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D.H. LAWRENCE GROUNDS US ON LOVE … PEDA BOARD SHOWS TRUE COLORS, THE PHONY BASTARDS! … THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE’S REJECTION OF DR. NAMIN … plus … RED SOX GO TO BAT FOR AREA VETERANS ON FRIDAY, MAY 18

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, May 14, 2012) — As a way to ground ourselves before stepping into the mystery and madness of local politics, we present a poem by D. H. Lawrence.

SEARCH FOR LOVE

Those that go searching for love

only manifest their own lovelessness,

and the loveless never find love,

only the loving find love,

and they never have to seek for it.

—– 00 —–

In a sense, Lawrence’s poem could serve as a commentary on the readings from John at Mass yesterday. John’s poetry describes God as love.

D. H. Lawrence

“I worship Christ,” Lawrence once wrote. “I worship Jehovah, I worship Pan, I worship Aphrodite. But I do not worship hands nailed and running with blood upon a cross, nor licentiousness, nor lust. I want them all, all the gods. They are all God. But I must serve in real love. If I take my whole passionate, spiritual, and physical love to the woman who in turn loves me, that is how I serve God. And my hymn and my game of joy is my work.”

We won’t comment at length here, preferring you to wrestle with this or skip, as you wish.

———————————————————-

PEDA BOARD: SEND IN THE CLOWNS

Where else but in Pittsfield could an organization designed to spur economic activity and given wide-ranging powers and multi-millions of dollars to do so accomplish next to nothing and still function free from scrutiny and accountability? We speak, of course, of PEDA.

In most others cities, this crew would have been run out on rails long ago. The blasted organization would have been chucked, the Consent Decree that dictated the terms of its being would have long been reopened, and the city would by now have the William B. Stanley Business Park humming. Ah, but this is Pittsfield, where incompetents reap rewards by keeping their mouths shut.

The PEDA site, looking east (photo courtesy of PEDA)

Since 1998, PEDA has frittered away 14 years of time and countless millions of dollars. It has done so in secrecy and with all the transparency of a smoke-filled, members-only men’s club. We saw how the PEDA board treated the latest attempt to force PEDA’s hand, done politely through an invitation to the board from councilor-at-large Melissa Mazzeo to address the council at its May 25 meeting. Perhaps a more forceful invitation be given through injunction, subpoena, or the threat of a full-blown audit.

Instead of accepting Mazzeo’s invitation willingly and gratefully, the board began negotiating the terms under which it might appear. By the time Gary Grunin and his GOB cronies got done with it, the opportunity went by the boards, which is exactly how the PEDA board wants it, on order from its masters.

A Website Full of Lies

As other cities, towns, and communities land new companies and go about economic development in a serious way, the clowns on the PEDA board nap around their campfire, singing the gauze-headed songs of Wo-He-Lo.  We The People might as well be on the other side of the universe. And yet, PEDA has the gall to post the following prose on its web page:

PEDA’s work is transparent, fiscally and socially responsible, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, consistent, inclusive, and equitable. PEDA accomplishes this by collaboration, market focus, clustering and accountability.

Bullspit, we say.

The PEDA board consists of Grunin, chair; Christina Barret, PR flack at BCC; Mayor Dan Bianchi; Mick Callahan, sign company; Michael Matthews, CEO, Tower Acquisition; Beth Mitchell, General Dynamics; George Whaling, property management.

Lies, lies, and more lies.

Memo to PEDA:  You have not performed in a transparent way. You have not been fiscally and socially responsible. You have not been economically sustainable. You have not been consistent, inclusive, and equitable. You are not collaborative. You are not accountable. Not, not, not, not, and not. 

Why don’t you try telling the truth, for once. At least we could round up a modicum of respect for truthful liars.

If Grunin and the rest of the Usual Gang of Idiots on PEDA’s board won’t testify before the council, perhaps Bianchi will. He has been the only member of the board to at least make noise like he cares.

As for the council, who among you will publicly support Mazzeo, your colleague. Can you imagine the effect of a united council, led by president Kevin Sherman, calling a press conference at city hall, demanding the full PEDA board’s appearance for testimony?

It could be done.

——————————————————–

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. NAMIN

THE PLANET has through our associates and spies been look a bit more closely into The Strange Case of Dr. Namin. You’ll recall that when the Pittsfield School Committee voted 5-2 (Kinnas and Bianchi wanting to hire) not to proceed further with Dr.  Reza Namin‘s application for school superintendent, the story was played as the committee saying no.

Dr. Reza Namin: A reputation as a effective, cost-out manager. Naturally, Pittsfield didn't want him.

Actually, it appears, Namin withdrew his nomination even before the vote was announced. They don’t want you to know that, of course, because they want you to think the search for superintendent is on the level. It’s not.

Doctor Namin has a different view of what happened. Namin says the school committee should never have noted on his application, since he withdrew it before they had ended in deliberation. Why would he do that? Why would the school committee go through the charade of a vote? And why would the committee not level with the public that Namin pre-empted their iciness.

‘I’ve Never Been So Rudely Treated’

“I’ve never been so rudely treated,” he said in an interview on his experience in Pittsfield. “I’ve also never seen school committee members treated so rudely [by the chair and other officials].” Here, Namin was referring to how chairman Alf Barbalunga tried to stop a panel member from asking questions and ordering Dr. Namin not to answer. “Parents and members of the public see that. You are going to lose students because of this. The school committee is supposed to be setting an example of how to treat people. That example [in Pittsfield] is rudeness. Who would want to come here?”

Through our investigators, THE PLANET checked out one of Dr. Namin’s references. Here’s what the reference said of the man Pittsfield didn’t want to look at: “The guy is exceptional. We [in the school district] followed through with his strategic plan, and we turned the district around. On school choice, his record is excellent. He consolidated the purchasing and personnel departments. He reduced the special ed and administration budgets by $280,000 by restructuring. He doesn’t believe in a top-heavy administration. He wants teachers, who are in the trenches, and not administrators, who live behind desks, to make the decisions. [THE PLANET’s emphasis]”

Doctor Namin said he wanted to come to Pittsfield for two basic reasons. First, he wanted the challenge of managing a larger district. Second, he wanted to make a long-term commitment.”

Some on the committee had a problem with Namin’s nomadic ways, but think about it. The man is in his 50s. When you’re in your 50s in public education, you’re looking to finish our your career. He’s not going to come out and say that, of course, but he wanted to, and would have, he said, make a long-term commitment to Pittsfield.

School Committee Whiffed on an Opportunity

Want to know why all but the two independent members of the school committee didn’t want Dr. Namin? Look at what his reference said: He saved money through consolidation, and he doesn’t want a top-heavy administration. The five members of the school committee made a GOB-approved vote to sink this guy before he had a chance. The last thing they want is to reduce the school budget and introduce financial efficiencies through consolidation.

They got a lucrative scam going, and they want to keep it that way.

————————————————————

‘INSTANT’ APPLICATIONS FOR ACTING SUPER, A JOB THAT HASN’T EVEN BEEN ADVERTISED, POINTS TO THE FIX 

Don’t know if you picked up on it, but there was another extremely suspicious action at the school committee meeting last Wednesday. After rejecting Dr. Namin, the representative of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees instantly pulled out three applicants for the job of interim or acting superintendent.

How could this be? If Dr. Namin was to be given a fair hearing, who could have anticipated his rejection such that, seconds after the vote, the committee’s state consultant comes to the podium at the chairman’s request to produce three applications for a job that hasn’t even been advertised! Smarter criminals plan their deeds much more carefully than this, but what do you expect from a bunch of amateurs?

There hasn’t even been an advertisement for acting school superintendent, and yet, after the Namin vote, the state produced for Barbalunga three resumes! How could this happen without violating federal guidelines under the equal opportunity employment act?

Wait, this is Pittsfield. Rules don’t matter.

—————————————————————

RED SOX JOIN VA IN SUPPORTING OPEN HOUSE ON VETERANS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Things have been slow going on the field thus far for the Boston Red Sox, their three-game winning streak notwithstanding, but off the field, the Sox have a first-place record in community service.

We share this news for all veterans:

The Boston Red Sox announced today that the Fenway Ambassadors and Wally the Green Monster will bring the World Series trophies to the Pittsfield VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in support of a VA Open House for Veterans and their families on Friday, May 18.

The Open House at the clinic at 73 Eagle St., is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The Red Sox visit is expected to start at approximately 3 p.m., and will end at 5 p.m. The visit is exclusively for Veterans and their families.

The event is part of a week-long series of VA Hospital visits as part of the “100 Acts of Kindness,” a program that recognizes and supports the work of charitable organizations throughout New England during Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary season.
Last year, an open house at the Pittsfield Clinic attracted more than 150 Veterans with more than 30 Veterans signing up for VA healthcare benefits.  Today, about a third of all Veterans in western Massachusetts receive VA health care.  The Veteran population in Berkshire County is approximately 10,000 Veterans, of which 3,415 are enrolled in VA healthcare.
With the Red Sox visit, the VA hopes to see even more Veterans at the open house and more Veterans enrolled at the clinic.
This is a free event.
Veterans are encouraged to come out to the clinic to learn about VA programs and services during the 1 to 5 p.m. open house and then stick around for the 3 p.m. arrival of the Red Sox and the World Series trophies.“Having the Red Sox join us is a fabulous way to reach more Veterans in Pittsfield in receiving the medical coverage they have proudly earned,” said John Paradis, public affairs officer for VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.  The system, based in Leeds, Mass., operates a VA medical center in Leeds and VA clinics in Pittsfield, Greenfield, Springfield, Fitchburg and Worcester.  The Pittsfield clinic provides medical appointments, medical screenings and preventive care as well as mental health outpatient services.
The “100 Acts of Kindness” program is an important theme for VA.  In 2011, VA community volunteers contributed more than 35,421 hours of service to VA patients in central and western Massachusetts, including thousands of hours of community service at the Pittsfield clinic.
“We’re looking forward to a fun day with our Veterans in Pittsfield, talking about VA programs and services while celebrating with the Red Sox organization,” said Paradis.
Veterans who are not currently enrolled for VA benefits are encouraged to bring their DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” as well as current financial and medical insurance information to the open houses to assist counselors with determining individual eligibility for VA benefits. VA counselors will assist veterans to complete eligibility and enrollment applications.“The goal of our open house is to increase awareness about VA and other benefits and services available to Veterans in Pittsfield, and to assist with applying for these benefits,” said Roger Johnson, director of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, whose staff including members of the Pittsfield clinic will be supporting the open house.In addition to primary care and overall VA health benefits, programs at the Pittsfield open house will include services for combat Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan; Women’s Health; Mental Health services and treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder; assistance for Veterans with diabetes; VA nutrition and exercise programs; support to family caregivers; and home-based primary care services.“If you served in the Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge, you may qualify for health care benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Johnson. “Veterans and their family members are invited to attend so they can learn about VA health care eligibility and enrollment and available health care services.”Of particular interest will be specific information available for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Operating Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom combat Veterans can receive cost free medical care for any condition related to their service in the Iraq/Afghanistan theater for five years after the date of their discharge or release.

THE PLANET thanks John Paradis and Bill Sturgeon for their help with this announcement.

——————————————————-

AS HARD AND AS LONG AS WE HAVE WORKED AND PLAYED, TEDIUM HAS NEVER BEEN AN ALLY. WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND BOREDOM OR THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE SO. IF YOU ARE ‘BORED’ YOU ARE NOT LIVING YOUR OWN LIFE. HAPPY MONDAY.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
11 years ago

PEDA is funded by GE. The goal of PEDA is to help GE, NOT Pittsfield. The caps on PCBs don’t last forever. After a period of time, the caps on PCBs become useless and the toxic waste that causes cancer in local residents continues to spread. But hey, Pittsfield has new cultural attraction on North Street.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
11 years ago

I am a Disabled Veteran who served our country Honorably in the Army. I go the VA Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire, for my medical treatment. I feel fortunate to receive my Veterans benefits. I question Pittsfield’s Jack Downing because he heads a Veterans organization, but he is NOT a Veteran. But I hear that Jack Downing does a lot of good work for Veterans in Western Massachusetts. I hope that Jack Downing is a good man who has the best interests of Veterans at heart. Jack Downing never helped me personally. Jack Downing doesn’t like me because his close friend Carmen Massimiano does not like me. I wonder how Jack Downing would treat me if I still lived in Pittsfield instead of Amherst, New Hampshire. I liked Pittsfield’s Veteran rep. Larry Caprari. He helped me with my VA case. It is too bad that Jimmy Ruberto made him retire because Larry Caprari helped a lot of local Veterans. I don’t think Ruberto ever served in the military, but I read that Dan Bianchi served in the military. I am happy to read that Pittsfield is devoted to its Veterans. Pittsfield is where I came to when I was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 2001. I moved to New Hampshire with my family in 2004. Dan Valenti is a good man for advocating for Veterans.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
11 years ago

Thanks for your service Jonathan, in advance of Memorial Day.

Just a thought
Just a thought
11 years ago

I am in full agreement With regards to the level rudeness
Dr. Namin mentions and as reported in your post Dan. Rudeness seems to freely abound from several members of the comm’ on a very regular and predictable basis.

Dr. Narmin is so right, such rudeness and heavy handedness sets the tone for the entire district. As one who has been victim of such let me assure you such a tone is alive and well in the district. Viewing a school comm meeting on T. V provides numerous examples from the same offenders time and time again. Don’t get me wrong, in fairness there are some good folks present. But in general the ‘ rude mob squad’ usually over shadow them.

Can you just imagine what some of them are like in session behind closed doors?

Guess the answer to that does not have to be left to the imagination when one recalls how a PHS student resigned from the comm’ this January. He resigned on the grounds of the poor display of behavior by some in closed session.

Heck, when the kids in our school system are setting an example for some of the adults running the schools and the kids are choosing to step away, we know we are in serious trouble. By making such a comment I mean no disrespect to the young man who took this action. He has my vote to be chairman of the comm’ , with him at the helm a civil mature conversation would be possible and progress could be made. People would have the opportunity to present an idea for consideration and would not be told when they could speak or answer a question.

Such childish bickering would perhaps be amusing if taking place over a toy on the playground, but instead it is taking place between adults in charge of some 70 million of the city’s dollars. That’s only 3/4 of the total city budget. Not to mention the ultimate charge ‘the rude mob squad’ has… To educate our citiy’s kids.

djusty
djusty
11 years ago

For a candidate for superintendent of schools to publicly say he was treated rudely is revealing. He obviously was not going to do as Barbalunga wanted him to so he had no chance in hell of getting the job. The successful candidate for this job will be a follower, quite pliable and clay like so that Barbalunga can mold him or her into the puppet the GOB wants so they can control the huge budget. And that is what it is really all about.,,,,control of almost 100 million dollars of the mega bloated budget that is sucked with force out of the ignorant taxpayers.

An in depth audit of the last several school budgets should be done by an independent firm. Pittsfield is not going to stop the malfeasance without exposing the sickness within.

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  djusty
11 years ago

Namin was apparently already making $150k. He may have been insulted by the school committee, but there was never a chance that he was going to come to Pittsfield for a pay cut.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Wilson
11 years ago

That assumes that his prior employer was in compliance with the contract.

Richard Arnold
Richard Arnold
11 years ago

P E D A has been getting a good deal of money with next to no results for 14 years of trying to get business in Pittsfield. And how about the building that they put up it is terrible . As for looking for a new superintendent I think that should be given to some other group or person that knows what they are doing.

Richard Arnold
Richard Arnold
11 years ago

P E D A has been getting a good deal of money with next to no results for 14 years of trying to get business in Pittsfield. And how about the building that they put up it is terrible . As for looking for a new superintendent I think that should be given to some other group or person that knows what they are doing.

taxmano
taxmano
11 years ago

Has anyone seen the vitriolic posts on topix purporting to give the real dish about Jake’s resignation? if true, interesting–if not, probably legally actionable.

Blue man
Blue man
Reply to  taxmano
11 years ago

Yeah ! I did see the Topix posts kinda unreal what’s on there.

Makes you wonder what’s really going on in the school system. I guess, it is worth asking around though. I’d hate to think of our schools having some monster ( figurative or literal) assocated with it. I I guess, we can all learn a lot from Stockbridge, how an employee went unchecked for so long in the Stockbridge school. I guess the guy was abusing kids but really everyone thought he was a great guy. It came out in the paper two weeks ago.

Knocking Dan
Knocking Dan
11 years ago

Anyone watch the Celtics game Saturday from the Garden? Did you noticed the hero of the Little Guy, Valenti himself, with a practically courtside seat at the press table? How does one get seats like that without being everything DV pretends to rail against? as for Peda, I disagree. Much has been done. Site had been cleared, cleaned, and now construction is beginning. Peda, its board, and Mr. Thurston have been doing a great job.

Scott
Scott
Reply to  Knocking Dan
11 years ago

I like the poem and it rings true today even though it was written long ago. Two of my favorite things right now are “You can not tailor your situations to fit your attitude but you can tailor your attitude to fit you situations.” Zig Zigmond

and in the in the spirit of mothers day. “It is because I feel that in the heavens above the angels whispering to one another can find among their burning terms of love none so devotional then that of mother” Edgar Allen Poe.

I’m not touching the PEDA site you all have nailed it I don”t care where you ate or what game you watched where and rudeness from city officials I’m stunned! I live in Pittsfield my kids don’t go to school here for those who do GET INVOLVED!

Just a thought
Just a thought
11 years ago

In response to above post

-Knock, Knock

Who’s There?

A PEDA supportor who wants to ‘Knock Dan’ for simply asking questions about the actions of a PEDA board who spend millions of dollars in our city like they are playing a monopoly game.

Scott
Scott
Reply to  danvalenti
11 years ago

I know it’s a very beautiful thing written by a typically dark writer. If it’s off at all I apologize as I was going from memory. I have read just abut everything he’s ever written some more then once. Remember what he wrote about Fortunato and his thousand injuries but when he ventured upon insult he vowed revenge…

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  danvalenti
11 years ago

No Problem Dan,
However you give me too much credit, it took little to see through his Swiss cheese argument.
Keep up the good work though.

levitan
levitan
11 years ago

That DH Lawrence poem is kind of silly.

Something there is that doesn’t like a fence.
Something there is that does.
If something doesn’t like a fence,
Then something is there that will take it down hence.

Hebert Hebert
1895

levitan
levitan
Reply to  danvalenti
11 years ago

ok, I cite lines 2,3,4,and 5 as silly. The rest is a good start.

levitan
levitan
11 years ago

But…happily for Mr. Lawrence, his self-abhorrence was mitigated by an even greater disgust with everyone around him.

dusty
dusty
11 years ago

Is Barbalunga accountable to anyone or is playing God on his own? His little fiefdom needs to be curtailed come next election if it is not too late.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  dusty
11 years ago

It’s too late. Kind of like kudzo. Once it takes root, it’s impossible to dig out.

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  dusty
11 years ago

Yeah- He is very accountable. He works in our court system. He has to answer and report to a lot of bosses, but mainly he reports to Cliffy Nilan.

OMG ! forget I said that, I just realized how stupid I am for saying that . Is there any way to delete the post. I just made a total fool of myself. Someone please help me save my credibility.

tito
tito
11 years ago

all I know is BOnanza is the most violent show on tv.

tito
tito
11 years ago

Just saw the BArry mAson ie BArry SCHeck inquisition, although his style was a little jaded,Barry had the right to ask the questions.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
11 years ago

I think Mr. Barbalunga is out of control. What happened to the investigation of a Judge wanting him fired another wanted him suspended, then he is moved out of North Adams, to a promotion in Gt. Barrington.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  CONCERNED
11 years ago

I noticed that too. All things loose slide towards a committee.

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  CONCERNED
11 years ago

Agree, Alfie B’ needs to move on. Perhaps we could do a ‘whip around of a hat at PEDA’ for Alfie. I am sure the way they throw money around we could easily pay for a long stint at the new ‘caveman finishing school rehab’ I just heard about out in CA

It was recently opened by Gieco after a judge in a class action lawsuit ruled in favor of cavemen from all over the county when they sued Geico. The cavemen said that Geico’s ad campain depicting cavemen as ‘stupid’ had seriously damaged caveman all over the country. ‘My life was ruined, reported one caveman in the suit’ who wished for his name to be withheld. No one ever took me seriously again and no one would employ me.

I would hate to see that happen to Alfie. It’s the least we could do for him , to give him a shot in the next chapter of his life.

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  Just a thought
11 years ago

Any one know of a good ‘ finishing school’ for women? I was just thinking, it would be unfair if we helped Alfie out and didn’t do anything for Kathy. She needs help too, rudeness becomes so difficult to treat the older you get. She deserves a chance though. It would only be fair.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Just a thought
11 years ago

You know, I think you have a good point.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Just a thought
11 years ago

When you see smucks like this running our schools you begin to get an idea why smart, forward thinking parents opt out of Pittsfield public schools. They are the face of the system and after watching them you have a pretty good idea why the local school system sucks so bad. The leadership is so self serving that the kids never have a chance and parents can now see this quite clearly. Alf is the last poster child we needed to represent the Pittsfield public school system if we wanted to give it a better image.

Scott
Scott
Reply to  dusty
11 years ago

Did you vote???

tito
tito
11 years ago

What’s it all about…Alfy.

Dee
Dee
11 years ago

Just curious about a couple things….. who would order a forensic audit of PEDA and/or the school department. Obviously with a school budget of approx. 82 M for 6500 students it seems extremely high with not a lot of payout. Roughly 12.5K a year per student for high school. It would be less expensive for Pittsfield to send the students to St. Joe (St. Marks, etc.) which only costs 6,900 per year and the kids get an excellent education. So, why does it cost so much more in public schools? It is that perhaps the parochial school system has figured out how to deliver to most with the least?

I would also be interested in seeing how much surrounding towns/cities pay for education per year, how many students they have and what the per student breakdown is.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Dee
11 years ago

For a forensic analysis, you need to appeal directly to G-d and wait in line. No one else is available at this time.

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  levitan
11 years ago

That should not be a problem…. We have a number of G-ds in the city. Which one do you want me to ask?

Luxor Rex
Luxor Rex
Reply to  Just a thought
11 years ago

Well, we have a number of self-serving, idiotic bureaucrats, starting with school committee, minus Mr. Kinnas and Mayor Bianchi.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Just a thought
11 years ago

What do I look like, a priest?

Just a thought
Just a thought
Reply to  Dee
11 years ago

It would be nice to have some Kind of audit, I agree. I don’t know much about this, but let me add what I do know. Special Ed services do greatly drive up any Public school budget. Ironicailly, Dr. Namin had a good track record in this area,but after the way he was treated by the school comm’ no amount of money could have convinced him to come to Pittsfield. Regardless of the lame story we got that the comm’ rejected him.

In fairness to your point about private school such as St Joes cost less per pupil you have a point. However, private schools have no legal obligation to educate Special needs kids. That fall on the public school. I am not talking just kids who need a little extra help, but the kids who have profound disabilities. For some kids the school is legally responsable to pay for all types if serviices, such as OT, PT speech thearpy, one on ones, computers, sound systems in the classroom. The list goes on, it adds up fast, and then some kid’s needs can’t be met in a regular setting. So the district is responsible for the cost of a special school.

When I worked in Maryland, they had some unique was to cope with this financial burden, maybe PPS could learn them.

tito
tito
11 years ago

Where is Bill Dana when you need him?

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
11 years ago

Dan: Haven’t seen Nancy on in awhile hope she is ok

levitan
levitan
Reply to  danvalenti
11 years ago

I think she is mad.

bobbyd
bobbyd
11 years ago

Your facts are a tad off regarding Bianchi and Kinnas and their respective stands. Whether or not they wanted to hire, the vote was ONLY to move him forward in the process. That would mean that both parties would conduct a site visit to learn more about one another.

It amuses me that you refer to Mr. Kinnas as an “independent member of the school committee.” He is a well-known contrarian whose thinking is anything BUT independent. (Which also explains the unquestioned acceptance he generally receives here.)

Blue man
Blue man
Reply to  bobbyd
11 years ago

Bobby

Mr. Kinnas made this very clear in a prior post. ( try keep up)

Also, if I was Mr. Kinnas I would be deeply flattered to be called a ‘ ‘ well known contraian’ considering the collective mind of the GOB ‘Sink Tank’ AKA the school comm’ of Pittsfield Schools.

Personally, I would be deeply shamed and insulted if my capacity to conduct myself along with my ability to make reasonable and logical judgements were ever cast in the same realm as the school comm’ GOB ‘ Sink Tank’.

II know I can’t speak for Mr. Kinnas, but if I was in his shoes, I would wear proudly as a BADGE of honor what you consider Bobby , to be an insult by calling Mr. Kinnas a ‘well known contraian’

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Blue man
11 years ago

bobbyd is either Alf or one of his minions

Scott
Scott
Reply to  bobbyd
11 years ago

And you’re taking a contraian position here weird…

Bill Sturgeon
Bill Sturgeon
11 years ago

Dan: Thanks so much for plugging the VA event to be held on Eagle Street, Friday, May 18th from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Jonathan,
thanks for your service,”Brother”.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother…” Henry V Billy Shakespear

tito
tito
11 years ago

Gotta have NAncy!

bobbyd
bobbyd
11 years ago

There is more than a subtle difference between “contrary” and “contrarian”.

I will stick with my original assessment and distinction of Mr. Kinnas as contrarian based on many years of observation.

Trust me, I am no fan of Mr. Barbalunga or of the Pittsfield GOB. But I have no more respect for the pseudo-intellectual rantings of an individual whose only agenda is to belittle the majority in order to inflate his own misplaced self-esteem. I’m sure there’s a diagnosis in there somewhere.