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CITY HALL BASEMENT FLOODED, ‘TONS OF DAMAGE’ INCLUDE DOCUMENTS GOING BACK TO 1880s … COST INCALCULABLE … BIANCHI’s FOOLISH MOVE OF CITY OFFICES TO 100 NORTH STREET BEARS FULL BLAME

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By DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015) — Somewhere between falsehood and fabrication, between fairy tale and fiction, between half truth and half ass, THE PLANET lost count of the costs for the unnecessary move of 40% of City Hall offices to 100 North St. The figure $500,000 sounds about right if you count the three-year lease and the prohibitive costs of the move itself.

And we all know it was just another of those “Pittsfield coincidences” that the benefactor of the mayor’s munificence — taxpayer dollars, natch — was one of his good buddies, representing the building for Scarafoni Associates. It was all nice and legal. OK, we “get” that. “I scratch your butt; you kiss mine” didn’t originate with Mayor Dan Bianchi, although we must admit his interpretation of this political form has not lacked effort or creativity.

From Trenched to Drenched

For example, wasn’t it neat the way the mayor circumvented your representatives on the city council and how as a result the mayor robbed you of a voice in 100Gate? Just like the $121 million in new borrowing for the useless expense on a new high school, Bianchi didn’t care two squirts of precious bodily fluids what you, The Little Guy, might have wanted.

In another exclusive for THE PLANET, we have the latest in the 100Gate fiasco. It just got a lot more expensive.

The short hand for this latest scandal is R-FOG-D for “rain, fiberoptic, gap, destruction.” Allow THE PLANET to interpret.

——– 000 ——–

You are well aware of the heavy rains of the past couple of weeks — a repeating, checkered, weather carnival of clouds-then-sun-then-overcast-then-rain-then all over again. Some of the rain, such as the 15-minute downpour yesterday evening, has been torrential.

Water is smart. Given enough time, it will eat through rock. It will find the smallest breach in security of a wall or other structural barrier. You have the tiniest opening on your roof, and water will find it. Here’s where the “gap” comes into the “meller-dramer.”

To make 100Gate possible, the city had to lay fiberoptic cable between the two buildings to allow the phones and computers not just to work but operate in tandem. Workers dug the trench, laid cable, then filled the ditch.

Until about a month ago, maybe a little longer, the city and county were in the middle of a drought.

So far, so good.

Water, Water Everywhere

Then the rains came and  flooded the city hall basement? It seems that the workers who filled the cable trench left a gap or breach somewhere. The water found its way into the basement of 70 Allen Street. As of yesterday morning, the basement had 4″ of standing water. After the evening downpour, probably another two inches made its way to the cellar.

A panicked mayor ordered a call placed to Servicemaster. Sources say workers found “an eight-man job” on their hands. As of yesterday, sources say, three Servicemaster workers were addressing the problem. “They will be there for days,” sources said. Yes, the meter is running for taxpayers, but that’s not the worst of it.

Sources told THE PLANET  “tons of paperwork was destroyed.” One informant said, “I didn’t get to see all of the documents, but there were records from the 1800s in that pile. Completely destroyed. There was a ton of damage and a lot of records and files that got soaked.” Another source added this punchline: “The mayor was so nice he had coffee and donuts sent to the workers in the basement, adding to the cost.”

Of course, sources spoke on condition of anonymity. The mayor was trying to keep this development from getting into the press. Once again, he didn’t figure THE PLANET into his calculations. We have sources everywhere the city has offices.

Now if the good citizens of Pittsfield had a stand-up person in the corner office, he would admit the mistake and share the details, including the cost.

If.

Come, November, come.

————————————————————————————————

“Be like God. / Yes, be like God. I wonder what I thought / When I wrote that.”Jack Spicer, “Imaginary Elegies I-IV,” (1955).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in any comment section are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI; this website reserves the right to remove any comment which violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service.

 

 

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pemetina
pemetina
8 years ago

Do you want the best? Let Gaetani sort out this mess.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  pemetina
8 years ago

PEMETINA– Thanks for your support. appreciate it. I am thinking of putting together a press release asking the council to halt any further plans for the new THS until after the primaries. IF I make it in the primaries this will be a clear signal to the council that the citizens of Pittsfield are not for this new school. This will generate dialogue amongst city taxpayers front and center and will give the public the opportunity to voice their opinion which they have not been given to date by the incompetent mayor and city council. This is very fair and as you know I am all about fairness. BY floating this press release, the public can watch which councilors support this and those who don’t. IT IS THE FAIREST WAY TO PIN DOWN EACH AND EVERYONE OF THSE COWARDS AND EXPOSE THEM TO THE PUBLIC. I have decided—I will float this to all media today. lets see who in the media will run with this very sound proposal. sincerely –CRAIG.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Waterman
8 years ago

PV POSTERS– THIS IS AN UPDATE REGARDING A VERY RUDE FIRE INSPECTOR RANDY STIEN AND HIS EQUALLY RUDE BOSS THE FIRE CHIEF CHZWOWSKI OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I ORIGINALLY CALLED STIEN OVER FOUR WEEKS AGO REGARDING AN UNREGISTERED CAR AT MY CONDO COMPLEX THAT WAS ONCE TAGGED FOR REMOVAL BY THE FIRE, DEPT ONCE BEFORE.,THAT IS STILL THERE THAT I WANT REMOVED. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF NO RESULTS I CALLED STIEN AND ASKED HIM WHY THE CAR HADNT BE TAGGED FOR REMOVAL.HE PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME TO GO TO HELL. I SAID YOU BETTER BE CAREFULL AS I MIGHT BE YOUR NEW BOSS. HE LAUGHED AND SAID (I don’t live in Pittsfield and he could care less what I thought) After this rude behavior I went to see the chief and he was very rude also. HE promised me not once but twice in the past two weeks that it would be tagged. GUESS WHAT? IT HAS NOT BEEN TAGGED. YET. I spoke to the secretary there and she was very very rude to me just ten minutes ago. I HAVE TOLD THE CHIEF AND STIEN AND THE SECRETARY THAT THEY WILL BE TAKING DALE CARNIGIE COURSES WHEN I BECOME MAYOR SO THAT WHEN THIER BOSSES (THE TAXPAYERS) COME TO SEE THEM THEY WILL TREAT THIR BOSSES WIT6H THE RESPECT THE TAXPAYERS DESERVE. MY POINT IS THIS–THESE PEOPLE KNOWING THAT I MIGHT BE THIER BOSS HAVE THE NERVE TO TREAT ME LIKE THIS —WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH YOU? WHEN I AM MAYOR THE FIRST RULE FOR CITY HALL EMPLOYEES WILL BE MY DIRECTIVE TO MAKE SURE THEY TREAT EVERY VISITOR TO CITY HALL WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT THE OWNERS OF THE CITY THE TAXPAYER IS SUPREME. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THIS INCLUDES YOU CHIEF. THERE IS NO HOPE FOR STIEN, I WILL FIRE HIM WHEN I BECOME MAYOR BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANY TAXPAYER TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH AN AS HOLE LIKE THIS.–THIS GOES FOR YOU ALSO CHIEF. YOU MY FRIEND BETTER PRAY THAT I DONT BECOME MAYOR AS IF I AM ELECTED YOU WILL NEED TO SHOW ME THAT YOU RESPECT TAXPAYERS OR YOU ALSO WILL BE JOINING COLLINGWOOD, CARMEL,STIEN AND METCALFF AND EDDY ENGINEERS UNDER THIER NEW NAME –AECOM ENV.ENGS. IN THE LINE AT THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE. PV POSTERS— DO YOU THINK I FEAR ANYONE WITH A BIG TITLE?–OF COURSE NOT, WE ARE ALL EQUAL AND MANY ARE GOING TO LEARN THAT NOBODY IS MORE PRIVLIDGED THAN ANY ONE ELSE –THAT YOU CAN GO TO THE BANK ON—I AM WAITING ON THE CHIEFS CALL–YOU DONT WANT TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO HIM BUT HE WILL BE HEARING FROM YOU THROUGH ME—-CRAIG

Horace Man
Horace Man
Reply to  Waterman
8 years ago

Craig : As posted many times before, this out of city resident and city of Pittsfield employee who is a non city of Pittsfield tax payer who inhales from the public municipal trough paid for by the property owners and business owners of Pittsfield, gives a rat’s ass about his employer, the city of Pittsfield, and could care less about legitimate city of Pittsfield taxpayers. Remember, he sees the city of Pittsfield in his rear view mirror after taking Pittsfield’s money and perks. However, his Pittsfield paycheck pays his community’s taxes, but Not anything to his employer, the city of Pittsfield.
This situation dosen’t seem to phase anyone paying taxes in Pittsfield although it seems the majority of city and school dept. employees don’t contribute taxes to their city of Pittsfield employer because they reside out of city or even out of state and there are so many of them that everyone fears to tread on it or even discuss this issue.
Dan Valenti was stone walled by the city of Pittsfield Personnel Director, John DeAngelo, a Sheffield resident himself, when Valenti attempted to discover information on out of city dept, heads.
And CRAIG, weren’t you also intimidated by the Sheffield Shuffler when you tried to determine the number of city of Pittsfield employees who reside out of the city and don’t pay Pittsfield taxes ???
Out of city employees, still use Pittsfield water and sewer, drive on city streets, utilize Pittsfield police, fire, and public safety, city lights and infrastucture, etc.,etc. And city employees live and retire on the Pittsfield taxpayer.
Let’s start some heated discussion. CRAIG, how do you feel about a local income tax ? Is it legal in MA ? Other cities have one. City residents would be exempt, but out of towners could pay their fair share for the services and payroll benefits they generously enjoy, courtesy of legitimate Pittsfield taxpayers.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Horace Man
8 years ago

HORACE– YOU ARE SPOT ON. Very good points. I did talk to the Sheffield shuffler and I did request the names salary and home address of every city employee and it got passed off like a football to every dept, and it started round robbin again, tired of this crap I went to see the mayors asst. Julia and she said I can get it and there is several wAYS I can get it albeit very expensive. Shouldn’t we have some kind of rule where candidates can get the info from the city for free? at least mayoral candidates–GO figures. PERHAPS JULIA WILL BE FIRED SOON. DONT WORRY JULIA –I TOLD YOU THAT IF I INTERVIEW AND DETERMINE THAT YOU ARE COMPETENT, I MIGHT HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU. I DONT HOLD GRUDGES BUT I NEVER FORGET. ANY HOW YOU WONT HAVE TO BE WORKING FOR A BUFON MUCH LONGER. HORACE–SORRY I GOT OFF TRACK.YOU BRING OP AN INTERESTING TOPIC ABOUT A CITY TAX. I WILL GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT AND GET BACK TO YOU SOON–THANKS FOR YOUR IN PUT HORRACE..-I AM DEEPLY SORRY ABOUT CALLING YOU NAMES ON MY LAST POST WITH YOU. PLEASE FORGIVE ME AS I AM SINCERE AND I TRULY LOVE ALL PEOPLE BUT GETTING MY WORDS OUT TO THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AND I BLOW OUT SOMETIMES–YOUR INPUT IS VERY APPRECIATED BY ME—-YOUR NEW FRIEND CRAIG

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Horace Man
8 years ago

PV POSTERS YOU CAN SEE THAT I AM ON ANOTHER MARATHON WEEKEND ROLL WITH YOU MY FAVORITE GROUP.I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE SHOULDER OPERATION I HAD IN 2011 FAILED AND I NEED A TOTAL NEW SHOULDER REPLACEMENT. I KNEW SOME THING WAS NOT RIGHTFOR SOME TIME. I HAD SOME MEDICAL PROCEDURES DONE THIS MORNING THAT HAVE HELPED TO RELIEVE THE PAIN AND I TOLD THE DOCTOR THAT I CANT HAVE AN OPERATION UNTILL 2019 WHEN I LEAVE MY ONE AND ONLY TERM AS MAYOR HE SAID IF I AM CAREFULL, CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT MAY HOLD ME UNTIL THEN. WE WILL SEE.HE SAID NO WORK FOR TWO WEEKS. THANKS –NOW BACK TO WORK– DR. WANG AND I ARE HAVING ONE OF OUR EPIC BATTLES AS HAS BEEN THE CASE BETWEEN HE AND I FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS. HE IS BROODING IN CHINA AND I HAVENT HEARD FROM HIM IN OVER 3 WEEKS. IF I DONT HEAR FROM HIM SOON I MAY HOP ON APLANE AND BRING HIM BACK IN A STRAIGHT JACKET THIS WONT BE THE FIRST TIME I HAD TODO THIS.I JUST WISH I COULD DISLIKE HIM FOR A LONGER PERIOD WHEN WE FIGHT. BUT I ALWYS GIVE IN JUST ONCE I WOULD LIKE TO BEAT HIM BUT NHE IS AS SLY AS A FOX AND ONE OF THE BEST SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD.HE AND I WORK BEST UNDER PRESSURE AND THIS WILL BE THE DEATH OF BOTH OF US. DR. KROFTA WAS JUST LIKE US. AND HE LOVED THIS GAME AS MUCH AS WANG AND I AND HE LIVED TO 90 AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORLD UP TO HIS LAST BREATH. I HAVE SOME TIME ON MY HANDS AND I AM JUST RAMBLING. THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE WERE SPENT WITH DR. KROFTA AND DR. WANG. WHEN WERE FIRST MET WE DIDNT HAVE A COMMON LANGUAGE BETWEEN US THE FIRST SIX MONTHS TOGRTHER WAS A TOTAL NIGHT MARE. I DIDNT KNOW HOW WE WERE EVER GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL A CHIEF CHEMIST AT THE LENOX INSTITUTE WHO WORKED FOR DR. WANG—BETTY WU–CCOULDNT SPEAK ENGLISH MUCH BETTER BUT COULD INTERPRET DR WANG SPEECH WELL ENOUGH FOR ME TOGET IT AND THEN IWOULD GO TELL DR KROFTA AS BEST I COULD. ALL THREE OF US WERE TYPE A HEADSTRONG AND DRIVEN TO EXTREME TO WIN THE HEARTS OF THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD TO GIVE US A CHANCE. KROFTA AND WANG TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD PULL THIS LONG SHOT OFF AND THEY GAVE ME FULL PERMISSION TO SPEAK FOR THEM ALL OVER THE WORLD I WAS SUCCESSFUL AND HERE WE ARE TODAY BEING TREATED LIKE DOGS BY BIANCHI ET AL PREDOMINATELY WANG AND I ARE DOING OUR PART TO INSURE THAT OUR DECEASED COLLEAUGE DR. KROTA GETS HID DUE RECOGNITION AS THE WOLD IN LESS THAN 10-15 TARS FROM NOW WILL NEVER BUILD ANOTHER WATREATMENT PLANT USING SEDIMENTATION EVER AGAIN AS OUR FLOTATION TECHNOLOGU WILL BECOME THE WORLD STANDARD. WHEN NEWYORKS KROFTA TYPE FLOTATION WATER TREATMENT COMES ON LINE IN THE NEXT 14–18 MONTHS WHICH HAS A PRICE TAG OF 7.9 BILLION DOLLARS AS COMPARE TO WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST USING OLD STYLE TECHNOLOGY OF OVER 50 BILLION IT WILL BECOME A NO BRINER AND THIS WILL BECOME THE WORLD STANDARD. ALSO THE SECOND LARGET WATER FILTRTION PLANT ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH IS BEING BUILT IN BOSTON USING KROFTA TUPE TECHNOLOGY WITH A PRICE TAG OF 3.9 BILLION DOLLARS AS OPPOSED TO OVER 23 BILLION DOLLARS USING DINOSAUER TECHNOLOGY. JUST THINK IF WANG AND I DIDINIT HAVE THESE TWO ASS HOLES BIANCHI AND COLLINGWOOD AND YES I FORGOT THE A HOLES ON THE COUNCIL PITTSFIELD WOLD HAV E BECOME MEGA FAMOUS AS PITTSFIELD WAS OUR FIRST MEGA PROJECT YES AH BIANCHI BIANCHI—-THERE WAS PITTSFIELDS ECONOMIC ENGINE AND YOU BLEW IT. ENGINEERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL FLOCKTO NEW YORK TO SEE THE GREAATESTS WATER FILTRATION PLANTS ON THE PLANET WHICH ARE COST EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE . AFTER ALL WHO DOESNT WANT CLEAN WATER. YES BIANCHI ET AL THIS IS WHAT YOU COST OUR CITY AND IF I HAVE ANY THIG TO DO WITH IT THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL GO DOW3N AS THE MOST INFAMOUS ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL IN THE HISTORY OF PITTSFIELD. WHAT A CHANCE HAS BEEN BLOWN HERE. IT BORDERS ON CRIMINAL—-CRAIG PV POSTERS I AM GOING TO SEND THIS NOW ERRORS AND ALL BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO LOOSE THIS POST BARE WITH ME===CRAIG

Pete V
Pete V
Reply to  Waterman
8 years ago

Craig It sounds to me they don’t think you have a rats ass of a chance to win! How DARE they! Keep at it Craig your my HERO! That Stein guy gave me a ticket last week for parking in a fire lane! I was only there 10 minutes max. I would have moved if there was a fire! Im not stupid! GOD BLESS AMERICA! Im 68yrs young and Ive never voted but I will NOW!

Who owns it
Who owns it
Reply to  Pete V
8 years ago

What fire lane were you in? There are cars parked in the fire land in front of Greylock credit union at the stop & Shop market all day long all year long. Nobody ever bothers them and most of them are just lazy young folk. Maybe Greylock told the FD to leave their customers alone.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Pete V
8 years ago

PETE V–YOU TURNED AROUND FAST YESTERDAY YOU GAVE ME TWO CHANCES OF WINNING THE MAYORS RACE–SLIM AND NONE. DONT DISPAIR I AM A VERY TOLERANT PERSON AND I GIVE MANY CHANCES TO EVERYBODY AND YOU ONLY USED ONE CHANCE WITH ME. SO YOU CAN SCREW UP A FEW MORE TIMES AND NOT WORRY.I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR ME. I AM PLEASED. I AM PICKING UP MANY VOTES ONE BY ONE AND THEY ARE STARTING TO COME MUCH FAASTER IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS. I DONT WANT TO PEAK TOO FAST BECAUSE I WANT EVERYBODT TO THINK I AM THE UNDER DOG. I LOVE THAT LABLE AND I HOPE I CARRY THAT LABLE RIGHT UP TO THE DEBATES. I GUARANTEE YOU THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH WHEN THE DEBATES START.HELL–I MAY RIG THE ELECTION AND GET ODDS OF 50-60-1 AND BET A BUSHEL ON MY SELF AND BECOME A BILLIONAIRE. WHEN I WIN THE RACE, I MAY ALLOW HARD WORKING DECENT DOWN TO EARTH FOLKS TO LIVE HERE TAX FREE. NOW –ANY ONE WHO WANTS TO COME TO PITTSFIELD TO LIVE AND WORK AND LIVE TAX FREE–COME TO PITTSFIELD. ONLY SIX MORE MONTHS OF LIES AND DECIET THANKS PETE V. GET ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TOGETHER WE MAY NEED EVERY LAST VOTE. I AM GOING TO BREAK THE BACKS OF THE GOB NETWORK WHO MANY OF YOU HAD TO KISS THIER ASS IN THE PAST 40 YEARS JUST TO KEEP YOUR JOBS. ONE LAST THOUGHT PETE V. I WILL INVITE YOU TO STIENS OFFICE THE DAY I FIRE HIM. IF I WIN, THIS IS A PROMISE–SINCERELY—CRAIG

Pete V
Pete V
Reply to  Pete V
8 years ago

Craig You had me when you said you would fire the little twerp Stein. He cost me $50 of my beer money! I live on a fixed income Welfare. My scooter cost a lot to charge! Craig if you have bumper stickers I’d love to stick one on it.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Pete V
8 years ago

PV POSTERS–I AM BACK==YOU SAW MY FIRST DRAFT BEFORE CORRECTION. TWO WEEKS AGO I WOULD HAVE BEEN SATISFIED AS A FINISHED PRODUCT. IF EVERY THING I AM TRYING TO DO FAILS I WILL HAVE LEARNED TO TYPE. I AM PSYCHED!!!! THE ACCOLADES THAT NEW YORK AND BOSTON WILL RECIEVE COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE RIGHT HERE IN PITTSFIELD AS DR. WANGAND I WERE TO BE FEATURED SPEAKERS AT A SYMPOSIUM OF THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOC. IN BOSTON ENTITLED—WORLD FAMOUS DRINKING WATER FILTRATION PLANT– PITTSFIELD MASS –30 YEARS OF FLAWLESS OPERATION USING FIRST OF A KIND KROFTA FLOTATION TECHNOLOGY TO BE BUILT IN THE WORLD WITH SAVINGS TO CITY OF WELL OVER A 100 MILLION DOLLARS TO STATE AND CITY OF PITTSFIELD RESIDENTS. OF COURSE WE DIDNT GO TO THESYMPOSIUM BECAUSE WE CANT EVEN TO THIS DAY GET INTO THE PLANTS—-WHAT WERE WE TO DO– GO TO THE SYMPOSIUM AND TELL THEM THAT WE THE INVENTORS AND DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS OF THE PLANT CANT EVEN GO TO VISIT OUR OWN PLANTS? THIS FACT ALONE SHOULD HAVE EVERY ONE IN THIS CITY UP IN ARMS TO COMPLETELY SWEEP THE CITY CLEAN OF THE POLITICIANS WHO PERPETRATED THIS CRIME ON CITY TAX PAYERS. IF IT WERENT FOR THESE POLITICAL CRIMINALS –ENGINEERS ABD SCIENTIST FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WOUD BE COMING TO PITTSFIELD BY THE THOUSANDS THIS SUMMER TO SEE THESE PLANTS AND HOW MANY OF THESE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS MIGHT HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH WHAT WE PITTSFIELDERS LOVE ABOUT OUR CITY AND MAYBE THEY WOULD HAVE MOVED HERE.THE BIANCHIADMIN. AND THE COUNCIL AND COLLINGWOOD ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CRIMINAL ACT FOISTED UPON THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMAN IN THIS CITY. WHEN I THINK OF THESE CRIMINALS HOLDING OFFICE IN THIS CITY I WANT TO GAG—BUT I WILL TURN THIS INTO A POSITIVE. I AM BUILDING UP A HEAD OF STEAM AND I WILL BE COMING TOTHE DEBATES TO SLAUGHTER BIANCHI. MS. TYER I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU. I DONT KNOW ANY OF YOUR THOUGHTS TO MAKE PITTSFIELD BETTER BUT I KNOW YOU ARE THE NEW GOOD OLD BOY CANDIDATE. THE GOB KNOWS THAT BIANCHI IS GOING TO BE EATEN ALIVE BY ME IN THE DEBATES, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT ALL THERE EGGS IN YOUR BASKET. IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK AS YOU AND BIANCHI ARE GOING TOSPLIT THE GOB VOTE AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM ANTICIPATING. BIANCHI IS FINISHED AND THE GOB NETWORK IS GOING TO IMPLODE. IF YOU WERE SMART YOU WOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE AND WATH ME DESTROY BIANCHI AND LEARN FROM ME. STAY IN THE CLERKS OFFICE AND STUDY MY EVERY MOVE WHEN I AM MAYOR AND WHEN I LEAVE OFFICE YOU MIGHT INHERIT MY LEGACY. I AM GOING TO LEVEL THE CITY AND IF I SEE YOU HAVE ABSORBED MY MOXY AND LOVE FOR THE CITYS TAX PAYERS AS I LOVE THEM, YOU MIGHT GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE SECOND BEST MAYOR THE CITY WILL EVER HAVE HAD. OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RUN ON YOUR OWN AND NOT HAVE THE GOB BUY THE ELECTION FOR YOU. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER–WITH YOUR HELP I CAN TRULY TURN THIS CITY AROUND–THINK ABOUT IT—CRAIG

Guess what
Guess what
8 years ago

What I have heard is that the water issue in the basement started the minute they drill the hole for those cables. Everyone in City Hall knew about it but nothing was done to fix the problem. Asked the previous custodian he knows because he had to clean it all up before one evening. The problem is right in the same room where City Hall keeps its office supplies.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Guess what
8 years ago

The Problem sits in the Corner Office. He needs to be run into the ditch. Pompous Ass.

Who owns it
Who owns it
8 years ago

Maybe the same inspectors that monitored that work are the same ones that oversaw Price chopper work.

Public Relations
Public Relations
8 years ago

This information was supposed to be on lockdown. LOCKDOWN!

How can you run a city like this?

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

This is no big deal. We can afford it! Just raise our taxes agine.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

I would think that mold will also be a problem after that kind of water damage. We might need to build a new City Hall, at taxpayer expense of course. Why fix it when a new one would be an economic engine for the city? This mayor can’t be removed from office soon enough.

What about removing people from the school committee? Does anyone have any hope on that front? Kathleen Amuso is still working obsessively to get a contractor for the new Taconic. She was a major player in getting a new Taconic. Is there any hope of her being removed from her position?

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

The answer Pat is …. Citizens need to turn out to Vote!! Every single sitting incumbent needs to be removed.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Pat–amusso is Bianchis water girl just as mazzeo is.she never ever voted the conscious of the tax payer while on the school committee or as a city councilor. If the press release I will float today to all media takes off, this would present a good opportunity to shred her before the public and expose her as a nobody that we can live without on the council. Imagine her dealing with the feeding sharks coming to feed on the THS pot of gold and the sharks that are sharpening their teeth to come feed on that 70-90 million dollar project at the sewer plant . she will be torn to shreds by them. THE only person in this city with experience in dealing with these sharks is me. THE SHARKS WILL MAKE MINCED MEAT OF EITHER BIANCHI OR TTYER AND THE POOR TAX PAYER WILL BE SENT DOWN RIVER AGAIN WITHOUT A PADDLE. A new era is coming to Pittsfield when I am elected Mayor. See you all Saturday. I will drive my car in the parade because I cant walk too far due to medical problems. YOU WILL SEE ME IN MY CAR WITH THE TWO BACK SIDE WINDOWS WITH MY TEE SHIRT ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY. On the front doors WITH LARGE LETTERING ON EACH FRONT DOOR — STATING (GUARANTEED LOWER TAXES). You can bank on it. see you at the parade.—CRAIG

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Waterman
8 years ago

Thank you. I am also for politeness shown by city officials to the general public. Pittsfield people in positions of authority are notorious for being rude to the general public. I’m all for the Dale Carnegie courses for all of these people.

FJlowry
FJlowry
8 years ago

Halt the presses! Water in City Hall Basement!! WOW! Riveting News!

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  FJlowry
8 years ago

Riveting News: Systemic Failure from the Very Top ass to the bottom ass.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  spagirl
8 years ago

spa girl don’t swear they say it is not nice but when you swear about bianchi–its ok. your brief and to the point. I hope you are on my side. like your posts—-craig do you think I can win?

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  FJlowry
8 years ago

FJ LOWRY–IT IS RIVETING NEWSTO SOMEONE WHO HAS TO PAY FOR THIS FOLLY AND OF COURSE THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS INCOMPETENCE IS WE TAX PAYERS. WHAT YEAR IN SCHOOL DID YOU LEAVE? 2ND OR 3RD GRADE? PLEASE POST INTELLIGENTLY ON THIS SITE OR DONT POST AT ALL I AM SURE YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR ME. I AM BANKIG ON IT. HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY –YOUR FUTURE FRIEND –CRAIG

Spider
Spider
8 years ago

This may be a ridiculous question, but…..shouldn’t the contractor who did the job be held responsible?

Why should the taxpayers have to pay for his mistakes?

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Spider
8 years ago

SPIDER– I WONDER IF DON DAVIS HEATING AND PLUMBING WAS THE CONTRACTOR? BIANCHI SHIFTS A TREMENDOUS AMT. OF WORK TO THIS COMPANY. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF THEY WERE THE CONTRACTOR WHO SCREWED UP—-CRAIG

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Waterman
8 years ago

SPIDER –PHYLISS SMITH A DIE HARD BIANCHI SUPPORTER IS DON DAVIS”S MOTHER. SHE IS A CRACKPOT WHO CANT STRING TWO SENTENCES TOGETHER . BANCHI GETS HIS POINTS TO THE PUBLIC THRU HER. I DONT PERSONALLY KNOW HER BUT I WAS TOLD THIS BY A VERY RELIABLE SOURCE. I ONLY SAW HER ONCE AND SHE PRAISED BIANCHI AS IF HE WERE THE GREATES COMING SINCE CHRIST. I HAD TO GO TO THE MENS ROOM AND THROW UP. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER SHE WAS EXTREMELY VOCAL AND PUSHING FOR THE NEW THS FOR BIANCHI. A POLITICAL STOOGE WITHOUT A BRAIN IN HER HEAD===CRAIG

Spider
Spider
8 years ago

And who is the contractor?

Henry
Henry
8 years ago

There are sump pumps in the basement to prevent this type of problem . What happen to them?

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Henry
8 years ago

There are also water sensors that are used too. I know a sensor doesn’t stop the water from coming in, but at least an alarm would go off and someone could save some of the records.

Henry
Henry
Reply to  acheshirecat
8 years ago

Acheshirecat you are correct…the sensor’s tell the sump pumps to turn on. Someone disconnected the pumps.

You have to wonder what the maintenance guys are doing?

silence dogood
silence dogood
Reply to  Henry
8 years ago

and the fire dept also has pumps that would work

Who owns it
Who owns it
Reply to  silence dogood
8 years ago

and the city should have insurance although the policy may have a clause that says they do not cover claims resulting from blatant stupidity.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  Henry
8 years ago

MAYBE PURPOSELY TURNED OFF TO GIVE BIANCHI FRIENDLY CONTRACTORS HARD EARNED TAX PAYER DOLLARS. WORKED WITH SCARAFONI WHY NOT OTHERS? NO CHECKS AND BALANCES WHAT SO EVER. BOY HAVE I GOT WORK TO DO WHEN I BECOME MAYOR. WHEN I DO BECOME MAYOR THE CITY OFFICES ESTABLISHED BETWEEN SCARAFONI–BIANCHI PARTNERSHIP IS GOING TO BE BROKEN UP AND THE OFFICES WILL BE RETURNED TO CITY HALL. I WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS OVER THERE FOR A SONG. WE WILL HAVE OFFICES THAT WE DONT HAVE TO PAY SCARAFONI 100,000+ PER YEAR FOR. THEY WILL BE RIGHT BACK IN CITY HALL WHERE THEY BELONG AND NOT COST THE TAXPAYER AN ADDITIONL DIME.—-CRAIG

MrG8811
MrG8811
8 years ago

Is this just another coincidence around the mayor’s “finding” $400-500k to afford the move to North St? Everyone wondered where he found that money. Now we are starting to see…no paving or road repair or even street sweeping from last winter yet…because the mayor was devising a comprehensive plan according to his announcement last week. Couldn’t have been economizing ‘cuz that budget line had already been pilfered for the move? Lifeguard shortage at Onata lake, on July 4th weekend? There are NO kids who want to be lifeguards in all of Pittsfield? Is Lifeguard the new Neurosurgeon from a career path perspective; they’ve become that rare? Couldn’t have been economizing ‘cuz that budget line had already been pilfered for the move? And nowwork that should have been done professionally…done half assed and causing more thousands of $$ in damage? Is it the contractor’s fault, or was this done by incompetent flunkies on the cheap to save money for the move. There has to be more too!

Spider
Spider
Reply to  MrG8811
8 years ago

Someone should be held responsible, financially, for this blunder. Definitely not the taxpayers.

Jaxur
Jaxur
8 years ago

The one who should be held responsible sits in the corner office. I’ll take Tyer. I’ll take Gaetani. Anybody but the fraud that sits there now.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

Pittsfield politics’ finances are unreal and unsustainable. Pittsfield’s tax base is shrinking. Thousands of people have moved away from Pittsfield. There are no private sector full time living wage jobs in Pittsfield. Yet, Pittsfield politics raises taxes and fees, increases its spending, and borrows millions of dollars ever year on top of their one half billion dollars in massive debts. Whether it is Jimmy Ruberto or Dan Bianchi, Pittsfield politics loves to tax, spend, and borrow money. Pittsfield politics is going to bankrupt in the near future. There is no way Pittsfield politics can keep its finances solvent.

PJMH
PJMH
8 years ago

Spagirl is my favorite… who keeps important gov’t docs in a box, in an old basement, on the floor?…CW, bless you, I hope you give them a run for their money…TFB, just saying…it’s going to be above 70 = shirts off if you go outside in Pittsfield.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
8 years ago

I know there’s a life guard shortage.I think the first available should be deployed to City Hall.

crites
crites
8 years ago

Craig Gaetani,

Your abusive treatment above is a perfect example of why noone is willing to stand up with you at open mic.

You have to sign in. Upon speaking you must state your name and address. Anything you say can and will be used against you. If you piss off Bianchi, all off a sudden, out of nowhere you get a letter saying your house has been reassed much higher. Then you get a new adjusted tax bill. Or maybe a city inspector visits and you get cited for some code violation. Or maybe you call the fire inspector to tag an unregistered vehicle on your property and he tells you go to hell. There are many ways they can get retribution to silence you and any other peons.

A corrupt government is corrupt, absolutely, to the core.

No doubt you have brought on the wrath of this corrupt city. Don’t say its because you stood alone and by yourself when it hits hard. Yes we’d like to see you win and correct things, but until its done you won’t find many takers who are willing to stand up and let the city make their lives miserable.

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  crites
8 years ago

CRITES– I PLAN TO ANSWER EVERY POSTER THIS WEEKEND. I KNOW YOUR FEAR.YOU ARE CORRECT. THIS GOB NETWORK. HAS HAD THIS CITY AT THIER MERCY FOR OVER 40 YEARS. THE LORD GAVE ME A GREAT BRAIN BUT I ALMOST LOST IT FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS, WHEN I LOST MY BRAIN TO EXTREME PTSD FROM THE VIET NAM WAR. FROM 1996 T02003 MY MOTHER AND MY SISTER AND MY BROTHER HAD TO DO ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING FOR ME AS ALL I COULD DO WAS STARE AT THE CIELING FOR ALMST 7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. I WAS DEAD BUT SOMEHOW I WAS STILL ALIVE. MY POOR FAMILY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AS WE NEVER SAW THIS IN OUR FAMILY.I HAD ABOUT 2% of my mind left and I sent my sisTer out to find me books about ECT ELECTRO CONVULSIVE TREATMENT–SHOCK TREATMENT— I KNEW THAT IT WAS THE ONLY THING TO SAVE MY LIFE AND I HAD MY FAMILY CALL DR. SABO AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO HIM. HE KNEW HOW FAR GONE I WAS AND I TOLD HIM IT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE MY LIFE AND I WOULD TAKE THEM EVERY OTHER DAY UNTIL IT KILLED ME OR CURED ME. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ALTERNATIVE. KNOWING THAT I WAS A SCIENTIST, HE ALSO FELT IT WAS A MUST AND HE AGREED. AFTER 10–12 TREATMENTS WITH NO SUCCESS I GAVE UP.\, AS I HEARD OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CURRED IN AS LITTLE AS 3 OR 3 TREATMENTS.I SLUMPED TO MY LOWEST POINT AND MY FAMILY HAD TO DRAG ME OUT OF THE BED PHYSICALLY TO GET ME TO THE SESSIONS. I OWE EVERYTHING TO MY FAMILY AND DR. SABO AS THEY SAVED MY LIFE. AFTER THE 13TH OR 14TH TREATMENT, I WOKE UP AFTER THE PROCEDURE AND I WAS CURED. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED HOME FROM VIET NAM BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD BE LOOKED AS BEING WEEK AND I TRIED TO RIDE IT OUT. WHAT A DISASTEROUS MISTAKE. WHEN THE LORD GAVE ME SECOND CHANCE I RESIGNED TO DO MY ALL FOR PEOPLE LIKE MY FAMILY AND DR. SBO AND DR. LOBOVITS DID FOR ME. AND HERE I AM KEEPING MY PROMISE– TO TRY TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR EVERYONE IN THIS CITY. IT IS NOT A TASK TO RUN AS YOUR NEW MAYOR IT IS A PRIVLIDGE. I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF AND I PROMISE YOU I WILL MAKE THIS CITY BETTER OR DIE TRYING AFTER ALL I WAS DEAD ALREADY AND I AM BACK. I KNOW THE LORD LOVES ME AND THINKS THERE IS SOMETHING GOOD FOR ME TO DO FOR HUMANITY AND HERE I AM. I HAVE ONE MORE POST AFTER THIS WHICH I WILL DO TOMORROW I HAVE A TREMONDOUS BOMB THAT I AM GOING TO DROP ON BIANCHI, IF HE HAD ANY CHANCE OF RE–ELECTION WHAT I AM GOING TO TELL YOUJ NEXT WEEK WILL BE THE FINAL NAIL IN HIS COFFIN AND I DIDNT EVEVN HAVE TO PUT IT HERE HE PUT IT THERE HIMSELF. AFTER THE HOLIDAY IT WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER IN EVERY MEDIA SOURCE IN YHE BERKSHIRES. HE WILL BE EXPOSED AS THE THE MEANEST AND MOST VINDICTIVE MAYOR THIS CITY HAS EVER SEEN . WAIT UNTIL I TELL YOU WHAT HE DID. STAY TUNED FRIENDS—HAVE A NICE 4TH AND TUNE IN AFTER THE HOLIDAY—SINCERELY—CRAIG

Waterman
Waterman
Reply to  crites
8 years ago

CRITES –I am a little confused by your post. try again. do you disagree with my attitude at city council meetings or are you saying you would like to do what I do but you are fearful of retribution from the gob network? There is no doubt that I sand alone at city council meetings as I have never seen any supporters there. This is ok because I speak for you and always will. you and everyone on the planet know I have no fear what so ever of the gob network and I plan to single handedly break their back. stay positive. everybody will be able tto speak their mind with no retribution against them when I am mayor. you can bank on that.—-craig

GMHeller
GMHeller
8 years ago

Mr. Valenti,

Does the firm which ran the various cables and caused the breach have liability insurance coverage for all the damage caused?