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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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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