!!UPDATE ON PLANET !EXCLUSIVE!, COMING MONDAY … RECOUNT ISSUES BRINGS TO MIND KEY QUESTION: SHOULD VOTER PREFERENCE COUNT THOUGH THE MACHINE SAYS NO … and … MEET BARRY CLAIRMONT, AT-LARGE ELECT AND INCOMMUNICADO WITH WE THE PEOPLE
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
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(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY, NOV. 12, 2011) — We take this break from a most enjoyable weekend to let you know THE PLANET has been hard at work. On Monday, we shall share contents of a letter the city of Pittsfield received from the state. Here are some clues as to what you will read:
* It was sent weeks ago.
* The state’s letter makes painfully honest points and asks questions that should make every citizen wonder.
* Wonder about what? The School Building Needs Commission.
* This letter involves councilor-at-large-elect Barry Clairmont, since he’s a member of said commission (we doubt, though, that Clairmont will pay much attention to the state’s message, because the officials who are signatory to this letter don’t live in Pittsfield. They live in or near Boston.
‘Bean Counter for the GOB,’ Barry Clairmont, Has Much to Explain to We The People
As you recall, Clairmont made a unilateral declaration to close the lines of communication with THE PLANET because we don’t live in Pittsfield. We’re not making this up, as the transcript of our conversation (posted yesterday) shows.
Assuming that Clairmont is acting logically and not on orders from Anyone In The GOB, because we all certainly know he is his own man, we can only reasonably assume that Barry will neither talk to, listen to, do business with, nor have any other interactions with anyone except Pittsfield citizens. The grand irony of such a position, which THE PLANET advises that he revise, is in doing so, he already guarantees failure in his job as an at-large representative for everyone in the city.
This is what Clairmont apparently doesn’t get. When he doesn’t talk to the press, he robs his constituents. When he doesn’t talk to one of the few independent, unbought, and unbossed journalists, he’s all but advertising that he will carry the GOB’s water while the average citizens of Pittsfield die of thirst.
LOOK FOR THIS STORY ON MONDAY, IN ANOTHER PLANET EXCLUSIVE! NOW BACK TO THE WEEKEND WITH LOVE TO ALL.
Mechanics of a Recount: Should they or Shouldn’t They?
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, 11/11/11) — All those ones are supposed to bring good luck. Maybe that’s the day Peter Marchetti should announce his decision to seek a recount in the mayoral election. Regarding which, an interesting question comes up. Yesterday, we stated our belief that if a voter circles the voting bubble on the ballot instead of filling in as instructions tell you and the scanner requires, those votes should count.
THE PLANET understands the thoughts of those who say if a voter for whatever reason doesn’t know how to fill in the ballot properly, and the machine can’t read the ballot, the vote should be considered at the scanner “declares” — They should be considered “blank,” even though they are not blank at all and in fact clearly indicate an electoral preference. That latter fact, that a “blank” should indicate a preference, should outweigh a machine’s unfeeling and sterile logic.
Thus, if the 84 “blank” ballots are recounted in Ward 5, where Jonathan Lothrop topped Joe Breault by six votes, the question becomes: How many blanks were there in the mayoral race where the voter improperly cast a vote? If the votes counts in 5, they should count in the mayoral race. Perhaps that is what Team Marchetti is looking at.
THE PLANET tried earlier this morning to get in touch with Linda Tyer at the City Clerk’s office for a clarification of a vital question: Can a circled ballot or a ballot improperly marked in any other way that clearly indicated a voter’s preference for one candidate versus the other be counted, or is the scanner’s ability to register a vote considered definitive? Ward 5 and the corner office races could hang in the balance of that question.
BARRY CLAIRMONT TO PLANET: ‘OUR LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS [IS] CLOSED’
Meet councilor-at-large-elect Barry Clairmont, CPA. The initials after his name have a dual meaning: Certified Public Accountant and, as he has revealed this week to THE PLANET, Certified Political Amateur.
What rookie who has just won an election and has six weeks before he begins his tenure begins a relationship with a media member by shutting off communications, even before they begin? Our career of covering politics in print, on the air, and in cyberspace, traces back to our newspapering days in New York. Beginning then and up to this election, we had never had the experience … but we have now. It’s am amazing story.
THE PLANET will give you the incredible backgrounder and then provide the evidence. We will say that Clairmont has already proven what his many critics suspected him to be: a plant for the GOBs and a councilor not to be trusted with The People’s business. Here’s the skinny:
Late in the campaign, THE PLANET got wind of a cheaply produced palm-card that pushed four candidates among those who ran at-large. The “slate” being promoted listed Clairmont as one of the four. You can return to THE PLANET archives to read what we wrote about this “November surprise.” Was the push card an 11th hour “dirty trick” from the GOB or a clever example of counterinsurgency from Friend of The People?
Clairmont, who has been lurking behind the scenes in local GOB politics for years and who only now has been set-up to be the front man himself, obviously is new at the game. He’s already bristling at coverage, even though he has weeks before he actually begins to govern. Apparently, he didn’t attend Press Relations 101.
Clairmont got upset with our coverage of the palm card issue, why we still don’t know. His rash reaction, which you can read for yourself in a moment, calls to mind Shakespeare’s line, “He doth protest too loudly,” meant to indicate guilt. It would appear that THE PLANET’s coverage of the palm card hit a nerve with Barry Clairmont, which would suggest — though only he knows for sure and we can’t ask him [remember, he’s already stopped talking to us!] — that he DID know of the card and he DID allow his name to be used. Again, we can’t be sure because he took his football and went home.
We share a conversation THE PLANET — a journalist — had with candidate Clairmont and then winner-elect Clairmont on Facebook. Since we are the media covering the campaign, and since he never requested that our talk be off the record, we let you decide for yourself. Note in this exchange how THE PLANET tried, without success, to remain open to a professional, working relationship (an offer that still stands, by the way). He simply refuses out polite attempts. Here’s the conversation. Not a word or letter has been edited or altered. We shall be back with a concluding comment:
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November 3-
Hi Dan,
I just received a phone call from a friend about today’s story on your website. I would like to go on the record and tell you that if such a slate is being passed out, I had nothing to do with it, had no knowledge of it happening and did not authorize anyone to put my name on such a slate.
Thanks.
Barry Clairmont
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November 3-
BARRY Thanks for the clarification. I will share on THE PLANET tomorrow. Best, DAN
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November 3
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Dan, I heard tonight that the likely source of this rumor was a caller to the Bill Sturgeon show on Tuesday. I talked to many people this afternoon. No one I talked to had see any such list being passed around. Until someone can produce such a list and say who gave it to them, I’m treating it as rumor.
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November 3
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I was told there’s a document circulating. I’m trying to get one, if such exists.
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November 7
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Disingenuous? Really Dan. You don’t know anything about me. How dare you label me as such. Win or lose, consider our line of communications closed. You also reneged on sharing my communication on November 4th. I think you are the disingenous one.
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Wednesday
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You are talking like a scorned woman, Barry. OK, vent, get it all out, because I’m not going away. You are a public figure now, and I shall take great interest in how you serve We The People. It had better be on the up and up. When you close the lines of communication, that just forces me to get the story (whatever it is) elsewhere. So please reconsider. For my part, I shall treat you with the respect your office deserves, and that includes my assumption that you will “reopen” the lines of communication. Let me propose a “get-to-know” each other coffee, in Pittsfield. Yes? C’mon. It will be good for both of us.
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Wednesday
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BARRY Talk to me. You’re a public figure now, and you became one the moment you became a candidate. I invite you to reopen the lines of communication, my good friend. I am reasonable in my request to expect to hear from you tomorrow, before noon. Yes? Take care and I wish you all the best on the council.
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Yesterday
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Hi Dan,
I wasn’t on facebook Tuesday or Wednesday. I received your message this morning and have thought over your proposal.
At this point I will respectfully decline, and I’ll tell you why. Dan, you are not a resident of Pittsfield and those are the people I work for. If you move to Pittsfield, I will be glad to open the lines of communication, as you would be one of the people I work for. As far as answering your questions for your blog, based on our first encounter, I’m not sure I can trust you to be responsible in what you write. You were the one who was disingenuous by not following through with what you said you would do.
Dan, I know my response will not make you happy, and I’m sure I’ll pay for it in the end. However, I hope you will be open minded enough to judge me by my voting record and not by my lack of communications directly with you.
One last note, you might want to respect people for being human beings, not because of the office they hold.
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23 hours ago
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BARRY Thank you for your answer. It’s not a question of making you happy. I would respectfully ask you to reconsider. Here me out: You say you don’t work for me. That’s true. I have my own representatives in the town where I live. However, I am an accredited member of the media. I will be writing and broadcasting content for those that you represent. See? You’re not denying me. You’re denying them. I would prefer to cover the council with a working relationship with you, but whether I have or not won’t matter to me. I will get my information in any case. It’s just that you will have the best chance at fair and accurate treatment if we can work together. It doesn’t mean we have to be friends. I don’t make “friends” with pols. I cover them.
As to your policy: There are others who cover Pittsfield for TV, radio, print, or internet who do not live in town. Will you also not communicate to them?
If you are consistent with your policy, and will need proof of Pittsfield residency for any media member, I will accept your decision. If not, though, I will not accept that. You do not have a relationship with me, and you are ready to make a blanket judgment? I would, again in an attempt to establish a relationship with a man that I will be covering, and with respect for you as a human being, ask you to reconsider. Please let me know. Best, DAN
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22 hours ago
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Dan,
Your response is part of the problem I have with communicating with you. You admit that you are going to get your information in any case. That is what you did with this slate card. You took information that a card was being distributed with the candidates implied knowledge and called us disingenuous. You had direct contradictory information from me and then chose to ignore it.
Dan, from my perspective, I lose whether I communicate with you or not. You are going to print what you like, whether you have information to the contrary or not. I feel based on our first encounter, and talking with others, that I have very little chance of fair or accurate treatment, as you put it.
As far as how I choose to treat the other media outlets, let me ask you a question. Should I treat every blogger with the same open relationship that you demanding? I understand that there is a gentleman in another state that also has a blog concerning Pittsfield. I also understand that he is not the most stable person. Should I open lines of communications with him? What about every other person who decides they want a blog? I would spend all my time responding to bloggers instead of serving the people who elected me.
If, at some point in the future, you again join the main stream media, I’d be happy to open the lines of communication. Until then, Dan, I choose to treat you like I would every other blogger that is not a Pittsfield resident.
At this time, until you can understand my level of concern regarding our original communication, I choose not to open the lines of communication.
I wish you the best of luck and a prosperous future.
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21 hours ago
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BARRY Thanks. This conversation, of course, with the councilor-at-large-elect, is fair game. Look for it at a PLANET near you!
As for your problem with bloggers, I have been a journalist all my professional life, 35 years in the mainstream media and one year as a blogger. If I have to spell it out for you, I shant bother to go further.
Just remember: This was YOUR choice, councilor-elect.
Wishing you the best, as well.
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So there it is. We will do as Barry asks: we shall judge him on his performance on the council, which we hope will be a good one for We The People in the city of Pittsfield. We shall mean that and hold to it. We shall give Clairmont and everyone else a fair shot. But the main thing that Barry misses is that THE PLANET, as every media member, does his or her work on behalf of not only the electorate but EVERY citizen in the community. He’s didn’t shut us out. Personally, we don’t care. As we told him, we will get our comments elsewhere. He DID shut out WE THE PEOPLE. That’s who he’s robbing.
We will, thus, re-extend our invitation to Barry Clairmont to talk to We The People via the most independent, most vibrant, and most closely followed media outlet in the area. Barry, baby, talk to them!!
Glad I didnt vote for him,sounds like a tool.
Like I said on yesterday’s comments, CPA Barry and his new best bud, Ken Doll Krol, both Bianchi haters, already starting with his antics…I bet 99% of the time CPA Barry votes in lockstep with Cutie Krol…I bet bad boy Barry got the scare of his life from Ricky Scapin….Seems like Krol the Troll has not responded to the People’s and The Planet’s request for more information regarding him actually calling folks who wrote letters to the editor supporting Bianchi with a questioning tone…The Boy’s arrogance and gall knows no bounds…We were all down on Winter Street for the Bianchi celebration at Mazzeo’s on Tuesday nite and I heard from more than a few people that Boy Toy Krol, J Lo and CPA Barry , amoung others had some ground rules laid to them out in the parking lot, Old School Italian Style…!! Let’s just say, we heard, outside of the glare of the TV cameras, fancy Council Chambers and upity supporters, in the dimly lit Mazzeo’s parking lot, these Chumps showed their true Colors….Yellow!! Only time will tell if they end up being part of the next Maxy or Petricca Construction project, as part of their cement mixture…
HBIW4
John Krol DId respond to the information about phone calls to Bianchi letter writers. We shall be posting on that soon (probably Monday or Tuesday). In short, Krol denied making phone calls of that nature. He did say he had a spirited FB discussion with a Bianchi supporter who did write a letter touting Dan as mayor. I would make two other points: (1) John called me three times on this. That’s one of the reasons I respect him. Agree or disagree, he calls he up and we can have an intelligent exchange. (2) I would ask that you refrain from epithetic reference to JK in the future. It’s free speech, I know, but it can take away from the serious substance of what you say. Now my legion of critics will be quick to brand me “hypocrite” because I have made up nicknames for public figures, not all of them flattering. I would add, however, that the difference is rhetorical intent: THE PLANET does it as a tool of satire, where we have a long line of predecessors, including Mark Twain, Ambrose Bieve, H.L. Mencken, Mollie Ivans, etc.
See Dan this is whats wrong with you . You have known Krol called you yet you let this fester getting people mad at Krol for calling people who wrote letters to The Editor ,Knowing FULL WELL that he denied doing this. This is why people don’t want to talk to you. You also have a problem twisting peoples words Steve
STEVE
OK, question for you: Do you post under your own name. On your honor, is Steve Wade who you actually are? And are you willing to prove that is who you are, if you think that is necessary?
Nope Its Jim Nastic
Wow….he just lumped you with Heller!!! I agree with Joetaxpayer. Keep up the good fight,Dan!!
Heller has a Blog about Pittsfield and Valenti has a blog about Pittsfield So why does BC have to talk to Dan but not to Heller? Dan your feelings are hurt GET OVER IT!!!!
I’m of the opinion Mr. Marchetti should ask for a recount. He’s well within his rights to ask for a recount of the ballots cast. This was a very close election, closer than two years ago when Dan Bianchi fell short by 200 votes to Mayor Ruberto. , and asked for and received a recount. If the recount is conducted fairly, honestly and in good faith according to the statute of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 54, then why not. Mr. Marchetti, may have lost the election because he didn’t get enough votes, the recount will determine that. But we the people want to know, He’s a gentleman, and a current elected official and deserves to know if he lost or not as do the voters.
RON
I agree. If the decision was mine, I would ask for the recount. The only thing I wouldn’t have done is wait so long. I would have pounced on it. 100 votes is actionable, in my view. As always, love your insights.
Dan,
Respectfully, you are just a blogger. Were you a journalist? Well, you wrote things that ended up in print, and you said words that were on the airwaves. You had some semblance of being a journalist, but you also insulted the name of journalists by offering your opinion. You do a good job getting people interested in your product because you offer opinion (sometimes mean, sometimes demeaning). And all you are now is a blogger.
You deserve no attention from elected officials. No more than I do.
Blogger
I welcome this view, and I enjoy it, because it deals with a topic that is near and dear to my heart.
“Just” a blogger. Well, in almost all cases, you could make that case. Not here. I have a master’s degree from the top J School in the country, worked for and written for countless newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets with appearances and clips in the countless thousands. I debated formally and moderated too many to count. I studied and practiced all my career the protcols of journalism. I take all these skills to the medium of cyberspace. People like me are lifting “blogging” from where you think it still is and from where you apparently still write and placing it alongside the “respectable” so-called mainstream media … which, by the way, isn’t mainstream any longer. Case in point: The sad demise of the Boring Broadsheet (and the mediocrity they brought along with them to their website). The pansies in the local mainstream media have put PLANET VALENTI not only on the map but with a star, the kind they use to indicate state capitals. We have become a must-see for a growing number of ordinary people and influence peddlers.
And NOW you are just a blogger…..
Blogger that was the best blog Ive ever read. Dan sometimes the truth hurts!
Humm, one has to wonder will he be voting on federal earmarks….State monies? If so I believe the planet pays those. I wonder if his stance regarding dealing with only Pittsfield residents extends as far as political contributions. Taking contributions to those outside of the city does in fact give them a voice and an opportunity to get involved in an election in which they can’t vote. Or to use his own words will he be working for them?No it sounds to me we are going to have yet another vindictive political hack running around with the attitude of it’s about me not the good of the community. I would like to say thanks planet for exposing him but he did it himself.
Now we can only wait and see
If Pete were smart there should have been a quicker decision on the recount statement and marched in the parade with a big smile, without the perception of hard feelings. Pete, you are still young, and as I said before, you could always run again, isn’t like you got trounced, which leaves a lot of wiggle room next election. The problem with Marchetti is the questions that lingers with every little thing he does. Just be staightforward and stop going off on tangents like the criminals that rob to put food on the table comment, what were you thinking? criminal voters would see it and vote for you?
Dear Barry… The worst thing you can do is piss off the Planet. It’s sort of like a crew member telling the captain how to navigate a ship. Are you that concerned that something you vote for or say as Councilor will be scrutinized against you? After all you are seen GLOWING at the MAYOR DURING THE COUNCIL MEETINGS. You do work for the people now? I would be worried more about the constituents you work for and not the press.
BEEZ
Well, there are worse things, although we are straining to find an example. Notice how many times I opened the door for constructive dialogue, even inviting him to a “get-to-know-you” coffee. THE PLANET would have paid for the java! But no. Barry knew better, didn’t he. He hasn’t served a day, and he’s already steeped ion controversy. Unless he changes his tactics, he will have only the most hard-core GOBs taking him seriously. One thing is for sure: We The People don’t at this point have any reason to do so. THE PLANET, though, means it when we say we will judge him based on his votes and performance. Until then, he’s open season … and the pity (or glory … not sure which) is that HE CHOSE IT. We didn’t want it this way. Barry is the one who wanted it that way. And he’s got it. Maybe he should have been a behind-the-scenes number cruncher for the GOB instead of taking the stage. Then again, maybe not.
How Dare Barry dis Dan The King of all media! Wow Barry youve got some Big Balls… Barry for Mayor 2013 !!
@ beezer-
Well put.
Also, does Mr. BC believe that the actions taken by the mayor and council effect only the city of Pittsfield?
“I’m not talking to you, because you don’t live in Pittsfield”??!!! Really? This statement came from an adult?
When one is a CEO or in a position of Mayoror any leadership position, Joe Pa for example, when there is a tough decision to be made, you can’t look to the left and then to the right to get your answers, you can’t pass the buck, you have to make tough decisions yourself. So while Peter is well within his rights to ask for a reccount, even though it is a forgone conclusion, this relatively easy decision, and his lack of decisiveness in making it, shows Pittsfield made the right choice electing Dan Bianchi,Mayor.
HBIW4
We are in concordance. The decision to go for a recount of no is Pete’s, and one can make the case either way. The long wait, however, reinforces the perception of him as indecisive and ineffectual at crunch time.
A bit of a stretch to compare a child molestation scandal to a local election recount, wouldn’t you say? Not just for the sake of disagreeing but I’d question what makes a good CEO in your opinion. Someone that makes a thoughtful decision within the timeframe allowed, weighing their opinions, etc or someone that makes a decision well in advance of the deadline just for the sake of satisfying the minority? If anything, I think the delay only shows that his heart might not be into this but I don’t think it speaks at all to him being indecisive given “crunch time” is a week away.
Im glad I didn’t vote for Bury Clairmont. Can’t believe the guy’s arrogance or his naivite’ He won’t talk to maybe the only member of the local press thats honest and fearless? Betcha he talks to the flaks at the BB though! Every citiszen of Pittsfield owes a debt of gratitude to Planet for sharing this, where we can see the guy for what he is
DV,
I shall of course adhere to any request you put out here on The Planet, as it is Yours, however, could you define what you mean by,
“that you refrain from epithetic reference to JK in the future”
so I know what you mean specifically and don’t cross the line? Also I wondered if this “no-name” calling applies to other Distinguished Officials or just JK ,as you call him? And whether or not strict and appropriate addressing of public officials by Proper Titile is demanded of all your other contributors or just me, cause Imma stinky,redneck from the woods?
HBIW4
You know, “Boy Toy” and the like. You can keep doing it, since there is a presumed satirical element, but just think your commentaries would have more gravitas. It’s up to you, since you have earned the leeway by being a responsible user of this site, unlike others, who should put up a statue to THE PLANET for allowing the privilege of commenting here. Just use your best judgment. I want to keep this site peppery and always interesting. In the free marketplace of ideas, the dialogue should be bustling and boisterous. You are a valued member of the site.
Big Diss of Planet Valenti on Barry Clairmont’s Facebook page by “Go Pittsfield”…..
Free publicity!!
Dan, in your back and forth with Barry you said you don’t make “friends” with pols. I seem to recall you saying, more than once, that you are “good friends” with Mr Ruberto who is as pol as one can get.
DUSTY
We were friends long before he got into politics. That’s grandfathered. My statement, better worded, should be: We don’t allow friendship to influence our coverage. We do have friends in politics. With them, we are two people: THE PLANET, who covers them, and Dan Valenti, who is friends with them. We have been equally soft and tough on friend and foe alike in our coverage.
all he’s saying is “Here me out” can’t you here him out? – as for living in tony stockbridge he doesn’t dare open his trap down there – a few months ago there was a firestorm over a long time fire chief being dismissed – not a word, he’d rather complain about the goings on on Newell St. (caps used because it is a sacred place, like Heaven) – but to get to Newell St. you have to go through lenox – tell us there’s no controversy or trouble in that fair town – planet only heres what it wants to here – always remember, if you wrestle with a pig, you get all muddy, the pig likes it
There were 54 blank ballots in the mayors race. All absentee ballots besides 3 which are coming in from over seas have been counted. Mr. Marchetti lost by 106 votes. These machines are incredibly accurate as we saw during the last recount 2 years ago. Therefore at most mr. Marchetti would only pick up 54 votes.(The 54 blank ballots that were cast out of a total of over 12000 votes) Votes between dan and pete won’t switch. If they filled in the correct circle next to the name it was counted. A recount won’t change the fact that bianchi won but only make is closer. I supported mr. Marchetti in the election but I don’t agree with his decision to seek a recount. It only is going to create more aggravation for city hall staff and the people.
Barry Claimont I just want to say to you: GROW UP!!!!!!!!! A lot of people that don’t live in Pittsfield bring a lot of money to your City. How would you like a campaign ” don’t spend in Pittsfield because they only respect their own citizens” Don’t start something that will hurt your city ROOKIE
I don’t think Dan is any less of a journalist because he states an opinion. Fox is very conservative, MSNBC very liberal, both stations have journalists reporting the news with their own particular slants.There is no guess work involved. Even with news outlets like CNN-that tries to ride the middle ground more than the others- you can often read between the lines and figure out what the journalist’s opinion is. The web news site Politico has numerous bloggers as does the Huffington post, etc.
The editorial page of any newspaper is largely opinion based on facts of the day or issue, with Op-eds that may, or may not, agree with the editor.
I think there is a place for reporting “just the facts,” But I also think that a journalist who has researched a news item and gotten the background forms an opinion. As long as they report all sides of the story I think they can also state what their opinion is and how they came to those conclusions in researching the story.
Keep up the good work Dan!
Dear Greenhorn Barry… declining a coffee with the Planet’ is akin to refusing an offer from the Godfather’. Such amateurish behavior will only make am uncomfortable next two years, for sure. If the Planet extends the Olive Branch’ in the future, it would be advisible to except. The numbers always add up with the Planet’, Barry.
he has excepted
Mr. Clairmont is a member of the School Building Needs Commission. If he does not talk to those who do not reside in Pittsfield, then how can he talk to the Pittsfield Superintendent of Schools (Chairman of the SBNC) who lives in DALTON? Or the Deputy Superintendent of Schools who lives in Williamstown, the Vocational Director who lives in Lenox, or the Director of the Business Office who lives in Lanesboro?
Shakespeare actually said “. . . doth protest too much,” not too loudly. How can it be too loudly on Facebook?
The exchanges between Dan and Barry raise an important question. Who get custody of the kids after the divorce?
Professional evaluation of Facebook pictures:
Clairmont 1, Valenti 0
Dan, get a new picture: the mix of Bela Lugosi and Einstein is not you.
Looks more like the Fonz, after sex.
@ beezer: Professional evaluation of facebook picture
beezer 1 Payroll Patriot .5
Good, very good
Clairmont’s reaction to Dan’s invite just shows he’s a GOB puppet. But we all knew that anyways. His lame excuses for not opening up communication with Dan come across as untruthful to me, another characterstic of the GOBs. Typical full of you-know-what politician.
No politician, GOB or wanna be, is going to tell you to go pound sand but this is about as close as you’re going to get. Nice work Barry.
As you say, nice work Barry … in proving you’re a tool of the GOB. You’ve been revealed as a phony and you are doomed to one term. Nice work Bury.
Yes, but the beauty of this (maybe its Dan’s brilliance in setting this up??) is that clairmont himself proved that he’s a GOB tool. Yup notice how in the exchange Dan keeps trying to keep the door open and numbskull BC acts like howdy doody.
Barry Clairmont new sign for Pittsfield “Entering Pittsfield only citizen of Pittsfield have any say” Outsiders not welcome unless I can over charge you at Clairmont’s accounting office. Boy looks like another elected person that is going to bring Pittsfield down. Barry here is a figure for you Berkshire County has approx, 131,000 citizen that shop etc. in Pittsfield. Thats not counting the tourist, so go tell your businesses people in Pittsfield you are just for citizens in Pittsfield and no one else.
CONCERNED
Yes, that’s how immature and myopic Clairmont’s attitude is. We are “saying” that; he’s “shown” us.
Dan, I’m still waiting for the school building docs that you were going to print.
JOE
Watch for it on Monday. It even has a connection to the Clairmont story.
During the campaign we rec’d a mailing from Clairmont outlining his platform if he were elected. It sounded really good and at first I thought, “I’ll vote for him.” But then I remembered him at the council meetings and realized the real candidate’s views were disingenous with what his maling said. I then realized he was full of $&!% and was just another dishonest GOB.
John Krol, if your out there, your ward looks like an inner city. The initiative ain’t working. North Street should have foot patrols, it’s looking worse by the day.
Where John Krol lives doesn’t. Plus, the “initiatives” are just PC, do-good, and make the poor community think that city government cares about them. They, including John Krol, doesn’t. Most welfare rats don’t vote and pols are very aware of this. But the few who do are generally simpletons and actually thinks city government (Krol) really cares about them because who repaves the basketball park at Shi…..I mean Pitt Park.
If you think John Krol cares about the Westside, invite him to take a walk around the Westside after 10PM…..unarmed and w/out a police presence.
Dan, I hope these comments don’t upset your friend and you subsequently ban me. I kept it clean as I possibly could.
I like Lothrop inititaive of no cut through streets.
Professional evaluation of who handled themselves in a professional manner:
Valenti: 52, Clairmont: 3 (junktime fieldgoal)
I have to laugh at the present and former councilors who said safety was a prioity. Ask yourselves, has crime increased, or decreased? Our own employees are suing the City. We can start by getting the transients the hell out of here.
Speaking of Councilors..One Councilor that pisses me off the most is Jonathan Lothrop. Lets get one thing straight, he is very bright, that is his problem, too bright. When he first came onto the political scene before elected to the Council, I had great admiration for his stance against the Civic Authority. Somewhere along the way someone got to him, and his colors changed like a chameleon. Watching the debate between Joe Breault and Jonathan showed me something that the old Lothrop wouldn’t have needed, the comment about Breault favoring a strip Club at the old Munchies, taken right out of the Ruberto playbook, although it may have been true, it was a last gasp comment, maybe deserved.The Ward 5 election would not have been as close as it was if Jonathan had been the person we use to know, it’s sad. My point in all of this? I think the old Lothrop could have made a great Mayor, not now.
What does Penn St. Coach Tom Bradley do after the game? He pats the Nebraska player on the behind and says good game. You can’t make it up.
On either Wednesday night or Thursday, DV questioned why anyone would intentionally leave a vote blank. I have and numerous times! For instance, I live in a Ward that this year the incumbent was running unopposed. Since I didn’t wish to vote for this person and there were no other choices, my blank vote hopefully showed that I’m not happy with my Councilor. He was obviously going to be elected anyway. If enough people who also aren’t happy with him did this, that might give someone the incentive to run against him at the next election as they’d have a good shot at winning. Perhaps people didn’t like either candidate in those close races?! Perhaps that’s their vote – neither!
I also agree that if someone was stupid enough to circle the bubble vs. filling it in, then the vote should not count. If we are going to get into that, we are going to have a mess like Florida did with the Bush/Gore election! So if someone dropped the pen and there’s a little dot near someone’s name, does that indicate that they really meant to vote for that person? If yes, then how far away from that name can the dot be? And what if they dropped the pen and there’s a small line near the person’s name? Does a line count? And on and on and on it would go. What constitutes “clear intention”? The answer, and the only answer, is to have the bubble filled in!
Why does Marchetti need five days to decide if he wants a recount? Maybe he’s afraid that he’ll actually win! Really, from his viewpoint, what’s the worst that can happen with a recount – the answer to that should be that it still shows that he lost, but I’m beginning to question that. Five days for that decision? Really? Any more time and I won’t think that he deserves a recount!
As for Barry Clairmont, recall when Obama blocked Fox News from all interviews and from being called on at press conferences? He learned the hard way that “we the people” wouldn’t put up with that whether we are a fan of Fox News or not. Very surprisingly, even the other networks voiced their opposition to this until finally he relented. I see that Barry didn’t learn from that lesson! He is there to serve ALL the people of Pittsfield and has an obligation to communicate with ALL of the media that covers Pittsfield and not just the one that he chooses (the GOB media BB). Obama’s unbelievable arrogance was shown and it cost him. I think this will hurt Barry as well. Also, I think his blocking “some of the media” goes against “Freedom Of The Press” – he’s trying to manipulate what’s gets reported to “we the people” and there’s been more than enough of that and for far too long.
Been following the discussion with councilor-elect Clairmont with interest. I did not vote for him because I have seen a disconnect between what he said in the campaign (the usual say-nothing promises about jobs and taxes) and seen how he behaved when he hung out with the GOBs after council meetings, at Lach’s Lounge, Pepe’s and other high-class dives. I suspected but didn’t know about this guy but he’s answered all doubts. They put this guy up as a front and also as a way to thwart the new mayor.
Sounds like he might be another Yon. Debates might be more lively with the new mayor. With Ruberto, everyone was told how to vote and they knew the mayor would be happy with them when they complied. Also, they did not need to sensibly explain their position. Now, when they vote against Bianchi, if their explanations don’t make sense they will look like the self serving GOB asses they are.
And what if you ran for councilman with a promise that the mayor would give you a special favor? (Let’s say, a high paying job for your spouse).
And then the guy who was supposed to be elected mayor does not get elected. Can ya sue the GOB for not holding up their end of the bargain? Do you still have to serve out your term?
My mind meanders some times.
Maybe this Clairmont guy is demonstrating courage and leadership with this decision. You all assume it’s a disaster. Time will tell.
What he’s demonstrating is arrogance. And he’s going against Freedom Of The Press and Freedom of Speach. The media (ANY media outlet whether it be a national one, a Pittsfield-based one, a Berkshire County-wide one or one that ‘lives’ in a surrounding town but covers Pittsfield) — has not only the right but the responsibility to investigate and to report to us what’s really going on, without influence or reprisal in any way from any elected official. Not only is he showing his arrogance, he’s also showing immaturity — “You said things that I didn’t like so I’m going to take my ball and go home and not play with you anymore! And I don’t have to because you don’t live in my neighborhood!” Give me a break! He needs to grow up! Doesn’t the Berkshire Eagle “live” in Pittsfield but also covers Stockbridge? Perhaps everyone in Berkshire County, except Pittsfield where they ‘live’, ban talking to them?!
You may be right about assuming it’s a disaster; however, every day I hear more and more people who hate the Berkshire Eagle, as I do, because they hide the news, that we have a right to know, based on what the GOBs tell them to print. It happens daily. Today’s, to me, was why was a Civil Rights Discrimination Suit filed against the City Of Pittsfield in JUNE (in relation to the meth clinic in downtown Pittsfield) and we’re first hearing anything about it on November 12th??!!! Obviously, the mayor didn’t want it known and so it wasn’t. Why was Stracuzzi’s arrests years ago, along with his probation (which was a joke) never reported on for YEARS?? I am very happy to be able to know, via this site, what’s really going on in Pittsfield that The Eagle would NEVER print. And I know that there’s a LOT of people who agree with me and are turning to sites like this. So it just may end up being more of a disaster than you think and yes, time WILL tell.
Molly, I couldn’t agree more. Isn’t it odd the Meth clinic hit the paper after the election. Wouldn’t it be fair for us “we the people” to have the clinic issue discussed during the campaign? Like with the recent expansion of the Brein center has anyone looked at and discussed the business model for the place? Why the address they are selecting I thought the gym wound up moving there during the civic authority?
If the building is in fact deemed an educational venue can it then be considered a school zone? If so what does that do to assist in the clean up of the drug trade? Does that mean the police officers busted with the steroids at this address were in a school zone? A zillion more questions can be asked and all after 3 elections in some 6 weeks and thanks to the bb not a discussion had. It should be clear to all were their commitment lays.
Typed and submitted via a telephone so scold me on the typos but please also answer my questions as well
No need to scold. Questions must be asked. For too long, a compliant media, led by the GOB-owned BB, has failed to ask the hard questions on too many public policy initiative in the city. Question EVERYTHING.
especially authority.
Molly, just an FYI: You’re one of the few in Pittsfield that consider this site a legitimate media outlet. It’s nothing more than a gossip column [that draws a huge following]. Everyone knows he’s unstable so most pols feel obligated to talk to him in order to avoid becoming the center of his attention.
Boom; please post a link to your blog. I like to get differing opinions and see all the facts that you research, track down and discuss in an informative rational way.
I know that you couldn’t be one of those negative types now are you? I mean the GOBS I’m sure are seething at the fact they are losing control of the party line and the way it is distributed.
There is more than enough news for discussing here in the city I look forward to the link to Boom town blog. I bet boom will does nothing but complain.
Boom Good Post!
One thing this City does not need downtown (or anywhere) is a meth clinic. Talk to people in Holyoke. I know people go to get there meth, go around corner and gets their heroin. Just what we need more druggies and drug dealers around Pittsfield. This is one thing Mayor Ruberto has done right. But you know some liberal Judge will allow it.
If there’s one growth industry in Pitts right now, it’s drugs. All the state and federal grant money for programs we don’t need they come with provisos. The deal is usually: If you, Pitts, take the druggies, the Sec. 8s, and other dependents of the welfare state (and all the bums and freeloaders it attracts) then you get this money for the Dare program. As Joe P points out nothing of this comes out during the elctions. As the planet often says, it’s a rigged game against the little guys
NR
Yes, it is, and we fight the battle to “unrig” it.
I am very wary about the new Methadone clinic in Pittsfield. Why was this just reported today when obviously this whole affair began in December 2010. Where was the Eagle’s crack reporting then?
The problem is not the Eagle right now it’s that meth clinic. Believe me we don’t want it around here it will bring nothing but big problems. Contact everyone you can to make sure it doesn’t happen. DV do some research on meth clinic and problems they have brought to other communities. Oh I forgot a new councilor Bury Clairmont doesn’t want you snooping around Pittfield business. But the people do so Dan go for it. Thanks
The problem is in fact both the meth clinic and the bb. We have had little to no public discussion on this issue, and why? I can be argued that it is due to a political agenda, or worse incompetence on the papers part. There are a million questions that need to be answered.
1. Besides the meth clinic what other services do they plan on offering at this time? And in the future.
2. What data set for their business model indicates to them the demand and desire for a clinic here?
3. Will they be competing against or working in conjunction with the Brein center?
4. Are they choosing this location based upon its proximity to the intermodal center? (Easy access for its cliental) remember some mentioned that when that was being built.
5. Can Spectrum health now argue they have no public opposition, a true statement?
6. Has the council been made aware of the proposed clinic?
7. Who’s authorized the funds? And how much to fight this in court?
8. What is the legal firms track record when it comes to Dover amendment cases
9. Is this type of facility being exercised based upon clauses, considerations or mandates from funding received to accomplish other projects? If so which ones and can we expect more.
There are more questions that need to be answered or at least asked; the fact that the community as a whole has not had this discussion sets us back in all areas including economic development. Do you think the local newspaper withholding information is a plus for quality of life? It was more important to the current administration to withhold this in an effort to control election(s) than to build consensus as they always pay lip service to. The one issue that the Administration and the community would rally behind and they bury it, my guess is its to late to stop the clinic where getting it and its due to funding we took beforehand and they know it.
Good post! And I agree – we will see a meth clinic in downtown Pittsfield — unfortunately.
The improperly cast ballots won’t automatically go to the losers of the respective elections. If voters circled the circle it’s probable that it’s roughly a 50/50 split.
kind of ironic isnt it to put a meth clinic smack dab in the heart of the newly face lifted north street. roberto to meth clinic…”screw you”…. meth clinic to roberto, we played by the way you governed and beat you at your own game. we the people should have been privy to this issue at the begining…. but because roberto likes to keep secrets i hope his end of north street get infested with the ilk that will use the clinic. maybe they will name the clinic after him…the jimmy roberto methadone clinic, kind of has a ring to it……
just needeling you jimmy
Meth clinic= there has to be a reasons they chose pittsfield. Timing of the story, in June goes to court, but the BB only reports on it AFTER the election.
BB = fishwrap
Cialrmony = GOB tool, exposed before he can do his damage.
Message to Bianchi = Watch Clairmont closely. I know for a fact he was designated the GOB spy meant to trip you up. Now he’s been found out but keep and eye on him,
Looks like I started a firestorm on here! YAY! Although there is some discussion about the meth clinic on the BB’s website (although most of the posts are from one person in favor of it), no one there has even thought about the timing and the delay of the story. BUT – I also want to see that report on the School Building Needs Commission… I wonder if the BB watches this websitee and saw that Dan is planning on releasing it tomorrow? If we see an article on it in tomorrow’s paper, I guess we’ll know! But my bet is that the GOBs don’t want them reporting on it no matter what and thus, they won’t.
Molly
Thanks for starting a firestorm. We needed it, how fake this timing is. I know a pressman who works for the BB, He says a newsroom type (reporter) had this story and wanted to print it this summer. Tim Farkas, on orders from above was told to not print hte story.
Should have said “Tom Farkas on orders from above was told to not print the story until after the election.” sorry
molly, i feel sorry for people that get hooked on that crap and clinics are there for them to get off it. i have to laugh at the secrecy around robertos 8 yrs in office. now its going to bite him in the ass, and he deserves it. north street is a great place for the clinic , its central location is perfect for walkers. if you remember bianchis run was about open gov. marchetti was about the same old stuff. i will bet bianchi ,once in, will clean up this mess…. roberto should shut his mouth and just let bianchi handle it.
Why should a meth clinic location in the heart of our downtown arts take anyone by surprise? Ever been to Lower Broadway in NYC, it’s part of the framework.
This isn’t Lower Broadway in NYC brezzer
I ain’t brezzer either!
sorry BEEZER!!
Looks like Roberto, Krol, and the kiss ups got snookered on the junkie clinic. I’m told that on procedure, they could have stopped this early, but they were caught sleeping. Maybe Clairmont you know, the councilor to come who is for the people and not the gobs (not!) can be the hero, except the company putting in the meth clinic isn’t from Pitts, so he won’t talk to them!!
Heard from good source (if Lop doesn’t lose in the end) He had 6 votes to Sherman”s 5 right now for Council President And that he will pick Sherman for Vive President. That if Sherman get Pres he will pick Lop for Vice Pres.
Sherman-Lothrop would make the best combo for prez-vp of council. Hey Clairmont, the school supterintendent, Jake, doesn’t live in Pittsfield. Many other in the admin and ranks live out of town. Guess you won’t talk to them, eh? And what did you do to have Tony Mazzeo chew you up and spit you out the other night on victory night?
JR They work for the city Dan doesnt!
Seems as if the city and the BB are a little late on the methadone clinic. If this suit was filed in June, why didn’t the Boring B report on it. They got a court reporter. Can only be one reason: they were told by their GOB masters not to print until after the election, to help Marchetti etc. If the administration really wanted to fight this they would have insisted that Farkas and the BB print this ASAP so the city could rally public opinion all summer and fall. North Street deserves this.