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MAIL BAG BRINGS CRITICISM OF DA IN HELL’S ANGELS MURDER CASE … REVEALED: THE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY SCAM NOW PLAYING IN PITTSFIELD … PATRICK’S PUB CAUGHT STEALING FROM ITS OWN WAITSTAFF, plus, WHERE DOES SHIT RUN UPHILL? IN PITTSFIELD, OF COURSE

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, SEPT. 13, 2011) — We received a lot of mail (and several comments for posting here on THE PLANET) concerning yesterday’s column. We share two typical responses, each with permission.

We hit a nerve. THE PLANET can tell, objectively, when our readership spikes. To the dismay of our critics, we draw thousands to this site each day. Should the trend continue, we shall be rivaling then outdrawing any other news/commentary website in the county, including, of course, the Boring Broadsheet.

This came in from JAY SEE-F:

The DA says two of the victims were just in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”  All accounts say two of the three victims shared the apartment where they were riding out hurricane Irene with a third friend
and were confronted and/or attacked.  Is the DA saying we are no longer safe in our homes and apartments? Wrong place/wrong time sounds random. This sounds like a home invasion and not so random. But, on another
level if there are wrong places and wrong times, wouldn’t it be wise to share that with the general population?

Evidently, JAY, the District Attorney disagrees that it would be wise to share important information with the general public. The DA is a politician, pure and simple, with everything that this implies in a GOB-run town.

DID MURDER VICTIM SEEK PROTECTION? A HUGE QUESTION DEMANDS AN ANSWER

This is Pittsfield, remember. The story gets more startling. There is reason to believe that the murder victim who was to be the star witness against Mr. Hall had asked law enforcement officials for protection before he was murdered. It appears he didn’t get it. THINK ABOUT THIS, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN.

We put the following open question to District Attorney David Capeless, Police Chief Mike Wynn, and Mayor Jimmy Ruberto: Did the victim ask for protection? Did he seek protective custody? If so, to whom did he make his request? What answer was he given, and by whom? This is a serious question with enormous potential liability issues. Peter Marchetti: You are the council’s VP. You have a position of power. You can make such an inquiry on behalf of We the People. Will you do so, sir?

————————————

CITY’S SAD DECLINE IS ONLY TOO WELL KNOWN

THE PLANET also received this e-mail from “Champion,” which we share because it testifies to many salient points we have addressed in connection not only with this case but also in addressing the decline of the city in general:

I think it is a real tragedy that the City leadership does not capitalize on the former residents like myself who loved this community and are willing to do something to help the place .  Look at the Facebook comments from former residents and you’ll see a great resource untapped.

I  could probably sum up the history of  the city politics from my childhood  with a description:   organizational incest….same people, same relationships, same old ideas, etc. The sadness is when the new blood comes  who have ideas (art galleries, restaurants, etc.),   the  leadership too quickly gets enamored with these saviors and starts catering to out of towners and forgets the every day folk.  These new venues may work in tourist season, but I see most of these places having struggles. How come five or so of the top tourist attractions have changed directors in the past year???
Pittsfield was a blue collar town and the shopping mecca in the cultural Berkshires. It was GE that was the lifeblood of the community and with a peak of 12,000 employees kept the community going (in spite of its burying PCBs around the town so no one would ever forget them). With the loss of GE there were many many workers still left here and the next generation too.  These are not the people that aren’t involved in the art, theaters and restaurants.  The majority of Pittsfield cannot afford these things. When I would come to town I would hear the negativity from these folks left behind.
I remember reading about the chemical dependency phenomena when Hillcrest Hospital  imported heavy druggers into the City for  treatment to get NY Medicaid bucks. Bucks were used up in 30 days and patients let out the door. Pittsfield had a virtual welcome sign as a   virginal area for heroin and coke dealers. Welcome serious drug problem! Because of this   lets build  a bigger jail to house the  newly settled criminals. Too bad the jail was three times what was needed.   So lets fill  empty cells with cons from other communities who of course brought their publically assisted families into the community to be closer to them. I found online that the median income of Pittsfield went from $10K above the State average  down to $10K below.  This is all stuff you know well and I am sure have written about. Very sad, but I still felt we could turn lemons into lemonade.
I have followed my hometown as an “outsider” for the past 40 plus years and you can get a sense of why I wanted to give back. It saddens me when I go down North St. too.

In Champion’s paragraph about the “chemical dependency phenomenon,” he hits at a huge, invisible problem that THE PLANET alone has discussed in print, on the air, and now in cyberspace. Pittsfield sold out. It took the drug trade with welcome arms. It built an unnecessarily large county lockup (in Lanesboro, and wouldn’t you love to know the crooked deals that led to it being located there!!) so it could take in the cons from other communities. Those cons brings their riff raff with them, and they, of course, immediately go on welfare and ride on the taxpayer’s back. Why haven’t you see this story in the Boring Broadsheet? Why? Because it doesn’t dare expose the racket, for fear of pissing off the GOB.

This is what the political leadership of Pittsfield has given the citizens of Benigno Numine. Isn’t it interesting the deafening silence you get on this issue from the candidates for office in Campaign ’12.

——————————————————-

PATRICKS’ STIFF ITS WAIT STAFF, ISN’T THAT RIGHT, KUFFLINKS?

THE PLANET also received this, from “The Stooley,” a conglomerate of spies who are on the payroll to provide us with the view from the streets.

Here’s a great story line for you from Patrick’s Pub. Seems they’ve been keeping the tips from the underemployed working Moms. Also, the growing-up-fast unwed mothers that have been trying to put food on their tables have been getting short changed from the owner of Patricks. Guess the only ones to not get cheated out of the tips are the bartenders that can grab the cash from the patrons before it gets the cash register…


I bet the last time Joe and Mary Jane Kapanski ate there they thought the cute little blond was getting the tip.

——————–


THE PLANET had this story before anyone. We let the BB publish it first, just to keep the fight fair. Our contact in the state AG’s office told us Patrick’s illegally kept $25 grand from employees. The state fined the pub $4,800 and ordered the whiskey dealers to pay the money it had stolen from its defenseless help.

Patrick’s, according to a probe by the state Fair Labor Division of the Attorney General’s office, violated the law with its policies on tips. One would think that a responsible business would check with the law, first, not last. Or do you think it was deliberate, so the owners could pocket tens of thousands of dollars it had no right hogging up?

THE BB quotes one of the gin joint’s owners claiming with a straight face that the policy of cheating the waitstaff out of tips was “designed to benefit all employees.” Can you believe these stiffs?

The AG ordered the rotgut rotisserie to pay back more than $30 grand to staff.

QUESTION FOR ANYONE WHO KNOWS: Isn’t Matthew “Kufflinks” Kerwood somehow related to the pub owners or in some way isn’t he associated with Patrick’s Pub?

Innocence by Association, apparently, but of course, THE PLANET could be wrong.

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SEWER SYTEM IS ‘ENERGIZED,” or, IN PITTSFIELD, SHIT DOES RUN UPHILL

Yesterday, sewersin about 10 southeast neighborhoods backed up into basements and homes. THE PLANET’s investigation determined two likely causes:

(1) influx from sump pumps and (2) flooding, particularly on South Street.

The Pittsfield sewer system has a 25 million gallon capacity. At 25 million and one gallons, the system back up. Literally, the shit at that point begins to flow uphill.

In a great euphemism, when the Pittsfield sewer system is in this condition, the city refers to the system as being “energized.” THE PLANET’s not kidding. TRANSLATION OF ‘ENERGIZED’: The pipes are full of shit.

In Pittsfield, sewer taxes go up each cycle for this express purpose: To render miracles such as repealing the law of gravity. Everywhere else, crap runs downhill.

Of course, the sewer lines are not the only things in town pregnant with guano, as we’ve learned, for example, from Peter Marchetti’s excuses for ducking THE PLANET’s fair questions in front of a camera.

The following little exchange puts the sewer matter in perspective. This, by the way, is an actual exchange of dialogue that took place between a bedraggled city homeowner and the mayor’s office:

HOMEOWNER: “Let me put this as simply as possible. When am I going to be able to flush my toilet again?”

MAYOR’S OFFICE: “I don’t know.”

Kinda says it all, eh?

———————————————

MUCH MORE GOING ON AT SEVERAL FRONTS, INCLUDING THE STATE REP CAMPAIGN, THE COLONIALS’ SITUATION, AND “ETC.” STAY TUNED.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

I was told from a good source he refused protection. Do you realize how many people are threatened each day. some serious and some not. Its a tough call, how the hell can we afford protection for all that are threatened. Answer: IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

Also we don’t know everything here, its a ongoing triple murder investigation Please let these law enforcement people do their jobs without all this nonsense from us who are not involved. City council should stay out of this and I’m sure they will. Again this is on going a murder investigation.

GEE Whiz
GEE Whiz
12 years ago

Once again the Planet delivers for the people. Stuff the BB won’t ever publish.
And Mr. Marchetti, what are you hiding> Why are you so afraid?

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

Why wasn’t Mr. Hall wearing a tracking device while out on bail?

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
12 years ago

Your writeing is getting nuttier by the minute. Your ego is beyond reality. Dan you need help. Hope you get the help you need.

PITTSFIELD BELIEVER
PITTSFIELD BELIEVER
12 years ago

Mr. Wade, good advice for Dan. And did did you know that in the priciest section of the priciest town in Massachusetts, where Valenti lives part of the year, the streets got paved there first? Think that has something to do with his owning the selectboard in that town, his inheritance from Jack Fistzpatrick, who took little Danny under his wing and taught him everything about controlling politicians. Valenti likes to brag he takes no commercial money for his death star planet but has anyone asked him how much the Fitzs bankroll him and why?

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  PITTSFIELD BELIEVER
12 years ago

Pittsfield Believer Only rich druggies are in Stockbridge{ Austen Riggs center} The only low income houseing is in a swamp next to the waste water treatment plant! How nice of them to help out the poor!

Fan Dan Go
Fan Dan Go
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

Mr. Wade, you have embarrased yourself again, in fact, are you and PB the same person?

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Fan Dan Go
12 years ago

NOPE!

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Fan Dan Go
12 years ago

FDG What did I write about Stockbridge that is not correct? Is Dans ego not getting bigger by the second?

Kim
Kim
12 years ago

It’s easy for people to turn the other cheek when someone asks for protection. See what happens? People have real fear for real reasons. It is so sad that so many are ignored. I am sure nothing will change, we will just have to stay tuned to see who the next victim is. Sad.

Merrimack
Merrimack
12 years ago

Patricks ripping off their wait staff is lower than whale shit. People work hard to make tips and to have their bosses do something like this is very wrong. So much for the little guy getting an even break. I’ve never eaten there and never will.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
Reply to  Merrimack
12 years ago

totally agree with you.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
12 years ago

I’d say the article that says Hall offered to turn on his cohorts will likely spell out a quick demise for him. The Feds weren’t interested because he couldn’t really provide them much, but releasing that they rebuffed his approach, wow, dude isn’t going to last long.

Wally
Wally
12 years ago

comments in these stories: Iagree that the DA and police could be much more cooperative with releaseing info. It tell me that someone’s protecting someone else.

All the riff raff and scum in the city now, expecially on North St. would hmake anyone worry for their safety. Too many druggies, criminials, and bums.

@PAtricks Pub, how terrible. My wife and I used to go there once in a while but no more. I hope everyone boycot’s the PP.

Tell me about the sewer backup, we were one of the homes hit, on Holmes Road.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

Gerald Lee writes letter endorsing Tricia ummm good reason not to vote for her.

West Nile detected in mosquitoes in county. ummmm maybe Dr. (stupid) Eramo should read what west nile can do to us if contacted. This guy has get to go, all is wants is powe

Dusty
Dusty
Reply to  CONCERNED
12 years ago

yah I gotta believe her chances dropped a few percentage points when his letter came out…….what’s next? Gerry Doyles endorsement?

GEE Whiz
GEE Whiz
12 years ago

Doyle and Downing are backing Scago. The Irish St. Joe Mafia. If Scago gets in Im getting out. He’s a kid who will be a puppet of Doyle and his corrupt crew.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

A Boosier and Malfunction showdown would be like Ali- Frazier.

Fan Dan Go
Fan Dan Go
12 years ago

Its unfortunate that this website has to hear from idiots like PB and Steve Wade, who never take on the points made on the Planet but always go on personal attack. Tahnk God for this website.

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Fan Dan Go
12 years ago

FDG Time to get a life! Do you really think Dan gets all of the stories before the Eagle? Dan was nice enough to let the Eagle get the story Ya right! Thousads of people see this Blogg but only 7 people ever give their own opinions? Wake up and get a clue,

Allen
Allen
12 years ago

Everyone is down on the DA. That’s easy. I expected you to take the contrarian argument just for the mental exercise.

Just Saying
Just Saying
12 years ago

PB-

Most wealthy town in Mass? Try Weston, Cambridge, Lexington, Nantucket etc. All far excede any town in Berkshire County.

Just Saying
Just Saying
12 years ago

Perhaps i misread PB’s post. If you, PB meant that DV has a residence outside of Berkshire, then you may be correct. Please list the name of such town.
if you are correct PB, that would be a first.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

On a happier subject Congratulation Tim Wakefield on your 200th win. You are a credit to your profession

Ray Ovac
Ray Ovac
12 years ago

DV, according to iBerkshires.com:
“Some relatives of victim Robert T. Chadwell expressed frustration after the arraignment with what some of them perceived as a failure on the part of authorities to protect Glasser as a witness against Hall, despite stated fears of retaliation.
“One family member, who identified herself as Yvette, said she felt that fears of retaliation by Hall or associates of his were not taken seriously by police. “Pittsfield is just not equipped for this. Pittsfield failed these men.”
“Capeless, at Sunday’s press conference, said precautions were made to keep Glasser safe that were in line with witness’s wishes.” —‘Three Arraigned in Pittsfield Triple Homicide’
By Joe Durwin, iBerkshires.com, September 12, 2011,
http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/blotter?bid=1239

DV, if Mr. Capeless’s statement is to be taken at face value, then it is pretty obvious that whatever “precautions were made” were less than useless. Either that or Mr. Capeless is lying. Mr. Capeless needs to explain his statement and detail to the public just what the precautions he alleges were, why they failed, and who is to blame for not granting to Mr. Glasser the protection his family claims was sought.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

The internet has posted the mugshot, as one writer above states, throughout the world and is now known as the most infamous on smokinguns history of photos. The word is the media and paparazzi tabloids are ready to pay ten of thousands just to interview this guy..Pittsfield has taken ten steps backwards, this is more bad press piled on to an already high amount of corruption in the last few years.

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  beezer
12 years ago

Valenti should get off on this news!

Ray Ovac
Ray Ovac
Reply to  beezer
12 years ago

How comforting to know that Pittsfield’s worldwide claim to fame for the foreseeable future is going to be the face of a blood-drinking Satan worshipper. At least put the image to good use and post it on PCB warning signs surrounding Silver Lake neighborhoods.

Wally
Wally
12 years ago

That idiot CAius, yeah right. Like he’s going to get a fair trial looking like that. That look alone is reason enough to save tax $$ on a trial. Take him out back and shoot him.

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

In reference to a “charged” sewer system:
It is against the law for homeowners to discharge sump pumps from their basements into the city sewer system. Pecks Road is a perfect example. When I use to live out that way, during snow melt, the sewer system would get “charged” to the point where gong down the grade by the cemetary, the manhole covers would bubble and sometimes blow off.
When I went looking for a new house to live in about three years ago, I looked at a large number of houses. I observed that often there were sump pumps hooked into the swer lines. In fact there was a house in the northeast part of the city that had several sump pumps hooked into a battery back-up system discharging into the city sewer. In the half hour or so I was in the house, the pumps never stopped. Needless to say, I scratched that house off the possible list.

Still wondering
Still wondering
12 years ago

In light of all this terrible news, I think the only thing that would keep me from selling my house is if Pam won the election for State Rep.

Steve Wade
Steve Wade
Reply to  Still wondering
12 years ago

Don’t let the door hit you in your ass…. Bye Bye

Merrimack
Merrimack
Reply to  Steve Wade
12 years ago

Mr Wad, I think that your getting kicked in the ass would hurt your jaw because you seem to talk through your ass most all the time.

Dave
Dave
12 years ago

Once upon a time about 15 or 20 years ago, the State Welfare department determined that it was cheaper to house welfare recipients in Pittsfield thanit was to house them in the Worcester or Boston area. They relocated to Pittsfield many “families” and with each of them came their “posse”.

I must agree with the above posters, Pittsfield is hardly the Mayberry type city that we grew up in.

The big question is: How does it get fixed?

Until the administration of the City steps up, leads by example and makes a concious effort to instill pride in the City, the City will continue to decline.

People charged with the task of finding a new location for a business do their homework. It is part of the “Due Dilligence” in the investigation of a potential location for a business. With a high crime rate, a lousy school system rampant with problems, drug and even murder issues in the city, and the attitude of covering up problems such as the steroid use by Police and a city saturated with PCB toxins, why would anyone want to locate a business here and create jobs?

Dusty
Dusty
Reply to  Dave
12 years ago

What a griper…they have been working on North street for 8 years. What more do you expect them to do for gods sake?