GRADES ARE IN FOR WARD COUNCILORS AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANTVALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 30, 2017) — Late August reminds us of the fleeting nature of things. People, places, and plants exist for the flash but in the next moment fade into the blessed, hibernative oblivion from whence they all came. Life begins to pull back, the energies flowing to the roots to prepare for the long winter ahead — not a bad time to look in this municipal election year at the performance of the two bodies that “govern” the city. Our sketches shall be mercifully brief, followed by The Old Professor‘s grades.
C’mon down, city council (wards) and school committee. THE PLANET shall deal with the at-large four and the mayor in The Weekend Edition.
CITY COUNCIL
- Ward 1, Lisa Tully — She’s a nurse, and that means compassion, dedication, and heart in the right place. She had them for the people in the ward. The “however” in this would be her frequent absences. Call it frustration. Call it being overwhelmed. She coulda and shoulda done better, but doesn’t that apply to all of us? Not running for re-election. C+
- Ward 2, Kevin Morandi — Councilors are like offensive linemen in football. They’re doing their job when performing under the radar. Morandi has done that, an envious quality that translates as effectiveness and excellence. He doesn’t show up on THE PLANET that often because he gets the job done. Ask his constituents. Running again and deserves re-election. A-
- Ward 3, Nick Caccamo — A cipher. Is he merely disinterested, bored, complacent, or, having nothing to say or contribute, says little and contributes less? He’s official Pittsfield’s answer to the burning riddle: Why did the millennial cross the road? Running for re-election. Faces token opposition that, in a just and startling universe, would pull off an upset. D
- Ward 4, Chris Connell — A favorite at this address for his instincts, which have consistently (though not consecutively) been on target. His politics derive from long service in the Dreaded Private Sector, not the usual sucking-up that provides the typical game plan for “inside” candidates, especially those long on the wrong kind of ambition and the right kind of mediocrity. Running for re-election. He wins THE PLANET’s endorsement. A.
- Ward 5, Donna Todd Rivers — She’s a lawyer, which explains a lot but leaves much more a mystery. Why isn’t she in private practice? Why doesn’t she use her standing as an officer of the court to side with citizens more than her political masters? Why has she allowed herself to be compromised by forces that have a proprietary address on her deep insecurities? Why hasn’t she broken out to be herself to use her talents to fight rather than enable a corrupt, political zeitgeist. C-
- Ward 6, John Krol — He takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Is he more than just a pretty face? Does “telegenic” translate into temperament? On the whole, the answer is “yes.” He’s often slammed for his media dabbling (a radio show run from a student station), but THE PLANET has long said and still does that when it comes to local media, the more the better. There may not be a “diversity” of political persuasions, but Krol says ALL are welcomed as guests. OK, then. We want to see Alex Blumin put in for a guest spot on Good Morning, Pittsfield and wait upon the answer. Running again and has THE PLANET‘s backing. B+
- Ward 7, Tony Simonelli — Long-time public school administrator, but so what? THE PLANET knew him when he played for GEAA and we for Union Federal in the Babe Ruth League. He’s a common sense guy, diligent in study, which makes up for any lack in perception or acuity. Up for re-election. Gentlemen’s C.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- This one is easy. Seven members, seven bobble heads “led” by the regrettable Kathy “Lady Boots” Yon. The citizens’ only semblance of free expression at the ballot box will be to join the “None of the Above” movement. Write in “None of the Above” on the ballot and make at least a token protest at how this Gang of Seven has contributed more than any other source to the bankruptcy (economic, moral, and otherwise) of a once great city. Collective and individual F grades. Remember: For school committee, write-in “None of the Above.”
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“I have not yet begun to fight” — John Paul Jones (American naval hero, not the bassist for Led Zeppelin)
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
The Usual Disclaimer.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
No one is on that school committee that was not recruited and backed by the good old boys. And that should tell you everything you need to know about the failed Pittsfield public school system.
Money cannot buy happiness but especially if it is not directed to the places that really need it. Wealthy school officials does not equate with good education.
As long as Pittsfield is a vibrant and dynamic city, then it doesn’t matter what kind of grades the city councilors and school committee members receive from Planet Valenti. The Good Old Boys are the real power-brokers, anyways. They control Pittsfield politics with their one political party system that rivals China.
We need to hear more from Jim Gleason, who is running for ward 3. Caccamo has done absolutely nothing. Rumor has it he routinely ignored constituents and they had to complain to the the council president to get something done.
Useless, hipster
Cacomo is useless and lazy. The only time anybody sees him in the ward is when he wants votes. Gleason understands the problems of the city and his ward and would do a much better job than tricky Nickie.
I would give Connell an D just because of the water boy approach for the latest road line painting and handicap parking,which were influenced by a media type. Krol gets another low mark, primarily because he uses a student show also, to advance political favor. He’s not that smart, and would raise taxes on you’re grandmother if she had one foot in the gutter.
Kevin Morandi and To y Sim are better looking than Krol.
I still give him an A. If not for councilor Connell, the city of Pittsfield would not have any crosswalks painted for the start of school.
A friend of mine was showing me his car that was scraped while driving through the Summer Street Parking deck and showed me a picture from his cell-phone the narrowness of the spot he was driving through. Suffice it to say, he won’t be parking his car there anytime soon.
The only way Krol gets a B+ is if the B stands for Buffoon.
John Krol,Buffoon +. That has a nice ring.
The only reason the king of dotties runs is because his fake business doesn’t generate enough income for him to buy health insurance. So you an I get to subsidize FaKroll.
But he’s the king of all media….Just ask him!!!
He will run until he makes his bid for mayor. Once he wins a single term, jacks our taxes sky high re: Bernie Sanders Socialism he will take his retirement and live large into his twilight years
Speaking of grades, what do tp you do with the Pittsfield Licensing Board lead by the great Carmine Massmiano. The Polish Falcon Club has been trying to leave the Runway, going on now for at least Four Years, and no one knows the Flight Pattern. Give it Up Carm. And take Rock Bottom,Darling Diane, and Felix the Lawyer,with you. No wonder Dana Doyle left.
And now, the restaurant out on west housatonic is back under yet another name. Good job you boobs
And did I hear the new name is the International House of Cocktails? Well, i’m all for that.
Make Cocktails Great again! Lee Hung is the manager, so i has a shot.
iDallying knew he brother, well
Congrats to Trump and Team for helping the poor which he said he would do.
Dan,
I agree with your analysis of the School Committee members. None of them seem to have any idea of what is really going on in the schools with staffing, curriculum, budgeting, and administrative issues. They all need to spend more time on-site talking to teachers and administrators. The wool is being pulled over their eyes. I will also be voting “none of the above.”
I disagree with your analysis of Krol – I would give him a D based on his eagerness to spend taxpayers’ dollars on every project that comes along. He has no concept of the value of money. Questionable business experience. I would rather see candidates for city council that are mature and fiscally conservative with a solid business background.
Has Krol ever had a real job other than the one he got fired from?
Has Gleason ever had a job he hasn’t been fired from?
Have you? Way to deflect
Go back to dying you hair red?
NEWS Article:
“Workers paid with bad checks: Muraca’s company account had been frozen by court”
By Bob Dunn, bdunn@berkshireeagle.com – The Berkshire Eagle, August 30, 2017
PITTSFIELD — Businessman Patrick Muraca gathered six employees of his biotech company, NanoMolecularDX, on Aug. 1 and assured them everything was fine with the company and its assets had not been frozen.
Neither of those statements were correct, according to court documents.
At that meeting, Muraca gave each of the six employees a paycheck drawn from the NanoMolecular bank account and, in doing so, may have violated a temporary restraining order, issued the day before, which did, in fact, freeze the company’s assets.
Muraca, formerly head of Nuclea Biotechnologies, has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of taking money from people investing in NanoMolecular and another company, MetaboRX, and using those funds for personal expenses. He established those companies as a way to market the assets from Nuclea, which he purchased after that company went bankrupt.
“Muraca began his… scheme in the spring of 2016 with a lie,” according to court documents.
The temporary order was issued about 4:45 p.m. July 31, following a court hearing at which Muraca’s attorney appeared, according to court files.
According to a Muraca representative, Muraca had no knowledge that order had been issued at the time he distributed the checks on Aug. 1.
One employee attempted to cash their check, but the bank was unable to process it, according to court files.
Another employee, who identified himself as NanoMolecular’s chief information officer, said he’d been employed there for about a year, but hadn’t been paid all the money he was owed during that time.
At that meeting, he received a check drawn from the NanoMolecular account in the amount of $2,715.25. He did not attempt to cash the check after learning of the other employee’s failed attempt to do so.
Since then, the SEC has been granted a preliminary injunction, which restrains Muraca from taking any action to withdraw, sell or “diminish the value in any way” any funds or assets of the companies. Additionally, banks involved with those companies are prohibited from allowing withdrawal of funds.
Muraca also was ordered to provide records of all transfers and payments between the company and its investors including the dates, amounts, names and account numbers associated with those transactions.
And he is prohibited from soliciting new investments or opening new bank accounts, or destroying any books, records documents or computer files connected to the alleged misconduct.
The court that granted the injunction did so after finding the SEC had made the necessary findings to allow it to go forward.
According to the court, the SEC has shown it is “reasonably likely” to establish Muraca engaged in the conduct alleged, that a reasonable likelihood exists that the violations would be repeated, and a “strong indication,” unless such an order is in place, Muraca may “dissipate and conceal assets,” which could be subject to a payment of any court-ordered penalty.
“Without a preliminary injunction, it is likely [Muraca] will continue to violate the securities laws while this case is pending,” according to court records.
The SEC investigation alleges that Muraca used investor money to pay for non-business related expenses like groceries, restaurant and bar tabs, cigars, mortgage payments on his mother’s home and expenses related to a pair of restaurants operated by his fiancee.
According to court files, Muraca solicited money from at least 15 investors, raising about $1.18 million. At least $400,000 of that money was diverted to three separate accounts over which Muraca had control and spent on items not related to the running of the businesses.
Muraca also allegedly misrepresented the amount of his own money he invested into the companies.
A hearing in the case was scheduled for Aug. 28, but was canceled. As of Wednesday afternoon, it had not been rescheduled.
Could I call upon our host here at the Planet to put the kibosh on posts that simply regurgitate texts from elsewhere?
Most, if not all, of us have ample access to such rags as the BB and the Boston Globular.
Posters should simply refer to said “journalism,” but there’s no need to supply the full text here.
Second
The U.S. Congress reconvenes after Labor Day next week. Please vote to raise the debt ceiling and pass budget resolutions to keep the federal government running in the months to come. The government serves the people, and it will hurt the country if the federal government goes through a shutdown. I support a clean debt limit bill with no riders to keep the federal government running.
As for tax reform, I believe that all federal tax policies should be as simple as fitting on one average-sized postcard. No more loopholes! I want a federal tax system that is both efficient and equitable. I do not support Donald Trump’s “supply side” financial economics proposals. The wealthy can afford to pay a proportional amount of their income in taxes and still live the good life.
As for Hurricane Harvey, I believe these patterns of super-storms are a result of global warming and climate change. I believe we should support climate policies and treaties that reduce carbon emissions. I read that we have known about global warming since the 1950s, and that the past couple of decades have set records for rising temperatures around the planet.
Lastly, there are no bipartisan policies on Capitol Hill this year. The U.S. Congress passed only a few bills into law this year. A lot of legislation is being deferred or not being done at all. The federal government is both ineffectual and dysfunctional! Please change things and make the government work again.
Trump said he was thinking of shutting down government if Congress doesn’t release funds for the Wall??? Hello you Buffoon, you did campaign on the Wall and did you forget what you said, you Buffoon, yes, you said,Mexico would pay for it. This guy has got to go.
He did say that,Wits.
Trump will shut down the goverment during the flood recovery,love it.He will not do it,anybody thing hesthat dumb.
Trup needs to be shut down mo fo.
Today’s Ladi I’s twentieth Anniversary of herd earth, get on your knees and pray.
I think Donna would have been beat this time around, is Tricky had entered the race.
Re: GE took taxpayers’ dollars, but is cutting jobs in Boston!
I watched Jon Keller on CBS local news in Boston this late afternoon and he explained that the city of Boston and commonwealth of Massachusetts gave GE millions of dollars in grants and incentives to relocate its corporate headquarters from Fairfield, Connecticut to Boston. GE took all of “the reverse corporate welfare” taxpayer dollars, but now GE is breaking its promises to Boston by announcing a number of Boston job cuts.
That was the whole point of Boston and state government politicians giving GE taxpayer dollars! It was all for the big number of corporate jobs coming to Boston. GE has a new CEO and he wants to make a name for himself to corporate America and Wall Street by making job cuts in Boston.
I believe this makes everyone look very bad! The politicians were too eager to give taxpayer dollars to one of the wealthiest corporations in the World. It reminded me of the huge taxpayer bailouts of the Wall Street financial institutions from 2008 – 2009. Politicians love to give wealthy institutions taxpayer dollars, themselves pay raises, and the average people the bill. GE did not hesitate to taxpayers’ dollars, despite no guarantees of not making job cuts in Boston. The Boston taxpayers were played as fool in all of these inequitable financial deals.
GE should give back the taxpayers’ dollars to Boston!
– Jonathan Melle
jack welch poisoned the entire northeast and didn’t give a shit, his arterial health has been rapidly declining, karma for the nasty business and enviormental issues which were ignored while he raked in millions as citizens life’s were being ruined financially and healthwise. F him and the horse he rode in and out on. He was a greedy s o b and only cared about the almighty dollar. Look at the legacy he left.
When old Jack Welch passes away, he will go directly to Hell, don’t pass Go, don’t collect $200.
40-38