AIRPORT MILLIONS MAY HAVE BEEN DELIBERATELY LOW-BALLED … IS A RESIGNATION IN THE WORKS?
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015) — What’s up at the airport?
Leave it to THE PLANET‘s readers to be on the ball and for members of The Secret Squadron to come in for the save.
Last week, we got word that airport manager Mark Germanowski is leaving for an airport position in California. THE PLANET investigated, including a trip to the airport. There’s definitely smoke, and it appears to be fire.
‘He’s Happy to be Leaving’
“He’s delighted” our source said of Germanowski, “because soon there will be a request to the city for $3 million-plus for runway repairs. Mark’s happy to be leaving before he has to appear before the city council saying that he needs $3 million-plus — could be $6 million — for runway repairs. I have not been able to find out if it is old or new runways. If I find out I will let you know. If it is the new runway, we should attack the barricades with pitchforks at the ready. This could not have been legal. How much more of this can we take?”
Our source asks a great question. The answer is: Not much.
Then over the weekend we heard from several commentators, including Airport Sucks Up Another $3.5 Million and Double Dipp.
Airport Sucks — They need another 3.5 million to reconstruct the main runway at the airport. More economic engine mumbo jumbo. This cost will divided among all taxpayers.
The former costs of airport reconstruction did not include the main runway.
Your taxes are there for the taking. As long as no one stops them, they will keep taking your money or your home. Your choice.
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Double Dipp —
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Bianchi included the 3.5 million in the budget for Pittsfield taxpayers to pay. If it comes out of State and Federal taxes then why increase the burden to Pittsfield taxpayers? The main runway should have already been paid for in the last rennovation. What next year – another 5 million to install runway lights? After all this airport is vital to the economy of Pittsfield. Private jets used to have to land all the way in Albany, NY and then the commute to Pittsfield; what a pain in the ass that was. Here’s how it really works: It sort of makes the $150,000.00 gift to Monteroso look like chump change. |
A city hall source tells THE PLANET Germanowski is resigning partly because of the runway millions. Why does the runway need “repairs” so soon after being built? Sounds fishy. A source familiar with the financing of the project says city taxpayers will be on the hook for the entire $3.5 million. When asked if there were state or federal funds for the work, the source said he did not think sobecause the work is not related to the original construction.
Is the TRUE Cost $6 million?
More ominous is that the “repair” project, while being budgeted for $3.5 million, could be much higher. It could go as high as $6 million. City hall sources tell us on the Q.T. that “the amount listed in the budget seems overly optimistic.” Could it go as high as $6 million: “It wouldn’t surprise me.”
In a story like this, it’s best to remember the adage “Follow the money” and fire away with the questions:
* Why does the runway need “repair” so soon after being built?
* How realistic is the $3.5 million request? Is the true figure closer to $6 million?
* Is Germanowski leaving so that he won’t be set up as the “fall guy?” A city source familiar with airport operations said Germanowski “asked too many questions” when told of the cost of the project. Sources say the airport manager was presented the project budget “out of the blue” — more like the “wild blue yonder.”
* Who will reap the rewards of this project? Favored sons? “Connected” vendors?
* Any chance of kickbacks? How can We The People be sure?
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Something’s in the air, folks. (a) The mayor pays a “It’s going to be this way” visit to the airport manager. (b) Next thing you know, Germanowski is going Horace Greeley on us: “Go West, young man.”
What the heck is going on?
Perhaps the mayor would care to enlighten us.
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“The golden sun, the planets, all the infinite hosts of heaven are shining on the sad abodes of death through the still lapse of ages.” — William Cullen Bryant‘s, from “Thanatopsis,” (1821).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
maybe somebody who fears they may not be reelected is grabbing the chance for a payday while the sun still shines
A quick search reveals it costs $23.00 to $32.00 to fill a pothole.
How many potholes could $3.5 million dollars fill? $6 million dollars?
City councilors are quick to tell you that there is no money to fix them. The mayor’s road is smooth as glass as well as all the roads he travels every day. Bianchi could not care less if you bust up your car but god forbid a Cessna have a rough landing at the airport.
The entire increase in the budget is for something the taxpayers already paid for. These cash grabs are getting bold.
There is no way the city council should pass this budget.
Had enough yet?
More pain to come.
I find it utter B.S that there isn’t enough money for these potholes. Maybe if they stop wasting all this money on the downtown and the new school and whatever other nonsense they think up there would be enough.
No one is grasping the reality that if the other parts of the city aren’t fixed people won’t come.
Picture this you are spending $199.00 or greater on a room at HON and you want to go to Walmart .You blow out a tire on a large pot hole on the way would you want to come back here? I know I definitely wouldn’t want to. Plus the way the west side looks in some areas I would be fearful of driving that way.
My guess is if your staying at the The Hotel on North, your probably not going to go shop at WalMart Tammy why don’t you spray paint FU on the side of The Hotel on North? We know how classy you are!
Well thanks for the compliment but I don’t tag.You will just have to clean up someone else s mess I guess. By the way as always your guess is wrong it is well known that people who have money still shop at chain stores like Walmart. How do you think that they ended up having money? They save it. Hotel on North is only starting at $200.00 even you can stay there.
Rooms at HON start–START–at $250 a night.
Off Topic
Memorial day wrap up
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/25/kelly-marines-intrepid-sangin-robert-kelly-john-kelly/27926973/
Germanowski’s a a dime a dozen, good luck in Cali. I would think that the Ward Councilor would have had the foresight to have brokered a deal with the Airport with the taxpayers being on the hook, and not unlike the New High School without the taxpayer have input in either of these two projects. Shame on the Ward ouncilor in particular and the Mayor who were in the forefront of this needless project.
How does Councilor Krol know a popular vote would have been an affirmative vote for a new Taconic? It’s one thing to say the vote by the Council was the charge by the Voter as elected to the office, but the issue was giving the Voter, taxpayer a say in the project, regardless of the outcome.
He doesn’t know that obviously but I get the point of your question…fact is Krol and others feared a vote by the people…that’s why they didn’t allow it.
Then they can claim anything they want. Vote the Incumbents Out!
Vote No on Incumbents!
Vote out Every Single One. Vote out School Committee. Vote out Mayor Bianchi. VOTE!!!!!
After they’ve spent $200 million on the new Taconic, then maybe someone will have the bright idea of taxing the people another $50 million to add such things as desks and blackboards.
Maybe after 1 year they can put a new roof on the new high school. That way the people only pay twice for the same thing.
Then they can talk seriously about demolishng and disposing of the old high school and the costs. Just in time to give all teachers raises and buy another new fleet of school busses.
Kroll and all the rest of the council knew that the public was 4-1 against the new school. If you live in a ward where the incumbent is unchallenged, you must find someone to run against them.To bring back any of them to a new council is like throwing poison into a body of water.Pittsfield is in disarray. only new people and new thinking can save our beloved city. WE need a massive turnout in the upcoming election. One more term for those who govern now will be the death of this city. The special interest groups will be out in force.TRY TO GET EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO THE POLLS, If we get a new government, you may be able to stay here. If not you will have to abandon the city you love because you will not be able to survive here financially The wealthy will be glad to see you go as they will buy your house for pennys on the dollar. Many of our friends have left already. we have to stem the tide by making it possible for all of us to survive here. I have some spare time today, so I am posting some thoughts. Now back to the jungle. Have a nice day everybody. Sincerely CRAIG.
Let’s do the math on Pittsfield politics Mayor Dan Bianchi’s budget proposal
* $145,270,000.00 municipal operating budget
* $10,200,000.00 municipal capital budget
* Total municipal spending for Fiscal Year 2016: $155,470,000.00
* One year increase in the municipal operating budget is $4,040,000.00
* One year increase in spending (operating + capital municipal budgets) = $14,240,000.00
* These financial numbers do NOT include the new Taconic High School project costs
* These financial numbers do NOT include Pittsfield’s hundreds of millions of dollars in OPEB debts
Pittsfield has high taxes and fees, spending, and debts. Pittsfield’s finances are unsustainable over the long-term. Pittsfield will become financially insolvent in a matter of years. On top of all of this, thousands of people have moved away from Pittsfield over the past decades. Pittsfield’s most valuable resource: its local residents, are decreasing in population. While Pittsfield’s tax base is shrinking, Pittsfield’s taxes, fees, spending, and debts are all increasing!
– Jonathan Melle
I find the airport discussion to be most interesting. They just completed the facility upgrade, great. And now, potentially, more money for more upgrade. But who is flying in here daily/weekly/monthly, on a regular basis?
Take out those that fly in for the cultural events, a week at Canyon Ranch, etc. Take out GE/KB Toys, etc. What type of traffic is flying in/out and does that traffic warrant the existing and proposed funds?
Now if you told me Southwest was flying in for service, now we’re talking…
Kind of like those little but very expensive parks on the corner of North and Columbus. They are pretty new but already torn up and done over. No one looking on the over sight commission. Turning a blind eye to pork/graft projects.
I just heard a couple of DJs joking about all the shootings and killings over the weekend in Chicago and Baltimore. (Seventy plus shootings and 21 dead) That is what it has come to….so common we are joking about killing. Like Pittsfield politics you have to laugh so that you don’t cry.
Where does Tyer stand on the airport or any other issue? So far Pittsfield is in the dark regarding her views on anything but fluff….we already have a ribbon cutter as mayor……some substance please.
My guess is she is for anything that raises taxes, including this expenditure for the airport. I see her as a continuation of the failed policies of Ruberto. I am sure she’ll be easier to get along with than Bianchi, but the status quo she will be.
To Linda Tyer.. I completely support you as a mayoral candidate, but I think you have to address some of the city issues head-on. Take a stand on Taconic, the airport, the pot-holes – any thing that effects our city. You definitely have the organizational and communication skills. Now you have to show the heart and the determination. I believe you can do it, Linda. Speak out!!
Asked for specifics from candidate Tyler no forthcoming so strategy won’t be comprised. Long term debt will sink Pittsfield, airport should be leased or sold runs a huge real deficit.
Tonight’s City Council meeting should be interesting!
“Mayor Daniel L. Bianchi will submit to the City Council on Tuesday a fiscal 2016 budget totaling $145.27 million, up about 2.9 percent from the $141.23 million spending plan for the current fiscal year. The budget proposal, which is included in petitions going to the council for its next meeting,….”
PITTSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
• A communication from Mayor Bianchi submitting an Order raising and appropriating $145,270,827.00 for Fiscal Year 2016 municipal budget.
• A communication from Mayor Bianchi submitting an Order authorizing the city treasurer to borrow an aggregate sum not exceeding $10,206,200.00 for Fiscal Year 2016 capital expenditures.
• A communication from Mayor Bianchi submitting an Order raising and appropriating $100,000.00 for the purpose of funding the Other Post Employee Benefits trust account.
• A communication from Mayor Bianchi submitting an Order authorizing the use and expenditure of city revolving funds for the Fiscal Year 2016.
• A communication from Mayor Bianchi submitting an Order appropriating $2,250,000.00 from certified free cash to reduce the Fiscal Year 2016 tax rate.
http://pittsfieldgazette.com/ccmay-council-agenda-p3884-88.htm
L T “….be careful what you wish for.
I question the millions already spent on upgrading the airport. And now they want millions more? Something is wrong.
New Streets? Heck, can’t get the Street Swept!
My street is still a mess from winter no sweeper in sight.
The Atrs get their money though. And the Airport and the Common and repairs and moves at 100 North. Oh and contracts form free cash.
I”ll be speaking tonight Craig
Thanks for the Planet Dan, and the Show on Thursday. Everyone one else is second rate.
Here’s what would help: What are landing fees and what does the Flight Based Operator charge for fuel? If the city can recoup some or all of the costs of runway repair –after explaining why the hell the runway needs it– it would be easier to swallow..
The Pittsfield airport is a gem in Berkshire county. There is no other place to land a private jet. I landed there once in a friend’s small propeller driven plane and James Taylor had a huge Gulf Stream next to us. The longer the runway the easier it is to get the big private jets in which increases the tourist trade and executives who spend money…but they should pay for the runway.
Probably not even close to covering the $200,000 yearly operating expense. If it’s not self-supporting it shouldn’t exist: your friend can buy a helicopter, and James Taylor take a real stand against “economic inequality” by no longer forcing middle class families to subsidize his ultra-luxury transportation