ARMAGEDDON 2020 — PITTSFIELD FACES THE ULTIMATE TEST OF SURVIVAL IN 2015 ELECTION
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI news and Commentary
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SANITY MADE SIMPLE
A Film by Dan Valenti
Premieres Tonight, 7 p.m., Access Pittsfield Channel 16
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(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 — the economy, the finances, the budget — but it all comes down to income and expenses.
Taxes: Necessary? Or Just Evil
Thomas Picketty, professor at the Paris School of Economics, writes in his 2014 tome Capital, “Without taxes, society has no common destiny, and collective action is impossible. This has always been true. At the heart of every major political upheaval lies a fiscal revolution.” He goes on to cite the American and French revolutions as examples, but one doesn’t have to get so grand in scale and scope. One can look at little Pittsfield and see the principal at work.
The income side of the city’s budget relies mainly on the income tax, using more than 70 cents of each dollar to provide “free” public education for grades K-12 plus preschool. It stands to reason, then, Pittsfield budget reform begins with the school department. Not doing that will perpetuate the reckless spending that has failed to drive improvement in Pittsfield’s public schools. There are many examples of the last statement, including the $5 million the PPS lost in the past year through school choice.
To simply rely year after year on tax increases without addressing its spending problem will destroy the city. One must not fall into the trap of what Picketty calls “definitional quibbles” when trying to determine the justness of any given tax. All taxation is a form of stealing, just as every tax is in some form “progressive,” that is, requiring those with more resources to pay more of the load. Progressive levying is among the worst of all taxation evils, perhaps topped only by property taxes.
In THE PLANET‘s view, the least progressive tax is also the best. A flat tax at, say, 12% across the board is the fairest. Proportional taxing takes a set percentage from everyone, regardless of income. Each, therefore, takes the same relative hit. Progressive taxation, which we have in the form of tax brackets, penalizes those with greater resources, the purpose of which is redistribution of wealth or what is better called social engineering
Of course, taxes can also be “regressive” if, for example, one evades them illegally or uses the law to do so. The famous case of General Electric Company comes to mind. GE paid no taxes in 2010 principally by keeping $108 billion out of the United States, holding that much in overseas profits.
But forget taxation theory, whose proponents assume utopian ideals in human behavior. They calculate with the “given” that greed and avarice will not sufficiently test the morals of men and women. How silly. Bringing this back to Pittsfield, the next mayor will not be able to stop a generation of reckless spending at once. It will take at least two budgets just to stop the bleeding by reducing spending each year and freezing taxes in the first year and lowering them in the second. The final two years of the four-year term can continue that pattern while driving productivity and boosting income.
There are many pragmatic measures that can achieve this outcome. For instance, the city could perform an audit of all “non-profit” businesses and agencies requiring them to justify their non-profit status. It could require more payment-in-lieu-of-taxes. It could also reduce taxpayers’ share of the public-employees health care bill from the current 85-15 to 60-40 or even 50-50. It could slash administrative overhead in the school department.
It remains impossible to predict what Pittsfield will look like within a decade of such sustained fiscal reform, but without such measures, Pittsfield will be dead by the end of the next mayor’s term.
Armageddon 2020.
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“Egypt’s going to build one, too, just to drop on you know who. So Israel’s getting tense, wants one in self defense. “The Lord’s my shepherd,” says the Psalm, but just in case, we’re gonna get a Bomb.” — Tom Paxton, (1970).
“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.
Pittsfield schools do need to be brought under control. Linda Tyer is proposing city funding for 3 and 4 year olds to attend preschool supposedly because they would have better learning skills when they get to kindergarten. The cost of this would be significant as nearly half of these 1,000 preschoolers would also qualify for free meals and tuition. Didn’t Ms. Tyer get the memo that voters don’t want to be taxed even higher for an out of control school system? Does she understand why voters are so upset right now? Also, is it really necessary and wanted to put 3 and 4 year olds in a structured learning environment at such a young age? Children that young should just be able to enjoy being a child without preparing them for achievement. It’s ridiculous and makes me think of helicopter parents who put too much pressure on kids to succeed at a young age. Hold on to your wallets Pittsfield residents if Ms. Tyer is voted into office.
First is preschool the same as day care? Secondly, isn’t kindergarten where a child starts learning the structure of school? We used to go for a half day and at the end of the year if the teacher thought you were ready you went on to a full day 1st grade, if not it was back to kindergarten next year.
School population is shrinking, must find more students to feed the pig. Next will be legislation that will make it mandatory that students stay in school until 18. Love to see who was the writers of these studies. Better off giving vouchers to low income families, letting them use them at local preschools in the area.
I think this whole pre-school debate follows the kindergarten debate. I grew up in a town nearby, we had no kindergarten. we moved to Pittsfield when I was of age to start in grade 1. my sister, was younger and my mom thought that she might benefit with it, so she went. Kindergarten in the late 60’s and early 70’s was still voluntary.
then, kindergarten became mandatory – but the full day version was voluntary. now, I believe full day is mandatory.
so there are a lot of private pre-K programs out there run by places that are private, the Y, and most school’s. all voluntary. notice how we are moving it to the schools. why? could it be so the jobs are filled with union employees? maybe union rules? then we need top feed two more years’ of kids – breakfast and lunch. when do we start feeding them dinner?
when do we start raising every kid, from the cradle on – so we can indoctrinate them to believe what we think is right?
communism failed when it was done in one big chunk. socialism is failing in most countries – this is a way to ease it in, like the camels nose under the tent. as a Mayor, Linda Tyer should be asking that any additional commitments to kids be 100% funded through State dollars (which although they are ours, spreads the burden). As a citizen, we all need to ask if this is a necessary direction to press forward in.
arguments supporting and disparaging pre-K all point to motivated parents as the key., so why don’t we mandate parenting classes? I have always thought we should lace the water supply with birth control and only gi9ve you the antedate once you pass a test and prove you can raise your child financially and emotionally.
I agree with everything you said. Let’s not forget that Linda Tyer is going out of her way to let everyone know she is a big Progressive just like Bernie Sanders is letting everyone know up front that he is a socialist. Pittsfield voters, be WARNED!!!
Southeast, you say Socialism is failing in most countries. That is simply not true. There are many, many countries in which socialism, or some iteration thereof, is thriving…and where the quality of life has now passed the good old US of A by. Properly managed public education is an absolute necessity, as is public healthcare. We already have public infrastructure, police, prisons and much else that you would call Socialism. Those are necessities too and all are increasingly underfunded for one primary reason; we as a country spen WAYYY too much on defense and defense contractors. We have already crossed into a post-capitalist economy…we just don’t talk about or discuss it. Look around at what’s happening…we complain on here of the “welfare class” that takes all sorts of public assistance yet we who are complaining are also scraping bottom in many cases and living paychek to paycheck too. Retirement?!. HAH! There needs to be real opportunity, not just the “anyone can make it who works real hard” platitudes. I work real hard. We all work real hard…yet the rich get MuCH richer and everyone else not so much. Those are the problems that need to be addressed.
MrG, I just don not believe that government needs to solve every problem. I want good schools. I also think that $50K plus bennies should entitle the taxpayers to an 8 hour day 47 or so weeks a year. I want safwe streets and would gladly pay for more cops. I also want those resources used effectively. Like many on this site – I think we need to allow kids to remain free of structure and school as long as we can. and if a parent thinks there kid would benefit – they can pay for it on their dime. I am good with welfare, SNAP, and subsidized housing – for a limited time period. it’s not my job to work to support my family then support yours while you live off the EBT and every other system. the schools are there – even the less than perfect ones impart some skills. not learning is as much the student’s fault, their parents’ fault as I would say it is the teacher’s fault. if a kid doesn’t want to learn, no amount of teaching will make him or her skilled. but if they know that the alternative is living on the streets – then maybe they will put forth the effort.
socialism may work somewhere – but this country was founded with a different mindset. if socialisms so great, I encourage you to live where it works. I would rather live here, work hard, and enjoy the fruits of my hard work. I will give anyone a helping hand – but after it becomes a daily dose, they can fail and if you give me a list of places where socialism works – I would gladly contribute to a fund providing these folks one way tickets to that place.
China
Denmark
Finland
Netherlands
Canada
Sweden
Norway
Ireland
New Zealand
Belgium
This is a list of the 10 most socialist countries on earth. Most of them have higher standards of living than the US, better education systems, better healthcare, far less poverty and a much healthier middle class. They also have fewer super wealthy. I like that it took you a paragraph to get to saying “if it’s so great, why don’t you move there?” But as I said, everything you cite…the government already does, albeit mostly poorly. Shrink defense spending dramatically (we already spend WAYYY more than the next 5 biggest defense spending countries combined) and reallocate that money toward what we want and need, better jobs, better health care, better, more efficient education system, etc. it would SAVE us money in the end…and make us stronger. Socialism is nothing to be feared.
Pat is right. Helicopter parents for some kids, helicopter taxpayers for the other kids with deadbeat parents. Tyer whiffed on this one. Her best platform is “Im not Bianchi”.
all pv posters there is only one scheduled debate for mayoral candidates i posted it here several times sept 12 at bcc at 7pm with bill sturgeon as moderator. go back to archives and read my posts regarding questions posed at debate— should come from tax payers — go back and read read read.– many of you on this site seem to have missed much of what i have been sayng. did anyone read my post about how i feel would be the fairest way to hold the debates? which includes questions to be answered by the candidates from the tax payer– who will send their questions to city hall and have them drawn out of a container and asked of the candidates at the debates. now has anyone seen that post???????? i would like each and everyone of you to post back and tell me what you think of that suggestion?–i cant believe how much is not discussed on this site which needs to be discussed. also–i would like each and everyone of you to post whether you have seen my tv shows or my press conferences on eye in the sky? you must view them they are full of my ideas to solve the problems and ongoing ideas coming every week. i do not have to post on this site but to those of you who may not know what i am up to trying to make your city better i prone myself to keep you abreast as there is no other way i can keep you informed—please everyone who posts here answer the questions i asked you in this post so i can decide whether it is worth my time to post here or if i should just use my tv show– that i have been told is the hottest show on pctv at the present moment i was told this by people who work at pctv and i am inclined to believe it is true because of all the phone calls i have receiived from people i do not even know who have called me and said they liked the show and will be voting for me for mayor.this is your chance pv posters i need to hear from everyone of you out there whether you want me to keep you informed or not— i have a few other posts coming today—my remarks re: tyer story on front page of bb and a couple other which may be my last on this site all of you will decide.—-craig
September 12 is a Saturday. Gazette has the date for Monday, September 14th.
DWELLER YOU ARE RIGHT–LEVINE FIRST MENTIONED SEP 12TH IN HIS FIRT LETTER TO ME . I JUST OPENED HIS SECOND LETTER AND IT NOW SAYS THE 14TH. I HOPE MANY DONT GET CONFUSED ABOUT THIS AS THIS IS THE ONLY SCHEDULED DEBATE.–CRAIG
You expect everyone to go back and read your LONG ALL CAP POSTS?
SOMETIME YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT…ALMOND JOY!
PUMELLIN PAM MY POSTS ARE LONG AS THEY ARE DETAILED. I KNOW YOUR ATTENTION SPAN IS VERY SHORT– THAT IS WHY YOU ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE IN THE DARK AS YOU ARE NOW–CRAIG
Craig you interpretation of reality suggests you are delusional, you tell us we “must” view your shows, we “must” discuss this or that.
Your ideas however good they are have been undone by the fact that you are the worst listener I have ever come across and your insults and hostility to everyone.
I gave you a chance but you lost my vote.
it may have been the caps lock button…
DAN VALENTI–IN MANY OF YOUR PAST POSTS YOU REFERRED TO PUMELLIN PAM MULUMPHY AGAIN PUMMELIN PAM MULUMPHY I WISH POSTERS WILL LOOK AGAIN AT MY POSTS THE LAST FEW DAYS AND SPECIFICALLY POST FROM ME TO PUMMELIN PAM MULUMPHY. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THIS POSTER ISNT PAM MULUM PHY. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THOSE WHO POST UNDER PEN NAMES ARE SUPPOSEDLY– UNKNOWNS TO YOU ALSO. OR IS THIS NOT TRUE? I HAVE IDENTIFIED MANY CONFIRMED LIARS ON THIS SITE THAT YOU HAVE RIGHTFULLY BANNED FROM THE SITE. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO KNOW WHO SOME OF THE HATE SPEWERS ON THIS SITE ARE —AS I STATED –I KNOW THERE IS MANY ON THIS SITE WHO POST UNDER PEN NAMES -TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM RETRIBUTION AND HAVE POSTED SAYING SUCH. I UNDER STAND THIS FULLY.– THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS SITE IS HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THE PEN NAMED INDIVIDUALS WHO TELL ONE LIE AFTER ANOTHER ON THIS SITE?– DO YOU HAVE SOME WAY OF KNOWING WHO THEY ARE? ON MANY OCASSIONS ON THIS SITE– I HAVE NAILED A PEN POSTER AS A CONFIRMED LIAR AND I WONDER — WHEN ANY POSTER BECOMES A CONFIRMED LIAR —YOU HAVE THE MECHANISM TO CONFIRM THEIR IDENTITY AND EXPOSE THEM FOR THE LIAR THAT THE ARE. I BELIEVE FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE SITE YOU MUST DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT POSTERS SUCH AS MYSELF FROM COMING UNDER A CONSTANT BARRAGE OF CRITCIISM FROM THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SAYING WHO DIRECTLY DAMAGE MY VERASITY. BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR SITE AND I USE YOUR SITE TO GET MY MESSAGE ACROSS– I WONDER IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT DOING THAT COULD BE DONE TO STOP THIS UNFAIR TREATMENT OF ME OR ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY HAVE TO ENDURE THESE RIDICULOUS ATTACKS BY SOME OF THE WACO”S ON THIS SITE? PLEASE POST WITH YOUR RESPONSE—-CRAIG
You are complaining about the very thing you do to others.
I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU–YOU DISGRACE–CRAIG
CRAIG: Many of these Planet posters have been posting on this site for years, long before you started and they have used the same “pen names” for a long time.
WHY don’t you use your own Facebook page for these discussions, statements, news, messages, photos, and more.You could also start your own blog. Both are free and you would be in control ?
DEE I HAVE STARTED THESE IT IS EXACLY WHAT I PLAN TO DO AND DONT FORGET MY TV SHOW—-CRAIG
DEE raises a fair point. If THE PLANET doesn’t discuss a wide enough spectrum of topics, CRAIG G. should start his own blog. He does have a FB page but doesn’t use it.
CRAIG
Since you asked me directly, I shall respond in like fashion. Posting under pseudonyms is the commentator’s choice. We do have tracking software, but that is “backstage” and for our eyes only. We have no interest in identities, excepting posts that may break the law or otherwise go so far over the top that it requires action. Actually, you have no need to know the identities of anyone on this site. Our capabilities in keeping track of posters is relevant only to us, not to you. Leave the “integrity of this site” up to me, shall you? The reason you are coming under a constant barrage of criticism is on you. Your approach is taken as hostile, way beyond strident. Why you see the need to even respond to every criticism violates one of the cardinal rules of public life: Don’t chase criticism. You have decided to chase it, and you are now reaping the fruits. This website believes in The First Amendment and unfettered free speech. When that line is crossed, we take action. The “unfair treatment” you claim is simply the reaction against your attacks on anyone who posts about you that you make not agree with 100%. Example: Your attack on RON KITTERMAN after RON posted what most everyone, including me, thought was a funny, clever comment on you and Donald Trump. That attack was unjustified. While I’m talking to you, let me give you a piece of advice you’ve heard over and over. Stop posting in ALL CAPS and at SUCH LENGTH and FREQUENCY. You may think you’re communication, but all you’re actually doing it stopping the reader cold after the first sentence or two. Because you are a dark horse candidate, THE PLANET has been more than patient with your posts here. We do not intend, however, to let this be your electronic campaign HQ. Your time would be much better spent knocking on doors, doing mailings, getting and putting up lawn sides, distributing campaign literature. You have no chance to win doing it the way your doing. I’ve told you that several times privately. Now, I’m telling you publicly. You cannot win otherwise.
PAT AS USUAL YOU ARE RIGHT ON I WAITED A BIT TO POST ABOUT TYER ARTICLE IN EAGLE BUT LET ME CLUE YOU IN TO WHAT HAPPENED AT TUES CCM THAT ONLY THOSE WHO WATCHED IT WOULD KNOW. I GOT UP AS USUAL TO SPEAK ABOUT PUTTING BOOTS ON GROUND AND DETAILED WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL AND THAT MY REQUEST IS THE REQUEST OF ALL THE RESIDENTS IN THE CITY TOUCHED BY THE RECENT VIOLENCE. AFTER I WAS THROUGH SPEAKING MRS. WALTO GOT UP AND GAVE SOME OTHER GOOD IDEAS THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF.— NOW DO ALL OF YOU KNOW THE NAME JIM THERIEN? THATS RIGHT– THE BB REPORTER– YOU READ NOTHING ABOUT MY AND MRS. WALTO”S APPEARENCES GIVING OUR IDEAS TO SOLVE THE CITY”S PROBLEMS BUT YOU SAW FRONT PAGE COVERAGE OF MRS TYER WHO BY HER SIMPLE ACT OF BREATHING GOT HER FRONT PAGE COVERAGE. FOR THOSE WHO HAVENT READ THE ARTICLE IT IS MUST READ.– MS. TYER HAS 8 PARAGRAPHS OF NONSENSE WHICH WILL COST YOU THE TAXPAYER MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS– TO GET MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HAVE NOW WHICH IS —A COLOSSAL FAILURE. SHE WANTS TO DO THINGS FOR THE (CHILDREN) EVER HEARD THAT PHRASE BEFORE? AND HERE IS HOW SHE SUMS UP HER ARTICLE “THE CANDIDATE SAID SHE DOESNT WANT TO PUT A FIGURE ON IT” REFERRINGTO THE COST TO THE CITY BUT WANTS TO WORK TO DEVELOP A BROAD AND ROBUST PROGRAM THAT IS IN LINE WITH THE CITY’S RESOURCES.– PART OF THE SOLUTION, SHE SUGGESTED ,MIGHT BE TO SHARE SOME PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHING OR OTHER STAFF PERSONNEL WITH NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE—TRANSLATION ——SAME BULL SHIT AS WE ARE HEARING COMING OUT OF MERCER SCHOOL HEADQUARTERS EVERY DAY.– NOW PAT HAS SAID HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLETS.— NOW IS THERE ANY BODY WHO IS NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ME ? PULLING UP WEEDS(BLIGHT) AND THE (CHILDREN) FROM ONE– AND (NOTHING ) FROM THE OTHER.– GET REAL OUT THERE– IN CASE YOU DONT KNOW IT LET ME SAY IT AGAIN —THE ONLY -ONLY-ONLY CHOICE FOR MAYOR IS YOUR’S TRULY. AND IF YOU DONT MAKE ME YOUR MAYOR YOU WILL SUFFER MUCH MUCH MUCH MORE THAN YOU ARE NOW AND THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON —ANY QUESTIONS.? IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON THEN YOU NEED TO SEE MY TV SHOW. OH YES– ANY BETS ON HOW I WILL DO IN THE DEBATES? WELL LET ME TELL YOU PEOPLE ON THIS SITE—YOU KNOW ME AND I KNOW WHO YOU WILL BE BETTING ON.—- THE OTHERS WHO DONT KNOW ME — NEED TO WATCH MY TV SHOW—-ANY QUESTIONS??????????–CRAIG
I will be watching your show. I look forward to it.
What Should a 4 year old know?
1. She should know she is Loved wholly, and unconditionally, all of the time.
2. He should know that he is safe, and he should know how to keep himself safe in public. He should know to trust his instincts about people.
3.She should know how to act silly, and how to laugh, and use her imagination.
4. He should know his own interests, and be encouraged to follow them.
5. She should know the world is Magical, and so is she.
.
The Single biggest predictor of high academic achievement is reading to children.
Our Children need More of Us.
School should be in its own time. Generations grew, and became successful because of the right measures in Life.
SPAGIRL–I CANT ADD ANTHING ELSE–SHORT AND TO THE POINT– NO ADDITIONAL WORDS NEEDED–CRAIG
back before school became mandatory, those who used their education to the greatest benefit were those who used it as a springboard to satisfy their curiosity. when a 4 year old asks why a million times – they are showing the curiosity we need to encourage. we seem to get irritated by it – so we shut it down. I never did that. I always tried to help them to an answer that they could understand. plus, I taught them to sing songs. no radio in my cars (or my parents)!!
so a 4 year old also needs to keep asking why, and a 4 year old needs to learn to sing songs. 50 years later I still do both 🙂
other than that – I think spagirl probably raised some fine kids who are great assets to their communities.
GREAT article Dan! Reality check, and then some. And to your comment Pat about Ms. Tyer’s idea to include 3 & 4 yr. olds in our public school system – I am totally against that. We have plenty of private preschools to meet that need should parents desire to go that route. These companies would be put out of business should the PPS adopt this plan.
Thanks, GIGI.
If you look at what Linda Tyer said:
She wants to come to an agreement that INCLUDES the private preschool providers.
She proposes a conversation between all parties to come up with a good way to expand pre-K with the private businesses and use the public sector as needed, to the improvement of all.
Some kids simply do not have parents that will read to or otherwise intellectually interact with them. Do we just throw them out with the trash…and eventually send them to prison, simply because their parents are not what we would all desire? In the long run it’s worth it to level the playing field.
I was fortunate enough to have caring, reading, interactive parents. Not everyone has that. There is no license required to become a parent.
I think its pretty safe to say that the US dollar will experience a total collapse by 2020.
How long can they keep the manipulation going? The math says its almost over.
When bankruptcy hits and hits hard, those without gold or silver will find it most difficult to survive. The entire economy is an illusion.
4G- YOUR POST IS THE BEST POST I HAVE EVER SEEN ON THIS SITE– IN THE SHORT TIME I HAVE BEEN VIEWING HERE. WALL STREET, THE OIL COMPANIES, INSURANCE COMPANIES , THE BANKING INDUSTRIES THE MEDIA FOREIGN NATIONALS AND THE LIKE HAVE THE UNINFORMED MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY RIGHT WHERE THEY WANT THEM.– IN THE STOCK MARKET ALONE THERE ARE LEGAL CRIMINALS WHO ON A DAILY BASIS RUIN 10″S OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS LIVES BY MANIPULATING THE COMMODITY AND STOCK MARKET DAILY. THE UNEDUCATED ARE THEIR PREY THEY FLEECE THEM ON THE WAY UP AND THEY FLEECE THEM ON THE WAY DOWN. A TYPICAL EXAMPLE— WHEN THE 11 STOOGES ON THE CCM APPROVED THE BONDING OF THE THE THS PROJECT– IT WAS AS PLAIN AS DAY TO ME THAT NOT A ONE OF THEM HAD ANY KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING INCLUDING TREASURER CARMEL AND OF COURSE— THE EMPTY SUIT BIANCHI. THE BONDING COMPANY PLAINLY SIZED UP THIS DEGREE OF INCOMPETENCE ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND THEIR CONTRACT IS FILLED WITH ESCAPE HOLES FOR THEM LEAVING THE CITY COMPLETELY EXPOSED TO MANY PIT FALLS THAT THE CITY WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR COSTING YOU KNOW WHO –THAT WILL HAVE TO PICK UP THE TAB FOR– THE CITY”S INCOMPETENCE. I CALLED MAZZEO AND TOLD HER I WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE REGARDING BONDING AND OFFERED HER MY HELP. SHE NEVER CONTACTED ME. WILL THE MISTAKES IN THE BONDING COME TO LIGHT EVENTUALLY? YOU WILL SEE AND OF COURSE YOU ALL OUT THERE KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE ON THE HOOK FOR THOSE MISTAKES? YES YOU THE TAXPAYER. 4G–YOUR POST IS AS ACCURATE AS THE DAY IS LONG.– COULD YOU CALL ME MY NAME IS IN THE PHONE BOOK ON WEST ST–THANKS FOR LETTING THE SHEEP KNOW WHAT IS COMING— BECAUSE I CARE FOR ALL THE SHEEP –THEY ARE CALLED TAXPAYERS AND THAT IS THE GROUP I CARE ABOUT THE MOST AND I COULD USE A LEARNED PERSON SUCH AS YOURSELF ALONG SIDE OF ME IN THIS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR WHERE I AM A CANDIDATE—-CRAIG
Not impressed with Linda Tyer. If her priorities are to fight urban blight and provide preschool for 3 & 4 year olds – she’s missing the big issues! I want someone to run on a platform addressing crime and the city’s spending problem!
I guess you missed the crime part. She has a lot to say about it.
Cultural cities across the globe feature Paris, London, Manhattan, L.A., and Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Good one, Jonathan!
Don’t judge Ms. Tyer too soon. More to come.
Why can’t we just start the pre school right in the hospital nursery? What a waste to have newborns brains sit idle while they wait to go home.
If they had there way it would be cradle to coffin public schools.
Reducing Taxpayer Share of Public-Employees Health Care should be mandated. It is fair and equitable to all that they pay more of their Health Care Bill like the rest of us. The other Critical Issue of this Campaign should be the name: JOBS!
Agree, plus reducing overtime with part time employees. Overtime in our budget is a large line item.
JOETAXPAYER– NOW WE ARE HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I KNOW THAT IN THE PAST AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BUT DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE THAT THERE WERE POLICE AND FIRE EMPLOYEES WHO IN THE COURSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR HAD DOUBLE AND IN SOME INSTANCES TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME COMPARED TO THEIR BASE SALARY. IN THE LATE 80? I READ OF INDIVIDUALS IN THESE DEPTS. WHO EARNED ALMOST 200 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I WONDER IF THAT FIGURE WAS USED TO CALCULATE THEIR PENSIONS?. AS MAYOR I PLAN TO REVIEW THE SALARIES OF EVERY SINGLE CITY EMPLOYEE TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS DUPLICITY OR IF THERE IS ABUSE OF THE OVERTIME THAT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AS WE HAVE.– NOW. I HAVE TO TRIM ANYWHERE THERE IS POTENTIAL SAVINGS FOR THE TAXPAYER AND STILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE GOOD COVERAGE IN ALL CITY DEPTS.– TO PROTECT THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS. THIS WILL BE A COLOSSAL UNDERTAKING BUT IT MUST BE DONE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE ESSENTIALS AND WEED OUT THE WASTEFUL SPENDING OF THE TAX PAYERS DOLLARS. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AND IF OTHERS HAVE ANY BETTER IDEAS PLEASE POST SO I CAN ASSESS YOUR IDEAS—CRAIG
Craig. If you are so in tune with every tune with how city government works why don’t you know over time does not go toward your pension? You also have no clue how Civil service works.
SAntonio the answer to the question you ask is because Craig is clueless.
VALDEZ AND REX READ MY POST AGAIN. THE QUESTION I ASKED IS ABOUT IN THE PAST THE 80’S AND 90’S. I KNOW THE WAY IT IS NOW BUT I DONT KNOW IF IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. POST BACK–CRAIG
totally agree with Dusty ! perhaps a kindergarten cop program is needed ?
It is so frustrating to see you intentionally mislead people with blatantly incorrect information. I’ve made this same correction many times in the past several years. The schools do NOT receive 70% of the city budget. That’s just untrue. A large portion of school funding comes from state and federal sources. Yes, the city owns the school buildings. Yes, the city pays for benefits for school employees. And yes, I know that state and federal monies originate as taxes on city residents. But NO, 70 cents of every city dollar does not go to the schools.
Also, if any of you have ever been into one of the city’s schools, I think you’d find them in full of hard working people doing their best to overcome the poverty and difficulties in this struggling city. Pittsfield suffered a huge blow in the 80s when the Cold War ended and people were too short sighted to fix the problem early on. Now, 30 years later, we’re trying to fig ourselves out of a hole. But the hole is deeper. As property values and employment decline, the people that are left either need to contribute a larger percentage, or give in to blight, crime, violence and lack of education. Status quo on taxes will not fix this city. It will take INVESTMENT from the residents that want to stay and keep Pittsfield a productive, safe and lively community despite its faults. The very projects that this blog condemns are those that will help fix this city. Investing in market rate housing, new restaurants, hotels and the arts will draw in or keep people like me that want to live in Pittsfield.
When the city is struggling, we need to invest new money to right the ship. Standing where you were when the ship began to list will do nothing except dump you into the water without a lifeboat.
HENERY THERE IS A LOT OF TRUTH IN WHAT YOU SAY BUT THE KEY TO SOLVING THE MANY PROBLEMS WE HAVE HERE IN THE CITY IS TO USE EVERY PENNY OF TAX PAYER DOLLARS AND INSURE WE ARE GETTING THE ESSENTIALS THAT EVERYONE IN THE CITY DESIRES AND THEN– IF THERE IS SOME MONEY LEFT OVER WE CAN LOOK AT SOME THINGS WHICH MIGHT BE CONSIDERED LUXURIES. THE GREATEST PROBLEM HERE IS PEOPLE DONT KNOW THE ESSENTIALS FROM THE LUXURIES AND BELIEVE ME THERE ARE A GREAT NUMBER OF LUXURIES THE TAX PAYER IS FOOTING THE BILL FOR WHICH ARE CLEARLY NOT ESSENTIALS. LETS START AT MERCER SCHOOL ADMIN . HOW MANY SUPTS. AND ASST. SUPTS. DO WE REALLY NEED. HOW MANY PRINCIPALS AND ASST PRINCIPALS. DO WE NEED AND DOWN THE LINE. I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ON MY TV SHOW IN DETAIL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS– WE ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO SACRIFICE SACRIFICE SACRIFICE .–I HAVE SAID THIS MANY MANY TIMES ON THIS SITE. WE ARE AT THE POINT THAT SACRIFICE MUST BECOME THE ORDER OF THE DAY AS OPEB IS LOOMING.– I AM THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO INFORM THE ELECTORATE OF WHAT REAL STRAIGHTS THE CITY IS IN BECAUSE IT IS A FACT –THAT MANY DO NOT KNOW THE REAL DIRE SITUATION WE ARE IN AND WHEN THEY DO KNOW IT –IT WILL BE TOO LATE. I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAY BUT I ALSO DISAGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAY ALSO— BUT IF WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE— WE CAN GET MANY FACTS OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT YOU AND I KNOW THE PUBLIC MUST KNOW BEFORE THEY GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?—CRAIG
I will vote for you if and only if you get Tammy Ives to take down the sign that says FU. My kids and neighbors are TIRED of looking at it.
LARRY -I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER TAMMY OR ANYONE ELSE WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT I WOULD HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER HER?. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD CALL HER AND EXPLAIN YOUR CONCERN. I WILL HOWEVER CALL TAMMY AND RELAY YOUR REQUEST TO HER AND MAYBE SHE WILL GET BACK TO YOU. THAT IS ABOUT THE BEST I CAN DO–DID I ANSWER YOU CORRECTLY I HOPE?–CRAIG
Except where do struggling people get the money to pay higher taxes? That’s a big flaw in progressive politics!!! Pittsfield is a poverty ridden city. That’s a fact!!! Dan V. has figured out how much money of the city budget goes toward the schools. I trust his figures.
I shall be posting the numbers on The Weekend Edition. It is in fact 70% of the city budget. Actually, more than that.
HENRY
Thanks for the remarks. There are two possibilities for your first two sentences. First, it is YOU who are “intentionally misleading.” Second, you are misinformed. Stay tuned to The Weekend Edition, posting tomorrow and through Sunday. I shall be establishing how 70%+ is accurate, truthful, and irrefutable. By the way, what are “those very projects that this blog condemns.” Please identify them. Are they “investments from the residents?” Or are they public-private “partnerships” too expensive for “residents” to afford, even though their tax dollars are used without their consent as venture capitalists for developers smart enough to play the city “leaders” for suckers. Please answer.
Linda didn’t actually say that. She has identified a problem and wants to get people together and talk about it. I for one, am a working parent and would be interested in it. Or we have option 2: send kids to school that are years behind and then cannot graduate and have no qualified workforce. good idea.
Knows the Truth…let’s just call this what it is, FREE CHILD CARE. Putting this under the Pittsfield Schools is also the most expensive form of child care. After all the years of the HeadStart program there was no correlation of better school performance from these students. The best performing students are from parents who are involved, and encourage their children in school. If this is Linda Tyer’s big initiative, she just lost points in my evaluation.
I remember whenMcCandless presented his back to what we need to legally focus on during the last budget round. That is what PPS needs, eliminate all the extraneous programs, push them off to other state and private agencies.
How about this to save some money on health care. Offer all city and school employees a cash option of 40% of the total insurance premium if they go on their spouses plan (non city). Since the city is paying 85% of premium now that would reduce some city expenses, and allow some lower paid employees to improve their income, or put it toward retirement, or children’s education.
I disagree. Three and four year olds would not benefit from a structured learning environment like regular school. In fact I think it would be harmful to children that young. So essentially we as city taxpayers would be paying lots of money for daycare.
I have to admire the confidence with which you deliver such a statement directly out of your colon. The true genius was doubling down. Pre-school is not only not helpful, it’s actually harmful? Brilliant!
Have any mayoral debates been scheduled? Dan would you offer to moderate? I mean Dan Valenti not Dan Dillon.
Yes there will be a debate at BCC and Bill Sturgeon will be the moderator. I believe it is at the end of this month.
CHUCK: Other than the BCC debate, I don’t know of any other. I heard that Channel 22 is trying to organize one but haven’t confirmed. I considered organized some debates but cannot commit the time. If, however, another group wishes to put one together, and they ask me to moderate, I would likely agree. As you know, I have my own moderating style, a kind of an informational prosecutorial approach. I view these debates as job interviews. As moderator, I see myself representing the owners of the company. It is my job to vet the candidates, put them on the spot, press, and see how they respond under fire.
I’m against Tyer’s plan if it involves Pittsfield taxpayers having their taxes increased.
To be fair to her she didn’t say it would be in the schools and she said she would try to find funding sources and build a private public partnership.
I want to hear more. If it involves my money I’m out.
Melissa for Mayor 2019.
Melissa can’t run a City Council meeting – so why should we trust her to run a bunch of Departments?
Whenever someone says private-public partnership, the money always comes from the public side. the discussion we need to have is if this is a direction we want our money spent in. to just say you’re out if it involves tax dollars – is just ignorant. the question is not about whether to tax or spend, but how.
I am tight as they come, but even I know we can’t just stop spending – because if we all chose what to stop spending on, you would be amazed that we may vote to stop spending on something which each of us likes. I’d rather kill unions and mandate a longer school day for the same pay – but until we kill the unions, that will never happen. neither will raising the employee share of costs. Most teachers make enough that as a 6 or an 8 hour day, it’s still a good living. TFB is not alone in being beholden to the unions, so my idea is dead in the water.
Every candidate has to promise payouts to unions to get elected. Might as well have the union appoint them so we can at least save money on ballots
Linda Tyer is trying to get the votes of people with 3 and 4 year olds. She doesn’t give a hoot about the city going down the tubes financially. She is only concerned about being elected. That’s what these progressive candidates do. They don’t tell the truth of the true financial situation of the city. They promise the moon to get elected and then tax everyone to death in order to fulfill their ridiculous promises.
PAT WHO DO YOU THINK OFFERS THE TAX PAYER AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS NONSENSE? AND LOOK AT THE ABUSE I AM TAKING FOR TRYING TO SAVE YOU AND OTHERS FROM THE GRIPS OF THE SUITS. DO YOU WONDER WHY GOOD EDUCATED CANDIDATES LIKE MYSELF GENERALLY DONT EVEN CONSIDER RUNNING FOR POLITICAL OFFICE HERE IN PITTSFIELD.? I AM SERIOUSLY WONDERING WHY I EVEN GOT INTO THIS MADNESS AS I TRULY DONT NEED THIS CRAP. CONSIDER FOR A MOMENT IF I WERENT IN THIS CAMPAIGN AS A MAYORAL CANDIDATE. WHAT KIND OF A CHOICE WOULD BIANCHI OR TYER BE TO YOU AND ALL OTHER POSTERS ON THIS SITE?. IF IT WERENT FOR YOU AND THE OTHERS ON THIS SITE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME. I WOULD DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE WAY BACK AND JUST SAY TO MANY— KISS MY ASS I DONT NEED THIS CRAP. AND I ACTUALLY– MAY DO JUST THAT. WHO DO YOU THINK THIS WILL HURT? IT CERTAINLY WONT BE ME. I THINK THIS WILL BE MY LAST POST ON THIS SITE I DONT NEED THIS TORTURE. YOU WHO SUPPORT ME CAN FOLLOW ME ON MY TV SHOW. I MUST HAVE BEEN CRAZY TO TRY TO HELP MOST OF YOU— AS IT WAS A MASSIVE MISTAKE TO JUMP INTO THE RACE– AND I SEE IT NOW BUT I WONT QUIT –I NEVER QUIT AND I HOPE I REACH THE SANE ON MY TV SHOW. IT HAS COST ME A FORTUNE WASTING MY TIME ON THIS SITE AS– I HAVE FORGONE FISHING THE GREAT LAKES —VISITING THE FRENCH RIVIERA AND OTHER PLACES I PLANNED TO SEE AND THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT– I THINK I MAY TRY RETIREMENT–MANY SAY IT IS GREAT. I AM TIRED AND I NEED A VACATION TO SEE WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT OVER AND OUT—–CRAIG
This is my last post on this site. How many times has he said that?
Then “I never quit”. Which is it?
I give Craig three hours until he posts again.
Almond Joy today and every day.
Pam, my thought exactly. Guytani right there proves he is not a man to be believed. The next time you promise not to post on thjis site Craig please be true to your worthless word.
If he’s not posting that means he may be out in the public going door to door. God help those people.
I’m not kidding.
CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????
I agree. The choice between Tyer and Bianchi would be very depressing. Thank God we have you, Craig, and Ms. Walto running. Too bad the local media isn’t giving both of you more news coverage though. The reason of course is that Tyer and Bianchi are very similar candidates and if either one wins, the suits will be happy. If you or Ms. Walto win it would truly disrupt their plans for the city.
I don’t disagree with Henry, that we DO need to invest to right the sinking ship that is Pittsfield, but we the people are never given a community- wide forum in which to identify, as a whole community, where we feel that investment should go. Sure, we have Internet forums and once in a while a community meeting in response to a crisis, but those meetings are only in the affected parts of Pittsfield. I would love to see a centrally located meeting, maybe in the PHS auditorium, with an open mic and no sign up, just line up at the microphone to air our grievances to TES and his local gang—and yes, I mean gang like Bloods and Crips are local gangs.
Tyer totally lost me with this whole 3 and 4 year olds thing. And as disappointed as I’ve been with our current mayor, his swift and informed response to her proposal to stem violence, was impressive and, dare I say it, mayoral in its assessment of the true cost to Pittsfield. Now if THAT guy had been around for the past four years….
Glad to see Kathy Lloyd in Ward 7. I do not live in her ward but I will be encouraging my friends who do to vote for her. This is a woman who instead of taking her business elsewhere when the food truck issue came up, stood her ground and helped the city to come up with regulations that work(ish) so that all the lunch businesses in town have a fair shot at the market. While it must have been a bit of a shock for her to find a hostile business community instead of a welcoming one, look what she has done. How much revenue does her Food Truck Rodeo bring in every year, proceeds from which go to local food charities? She brings tangible results to Pittsfield, and that is so refreshing.
Pittsfield makes me sad right now. We need away for we as a community to come to a real consensus as to what our three biggest needs are, and we need to stay on the person we elect to follow through. We are all hold passionate points of view, but it seems that mostly we are not terribly far apart on the points about which we disagree. We need to attend debates, and ask hard and pointed questions of our candidates. We need to be present, not just once, not just once in a while, but weekly. Therein lies the “nation building” that will bring about ( or bring back!) a cohesive Pittsfield.
lived here most of my life – Pittsfield and every other Berkshire community could better be described as “tribal” than cohesive – and that description would go back years!!
other than that Fox, you are spot on!!
I like the idea of a community forum for people to get together and voice what they’d like to see happen in our community to improve it. People speak of investing on Pittsfield to bring it forward but investing in this case is more than money. It’s also the time, ideas and, energy, to bring about the changes we’d like to see. Maybe even keeping the community forum going by having it at certain intervals to check in and see how things are progressing.
Downtown Dweller, I agree; it will definitely take more than money.
I agree. Once these candidates are elected on the issues we elected them for, we need to hold their feet to the fire to make sure they follow through on what they are being paid big bucks to get done.
Big Bucks? Haha They could make way way more bartending with the time they put in.
Then PLEASE let them bartend. Do us all a favor!!!
Fox and Southeast, its called community based budgeting. I was involved in it a while back when it was first getting off the ground.
Please take a minute and follow the link
http://www.billpeduto.com/2013/04/01/51-community-based-budgeting-a-budget-by-the-people-for-the-people/
interesting Joe P. The only thing I have against group projects is that we keep adding on, since everyone has really good ideas – and they all cost money. I guess I am frugal and believe that we really do NOT need to do everything through government. We do need good schools – but much of the disagreement seems to be how we get there. we need well maintained roads, and again, we disagree on what roads can be cared for with lesser treatments (such as chipsealing to prolong the life on a less traveled lane). or do we need to plow to blacktop after every storm? after a while the costs keep adding. I prefer someone to be the person to say – hey, maybe this is too much….
Southeast, your very concerns are the basis for Community Based Budgeting. When the community has a discussion and everyone understands this is how much funding is available wiser investments can be made. Government is not the answer for many things, with that said we have a community essentially locked out of understanding what is happening and how it is happening in the City. However we are often identified as the funding source for the projects. Did we have a real voice on the new school? Was it truly vetted? Was it fairly discussed with objectivity? I have faith that the citizens of the community have the skills and smarts to make intelligent decisions that are best for the community. The current crop of elected and appointed officials lack the fundamental understanding of the residents thus the failure to put the school to the voters.
Great post, JP. Wisdom itself.
Community based budgeting would be a good starting point for us as a city. My only concern is that we’d go through the process and City Council will do their own thing anyway. Where are the checks and balances to prevent that?
http://pittsfieldgazette.com/mayoral-forum-scheduled-p3894-1.htm
Bill Sturgeon will serve as moderator for the Sept. 14 mayoral forum
I’m not directing this to Ron, just trying to keep the reading flow cohesive.
Is there a reason why there is only one debate scheduled? In the past haven’t there been three or four? Is it a scheduling problem? With four people on the primary ballot you’d think there would be more opportunities to pose questions to the candidates.
Not attacking him personally, but Bill S is the worst choice to moderate the only preliminary debate. His corny jokes and making these things about himself tunes me out everytime. The only thing worse than his moderating skills are his interviewing skills.
I agree. Bill S. just kisses up to the candidates. There will be no tough questions!!!
I remember one when he lofted softballs to the candidates. I thought what a waste of time and effort.
Dave…..Amen!!!!!
I nominate Dave and Pat be the moderators. Oh never mind they can only blog every day not get involved .
No, let’s see I work an 8 hour day, take care of a disabled relative, but yet I blog all day? I blog in between my responsibilities though because these issues are SO IMPORTANT to me. I would love to be a moderator because I wouldn’t go easy on these candidates. I would stick to the issues and leave out personal attacks. The issues are so urgent and important that we would know the true character of each candidate just by the answers they give to the tough questions.
Excellent response, PAT.
Ruberto was blamed for raiseing tax’s because he copmpleted a whole bunch of projects.
Bianchi raised tax’s because????
Sturgeon haters: The man live in South Africa and worked in the prison systems, come on Dave? He is also fighting to get Jaywalkers to be more responsible. The man is an Icon for krist sakes.
I can see it now, Dean of Early Education. $100,000 a year. In charge of pick out snacks and determining the proper nap times, to get the most out of the little students.
I would laugh at your jokes, except we both know it’s not a joke. I guess I could laugh on the outside, but cry on the inside. Pittsfield politicians are so ridiculous that appointing a czar of preschool education would not be shocking at all coming from them. This is how bad it is.
Will we need more buses? More drivers? More health insurance? More classrooms? More teachers and janitors and assistants to assistants? How about another principle and child care specialists and potty trainers and language teachers?
This is nuts beyond nuts. The school system and its myriad of programs is way out of control as it is. I suspect the whole idea is a vehicle to skim more money out of the school budget toward special interest vendors.
Craig,
If you would like, I could pop that caps lock button right off of your keyboard. Of course we’d have to meet in a neutral place…
The new position of Dean of Early Education! The Snacks Hack! Give it to the Ward 3 Councilor.
Craig. Hope you are doing well, question for the show Tommorow. How do you beat the Eastablishment and two, the unfunded liabilities issue, what is the Plan. thank You!
Dan Valenti
Sanity made Simple..
… Common Sense is a Flower that doesn’t grow in every Garden. Memo to Pittsfield
Hm. Uncommon scents.
Texas International Pop Festival?
Yup.
I can’t figure out why the self proclaimed genius Craig Gaetani can’t figure out how to turn off the cap lock key on his keyboard. His posts are next to impossible to read. Who in their right mind would vote for him.
Dan, you missed the full garbage tote behind you!
Had it all the way.
I find Mr. Gaetani refreshing. He doesn’t sugar coat anything. If you want to hear about rainbows and lollypops he’s not your candidate. (but I’ll bet he could find the best price for rainbows and lollypops if that’s what was in Pittsfield’s best interest. He seems to want to save us from the same fate as Detroit. I am eagerly anticipating his TV show tomorrow.
Are the other candidates on this blog talking with Pittsfield? So I guess he looks at this blog. Instead of criticizing Sturgeon why don’t you all post questions here and let him know what the voters want to ask the candidates. There is nothing wrong with tough fair questions. If you suggest them is a respectful manner how can he refuse to ask YOUR questions?
For now I can hardly wait to see and hear Gaetani on TV tomorrow.
Somehow my last comment got jumbled up…..I wanted to say that I believe Sturgeon visits this blog. People should suggest questions to ask the candidates. I don’t want to see and hear a bunch of softball questions. So let’s suggest some question to Mr. Sturgeon. Let him know what’s important to the Tax payers of Pittsfield.
I said Craig couldn’t go three hours without posting from he time he said he wouldn’t post anymore. It took him only one hour and fourth nine minutes to post again.
Almond Joy all the time.
You seem obsessed with the man.