Letter: Oleskiewicz Endorses Macksey for Mayor

To the editor:

Please join me in support of Jennifer Macksey for mayor of the City of North Adams.

After working closely with her over the last two terms as a sitting City Council member, I am proud of all that has been accomplished and am very much looking forward to the future and what is yet to be achieved. Her dedication to the city is unwavering. As past chair of Public Services, I like to go out on site to visit our hard-working crews and express my thanks. I am not surprised when I see her there doing the same. Appreciation goes a long way.

The city is in forward motion with many things that have been on the to-do list that have either been checked off or
are in motion. Dating back three mayors, the final stage is complete with the building of a new Greylock School, the Brown Street bridge will be open by early winter, there are two conceptual plans for the Veterans [Memorial] Bridge, belvedere work is being done at the North Adams Public Library, RFP was complete to sell off Sullivan School, our Police Department is in an ADA-compliant space, the list goes on.

She has not sat idly by, as some say. Jennifer is a "Do-er." When Jen first ran for mayor I did support the other candidate, who I still think would have done a fabulous job as well. Over the last four years, a fabulous working relationship was built and I have the fullest confidence in Jennifer running our great city and moving forward on some great future plans.

We may not agree on everything, and have had some yelling matches, but when we are done, we say "next" and move on. So please join me in casting your vote for the future of North Adams: Jennifer Macksey for mayor.

Pete Oleskiewicz
North Adams City Councilor

North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
11:20AM / Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Jenna Thomas has participated in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years, earning numerous medals. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Special Olympian Jenna Thomas was recognized at City Council on Tuesday for her medal-winning performance at the 2026 games last month in Minnesota.

 

"I think it's so appropriate as I'm about to proclaim Disabilities Pride Month that we recognize and honor Jenna," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had Thomas join her at the podium."

 

Thomas was one of nearly 3,000 athletes who participated in the 2026 Special Olympics, which brought nearly 3,000 athletes from across the country to celebrate the talents, determinations, and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She won bronze as a member of the Berkshire County Arc Titans bowling team, a fourth in doubles with teammate Katherine Meunier and placed in the top 10 for singles nationally.

 

She's been participating in Special Olympics since her teenage years, competing in cross country skiing, track and field since 2009. Thomas switched to bowling in 2019 and has won gold; she was recognized by the mayor in 2023 for her athletic accomplishments representing Massachusetts and North Adams. 

 

"Look at how beautiful that is — a bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in the doubles competition, demonstrating her dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship on the national stage," said the mayor. "She also got to meet the governor's partner, Joanna [Lydgate], who we went out with for ice cream. ...

 

"In returning home, she credited her participation to the friendships she's made and the joy of competing ... her accomplishments are a source of pride for the city of North Adams and should serve as an inspiration for the entire community."

 

The mayor also presented $730,741.06 in end-of-year transfers. These transfers are made from accounts with excess funds to accounts that have gone over. Every line with the exception of snow and ice must be balanced for the end of the year.