Letter: Macksey Is Best Candidate for Mayor

Letter to the Editor06:20PM / Tuesday, October 26, 2021Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Jennifer Macksey for mayor. I have known Jennifer for many years and have followed her career through the years. I saw firsthand the hard work she put in while she worked at City Hall. She was a person that you could go to and ask questions and get answers. When the city was implementing a 401K plan for the first time, Jennifer made sure people had the information they needed to make the proper decisions. She didn't just sit behind her desk at City Hall, she came out to the individual departments and brought the people with the knowledge with her and made sure the members of various departments were informed.

I have followed various letters in support of Jennifer for mayor. It is quite striking that she has received strong support from three different superintendents of schools. These are people of great integrity and all have worked closely with Jennifer. It is clear that they understand that she will work hard to keep our school systems at their best. Education is one of Jennifer's top priorities she will work extremely hard to be sure our schools are the best they can be.

I have also noted the former public safety officials have also thrown their support to Jennifer. I would also like to give my support for Jennifer as a former public safety official. Any time you had a question that needed a answer Jennifer would get you that answer. She was not afraid to step out from behind her desk come to the department and explain whatever you needed answered.

It's clear that the people who really know Jennifer, know the hard work that she has done, and the hard work she is capable of ,are throwing there support to her. These are the people who were in the trenches with Jennifer doing the day-to-day work that needs to be done. People in education, people in public safety, people in municipal government , and people from MCLA. All these individuals have seen the quality person that Jennifer is.

It's clear that with all her knowledge in finance, education, and municipal government that Jennifer is the best candidate for mayor of the city of North Adams. Please join me in voting for Jennifer Macksey for mayor.

Craig W. Millard
North Adams, Mass.

Craig Millard is a retired police director of the city of North Adams.

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

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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