Letter: Macksey Understands How to Manage City

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To the Editor:

As a former administrative officer for the city of North Adams (2001-2008), I write to urge the citizens of North Adams to elect Jennifer Macksey their next mayor. I can attest to Jen's sharp intellect, skilled financial management and good nature during the years we worked together when she was the city's top financial officer. Jen worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of North Adams and has prepared herself, with her strong municipal background and experience in education administration, to be exceptionally qualified to do this remarkably difficult work.

There is no more difficult or important job than that of a mayor; I say this with confidence based on my own diverse and challenging work experience in both the private and public sectors. Jen Macksey has experienced firsthand the inherent difficulties in managing a city to meet the needs of its citizens while continually struggling to obtain and effectively use limited financial and other resources. She knows how to do this job and do it well.

It's been concerning to observe the current city government difficulties resulting in multiple resignations from incumbent city councilors. Now is not the time for on-the-job learning or training. Experience matters. Jen Macksey knows how to effectively position and utilize key resources on day one, which will be critical to the future success of North Adams. For these reasons, I urge the residents of North Adams to cast their vote for Jen Macksey on Nov. 2.
 

Mary Katherine Eade
North Adams, Mass. 

Mary Katherine Eade is a former administrative office for the city of North Adams.

 

 


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Deep Dive: Why Do We Vote on Ballot Initiatives?

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
This is the first of two articles that cover the ballot questions in this year's upcoming election. This article is an overview of the process. It will be followed by a summary of this year's ballot measures.
 
In addition to the contests between candidates and the battle for control among political parties, Massachusetts voters will also be deciding on nine ballot questions in November, the highest number since 1994.
 
While ballot questions may not have the personal drama of candidate races or ideological ramifications of partisan wars, they often have an impact on laws and other government policies and actions.
 
This year's Massachusetts ballot measures include questions that will significantly affect the state's gun-control laws, the legal status of recreational cannabis products, and the basic structure of the state's future elections, among others.
 
Before summarizing the specific questions on this year's ballot, it is useful to look at the larger context and role of ballot measures.
 
In a broad sense, ballot measures are a form of direct democracy within our system.
 
The Massachusetts official Guide to Statewide Ballot Question Petitions defines the three basic types of ballot questions.
 
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