Letter: Macksey for Mayor

To the Editor:

I moved to North Adams more than a year ago, I lived in Tennessee for a short while after leaving Pittsfield due to an attack on my son.

Within this time of our return, a lot of things in North Adams changed.

One thing seems to be the heart of our fine community. There's some art making its way back to our area and that is wonderful. One change I see fits voting for Jennifer Macksey for mayor. When my family first met her at the Downtown Celebration she was so inviting warm and caring.

My son, who has PTSD issue a from the above mentioned in Pittsfield, went right over and gave her a big hug. He took right to her. Jennifer cares for her community, her voters, for everyone. She is kind and wonderful listener, she will absolutely be a great leader. She is a positive role model for all of us. She is exactly what our city needs for a better tomorrow.

All of my children adore her; my wife and I are amazed how one person can reach so many people. I know in my heart Jennifer Macksey is our next mayor, our leader, our future. I trust in her and her campaign. I urge you on Nov. 2 to vote. for Jennifer Macksey.

Tony Paulyk
North Adams, Mass.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.