Owen Freeman-Daniels and Arnold Levinson are vying for the seat left vacant by Angela Plassmann, who resigned amid controversy about an illegal structure on her lot.
The Three County Fairgrounds in Ward 3 is replacing these horse barns as part of a major renovation.
NORTHAMPTON – The two candidates to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat on the City Council will square off in public for the first time Tuesday at Bridge Street Elementary school.
Owen Freeman-Daniels and Dr. Arnold G. Levinson are vying for the seat left vacant by Angela D. Plassmann, who resigned amid controversy about an illegal structure on her lot in April. The special election, which will be held at cost of $5,000-$10,000, will be on Aug. 2.
A financial advisor and insurance broker, Freeman-Daniels, 31, is running on a platform that addresses such issues as economic growth, sustainable land use and consensus building. As a long-time member of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, Freeman-Daniels was actively involved in the aftermath of the Dec. 27, 2009, fires that terrorized the ward. Two men, a father and son on Fair Street, perished in one of those blazes. Anthony P. Baye, a Ward 3 resident, is awaiting trial on charges that he set the fires.
Freeman-Daniels said he observed considerable friction between Plassmann and the neighborhood association and wants to build consensus in the ward.
“I think Ward 3 can lead the city,” he said.
Levinson, 70, is a retired orthodontist. Like Freeman-Daniels, he is running for elective office for the first time. On his list of concerns are safety issues, particularly with regard to speeding, upgrading the road conditions in the ward and development at the Three County Fairground, which is planning a major renovation.
Levinson also observed a disconnect between City Hall and Ward 3 but believes Plassmann was a positive factor in that dynamic.
“She set a high standard,” he said.
Levinson presents himself as a “truly independent” candidate who will represent all citizens in Ward 3.
“This is a rare opportunity to take on a city post where you can help your community to function,” he said.
Plassmann, who was a first-term councilor, stunned the community when she tendered her resignation amid charges that an unnamed city official was harassing her for political reasons. Although she declined to be more specific, it came to light that the Planning Department and Building Commissioner were looking into complaints that she had an illegal mobile home on her property.
Plassmann apparently removed the home, which disappeared from beside her house overnight, but refused to take calls from the media. She also threatened legal action against the city, although no suit has been filed to date.
The candidates’ forum is at 7 p.m. and will be moderated by Frances Volkmann, a former city councilor from Ward 5. Volkmann was asked to step in as a neutral party.
“I don’t have a dog in this fight,” she said.