Yakov is dedicated to fully funding our public schools so every student graduates ready to shape their future. He'll establish the EDEN (EDucation Endowment for Northampton) Fund, a stable, long-term funding source sourced from city surplus and aggressive fundraising. This means better teacher salaries, updated technology, and enrichment programs, ensuring quality education for all our kids.

Yakov believes housing is a human right and everyone deserves to live with dignity. He'll strengthen our status as a sanctuary city for both refugees and LGBTQ+ residents, and prioritize strategies to increase affordable housing options. This includes incentivizing new developments and increasing funding for housing support programs, working closely with the Division of Community Care (DCC) to assist our most vulnerable neighbors.

Northampton's local businesses are the heart of our economy. Yakov will ensure the Picture Main Street project supports downtown businesses through a "Business Continuity Fund" and innovative parking solutions. He'll also launch a "Northampton Green & Tech Futures" initiative to attract businesses aligned with our values, diversifying our economy and creating good local jobs, while exploring transitions for existing employers like L3Harris towards non-military related sectors.

As an AI expert, Yakov will use technology to make city services more efficient and accessible for you. He'll create a "Smart Northampton" AI Innovation Lab to improve public works (like road maintenance), enhance citizen communication, and provide data-driven decision-making. This means a more transparent government, easier access to city data, and cost savings that can be reinvested directly back into our community.

Yakov is committed to making Northampton a leader in environmental stewardship. He'll push to accelerate our transition to 100% renewable energy, support green infrastructure like urban tree expansion, and improve sustainable transportation options for everyone. This ensures a healthier planet and a more livable city for generations to come.

Yakov believes in working together. He'll formalize a "Northampton-Smith Community Engagement Council" to ensure Smith College's resources benefit the entire city, including increased financial contributions and student involvement in our schools. He'll also champion inclusivity, expand language access in city services, and empower all residents to participate in local government, while fostering our thriving arts and cultural community.