Letter: Support Jennifer Macksey for Mayor

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To the Editor:

The voters of North Adams have to take advantage of the great opportunity that has been given to them! The decision by Jennifer Macksey to run for mayor will give you the most qualified and experienced candidate to lead North Adams forward.

I had the opportunity to work with Jen while employed by the city Highway Department for 30 years. I first met Jen while she was working at the city landfill selling stickers and composting bins. Then she worked as director of finance/chief procurement cfficer for the city and the became the city tax collector/treasurer. Along with all of this she became the go-between employees and the administration, which at the time was greatly needed.

She treated us all with dignity and respect! One instance that sticks out in my mind is when the federal law for drug testing was put into place. Jen had a meeting with us all and explained the law to us and told us all about the programs that city was putting into place for us to use if the need arose. This skill in dealing with people is a great asset to have.

All this experience makes Jennifer Macksey the right choice for mayor — one that could step into the job and begin work immediately. I also would like to take the time to thank the Macksey campaign for keeping this election civil and free from personal attacks.

Edward Denault
Clarksburg, Mass. 

Edward Denault was highway superintendent for North Adams until his retirement.

 

 


Tags: election 2021,   letters to the editor,   


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Clarksburg Joining Drug Prevention Coalition

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has agreed to join a collaborative effort for drug prevention and harm reduction.
 
The new coalition will hire a North County community coordinator who will be headquartered on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and who oversee allocations for harm reduction, education and prevention efforts. Berkshire Health Systems has also committed about $120,000 over the next five years. 
 
Clarksburg, one of the first communities to sign on to the opioid lawsuit filed by a consortium of states several years ago, has so far received payouts of $23,594.78. It's expected to receive nearly $64,000 by the end of the 16-year payout. 
 
In October, the board had discussed whether to pool that money with other communities, expressing concerns that the small town would not receive enough benefits.
 
"Anytime there's a pooling of money I think countywide, I think we know where the bulk goes to," said member Colton Andrew said Monday. "I'm more open to the idea of keeping the money here but open to hearing your intentions and how the mony will be allocated."
 
Chair Robert Norcross said he felt there seemed to be a focus on harm reduction, such as the use of Narcan, and not enough for prevention or problem-solving.
 
But after hearing from members of the nascent coalition, members voted Monday night to partner with other Northern Berkshire communities.
 
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