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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Berkshire Food Project Celebrates Record Numbers, Volunteers

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project serves more than meals: it serves community. 
 
Michael and Lyn Robertson love volunteering and have been with the Food Project for six years.
 
"I like it because you get to know some of the folks," Mike Robertson said. "You'll see Ella and say, 'Hey, Ella, how you doing? Give me a fist bump.' And you know you made that connection with them. And so that's great to see the same folks who came in again and welcome them."
 
The nonprofit organization on Tuesday celebrated its more than 60 volunteers who spent more than 8,500 hours last year feeding the community.
 
The project saw a 16 percent growth in participation in the weekday free meal program, to about 29,000 total visits. The organization served almost 45,000 meals in 2025 and saw about 400 new people come to appreciate its service. It's also seen record donations, pulling in double the amount at $100,000.
 
"You give us the courage to continue on," Executive Director Matthew Alcombright told them. "I can't say that more heartfelt, and any more appreciative. ... The things you say, the things you do, the just the kind of growth you come in with gives us the courage to keep doing what we're doing.
 
So thank you for that, because these are incredible numbers, and it's because of you. It's not because of one person or a board of directors who are great, too, and wonderful. It's because of you."
 
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