STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE IS OK FOR CROWNING MISS AMERICA BUT NOT WHEN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE ON THE LINE FOR BEDRAGGLED PITTSFIELD TAXPAYERS
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, DATE, 2014) — Style over substance? Looks over actuality? If you’re designing The Generalissimo‘s next dress uniform, yes. If you’re judging beauty pageants, by all means. If you’re worried about a municipal budget, not on your life.
Though this seems obvious, ’tis a pity that our Right Honorable Good Friends on the Pittsfield City Council have placed form over content and are so willing to dismiss an inquiry into potential taxpayer savings that could get into the tens of millions.
In a recent, chance encounter between Water Wizard Craig Gaetani and councilor-at-large Kathy Amuso, we received a revealing insight into the current state of politics in the city. It came not so much as a revelation of anything new but as a confirmation of that which we have long suspected.
Talk Is Cheap, and Then Again, Talk Isn’t Cheap
Gaetani told THE PLANET that while bumping into Amuso by chance over the weekend during some shopping, he greeted her and said, “So Kathy, when are you going to invite me to the water treatment plant?” Give Amuso credit for her honesty. She informed Gaetani that “no one on the council wants to talk to you.” She said she spoke to the members, and they want no part. At least she isn’t a hypocrite about it, and THE PLANET respects the direct approach of an unpleasantry told up front — just as we do with Gaetani’s creds as a man who at a technical, scientific, and financial level knows what he’s talking about.
Gaetani, along with Dr. Lawrence K. Wang, co-designed and built the Cleveland plant in Hinsdale, from which the city gets much of its potable water. The system utilizes Krofta sand-float technology that Gaetani and Wang say saved the city of Pittsfield at least $100 million when it was installed in the 1980s. THE PLANET has seen no reason to question that claim.
The Wizard and the Doctor now want access to the plant to educate the current council on the technology and also to inform them of the next opportunity to save tens of millions of dollars. The scientists say their technology will produce at least a $40 million savings over the city’s plan to meet federally required upgrades to the sewer treatment plant off of Holmes road.
Shouldn’t the council take Gaetani and Wang if not at their word then at least into an honest opportunity for a hearing? If there was even a remote chance of these kinds of savings, wouldn’t common sense trump politics and give the men the time of day and then some? No way that’s going to happen, it seems, and the reason why is the most frivolous of all — the politicians are offended by Gaetani’s manner, which, depending on your point of view, can be described as direct and to the point or brusque crossing into rudeness.
Dr. Wang and Gaetani to Attend Dec. 9 Council Meeting
And so what? THE PLANET actually enjoys the Wizard’s style as one that cuts through the bull spit and drills directly to the point. There’s an odd beauty when a speaker of truth, or what he perceives as truth, invests total commitment into its conveyance.
With a claimed savings of $40 million or more, only a fool would not entertain the two men and their ideas. There’s nothing to lose and millions in potential gain.
The good news is that both Gaetani and Wang are scheduled to attend the Dec. 9 city council meeting. Their presence in tandem should force more clarity into the situation by giving individual council members a chance at redemption. It will only take one member to invite Wang and Gaetani to lay it on the line. Who wants to be a hero?
How the council treats these two men of science will go a long way in determining whether there is any hope left in citizens when it comes to The Gang of 11. Many have lost faith in the corner office and school committee, and the council is their last representative hope. Thus, will any one or more from among our Right Honorable Good Friends offer to accompany Gaetani and Wang on a tour of Cleveland and, more importantly, invite a presentation on their plans? Will any one or more of them extend an invitation? Or will it be the ignorance of a closed mind again trumping level-headedness?
THE PLANET urges at least one of our Right Honorable Good Friends to take a leap of faith and dare to engage these men in their ideas. If you think they’re boasting, call their bluff. If you think they may be on to something, invite them in.
Dare to be bold. Dare to be better. Dare to be big.
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“With a purple umbrella and a fifty-cent hat. Livin’, lovin’, she’s just a woman. Missus cool rides out in her Cadillac. Livin’, lovin’, she’s just a woman. — Led Zeppelin, “Living, Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman), (1969).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
I am sure Bianchi and Mazzeo are staying up late at night trying to figure out a way to circumvent the Gaetani/Wang intrusion. But perhaps Mr Krol or someone else with some control within a media outlet could bring them on and let them say their piece.
My guess is that with a 40 million dollar savings that the pot of pork and graft shrinks below the acceptable level of political goals.
OFF TOPIC
According to today’s paper the guy that was on heroin and took down the telephone pole almost killing someone was released without bail. He was however “ordered” to refrain from using heroin.
So why don’t judges just “order” all the heroin users to stop using heroin? Who knew it was that simple?
How about ordering him to stop driving?
If Dr. Wang and Mr. Gaetani are partners and “co-inventors” why isn’t there any mention of Mr. Gaetani in Dr. Wang’s publications? Mr. Gaetani throws Dr. Wang’s name all around, but have you ever seen him with Mr. Gaetani? I will fall flat on my face if Dr. Wang shows up at the council meeting next week.
As far as I can tell, C. Gaetani has no basis to claim that he co-invented this plant. He may be co-listed on a paper. I would think that the investigative journalist here would be exploring how Krofta won the bid and what Craig Gaetani and Dr. Wang’s relationship, if any, were to Krofta at the time.
Scratch.
Wang will show up if there’s a potential contract for him. But I’d advise he read the Berkshire Eagle reporting to get a leg up on his old friend. Otherwise, his council presentation will be memorable and funny.
Worth a cartoon.
Heads up DV. There’s a lot of self promotion and hubris flowing from the H2O. Substance and documentation may be revealing. Don’t let this be your Tawanda Brawley.
Wang will show up if there’s a potential contract for him.
I think he just likes to say Wang
Or Doctor?
Off subject. Berkshire Carousal going back to Pittsfied? No “deep pockets” in Dalton.
Gaetani, along with Dr. Lawrence K. Wang, co-designed and built the Cleveland plant in Hinsdale
Any proof of this assertion? What degrees does C. Gaetani hold and what professional background support his claim that he could even co-design a municipal water treatment plant?
… Gaetani and Wang say saved the city of Pittsfield at least $100 million when it was installed in the 1980s. THE PLANET has seen no reason to question that claim
At what cost did the savings come? In other words, was the savings due to cutting corners or designing along for-profit industrial standards akin to the paper man. industry? If so, that model prefers short lived facilities whereas municipal facilities prefer longevity (min. 50 years.).
34 years for a water treatment plant sounds like a job bid out to the lowest competitor. Maybe Krofta should have been passed over?
Otherwise, can anyone enter a water treatment plant? Why would C Gaetani so desire to do so and isn’t his incessant demand kind of disturbing?
Charles let’s attend the December 9th meeting. Either this is legitimate or it is not. The implied savings deserve a peak. No I don’t think he should be allowed in before an actusl plan and credentials are validated.
At last someone who wants to take this issue seriously! Foxy you say the only point worth making here, as DV said in the article, if you don’t believe these claims call their bluff. I agree they “deserve a peek.’
Didn’t we get more than a peek already? Krofta built a plant for us in the ’80’s. Thirty years at most and now we need a new?
Maybe if he agreed to a bubble suit and a scooter it’d be ok.
Mr. Gaetani is referring to the potable water plant that Krofta and Wang designed and built in the 80s, and now wants to apply expertise to a sewage treatment plant. Two different things: drinking water in the past, sewage treatment in the future.
However, Mr. Gaetani is most likely exaggerating his role in “inventing” the sand float system. Perhaps a patent office search would be appropriate. Simple observation of the man reveals an unstable, aggressive bully.
Thanks, Gatos.
From 1985….
Engineering firm says
it will sue Rome
ROME — Krofta Engineering of Lenox,
Mass., announced yesterday its will sue the
city of Rome.
Krofta was the highest of two bidders to supply
equipment for Rome’s state mandated
water filtration plant.
The firm bid $2,078 million, and the Rome
Board of Estimate and Contract last month
awarded the bid to Neptune Microfloc of Corvallis,
Ore., for $996,000.
Craig Gaetani, Krofta marketing director,
said that the lawsuit will attempt to block
awarding of the bid.
Are Marketing Directors known to design and build water filtration plants?
It seems a bit odd, doesn’t it.
Does MR. Gaetani currently work for Krofta?
The Krofta plant built in the eighties was a water filtration plant.The plant under discussion now is an additional sewage treatment plant not a replacement drinking water filtration plant.
So wondering why there is so much opposition and misinformation on here about Mr. Gaetani and the Krofta filtration system and oppososed to new government regulations for sewage treatment. …. two totally different things.
Seems like someone on here is deliberately trying to sabotage the facts.
No, some here are trying to understand the facts. What are they?
Maybe the Wizard had on the job training, who knows? Isn’t the Planet going to have him on the show?
Do marketing personell get trained in engineering industrial technologies?
The ‘Wizard’ is educated to some degree, he taught physics I believe. He also was under the supervision and worked for the renowned Dr. Miles Kroftka. So it is not out of the realm that he literally morphed a career from a Marketing Specialist, to actually putting this thingamajig together.
The Pittsfield plant was installed in 1986. The Rome lawsuit was 1985 and, I believe, was the floatation system.
TO THE CITY COUNCIL: Request for the City to review a presentation from Dr. Wang and Craig Gaetani.
All it takes is all you got!
I don’t mean this too be disrespectful but this does seem to be a holly grail moment Mr. Gaetani. Is it the function of a city council member to invite him to the water treatment plant? Seems a little odd to me that a city councilor would be the contact for getting access or even the mayor.
If you live in fear you don’t live at all. Councilors let’s see the Wizards presentation. It is OUR taxes also, you know. If it dosen’t make sense, vote no.
@ Popkornsutton I think you are misinterpreting my point. There is nothing wrong with listening to Mr. Gaetani point of view. Probably the only thing I’ve agree with the Mayor on in his tenure was his comments on a local radio show ( I think with Tom Conklin) where he got a little defensive but did say if Gaetaini has a proposal then bring it forward. Maybe he did that since but going up to the open mic every other week just doesn’t seem to cut it.
Everyone missed the political corruption that is accepted as usual in Pittsfield: the open meeting law violation of discussing agenda items out of public view. Amuso referred to all other councilors. Mr.Gaetani should file an open meeting law violation..
The pipe line just got approved.
Good catch Payroll that didn’t pass the smell test either but you are spot dead on….
I didn’t notice that either, Payroll Patriot. If Mrs Amuso privately had discussions with the other councilors regarding Mr Gaetani that would seem to be a violation of OML.
As for his work I’m all for Mr G and Dr Wang advancing their plans to the city. I would ask councilors to rethink their position.
What work has C. Gaetani done? Did he engineer it or did he strictly sell it? If so, is he here today to continue selling for his employer? I’m still trying to understand that small piece of the puzzle.
I’m also wondering what the value of the water filtration plant was compared to competing offers. So far, it’s only stated that it was less expensive. At what cost to longevity, quality, or capacity? Will our children have to cough up future money to pay for shortsighted planning?
Were there political and personal financial pressure involved in the 1986 deal? What’s the story of that water filtration plant?
There’s plenty of questions on the table. Journalists are not supposed to just regurgitate a third party report.
You stated it in a nutshell. We don’t know anything because this Wizard guy, hasn’t had a presentation to present to the city! THAT IS WHAT HE IS LOOKING TO DO!!!!!
I recall a former Councilor from ward 7 advocating some kind of petition for a formal presentation.
Milos Krofta is dead so he cannot comment on who designed what.
Mr Gaetani once taught in the Pittsfield School System and later
worked for Milos Krofta as a salesman. Perhaps the BB could just
read from their files who designed the sand float system for the City.
It shouldn’t take a rocket ( or water ) scientist to figure this puzzle out