Planet Valenti

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and commentary INAUGURALS AND INTRIGUE: ONLY IN PITTSFIELD (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, DECEMBER 30, 2011) — On Monday, Jan. 2, at City Hall, Pittsfield hosts a swearing in ceremony for its new officers and elected officials. At 8 p.m., the same evening, the city swears in its new school committee […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary We are pleased to hear that the fundraiser to help Peter White, his mom, and her tenant raised almost $5,000. Thanks to all who helped, contributed, attended, and donated. Joining our roster of special honors from yesterday (organizer Andy Poncherello and Chameleon’s night club), THE PLANET toasts […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27, 2011) — The initial reports for the fundraiser held last night at Chameleon’s for Peter White‘s mom speak of an evening of support, highly successful in raising money and spirits. THE PLANET was honored to have contributed in a small way, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, DEC. 27, 2011) — First, let’s give a final plug to the benefit, to be held tonight beginning at 7 p.m. at Chameleon’s nightclub on outer East Street (the former Pete’s Diner and Bobby Hudpuckers) for the benefit of Peter White’s mother and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, DEC. 23, 2011) — Happy 90th birthday to MOM PLANET! From Biotech to Big Box. From Big Box to Big Disappointment. What in the world is going on with the PEDA site? First, we turn to the Boring Broadsheet. The editorial, unsigned as always, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, DEC. 22, 2011) — Peter White? Let me tell you about Peter White. His mom, Jean, has just lost her home and her beloved pets. It’s right before Christmas. There are questions about an inoperable fire hydrant that might have been a factor […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21, 2011) — By now, you’ve likely heard of the fire that struck the house at 25 Plunkett Street. Two people were displaced, one of them Claudia Jean White. Claudia is the mother of outgoing Ward 2 councilor Peter White. She and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 2011) — His administration still awaits for its cue to enter into City Hall council chambers on Inauguration Day, and mayor-elect Dan Bianchi has scored his first “victory” not just for We The People but also for everyone who upholds integrity, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, DEC. 19, 2011) — It’s beginning to look a lot more like Christmas. Take a gander at this list, based on research compiled by MASSPIRG. The “average” Massachusetts resident paid $10,062 in federal taxes each year from tax years 2008 through 2010. As […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, DEC. 17, 2011) — In a sense, the timing of the welfare fraud story you will read in just a bit (below) is perfect, given the hefty tax increase Mayor Ruberto proposed and the city council set in stone Wednesday night in Pittsfield. […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, DEC. 15, 2011) — Another day, another injury at the Folly Skatepark on East and Appleton in Pittsfield. Sometime yesterday, a 12-year-old kid without a helmet wiped out on a skateboard while attempting a maneuver well above his skill set. Result: Hyperextended elbow, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2011) — With the opening of the new skatepark at the corner of East Street and Appleton Avenue across the street from Pittsfield High School, THE PLANET yesterday asked a series of questions. One we didn’t ask was: How long will […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, DEC. 13, 2011) — Pittsfield can learn from the experience of Boston when it comes to not-for-profit organizations. Non-profits reap huge tax benefits denied to the rest of us. What they don’t contribute to the “fair share” has to be made up by […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY We are (Larry) Fine, Thank You.  (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, DEC. 12, 2011) — As some of you noted, THE PLANET did not post this past Friday. In fact, from Thursday noon until Sunday night, we did not so much as light one photon on a computer […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 2011) — The two topics that have taken up the majority of THE PLANET‘s interest recently, as well that of the values commentators to this site, have been the Pittsfield School Department and the complex financial and political position Berkshire Health […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 2011) — As the not-for-profit Berkshire Health Systems still has not responded to our series of questions,THE PLANET has done a little digging. We asked several key questions: (1) What is the value of the entire BHS holdings? (2) What, specifically, […]