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PITTSFIELD COUNCIL VOTES TO SHUT OUT ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ ON IMPORTANT SCHOOL QUESTION; MAZZEO, NICHOLS SUPPORT PUBLIC INPUT … TFB, KROL, and MARCHETTI SAY ‘STIFF THE VOTERS’

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY JULY 30, 2011) — Pittsfield voters, surrender now. It’s over. You have no chance. You have been maimed, stamped, filed, marginalized, indexed, ignored, and crushed. The GOBs want it that way, and by your low participation in the political process, they got it that way.

THE PLANET cannot blame you for your apathy, though we would remind you of the simple remedy: 80 percent+ voter participation in the upcoming elections. VOTE THE BUMS OUT. That panacea would oil the golden hinges that hold in place the gate that guards integrity. It won’t happen, of course, because the GOBs keep adding to the weight that keeps you in your place. If you’re carrying Balance Rock, you’re not going to be able to move too fast or go too far. That’s OK with “Them.” They want you dumb, barefoot, and pregnant.

We The People: TFB, Council Thinks They’re Too Stupid to Vote

The latest example came when our Right Honorable Good Friends on the city council agreed with the administration in the person of Tricia Farley-Bouvier that you — the Pittsfield electorate — would only clog up the works by being allowed to vote on such a trivial item as BUILDING A NEW PHRIGGIN’ SCHOOL that will cost $40 million or  $50 million. Those are the actual numbers, but you can bet they won’t be giving it away if they go ahead with construction, and you will be on the hook for the bill.

And yet, given the high-price of this big-ticket item, neither TFB nor the council wants your input via the ballot box, even though there are FOUR elections coming up between next month and November. Farley-Bouvier-Kennedy-Onassis — as former councilor Mark Brennan used to call her — said that a vote by We The People would be poisonous.

“Quite frankly …” TFB told the council, “it can really hold up the process.”

In her comments, Farley-Blah-Blah — as citizen activist Jim Gleason memorably dubs TFB —showed utter contempt for the intelligence and integrity of both Pittsfield voters and the democratic process itself. Yet in a short time, she will be seeking the support of those same disrespected voters as she fronts the latest shell game the GOBs are playing the the 3rd Berkshire State Rep.’s seat.

Voters: You’re Too Stupid, and You Would ‘Only Hold Up the Process’

Voters: You’re too stupid and would only “hold up the process” by being allowed to vote on building a new high school, but you’re convenient enough to use to enable your masters to perpetuate their claim of slavery over you. Let THE PLANET remind you with this recent-history lesson on the state rep’s job the GOBs covet so dearly for TFB:

* They put up Peter Larkin for the job. He cheated the system, got elected again, quit for a big-bucks job, and necessitated a special election.

* THE GOBs, meeting in the Back Room at Remo’s, hand-picked that Larded Lout, No Show Speranzo, to do their bidding in Boston.

* Also at Remo’s, the GOBs decided they’d move No Show to clerk magistrate for Central Berkshire District Court. Of course, the plan was again to fool voters at regular election time. No Show barely turned back Mark Miller’s valiant challenge then quit, necessitating another special election. Cost to taxpayers: $40,000. The Larded Lout should be sued for that amount.

* Now the evidence, though not conclusive, points to the same thing happening again. Was there a meeting at Remo’s sometime this year where they hand-picked TFB?

Farley-Bouvier recently received a pay hike and a new title. She’s doing the same work, essentially, for Mayor Jimmy Ruberto, but for more dough and, more importantly, a fancy sounding title. The fancy title, we’re told, was put in place because the GOB thinks it will sound impressive to you, who are in their minds nothing but dumb-rube voters.

Ah, the ballot box and We The People. They want your vote to send another of the GOBs hand-picked stooges to Boston, but how dare We The People be allowed to vote on a what will sure to be a prohibitively expensive new school?

Mazzeo, Nichols Stand Alone for The Little Guy

The only two councilors who fought for voters rights at the council meeting in question (July 12), Melissa Mazzeo and Joe Nichols, received no support. Uncle Gerry Lee came out of his coma long enough to stifle debate and ram through a 9-2 vote.

John Krol, who serves with TFB on the school building needs commission, said, “This is … an adult conversation that includes the entire community.”

What odd syntax! Let’s parse: “This is … an adult conversation.” TRANSLATION: Those who disagree with my position are immature. This “conversation … includes the entire community.” TRANSLATION: We don’t need their stinking input via a vote. This is a classic GOB tactic. Claim that public meetings, usually held at the most inconvenient times and dates, are equivalent to the ballot box.

The “public meetings” on this matter drew 10 or fewer people. That satisfies the commission and the council that “they’ve heard from the public.” The GOB, making sure to cover their tracks, stuffed the council meeting with ringers, who would berate Nichols and Mazzeo during the public input part of the council’s meeting.

Which is It, Peter Marchetti? The Voters Want an Explanation

Fortunately, voters has at least one friend in the peanut gallery. Terry Kinnas rightly pointed out the poor job done by the SBNC, which has received $200,000 in taxpayer money to blow on consultants.

Mayoral candidate Peter Marchetti countered Nichols claims that there’s been “a lack of communication [with] the public.” Marchetti, who also serves on the SBNC, said a ballot question would cause confusion and would do “nothing more that foster false impression. Nichols will be running against Marchetti for mayor.

Marchetti’s claim reeks of disingenuousness. Look at what he, Krol, TFB, etc. are actually saying:

(1) They’re saying that a non-biding question seeking the public’s input on building a new school would “cause confusion.” Who’s confusion? Would it confuse the voters? Or would it confuse the GOB, who fear anything other than a rigged game.

(2) Simultaneously, though, that these people are running for office this fall reveals their contempt of voters. They are willing to accept endorsement through the same process that they call confusing — i.e., the ballot box. If voters are too stupid to be educated enough to cast a helpful ballot on the expensive question of building a new school, what makes these same voters more qualified to vote for anyone during a campaign?

Campaigns — as Marchetti and Krol well realize, are not about education, after all, but obfuscation.

PETER MARCHETTI, EXPLAIN THAT TO PITTSFIELD VOTERS.

———————————————————-

INTO THE WEEKEND WE TRAVEL, A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY KID SKIPPING AND WHISTLING DOWN THE PATH OF LIFE, AND SO WE SAY …

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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Sam
Sam
12 years ago

OMG, Krol really thinks that we the voters are stupid, and Marchetti, what is he thinking, he will never get my vote.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

The GOB’s don’t want the citizens to know what’s going on or for them (us) to have a voice in the process of governing this city or commonwealth. The only good voter is a silent voter, until they need your vote for poor excuses for office like Krol, Marchetti and Blah Blah. PLEASE COME OUT IN FORCE AND VOTE THEM OUT!!! We need our voices back, let’s take them back at the voting booths!!

Dusty
Dusty
12 years ago

A march on city hall is way past due. But only about 6 people have the balls to do it. The rest live in fear.

Kevin
Kevin
12 years ago

A march on city hall. That may have been said as a joke, but it might be just what the doctor ordered. wHo’s in?

Dusty
Dusty
Reply to  Kevin
12 years ago

People are afraid the GOB would be there filming faces for retribution. Dan tried to get the people together on the steps of city hall once. Hardly anyone showed up. I don’t think even he would get involved these days.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

I’ll have to roll on city hall, but I’m in.

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

let’s roll on city hall I’m in. when shall we do it. Dan you with us

JahnDoh
JahnDoh
12 years ago

The vast majority of voters are stupid. They voted in Ruberto, TFB when she was on the council, Speranzo, and the present council. If that is not the definition of stupid then it should just be removed from the dictionary. What on earth makes you think they’ve suddenly smartened up? And it wouldn’t matter even if the voters voted against the school. It’s a foregone, done behind closed doors, political tit for tat, let’s take the taxpayer’s money for ourselves, conclusion. They only way it will not go forward is if the next mayor kills it. Good luck. I can’t see that happening.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

Maybe Jonathan Levine would publicize a march/roll or whatever on city hall in the Gazette. Dan, you’ve got a connection there, can you use it?

Real Deal 2
Real Deal 2
Reply to  Jim Gleason
12 years ago

JimmyG-the people’s advocate!! Mop on JimmyG!!

Maxwell Edison
Maxwell Edison
12 years ago

Dan, you can count on me and my partner to join your anti-school rally!!! we have neighbors who are also anti-school. maybe we can get YNN to cover it.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

Somebody, any concerned citizen in ward 6 run against jon krol he must be stopped.Really think he has ,best interests at heart,but think he is out of touch with the facts.9 elementary schools in a town the size of pittsfield is something we cannot afford.I know they are trying to get the # up with kindergarden and pre-kindergarden students,fact is we have a shrinking population and school population.Time to close a school not renovate another.

San Simeon
San Simeon
12 years ago

Anyone who monitors this site shold note the sentiment expressed here. The Planet expressed it perfectly: This is not a time to be spending for a school we cant afford. The gobs don’t want a vote on it because they know it will go down and rightly so. AQuality schools are not about buildings but they are about quality of learning, quality of teaching, quality of administration, none of which we have now, or haven’t you noticed, jon krol and pete marchetti the mass exodus of children and $3 million, it’s not the bujilkdings and a new building won’t do anything. Beside we can’t afford it. I’m in the rally the roll on rally.

Payroll Patriot
Payroll Patriot
12 years ago

Just some more info, Angelo’s credit union was used for meetings of the GOB network. The Newell St. watering hole was not the main staging area. There are some intelligent people, who just don’t vote as they are told to or drink the BB kool aid. NOT A NEWS FLASH: The job market here is not good and will not get better until the schools get better. The voters/people should actually help people to get elected who may not go along just to get a reward.
NO incumbents (one exception,one/half exception on the council and one half execptioin on the school committee) should be returned. Take the ones who have been there the longest and DON’T VOTE FOR THEM.

PS for our older friends: The government does not pay social security. The money comes out of a TRUST FUND. ALL the media and and the elected fools are trying to use terriorism on the elderly to even hint they will not get their SS checks.

Richard
Richard
12 years ago

I will vote for no one who is holding office at this time except for Mazzeo . Farley needs to just retire and take care of her family. Krol and Marchetti are just another Mayor Ruberto. How phoney the council is not to let the people voice their opinion. They say that they want the public to get involve and then stop them from doing so.

Dusty
Dusty
12 years ago

why would any sensible person vote for Marchetti after he basically told the people he did not care what their opinions were.? Sounds like he will be just like Ruberto plowing his way through the people doing exactly as he pleases. He was a nice guy till he started hanging around with the wrong crowd.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

I know # have not been put out yet to build a new high school,but think your estimate of 40 or 50 million is low.Longmeadow is spending around 70 million and has already broken ground construction costs will only go up.Maybe Krol could educate us with flash cards,One showing a used car that has been restored for 18,000 and the other showing a brand new car for 36,000..Maybe that would help us simple folk.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

What is sad is we are not getting the truth from people who are running this show. Mayor, Councilors, Committee members (isn’t TFB is running this committee??) They are just bent on building the school and don’t care about anything else. SAD