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 council-at-large Barry Clairmont‘s extraordinary comments to yesterday’s post in a soon-to-be edition. THE PLANET has contacted Mayor Dan Bianchi to see if his recollection of the phone call is the same as Clairmont’s. After the usual grace period, we shall go to press. We also add that Ward 5 councilor Jonathan Lothrop has, too, testified in the comments section of THE PLANET to receiving abusive treatment at the hands of the mayor. It is an alarming situation when representatives of We The People get berated, sown at, and abused by the mayor for doing their job.

BERKSHIRE WORKS UPDATE

* Berkshire Weaks — THE PLANET has heard from sources connected to Berkshire Works, who reported on the severance package of the fired-dismissed-forced-to-resign-missing-for-whatever-reason executive director, William Monterosso. You will recall that the mayor’s fair-haired boy from the South, hired in January, failed to last the year. The mayor was forced to deal with Monterosso after THE PLANET reported on alleged wrongdoings on the part of the executive director with respect to staff, especially female staff.

According to sources, Monterosso left town with a $55,000 lump sum and a full year’s pay. The pay range was advertised between the high 80s and $94,000. If the information is true, taxpayers coughed up about $150,000 to say goodbye to a load of trouble. Perhaps one of you can ask the mayor how that fits in with his inaugural promise to be a responsible steward of the budget and the taxpayers’ coin.

Sources tell THE PLANET that attorney Ben Steffans of Cohen, Kinne, Valicenti & Cook is investigating Berkshire Works in connection with an alleged lawsuit filed against the operation and its recently departed executive director. Through the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, THE PLANET also hears though has not confirmed that staff have filed complaints. One source says that “eight to 10 employees might have filed” with MCAD.

The law firm’s website says Steffans specializes in “employment-related claims and issues.” The website goes on: “Ben has successfully litigated claims of harassment based on sex, race, disability, pregnancy, age, and sexual orientation,” noting his record in winning “claims involving employers who retaliate against employees for complaining against unlawful activity.”

CUTLER RESIGNATION UPDATE

* Cutlet Cuts Out — THE PLANET broke the story that Josh Cutler resigned a week ago from chairing the all-but-defunct Human Rights Commission. Cutler confirmed his resignation to THE PLANET. We asked Cutler if he was forced out or if he wanted out.

“I resigned on my own volition due to too many commitments with my job, [the] school committee, and other things in the community,” Cutler said. “I was not asked to resign. It is by no means a reflection of the commission’s work, but more so my desire to focus more on my day job and elected post. I have left the appointment of a new chair to the mayor’s discretion.”

THE PLANET has no reason to doubt Cutler’s explanation, though we note he is young, politically ambitious, and cautious — perhaps to a fault — about avoiding political intrigue or taint. Even if there was much more to his resignation, Cutler most likely wouldn’t let on. His sudden departure from the HRC does produce several questions:

* Did he realize that his position as chair was being undercut by one or more members of the panel and no longer wished to play the stooge?

* Did he realize that he had essentially been duped into the chairmanship precisely because he is green and not wanting to upset Important People? If so, being the young man of principle we know him to be, resignation would be an honorable way out of a mess that may about to get much worse.

* Did Cutler have a confrontation with the mayor, the mayor’s “plants” on the commission, or both? Was he fired as a result and given the option to “resign”?

* What are the odds that The Empty Suit will elevate Pummelin’ Pam Malumphy to the HRC throne?

The commission has stumbled over itself since Day 1 with its inept handling of the Doreen Wade case and the petition filed by Craig Gaetani. Both complained of unprofessional, harassing behavior on the part of the mayor (echoes of Clairmont’s report of the mayoral phone call). TES‘ former director of administrative services, Mary McGinnes, was present during these alleged confrontations. She has confirmed the accounts of Wade and Gaetani. The mayor has refused our requests for comment.

One more question: Did the mayor would want to sand-bag the complaints of Wade and Gaetani with the HRC? Consequently, can Cutler’s resignation be seen as part of a larger plan to put a “more friendly” (to the mayor) face in the chair to see that the two cases are dealt with in a manner that will please the mayor?

Questions are the lubricant needed to oil the machinery of democracy, especially after it has become rusted.

Now THAT Didn’t Take Long: Sabourin ‘Gets Outta Dodge.’

She’s the gal who put the “monkey” in the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial.

She’s the gal who writes those breath-taking press releases issued from the corner office.

She’s the gal who most likely provided the infamous “movie producer” example in the mayor’s answers on 100gate.

She’s Julia Sabourin.

Now it appears we can add another achievement to her growing list: “ex of Pittsfield.” Records from the Middle Berkshire land records registry, helmed by the ever-capable Patsy Harris, show a transaction recorded on Sept. 19, 2014, in which Ryan and Julia Sabourin sold their home on 335 Holmes Road in Pittsfield to Michael and Beth Cantor. Records also show that on Oct. 10, the Sabourins applied a mortgage to a deed at 190 Orchard Circle, Richmond.

Yes, it looks like the mayor’s #2 has joined the mad rush of department heads to flee Pittsfield. “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t wanna live there,” Sabourin and the rest of the alien managers seem to be saying. As one source put it, “The first opportunity that the mayor’s director of administrative services had to ‘get outta Dodge,’ she took it. Richmond bound.”

Way to set an example, Julia. Should we bother to ask John “The Sheffield Suffler’ DeAngelo to confirm your new address?

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 “This shaking keeps me steady.” — Theodore Roethke, “The Waking,” (1953).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.