Article

PILL-POPPING COUNCILORS NEVER A GOOD DEAL FOR CONSTITUENTS

0 0 votes
Article Rating

By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

First of Two Parts

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015) — You know the story. Former Ward 3 councilor Paul Capitanio tipped off a drug dealer about an imminent raid. Capitanio’s stupid action put at risk the lives of police officers, continued the mockery he made of representative democcracy, and further gave fuel to the fires that stoke apathy and disgust among law-abiding, decent citizens when it concerns their “elected representatives,” a phrase which THE PLANET uses oh-so holly-go-lightly.

Now if this is Joe Kapanski instead of Paul Capitanio — you know, just an average, anonymous schmuck with no Friends in Important Places (FIPS) — the criminal justice system most likely throws the book at him and poor Joe ends up doing serious time in “the stripey hole.”

As you also know, Capitanio wasn’t your average Joe. His restaurant, the East Side Cafe, formed Yang to the Ying of Del Gallo’s Bar a couple doors north on Newell Street. The FIPS concluded more deals in the private “smoke-filled back rooms” at these two joints than in all the public meetings rooms in the city combined, including council chambers at City Hall. Not all of those deal were good. There are probably empty cement bags lying around to prove it.

Pill Popping Councilor

Capitanio admitted popping Oxycodone for some time, including time on the city council. In effect, Ward 3 voter were disenfranchised. Each of his votes should be scoured from the public record, for how could anyone know if he was in his right mind or not. Indeed, THE PLANET recalls attending many a meeting where Cappy didn’t seem “there” at all. You know, he was there, but he wasn’t “there.”

Oxy is a small white pill that packs a potent punch. About 1/4 the size of a quarter, Oxy causes a euphoric frame of mind, blocks pain messages to the brain, induces drowsiness, and slows down breathing. It also has a laundry list of other lasting heath effects, including immunosuppression, sleep apnea, mood disoprders, sexual dysfunction, and physical addiction (source: drugabuse.com).

Poor Ward 3. Once you had political heavyweights like Gerry Doyle and Tom Hickey. These guys gave great constituent service. They got things done. Now we go from Cappy to Cackey. That is, one could argue that the disengagement and disintegration of representative government in Ward 3 continues with  Nick Caccamo. Perhaps. The best we can say in the councilor’s defense is that to the best of THE PLANET‘s knowledge, Cack isn’t doing Oxy. Given his veritable non-presence as a councilor, however, it would appear he’s doing Proxy. He, too, is there, but in the case of We The People, he just as well might not be. Fore!

Ah, but we digress.

The Making of a Saint

Supporters in the court room at Cappy’s sentencing gave him a Nobel, a Pulitzer, and a set of Davy Crockett iron ons before eulogizing him as a cross between Mother Teresa, Padre Pio, and The Candy Man. They gushed about his many saintly good deeds. Again, your typical Joe Schmoe  doesn’t get this. He gets the gavel, the cuffs, and the locked door.

Cappy’s defense attorney, the indefatigable Tim Shurgue, argued that the charges should be excused because Capitanio needed the drugs to deal with long-term back pain. THE PLANET accepts that story, but we also ask why there was no legal prescription? Did medical experts not agree that Capitanio needed the pills for such a purpose?

Much has been made of how Capitanio got word of the impending bust. In court, Shugrue said Capitanio didn’t have this information by way of council seat. Instead, the attorney said Capitanio learned about it through a personal relationship with one of the policemen involved in the case. Much has been speculated on the meaning of this. There is a cartoon version of this statement, and it has been accepted as definitive. It isn’t.

How Did Cappy Find Out? What Were the Dynamics

THE PLANET has investigated and penetrated the inside of this story. We will reclaim a good officer’s reputation in Part 2 of this series.

Shugrue said Capitanio has been clean since 2013. If true, we credit the ex-councilor for kicking it. We only hope he stays off the stuff. Cappy is young enough to make other positive contributions to his family, friends, and the community.

And if you ever wanted proof that the political process is dead in the once-politically robust Ward 3, Caccamo is up for re-election. Question is, how can you get “re-elected” if you haven’t served in the first place?

Is there no one else in the ward to challenge for this seat?

Gerry Doyle, the city turns its lonely eyes to you.

—————————————————————————————————–

“Impulse quickens when it’s full.”George Harrison, from “Here Come the Moon,” from the album George Harrison, (1979).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
31 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
spagirl
spagirl
8 years ago

It is inexcuseable, and unacceptable that Capitanio was not given jail time.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  spagirl
8 years ago

This and the Cliffy deal are just two blatant cases that accidentally hit the public view. One can just imagine the cover ups that never saw the light of day.
How is one supposed to keep a positive attitude about this city and this justice system when you know that if this was you or a loved one of yours they would be in jail and the Eagle would have excoriated you. This is an admission by the local court system that there are separate and distinct rules for regular and connected people in this city.

Now would you like to donate some money to the 4th of July parade in honor of this great city?

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

Right, Dusty….sickens one to the core. And, as far as Caccamo goes, Dan Valenti is right on as usual. He is dead on arrival, wasted space. Ward 3 happens to be my Ward.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

Dusty Downer why haven’t you moved yet? Christ I’ll buy your house just to help you go!

dusty downer
dusty downer
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

You gotta be one of the untouchables Mr Gee. I apologize if I touched a nerve.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  dusty downer
8 years ago

Dusty. I’m sorry My wife and I both work and live in the city sure things could improve , but all you do is bitch . Why don’t you run for office? or have you? Either way let me know your home listing and I will consider buying it.

The Deflator
The Deflator
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

Jimmy, if you’ve got 300k to spare I’d lke to move away too! Please let me know when the certified check will be available?

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  The Deflator
8 years ago

$300 grand in Pittsfield I think your price is off!

Ed McClelland
Ed McClelland
8 years ago

Since Cappy’s case involved a police action in Stephentown, NY. How do the NYSP and Feds come into play ?

The Deflator
The Deflator
8 years ago

Dan, you forgot one side affect of Oxy use – staring off into space and saying and doing absolutely nothing during city council meetings, yet still cashing the paycheck. The issue isn’t his illegal drug use, it’s the fact that he tipped off the drug dealer about the raid and got away with it. The ‘fix’ was certainly in on this one, pun intended.
BTW, I call myself The Deflator because I am trying to lose weight, not because I have deflated any footballs.

Silence Dogppd
Silence Dogppd
8 years ago

Pittsfield politicians are all abusing preparation H ….. They just sit on their a$$ and do what the GOBs tell them to do

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
8 years ago

Wonder if SHe grin was paid in pizza futures?

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Discreet Cat
8 years ago

And free beer. Sleazebag City.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
8 years ago

Lothrop said the New Taconic School was one of the easiest votes he’s ever taken as a Councilor. In other words..taxpayers we don’t care what you think!

dusty downer
dusty downer
Reply to  Discreet Cat
8 years ago

I will be surprised if he does not pop up in the Tyer administration with even more power than he has now.

Henry
Henry
8 years ago

Word has it that the Council Prez has the same prescription.

craig
craig
8 years ago

test sig

craig
craig
8 years ago

att replytest sig

craig
craig
8 years ago

dear pv posters. it is imperative that you tell your frirnds obout the planet it is the only investigative source of news in the city.the berk eagle an d its city reporter jim therein is a disgrace all you get from him is the mayors and council side of the story I have been appearing for the little guy for the past year and have repeatedly caught mazzeo not following her own city council rule including this past city council meeting at the end of the meeting had a pettion wich she and the full council passed givig adolf mazzeo the right to decide who gets to speak and who doesn’t. now what few rights the tax payer has is being further diminished she has to go the other source of city biased reporting comes from wbrk am and fm because so many senior citizens and people who are not computer savy get their news from these sources it is no wonder that they are in the dark as to what goes on in this city it is a disgrace to not report the news accurately what I personaly will try to do is post a weekly report on the planet of what I am truing to do for our citys residents I will release press releases to I berk. the gazette wbec radio and twc news and wamc radio between these sources we can stay connected when I am through with this post I will call wbrk and ask thay ms tyer and erric bassette be given one hour weekly air time just as bianchi gets this should be interesting jimmy gee ed mac and other naysayers go to my may 7 post you have questioned my veracity now it is time to put up or shut up all sane pv posters will see what these nuts are made of everybody should read mt post now it is my yurn to have some fun and yes all sane pv posters my resume was 100% accurate the naysayers are jealous that my resume is so impressive that they want to drag me down to their level no way rise up or get out you are takibg too much space on yhe planet that could be used for addressing real problems peace everybody craig

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  craig
8 years ago

Craig. That has to bee the longest run on sentice I’ve ever seen where the hell did you go to school?

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

content jimmy gee.content 2 weeks ago I had a long talk with chief wynn about body cameras. we both agree that police should have them he mentioined many impediments against I have followed springfield situation and yesterday council t ..here approved body cameras. now police union has to approve I will bring this up at may 26 ccm no excuse now police must have body cameras.i initiated this topic last sept.
long before the first police shooting inferguson.if it weren’t for adolf mazzeo, we would have this issue resolved by now.mazzeo and company have not followed their own rules since I appeared on the scene last summer. all votes the have taken since then should be deemed null and void especially the school vote to build a new ths . if they couldn’t follow simple rules including that citizens had until 7:30 to signin to speak in the public session and that individuals had the right to speak for others. clairmont has even tried to say that he never said that one person could speak for another. you mr. clairmont should review the city council meeting when bothyou and adolf mazzeo said people could designate another to speak for them on any topic the fact that they cant follow just these simple rules where have they not followed more important rules affecting the taxpayers? every thing they do until a new council is seated should be held suspect they have damaged the taxpayer and city enough already they all must go in the next election . if you live in a ward where the incumbent is unopposed please jump in if you feel you are not qualified just look at who holds the seat now this is the most important election in the citys history unless there is drastic change we face the possibility to self destruct. every body must get involved now and every body must vote in the upcomming election to clean house and make room for new people with new ideas

Gene
Gene
8 years ago

Mr. Capitanio did a great disservice to his constituents. He should count his blessings to have gotten off as lightly as he did. If he remains clean I agree with DV that he can still do a lot of good.

Jimmy Gee
Jimmy Gee
Reply to  Gene
8 years ago

Gene paul had a problem that he has dealt with. Did he do something wrong, Yes he did. I think people should check all of the good things Paul has done before you pass judgement

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Jimmy Gee
8 years ago

B.S.

AlaskanBushClowns
AlaskanBushClowns
8 years ago

No Thanx Gene.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
8 years ago

I still believe we should check id’d before voting. The old saying was Del Gallo could always guarantee you 1,000 votes if you followed his “advice”. How could this be done? Easy vote early and often,wink,wink no one will ever know.

Timmy Geek
Timmy Geek
8 years ago

We buy houses at firesale prices.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
8 years ago

Dan, is this wondrous Jerry Doyle you speak of the same cretin that brokered the back door deal with General Electric concerning the poisoning of Pittsfield, the Housatonic river valley, and much of the rest of Berkshire county? The same one that brokered ‘Mt Doyle” in back of Morningside school. The same one that consented to no clean up of Silver Lake?

Can’t be the same man, is it?

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
8 years ago

I think the Planet has missed the Crux of this episode and Heaven forbid this sort of pain happen to any family, surely drugs played a big part in this entire mess, the family has been ripped apart. A son died of drugs and the parent tips off a drug dealer, that’s not good. Paul had to be in the deepest throws of the drug to do what he had done. Should he have gotten time, yes. Should he be forgiven, yes, we are the ones not to judge. The fact that he has done good in our community is to his credit and hope that he will rebound. Losing a child is the worst. Paul, have faith, your son is not forgotten, we all share your pain.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Craig, I’m shocked at how poor your spelling, grammar and punctuation are. Trying to read your posts is very difficult. You really don’t come off as someone who is a mayoral candidate.