Letter: Support Jennifer Macksey for Mayor

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To the Editor:

The voters of North Adams have to take advantage of the great opportunity that has been given to them! The decision by Jennifer Macksey to run for mayor will give you the most qualified and experienced candidate to lead North Adams forward.

I had the opportunity to work with Jen while employed by the city Highway Department for 30 years. I first met Jen while she was working at the city landfill selling stickers and composting bins. Then she worked as director of finance/chief procurement cfficer for the city and the became the city tax collector/treasurer. Along with all of this she became the go-between employees and the administration, which at the time was greatly needed.

She treated us all with dignity and respect! One instance that sticks out in my mind is when the federal law for drug testing was put into place. Jen had a meeting with us all and explained the law to us and told us all about the programs that city was putting into place for us to use if the need arose. This skill in dealing with people is a great asset to have.

All this experience makes Jennifer Macksey the right choice for mayor — one that could step into the job and begin work immediately. I also would like to take the time to thank the Macksey campaign for keeping this election civil and free from personal attacks.

Edward Denault
Clarksburg, Mass. 

Edward Denault was highway superintendent for North Adams until his retirement.

 

 


Tags: election 2021,   letters to the editor,   


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Veteran Spotlight: Marine Corp. Tim Woodward

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
FALMOUTH, Mass. — Tim Woodward served his country in the Marine Corps as a corporal from 1983 to 1987. 
 
Having grown up with Tim, you knew he was the type of person who would succeed at whatever he attempted. His drive and discipline set him apart from his peers, even at a young age. He would have four college acceptances after graduating from Falmouth High School, but put them on hold to enlist in the Marines, where he did his basic training at Parris Island, S.C. 
 
"It was definitely an eye opener," he said. "I had some pretty good preparation as my father and uncle were Marines. It was a lot of work, more mental than physical, and a lot of people weren't prepared for that. 
 
"I wasn't fearful. It was about earning the title of U.S Marines. I'm proud of the fact that I was selected for just about every leadership position in my platoon, including Honor Man. I had a great time."
 
Woodward's first assignment would take him to the former Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee for aviation electronics training through a rolling admissions program. 
 
"Made it all the way through — I was pretty good at troubleshooting. I always wanted to fly jets but ended up working on them," he said. "After schooling, I was sent to Whidbey Island, north of Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., where I was attached to Navy Squadron VAQ-129, where I learned to test the electronics on the Grumman EA 6B Prowler.
 
"I also did five months with VAQ-29. I remember when you drove into the base the sign overhead said, 'EXCUSE OUR NOISE, IT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM,'" Woodward said. "I had a chance to climb on the jets, wash them like your car, walk on the wings — lots of good memories." 
 
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