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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Emily Moulton Named NAPS Marion B. Kelley Teacher of the Year

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Public Schools announced and honors this year's recipient of the Marion B. Kelley Teacher of the Year award, Ms. Emily Moulton.
 
On Tuesday, June 16, Moulton was recognized by Superintendent Timothy Callahan during a Drury High School faculty meeting. She was presented with a commemorative certificate and a gift certificate for $200 for school classroom supplies.
 
This award, named in honor of Marion B. Kelley, a former North Adams teacher and principal, is presented to teachers in recognition of their dedicated, skillful teaching, understanding of children, and exemplification of the "ideal" teacher, stated a press release.
 
Mrs. Kelley taught in the North Adams school system from 1929 until 1936 when she married and had to leave the school system because state law prohibited married women from teaching. She rejoined the school system as a teacher in 1945 and retired in 1978 as principal of Haskins and Johnson schools.
 
Moulton holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from MCLA and a Masters in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. A Drury High School graduate, Moulton was hired as a Special Education Teacher at Drury in September of 2021. In addition to teaching, Moulton has participated in grant-funded teams, basketball coaching, and after-school and summer leadership roles.
 
During the 2025-2026 school year, Moulton launched a new Special Education Transition program at Drury, and according to one colleague: 
 
"she has made amazing strides with the students. She maintains high expectations for every student while pairing those expectations with equally high levels of support." 
 
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