By Keegan Donoghue ’22
Image: Mike Cahill and Esther Ngotho, Candidates for Beverly Mayor | Credit: Salem News
The Ledger recently had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Esther Ngotho, who is running for mayor of Beverly in the upcoming election. Dr. Ngotho was born in Kenya, Africa, and came to the US as a refugee in 2001. She has a daughter, who is a captain in the U.S. army, and two adorable grandchildren.With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), dual bachelors of education and business degree, a doctorate in public health, and a masters in emergency and disaster management, Dr. Ngotho is prepared to hold the position of mayor.
“If you win the election, what is your agenda for your time in office?” asks The Ledger. Ngotho plans to tackle problems like climate change, high property taxes, stormwater pumping, and the lack of child care services—while also listening to the people’s concerns and fears. Her ideas include having green parking lots, a green city, and has a goal of having zero cars downtown by 2030. She also plans on creating opportunities for citizens of all ages to have fun; such as local pickleball courts.
Ngotho’s love for Beverly shines through as she talks about our beautiful coastal city, and how we can improve it. She believes Montserrat College of Art is a great stepping stone, “Not just to bring money but to bring culture to the city.”
“What do you think the young people of Beverly should know about how politics affects their lives?” asks The Ledger. Ngotho believes that we cannot leave the younger generations out of political conversations because “you will be the people holding these positions tomorrow.” Although the majority of students at BHS cannot vote, that does not mean they can’t get involved.
Dr. Ngotho’s love for Beverly and passion for its future is extremely promising, and The Ledger wishes her the best of luck in the upcoming election.
