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TWO MORE WALK PLANK AS ICEBERG HEADS STRAIGHT TOWARD TYER-HELMED ‘S.S. PITTSFIELD,’ BUT NOT TO WORRY. WE HAVE BILL BELICHICK. WE HAVE TOM BRADY.

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY FEB. 14, 2017) — If you think THE PLANET is going to shamelessly milk and rehash the astounding win by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51, you’re right. We can’t get enough a game all sorts of “experts” are calling the greatest ever played.

We deemed it better than to hash what we know about the firings … er … “resignations” of Bruce Collingwood (public utilities) and Janis Ackerstrom (Department of Community Development). For the record, Mayor Linda Tyer and her office haven’t confirmed or denied C&A are gone, hiding behind the “it’s a personnel matter” loin cloth. You The People, constitutionally empowered, only own local goverment. You only pay the bills. You only get golden showers from the dolts, dunces, and derelicts of appointed and elected office. What makes you think Tyer or Pretty Boy Mr. Council VP (that would be one John “Korral” Krol, who is to The Ordinary Citizen what the razor points of a coral reef are to the bottom of an un-sandaled foot) owe you more than that?

Krol told The Brattleboro Reformer he supported the mayor’s decision. Again, he doesn’t trust his constituents enough to explain the factors concerning the firings — and they were firings — that would warrant the issuance of that trust. Keep in mind that neither Tyer, Korral, nor most other members of city government including the school committee care a rat’s boom-boom about you, Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski.

Korral implies the moves were made for financial reasons: “I look forward to seeing what this means for the upcoming budget and adjustments that Mayor Tyer may be making for the upcoming fiscal year.”

If indeed the moves were made to drive cost out of government, great. The nsay that. Such a position is defensible — although one would immediately have to question why the hits continue to come from city side (stomach bloated, ribs sticking out) rather than school side (where fatted rolls of skin blubber down into crevices where hides the flatulent jam of lethargy and administrative incompetence).

Ah, but enough. THE PLANET, best muckraker of them all, is sick of the muck. Let’s go to the meaninglessness consequentiality of sports.

This is fromour colleague Adam Schein, media columnist for NFL.com.

1) Tom Brady

Even before Tom Brady won his fifth Super Bowl, he was the greatest quarterback of all time. That said, the greatest of all time just had his greatest performance of all time.

Brady owns the playoffs and big games. But Sunday night’s effort was the next level of the highest level. While earning his record-setting fourth Super Bowl MVP, Brady passed for a Super Bowl-record 466 yards. But obviously, the story is the epic comeback Brady authored. Atlanta took a 28-3 lead with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter. Here is what Brady did from that point on:

26 of 33 for 284 yards and two touchdowns (against zero picks) — good for a 122.7 quarterback rating. Oh, and for good measure, he converted a key third-and-8 with a 15-yard scramble.

Yep, that’s how you spark the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. Never hate. Always appreciate watching the best to ever do it — and I’m not just talking about quarterbacking here.

Tom Brady is the best football player to ever play the game. We’re beyond best quarterback ever. Nobody has enjoyed a more decorated career. Sorry, Jerry Rice.

2) Bill Belichick

Like with Brady, I’ve argued for years that Belichick is the best to ever do what he does. Thus, Sunday’s outcome didn’t matter on that front. Regardless of the outcome, I always would’ve come out of that game thinking the same thing: Bill Belichick is the best coach in football history.

But Sunday’s comeback win for the ages solidifies this statement: Bill Belichick is the best coach in sports history.

Five titles = rarefied air. Factor in two more last-minute Super Bowl defeats — as well as two more Super Bowl wins as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants — and this guy has spent an extraordinary amount of time at or near the top of the mountain.

To me, what sets Belichick’s next-level greatness apart is the maintained domination in a salary-cap league hell-bent on fostering competitive balance. Belichick’s Patriots have won eight straight division titles (13 of the past 14) and participated in the past six AFC title games. These are feats that will never be duplicated in NFL history. It speaks to Belichick’s coaching and preparation. Consider how things transpired in New England this year: Brady missed the first four games of the season due to suspension (a wrongful suspension, if you ask me), Pro Bowl linebacker Jamie Collins was traded in late October and Rob Gronkowski went on injured reserve in early December. The season’s result: The Patriots go 14-2 and win the Super Bowl.

Belichick’s the best ever. In any sport.

——– 000 ——–

Linda Tyer just gave Covanta, a private, for-profit company, well more than half a million of your money, Mr. and Mrs. Kapanski.  With that, she wants to tax you more for your garbage, even though you already pay for trash removal in your highest-in-the-state taxes. The internal workings of her governmental machine are in chaos. Mickey Mouse is jumping ship. A big ol’ iceberg is heading toward her ship of state. Ah, but what is that? THE PLANET won’t dwell there.

We have Tom Brady.

We have Bill Belichick.

We have what Sports illustrated, The NFL Network, The Sporting News, ESPN, and pals call the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

And remember, you can’t spell “Valentine” without “Valenti.” Have a happy, all lovers, everywhere.

——————————————————————————-

“They say ‘don’t worry.’ How do you ‘dont?'” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.

“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 that violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment, written word, or information from any source other than PLANET VALENTI as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service. All users of the services of PLANET VALENTI agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice.

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Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Linda Tyer is turning out to be not good for this city. I wanted to give her a chance and I did, but it’s just one thing after another. Tax on top of tax. We can’t vote ourselves 40% pay increases like the Progressives in power here in Massachusetts.

Speaking of people voting for 40% raises for government officials, Adam Hinds was at the refugee meeting last night at Herberg. The BB ran a story about it, but made it sound like the small crowd of some 75 people were all for the refugees coming here and even wanted to know how they could help. Jobs will be critical for these people as they supposedly only get a one time payment from the government. So in a community that already has high poverty. we are adding more people in a desperate situation. I was unable to attend the meeting so I don’t know what questions were asked except the nice ones reported by the BB.

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

One-time cash payment from the federal program, fake news forgets to mention the housing, food stamps, education, healthcare and probably also more cash coming from the state and city. Every need of foreigners is met, while the government shows up with guns to take citizens’ property if they can’t pay

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  Wilson
7 years ago

Reply to Wilson–Bravo! Nicely said!

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Mayor Tyer is bankrupting Pittsfield taxpayers by not addressing the department of schools.PHS needs to close and put all high schools under 1 roof at a huge savings to Pittsfield.Crosby is a embarrassment in Kroll s backyard that needs 1 million each and every year to fix what’s broken.Crosby needs to be leveled and a commission to consolidate schools she have already been in place.

Spagirlfrommass
Spagirlfrommass
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

I agree with consolidation of Schools and responsible fiscal tightening in the School Dept. Pressure needs to come from the Community.

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

I agree with The School Committe, however –be brave and say so on City Council meeting tonight–02/14/2017 at 7pm

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Dan I like your analogy of Krol and a coral reef and I think the taxpayers will bleed a lot more as he progresses up the political ladder. I can see him being appointed up the political chain much like Tricia was because he is being a good boy, lap dog, tool of the cabal.
And as we see at every level of government, if you can show that you are willing to do as told you are going to move up, sometimes quickly. And these traits will move you up much faster than being some lame ass elected official that actually does what he or she was elected to do. Actually doing what you elelected to do does not play well with the establishment.

Spagirlfrommass
Spagirlfrommass
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Bruce Collingwood ran out of Luck. He should have been fired during the previous Mayor’s term. He is simply incompetent.

Question Markey
Question Markey
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

Can Collingwood, now retire at one of Pittsfield’s famously lucrative and primary economic product; a municipal pension ?

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

Reply to Spagirlfrommass:
I agree with you. Moreover, Mr.G asked to fire Collingwood 1.5 year ago and now it’s done. One more to go.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Look at Adam Hinds. Only in there for a few months and already knows who his bosses are. Not the people who voted for him, but the top dogs of the Progressive party in Boston. 40% raises? No problem. How people can defend big government when we see how corrupt it can become is beyond me.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Trisha Bouvier and John Kroll are the Democratic party Hillary Clinton that allowed Trump to be a President.Twenty five years ago the Democratic party went conservative pro business under Clinton.Now these politicians are the only people who keep saying GE is not coming back….no kidding maybe we should cut department of schools and those same people will say oh no.
In pittsfield our home values are dropping and real estate taxes are in a tornado effect rising rapidly as Department of schools added more position this year….Schools have no fear of Marchetti or Simonelli….Yon knows the council well and says ….what are you going to do about it.

Rocky Creed
Rocky Creed
7 years ago

DV. Time to get away from your bromance with Brady and Billy. They were 3 plays away from a 3-4 SB record and fans like you would have been calling for Brady to retire and bring on the Grap. And once Tom goes there goes Billy cause he knows he’s nothing without his golden boy. The Butler pick goes down as the dumbest offensive play ever called in NFL history. That’s 1 play. Atlanta on the Pats 25 then take a sack and holding call. The next 2 dumbest offensive play calls ever. That’s 2 plays. B & B were aided by the 2 biggest choke jobs in NFL history. Eli beat B & B twice, 2-0 in SB’s. Shouldn’t that make him the GOAT because he is undefeated against your 2 GOAT’s? Brady could have never played in the 70’s game. Even he said the last SB wasn’t his greatest game.

Really
Really
Reply to  Rocky Creed
7 years ago

Really?

Remember the grasp rule? Eli was in it when he chucked the luckiest catch in football history. That was one play as well. If properly called, Giants lose.

You seem to see things in only one direction.

Get a grip.

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Eli was not in the grasp – that’s total BS. Giants deserved to win that game, just as the Pats deserved their SB wins.

Demetrius T. Gladiator
Demetrius T. Gladiator
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

You jint fans are just jealous of the B-Men. Bob (Kraft), Blichick, and Brady. Using yur illogic jints are twofluke plays from being 0-2 against Pats. Brady gave his team the lead late in4thQ of both games. Only what you call dumb luck (helmet catch, manningham catch) gets in the wayof Brady being 7-0.
BTW how do like all those publications media, TV, online saying Edelman’s “Miracle’ catch (sports illustrated) is greatest all time Super Bowl history?

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Pittsfield schools are to big to cut.Department head Mccandless is having meeting with his principles to trick council into believing they have massive cuts.All superintendent s should have a business background.
Marchetti needs to call mccandless today and ask him about staffing the new Taconic.How does Joe Curtis plan to keep the new TaconicHigh maintained.

Don t
Don t
7 years ago

Aside…..Remember you can’t spell Valentine without spelling Valenti.

Really
Really
7 years ago

Really?

Thank god we finally have a Mayor with the guts to ax Collingwood. Anyone who has had the displeasure of dealing with him knows this has been needed for a decade. Ruberto should have canned him.

I don’t know anything about this Ackerstrom woman, but Collingwood got what he deserved. Connell had the guts to say it like it is. Good for him.

Tyer has earned my vote, on this issue alone, if she runs again.

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

I agree. Mayor Tyer finally had the balls to do something the previous 2 male mayors did not.

Mike
Mike
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

Only cus her boyfriend don’t like Bruce, I would love to see you clowns do that job, Tyler is a puppet being told what to do and when to do it her boyfriend pulls the strings

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

How long did it take for her to decide to let the guy go? And was it a coincidence she canned someone else the same day? She really owes the public an explanation as we are paying everyone’s high salary.

Are the replacements (which I imagine have been handpicked) going to start at the same high salary? Are they related in some way to a city official? Does Collingwoods replacement have actual job related skills because it quite often does not seem to be part of the hiring criteria in Pittsfield, Ma.?

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Govt jobs rarely go to the most qualified candidate. It’s who you know, who you are related to, and what political party you side with. That’s why we get the incompetents. If you applied for a job you were most qualified for, all you have to do is mention you voted for Trump and you will NOT be hired.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Article in BB about the refugee meeting last night. http://www.iberkshires.com/story/53931/Pittsfield-Refugee-Resettlement-Uncertain-After-Federal-Changes.html

There were thankfully some people who asked hard questions about the program. Anthony Simonelli asked about the Springfield mayor complaining about the resettlement program saying it is creating concentrations of poverty in that city. The question was quickly deflected by the group, however, saying it was not their organization, but another organization causing the problem. Huh? There’s more than one? How is one contributing to poverty and not the other?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Anthony Simonelli is mischaracterizing the concern of the other City’s Mayors.

I do agree with those other mayors, the refugee program is not effect and is definitely not managing the resources provided by the government to help new residents transition to Massachusetts.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Matt you are very fake news

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

I’ve said it before, it’s hard to compare athletes from different eras. The rules change the equipment changes. I’m not a Pat’s fan but loved the game and was rooting for the Pat’s. I do believe Brady is the best of his era. Same with Belechick.
I wish I could have gone to the refugee meeting but I’m out of town. I’m sure it was a blow smoke up our behinds just like at the library. I do know that in other areas the refugees are collecting welfare and section 8 in addition to their EBT cards. I don’t expect Pittsfield to be any different. I’m sure they packed the meeting with the same church minions from here and afar just like at the library. Good grief .

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

The reason why Springfield and West Springfield residents are so upset about the program is because they have been receiving the highest number of refugees in the state:

West Springfield, with a population of just under 30,000, had the state’s third-highest number of refugee arrivals over the past seven years, according to U.S. Department of State data reviewed by The Republican. A total of 2,356 refugees — 19 percent of the state total — were relocated there.

“With a population of about 150,000, Springfield had 1,553 refugee arrivals from January 2010 to February 2017 — 800 fewer refugee than West Springfield. Springfield’s total was the state’s fifth-highest, and accounted for 12.6 percent of the state total. Nearly twice as many refugees — over 3,000 — arrived in Worcester, a city of about 180,000 residents.”

See the article and comments below it.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/west_springfield_mayor_welcome.html

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

What should concern the public about all of these programs is that the politicians are also not looking ahead 25, 50 or even 100 years to see the results of this influx of refugees. What will be the long term consequences of these decisions? We are lucky if these politicians look past next month when making their decisions and their impact on communities. Politicians are NOT doing their jobs when they ONLY look at the short term consequences.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

I wonder what Native Americans think of your statement?

Akbar Fukwad
Akbar Fukwad
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

They think they prefer their own religion to Islam.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Akbar Fukwad
7 years ago

Just ignore Matt (shakes) he is fake news

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dean
7 years ago

I don’t care what sweetness comes from your honeyed little red rose petal lips. I will not be your Valentine.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Dean
7 years ago

Ok Matt (shakes)

Ghidora
Ghidora
7 years ago

Good riddance to Collingwood. All he ever did was rape the taxpayer by constantly raising or proposing to raise fees. And we got nothing in return for the higher fees except poor water quality. His latest proposal to raise some fees upward of $500 was so insane that perhaps the mayor felt she had no choice but to send him packing.
I am having my dog apply for the position. Can’t possibly do a worse job, and may even do much better. At least we’d know the fire hydrants would be kept in tip top shape.

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

Reply to Ghidora: Bravo! Bravo!

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  VillageKnight
7 years ago

The system costs what it costs, it’s not as if Collingwood was making a commission.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Matt (shakes) you are still fake news

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Pat… you don’t really like extreme vetting.Let’s be honest you fear the middle easterners.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

This is the progressive answer to everything. No addressing the concerns. Deflect and weave. People should be asking hard questions about the refugee program. You say I’m fearful. I say the complete lack of concern and trying to make it sound like these are regular immigrants who have been coming to this country forever is naive. Not to mention the problem of concentrating poverty in certain areas of the country.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Right now you should fear Yon and Mccandless

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

I sound like a broken record… I can’t wait for state receivership to take over. It’s inevitable

The school committee counts on people not paying attention/voting and those that do are already in their back pockets/teachers.

Keep on down the path boys and girls. Ain’t no running from karma

Spagirlfrommass
Spagirlfrommass
Reply to  LoneGunMan
7 years ago

No…there certainly is no running from the truth…… and the truth us staring straight at them LoneGunMan

Spagirlfrommass
Spagirlfrommass
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

is

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

I bet you a $100 donation to the ALCU that Pittsfield will not be in receivership in your lifetime.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

Ignore Matt (shakes his head) he is fake news

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Spagirlfrommass
7 years ago

Dean is dick. And no dean, I will not be your valentine.

Ghidora
Ghidora
Reply to  LoneGunMan
7 years ago

LGM, don’t think receivership is on the way. All this financial gloom and doom talk is nothing more than setting the stage for a campaign to override Prop 2 and a half. And because this small city is dumb enough to vote to increase its own taxes, like all the idiots who voted for the CPA tax last fall, it’s very likely to happen. I mean, who the f is dumb enough to vote yes to have their own taxes increased? The answer is Pittsfield voters.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Ghidora
7 years ago

When city schools hit level 4 the process of receivership begins. It has nothing to do with money. Right now many schools such as PHS skirted the level 4 and became 3.5 by doing a few key changes to appease the state…it will happen

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

I have always railed against giving more and more money to the school system. It’s insanity.

Christine
Christine
7 years ago

Dan, I don’t think it is financial. Common sense, would say that it would have been done a different way. However, knowing Pittsfield, one of two things could have happened. A) the were about to blow the whistle, and they had to disgrace their credibility and get them out fast. B) They did something, but if they were there 15 years without a problem — this means either, they need them out to put another crony in OR something has been going on for a long time and was finally addressed. People will start talking. If you have done nothing wrong, then like me you will go kicking and screaming . As they haven’t, I wonder if the money trail will show, if a payment or settlement of silence was made.

Bill Q
Bill Q
Reply to  Christine
7 years ago

Probably we’re told months ago they wouldn’t be on the team,so to have her people step in later.It’s all about loyaty.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Christine
7 years ago

You should run for school committee Christine. Get some red lines on those budget cuts!

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Dean why Donmt YOU ignore the people you tell ignore day after day, grow up.

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Don’t sorry,.

H
H
7 years ago

Humpty Trumpty sat on a Wall
Humpty Trmpty about to have his biggest Fall
All of Flynn’s knowledge of Russia
And when did Trumpty know and when
Couldn’t put Trumpty back on the right road again.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  H
7 years ago

Why don’t you sing the Humpty song about Massachusetts politics?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  H
7 years ago

The Repubs are saying that they have a Democrat leaking information and the Dems want to impeach Trump after 3 weeks in office.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  H
7 years ago

Why don’t you sing the Humpty song about Pittsfield politics?

H
H
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Cuz Humpty doesn’t rhyme with Tyer.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  H
7 years ago

Cry me a river H. Sorry your vile girl lost.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

The lovely Linda Tyer is no different than the rest of Pittsfield politics over the past decades of Pittsfield’s downward spiral. Mayor Linda Tyer is part of a local political machine who raises municipal taxes by 5% every fiscal year, increases municipal debts by millions of dollars, and represents the vested interests instead of the working people.
To blame the lovely Linda is unfair. I blame Pittsfield politics. The political system in Pittsfield needs to change! The same old way of doing the public’s business is NOT working out. Thousands of people have moved away from Pittsfield. Thousands of jobs have been lost in Pittsfield. The only “economic or financial” growth in Pittsfield is the city government’s taxes, welfare and social services caseloads, crime, and insider political hacks who serve their Democratic Party masters or the “Suits”.
I don’t believe the lovely Linda Tyer lives in the real world! She uses the words “dynamic” and “vibrant” instead of addressing the important issues facing Pittsfield. She gives tax breaks to wealthy businesses like Richard Stanley and Covanta. She hiked local taxes higher while Sabic’s move to Houston, Texas, took hundreds of jobs away. The median income of all of those lost jobs was $70k/year.
In conclusion, it is always more of the same “bad news” for Pittsfield, and Pittsfield politics is still part of the problem!
– Jonathan Melle

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

Reply to Jonathan Melle:
I am speechless… You got that 100% right! I am a conservative Republican, but I must support your message (even though you are Progressive/Liberal) Jonathan–if you understand local politics, you should be able to understand more on Fed level.
The Queen, indeed, lives in another Universe with all her Krols, Whites and Tricias courtiers.

Harlan RinkleNutts
Harlan RinkleNutts
Reply to  VillageKnight
7 years ago

You should be clueless, he’s been spewing the same rhetoric for thirty years.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

More info on the Springfield, MA refugee mess that is making its way toward Pittsfield.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/springfield_mayor_rebuts_claim.html#incart_river_home#incart_m-rpt-2

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

I was just gonna post the same story…what else is JFS and it’s CEO Maxine J. Stein lying about?

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Joe Blow
7 years ago

Stein lies, cheats and forcefully implants unwanted refugees in cities like Pittsfield/Springfield

yet, she lives comfortably up in the liberal mecca of Northampton that has taken in ZERO and probably will remain at that number

Places like Noho and Amherst are the worst offenders. rich, white 1%ers with overbleeding hearts that wouldn’t want any of this in their own backyard but will fight to allow it into ours

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Part of the reason some low income areas stay low income areas is because funds designated to revive them or assist them get heavily skimmed before they hit their intended target. Some of these programs are actually set up for the sole purpose of creating a skim fund. A rake takes place all down the administrative distribution chain until there is little left for the make believe target group.

Some years ago a massive hurricane hit Jamacia and almost totaled the country. Billions in aid were sent to rebuild, much of it coming from personal donations and large fund raising. 5 years later the country did not look much better because much of the money disappeared along the way. Same with the coast of New Jersey after hurricane Sandy in 2012. Governor Christie is still withholding some of the relief money for whatever reason.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Seen Haiti lately? The Clintons saved it after the earthquake and the recent hurricanes. It’s a tourist beacon of prosperirty

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
7 years ago

Topix is garbage

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Mccandless…I want more money.

RobEM
RobEM
7 years ago

The article in Iberkshires says that Pittsfield’s application to become a resettlement community was approved by the State Department and the Jewish organization. Who filed the application and when?

Koz
Koz
Reply to  RobEM
7 years ago

That is a question I’d love to see answered.

Spider
Spider
Reply to  RobEM
7 years ago

DV: Can you answer this question?

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Spider
7 years ago

Pete White and John Krol probably held hands as they skipped into the office to fill out the paper work

TFB was too busy having her 3 hour lunch at Amazing Pavillions all you can eat buffet

Time Won't Let Me
Time Won't Let Me
7 years ago

You can’t go anywhere in this City without running into some idiot jaywalking, driver crazy or just plain disrespect. This is getting old, Police need to start ticketing. Been down to Big Y about six times in the last two months and at least four of those times there was some sort of disturbance, looks like I’m going to Stop and Shop and Price Chopper from now on,exclusive.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Hows Trump doing today.Is this the liberal thinking party that got FLynn to call puttin on behalf of Trump before he was president…..you voted for moron

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Don’t you have towel you can cry into. Stay focused.

mi
mi
7 years ago

When the Mayor gave Covanta five hundred thousand,that should have told you the extent of her management skills.North Adams has a chance to get five hundred thousand through a competition among other small city’s, hope they win it.

mi
mi
7 years ago

Must’ve broke a chord?

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
7 years ago

The way things are going now the city, will be plowing through August.

American Dreamer
American Dreamer
7 years ago

You can’t spell Valentine without spelling Valenti!

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
7 years ago

U.S. Marine in Iraq web message got 44 Million views!
About Travel ban and Iraq people feelings for Americans.
How Iraqies would treat him, if he went walking alone in their
city.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/5319467973001/?#sp=show-clips

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

Pat, that was a very informative link about the refugee in Springfield. It just goes to show the kind of people we are dealing with that are shoving these refugees down our throats.

Don t
Don t
7 years ago

I’d be more wary of a Springfield con than a refugee. Trump should take a harder line on Russia, never mind the illegals. Russia will never be our friend.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Don t
7 years ago

Why wasn’t Obama tough on Russia and Progressives said nothing? Russia went crazy under Obama and all he did was put on a few sanctions. No tough talk from Obama.

gocometti
gocometti
7 years ago

The loss of Bruce Collingwood just like the loss of Bill Forestall before him are a both a loss of institutional knowledge which
cannot be replaced. Great Public Service is really very rare and misunderstood and not appreciated by most people until well after they are no longer serving.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  gocometti
7 years ago

and that is precisely why we will hire somebody’s cousin whose expertise is in crop dusting. The first criteria is someone who is not going to spill the beans on what really goes on in a big city department

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  gocometti
7 years ago

Just curious what if any process and procedures are in place to capture institutional knowledge? This day and age there are a plethora of ways to do this. All the experts’ consultants we have paid for someone must have put something in place. I know I am responsible as is everyone else at my work place to capture, document and preserve all sorts of information in multiple formats Documents pictures video etc. This information is then once again checked against “best practices”, current policy and procedures all unique aspects of any projects are further reviewed for future applications and preserved. Do we not have a similar process in place?

just sayin

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Joe Pinhead
7 years ago

Similar process? yer being facetious right Joe?

heh heh

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

How many of you think the Trump Flynn issue is a human resource firing by Trump as reported on Fox news……Hello Pat…I have to know what Hannity said.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Flynn was a Obama boy

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Trump appointed him…..Where have you been Joe

Ham Anex
Ham Anex
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Stop watching MSLSD

Don t
Don t
7 years ago

Han nutty’s comments are like Harrison Ford landing his airplane, it eventually hits the ground.

Tricksie
Tricksie
7 years ago

maybe the IT dept discovered some irregularities like the old Con Com guy – oink oink

h
h
7 years ago

Wut’s that tricksie?

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Lotsa Turmoil (also known as Trumpmoil) going on at the white house

And yes Pat I know it was all caused by Obama and the stinkin progressives

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Trump has been on the job 3 weeks and already Dems want to impeach him. I Love Mike Pence too. Go to CNN or MSNBC and every story is a put down of Trump and has been for a long time. Such a sharp contrast from the love affair they had with Obama that it boggles the mind.

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Yes True

Really
Really
7 years ago

Really?

Really?

Really?

Pittsfield has it’s own version of Betsy DeVos in Councilor Mazzeo.

She was just on the radio bragging about her daughters 4.0 GPA from her first semester at college. All well and good, right? Only sort of.

She went on and gave a huge shout out to Miss Hall’s School for giving her daughter a great education. She went on and on and on about Miss Halls School.

As a City Councilor, shouldn’t she be promoting the Pittsfield Public School system instead of encouraging people to send their kids out of district? If she is upset with the school system, shouldn’t she be trying to do something about it instead of promoting other schools?

This is like telling people its better to live in Lenox, which maybe it is, but as an elected official, part of your job it to promote the city you represent.

I was left with my jaw hanging wide open at the idiocy of what she was doing. Why do people continue to vote for her? Is it the free desert they give out around election time at the restaurant?

Can someone please explain to me why they vote for her? I just can wrap my head around it.

I listen to her babble at the council meetings, and it is babble, as you can barely make out what her points are by the time she shuts up.

Now she is rooting against the city and people she represents.

Really?

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

You have to have a lot of money to get into Miss Halls. So 99 percent of Pittsfield kids could not go there if they wanted. It is not a school choice choice.

Melissa just wants you to know her kid is better than yours

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Only the rich can afford to send their kids to Miss Halls School. It’s not an option for the majority of people living in Pittsfield.

I would never vote for Mazzeo. She is out of touch with the needs of the city.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

We need some eye candy on the council. Otherwise half the male population wouldn’t watch

Really
Really
Reply to  LoneGunMan
7 years ago

Really?

Isn’t that what Marchetti is for?

Really
Really
7 years ago

Really?

Now she is talking about how great the empty suit was. On and on and on about the great Dan Bianchi.

What was so great about the guy who raised taxes 25% in four years? He wouldn’t talk to the Planet, which means he didn’t care about the people. She is clearly still his stooge.

I guess we know who is running against Tyer in 3 years. Maybe she will send all the Pittsfield kids to Miss Halls school.

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Whomever cuts school budget wins mayor.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Did anyone catch the part in the refugee meeting article in iberkshires about the woman in charge of the refugee program saying that many of the refugees have behavioral issues?

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Awesome. Good to know. A lot of the kids in our schools now that have behavioral problems wind up in the court system. And just what did she say was the up side for Pittsfield to take these folks in? Are we going to be spiritually rewarded? Good enough for me man

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

She didn’t say kids. Could also be grown men with behavioral issues. This secretive organization isn’t saying.

Spider
Spider
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

There is also the health question. Do you really think they are being vetted for health problems. I don’t.

Other cities have encountered these problems. So much for keeping our kids safe and healthy.

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Spider
7 years ago

Yes

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

I did catch Pat that you didn’t go to the meeting and from what I read here no one from this blog who is opposing it attended. Dan said he would have his spies there but what good is that. The people, like yourself, that feel so strongly about it never seem to have time or their out of town or something else.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Thomas More
7 years ago

Unlike the rich people in the community with nothing but time on their hands, we poor people do have many demands on our time so yes I was unable to attend. It happens. I really don’t believe that even if I did attend this one meeting, it would change anything. I went to the first meeting, the second was cancelled and I was unable to attend this last one. The burden shouldn’t be on one person to change things. It needs to be many people in the community coming together. That will be the only way to change things especially in the voting booth.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

You would not be poor if you were smarter and worked harder.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Oh stop with the snippy progressive comments. This is why people don’t get along in this community. No compassion for locals, only refugees and illegal immigrants.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Why should I be compassionate for you if you are dumb and scared of work?

H
H
7 years ago

Will the refugee kids be eligible for Miss Hall’s?

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  H
7 years ago

Use to be when you came legally to this country you were supposed to learn English. Many do not bother or do not want to . And it irritates the hell out of me every time someone comes over the intercom at Walmart to announce a blue light special and I can’t understand a word they are saying. I think they do it on purpose so people from their own country can grab up all the bargains. SO UNFAIR!

H
H
7 years ago

The world is coming to an end, agent orange is trying his best to get us there.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
7 years ago

Check out the bobble head at the human services advisory committee meeting,she nods at everything before it’s said. She is cute though.

knows the truth
knows the truth
7 years ago

Did you catch Mazzeo talking about wal mart on the radio today? “I would rather pay more to a local business rather than deal with those crazies that go to wal mart’. Ouch MM good way to represent your constituents

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  knows the truth
7 years ago

And she can pay more because she has more. Does she care about those of us who don’t have her kind of money? How selfish can one person be?

She was elected to represent ALL of the people not just her wealthy friends.

Really
Really
Reply to  knows the truth
7 years ago

Really?

This “crazy” has to shop there. Thanks councilor Mazzeo for calling me crazy. If you got off your high horse and came down to earth with us little people you would understand the need for Walmart. We can’t afford Nordstroms, like you. We don’t all have BMWs, like you either.

Councilor, if you read this, and I’m sure you do, don’t be so pompus.

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

We have a walmart

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Mazzeo shouldn’t even be in office. She is a very wealthy woman involved in politics as a hobby or to boost her ego. We need politicians who can relate to the majority of the people in the city who are poor. Anyone who has a different opinion from her is dismissed.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Read Melissa Mazzeo’s tweets on line. In one she says that she too is an unlikable woman and she is proud of it. She is of course referring to Hillary who she obviously sees as a role model. This is the type of person we have on the city council.

amandaWell
amandaWell
7 years ago

Council Grades:
Krol A
Simonelli A
Caccamo A
Tully A
Rivers B
Amused So B
Connell
Mel Maz A
White C
Morandi B
Marchetti A

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Amanda you must live in dalton

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

That’s a high honors council