BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 17, 2018) — Acting D.A. Paul Caccaviello will not attempt a write in candidacy against Democratic nominee Andrea Harrington, according to a well-placed source who requested anonymity. The source, self-described as a “close confidante” of Cacc, also says it appears “likely” that Harrington will not ask him to remain in the D.A.’s office, though “that hasn’t been fully determined.”

THE PLANET asked if Cacc wants to stay on, and our source replied, “I don’t know, but I think he’s planning for something else,” including private practice or retirement. If he steps down, “I don’t see him taking a lot of time off. Maybe some, but he would want to stay involved.” Another source, closer to the campaign than Caccaviello’s personal inner circle, denied a decision has been made and would not elaborate.

Our judgment here is that the first source has a more intimate, more up-to-date knowledge of what the second source called “a fluid situation.” THE PLANET will read tea leaves: There will not be a runoff. Democratic bosses have put a lot of pressure and brought muscle to bear on Caccaviello, essentially telling him not to “sticker himself to political death.” Who are the bosses? No one would name names, though the names would likely include Congressman Richie Neal and Pittsfield attorney and former state rep Sherwood Guernsey.

A Harrington source told THE PLANET that she is “disinclined” to want Caccaviello to remain in her office. We asked why, since he would add a wealth of experience. Could it be pure politics? The source answered with a chuckle and said, “I didn’t say that. You did.” This campaign produced the usual amount of rancor, hurt feelings, and mistrust to believe there’s little chance of Caccaviello staying on with the D.A. as a second banana.

When we asked for specifics of how Harrington would affect the change that she promised in the campaign, The H source said that part of the “new thrust” under Harrington will be to “pursue a cultural change.” But what does that mean, specifically, as it translates into the day-to-day running of the office? That questions remains undefined. It sounds like the softer, more understanding approach to crime that has the hard-liners in knots. They see it as coddling, an enabling of young drug offenders and other criminals that will backfire. Will it work, or will it exacerbate the near-out-of-control issues that plague Pittsfield and to some extent the rest of the county: Drugs, gangs, domestic violence, break-ins, robberies, and the like?

If this “fluid” scenario holds true and Cacc does indeed eschew a sticker run, Harrington has a clear path to office, leaving us with the uncertainty of the question: Is she ready? Is she qualified? Will she be able to handle the hot seat? Critics point to her inexperience and her “soft” approach. Supporters try to paint a different picture. Her so-called lack of experience means  she comes into office with the kind of clean slate required for a fresh approach to take hold. She won’t be saddled, they say, by “old-boy GOB white guys. It’s their time to go.”

THE PLANET has not seen anything yet from Harrington to justify either view. She was savvy enough to win a tough race against a seated incumbent, who had the backing of “the right people.” As far as criminal justice and the requirement now upon her to be the top law enforcement official in Berkshire County, perhaps she knows what she’s doing. Perhaps not. It remains to be seen. The barometer for whether or not her campaign was all politics or an occasion marking a new and better era for the D.A.’s office will be in her performance in office, simple as that.

The true story of this campaign lies hidden as a low but emanating buzz that, as the time goes by between now and the November 2019 elections, will become more pronounced and evident. There’s an internal civil war being fought in the local Democratic establishment. The old guard is trying to maintain power. The newbies are climbing up the hill, and they want to knock the kingpins for a loop. Mark THE PLANET’s words: The ultimate showdown in this war will come in the 2019 municipal elections.

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“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them” — Albert Einstein.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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