.
MARC CENDRON
Newburyport
To the editor:
Please accept my enthusiastic endorsement of Stephanie Niketic for Newburyport's Ward 2 council seat.
She has shown tireless advocacy and leadership, always with admirable civility, for quality of life issues that affect our citizens every day. She spearheaded the effort to remove an abandoned gas station from our city's crossroads, in favor of needed residential development, which is now coming to fruition. Her plan for regulating short term rentals units will help to relieve congestion, restore needed long term rentals, and return a measure of peace to our neighborhoods. Her thoughtful proposals to rehab the Brown School aim to increase affordable housing and recreational usage. She has demonstrated energy, initiative and integrity in seeing things through, and she definitely has my vote.
PETER CAESAR
Newburyport
To the editor:
Until the yard signs went up for this year's election, I couldn't remember who my Ward 2 councilor was, since I'd not heard from her since the last campaign -- not an email, or text or communication of any kind.
On the other hand, Stephanie Niketic, the challenger for the Ward 2 seat, has been attending not only City Council meetings but also meetings on the various others issues that impact Ward 2, i.e. the Brown School, the vacant property at State and High streets that was a gas station, the waterfront, short-term rentals, and many more. Through a very informative newsletter, she has been educating Ward 2 on these issues, sharing the various points of view of the other voices on the council, the pros and cons, and her views on these subjects. We're all better informed about the issues facing our city.
Stephanie is a leader, she knows the issues and challenges, she's professional, she's a tireless worker, she's accessible, and most importantly, she will be a huge asset not only to Ward 2, but to the whole city. We need a change, and I'm happy to share my support for Stephanie Niketic for Ward 2 councilor.
KATIE HARIED
Newburyport
To the editor:
Stephanie Niketic, in my opinion, without a doubt, would be an excellent addition to our City Council.
I believe Stephanie will always considerately keep in mind the best interests of the average resident first. Stephanie has diligently attended City Council meetings with extraordinary regularity, taking concise notes, and weighing in on the issues at hand with any concerned individual who reaches out to her. I have yet to attend a City Council meeting and not find Stephanie there. In sports terms, she is the equivalent of the 12th man in football. Please, lets put Stephanie over the top and get her on the team. No need to keep Stephanie waiting in the wings any longer, she is more than ready to go.
ADRIAN L. SZYMURA
Newburyport
To the editor:
It is said that the Devil is in the details. So, if you’re going to beat the Devil, you better have someone at your side who really understands the facts on the ground, comprehends the trends and patterns, and takes action that moves what you care about ahead.
Anyone who has been exposed to Stephanie Niketic’s written and/or spoken work knows that she is the kind of leader that doesn’t confuse the forest for the trees.
AirKiosk, the product she and her husband, Novak, created is representative of the kind of innovative business acumen Stephanie will bring to the City Council.
Dating from the early 90s, AirKiosk was one of the first systems to use the internet to manage airline check in, baggage handling, seat assignments, etc. online. They invented this product just as low cost airlines were arriving on the scene.
Prior to services like Kiosk, airline reservations were being handled by bulky mainframe computers. Those big boxes were difficult to integrate with the emerging character of air travel, and they were hard to upgrade quickly. Whole teams of red eyes geeks needing more sleep and nursing lousy diets had to work nonstop for days to write five lines of code. Operations like Jet Blue didn’t want to pay the prices mainframe operators charged for the flexibility we consumers now take for granted. Kiosk beat the competition and then some.
More than 10,000,000 users have benefited from Kiosk’s expertise, the same kind of insight and skill Stephanie will bring to Newburyport.
We all know that Newburyport will have the Devil of a time navigating some of the challenges we’ll face in the decade ahead. To make the run into the future successfully, we’ll need Stephanie Niketic’s proven executive competence to create and manage our flight plan into the future.
MICHAEL SALES
Newburyport
To the editor:
Please join me in voting for Stephanie Niketic for Ward 2 councilor. We need a change and I believe Stephanie is the best person to help make those changes. She is an extremely knowledgeable person and understands how city government works.
Newburyport faces a myriad of challenges that need hard work, collaboration and resolution. Stephanie has done extensive homework on the issues facing us. She focuses on the important aspects of any project and looks for positive ways to solve the issues that come up. Clarifying and resolving details are critically important in solving any problem. This is Stephanie’s forte. She is a problem solver and works toward a good outcome for everyone. Her weekly Ward 2 emails are extremely helpful in understanding the issues and keeping residents informed. Her attendance and participation in countless city meetings over many years demonstrates her commitment and hard work in helping Newburyport move forward.
Stephanie has the time, patience and determination to do an outstanding job as Ward 2 councilor. Please give her an opportunity to do just that — Ward 2 and the city will greatly benefit.
TOM KOLTERJAHN
Newburyport
To the editor:
When deciding to vote for a candidate for any office, I assess their demonstrated values, the positions that they have actively taken over time, and their overall accomplishments. I base my decision on the candidates engagement with the community, knowledge, substance, and effectiveness. Stephanie Niketic is just such a candidate.
I have been particularly impressed with Stephanie's voice at City Council meetings on the issues of short-term rentals, parking and traffic, as well as affordable housing, the future of the Brown School, Newburyport Youth Services, and the streets and sidewalks where she considers the profound impact to the residential neighborhoods, as well as the residents themselves.
Electing Stephanie Niketic as the next Ward 2 City Councillor is our way of ensuring that in times like these, with so much at stake, our elected officials are competent, compassionate, and communicative. During the campaign, Stephanie has demonstrated determination, grace under pressure, a sense of humor, and most of all, good decision making.
I encourage you to support Stephanie Niketic on Nov. 7.
RITA MIHALEK
Newburyport
To the Editor:
In "Ward City Council Candidates Face Off" (October 23, 2023), Ward 2 Candidate Stephanie Niketic notes Councilor Jennie Donahue argues in ways that are not "conducive to communications with other people...The most memorable probably was when you dealt with a constituent during a ward meeting and called her a liar," she said. "Then you follow that up actually with an email communication that went to the mayor and the rest of the City Council."
Candidate Niketic is correct that Councilor Donahue doesn't communicate in a manner conducive to productive conversation, and further personalizes policy disagreements. I'm the Ward 2 resident who Councilor Donahue called publicly - now for the third time as printed in this paper - a liar. I attended Councilor Donahue's only ward 2 meeting in February. Many residents asked questions, several of which another Councilor and former Councilor/current Candidate Jared Eigerman answered because Councilor Donahue could not. I spoke in favor of retaining the Brown School gym - Donahue was opposed - and against her reintroducing retail marijuana shop zoning in downtown Newburyport. Councilor Donahue indicated that the referendum on whether Newburyporters wanted retail pot shops held in November 2019 was meaningless, making incorrect assertions regarding the type of ballot and turnout. In response to my corrections, Councilor Donahue raised her voice, called me a liar and told me I suffered from 1930s "reefer madness." There were many witnesses (several approached me after the meeting in disbelief), including Candidate Niketic.
Councilor Donahue later responded to my email to the Council (expressing my opposition to her plan to seek retail pot shop zoning downtown, including reducing state buffers) in similar fashion: "Good morning Lynne, thank you for your email and for making a mountain out of a molehill. I listen to your show on the pulse and I found it to be full of lies. You are a liar and I'll say that now in front of everybody. Go ahead and get your band back together. What I'm doing is trying to find a way to pay for the things we need. What you're doing is trying to sustain 100 year old reefer madness rhetoric. I think you're a liar... (full email below).
Councilor Donahue reportedly called multiple people concerning my ZBA appointment by Mayor Reardon, with incredible assertions. She voted also against my re-appointment, which was recommended unanimously to the Council from committee. I have never seen a ward councilor not support a ward resident appointment.
As a lawyer for many years, I have sat through difficult negotiations and transactions all over the world. Professionals don't behave this way, and it's surprising and undesirable in a City Councilor. I'm at the point where, if the "liar, liar" accusations don't stop, I'll consider legal action.
In contrast, Stephanie Niketic is personable, calm and considered. She's extremely informed - consistently attending council and important committee meetings (including those Donahue misses). She sends weekly newsletters to ward 2 residents, and additional emails for important agenda items. She asks opinions and listens to our responses. We don't agree on everything, but she'll be an extremely well qualified, informed and a professional Ward 2 councilor and has my vote. I encourage every Ward 2 resident to vote for Stephanie Niketic.
Lynn-Anne Schow
Newburyport
Begin forwarded message:
From: Jennie Donahue <JDonahue@cityofnewburyport.com>
NDate: February 20, 2023 at 8:56:25 AM EST
To: Lynn Schow
Cc: NBPT Mayor <Mayor@cityofnewburyport.com>, *City Council* <CityCouncil@cityofnewburyport.com>
Subject: Re: We.re Back - Opt Out NBPT
Good morning Lynne, thank you for your email and for making a mountain out of a molehill. I listen to your show on the pulse and I found it to be full of lies. You are a liar and I.ll say that now in front of everybody. Go ahead and get your band back together. What I.m doing is trying to find a way to pay for the things we need. What you.re doing is trying to sustain 100 year old reefer madness rhetoric. And we do have better things to do with our time. Then argue with people like you. We.re all aware that you.re doing what you.re doing. And I highly doubt that you.ve been receiving hundreds of angry emails. Because we.ve received a handful and your opt out page is silent. So I don.t know what you.re talking about and I think you.re a liar. If you want to have a real conversation without lies, feel free to call me.
Jennie L Donahue -Ward 2 City Councillor
Newburyport
JENNIEDONAHUE 2021@gmail.com
On Feb 19, 2023, at 11:14 PM, Lynn Schow wrote:
Dear Mayor Reardon and City Councillors,
I write to express my opposition to Councillor Donahue.s plan to introduce a measure in the city council to reverse the decision made by Newburyport voters in 2019 to opt out of retail pot shops. That Councillors Donahue and Vogel, according to their interviews with the Daily News, support a measure in contravention of the specifically expressed will of the people, is shocking.
Newburyport spent nearly eighteen months debating the question of whether we wanted retail pot shops, culminating in a vote on November 5, 2019 in which this question appeared alongside the ballot for city council and school committee members. Our community decisively voted, 52%-48%, in an election with strong turnout, that they did not want retail pot shops in Newburyport. And, that decision was at a time when it had been proposed to zone the shops in two locations. Now we are faced with a proposal to zone it many more places, including downtown and business zones by .special permit., when the data we have supports that we made the right decision in opting out. I know you have seen some of that data from other residents.
To reopen this divisive question, and assume it should be decided by a vote of the council, is breathtakingly insulting to the voters of Newburyport, and is a waste of our time and the Council.s time. The city and Council have many more pressing matters.
I have personally received hundreds of messages from very, very angry residents. They are angry that their vote didn.t matter to these two councillors. They are angry that this proposal is back. These residents range from downtown and Tannery business and real estate owners and managers, to realtors, to former city councilors and public servants, to neighbors, to young adults, to Denver ex-pats, to parents. I have received messages from people I.ve never met, wondering what to do. They are especially angry that Councillors Donahue and Vogel appear to be responsive to outside pot industry interests over the will of the community they were elected to represent - the owner of Haverhill.s Stem has been particularly aggressive, approaching numerous downtown business owners, joining Newburyport.s Chamber of Commerce, and attending and being promoted at Councillor Donahue.s event for the retail Marijuana industry last week.
The only beneficial result of this new proposal is that Newburyport now has an energized and re-engaged group of informed voters. Opt Out Newburyport has reorganized, and, wonderfully, has more participants than ever who want to be involved in eliminating this bad proposal, and, in fact, leading the charge. People are volunteering in different ways, and wondering how to volunteer in the future for the city so we don.t end up here again.
Councillor Donahue.s proposal should not even make it out of Committee. Respect the vote. Please focus the Council.s attention instead on the important work you are doing to solve the pressing issues facing the city rather than leading us to months of repetitive acrimony leading up to the November elections. Councillor Donahue.s proposal will do nothing but create issues for the city that we don.t need.
I appeared on Local Pulse this weekend with former state Senator Kathleen O.Connor Ives during which we expressed our reasons for opposing the return of this divisive issue, as well as why we continue to support Newburyport.s decision to opt out. I encourage you to listen to the information we presented:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-pulse-with-joe-dibiase/id1380795641?i=1000600325094
I and others in our movement would appreciate the opportunity to meet with each of you personally to discuss this issue. Please reach out to me at the email above, or the number below, if you would be interested in having a discussion on this matter.
Best regards,
Lynn
Lynn-Anne M. Schow
To the editor:
Affordable Housing is one of the many important issues in this year's municipal election.
This past November 28, 2021 Newburyport Ward 2 City Councilor Jennie Donahue had an opportunity to help all city residents with the cost of housing when Mayor Reardon asked the Council to vote to split the city's Tax Rate. Instead Ward 2 Councilor Donahue along with six other Councilors voted to raise the average tax bill for Newburyport residents by $530. The city's affordable housing issue needs to be addressed now and how the City taxes housing is one of the many tools in addition to Zoning, including a possible BID - Business Improvement District - that can be used to address housing affordability.
The current Ward 2 Councilor voted against what would have been a good start to help to address this problem. The question now is how this tax increase has raised the cost of what few residential rentals are left in Ward 2 and the rest of the City.
Now is the time for change in Ward 2. Now is the time to vote for Stephanie Niketic.
Fred Neidhardt
Newburyport
Fred Neidhardt is a former Newburyport Director of the Office of Planning and Development
© 2023-2025 Committee to Elect Stephanie Niketic