Letter: Retired Fire Chief Supports Macksey for Mayor

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To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of the most qualified candidate for mayor of the city of North Adams. We need a strong yet compassionate leader who will work with the City Council and others to move this city forward. We need a mayor who is open to new ideas and one who will listen to both sides and then make the decision that will best benefit the city. We need a mayor who understands how government works and who will use all resources available and a mayor who will seek out state and federal funding as well as investments from the private sector. We need a mayor who cares about this city and the services that we provide and one who will set expectations and make sure that they are followed. We need Jennifer Macksey as the next mayor of the city of North Adams

I have known Jennifer for over 30 years and have worked with her in the past. Jennifer is all of the above. Because Jennifer has the experience of working in city government and education, she will be ready to start on day one. She is a strong leader that will make decisions based on data. I have observed first hand that Jennifer listens to the concerns of all of the people with whom she speaks. Jennifer will be the mayor who will be out front working for this city. I believe that she will be the mayor that won’t just talk about the need for a solution to the issues with the public safety building, she will be the mayor to use all of the resources at her disposal to actually get this project underway. As many of you know, public safety is very important to me and while I am happy that the hydrant replacement program is underway, it must not stop there. There must be a plan going forward to maintain these hydrants as well as to inspect, maintain, and replace, if necessary, the underground piping throughout the city. Jennifer will be the mayor to give the support needed to carry out this work. Our firefighters should not have to worry about getting water from a hydrant they connect to.

Those who know Jennifer know that she is her own person who makes thoughtful decisions based on all information given. She is a puppet for no one. Anyone with concerns about this should have a conversation with her. I'm sure you will change your mind.

If you are concerned, as I am, about the future of the city of North Adams, please vote for Jennifer Macksey for mayor on Nov. 2.

Steve Meranti
Clarksburg, Mass. 

Stephen Meranti is the retired fire chief of the North Adams Fire Department.

 

 

 


Tags: election 2021,   letters to the editor,   municipal election,   


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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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