Endorsement Letters
Former councilor endorses Harman for at-large seat
To the editor:
Now that the city election season is upon us, we have to evaluate candidates and make our choices. I’m writing to express my enthusiastic support for Ben Harman as councilor at large.
Ben has already demonstrated his abilities as current Ward 4 councilor. And there are several strong candidates on the at-large ballot. So why do I support him over some others?
I served for 18 years on the council, and there were a few key characteristics I learned to value in a fellow councilor. Ben has demonstrated them all: he’s honest, he does his homework, and he follows through on his commitments.
We won’t always agree on issues, but if we study them closely, and justify our opinions in an honest and straightforward manner, we’re likely to reach satisfactory outcomes.
We’re living through a time in which cynicism and distrust of others infects our public discourse. But we can reverse these trends by electing people of high character who will put in the time and effort to make Newburyport a great place to live, to work, and share with others.
Please join me in voting for Ben Harman in November.
Barry Connell, Former Newburyport City Councilor
Harman is an affordable housing champion
To the editor:
I am writing to endorse Ben Harman for City Councilor At-Large in this November’s election. A lot of people talk about affordability in our community, but Ben is a real leader on this issue.
I first met Ben, as my Ward 4 councilor, while working with the Greater Newburyport Housing Choice Coalition, where Ben was very interested in our campaign to bring more affordability to the Brown School project. He really listened to us and asked many detailed questions about the history of the project and the different approaches being considered.
Ben became a champion of the redevelopment of this city asset into senior affordable housing, taking a balanced approach that was respectful of neighbors’ concerns while recognizing the moral and financial cost of allowing the building to sit empty in the midst of a housing crisis.
I was grateful to have Ben’s leadership during the design and review process. He asked thoughtful questions, and ultimately helped steer the conversation towards the best option for the city: apartment homes with deeper affordability for residents earning far less than the area’s median income. Today, the Brown School is on track to make sure 100% of its new units are reserved for seniors earning between 30 and 50% below average income.
He has consistently shown up for community discussions, listened carefully to his constituents, and has taken additional actions to increase affordable housing options and opportunities in Newburyport. Earlier this year Ben co-sponsored a city-wide zoning ordinance to make it easier for residents to create additional housing with accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties.
In re-writing the outdated ordinance that only allowed for extremely limited in-law apartments, Ben took a measured approach to designing the new regulations, heard feedback with an open mind, and adjusted the legislation in response to public comment along the way. The result was a common-sense ordinance that was easy to understand and adhere to, and although Councilors Jim McCauley and Sharif Zeid voted against it, Ben worked with his colleagues to bring a super majority of the council together to get it passed.
Ben has proven to be an asset in building a welcoming and accessible community for all. I hope to continue to have him as an advocate in this work, as there is so much more to do to make sure Newburyport remains affordable for seniors, young families, and working people.
Please join me in voting for Ben Harman, City Councilor At-Large on Nov. 4.
Sarah Holden, Newburyport
Vote for Harman, Reardon
To the editor:
As a resident of Moseley Avenue for over 20 years, I have seen the area between Moseley and the Chain Bridge/Spofford roundabout become more and more dangerous for pedestrians. There was no sidewalk here, and since the pandemic, traffic and distracted driving has only increased. Neighbors from these streets have asked city leaders for years to address this safety concern, as the gap in sidewalks had lingered for over a decade.
Ben Harman has only served as Ward 4 Councilor for one term, but he immediately responded to our concerns, worked with us to come up with a workable compromise and ultimately helped get a solution implemented in just 18 months.
Of course, Ben didn’t do this alone, but he was our most vocal champion over the past two years. He took our concerns seriously and was always focused on making progress. He built relationships with the Department of Public Services and joined the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to ensure he was in the right conversations to advocate for us. These simple, straightforward actions were crucial in getting this work done.
Also critical was Ben’s partnership and advocacy with Mayor Reardon. He continuously kept the mayor’s office informed of our discussions and problem-solved with them to determine the most feasible and cost-effective options to address our concerns quickly. Because of his proactive engagement with both the neighborhood and the mayor’s office, we found a solution that worked.
There was no ribbon cutting or celebration. It was just the real, day-to-day work of our public servants, and I applaud Ben and Mayor Reardon for getting this done. Because of their work, residents can now safely walk from Moseley Woods to Atkinson Common — and beyond — on a continuous stretch of sidewalk for the first time in a generation.
On Election Day, I will vote for City Councilor Ben Harman and Mayor Sean Reardon. Please join me in casting your votes for two city leaders who are committed to our community’s safety and sustainability.
Krista Yablin, Newburyport
Vote Harman for councilor at-large
To the editor:
I am writing to endorse Ben Harman for Newburyport City Council at-large. In the last two years Ben has been my Ward 4 city councilor. In this short time, Ben has demonstrated a strong commitment to pragmatic, collaborative, good city government that is much less divisive. He has also been front and center in working to modernize Newburyport’s aging infrastructure.
Note that there are many other good candidates running for ward and at-large positions on the City Council.
In my view, Ben Harman represents the gold standard for the kind of people we need to move things forward and not focus on the petty disputes of the past.
Newburyport can really benefit from Ben representing the whole city as an at large city councilor.
Frank Moore, Newburyport
Avid biker backs Harman for at-large
To the editor:
As an avid biker and supporter of giving kids independence via walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, I have been advocating for improvements to the design, character and safety of our streets here in Newburyport. I’ve been bringing attention to the safety concerns and needs around town through conversations with parents, neighbors, city councilors, and Newburyport Livable Streets. Through these conversations and efforts, I’ve found an excellent advocate in Councilor Ben Harman.
Although I don’t live in Ward 4, I’m impressed by the work Ben has done to add sidewalks where there were none and back low-cost improvements like line painting and temporary pylons to help drivers literally stay in their lane. I’m excited for him to focus his efforts city-wide as an at-large councillor.
I’m also encouraged by my conversations with Ben about the big picture. Ben understands that changing how we plan for the future means changing our mindset in how we approach street and sidewalk design. Too often we’re playing catch-up and begging for leftover money to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, when what we really should be doing is looking at our streets holistically.
Ben will advocate for a process change for Newburyport, so that a safety analysis is automatically included every time we spend money on a street. Just as the city incorporates utility planning so we don’t pave a street that National Grid will tear up the next year, it makes sense to take the time to determine if things like curb placement, sightlines, crosswalk distance and placement should be adjusted at the same time. We need to build pedestrian safety “muscle memory” into the way we plan and execute investment in our streets, and I trust Ben to lead the way on this issue.
There are many long-term projects that will help enhance our city. To name a few: the Hale Street shared use path, improved walkability in the West End, a plan for Storey Avenue, and safety improvements to the Low Street corridor. Having a solid process in place will help ensure these projects are the best they can be.
When we design more livable streets, we build a healthy, vibrant city for everyone. I’m voting for Ben Harman to help make that vision a reality.
Eric Tracey, Newburyport
Harman is a champion of LGBTQ+ rights
To the editor:
When I vote in November, I plan to vote my values. Now more than ever, it’s important that we stand up for what we believe — and for each other. That’s why I’m voting for Ben Harman for city councilor at large.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know how important it is to show up for people. I’m supporting Ben’s campaign as a volunteer because he shares my values. In his time on the Council, Ben has made it a point to stand up for equality for all of us.
I know that this isn’t always easy. In some ways, it might be easier now than it was 20 years ago, and it is certainly easier here in Massachusetts than in other parts of the country, but we are in the midst of an unprecedented attack against the LGBTQ+ community and our rights, particularly trans rights, are being used as a political wedge issue.
Because of this, we cannot take our rights for granted, even here in Newburyport. Without voices like Ben’s — loud, proud, and uncompromising on what’s right — we could let ourselves be lulled into the kind of complacency that makes it too easy or too comfortable to stop fighting for our most vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family members.
Another reason I am voting for Ben is that with him it’s not just about what he says. Even more important than words are his actions; simply put, Ben shows up for his constituents. At Pride, Juneteenth, and Trans Day of Visibility, among countless other events, I have seen Ben not only in attendance but fully present and engaged. If you’ve never had to worry about your safety in the face of harassment or wonder if the world will accept you or your child for who they are, this may seem like a small thing.
I assure you, it is not. It matters.
As a new pre-adoptive foster mom of an LGBTQ+ tween, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, especially the future for queer kids in our community and in our country. There’s so much that is out of our control, but we have a say in creating the type of community we want to live in together and in choosing the people we want to be our community leaders. We need leaders like Ben who are anchored in their values and have the courage to stand up for what’s right. We need leaders like Ben who can serve as role models for our kids, especially our LGBTQ+ kids.
Please join me in voting for Ben Harman for City Council on Nov. 4.
Holly Cashman, Newburyport
Harman should be an at-large councilor
To the editor:
This letter is written to enthusiastically endorse Mr. Ben Harman for the position of councilor at-large. While we will miss his excellent representation of Ward 4, we are certain his skills, talents, professionalism, and caring will now positively influence our entire city.
Ben’s commitment to Newburyport is exactly what we need in a time of challenges, short- and long-term issues, and inevitable unexpected developments. While we are not privy to the undercurrents of conflicts in our city government, it appears that acrimony and personal disagreements have crept into this year’s debates over Newburyport’s finances, housing expansion, and personnel choices.
This is why Ben’s voice is an absolute necessity for present and future governance. Ben is a role model of respectful discourse, objective thinking, and well-reasoned positions on essential issues—from affordable housing to management of our coastline; from street and sidewalk safety, to sound policies on water quality and sewage.
Residents of Newburyport can place their trust in Ben to emphasize progressive, collaborative, and fair approaches to solving problems while respecting various points of view within our increasingly diversified community. Ben represents a much- needed new generation of political and social activists. He is not only motivated by his belief in service and making a positive difference, but also in representing the lives of all our citizens, young and old. Character and integrity matter, which is why we are so fortunate to have him working for and with us. “Progress Together!”
Please join us in voting for Mr. Ben Harman on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Margaret and Mark McQuillan, Newburyport
Harman will be a strong councilor at-large
To the editor:
As an active board and committee member for several organizations here in Newburyport, I often spend a lot of time working with city leaders to support events and causes that bring people together and strengthen the bonds of community. Newburyport is truly a special place to live for so many reasons, and specifically due to the incredible people who step up and volunteer their time to get involved and to help others.
To do that work effectively, we need strong, collaborative leaders in City Hall. That’s why I’m voting for Ben Harman for councilor at-large. In a time when politics can divide us, I have always appreciated his approach of listening to and working with people to get things done.
For example, Ben supported and championed the recreation center project at every step of the way. Ben worked to keep the debate focused on the facts on the council floor. He stood firm on bringing the issue to the voters and ensured that the vote was scheduled appropriately. His efforts to bring a majority of his colleagues together contributed greatly to finally move this project forward.
In working with Ben on this issue, I know he was passionate about it — yet he never let his emotions get the better of him. He instead led with respectful, steady presence on the council, and demonstrated the rare ability to disagree without being disagreeable. Having seen the tone of some council meetings and this year’s election slide into conflict vs. healthy communication and collaboration, it’s more important than ever that we elect leaders who treat everyone with dignity, so the council can focus on the important work of the city without distraction.
Whether he’s digging into the details of traffic safety and sidewalk design, or he’s standing up for marginalized communities and democracy while it’s under attack, I believe that Ben is the kind of leader we need in Newburyport right now: committed, engaged, respectful, practical and responsive.
I look forward to being able to work with Ben on the council for the next two years. We have come so far and have more we can do to make Newburyport an even greater community for everyone, and Ben is an outstanding partner in that work. Please join me in voting for him for councilor at-large on Nov. 4.
Kimberly T. Hutchins, LMHC, Newburyport