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TAXPAYERS, YOU WERE DISRESPECTED … plus … THE SALVE OF POETRY AS THE PLANET OPENS THE COMMENT LINE … YOU VIEWS ON ANY TOPIC ARE WELCOME

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 24-26, 2015) — Before we present the island solace of poetry, THE PLANET shares our two favorite quotes from the recent $120.8 million steamrolling of taxpayers by The Vested Interests. They come from two of Our Right Honorable Good Friends, councilors Jonathan Lothrop and John Krol.

Quote The First: “I’m trying to find that right balance between affordable borrowing and total indebtedness.” — J-LO.

Comment: The window for that “right balance,” J-LO, closed long ago, probably at least 10 years ago. As of 2011, Pittsfield unfunded liabilities owed by taxpayers for the pensions, health care, and other benefits for city employees and retirees stood at $332 million+. Today, it is estimated to be around $400 million. Taxpayers still owe $23 million for school renovations now many years old. Property taxes for businesses and homeowners will rise again this year, as they have every year for at least the past 35 years. “Total indebtedness?” Congratulations, man, you just ensured it with that vote.

Quote The Second: “The choice to do nothing is not a choice.” — Krol.

Comment: This is the second time THE PLANET has addressed this epigram. That’s how “good” it is. It is either a notion of pure political fantasy or calculated political opportunism, words from a hopeless dreamer or a pandering politician. The reason? No one has ever proposed “doing nothing,” and yet Krol, apparently lacking faith in his own analysis, had to invent “doing nothing” as a straw man he could easily torch.

Neither Krol, JLO, the school superintendent that Lee couldn’t wait to dump, the mayor, nor any councilor, school committee member, SBNC member, or anyone else addressed the serious objections raised by opponents of the bonding. For example, everyone ignored that the land upon which they will build the new school is laced with PCBs and will require expensive remediation that is not part of the bonding price.

Pittsfield citizens and taxpayers were disrespected. Remember that come Election Time and the incumbents comes around schlepping for your vote. J-LO read the tea leaves and got out while the getting was good. Curious that Krol has not made any moves yet.

——————————————————————————————-

Here’s this weekend’s poem:

This is a classic from the great English writer John Donne, his brilliant “A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning.” This is a poem of consolation, one of comfort those who mourn a loved one’s leaving. Donne wrote this in 1611 on the eve of a long trip that would take him away from his beloved wife, Ann. He basically says that love exists independent of proximity or of physical presence. How true, when the love is genuine.

——– 000 ——–

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

BY JOHN DONNE

As virtuous men pass mildly away,
   And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say
   The breath goes now, and some say, No:
So let us melt, and make no noise,
   No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;
‘Twere profanation of our joys
   To tell the laity our love.
Moving of th’ earth brings harms and fears,
   Men reckon what it did, and meant;
But trepidation of the spheres,
   Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers’ love
   (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
   Those things which elemented it.
But we by a love so much refined,
   That our selves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
   Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.
Our two souls therefore, which are one,
   Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
   Like gold to airy thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so
   As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show
   To move, but doth, if the other do.
And though it in the center sit,
   Yet when the other far doth roam,
It leans and hearkens after it,
   And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
   Like th’ other foot, obliquely run;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
   And makes me end where I begun.
 ——– 000 ——–

With that, remember that on Poetry Weekend, THE PLANET opens up the comment lines to all topics and all points of views. Give us the best that your mind and your command of language can produce. Keep the standards high. They reflect upon you. Let the commentary begin.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

—————————————————————————————–

“The call him Snake. He minds his own business. / He’s got his own sound. We’re glad that he’s with us. / I call him Bottom, plays so fine. / Wanna feel that pocket at the time I heard it. / Dancing in my sleep, shouting in the shower, / I find true love. I call it pocket power.”Nils Lofgren, “Code of the Road,” from the album Grin, (1977).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

 

 

 

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Deb S.
Deb S.
8 years ago

I am listening to Taconic radio station and Krol and Morandi are discussing their reasons for voting for the new school..Morandi sounds like he is reading a script…SMH

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
Reply to  Deb S.
8 years ago

I wouldn’t be suprised about Kevin and a script because two years ago he told me his campaign manager runs the show.Whoever the manager is probably wrote it.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

Pittsfield politics is another term known as done deals. Pittsfield politicians spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year with hundreds of millions of dollars in debts. The average working class Pittsfield taxpayer can’t pay for 10 percent of the municipality’s bills, nonetheless the whole amount. Pittsfield’s public finances are unsustainable and makes no sense. Pittsfield’s public finances are going to be insolvent in less than one decade from now. Pittsfield’s bond rating will go into junk bond status. Pittsfield will then join the other bankrupt communities throughout the U.S.A.

DL
DL
8 years ago

On page 49 of the PSD FY16 Budget Book, the school department states:

“Local revenue for the city is primarily generated through residential and commercial property taxes. According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the City of Pittsfield has raised the residential tax levy by 2.6157% in FY14 and 5.3% in FY15. The commercial tax levy rate increased 1.2894% in FY14 and 4.0% in FY15. However, the city is still $8.45 million below the levy limit. This means that unlike many cities and towns in Massachusetts, the city has not consistently raised taxes to the maximum allowable levy over the years.”

In other words, despite the high annual tax increases, the school department states that there is an excess $8.45 million to be taxed. Per prop 2.5, this may be true, but prop 2.5 is unsustainable in shrinking communities.

I predict the School Committee will override the Mayor’s budget allocation and bring a higher budget to the City Council next month.

Horace Man
Horace Man
Reply to  DL
8 years ago

Agree. Thank you, Kathy Amuso, The Face of the Down Trodden, Under Funded Piitsfield Public Schools, and Churchill Cotten, who wants the Pittsfield Public School to emulate his High school on the south side of Chicago. And to TFB, a Lenox school choice mom, and Melissa Mazzeo, a Miss Hall’s private school mom, and Tony Simonelli, a retired Taconic High Vice Principal and all the others who are warmly gratified spending other people’s money when it doesn’t effect themselves. Only time will prove their short sightness and ultimate failure. Grin and bear it and wait. Karma is a bitch.

DL
DL
Reply to  Horace Man
8 years ago

HM,
We should concentrate on the School Committee. The City Council cannot vote on increasing the PSD budget if the School Committee doesn’t petition for it.

Also, the Council members who voted AGAINST Pittsfield being the only community in the State to allow the SC to bypass the Mayor’s budget and go to the Council were Amuso, Mazzeo, Morandi and Tully. Hopefully these 4 councilors will prevent the SC from asking for more money, because a super majority vote is required.

We need to replace the School Committee… Anyone Interested?

Ripper
Ripper
Reply to  DL
8 years ago

They ain’t gonna prevent anyone from asking.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  DL
8 years ago

Nobody on this blog!

Jamie
Jamie
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

Does that include you, Topix Man?

Jamie
Jamie
Reply to  DL
8 years ago

Plus consider how phony the assessments are..unless you are one of the favored elite assessments usually run way above market value..this kills homeowners and businesses..if assessed at a market rate Pittsfield would be OVER the levy limits… that $8 million is another farce being played upon us by the politicians and their masters..

Shelly Live
Shelly Live
8 years ago

Methinks if Joe Nichols ran in six, he’d take it.

Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
Reply to  Shelly Live
8 years ago

Joe, would make an excellent Ward 6 councilor. Anyone running against idiot Krol would be just fine. Last time Joe critisized the council for spending money on the Pittsfield Airport where only a few business jets benefit for the longer runway alto many times you will see them taking off and landing on the shorter one. I’m glad Joe is running again. He is the only one with a backbone and the only one worth voting for.

Thomas More
Thomas More
8 years ago

Fast forward – Nov. 3, 2015 – Krol in a landslide win – same as last time with the Planet’s endorsement – same as last time

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Thomas More
8 years ago

He may even run for mayor.

Craig C.Gaetani
Craig C.Gaetani
8 years ago

Hello Dan and all Planet Valenti Readers,
My name is Craig C. Gaetani
Due to the biased coverage of my formal announcement to become Mayor of the city of Pittsfield by the Berkshire Eagle and other news outlets. I am compelled to write this commentary.
For anyone that needs to know what I have been planning to do in the preparation for my becoming mayor of the city of Pittsfield January 3, 2016 can follow me in the only real media that tries to cover all the news which is Planet Valenti TV at 7:00 on channel 16 or 18 on Thursday nights or on http://www.PlanetValenti.com every day.
My press conference was a very detailed analysis of what I plan to do when I become mayor. I must tell you that in a Gaetani administration everything is on the table and all of us will be tightening our belts together. This city faces a disaster just like Detroit. Detroit as you know went bankrupt, that bankruptcy relieved Detroit of most of its benefits to past and present city employees. Of course these past retired employees and people working for Detroit presently are now looking at a retirement fund package and health benefits which are significantly lower than what they expected. With the exorbitant pensions and health benefits promised to Detroit city employees the city could not come up to its obligations and pay these individuals. Of course that mono from heaven they were planning to get is no more. Now they are receiving pennies on the dollar of what they expected.
This is what Pittsfield faces: 1. Continue to go forward as we are now. Mrs. Tyer and Mayor Bianchi will move forward without a clue as to how to solve this problem, they will just be a continuation of the poor guidance that the city has had for the past 30 years, by the “good ole boy” network. Pittsfield OPEB account is short by some $400 million. 2. There are approximately 18,000 people and business owners who pay taxes in the city. Let’s see what we can do here. If you take the $400 million short fund divided by the number of people who pay taxes which is at 18,000 that comes to a figure of $222,200 that every taxpayer would have to increase their taxes by what they are now. Of course this is simply something that cannot occur. No one could afford this 3. The city could file bankrupt and all past and present city employees who are looking for mono from the heavens paid for by the taxpayers will get close to nothing. 4. I have a plan I will post a video of my press conference on PC TV. Please call the station and ask for dates and times.
City residents this mayoral race is not a joke. It is very very serious and there isn’t any room to vote for someone that is someone’s cousin of a cousin of a cousin or a relative or you or your friends etc. etc. The “good ole boy” network is dead. You city residents have to vote for someone who has a very big brain and who is willing to use that to solve your problems. No matter how high taxes get, I can afford it. I would be able pay for those additional taxes with my pocket money. You however out there may not be able to do that and that means you need me to be mayor. I intend to make big, big, changes that will help you. This is your choice.
My position on the building of the new Taconic high school is as follows: I personally believe we can use a new school however as person who will be representing you the taxpayers and ratepayers you have spoken loud and clear. In a poll taken by the Berkshire Eagle of you taxpayers and ratepayers, of those who were polled 380 said “no” to a new Taconic high school and 80 said “yes”. By the 4 to 1 margin the public has spoken “no new school”. If I were mayor today we would not be building a new THS period.
Craig Gaetani is an accomplished decorated Vietnam veteran, an honors graduate UR Monmouth Technical Institute. I am someone who did work for two for star command generals William Wes Moreland, and Gen. Creighton Abrams, both command generals of the US Army worldwide and members of the joint chiefs of staff of the entire United States military complex. I worked with former Army command Gen. Colin Powell in Chu-ali Vietnam every day for 13 months. He was Major Powell at the time. Major Powell later in his career became the joint Chiefs Chairman. In that position he controlled the United States military complex worldwide and furthered his resume by becoming Secretary of State for former Pres. George W. Bush. General Powell and I both hold the highest security clearance in the U.S. Govt. Top secret crypto clearances.
I am also honors graduate of the local colleges. My concentration in the colleges were in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, health sciences and geology etc. I have taught all of these courses at the high school level and professionally licensed teacher in Massachusetts. I was also an adjunct professor of environmental engineering at the Lenox Institute of research. I am an inventor and was a former world wide director of technical marketing for Krofta Engineer Corp., globally. I brought the technology to the city of Pittsfield.
Dr. Milos Krofta and Dr. Lawrence Wong and myself patented our invention in which we call sand floats. Dr. Milos Krofta and Dr. Lawrence Wong have PhD’s in chemical engineering and both were and arerespectively PEs(Professional Engineers). I sold the city of Pittsfield mine, Dr. Krofta’s and Dr. Wong’s technology and saved the citizens of Pittsfield $150 million versus what the city was going to build for $190 million. Incidentally we did it all for $33 million and change. You taxpayers saved over $150 million plus. Additionally, if I didn’t build the plant and didn’t use Krofta’s technology the other option the city was looking at for your water and sewer, the rate which you have paid for the last 30 years, which I’m sure you feel are quite high. These rates would have been seven times higher if I didn’t bring in the Krofta technology. The savings to you taxpayers for the sewer and water taxes in the last 32 years was another $20 million, I now saved you $170 million and counting every time you pay your water and sewer tax once a year.
After Pittsfield, I built six other municipal water plants using the same technology, Krofta sand floats. Our technology is moving all over the world. The two largest drinking water filtration plant projects in the world are being built using Krofta type technology. In New York City, a $7.9 billion project and in Boston is a $3.7 billion project. Both projects are using our Krofta type technology. If other technology were used New York would have a price tag of $50.1 billion and Boston would have been $22.3 billion. Gigantic savings were documented. The lead engineer on both projects were trained by Dr. Lawrence K. Wong and myself a the Lenox Institute For Research in Lenox MA in the early 1980s.
I have also worked very closely with Governor Michael Dukakis and then Lt. Governor John Kerri. With their help I was able to get approval for our technology in the city of Pittsfield. I was very grateful for their help and it was a pleasure to work with Governor Dukakis an Lt. Governor Kerry. We had a very positive working relationship. Both men as you remember ran for President of the United States and John Kerry is presently Secretary of State under Barack Obama. I need say no more, now you know who I am and what I did in my career. The rate and taxpayers need someone like me. I can handle a little job like the Pittsfield city budget of $150 million. I will show you how to whittle it down fast. After all that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 35 years.
I am prepared to be your mayor and on day one my first act will be to fire DPW Commissioner Collingwood. I think that alone will give me 8 to 10,000 votes. Do you remember when Pittsfield’s streets looked like this past winter and how the still look today. For this this reason and others he must go.
City residents your vote will be my mandate. I will hear you loud and clear. I will follow you the taxpayers orders. What ever you want you will get and more importantly whatever you don’t want you won’t get. You will be my boss, I need to be a landslide victor in the mayoral race. When you get to the polls remember Craig C. Gaetani for mayor. There is only one real choice for mayor. That’s me Craig C. Gaetani. If I win the mayor’s seat the tax payers of Pittsfield will win big time. If I lose who cares, but if I lose it will be the tax payers that will suffer the most.
If you want me to guide your city then vote for Craig C. Gaetani. Incidentally the mayors job will be a step down for me from what I normally do. I think I will enjoy this little job and it will give me time to rest before I set my sights on China with my colleague Dr. Lawrence K Wang and our company Gaetani-Wang Scientific Engineering Consultants. Please let me take a little rest by being your mayor. Bianchi will be gone, and my water plants which I have been denied access to because of Collingwood and Bianchi! Go figure that one out! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! No problem I’ll get in there when I am the mayor.
Residents of the city of Pittsfield I need you to vote for me so I can ween your taxes and rate down as low a possible. So you can afford to live here in Pittsfield. Taxes and rate are rising so quickly only the rich will be able to afford to live here. Its happening now
I represent the only real choice for any change in city government. My campaign slogan is “Gaetani- Real Change” and that you can bank on! Pittsfield needs to move forward now. We have been moving backward for some 30 plus years because incompetent individuals holding the mayors position and all the council seats. A total clean sweep of city government is absolutely essential. Please!!! Please!!! Residents of every ward jump to defeat the entire city council. When you beat those dead beats, you and I an move the city forward.
You must vote on September 22 and November 3. Your existance is at stake. Thank you Pittsfield. Vote Craig C Gaetani for mayor! It is your only choice!

Thank You Very Sincerely ,
Craig C. Gaetani

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Craig C.Gaetani
8 years ago

You had me at hello. I wish you luck and you got my vote.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  joetaxpayer
8 years ago

@CraigCGaetani, The best way to grow Pittsfield’s local economy is to take the thousands of people on welfare and put them to work in living wage jobs so they can become taxpaying residents. You need to bring living wage jobs to Pittsfield!
How would you cut spending? Would you target the school system? Would you target public benefits? What do you mean when you say, “Everything is on the table”? That is vague!
I would demand substantial increases in state aid from the do nothings on Beacon Hill, including State Senator Ben Downing and State Rep. “Smitty” Pignatelli. Pittsfield lost about 40 percent of its funding from state aid over the past 15 years.
How would you work with the state government when you set the tax rate for future budgets? What if the state government sets a much different tax rate than you propose as the next Mayor of Pittsfield?
How would you take on the vested interests, especially the state and local Democratic Party political hacks, who always demand higher taxes and increased spending?
What would you do about Jack Welch’s corrupt Consent Decree that has left Pittsfield polluted with toxic waste PCBs?
How would you transform Pittsfield’s public schools from the bottom to the middle or even the top performers in the state?
What projects are you interested in promoting? Transportation? Culture and the Arts? Downtown revitalization? New public school buildings? Renovated public school buildings? New technologies? A new water and sewer system? How will you pay for your projects?

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  Craig C.Gaetani
8 years ago

Mr Gaetani. I was going to consider voting for you but after that rant. NEVER!

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

What is your problem Jimmy? You like the Mayor Bianchi bunker mentality where you never know what blindside is coming next?

Oh that’s right…you are in the Tyer camp.

I am going to listen to what they all have to say before I rule anyone out. (except for Bianchi who has ruled himself out times 10….even all the people he gave raises to will vote for Tyer or Gaetani)
But what Mr Gaetani says makes a lot of sense to me. We have had enough of the special interest mayors. We need one to listen to the people for once.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

Dusty. I think Bianchi is a big failure. I’m not in the Tyer camp yet, I can tell by Mr Gaetanis words and his actions he doesn’t have a clue. Does he even realize that if he becomes Mayor he can’t have Krofta work on our water system? Conflic of interest ya think!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

Why doesn’t Dan Valenti run? He would have my vote without any hesitation.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

@JimmyGee, Do you support the status quo in Pittsfield politics? Do you support high taxes, increased spending, high debts, diminished public services, corrupt politicians?

Horace Man
Horace Man
Reply to  Craig C.Gaetani
8 years ago

Mr. Gaetani; Thank you for the rhetorical synopsis of your personal achievements.
It is readily apparent that while studying at UR Monmouth Technical Institute ( Where is it ? Not found with a google search.) that you concentrated in biology,chemistry,physics,physiology, anatomy,microbiology, healthsciences,geology, etc.,etc. and all other known “ologies”, you apperently however opted out of composition 101, sentence structure, spelling, syntax, grammar, communication, etc. At least your proclamations will be interesting.
You previously stated in the media that you have been retired for sometime now. Why do you want this”little job” to give you a rest ?
You have also said repeatedly that you are the richest man in Berkshire County. Does the IRS know this ?
The amount of money you saved the city also vacillates from verbage to verbage.It started at $90 million and now is $170 million. Please document and prove same.
Much of your platform resonates well, but there simply are too many unsubstantiated contradictions for my vote.

Sillence Dogood
Sillence Dogood
Reply to  Horace Man
8 years ago

Thank you Horace, Grammar Gestapo, Man

Horace Man
Horace Man
Reply to  Sillence Dogood
8 years ago

Hey, Keyboard Coward, S.D. I happen to be both Polish and Jewish. You Loser boy, have no right to call anyone Gestapo. Crawl back from wence you came. You have no idea what Gestapo was all about.

Larry
Larry
Reply to  Craig C.Gaetani
8 years ago

Yea, you will get into the water plant and slip and fall then sue the city like you have before.

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
8 years ago

do I find a copy of the fy16 budget at the city clerks office?

DL
DL
Reply to  Tammy Ives
8 years ago

Tammy,

It’s available here for downloading:

http://www.pittsfield.net/district_info/business_office

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
8 years ago

Great thank you DL

MrG8811
MrG8811
8 years ago

Relative to Jamie’s post above regarding assessed vs. Sale value, and the potential phoniness of said assessments, what you said appears to not be true. A quick survey of the 10 most recent home sales in Pittsfield on Zillow can easily be compared to the tax rolls, online, in about 10 minutes. This small research project showed that of the 10 most recent home sales listed, 5 were assessed under the value for which they sold, 4 were over assessed and one was spot on. The overassessed homes were off by a total of $109500, an average of $27375 per home. The underassessed were under by a total of $173300 or $34660 per unit. Maybe there are skews by neighborhood, and a more exhaustive look might yoeld different results, but these are the facts as they stand now.

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Churches-&-Religious-Organizations
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/ci_27969506/pittsfield-church-hit-22-433-past-due-bill
Maybe it’s time for some fundraising efforts from the community If Rev. Pratt and the Victory Temple Church are on the hook for taxes and are not eligible for a tax-exempt 501(c3) status. These campaign are pretty quick to charm us with wine tasting and $100 person fundraising raising events. Time for us to come together for the people of faith in the community instead there are only so many balloon and bumper stickers we need to entice us to vote.

Ed Check
Ed Check
Reply to  Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

You need to retread the article. Other than year one (conversion to tax exempt use of a property usually starts in year 2), the “taxes” are for water & sewer fees that have never been paid. All churches and non profits pay these. Nothing in the article claimed they were not tax exempt. Nothing claimed they were being charged property taxes. There is the first year on a conversion to tax exempt status that hits non profits. The law should be changed to be tax exempt from the first use as a church, not the next tax year. That would help organizations like Rev Pratt’s.

concerned
concerned
8 years ago

Dan
You stated we could comment on anything. I would like your readers if from Dalton MA to vote yes on the bylaw to stop wild animals to be used for entertainment at their annual town meeting

It is time we evolve and not abuse animals for our entertainment.

Loved to see something about this in your blog

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
Reply to  concerned
8 years ago

I unfortunately don’t live in Dalton and therefore I can’t vote but I would just like to say that I am glad that this issue finally reached the ballot and I hope that bylaw goes through. The abuse of animals must stop! I wish you all good luck!.

On the Q-T
On the Q-T
Reply to  concerned
8 years ago

I live in Dalton and I fully support this ban in the cruel use of animals in the circus. DV yes please cover this.

Cosbiesladies
Cosbiesladies
8 years ago

Wonder is C G had any Zoology in his portfolio?

Dio
Dio
8 years ago

I find Mr. Gaetani’s diatribe condescending. I also find alot of what he says very hard to believe. I would never vote for anyone who thinks the mayor’s job is ‘step down’, brags on and on about himself, keeps referring to himself in the third person, and has not mastered simple punctuation and grammar that one learns in elementary school.

Linda
Linda
Reply to  Dio
8 years ago

I agree. Mr Gaetani’s tone is disturbing.
Too much bragging. Too paranoiaic and ranting. Also I agree the writing is atrocious. Give me anyone but Mr. Bianchi (but not Mr CG).

I do appreciate DV and Planet for making for open forum available.

Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Reply to  Dio
8 years ago

The first rule of Top Secret Clearance is: you do not talk about your Top Secret Clearance.

Ed Shepardson
Ed Shepardson
Reply to  Mike Ward
8 years ago

If in fact a Top Secret Clearance is, indeed, Top Secret, how do you know this Mr. Ward. By the way, Gaetani/Wang Engineering is also Top Secret. It is not registered with the state as a business.

Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

Ed, rent Fight Club this weekend.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Mike Ward
8 years ago

Mike, got a good laugh out of that one.Fight club great movie.

Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Reply to  Mike Ward
8 years ago

thanks joe

Ed
Ed
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

Does Craig G. own a coat and tie ? or razor ?

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
8 years ago

D.V. : Are you Craig Gaetani’s political speech writer ? Is his posting an example of your work ? (lol)

Luxor Rex
Luxor Rex
Reply to  Ed McClelland
8 years ago

Actually I heard DV is writing for much bigger fish, the RNC, Republican Natl. Committee.

Got the job on recommendation from his friend Mitt.

Foxy Lady
Foxy Lady
Reply to  Luxor Rex
8 years ago

I don’t get all the obsession with whether or not Dan Valenti is writing speeches for the RNC, Hillary, or the man in the moon.

Is it jealousy? What is it? What doesit matter?The guys a talented writer. Isn’t that enough?

NBI
NBI
8 years ago

DL, thanks for the budget link. I looked through all the pages and was quite shocked to see everything in black and white.

Top heavy with administrators

Big decline in overall student populations across the board

Major increase in student aid for breakfast and lunch

Huge increase in the special needs population

Many more students going to Lenox than I imagined. (170 total)

Incredible decline of vocational program students over the years

I think there are only 2 schools older than Taconic. Yet they don’t seem to need to be replaced. Most were built in the early 1950s.

We’re pumping another $600-700K into PHS. $300K just for a ramp! Really?!

There were many other revaluations, but I didn’t take notes.

The bottom line is that we’re replacing one of the newer schools. One with a major decline in overall and vocational enrollment. All in hopes of attracting new technical business to Pittsfield. A shiny new school doesn’t guarantee a better education any more than over paying the top admin guarantees great budget management. (How is it that they missed the first time and can come back with their hand out again? Where’s the accountability?)

Why would a company choose an area with rising crime, major drug abuse, broken down streets, never ending tax increases, dysfunctional government, inconvenient access to the Pike, an aging / non-existent workforce and a long list of other major infrastructure projects waiting in the wings? Probably only for the tax incentives and then they’re gone when they run out!

I don’t think that anyone will be shocked when the powers that be, decide to choose the fastest payment option for the Taconic bond. They kind of have to … before the aging population moves away or dies. Those honest tax payers are the cash cows who require the fewest city services!

On the Q-T
On the Q-T
Reply to  NBI
8 years ago

They don’t like citizens actually seeing the budget etc in “b&w”. Educating yourself is a treasonable offense in Pittsfield.

NBI
NBI
8 years ago

Sorry, meant to say two schools NEWER than Taconic. Oops!

dusty
dusty
8 years ago

It would not surprise me to find out that most of the kids opting out of Pittsfield schools are the children of teachers and school administrators. They above all know just how really bad the Pittsfield schools are and how to facilitate the process of geting into a different school. Does not look like the poor kids are opting out.

By the way, how old is Mercer? About 100 years old is it not? Tear that SOB down.

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
8 years ago

What is going on with that old school building on Newell?Is that Mercer?

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  Tammy Ives
8 years ago

Really you ran for council and you have no clue ? Do you not see why you got beat?

Tammy Ives
Tammy Ives
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

was anyone talking to you no. No one ever talk to you because no one likes you! that is why you have to butt into other peoples conversation! Other than saying that I refuse to justify your stupidity any longer.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  Tammy Ives
8 years ago

Tammy are you going to write FU Jimmy Gee on your fence?

Deb S
Deb S
Reply to  Tammy Ives
8 years ago

No, it was Hibbard School on Newell, then it was the alternate school for a while. Mercer is on the corner of First and Orchard.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
8 years ago

No, its Hibbard school where Pittsfield Public School stores toilet paper, Mercer is where they store the egg heads.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  joetaxpayer
8 years ago

That’s a gem, Joe.

On the Q-T
On the Q-T
Reply to  joetaxpayer
8 years ago

Or Hibbard is where the city stores toilet paper. Mercer is where they put toilet paper after it’s been used for #2

Nota
Nota
8 years ago

Mercer is at the corner of First and Orchard, another school that wasn’t fit to send children?

Nota
Nota
8 years ago

I would like to thank Coucilor Lothrop for sending his kids where the Little People go. As opposed to a private school, I guess?

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
8 years ago

It is time to close a elementary school, and move the egg heads out of Mercer, along with Pittsfield public school storage unit out of Hibbard into the closed school. Both Mercer and Hibbard should be back on the tax rolls.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  joetaxpayer
8 years ago

How can you prove this? Please show us the facts.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

Jimmy, its not that hard to figure out. You might of had a point 15 years ago, but in the late 90’s Pittsfield add class rooms to 5 elementary schools in the district. Now let’s say Stearns was closed, the City would have to redistrict and 232 students would be added to our 7 other elementary schools.I believe that comes out to a 33 student increase per school. Now some schools will get more or less of a increase depending on there situation. I think Cape less could take 70+ more students. There enrollment is 252 with 61 of that being pk-k, half day students. I know K is full day now but funding has dry up. Poor kids won’t get that extra snack time and nap.

Cosbiesladies
Cosbiesladies
8 years ago

Mercer was a great school and had the best elementary intramural sports teams. When I was at Tucker they perennially kicked our butts in basketball.

AlaskanBushClowns
AlaskanBushClowns
8 years ago

Anyone check out the Town Of Adams, just about their entire main street has empty storefronts.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  AlaskanBushClowns
8 years ago

This is what happens when you have progressives in charge. This area is dying, but listen to the local politicians and everything is great here in the Berkshires!!! We just need to put on our rose colored glasses and our happy faces!!!

AlaskanBushClowns
AlaskanBushClowns
8 years ago

Same as Pitts.

JennersGender
JennersGender
8 years ago

I would like to thank the Planet for such a fantastic venue to see truth as it is in, politics.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Craig Gaetani sounds a little nutty to me. The Boasting is a bit much.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Compared to our Mayor now,I’ll take a little boasting. Our Mayor is not the person that will lead us out of the financial situation we have.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

It looks like the Tyer and Bianchi camps are more than a little worried about Gaetani. They have their hit team on here early and often bashing him. they want him to drop out before he gains a foothold. I predicted a very dirty campaign and these folks are going to prove me right.

Dio
Dio
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

I would never vote for Bianchi or Tyer. But to say either is worred about Gaetani is ludicrous. He has zero chance of becoming mayor, even more so after his horribly written blog entry above.

Quentin
Quentin
Reply to  Dio
8 years ago

I have to agree. I don’t want Bianchi. I don’t want Tyer. Both too much insiders, too connected. But i can’t see voting for Gaetani. Seems too unstable. Who’s left? DV are you listening?!

spagirl
spagirl
8 years ago

Anyone notice that the frost heave on Newell Street near Ontario Street has been there for 2 years. Collingwood’s Crew put orange cones there…and keep throwing dirt on the surface. Only in Pittsfield does this stuff go on and on and on.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Not in anybodys camp. Some of his claims don’t ad up. I will be glad to see Dan go but this guy is a loose cannon. I don’t know if Tyler is the answer. Wish another choice would come along.

Louis A. Marhefsky,COL.AUS Ret.
Louis A. Marhefsky,COL.AUS Ret.
8 years ago

Interesting. I initially was leaning in Gaetani’s direction as a candidate for Mayor. However after reading his diatribe I am re-thinking. Who is he supposedly impressing with using General Officers as if they were his personal friends (please it is Gen.Westmorland not Wes Morland). He really turned me off when he brought up our self proclaimed Vietnam Hero, Mr. Heinz 57 varieties Kerry. The one whose great accomplishment was throwing the medals (he probably wrote the commendations himself up)into the Potomic. Just what rank did Gaetani hold and more important what was his job (MOS) in NAM ?
L.A. Marhefsky COL. AUS Ret.

The Shadow
The Shadow
8 years ago

D.V.
whats up with the “commi paper” the Eagle? Several weeks ago, there was an Article about Haddad’s investing $5 million dollars into his Lenox car dealership. There were about 5 negative comments posted about peoples feeling on dealing with him/them for car purchases, as well as someone posted informing the readers that George Haddad is one of the scum bag board members for the Pittsfield boys & girls that ruined Peter Bell’s Family & lives, as well as he has Peter Bell’s blood on his hands like the rest of the sitting board does.
All of a sudden, all the posts are down & the comment section is closed for this article.

What do they do over there, pick and choose what can be post even if its true?

Thats exactly why I don’t subscribe that Commi ragg!!!!!

dusty
dusty
Reply to  The Shadow
8 years ago

Special interests definitely control what does and does not get printed in that paper. You rarely see the names of the well to do kids who screw up but if you are a regular type they will trash you and dig up your family history and trash you again. Then reprint the story every time a small detail is located.
A shameful representation of the fourth estate.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
8 years ago

To me the funny part of that story is Haddad’s slogan is “keep your business in the Berkshire’s”. Yet they hire a Eastern MA. general contractor, for there 5 million dollar project.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

This is what happens when you have progressives in charge. This area is dying, but listen to the local politicians and everything is great here in the Berkshires!!! We just need to put on our rose colored glasses and our happy faces!!!

JennersGender
JennersGender
8 years ago

Bad Candidates come in threes?

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

I really must mention a few things about Craig C. Gaetani. I didn’t say too much after reading his letter because originally, I thought it was along the lines of an April Fools joke. The grammar speaks for itself. The best thing this guy could do for Pittsfield is give a copy of his letter to the elementary schools so the teachers can show the kids why they should learn grammar.
Mr Gaetani needs to explain a few things:
1. Why does a search for Monmouth Technical Institute show no results on Google or Wikipedia? The same goes for Lenox Institute For Research.
2. He made some mighty big claims about his Vietnam service. Why does he not know how to spell the name of Gen. Westmoreland, the most famous general of the war? He does claim to have worked for him.
3. He claims he’s decorated. Just what decorations are we talking about?
4. He says he is an honor graduate of local colleges. Which ones?
Let’s start with that! If nothing else, these questions should be asked during the first debate.
I can’t imagine in my wildest dreams why anyone would vote for the condensending blow hard.

Deedle Dee
Deedle Dee
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

You are really worried about this guy to go to so much trouble to write such a long trashing spiel. You must be a campaign manager for one of the biggies.

Shovel that dirt dude. Get it all off your chest.

downtown dweller
downtown dweller
Reply to  Deedle Dee
8 years ago

Why is it, when someone posts something that doesn’t agree with the majority here that that person is accused of siding with “the enemy”? Paul brought up some valid points and, he wasn’t the first to do so. I’m not sold on Mr. Gaetani either but I’m no Bianchi supporter. Didn’t vote for him in the previous elections and the thought of him running again makes me want to gag. I don’t know anything about Ms Tyer’s platform to make any decision about her.

Jonathan Melle asked some relevant questions which have yet to be responded to. How is he planning to achieve his vision for the city? If it’s simply because he’s not Dan Bianchi that’s not good enough. The people of Pittsfield deserve answers; workable solutions.

And who the hell wants ‘mono’ from anywhere, let alone Heaven. It’s ‘manna’. Yeah, the poor writing/spelling turned me off too. For someone who reportedly has been an educator, I expect better.

Foxy Lady
Foxy Lady
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Great comment Pete, let Mr G begin by answering 1-4. I do find his constant bragging irritating.

Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Searching on Google for another college in Newark, N.J. and my reasons had nothing to do with Gaetani, the write-up on Kean University was on the same page as Monmouth University. Just thought you would like to know…

Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
8 years ago

C’mon folks, Isn’t it time to get off the Craig Gaetani bandwagon? Some people say he is crude and brash in his manner. Others feel he stretches the truth about his educational and military credentials. I personally feel that after a few years in charm school and a certificate stating he graduated from third grade English Composition, he will make a fine candidate for mayor. Stretching the truth and outright lying about his credentials already qualifies him for political office. So far, he hasn’t used the expression so often used by Councilors Morandi and Mazzeo in expressing their opinions, “ya know” If you took the expression “ya know” out of Melissa’s messages, she would have nothing to say.

Henry
Henry
Reply to  Mrs. Doubtfire
8 years ago

Lets not forget about Mellissa’s UMMMM’s and whatnot’s

JennersGender
JennersGender
8 years ago

I can’t believe all of the Good Work that the Pratts have done for their community, now Tes is basically going to shut them down. Come on, where is the Ward Councilor on this, can’t they be forgiven? It’s only water?

Cosbiesladies
Cosbiesladies
8 years ago

I agree with Jen, the Pratts have been a stellar Temple in our community.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Dear Deedle Dee
What I was doing is the same research I do on every candidate running for office. I value my vote and refuse to waste it. I don’t vote for a person based on claims they make, bumper stickers, lawn signs or 30 second tv ads.I suggest you do the same. If more people did we wouldn’t have as many poor performing people in office.

Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
8 years ago

Good point Henry. I almost forgot about Melissa’s “UMMM’s but Kevin is a very close second in the “UMMM’s department. Every sentence is started by UMMM followed by UMMM.

But in support of Craig Gaetani, he is not a typist and neither am I nor are most of the writers in this column. As to his “everything on the table” comment, to me, it is far from vague. When writing a long column as he has, many typos are consistent with trying to put several points across in an article.

How would you like to be in the Berkshire Eagle editors shoes for the screw-up on today’s editorial page, May 1, 2015, where the last three sentences of the second editorial are combined with the first editorial as well. And these are the same editors who make changes to several letters in Letters to the Editor. The difference between Craig’s letter and the Eagle editors is they get paid for their screw-ups.