NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The American Legion was a sea of red on Thursday night — the campaign colors of Jennifer Macksey — as she kicked off her second go at the corner office. 

 

"I'm thankful to have all of you by my side again. And I'm excited to welcome so many new faces to the Macksey for Mayor campaign," Macksey told the crowd, many sporting red Macksey T-shirts. "I'm humbled by your attendance and support as I announce my intention to seek a second term for mayor of the city of North Adams."

 

The odds are in her favor: her opponent in November is Aprilyn Carsno, who scored 26 votes in the 2021 preliminary election. 

 

But Macksey, the first woman to lead North Adams, isn't conceding anything to chance and on Thursday she touted the highlights of her administration and promised, well, more of the same. 

 

"I believe North Adams is heading in the right direction. It's not a secret. We have challenges here. I face challenges every day since I became mayor. And I've been transparent about those challenges, and I've worked to turn them into opportunities for us," she said. "North Adams needs a forward-thinking leader who will put plans into actions and sustain us for the future. 

 

"I was that person two years ago and I'm that same person today."

 

Among those at the kickoff were City Councilors Lisa Blackmer, Keith Bona, Peter Oleskiewicz and Bryan Sapienza, a number of city and school employees and family members.

 

A major priority for Macksey had been to deal with the deteriorating police station that's also been under a U.S. Department of Justice decree for being out of compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Earlier this year, the Police Department was moved to the former Juvenile Court in the Berkshire Plaza, a temporary situation until a permanent solution can be found. New police officers have also been hired and updated dispatch equipment is being acquired through the 911 grant. 

 

"I haven't forgotten about the Fire Department," she said. "In the last two years we have focused on staffing. During my term I've hired seven new firefighters and two are on their way in an effort to rebuild staffing in that department. In the next few months, we'll be working for a plan to address the equipment needs in the Fire Department."

 

Punctuated frequently by applause, Macksey listed other accomplishments she said her "fully mobilized" administration has tackled, including working with state and federal officials to address the city's needs, preparing a capital plan to identify "decaying infrastructure," preparing engineering reports to create shovel-ready projects for state and federal funding, restoring a code enforcement officer, closing a $1 million deficit in grant accounts, plans for expanding recreational opportunities and, getting a large round of applause, restoring the flowers along Main Street and Monument Square that had been reduced during the pandemic. 

 

Just last week was the start of a $3 million feasibility study of the Hoosic River flood control system.

 

"We have secured close to $4 million of new grant opportunities for the city of North Adams in my administration, we have reinstituted our canine program in the Police Department, as well as proactive community policing," she said. "I will continue to have a no-tolerance policy on people who want to do harm to our community. In the last two years we've seized close to $500,000 in drugs and 20 guns and we closed an arson case. 

 

"If that doesn't send a message to those who want to do bad things here, I don't know what does."

 

Macksey also fulfilled a campaign promise that Greylock School would still be in the mix for a school building project and touted how she fought off an outside-grow cannabis facility, which including filing a lawsuit against the Planning Board.  

 

She said she prided herself on accessibility and as has made sure she's out and about, including spreading sand on Eagle Street for the annual Beach Party, noted Gerald Desmarais, who introduced the mayor at her kickoff. 

 

"I couldn't have been more proud of the choice I made in voting for her," said Desmarais, Macksey's former boss at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. "Being a leader is not always about pomp and circumstance. I felt that she was setting an example for my son and I assume others and she was not above pitching in and helping to get the job done."

 

It's not all been clear sailing for Macksey over the past two years. The former police chief she dismissed under a cloud is suing the city for breach of contract, North Adams' crumbling infrastructure has taken a number of hard hits, and the Mohawk Theater is still vacant. 

 

Macksey had killed a deal inked by the former administration and pledged to listen to the community's wants before issuing another request for proposals. But those RFPs haven't resulted in any movement. Still, she pointed to the renovation of the landmark marquee that would "make it shine like a polished gem" and attract investors. 

 

"We are committed to work to rebuild our neighborhoods and promote safe and adequate housing. I will insist that quality services are provided to our citizens even if it means a return phone call or my new thing, a site visit, it will get done," the candidate said. "I believe the strength of this city lies within the neighborhoods and all its people and we need to be responsive to our citizens. Government is here to help people not complicate their lives."