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 Honorable Good Friends, with the only abstention being Caspar the Friendly Cotton, the one called Churchill.

Cotton noiselessness, however, emits a cacophony next to deafness-and-dumbness of TES. The mayor continued his cowardly avoidance of THE PLANET, ignoring our request for his version of the public accounts of councilor at-large Barry Clairmont and Ward 5 councilor Jonathan Lothrop. When the phone didn’t ring, we knew it was the mayor not getting back to us. Since Bianchi did not dispute a word of the councilors’ testimony, you can therefore assume that Clairmont and Lothrop were being factual and accurate when they detailed TES’ unprincipled tirades.

One commentator suggested that Clairmont and Lothrop were wimping out by running to THE PLANET about the mayor’s rudeness. We disagree. If TES treats the city’s co-governors with such disrespect, how much worse is he with citizens? In his nearly three years in office, the mayor has made clear his attitude toward ordinary citizens: He think they’re scum, so much unwashed rabble good only for the shakedown of higher and higher taxation with each new fiscal year.

Moreover, with that poisoned and poisoning attitude on the part of the mayor, what chance does Pittsfield have of smart, collegial politics, which are the only kind that can first stem the the city’s inexorable slide toward oblivion? Z-E-R-O. This, of course, makes regime change the number one goal of the 2015 municipal elections.

Here are the councilors’ responses.

LISA TULLY, WARD 1

Thank you for reaching out and asking my opinion about something.  It’s been a while since we last communicated.  When I saw that I had an email from you, I was curious but could not open it right away as I was in a meeting.  During the meeting, I kept wondering to myself on which important matter you were seeking my opinion.

Could it be that you were wondering how my constituents felt about the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline?  Currently, I have counted 19 opposed and none in favor, but my polling continues.
Then I thought you might question me on what our City’s debt limit is.  It’s approximately $167 million with around $94 million bonded, leaving around $73 million left on our municipal “credit card.”  This has been on my mind often lately because of the new Taconic High School proposal.  I have been worrying if the City has enough credit to cover the costs.  This week’s meeting estimated a $41 million contribution by the City for the school, effectively reducing what’s left on our “charge card” by more than 50%.

Later I thought that maybe you were taking me to task for my vote on the FY2015 budget, a budget that has me concerned about a possible 5% tax increase to my constituents.

My mind was swirling with so many possible questions.  I know you are very concerned about crime in our city.  Maybe you wanted to know that our Morningside Neighborhood Watch program is going strong and expanding?

Finally, I thought it had to be about the most important news of the week. Was it the announcement that Springfield has won the MBTA railcar bid with a Chinese manufacturer?  I am very disappointed that our superb proposal did not win the State’s approval.

After my meeting, I opened your email and read your two questions.

You asked me to comment on Councilor Clairmont’s account of a telephone call he had with Mayor Bianchi.  Then you asked if I support one of my colleagues being treated in this fashion as “co-governor” of the city.

I have no comment on a private telephone conversation between two elected officials who appear to not hold each other in high regard. This was not a public teleconference and I was not invited.

To answer your second question, I do not support any name calling or disrespectful behavior toward anyone.  I treat my colleagues on the City Council and the Mayor with respect whether I agree with them or not.  I may be a “co-governor” of the city, but I do not have the authority to make the Mayor say he is sorry for calling the Councilor a name.

In closing, I would like to let you know that I have a very good handle on the pulse of my constituents in Ward 1 and this issue doesn’t even move the needle.

Once again, thank you for asking my opinion. [ED NOTE: “DOESN’T EVEN MOVE THE NEEDLE?” HOW CAN IT, WHEN THE NEEDLE ISN’T ATTACHED TO THE ACTIVATOR? THE PLANET RESPECTFULLY SUGGESTS TO OUR RIGHT HONORABLE GOOD FRIEND THE PURCHASE OF A NEW INDICATOR. THIS ONE, FOR EXAMPLE.]

KEVIN MORANDI, Ward 2

I am responding to your two questions: 1) I didn’t hear the phone conversation that Councilor Clairmont said transpired between him and the Mayor. Therefore I can’t give an accurate response.  2) Again I wasn’t involved in the phone conversation so for me to comment one way or another would be premature. Thanks.

NICK CACCAMO, WARD 3

This was a private conversation between two grown men. Frankly, it’s not any of my business.

CHRIS CONNELL, WARD 4

In response to this issue with the mayor and councilor Clairmont I would like to express the following to you as well as the public.

I can’t definitively comment on the phone exchange since the only two individuals who know EXACTLY what was said is the Mayor and councilor Clairmont. It seems part of the conversation was left out from the post on your blog. If in fact that was all that was verbally exchanged then I feel both parties need to get together for the benefit of everyone in the city and try to work together. That doesn’t mean that you can’t disagree but have some mutual respect for one another. As one of my mentors once said “respect is not given freely but is earned.” [ED NOTE: AS WE POINTED OUT, THE PLANET INVITED THE MAYOR TO GIVE US HIS SIDE OF THE CONVERSATION. HE REFUSED.]

What I would like to see going forward is some of the petty bickering that takes up everyone’s time come to an end and for everyone to concentrate and work together on issues for the betterment of all the residents of Pittsfield.  Issues such as our education system including the proposed Taconic project,  possible privatization of the waste water and water department as well as the  privatization of the airport.

In the past two years I have worked with president Mazzeo in increasing our police budget so that the police department could have a dedicated traffic division, and we are currently trying to get the pedestrian and traffic fines brought in line with the 21st century. Both represent quality of life issues to our residents.

The council should be focused on the “rest of the river” clean up and the proposed gas pipeline. I may be old school, but I ran for public office to help the city and the residents (my neighbors) not for ego or self pride but pride in my community. If I ever lose site of that fact, I will gladly step down. One last note, I AM NOT IN ANYONE’S POCKET except for the people of Pittsfield.  Thanks.

JONATHAN LOTHROP, WARD 5

So to elaborate on Councilor Clairmont’s recent post about the Mayor’s verbal swearing at him, I can attest to the fact that I was the recepient of the Mayor’s previous unprevoked swearing attack.

The reason for the Mayor’s anger towards me was the fact that I had mentioned to [a] third party that the Mayor is in fact often working at his previous job, even though he promised the public that he would be a full time Mayor. It was clear that I had “blown up his stop” by outing his “little secret.” Too bad he can’t take responsibility for his own deceit.

Of course, months after this swearing incident, the Mayor finally admitted that he DID still work at his old job [Global Montello energy company]. I love being sworn at by the Mayor of our City for telling the truth! [ED. NOTE: THE FINAL SENTENCE IS A CLASSIC.]

JOHN KROL, WARD 6

I wish I could say I was surprised by the story. As I said at our most recent council meeting, there is no working relationship between this council and the mayor. This, unfortunately, is further evidence of that fact. When we speak about bullying, one of the unfortunate truths that we sometimes overlook is that bullying is actually very effective when it is not confronted and condemned. Thus far, this council has not done so. It is clear that our president Melissa Mazzeo will continue to support Mr. Bianchi in spite of his disregard of the council (evidenced by the 100 North St. move and the health insurance switch). However, there are 10 other councilors and school committee members who represent the people of Pittsfield. Only time will tell if our group of elected officials have the fortitude to stand up this type of misbehavior. [ED. NOTE: THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST SUBSTANTIVE, ON-TARGET RESPONSE.]

TONY SIMONELLI, WARD 7

As you may or not know, due my recent surgery, I have been out of touch with my fellow Councilors for a while. Your posting below is the first I’m hearing of this.  What I can tell you is that I have always enjoyed a positive working relationship with both Mayor Bianchi and Counclor Clairmont.  I found both to always be cordial and professional when dealing with me.  The posting below is bothersome if accurate.  My hope is that the Mayor will respond with “his side” of the story.  I think there is obviously friction between the Mayor and Councilor Clairmont and my sincere desire is that the two of them can sit down and “agree to disagree” and move forward.  I believe this would be in the best interest of the City and certainly both individuals.

AT-LARGE

MELISSA MAZZEO

BARRY CLAIRMONT

[ED. NOTE: CLAIRMONT SENT THIS E-MAIL TO HIS 10 COLLEAGUES AFTER HE LEARNED THAT THE PLANET POLLED THE MEMBERS]

It is clear the Mayor and Councilor Clairmont have issues.  I don’t think this negativity is good for the city.  We need to work on the initiatives that will be beneficial for Pittsfield.

I would be glad to work with the Mayor and Councilor Clairmont to help them move forward.

Thank you.

CHURCHILL COTTON

No response. Will someone tell THE PLANET what, exactly, Mr. Cotton does on the council? While we’re at it, will someone tell Mr. Cotton that he is a member of the council.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Connell Slams ‘Rest of the River’ Plan

Many of my constituents in Ward 4 have reached out to me expressing their concerns in regards to the EPA’s proposed clean up for the Housatonic River of PCBs. I felt it was time to express my concerns after weeks of gathering comments from Ward 4 residents.

First off I would like to say that the initial plan submitted to the EPA two years ago by Mass DEP and the department of fish and wildlife was a responsible plan concerning the environment and the health and well being of the residents. That plan suggested that the river and the surrounding habitat be left alone and that Woods Pond in Lenox be dredged on a periodic basis to remove PCBs. Woods Pond at that time was estimated to contain approximately 80 to 90 percent of the PCBs.

Fast forward two years and the EPA has come back with an aggressive plan that will basically destroy the river, riverbanks, natural habitat, as well as the property and property values of the homes bordering the river. I certainly am in favor of getting rid of the PCBs but even this aggressive plan will not completely eradicate the problem.  The EPA is only hitting the hot spots all the while destroying the river and causing economic disaster.

So why not go back to the original proposal by treating Woods pond and as new technologies are developed (that will not require a large footprint) and treat the rest of the river in that manner?  I along with many of the residents see that method as the best for the city of Pittsfield and the people directly affected that live in close proximity to the river.

On another note, it is puzzling that the EPA has not identified the areas that would be used for staging and positions of access roads under this new aggressive plan.  I would think that given the amount of time on this project,  that the areas would have been well defined by now. I am therefore requesting that the EPA review thier proposal and go back to the drawing board in order to minimize the damage that most certainly will occur for the benefit of everyone in the city of Pittsfield.

Thank you.

Chris Connell,  Ward 4 councilor for the city of Pittsfield.

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“If I had my choice of matter, I’d would rather be with cats. All engrossed in mental chatter, showing where your mind is at. While relating to each other how strong the love can be by resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see. I’m a man yes I am and I can’t help but love you so.” — Spencer Davis Group and other artists (Chicago, Bo Diddley, The Yardbirds, The Quarry) “I’m a Man,” (1967). Written by Steve Winwood.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.