Letter: Macksey Is a Proven Leader

To the Editor:

I am proud to support the re-election of Mayor Macksey. I have known Mayor Macksey for more than 20 years and I have had the pleasure of working closely with her and seeing firsthand her leadership for North Adams.

Mayor Macksey is special because she truly cares about people. Her values are founded on compassion, and that comes through when you see her supporting local youth sports, rebuilding our senior center, and ensuring that our schools have everything our community can muster. She has remained close to the community as a mayor, but more importantly, as a neighbor, mentor, and friend.

Mayor Macksey does not shy away from big challenges; she confronts them head-on. The rec center revitalization speaks volumes about her resolution. What was once a facility on the brink now serves as a hub for community activity thanks to her leadership, dedication, and coordination.

Mayor Macksey’s time in office has demonstrated her rare combination of strategic vision and personal commitment. She is equally capable of securing funding through state and local grants to improve our city and following through on those projects. Her attention to the issues, great and small, reflects her devotion to those whom she serves.

Not only will you see her greet residents with genuine warmth, but she listens and acts on the needs of her constituents. Her leadership is not about policy, but about people.

Constructive and collaborative leadership is more essential than ever, and Jennifer Macksey has proven herself to be exactly the kind of leader North Adams needs.

On Nov. 4, I will be voting for Mayor Jennifer Macksey. I encourage all my neighbors who want to move our city toward a better future to join me.

Ian Bergeron
North Adams, Mass.

Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. 

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

 

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members. 

 

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

 

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

 

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

 

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."