I am the treasurer for the Campaign to Elect Laurie Loisel. People presume it’s a rather boring job, and it’s not all fun, but I find it exciting because money is energy. Potential energy, to be precise. For us ordinary, non-Elon Musk types, work is converted to money, and money is transformed into things. Often those things are personal needs, like housing and food for ourselves and our families. But some money can catalyze improvements in the community and the world.

I get to witness the energy of our city coming together to support this campaign. When Laurie’s candidacy for Ward 3 city councilor was announced, we immediately got an outpouring of donations from small donors in Ward 3 and across the city. These were “small coffer” donations — $25, $50, $100 — the kinds of donations that ordinary people who feel strongly about something can give.

Every donation to Laurie’s campaign is a commitment to a kinder, more thoughtful Northampton. A place where we build instead of tearing down, and work together to find the solutions that we are going to need over the next several very challenging years. We are still watching the playing field be set for this campaign, and we’re going to need to have a lot of potential energy — in the form of money, of volunteer hours, of community support, and ultimately, of votes — to be able to rise to whatever challenges await. Please join us in creating a Ward 3 and a Northampton you can feel connected to, and proud of.

Jennifer Nery

Northampton