By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED AND FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF ALL OTHERS: Here is a direct link to Planet Valenti Television — PV-TV. You will find all four episodes for viewing in their entirety.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjP38gC2WQcYx71Cz0tjwoQ/feed

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(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014) — First, let’s share this information on the “Rest of the River” plan, which deals how the feds, the EPA, and other affected parties will deal with the cleanup of the Housatonic south of Pittsfield.

The proposed cleanup plan for the GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River site, which consists of a draft modification of the reissued RCRA permit and a Statement of Basis, is now available on-line at www.epa.gov/region1/ge.     Copies are being printed and will be available later this week at most town halls in Connecticut and Massachusetts along the Housatonic River.  The public comment period is June 25 – Aug. 8, 2014, and a public hearing date will be scheduled. Details about how to submit comments are in the plan and on the website.

WE THE PEOPLE DO GET IT, APATHY NOTWITHSTANDING

There’s widespread resistance and objection to the direction the city has taken under its current mayor, its school committee, and its council. Don’t confuse apathy for ignorance. The people of the city get it all right, but far too many of them are either working two and three low-pay jobs to stay afloat and therefore don’t have time for the “luxury” of participatory government or they have been so beaten down by The Suits that they have a “why bother” attitude.

YOUR TAX DOLLARS, being sucked down the wormhole.

There is NO DOUBT in our minds here on THE PLANET that a tinder-ous, highly flammable element of political dissatisfaction and disgust lives within the civic hearts of the vast majority of good citizens. THE PLANET also believes that under the right condition, that tinder can be ignited to produce a firestorm that will end the insanity. In all honesty, we cannot say we are hopeful of finding the exacting particulars that will set off the explosion. Nonetheless, the potential is there, and we shall continue to experiment.

MAke no mistake, though. The People “get” it. Here are two recent posts received on THE PLANET to illustrate that assertion. They are reflective of similar thoughts expressed directly or indirectly to THE PLANET by the various means of communication. These two messages are, therefore, indicative of a larger population. They can reasonably stand in for the rest. THE PLANET presents them as written:

The first is from Dusty:

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IF TES’ budget were a person, it would look like this bloke.

The bottom line is that Pittsfield is a bad investment for a young couple starting out their lives, family and future. You cannot get ahead financially when you wallet is bleeding from a huge hole in it in the form of govt taxes and fees. It would be one thing if this tax money was being spent to better your live in a significant manner but fancy pocket parks and self watering planters are not really the answer. And do you want to send your child to school in Pittsfield? Before you answer perhaps you should talk to the parents who have decided to send their children elsewhere. And these parents by the way include teachers and administrators in the very school system they oversee.

This is a city whose roads you might not want to take your horse and buggy over lest your horse twist an ankle. This is a city who has been wrestling with their North street parking problem for 30 years and is still hiring consultants to state the obvious.

This is a city whose city council has members elected with the help of special interests and whom work diligently for them and not the tax paying citizens they vowed to honorably represent.

This is a city in debt which continues to spiral wildly out of control and if you own a home or business and are not on the discounted, friend of the govt list, you will bleed cash trying to prop it up.

If you are a senior without a closet full of old money it is just a matter of time be fore you cannot afford to pay these taxes and your home will be taken.

People should include in their disaster planning just what their options are should the city of Pittsfield swallow them up. Obviously many are, as the wiser of them have or are making plans to try their luck elsewhere. Do your homework people and don’t wait till it is too late. You owe it to your family not to bog them down in a low percentage future.

This is a public service message..of sorts

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Dusty’s post was immediately answered by this, from A clockwork orange:

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The whole logistics of Pittsfield politics amounts to legal larceny.

“Vote them out” sounds good on paper but the reality is that election after election, years after years, the bleeding goes on. It does not matter what a candidate promises when running because once they get elected, they tow the line.

The mass exodus requires that you sell your home and transfer the burden to someone else. Who really owns your home? Don’t pay your taxes and you will find out.

The elderly who have made Pittsfield their home all their lives are in essence trapped as the task of pulling up stakes and moving onto greener pastures can be quite daunting. If the city does not take their property, the cost of health care and nursing homes surely will.

The young people with half a brain have already left or are in the process of leaving. The tax base is running on fumes of what money is left from General Electric’s presence.

The Mayor and city council truly do not care about the people of Pittsfield. I don’t think anyone will be able to say “didn’t see that coming” once the city of Pittsfeld files bankruptcy.

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Pittsfield’s pathetic mayor and the rest of The Suits think you’re stupid, people, but THE PLANET knows better. We know you “get” it.

What’s harder to get is a clear understanding on mayor’s proposed FY15 budget. Is it $148 million disguised as $141 million? That would seem to be a non-sensical question, but there appear to be “funny things” happening with this budget. Folks. Be on guard. They may be trying to put one past you.

THE PLANET, within the restrictions of both time and space being imposed upon us during a busy and productive stretch, shall continue to poke around.

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“Adieu, farewell earth’s bliss, / This world uncertain is; Fond are life’s lustful joys, / Death proves them all but toys. / None from his darts can fly. / I am sick. I must die.” — Thomas Nashe, “Litany in Time of Plague,” (1600).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.