I am beyond honored by these new endorsements. Everyone who wrote an endorsement in 2023 continues to support me. Thank you so much, everyone.
To the editor:
When I think of the challenges ahead for Newburyport, whether they be citywide or local, I want Stephanie Niketic’s wise counsel.
When it comes to smaller, local issues, nobody is as attuned to the concerns of Ward 2 residents as Stephanie is. She believes that neighbors should have input into decisions affecting them and in recent years has encouraged this on a larger scale through her amazingly informative newsletter.
On the most significant and complicated city planning issues – the water and sewer system and the Waterfront West development – Stephanie’s well-known attention to details and to financial implications, and her persistence in finding fair and balanced decisions, will benefit all citizens.
I have known Stephanie for about 20 years, during which I have often seen her in action before meetings of City Council, city boards and commissions.
She has always been an effective spokesperson for residents’ concerns. She is concerned about the impact of projects on neighborhoods, and the overall affordability of large developments. She grasps the nuances of issues, and gets to the nitty gritty. Count on Stephanie to make a positive difference for Ward 2 and Newburyport residents.
Elizabeth J. Harris
Newburyport
To the editor:
I first met Stephanie Niketic five years ago when I joined the Zoning Board of Appeals. (I speak here as one board member, not on behalf of the board.) At the time, she was deeply engaged in zoning issues and regularly attended our meetings. Developers often push hard for their interests, but Stephanie consistently worked with neighborhood groups to ensure their voices were heard. Her efforts helped shape many projects to the good of the neighborhoods.
In recent years, Stephanie shifted her focus to the City Council, where she has attended over 90% of its meetings, and many of its subcommittee meetings as well. She’s already steeped in the issues—aware of what’s in motion and where the challenges lie. Her top priorities are clear and vital: securing our future water supply, moderating the accelerating growth in taxes, and promoting housing diversity. She also embraces the essential ward councilor role—keeping residents informed and helping them one-on-one with local concerns.
Stephanie is a sharp, capable leader who once ran a nationally respected consulting firm. Now, she channels that energy and expertise into serving Newburyport. Her deep understanding of zoning can be a major asset to the Council, which is responsible for crafting and approving new ordinances. Best of all, she interacts in a kind, collaborative way that can only help to get things done.
We in Ward 2 are lucky to have Stephanie Niketic running for City Council. I urge you to vote for her.
Ken Swanton
Newburyport
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 ClémentChicago
To the editor:
Stephanie is the candidate who will be able to step right into the role and make an immediate impact. As shown over the years in her weekly newsletter and confirmed in the recent debate, she is extremely knowledgeable of current issues and clearly articulates her position on each one.
I have communicated often with her and she has always taken the time to provide an informative, thoughtful reply. This is the true characteristic of a ward councilor — one that is easily approachable, will listen to your concerns and will follow through with an action or response.
Ward 2 is confronted with diverse issues such as the Brown School redevelopment, downtown concerns with parklets, brick sidewalks, short-term rentals, the future Waterfront West development, etc.
Voters need to trust that their councilor will be willing to spend the time and effort to understand the complexities involved and be ready to support the decisions. I have no doubt that Stephanie is the right choice and I urge you to make the effort to vote between now and Nov. 4.
Don Shea
Newburyport
To the editor:
After the Ward 2 debate on Oct. 20, there is no doubt that viewers observed why Stephanie Niketic is the clear choice to represent residents in Ward 2 as our new city councilor.
As a 40-year resident of Newburyport, Stephanie has an in-depth understanding of past, present and future issues in our city. She is uniquely suited to deal with the challenges that face Ward 2 with extensive experience in zoning and historic preservation.
Her weekly newsletters are prepared with impeccable detail (I happen to appreciate the details) and showcase her knowledge of city government that is second to none.
Stephanie’s work ethic, boundless energy and commitment to fiscal responsibility are exemplary.
This upcoming election is critical with electing candidates who will lead with vision, integrity and respect.
Choose wisely. Choose Stephanie Niketic for Ward 2.
Jan Szuluk
Newburyport
To the editor:
From time to time, almost all of us have to turn to highly qualified professionals for answers to complicated questions and help with wicked problems. Doctors, plumbers, lawyers, bricklayers, accountants, architects, dentists, contractors, scientists, engineers, etc., etc. When you need ‘em, you really need ‘em!
When we need someone like that, we want someone we can trust, someone who really knows what’s what about the topic we’re focused on.
Stephanie Niketic brings that kind of deep know how to her candidacy to represent Ward 2 on the City Council.
I’ve known Stephanie for almost 15 years as a neighbor, colleague and friend. I know, for example, that she is a modest person, who doesn’t talk about having co-founded and sustained a very successful online enterprise in the early days of the internet. I know how much she loves Newburyport and how dedicated she is to preserving its distinctive character.
I know that she knows more about how Newburyport runs, what its current, future and historical issues are, will be and have been than just about anyone. Her embrace of our city and, especially, Ward 2, is demonstrated almost weekly through her newsletter that tracks virtually everything regarding the Council. If you want to have the overview and the details on any matter before the Council, why it’s there and why it’s important, Stephanie is your eyes and ears. On the Council, she’ll be your spokesperson.
Stephanie will bring a set of caring executive competencies to the Council. Stephanie is exactly the kind of person we need in office any and everywhere In this era of corruption and weirdness.
How I wish there were so many more Stephanies to rely upon when I need professional and compassionate help, because that happens more than I would like to admit! Maybe it does to you too.
Stephanie Niketic is ready to step up to the Council and to The Port’s future. Let’s go with her.
Michael Sales, Ed.D.
6 Fruit Street
Newburyport MA 01950
To the editor:
When my wife and I came to town in 1984, the annual budget of the city was about $25 million. Today, how about $93 million? The median income was $26,000. Today, it’s $145,000. Our house cost $49,000. Recently listed single residency homes in Ward 2 often approach the $2 million mark. Apartment rentals in the 1980s generally averaged around $600 a month. Try and find one in Ward 2 less than $2,500.
Changes over the years have complicated the Newburyport landscape in many startling ways. The question you may ask yourself is whether city government has kept pace, or is it falling behind?
In my years of paying attention to local government, I have never witnessed the level of dysfunction that currently exists at City Hall. It is clear that animosity is the rule: the mayor and several councilors are no longer on speaking terms, coordination in terms of addressing important issues has virtually ceased, controversies, scandals, vitriol and lawsuits are front page news. This is not healthy.
During the last election cycle, Stephanie Niketic came within a dozen votes of winning the Ward 2 seat. It’s a shame, given the political landscape of the last couple of years, that she was not representing us on the council, so I’m urging friends and neighbors to turn out this time and pull the lever for Steph.
Anyone reading her weekly newsletter cannot help being impressed with her grasp of local issues and letting facts speak for themselves. I’ve heard talk that some people feel she is too “detail oriented,” a policy wonk. I wish we had more people on the council guilty of those sins!
Ward 2 will soon be facing major issues. New England Development is at it again negotiating with the mayor about constructing a condominium project directly on the waterfront. We will need a councilor who knows the ins and outs of zoning, rules and regs, and the tools the city can utilize to make certain any project on the waterfront is done properly and ethically. Niketic is the person to do that.
It is no longer enough to base one’s campaign on the premise “I love Newburyport.” What is required now is hard work and professionalism, qualities she has demonstrated over and over again, both in the private and public sectors. Ward 2 deserves no less.
James Roy
Newburyport
© 2023-2025 Committee to Elect Stephanie Niketic