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 thank all those who posted over the weekend on Noconfidencegate. It’s hard to imagine how the dealings with Spectrum Health Services could have been handled in a way more inept, but this is Pittsfield, a city determined, apparently, to explore the question once asked by the eminent social philosopher, Chubby Checker: “How low can you go?”

To those who have been asking what gives on Contractgate, fear not. Our expose is in the works. THE PLANET has been holding off to learn more about certain developments in a case that, for its egregious violation of all decent ethical norms, stands out — even in such a Sad Sacked city such as Palookaville. We shall uncover clues of the deception, previously missed, even though they were there, right under everyone’s noses.

That the secretary of the assistant superintendent of schools should “magically” received up to $150,000 free slave labor courtesy of the carpentry student at Taconic High School could not happen in a city that cared about percepti0n, about its citizens, and about what’s right. That is DID happen testifies to the hopeless odds that an honest person faces in doing business with the city of Pittsfield.

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and Make Believe It Came from Me.

Lynn Whitney, that secretary, basically typed a letter to herself, stamped it as received,  gave it to her boss, Frank Cote, and after that, The Fix was in.

Where is the state Ethics Commission when we need them? The SEC issued five criteria that Ms. Whitney had to meet to qualify for this gift from the gods. She met two of them. Failing the other three, the school board kicked it over to the city council. The council is, technically, not her boss, and the council, in a shameful vote, approved the measure 7-3. Barry Clairmont recused himself, since Whitney is a client. Councilors Kevin Sherman, Jonathan Lothrop, and Chris Yon voted against this corrupt measure. The other seven saw no problem. Hmmmmm …

There were a million and one things wrong about the bidding process, including the way it was advertised to insure hardly anyone would apply. In fact, the school committee received only one other bid. One, and that was from an inside entity, the Office of Community Development. “They” would have us believe that no one in the entire city would want up to $150,000 of free construction services other than OCD and the secretary of the man who advertised for offers.

What a stinking joke.

THE PLANET has held off on the story because there was so much to say about Noconfidencegate and also because of some late developments that we hope to break on this site soon. In spite of the council’s terrible vote — a vote that further erodes faith in city government — there may be a chance that the deal may not go through. We can say no more, but we shall keep tabs on the situation.

Back tomorrow.

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SILENCE BRINGS THE NOISE OF QUIET TO THE EARS OF THOSE WHO ARE WILLING, JUST FOR A SECOND, TO BECOME DEAF.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.