To the editor:
I don’t live in Ward 2. I don’t even live in Newburyport for much of the year. But I care about the Ward 2 election because what happens in Ward 2, from the preservation of its historic houses to the support of its arts venues and the character of its commercial development, is the canary in the coal mine for the rest of Newburyport.
When Ward 2 resists the building up and building out of historic properties, it gives homeowners in other equally historic neighborhoods and communities evidence that antique houses are livable assets. As long as legacy businesses like Dyno Records, Angie’s, and Richdale can afford to be downtown, I know that the Park Lunch is also going to be there when I am back in my hometown.
I am too young to be nostalgic, but I could afford to have a childhood downtown because there were places like Fowle’s, Gram’s, and The Book Rack where we could hang out after school, felt welcome, and could shop as middle school students. Any conversation about Newburyport youth should make note of the fact that kids are getting priced out of those childhood experiences, then priced out of living in their own town.
Stephanie Niketic has had such a longstanding and effective dedication to issues of affordability, environmental sustainability, and historic preservation that she was recognized by Newburyport Youth Services with an Asset Builders Award for her work empowering local youth by mentoring their interest and work in those areas.
Fair, reasonable, and insightful on key issues in city government and the community, Stephanie has broad interests and knowledge, but is modest and curious. She will set the right tone as Ward 2 representative on City Council because she cares not only about what makes Newburyport a nice place to visit, but about what makes Newburyport a hometown.
I wish I could vote for her. I hope that you will.
Maximin Clément
Chicago
© 2023-2025 Committee to Elect Stephanie Niketic