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MAYOR’s ALLEGED JOB THREAT TO FRIERI ILLUSTRATES THE ATMOSPHERE IN CITY HALL … plus … “100gate” — THE SIGN SAYS IT ALL

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY-WEDNEDSAY, AUG. 5-6, 2014) — THE PLANET shares our latest attempt at monitoring transparency in government. We can report that transparency has been mucked over by a plague of political locusts smashing against the windshield of accountability, leaving reddish-green streaks of smear intended to block the public’s view inside the corner office.

Like the friendly Shell service-station attendant of old, however, THE PLANET is here with the Windex and cloth.

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The background on this discussion is a verbotin July 18 appearance by city veteran’s agent Rosanne Frieri on John Krol‘s “Good Morning, Pittsfield” radio/TV show.

As you may know, appearances on Krol’s show by Pittsfield department heads have been forbidden by Mayor Dan Bianchi. Also on The Empty Suit‘s “enemies list” is Bill Sturgeon‘s radio show on WRRS (FM 104.3). The crackdown came concurrently with TES‘ gag order, unconvincingly disguised as a “media policy” forbidding any department head from talking with any reporter or media person without prior approval from either the mayor or his #2, Julie Sabourin.

A Job on the Line?

On that fateful July 18, Frieri went on with Krol. Shortly after, THE PLANET received word from credible city hall sources that prior to making her appearance on GMP, Sabourin sent Frieri an e-mail from “telling her not to go on Krol’s show.” Our sources said Frieri’s “job is on the line for defying the mayor’s wishes.” They further told us that “Melissa Mazzeo has abandoned her friend [Frieri] and Dan [Bianchi] can have at her if he chooses.”

THE PLANET subsequently filed a public records request with the city, asking for copies of any e-mails that Sabourin sent to Frieri during the week of July 14. We also asked for any e-mails Bianchi sent to Sabourin that same week.

On July 25, THE PLANET heard from Carol Nichols, city IT manager. Nichols sent us “one e-mail that complies with your request.” She also told us “that there are two other e-mails that fall within your time period,[sic] but are exempted from disclosure pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 4, Section 7, cl. 26, paragraph (c).” This law “exempts from disclosure any personnel and medical files or information.” Nichols says that “the two e-mails to which I refer fall within said statuatory exemption, and therefore, are exempt from disclosure.” We shall not speculate on these two missives.

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The mysterious Paul Gniadek, left, pictured with Catherine Taylor-Williams of The Wharton Salon, at The Berkshire Forum, Colonial Theatre, September 2010.

Incidentally, the document Nichols sent to us has nothing to do with the Frieri incident. It is a cryptic exchange on July 18 between a certain Paul Gniadek and the mayor.

We include it for the record. It concerns the Letter to the Editor Craig Gaetani published in The Boring Broadsheet.

An electronic search reveals that Gniadek is a financial adviser based in Pittsfield. Gniadek is a member of PHS Class of ’69, same as Bianchi. On the surface, this would suggest that the pair are old buds.

Gniadek does not appear to be a city employee. Various sites list him as CFO for Financial Freedoms LLC from 2007 to present.

On Jul 18, 2014, t 11:23 a.m., “Paul” (paul1023@gmail.com) wrote:

Can you respond to this rather lengthy article by Mr. Gaetani?

thanks, paul gniadek

Bianchi responds at 13:28:26 the same day to Paul, with Bruce Collingwood and Julia Sabourin copied:

“Subject: Re: 7/18/14 Eagle Editorial on our Water Filtration needs

We are working on it. Fill with false info. thanks Paul.

Sent from my iPhone

Question is why does Gniadek ask the mayor to respond to Gaetani’s editorial?

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Back to Frieri.

THE PLANET asked Mazzeo about the incident. Mazzeo said, “I actually listened to John’s show and though Rosanne did a good job of describing the veteran’s program she is trying to pilot. And given that Rosanne and I are friends, the mayor doesn’t share his thoughts about her [with me] or, for that matter, [about] other department heads.”

THE PLANET took that response as a deft spin move around what we asked MAzzeo, which — in the name of complete transparency — was the following:

I have from a reliable source that the mayor warned Rosanne Frieri not to go on Krol’s show … that she defied the mayor and went anyway … that she was wanted through an e-mail sent from Sabourin … that her job is now in jeopardy for defying the mayor … and that, according to the source, you have abandoned Frieri and withdrawn your support.

THE PLANET also requested comment from Frieri. She didn’t decline. She didn’t accept. We ignored our request. In other words, she’s been chastised and is keeping a low profile, which suggests her job is hanging by an angel’s hair.

We share this story to illustrate what it’s like these days to be working at city hall for this mayor. It’s not much fun, as you can imagine. The atmosphere is tense, with low morale and a general air of instability. Few in that building can stand their ultimate boss. The subsequent damage this poisonous atmosphere does for We the People remains incalculable.

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“100gate” — The Sign in Front of Us

In our continuing coverage of “100gate,” the only media outlet in the area that has dared to look underneath the slime, THE PLANET has contacted each city councilor. We asked if they intend to stand with councilors Barry Clairmont and Chris Connell in support of sending the mayor a list of relevant questions regarding his proposed move of 40% of city hall offices to 100 North St.

“Global Companies LLC, Dan Bianchi.” But wait, isn’t that guy supposed to be a “full time” mayor?

We heard first from Ward 5 councilor Jonathan Lothrop, who told us he would support the petition.

Give The Empty Suit this much: At least he isn’t trying to hide the fact that he has his offices at 100 North St., as you can see by the sign board in the lobby of the old First Aggie Bank building.

Call it truth in advertising.

As THE PLANET forced the mayor into admitting, despite holding a “full time” job as mayor, Bianchi still works for Global.

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Your mayor, The Double Dipper, in whose memory we compose these humble lines:

Double dipping, ’tis all in vain.

Throw the money against the wind,

and the wind blows it back again.

Every gem becomes a lie

reflected in the beams of TES.

Blown back, they blind the apathetic eye,

but still he will go down, we shall guess.

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“Face piles of trial with smiles. It riles them to believe that we perceive the web they weave.” — Moody Blues, from the album, “On the Threshold of a Dream.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Maybe the mayor feels that Mrs Frieri has been doing a lousy job anyway and is looking to get someone better. Or perhaps he has a friend in need of a job and wishes to create an opening. Ya never know with this guy. Is Caccamo still unemployed? It is not like the mayor can’t just bend the qualifications to meet the need.

Julius Ceaser
Julius Ceaser
9 years ago

Just remember every time you hit a pothole and knock your front end out of alignment or bend a tie-rod or damage your vehicle, that the city has no money to repair the roads.

The city does have money to reward FOBs (Friends Of Bianchi) with big fat raises and brand new rented offices at 100 North St.

Remember the whole reason you pay taxes is not for the basic needs of the city but to supply those connected with what “they” need.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Julius Ceaser
9 years ago

Caesar. ‘k’ is hard.

Spider
Spider
9 years ago

Great letter by Donna Walto in today’s BB about the move to 100 North St.

It’s that kind of thinking that we need in our next mayor. I wonder if she has intentions to run?

Dave
Dave
Reply to  Spider
9 years ago

I bet the Mayor hopes so.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Spider
9 years ago

I sure hope she runs.

levitan
levitan
Reply to  Thomas More
9 years ago

Sadly, she cannot run for at least 8 years. Politics of personal destruction are a force to be reckoned with.

Octavious Maximus
Octavious Maximus
9 years ago

Issue by decree:

Henceforth all property owners within the confines of the city of Pittsfield shall rent from the city: their property. The fleece (lease) rate shall be $16.00 per $1,000 of what the powers say its value is.

This fleece shall continue the rest of your natural born life. This will be passed onto your children and their children for the duration of time they choose to live in the confines of the boundaries of the city of Pittsfield.

Should you choose to ever transfer your property to another, you may do so only after all back and current taxes have been paid in full.

This rate of $16.00 per $1,000 of its given value shall increase at the whim of city officials to fund whatever projects they see fit. Failure to pay this rent shall result in forfeiture of your property. The proceeds of its sale shall be taken in lieu of current and back taxes to the city of Pittsfield.

The people’s ability to pay shall not be a factor in the determination of the setting of rates. Additional fees for basic human rights such as water and privileges granted such as owning a dog shall be in addition to the fleece rates.

Everyone shall be fiscally responsible for the indoctrination of “the children” irregardless of whether you choose to have children or not.

It has been issued and so it shall be.

GMHeller
GMHeller
9 years ago

Mr. Valenti,
Speaking of accountability, the editorial in the BB about Evan Dobelle’s financial chicanery at Westfield State — reminiscent of the similar corruption he engaged in at University of Hawaii — was a real whitewash. The BB failed to make any mention whatsoever of Dobelle’s deep connections to the Democrat National Committee and to Democrat pols in Mass. state and national politics who got him his position at Westfield State after he got canned by UHawaii.

Gatos
Gatos
Reply to  GMHeller
9 years ago

Maybe because the Democrat National Committee is an arm of the Democrat Party…neither of which exist.
There is, however, a Democratic National Committee, which is an arm of the Democratic Party.

GMHeller
GMHeller
Reply to  Gatos
9 years ago

To Gatos,
If you say so, but I guess a rose by any other name…….

Here, read the Inspector General’s report for yourself.
First here’s the IG’s summary:
“Review of Spending Practices by Former Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle – Executive Summary”:
SEE:
http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2014/review-of-spending-practices-by-former-westfield-state-university-president-evan-dobelle-executive-summary.html

And now the actual 77-page report:
“Review of Spending Practices by Former Westfield State
University President Evan S. Dobelle
SEE:
http://www.mass.gov/ig/publications/reports-and-recommendations/2014/review-of-spending-practices-by-former-westfield-state-university-president-evan-dobelle.pdf

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
9 years ago

Rosanne I heard is the new VA agent in Cheshire Ma.

Still wondering
Still wondering
9 years ago

If the Mayor removes the current Veterans Officer, he will be correcting a terrible error made by the previous mayor. One can only hope.

Gatos
Gatos
Reply to  Still wondering
9 years ago

I’ve heard she’s pretty lousy at her job. I have no personal experience, but hey, this is a different Planet.

4 Questions
4 Questions
9 years ago

So the mayor requires all city employees to notify him before speaking to the press and he can tell city employees not to participate as a guest in a broadcast?

He can fire them for not doing what he says?

Can the Mayor take taxpayers money and spend it on whatever he damn well pleases without the approval of the city council?

Can the Mayor hold another job after being elected to be Mayor?

dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Why isn’t this Scarfoni guy like that other business woman. She wants to “give back to her city”. Scarfoni could do the same thing by not charging any rent for his space that could not be rented anyway.

Does he love his city or not? And as a buddy of the mayor he would win big points. Everybody would luv him just like the Generalissimo.

PopKornSutton
PopKornSutton
9 years ago

I’m happy to see Councilors rejecting the pay raises for these lame ducks. At least two of them should be nearing retirement, they’ll get over it. The bottom line is….We cannot afford it.

Gene
Gene
9 years ago

The ‘gag order’ is one of the most awful policies any mayor has ever instituted. What ever happened to Mr. Bianchi?

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Gene
9 years ago

It is bad policy and it is quite scary. i think this has to be the way most big time tyrants start out. If we can’t recall him can the citizens just all chip in some serious money and ask him to just leave mid term. It does seem to be about money for him. He might surprise us and grab the money and head for Florida. I am happy to chip in AND help him pack his belongings for him.

amadaWell
amadaWell
9 years ago

@Gene, three kids, college, retirement looming, make as much as you can, wife working, double dipping, big pension on the horizon. Whatso hard to figure?

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Have seen and heard a lot of thunder boomers in my life, but just heard one that has to have been the loudest yet,WOW! I blame it on TES.

Bill Sturgeon
Bill Sturgeon
9 years ago

Karma – What you for people (Good or Bad) will come back to you!
Our veterans need a person who is committed to helping them!!!!

Sparkie
Sparkie
9 years ago

Roseanne is Mellissa’s campaign manager. Mellissa is Bianchi’s butt kisser. Roseanne will continue to a crummy job similar to Mellissa.

Carolyn Barry
Carolyn Barry
Reply to  Sparkie
9 years ago

Roseanne was not Melissa’s campaign manager this past election. It was Joanie and she did a fantastic job!