Between sports, school and travel restrictions, it is hard for many Williston students to take the time to understand the politics and debates happening in Easthampton. Despite this, it is easy for all to see the many red and blue signs, bumper stickers, brochures, and events taken place over these past few weeks. What are they there for?

On November 5th, Easthampton will be electing a new mayor to run the city. The mayor of Easthampton is responsible for decisions and representation of Easthampton. The mayor’s office is situated less than two minutes away from the Schoolhouse on 50 Payson Avenue between Tandem Bagels and Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream.

This time it is a four way democratic race for mayor. Candidates include Nancy Sykes, Karen Cadieux, David Ewing, and Herb Glazier. All have distinguished themselves through previous experience, opinions, and promotion of their campaigns.

The four candidates have met a handful of times and have participated in three debates over the past few weeks. Whoever wins, it will be a new team in the office and this will mark only the second mayor to be elected in Easthampton. The former mayor, Mr. Michael Tautznik, has been in office for the last seventeen years.

Some of the candidates, like Glazier, have chosen to run the campaign entirely on their own. Many people know Glazier through his unique advertising techniques. His main promotion is self-promotion, whether it be his lack of outside fundraising, or, most notably, his moving headquarters: his van. You can spot his campaign signs on the van’s windows. Glazier is running his campaign primarily on the creation of jobs in the city.

Others have chosen a more conventional campaign route.

“Government is present for only one reason,” says candidate Nancy Sykes, “to serve the people.” Sykes has based her campaign off education, senior support, fostering of the arts community, and support for the city’s safety. With previous experience as a teacher, minister, and lawyer, Sykes loves to connect and talk to the people in the city. She also serves as the chair on the school committee for the Easthampton Public Schools, an elected position. “I am the only candidate running who has had actual leadership experience,” she says.

Candidate Karen Cadieux has worked in the current mayor’s office for the full seventeen years of Tautznik’s time as mayor and has served as his administrative assistant. “My public and community service opportunities have given me a unique insight into the needs of city and how best to lead Easthampton to a brighter future,” she says. Cadieux grew up and raised her children in Easthampton. She wishes to make Easthampton a destination for visitors and promises to support public safety and the schools. Much of her campaign has been focused on door-to-door visiting and signs.

David Ewing is focused on bringing in affordable housing and senior support to the city. He lives by his campaign slogan “Know what you’re doing, vote for Ewing”. Although he has had a lack of official fundraising events, he has both a campaign manager and campaign treasurer.

In addition to a mayoral race, there is also a contested city council race on the ballot. Seven candidates are running for four Councilor-at-large positions.

One candidate in particular has stood out in this race and caused some debate.

Donald Cykowski, a current city councilman who was subject to the recall efforts last year, is running again. The recall petition fell only seventeen signatures short after Cykowski made a publically racist remark at a city council meeting: “Where’s a Puerto Rican when we need one?” Cykowski asked in 2011 after a fellow city Councilor got locked out of the meeting. Cykowski was later accused of sexual harassment of a colleague.   Many people are anxiously waiting to see if he will be reelected.

More information and support for these candidates can be found in the newspapers and online on their websites and Facebook pages. Don’t forget to do your civic duty and vote November 5th!