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Chris' Girls Come From Behind to Reach Torchia League Final

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Chris’ Girls Tuesday overcame a 14-3 deficit to earn a 22-17 win over Club Wyndham to reach the title round of the Pat Torchia Softball League.
 
Karen White went 3-for-3, scored three runs and went the distance in the circle as Chris’ Girls won the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament and earned a berth in Wednesday’s final against Ayrhill Farms.
 
Chris’ Girls will need to beat Ayrhill Farms on Wednesday to get to a winner-take-all final on Thursday at Disanti Field.
 
On Tuesday, Club Wyndham scored seven times in the second inning to take a 7-3 lead and built an 11-run advantage, thanks, in part, to a two-run double by Rachel Desautels and a two-run single from Laura O’Neil.
 
But Chris’ Girls used patience at the plate to whittle away at that lead.
 
They worked five walks and got a two-run single from Laura Feder in a six-run fifth inning to make it 14-9.
 
After White threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth, three more walks helped fuel a four-run rally for Chris’ Girls in the sixth as they got within a run.
 
Club Wyndham got its offense going again in the bottom of the sixth, when Kate Haring and Desautels each drove in a run to help their team pull ahead, 17-13.
 
Needing at least four runs to stay alive in their final at-bat, Chris’ Girls scored nine.
 
Again, free passes were a major factor. Club Wyndham, which went into the game without its two regular pitchers, used three pitchers in the top of the seventh, when Chris’ Girls walked eight times, including seven in a row at one point.
 
Club Wyndham got a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but White induced a fly ball to left for out No. 2 and ended the game with the night’s only strikeout.
 
Chris’ Girls and Ayrhill Farms will play at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
 

 

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

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

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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