Planet Valenti

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary Part Two of a Series (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 2012) — On all Hallow’s Eve, THE PLANET continues our investigation into the Berkshire Carousel project. We shall explain the “how” involved in the final disposition of this fabulous civic gem ending up in Lanesboro and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2012) — Now that Sandy didn’t do anything around here, not even muss up anyone’s hair, THE PLANET presents the inside details on how Pittsfield blew it again, this time coming full circle on missing out, this time on the Berkshire […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, OCT. 29, 2012) — When you experience folks in other parts of the country, as THE PLANET did this weekend on sort of a whirlwind journey through more cities than we can count, one is immediately struck with the observation that rudeness, hostility, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 25, 2012) — This summer, THE PLANET published information questioning the competency of the city of Pittsfield’s veterans’ affairs agent, Rosanne Frieri (see PLANET, June 12 and June 14, archives). The columns drew a lot of attention, since Frieri is politically connected. […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24, 2012) — In response to several questions about the veracity of the state law that prohibits fire fighters and police officers hired in or after 1988 to smoke on or off the job, yes, that law is on the books. It’s […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 23, 2012) — A new development in Contractgate suggests the pattern of inside dealing to receive free student labor from the vocational department goes back for years, according to the testimony of two sources. The first is a former school department employee, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, OCT. 22, 2012) — It has happened again. The sharpest, most astute readership on THE PLANET has put forth an idea eminently doable with exactly the right means … if this was a fair fight, that is, if power rested where it belongs […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, OCT. 19, 2012) — The next mayor of Pittsfield can and should run on the following platform and should possess the following qualities: (1) Taxes: The tax rate in the city shall be lowered — not raised, not frozen — for both households […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 18, 2012) — How ironic, that on the day the Boring Broadsheet kills more valuable news space with a “feel good” picture of the men of the Pittsfield Fire Department wearing hot pink in support of breast-cancer awareness month that THE PLANET […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17, 2012) — In applying for up to $150,000 in free construction work courtesy of Taconic High School vocational students, Lynn Whitney didn’t have to expend even as much as a postage stamp. Welcome to Contractgate. “I’m gonna sit right down and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 16, 2012) — Contractgate: It was, is, and — until amended — as phony as a department store Santa Claus. For those who wish to brush up on the background of the case, refer to THE PLANET‘s Sept. 30, 2012 column and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, OCT. 15, 2012) — Back in the saddle again, on a late Monday evening, after a time in the Big City. We did much more than go through the motions on actions that might affect the world itself. We can say no more. We […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, OCT. 12, 2012) — On this, the Real Columbus Day, THE PLANET offers the second part of our ruminations over one of the worst meetings the Pittsfield City Council has likely ever conducted. It left veteran observers shaking their heads, novices agape, and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 11, 2012) — No. No, no, no, no, no. Did you get that? No. THE PLANET has NOTHING — n-o-t-h-i-n-g — to do with “helping Paul Ryan‘s prep team” for tonight’s debate against the vice president. We’ve been patient with a lot […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary !UPDATED! (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10, 2012) — Being tighter for time than a flunkie taking his SATs, we will keep our initial comments brief on last night bizarre city council marathon. Cutting to the chase, the council: — Filed the Sherman-Yon Act on a last-minute […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 9, 2012) — Counting down the hours until tonight’s showdown city council meeting, in which my Right Honorable Good Friends tackle two marquee issues: ———————————————————- ADD #1 10/9/12, LATER IN THE MORNING: Isn’t it interesting that despite the meeting tonight  showing all […]