By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014) — While we have a moment, allow us to catch up on some back mail that came in recently, which we are publishing here for the first time. The first letter is actually a copy of a letter sent a few days ago by Charles Garivaltis, former city councilor, school committee member, parks commissioner, and mayoral candidate.

Garivaltis’ Words prove Prophetic

Dear Mr. Mayor:

I was a candidate for an at-large seat summer of 2003. The Eagle ran my release Aug. 13, 2003 pertaining to what I saw as a major drug problem “coming our way” if we did not take action. My message was big city drug gangs are targeting Pittsfield because of our location and naivete thinking we are immune because of our isolation. They are not here at this time but they are coming. Of course, I lost my election that year .One does not win elections n Pittsfield by stepping on big toes and pompous personalities. The usual thing, the big fish (empty suits) in a small pond( Pittsfield), convinced folks they, meaning the pros, had things under control and Chuck G. did not know what he was talking about. Here’s my release published by the Eagle 10 years ago. Was I wrong?

Garivaltis:  City has become drug hub

Pittsfield – The city’s geographical proximity to large cities and its rural location may have combined to make Pittsfield a “hub” of a drug distribution system in Vermont, New Hampshire, Western Massachusetts, and areas of eastern New York state, said city candidate Charles P. Garivaltis.

Garivaltis, who is seeking election to an at-large seat on the City Council , said that if he is elected, he will seek to have the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration establish a field division in Pittsfield.

Currently, Garivaltis said, the DEA maintains field divisions in Boston, New Bedford, Cape cod, Worcester, Logan Airport, Lowell and Springfield.

“These field divisions help local law enforcement in identifying primary illicit drugs of concern, the violence associated with the trade, and the violence of trafficking through their areas of responsibilities”, Garivaltis wrote in a prepared statement.

 “They are not desk agents. These men walk in neighborhoods where drug activity takes place and talk to folks in the neighborhoods. They work with the area team. There is a federal office building in Pittsfield, so space for the DEA field division will not be a problem. The DEA picks up the full cost so local taxpayers will not pick up the tab.”

End of release as written in the Eagle Aug. 13, 2003.

Now here’s my point. When I wrote this piece gangs had not established a foothold in Pittsfield.  Now we have a major problem. Gangs, guns, and violence are here. And our leaders are  silent.  I don’t know if the Drug Enforcement Administration has programs and resources of a decade ago. But I do know we have a problem and there is no trouble and no expense asking the feds if they can help us out.Don’t wait until our community reputation is destroyed or innocent citizens are shot dead. The hour is late.

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Bianchi’s Gags His Staffers

I can tell you anonymously that Bianchi wouldn’t let any of City Hall’s staffers talk to the press without his permission. — Scoop Jackson

PLANET RESPONDS: This came in to us from a fellow member of the media. Our source confirms something that we had suspected. Of course, when the mayor’s stooges fail to respond to our requests, we just go to our many alternate sources within the building (and outside the building).

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FROM MAYOR BIANCHI’S FACEBOOK PAGE, Sent in By One of Our Spies

“I enjoyed the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market – and Story Time- this past Saturday.” — TES

While crime threatens to turn downtown Pittsfield into a ghost town, Mayor Bianchi shows aggressive respose. Here, he reads to a handful of disinterested children at the Farmers’ Markets. No parent has of yet filed child abuse charges. (Photo: Mayor’s Facebook page)

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Sabouring Hiring ‘Galling’

The hiring of the 7th grade english teacher [Julia Berkowitz Sabourin by Mayor Bianchi as his new “director of administrative services”] was galling.  She did not meet the minimum qualifications posted for the job (did others who applied?). In New York State, anyone appointed must meet the minimumn qualifications.  Gonna be interesting to see who can meet the minimum qualifications for ED at Berkshire Works and if qualified people have applied. It is likely that the insider doesn’t meet the stated minimum quals of the position. They can get away with that so long as no other applicant does meet them.  The director of admin services certainly didn’t meet the mimimum of 5 years of senior municipal experience. Oh well. I would expect that affirmative action could demand a review of all applicants for any job to ascertain that affirmative action is being effected. — Denise

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School Pitch is Hollow

[Ward 6 city councilor] John Krol has frequently used his radio show to promote a new high school. Had [school committee member] Tony Riello on yesterday assisting with the pitch. Part of John’s logic is that a new school would decrease the number of school choice students opting out and increase the number opting in. I’ve been to both Mt. Greylock and Monument Mountain recently and those schools are no better than Taconic. It’s not the school, the bricks and mortar, or the  building’s environment that are driving school choice decisions. It’s the criminal environment. Until we can get a handle on the crime and drugs, 100 new schools won’t help. Not an easy task, however. — Schoolmaster

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Thanks for Planet’s ‘Watchdog-like Approach to Journalism’

I would like to thank you for your watch dog like approach to journalism as it applies to Pittsfield issues and in particular the Nick Caccamo piece.  Because of your coverage and my exposure from some of your dedicated followers, I was discovered.  The Mayor (TES) offered me the Data Analysis Coordinator position formerly held by Nick Caccamo.  Although the pay level isn’t the 88 to 99K range of the Berkshire Works gig,  he suggested  a $75K range, which would be acceptable.  The challenge of doing something for “the children” and “giving  to something to the community” was just too much for me to resist. The only stipulation was that my sporadic postings of your blog would have to cease.  I will be following the Planet faithfully but not be able to post!! — Officer Joe Bolton

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The Empty Suit, Sheriff Cooley: Separated at Birth?

I actually wanted to check it out and see if there was a real resemblance, because there are a handful of people who joke that Bianchi looks like Sheriff Cooley (the metaphorical devil character in Oh Brother Where Art Thou – the Cohen Bros. film loosely based on The Odyssey) when he wears those sort-of creepy sunglasses. — Derek

Sheriff Cooley as Bianchi?

Bianchi, in “creepy” sunglasses, as Sheriff Cooley? Mark Miller is seen at right.

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‘Generalissimo Has Legs’

The Generalissimo has legs. Another entertaining show. The wimp doesn’t have guts to to come out of his hole to say hello. — Groundhog

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Berkshire Works Job Posting Fishy

Regarding the one-week posting for the $86K to $94K Berkshire Works job, I can’t believe that there is such a bald political move… not even cover of posting/interview.

Are there no posting requirements of municipal jobs in Massachusetts?  No Affirmative Action considerations of the announcement?  For a $90,000 a year job, there is aone week posting but for a nurse, the posting went up mid-May to close in mid-June. Ironically, Berkshire Works is supposed to help employers find good workers. Apparently they don’t as a matter of course post jobs in other areas of media. Go figure.

I worked in government at local, regional and statewide levels for 40 years and this is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.  Ms this a municipality or monarchy?

What makes this so galling is the firing of Barrett, the blatant politcal choice of Monterosso, and now, strike 3 , what is likely to be another an amateur in the field of employment. No wonder Berkshire Works is so reviled by its “consumers.” — I love it… it reminds me of north korea banning outside information… it is almost funny. —I love it… it reminds me of north korea banning outside information… it is almost funny. — Allan Rossi

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Tourism Director Appointment ‘Very Confusing’

City has selected Jennifer Glockner to be new Director of Cultural Development as the City said that she has been the City’s Tourism Director in the past. The fact is that the Tourism Commission is run by volunteers and it has never had a paid Director… which is very confusing. In the Bizzaro World of Pittsfield Politics and City of Pittsfield Employment, if a woman with a BA in Journalism and no artistic experience can land a job as the Director of Cultural Development, than why can’t an artist with thirty years of management experience qualify and get a job as the Executive Director of Berkshire Works Career Center…hey… maybe this time around I’ll get an interview.

As George Coztanza says ” just do the opposite!” — Da Kooning

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Frieri Compensation ‘A Real Sin’

Pittsfield’s budget has my old friend Ms. Frieri earning 50K. She also makes $6,700 from Dalton, $1,100 from Richmond and an unknown amount from Lenox. Richmond’s website also instructs users to contact her at Pittsfield City Hall. So, she conducts Richmond’s vets business using Pittsfield’s office, phones, heat, light etc. Sadly, she earns more than our very competent city clerk and way more than the very competent assistants in the clerk’s office. That’s the real sin here. — Sinbad

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J-Lo Asking for Pay Hikes for Himself, School Committee?

Question? I’m I correct in hearing [Ward 5 councilor] Jonathan Lothrup is asking for the councilor’s as well as School Committee to get raises? After the city resident’s have been getting nothing but increases in taxes by this administration!?! Do they get it? The city youth and the ones they touch at graduation cerimonies LEAVE!!! Nothing for them here, leaving behind an older population with no new business to grow, just assisted living and Arts!  And we aren’t getting raises for the pay increases they pass … but they are?? I’m born and raised here in Pittsfield and I’m paying more while getting less. They work for us! They should do the same.

Thanks for listening to my rant! — Rant Paul

THE PLANET RESPONDS: They funny thing, Rant, is that they DO work for you, that is, We the People. It’s just that most of “you” have left them alone to their deeds, without accountability. Every single time, when The People leave politicians alone, they (The People) get screwed. It’s a fact of life.

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‘Not Only a Phony but a Turncoat too’

Did I miss something on the hot dog man?  The last time I talked to Ernie, he said that Bianchi was smart enough to say hello to him and more less go out of his way to greet him, and then he offered his prediction on the next mayor. If this is so, Bianchi is not only a phony but a turn coat too.

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‘Bring Health Insurance Premiums in Line with Real World’

If the mayor could bring health insurance premiums in line with the real world, that alone would be worth millions. I say “that alone,” but in all honestly it would be an all-consuming year-long campaign (involving communication skills and charm that he probably lacks) to pull it off. But then, gee, you could say you did something. — Ward Cleavage

THE PLANET RESPONDS — We agree. If the mayor managed to whittle the ruinous 85-15% split down in favor of taxpayers, that alone would be a fine legacy. What are the odds, ladies and gentlemen?

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Burlington VT School Budget a Model (and a Lesson) for Pittsfield

Burlington VT school budget. About the same size as Pittsfield. They are proposing a decrease. How does that happen? My best guess is that Burlington’s total budget is about 130 million. They seem to do OK there.

http://district.bsd.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/2383192/File/Budget/4_29_14%20Budget%20Presentation.pdf?sessionid=ffb01e57ba7d38e0e0fc8f19bd1d735c

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These represented but a few of the many letters than have come over the transom. We thank all for their participation in the marketplace of ideas.

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“She knew how to please me, / She black-eye peas me / Made Elderberry wine.” — Elton John, “Elderberry Wine,” from the album, “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player.”

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.