ELECTION DAY: SEPARATE FATES TO A SOLE OUTCOME
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 2015) — Today is the electoral equivalent of The Time Machine. Today is all about Nov. 3, six weeks from now.
The smart money predicts Dan Bianchi and Linda Tyer finishing in the top two today, with Craig Gaetani and Donna Walto playing the bass lines. You have to admit, though, there’s part of you that would love to see a Gaetani-Walto showdown, just to see what would happen.
The key number to watch is the sum of votes Gaetani and Walto secure plus write-ins plus the blanks. That number will provide a measure of dissatisfaction with the two mainstream choices. THE PLANET sees a turnout under 20%. The number of blanks will be especially telling, with no other race or question on the ballot. The blanks should almost count double or triple, since each will be someone who took the trouble to vote but elected not to vote for anyone.
Separate Fates to a Sole Outcome
After today, Walto embarks on a lecture tour that begins at The Crossroads and ends at The Home Plate, where she will be lecturing on Marcus Aurelius, Japanese mountaintops, and the Williams College alumni network. Gaetani, who campaigned by force of personality rather than organization and money, shall enjoy his millions aboard the S.S. Minnow. We hear it’s scheduled as a three-hour tour. This leaves the Pittsfield electorate with the same choice it has faced going back at least to the 1980s: the Wojtkowski Machine vs. the Del Gallo Machine.— deus ex machina.
THE PLANET guesstimates 5,200 voters will hit the polls. Throw out the blanks and the write-ins,and you have 4,600 or so for mayor. Walto gets 100, Gaetani 500. Bianchi and Tyer spilt 4,000. Then it’s on to November 3, when that evening, one of the two remaining will utter the words of poet Anne Sexton: “I know that I have died before — once in November.”
—————————————————————————————————
“Happiness isn’t something your experience. It’s something you remember.” — Oscar Levant
“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.
THE PLANEt has covered enough of these hoedowns to know that these six weeks must unfold for themselves as they will. Of course, we could make predictions, and they would be fairly accurate, but we shall hold our prophesies, keeping them in the same dry spot as our powders. That being said, we can offer this: Everything that publicly occurs coming from Bianchi and Tyer shall be about politics — nothing less because there isn’t anything lower, and nothing more, because this is one case where the parts exceed the sum.
“And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
Forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Philosophers and plow men
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart”
“If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice”
“All the world’s indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another’s audience
Outside the gilded cage”
– RUSH
Don’t let others speak for you. Get out and Vote!
I will voting on hard facts today….. Can’t wait! 6 weeks from now will be an even greater satisfaction for me.
I think some people feel obligated to donate to certain campaigns to make it look like they are supportive, but then may do something totally different in the voting arena.
Can you say, “blindside”?
vote Gaetani and send a message….he may not win but it may encourage whomever does to be more responsible
I’m not sure that works. I wish it did. I believe Dan V. received at least a hundred write in votes in the last mayoral election, but Bianchi didn’t get any message from it at all.
It doesn’t send any message. I want my vote taken away from Bianchi where it sticks.
seventy-two
I see the charges against Mr. Gaetani were NOT dismissed. As far as the election is concerned the positions will be determined in Ward 4 and Ward 3 (Linda’s home ward). Pretty certain Walto and Gaetani won’t play well in either of these 2 wards.
I’m pretty certain the two winning camps will be studying the results in these two wards very carefully tonight.
The charges against Bianchi and Tyer still stand as well. They are charged with being the tools of the monied interests in Pittsfield. They are charged with being tax and spend progressives who will spend Pittsfield into bankrupt oblivion. They are charged with wanting to raid your social security and or pension check and savings. If Tyer eventually gets elected the only thing in Pittsfield that will change are the drapes and wallpaper in the corner office. If Tyeranchi win you lose. Bend over and grab your ankles.
Chuck, why would a resident of ward 3 or 4 want to vote for Tyer or Bianchi? Please tell me what will be different in our city if Tyer and Bianchi square off in November and Tyer wins? What would Linda do differently than Bianchi? Will my taxes stay the same or go down with Tyeranchi? I hardly think so. I’m casting my vote for Gaetani. He’s the only one worried about the taxpayers in this election. Did you even hear the other three express any concern?
Chuck, why would a resident of ward 3 or 4 want to vote for Tyer or Bianchi? Please tell me what will be different in our city if Tyer and Bianchi square off in November and Tyer wins? What would Linda do differently than Bianchi? Will my taxes stay the same or go down with Tyeranchi? I hardly think so. I’m casting my vote for Mr. G. He’s the only one worried about the taxpayers in this election. Did you even hear the other three express any concern?
I think I read that somewhere.
I talk to people about Pittsfield Politics quite often and I make my rounds around this City. I never hear anyone bring up their taxes as an issue. Only on this site. It’s always economic growth, education and public safety. From older people its public safety and for those middle aged its often education and public safety and from younger people its lack of Career Opportunities and social outlets.
I know the commentators on this site jumps on me for reporting on observations or even well know facts (such as the skills deficit in the county) but that is my experience.
So the Taxpayer fighter just won’t cut it here as a winning message. Doesn’t help that you yell at everyone you talk to either.
Taxes are always going to go up. I think what aggravates many, is irresponsibility in not even trying to hold a line, or tighten the budget from the Council and the Mayor. In a City that has a disparaging , critical , and dwindling Tax base. That, sir is the issue. Public Safety, Crime, Jobs are the priorities, that are not getting addressed quickly or adequately. The current GOB is taking care of themselves and their friends. Taxpayers are getting screwed. Enough is Enough.
Either you only talk to rich people or everyone in Pittsfield is either rich or on the dole. The only groups who don’t care about tax increases are rich people and those who don’t pay taxes. For retired people a tax increase is a raid on their social security checks. When Pittsfield gets Detroitified maybe people will pay attention….and that day isn’t far off.
Why is the Pittsfield school age population at a 50 year low while the number of people in the school department at an all time high. Maybe that has something to do with high taxes?
Ward 3B was very brisk this morning.
Watch wards 3 & 4. Pretty sure they won’t share the view of the eye.
They must have a very rich population who can afford ever rising taxes.
If Gaetani was to win it looks like he will be governing from jail.
Has there been a trial?
He will be convicted, but will probably get probation.
Dave, Since you brought it up and I’m not atuned to our legal process,can you explain why Gaetani is entitled to many pretrail hearings, at least five so far ? What’s the purpose of all the pretrail hearings? Thanks.
Not unusual
I hope every one gets out and votes today. It starts the beginning of the next four years for us and hopefully a step toward a brighter future.
200 votes at Williams School
30 votes at Morningside
Chuck my friend, I think you had better go back to work. 4:45. 6:57, 9:36 and still got 12 hours left in the day. Voted for Bianchi this morning because given my age I still believe that morality counts for something.
Four more years of Bianchi panky
I voted for Linda Tyer. Given my age I can’t bear the thought of four more years in neutral.
What is so moral about taxing people to death and giving a huge chunk of the money to an underperforming school system? Of course the majority of the money goes to school salaries, but Bianchi has agreed to every one of their school budget increases without a whimper. Tyer would be no different.
Good question
9:36 is really 12:36. Dans clock is 3 hours behind the real world.
The server must be based on the west coast…..and I always thought he kept it in Hilary Clinton’s basement.
Enjoyed this read today, Dan. I appreciate your literary references. They resonate well.
The choices for mayor have been whittled down to which one will spend more to break the taxpayers back. Attention Tes and Tyer, there are no jobs and education from a new high school years down the road won’t make a difference, people are leaving in droves, look at your housing (homes for sale) Without a vibrant work force, nothing can be done. Period! The last thing you need to do is start giving raises for poor performance and building new schools with the taxpayer having a say. Vote Gaetani!
Any predictions?
Eye in the sky: get a grip. Sarcasm has value. If you can’t figure it out to bad. Lets face it, the guy is a silly candidate. His foolishness and Walto with her pickled outlook only wasted tax payer money forcing this extra election. I’m so sick of these fools.
About 16% of the registered voters came out to vote. Looks like 84% are so disgusted with the GOB$ they didn’t think their vote had an impact.
Also, Paul work on your sarcasm…..very weak.
If you want to see taxpayer money wasted make some popcorn and sit back starting Jan 3 and watch Tyeranchi in action.
I like Mr. G.Hope he stays in the political limelight. He’s smart and entertaining, a little gruff, but I think he has a good heart. I’m going to advocate for him. It’s time the Judge let him be.
two hundred 230 at Conti school as of 7 or so
Tyer so far
Gaetani over Walto by 43 votes. Close one.
Congratulations to all those who ran for mayor. It’s not easy to put yourself out there, warts and all.
A scare crow could could beat Walto.
Tyer Decisively Wins Preliminary Election
Pittsfield, Mass. – Upon learning the results from the Preliminary Election held on September 22, 2015, Linda Tyer, current City Clerk and candidate for mayor of the City of Pittsfield, shared her optimism for the upcoming November election.
“I am thrilled with the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the campaign,” said Tyer. “I’ve received such strong support from so many residents in and around Pittsfield and today’s results solidify that our city is in desperate need of a change. We have another 41 days to continue the momentum and to share plans on how together we can improve our city. I look forward to more opportunities to have productive and candid discussions about the direction of Pittsfield. I believe that our city deserves better and, based on tonight’s results, it is clear that voters agree. I promise our city residents that I will restore their faith in municipal government.”
Unofficial results were reported by campaign volunteers at polling locations throughout the city:
Linda Tyer – 2,786, 55.05%
Daniel Bianchi – 1,960, 39%
Craig Gaetini – 176, 3.5%
Donna Walto – 133, 2.6%
The election that will determine Pittsfield next mayor will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.
More information on Tyer’s candidacy can be found at http://www.tyerformayor.com.
15 or 16% came out……land slide for apathy…..always the top vote getter in Pittsfield.