Letter: Support Tara Jacobs for Governor's Council

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Tuesday, November 01, 2022Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I watched the recent District 8 Governor's Council debate held by NEPM and other Western Massachusetts media outlets. The dialogue between Democrat Tara Jacobs and her Republican opponent laid out stark contrasts, and a difference in vision beyond simple party affiliation. To summarize:

Tara: Find the best people for our judiciary and encourage them to apply for positions.

Opponent: Just vote on who is presented. The Governor's Council is not an employment agency.

Tara: Work with the executive, legislative, and judiciary to advocate for equity, justice, and other important issues in our district.

Opponent: Why reinvent the wheel? It's been around for 4 billion years.

Tara: Work with community leaders, judicial advocacy groups, and the legal community to get a full picture of a nominee's history, impact on the community, and fitness for a specific position.

Opponent: Forego the opinion of informed and knowledgeable people and just use "common sense" because "experts" have caused inflation.

Tara: Use bail, pardons, and commutations as tools to serve justice and help worthy people succeed.

Opponent: If you are convicted, or even accused, of a crime, you shouldn't have put yourself in that position to begin with.

Tara: Running for Governor's Council as a next step to advocate for justice and equity after more than 15 years serving her community.

Opponent: Running for Governor's Council because of a misguided grievance against a a judge he thinks violated their oath of office, even though he can't articulate exactly how, or even what that oath is (hint: check the state constitution, Chapter 6, Article 1). Perhaps using only "common sense" instead of actual informed opinion, doesn't always lead one to make the best decisions.

The choice here is clear. Tara has ability, intentions, and integrity to work with both government and community stakeholders to help make Western Massachusetts a better, safer, and more just place to live, work, and visit. The honorable sheriffs of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties all agree that Tara is the better choice and have endorsed her candidacy, and I do as well.

So I encourage you to vote on Nov. 8 for Tara Jacobs under the heading of "Councillor, Eighth District."

Thomas Bernard
North Adams, Mass.

Bernard is a former mayor of the city of North Adams.

Tags: election 2022, endorsement,

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

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