Letter: Mayor Macksey Deserves Our Vote

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To the Editor:


This November, the North Adams voters have big decisions to make. We have several new, enthusiastic candidates for City Council with diverse areas of focus and the desire to serve the city as it moves forward. It's wonderful to have a choice among so many qualified individuals.

We also have a challenger for the mayor's office: one who speaks about transparency and the need for change. Mr. Berglund has only lived in North Adams for about two years. According to his resume on LinkedIn, he's held various positions as a sales representative. He has no management experience to lead a small city's government and no financial experience to qualify him to deal with its budget. What he does have is a list of problems he sees in the city, though he offers no solutions.

It's easy to point out what needs to be fixed. There are many instances of maintenance and repairs that have been passed along by prior administrations. We need someone who will not only listen to the people of North Adams and understand their concerns, but who also has the know how to do what needs to be done.

Jennifer Macksey is a lifelong resident who knows the struggles North Adams has been through. She possesses an educational and professional background that enabled her to get to work the day she took office.

It's not enough for a candidate to be a nice guy or to have good intentions. The mayor of North Adams must have education, experience, ideas, and a plan to put those ideas into action. This is not a position for on-the-job training. The stakes are too high. Mayor Macksey has proven she is up to dealing with the challenges North Adams faces.

I believe that Mayor Macksey is putting her skills to work for what she believes is the best course for North Adams and has shown she is willing to listen and adjust course when the people of North Adams disagree.

Mayor Macksey has proven her ability to be an effective mayor. She has my vote, and I hope you'll cast your vote for Jennifer Macksey for mayor of North Adams.



Deborah Benoit
North Adams, Mass.


Tags: election 2025,   municipal election,   


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North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

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.
 
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