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TIMMY: “LASSIE, WHAT’s WRONG?” LASSIE: “Roof, ROof, ROOF!!!” THE LATEST ON THS ROOF SCANDAL … or … “CHAIN GANGS MAKE GREAT SWISS CHEESE”

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015) — Let’s see, it’s some kind of “holiday” today, but we can’t seem to remember which one. Saint Something-or-Other Day. Is this the day that everyone is a Protestant? Whichever one it is, have a good one. In the meantime, THE PLANET has more information to share on the damage to the Taconic High School roof by a supervised work detail consisting of seven convicts — you know, the one you weren’t supposed to know about.

This business of The Strange Case of the THS Roof Damage gets worse by the shingle, with the guano getting far deeper than the snow ever got on top of the Taconic flat top. As ever, the city isn’t coming clean on what happened.

Since neither The Boring Broadsheet nor any other mainstream medium seems to want to follow this story to its illogical conclusion, allow THE PLANET to step in the breach and share the result of our further investigation.

Chain Gangs Make Great Swiss Cheese

As you recall, the city essentially denied any serious damage occurring after a group of cons and two sheriffs went after the snow on the THS roof worth snowblowers and shovels — and what looks like pick axes, ice picks, and chain saws. After the chain gang got done,  sources say, the roof resembled a piece of Swiss cheese that had not been fed to the rats.

After THE PLANET broke the story of alleged damage, The Suits made sure to feed The BB  the sanitized version that “Everything’s just fine. There’s nothing to see here. You all can go home now. Now run along.”

Truly? If that’s the truth, why was D. J. Wooliver Roofing on the Taconic roof on Friday the 13th? Wooliver Roofing of Lanesboro is one of the area’s leading companies, servicing a range of residential, institutional, health care, commercial, and industrial clients. Wooliver did the roof for the Berkshire Museum, for example. It installs many kinds of roof systems and has a maintenance department for facility management with infrared scans, 24-hour emergency services, and roof plans. It has an excellent reputation among area contractors. As one told THE PLANET, “If they called in Wooliver, it [the damage on the THS roof] had to be bad.”

Source: Nature of Damage Indicates Deliberate Vandalism

THE PLANET learned from informed sources that in the early 90s, Wooliver Roofing installed what is known as a “Stevens Membrane” to the roof of THS. This roofing system consists of a reinforced, heat-weldable thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). Roofing professionals say the hot-air welding used on the Stevens Membrane is the industry’s strongest, most reliable, single-ply roofing system.

If the membrane leaks, a roofer tells THE PLANET, it is almost never in the center or anywhere other than around drains and downspouts. That would preclude “an unusual compromise of the fabric.” Sources say it takes a lot of force to break through the TPO membrane. It doesn’t just happen overnight.

Let us list the facts as best as we know them:

(1) Cracks, scrapes, blisters, punctures, or cuts in a TPO membrane of the kind that reportedly occurred on the THS roof are inconsistent with routine wear-and-tear. In other words, such damage suggests either gross incompetence or deliberate sabotage.

(2) Prior to the convicts’ visit, the THS roof either wasn’t leaking or barely leaking.

(3) After the visit, the melting snow and water came down in torrents.

From these three observations, what would you conclude?

The Suits want you to believe it’s just another of those Pittsfield coincidences that happen all the time. It’s “just a coincidence” that this occurred as the vote on the new, proposed THS building gets closer. That’s not a popular vote, remember. This will be sign-off from the state then the city council.

Any one of the councilors could step forward an submit a petition calling for a citizens referendum in November. Ask yourself: Why hasn’t this been done? Could it be the pressure from certain parties is just too intense? If so, we wonder, whatever happened to courage? Whatever happened to standing up for what’s right and just? Or is that just a old rerun from the Cartoon Network? Also,

— If the damage occurred in a way that sources say, and

— If no one was supposed to know about it, and

— If the damage was deliberate, then …

… was it done to “justify” the building of a new school?

Questions from the Roof: Are they Over the Head of Citizens and Taxpayers?

One source says if Wooliver is called in for such a job, “it had to be serious. Few people can fix [this type of roof] properly.” This came from a source who worked for Wooliver for nearly 20 years.

THE PLANET wonders about this puzzling situation. Here are the pertinent questions:

  • How much will the damage the city says didn’t happen cost city taxpayers?
  • Who if anyone will be held accountable?
  • If no one, why not? Is anyone being protected?
  • What exactly was the nature of the damage?
  • Who caused it? Weren’t the convicts supervised?
  • What do the two sheriff’s deputies have to say? Did the city interview them? Did anyone interview the prisoners?
  • Was the damage deliberate?
  • Was it done to further justify the needless spending of $150 million on a new replacement high school?
  • Who is responsible for inspecting school buildings in Pittsfield?
  • Are the custodians the ones who first reported the problem, or did someone else do it?
  • How often are the roofs inspected? When was the THS roof last inspected, prior to the damage?
  • Does anyone in the city have to file regular inspection reports? If so, who?
  • Are there any such reports on file?
  • If so, where?
  • If so, who gets the reports?
  • Are they public documents.
Ah, so many questions, so little minds. When the phone doesn’t ring, we’ll know it’s the mayor’s office and the school superintendent not getting back to us.As we will keep reminding you, keep all this on file for use on Election Day in November.
—————————————————————————————————
“Just because I ask a friend about you / And just because I said her name somewhere / Just because I haunt the places that we used to go, / She thinks I still care.”George Jones, “She Thinks I Still Care,” (1962).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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GMHeller
GMHeller
9 years ago

Two Jim Carrey movies immediately come to mind on the subject of the current Pittsfield city government: ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and ‘Dumb and Dumber To’.

Didn’t anyone in the Pittsfield School Department or at the Mayor’s Office bother to think about cause and effect, e.g. what happens to a frozen roof beset by heavy feet?

Did it not occur to anyone in charge what additional damage might occur when bladed implements are allowed to impact a roof in sub-freezing temperatures?
Did anyone in the school department or city hall even think to seek advice from a roofing contractor?

The BB editorial page the other day expressed great concern over kids who might graduate stupid from Pittsfield schools, yet no mention gets made ever when those in charge actually do stupid things and commit to decisions so dumb as to defy common sense.

Perhaps groups of citizens should proceed to clear snow off Superintendent McCandless’ house, or better yet Hizzoner Bianchi’s home roof.

Who is going to pay for what is certainly going to be hundreds of thousands of dollars in roof repairs at the school, not to mention interior water damage?

Can Mssrs. McCandless and Bianchi be held personally liable or do Palookaville taxpayers take it on the chin yet again?

dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Perhaps Ms Mazzeo will allow you to ask your questions at the next open mike session.

heh heh

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

The Open Mike Session is a Condescending joke. Wasting the Council’s time. Watch the body language, and total lack of concern.

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
Reply to  spagirl
9 years ago

Will Craig Gaetani ever get 3.00001 minutes ? The Prez does indeed hold certain speakers to different standards.Word is that her intentional selective discrimination of the democratic process may be part and party to a legal action,

Jethro Bodine
Jethro Bodine
Reply to  Ed McClelland
9 years ago

I’ve noticed that too certain speakers who have the favor of the mayor and Prez are allowed to go way over. Mr. Gaetani and others who may have “differing” points of view are cut off. Not fair. Shows you how much nearly everything run by these two is a sham…

Sparkie
Sparkie
9 years ago

The only way we can hold Bianchi liable for his action is by voting him out of office. The Director of Maintenance is supposed to be responsible of all the roofs on the city’s buildings. Problem is the current person holding the job is a political appointment made by Bianchi & Mazzeo because he is the brother in law of Bianchi’s top attach dog adviser, and he is a former business partner of Mazzeo’s husband.

Themorethemerrier
Themorethemerrier
9 years ago

At least he isn’t from outta town.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Ya mean Tes didn’t have an infrared scan done before putting Andy and the Boyz on the roof?

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Not of fan of Eagle, but they nailed the cover this morning. 120.8 million dollar Taconic budget article above picture of piglet’s. Now that’s poetic! Feed the Pig.

Magic
Magic
9 years ago

And didn’t we all know that the Taconic budget was a done deal.

Dman
Dman
9 years ago

Off topic, but I heard that The director of the Boys and Girls Club of Pittsfield told Chris Keegan that his services were no longer needed at the club and he is now out of a job. Anyone have any idea why such a dedicated person, who gave everything for our kids would be turned out in such a manner?

This does not bode well for the club!

Colonialissimo
Colonialissimo
9 years ago

Everyone is forgetting how much money we saved by putting convicts on the job. The cost of this could have exceeded $10,000.00.

These criminals owed a debt to society and what better place to have them give back then on school property in a school full of school children in session?

I mean the mayor even stated that the roof was in danger of collapsing. His motive in using prisoners was to “save” the school from falling down on the children while they were in class.

Everyone is overlooking the fine details in all of this.

Ham & Green Swiss on Rye
Ham & Green Swiss on Rye
9 years ago

Guns on school property are illegal for obvious reasons.

However handing a convicted criminal a pick axe on school property is not illegal. So long he is supervised to use it to chop ice on the roof. Any perforations and punctures in the membrane is considered collateral damage.

The mayor determined that the roof was about to collapse. So instead of endangering all the children inside the school in which the city would be held liable for, the mayor sprung into action.
What was done was done for “the children”.

Questions
Questions
9 years ago

Even after the city council denied this mayor’s request for funding for the move to 100 North St, the mayor forged ahead with his plan unilaterally for his too big to fail sweetheart deal with Scarafoni Realty. He stopped at nothing to fork over this huge amount of money.

It has yet to be revealed where he took the money from to give to Scarafoni. The city councilors are deathly silent on the matter. This piece of information is buried deeply in the city’s books.

What underhanded deeds are being done to insure the new high school gets built? Once again, this mayor will stop at nothing to get this. Even sabotage? Deliberate vandalism? It appears to be the case.

The character of this man is hideous. Concealed in the word hideous is the word “hide”. While the suit controlled BB portrays him as Dr. Jeckell, the Planet reveals that he is really Mr. Hyde.

poorboy
poorboy
9 years ago

Once the mayor clears this hurdle of a new high school without a vote from the people on spending their money ($150 – 200 million USD), then he can begin the hype on how delapitated the old police station is.

What will he do on that one? Fire? Electrical?

Unless he gets reelected his time is running out for the dirty backroom deals. The goal here appears to be how much money can be amassed during his tenure.

The water treatment plants can be his last crowning jewel because he can just say he’s federally mandated to spend those millions.

If he gets reelected, the sky is the limit. 5% tax increases per year while running defeceits for unfunded liabilities seems to be the acceptable norm. When it all catches up and Pittsfield’s taxpayers are left holding the bag, the mayor will be long gone, enjoying his huge retirement fund. Mayor new (especially one that truly for the people) will get all the blame.

Apathy, moving out, bankruptcy, receivership……. are in Pittsfield’s future due to backroom deals, lockdowns, coverups, school system cash cow, lack of transparency, and all out corruption.

More Questions
More Questions
9 years ago

Why did they not put in the new city charter that any major expendature above a certain dollar amount go to an automatic citizen vote?

It seems like the new charter was purposely designed to protect the suits and cut the people out.

Also, what kinds of deals or theats are going on to silence the cons who were on the roof that day?

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

It seems the Public Works Subcommittee of the city council could get to the facts of “roof gate”.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

You would think so and in another place and another time that might happen. Which of our duly elected to represent the people councilors might have connections to the folk on that subcommittee?

and have they put put on verbal lock down or might they be free to speak to their constituency?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

You have until Friday, March 20th, 2015, to apply for the position of Pittsfield City Accountant.
https://www.smartrecruiters.com/CityOfPittsfield/81473980-city-accountant
Job Description: Account for yearly tax hikes of around 5 percent, plus yearly multi-million dollar capital budgets.
Good Luck!

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Congratulations to Tom May C E O of our new increased bill for Eversource for getting a million plus raise on top of his already lucrative 9 million plus salary. Where was our Mass Delegation on this. Where was Bumstead on this, he sure was for the gasoline though wasn’t he?

Guess what
Guess what
Reply to  Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Shelly Liver, I agree with you on where are our Mass Delegation and Bianchi but you know we also have to take responsibility. For example a petition was going around the entire State of MASS for signatures against the electrical increase and to this day they have collected less than 5, 000 signatures. Granted that we are talking about the entire State; there’s more than 40,000 people in Pittsfield alone. Dan even posted the link on his page and many of us passed it alone. It couldn’t have been much easier. I ask myself where were the rest of the residence of this community? I could only blame us. But then again we can continue to fight because this petition is still out there collecting signatures.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Let’s Sea,, weave explored the ruff, we are looking at ear cundishuning, were look even into thrmo and windows, a lounge. has their Ben any talk about edjumicatshun at this knew school?

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Guess what? What! That’s why out political system stinks. We have politicians telling us we know better, let us tell you to vote on a school. Then we have politicians who donut do anything when it come to a rate hike from a electric company monopoly?