R.I.P., BRIAN SULLIVAN … BASEBALL TALK TOO ‘COMPLEX’ FOR MAINSTREAM MEDIA … LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … plus … THE COMMENT LINE IS OPEN
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 24-26, 2015) — THE PLANET was saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague, Brian Sullivan of The Berkshire Eagle. We first met Brian in 1971. We had wheels, a ’70 powder-blue VW Bug. He didn’t. That’s how we met. We were in the same class, and he asked for a ride. Sully hitched a ride to BCC and back home on Harvard Street whenever our schedules coincided. The passenger’s seat graduated into quality “hang-out” time. We shared a love of writing, sports, and an analogous sense of humor. Friends find the same things funny.
Sully laughed at our impressions — James Mason, Lawrence Welk, Muhammed Ali. We were both enthralled with Ali-Frazier 1 and dissected that fight down to its smallest parts. I liked Smokin’ Joe. He was a Clay man. Over the years, after we had both moved back to The Berkshires in the 1980s — he beginning his newspaper career in Pittsfield and we leaving ours out of town to become a writer — we kept in periodic touch, running into each other at various places. In 2009, Sully requested our presence at his wedding. We were honored.
THE PLANET shall miss his easy manner, gentle nature, and a sense of irony so dry that you couldn’t call it cynicism. You’d call its optimism. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.
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Baseball Isn’t Rocket Science, but Political Correctness Doesn’t Care
“So, what shall we be offended by today?”
That’s the daily question the PC-ers and progressives, the Millennials and the metrosexuals, ask themselves every day. Sadly, that’s what this country has become.
ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd got into a tangential discussion on the question of baseball’s complexity. Cowherd said baseball’s not complicated, because look at all the Domincans that play the game.
That’s how the mainstream media is reporting Cowherd’s comments. Here’s what he actually said:
“It’s too complex? I’ve never bought into that ‘baseball is too complex.’ Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has not been known in my lifetime as having world class academic abilities. A lot of those kids come from rough backgrounds and have not had opportunities academically that other kids from other countries have. Baseball is like any sport. It’s mostly instincts. A sportswriter who covers baseball could go up to Tony La Russa and make an argument and Tony would listen and it would seem reasonable. There’s not a single NFL writer in the country who could diagram a play for Bill Belichick. You know, we get caught up in this whole ‘thinking-man’s game.’ Is it in the same family? Most people could do it. It’s not being a concert pianist. It’s in the same family.”
THE PLANET, with No. 9, Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox legend. We’re at the batting cage, Winter Haven, Fla., ca. March 1987. During our Baseball Writer decade. (PHOTO BY BRUCE WEBER)
Ooohhhhh. He “offended” the Dominicans. When did we become so vulnerable to words? When did we chuck “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me?”
Cowherd’s points are in fact correct:
* Dominicans have assumed a dominant role in 21st century MLB.
* The Dominican Republic is not known for its academic brilliance. Typically, Domincans spend only 5 years in school, ranking 69th in the world (source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
* Baseball is a simple game (though notoriously difficult to refine at its highest skills levels). Tactically, anyone with a fan’s knowledge of the game could take over a major league team for a game, make out a lineup card, and manage nine innings, especially in the American League. As Cowherd points out, you wouldn’t have a clue if you had to be Bill Belichick for a day. Baseball managers, good ones, maybe win five games a year through strategy. Mediocre ones lose 10 games a year in blunders.
Lay off Cowherd, America. Stop being offended by words.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mayor Treats Fire Department Like Crap
TO THE PLANET:
I just wanted to say that from my knowledge of inspection stickers that with the Black R it usually failed emissions. If it was a safety failure it would have had a Red R and the inspection station isn’t supposed to allow the vehicle to be driven off premises. All though it was probably only for emissions I don’t agree with any firefighters having to drive it. You are supposed to only have like 10 days to get it fixed or apply for an exemption through the state because you’ve tried everything to get it to pass and it’s not worth spending more. I don’t find it fair at all that your average citizen would get stopped and ticketed but the Mayor expects the PFD to get away with it. He’s sounding more and more like Mayor Barrett. — Sparky
THE PLANET responds: Yes. The city has 10 days, not 60, to fix the vehicle. Thank you for confirming that, Sparky. And you are correct about the mayor’s behavior. This incident is revelatory. The mayor of Pittsfield (1) encourages flouting the law, (2) maintains a double standard, and (3) treats the PFD like it has leprosy. Remember Come September.
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‘Great Public Service’
To THE PLANET:
Thank you DV for your website, TV show, and now your films. Kentucky Fried Pittsfield was scream-laugh funny but also sad. You have a great gift of using humor to make serious points. Seeing the neglect, the “small things” as you call them, points out how our “leaders” have given up on the city. You are a natural in front of a camera. Your daily output is phenomenal. I don’t think anyone, any other writer, could produce daily material the way you do at such a high level. You are giving us national-quality material. You are not taken for granted by [your] followers. Thank you for a great public service. Keep the laughs coming and the heat on the politicians. — Leonard E.
THE PLANET responds: Thank you, Leonard, for those kind words. We are glad you appreciate our efforts.
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With that, brothers and sisters, we open up The Comment Line. Any topic, any subject is fair game. Just give us your best: The sharpest observations presented to the highest of your abilities. If you want to be a jerk, don’t bother this address. Head to Topix or the rhetorical cesspool of your choice.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
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“Hey, Mr. Blue Legs, where are you taking me? I feel like a lifer in a state penitentiary. Mom wanted Einstein, but she got a Frankenstein. That’s the price you pay when you’re Public Animal No. 9.” — Alice Cooper, “Public Animal N0. 9,” from the School’s Out album, (1972).
“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.
I viewed Craig Gaetani’s political show on PCTV, and if I understand his press release segment; He has been served no trespass notices for all Pittsfield Fire Dept. properties and a no trespass notice for city offices at 100 North St. and The Pittsfield Police Department has filed several criminal or civil complaints against him.
He in turn states he has filed criminal charges against the mayor, police chief and fire chief and that he has invited the media to the initial court arraignments on July 30th.
Seems like a cluster muck and what’s all this accomplishing besides embarassment ? I nteresting that Dan Valenti has given Mr. Gaetani free reign to display the Planet on PCTV, or maybe it isn’t necessary as a blog is public.
DOWGERHAT–IT IS EVIDENT THAT YOU DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET ACROSS ON MY SHOW–THERE IS A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ME, JUST LIKE THERE WAS A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST DONNA WALTO A FEW YEARS BACK BY THE SAME POWERS TO BE–GO BACK TO ALL OF MY POSTS YESTERDAY AND SEE WHAT I AM DOING TO TRY TO SAVE THIS CITY. DO YOU THINK A SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ME IS CLUSTER MUCK AND I SHOULD SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING–WHAT WOULD YOU DO?–EXPLAIN IN DETAIL. YES MY USING SOME DATA FROM DANS SHOW IS PERFECTLY LEGAL AND I DONT THINK DAN WOULD MIND NOR WOULD I MIND HIM USING ANY OF MY SHOWS CONTENT ON HIS SHOW–WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO ?? DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CARRYING THE CONVERSATION FORWARD AND ADDING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THIS SITE OR ARE YOU JUST TRYING TO HURT ME. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM BUT WHAT CAN I CONCLUDE FROM YOUR POST?–CRAIG GAETANI
and we’re back to all caps…….
ALL CAPS– for the umpteenth time i am learning how to type and i agree with you that my posts are not the easiest to read. if you would look past the typing and studied the content it would open up a whole new world. are you reading my posts to find mistakes? give up– my posts are very sloppy . that said– can you start reading for content i am the only candidate for mayor who adresses all the issues–what more do you want from me? start putting some of your criticism on bianchi and tyer who have told you nothing about their plans for mayor. perhaps they are the type of candidate you want. again please go back and read all my posts–all i am trying to do is give you the rights you deserve as a taxpayer– that you wont have with either bianchi or tyer–cant you see that? please give me a break– as i work 16-18 hour days– and still try to research everything i need to know to be a good CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR. if you want things to stay the same as they are now just vote for bianchi or tyer and i will guarantee you– they will stay the same. please give me a break Iam doing my best . it is tough to have to fight the current every day and it is tough going some time. do you yhink you could give me a little more time to learn to type? this post took me almost 40 minutes to answer. do you see what i mean?—craig
Learning to type is on you. YOU make it difficult to Stay FOCUSED ON YOUR message. DO you SEE what I MEAN. Whether you like it OR NOT YOUR TYPING SKILLS HAVE an effect ON HOW YOUR message is RECEIVED.
Can any person file a criminal complaint against another person? I would like to file charges against a few.
Does anyone know how this is done? Craig can you explain how I can do this?
PAM- I AM NOT A LAWYER–SO ANY THING I SAY IS JUST FYI–I USE LAWYERS IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY AND BELIEVE ME THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. I PREPARE THE BRIEFS AND THEY SUBMIT IT TO THE COURT AND THEN CHARGE ME AN ARM AND A LEG. I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE BETTER FOR ME TO GO TO COURT AND REPRESENT MYSELF ON ISSUES THAT I FEEL COMPETENT THAT I CAN HANDLE. IF YOU GO TO COURT AND BE AS HONEST AS YOU CAN BE AND PRESENT THE FACTS MOST JUDGES –YOU WILL FIND– ARE QUITE FAIR. HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME JUDGES WHO ARE NOT FAIR–AND IF YOU DRAW ONE– YOU ARE AT HIS OR HER MERCY–BELIEVE ME I HAVE BEEN BEFORE ONE OR TWO OF THEM. REMEMBER–THEY CAN LOOK AT YOU AND IF THEY DONT LIKE YOU –YOUR FINISHED–EVEN IF YOU HAVE A WINING CASE. YOU CAN FIND THESE TYPES OF JUDGES IN THE HOUSING COURTS AND ALSO IN THE DISTRICT COURT.THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WONT GO TO COURT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE THEY ARE KEENLY AWARE OF THIS AND IT IS SO WIDESPREAD WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE SO MUCH ON MY PLATE AT PRESENT- THAT I CANT TRY TO CHANGE THE COURTS.–HOWEVER IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD DEFINITELY TRY. I KNOW YOU ARE CIVIC MINDED AND IF YOU PERSUED THIS, I WOULD HELP YOU IN ANY WAY I COULD. YOU AND I HAVE BEEN AT ODDS AT TIMES BUT I DONT HOLD GRUDGES. GOOD LUCK. I PRAY YOU GET A FAIR JUDGE–ITS A CRAP SHOOT–SINCERELY–CRAIG C GAETANI
I SPENT MOST OF THE DAY AT THE GATHER IN AT PITT PARK. I WAS SOME WHAT SHOCKED AT HOW MANY OF THE BROTHERS KNEW THAT I WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR. I EVEN WAS INVITED TO GIVE A TALK AT A CHURCH THAT MANY PEOPLE ON THE WEST SIDE ATTEND. THERE WERE MANY POLICE MEN THERE AND I WILL BE WILLING TO BET NONE OF THEM WERE THERE UNPAID. 1OO% of the residents that i told that when i am mayor there will be foot patroll cops 24/7– they were really charged up. not one that i spoke to has much faith in the police but i told them to be open minded and give them a chance when i assign them as their boss. all agreed. the west side knows me well white people black people chinese people mexican people and all others. i grew up in the west side and almost all of the west side residents were there and theY introduced me to their children and new people who have m0ved to the city. as mayor the west side residents will gravitate towards me and will work with me to clean up the mess we have here now. do the west side residents have much faith in mayor bianchi ms. tyer or police chief wynn?—I CANT REPEAT SOME OF THE RESPONSES–BUT I THINK YOU CAN GUESS. ARE ANY OF THEM GOING TO COME FORWARD AND GIVE UP tHE SHOOTERS AND HOODLUMS THAT EXIST IN THE WEST SIDE.? I THINK NOT. I ASKED IF YOU SAW POLICE ON FOOT PATROL THERE 24/7 MIGHT YOU COME FORWARD?? THE RESPONSE –LETS SEE THE COPS ON FOOT PATROL– AND WHO KNOWS; IRONICALLY I SPOKE TO THE POLICE THERE AND GOT THE COLD SHOULDER For THE MOST PART AND TOLD THEM THEY WILL BE WALKING THE BEAT THERE AND THEIR RESPONSE –IT WONT WORK AND WOULD REQUIRE MANY NEW POLICE OFFICERS. MY RESPONSE –NO NEW POLICE– BETTER STATIONED POLICE AND A NEW BOSS– CRAIG GAETANI–NO MORE RIDING AROUND TOWN IN CRUISERS –FOOT PATROLS WILL BE THE ORDER OF THE DAY. WILL FOOT PATROLS SOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY/–I AM SURE THEY WILL HELP. IF NOT WE WILL TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT I AM AN INNOVATOR AND WILL TRY THINGS UNTIL WE GET THEM RIGHT–BIANCHI OR TYER??—FORGET ABOUT IT. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DEBATES. IF I HAD MY WAY WE WOULD HAVE DEBATES EVERY DAY RIGHT UP YO THE ELECTION. MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT BIANCHI AND TYER WONT NOT SHOW UP AT ALL AS THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO SOLVE THE CITYS PROBLEMS AND THE LESS THEY CAN SPEAK THE BETTER THEY WILL LIKE IT . AS I PROMISED YOU THAT I HAD ENTICED DONNA WALTO TO RUN FOR MAYOR AND THANK GOD SHE IS AN OFFICIAL CANDIDATE AND I NOW KNOW THAT I WILL HAVE SOME INTELECTUAL STIMULATION IN THE DEBATES. AFTER ALL DONNA IS A WILLIAMS COLLEGE ALUM AN D YOU DONT GET THROUGH WILLIAMS BY BEING AN IDIOT– OH– I TAKE THAT BACK, WE HAVE A DEPT HEAD WHO IS A WILLIAMS COLLEGE ALUM. I SHOULD HAVE SAID HARDLY ANY ONE GETS THROUGH WHO IS AN IDIOT.BRING ON THE DEBATES I CANT WAIT–IS THERE ANY ONE OUT THERE WHO FEELS I WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BIANCHI OR TYER??? TRY TO GET LONG SHOT ODDS ON ME AND STAY CLOSE TO THE COLLECTION WINDOW LIKE TAKING CANDY AWAY FROM A BABY, NOT BRAGGING—-THIS IS CONFIDENCE–CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE—I AM NOT WEAK-WEAK -WEAK. I AM ALWAYS PREPARED AND I GUARANTEE YOU WILL SEE THIS FOR YOURSELF SOON–ENJOY THE FOLLOWING WEEK I WILL BE FAR AWAY BUT WILL NOT MISS A BEAT———CRAIG I KNOW THERE IS MANY GRAMATICAL MISTAKES IN THIS POST BUT PLEASE READ FOR CONTENT—-I GOT IT– MY TYPING IS BAD MY GAME PLAN IS AS SOLIS AS A DIAMOND
CG: you said on your own political hour that you were inviting the media to the court arraignments of the mayor, chief, and collingwood. You said on July 30th. We vcr recorded your show and rechecked your statement, How is this going to be if you’re out of town ? Is it continued ?
You did file criminal charges against these three, like you said ?
Dan–I posted a lengthy post at this position at around 9;30 this morning re; the school building need com. hiring the management team to over see the ths project, and when i hit submit–it showed up at the end of the blog entitled MAYOR STICKS IT TO FIRE DEPT. I am still learning how to type and I wonder if i am doing something wrong. any ideas?
Political correctness has gone off a cliff. People pretending to be upset about any possible slight they can manufacture.
My favorite so far is when Bernie Sanders was campaigning and had some black group interrupting his speech with a “black lives matter” chant. So, wanting to get on with what he came for he said, ” black lives matter, white lives matter, all lives matter”. and lo and behold he is in hot water for adding that white and all lives matter because it was detracting from simply black lives matter. Never mind that it was his scheduled speech being interrupted but he is in the doghouse for saying all lives matter instead of just black lives. wtf
So ridiculous. I will never be that politically correct.
I think you are referring to O’Malley (former gov of MD); also a democratic presidential candidate. He later apologized for his “white lives/all lives matter” comment. Perhaps he should grow a pair and stand up to the PC (politically correct) police. It seems to be working for Donald Trump.
I am sure it was Bernie Sanders. Could have been both. google it.
Craig is kinda like eating popcorn on a carnival ride you don’t wind up with a full box at the end of the ride but I would defend Chief Wynn as a excellent Superior officer. That’s just my take on him from my years a cop.
Excellent analogy; the less than full box of popcorn. Think about it.
Ron-that is your opinion but do you believe someone good can go bad?? you havent seen what i have yet. do you still think i am going to get less than 50 votes.? your popcorn analogy is weak and leaves many wondering what your saying please try to be more clear.if you read every post i submitted to this site you would see that my one and only goal is to turn the city back into the hands of its rightful owners the tax payer.now can you post back and let me know if there is something wrong with my persuing this goal for the taxpayer–craig
RON -I NEED THE MAYORS JOB LIKE I NEED A WHOLE IN MY HEAD. YOU WERE A POLITICIAN AND YOU GAVE IT A TRY AND COULDNT GET ANYWHERE AND I PROBABLY WILL NOT GET ANYHERE EITHER. I COULD SAIL OFF IN THE SUNSET AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A THING EVEN IF I LIVED A MILLION YEARS. THATS NOT TRUE–I WOULD BE BOTHERED LEAVING THE GOOD PEOPLE IN PITTSFIELD WHO HAVENT A SNOWBALLS CHANCE OF CHANGING ANYTHING WITH THE GOB— AND I KNOW THAT. THIS IS MY LAST CHANCE TO DESTROY THESE SOB;S AS I AM GETTING CLOSER TO THE GRAVE EVERYDAY. I WILL DESTROY THEM OR DIE TRYING. THEY HAVE A VENDETTA AGAINST ME BUT IN THE END I WILL AT LEAST PUT A SERIOUS SWORD IN THEIR SIDE AND CRIPPLE THEM ENOUGH THAT THEIR POWER WILL BE ON THE DECLINE. IF I ACCOMPLISH THIS– I WILL BE SATISFIED.–CRAIG
Leonard E.
Excellent Letter, and we are all fortunate that Dan Valenti has the fortitude to tell it like it is. That is why he is hated when he enters Gestapo’s airspace. As far as this incompetent Mayor goes, and his Sheep, the Citizens are all treated like Leprosy as well….After all no one is as Smart as he is. He wants you to shut up and go away. Every bit of his Salary is a Waste of Money. There is no return on this dollar.
I’m looking forward to the mayoral debates. I hope that they won’t consist of softball questions with the candidates giving fluff answers . Usually they all say that they want low taxes, no waste, great education no crime and mom and apple pie are just great. In other words we learn nothing except people can talk without really saying anything. That’s why we need Dan Valenti to moderate these debates.
If Bianchi shows up at all look for him to bob and weave, obfuscate and change the subject entirely. He cannot run on his record and no one is going to believe any more hollow promises. The man has lost all credibility in my book. Even Julia will probably vote for someone else once in the booth where he cannot control her.
Does she live in Pittzfield?
Dunno, but she might just feel an overwhelming urge to try it.
She moved from Pittsfield to Richomnd. She and hubby take home $120K from sucker taxpayers but dont pay taxes here.
Figures. Most of the people who earn the big bucks from the city quickly move to south county. Bianchi’s Director of Cultural Development lives in Great Barrington. Same with the Pittsfield School Department. Many of the high earners do not live in the city.
Which Pittsfield Cop got caught with his hand in the Cookie Jar. Of, course, Pittsfield Residents are censored from any further information.
has the SUPER citizen Terry Kinnas taken out his papers to run in ward 4 yet?
As always in Pittsfield there are different rules for different people.
Also should the cop be on a paid leave? That’s like being given a long vacation.
pv posters– I told you yesterday that i submitted a taped press release to all media. those who did a story were–wbec am and fm tom conklin. wamc-jim levulus. those that did nothing with a submitted press release from me a certified mayoral candidate were the Berkshire eagle, iBERKSHIRE AND WBRK AM AND FM. DOES THIS SURPRISE ANY ONE?. EVERY TIME I SUBMIT A PRESS RELEASE TO THE MEDIA I WILL INFORM YOU AS TO WHO CARRIES THE PRESS RELEASE AND WHO DOESNT. jIM VASIL FROM TWC NEWS CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME HE WAS SWAMPED WITH WORK BUT SAID HE WILL CALL ME MONDAY AND DO A FEATURED STORY. I COULDNT DO ANY BETTER THAN THAT AND KUDOS TO HIM AND TWC NEWS. ON .MY TV SHOW I WILL EXPOSE THOSE THAT DONT HONOR A PRESS RELEASE AND ASK THAT THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE TO THESE CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS TO PULL THEIR ADVERTISING DOLLARS FROM THESE ORGINAZATIONS. IF I GET NOWHERE IN MY CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR—– BUT CAN EXPOSE THE CORRUPT ORGINAZATIONS— THEN I WILL HAVE SUCCEDED . I AM DOING A FAVOR FOR MY OPPONENTS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS ALSO BUT WOULDNT HAVE THE GUTS TO DO WHAT I AM DOING. I AM A FULLY ENGAGED CANDIDATE AND AN OPEN BOOK DO YOU WANT A MAYOR LIKE ME?? —
Get the balloon out. It needs some hot air.
HEY CRAIG:
Get used to something: Not all of the press respond to all press releases.
If the press release is typed by someone with the skills of a six-year-old, less attention will be paid.
When you threaten, even less attention will be paid.
I used to have your preliminary vote over/under at 400. I may drop it to 300 as more voters realize what a hotheaded, threatening bully you are.
I say 300. All in
Ready? Here come the threats and/or prayers.
I wish CG could control his temper, stop threatening those that question his qualifications, and stay focused on a simple task (such as typing) so I could find him credible. But it becomes increasingly difficult with every appearance at council meetings and posts (rants) on this site. Sorry CG but I’ll have to take a look at “the other guy”.
@Spagirl teach your kids that cops, fireman, military etc are your friends. When they get old enough to vote suggest to them to never ever trust a cop.
Good point, and well taken Ron Kitterman
Julia lives in Richmond
I too am a recovering caps lock abuser. Some of us had to take a flat head screwdriver and literally pop the caps lock key right off the keyboard.
“If your caps lock key is making you stumble, take it off. Better to end up getting elected mayor than to end up losing, due to shouting online”.
– confuseUS
Saw the strangest thing earlier this evening (Friday between 7-730pm). I was driving west on West Housatonic St. and there was a young white male in his 20’s standing near the railroad underpass just passed the city yards and across from Clapp park. He had a home made sign that said “SPARE WEED?”
He had on a hoodie with the hood up and dark sunglasses. Hard to see his face. When I went back about 5 minutes later he was gone.
The other side of the sign said..Will Work For
DV your second movie was outstNDING!!!!!
What happened to Mr. Cowherd is a extension of the pussification of America. Everyone is special, and everyone gets a trophy. Also never say anything that might hurt someone’s feelings, even if it’s true. Not everyone is special, and not everyone are winner’s. But that’s OK. A lot of those people have trouble dealing with there success (Elvis,Marilyn, Joplin,Belushi and more) what’s so wrong with being ordinary? I’m loving it.
On top of having a Director of Cultural Development in Pittsfield, we also have an assistant to the Director of Cultural Development. I mean there is just so much culture in the area that one person simply can’t handle it all? They have a talk show each week with these cultural reps giving a list of all of the cultural events happening for that particular week. They go out of their way to emphasize which events are free. They get all excited when they mention a free event. “Oh, this is free”. “We love that word “free”, they exclaim. Of course they realize they are broadcasting to a city in which 70% of the people live in poverty so this is the reason for all of the emphasis on “free” events, but the truth is that most of the events are not free and many are very costly especially the theatrical productions (except for Romeo and Juliet of course which is playing at the Berkshire Common for free for the next few weeks). Romeo and Juliet, however, is the exception as most of the theatrical offerings in the area are anything but free.
This is how money in made here in the Berkshires during the peak summer season, but it does show the widening gap between the haves and the have nots in the area. Most of these cultural wonders are denied to the have nots despite the free events that are thrown in from time to time. Such a big deal is made of Third Thursdays, but even this event is pay as you go and is intended in large part to drum up business for North Street merchants.
and they would prefer than the 70% that live in poverty stay the hell away from their events, free or otherwise.
Youre right Who. They don’t want ordinary people to get involved at all. Ive never been so sick of city politics than now. Hoping someone, Ms. Tyer, Craig anybody can turn this around. Bianchi must go…
Thank God we have the Planet to at least give us a half a chance…
True. I remember that even the Farmer’s Market on First Street was touting that even people with food stamps could go there and buy food using their food stamps. Several people, however, have told me that they go there and try to use food stamps and the vendors look at them like they have two heads. They really do not want to accept food stamps despite what the ads say. Now, if they don’t want to accept them, that’s fine, but they shouldn’t be advertising that they accept food stamps as obviously many of their vendors are not in agreement with that policy.
Isn’t it an EBT card now? Not all merchants are set up to accept such cards in the middle of the common with no computer lines
SNAP is another tool to help the less fortunate.
I get that, but they shouldn’t advertise that they do accept EBT cards if they are not even set up to accept them. That’s the point.
He wins, we win………Gaetani
Does anyone know what Brian Sullivan died of? I remember him and met him a few times. I’ve certainly enjoyed his writing.
Pittsfield seems to be losing the talent such as Brian that made it a very distinctive city. The young people are mostly leaving. It’s sad for us whole continue to love where we grew up and where we have many connections.
I loved “Kentucky Fried Pittsfield”. The devil is in the details and when the city is allowed to have so many areas that are allowed to deteriorate, it doesn’t speak well for the leadership of the city and it certainly doesn’t encourage companies with good paying jobs to want to come here. As you showed over and over during the hour show, it doesn’t even take that long to spruce up many of these areas and make them look presentable.
Check out Pete White’s facebook. He entered a Tricia Farley-Bouvier picture of the farmer’s market at the Common and it said that they not only accept SNAP, WIC and Senior Coupons but also “double” them.
We are getting two different stories here!
what is a senior coupon?
My mother-in-law gets the senior coupons from the Senior Center in Pittsfield. Just ask for the discount coupons that can be used at farmer’s markets. These are accepted at farmer’s markets unlike the EBT cards which many of these markets say they accept, but when you get there they won’t let you use them.
Now I’m very curious about what is going on. I will have to call someone this week about it. I’ll keep The Planet updated.
I have seen the confusion over EBT cards and payments at the farmer’s market, too. I’ve seen some very odd transactions. Don’t tell me even this in Pittsfield is tainted with corruption.
I’ve been a voter for a long time. And a long time resident of Pittsfield. We’ve been politically active, and I have to admit that never have I seen the city in such bad shape.
There is absolutely no leadership. It saddens me. I thank DV for his efforts to provide honest information and in doing that some hope for us.
Gene,
The lack of Leadership is astounding and unacceptable. The Mayor is getting a Salary three times his worth. He is way over his head along with his DPW Commissioner. This City is a mess.
To use SNAP/ Senior coupons etc, you must go to the managers booth. They will process your cards and or coupons and in turn hand you Market Bucks. All vendors take market bucks and are reimbursed later for them.
A reliable source!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks Kathy. You have my vote. I know you’ll make a good councilor.
Good info. See if you can get the pretend media to pass this along since so many seem unaware of it.
I am always amazed at how people and politicians can lie. Even when they know the people listening to them know they are lying. What even is more “amazing” is people will still vote the liars/incumbents back into office.
Truth Justice and the Planet Way. Years ago the Planet took to Court the right to freedom of press for us, the also Kapanski’s, also known as the taxpayers. Th Journalism and transparency given today on the Planet was the same reason the Planet fought for us in Court that Day. The piece we read today is the reason They’ don’t want the Planet to investigate, thus, the complete avoidance by Media outlets,such as the B B.. Thank You Dan!