Letter: Our Collective Future

To the editor:

Nearly two weeks have passed since the North Adams election and I continue ask what I could have done differently and ponder if it was all worth it.

Running for mayor of the city of North Adams was a unique and life-altering experience. Moreover, it is an experience that I know I was privileged to have. First, to run for office takes time. My family was supportive and provided me the space for what my daughter called "mayor stuff." My employer also allowed me to take the time off that I needed, which meant exhausting my vacation and eventually taking leave with pay. I clearly understand that many in North Adams may not have this option. Then, there is the scrutiny of being in the public eye and quite literally having your face splashed all over on mailers, on social media, on posters and even a billboard. And, did I mention social media? I will not even go there.

I share all of this, because in the end, I believe it was worth it. I witnessed the beauty, the grit, the passion, and the inner workings of North Adams that I will forever cherish. In just a few months, I met with so many dedicated professionals across our city – our city councilors, city department heads, school officials, business leaders, social service agencies, religious leaders, and many others who reached out and asked to meet. I had interviews and responded to as many media requests as possible. I met with neighboring community leaders who shared their issues that together affect our region. Then there was the canvassing, which I enjoyed most. Talking directly to voters and catching them at home was an opportunity to hear it all! I heard about addiction impacting families and neighborhoods, the difficulty of parking, the vacant properties, the history of each neighborhood, the playgrounds and sports fields, the lack of public transportation and suitable housing, our failing public safety building, the uncertainty of our public schools, and even climate change. You name it, I am sure I talked about it with someone.

In between meetings and canvassing, I developed plans for the many facets of running a city and researching different programs and opportunities available. This was the exciting part – thinking and planning for what is possible for North Adams. This was not done in a vacuum. I had a team – an incredibly dedicated team with diverse talents and organization for which I am eternally grateful.

I am sure Mayor-elect Macksey is equally thankful to her team and this is what I want to acknowledge. Because of this race and our teams, our platforms were sharpened and we did not take any voter for granted. We must now work together and not take our city for granted. Our issues did not go away when this race ended; instead, they were heightened and put into focus. It will now be our responsibility to work together toward solutions for the betterment of our community.

What this means for each person will differ, but it is my hope that we will look past this race and dedicate ourselves to our collective future. We need knowledgeable and committed people to work in city government, to volunteer on city boards, to be civically engaged in issues affecting our city, and to support our community in every way possible. The future of our city depends on all of us staying involved in the city we care so deeply about.

Lynette Bond
North Adams, Mass. 

North Adams Unveils Hometown Heroes Banners

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
04:30PM / Friday, May 22, 2026

Carol Ethier-Kipp holds up the first aid kit her father used as an Army medic in World War II. See more photos here. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams honored its own on Friday afternoon, unveiling 50 downtown street banners representing local veterans who served — and continue to serve — the community and the country.

 

More than 300 residents packed the front lawn of City Hall as the community took a moment to reflect on its "Hometown Heroes" during the morning unveiling ceremony.

 

"In a city like North Adams, service is personal. The men and women we honor today are not strangers to us. They are our neighbors, our classmates, our parents, our grandparents," Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the crowd. "... These banners are far more than names and pictures hanging along our streets. They are visible reminders of the values that define North Adams: courage, sacrifice, humility, duty, resilience, and the love of country. They remind every person who passes by that this community remembers our veterans."

 

The banner program launched exactly a year ago. Veterans Services Agent Kurtis Durocher opened applications in October and spent the next six months working with families to bring the project to Main Street and over the Hadley Overpass. 

 

"We gather to recognize the brave men and women from our community who have served or who are currently serving in the United States armed forces," Durocher said. "These banners are more than images. They bear a tribute to service, sacrifice, courage, and pride, and they remind us that the freedoms we enjoy every day have been protected by our neighbors, family members, friends, and Hometown Heroes."

 

Each banner features a portrait of a veteran alongside their military branch and dates of service.

 

Durocher noted that the program was something residents clearly wanted, pointing to how fast applications flooded his desk. He praised the volunteers who stepped up to get the banners made and displayed — including city firefighters and Mitchell Meranti of Wire & Alarm Department, who were installing them as late as Thursday night.