By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary TONIGHT ON PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION: Tune-in as we hand the keys to guest-host Terry Kinnas. That’s PV-TV live beginning at 7 p.m., Channel 16, from the PC-TV studios. ——– 000 ——– (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 30, 2014) — With the $130 million school project in Pittsfield all […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29, 2014) — Fireworks opened the meeting last night of Our Right Honorable Good Friends on the Pittsfield City Council. We refer to the appearance of Pittsfield resident Craig Gaetani during the open mic session. Gaetani, for those who know him, is “direct […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 28, 2014) — In breaking news, THE PLANET reports that Ward 5 city councilor Jonathan Lothrop has filed an Open Meeting Law complaint with the office of City Clerk Linda Tyer. Lothrop filed the action Friday in connection with the action by […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, OCT. 27, 2014) — THE PLANET invited city councilors to weigh in on the public revelations by two of their colleagues of the unprofessional, bullying tactics of Pittsfield mayor Dan Bianchi, aka The Empty Suit (TES). We heard from 10 of our Right […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary TONIGHT ON PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION: Tune-in as we hand the keys to guest-host Terry Kinnas. That’s PV-TV live beginning at 7 p.m., Channel 16, from the PC-TV studios. ——– 000 ——– (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 30, 2014) — With the $130 million school project in Pittsfield […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, OCT. 24-26, 2014) — It’s Poetry Weekend on THE PLANET, when we step back from the mysteries and madness of the street and into the world of language used at its highest power. We do allow an observation or two prior, and […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 23, 2014) — We call today’s edition of THE PLANET “Believe It or Not,” although with the current Pittsfield mayor, the show would be better titled, “Believe It or Else.” After numerous and credible complaints of the mayor’s abusive behavior, it was […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2014) — Today, THE PLANET shares exclusive information and news on three cases that have roiled the body politick of what has become a city of foul politics. First, as a preamble, let us tell you that we intend to feature […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary Part 2 of 2 (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 21, 2014) — THE PLANET resumes its account of the exchange between councilor-at-large Barry Clairmont and the mayor with a general observation. In this age of political correctness, sweeping generalizations are seen as indictments to be avoided, lest […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ——– 000 ——– LATE NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Before THE PLANET gets into our regular coverage, we present the news that Josh Cutler resigned Wednesday from the Human Rights Commission. The HRC, launched with the mayor dragged into its activation kicking and screaming, has been among the most dysfunctional of […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News & Commentary (Most of the Time but Sometimes Poetry and Such) (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, OCT. 17-19, 2014) — Sure, there’s lots of news swirling around THE PLANET. Some involves new wrinkles on familiar topics (100gate, the insurance switch) and some of it is new (developments at Berkshire […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 16, 2014) — One councilor dubbed Tuesday’s meeting as “magical.” Another talked of “fireworks.” THE PLANET shall not give a play-by-play or blow-by-blow. There was a lot of noise but, in the end, not much thunder. 100gate proceeds untouched by council hands, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15, 2014) — Here is a copy of the disclosure form that the mayor filed with city clerk Linda Tyer. He filled it out in response to questions made by THE PLANET first and later, city councilors, most notably councilor-at-large Barry Clairmont. […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 14, 2014) — Tonight, our Right Honorable Good Friends on the Pittsfield city council gather. Hip boots, gas masks, and clothes pins have been ordered. Three of the mayor’s favorite pet projects are up for … what? Discussion, debate, and deliberation — words […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NOT JUST NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FROM THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, STANZAS FOR OCT. 10-12, 2014) ——– 000 ——– THE WONDERMENT OF A LEAF I A flow of evanescent tide, Blue by no purpose or design But by the way the wide expanse With vicissitude combines Detaches the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, OCT. 9, 2014) — From our series on the suicidal doings at RSVP, THE PLANET has a few crumbs and leftovers. We’re bussing tables. Don’t get in our way. We’re kicking two butts and charging for seven: * RSVP Should Help People Not […]
