CORRECTING ERRONEOUS CLAIMS ON A PROJECT THAT COMES FROM GOODNESS
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 8-10, 2016) — Allow THE PLANET to have the final word on our recent discussion of the merits and achievement of Jim and Jackie Shulman‘s triumphant Berkshire Carousel.
First, no one including THE PLANET ever claimed that the carousel would be an “economic engine,” though if The Suits had gotten their greasy hands on the project, they would have billed it that way.
Second, it’s incredible that some would find fault with the Shulmans’ efforts, although they are in such a minority that they won’t dent the membrane of a wet tissue. This defeatist stance is a form of PTSD. Upstanding Pittsfield citizens have been so beaten down by their “leaders” that when someone sinks serious time and money into a joyful project such as the carousel, they can’t believe it. They will say it’s too good to be true and believe it. They will also claim no one does a thing like this without a quid pro quo. We take this line of criticism as a sad measure of how deeply entrenched bureaucratic indifference and incompetence has buried what would otherwise be healthy skepticism.
Defeatists have either “confirmation bias” or more seriously, “hysterical blocking,” where facts mean nothing and pre-conceived attitudes win out. For example, both The Pittsfield Gazette and The “New” Boring Broadsheet seem to have editorial policies that support the positions and biases of their revenue sources, that is, advertisers. That is one of the reasons why THE PLANET accepts no ads. Having toiled in commercial media, we know advertisers have a vice grip over the business operations of a medium, and it invariably compromises editorial independence. In this regard, The Gazette, now a tame and harmless tabloid with hardly any online content, has knuckled under as much as The “N” BB. It’s a pity considering that for its first 15 years or so, The Gazette could peel the paint and bring down thunder. No more.
Third, the Shulmans never asked then-mayor Dan Bianchi for money, as has been incorrectly alleged. Bianchi came to Jim Shulman and asked what he could do to get him to come to Pittsfield. Shulman told him the same thing he told Dalton: The carousel would need someone to match its MA Cultural Facilities Fund grant. Instead of asking cronies to dig in their pockets, the mayor came up with the $250,000 figure from an unspecified source. THE PLANET chuckles at the recollection of one of the carousel volunteers, who told Shulman, “The only reason Pittsfield wants the carousel is to keep it out of other communities.”
The Suits in this case — Bianchi, Richard (“Beacon”) Stanley, and BBE owner Rob Proskin met with Shulman to “take over the project” to make money for Downtown Pittsfield Inc., that useless, taxpayer-funded appendage that has hampered downtown development and activity. Bianchi, Stanley, and Proskin saw the carousel as an amusement ride and were clueless in what it would take to operate a carousel. For example, in the past month alone, the Berkshire Carousel has had 22 inspections and permits, not counting numerous trainings and certifications. As an aside, it seems that DPI head cheerleader Proskin has himself had enough of downtown Pittsfield. He’s moving to the 1500 block of East Street. What’s that they say about rats on a sinking ship?
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Skepticism is a good thing when tempered with an open mind. It is part of any intelligent person’s rhetorical tool kit, and THE PLANET has long been served by the motto, “Question Everything!” If your mother tell you she loves you, confirm it. In other words, questions — in public life, the more pointed and hard-hitting the better — remain the best option in determining the truth of a story. The truth will stand up to even the most severe grilling. Lies will crumble.
From the beginning, THE PLANET asked hard, tough questions of Jim Shulman. He had answers. Good ones.
We’re dealing with the real deal here, Pittsfield: A good man who has a genuine love for that city that gave him a childhood. THE PLANET, too, grew up in that same city, one that is no longer there. The Berkshire Carousel isn’t an amusement ride. It’s the power of goodness, made evident as a sign of hope amid a sea of growing squalor.
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With that, THE PLANET opens The Comment Line. Keep it intelligent. Don’t embarrass yourself, because we right quick won’t allow you to bring it here.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
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“The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind, but the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.” — Chanakya
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI; this website reserves the right to remove any comment which violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service.
At least one police officer is dead in Texas following a night of heavy violence. Violence will only breed more violence. Television networks like MSNBC and CNN in my opinion encourage the violence. Terrible shootings happened, but CNN and MSNBC have to add fuel to the fire. Many of these politicians are not helping the situation either. Rather than asking for calmness, they are doing just the opposite. What are they hoping to achieve by making people more and more angry?
Your spot on again Pat. CNN and MSNBC should be shut down along with every other news organization including the Planet. Then we could roll on happily like in the 50’s and know nothing and have nothing to worry about. If we didn’t know about it we wouldn’t be angry. Think of how much happier we would be if the Planet would stop stirring the pot concerning tax giveaways to millionaires, the high school project and many of the other happenings that plague our city. Openness and truth are a big pain in the neck.
Usually you and I don’t agree Thomas but not this time. Great post. Media can shape a story true but how does one cover an outrageous anger-inducing event like the shootings in Dallas. Of course it will make us angry. But anger can be channeled into activism and that can be good.
Oh please. Politicians need to be on the hot seat ALL the time. That’s how you keep them in line. You don’t coddle them like the press does with the Democrats. That’s how we end up with corruption like we have now. With Hillary skating after bad behavior. Politicians are like children. They will try to get away with everything they can unless an adult keeps them in line. Pittsfield politicians would like nothing better than to have the heat taken off of them.
White privilege and hate are real. I’m white so I don’t get to decide when they don’t exist. To deny is narcissistic.
DPI can’t run a popcorn cart.
White privilege. So what I am a white male and deserve it. Don’t like it too bad.
I think you benefit from GOB privilege Shakes.
And you benefit from Munchausen privilege.
Shakes is wrong again. Like always
But how can someone so wrong be so right?
I agree about the Gazette. It started out as a good news source But after finally being co opted it is no longer viable as a newspaper. The rumor I heard was that local business were told not to advertise with the paper if it continued to expose city government misdeeds. He did what he had to do to survive in a poisoned city.
And Pittsfield, Ma is poisoned.
Dusty, that is why you won’t see certain businesses advertise in the Gazette. Jonathan Levine has NOT changed his practices. The content may not be as full as it once was due to the illness of the owner. He can’t cover everything. The businesses that do advertise, do so because Jonathan calls it the way he see’s it, editorial content CANNOT be bought and he doesn’t run an advertorial type of paper. So if a few of my comments have ruffled feathers take it out on me not him. By the way he heard what I wrote and congratulated me.
Shulmans carousel group asked Lanesborough Ma.to buy the building for 500k and donate land in Laston park with a 500k cultral grant from Ma.because these things did not happen they came back to the original sight .
Really?
Soul an must have a short memory, or others did the asking without his knowledge.
John Martin form Martin and Oliveria was one of the ones making the ask of Mayor Bianchi. There were others as well. Ask Maria.
Sorry, Dan, your source is wrong on this one.
Great project, just tell the truth, no need to lie, it takes away credibility.
So how did your buddy Stanleys name get in on it?
Somebody from the city thought it was a great enough project to want a piece of it. Not much you can do in this city without paying off somebody.
Really?
Never met the guy. He never should have received that tax credit.
It seems that this police ambush in Dallas killing at least 5 police may have been ISIS inspired. ISIS is getting in on the “white privilege” hatred because guess what they hate cops too. If they can do away with the cops then they will shoot everyone they want who doesn’t follow their religion.
This country has serious issues and unless we come together, our enemies are going to win. Our enemies hate gays, anyone who doesn’t follow ISLAM, and well just about everybody, so we need to WAKE UP to what is important in this country. Mika and her buddies on MSNBC need to stop spewing garbage about its them vs. us (or is it CNN), whatever, both channels spew hatred 24/7.
Let me guess … come together as long as it is under ur preconceived views of what is right .. By the way u forgot to include Fox News as hate spewing .
Oh I forgot there is no right or wrong anymore at least according to liberals. Liberals just want the country to descend into chaos so they can take over. Just like somebody can decide they are a male or a female at whim, the same goes for morality. It’s what you feel at any given moment.
Jonathan Levine is a good man. I always enjoyed talking to him and reading his weekly newspaper when I lived in Pittsfield.
The problem with Pittsfield politics is that the vested interests control the agenda. The vested interests receive all of the benefits or taxpayer dollars, while the rest of us get to pound sand.
could Jonathan Levine’s health issues possibly be the driver here? He’s a one man band, and being as sick as he’s been is a full time job in and off itself.
It takes a lot of energy to try to expose the truth. I imaginer DV would agree. I always wondered if there was enough ad revenue to support the paper – but his finances are not my concern.
I hope Jonathan is able to find some good health. That appears to be mission one at the moment.
Thank you Southeast!
This Dallas Massacre isn’t surprising, you don’t think it could happen here? Our own officials need to beware, anyone could be a threat. A change in weather could precipitate someone to go off. The workplace believe it or not is the one area where violence can be most prevalent, companies need to do background checks to ensure worker safety all over the U S. It’s the economy, here in Pittsfield we think we’re doing great.
it could hap[pen anywhere.
We need to be better people as a whole. The erosion of Values, Conscience, Respect and equality and justice for ALL……. Has gotten us where we are today.
You mean inequality.
Still waiting for progressives to fix the inequality issue. ALL I see are the progressives getting richer while the rest of us get poorer. They don’t know how to create jobs. They only know how to divide the country along lines of race and income.
Pat, I would think you would become a progressive if that’s all it takes to get rich.
We need to start with those wild drivers, start on the Hancock Road Speedway and Demolition, this is the last warning, start pulling people over up there before It’s too late. Put up a Permanent Red Flashing sLOW Sign, be Proactive.
Highland ave is just as bad as Handcock rd.
Kevin Morandi lean up Hess. The Mayor ain’t going to do it.
If everyone on this site would show up and speak up at every CC Meeting as Gaetani and Kinnas always do thenreal change can occur. The next CC Meeting is tuesday the 12th.Iwill report back to the planet on the 13th as to who was there showing that they are not afraid to hold incompetent accountable. I predict -2 people will be there. CARE TO GUESS WHO THE ARE???? Get involved.
The open public 3 minute session is as useless as the day is long. They can do away with it. The Council is not engaged one bit to the Citizen input.
SPA-GIRL-you are very correct.However this is all we have at present. Mr. Gaetani told me that he is going to ask the coubcil to put the public session at the end of the CC meeting and allow the citizens a give and take session with no time limits. If the public feels there time is important to wait to the end of the council’s normal business -then the council shoul also make the time for the taxpayer. After all the council and mayor are handsomely paid and this should be a must session for any taxpayer to be heard
Really?
Mr. Gaetani, aren’t you tired (Tyer’d) of getting kicked off this site? Your new handle will vanish soon enough.
Please tell us what you have done to make things bettter here for the Taxpayer? [THE REMAINDER OF THIS TEXT HAS BEEN REDACTED.]
Amused So is the best. Same story different year. She’s reigning in spending in increments, a year at time. Not.
Opeb’s, fire trucks, new DPW and or Police station..Guyer needs millions to keep up with work orders, Water upgrades, School, and on and on.
Shulman the went to the mall and were given so many incentive to put his hometown gift of a carousel in the berkshire mall that bianchis offer of putting in in the middle of a 3 million dollars common park renovation was not enough….to bad…that was a huge mistake on his part because the common park is absolutely beautiful
Money is the root of all evil….you get so greedy that he almost put pittsfieds gift in a Lanesboro mall
I must say, the Big Y gas mart is nicely done.
Every person who contributes to this site and all who read it –MUST-watch the 4 committee of the whole budget sessions of the city council. It points out well how and why the city is in such difficult financial shape. It also shows who is responsible.
They have what they wanted, motto. Now we will be required each and every year to keep up with the mandates by law that f go with it.
Guyer scared me when he was asking not to reduce his budget and said he had an infinite number of ways to spend the money. So, the money in our fair city is already spent. nd this is only one Department.
Cops shooting blacks…..blacks shooting cops…….
Takes attention of of Hillary……
Further push for gun control…..
Obama wants to starta race war after many unsuccessful attempts….
He is itching to declare martial law……
Watch what happens.
The group that has come forward and says they are behind the attacks and that more attacks will happen on police has been ignored by the media. Are we really getting the full story? Can we even trust this government to give us the truth?
Obama went on tv last night from Poland and talked for 15 minutes about the deaths of the two men when he didn’t even have all of the facts. After the police deaths, he says I can’t say anything until I have all of the facts and he only talked for 3 minutes about it. Supposedly 3 men are also under arrest for murdering the 5 police officers, but we have heard little about them.
The Berkshire Carousel is lovely, but what’s the big picture? What’s it supposed to do for Pittsfield? Is it supposed to be an economic engine? Like I said it’s lovely but does it have a grand purpose?
Did you read DVs article at all? It’s not supposed to be an economic engine or economic anything.
It’s an example of what’s possible when a community comes together rather than apart like in Dallas. Beyond that whats the harm in something that provides a little fun and joy?
No harm in it. It’s a very nice merry go round….if it brings you joy that’s great. But how will it be maintained over the years. Who will touch up the paint etc. Etc?
It was his gift to pittsfield .
Is there a long term maintenance fund?
heavy heavy flooding down on Fourth street.
I have talked to many women who are getting guns after the passage of the bathroom bill here in Massachusetts just this week. Until Democrats take that right away, many women are saying they feel safer if they are armed going into public bathrooms or showers where Democrats have created a problem where one didn’t exist before. One woman has told me that she came out of a bathroom stall the other day and a man startled her by being in the bathroom. He gave her a look as if to say there is nothing you can do about me being in here so deal with it after he gave her a flirtatious look.
Supposedly there is a clause in the law that Charlie Baker insisted be in the bill or he wouldn’t sign it that our wise Mass. Attorney General can prosecute any man pretending to be a woman who uses the women’s bathrooms or showers, but again how do you prove it. Since it’s not based on actual biology, it would seem that it’s not enforceable. Democrats reaction to women’s concerns/fears is to either ignore it or laugh it off or in the case of our esteemed Mass. Attorney General to tell women to “hold it” if they are afraid.
The Berkshire Eagle even had a letter from someone who has 2 transgenders in her family and even she says that the law is ridiculous.
The law is ridiculous because there wasn’t any criminal behavior to begin with. The law was meant to further isolate and disparage those that are different. Just like seperate but equal.
It was not you are wrong. They are different. And weird. Men are men period. Stay in the men’s room
Thanks for the warning Pat. You democrats are using public showers better be aware that the gal in there with you will be packing heat.
It’s all a big joke to Democrats. What happened to putting yourselves in the shoes of those you are trying to understand? Guess Dems can pick and choose in that area. Just them flexing their power and acting like “Children of the Corn” by creating nonsense laws because “they can” and not because these laws were actually needed.
The attached was taken from a facebook page called Preserve Pittsfield. They seem to want to call it a SURCHARGE instead of a tax. I say Pittsfield can’t afford it.
Preserve Pittsfield added 4 new photos.
9 hrs ·
Because they’d adopted the Community Preservation Act, a few years ago Randolph MA was able to leverage a mere $16K in CPA funds to secure $1.36 MILLION more in state economic development funding to revitalize their historic Crawford Square downtown business district. This ultimately lead to over 4 million dollars in state and private investments brought to bear to transform the landscape for local business and improve quality of life residentially.
Preserve Pittsfield’s photo.
Preserve Pittsfield’s photo.
Preserve Pittsfield’s photo.
Preserve Pittsfield’s photo.
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Carolyn Barry
Carolyn Barry I think Pittsfield is taxed enough.
Like · Reply · 55 mins
Preserve Pittsfield
Preserve Pittsfield Unlike a tax, CPA surcharge dollars raised locally are substantially matched by state funding annually. Property taxes keep going up partly because Pittsfield has deferred on many building needs and projects, but tax increases don’t come with guaranteed 30-50% matches
Like · Reply · 19 mins
Preserve Pittsfield
Preserve Pittsfield Pittsfield residents are already paying into this, hundreds of thousands we don’t see back because we have not adopted
Like · Reply · 14 mins
Carolyn Barry
Carolyn Barry I understand what a CPA is. It was voted in in Lenox around 10 years ago and it won by a handful of votes. I know quite a few people who are still kicking themselves for not voting. You can call it a surcharge or whatever you want but it’s still coming out of homeowners pockets. Any readers have any input on this????????????????????????????????????????
If it is not for the vested interests (Public School, Police, Fire UNIONS), then Pittsfield politics won’t support the CPA!
Jonathan you are right. That’s the only way anything can happen in the Pitts. It has to benefits the special interests. The only way.
Giving thanks for The Planet. It’s needed more than ever because we know Pitts newspapers and radio stations are too afraid to cover news unless it puts everyone to sleep or creates a fake image of how ‘great’ everyhitng is.
On North St. today, right in front of HON confusing traffic pattern had northbound cars driving in southbound lane. I witnessed two near collisions. No cop there but a bunch at other locations on North doing nothing but looking into their phones or drinking coffee.
Finally a construction guy had to come running out and frantically begin to direct traffic. And you wonder why people get frusrtated, especially with the latest huge increases in taxes and fees.
It’s not that local newspapers are afraid. It’s that they are trying to protect the politicians from looking bad. That is the first concern of the local media at all times. The local media used to be the watchdog for the people. Now it’s the watchdog for the politicians. They must be protected at all costs. The public has allowed this to happen by not demanding honesty from its local media.
There is NOITHING historic about St. Mary church.
Not really, just lots of people who want it to be saved but have no interest in contributing to it’s upkeep.
A very nice African American man and his family attended the Dallas protest last night and he was nearby when the 5 policemen were murdered, he is horrified. He said he keeps getting lots of tweets from people he doesn’t even know urging him to hate and he said he chooses love. The news reporter he was speaking to just ignored this, but just the idea that there are people out there that want to incite people to hate and violence is disgusting, but it is so great to hear that people are choosing love over hate.
i may have to move out of Pittsfield just to survive. How much longer can we continue to be guided by these elected idiots? Get rid of all of them in the next alections
I also know that there is a lot more Dems could do in many of these inner cities to get rid of the poverty and improve education in those areas. The poverty and lack of opportunities are feeding the anger and also leading to a lot of the violence. Why aren’t Dems doing more? Many of these cities are Democrat controlled. We have a Democrat as President for the last 8 years. Are Dems feeding off of the anger to win elections? If they brought some prosperity to the African American communities and even the Hispanic neighborhoods, this would go a long way toward improving relations between police and those citizens.
It’s obvious that many of the young people in those areas of unrest do need financial and educational assistance and it’s a big reason why they have too many interactions with the police. The police get used to having too many interactions with them also. It’s dysfunctional, but to me it starts with financial assistance and education.
If Trump talks jobs he can possibly win with this democratic vote.If trump talks about Hillarys weight or murderous ways he gets creamed….conservatives hate hate hate Trump and Trump already owns white males but why not try to get people who want jobs .
Trumps does the usual he loses big…..people on both side want jobs.
Republican block Obama for 8 years and he wants out…cant wait to read that book
Pat in case you havent noticed there are no conservatives in the race.Also maybe when you start paying attention you will see that there are no republicans in the race….Sanders,Trump,Clinton
Republican party as you want it is gone,vanished…..you guys made a complete mess and dont pickup after yourselves.For your sake. I hope your just in a 16 year timeout.
I hope for the sake of all of us that you are wrong. You really think that Clinton will be elected for not just one, but for 2 terms? I guess you are okay with our big corrupt government making all of your decisions for you. Not me, I choose small government and freedom. This country will be a very sad place if we continue on this path of big government running our lives.
I think we need a “different” type of candidate in this country right now and I think Trump certainly qualifies as that. I think both the Republican and Democratic parties are BROKEN, but the Republicans at least still have some common sense, but they often do a poor job of communicating their message. The Democrats have lost all of their common sense. I think the reason the country is in the mess its in is because of too much PARTISAN politics. Americans need to GROW UP and vote for logical and responsible candidates who have COMMON SENSE. When we start acting responsibly we will attract candidates that reflect our values.
Really-do you understand English? What is it that you are trying to say? I think the commenter above regarding you is- accurate.Please try to contribute to the conversation. YOU AND A FEW OTHERS TAKE UP TIME WHICH IS PRECIOUS ON THIS BLOG TO TALK NONSENSE
Does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care, about time. Chicago
So I dont waste time blogging I will let you know the vast majority of this country for now are not looking for a conservative.
What always needs explaining is what does your small goverment look like.I hope it means smaller banks and much smaller ideas on where to invade next.Those bank bailouts are expensive.
Great. Then our country will get into even deeper trouble.
Also, I think that Dan V. is also voting for Trump.
Dan is working for Trump and is probably voting for him because of another… No Alternative….
I am not thrilled with another Clinton,with tha said if Trump show himself as a very caring creator of jobs by balancing NAFTA s damage with incentives to build in America something Clinton will not be doing because Bubba and Newt did together….Trump was talking jobs and if he does that I will vote for him and if he talks about Hillary being a criminal and shes fat then beople will think he immature and forgot about jobs….Say President Clinton….you have to stop with the stupid Roger Ayles Dick Morse vers6 of Hillary.
I have been watching a lot of PCTV this weekend. Have you seen the elementary physical education teachers reporting on their taxpayer funded confrence on how to be better phys. ed teachers? WHAT ARE THEY LEARNING?-HOW TO DRIBBLE A BASKETBALL BALL– how to be better cheer leaders or how to better pull the wool over the taxpayers eyes? We have to put an end to these lightweights earning 90.OOO dollars in salary per year and 60-70 thousand e per year in retirement benifits– plus medical benifits with a 85-15 split– with you the taxpayer paying the 85%. DOES THIS SIT WELL WITH YOU? BETTER SMARTEN UP PEOPLE. We need to PUT AND END TO THIS NONSENSE at the ballot box. The next city election in nov 2017 is the most important election in the city of Pittsfield’s history. We need a clean sweep and vote into office only Non Gobsig candidates. What do you think????
She has a Four Year Deal dude
worried, they learn how to pump up their balls to the proper pressure. God knows we don’t wan’t them to walk around school unless their balls are up to snuff.
There were shots fired on Adam Street last night….no reports on it yet…..does anyone know anything?
Do you discuss your fascination with testicles and laxatives on other websites or is it just for the Planet’s benefit?
Lenox ma will pay physical education teacher on step 18 with a masters 92 k….even the teacher would say it insane.
Pittsfield physical education teachers will say they are the highest payed and yon will say we dont keep up.Our only make 78 k top step masters in volleyball
There were shots fired on Adam Street last night….no reports on it yet…..does anyone know anything?