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FUNDING DEAL: D.C. FOOLS LET THE GAMES CONTINUE

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BY DANVALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 24, 2018) — THE PLANET extends congratulations to all involved in negotiating a bipartisan agreement to end the federal government shutdown. The temporary funding measure expires on Feb. 8, four days at The New England Patriots Invitational — what used to be called The Super Bowl.

The Kraft-Belichick-Brady Patriots have made their dynastic domination of the EnEfEl so thorough that rubbing it in became obsolete years ago. Philly rioted after the Eagles won the NFC. Boston and New England do not celebrate Conference championships. We act like we’ve been there before, because we have, year after year for many years now.

That made look like an aside, but we relate it to the actions on the government shutdown. The Patriots have become a case study in management at the Harvard Business School and elsewhere for their exemplification of organizational stability.  When you have it, you win. When you don’t have it, you lose (how many coaches and quarterbacks have the other 31 teams gone through since New England won the 2002 Super Bowl?).

Clearly, the federal government hasn’t had stability since the days of LBJ — Richard Nixon if you want to get out the slide rule. This disintegration has spilled down to the state and local levels. How else, for example, could the states botch health insurance and Medicaid? How else could a once-respectable and proud city like Pittsfield turn into an embarrassing spittoon?How else could inept politicians and bureaucrats such as Linda Tyer, Matt Kerwood, Kristen Behneke, and Kathy Yon be put into fiduciary positions? How else could a city throw virtually all its money into a broken down department (public schools), starve every other department, ignore every other responsibility to citizens, and claim that department was underfunded? How else could a city be so stupid as to be rope-a-doped into a highly suspect water treatment deal that will funnel $75 million or more into the hands of consultants and The Connected?

Repeat after THE PLANET‘s sages: There is no collusion. There is no collusion. There is no collusion. There are no kickbacks. There are no kickbacks. There are no kickbacks.

Once again tracing the tributary back to its mouth, how did the collection of fools in Washington manage to iron out a “bipartisan” funding deal? THE PLANET has the exclusive. The Republicans traded Nixon’s 18-and-a-half-minute gap, one of Mitch McConnell‘s chins, and a bribe to be named later for Chuck Schumer‘s tube of hair gel. That’s why Schumer appeared so mussed early this week. He craved then caved on the Dreamers. They turned into the Nightmares. Of course, they are illegal and needed to be weeded out. If it can’t be done individually on a case-by-case basis to retain any of the 8 million who may have proven productive, then it must be done in bulk by running the arm up to the elbow across the table and sweeping all out of the country. Sadly, this is the real world. It pays no heed to Ezra Pound‘s greatest dictum: “Generalities are not binding.”

If Feb. 8 comes with a real deal on funding the federal government, great. If not, let the games continue. Either way, as it is in the state and the city, you — Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski — are in for a royally screwing.

————————————————————–

“I mean, it’s not like he had open heart surgery”Bill Belichick, on Tom Brady‘s record performance in the AFC Championship Game.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The Usual Disclaimer.

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Gary Wood
Gary Wood
6 years ago

The Pats will win another Superbowl. The only time they lose a Superbowl in the Brody / Belichunk era is when they play the Eli lead NYG.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Linda Tyer inherited a mess by a generation of past failed mayoral administration. She has not changed anything for the better to Pittsfield politics. But, I cannot see how she is blamed for all of the problems Pittsfield is facing.

The Good Old Boys run Pittsfield politics. It has always been that way. You know, I mean remember the days of Angelo Stracuzzi, Jimmy Ruberto, Luciforo and Carmen Massimiano!

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

If she’s going to just go along with the GOB crap she is just as much part of the problem as any of them.

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  12 Gauge
6 years ago

I agree.

Village Knight
Village Knight
Reply to  12 Gauge
6 years ago

Reply to 12 Gauge: I agree with you 100%.
Linda Tyer is one of them.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Mr. Melle,

For the last time – she’s the mayor you blankety blank! That makes her the leader of this s-hole of a city. The honeymoon, as Dan would point out, which is granted to any new administration, is over. She may have inherited a mess but now she is responsible for fixing it. Instead, she has made it worse with her wreckless spending, tax breaks, double debacle trash talk, etc. Dummy up man.

Village Knight
Village Knight
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
6 years ago

SisterGoldenHair–Bravo! Nicely said!

Magoo
Magoo
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Jonathan
You are again pointing out the problem
Getting the info into the fight hands, is getting easier.
With change in government at the highest level, there is a better chance for this corruption to be punished
Menendez looks like he is soon to get his

Your list is being exposed also,karma takes time.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Honestly, I don’t care. She knew what she was getting into and claimed she had a vision to help clean up the city and make it prosperous.

Clearly that was nothing more than lip service to get her votes and a lifetime pension.

Shame in her eyes and everyone before her. They were just as bad, if not worse.

Village Knight
Village Knight
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

We should not allow her to get that pension!

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

You dont fix out of control budgets with out of control spending.Spending money is not a good approach to cutting school budgets.Sitting down with Yon and Mccandless and describe to them who is paying their salaries.Remember the retirement check for Yon who left years ago is 50k per year.Yon and McCandless dont understand people work full time for 17k per year

UAlbany
UAlbany
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

except she was elected on “it’s time for a change.” – she’s phony 2 faced ……

Roberto Del Halitoso
Roberto Del Halitoso
6 years ago

Kerwood and Tyer remind me of slimy car sales people. I have to take a shower after watching them in action at a council meeting.

Village Knight
Village Knight
Reply to  Roberto Del Halitoso
6 years ago

Reply to Del Halitoso: You read my mind! Bravissimo!

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Exactly what is money laundering and how is it done?

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Ask Donald Trump. He’s going to walk the walk.

Magoo
Magoo
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Dusty
Watch the city of Pittsfield, they’re experts !

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Magoo
6 years ago

Oh. A couple of people at the senior center were discussing that but I did not feel I had a good grasp of what it was. They were saying the federal govt has an ethics committee but not at city levels so there was no check and balance.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

My understanding Dusty is that money laundering is the process of concealing the source or trail of usually large amounts of money. Think first of Walter White in Breaking Bad as the most basic example. He cannot have people thinking that, as a chemistry teacher, he is sitting on millions of dollars in cash. The car wash he bought was strictly acquired to “launder” his drug money by pretending there were customers and transactions that did not exist so he can then add his drug money to the deposits there and make it his “clean money” from his second business. Doing it at scale involves shell companies, offshore accounts and the Russian mob or something to that affect.

Dustin
Dustin
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

you just dont get it thief

Kakistocracy
Kakistocracy
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

No money laundering in Pittsfield because there is no money. No brainwashing in Pittsfield because there are on brains.

Plus Krol ate the Tide pods after he plugged his earphones in one.

Dick Flimsy
Dick Flimsy
Reply to  Kakistocracy
6 years ago

Didn’t Arlos have coin operated money laundering and brainwashing machines?

Magoo
Magoo
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

City of Pittsfield supplies large amounts of capital to electro store battery or nuclea bio etc.
Receiver of capital sends generous campaign donations and envelopes to city officials and good old boys.

Killory did it in a much expanded level.

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

McCandless defers to Benke who is not competant as she was hire by Yon .Behnke and her husband make 200k or 17k a month…Get it,she and he make 17k a month .SS who pay them get 1300 a month .Does anyone think she cares if your taxws go up 200 bucks a year ,no shes in the 1%…….schools wont ever understand Pittsfields ability to pay.

h
h
6 years ago

Looks like North Adams is going to stop belligerent people from speaking at the open meetings. It will be the Council President to to decide who and who isn’t belligerent, good luck with that one.

Dick Flimsy
Dick Flimsy
Reply to  h
6 years ago

First they should stop relatives from having sexual relationships.

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

Jonathan Melle, I am so tired of your big excuse for our mayor Linda, ” she inherited a mess”. With that mentality every mayor past, present and future can claim piss poor performance is the result of ” inheriting a mess”.
It’s high time she put on her big girl pants and became part of the solution instead of just adding to the “mess”. She has proven herself to be useless.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Paul
6 years ago

Some people like to go shopping to forget about their problems. This mayor loves to spend money…as long as it is somebody else s money. Total disconnect with the community trying to survive around her. rebuilding Tyler street will enrich a few contractors but the people who live in the area will still need to eat and find health care. New lights and planters and curbing are pretty but not life sustaining.

Cos
Cos
Reply to  Paul
6 years ago

Excellent rebuttal Paul. Exactly what has been happening, one Mayor after anothers previous mess cleaning. You want to be Mayor, show action not proclamations, and appointments and proclamations and spending like a drunken sailor, for applause, do something for the taxpayer, like fixing the damn roads.

SojournerTruth
SojournerTruth
6 years ago

What has been the findings of any grand jury, or other independent oversight board regarding the fatal shooting involving a PPD officer ? Has the video of the incident been released ? Silence is suspect in such a matter. Has the city quietly made a settlement ?

Bill Q
Bill Q
6 years ago

Sturgeoff has Bill Clinton on this morning. Was flipping channels looking for GMan, and Planet.

Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
6 years ago

OK, so it is interesting to see this build with the FISA warrant abuse on the part of the OBAMA administration.

Dems are doubling down on the their Russia collusion lie–they seem to know that it is going to hit the fan soon. Even to the point of Shumer Shutdown saying the Nune memo/FBI “Secret Society” is a diversion–I mean, how dare they try to divert our diversion?

NPR this morning even started off with a tease about the Nunes memo, but I didn’t stay tuned to see if they ever said anything about it.

The Rep. Nunes memo is four pages and purportedly summarizes thousands of pages of classified documents that implicate the OBAMA FBI in COLLUSION against Trump.

House members who have read the memo are saying heads will roll over this.

Dems, not surprisingly, don’t want the memo released.

Then there’s the FBI Dem hack Strzok(?) caught saying that there ain’t no there there on the Trump Russia collusion charge. The story comes with missing documents and a mistress.

This should be good.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Edward R. Murrow
6 years ago

I don’t believe I’ve seen this name posting here before. Wonder if this is a cheesy PR effort to try to gain some traction and attention for this story. And it’s also kind of funny to think about this. I mean, if the FBI suspects any individual of conspiring with foreign intelligence…shouldn’t they investigate that? Unless they say, “Hey FBI, go make up some crap about candidate X,” aren’t they doing their job? And I am just asking here. I find this whole “disinformation” process absolutely fascinating…and yes Pat, it is certainly happening on both sides! Progressives and Regressives alike…like the planting of stories on FaceBook by “Russian Intelligence”, or anyone else. How is that any different from us “bombing” with propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines, or for that matter, any other good, well-executed PR effort.

We used to be able to rely on media to investigate, vet and filter out the crap, but now that most people actually get their news from social media there is little filter. You can be targeted and presented with anything, but it is up to each of us then to filter, investigate and vet then choose to believe or not. Short of inciting violence or inciting revolution, I think FaceBook et al should just put up everything and let people decide for themselves.

Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

Oh, I’ve been around.

“Unless they say, “Hey FBI, go make up some crap about candidate X,””

Read my post from yesterday where I lay out the scenario as it looks now.

In this case Clinton paid to have someone make up crap.

Even NPR mentioned the Nunes memo this morning . . .

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Edward R. Murrow
6 years ago

Sorry, I missed you yesterday. And I agree with you. As I said, everybody is now doing it, certainly Hillary, the DNC, Trump, the RNC and the Russians all engaged in it this past election cycle, and I bet it filters down to the local level as well. Corporations are doing it too! My question remains tho; if the FBI suspected something, aren’t they obliged to investigate? And it certainly seems as though, with the meeting Don Jr. had, there was at least something there. I am not looking to get partisan here or tweak you in any way. I am interested in the discussion. Thanks.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

Mr. G,
Ed is correct – this is a huge story involving corruption in the FBI, CIA, DNC and of course former prez Obama. The “Russian collusion” story re Trump is just a smokescreen. You won’t hear much about this high-level corruption story from CNN so I would suggest you research via FOX news (Hannity, Ingraham, Carlson) and other legit news outlets.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

Hey Mr. Fritz. I have researched already using as many sources as possible. That’s what I’m saying…that’s our duty as American citizens.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

Mr. Fritz, besides Fox News, what other news outlets do you consider legit?

Dustin
Dustin
Reply to  Mr. G
6 years ago

wrong again

Spider
Spider
6 years ago

Good for M. Mazzeo and the other CC members for refusing to vote last night on the “sewer” issue and sending it to Finance.

I am sick of these last minute votes that need to be made that very night with little or no info. Past administrations are just as guilty.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Spider
6 years ago

I agree Spider – and Connell brought up some good points as well. Too big a project to expect the details to be digested in one evening. I did get annoyed with Moon & Persip – just struck me that they wanted camera time with nothing important to say.

Col. Angus
Col. Angus
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
6 years ago

You should understand them wanting camera time.

H
H
6 years ago

Thanks Dan for this blog! You still the Man!

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

O.K. I have seen the light. All of Pittsfield politics problems are all the fault of Mayor Linda Tyer’s 2-years of poor leadership. Thank you for opening my eyes to the truth!

Spider
Spider
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

You’re welcome!

Kakistocracy
Kakistocracy
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

If the new bus driver doesn’t slow down the bus and steer it away from the cliff the bus is gone.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Kakistocracy
6 years ago

JM, she isn’t solving old problems and she’s creating new problems,

The new Cleveland Browns coach isn’t responsible for 20 years of crappy football but he dam well better make changes and produce.

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  Kakistocracy
6 years ago

But, according to Jonathan’s libido-driven logic, the accident would be the blame of the driver who drove the bus the day before.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Jonathan Melle, please reread my post. I don’t believe that is what I said. My post was clear and to the point.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Paul
6 years ago

The fact remains that Pittsfield politics will never change! During the 2 years of Mayor Linda Tyer’s administration, she has changed nothing!

I agree with you that she is not a problem solver and no solutions have been put forth by the lovely Linda.

NIB
NIB
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Jonathan,
I did’t think it was possible but she’s actually made things worse. Between Tyler St. trashcan ribbon cutting, fudging property values in order to raise taxes, and proposing a ill conceived trash toter system she’s brought things to a new low.
Even Bianchi wasn’t this bad.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Mr.Melle,

You are most welcome.

Kakistocracy
Kakistocracy
6 years ago

For those of you who missed the City Council meeting here it is:

http://d12pkcpt8jjevs.cloudfront.net/TRMSVOD/28683-council012318-Medium-v1.mp4

If you don’t want to watch the whole thing here is the summary:

In the public session the first two people spoke about plastic bags and recycling…..neither of these two issues are that important in the scheme of things in Pittsfield today. The third speaker made several key points regarding the proposed upgrades to the waste water treatment plant on Utility Drive close to the Lenox line.

Tyer and Kerwood looked like car sales people in regards to the city blowing 74 million.

Connell and Mazzeo after doing research lead the charge to slow down the process and let the citizens weigh in.

The con artists consultants didn’t get a chance to give their sales pitch.

Krol did little more than do his smiley jerk smirk. White, Cacomoe, Persip and Moon were totally irrelevant. Marchetti should put in a sand box for these four so they can stay occupied.

On the press side Amanda Drane-0 had her back to the camera this meeting so we didn’t have to watch her play with her phone or see her chew her cud (gum).

Anyway they sent the sewage plant to committee. Stay tuned.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  Kakistocracy
6 years ago

K,

Thanks for update

Krol's Kronies
Krol's Kronies
6 years ago

Hear and see the mayor’s condescending bull crap about toters and the wastewater treatment plant here. If she told Sturgeon that she was glad to receive that question or she appreciated that question I would have vomited.

http://d12pkcpt8jjevs.cloudfront.net/TRMSVOD/28575-Good-Morning-Pittsfield-1232018-Medium-v1.mp4

Roberto Del Halitoso
Roberto Del Halitoso
Reply to  Krol's Kronies
6 years ago

I just watched this. Tyer says we can’t put the toter system out to bid because Republic knows every inch of the city. What balderdash. A new contractor would probably hire many of the drivers let go by republic. This is taxpayer money that you’re playing with honey. Screw Republic. You must have some dirty deal going on.

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

For a person to be a good mayor, a real mayor, that person needs to want to be a good mayor. If a person wants to be a tool of the special interests that person only needs to allow themselves to be led by the nose.

Over my many years of observation and analysis it seems to me that in Pittsfield the special interests select and groom people in advance to run for mayor. And then they put large amounts of money behind that person knowing that the average citizen cannot come close to matching it. And by giving city unions, especially the huge school employee base, regular raises they have a base which is almost unbeatable. And this happens on a somewhat smaller level with city councilors. When you add in the greased palms of certain media it makes elections pretty much a joke In Pittsfield.

NIB
NIB
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Our city officials are selected, not elected.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  NIB
6 years ago

That is pretty much a fact. And there are people out there who know exactly who the next mayor is going to be even though the election is not for another two years.

And maybe the one after that.

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

Someone needs to ask Behnke and Mccandless who combined make 195k plus,yup 2 position.Ask them how many position were elininated last budget

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

The only elimination that takes place in the school department happens after Jake eats the dozen doughnuts that Behnke brings him every morning.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
6 years ago

The illegal immigrants staging protests at Disneyland & Schumer’s home over the lack of DACA amnesty – why doesn’t ICE just round them up & deport them?

Cos
Cos
6 years ago

Lincoln St. potholes, just saying Merriam y zooks littered,

Two Cents
Two Cents
6 years ago

Mayor Tyer announces that she taking her toter proposal directly to the people through a series of neighborhood meetings….Doesn’t it seem odd that the mayor is putting so much effort and determination into a proposal that MAY save 89 thousand dollars a year-which does not include debt service on about 2 million in start-up costs. There is obviously something-or someone- behind this push other than what’s best for citizens.

Bill Q
Bill Q
Reply to  Two Cents
6 years ago

Quid pro quo who does the Tyler Streett state guru know, not a vendor?

NIB
NIB
Reply to  Two Cents
6 years ago

I bet she’s lining up her supporters to speak at these meetings in favor. People need to show up and be heard so she can’t get away with this crap.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  NIB
6 years ago

No collusion…or maybe there is

and the people have spoken..that is what the councilors were trying to tell her but she did not want to hear it.

so she is taking another path hoping the results cannot be tracked

Spider
Spider
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

This is the kind of issue that should have gone to the voters.

I voted for the mayor, but I am very disappointed in her. She is becoming a dictator. It’s her way on everything. Our CC had better stand strong on this, if they want to be re-elected.

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  Two Cents
6 years ago

She wants to personalize shoving them up your …..

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Spagirl
6 years ago

It sure does seem that way. Again, like Trump, a bar room brawler daring people to mess with her. Will she start deporting her detractors?

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

Nobody wants to buy toter

UAlbany
UAlbany
6 years ago

spending money is a reality of running a City, but please justify and stop sending Matt Kerwood to explain things. He is all ways ill prepared and presents to any half intelligent person as a knucklehead…

dusty
dusty
Reply to  UAlbany
6 years ago

anyone trying to explain the unexplainable sounds like a knucklehead.

like the old conundrum of putting lipstick on a pig…it is still a bloated wasteful poorly crafted budget done poorly by people obviously ill qualified to do it

no serious effort to look for or cut waste

parasites left attached to host budget ensuring its implosion

Kakistocracy
Kakistocracy
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

We live with the Pittsfield Kakistocracy.

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

Its hard to believe Barry tell her to continue to buy debt