By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2015) — In the aftermath of THE PLANET’s coverage of Lenihan v. City of Pittsfield, a four-part series that ran last week, a question was tossed around, which, from various reports, generated quite a discussion. QUESTION: One of the five charges Sgt. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 31, 2015) — Classes begin today at Syracuse University, and THE PLANET recently spent time on campus soaking in the atmosphere and talking with students. We thank SU’s 12th chancellor, Kent Syverud, for his work in year one as head of this incredible […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 28 to 30, 2015) — Just how badly can they continue to screw up the Pittsfield Public School system? The PPS takes $102 million each year to operate. To that, add $144 million in borrowing — $20 million in outstanding loans for […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY Last of Four Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 27, 2015) — In accusing the mayor, police chief Mike Wynn, and Capt. David Granger of intimidation, conspiracy, and a other harmful actions in a federal lawsuit, Sgt. Mark Lenihan has given rise to PPD sources who have […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY Third of Four Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26, 2015) — When news splashed across front and home pages that Sgt. Mark Lenihan filed his lawsuit against the city demanding a jury trial against the mayor, police chief, and a police captain, it pried loose sources […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY Second of Four Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 25, 2015) — The immediate meaning of Lenihan v. Pittsfield is the outcome of the case for the individuals involved. They have the most riding on the verdict. They are police Sgt. Mark Lenihan, plaintiff, suing Pittsfield mayor Dan […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY First of Four Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 24, 2015) — And so another layer of the rotten onion gets peeled away, and we get to see more of lurks just below the surface in the administration of Dan Bianchi. It was only a matter of […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 21-23, 2015) —Call it business as usual in Pittsfield. As calls from citizens to department heads, notably DPW’s Bruce Collingwood, go unanswered, the mayor continues to ignore the rash of violence and mayhem gripping the city. In the past two days, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 20, 2015) — Today THE PLANET retreats from the vermin-infested swamps of Pittsfield politics to the fresher air of sports. We present two items of interest. ONE. Have the Sox Found Their First Baseman? SHAW NOT RAW: Travis Shaw went 4-for-4 last […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19, 2015) — THE PLANET‘s pulling back the curtain on the $640,000,000 in debt owed by Pittsfield taxpayers had the line flying Mach III with its head on fire. We interpret that as a faint flicker of hope for the citizens of Pittsfield, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 18, 2015) — In addition to the $146 million municipal budget, Mayor Lockdown requested and our Right Honorable Good Friends on the City Council approved $11 million in borrowing for capital projects. Debt is an aspect of Pittsfield’s financial situation virtually no […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 17, 2015) — Now that THE PLANET has proven the Pittsfield School Department eats up 70%+ of the city’s $146 million budget, it stands to reason how any attempt at preventing certain economic disaster for Podunk must begin with the PSD. Of course, the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 14-16, 2015) — Mayor Lockdown, you better save up your Post Toasties boxtops and send in for your free brain. It’s obvious with the one you presently have that you know nothing about everything, including how to manage infrastructure. Take roads […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI news and Commentary ———————————— SANITY MADE SIMPLE A Film by Dan Valenti Premieres Tonight, 7 p.m., Access Pittsfield Channel 16 —————————- (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2015) — The campaign season presents an ideal time to identify the critical issue of the municipal election. It can go by several names — […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ——– 000 ——– ED. NOTE: Tune in tomorrow night to PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION as we premiere our third documentary/mockumentary on life in Pittsfield. Our new film is called SANITY MADE SIMPLE. Premier is 7 p.m. tomorrow on Access Pittsfield, Ch. 16. Following its debut, our techies will […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 11, 2015) — THE PLANET has more information on the two most recent acts of mayhem in a city now awash with gang violence, drugs, and deadbeats. In the case of the father-daughter deaths, which the D.A. called murder-suicide, sources close to […]
