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‘NEWS ON THE MARCH’: THE PLANET PRESENTS STORIES TOO STUPID TO BE FAKE

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE THE WEEKEND EDITION MAY 4-6, 2018) — THE PLANET might call this one “News on the March” after the blaring old newsreels that in movie palaces offered current events. Reference the newsreel sequence of history’s second greatest film, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane.

* NEWS ITEM: Rosenberg Resigns — Another corrupt Bay State politician, as if there’s any other kind, bit the big one after an internal report revealed verse and chapter on his husband’s political dalliances. His husband. The naughties were of the “Do you know who I am?” variety, a fatal flaw not in the least uncommon among state reps and sense including our local tribe. Hubby didn’t care one swinging dick about the unwashed masses, a virtue shared in spades by his better half, now ex- Senate president Stan Rosenberg. We know: You’re shocked, shocked!, that another Mass. legislative leader heaved the bed.

* NEWS ITEM: Gold Drops — Nice of attorney Mark Gold to resign as an officer of the New England Museum Association. Gold did his best Judas Iscariot impression “advising” the Benedict Arnolds on the Berkshire Museum broad to unload more than $50 million in art treasures, among them a priceless Rockwell. The tarnished Gold quit as an officer because the NEMA had received a 20-mule-team load of withering, a form of criticism that crosses rage’s line and enters venomous. Gold, though, still retains his membership in now-exposed NEMA. THE PLANET didn’t know lawyers came so cheap.

* NEWS ITEM: Trashed Codes — You have to laugh to keep from crying. As Pittsfield “health” director Gina Armstrong publicly admitted, the department’s “bark” is all gum and no bite. As the crumbling roadways and public spaces of this decaying city lay bordered by garbage, trash, and junk, the “health” department recently engaged in a “trial run” looking for rubbish-related violations. The good news is that the department found 247 infractions in 19 staff hours covering 15% of the city. The math works out to 695 violations in one eight-hour shift of one employee covering all of the city, a calculus that suggest the degree of degradation in our once little gem of a town. The bad news is that the department issued not one actual fine. None, zero, nada, not even a single, token “gotcha” to send a message. The hopelessly overmatched Armstrong wouldhave done as much if she took out a billboard telling scofflaws, “Trash the City. We Don’t Care.” That’s pissing on Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, who do their best to keep their postage stamp clean.

* NEWS ITEM: Parking Lots and Little — Did you hear the one about city finance director Matt “Kufflinks” Kerwood? With a straight face offset by a crooked bow tie, Kufflinks told the city council the usually malfunctioning, Big Brother parking meters have brought in “$200,000” to the city since January — almost enough to pay JIV off for the illegal craps game he floats in the Mercer Building. Last fiscal year, Pittsfield spent $130,000 on the meter- and parking-related expenses. This year it’s $146,000, a 12% hike.

Two other points: (1) Who collects the money from the meters? The Department of Public Services. No opportunity for public theft with THAT crack system, is there? (2) The meters brought in way less money than projected, but the expenses have been much higher. The city failed to consider meter repair, purchase of coin-collection bags, cost of armored cars, bank fees, and app fees. Oh yeah, and when Kufflinks bragged in July about the dollar intake of the meters, he conveniently forgot to include the capital costs to get the clunkers up and running!  Only in Pittsfield, which went into debt another half million bucks to install the parking Daleks in the first place.

THE PLANET”s sources say the program has lost about $46,000, with more borrowing to come. That’s right. You’re reading it here first: the decision has been made to expand this money loser into parts of the city currently allowing for free parking. As you can see, the pain has only just begun. Don’t tell anyone, because it’s supposed to be “Top Secret.” We can tell you our Z-agents in the Secret Squadron are digging up more trash on this fiasco, which has killed business for many downtown businesses. We are soooooo not done with this story.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

————————————————————-

“Why can’t prevalence be a non-singular event?” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

“LOVE TO ALL.”

The Usual Disclaimer.

 

 

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u
u
5 years ago

I to would like to thank Ms. Mazzeo for her efforts with the water stupidity and especially Wal Mart. I agree with you that we can do better than lowly Wal-Mart. grand week end piece Dan!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  u
5 years ago

That’s just it. The city isn’t doing better. In fact the city isn’t doing anything except bringing in lots of pot shops.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Superintendant 13A6485 Joe Curtis is paid to roam websites looking for some cool graffics to make a cool graffic and match that with some more new data to justify new approaches that can justify new spending to finally one last time meet the emotional needs of pittsfield students.Pittsfield has been doing this since1973 at the boys club that became a Alternate School for students with mostly emotional problems.
Joe Curtis and H.Eberwien Jr. Shut this program down sayingthey needed to be mainstreamed college prep and not treated as special needs.Their attemps have failed with every piece of data Joe uses to spend more and more reinventing the wheel Pittsfield invente 45 years ago.Joe and Mccandless have spent million and millions on pure BS but they love their BS.
The two of them need to stop lying to citizens and walk these programs till they get it right.Get inside this stuff Joe….your lazy Joe….get out into the schools.Do your job,stop spending money and the 2 of you at some point need to make YOUR last Data idea work….your full of it.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Gasoline was 2.25 in Jan 2017,Electric has doubled in 5 years,food is up 34%…..Your new iphone is 1k,Cable has almost doubled,Bank fees are on everything,…Senator Warren has been warning consumers for years about corporations sucking money from your wallet……SS is on their agenda with medicare…I know Steve and Pat are great American bill payers.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

We pay out bills unlike you. I am sure you donated your tax cuts like a good little lib

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Used it to pay higher bills that Warren has warned you about,how does Steve benefit from deregulation.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

My bills are lower. Tell in detail which of your bills are higher

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Senator Warren is a wild eyed Socialist. She wants everyone dependent on big government with Progressives in charge sweeping all their dirt under the rug. No thank you!!!!

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Progressives believe in wealth and owning and having private property.Senator Warren believes in wealth and owns valuable property.Senator Warren believes in regulation of powerful corporations that if left unregulated will rip of you as a consumer of goods. I guess you think capitalism is about getting ripped off.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Fauxcohontas is a fraud and hypocrite and shows it every day

Progressives believe in wealth if it is owned and distributed by the state

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Wrong,but wrong is many a Trump voter

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Now I am 100% correct

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

They need money for all the moon bat programs that dim dems love. Stay away from 40 ouncers and cut your joints in half so maybe you can think a little clearer tsc.

Madame Du Barry
Madame Du Barry
5 years ago

On board with the decision to obfuscate the Wal-Mart deal, real no brainer according to the Councilor. I agree with her job on that one!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Madame Du Barry
5 years ago

Well, I go all the way to North Adams to use their Super Walmart for items not sold by the one in Pittsfield. So do many others in this area. This is money being lost for this area, but as usual we have politicians who are POOR money managers which is why they are reduced to begging for money from Berkshire Health Systems. Progressives always need other people’s money to stay afloat. Their poor decisions are why this area has gone downhill and continues to go downhill.

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

Would love to know what happened to the petition circulated in front of Walmart and signed by so many people in this city who wanted a Super Walmart. The local politicians like Mazzeo who know better what is good for us made the decision to get rid of that petition and quickly. The gestapo like tactics used to keep control in this city should be an insult to everyone.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
5 years ago

Mazzeo for Mayor, she’ll get my votes

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Trumped Up
5 years ago

Mazzeo is Hillary supporter and all things Progressive. No thank you. Progressives have destroyed this city and Mazzeo is a big time Progressive which means the city will go downhill even faster!!!

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

GE destroyed Pittsfield

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

GE has been gone a long time. They did some environmental damage that’s true, but the lack of jobs in this area, stores and companies leaving, road deterioration, pot shops, the schools soaking up all the money for teacher and administrator salaries, poor money management, high taxation for such a poor area, and a huge increase in poverty; all of that is on Progressives.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Thats not true

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

It is true School Committee. So bad here that Progressives are reduced to begging for money from Berkshire Health Systems.

H
H
5 years ago

Mazzeo was correct for the ward, it will only help small businesses over there and Wal -Mart can rebuild in Lanesboro.Thank you Melissa.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  H
5 years ago

Still waiting for the revitalization of the Tyler Street area. Ribbon cuttings for new garbage cans just don’t get most people too excited.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Walmart never revitalized anything and ecommerce is where all new business for Walmart is at.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
5 years ago

Mayor Tyer proposes $167.65 million municipal budget

Pat
Pat
Reply to  12 Gauge
5 years ago

With most of it going to the school employee salaries no doubt.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
5 years ago

On Friday’s tour. Mayor Linda Tyer got a glimpse of the building as it nears completion. Construction managers told her they reached peak workforce last week with 200 people on the site per day.

In the cosmetology lab, Tyer saw a familiar sight.

“This looks like the salon I go to!” she said

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  12 Gauge
5 years ago

When the strings aren’t being pulled a puppet is just a stupid doll. And silly programs like hairdressing show that the new vocational school is also just for show

Harlan RinkleNutts
Harlan RinkleNutts
5 years ago

After Mazzeo’s performance on that terrible Walmart,
and now I’ll fated water budget killer, she has accredited herself well,and definitely could be the next Mayor.

Bill Q
Bill Q
5 years ago

Wal Mart wants to control everything and jobs weren’t worth the lemon squeeze. Good environment questions and drainage usage by Ms. Mazzeo. She single handily told Wal Mart where to go.

mi
mi
5 years ago

Pat must be watching Fox News.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  mi
5 years ago

Why not the only place to get the truth

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  mi
5 years ago

Better than watching MSLSD.

h
h
5 years ago

Trump and Cohen are in for a long next week, thanx Rudy?

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  h
5 years ago

Oh stop the lies. Even federal judges know this is a joke

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

McCandless and Behnke will not take care of the new Taconic High.Does Berkshire Life Building on South street get rebuilt every 45 years.No it does not because they take care of their property.The 120 million building needs 15 custodians to properly take care of it.Behnke and Yon are providing 6 people to take care of this massive structure. They are being irresponsible again with taxpayer money as the assign resourses.Time to consolidate the 5500 students.

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

Glad to see you took my advice and cut down. Your thoughts are clearer now.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Walmart can rebuild in coltsville but Walmart is under going a consolidation.

RobEM
RobEM
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Wal-Mart can build in Lanesboro where the mall is.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  RobEM
5 years ago

Walmart is focusing on e-commerce. They will not be building anywhere near here.

Madame Du Barry
Madame Du Barry
5 years ago

Anywhere but the PEDA site. Mazzeo next project Water!

dusty
dusty
5 years ago

Rudy and Trump…Pence and Sanders, Pruitt and Carson and DeVos…holy crap. I would not let these people feed my pet lizard if I had to go away for a day. We truly are living in a cartoon these days….Walt Disney, in all his wild imagination, could not have conjured up such a misfit cast of characters.

and you c;an bet your ass that there will be many movies about Trumps time in office. Some will make you laugh and some will make you cry, but all will leave you shaking your head with wonder as to how in the hell this ever, ever was allowed to happen in America.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

And yet you would probably let Bill C babysit your 15 year old daughter.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Nope

h
h
5 years ago

You can Bank on two things. Trump will not release his tax returns…Trump will not answer Mulluers questions one to one,never happen.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  h
5 years ago

And neither one of them is required. Oh yea following laws is tough for you libs

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Trump wants to answer all Mueller s questions, except the obstruction and campaign money and the one about Russia

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

More fake news from you

U
U
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

And whether he cleaned up or not after the romp with the porno star. Maybe there’s a bathrobe laying around somewhere?

dusty
dusty
5 years ago

the army is so desperate for recruits that they are giving waivers to drug users, those with a history of mental illness and self mutilation. These guys will come in handy as point men when we storm into Iran.

During Viet Nam they took almost everybody and many of them were wasted walking first where there might be mines and booby traps.. Don’t let your kids get involved in this one because it is another senseless war to enrich deefnse contractors and the maniacs in the white house

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Bone spurs was a disqualifier.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Harrison
5 years ago

True. but it had to be backed up with knowing someone with clout.

but also, it was a actually a good thing because who would want to be in a foxhole with Trump….?? maybe Steven or Pat

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Better than with you. You would be crying for your mom

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Harrison
5 years ago

College kids were too valuable to go to Vietnam ,lottery ended the War

V P of Lurning
V P of Lurning
5 years ago

It’s time for a one on one with the Planet and the astute Councilor of the people and protector of the evironment, and ward 2 Wal,art slayer to what could have eventually been a disaster for the City. Mazzeo for Mayor! Or State Rep!

Cos
Cos
5 years ago

Jung is locked and loaded.

V P of Lurning
V P of Lurning
5 years ago

Rudy, you of all people should know, it’s about the cover-up!

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  V P of Lurning
5 years ago

Nice try but nothing inaccurate was said

dusty
dusty
Reply to  V P of Lurning
5 years ago

Oh Rudy knows it is about the cover up…he was there when it all happened…he is trying to save Trumps ass but also his own cuz he may have colluded along with him

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Right. You are so uninformed it is laughable

V P of Lurning
V P of Lurning
5 years ago

Imagine Guiliani was a Federal Prosecutor? Rudy, when you tried cases, first rule of Law isn’t what you know, it’s what you can prove. You sir,spoke because you were or weren’t up to facts on the issues here?. How many cases did you lose because of you’re buffoonery?

Cos
Cos
Reply to  V P of Lurning
5 years ago

Be careful of what you wish for,Rudy is a lawyer, on Trump’s payroll, so he’s liable to say anything to protect the President. I just wish all the lying would stop. And that includes the media

I didn’t vote for Trump or Clinton, I wrote in Mazzeio, especially the way she asked questions of that Walmart proposal and squished what could have been the end of businesses onTyler Street, which are thriving.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  Cos
5 years ago

Libs are bring played and I love it. Trump approval 51%. Higher than Barry

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Crackup. He doesn’t even have 51% of this somewhat conservative blog.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  Harrison
5 years ago

This is a lib blog and sorry but your facts are wrong. So sad

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
5 years ago

Wal Mart wouldn’t have brought in those nice Trump Jobs we’re seeing now, also. Thank You Melissa!

H
H
5 years ago

With all this being said about Melissa, and agree she single handily squashed the Wal Mart bullshit. but no credit has gone out to Mr. Gaetani who has single handiy put the phony water sewer rates on hold until there . It’s making the Council and Mayor look real bad because of the millions already poured into the Consultants, for drawings? Donna rivers doesn’t want to play with peanuts for fines if we don’t comply which is the reason she changed her vote?

Here are several things you didnmt look at. You don’t have a City Engineer, you are in compliance, the plants do not need a complete over-haul. Do you buy a new car Ms. Rivers everytime you get a flat tire? A third stage is needed and minimal routine improvements? The interest on a loan would be,is one thing, but don’t forget, the cost to the water rate payers is also insurmountable, is that the intent? Because if it is, you will have accomplished your goal.

We need a sit down with the whole City, this doesn’t fly with few Council Members who approce the project at a private Meeting without the Mayor, no less.

We should take someone to task that says they didn’t know about Scott Pruitt decision to keep standards in place? Heard that one on Gaetani News Hour.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  H
5 years ago

Again, the people of the city wanted a Super Walmart. It should have gone to a vote. So as usual we get politicians who don’t care what the majority of the people want. They ignore petitions. They ignore the will of the people.

May Hemm
May Hemm
5 years ago

More woman to come forward concerning Trump. Just stated on C N N

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  May Hemm
5 years ago

Thanks for confirming it is fake news

Pat
Pat
Reply to  May Hemm
5 years ago

Stop using women to destroy people. Stop using our system of law to destroy people you don’t like. This is what is done in Russia. It’s wrong.

May Hemm
May Hemm
5 years ago

Stormy’s Attorney Michael Avenatti says Cohen will flip on Trump.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  May Hemm
5 years ago

Right. I mean a porn stars lawyer. Totally trustworthy

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Steven Dean
5 years ago

Who would trust a porn star’s lawyer?

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Or a kitty grabber’s lawyer. Probably a toss up.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  Harrison
5 years ago

Show me proof where he grabbed someone. Show me the proof. But it is confirmed she rips her clothes off for money

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Who’s lower on your pecking order Pat, politicians or porn stars?

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
Reply to  Thomas More
5 years ago

Lawyers that steal from clients. I know one from Pittsfield

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Thomas More
5 years ago

It’s a toss up between lawyers and politicians being the lowest of the low. The lowest would actually be a lawyer who become a politician. They use their knowledge of the law to manipulate people politically. They know the law, but use underhanded methods while just managing to stay barley within the rule of law. They are also the most dangerous.

U
U
Reply to  Thomas More
5 years ago

lawyers.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  May Hemm
5 years ago

Keep dreaming!!!

May Hemm
May Hemm
5 years ago

And says Rudy doesn’t know what campaign finance law is, and I believe him.

Agree with all of you with Walmart, the wrong fit. Thanx Mel Mazzeo!!!!

When is this Cory Done done?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  May Hemm
5 years ago

These are all Melissa Mazzeos “friends” thanking her for driving out Super Walmart. Let’s hear from all of those people, and there were many, who signed the petition for a Super Walmart. Probably they don’t know about this site, but so many in Pittsfield wanted a Super Walmart so let’s all acknowledge that fact.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Whether your people wanted it or not, it was a business decision that Walmart made not to build a new store in Pittsfield or for anywhere else in the northeast.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Pat, the supporters of Ms. Mazzeo on this thread are simply expressing their gratitude for her for preventing a big box store, who could care less about Pittsfield from coming here.

Incidently Pat, have you ever heard of a guy named Gartani? He is the real city hero, who saved us 180 million in the eighties, and will save ten’s of millions more at the proposed water and sewer projects, providing everything is above board period.

Gaetani is trying to insure that you will be able to live here, isn’t that a noble cause? For You,to say thank you.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
5 years ago

I love Gaetani, but I don’t think he will ever be elected in this city. I don’t think he has enough widespread support.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
5 years ago

Also CosbiestLadies, a store has to care about earning money or it will not survive. Walmart has been a great store though and has helped a lot of people afford things they otherwise could not afford. I love Walmart. It’s not the evil empire that Progressives try to make it out to be.

Steven Dean
Steven Dean
5 years ago

Then Mary you confirmed you are a purveyor of fake news

Bill Q
Bill Q
5 years ago

Does that CoryDome have ANy influence at all, on who gets to put a shovel Into the ground? Let’s hope not.

Bill Q
Bill Q
5 years ago

Whatever happened to Kathy Loyd, she used to run the hot dog stand

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
5 years ago

Not sure but think she moved out mid west area. Another Would be pol, that couldn’t match wits to the master, Gaetani.

U
U
5 years ago

Maybe Stooges buddy from porn fame, can re- enlist.

h
h
5 years ago

When do they announce the Grand Marshall for the Parade?…usually it is dedicated for some Politico Bootlegger or Good Ol Boy, there are a couple of exceptions over the years. I would like to see the taxpayers only friend the past thirty years Gaetani, get the nod. And, or Ms. Mazzeo for some really nice work over the years.

Halo
Halo
5 years ago

I was watching the G-Man on replay-PCTV.I don’t think the City Councilors or the Mayor will have any water to hold,when he states his reason at a public or private forum with the
EPA. Eight Councilors nor the EPA,have a leg to stand on.

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

In order for Pittsfield to even have a chance of becoming a nice city to live in again, we need new leadership. New faces with the same political ideology will be the death of this city. Melissa Mazzeo is thinking of running for Mayor, but she is just another Progressive who loves high taxes and giving money to the overpaid liberal school teachers and administrators who are indoctrinating our children with liberal policies.

This leaves no money left over for anything else in the city which is why Progressives need to lower themselves to begging for money from Berkshire Health Systems. It’s a horrible way to run a city, but it’s all that Progressives know how to do. They are all poor money managers.

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

Since Progressives have taken over in this city there has been a lack of good paying jobs, stores and companies leaving, road deterioration, pot shops, the schools soaking up all the money for teacher and administrator salaries, poor money management, high taxation for such a poor area, and a huge increase in poverty; all of that is on Progressives and yet people keep electing them hoping it will be better the next time, but it never does get better. It only gets worse.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
5 years ago

If the EPA director says a previous charge to improve standards could result in fines is one thing, but the fact that Director Pruitt said changes are not necessary for the next two years squashes the fines idea, and since we are in compliance,does give us two years, and that two years could be strategic in selling a home.

Councilor Rivers vote change is something a voter should look at when voting next election. There is nothing worse than a flip flop, especially when the flip was the wrong thing to do.

Looks like some Councilors who voted against the consultants advice are acting a little sheepish. Time to get out of politics if you don’t follow though with conviction.This isn’t over yet. People want to be heard on this.

One more thing, was a straw vote taken in executive session? I thought that was illegal? Dan?