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DUELING BANJOS: TYER, BIANCHI EXCHANGE VOLLEYS … plus THE COMMENT LINE IS OPEN

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, OCT. 16-18, 2015) — Politics is confrontation as much as it is compromise, especially today, where compromise consists of two heads yelling at each other. Taking Pittsfield’s mayoral campaign out of the coma ward, the candidates have raised the volume with a series of volleys this week.

Team Tyer (TT) struck first with a shot claiming the mayor lied at the Conte debate when he talked about the work done at The Springside House by inmates from the county jail. TT had one of their members write a web-based editorial flushing out the claim. THE PLANET investigated the assertions of TT. Did the mayor lie? No. He told the truth. You can read what TT issued at the following link:

In response to a question from Linda Tyer about the Springside House in the first mayoral debate of the general election on 10/8/15, Mayor Daniel Bianchi grossly…

Where is the lie? It’s not there. TT couldn’t be “playing politics,” could it?

Here’s what the mayor actually said, speaking of inmates at the county jail working on Springside House: ‘We trained them, they became de-lead certified, and then they worked on Springside House.’ The facts show that the statement is CORRECT. (a) The inmates were trained. (b) They became de-lead certified. And (c) “then they worked on Springside House.” The work they did was power washing. What part of that is not true?
It’s not about pushing for or against any candidate. It’s about truth.
Tthe mayor’s political consultant then issued the following statement, accusing Tyer of making “disparaging” and “irresponsible” remarks:
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DAN BIANCHI REGARDING WEST SIDE

“At last week’s debate, Linda Tyer accused me of failing to give the West Side its ‘fair share,’ by not investing enough city resources in the neighborhood. As I have stated before, I expect candidates to aggressively campaign for office. What I do not expect is to hear such disparaging remarks from someone who has never done one thing to improve the quality of life for those living in West Side neighborhoods until announcing her candidacy for mayor.

“I spent 10 years as the City Councilor representing the West Side. I was a charter member of the West Side Initiative, which is designed to help people mobilize to improve their neighborhood. I easily attended over 100 meetings of that group over the years, and spent many days working with other committed individuals cleaning up parks, hauling literally tons of debris out of the Housatonic River, and working on projects that mattered to the neighborhood. During my time on the City Council, I fought to get a school crossing guard on Onota and West Streets, as well as many other quality of life issues. For 10 years, the West Side neighborhood was my political focus. During all of that time, I never saw Mrs. Tyer help with one project, yet she feels free to criticize my efforts..

“Now that I’m mayor of Pittsfield, I have an entire city to consider, many more neighborhoods that also have pressing needs, and limited taxpayers’ dollars. As mayor, I know that this city cannot afford what Mrs. Tyer promised to the West Side at last week’s debate. For the record, I have not ignored the West Side since becoming mayor. The following are just some of the investments in this neighborhood over the last few years:

-Safe Route to Schools program, involved re-directed traffic, building sidewalks, paving roads, and signage so students have a safer walk to Conte Community School 


-Rebuilt streets and sidewalks throughout the West Side


-Demolished over a half dozen dilapidated structures using close to $225,000 in CDBG “community development block grant” monies


-Established a Community Center at Francis Plaza in collaboration with the Pittsfield Housing Authority


-Invested in renovations and upgrades to Rosemary and Rev. Willard Durant Park including a new basketball court and hoops now underway that total over $60,000; new roof for the shelter and bathrooms, and continued the use of lights at the park for night games.  

-Dorthy Amos Park recently received a new playground and lights for night games. Tucker, Coolidge, Ray Crow and Carrie Parks all have had investments such as newer playgrounds and special landscaping with use of grant monies.

It is false to claim that this neighborhood has been neglected and it is irresponsible for Mrs. Tyer to promise more than taxpayers can afford to any neighborhood in Pittsfield.”
 
Ryan McCollum
RMC Strategies
(413) 313.1475
ryanmccollum1@yahoo.com
——– ooo ——–
Dueling banjos, anyone?
The Comment Line is open. Have a great weekend everybody.
——————————————————————————————————–

“Will the ind ever remember the names it has blown in the past?” — Jimi Hendrix, The Wind Cries Mary,” from the album  Are You Experienced, (1967).

“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.


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Corey Ives
Corey Ives
8 years ago

The gun was found in his locker along with a bong. It was sniffed out by a police dog

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Corey Ives
8 years ago

where did the kid get the gun?

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  eye in the sky
8 years ago

That i don’t know. I know his intention was to sell it though

Hackett
Hackett
8 years ago

I’m writing in The Planet.

DaveW
DaveW
8 years ago

Bring back Gaetani! Let’s get behind his write-in campaign!
Come on, let’s go!

Underhill
Underhill
Reply to  DaveW
8 years ago

Gaetani had his chance and blew it big time. His harshness. His anger. His irrationality. The way he abused his posting privleges. The way he refused to really campaign.

I don’t think he ever wanted to really run at all. Just wanted his 16 minutes of fame so he could relive past glory (30 years old) about the water plant.

He’s got to let it go.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Underhill
8 years ago

As opposed to present day GOB glory? Please. Exactly what is glorious about Lindan Tyanchi? Both these GOBs spell disaster for Pittsfield. They’ll both bring us the glory of high taxes.

Dowgerhat
Dowgerhat
Reply to  Underhill
8 years ago

If Gaetani is miraculously elected, who would be the city’s first lady ? Patti Rand, his sometmes tv co-host, who he calls Mrs. Rand ?. Hey, Eye, how really cozy are you with the wizard ?

dusty
dusty
8 years ago

Did the school gun story already disappear from the Eagle website? Less people who know about it the better I guess, especially just before any election.

RobEM
RobEM
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

Who reads the Eagle anymore? The way the news cycle is these days it is old news already.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

The Boston Globe has an article today entitled, “Pittsfield Gearing Up As Go-to Destination Once Again”. Obviously meant to appeal to outsiders to visit the city during the slower cold months since locals can’t afford to attend many of the local destinations mentioned in the article mainly pricey food and arts establishments.

I was listening to the Bill Sturgeon show this summer and he was complaining that when he goes to many of these local events in the area he sees the same people all of the time. Could it be because it’s only this same group of people who can afford to attend these expensive arts and cultural events especially many of the openings for plays and Berkshire Museum events?

GMHeller
GMHeller
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Pittsfield gearing up as go-to destination once again

By Jaci Conry Globe correspondent October 17, 2015

PITTSFIELD — My grandparents were born here. They met and married here, then raised my father and his siblings a few miles from where they’d grown up themselves. Later in life, my grandparents traveled extensively, but Pittsfield was always home. They lived their whole lives here, and considered their lives full.

Trips to Pittsfield, the largest city in the Berkshires, were highlights of my childhood. During the early 1980s, I’d walk along North Street, the downtown hub, with my grandmother. She’d point out landmarks, filling me with tales of the city’s glory days. We would stop at the red wagon in front of First National Agricultural Bank for a greasy brown paper bag of popcorn and she’d remember that the same wagon had sold popcorn by horse-drawn carriage when she was a girl.

In front of a long-shuttered venue, my grandmother often reminisced about a glitzy New Year’s Eve party there in the 1930s. I’d seen a photo of the night, my grandfather in a tuxedo, my grandmother, dazzling in a drapey white dress. I was mesmerized by the 19th- and early-20th-century stone buildings that presided over downtown. Stately and detailed, the structures spoke of importance and fine craftsmanship. There was glamour to the architecture, a mystique that hinted at a bygone era.

My grandparents were proud to live in Pittsfield; they’d come of age during the city’s heyday. But by the 1980s, the city was on a downward spiral. Pittsfield was incorporated in 1761 in a primarily agricultural area. By the early 1800s it was a center of woolen manufacturing and when the railroad arrived during the second half of the 19th century, Pittsfield evolved into a bustling metropolis.

In 1890, William Stanley Jr. put Pittsfield on the map when he developed the first electric transformer at his Stanley Electric Manufacturing Co. A decade later, General Electric acquired the company and opened three manufacturing facilities in town, employing more than 15,000 workers for 70-plus years. North Street was lined with banks, department stores, and specialty shops, all of which stayed open late on Thursdays, the day GE employees were paid.

In the late 1970s, GE began shutting down its operations in Pittsfield and over the next 10 years, the city lost its luster. The population plummeted, the once-thriving downtown became a dim stretch of vacant storefronts, and no one was coming to visit. My last visit was in 2003, and I found it to be dreary, depressing, and sad. I couldn’t wait to leave.

While many unsuccessful attempts to revitalize downtown Pittsfield have been made over the last two decades, word has spread that momentum is finally taking hold, that the city is gearing up to be a Berkshires destination. This fall, I ventured back to see for myself.

An integral component in the resurgence is the fact that there is finally an appealing downtown hotel. With both a hip aesthetic and a time-honored feel, Hotel on North (297 North St.,413-358-4741, hotelonnorth.com) is what residents have wanted for years, say owners David and Laurie Tierney. A while back the Tierneys — David runs Pittsfield-based construction company David J. Tierney Jr. Inc. — partnered with Main Street Hospitality Group, which owns notable Berkshire hotels including Stockbridge’s The Red Lion Inn and North Adams’s Porches Inn at Mass MoCA, to bring a boutique hotel to downtown Pittsfield. After years searching for the right spot, in 2014 they acquired two National Historic Register brick buildings that housed Besse-Clarke department store from 1909 through the early 1990s.

The 45-guest rooms are spacious with high ceilings. Luxe bedding and marble clad bathrooms are paired with the structure’s wide plank floors, exposed brick walls, and antique furnishings found at the Brimfield Antiques Fair. Lounge-like common areas are decked in jewel tones with plush contemporary seating and early-20th-century tables acquired from an old mill.

With long windows overlooking downtown, the hotel restaurant, Eat on North, features an oyster bar and cuisine inspired by various cultures. Dinner menu offerings include rotisserie duck with Korean barbecue glaze; chicken and waffles; and Scottish salmon. The breakfast fare reflects a similar inventive influence (red quinoa oatmeal; maitake mushroom hash).

If you’re looking for a more casual place to enjoy your morning joe, head to Dottie’s Coffee Lounge (444 North St., http://www.dottiescoffeelounge.com, 413-443-1792). With hard worn tables, mismatched chairs, and a blackboard that covers an entire wall with the coffee selections, it’s a favorite hangout of hipster families, students, and old-timers alike. Don’t let the laid-back atmosphere fool you, the food is thoughtfully conceived and unbelievably delicious, I had the best egg, cheese, and bacon sandwich on a homemade scallion biscuit I’ve ever tasted. As my husband said, “That’s a sandwich worth getting fat over.”

The buildings that captivated me as a child still strike me — a seasoned design writer — with awe. From Park Square, the 1.5-acre oval public green in the heart of downtown, you can view some of the city’s best architectural specimens: the white marble courthouse, built in 1868; the Victorian Gothic-style Registry of Deeds; St. Stephens Church, with its Louis Comfort Tiffany windows; and the elegant columned former First Agricultural National Bank that cost a whopping $250,000 to build in 1909.

A large part of Pittsfield’s allure is the now-thriving arts scene, which the city has put great effort into. Downtown’s state-designated Upstreet Cultural District includes the Tony-award winning Barrington Stage Company (30 Union St., barringtonstageco.org, 413-236-8888). Housed in a 1912 vaudeville theater, the company draws more than 50,000 visitors annually to see musicals, cabaret, classics, and new work.

Another place to see live performances is the Colonial Theatre (111 South St., berkshiretheatregroup.org, 413-448-8084), which hosted Sara Bernhardt, John Barrymore, and other legends in the early 1900s. It shuttered in the 1950s, but after it was made a National Historic Treasure, the community invested millions to refurbish the theatre. Today, the interior’s ornate, Gilded-Age glamour has been meticulously restored and the Berkshire Theatre Group hosts headliners who have included James Taylor, Arlo Guthrie, and The Eagles. Opening in December, “A Christmas Carol” kicks off the city’s holiday festivities.

The 1903 Berkshire Museum (39 South St., berkshiremuseum.org, 413-443-7171) was opened by Zenas Crane, an owner of Crane & Co., the venerable paper manufacturer. Crane was entranced by the collections of the Smithsonian, The Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His concept was to blend the best attributes of their revered collections in his museum. Today, the museum exhibits remain diverse. A 10-foot-high stegosaurus outside the museum advertises the dinosaur gallery. Inside, visitors find paintings from the Hudson River School, the writing desk of Nathaniel Hawthorne, an ancient gallery featuring an Egyptian mummy, and a 30-tank aquarium. A National Geographic exhibit showcasing photographs of the American West runs through January.

Next door is a gem of a shop, Museum Facsimiles Outlet Store (31 South St., 413-499-1818) where the highlights include baby gifts, small leather goods, and wall decor. The array of beautiful frames, prints, and letterpress greeting cards are made in Ken Green’s factory down the road. Most impressive are the enlarged book spines of authentic editions of classics in beautiful frames. I went home with “Emma” for my daughter, whose name is also a Jane Austen heroine’s.

It used to be that downtown Pittsfield had scant few restaurants and none of them were memorable. The offerings have expanded immensely and there are now nearly 20 restaurants in a quarter of a mile. One of the standouts is District Kitchen & Bar (40 West St., district.kitchen, 413-442-0303), a new gastro-pub. With exposed copper pipes that run along the ceiling, steel chairs, and deep grey walls the decor feels both industrial and enveloping. If your appetite is small, there’s a fantastic a goat-cheese BLT with cucumber; if you’re in the mood for something more substantial go for the garlic and herb marinated strip steak. The Cuban-style corn on the cob is a must.

There’s a rustic, chic vibe at Methuselah Bar and Lounge (391 North St., http://www.methuselahbarandlounge.com, 413-344-4991) where the communal table is popular, but there are also nooks with private two-tops. The menu comprises cheese and charcuterie; small plates (the roasted butternut squash tacos are amazing); salads; and hearty, eclectic sandwiches. There’s a lively bar scene often accented by music from a talented guitarist.

Pittsfield is equidistant between North Adams and Great Barrington, the northern Berkshires and the southern. So it’s a perfect home base for travelers looking to explore the entire region. With weekend rates as low as $179 a night at Hotel on North, it’s significantly less expensive to stay in Pittsfield than in the higher profile towns.

On the way out of town I noticed, with the glee of a child, that the popcorn wagon is still there. Now owned by Berkshire Bank (99 North St.), it’s operated by participants in a Goodwill program that teaches business enterprise skills. As we drove away, I felt happy to have seen that the legacy of my grandparents’ beloved city is being preserved and that Pittsfield is evolving, poised to endure for a long time.

Jaci Conry can be reached at jaci@jaciconry.com.

SEE:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2015/10/17/pittsfield-gearing-destination-once-again/pkL512QasTC6cYvDiAWTTM/story.html

Ed Shepardson
Ed Shepardson
Reply to  danvalenti
8 years ago

And I don’t believe the popcorn wagon was ever in front of first Aggy. It was Berkshire County Savings Bank.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

Pittsfield politics under Mayor Jimmy Ruberto spent tens of millions of dollars on revitalizing North Street, including a couple million from GE’s economic development fund that was part of the fraudulent Consent Decree. Municipal taxes went way up, while Pittsfield lost thousands of jobs and population.
North Street is the domain of the underclass. North Street is a place most people avoid, especially after hours. I hope to never have to step foot on North Street. I always felt like I was going to get beat up there.
http://jonathanmelleonpolitics.blogspot.com/2007/11/pittsfields-revitalization-via-perverse.html
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT!
Stay off of:
North st.
Tyler st.
Lincoln st.
First st.
Second st.
Linden st.
Dewey ave
Cherry st.
Burbank st.
Kent ave
Madison ave
And Seymour st.
And you might survive.

dusty
dusty
8 years ago

It is “gearing up AGAIN” because obviously it has not worked the last ten times. And after last years snow plowing exhibit people may want to avoid the Pittsfield area “during the slower cold months”.

Lokel Yokel
Lokel Yokel
8 years ago

No one I know goes to any of those events Pat.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Very true Pat! I thought that the Colonial was going to be affordable because it’s the tax money of the little guy who paid for the whole project. They mostly provided overpriced B entertainment at inflated prices.
Can’t remember the show off hand but awhile ago I seen a show offered by the Colonial at half the price being offered in Albany. Go figure!

RobEM
RobEM
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

In the Gazette there is a weekly listing of events at local venues. Most of the admissions are $40. I used to go to a couple of them each year. Not now.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  RobEM
8 years ago

I will be doing the things that I like which thankfully do not cost a lot of money like hiking. When the temperature goes below 30 degrees, however, that usually keeps me from wanting to go outside. Not as young as I used to be! There should still be quite a few weeks of great hiking weather left though. Then I move on to reading my favorite books. I seem to get more of that done in the winter. I have at least ten of them and I can’t wait to start reading!

Paul
Paul
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Once again I find myself agreeing with you Pat. My wife and I walk in St Joe’s cemetery and maintain the flags on our veterans graves. Good exercise and we can honor our fellow veterans.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Thank you for honoring our fellow veterans!! I too like walking around that cemetery from time to time.

Allender
Allender
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Valid points I think. When Colonial was reopened with all the tax money they promised a local resident acting company and A list entertainment. Said the venture would be profitable on ticket prices and private donoars. We know how that worked out.

Now because of the finances minimum ticket for B list entertainment (as said in another comment) is $40. This is for second tier talent that had its day in the 60s now playing to memories of 50 years ago.

The situation is sad and depressing especially given the beauty of the theater. Have to say though that BTG is doing as good a job as can be done. If only they had been involved at the start instead of those who didn’t have a clue.

Spider
Spider
8 years ago

I keep hearing persistent rumors that Petricca is buying the Mall because it needs to expand it’s land. And will announce this after the first of the year.

I have heard this from some very reliable sources.

Perhaps those stores who would like to relocate instead of close, might consider the PEDA property.

Dave
Dave
8 years ago

BIC- estimated construction cost 6.5 million–low bid 7.1 million
$600,000 shortfall.
New Taconic-estimated construction cost 124 million- same ratio = 13.4 million dollar shortfall.
Nah, that won’t happen.

Dave
Dave
8 years ago

When I saw the headline today “Hospital(BMC) joins SANE program” I thought there was a business collaboration that thought it was the sane thing to do to get the hell out of Pittsfield and they would be leaving too. Then I remembered BMC is a “non-profit” and this is the one sector that thrives in Pittsfield.
Never mind.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Dave
8 years ago

The way BMC is expanding maybe they should put in a bid for the mall too. They are in to everything they can relate to health care.

GMHeller
GMHeller
8 years ago

Berkshire Eagle headline:
‘Lenox, neighbors explore tri-town pact to cut costs, boost efficiency’

Translation: The cost of providing local government is now so high that it has surpassed even the ability of the population in three wealthy towns to support.
Thank you so much to the Liberal Democrats who run Massachusetts!

GMHeller
GMHeller
Reply to  GMHeller
8 years ago

SEE: ‘Lenox, neighbors explore tri-town pact to cut costs, boost efficiency’ by Clarence Fanto.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_28987539/lenox-neighbors-explore-tri-town-pact-cut-costs

Lokel Yokel
Lokel Yokel
8 years ago

Looks like Dave is about to move out?

Ray Dude
Ray Dude
8 years ago

Don’t blame him.

EddieP
EddieP
8 years ago

Well, there was life before the mall, there will be life after the mall.
I can remember the competition between the Coltsville lumber mill property and the Petricca property to build a mall.

Ray Dude
Ray Dude
8 years ago

The most ridiculous play in the History of the N F L happened last night for the Colts. You will see it Tommorow, I’m sure. Worse than the Pere Carroll Super Bowl play call.