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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Application Withdrawn for North Adams Homeless Shelter

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A proposal to turn a Hall Street apartment house into a homeless shelter was withdrawn from consideration on Monday. 
 
Caleb Wursten, operating as Queequeg Ventures LLC, had been scheduled to appear before the Planning Board on Monday seeking a special permit to convert the existing four-apartment residential building at 55-57 Hall St.
 
Louison House was listed in the application's narrative as managing the day-to-day operations, resident coordination, and house rules.
 
Wursten last month had been approved for a special permit for short-term rentals at the same Hall Street property. 
 
Projects coordinator William Shanahan informed the planners that Wursten had asked for total withdrawal, not postponement. Planner Kyle Hanlon moved that the board not enter into the public hearing and the disposition of the withdrawal was moved to regular meeting. 
 
Chair Brian Miksic said the board could decide whether to vote the withdrawal with or without prejudice; with prejudice would prevent the applicant from bringing the proposal back for two years. 
 
"I think it should be penalized," said Planner Paul Senecal. "I mean, we had to spend $300 to $400 [for public notices]."
 
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