By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 2012) — Here’s some additional information on The REAL Pittsfield Benefit for Peter Moore and Family. Tickets are now available at $10 apiece at the Allendale Underground, Allendale Shopping Center and at Chameleon’s Nightclub, 1350 East St., both in Pittsfield. Tickets via Paypal cost $10.50 (including Paypal fee) to rebelsoundrecordsthestore@gmail.com. Tickets will either be mailed out or help in your name at the door. Donations can be sent to Peter Moore c/o Rebel Sound Records, P.O. Box 281, Dalton, Mass., 01227. Make checks payable to PETER MOORE.

Also, the organizers, led by promoter Andy Poncherello, ask that area businesses step forward and donate products and/or services for the benefit. Peter Moore, his wife Robin, and their children, have been dealt a great injustice by a reckless driver, and they need our help. The Moores are exactly the kind of young, value-centered family Pittsfield needs if the city is to have any chance of a prosperous future. Pittsfield doesn’t need more GOBs. It need more Peter and Robin Moores. Readers, help get the word out and put the pinch on any businesses and business owners that you may know to donate something. For more information, contact Poncherello at 413-418-5783. THE PLANET thanks you.

‘DO YOU DRINK’ MYSPACE ASKS THE PARTY GIRL. IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, SHE REPTILES … er, we mean … REPLIES

On Meredith Nilan‘s Myspace account, which yesterday had been been de-activated, there’s all sorts of interesting information. It’s interesting, because just yesterday, THE PLANET engaged in an engrossing conversation with a long-time colleague about how the new so-called “social media” has among young people reshaped attitudes, destroyed attention spans, wiped out much of cultural and historical knowledge, and — much more eerily — shredded the notion of personal privacy. It is in this latter regard that we share some of Nilan’s Myspace remarks. Young people feel free letting everyone in on their air-headed attentions? Very well, then. Let feed on their words because in social networking, THERE IS NO PRIVACY!

Meredith Nilan, come on down! We present her own Myspace words, furnished when she was a college student. In her answers, she shows the depth of Paris Hilton and the insight of a bimbo:

* First, we learn that pictures of Nilan are “In the Spotlight because [her] photos are earning quite a bit of attention.” If attention is what she wanted, and seeing her name in the headlines, she certainly has achieved that. Congratulations. You got your 15 minutes, honey.

* She’s 5’3″, blond, blue eyes. Her weakness? “HOTT GUYS.” Don’t you just love the spelling. Oh well, at least she got “guys” correct. Another win for spell check.

* “Thoughts First Waking UP”: Her answer: “Depends on the day.” Wonder what those thoughts were when she first woke up on the day she learned that appellate Judge William Hadley overturned the verdict of that Stalwart of Justice, magistrate Nathan Byrnes, and ruled in favor of the Pittsfield Police Department?

* “Do you get along with your Parents? ” Answer: “Hell no.” Not just “no” but “Hell no.” We wonder if she might have changed her mind since then in light of daddy’s activities on her behalf since Dec. 8?

* She spells “fun” with two “ns” — as in, “Yepp! Soo Funn!” She is now 24, and getting ready for a leadership role in society. Folks, America is screwed. Yepp, sooo screwed.

“In the past month, have you Drank Alcohol?” [What scholars are these that composed the Myspace questions?! we ask in astonishment].  Answer: “Haha. Obviously” Think she might want that one back? “Obviously.” Many believe it’s “obvious” that she was plastered the night she ran over Peter Moore and fled the scene without calling the police.

* She tells us that doesn’t do drugs, she has three body piercings, no tattoos, hates sushi, goes skinny-dipping, wants to die peacefully in her sleep, wants to be “CEO of a Fortune 500 company,” and would most like to visit Australia, England, or France.

* We wonder if she might answer this question differently — Myspace asked: “Number of things in my Past I Regret.” She answered, then: “Nothing really … live and learn.”

* “Smoke/drink”: Answer: “No / Yes”

* Her Myspace page features two white windows with the ominous “403 Forbidden” label. The message reads: “This file removed due to violation of ImageShack Terms of Service or by user request.”

* Finally, we read on Nilan’s page: “I love shopping, hanging out with friends, PARTYING [her capitals] and all that fun stuff that we do …”

Sounds to us, ladies and gentlemen, like a true Renaissance woman of the present day. God help us all and airheads everywhere. Nilan’s Myspace musing remind us of the immortal words of Jerome “Curly” Howard: “I tried thinking once, but nothing happened.”

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COUNCIL PREZ SHERMAN, MAZZEO EXPLAIN VOTE ON MATTOON

Council President Kevin Sherman and at -large councilor Melissa Mazzeo got in touch with THE PLANET to explain their “yes” vote for Mayor Dan Bianchi‘s appointment of Donna Mattoon as director of administrative services in the corner office. We present their words, unedited. First, President Sherman:

Hey Dan, 

I happened by the Planet today and saw your question re: Donna Mattoon.  In the future, a direct email would work better (you may have sent one to my other email and if so, thanks) 

Regarding the vote last night:  Yes, I did oppose the creation of the position last year but the position was approved by the majority of my colleagues, which I respect.  The vote last night was to appoint a qualified individual to the position and that’s what I approved.  It was not a “re-vote” on the establishment of the position but rather the filling of it.  Ms. Mattoon’s resume and experience made her extremely qualified to perform the duties as outlined by Mayor Bianchi.  Those duties, incidentally, are not the same as outlined when the position was first discussed last year. 

Thanks, and hope all is well, 

Kevin 

Now, Mazzeo:

Dan, just read your blog and wanted to respond to your question of how i voted on the appointment of Donna Mattoon. As i explained last night after councilor Clairmont was sure to point out that i in fact was very much against this position last year. I reminded everyone that i had an issue with a four term Mayor on his way out  the door, creating a job for a friend to help him run his departments. I stated many times during these debates, that if he was newly elected, i could see the need to create a type of “chief of Staff” position,but that was not the case then. It is however the case now. Last night Mayor Bianchi explained that he did not agree with the title or job description of this position, but just wanted to avoid the delay in going to O&R and spending a month or more on a name change, so he kept it as is. He will be using the position how he sees fit and as a NEW Mayor i have no problem with this. Besides the fact that she is more than qualified for this job.           If you get a chance you should definitely look at the first hour 0f the City Council meeting…we have sunk to a new low in my opinion….keep up the great work.

Melissa Mazzeo

We thank our Right Honorable Good Friends for their response — well articulated, reasoned, and sensible. We agree, by the way, with the assessments of Mattoon’s abilities.

MATTOON CLOSES BUSINESS, NO CONFLICT IN HER NEW DIRECTORSHIP DUTIES

Yesterday, THE PLANET expressed the need for an assurance from Mattoon, though, on behalf of Pittsfield citizens, that her client list with her private business presents no conflict with her duties at city hall. Has she closed her business? If not, will she share her client list? THE PLANET though the questions were legit, and so, apparently did the forthright Mattoon, who tells us:

Comments: Hi Dan,
I never really considered Mattoon Communications a PR agency. I see PR as media placement, or pitching stories to attract media coverage. I did almost none of that. Instead, I saw my role as a communications specialist for small to medium sized organizations which really had no need for a full-time communications department, but needed focused help from time to time. I wrote annual reports for some local organizations, brochures, websites, ads, etc. I truly loved it and was always busy (thank goodness.) Mayor Bianchi asked me to join his administration in mid-December. I talked it over with the kids and decided almost at once that this was a rare opportunity for me to change it up fairly dramatically. It took until mid-January to fulfill my obligations to my clients. I closed my business on January 23, when I joined City Hall, and I’m focusing my efforts exclusively there. My role in my brother’s campaign gave me the chance to use every skill I ever learned. But essentially, it was a
labor of love. All the best, Donna

We thank Ms. Mattoon, especially for the clarification on her business. She did the right thing. Closed to business to devote full time to the corner office post. THE PLANET wishes her well in the position.

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NUCIFORO TORCHES NEAL’s ‘CONVENIENCE’

Following up on our endorsement of Pittsfield attorney and Register of Deeds Andy Nuciforo for Congress over Richie Neal and Bill Shein, THE PLANET presents this statement from Nuciforo on Neal’s dismissal that he faces increased responsibility in representing the 66 cities currently represented by John Olver:

“This is a race about accountability, not visibility. I represented 48 of these cities and towns throughout my ten years in the Senate, so I understand the problems of job loss, economic downturn, and consumer protection are not addressed, and certainly not solved by ‘just being visible.’ The district lines were redrawn to reflect changes in our area’s population, not for Congressman Neal’s convenience with ‘easy transportation’ and ‘visibility’ in mind. He simply cannot write-off the added responsibility of representing the residents of western Massachusetts.

 

“For 23 years, Congressman Neal has made himself more-than visible to Wall Street by raising over $5,000,000 from big banks, insurance companies, and their lobbyists. So it is no surprise that he has voted repeatedly to deregulate these same institutions and to strip consumers of legal protections. These are not ideals aligned with the Democratic Party and, they are not ideals shared by the residents of the First Congressional District.”

In many ways, this race boils down to Big Money versus modestly financed. Neal has two powerful allies on his side: incumbency and Big Money. Is that the best basis upon which to select our man in Washington? We think not.

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 FROM THE RIP-‘N-READ DEPARTMENT: COACHES VS. CANCER

THE PLANET doesn’t publish a tiny percentage of the press release we get, but we will on occasion for those we deem particularly noteworthy. Here’s a release on what appears to be a great even to help the fight against cancer.

Coaches vs. Cancer Event To Showcase
Berkshire County Girls Hoop Teams

12 Teams, 6 Games, 200 + Student-Athletes & Coaches, 800 + Spectators 
Come Together To Fight Cancer During Event Scheduled For 
Saturday, January 18th at Pittsfield High School

The Berkshire County High School Girls Basketball Coaches, in partnership with the Berkshire County Athletic Directors Association and American Cancer Society, are proud to present the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase this weekend in Pittsfield.

Each of Berkshire County’s Girls High School Basketball Teams will be participating in the event scheduled to be held at Pittsfield High School on Saturday, February 18.  

In addition to local student-athletes getting the opportunity to showcase their
skills on the court, the participating players, coaches, referees, and schools have worked  to raise awareness and funds for a worthwhile cause.  All
proceeds from the 5th Annual Berkshire County Girls Basketball Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase will benefit the American Cancer Society and Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Beginning at 11 A.M, this all-day event will feature six varsity games pitting local rivals against each other.  The match-ups for Saturday’s Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase have been established based on league standings and team records in an effort to schedule extremely competitive games between comparable teams.  Many of the games have significant implications associated with post-season play-off eligibility.  The event schedule is as follows:


Berkshire County
Girls Basketball Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase
Saturday, FEB 18, 2012
Location:  Pittsfield High School

11:00McCann vs St Joseph
12:30Monument Mountain vs Taconic
2:15Drury vs Wahconah
4:00Mt. Everett vs Mt. Greylock
5:45Lenox vs Hoosac Valley
7:30Lee vs Pittsfield High

It is estimated that the one-day event will raise $8,000-$10,000
for cancer research.  All proceeds from the 2012 Berkshire County Girls Basketball Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase will benefit the American Cancer Society.  For additional information, or to make a donation in advance, please contact John Franzoni (Drury High School Coach) at (413) 652-1381 or Jim Abel (Pittsfield Public Schools Athletic Director) at (413) 499-9522.

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QUICKIES

* Rich Donohey, former city solicitor, we remain in his post representing the city in litigation against Spectrum Health Systems. Spectrum wants to put a methadone clinic on Summer Street. The city has sued. Mayor Dan Bianchi did not renew the contract with Dohoney, who had been signed by Mayor Jimmy Ruberto.

* We all knew it would happen, but for those keeping score at home, the city council OKd Mayor Bianchi’s self-nomination to sit on the PEDA board.

* Berkshire Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Supranowicz, told Jonathan Levine of the Pittsfield Gazette that the move of 1Berkshire to the old fire station on Allen Street courtesy of Berkshire Bank will boost efforts to coordinate economic development activities. We wonder, though, since nothing else the Chamber has done to date has achieved that effect.

* Good job by councilor Barry Clairmont working over Corydon Thurston from PEDA at the council meeting Tuesday night. Clairmont expressed a lot of residual frustration in his minute queries. Corydon held his own and carried himself well. PEDA, however, still needs GADS and GADS of transparency, good will effort, and smart decisions before it will gain a sliver of public trust. My Right honorable Good Friend councilor John Krol asked THE question: Do you have a marketing plan? No, Corydon answered. That exchange sums up everything you need to know about PEDA and its futility to date.

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HERE, IN OUR GREAT FORTRESS, FULL OF LIFE AND GREAT REPOSE, MANY TIMES A DAY THE DRIVEN AND THE PURPOSELESS, GLAD OCEAN OF HUMANITY COMES AND GOES UNDER HIGH CLIFFS, FAR FROM THE NOT-SO-HUGE CITY. WE GIVE THANKS …

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.