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NEW SCHOOL PROJECT COATED IN UNAFFORDABLE WHITEWASH, PT. 1

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

First of Two Parts

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, JAN. 20, 2015) — We start with a bit of dialog by way of making our point.

——– 000 ——–

WILLIAM OF BASKERVILLE: It seems that we are in a labyrinth.

ADGO: But how will be get out, master?

WILLIAM: With some difficulty (UNDER HIS BREATH) … if at all. That, Adgo, is the charm of a labyrinth. — from The Name of the Rose, Umberto Eco’s great novel.

——– 000 ——–

The labyrinth comes from Greek mythology. It refers to a maze-like structure built for King Minos of Knossos, Crete. Depending on which translation you read, the labyrinth was built either to contain the legendary beast, the minotaur, or another legendary beast, the Aging Greek God, Peter Arlos. THE PLANET admits that the Arlos version comes only in a translation so loose that it might fall off the middle finger. That discussion, though, we shall leave for another day. THE PLANET expresses our love for the late Peter Arlos. We have no love, however, for the ineptitude that so characterizes Pittsfield politics.

A labyrinth is easy to enter and difficult to leave. Similar to Pittsfield politics.

A labyrinth contains many side alleys, dead ends, illusions to somewhere, paths to nowhere. Similar to Pittsfield politics.

A labyrinth is designed to confuse, disorient, and hide. Similar to Pittsfield politics.

Project Has Never Been Properly Vetted by Citizens, Taxpayers

One of the most labyrinthian projects to plague taxpayers in recent years and certainly the prize Pork Barrel of The Bianchi Administration is the proposed new Taconic High School High School. This project has been skidded along on greasy runners with such rapidity that a proper, prudent review cannot be done.

Project defenders will point to the many meetings of the School Building Needs Committee in a futile attempt to rebut the assertion, but they will fail. The SBNC, a panel stacked with political hacks, has held a lot of meetings, but they have been held with little or no prior publicity and usually at times and in places when ordinary people can’t make it. They voted to proceed with the project, 16-1. If they held it today, it would be 16-0. The lone dissenter, the fabulous Man From Mensa Chuck Vincelette, resigned his SBNC post, presumably out of frustration and his distaste for fixed politics.

Speaking of alone, THE PLANET stands solitary among all local media in offering an honest, critical look at this project. All other coverage, especially that of The Boring Broadsheet, has been fawning, non-critical, propagandistic, and straight off The Suits’ official press releases.

That’s not good enough. Pittsfield is in dire financial straights, with a budget that’s pushing $150 million, a shrinking tax base, a plummeting population, an a maxed-out municipal credit card. Why build a new, $130 million school, when the school population continues to decline and renovations costing a fraction of that amount would more than suffice?

Selling the Unsellable

Here are the likely reasons, some of which or all of which may be applicable.

Follow The Money: The project will reward many favored inside players who own construction companies and other suppliers that will be required for a project of this size. These rewards will be in the form of legal contracts. Inevitably, we must add, an illegal component stands always as the low-hanging, ripe fruit when we’re talking money this big — you know, the “kisses in the mail” in the form of bribes, kickbacks, and graft. What? That stuff doesn’t happen? Check your memory banks for “Big Dig.” It’s something to be on the lookout for with the THS project.

Monuments to Myself: Under this scenario, local pols in love with themselves will see this needless project as their political “legacy.” They will forever yap about “doing something” for public education, for “The Children.” More likely, they will do something for the entire city, and that is to bankrupt it. If the project goes up, it should be named The Daniel Bianchi Memorial High School — memorial because there’s no way he can be re-elected.

Misdirection: It’s clear with the mismanagement of the public school system that local officials have no clue how to drive improvement and performance. Improving public education does not need more money! That is a fallacy. The community experience, expenditures, and public policy have settled this question going on 22 years now, since Ed Reform hit the Commonwealth in 1993. By building a gleaming new shell to perpetuate the same, poor product, officials hope to distract your attention from the job they are not doing.

 —————————————————-

In his New Year message, Mayor Bianchi, also known as The Empty Suit (TES), took inventory of the past year. Here’s in part what he said:

Bianchi Admits the the City Can’t Afford to Build a New School

“Investing in a new high school may not seem prudent given a stagnant regional economy and the recent population trends for Berkshire County. A new comprehensive school is, however, an economic development initiative as well as an educational initiative. With rigorous academics, and well-developed programing, a new high school will provide businesses with the employees of the future.”

Did you get that? In that first sentence, the mayor himself uses that prune-jice of a word, “prudent,” to admit that the new school is a loser.

 “Investing in a new high school may not seem prudent given a stagnant regional economy and the recent population trends for Berkshire County.”

The Dreaded ‘Economic Engine’

Then, to confirm the diagnosis, TES administers a dose of pure hokum, calling the new school an “economic engine.” Right. We’ve have these snake-oil sure-cures by the dozen in Pittsfield, which has become home for every bunko artist looking to milk a free dollar out of government: EV Worldwide, economic engine. Workshop Live!, economic engine. PEDA, economic engine. The airport expansion, economic engine. The Colonial Theatre, economic engine. The Civic Authority, economic engine. Overly generous tax-breaks for the “connected” few, economic engine. Now it’s the new school. Stop us if you’ve heard this one before.

Quoting TES again: “A new comprehensive school is, however, an economic development initiative as well as an educational initiative.”

‘Academic Rigor’ … but Not a Peep for Bedraggled Taxpayers

The mayor then basically admits that at present, Pittsfield pubic schools, despite eating up more than $100 million each year of taxpayer money, cannot provide strong adademics: “With rigorous academics, [sic] and well-developed programing, a new high school will provide businesses with the employees of the future.” The deductive inference here is that the current school system does not provide “rigorous academics.”  Why is that the case? It can’t be because of the 1970-era bricks and mortar. New bricks and mortar do not have it within their atomic structure to confer improvement on a failed public school system.

Tomorrow: Part 2

————————————————————————-

“I’ve been loving you a little bit too long. I can’t stop now. You are tired and you want to be free. My love is growing stronger, as you’ve become a habit to me.”Otis Redding, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Can you spell, M A L A R K E Y?

nostrodumbass
nostrodumbass
9 years ago

Who is it that is coming out with this figure of $130 million dollars? If you were to sell derivitives (side bets) on whether the actual costs will be that, who would buy them?

Everyone instinctively knows the actual costs will be much higher.
Why? Because they always are. Take the big dig as an example.

Why is no one ever held accountable for cost overruns? Nobody’s feet is ever held to the fire. The increased costs are just passed onto the taxpayers and they continue on in their apathetic trance.
This project will be no different.

Once the money starts flowing and the connected few get their hands into the till the costs will skyrocket. At best the people may get an apology from the mayor afterwards but don’t hold your breath on that.

Why project the costs lower than what you know the actual costs will be? Because its a tried and true method that always works.
No one gets held accountable and those who profit clean up.

I predict that the actual costs of this non voter approved done deal project will be 1 1/2 to 2 times the $130 million dollars they are selling. It will exceed $200 million.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  nostrodumbass
9 years ago

The original cost of the Colonial was going to be about 2 million. Final figures was 10 times that much. Airport?? Same shit different pork project. The school will be at least 200 million with add ons, pork and cost over runs. The whole thing is a joke and Tricia can say she worked over time helping pile the dukie high on this project.

And just what is supposed to happen to the old Taconic? I forgot.

Remember the old jail was falling down and cost way to much to heat so they built a new one? Well the old one is still there and we are still paying to heat it.

Remember the old library was falling down and cost too much to heat? It is not falling down any more and we are still paying to heat it.

blah blah blah

And isn’t it about time this up and coming city had a new city hall we can all be proud of? I know money is not the problem so what is holding it up?

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago
Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

The above news story will (NOT) attract middle class families to move to Pittsfield.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT!
Stay off of:
North st.
Tyler st.
Lincoln st.
First st.
Second st.
Linden st.
Dewey ave
Cherry st.
Burbank st.
Kent ave
Madison ave
And Seymour st.
And you might survive.

Poker Face
Poker Face
9 years ago

So, this mayor knows the taxpayers of Pittsfield cannot afford this project. He also knows that if put to a vote, the citizens would vote it down.

Yet, he is going to do it anyway.
Is that what this mayor was elected to do?

It seems that Mayor Dan Bianchi does not care if the city of Pittsfield goes insolvent and into bankruptcy. As long as he gets piece of the pie.

Jimmy Ruberto is basking in the Florida sunshine enjoying his retirement at the expense of city taxpayers. He could not care less what the venue at the Colonial Theater is.

All the generations of Taconic High School graduates must have received an inferior education. When Mr. Bianchi enjoys his wealthy retirement at the expense of city taxpayers, he won’t care less about “the children” of Taconic High School.

The new airport has made the economy of Pittsfield boom.
The methadone clinic has been a good deal for the yoots of Pittsfield that got themselves addicted to heroin.
The new shiney yellow school buses are getting the children to the indoctrination buildings every bit as good as the older ones did.
Thank goodness for all the Dunkin Donuts jobs.
The fresh scent of PCBs eminateing from the ground and the water fills the lungs of the people everyday.
Water treatment is no longer good enough without a fresh influx of cash.
A new police station will go far in fighting all the fresh new crime in Pittsfield but it takes lots of new cash to build.
What did the people get for the move to 100 North Street? Increased fees. The 2015/16 budget will now include a brand new lease expense line item for the spanky new offices.
At least nobody will slip and fall on the newly restored terrazzo floors at city hall due to the thoughtful runners that cover it up.

Pittsfield: a once great city nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Hills; reduced to ashes.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Peter Arlos opposed every public investment that would have made Pittsfield a nicer community. Arlos opposed the downtown mall. Arlos opposed the proposal for a new downtown ballpark. Arlos wanted Pittsfield to be a place for the underclass so he could profit off his downtown public housing apartments.

Hurdygurdy Man
Hurdygurdy Man
9 years ago

At least we have this site and the TV show to present the “other” side of this issue. The other side is the side of truth

Hurdygurdy Man
Hurdygurdy Man
9 years ago

We the citizns want a vote on the school project. Demand a vote on the schoo l project.

Scott
Scott
9 years ago

What I don’t understand is why do we need a state if the art school when programs like engineering have been axed? Will they reinstate advancing technological curriculum that “Jive” stated wasn’t necessary when the new school goes up?

Spider
Spider
Reply to  Scott
9 years ago

When I read of all the important programs that were being dropped when the new Taconic is built (as Scott has stated), that is when I started to change my mind.

In the beginning I was hoping for a Class A school that would be the envy of other communities. With students from all over clamoring to get in. And for that, I wouldn’t care what the price was.

But I am afraid that it will turn out to be a mediocre school (academically) with a very high price tag. How sad!

Scott
Scott
Reply to  Spider
9 years ago

Spider I also find it interesting south county is crying about school choice students straining their budget but this school is being sold like driving kids from other districts is a good thing. If I transport my kid, feed him and buy his supplies what’s costing 15 grand? Bunch of greedy liars if you ask me. But if my tax here pays for a south county kid to go to school here I don’t care one hand washes the other.

Sillence Dogood
Sillence Dogood
Reply to  Scott
9 years ago

I think they’ll put in a tattoo arts program

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
9 years ago

I don’t have a dog in the school project but I would like to comment anyway. I did live in Pittsfield for a lot of my life. We here in the Adams – Cheshire school district had a major renovation done to Hoosac Valley High School. The Price tag was $40 million dollars of which 78% was picked up by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) who team up with communities to get schools built. Here is the link to their site. http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/news_events/press_releases/Hoosac_Valley_9.24.12

Also who is going to maintain the new school. Glass cleaning alone is going to be in the $7000.00 range once a year. Not to mention that windows like that leak real bad and the windows become discolored when the framing starts to “weep” rust or corrosion onto the windows. Not a very practical building for a school.

Kevin
Kevin
9 years ago

Judging by my neighborhood there is a lot of opposition to the project..two concerns one is the cost, the other is how it has been rammed through without people having a say..

Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Reply to  Kevin
9 years ago

Kevin,

Thank you Kevin you just said it in a Nutshell. Pulling the Wool over the eyes of We the People just doesn’t work in Pittsfield. Godspeed to us and our Vote.

Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
9 years ago

A new school needs to be voted on by the people of the City of Pittsfield. I was just recently informed by a reputable contractor that WHEN Taconic High School was built in 1969 it was built so solidly that in its future, because of our growing economic industrial base and a growing economic population a second floor could be added to this soundly built structure, WHEN needed for its expansion. Maybe TES can address this, otherwise I WILL.

eddiep
eddiep
Reply to  Joan of Arc
9 years ago

Joan of arc..the Columbus ave. Parking deck was
built the same way with tie in plates buried in the column tops to add a second deck. I know cause I built it.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Pittsfield politics ranks number one in every negative socioeconomic indicator. Thousands of people are fleeing Pittsfield. Thousands of jobs have been lost in Pittsfield. Albany, NY, news is covering the increases in violent crime in Pittsfield, especially among teenagers. Pittsfield is known as the welfare caseload capital on the northeast. Teen pregnancies double the statewide average in Pittsfield. There will never be another Fortune 500 corporation (like GE) that will do business in Pittsfield. Big business sees Pittsfield’s workforce as unskilled with a majority of people relying on welfare assistance programs. Hundreds of school children are choicing out of Pittsfield schools. Pittsfield has very high taxes and fees. Pittsfield’s solution to every socioeconomic problem is to raise taxes until everyone will go bankrupt.
Only Dan Valenti will save Pittsfield from all of its problems!

Sillence Dogood
Sillence Dogood
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

Look on the bright side…..Silver Lake hardly ever catches on fire anymore.

Terry Kinnas
Terry Kinnas
9 years ago

Just a few thoughts:

$130 million was stated by former State Treasure Steve Grossman at ITAM during a political backslapper before the September primary.

Did the School Building Needs Commission (SBNC) legally follow the initial directive by the state to determine if a regional vocational technical school versus a new Pittsfield high school would be best for the area?

I would like to see the discussions and votes by elected officials of the cities and towns of Berkshire as to a regional school involving Pittsfield.

The co-chairs of the SBNC should appear on Dan’s show to openly debate and discuss the process and details as they seem to be.

CosbiesladiesWhen
CosbiesladiesWhen
9 years ago

I have a question for the city clowncil? One of the points for is it would cost as much on our end as a restoration? has anyone seen these numbers, are they real? if not, it is wrong to assume an affirmative vote on the cost relation alone? Vote Nay, either way.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Anyone catch the side show on t v tonight. Obama and Ernst must think Americans are naive to think the rhetoric that was spilled tonight was believeable?

giacometti
giacometti
9 years ago

Johnathan Melle:

Peter Arlos was great american…..before you go bashing a dead man put your personal feelings for the man aside and get the facts

When Emmit Walton wanted to open his Kentucky Fried Chicken Resturant on East Street he tried to get loans from local banks but
was denied any money because his was a “risk” minority business.

Peter Arlos gave Emmit Walton an interest free loan because he
believed in Emmit Walton’s minority business. Those are the facts.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  giacometti
9 years ago

Thank you for your response. May Pete Arlos rest in peace.