JOINT STATEMENT OF MAYOR, SUPT., AND D.A. on REID-SPRINGSIDE VIOLENCE A FARCICAL ADMISSION OF FAILURE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
Part Two of Three in a Series
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION MAY 3-5, 2019) — THE PLANET can tell you the only reason The Boring Broadsheet ran a story about the out-of-control violence at Reid Middle School and Springside Park is the testimony of outrage published here in the comments section. So much for the “investigative” local daily.
Yes, YOU made a difference.
Your comments after recent PLANET columns forced the issue out in the open, embarrassing Pittsfield officials who would have continued to hide or at least downplay the matter. PLANETEERS forced mayor Linda Tyer, police chief Mike Wynn, and district attorney Andrea Harrington to issue a joint statement last week. The composed-by-committee communique illustrates the reactive nature of these three and their respective offices to a problem that has jumped the banks.
Here is the full text:
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – On Friday, April 26, Mayor Linda Tyer convened an emergency roundtable meeting with the city’s Chief of Police, Michael Wynn; School Superintendent Jason McCandless; and Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington to address the mounting concerns stemming from recent disturbances involving youth in city parks and on school grounds.
“The safety and well-being of our children is priority No. 1. We will not tolerate conduct and behavior that puts the lives of our children and other members of our community in harm’s way. This issue is now at the highest ranks of city, school, and law enforcement officials,” said Mayor Tyer. “We are actively engaging with all parties to identify and implement immediate steps to curtail these disturbing actions that are taking place in our schools and in our public spaces.”
Today, the Pittsfield Police Department has made one arrest in connection with these incidents. In order to avoid compromising this open and ongoing investigation, further information will not be released at this time.
In the wake of school-related activity, which included a fight this past week involving Reid Middle School students off school grounds and after hours, on Thursday, April 25, Superintendent McCandless issued a communication to parents which noted a range of serious consequences for students who engaged in disorderly behavior and/or participated in other supporting capacities.
“We just want to get across that there is nothing more important than the community concern over this activity. Please know that we are full partners with the Pittsfield Police Department, and District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Mayor’s Office. We are working collaboratively to ensure that our students are able to be students and not fear for their safety at school.”
District Attorney Harrington is encouraging individuals who have been impacted by these incidents to contact her Victim Witness Assistance Program at 413-443-5951 or contact BerkshireDA@mass.gov.
“I am actively engaged with Mayor Tyer and Pittsfield Police and I have pledged the full resources of my office to ensure the safety of our children in schools and in the community,” said District Attorney Harrington.
Looking ahead, the following actions will be taken to address this matter:
• School officials will be meeting with the students and families who have been involved in these incidents.
• Pittsfield Police will seize illegally possessed pellet, Airsoft, and BB guns.
• There will be heightened enforcement of the existing Rules and Regulations for city parks.
• A special police detail will be assigned to Reid Middle School for the immediate future.
• Sheriff’s Office will have a mounted patrol at Springside Park (following school dismissal) starting next week.
What to do if your child has an issue:
• Call 911 and file a report with the police department.• Contact your school to inform officials of the situation.
• Contact Victim’s Services at the District Attorney’s Office.
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The statement has brazen punks quaking in their $150 sneakers. You’ll be pleased to know that last night (Wednesday), a “gathering” a dozen+ youths in Springside Park produced threats of “payback” for certain targeted kids at Reid, indicating that gangs are at the bottom of some of what’s going on. Sources tell THE PLANET the “Bible study group” produced a hit list.
The joint statement is not just inadequate. It borders on the confessional. The county’s three top officials admit their failure by cowardly disguising inefficacy as a proactive master stroke. Practically every line rings with self-indictment. Here’s are three favorites:
• School officials will be meeting with the students and families who have been involved in these incidents. — School officials will merely “meet” with the troublemakers? That’s it?
• Pittsfield Police will seize illegally possessed pellet, Airsoft, and BB guns. — Why haven’t they been seizing the “illegal” weapons prior to this?
• There will be heightened enforcement of the existing Rules and Regulations for city parks. — A stark admission that the existing regs haven’t meant a thing, something citizens have known forever.
Ordinary citizens, the Mary Jane and Joe Kapanskis, will not be fooled by this lame statement.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
———————————————————————————————————
“Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites” — William Ruckelshaus.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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We elect Harrington and our county goes down the drain.
She does great PR and do nothing punches for her political agenda
You’d figure she’d fix her under bite with all those photos
It was circling the bowl prior to Ms. Harrington‘s election
But her Office continues the pattern of covering up criminal behavior, most recently Richard Dohoney this past week.
Whom was given substantial evidence of spousal and child abuse covered up by previous administration and detectives attached previously and currently. He just stalls to allow a new fable to be fabricated , like most cases involving gross misconduct and negligence on the part of law-enforcement.
Ms Harrington failing to honor her campaign promises, shows she also lacks the integrity to be district attorney.
Guess it’s time for a new candidate to step forward.
Time for the Chief to step down….he is not up to the job!
Same pig, different lipstick.
Haven’t posted in a while but this school thing has me beside myself. Thank you Planet and DV for exposing this issue which they tried to keep hidden.
If I had to walk down North Street at night, I would poop my pants!
A lot of the people on North St. at night don’t wear pants.
That’s just Lovely Jon.
Dan this is a dog and pony show.The middle school behavior kids will remain in the building with out of control verbal violence and intimidation.Yes the kids are recruiting and making little children pick a color red or blue……This issue should be in the public everyday and that wont happen.Yon is the person most responsible then McCandless .They slow schools enviroment to be toxic.Why we keep an administration that allow this and loses more and more Pittsfield kids is ridicoulous.Jake McCandless would be a great Superintendant of Welsley Ma. Or Newton but not here.
The school committee
You’re a citizen who has continuously brought awareness of the issues in this school department. It is astounding that nothing in this administration is addressed. More so, is we have a small number of teenagers out of control inside and outside of the school harrassing and terrorizing innocents. The Police Dept should be suffocating their behaviors. Parents should be brought to court and held accountable. There should be an all court press.
Has one councilor or one committee even made a statement.We kick the can down the road.Moon has plenty to say about the environment, Caccamo White Kroll Rivers Marchetti….Pittsfield does not have one leader who will drive the gang out of town.Its scary business to remove gangs and that’s how those little kids in middle school feel.They are petrified.Jake,Joe,Yon are yapping about high stakes testing that nobody cares about anymore.Yours schools are falling apart for lack of maintaince and the children in them are scared.Safety is your only job.Take the testing and put that where it belongs
Caccamo is too busy playing hipster doofus with Kate up at BaRT
Caccamo is no longer at BArt.
BMC
Do you know where he is currently employed?
No longer at BART but still a hipster doofus.
The current officials need to be voted out. I believe Pittsfield is ready for a town manager. Then there would be accountability. The current school committe, superintendant, and City Council need turnover.
Spa girl
Any change is a good change!
Ms Harrington will be easily defeated on her record of non acomplishments and lack of integrity in keeping her campaign promises.
But at least she is better than
“No probable cause Paul”
This reminds me of a few years back when unruly brats were hassling drivers on Crane Ave with by riding their bikes in the middle of the road. In spite of the fact it was reported many times to the PD nothing was done until one was hit and killed. Then of course it was all the drivers fault.
This school department is a sham and a audit of every budget for the last 20 years is in order.They have a leadership problem in the area of violence in the classrooms,it verbal violence to women and intimidation to men and the the pack leader in the building should be the principles but they pass along to staff that they are to blame.The lip service that Pittsfield School give to taxpayers is disgustig.Yon needs to show Pittsfield that potential violence is always knocking at the door in the middle schools.The teachers union president wont represent the innocent little kids.
Absolutely an audit. But what mayor or mayoral candidate would advocate for such a thing? It would be political suicide as the school conglomerate pretty much controls the election results. And the last thing they want is outside eyes on the inside of the books. Very Trumpian behavior actually.
The Pittsfield School Committee is pathetic. Their biggest concern is a question on the MCAS that may or may not cause confusion for the kids. Meanwhile, kids are living in fear of going to school and being harassed.
All the School Committee and those in charge of the schools in this city care about is a political agenda. Everything else is ignored.
PAT
Indeed, 100%. The brunt of the responsibility falls on the irresponsibility of the school committee, led by Kathy Yon, who is to valiant public service what a canker sore on the tongue is to a mouth.
Sadly true but a hilarious analogy
Yup, but it is Trump who is trying to suppress the press:
https://freebeacon.com/politics/reporter-biden-campaign-physically-blocking-press-from-asking-questions/
Seems the Dems do this kind of thing more often than not.
“Hey, don’t take pictures of Hillary falling down every day.”
Anyone remember when a Martha Coakley staffer actually knocked down a reporter trying to follow her and ask a question? Right there on camera.
As for the Pitts–what else is new?
Last rat to leave the ship, gnaw the rope off.
I’d like to see some actual attendance records to prove how many kids have been absent in the last couple of weeks surrounding this whole violence issue. Let’s be honest with ourselves – kids will do anything to skip a day of school. If 20 kids were out absent because they were “scared” I’ll bet 2 or 3 were legitimately concerned and the rest just wanted a day off. I’m sure all the A+ students showed up though because their parents aren’t suckers.
An anyone smell Restorative Justice, which Tyer bragged about in one of her state of the city addresses?
J-99
Good one! We wonder what that phrase means now for candidate Tyer. “Restorative Justice” indeed. How’s that working out for candidate Tyer?
Maybe she is talking about her friends church on Tyler street. Did he donate to her campaign?
You need McCandless to walk Herberg for 30 days.Todays technology allows him to set up shop there and do his job.They also need .Priciples,vice principles, adjustment councilors to walk walk walk walk their buildings,all day.Principles sit,sit,sit all day long.Mccandless should demand that administrators in the buildings call him when they enter their office.He has cameras all over Herberg so get the principle to put their desks in the hall or lobby.Today
This is the part where Harrington flip flops from progressive DA to tough on crime “in response to the public.” This type of pandering to remain popular is precisely why the job should never be held by a politician.
CHAS
The “flip,” should it occur, will on be on paper and will only be for the consumption of the supplicant local media.
Jay Hamling has taken out papers for Councilor at Large
Jay is a stand up man, fantastic father and husband and one of the smartest people I knew growing up.
He brings a load of common sense and logic. He has my vote and volunteer hours hands down. He’s sick of the state of the city and is a lifelong resident.
VOTE JAY!
He’s got my vote as soon as he says he will cut taxes.If he won’t cut taxes through consolidation of schools there is no reason to logically vote for a replacement.Even the Catholic Church consolidated for the better in Pittsfield.
LGM
Thanks for the shout out about candidate Hamling. Key issues for anyone running, particularly for a citywide office: (1) What will you do about the out-of-control spending, driven by unjustified annual raises for the city’s most dysfunctional department (school department)? (2) What specifically would you do to restore order and discipline into the schools, particularly the middle schools? (3) What is your position on taxes.
1. Forensic audit followed by consolidation and resultant savings. No new positions and plenty eliminated through economies of scale.
2. Eliminate the Restorarive Justice bull crap and expell the riff and the raff.
3. Read my lips – no new taxes. Sell the closed schools to the highest bidder along with some hardly used parks if necessary. Sell the PEDA property too to get some more tax revenue to fix roads, etc. stop paying for the shot spotter.
J-99
Yes. I would add these three: 1.) Uniforms 2.) No knapsacks 3.) Surrender of all phones upon entering building.
No backpacks? Reminds me of the books on the hip look of the 60’s. Perfect target for bullies.
Dan, there are schools that allow only clear backpacks. Every kid has the same one so I don’t know if the schools supply them or if they get them at a designated place.
PAUL
Yes. That would work. Everyone the same, the school makes an arrangement with a supplier and passes the savings to parents. It would work nicely with school uniforms, which is the single most inexpensive-yet-effective move that could and should be implemented immediately in both middle- and high schools.
LGM
Jay has my vote as well. Where is the local Republican party? Are they still in existence? They are being given a gift in the form of liberal progressives not getting the job done. We need some conservatives running for seats on the CC as well as School Committee.
How do we know he’s not a GOBSIG?
Good question. I want a Planet Purity test on this guy.
“Andrew” Harrington is a colossal failure.
Brace yourselves for an urgent update . . .
. . . you people voted her into office.
Anybody know if the Williams College sexual assaults issue is still on “Andrew”‘s radar? Exactly!
And that’s the bottom-line!!
There is NO case. Between the WC policy and the MA law you can’t do ANYTHING with the WC sexual assault cases. Even AH with her GED in law has figured that out.
Electing AH was a case study on how STUPID voters are.
Stupid is right!
To what MA law are you referring? Which law allows WC to police itself and prevents the DA from doing “anything” in WC sexual assault cases?
Brian
Ms Harrington is naïve thinking those are covered up the crimes are going to uncover them now, many previous administration loyalists still work in the office.
Richard dahonoy seems to be running interference, as I provided him with a lot of information that he just stalls, seemingly attempting to fabricate another fable.
Ms Harrington wants to remain a viable political candidate she should get busy, caccaveillo served 247 days
A few more 211 s4 letters to mass Supreme Court she may just be unemployed like Shelly Joseph taking Caccaviellos spot asshortest serving da
Thanks for the coverage, Dan
There is a rash of minors with BB guns shooting at people. The most recent is a shooting in New Hampshire the other day where a teen was shot in the face requiring surgery. This appears to be a growing teen trend.
I’m glad that our police department will start to “seize illegally possessed pellet, Airsoft, and BB guns.” I hope they understand that any minor with such a weapon in public is illegally possessing that weapon. Per Mass General Law – Part IV, Title I, Chapter 269, Section 12B, “No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access” and “Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated.”
I was troubled when I read the Eagle article about BB gun carrying in Springside Park last week where the PPD told the Eagle that “recent changes changes in policy have stripped police officers of authority when it comes to juveniles.” and “In responding to complaints of juveniles with BB type guns, absent an assault, we are limited [by the new policy],”
Clearly this last statement is contrary to the Mass law…
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/bb-gun-carrying-youths-cause-stir-in-springside-park-neighborhood,571543?
MARK
Thanks for the comment. The BB gun thing may be something that began on social media. As you say, it has become a “thing.” Apparently, the guns look like actual firearms and are nearly indistinguishable. This will not end well.
M.G.L.A. 269 § 12B
§ 12B. Air rifles; possession by minors; shooting
Currentness
No minor under the age of eighteen shall have an air rifle or so-called BB gun in his possession while in any place to which the public has a right of access unless he is accompanied by an adult or unless he is the holder of a sporting or hunting license and has on his person a permit from the chief of police of the town in which he resides granting him the right of such possession. No person shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or so-called BB gun into, from or across any street, alley, public way or railroad or railway right of way, and no minor under the age of eighteen shall discharge a BB shot, pellet or other object from an air rifle or BB gun unless he is accompanied by an adult or is the holder of a sporting or hunting license. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall be confiscated. Upon a conviction of a violation of this section the air rifle or BB gun or other weapon shall, by the written authority of the court, be forwarded to the colonel of the state police, who may dispose of said article in the same manner as prescribed in section ten.
Source:
https://1.next.westlaw.com/Document/N8A67C4C0173A11DB9292C066B0348FB7/View/FullText.html?originationContext=contextAnalysis&transitionType=Document&contextData=(sc.Category)&docSource=faac6d956dd6412d80930cf284ab46ca&rulebookMode=false#co_anchor_IE49DE930AC7811DDA50EFA1EDC14A9B5
Airsoft is not covered under this law.
You are correct, Mark Tully. Officer Traversa’s comment in the Eagle, if accurately reported, is contrary to the current law. A police officer can certainly arrest a minor in possession of a BB gun in a public place. I wonder aloud if his comment is more in response to the current DA’s practice of doing absolutely nothing when juveniles are brought into juvenile court and thus discouraging police interaction with these cases. The so-called diversion program is non-existent. Juveniles are not arraigned and the DA’s office provides no programs to engage the juveniles in positive activities. The very good juvenile court probation office cannot involve itself because the juvenile’s are not arraigned and therefore not under the control of the court. I have no objection to diversion but there must be programs in place to make it work. So far, absolutely nothing from this DA’s office. If Harrington cared about these kids there would be programs in place BEFORE she started implementing diversion. The majority of these kids come from struggling households with no structure. They are easy targets for gang recruitment. With no structure coming from parents, it falls upon the community to provide it: the schools, the courts, the police, DCF when necessary.
Mr. McCandless has not made one statement to parents about the new changes to stop the verbal violence of Herberg School.Nothing has changed and I suggest everyone remove your kids from Herberg school.He has a very lazy group of administrators who wont come out of their office.Any principle in his or her office should be suspended.
The Mayor should be walking Herberg School today.The Mayor should be walking Herberg School next week.The mayor as a leader should conduct her business from Herberg to set an example of leadership.The Mayor should do this because its her job to have safe schools.If her Department heads dont know how to lead then show them how to lead.
TSC
I agree.
Barry says he feels safe on North street. But would he take his kids to Springside Park after school is out without a police escort?
And twas it Mayor Hideaway that said crime on North Street was an “abberation”????
Gangs aren’t afraid of Tyer,Harrington,Bouvier, yon, moon, Rivers, Guile. To name a few,all involved in politics and all on the taxpayer teat. Can you say WHY
This will be a topic that is not going to go away. McCandless, the School Committee, the Mayor, and Chief Wynn need to be held accountable day in and day out. This is going to be an election issue hot button.
Kids going nowhere listen to golden flow of locks in the breeze,artsy kids stuff being cool,gangs aren’t
learning and no future here after graduation for a LOT-of them.Kids are talked to on pctv like their stupid,you’re in to music and plays, you’ll be successful,ha.
Kids want more than popsicle giveaways in the summer,they want a future, Gangs will ignore Springside Park law combatants as they know the old Hebert House isn’t really for them.
When is the first 3rd Thursday? Can kids bring BB guns if they keep them tucked into their pants?
Did anyone else see that a federal judge just recently described the MA State police as a ‘criminal enterpirse’ with evidence of a criminal conspiracy in relation to the overtime? The judge asked why RICO charges weren’t filed. That is some serious language.
These guys are going to be busy locking in some pensions gong forward. That might keep them distracted.
Judge Wolf
Rebuked the prosecutors attempted sweeping of
Much more serious criminal enterprise, much like what capeless/Caccaviello regime covered up and assisted in case fixing scheme in local courts. Nilan and Hazard hit and runs
Williams sexual assault scandal, spousal and child abuse with assistance of Dcf
Framing anyone who exposed their wrongdoing
With perjured statements by MSP Edward culver , disgraced now retired commander lt Brian Foley( MSP retirees are hard to locate and serve papers) , Michelle mason trooper Gregory Denys and at least secretary sue Morrison. Whom all still work for Ms Harrington.
That should clear up Any doubts why ms Harrington isn’t Fufilling her campaign promises , because she scared of the commonwealth.
Judge Wolf got news he won’t be ruling on that case until all information is produced, look for a new team of federal prosecutors in Massachusetts very soon.
Lelling failed at having integrity, avoiding RICO to protect the
FBI agents that overlooked law enforcement corruption
One grossly corrupt agent is
Springfield’ FBI Ron Zanoli who exchanges leniency for leniency in his drunken spousal abuse cases -Google it’s free.
Caccaviello swept cases for bribes disguised as campaign donations, to protect his colleagues illegal activity.
If you cant keep kids safe from verbal violence in schools and you can keep teachers safe at work ,nothing else matters.Principle,councilors musty sneaker and walk all day.If you don’t see your school administrators walking in the crowd of students all day ,fire them.When will McCandless tell parents he has ordered principles not to sit and bullshit all day.
Authority @safety starts at the traffic stops. Start giving CITATIONS., The South street corridor is a speed trap a mega bucks,start enforcing…..drugs role through that corridor and the same on West Housy, you cut off Springfield and Albany. Start asking public phone calls seriously and put all bolo’s on the airwaves,so the public can help with that also.
Does anyone know where you can stream Pittsfield Police, Fire, and EMS radio? It used to be available on the TuneIn app but it no longer works.
Here you go Ted –
http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/1214
Thank you.
Anyone see the iberkshires article yesterday about the state grant awarded to the Pitts Public Schools to court black college education students fron N.C.as potential first-year teachers?
Sounds like our schools will hire on the basis of skin color. Anyone have a problem with this?
So if a white teacher with 5 years experience applies for an open teaching position – the black teacher without experience will be given the job?
One of many problems within our school system.
Yea, I got a problem with it. The rationale is that the percentage of teachers has to approximate the percentage of students, by race, which is bs. Just because 30 percent of students are persons of color doesn’t mean we need to go above and beyond to hire 30 percent teachers of color. Next thing you know there won’t be any male cops or firemen hired until it’s 50/50.
And what about all the black athletes that are over represented as a percentage of population – should they not be selected even if better than the white person until the teams make up represents the population.
More liberal and progressive bladderdash.
Have to bring them from the South because you can’t find enough here, which means they aren’t underrepresented in hiring. The truth is that white children are underrepresented in schools due to high taxes and mismanagement, but a lot of people profit by making the city into a welfare-funded ghetto
Buy a scanner radio.
Love the time line on the roundtable by the problem solvers, set up a meeting with the Mayor, Superintendent, and the DA and then send in the Sheriff to put mounted patrols in Springside Park
How many male teachers are in the schools?
I checked the web pages of 3 in my area.
Egremont has 3 males, alll custodial.
Williams has 2 or 3 with 1 being a teacher.
Herberg has 5 or 6. Most are in administration.
Do you think Shirley is working on hiring more male teachers so there is equal representation per the male/female student ratio at the schools? Only if they are black!
If I were applying for a teaching position as a white male with 5 years teaching experience and found out that a black first year teacher from N.C. got the job- I would sue the Pitts Public Schools for discrimination.
Hire on merit, not on race.
And if any of you have kids in the Pitts schools and are concerned about the decline in the quality of education – please run for a seat on the school committee. Cutler, Taylor, Yon, Powell, Cameron need to be voted out.
I’m moving to a Springfield suburb in 3 months.
ROBEM
Great point and one not talked about. Lack of male teachers may well be a factor in kids acting out. Common sense would indicate that, especially since many homes are without good, strong, solid male role models.
Don’t forget that the females can identify as males. That should take care of the problem.
This concern for children’s safety is going to fade very quickly.Pull students from Herberg school until you hear that behavior problems resulting in verbal violence and intimidation of vulnerable children at Herberg are removed for a therapeutic program.Mccandless has not made a statement to the Herberg violence.
Staff absenteeism at Herberg was at record levels.Nothing to see here parents.Shortage of staff creates a safety problem.The Mayor and all his Superintendent should have gone to Herberg yesterday to help cover the kids.Where was the Mayor yesterday?ABSENT staff reached dangerous levels Friday.Where is Teacher Union President on children safety.Where Is The Berkshire Eagle on investigating violence in Pittsfield schools?
Before the horse flies become a problem have the inmates pick up the clops, or are they just going to compost it in the dump site behind allendale.
Sounds like a perfect job for Kathy Yon.
McCandless philosophy is to keep verbal violence by students alive at Herberg School.
Of the five candidates running for mayor which one is best suited to take on the crazyness in the schools?
Well one of them has been working on it for 3 and a half years and it has only gotten worse. Not naming names so you will have to do some research.
Who are the five?
Tyer, Mazzeo, Gaetani, Graves and Kalinowski.
Thanks 27. I know nothing about Graves & Kalinowski. Out of the other 3, I would only vote for Mazzeo.
LENNY
At this point, there are only two candidates for mayor when you consider those who will actually makes the serious attempt. They are the incumbent, Linda Tyer, and the challenger, councilor-at-large Melissa Mazzeo. There are no others. That might change, but we doubt it. Tyer-Mazzeo will be your November choice. You can safely ignore everyone else.
Tho I would add that Mazzeo has been on the city council for a long time, and she hasn’t been able to rein in their escalating budget. She also sends at least one of her girls to Miss Halls.
Both Mazzeo and Tyer are terrible choices. Both love high taxes.
The only one who can possibly do this first and foremost must possess the ability to actually WIN the office. There are only two in this race who meet the first criteria. They are Linda Tyer and Melissa Mazzeo. That will remain the reality, with the footnote being Kalinowski and Graves. They are unknown, and so we have to see what they do and how they will do it. Will they organize? Will they have a campaign staff? Will they raise and spend money? Anyone who doesn’t do these things may be summarily dismissed as either cranks, “gimme my 15 minutes,” publicity addicts, or some combination. Until then, after Tyer and Mazzeo, there are no others in the mayor’s race. Peer-ree-id.
This is politics not pickle ball. A candidate has to raise and spend money. He or she has to have lawn signs. That’s how voters recognize names. You can’t rely on TV shows or BCC debates.
HAM, you are correct. Like it or not that’s the way it’s done all over the country. That’s how it works and it ain’t gonna change.
Yes. 1.) Organize 2.) Raise money 3.) Spend money on marketing and promotion, including lawn signs. Do that, and you’re a legitimate candidate. Don’t do that and you’re a joke.
Mazzeo already has a web site, signs and a campaign office on Elm Street near Elm Street Hardware.
Crosby and Morningside seem to roll in with about 30/40% of the kids being competent in math and reading. That is a disgrace. Williams and Ergemeint do much better. Silvio Conte is also significantly better than Crosby and Morningside.
Perhaps if those schools are shut and those kids brought to a better school the better school results would go down too. I don’t know.
I can imagine kids being pretty unsettled if by the time they get to middle school they realize they don’t know anything, can’t do their homework and feel lost. The disaster of these schools is ignored because the teachers union is a voting block hornets nest.
There would be more fights in the street if a journalist pushed to follow the data in why these kids are pushed forward when they keep failing. But this time it would be the crummy teachers throwing punches and shouting because they had to explain themselves.
Also, McCandles should resign or be fired. I wish Ma would take over Pittsfield schools. There is no one competent in charge.
KERMIT
They can’t do their homework, and it doesn’t matter. They get passed along. Test scores get fudged, and all is great. That’s the M.O. in the Pittsfield schools right now, especially in the middle schools.
According to one news source the police got one 18 year old guy called “Nibs” who was supposedly the ringleader to all the Springside/Reid commotion.. So we had one 18 year old macho clown trying to form a little army of kids to raise havoc? Is this a thing now?
Where else can you find just one person using his position of power to corrupt people and cause chaos? Think hard.
May 4, 2019
Re: My open letter to Congress members Annie Kuster, Maggie Hassan, and Jeanne Shaheen, and President Trump
Where do you stand on the 3 medical marijuana bills in Congress for Veterans? I believe that Veterans should be equal under federal law. However, there are conflicting laws about marijuana. While some state governments allow marijuana, the federal government doesn’t allow it under law. I believe that if Veterans do not have the same rights as civilians, then the federal government should change the laws on marijuana so that everyone is equal again under the law. I believe that Veterans should have equal access to medical marijuana from the VA in states like New Hampshire where medical marijuana is equal.
– Jonathan A. Melle
You might want to try medical Metamucil.
Mccandless leads a department full of bad leaders with a bad philosophy tha holds bad behavior above good behavior.Its a system that has Yon and Taylor thanking him and he thanks the teacher and they in turn thank him back and they all are in awe of the job they do.
Trump hates himself and he leads people that hate themselves.
Could you explain and give a few examples?
So McCandless says taxpayers do have an appetite for spending even more money on school buildings.Taxpayers are on a diet so that the school departments appetite for spending can be met.Some glutinous behavior cant stop unless they have an intervention by the city council president.Marchetti,Caccamo,White,Moon,Rivers need to be asked who is it they believe is paying for everything.We certainly have alot of folks with money on our council.
Covanta selling out now that city gave them over a half mil to shore up their business – new owner has no comment on future operations – BB headline lies, and Tyer claims no layoffs – completely misleading as new owner refused to comment at this time. This city is a ship of fools.
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/no-closure-or-layoffs-expected-if-pittsfield-waste-to-energy-plant-sale-goes-through,572405
The 550 g was to keep jobs there with no future commitment,sell or not,give the money back out of these sale proceeds, that would be only fair.Another Tyredbad deal.
Give the money back,museum should give money back,shaker village redirected the funds on they lied to Pittsfield so give the money back
Shaker Village shook Pittsfield for 5 hundred grand. No kickbacks were recorded in the books.
I am voting for the candidate who publishes a list of all PIttsfield business getting TIFs past and present. Why is this info top secret anyway? Is city hall embarrassed for helping millionaires with hard earned taxpayer money? Sure looks that way but if anyone knows where the TIF emails are we would love to see them.
The school committee does not understand any of the positions they vote for,its always yes.
Trump support of Puttin is a mystery to the American people,Trumps behavior is pro Puttin.Puttin is Trump Daddy.Trump voters are on board with Puttins control of Trump.Democrats letting Trump control them.America is at a tipping point.I don’t blame Trump I blame power and wealth control of Trump and the lemmings that are needed to succeed in our demise