IT’S ALL CONNECTED
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2015) — It’s all connected. Let’s explore.
Revised Dress Code
THE PLANET likes the attention the Pittsfield School Committee has given to the district dress code. We have long been a champion of a stricter code and, more importantly, enforcement of it. You can go to THE PLANET archives and read our convincing case made for school uniforms, in fact. Appearance reflects an attitude, and at the schoolboy and girl level, it drives an inherent level of maturity in age-appropriate ways.
Ives Home: What Eyesore?
Ives’ home, 62 Sadler. What’s the big deal? (Photo Google Earth)
Speaking of appearances, Ward 1 candidate Tammy Ives has made headlines in the courts concerning disputes over the condition of her property, including the now-famous “F U” posted on the gate of the driveway’s wooden picket fence. THE PLANET’s photo shows the sign. The property itself looks to be in decent shape. As someone posted, “I’ve seen much worse.” So have we. There’s merit in pointing out The Boring Broadsheet’s large play of this otherwise routine neighborhood dispute. It appears to be designed to embarrass Ives and hurt her already slim chances of defeating the incumbent. Now we ask, which parties would have the motive to smear like this? That said, THE PLANET advises sanding the “F U” from the fence. That would be the magnanimous “high road,” silence many critics, and win votes.
Pot Shots v. Serious Appraisal
As for the silencing of critics, THE PLANET makes the distinction between pot shots and serious appraisal. The first simply makes assertions with little or no evidence. THE PLANET never takes pot shots. Our criticisms are based on facts and evidence, applying reason and logic to arrive at valid conclusions. You may disagree without our analyses, but you can’t win the debate without applying the same facts with an even larger degree of sound reasoning. Hasn’t happened yet.
Which brings of to the category of unlikely happenings.
In an interesting point-counterpoint, the two candidates for mayor got the pop guns out and blew the corks. Strings attached.
Three days following his slap down at the hands of Linda Tyer, but Dan Bianchi scored first with his challenge for five debates. In making the challenge, Bianchi took the initiative, beating Tyer to what would have been her inevitable summons to the mayor. Point, Bianchi. In the manner of her acceptance, however, Tyer came roaring back. She responded immediately and directly.
“Bring it on.”
In returning serve so forcefully, she smoked on down the baseline, past Bianchi’s backhand.
A debate is not the milksop sponge squeezed of its contents. It’s a conference involving candidates and the electorate. The first is applying for a job. The second owns the company. The moderator’s first loyalty is to the owner. His or her first duty is to put the candidates on the spot. It shouldn’t be easy for them. It should be hard.
What’s So Hard About Being Mayor, School Supt., Etc.?
Hard? It’s not hard to be paid six figures and a benefits package that exceeds most companies in the Dreaded Private Sector. It’s not hard to make the decisions to govern in Pittsfield. Just give The Suits and Vested Interests what they want and help yourself to the spoils. You want to know what’s hard. It’s hard to be Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski. They work anywhere from three to six jobs between them simply to stay afloat in this city of ever-rising taxes and plummeting services.
It’s all connected.
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“We wear the mask that grins and lies, / It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes — This debt we pay to human guile; / With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, / And mouth with myriad subtleties.” — Paul Lawrence Dunbar, “We Wear the Mask,” (1896).
“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 Ives don’t seem to deny having, at the very least, a scrapyard behind the vulgarities painted on there 6 foot tall fence. We have zoning bylaws that restrict the use of land in a residential zoning district. These restrictions are in place partly to protect the property values and the quiet enjoyment of the rest of the neighborhood. None of us would be happy if an auto shop or restaurant or scrapyard opened business next door to our nice quiet single family home simply because they felt like it. .
Someone is making a mountain out of a molehill. There are at least a thousand things in this city that bother me more than that fence. Get over it. It only bothers you because you want it to.
It has been made a campaign issue by a desperate candidate. It is not like the Ives let the air out of footballs for Christ sake.
Yay Dusty!!
Of course if doesn’t bother you Dusty you don’t live on that street. lol and DV says I’ve seen worse. What a crock.
I agree, Also Shaking, it’s always easy for people to say something is not an eyesore when it’s not next to your house. We have a neighbor who uses his uninhabitable house to ‘store’ all of his hoarding items, literally from floor to ceiling and in the back yard, and he repeatedly takes the city to court when the city tries to clean up the property, stalling any enforcement for years. He always loses in court, but then appeals and appeals and appeals, and it goes on and on. The housing court judges do nothing but keep postponing it.
Oh, but there’s no blight in Pittsfield, and if there is, my goodness, we certainly don’t want to talk about it, let alone do anything about it. – Bianchi camp
I am, and always have been in favor of School Uniforms ..it’s a lot of things. It’s Standards speak volumes, and there is no Competitiveness. Removes ongoing issues
I want Linda Tyer to Bring it On.. I want to see Linda show up and expose the Mayor’s failures. I want Linda Tyer to address how she will turn things around. I want Linda Tyer to know the Taxpayers are angry for being shut out and shut down.
In 4 years, who is going to show up to expose Linda’s failures if she wins? Who will address all the things she did not turn around? Who will let her know the taxpayers are angry because she shut them out just like Bianchi and Ruberto?
Anyone who thinks things will be different if Tyer wins are sadly mistaken. I am sure she’ll be much nicer and easier to work with, but the same old kiss the school system and all the union’s arses, and keep on raising taxes is still going to happen. Count on it.
So you would reward Dan Bianchi with more years? Not Me. Not on your Life!!!
The more things change, The more things stay the same. A well entrenched ostensibly retired former Pittsfield city councilor and former city boards guru from administrations past,complete with sparkling smile and Florida tan has been meeting with Ms. Tyer and lobbying for a very expensive city development that the citizens have previously objected to. Is it possible that mucho dinero on the table is being revisited ? Wait.
I ant Tyer to address the city’s budget. Does she agree Pittsfield has a spending problem? That school department is way too top heavy? If so what will she do about it. If not. Thats it. I’ll write in Dan Valenti.
I have only been by their property twice and never saw anything that bad. Unless you go up and peek thru their fence how would anyone know what’s in their yard? If they are indeed operating a business there that is another issue. Maybe the fu isn’t very nice but I’ve seen worse. A Pittsfield business had a giant sign stating Pittsfield Sucks for a long time on upper North St.. I wonder what the neighbors may have done to cause the fu to begin with. There is always two sides to a story.
I think there should be a dress code in the schools, but I have issues with school uniforms. To me it sends a message of too much regulation by the schools which already have the power to shape young minds often in directions parents are not happy about. I think a dress code should enforce the obvious like clothing should be age appropriate.
I will be voting for Tammy Ives. We need an independent type person in Ward 1 not someone who can be manipulated by the GOB’s. This is why the BB is coming out against her as she would upset the balance of power in the city by speaking out forcefully when she disagrees with those at the top. They don’t want someone like that unless that person is a fighter for things they want. They want fighters on the school committee when budget time rolls around and they have those people in place now. They want people like Tricia Farley Bouvier and Lisa Tully who rubber stamp everything the suits want.
I am in favor of school (uniforms) dress code. My grand children attend a public school in Florida that has a dress code. The boys must wear khaki shorts or pants, polo shirts that are either navy blue or white. The girls same thing plus they can wear a skirt. All the parents love it. They claim it saves money and it is a total non issue with the kids.
I went to Catholic school and wore a uniform. I never gave it a thought.
This mayor and city council gave the taxpaying citizens a giant FU by not letting the people vote on the new Taconic High school project. Instead of a sign, the FU will be shown in the tax bills the property owners receive.
The mayor said FU to the workers gettng bug bites from the carpets at city hall, diverting the money approved by the city council for new carpets to remodel his own office.
The FU came by way of duct taped seams.
The mayor said FU to the city council by moving the offices from city hall to 100 North Street after the city council denied him the funds to do so. The FU to the citizens came from the mayor taking the money from somewhere else. Is the mayor ever going to answer where he took the money from? Not even in a debate.
The FU was joined in by the city council by approving it one year later. Instead of a sign, its now shown in a tax increase.
The mayor issued an FU by giving away $150,000.00 of your money to Mr. Monterosso. Will he face that question in a debate?
What do you think?
The airport, the methadone clinic, raises for all city department heads, the new city charter…….etc….. all FU’s to the people of Pittsfield.
The sign should stay. Go Tammy. Maybe it will become a Berkshire’s icon. Like the likes of Balance rock, Mt. Greylock, Park Square and the old Antheneum. Maybe Dan Valenti will include it in his next feature film. Tourists from everywhere will want to get their picture taken in front of that fence. Maybe Arlo Guthrie will write a song about it.
FU poorboy. See it’s not really a good way to express your differences.
Ok lets say its not. Now is threatening to shoot my then 12 yr old son in the head a good way? Or laughing and pointing at my garage on fire while telling my family that they wished we would of died in that fire? Seperate neighbors.Both worthy offenses of being told FU you think?
Also shaking
Well lets say its not… is threatening to shoot my then 12yr old son in the head a good way? How about pointing and laughing as my garage is engulfed in flames while telling my family that they wish we all died in that fire? Seperate neighbors but both worthy of being told FU? What you think? Would you stay quiet?
I would take appropriate action. I would not paint FU on my fence and then hold myself up as having the good judgement that would be required of a City Councilor. You may have a legitimate complaint. It’s your methods of expressing your frustration that I find questionable.
Called police, went to court and even tried talking to them. All for nothing, nothing but lies and imcompence…. just got fed up i guess
Pittsfield politics is a one party political system – just like China! Both the lovely Linda Tyer and Dan Bianchi are progressive Democrats. It is like voting for a Coke or a Pepsi. Either way, you get a cola soda. Linda Tyer comes from the Jimmy Ruberto camp, while Dan Bianchi comes from the Wojtkowski camp. Both Ruberto and Wojtkowski camps serve the city and state Democratic Party!
Just for the record: Coke is better than Pepsi.
Mexican Coke still uses real cane sugar instead of deadly high fructose corn syrup.
As far as cola goes, Coke is the lesser of two evils.
I doubt that Tyler ( pronounced by channel 13) would have let the taxpayer vote either.
You’re right. Tyer was with all the rest in supporting the new Taconic. None of our city leaders wanted it to go to the voters.
In fact, throw out a name or names of those who publicly advocated for an election (not an ordinary citizen).
And when we end up like Holyoke that built a new school with the same promises that we are getting, and now is in economic failure, what excuse will all these promoters have to say?
True. Forget the names. Bianchi? Tyer? Both are shilling for the bosses. I will not vote for either.
I’m voting for the evil I know.
The real scum bags were the ones that said if it were to go to a vote it would have passed. I don’t think so. And the other phrase was, well the ward voters trusted me to make decisions, that’s why I’m the Councilman’.And another comment from a councilor was…It was the easiest vote I’ve ever had to make’.
I remember those comments, as well……and I won’t forget them.
Absolutely, Nota.
Nice picture dan!!! outdated but still great.
We are not a scrapyard, junk dealers or whatever else they claim. To be truthful the city purposely pigeon holed under those classifications when all we do haul old aplliances for FREE mind you. If anything i should get a haulers permit and thats it.
I pick up from churches, schools, assisted living facilities, the elderly and anyone else who may need help for FREE. A community service if anything. These items stay behind the fence if anything a few days. What good does it do me stationary?
None of you so called neighbors minded when you would drop your stuff off in my yard before those ‘no parking’ signs went up. Hell they would walk right on my property while i was home or not and drop off what they please. Haha that tailgate missing from tha truck in the picture was brought over from the guy across the street.
Urinetown im sure you are one of the numbers. Be grateful that painting my fence is all you got. The way you have treated me my wife and yes just as graphic to the kids merits a much worse fate. So count your blessings we are not someone else. That goes for any of you so called neighbors.
You know its quite sad that all this started over no parking signs. Death threats, sexual comments and gestures directed towards my family, a random fire in an unused garage,and worst of all you are trying to take food from childrens mouths
Heres a fun tidbit about what do!!!
I have provided the mentioned services for multiple city officials in various branches(current and former councillors included)and city funded buildings etc… still to this day even.
There is even people on this site(even ones that comments today) that i had dealings with and im sure they can vouch that we are not bad people we are be portrayed as.
I have no idea what the truth really is in all this, but if anyone threatened or harassed your kids that is downright disgusting and they should be ashamed of themselves.
They should you would think yet they continue to do so like thats normal.
I don’t think anyone is saying you and Tammy are bad people and I respect that you are entrepreneurs working hard to make a living. But if it was my call I would have to say that since your street is in a residential zone your neighbors have a right to not live next to a white goods transfer station. It’s just the law.
Ok then explain this pc… there is another man in this city who is licensed by city hall and insured to do the same exact thing as we do to the tee in a residential zone i checked but we get the flack while 2 businesses are run out of the house across the street. Anything funny there?
Can’t explain that one. You did make all the right campaign donations, didn’t you?
Haha….Apparently not
We are not part of GOB network but we are a part of the rapidly growing number of people that are sick and tired(Fed Up even) of the unmistakeable CORRUPTION that even trinkles down to the citizens of the city
And all along it meant Fed Up..shame on you Sadler Ave. shame!
Corey..I took a drive up Sadler the other day to see what all the commotion was, and quite frankly the parking situation up there was pretty disturbing, someone ought to be looking at that!
Put 2 cars on opposite sides of the street directly parallel of each other and then ask yourself what emergency vehicle can get through there.
I’ve done the math…. street 22ft wide at its widest point… parking spot 8ft wide per vehicle…22ft-8ft-8ft=6ft… how many cars you know are 6ft wide never mind firetrucks.
Each residence can park 2-4 vehicles in their driveway comfortably not including garages. So why the fuss? I thought they were concerned for their safety.
I believe back in the last election, it was your wife that stated the voters’ should have a say on the new high school’.
And she still feels that way… one of her top priorities if elected(and even if not) is to find a way to put the choice of the new school in the voters hands
The voters had their say, by voting in a clowncil that voted for a new high school.
Last time I checked, in ‘Murica, you had the right to do what you wanted (within reason) on your property. There is this little thing in Article 5…
“Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Good point
Heres another,
obscenity laws are meant to regulae and censor ‘obscene’ speech and material. But as U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan once noted in expressing the immense challenge of defining obscenity in a way that is not ambiguous or subjective, “one man’s vulgarity is another’s lyric”‘
Legally its considered artistic expression as noted by the ACLU. Its art you dont have to look.
Dan can you do anything about turning this blog into squabbles between neighbors? It is totally boring.
I would suggest Christine Yon should run as a write-in candidate. Neither declared candidate is worthy of a seat on the council.
I would certainly hope that Yon would not run again. They wanted Tully…..they got her……and now they can live with her.
CHUCK
I can but I won’t. The squabble has relevancy because the publicity in the mainstream press has made it into a political issue that will sway a ward race.
Thank you Dan. It is a relevant issue in assessing the character of a candidate for public office.
To be clear, I am not a direct neighbor. But we are all neighbors and we should all be concerned that if zoning bylaws are not enforced we could all have a junkyard/scrapyard/recycling center next door where it isn’t allowed.
Refer to my above comment to pc 31… whats the difference? You are asking for equal rights so am i…
Just my opinion.
We hoped Yon would of run but nobody did at all even after all Tully’s obvious faults. So she stood up cause nobody else would.
How relevant is your opinion anyways? How many times did your ventures turn up failure? You are no different than Malumphey.
Just my opinion
Dan, yesterday you posted “Even if she didn’t mean it, the declaration that she cares about the forgotten little guy would go a long way in establishing how she differs from the mayor”. Are you advocating she lie to the taxpayer to help her campaign? How is that different from all the prior elections that got Pittsfield to this point? You lost me here Dan.
I’m not advocating a thing. Rather, I’m pointing out that even a hypocritical reference to taxpayers would be better than none at all. You see, we wouldn’t know if a concern like that was true or not until she got into office. I’m talking of a different type of “lie.” The “tax” lies of previous campaigns were made when the city was not in danger of fiscal collapse. In other words, falsity had a cushion. This time, there is none, which leaves a slim hope that if the words are uttered they are sincere. I realize I’m playing 10 moves ahead of everyone in this game of group chess and don’t expect to be understood. If plainer English, if Tyer co-opts a pro-taxpayer plank in the platform, she’s playing to win. If she doesn’t, she’s playing to govern. That will give the election to Bianchi.
With what is left here would be the choices for election:
Ward I >Ives
Ward 2> Morandi
Ward 3>Caccamo
Ward4> Connell
Ward 5> Rivers
Ward 6> Krol
Ward7 > Simonelli
At-Large> Amuso, Marchetti, Cotton,Mazzeo
Mayor: Barrett
Don’t think Barrett is running in Pittsfield.
Ward 7 Kathy Lloyd
Oh….Moderator: emmmm….How Sweet it is!
Christine we turn our lonely eyes to you.
Rick Scapin is the only one running that would stand up for the taxpayers.
What a crock…….he tried to shove the transfer station down the throats of the people on Velma Ave. That’s how that guy stands up for the taxpayer.
Ok, take Rivers out and insert one Scapin.
High School Football cancelled because of injuries in New Jersey.
Updated picks: Ives Scapin Simonelli (Tony Roads) Morandi Marchetti Mazzeo Amuso Cotton Caccamo Connell Krol
Bianchi
No thanks.
LOw quote of the Year ‘ Of all my years on this City Council, the New Taconic High School was the easiest vote of them all’.
Police union exerting its self serving protectionism and paranoia in regard to a rather innocuous special police provision which applies only to PPD retirees already performing the designated and effected road jobs only. Union also objects to the same special provision for animal control officers and crime scene specialists. This would idemify both the city and the retirees, etc. Obviously the police union is self sustaining only,showing total disregard for those that pay their salaries and perks,
Union spokesman danced around what he called the current union issue, apparently alluding to the malfesance and alleged felonies committed by their union leadership.
Since this was submitted by the mayor the Tyer groupies, Lothrup,Claremont,Amuso, Krol,Caccamo, et al, all whinned their monkey see, monkey do, non independent way of thinking into a circular file for this petition. Will be glad to see some of these blind mice go, albeit a financial windfall may await them after the conflict of intrest law expires and the right cadre is elected.
Total hyperbole, empty rhetoric, and bs as usual.
If Dave is awake out there watching the silly council meeting tonight, a question for him? Do you know if there is a transcript of the Clowncil meetings that are given or purchased, my audio is working to good as one of the councilors sounds like a kazoo and can’t understand what is said. Lothrop is really trying to hard tonight, give it up J LOw, no one wants to here you anymore!
It’s hard to hear even if you’re sitting in the room!
Side note: The state flag has been missing from council chambers for months now… Where’d it go?
Should be not working, and hear. I do my own spell check now.
I think Harry Houdini (in a straight Jacket sitting in row 4)is at the City Clowncil meeting.