Article

BLOATED CITY BUDGET OKd, GUV’S COUNCIL POSTPONED MEETING PROVES THE FIX IS IN ON ‘NO SHOW’ … PLUS, THE PLANET’S STREET SPIES ARE TALKING ABOUT … ‘SKATEBOARDERS’ AND IT AIN’T PRETTY

0 0 votes
Article Rating

By DAN VALENTI

FIRST ADD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011

BUDGET BUZZARDS RUBBER STAMP JIMMY’S WISH LIST, 7-3

The city council’s 7-3 approval of the nearly $130 million budget submitted by Mayor Jimmy Ruberto marks another round of business as usual. Three councilors voted for THE PEOPLE of Pittsfield. Melissa Mazzeo, Mike Ward, and Christine Yon voted “no” to the bloated, fat-filled document.

Yon particularly distinguished herself during the budget proceedings, speaking out against the particularly egregious school department budget. She questioned why, when her constituents have to make do with wage freezes if they’re lucky to have a job, do school department employees automatically get unfair consideration. Yon has found her voice, she will win re-election, and with a new mayor grow to be even more of a force in city politics. Mazzeo continues to grow in political savvy and influence. She has an ear out for We The People and isn’t afraid to out-spit the boys.

Krol You Expect to Shill for the Mayor, but Nichols??

John Krol, up for re-election in Ward 6, supported the mayor’s spending plan. In a telling comment, Krol said as a councilor had the obligation to support what was good “for the city of Pittsfield.” Krol’s remarks bare what he considers his first obligation: to the city and not its people — to city departments and city employees, who represent votes — and not to his tax-addled constituents.

That Krol should support the bloated status quo isn’t a surprise, for he may be a GOB in formation. That Joe Nichols should do it, though, is more problematic. Nichols votes these days in a manner befitting what he thinks will be required for his added credibility as a mayoral candidate. He’s voting with the GOB, but Nichols is mistaken if he thinks that will win him extra votes. If he keep this up, Nichols will undermine the only chance he has to pull off a stunning upset.

PHONEY BASTARDS GET BLATANT ABOUT IT!

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, June 29, 2011) — As if you didn’t already know, but the fix is in for Chris “No Show” Speranzo to get his cushy $110K+benefits lifetime appointment for the no-show job of clerk magistrate of Central Berkshire District Court.

How phony is the game? How blatantly do the GOBs spit in The Little Guy’s face? How deep is the ocean? How high is the sky?

Bending the Rules to Assure the Outcome

When it came time for the governor’s council to meet and decide on No Show sorry fate, they were one dull blade short of a set. One of their number, a No Show supporter (who had taken a dive) wasn’t present nor was he accounted for. Where oh where could he be?

Was this stalwart of the public trust working with Mother Teresa’s nuns in Calcutta, ministering to the poorest of the poor? Was he on the verge of discovering a cure for the common cold? No, alas and alack! This bum was on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N. For that, the GOBs on high made the phone call: “No meeting until our boy gets back to see that the fat SOB gets the job, ya’ follw”?

THE PLANET takes the quote from the transcript, since we have the statehouse offices bugged. Don’t tell anyone, though.

No Show Would Have Been Shot Down, 4-3, Had the Meeting Taken Place AS SCHEDULED

Had the meeting taken place, which they ALWAYS do as long as there is a quorum, No Show would have been shot down by a vote. Oh, Bartleby. Oh, humanity.

——————————————————-

Oh, The Little Angels Go Skateboarding

This from THE PLANET’s spies on the mean streets of Pittsfield, where crime is a way of life and drugs are there for the taking as low-hanging fruit.

Skateboarders.

Nuff said, right?

“Oh, but you are profiling these young people,” a frizzy-haired moonbat chirps. “They’re good kids.” Right. THE PLANET tells her she would better spend her time shaving her legs and under her armpits. Ms. Moonbat doesn’t take kindly to our pastoral counseling. She walks away in a huff, but our street spies who witness the ebb and flow of daily life in and around downtown Pittsfield still speak to us. They tell us plenty about how life REALLY goes down in Benigno Numine.

It’s not all hunky dory, as the rah-rah boosters want people to believe. The Pittsfield you see on display for two hours on the Fourth of July is a fiction, spun by folks who will blow $85,000 on mostly imported talent for the purpose of providing a useless distraction of bread and circuses. We had humbly suggested that the organizers raise the same $85,000, put on an authentic Pittsfield parade for $5,000, and present $80,000 to charity. For that suggestion, we are a monster, a cruel and vicious entity that seeks only destruction. Oh, how we are misunderstood. THE PLANET is a gentle place, where we live in love.

Skateboarding Parks Ground Zero for Drugs and Crime

Our spies report that some drug traffickers use the former skateboarding park tucked in the northeast section of the Common as one of their floating command posts. They do satellite business near the A-Mart on North Street and also at the small cement park on the corner of Columbus and North that leads to the bus station.

Our spies say that the work on the Common has the drug kingpins and customers looking for a new location. They have one picked out, but no one is saying where. We put the question to our readers. Anyone hear anything?

Our spies also told us to check out the “new” skateboarding area on East Street and Appleton Avenue, opposite PHS and formerly a well-kept tennis court. We asked why. They reply: “You’ll see it once you get there.” THE PLANET drove by last night and investigated.

Ramps. Rails, Rubbish, and Wrecks

We found a ramshackle area with make-shift skateboarding obstacles: ramps, rails, and the like, where the little angels practice their tricks. We also saw enough garbage, most of it pushed along the fence perimeters, to fill a dump.

Sifting through the debris, we found the usual assorted of fast-food wrappers, soda bottles, and sundry other pieces of garbage. We also found empty beer cans, a whiskey nip, and used drug paraphernalia. A used condom for added to the atmosphere.

Ladies and gentleman, think about this. From that location, you can spit into the classrooms at PHS. There is drug use and underage drinking taking place there. They have trashed the park. The kids who hang out at the make-shift park are among a bad element that daily makes more inroads in and about downtown Pittsfield. Moreover, they attract a bad element. It’s the blind leading the blind, and they are sightless because they chose to be.

For the Innocent, Law-Abiding Bystander, a Big Question

The question for the innocent bystander and upright citizen becomes: What, the police don’t know about what goes on there and at the other street-known hot spots? What, if they know, they don’t care to to anything about it? What, are these young hoodlums all “of age”? What, don’t their parents or guardians give a spit? What, there are no consequences for lawlessness?

The former tennis courts have become a place of crime and an eyesore. Even at the surface level of graffiti and garbage, the users at the park have committed a “quality of life” crime.

We hear a lot of hot air by phony politicians about the “gateways” to the city. Coming in from the south, a porn shop greets visitors. Coming in from the North, one drives by the riff raff that populates outer first and North streets. Approach from the East and you drive by the delightful former Grossman’s property on East Street. In from the West, you put-put past the lovely former tennis courts mentioned above and then the beautiful sight of the partially demolished Pittsfield Rye Bakery.

Does anyone wonder, any longer, that the rich tourists who stay in south county do not as a rule want to venture anywhere near a city like this? Do you wonder why those that do, to catch a concert or play, for example, rarely want to hang around the downtown at any hour?

Every Problem Mentioned Here is Easily Solvable

The sad part of this tale is that every problem here is solvable, and to a reasonably practical degree. It takes but one ingredient: political will. Alas, alack: that is the one ingredient in perpetually short supply in our once fair city.

———————————————————-

AHEAD IN THE PLANET’S FUTURE, MORE REVIEWS, MORE BASEBALL, and MORE TRUTH TELLING.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
26 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
PITTSFIELD BELIEVER
PITTSFIELD BELIEVER
12 years ago

Let us be the first to comment. OUR spies have it that Dan Valenti is shilling for Gov. Patrick, who now is privately lamenting his nomination of Mr. Speranzo for the mag’s job. OUR spies say that Valenti and Patrick will be spending much time together on 4th July weekend. OUR spies say that Valenti is on the governor’s private payroll. There are canceled checks. For what, we wonder? OUR spies also ask how the hell else could a Napoleonic bully like Emperor Planet have James Taylor and the governor to his house for a dinner party during the JT concernt weekend at T’Wood. Anyone else you know will get a private sing along with Sweet baby James?

For Pittsfield
For Pittsfield
12 years ago

Wow! And I thought al lthe well-heeled vermin had left this website. See “THEY” keep an eye out. Don’t bleme THEM, though, since this planet rocks first with the stuff that counts. I don’t believe a word of PB’s fever.

hernando hideaway
hernando hideaway
12 years ago

Hey dan, when JT gets done at your house, can you send him to mine. I live on a park bench at the corner of Columbus and North. Too bad PB can’t take on the points you make guess logic be too much for him. her, them.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

splended behavior!

hernando hideaway
hernando hideaway
12 years ago

Yeah, when Jt gets rocking, I agree!

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
12 years ago

The reason why this city is in much worse shape than when ruberto got here, or back here, from Texas and parts unknown, is that he only knows and hangs out with the well to do snobs who aren’t real Pittsfield people. He listens to Eva Braun (Deanna Ruffer) and believes everything she spouts from her pie hole. When he’s running for office or in the company of other politicians he’s james m ruberto, but when he wants to fool people into believing he’s their friend and a regular guy he’s jimmy ruberto. Talk about a phony bastard! The next mayor is going to inherit a mess akin to the one Obama fell into from the GW Blunder disaster, make no mistake about it. North St. isn’t what they say it is, you can’t maintain fancy restaurants without jobs, and the mess at the former tennis courts is only a small example of the fiscal mess this town will be in in a few years from all of the over spending going on now. Go to FLA, Squiggy, and stay there. Thanks for nothing.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

Say it isnt so Joe.How could Nichols vote for this massive budget.There are so many areas which cuts should have been made but do to the lack of guts be the majority of the city council it is bussiness as usual.Tax and spend baby,commercial rate so high, why the hell would want to come here.Thank you Yon,Mazzeo and Ward to bad the rest of your councilors couldnt see the light.PS yoe lost my vote Joe

gEE Whiz
gEE Whiz
Reply to  Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

I too was surprised, shocked at how Nicols has changed his tune now that he’s enabling the GOBs. Hes fooling himself, he has no chance as mayor, he diesn’t realize how they are using him.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

I agree on Yon. I happen to like both her and her husband Greg. Now what I would like to know is why a certain talk show host recently mended his ways with B

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

ruce the Truce, Collingwood. And I would like to know what everyone thinks about the shirtless slobs walking the streets of Pittsfield. Have some pride. As far as the skate park, it is an appropriate layout as it is near promgate, sorta like Blood Alley.

Dusty
Dusty
12 years ago

Dan, please elaborate on how Nichols voting for a bloated tax package makes him a more desirable mayoral candidate in the voters eyes.

It really does shock me though as he had my vote up till then. What is up with that move?

Dusty
Dusty
Reply to  Dusty
12 years ago

And as far as Yon goes…..for the last two years she has been Rubertos lap dog. Now that it is election time she wants the voters to like her? Looks like a pretty shallow ruse to me.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

At least she spoke her peace on the Budget. Nothrow wasn’t even there! Mazzeo for Mayor!

just saying
just saying
12 years ago

What up with JN’s vote???? I was quite surprised about this. Perhaps I should have seen it coming, but did not.
As far as the “skate parks”, the former tennis courts on East street looked run down for years. Now they just look like shit holes. And shit holes attract shit people.
I believe that the East st. Skate park/drug den reflects Pittsfield in general. Looks like hell, and if you look into the guts of it, it is hellish.
This ass robberto, spouts his bs about a new culture; like that of GB or NH, populated by the rich ‘cultured’ tourists from a magical mecca, aka NY city. In truth Pittsfield looks like a small version of that dump called Springfield. Drive down North st. Between 0900 and 2000. Most of what you see walking around reminds a person of the inner city, sad to see in the former home of England Brothers and Bessie Clark etc.
The foolish mayor and his minions forget that service jobs do not an economy make.
@ PB- try, please try, to assume some semblance of sanity. You, or those that post as PB appear quite unaware of the happenings in your little city. Or maybe you are very knowledgeable, and stand only to protect the entrenched powers.

CONCERNED
CONCERNED
12 years ago

What happened to Glenn Heller ??????????????

Jean
Jean
12 years ago

Where was Lothrop? Too busy to make it for an important vote? It’s nice to know that his ward wasn’t represented although in all reality, he surely would have voted for this budget. He is a lame duck and it’s too bad he has no opposition in the upcoming election.

As for Ruberto, he is no voice for the regular citizens of this city. He speaks for the privileged few. To others, he doesn’t even respond. He will walk right by without even making eye contact. His brother would be ashamed.

I am hopeful to leave this city in the near future. I have been good to it, maintaining my properties and paying all bills as they are due but I have gotten nothing in return but garbage pick-up. Pretty sad.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

@Concerned, probably to many brush back pitches.

Jim Gleason
Jim Gleason
Reply to  beezer
12 years ago

The only time he played ball he had his hands in his pockets.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

Hear he is announcing resigning tommorow. Didn’t do anything for me other than raise my taxes every year. Went to the Colonial once, the ballpark thrice, the Museum once and the Public Library about five times.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

Mazzeo for Mayor!

Mike
Mike
12 years ago

HAVE to disagree with you on the skatepark issue Dan. 1. the proposed skatepark has designated hours, and a proposed lock, those are pretty high fences to scale and is a very visible location. 2. The problem isnt with the people who skateboard, but with the people who go and hang out. It would be like blaming a dirty Fenway on the players instead of the fans. 3. the fact that it is highly visible means that Police and citizens alike should take notice if they see anything illegal, the more visible the better. and 4. just because you dont like it, and many adults dont like it, doesnt mean a dam thing to the thousands of Pittsfield youth who have adopted Skateboarding and BMX biking as a new form of athletics. If anything we should be encouraging all people to be as active as possible. Frankly i would rather see an empty beer can on the ground then an empty hamburger wrapper. You cant fight the youth Dan, just like your parents couldn’t stop you from listening to Rock n Roll.. old man. U18’s, underrepresented and missunderstood since the beginning of time.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

@Jim Gleason, was using a baseball jargin. Like the pitcher had been warned by the ump and he’s been tossed. oNLY DA UMP WAS dEcon Dan.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
12 years ago

Caught Joe N. explaination for his vote on the budget,on local radio.Sorry Joe not buying it,you are running for Mayor of the city,leader of the city.Not follower not someone who is going to go with the flow.because there is nothing you can do about it.Wronge answer.The general public is very aware of the problems the council has with the school dept. this has been going on long before you came on the scene.You should have shown leadership and inovation not excuses.Must agree with Jim Gleason on this one.

beezer
beezer
12 years ago

Dan, the biggest skunk of all was Low throp, talking about no shows. This is redacted if it was a family emergency. But the guy is an embarassment. I cannot believe no other candidate has come forward in Ward five.

trackback
Blue Mass Group | Resist Massachusetts hack-a-palooza
12 years ago

[…] good people of Pittsfield are steamed at Speranzo, who denied 3rd Berkshire voters a real campaign and tried to quietly leave them with a […]