NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Macksey touted accomplishments over the last four years — and challenges ahead — as she kicked off her campaign for a third term for the corner office. 

 

"North Adams needs a forward-thinking, experienced leader, someone who will not only make plans, but takes actions. I was that leader four years ago, and I remain that leader today," said the incumbent to applause in the American Legion Hall on Thursday.  "A good mayor has to be both present and responsive. Over the past four years, I've led the government focused on action, not just talk." 

 

Macksey laid out a campaign that will stress "experience" and her dedication to her hometown, a dig at her challenger and newcomer Scott Berglund. 

 

"I'm the candidate running a campaign built on experience, results and unwavering dedication. Let's push past all the negative negativity on our social media feeds," she said. "Let's remind everyone that North Adams may be small, but our spirit, our strength and our future are anything but."

 

Around 150 turned out for Macksey's kickoff in the red,white and blue decorated hall, including City Councilors Lisa Blackmer, Keith Bona, Bryan Sapienza, Peter Oleskiewicz and Wayne Wilkinson, School Committee and Governor's Council member Tara Jacobs, and past and current City Hall and school employees. Gerald Desmarais again introduced her, saying, she "has a vision to make North Adams all it can be, and walks the walk to accomplish that task in a transparent and collaborative way."

 

Her speech was punctuated by applause at a number of points, with perhaps her biggest clamor following her statement that "ensuring internet access is reliable and affordable to all — Spectrum internet, gotta go."

 

She joked that Spectrum hates her but "they know who we are." She said she's exploring alternatives including a municipal broadband network. 

 

"It's time that we take control of our digital future, it's just going to take a little more time," Macksey said. 

 

She ticked off a number of accomplishments, pointing to $44 million in grant funding for a variety of projects including the Reconnecting Communities and Hoosic River Flood Chutes studies, and the Ashland Street improvement project set to start next year. And on potential grants may be on the way to stabilize Western Gateway Heritage State Park, the Mohawk Theater, the recreation center, the Walnut Street wall, water and sewer improvement and an evaluation of the Windsor Mill for housing. 

 

She stressed that she won't be giving the Mohawk away, saying the marquee restoration was a first step: "It's a symbol of pride that respects our past and likes the way for our future."

 

Key issues to tackle are increasing housing, updating infrastructure, growing the creative economy and strengthening business opportunities. 

 

One bright spot is the continuation of the former YMCA space into a community recreation center among other recreational pursuits. 

 

"Our playgrounds, fields and courts are clean, safe and open to all. Recreation isn't just for the kids, it's for the young at heart, too. That's why we transformed the former YMCA into the North Adams Recreation Center, a vibrant hub for youth and wellness from basketball and pickleball to open gyms, Zumba, swimming, Frisbee golf and concerts at Windsor Lake," Macksey said. "We're building a community where staying active is easy, accessible and fun for all ages."

 

She said inspection services is cracking down on unsafe housing and touted getting the long-neglected Church Street mansions into the hands of private development as a way to strengthen neighborhoods. 

 

"Are we where we need to be? Absolutely not, but we're moving forward project by project, plan by plan, with intention and purpose," Macksey said. "At the heart of everything is public safety and housing are still key priorities here in North Adams."

 

She said she'd "revitalized" the Police Department by moving into better quarters, and hired firefighters and police, and completed a building and equipment needs assessment for a future public safety building. 

 

In the last two years, police have made 175 drug-related arrests and removed nearly $1 million in narcotics off the streets, Macksey said, and made 20 arrests involving child sexual abuse and 23 related to crimes against elderly, and responded to 281 domestic abuse incidents. 

 

"This is a clear message. There is zero tolerance for those who seek to harm and degrade our community. As your mayor, I will continue to protect all of you," she said.

 

Macksey also touched on decisions that had been more controversial, such as fighting an outdoor cannabis grow facility and a proposed shelter at the college because she thought it didn't put the community first, and halting a forest project in response to community concerns. 

 

She stood by the decision to construct a new $65 million Greylock School despite vocal opposition. 

 

"I did not take that decision lightly. I know that it was difficult for some of our community and some of you in the room tonight, but I led with a clear, compelling vision, one that education professionals supported, and ultimately, you the voters approved," Macksey said. "I steered the ship and the voters chose the course, and together, we say 'yes' in investing in our future our children."

 

She said she'd kept her promise on first being elected that "I show up, I work hard, and I don't back down, and I won't sell us short." It's a promise, she said, to continue to always show up, solve problems and keep communications open. 

 

"I'm not afraid to roll up my sleeves, put on my duck boots to get the work done. I'm not chasing headlines. I'm focused on results," Macksey said. "This isn't a job about politics, even though it's a political position, it's a job about people and making North Adams the best they can be."