Letter: Sweeney for North Adams City Council

Letter to the Editor04:00PM / Thursday, September 12, 2019Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I feel a sense of obligation and duty to bring a unique voice to the City Council chambers. I represent a younger demographic, which my work throughout North Adams and the surrounding towns has led me to connect and work with closely. I aim to connect those voices to our local government, as well as serve, and advocate for all residents who share my passion for North Adams.

Upon relocating here to attend MCLA in 2007, I immediately felt a calling to dive deeply into the community and embrace the incredible sense of growth that has been emerging here. I've been proud to contribute to this growth in the 12 years I've lived here. My path started with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (NBCC) where I organized UNITY Youth Programs and the Northern Berkshire Neighbors program. This work inspired me to found Roots Teen Center, where I served as executive director for close to three years. Recently my focus has been on furthering the growth of Common Folk Artist Collective, a project I've been working on since 2011. The collective provides a platform for local and emerging artists to grow and thrive in their creative work. I have also found myself a seat on the board of NBCC as my passion for the organization has not fizzled.

As a City Council member, I will focus my energy on supporting grassroots initiatives, community impact models, youth, and creative community development. I will also support downtown development and exploring opportunities for grassroots economic development.

I'm passionate about this community, and what it looks like to be an equitable, flourishing place for us all to belong. I believe that North Adams is this kind of community, and like every community, has opportunity to strengthen and refine. I look forward to embracing and advancing the incredible work that is happening in North Adams while advocating for those whose challenges go unnoticed and unaddressed.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve North Adams. I hope that we can realize our vision for the community. We all have the opportunity to directly influence our community, our nation and our globe and we can begin with the community in which we live. #votelocal2020

Jessica Sweeney
North Adams, Mass.

Tags: candidates, election 2019, North Adams City Council,

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Green River Financial to Award $1K in Grants to North County Teachers

10:29AM / Wednesday, September 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Green River Financial Services is partnering with iBerkshires.com to launch the Green River Financial Services Classroom Grant Program, which will award a total of $1,000 to two North County teachers to help fund classroom projects or educational initiatives.

Two teachers will each receive a $500 Classroom Grant.

Teachers may apply beginning Sept. 15, 2026, through Oct. 13, 2026. The program is open to teachers working in public schools in North Adams, Williamstown, Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, New Ashford, Hancock and Savoy.

The grants are designed to help local educators bring ideas to life that will directly benefit their students. Teachers can apply for funding for classroom supplies, books, educational materials, hands-on learning activities, technology, enrichment programs or other classroom projects.

Green River Financial Services President and CEO Rob Abel said the program is an opportunity for the company to directly support local educators and the students they serve.

"Teachers are constantly finding creative ways to make learning more engaging and meaningful for their students, and many times they are doing that with limited resources," Abel said. "At Green River Financial Services, we believe investing in our local schools and educators is an investment in the future of our communities. By awarding two $500 grants, we're excited to help two local teachers turn great ideas into projects that can make a real difference for their students."

The application process is designed to be simple. Teachers will be asked to briefly describe their proposed project and explain how it would benefit their students.

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