PUMMELIN’ PAM NEXT UP AT BERKSHIRE WORKS? … plus … APPROPOS OF NOTHING: THIS ‘N THAT
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 11-13, 2014) — Recently, THE PLANET has exposed a triad of Pittsfield’s tricky-dick dealings. Three examples include the filling of the Highway Department job, the careless leakage of raw sewage into the river and on farmland, and the mayor’s Capt. Queeg press protocol. We broke each of these three stories, a trio of mound gems thrown by that ace twirler, The Empty Suit (TES). Today, we have one that, depending on how it turns out, may take the consequence of incompetence in those other three one toke over the line … and then some.
Executive Director opening at Berkshire Works, c’mon down! The spotlight is glaring. And is “The Fix?” Let us explore.
——– 000 ——–
After TES unceremoniously dumped Der Wunderbarrett, the best ED that BW could want given the circumstances, he went mucking in the corn-poned southern swamps and dug up a creature that turned working at Berkshire Works into something resembling a cheap monster movie.
“The Swamp Thing” apparently had his own ideas of proper etiquette in the workplace, one that included a spit cup for his tobacco juice.
After realizing that Berkshire Works would need yet another a new director, TES and his cohorts decided the best way to get the most qualified candidate would be to post the job for less than a week and not tell anybody. That way, apparently, they would have no problem going with another “Fix Is In” stooge. At least that is how it appears.
The grapevine flows with life-giving nectar.
——– 000 ——–
The Litmus Test
Sources say the posting of the job drew 13 responses. The mayor threw out the most qualified of them, we hear, and saved the rest for a political loyalty test. Each of the remaining candidates was dipped in shit, left over from the leakage at the water department. Anyone that didn’t turn green-brown survived the next round.
Along the way, we might add, THE PLANET shared a satiric close to a news story, that Ward 3 councilor Nick Caccamo — who had just quit his $50K-plus-bennies school department job, had been the next heir apparent at Berkshire Works. The story had the beneficent effect of shaming the mayor off of this possible direction.
Even Jane has Tarzan call (or is it the other way around?)
THE PLANET has since heard several names supposedly in the running for the Berkshire Works job, the most likely of which is Pummelin’ Pam Malumphy, a perennial hack who has become a sort of hatchet lady for The Empty Suit, especially on the Human Rights Commission, where she toys with that green young’n Josh Cutler so that the fine lad doesn’t know up from down. That’s why Bianchi wanted the ambitious kid in the chair’s seat. 2+ 2 = … well, you know the rest.
So is Malumphy on the inside track to the BW job? THE PLANET put in a request to her for comment. We asked her directly if the rumor has any basis in fact. As of press time, she had not responded. Does silence sometimes not speak for itself?
——– 000 ——–
Pummelin has one of the most desired qualities of all for a job like the Berkshire Works post: She won’t rock the boat while claiming not only that Bianchi’s chowder has no head lice but that, if it were canned and sold, would get him his own show on The Food Channel. She combines the blind loyalty of a Kool-Aid-drinking coat-holder with the claws of Cat Woman for anyone who peeps a discouraging word about “her mayor.” This of it as “Yes Woman Meets Ma Barker.”
Act surprised when Pam pretends she’s surprised at the “surprise” BW selection — if it happens. There is a remote chance that the hot rumor is just that. Given the more likely possibility that the rumor is true, perhaps our pre-empting the story will again scare the mayor away from this direction, too. Thus, if Malumphy gets the job or doesn’t get the job, THE PLANET will add another notch on the ivory handle of our Fanner 50. We can’t lose.
The Berkshire Works job is far too important to be given to a political hack who’s prior experience includes occupying a make-work “state economic liason” patronage job she got as a reward from the local Democratic Party. For what did the Dems reward Pam?
It was for her role of sacrificial lamb. Pummelin’ helped grease the skids for the set-up job that landed Chris Speranzo in the state legislature for an eye blink. With no chance to win, Pam ran in a race that also included a capable and viable candidate, Rhonda Sere, thus splitting the sizable women’s vote. The moment Pummelin’ took out papers to run in that race became the moment Speranzo was crowned king. Speranzo went on to defeat Terry Kinnas, the Republican candidate, who had topped Matt Kerwood in the Republican primary.
So the Pummelin’for-Berkshire-Works-Exec scenario would suggest that The Suits have at least considered her for the post …
… even if our coverage has succeeded in undoing a done deal before it got done and unfixing a “Fix” before it got fixed.
——– 000 ——–
Appropos of Nothing: This ‘n That
— Hans and Franz: Jim Conant and Franz Forster have been reappointed to the conservation commission. We don’t know about Hans, but Franz knows quite a bit about conservation. He’s the Significant Other of Pummelin’ Pam.
— Shuttle Diplomacy: With shootings, stabbings, beatings, drug wars, and many other forms of summer entertainment going strong in downtown Pittsfield, you can count on city officials to take decisive steps to deal with the mayhem. First, we have that Maytag Repairman of Mayors, TES Bianchi, responding by ordering decals on the sidewalks to keep bicyclists and skateboarders under control.
Decals, Mandrake. Decals.
Next, TES’ acting police chief, Mike Wynn, adopted a suggestion by the police advisory commission. Every Third Thursday, the city will deploy “downtown ambassadors.” Wynn says these folks will provide back-up to the sworn police officers. It’s sort of like the Barney Fife approach. On the Founder’s Day Parade in Mayberry, Barney would swear in Floyd, Gomer, and Otis. See: Barneys Gun.
— Having an Effect: Who says THE PLANET’s relentless coverage of the FY15 budget didn’t have an effect? While not cutting a dime from the mayor’s operating budget, our Right Honorable Good Friends on the city council at least rejected the mayor’s top-heavy capital spending plan. The council realized something the mayor doesn’t: Borrowed money comes at a heavy cost, especially when it isn’t needed.
— A Mouthful of Guano: Does Dan Bianchi savor the sucking of monkey glands by choice, or has his failure as mayor driven him to this lamentable habit? We speak rhetorically, of course, having in mind this mayoral gem, and we quote: “We’ve had a very collegial and cooperative budget process.” Quo est vomitorium?
— Tully and Moran Answer the Call: The Wards 1 and 2 councilors, Lisa Tully and Kevin Morandi respectively, came up big for taxpayers with their budget vote. They cast the city council’s two lone “nay” votes to the mayor’s fatted calf. They also were the only two councilors to hold a summit meeting with constituents to discuss pertinent city matters, including crime, and the budget. They duo held a joint 1-2 Summit at Allendale Elementary School on June 23. Well done, our Right Honorable Good Friends.
— For THAT, Pittsfield is Getting THIS? — Taxpayers are now paying a shade under $200,000 to run the mayor’s office. That’s before the mayor gets his 40% pay hike. What ever happened to truth in advertising?
Have a Happy!
————————————————————————————–
“Forgive these wild and wandering cries, / Confusions of a wasted youth; / Forgive them where they fail in truth, and in thy wisdom make me wise.” — Alfred Lord Tennyson, from “In Memorium,” (1850).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
One good quality of Pummelin’ Pam running the joint, no more sexual harassment/horseplay. This is because (1) not to mean, but who is Pummelin’ going to harass (Have you seen her)? (2) But she does swing a mean GOB hatchet, hence pummelin’.
How much are Wynns “downtown ambassadors” going to be paid? Probably won’t get an easy answer if you ask.
Do you know how the mayor can kick a field goal with this political football? Hire the most qualified applicant.
As much as I did not like mayor John Barrett’s arrogant attitude, I have to admit that he was qualified for the job. Serving as one the longest running mayors of any city in the US, he knows how to get things done and manage a city department, irregardless of his personality.
I agreed with Mayor Bianchi’s ousting of him initially but now after seeing how the mayor handled the personal matter of Monteroso, hind sight is 20/20.
I am sure that when you put politics aside, there is a candidate whose qualifications rise to the top.
Barrett isn’t qualified to flip burgers. He’s a phony hack that left North Adams in Shambles and swept all of the problems under the rug.
Ha, ha “sir may I ask a question?”
Volunteer Third Thursday Thug Thawarters……I can just imagine Gomer Pyle calling out “citizen’s arrest”…..”citizen’s arrest”
The Barney Fife clip is a laugh and so appropriate to Pittsfield! As for Pummelin Pam, I could see that as a fit (no pun intended). Another political hire. Just what BW doesn’t need.
Are these Ambassador’s qualified in crowd control? Will they be paid. Insured? What authority will they have? If a melee breaks out will they have radios? Is there an opening right now?Where does one apply?
Yes, walkie talkies would be so cool. Can we get chrome plated plastic star pins too? Can we huh can we?
How about secret decoder rings?
The police have better things to do than police the event. God forbid a police presence of only one or two officers at the event is asking too much.
And what if one of these rent-a-cop wannabees gets murdered, gunned down in the streets while on duty? Will the city of Pittsfield be liable for the funeral and burial with gun salute honors and a flag draped casket?
The Bloods, Crips and other street gang drug dealers and thugs don’t take kindly to narcs, snitches and rat finks. Hey, lets get some dumb private citizens to take a bullet so the police won’t have to.
Sorry Dan have to disagree with you about Tully & Morandi with there votes on the cities largest budget increase. How do you explain Tully sitting thru 10 hrs. of budget hearings, not suggesting one item to be cut or consolidated, voting yes on every department’s budget increase, and then voting against the budget in total. Can’t wait to see Tully’s re-election flyer… Vote for Lisa I voted against tax raises. Do you know any other past councilor that did the same thing? If you can guess the answer I have a nice Macanudo Gold Label Crystal Café I will send you.
As far as Morendi’s vote goes he did the same thing but only showed up for half the hearings.
you do the budget cutting at the beginning of the process not at the end vote. very easy to vote no when you know the majority is going to vote yes. put your chips on the table early and your ideas for change. we keep heading towards receivership. I applied sparkie for calling it like he sees that’s the problem in the city.we talk about the elderly and the struggling families and then do nothing about it our ppoliticians should be ashamed of themselives. they can’t see the forest for the trees.
Mrs Tully usually explains herself after the fact. I am sure she will tell us her version and it will all make sense.
Correction Mrs. Tully’s husband will make the explanation and she will try to follow the order….
There is a federal audit underway at Berkshireworks, a review of its performance. If tone is to be believed the feds (who are the ultimate funding source) will not tolerate the status quo.
In the name of open government, the public is entitled to know the canddiates for this position and their qualifications. If the Mayor is indeed choosing the best person for the job his choice should stand the test of public scrutiny.
Sparkie is absolutely right! And for once I agree with the Eagle saying that they were ‘grand standing”.
Not once did either of them make a motion during the budget sessions to “cut” anything. And then the big show for the final vote.
I was hoping that someone on the council would go after the health insurance paid by the city workers. Now that would really help the taxpayers.
I wonder if Tully’s husband is giving her advice?
If the budget did not pass, Tully would have changed her vote on the second go round.
As for Third Thursdays, years ago the city used the auxiliary police, a part of the Civil Defense Department.
During an event, like the parades or ethnic fairs, they were called out for duty. I was in the radio division and was called out with the auxiliaries at fire scenes or road closures.
They are volunteers and are unpaid.
This is a great resource the city has to call upon.
“As the world turns” in Pittsfield!
Dan, I recorded your show last night and I thought you did a great job on the wastewater treatment plant incident.
Bill, With all due respect.
The Great and the Least
The Rich and the Poor
The Weak and the Strong
In sickness and health
In Joy and Sorrow
In tragedy and triumph
You Are All My Children.
ALL MY CHILDREN
AS PITTSFIELD SPINS
A SOAP OPERA
A GREEK TRAGEDY
I disagree with Sparkie & Spider. Having the Council review the budget line item by line item is a feel good exercise for everyone to say we worked really hard and looked at everything and can’t find any savings. So now it’s ok to ram through a 5% increase to the taxpayers.
For the administration and the Eagle to say that the council must vote for the budget if they can’t come up with savings ideas themselves is irresponsible. If the council feels the budget increase is too high, they have a duty to vote against it, not to provide cost savings ideas. That’s the administration’s job.
Those 2 councilors weren’t grandstanding. They felt the budget increase was too much and voted the will of their constituents.
So Lenny you don’t believe it is the responsibility of your city councilor to investigate the line items on the budget? and not provide the administration with ANY input. Let me get this straight you think that it is O.K. to vote to approve every departments budget and then turn around and vote against every thing you just voted for? Really….
Bisque, Beads and Beyond is closing again.
http://www.iberkshires.com/story/46943/North-Street-s-Bisque-Beads-and-Beyond-To-Close-.html
Maybe Donna Rivers will be the new head of Berkshire Works!
I feel sad for the children, BB&B is the two time defending Best of the Berkshires, Best Kid’s Venue.
Lebron to Cleveland!
I Pittsfield continues to raise taxes by 5 percent every year under Mayor Dan Bianchi, then no one will be able to stay in their homes in Pittsfield.
Pittsfield politics = future financial insolvency!
North Adams was bailed out by the state government in the Massachusetts FY2015 state budget.
Pittsfield raised taxes by 5 percent in its FY2015 city budget.
I like Pam Malumphy because she stands up to people she believes are wrong about politics. Pam Malumphy even stood up to Pittsfield politics’ Good Old Boy former Mayor Jimmy Ruberto. Pam Malumphy stood up to Tricia Farley-Bouvier for her pro-life position as a Democratic Party politician. Pam Malumphy is an awesome politician! Go Pam!
http://www.jonathanmelleonpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/07/pam-malumphy-for-mayor-of-pittsfield.html
Blah, blah, blah Melle. In 2 months you’ll be bitching about her just like you do with every other Pittsfield politician. Worry about Amherst NH or whatever community it is that you’re leaching off these days.
TFB’s Pro-Life position, not necessarily shared by me, may well be her only position an anything (and she’ll never have to defend it.) It’s a credit to her if anything.
Pam would have done better by questioning how forcefully TFB would have represented Berkshire interests, though given it was her maiden launch there was no way to know just how ineffective TFB would be.
I am glad Tully and Morandi voted against the budget. I also don’t think it’s realistic to expect a councilor to scutunize all the department budgets during a one day marathon especially seeing how, once again, the budget was submitted to them very late in the process, which is just the age old political ploy to sneak it by them.
The department heads and mayor have almost a whole year to go through the budget and make the appropriate cuts – it’s their job to ensure the budget is properly done.
There is also no reason at all a councilor can’t vote against the whole budget based on principle, rather than trying to pour through each deparment’s budget.
Just the fact that the Eagle called it grandstanding is proof to me it was not that at all.
BOC….Tell me you’re joking…..if it’s ONLY up to the mayor and dept. heads to make cuts in the budget…..WHY DO WE HAVE A CITY COUNCIL? Just to look pretty?
At the ordinance & rules sub-committee the great all powerful wizard Melissa Mazzeo stated that the councilors had 10 days to examine the budget before the meetings giving them plenty of time to analysis, speak to department heads , and make any suggestion for reductions. I am sure she meant that Tully was excluded.
10 days is hardly enough time to go through a budget thoroughly, esp. one the size of the city (large town) of Pittsfield’s.
10 days should be plenty of time unless you are a mouth breathing moron.
The way it’s usually set up, at least on school committees, and the council I would think would be similar, is that it is the administration’s job to bring forth a responsible budget, and the council’s job to approve it on behalf of their constituency. The council members are not experts in each department. The department heads are. Council can probe, and ask questions about necessity, and question value, but the department heads have to justify. The council should hold each one’s feet to the fire, but it is not up to them to find and suggest line item cuts. In fact, in my opinion, that would be irresponsible. They should say Not a dime more than 2%, and make the administration come back with the suggested cuts to meet the number. i do believe though that anyone should see that the insurance split needs to change.
Well said. If I were a councilor I would make it known to the mayor, right now, that I would vote against any FY16 budget proposal unless it was a overall reduction from FY15.
Reduction is the only thing that will prevent a financial meltdown at this point.
So, if we can private citizens to do the work of the police, voluntarily free of charge, why stop there?
Let’s keep that gravy train a rollin all night long. Let’s get slaves (volunteers) to fill all the pot holes. Lord knows the overpaid city works won’t do it. All the kickbacks are gone now on that state of the art pothole machine, so isn’t it time to replace it with a new one? How much do we still owe on it? Was it in the budget?
Maybe we can get slaves to clean up the crap in the Hoosatonic also.
This way all city workers can rest. Maybe supervise the slave labor and tell what to do.
We can give them all fancy names and a certificate. The Mayor can cut a ribbon for them in their honor.
“Special Ops Interns” or something.
Slave Labor:
Why are you against making convicts perform labor during their incarceration?
I get it that making an economic model based on free labor, as happens in China, is dubious, but American Justice seeks reparations in either time or money. Laboring for little or no compensation can be seen as an opportunity cost for the convict that he hopefully will not forget for a very long time.
How about we just apply to stickers to all pavement to solve the problem.
Something like:
“Anyone causing a melee, snafu, conundrum, debacle, Boondoggle, ruckus or altercation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Per order of the Mayor’s office.”
…
Hey, if its working getting the juvenile delinquent skateboarders and bicycle riders off the street, (thee #1 problem on North St.) its good for the gander.
Well the budget bottom line was another disaster. DV your chart last night on PVTV was excellent. Taxpayers getting screwed again.
On Pummelin Pam man I sure hope not. That would be another lost cause for bw and for all the unemployed. Read your letter today on mayor’s gag order. Slam dunk for you in Bianchi’s face.
We understand that Lisa and Kevin adhered to the constituents request for lowered taxes, but the majority of constituents was for that also? So why would Barry say cuts should have been requested by the two councilors at the budget hearings,when in fact, all of the councilors were asked to do this?
What is wrong with the judges in Berkshire County? The state is pushing for new gun control laws when the ones on the books don’t get enforced.
PITTSFIELD — A city man has been sentenced to serve six months in jail for his role in a 2013 shooting that injured two teenagers.
Vincent C. Jennings, 24, admitted to being involved in the incident at 4 a.m. June 16, 2013, in the First Street Common in which two juvenile males, now 16 and 18, were shot.
No other arrests had been made in connection with the shootings.
One of the teens suffered a shattered pelvis and internal injuries. The other young man was shot in the leg. They were treated at Berkshire Medical Center for their injuries and were later released.
Jennings was one of a group of eight people wearing black hooded sweatshirts who were hanging out at the park just prior to the shooting, according to police and prosecutors.
A witness told police that although it was dark, they recognized Jennings when his face was lit up by a muzzle flash from his pistol.
Police said they recovered shell casings from the scene.
Jennings pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday to two counts of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Judge John Agostini ordered Jennings to serve six months of a two-year sentence in the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction. Jennings was also placed on two years’ probation on the condition he have no contact with the victims and stay at least 100 yards from their homes.
Two counts or armed assault with intent to murder and one count each of illegal possession of a firearm and of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building were dismissed at the request of the commonwealth.
Isn’t that nice JB to know if some punk shoots you he’ll do six months if you shoot him you’re a racist though.
and you are going to do 10 years for using YOUR gun.
What a message to send to the punks. Six months in jail just gives them credibility and adds to their macho image. They will be lining up for this.
Exactly dusty. The truth is I don’t want to ever shoot anyone but it’s clear there are plenty of those out there who wouldn’t give it a second thought and that’s scary. 6months is a total joke I’m calling the DA’s office on Monday to demand answers. Anyone who thinks just one more gun law will help and the police can protect us is delusional. If that was my kid that got shot I wouldn’t be happy with the disposition. Of course there may be other factors not reported. Like the witnesses weren’t going to testify and the ones who did write statements changed their story after. So they offer the guy 6 months cause it’s better than nothing and his ignorance apparently only goes so far.
Dusty,
G-d forbid you use your own gun in self defense, you spend the rest of your life savings defending yourself in criminal court and then civil court.
If you have a wife and kids, your best bet is to just hand your gun to the crook and ask him to shoot you.
Why is this not attempted murder? Did they mean to merely assault him with bullets?!
Clueless, I mean Capeless has a lot to do with charges being dropped and length of sentence…..maybe the gangs that terrorize Pittsfield have to show up at his house before he gets it…..he’s a moron.
I understand the reason former ward three councilor has not appeared in court is that the papers have been lost.
Only in Pittsfield.
If someone lost these papers it probably means they are due for a raise. What the hell? Give everyone at the courthouse a raise.
But like I said a week ago, when was the last time a local official paid a penalty for any wrongdoing? It just does not happen in Pittsfield.
Can’t the police just file new papers? Plus isn’t it all electronic now???
Well if the IRS can lose them I guess Pittsfield GOB can lose a few without a lot of fanfar. May be where they got the idea actually.
italia,
Where did this info come from? I was wondering what happened to those charges.
Thanks
I am sure the papers will be found eventually with the Lois Lerner e-mails.
Perhaps all political papers end up in the same place.
When Pam does’nt get the BW job, we can chalk it up to the Planet as another victory. Small one and all The Peoples wins are small these day…symbolic even..but at least its something.
Is it true that the judges in Massachusetts, even though they are state employees, contribute nothing to the state retirement system, they still able to draw full pensions when they retire. the state workers must love the fact that their weekly pension contribution goes in part to people who have never paid into the system. Just like welfare but it’s judgfare.
Dan,
Just caught your show on youtube.
Excellent.
Very happy to hear you are going to be running for Mayor of Pittsfield. You will be the first mayor of Pittsfield to have a 4 year term.
You forgot to mention the hot water Generalissimo got into for being an art critic. Or, maybe I just missed it.
Kamikaze pilots wore helmets eh? Did you know that states that use lethal injection as a death penalty use sterilized needles. God forbid the condemned man gets an infection.
Also, what does Global Mondello do? Is there any conflict of interest having a city mayor in their back pocket? Are they benefiting in any way? If so, does that not disqualify this mayor? If he is out of his office because his other job but needed as mayor, does that somehow not shortchange the citizens of Pittsfield who thought they elected a full-time mayor?
NELSON
Thanks. Glad you like the show.
Right. I realized that after the broadcast. Actually, The Generalissimo didn’t get into hot water at all. After Da Gen blasted the “decadent” artwork on the walls, the city took the paintings down! Next time I went into city hall, the paintings were gone., proving that The Generalissimo is to be feared … oops, I mean … loved. HE LOVES THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE LOVE HIM.
Inattention to best practices in medical procedures puts the profession on a slippery slope, NM.
Nice to know that I can assume my needles are clean, even if my doctor thinks I’m base.
If Pam got the job I would be for it and pleased. She would do a good job there. I for one hope the rumor is true.
The process should be transparent and if the goal is to appoint someone who really can lead the mission of the agency the mayor should appoint a committee of independent people – a business leader, a director of another career center, and a client of the center to provide open and independent rating of candidates.
The people of Pittsfield are paying the bill for this agency. The least the mayor can do is to ensure that the agency has effective, competent leadership.
Strongly disagree with this, Ronnie. Ms. Malumphy has long been the leader of the ‘dirty trix’ department of a certain wing of local Dem party.
If you don’t know that you dont know her or Pitts politics
Pam is a business “expert,” an ex-teacher, fundraiser, politician, and plitical ally of the mayor… how do these qualify her to lead an agency which has helping people find jobs? Her role in Pittsfield politics as one of the insiders makes the cronyism of this potential selection a blatant and arrogant assertion of political invulnerability to the needs of the people by the mayor.
..if anyone should know how to get a job it would be Pam, she certainly has had quite a few.
I heard that two long term employees of Berkshireworks are interviewing for the Executive Director position. It will be interesting to see if Pam is more qualified than the two internal candidates.