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DON’T GET ON ‘THE SHIP OF FOOLS’ WHEN IT’S LAUNCHED TONIGHT AT COUNCIL MEETING … HOMOGENIZATION: DID IT DRIVE THE DISASTROUS MOVES MADE BY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS SINCE CANNING OF PETER BELL?

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015) — Before we get going, take note of the “Dog & Pony” show set for the “Ship of Fools.” It’s on tonight beginning at 7 p.m., city hall, council chambers, in a meeting of our Right Honorable Good Friends.

We refer to how The Suits will trot out their trained seals to sing arias in praise of the $150 million heist of taxpayers known as the proposed building of a new Taconic High School. Don’t fall for it. Just remember that They count on propaganda and apathy to sell this needless waste to bedraggled citizens. Show you are smarter than that. Demand that the council either put this on the ballot for a popular vote or, when the time comes for final approval, somehow find the backbone to reject.

Now then, on to the next phase of the Club story …

The Same Same Same Same Sa …

If you have spent much time traveling across the country, you know what THE PLANET means when we refer to “the homogenization of America.” You can see this in all sorts of areas and fields. For example, in …

Commerce.

In the flatlands of such a “pancaked” America, the local shops, restaurants, hotels, and workplaces owned, managed, and run by families, moms, pops, friends, and neighbors get eaten up by the Big Box companies.

At Mom & Pop’s Hardware, the profits go to them, their kids, and their communities. On the other hand, with Big Box Inc., the profits make a bead toward the plutocrats at HQ, whether it’s in Arkansas, Minnesota, or Pine Bluff. The locals are left with the minimum wage, no-benefit salaries of the service class, who are left with little discretionary income.

The point isn’t about the economics, for in truth, the Big Box model has a lot going for it, at least for consumers. Many of them would rather pay $1.29 for an item at Wal-Mart rather than $2.29 buying from My Neighbor’s Mart. We cannot count the number of small, locally owned businesses that have been driven into the ground by Big Box America. You can’t say it worked out well for Pittsfield.

Education.

In the pancaked, municipal USA, state and federal government has wrested control of public schools from the localities, whose miserable politicians have sold the educational souls of their communities for the dirty dollar. In place of local officials deciding on the specifics of curricula, we have Big Government mandating subjects, teaching methods, processes, and nearly everything else that goes into education and teaching.

Think, for example, of the alphabet soup of failed and failing academic programs that Big Gov sends our way as conditions for accepting the obscene amounts of public money hijacked to pay for the broken system. The coerced local acceptance of MCAS, MCT2, Common Core, Ed Reform, No Child Left Behind, STEM, and other monolithic systems have removed local control and effectiveness and replace it with a “once-size-fits-all,” replicated regimen. Thus we get stuck, time after time, with pedagogic failure, education’s equivalent of breakfast for dogs. Go ask the Pittsfield school committee of the Administration in the Mercer Building.

We could go on and on with example after example on how the uneven nails are being hammered down flat. The effect is to discourage individuality and require conformance, a philosophical imperative that demands allegiance to nameless, faceless corporate entities that in sum remind one of Big Brother in George Orwell’s great novel, 1984.

Boards Undermines with Its ‘Systemic Infantilism’ 

Allow THE PLANET to give you one more example of ensuing homogenization: the civil war raging at (pick one) [  ] The Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club … [  ] The Boys and Girls Club of Berkshire County. You see, the Club doesn’t even know what to call itself these days, let alone what it wants to do when (if) it grows up after its recent plunge into systemic infantilism brought on by its reticent Board of Directors.

There is compelling reason to believe that certain powerful members of the Club board heard the siren of the national dollars. In this narrative, they became enamored of the additional money available in the form of United Way money — if — and it’s a big one — it gives up local control in favor of loyal, unquestioning compliance with initiatives dicatated by the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America, based in Atlanta, Ga.

The city of Pittsfield has unique needs along the lines of the Club mission in education, jobs, character, leadership programs, health and life skills, arts, sports, fitness, recreation, and specialized programs. Pittsfield’s core is not HQ’s core. Atlanta doesn’t know Pittsfield from St. Petersburg. Peter Bell understood that, just as Jim Mooney, Fred Fahey, and Craig Crosier did in their day and would so today. Certainly concerned parents, kids, volunteers, and supporters — for whom the sacked personnel were the literal personification of the Club — understand that point.

Is That Why They Got Rid of Peter Bell?

The Club’s well-intended (we all know about “good intentions”) National Agenda would end up pushing a form of politically correct social programming on the Pittsfield Club and put it at serious risk of losing a local relevancy and effectiveness that, for so long, has helped shepherd generations of young people, this writer being one of them. A national override of local control would result in a Club tone deaf and blind to  the community’s needs. For example, such a club would fire good employees with great institutional knowledge and want in their place cowed, fearful employees who would blindly follow orders.

Is that why the board of directors blew up Peter Bell’s career, because Bell resisted the change? Did the board get impatient with Bell because he “got” Pittsfield so well and knew its needs so intimately? Did the board’s love of money trump that set of qualities?

Did the board in-effect smear Bell’s reputation by dismissing him and them keeping the reasons secret, allowing the ensuing whispering campaign? Is the board indirectly responsible for Bell’s death? Would Bell have been up on that garage roof if he still had his Club job? Those close to Bell say the loss of his livelihood at a place he cherished in a job he loved crushed him, but he manned up and refused to call out the board for their action because he wanted to spare the Club and those who love it the controversy. What does the board say to that?

Now that Terry Hughes is out of the picture, does he care to enlighten us on his current view of the board of directors? Did they sell Hughes out as well? Was he brought in for a suicide mission? Was he pledged the backing of the board, and then, when the heat rose, abandoned to take the fall. Did the board put Hughes in the ejector seat as a scapegoat? If not, why were they so silent as to why they fired him?

If Hughes wishes to address any of this, now that he has nothing left to lose, THE PLANET welcomes him, either in this forum or on PV-TV.

Though it is admittedly too early to offer conclusive statements, we can say that the Board of Directors has yet shown no sign of openness, transparency, or moving to heal the grievous wounds that it has inflicted on all those who love the Club and its mission. THE PLANET repeats its offer to board president John Donna, any board member, and particularly to interim director Chris Jacoby to appear before our microphones and/or reporter’s notebook to explain what’s going on and to take our questions. Unscripted, of course.

Finally, THE PLANET would not make the over-reaching judgment The Berkshire Eagle did on its editorial page on Monday, March 23. In another of its unsigned opinions, The Eagle said Chris Keegan and David Harte Jr. should not be re-hired. That’s a preposterous statement, given the fact that the newspaper couldn’t possibly know the full story of why they and others were dismissed in the first place.

Board of Directors: Come clean.

——————————————————————————————–

“Sky full of eyes. Minds full of lies. / Black from their cold hearts down to their graves. /Murder the dawn. Spreading their scorn. / Cursing the son of which love was born. / We must keep them away or pretty soon we’ll pay and count the cost in sorrow. / Sacrifice. The future has its price. / And today is only yesterday’s tomorrow.”Uriah Heep, “Circle of Hands” from the Demons and Wizards album, (1972).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

 

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poorboy
poorboy
9 years ago

Dan, really glad to see your offer to Terry Hughes to step up and come clean on PV-TV in order to set the record straight on how the board has been operating. Perhaps the reason he will not is because he wishes to head up another chapter of the boys and girls club elsewhere.

Appearing on PV-TV might put a black stain on his resume. However, he might surprise us all, having raked in a ton of money from his reign and maybe ready to retire, he may just give you a call to appear.

It would be a golden opportunity for him to fire away and blow the board out of the water in swift and effective retribution. I know he reads your column. We shall wait and see when the phone don’t ring, we’ll know its not him calling. Also too, he is probably being read the riot act should he start to fan the flames to watch Rome burn to the ground.

Yes and on the high school, they have all the jugglers and the clowns ready to do all their tricks for you at the city clowncil meeting. They are going to try and make it appear like the people are all for building a new high when there will be no vote offered to the people.

“There will be a show tonight on trampoline

The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair, what a scene!

Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!……………..

Having been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight the new high is topping the bill!”

dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Too bad you could not get the Eagle editorial writer (The Shadow) to come forth and publicly state why he does not think Keegan and Harte should be rehired. But good luck prying this Oz like opinionated blowhard out from behind his curtain of power.

Linda Therrien
Linda Therrien
9 years ago

Please don’t make Terry Hughes a victim in all of this Club discussion. He had his own agenda, which I suspect was a national Boys & Girls Club position.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Linda Therrien
9 years ago

Agreed Linda.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Don’t fret about the Club’s problems, didn’t they receive a Big donation a little while back? The new Drop in Center on North St. might be a good hangout for teenagers, but was a little miffed at one of it’s Rules of Conduct, rule 9) no smoking or nicotine replacements in center? However, rule 9) states, if you smoke you must go at least to the parking garage and not in front of the center…..How much are gerbs nowadays?

Bill Sturgeon
Bill Sturgeon
9 years ago

I wonder how many mandatory tests and other requirements there would be if the federal and states governments HAD TO PAY FOR THEM – Rather than just dictate them?

Dio
Dio
9 years ago

Dan, good stuff on the Big Box economic model. It’s really a catch 22 – if you work at one of these low paying stores, you can only afford to buy stuff from these low paying stores! You may want to support the locally owned store with its higher prices, but you don’t have the money to do so. This has all added to the huge gap between the wealthy and the rest of us.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Don’t think mom + pop store’s pay anymore than Walmart. Also Walmart probably gives more money to local causes than most mom + pops.

For B.C.
For B.C.
9 years ago

Great work again DV on both stories. There’s much more to be had from each, the school building (which we don’t need) and the club intrigue (which we dont want)

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Blame everyone for Pittsfield’s problems! Blame GE! Blame Jack Welch! Blame Wal-Mart! Blame big government! Blame Wall Street!
Pittsfield’s problems are more social than economic. The underclass in Pittsfield have serious social problems. Teen pregnancies and welfare caseloads double the statewide average in Pittsfield. Pittsfield’s public schools are underperforming and are among the worst in the state and nation. The Good Old Boy network has made Pittsfield politics totally corrupt. Thousands of people have fled Pittsfield over the years. Pittsfield’ s taxes are very high and Pittsfield’s finances are unsustainable. The Berkshire Eagle is a third-rate rag without a conscience.
I feel like no one in Pittsfield is allowed to care about the community without fear of reprisals, such as losing one’s job and being blacklisted from future living wage employment.
I guess it is the same everywhere you go. Fall in line, or the man comes and takes you away.

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Two years ago I ran for ward 1 councilor obviously and was terribly defeated probably to my own foolishness. I wanted to make a change but all people cared about was the damn peda and quite frankly i didn’t care my agenda was to give the average person a voice and everyone shot that down.
I don’t fall in line and the city will never be ready for someone who isn’t a follower

Richard Wixsom
Richard Wixsom
9 years ago

Dan,
The demographics of Pittsfield and Berkshire County are changing. There has been a steady increase in the number of under-privileged young adults and children that the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires (yes they recently changed their name and are in a transition period, but sufficed to say the staff knows its new identity). This changing demographic is likely putting a bigger strain on the Club’s financial resources. The club gives more and more financial aid to these deserving families, while at the same time it struggles with local support. So it is only reasonable that the Board of Directors and its executive staff look at the national model to find innovative ways to bolster support. Whether it be a partnership with 4H, or pursuit of grants provided by the national organization, the Club is trying to ensure that our children continue to receive the best programming and outcomes possible, one of its primary missions. Furthermore, the national organization has many programs that our local club is interested in piloting. Most detractors on your blogs do not know about these programs, but they are being tested out. I know, because I have volunteered my time to help out on at least one.
I certainly understand why people might be skeptical about the changes that are happening at the Club, and I also understand the concern over the potential of losing some local autonomy. However, my feeling is that our Club will not be able to sustain unless it takes a serious look at the changes. With the shrinking population of Berkshire County and the decrease in financial resources available locally, something had to change. I still support the Club financially and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, because I see, first hand, the good it does for all the families that utilize its services. It is much more than a sports facility to many who would otherwise be out on the streets.

Linda Therrien
Linda Therrien
Reply to  Richard Wixsom
9 years ago

There’s some real truth in what you say, Ric. And kudos to you for owning your remarks. I wish more people would follow suit.

DSB
DSB
Reply to  Richard Wixsom
9 years ago

I think people would be more willing to accept changes at the Club if the Board members were behaving in an honest and professional manner about what they were doing.

If the reason for dismissing Peter was simply to take the Club in a different direction, they could have chosen not to renew his contract, shaken his hand, and wished him well. It happens in business all the time. Instead they embarked on a yearlong campaign of false accusations of mismanagement and
misconduct, all of which were proved untrue. Ultimately they ousted him in such a way that made it impossible for him to find another job in Berkshire County. That’s not business, that’s personal.

I don’t know Terry Hughes, but it looks like more of the same with him. They allowed him to be publicly humiliated with no regard for him, his family, or his reputation. And once again nobody is taking responsibility.

Craig Swinson
Craig Swinson
Reply to  Richard Wixsom
9 years ago

I am not even sure it is the “changes” that are of issue, it is the HOW they were implemented. They were done SO poorly that it puts into question if the current leadership is up to the challenges that lie ahead. It’s sort of a “no confidence” in a captain steering the ship…sure you might have to change course but if you don’t think the captain knows what he or she is doing, then it doesn’t matter what they do or say.

Craig Swinson
Craig Swinson
9 years ago

One thing I don’t agree with, every small community thinks they have “unique needs”…it is pretty bogus of an assertion.

Pittsfield is no more or less unique then any other small sized city that lost a ton of mfg jobs and who’s heyday was in the 70’s. The problem is, Pittsfield ISN’T unique, that is why it is having such a hard time recovering.

That said, it doesn’t excuse the treatment of employees at the B&G club, it doesn’t excuse the horrific lack of vision of the board….but don’t pretend Pittsfield is unique….there are hundreds of “Pittsfield’s” across the US, some doing better than others…and probably not so many doing so poorly as ours.

For B.C.
For B.C.
Reply to  Craig Swinson
9 years ago

I disagree Craig with respect. Yours is the bogus assertion. Because by that logic we should all embrace the “homgenization” that DV brings up in the article and yet no other city has Pittsfields history or its present. Thus Only Pittsfield can determine its future.

Peter Bell was fully prepared to accept change. I know this. Thats not why the board treated him so unfairly. There is a lot you don’t know apparently about the real story…

Linda Therrien
Linda Therrien
9 years ago

You are right. There are a lot of Pittsfields, but this is the one we’ve got. Let’s make it the best we can, including a safe spot for kids.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Tonights meeting is going to be very simple. They will give a inflated number for renovating compounded with the States low rate for reimbursement. Then proceed to tell us that the cost for new is very little difference. Also we must hurry up or we will get nothing. Wahconah high built 1961, McCann 1962, think we can wait for a more financially responsible plan.One that takes into account are shrinking population and tax base.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

There are many “Pittsfields” out there. But I ask, “why?” Why can’t Pittsfield have honest and accountable local politicians? Why is Pittsfield politics so corrupt? Why do you have to be part of the Good Old Boy network to achieve success in Pittsfield?
Pittsfield can’t induce a Fortune 500 corporation to move to Pittsfield. But Pittsfield can help its children to do well in school, play on safe streets, and not end up in trouble with the law. Teen pregnancies do not have to double the statewide average in Pittsfield. People in Pittsfield should care about each other without the fear of reprisals.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Tes Said ”State funding isn’t keeping up with City increases”. On another note, Craig Gaetani just arrived with Dr. Wong.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Two words: Unfunded Liabilities.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Gaetani for Mayor!

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  Nota
9 years ago

Ha Ha that’s funny!

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

So much for the three minute time limit. King Gaetani!

spagirl
spagirl
9 years ago

Here we go with the open mic session in the City Council Chambers…shut it down. What a freaken joke.

spagirl
spagirl
9 years ago

Enter….all the Mayor’s standups!…

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
Reply to  spagirl
9 years ago

After Gaetani, the pro-new Taconic speakers : 1 a.vested school PTO treasurer. Is he part of the Ridge Ave. political nepotism ? 2. A member of the school building needs comm. 3. students, one from Potter Mt. Rd. in Lanesboro, no city taxes there. 4. A Pittsfield vocational teacher who lives in Lanesboro, pays no city taxes toward his salary and perks.5. former superintendent of schools. 6. a connected Chamber of commerce employee.
So much independent objectivity.

Guess what
Guess what
Reply to  Ed McClelland
9 years ago

All that waste oxygen. We all know what the vote is going to be so why waste oxygen.

Guess what
Guess what
9 years ago

they’re not all the Mayor’s standup’s, don’t forget Tricia Farley. She’s all over this.

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
Reply to  Guess what
9 years ago

She sends her kids to Lenox via school choice. Maybe a new school will bring them back….Yeh Right !

Guess what
Guess what
9 years ago

In that case instead of sitting here trying to put this new school through tax payer’s throat she should be in Boston with the AG’s office investigating the electric rate hike. This is a crime. I believe that’s one of the reasons we voted her in.

Jamie
Jamie
9 years ago

Gaetani was amazing and I loved that he brought the distinguished Dr. Wang with him. Im serious when I say this that if Gaetani runs for mayor hes got mmy vote. Hes the only one who isnt afrid to tell it like it is.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

I love the man. Go Gaetani!

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

He’s the only one who has a bigger cup than the Planet!

Quentin
Quentin
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Itd be a close one I’d give it to the Planet on points. But man, Gaetani was a breath of fresh air. Yeah if he runs hes got my vote.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

This Planet is hardly ever Wong.