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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Haskins Wins School, Select Board Seats

Staff Reports
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Voters put Daniel Haskins back on the Select Board and also on the School Committee on Tuesday. 
 
Some 60 voters turned out for the low-key election at the Community Center that had no races on the ballot. 
 
Haskins was on the ballot for a second full term on the Select Board. He'd indicated he'd serve on the School Committee if elected, and polled 19 write-in votes to do so. 
 
Laura Wood, School Committee chair, declined to put her name on the ballot for a third term but did poll eight write-in votes. 
 
This isn't the first time someone has done double duty on arguably the town's two most important boards. Jeffrey Levanos first ran for School Committee in 2008 and then for Select Board in 2012. At one point, he was chair of both boards. 
 
Also winning on a write-in was Richard Lefebvre, who earned two votes — beating four other candidates who got one each — for Board of Health. It's not clear if Lefebvre wants or will accept the seat. 
 
Daniel Tanner was elected to Planning Board and incumbents Sarah Hurlbut and Joseph Bushika won re-election to the library trustees and War Memorial Committee, respectively. 
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