PEABODY — Local business owner and former mayoral candidate Rochelle Agneta is running for an at-Large seat on the City Council.
Agneta, 58, is a lifelong Peabody resident who owns Salon CC on Bourbon Street with her daughter, Stephanie.
“I would like to really take the opportunity to work with the mayor, the councilors, and the residents and businesses of Peabody and really create something together that moves us forward,” Agneta said.
Agneta has coached youth sports and volunteered for many years teaching composting, gardening and other areas of earth science in elementary schools. She has also done workshops to help young girls aspire to become entrepreneurs, and has hosted fundraisers through her salon for cystic fibrosis, Boston Children’s Hospital and other organizations.
Agneta has not held public office, but did unsuccessfully run for mayor against longtime incumbent Ted Bettencourt in 2023. Her 18-year-old son Tyler Agneta is also running for School Committee this year.
If elected to the City Council, Agneta would work to create a more transparent budget process and help shave expenses while generating business revenue and ensuring the city’s schools are properly funded, she said.
She’s also looking to bring more transparency to city government in general.
“There’s too many times I hear (residents) didn’t like what’s happening or ask why the councilors voted that way,” Agneta said. “There’s probably reasons for it, but I think that people need to understand those reasons, and I’m hoping to be very honest and open with everybody in Peabody about why I vote the way I vote.”
She hopes to ultimately help Peabody change in the correct ways, she said.
“I believe that every city changes, and we need people in there that are going to be watching those changes, planning for those changes and working together.”
Nomination papers are available from the City Clerk’s office at City Hall through July 11. Papers must be filed by July 15.
Contact Caroline Enos at CEnos@northofboston.com