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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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eye in the sky
eye in the sky
9 years ago

The best choice is to write in Gaetani

Dowgerhat
Dowgerhat
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

Choose to write in Donna Walto or Steve Fillio or Joe Shit, the rag man or anyone you choose to, but there again, an astute, unbiased, political pundit like the flying hairy eyeball says the water wizard should be the best choice of the write in coalition.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Dowgerhat
9 years ago

Donna, Steve and Joe have not declared Gaetani has….A Tyer or Bianchi win means the taxpayer looses big time.

Dowgerhat
Dowgerhat
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

From a voter educational altruism. Eye, kindly advise the voting public exactly how one declares themselves a write in candidate ? Are there papers filed ? What is the process ? Is it a nebulus verbal declaration ? And to whom is it made ?
FYI, Donna Walto has indeed stated to many of her supporters that she would welcome any write in votes.I have also heard comments from voters who have stated that they tntend to write in Mickey Mouse and an organixed group wants to write in Gerry Doyle. Can they be prohibited because their candidates didn’t declare properly ?

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Dowgerhat
9 years ago

How to Run for Office as a
Write-in or Sticker Candidate
A person can seek nomination and election without filing nomination papers to have their name printed as a candidate on the ballot by conducting a write-in or sticker campaign. All ballots must have an area designated as a write-in space. This space allows a voter to physically write in the name of a person other than those names already printed on the ballot and thereby obtain a vote. A “sticker campaign” is when a candidate provides voters with stickers containing the candidate’s name as registered to affix on the ballot in the area for write-ins. A voter need not use the sticker to have such vote counted for the sticker candidate. He or she can physically write in the name of that candidate.

The first step in running for office as a write-in or sticker candidate is checking with local election officials about any particular technicalities involved, such as enrollment or residency requirements. Also, while not required, our Office strongly recommends notifying your local election officials of your intention to run as a write-in or sticker candidate. When notified, the local election officials can inform precinct officials to carefully count all write-ins or stickers.

Informing the public of your candidacy will be your primary activity. To vote for a write-in or sticker candidate, voters are being asked to extend themselves beyond customary voting practices of simply filling in an oval, connecting an arrow or marking an ‘X’ next to a name on the ballot. Accordingly, you have to inform voters of the procedures to follow so that their votes are valid and counted.

General Requirements
All write-in or sticker votes should include the correct name and address of the candidates. Courts have ruled that a vote should be counted whenever the intent of the voter can reasonably be determined, even if a voter omits the candidate’s address or makes a mistake in the name or address. In O’Brien v. Board of Election Commissioners, 257 Mass. 332, 338-339, 153 N.E. 553, 556 (1926) the court said “that if the intent of the voter can be determined with reasonable certainty from an inspection of the ballot, in the light of the generally known conditions attendant upon the election, effect must be given to that intent… The omission of the residence … on some ballots on which the name had been written by the voters rightly was found not to invalidate such votes.” Maiewski v. Board of Registrars of Voters, 347 Mass. 681, 199 N.E. 2d 680 (1964). This includes where a voter fails to complete the vote indicator next to the write-in space—the write-in or sticker vote will still be counted.

It is important for you to give clear instructions to voters about the office which you are seeking and where to write in your name or place the sticker. Please note that write-in and sticker votes are counted for the office where the name is written or sticker placed. For example, if you are running as a sticker candidate for selectmen, but the voter places your sticker under school committee, you will receive a vote for school committee.

Please be aware that campaign materials, including stickers, cannot be distributed within 150 feet of the polling location. The 150-foot area includes the polling place, in the building where the polling place is located, on the walls thereof, on the premises on which the building stands, or within 150 feet of the building entrance door to such polling place.

Number of Votes Necessary
Primary Election
To be nominated in a primary, a write-in or sticker candidate must be the top vote getter among the other candidates for the office and the number of write-in votes for the candidate must at least equal the number of signatures required on nomination papers to qualify to be printed on the primary ballot as a candidate. For example, a write-in candidate for state representative would have to get at least 150 write-in votes (plus more than any other candidate) to win the nomination because that is the number of signatures on nomination papers required for a candidate to have their name printed on the ballot.

If a write-in or sticker candidate wins the primary, he or she must file a written acceptance of the nomination with the Secretary of the Commonwealth within thirteen days after a state primary. For a state primary, a receipt from the State Ethics Commission must also be filed, showing that the candidate has filed a statement of financial interest. Also, these documents should be filed if you are petitioning for a recount or challenging the election in court. Otherwise, your name will not appear on the final election ballot.

Presidential Primary—Political Party Committees
Candidates for ward and town committee can run as slates and a single sticker for the slate can be used. Write-in or sticker candidates for ward and town committee must receive at least five (5) votes (and more than any other candidate) to win but do not need to file a written acceptance. Additionally, candidates for ward and town committee must meet certain enrollment requirements. Specifically, write-in candidates for state, ward or town committees must have been enrolled in the proper party throughout the 90 days prior to the deadline for filing nomination papers. If they are not, they may not be declared elected, and the person receiving the next highest number of votes is elected instead.

General Election
To be elected in a general election, a write-in or sticker candidate must receive more votes than any other candidate for that office. There is no minimum number of votes required.

Paper Ballots
If paper ballots are used in your community, the techniques of a write-in campaign are simple. The voter writes in the name and address of the candidate, with no political party or other designation, in one of the spaces provided below the list of candidates printed on the ballot for that office. The voter is not required to mark an “X” beside the name.

If you wish to run a sticker campaign where paper ballots are used, you must comply with the following requirements:

The sticker for an individual candidate should be 4” long by 5/16” high to fit in the ballot space, even though the law allows a sticker to be 4 ½” long by ½” high. A preprinted “X” is not required but may be printed on the right side of the sticker.
The name of the candidate shall be printed in black ink exactly as it appears on the voting list, in capital letters 1/8” to 1/4″ in height. The number and street (if any) and city or town where the candidate resides shall be added after the name in smaller case type than the name.

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

I find it interesting that the mayor’s respond was signed by Ryan McCollum a political consultant. Interesting and disappointing. I will be interested to see what Linda has to say about this.
I also find it interesting also that Dan is portraying himself as a good steward of public funds. I don’t quite see that in light of his actions over the last few years. We now have a municipal budget north of 140 million, a declining tax base and a new high school on the way.
I also find it interesting that you tore apart Linda but not one comment about Dan’s comments (I mean Ryan the political consultant’s comments).
Very interesting.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

As an NASC classmate I find it interesting that you find so ma

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

As an NASC classmate Chuck I find it interesting that you find so many things interesting, You’re the man from MENSA and this is the crap you dwell on.

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
Reply to  Thomas More
9 years ago

I find it interesting Sir Thomas More that you spend your intellect contemplating what my mind is dwelling on or not dwelling on.
Very interesting.

maxwell edison
maxwell edison
9 years ago

The Planet may stray but he always comes back to Bianchi by election day. The whole thing is a fairly predictable two year story arc.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Flo and Tes equal a wing and a prayer. Gaetani equals truth, justice, and his way or the highway.

dusty
dusty
9 years ago

Why does Mr Bianchi always refer to “limited taxpayer dollars” when it comes to citizen stuff but then spends like a drunken sailor moving offices, giving it away to Monteresso, or putting in fancy floors? Just to name a few.

sounds like very selective thought process

maxwell edison
maxwell edison
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

What are you talking about? Taxpayers had been asking for a nicer newer floor in city hall for as long as I can remember.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

That rapid response team must cost a bundle. Flo will save the day with pre school funding. Non working homeowners and elderly population, get out your calculators.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Tyer does rhyme with Liar.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Mr. Gaetani. Save us from those two..please. Fire a salvo, will work for free, something, the Numb and Apathetic taxpayer-voter remains in the abyss.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  Dilly Dally
9 years ago

“Work for free”…surprised CG didn’t pull that card prior to the primary. That would’ve caught a lot of press and attention. Since he claims to be so wealthy you’d think that would be a no brainer.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Just sitting here wondering where Flo is going to get the funding money for the pre-schoolers?

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Get yourself a fun house mirror. That distorted image of you being stretched to the limits is the source of the funding.

mel
mel
9 years ago

Who is Flo?

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

I’m going to hang out when taxpayers go to city hall and see if I cans finds some stray ones on the ground.

Linda Therrien
Linda Therrien
9 years ago

Getting a little tired of “You should”, “You did” and “I did”. How about a little “We could”….

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

if Terry needed a guest on Planet tv I would have come on? I have at least 15-29 reasons not to elect Flo Or Tes and have at least 4 good reasons to elect The Man….you got it Gaetani.

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

Dan says that the comment line is open so I am going to comment on a baseball play that is not distantly related to political hardball. Does any of this exist anymore?

The LA Dodgers and NY Mets are involved in a playoff series and a single play has dominated news for the past week. This play is where a NY Mets player on a slide into second base broke the leg of the LA shortstop. The play is one that junior high school kids in baseball crazy Pittsfield – we really were baseball crazy – were trained to respond to as early as 7th grade.It was simple. If you are going into second base on a potential double play take out the guy who has stepped on second base for one out and is about to throw to first for the double play.Take him out. Break up the double play and if you have to flatten him to do it then flatten him. This is how the game has always been played and it is what has made the game great and popular.

Now lets go one step further. The player who is about to throw the ball to first base to complete the double play has been trained to throw the ball in a straight line to the first baseman. If the player coming into second base is in the way of the throw the player who has the ball is trained to throw the ball at head length of the charging player and if the ball hits the guy between the eyes then it is the charging players fault for not sliding.This is how the game was played.

Now you can’t even knock a catcher over to score a run without being penalized for aggression.

The more money these guys make the bigger wussies they become.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

Point taken on the pussification of baseball but I believe it was the Mets SS that suffered the broken leg.

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  No plan Dan
9 years ago

I certainly did mix that up No Plan. My mistake. Thanks for the correction.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

perhaps then Chuck the players should all be dressed like football players and they could just maul each other at will….kind of like hockey

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

Its like they forgot what made sports fun. Even football so many new rule changes. Its just not the same

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  Corey Ives
9 years ago

Bingo, Corey. They won’t even let Tom Brady throw a football without saying the ball is short of air.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

Even so what real difference does the air make. Both teams used it

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

Wouldn’t work, Dusty. Hockey fight are phony orchestrated for fan enjoyment. They have helmets and more padding than football players. Seldom does one even see a bloody nose in hockey fight.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

They also move 2-3x as fast as a football player and play with a solid chunk of rubber that can move >100mph. A bit more equipment, and it’s minimal at that, is understandable when you consider the differences. Regarding the fights; what hockey fights have you been watching? Those are as real as they get.

MrG8811
MrG8811
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

You’re way wrong Chuck, on several counts. First, hockey padding, while more extensive on the extremities than football, is much thinner and less protectice than football padding. You stand in front of a slapshot going 100 without shin pads and see how that feels. Second, hockey fights are rarely contrived. There are almost as many arcane “unwritten rules” in hockey as in baseball about when and how to respond. Finally, bloody noses, missing teeth and more are regular, common hockey occurrences. When was the last time you saw anyone with a bloody nose after a baseball fight?!? Slumber party pillow fights are more violent.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  MrG8811
9 years ago

Correct. Not only are hockey fights real, hockey players know how to fight.

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

You are right Chuck, plus its hard to square up to throw a good punch wearing ice skates.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

I’m no baseball expert so how does the fact that the player that got the broken leg was nowhere near the bag play into this.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

Chuck, Utley’s slide was late and dirty. He didn’t even start sliding until he hit Tejada and Tejada’s back was turned to him and he was not in the process of turning a double play, it was a force play. That is why MLB suspended Utley. I am pretty sure no baseball player is trained to take out a player whose back is turned to him. Then the umps screwed up and did a replay on what is called ‘the neighborhood play’ and they are not supposed to do that.

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  SOL
9 years ago

That’s a tough call. These guys at the top level play hard. Its like Chuck said, its what you do, break up the double play. Also most of the ground ball in the infield double plays start with a force out at one of the bases.
Here is a little clip from the 1970 All star game when Pete Rose bowled over Ray Fosse like a line backer at the plate. It was the first thing I thought of after seeing Utley and Tejada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fj2B9z4Dbw

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  acheshirecat
9 years ago

Nice one Cat, enjoyed the clip. Thanks.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Yes, you are correct Chuck and don’t disagree on throwing at the head (gulp) but I thought the takeout by the Cardinal Player, believe his name was Oxley was way out of the base path. I could be wrong?

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  Nota
9 years ago

Good point Nota. I looked at that ,too. It does look as if there is a couple of feet to the right that is questionable. But the runner has a right to the area that is near the base. What the player throwing the ball should do is leap and throw in a situation like that. I saw Bobby Doerr and Phil Rizzuto do that many times. Bet Mark Belanger did to.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  chuck garivaltis
9 years ago

Chuck, Tejada’s back was turned to Utley and he was reaching for the ball. How the heck is he supposed to leap and throw from that position? Did you even watch the game or replays?

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  SOL
9 years ago

I saw replay many times and many times again, and have determined if ones back is turned looking toward center field when the play should be to first base then that player if he is not careful may well wind up with a broken leg.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Next thing you know, the players sliding into second will have a billy club on the.

chuck garivaltis
chuck garivaltis
Reply to  Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Shelly, you don’t need a billy club if you are tough enough to play the game.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Looks the Obama’s rapid response team is committed to Aftghansatan, may he’ll withdraw our Troops in ten year increments. you can’t make his promise, last year of being done with the rock pile, military expert Jack Jacobs spokesman and fear monger for the big defense outfits says 10 more years, how convenient a prediction Jack?

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Make his promise up…..also Terry, good show tonight!

Rotten Robert
Rotten Robert
9 years ago

In the Christian religion, Christ promised HIS return to his faithful followers who have waited centuries for his return. After reading Mr. Marinaro’s letter in the Eagle today,10/15/2015 in praising our “perfect” mayor, perhaps Christ has risen in the form of Bianchi. Many feel otherwise so maybe we should just temper our remarks and call him Lord Bianchi. But surely his closest disciples would include Ward 1 councilor Tully and that other twit, councilor krol, a perfect union of arrogance and ignorance. With so many complacent voters in Pittsfield, who have no idea of what is on the councilors agenda, as many are still unaware that this council has voted for a new Taconic. Yes, many!
Can anyone reading this post explain how the electorate had no vote on the new Taconic or the new half empty school buses. One of my favorites is the Pittsfield Airport used by no more than a half dozen planes on any given day. An airport that serves the wealthy with their private jets and we the residents of Pittsfield are allowed to maintain this airport to the tune of several million dollars each year. Lucky us.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  Rotten Robert
9 years ago

It should be made a point that they are aware of this and dont forget either.
I for sure didnt want any of those… nobody asked me like Tully said she asked all her constituents. No knock on my door.

DL
DL
Reply to  Corey Ives
9 years ago

Tully probably didn’t knock on your door because of your family’s harassment lawsuit against her.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  DL
9 years ago

I would gather so….Point being, she falsely claims to actually ask residents opinion other than a chosen group. And even then she flops and follows in line with rest of the council

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  Rotten Robert
9 years ago

Matter of fact, most of ward 1 we talked to have no idea who our councilor is nevermind her asking their opinion.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Plain and simple, who kowtowed to the Unions and who led the charge for the new school, and who’s siblings optrd out of the district as a sitting city council member? Vote Gaetani for real change and be done with the same old same old.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

DC, your constant postings for Gaetani have grown old and tiresome. Give it a break, and stop using this website to campaign for him? I am not voting for Bianchi or Tyer, but I sure as heck am not voting for him either.

May Hemm
May Hemm
9 years ago

Give Bianchi four more years, he still has a lot to do.

Lost in a Lost World
Lost in a Lost World
9 years ago

An open letter to Dan (The Mayor), Linda and the City Council-

Boy, did I mess up bad the past couple of years. I sure wish I had your collective wisdom back then.

I had some problems with my home. First I needed to replace my heating unit, then the next year the roof needed to be re-shingled and the drafty old windows needed to be replaced.
We are now empty nested with the kids gone, 2 moved to North Carolina and one to Florida.

What I should have done, following your leadership and wisdom, was to tear down my old house and build a new, bigger one next to where it was! But this mistake won’t
happen again. You see, my garage needs a new overhead door, so next summer I will be busy tearing it down to make way for a brand new 3 car garage. I sure don’t know how I’m going to pay for this, but who cares?

Thanks for your guidance and for sure all of you incumbents have my vote Nov. 3. I just have to figure out how to vote for Dan and Linda at the same time!

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

At SOL, meow.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

DC, LOL – thank you I needed a good laugh today!

May Hemm
May Hemm
9 years ago

S O L, so all three are not an option? Can you express who the other candidate is, or just not voting for Mayor? The Planet?

SOL
SOL
Reply to  May Hemm
9 years ago

I’ll likely leave it blank. Blank has a better chance of being a good mayor than the 2 GOBs, Gaetani, or Walto.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
9 years ago

I haven’t decided yet, but it’s coming down to a write in for either Gaetani or the Planet, the third option is Tes, but nooooo Tyer, no way.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Back to Hockey and fights, hockey is the only sport where they dance before they fight.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  Nota
9 years ago

They don’t dance in boxing or MMA? It’s the only major sport where they don’t just chirp or pretend that they can’t get at the other guy because someone half their size is holding them back.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Looks like the Innovation Center is going to be a little short, 600g short, maybe Tyer relocation monies or Tes free cash, can supplement the project? Where’s rapid response? WILL IT SURVIVE, Flo?

Ed Check
Ed Check
Reply to  Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Just shake the money tree, or should I say, shake down the taxpayers for the additional money needed. After all it’s an economic engine, so it will pay for itself.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  Dilly Dally
9 years ago

The city can always hire an expensive out of town consultant to figure out how to get the money for the IC.

amandaWell
amandaWell
9 years ago

Concerning the new school and the innovation center, Gaetani said something interest, he said he would make sure we got what we paid for, as he is builder of many projects, that aside, look at who we trust with our monies (taxpayers) a consultant, the engineering and building team and Trish Bouvier et al….one side knows exactly what it will cost, but won’t tell you, they say they do, but how do we really know? Are projects inflated to begin with, if the builder comes in, do they really not want to make more money if possible. The cost of the project is influenced with decorative items, fancy floors, doors, all kinds of crap, how the hell does the team we have in place know what we really pay for. Jonathan Mele get on this one for me please, I’d ask the Planet, but he might be a little busy.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  amandaWell
9 years ago

You can see Mr. Gaetani’s show and hear his thoughts at 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm.

Local Yokel
Local Yokel
9 years ago

You are basically right a..the ones telling us the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted are the ones trying to advance the project, at taxpayer expense. You hear stuff like,we made sure of cost over budget, they happen anyway, people like Boutier say things like, let’s get the free monies to build it, we paid in long enough, it’s our turn, when all the while we cannot afford it, and it’s not free. They say if we don’t want it someone will? Well Many folks would like a new car,, but can’t afford it. These liberal good old boy bums are ruining the commonwealth, this isn’t our fathers economy.

spagirl
spagirl
9 years ago

8th Grader with a BB gun at Herberg. Mayor Bianchi’s Destination just added a little more glamor.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  spagirl
9 years ago

Student removed.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  spagirl
9 years ago

I believe it was a small caliber hand gun with a clip. Not sure the brand or type.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Yes, Joe updated this afternoon.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
9 years ago

You can see Mr. Gaetani’s show and hear his thoughts at 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm…..On channel 16.

Spectator
Spectator
9 years ago
Joe Durwin
Joe Durwin
9 years ago

Dan your facts are incorrect here.
A) no one from Linda Tyer’s campaign made any request for this information to go out, this was made by me personally as President of the SPC in concesus with other members which has been involved in the process throughout. Members of our committee have spoken personally with the workers who did the power washing. They were Building & Maintenance employees. This was furthermore confirmed by Peter Sondrini on Oct 1.
If you had any interest in actual thorough “investigation” you have me email and I could connect you easily with numerous individuals who can confirm the points I laid out. Instead you decided to make a sweeping assertion of falsehood- can you similarly provide me with sources for verifying your claims? Of course not its rumor and obfuscation entirely.
In addition to all the first hand sources I could gladly connect you with, you could simply put in an information request for the Building & Maintenance work log for those days or locate any record of inmate time signed out for that project, such proof would be available to you if it existed.

Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Reply to  Joe Durwin
9 years ago

Joe’s complaint is valid, Dan. Your corroboration of the mayor’s account is a bit less than rigorous. I hope you do respond with some kind of proof that the inmates did the work.

Joe Durwin
Joe Durwin
9 years ago

Even inmates certified to work removing lead paint in any way must be mandatorily blood screened after per OSHA please provide those records or any other documentation to support your/Mayor Bianchi’s claim that the inmates handled the work that was done at Springside this summer.

Paul
Paul
9 years ago

Eye in the sky: everyone is sick of your foolishness with Gaetani. Give it a rest. He couldn’t win an election if he was the only one running.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Paul
9 years ago

Congratulations on being appointed the spokes person for everybody. I’ll put in a good word with Mr. Gaetani for you. I’m sure he could find a proper place for you in his administration.

Carolyn Barry
Carolyn Barry
Reply to  Paul
9 years ago

ditto. Thanks Paul.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Carolyn Barry
9 years ago

Do you live in Pittsfield Caroyln?

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Paul
9 years ago

Are you a Pittsfield resident? Who are you voting for and why?

Carolyn Barry
Carolyn Barry
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

I grew up in and work in Pittsfield. Just tired of reading the drivel. The voters voted and your guy lost. Let it go.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Paul, couldn’t win a seat on student council.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  joetaxpayer
9 years ago

He couldn’t

Frank
Frank
9 years ago

Rumored Pittsfield is on a shortlist of cities GE Fairfield is looking to relocate to. New mayor NEEDS to make this happen

EddieP
EddieP
9 years ago

Why would GE want to relocate anything here? Wouldn’t they be jumping back into the fire?

Frank
Frank
Reply to  EddieP
9 years ago

Great question ! Just the rumor I hear at Sabic

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Not just a rumor,Fairfield has to pay big tax increase, Pittsfield would be an option, they could move to Sabic or even the PEDA site, how great would that be. Do you believe in Miracles?

Juan Pittsfield
Juan Pittsfield
9 years ago

I hear that preparation h in moving a factory here

Kernel Bernie Slanders
Kernel Bernie Slanders
9 years ago

Interesting, it’s rumored that a dildo factory is going into the Big N plaza

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
9 years ago

I’ll bet GE goes south…… Are Massachusetts taxes and regulations much better than Connecticut’s?

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

My money is on Texas, the eyes of Texas.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Never ending bad news and now guns in schools. If Bianchi doesn’t have enough problems with shortfall of BIC monies.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Any chance Mr Lockdown allows the local newspaper to print the story about guns in schools? Or was that just a rumor?

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Don’t forget in October 2014, a student brought a loaded gun into Taconic High. They can give raises to the teachers, build new schools, but the damage that these incidents cause to the perception of PPS is devastating. There will be more school choice in our future.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  joetaxpayer
9 years ago

Just not a choice on whether to build one or not

Spider
Spider
9 years ago

If the gun story does appear in the BB, will they identify the family ?

Don’t know about the rest of you, but I would appreciate knowing if a family living next to me had guns readily available for their young son to take to school.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Depends who the family is spider.

Spider
Spider
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

But families must be told of any sex offenders living in their neighborhood.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
9 years ago

You got to give Dr. Jake credit for quick response taking control of what could have been a bad situation. The Mayor also gets credit for getting the word out and Police Chief also, they got the message out strongly to report anything to teachers, this happened and were able to quell the incident, bravo to student and teacher, also.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  Harlan Rinklenutts
9 years ago

However parents with students in the school were not notified until well after the fact. From what I have heard there have been several incidents in the schools that have been kept under wraps, so don’t get all gushy eyed over transparency!

EddieP
EddieP
9 years ago

The BB got its mileage out of it this am. Pistol found on student at school. Lies, lies, and damn lies. Then says gun was in locker. Which is it?
Believe nothing you read in that paper.

Gigi
Gigi
9 years ago

It’s time for more serious measures, like metal detectors at the middle and high schools. Too many kids in the schools who really don’t want to be there. Linda Tyer, what would you do? We cannot allow our school supv. and the mayor to just brush these incidents off any longer. Yes, there are procedures in place, but we need a stronger dose of the medicine. Surely increased security measures are needed at this time! Remember, this incident is not the first. As the Herberg parent stated in the BB, there are several incidents a week which disrupt the normal flow of learning.