By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011) — For the openers today, we start off with this comment from Ray Ovac, also known as BAT(erry) MAN. Ray gets to the essence of why the Boring Broadsheet is covering like a quivering child during a thunderstorm in light of the infamous triple murder that’s made headlines for Pittsfield, Mass., all over the world.

Does the BB think that if it sticks its head in the sand, the story goes away? No, even the BB is not that stupid. But, its management — not its reporters, photogs, and newsroom types, or managing editor Kevin Moran — doesn’t want to rile the GOBs by drawing attention in its own space to this story that the rest of the world cannot ignore.

The world press has picked up on this case, and DA David Capeless told THE PLANET his office has fielder inquiries from press and media all over the county, but he BB? Today, it has a lame follow up on a story that THIS WEBSITE BROKE YESTERDAY, with almost no new news in it.

Anyway, Ray Ovac comments:

“DV, let’s see: Hells Angels, Rite of Passage events in Pittsfield State Forest, Suspensions, Satan Worshippers. I don’t recall reading about any of these in the Eagle’s Berkshires Week, Summer Previews, or Lifestyles sections. Where is the Seth Rogovoy review of Bella Vendetta’s latest video? Pittsfield sure has become a far more interesting place than it ever was before now that it’s a magnet for culture, the arts, and alternative lifestyles. This ain’t your grandpappy’s Pittsfield. And you thought GE brought good things to life!”

We could have put it any better, Ray.

———————————–

PT. 2: HOW BORING CAN A BROADSHEET GET? — While THE PLANET was running exclusive follow-up coverage to the heinous Hell’s Angels triple murder, what was Boring Broadsheet doing? Yesterday, it featured page one stories on ticket sales at Barrington Stage Company, the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-up window, and the appearance of Lady Gaga and Usher at a fundraiser for Bill Clinton. Wow!! What a fearless stalwart for stories that matter!

The BB printed not one syllable on the murder case in Friday’s paper. Meanwhile, circulation both in print (especially) and online (slightly) continue to head south, and not just for the winter. Do you think it’s because there’s nothing worthwhile to read? People get the BB, newsprint version, for the ads and obits. That’s all.

HERE COMES THE SUN — So Caius Vaiovis Idiotus Maximus, aka Ray Gutfinski, Jr., thinks he’s a vampire? Fine. Let’s take him at his word. We can save the taxpayers a lot of money if Sheriff Tom Bowler sends him outside to the exercise on the next sunny day. If you recall from your Universal and Hammer monster days and Famous Monsters Magazine, vampires turn into Hollywood special-effects time-lapse sand when hit by the sun’s rays.

IS THERE ANOTHER SUSPECT? — As one of our correspondents wrote yesterday and published first by this website, more than 100 law enforcement officials representing federal, state, and local authorities made camp at Peru Town Hall. The building is serving as a staging center for one phase of the continuing investigation into the triple murders.

The town hall is not far from the home of Hell’s Angels sergeant at arms Alex “Leo” Hall, who is one of the defendants. Deep off the record, investigators have indicated they’re looking much more extensively into the business of Hall. There’s been talk of a “paper trail” that may lead back to other “persons of interest” in the case. Shoptalk among the law enforcement officials noted that the triple murders required extensive planning and “resources” for the execution of the triple hit, no pun intended. “Resources” can be read as people. No one should be surprised if others become implicated.

DA TRYING THE GET A CLEARER PICTURE — The office of Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless is also heavily involved in the investigation. Capeless made a convincing case for the actions of his office regarding protection for witnesses against Hall. Did the DA’s office throw a perfect game? No. Did it offer reasonable protection for those presumed at risk?

Based on what we know now, as admittedly, there’s much we don’t know, It appears so. For some reason, the BB decided not to interview Capeless at length. THE PLANET gladly took up the slack. The fact that Capeless is so hesitant to reveal details of the investigation leads us to believe in the strong possibility that the probe isn’t just trying to reconstruct what happened but get a clearer picture on who else was involved. Was it just the three men or were there others? Persistent buzz leads to “others.”

AND NOW, LET US TURN TO OTHER HAPPENINGS

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE EXPERIEICING TURBULENCE — In other news, the $22.5 million airport project is about to bite Pittsfield taxpayers hard once again as our Right Honorable Good Friends on the city council look into the Ruberto administration’s request to borrow — hold onto your flaps, ladies and gentlemen — $17 million.

The council referred the loan request to its committee on finance, chaired by mayoral candidate Peter Marchetti. No chance of Marchetti saying much about this. The subcommittee meeting is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 28. That’s the day after the preliminary election.

Marchetti is locked in a tough battle with Joe Nichols and Dan Bianchi to move on to the general election in November. There are two other candidates in the race with no chance of winning. THE PLANET sees Bianchi moving into November in a cake walk, with an increasingly tight race between Marchetti and Nichols. Marchetti has adopted the No Show strategy of saying next to nothing. This may prove to be a huge mistake. Nichols, meanwhile, has been more aggressive, going door-to-door, engineering lit drops, and engaging in other forms of campaigning. Thing is, Joe has been doing this since December. Don’t look in the rearview mirror, Peter. Joe is gaining on you.

This municipal campaign as well as the $40,000 special election that Pittsfield taxpayers got stuck with because of Larded’s actions have been strictly flatline. THE PLANET has talked about this with several observers and media friends. No one can recall seeing less interest. That, too, is scary.

HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING? — Then THE PLANET has the thing for you. Tomorrow on Saturday morning at the ITAM, the local Democrats, GOBs, big shots, and poo-bahs will line up to kiss John Olver’s ring. Geez, suits and ties on Saturday morning. There’s something wrong with that. THE PLANET was invited. We politely declined.

The ostensible reason for the bash is to honor Olver’s 20 years in Congress. The real reason is to see, be seen, and not shoot oneself in the foot or head. The uppity Big Shot bums don’t want you — Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski or any other Little Guys for that matter — because you aren’t worthy to be in their august presence, even though it’s September.

How will they keep you away? Tickets go for $250, $100, with cheap seats at $40. The snooze part? That’s when Olver begins speaking.

AIRPORT II — The GOBs will be angry at THE PLANET if we don’t mention what Dick Lindsay did in his BB story: “Ruberto put forth his request because the Federal Aviation Administration and Massachusetts Department of Transportation have finally awarded grants that will reimburse the city for all but $2 million of the loan.” There, we mentioned it, and we will also say that the statement is horseshit.

(a) It’s not like taxpayers are getting $20 million for free. These are our tax dollars.

(b) This kind of pork barrel spending has put the U.S. deep in the hole.

(c) Who is to say the project will stay on budget?

(d) Who is to say the federal government won’t default on such obligations? The national and global economy balances at the moment on a tightrope suspended over a lava pit.

This is the kind of kiss-up coverage that makes the BB the rag that it is. The reporter just takes the press release or the statement and accepts it at face value. No hard questions. No follow up. No nuttin’ except for “print it like they want you to.”

The Colonial Theater, which was initially budgeted at $3 million, came in at 10 times that amount. What if $22 million becomes $32 million (you know, to take care of any payouts, payoffs, kickbacks, and bribes). Then what? Ah, but the BB dares not ask such questions. We do. That’s why they are the BB. That’s why we are THE PLANET.

———————————————————–

TOMORROW: EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION THE DISPOSITION OF THE LATE, GREAT PITTSFIELD COLONIALS. YOU WILL ONLY GET IT HERE, AT THE PLANET!! MEANWHILE …

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.