Letter: Jennifer Macksey For Mayor

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To the Editor:

In the nearly 40 years I've lived in North Adams — first as a student at North Adams State College and then making my home here with my wife — I've found mayoral politics to be divisive and full of mudslinging. I was always left to decide between the lesser of two evils. Or, the lesser of who cares.

When Mayor Bernard announced he would not be seeking re-election various people with little-to-no experience took out nomination papers to replace him. It was discouraging to see the quality of candidate it appeared we could be looking at as the city's next chief executive.

Things improved when Jennifer Macksey entered the race. She is someone with the experience who can walk into the corner office on Day One, roll up her sleeves and get to work. She has previously worked in many capacities for the city from working herself up from the Transfer Station to treasurer/collector of the city. She's worked at both the employee and management levels.

The mayor is also chairman of the North Adams Public School Committee. Jennifer's background at the Northern Berkshire School Union, Southern Vermont College and MCLA give her a great background to look at the needs of our schools — not just the buildings and students but also the needs of the teachers, teacher assistants and paraprofessionals who educate them. She can work to make sure we do everything possible to attract the best professionals to our schools to educate our future generations and future leaders.

Jennifer is open to ideas, willing to listen and easy to talk with. Gone are the days of mudslinging campaigns. The choice is clear and simple. I ask everyone to join me on Nov. 2 and vote for Jennifer Macksey as the next mayor of North Adams.

Paul Moriarty
North Adams, Mass.

 

 


Tags: election 2021,   municipal election,   


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North Adams Man Arrested Following String of Vehicle Break-ins

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local man, Brian Dillard Sr., was arrested on Sept. 20 following a string of vehicle break-ins throughout the city.

According to a report published by the North Adams Police Department, officers have investigated numerous motor vehicle break-ins across the city over the past two weeks. During the course of the investigation, Dillard was identified as a suspect.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, Dillard was charged with two counts of Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, police received reports regarding additional overnight motor vehicle break-ins, as well as a garage break-in where items were stolen.

Later that day, officers and a member of the Detective Unit went to 212 Eagle Street to locate Dillard.

Police reported that after they knocked on the door, Dillard opened a curtain, looked at officers, and ran back into the apartment. Officers forced entry after no one answered further knocks.

According to police, Dillard was found on the living room couch smoking heroin. He was taken into custody without further incident on his outstanding arrest warrant.

On Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, Dillard was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on eight counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, and one count of breaking and entering a building in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony. He was held on $5,000 cash bail.

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