Letter: Macksey Understands How to Manage City

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To the Editor:

As a former administrative officer for the city of North Adams (2001-2008), I write to urge the citizens of North Adams to elect Jennifer Macksey their next mayor. I can attest to Jen's sharp intellect, skilled financial management and good nature during the years we worked together when she was the city's top financial officer. Jen worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of North Adams and has prepared herself, with her strong municipal background and experience in education administration, to be exceptionally qualified to do this remarkably difficult work.

There is no more difficult or important job than that of a mayor; I say this with confidence based on my own diverse and challenging work experience in both the private and public sectors. Jen Macksey has experienced firsthand the inherent difficulties in managing a city to meet the needs of its citizens while continually struggling to obtain and effectively use limited financial and other resources. She knows how to do this job and do it well.

It's been concerning to observe the current city government difficulties resulting in multiple resignations from incumbent city councilors. Now is not the time for on-the-job learning or training. Experience matters. Jen Macksey knows how to effectively position and utilize key resources on day one, which will be critical to the future success of North Adams. For these reasons, I urge the residents of North Adams to cast their vote for Jen Macksey on Nov. 2.
 

Mary Katherine Eade
North Adams, Mass. 

Mary Katherine Eade is a former administrative office for the city of North Adams.

 

 


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Ex-Veterans Clerk Charged With Larceny

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's former veterans services administrative assistant was arraigned Friday on larceny charges related to the theft of gift cards donated for local veterans.
 
Tina Samson, 65, pleaded not guilty, was released on personal recognizance and given a pretrial hearing date of Sept. 4.
 
According to a report by Police Detective Matthew Meranti, city officials became suspicious when they learned that Samson had been stopped in Walmart for allegedly trying to shoplift about $200 worth of merchandise. According to the police report, Samson told the store management she worked in Veteran Services and was taking items to support them. Walmart trespassed her from the property but did not press charges.
 
The report does not indicate when the Walmart incident happened but notes that Samson was first queried about the gift cards in October.
 
According to the report, city officials noticed discrepancies in accounting for gift cards donated to or purchased for the Veterans Service Office and contacted Walmart Asset Protection was contacted about four e-gift cards totaling $575 mailed to Samson's city account last year.
 
The cards were loaded into Samson's personal Walmart account, according to the police, and used for clothing, groceries and cash. In one instance, clothing ordered online was shipped to Samson's home address.
 
The police investigation was launched Jan. 13 into the Veterans Services Office, where Samson had worked for 12 years before retiring in December, and a search warrant was issued for her Walmart account connected to her personal email.
 
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