Letter: Why I'm Voting for Jennifer Macksey for Mayor

To the Editor:

When Jennifer announced her intention to run for mayor of the city of North Adams, I knew from that moment who I would be voting for. As a retired city clerk for the city of North Adams, I had the pleasure of getting to know Jennifer as a co-worker and as the young woman she has grown to be. Although I did not work in her direct office, as the city clerk and clerk of the council, many times I asked for her assistance when it came to municipal finances. I always felt confident in Jennifer when I needed her expertise. Jennifer was always willing to take the time to be certain it fell within Massachusetts General Laws.

Jennifer has proven the high standards she has set for herself, starting from a young child, working in her Dad's store to working at the landfill before college. Her education in our schools and her college education brought her through the many accomplishments in her career. As procurement officer, city treasurer and tax collector, she had the opportunity to know every employee, and the functions of each department. As a department head, she was able to maintain a working relationship with her staff and her fellow co-workers in City Hall. While working at MCLA, Southern Vermont College and most recently Northern Berkshire School Union, she was able to develop her leadership skills.

I'm honored to be part of Jennifer's team. Jennifer has had many meetings with residents of the city and heard their concerns; she will not dismiss those concerns. She has a definite plan for the city of North Adams and understands the challenges the city is facing. Jennifer's strong government experience and leadership is what it takes to move the city of North Adams forward.

Jennifer believes now is the time for her to give back to the community she loves and become your mayor.

I ask the voters of this community, do you want a mayor who will respond and understand your needs and run a more efficient and accountable government? If yes, please vote along with me on Nov. 2 for Jennifer Macksey for mayor.

Marilyn Gomeau
North Adams, Mass. 

Marilyn Gomeau is a retired city clerk for the city of North Adams. 

North Adams, Pittsfield Mark King Day With Calls for Activism

By Tammy Daniels & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:01PM / Monday, January 19, 2026

Alÿcia Bacon, community engagement officer for the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, speaks at the MLK service held Price Memorial AME Church in Pittsfield. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Wendy Penner can be found pretty much everywhere: leading local initiatives to address climate change and sustainability, championing public health approaches for substance abuse, and motivating citizens to defend their rights and the rights of others. 

 

That's all when she's not working her day job in public health, or being co-president of Congregation Beth Israel, or chairing the Williamstown COOL Committee, or volunteering on a local board. 

 

"Wendy is deeply committed to the Northern Berkshire community and to the idea of think globally, act locally," said Gabrielle Glasier, master of ceremonies for Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's annual Day of Service. 

 

Her community recognized her efforts with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award, which is presented to individuals and organizations who have substantially contributed to the Northern Berkshires. The award has been presented by the MLK Committee for 30 years, several times a year at first and at the MLK Day of Service over the past 20 years. 

 

"This event is at heart a celebration of our national and local striving to live up to the ideals of Dr. King and his committed work for racial equality, economic justice, nonviolence and anti-militarism," said Penner. "There is so much I want to say about this community that I love, about how we show up for each other, how we demonstrate community care for those who are struggling, how we support and and celebrate the natural environment that we love and how we understand how important it is that every community member feels deserves to feel valued, seen and uplifted."

 

King's legacy is in peril "as I never could have imagined," she said, noting the accumulation of vast wealth at the top while the bottom 50 percent share only 2.5 percent the country's assets. Even in "safe" Massachusetts, there are people struggling with food and housing, others afraid to leave their homes. 

 

In response, the community has risen to organize and make themselves visible and vocal through groups such as Greylock Together, supporting mutual aid networks, calling representatives, writing cards and letters, and using their privilege to protect vulnerable community members.