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THE PLANET WONDERS: WHAT THE HECK’S GOING ON HERE?

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, NOV. 27, 2017) — Happy Birthday, Peter. We love you.

With that out of the way, THE PLANET  wonders, “What in the name of a hair-lipped mule skinner is going on with the following items?” All theories welcome, especially those that hold the facts.

  • What on earth’s behind the political feud between John Krol and Peter Marchetti? Could it be the upcoming turf war over who gets to preside over city council meetings, as hard as it is to believe that grown men could quibble about such a Mickey Mouse-Podunkland “honor.”  This is Nowhere City, Backwater Couty, remember. Keep in mind also that it used to be Pittsfield, Massachusetts, one of the best small towns in the Northeast, if not America. But then GE exited, and the politicians “took over.” A generation+ later, and we’re down to Trashcan and Kufflinks, the civic equivalent of dregs on the bottom of the barrel, or, if you’re a half-full person, seeds and stems.
  • Why will Krol be coronating Dina Guiel, his hand-picked candidate to run in Ward 2 (failing miserably) against our Right Honorable Good Friend Kevin Morandi, after he boots our good friend Bill Sturgeon from the “Good Morning, Pittsfield” gig? Gosh, could it be to set her up for another bid for the ward in two years, when rumor has it that Krol will take his shot at the corner office? For the record, Krol has repeatedly denied to THE PLANET that he has any interest in being mayor. When you consider this, keep in mind that when a politician “absolutely rules out” something, he’s got it on the front burner.
  • Why has Supt. JIV been so tight-lipped and vague about the incident involving a transgender teacher and at least one student at Herberg Middle Scho0ol? JIV’s hiding behind the old, “Can’t talk about it; it’s a personnel matter.” Yeah, as if taxpayers, who are only footing the $110 million rip-off known as the Pittsfield Public School system, have no standing. Does it have to do with chemical burns suffered by a pupil, needlessly, even after the parent complained about this alleged abuse? And why did the police have to “escort” the teacher from the building? And why were the shades and blinds closed on the classrooms? And why, by the next day, was the teacher’s name no longer on the PSD web site? There’s a huge story here, but the media blackout is on. iBerkshires, following THE PLANET‘s lead, has a story in which JIV hid everything. iBerkshires had no follow-up, and The Boring Broadsheet has had NOTHING. A compliant, roll-over media is a corrupt politician’s best friend.
  • Why won’t the Berkshire Museum reveal its payroll? Could it be because of the many superfluous position and the obscene salaries? Is that one of the contributing factors that led the board of directors to buy into the executive director’s infinitely stupid plan to sell off its best art treasures and screw the present and future generations for the sake of 30 pieces of silver? Ah, but at least Pittsfield has “hip” trashcans on Tyler Street and painted electrical boxes.
  • Is there anyone surprised, let alone shocked, to learn of the heavy traffic in women and drugs in downtown Pittsfield, or that the two are related? The recent arrests concerning pimping come with only one question: What took so long? Prostitution is called the world’s oldest profession. Judging by the quality of Pittsfield hookers, it appears most of them got in on the ground floor.

However …” — Prof. Irwin Corey, beginning a lecture.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The Usual Disclaimer.

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Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Pittsfield politics has the lovely Linda Tyer who describes the community as a vibrant and dynamic place for people to live, work, and play. What more can anyone ask for?

Johnny2shoes
Johnny2shoes
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

One word: Reality.

Bill Q
Bill Q
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Some media types wives make 50g a year in pension along with former city councilors and school board members. No wonder they feed the School fish what they want.

Harry Merkin
Harry Merkin
6 years ago

Word is that a woman was abducted from crazy Cumby’s on 1st. Perl was captured in N.Y. State near 20/22.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Harry Merkin
6 years ago

I don’t think fake Krol has the votes to unseat Marchetti.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  12 Gauge
6 years ago

Not yet, but if he keeps plugging local businesses and catering to the hipster crowd on FB live he will eventually.

Does he actually do anything that would constitute an actual job?

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

No!

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

That museum story is developing plot lines that could only exist in a best selling Harold Robbins novel. And I want to give well deserved kudos to the Berkshire Eagle for leaning heavy on this story. Whatever warts that paper has they do deserve much credit for a super job on reporting deep on the Berkshire Museum fiasco.

The question is, will they continue to pursue it if it starts to unveil collusion and dirty secrets of the local political enclave. Because that is where the OLD Eagle dared not tread.

Still Wondering
Still Wondering
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Very good question Dusty.

Rocky Creed
Rocky Creed
6 years ago

Prez vote

Marchetti—himself, Mazzeo, Connell, Morandi, Simonelli, Rivers,
White

Krol—himself, Moon, Persip, Caccamo

Connell will be the new VP

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Rocky Creed
6 years ago

But with Krols ego would he even put his face out there if he was not confident he had the votes? He does not seem like the type who does well with disappointment. Hope his nanny will be there for the vote.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Rocky Creed
6 years ago

I almost bet White votes for Krol. He’s the top to white’s bottom. They are all sick of the older generation. Caccamo is sitting in the corner with his hands down his pants

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

It reminds me of the unqualified theatre teacher who was fired on opening weekend of the winter production at PHS that never hit the Berkshire Eagle and his job was posted hours after that secret incident.That firing 4 years ago allowed him to continue on working with children as he is still getting jobs bscause nobody wants to disclose what happens with these incidents.
The planet does not usually describe people according to their sexuality, are we now ready to go in that direction.Is it impotant to you to make people pre- judge this incident based on him being transgender

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

Transgenderism aka gender dysphoria is not a sexuality. It’s a mental disorder and classified accordingly

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

Logic is wasted on these folks.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

matt you are one to talk

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
6 years ago

School Committe,

You are born either female or male, and that’s the way it is, unless you mess with nature. If you transform yourself into something else, then that something else becomes relevant to Dan, in the context of teaching children, I would say. If my grandaughters get a transgender teacher they are going to another school. Period. End of Story

mi
mi
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
6 years ago

So the parents, (you’re kid) has no say in it!?

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  mi
6 years ago

Not if they are under 18. We do that to protect them from making stupid mistakes like taking hormones at age 12 because they want to be a rainbow

H
H
6 years ago

So, after 60 plus years, collecting Garbage is one of the top five, Deadliest Fetch (not catch) jobs in the Country ( Pertaining to injuries) I guess. We heard a gentleman speak of handling these toters for a living while working in the Schools, cumbersome was the word in a previous explanation. I will tell you who will be holding the bag, pun intended, and that won’t be the Mayor or the Treasurer, it will be the City Council. Expect thirty calls a week and a mess in the streets.

Cos
Cos
6 years ago

Check out the cop doing traffic on Linden and Francis,three full garbage cans getng blown in the road and he just stands there.

War Pigs
War Pigs
6 years ago

I’m going to have to build an extension onto my garage to fit that ridiculous 95 gallon recycle bin.
And at that size I expect to put it curbside once or twice a year. Hope the neighborhood kids will help me move it.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  War Pigs
6 years ago

Are you just a weak little snowflake?

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

you are the lying snowflake. I see mexico was another lie matt.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

Um, leave tomorrow night, Flight to ATL, then Flight 531 into Cancun @ 12:29 arrival on 11/29.

Sucks to be you, loser.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

Sure matt sure.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

Did I mention the first class upgrade?

Class, something you know nothing about.

Still not Matt

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

Matt you are not going on a trip.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

I’ll send a photo to the planet and maybe he will post it. Can’t wait to have my toes in the sand….. I’d say your head is buried in sand but I don’t know how sand would get that far up your ass.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

Sure Matt. Just like you were at the Greylock Federal Credit Union

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

that was easy to look up its a daily flight..everyday….nice try loser

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

He just ate at Taco Bell and pretended.

H
H
Reply to  War Pigs
6 years ago

Won’t it stink? A little bit?

War Pigs
War Pigs
Reply to  H
6 years ago

I’ll be running all my recycling through the dishwasher first and spraying it hourly with Febreze. It will smell like flowers.

Bill Q
Bill Q
6 years ago

So,Berkshire Gas no longer takes cash payments.

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Regarding the garbage toters…Can that arm that is to pick them up and dump them into the truck swing every whichaway no matter how the toter is positioned? Or does the toter need to be in the road, 6 inches from the curb facing due North so as that the driver can snatch it up real quick like.

Or if everybody puts their tote out willy nilly does the driver have to get out of his truck and line the tote up with the trucks lifting arm and then get back in the truck and grab it? Cuz that would seem a tad inefficient to me.

War Pigs
War Pigs
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

If your toter is not positioned exactly 90 degrees to the equator it won’t be picked up at all. On serious note, expect something like this,
Place the cart near or on the curb and at least three feet away from your mail box, utility poles,
trees, gas or water meters, fire hydrants, cars, sprinkler heads or anything collection equipment
could damage. If you have a ditch, place the cart on the street side of the ditch if possible. Always
place the cart at curb with wheels and handle towards your residence.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  War Pigs
6 years ago

If I’m correct they also need to be on pavement aka road curb or driveway. I may be wrong

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
6 years ago

Dusty,or do they have to have the bucket loader skills of a Parker Schnabel? Better yet, when it gets left in the gutter, call you’re Councilor. When there is a storm and the garbage truck comes down the street and granny, or anyone for that matter, can’t trek through the unshoveled driveway,will that enforcer over at the health department currently on leave, tag you for two citations?

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  Shelly Liver
6 years ago

Remember, if you need the health department to enforce a code violation just stand in front of it and smoke a cigarette…They will have the National Guard there in minutes.

Unwanted Carl
Unwanted Carl
6 years ago

This Commisioner of Public works is starting to bring all the wrong answers. That’s what’s wrong with this. Being reactive before proactive in all departments is not the answer, street lines should always be a priority before school starts. And when violators of street traffic and lines should be held accountable. Way to much speeding in the Ity.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
6 years ago

Connell has many good points. His problem is he has to if ish and follow through. Example, he and Mel Amaz have caught the Treasurer numerous times on lack of an answer, misinformation and failure to be complete about most of what the treasurer presents,this double meaning and lack of preparation has no room, zero, when it comes to city finances and taxpayer relief.I’m starting to see why they elected this Mayor. She probably thought all she had to do is dot and cross, she found out that when you campaign on blight, for instance,and don’t deliver, people take notice,especially the Planet. Trash cans, Springside House,Berkshire Museum,Beacon, do not benefit the Kapanski’s in anyway, shape or form. and eight percent of the public didn’t vote.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
6 years ago

Eight, sorry spellcheck.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

I would actually like to see Krol as President. Marchetti can’t even control the three minute rule. Former Commission Foresttell spoke for almost five minutes the other night. G man was thrown in jail for complaining about that. Any citizen who calls a City Councilor a name at the open mIke session,needs to be taken out by a cop immediately. No more nonsense, and that includes Councilors calling names to the public.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

So you want the one council member who called a citizen a jerk to stop citizens from calling councilors names? I see nothing wrong with citizens having their say so long as they don’t use vulgar language.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Don’t look now but Pete White is more popular than Johnny. At least thats what the voters think.

Tricksie
Tricksie
6 years ago

discarding any issue with the finances can we really trust the citizens of Pittsfield with a more complicated, trash collection scenario ? Drive down Center Street heading North and take any left hand turn – then tell me this is a good idea – if the wind was strong enough to reach outer West Street believe me this proposal would be a no go…..

Arial Black
Arial Black
Reply to  Tricksie
6 years ago

I see what you did there with “discarding”.

Nomad
Nomad
6 years ago

Received a letter today with the heading “The City of Pittsfield – Office of the Mayor” notifying me to choose between (city selected) NextEra and Eversource as my electricity provider. The program goes into effect January 1, 2018. I will be automatically enrolled with NextEra unless I choose not to participate and opt out. First I heard about this. I spoke with a friend and asked if he knew about this, and what it was about. He said he called City Hall and was told the letter is legit…and that the mayor is holding a press conference tomorrow to explain it. What’s the old saying?…”A day late and a dollar short!!!”

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Nomad
6 years ago

Which one is the mayor suggesting because i want to take the other one. And why does the city have anything to do with this anyway? Are they going to tell us who our phone company should be? How about who fixes that piece of shit car of mine?

War Pigs
War Pigs
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

The mayor/city is recommending NextEra. I’m sticking with Eversource for the simple fact that if the city recommends one thing I’m going with the other. The fact they are forcing NextEra on you unless you opt out is slimy.

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Yes, Dusty that is coming in order to maintain the city’s dynamic vibrancy!

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Check out the license board. I could make a decision on eighty percent of these joints that come In front of the board, takes them five,ten meetings, in increments.. That Polish Club fiasco has gone on for years. Carmen, please retire,please.You can still wear a suit everyday, Krol does.

h
h
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Imagine paying someone 100g a year in pension?

Len XAbhorant
Len XAbhorant
6 years ago

What’s going on at Salem State
Professors ,some professors,are ,akimg up to 400g. what gives?Is this the Harvard we never knew about?

Kleptocrat
Kleptocrat
Reply to  Len XAbhorant
6 years ago

The Peoples Kleptocracy of Massachusetts

May He m
May He m
6 years ago

But more importantly,God bless the Planet.

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Could the mayor please have training sessions for the toters? There was a lot of info and how to stuff about the parking meters before that fiasco rolled out so maybe toter shuffling classes might be helpful.

Maybe she could have a few toters taken to the Beacon theater and a couple of volunteers from the senior center could display their skills hauling the toters up and down the aisles while the citizenry sat in the plush new seats and watched. After a fashion. citizens, one by one, could attempt their own tug of war dragging half full toters up the incline. There could even be a presentation on the screen. A medic standing by would be advisable.

Stanley could open the concession to compensate him for his troubles.

War Pigs
War Pigs
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

She could have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the toter training session. Then her new nickname will be Mayor Linda Toter Trashcan Tyer.

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

dusty
Lol…….. picturing this in my mind. Hahaaaaha.

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

Does the next Mayor councilor Kroll want his children to attend the Crosby school of mold and bad air quality or Allendale school of cancer causing toxins.There are 700 Pittsfield kids in these 2 schools.The goverment wont let people build on PEDA but ok for staff and students to spend 8 hours a day on a chemical swamp

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

That is whats wrong in Pittsfield ma. In a nutshell its the sick children .Kroll may be too immature to understand but McCandless and Yon are in denial.You learn alot about people when they know the facts of the schools yet pretend not to know.Everytime I see Yon and McCandless interact I see the kids of Crosby and Allendale school who are innocent as they get off the bus and enter a sick building for 1 more day.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

exactly why there is so much retardation and birth defect in Pittsfield.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

Matt that is a racist statement.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

Speaking of retarded children, What’s up Dustin?

Retardation is not a race issue. You big dummy.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

Matt, you are such a lying creep

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

It is not a lie that you are retarded.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

It is not a lie you are Matt and a thief and habitual liar

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

Actually that is a lie.

Dustin M
Dustin M
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

It is 100% the truth Matt

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Dustin M
6 years ago

Actually there is definitely a race of retards in this town.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

I’m not sure if Krol’s children are school age yet, but I almost guarantee they end up at Berkshire Country Day or Richmond

dusty
dusty
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

Maybe they will be homed schooled at the radio station assuming that they are not like dad born knowing everything.

Bill Q
Bill Q
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Come on. Let’s not bring the kids into it,he has his hands full with a certain watchdog already.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

You’re right. I stand down

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
6 years ago

I can’t wait to see what Dan writes about “Chief” of Munchkinland Wynn. If I read that Berkshire Eagle article correctly, “Trashcan” Tyer didn’t use the written civil service exam and did an oral examination.

So essentially, as a SPED teacher would say… Mikey couldn’t pass the normal MCAS due to his disabilities, so we gave him an alternative assessment instead.

*golf clap” Trashcan…*golf clap*

dusty
dusty
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

Sounds like a great maneuver to gain the respect and admiration of your troops. I am sure they will all be giving 100% knowing that no matter how hard they work or study they probably will never be chief. Cuz that don’t matter in Pittsfield.

Dave
Dave
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

Does the city council get to review the oral examination and would the President be in charge of the reviewing? Did all candidates have oral exams? I hope the comment by Wynn was the usual Eagle misprint “We’re just happy it’s beyond us”. Isn’t it “behind”
… never mind. Congrats Chief!

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

The next Council Meeting or two could cost the taxpayers a couple million dollars. Throw in the tifs and the boiler over at Covanta and you’re talking enough free cash for years weened away. Hundreds of millions iis owed in OPEB, the water issue, electric going way up, hey, bankruptcy doesn’t sound half bad.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Neither does the pioneer valley.

h
h
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

LGM do you plan on bidding on a Rockwell? believe it’ll start at 40″”””””””””Million.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  h
6 years ago

Why buy one? A couple of years ago I cut out a copy of the barbershop painting from an arty magazine and traced the basic outline on to a large sheet of linen drawing paper. Then, after watching a you tube video of a guy on the Vegas strip using cans of spray paint, I recreated my own “Rockwell”. Not to sound hoity toity or anything but my grandmother says she can hardly tell the difference and quite frankly neither can I. It is just not that hard people.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  h
6 years ago

Sure! Apparently my house assessed WAY higher than I thought it would, so that means the buyers are lining up as we speak. I was going to sell the house to my daughter and her husband, but they went to St. Joe’s so their brains are functioning and they opted for Florence.

h
h
6 years ago

Imagine what this does to his children and grandchildren. Nice message to send Pittsfield.

Bill Q
Bill Q
6 years ago

Rumor is a couple of Councilors and not Maz Or Connell are on the outs with Krol.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Anyone know why a Republic pick up truck is following two garbage trucks around the City?

dusty
dusty
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
6 years ago

Uh, cuz they are taking over? These are the jobs the Americans don’t want.

By the way, my new economic engine for the city is to open a trash can/toter wash and wax service. I am thinking of using the old Civil Defense building on Tyler street as a place for people to bring their stinky dirty, funky toters for a spruce up.
I know. I know. Once again I am out front generating business ideas for our beloved city. And I am blushing as we speak knowing that you are all sending kudos my way. But it is what I do and aww shucks and stuff.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Does you’re service pick it up?

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
6 years ago

I do like the idea. How about going to Clap Park and loading the thing up with kids and let it roll down the hill.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
6 years ago

I used to stand up on my mini-toboggan back in the day and go down the hill standing up. Now you know why I suck here.

Holly
Holly
6 years ago

Dan, Will you be reporting on The City of Pittsfield’s Community Choice Power Supply Program?

Holly
Holly
Reply to  danvalenti
6 years ago

Thank you!

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

I believe the principle of Allendale school has cancer reported in the eagle.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

Because THAT’S NEWS