By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015) — It’s not what you know — or when, where, why, or how you know.

It’s who you know, even outside of Whoville.

For example, if you’re a landlord with empty space in a downtown commercial building, it pays to know the chief executive officer of a $145 million business, especially if the CEO doesn’t care about his business as much as he does feathering his own slicing machine and taking care of his friends.

Swail Cries ‘Uncle’

Want another example? How about if you run the Highway Division of a city? You’ve just gone through a winter where you have proven that you have no clue.

You’ve come to public works through the water department. You got transferred not long after the water works found a pipe spilling raw sewage into the system in the form of an overtime scam that cost taxpayers plenty. No problem. Why? Because you have a boss who lets you get away with this. That in turn means you can dole out the spoils of office as you see fit, not as it might benefit citizens and taxpayers. You can do pretty much as you please, road conditions notwithstanding.

The persons who tipped off THE PLANET on the following information pay close attention to what goes on in Pittsfield, especially in public works. They told us that for the first time ever, they have seen D. Swail Trucking and Excavating machines and personnel “hauling blacktop around the city for paving jobs being performed by city crews.”  The company is out of Hinsdale, not Pittsfield, and the owner is related to Kevin Swail (rhymes with “fail”), head of the Pittsfield Highway Department.

Hmmmm.

‘They Were All Busy’

Our sources report they also asked a few trucking companies they know if they had the opportunity to do the work — you know, bid on contracts, submit proposals, send in RFPs. These companies have done work for the city in the past.  The response from each was “no.”  Other sources say Bruce Collingwood, DPW commissioner and Swail’s boss, claimed no other company wanted the work because “they were all busy.”  Really?  The only available company was the company owned by Kevin Swail’s uncle?

It seems the city began using D. Swail Trucking and Excavating over the winter to haul snow. One of our sources made inquiries, asking if the work went out to bid. The answer was “no.” Collingwood said that city solicitor Kathy Degnan “said it was okay.”

File it under IASSW for “It’s a Small, Small World.” Place the carbon copies in the filed marked JAOT-TPC for “Just Another of Them-There Pittsfield Coincidences.” Put the triplicate in MUTRAYGA: “Make Up the Rules as You Go Along.”

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Contact Info Now Included on Board Rosters

From city clerk Linda Tyer, here’s a link to the new roster that now includes contact information for the city personnel that provides support for each board and commission.

http://www.cityofpittsfield.org/pittsfield/city_hall/city_clerk/uploads/Boards_and_Commissions_Roster.pdf

This came about as a result of THE PLANET‘s request. On behalf of We The People, we objected to the fact that rosters of boards and commission didn’t have any contact information. The city clerk’s office took the complaint to heart. The new list has a phone number and e-mail address for the chairs of the respective boards and commissions. While it doesn’t have contact information for all members, this represents a vast step forward.

Tyer and her office came through.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Cashing In’

Mark Germanowski‘s wife Wendy lost her job in Patsy Harris‘ Register of Deeds Office and thus he’s looking to cash in his pension and move on for better pay out of State. [ED. NOTE: Germanowski resigned his position as airport manager to take a similar position in California].

 The reality is that [former mayor] Jim Ruberto put Germanowski into that position and got rid of George Noble, who worked for years in all kinds of weather, totally dedicated to the position for his community. He would have never left it, but given his first opportunity, Germanowski totally abandons the position when he sees the first bump in the road.

Germanowski was just a suit who Ruberto used to stick it to a dedicated municipal public servant, George Noble.  — H. Bosche. [NOTE: Brian Spencer has been named Acting Airport Manager].

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 ‘Disappointed’ in City’s Development Efforts

I am disappointed that the efforts the City does under each new leader is akin to the emperor’s new clothes — zilch. Nothing happens. Or as we used to say ,”Same ole, same ole and nothing substantive to show for it.”  And all the lipstick and cosmetic packages still won’t make a pig into a pin up.

The buzzword for Pittsfield should be “vision.” Should be a good story, though there may be a side of the story from the other party that we’ll never know with the Silent Calvin Treatment THE PLANET seems to inspire from the administration. (LOL)

Real reporting threatens the meek and those who thrive on denial.  I look forward to hearing about the next chapter in why a carousel spinning sadly makes too good a metaphor for our City leaders. (Gives carousels a bad name!)  “Planning obsolescence” is the name of our fair City’s Planning Bible. Saddens me and others who do love the City and fondly remember it as the best place to grow up in during baby boom years. — Skinner

THE PLANET Replies: The present administration and council lack the “V” word. No, not “Valenti”  — “Vision.” 

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“I met her in a bar in not-Soho where they drink champagne and it takes just like cherry cola. C-o-l-a cola” — The Kinks, “Lola,” (1970).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.