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SABIC LOSS CHANGES THS CONSTRUCTION FROM UNAFFORDABLE TO SUICIDAL

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 2015) — Even under the most harmonious of scenarios for a city strapped with debt, a shrinking tax base, a falling and aging population, $5 million lost each year through school choice, and a government addicted to spending, the timing for building a new school was suspect at best, damning at worst. Now, of course, the scenario has drastically changed for the worst with the news that 300 of the best paying jobs in Pittsfield would be leaving. By the time the loss ripples its way through the local economy, 500 jobs will vanish and between $150 million and $200 million.

Healthy economies have trouble absorbing hits like that. Sick economies, such as the one in Pittsfield, have only one chance at survival, and that is to check profligate spending, eliminate duplication, curtail waste, and drive efficiencies in the municipal budget. Pittsfield, however, has a brand of politics even sicker than its local economy. The realistic assessment at this point, therefore, is that the city is on its death bed.

Getting Pittsfield Off the Death Bed

What could revive the dying patient? What could be applied as an equivalent of electroshock to stimulate a still heart? How could the city get such a treatment? Answer: By taking the building of a new Taconic High School off the drawing board and the table. In doing this, the city immediately saves at least $121 million in new borrowing and sends a shot across the bow of all the Special Interests who have selfishly lusted over this project. The city would send the message that it’s no longer “business as usual.”

The Suits, already anticipating such a call, have sent their messengers out and about with the fatuous claim that the Sabic loss makes it more imperative, not less, to get a new THS. That’s like saying applying ice and snow is the best treatment for frostbite. The Suits perpetuate this lie because they have too much riding on the construction, too much gravy promised, and too many of the “connected” banking on this albatross going through. THE PLANET tells you, however, that any cold, objective look at the financials facing the city not only recommends but demands that the project be canceled.

Is such a scenario even plausible, given the cast of characters now holding, seeking to retain, or clamoring to achieve office?

Someone besides school committee hopeful Irwin Moiseff, please, tell THE PLANET, “Yes.” It can be done.

Total Hit from Sabic: 500 Jobs, Up to $200 Million

In a fine second-day “follow” story, Phil Demers in The Berkshire Eagle wrote about the “total hit” to the local economy stemming from the loss of Sabic. He quotes Williams College economics professor Stephen Sheppard’s estimate of a “total job loss” of about 500 “after factoring in the ripple effect on other industries.” Sheppard says the loss of Sabic will take $166 million form the local economy — a little more than the new THS will cost taxpayers. THE PLANET‘s own estimates, derived prior to learning of Sheppard’s, put the cumulative loss at between $150 million and $200 million — each year. We think it will be on the high side of that range, because with situations like this, there are almost always costs that couldn’t be anticipated or foreseen.

To put this in perspective, in five years, the Sabic move will cost Pittsfield almost $1 billion dollars.

The Suits and others with their finger in the pie and hands in the cookie jar continue to preach the fiction that the new high school will be an “economic engine.” It won’t be, any more than the previous multi-million dollar school renovation program (on which Pittsfield taxpayers still owe $23 million) revived the local economy.

Formula for a Certain Mayoral Win

These ruminations point the way to sure victory for whichever of the two mainstream mayoral candidates dares to take it: First one to say they will put a halt to the new school Pittsfield can’t afford wins the corner office in a landslide.

The Kapanskis never wanted that school, which is why The Suits didn’t dare give them a voice in the process. Sabic’s move will take a couple hundred kids out of Pittsfield already declining enrollment. The city not only doesn’t need a new school. It can’t afford on. It’s time, finally, to tighten the belt …

… or die.

———————————————————————————————–

“The play is the tragedy, ‘Man,’ / And its hero, the Conqueror Worm”Edgar Allan Poe, “The Conqueror Worm,” (1843).

“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
9 years ago

Unfortunately enough the voters asked for these same clowns that pushed the school forward. Now we reap what we sow. Our last hope is to vote in fresh non special interest candidates to deter this from carrying on any further or at least to put up a fight to stop it.

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

G@etani is the person we need. He will put an end to GOB and special interest groups. His 7% per year budget reduction is the only solution to save Pittsfield. Too many people on the planet have marginalized Mr. Ga@tain. It’s time for everybody to get behind G@etani. If he doesn’t win it’s lights out for the city. There is no other real choice other than G@etani. Everyone on the Planet knows it. Vote for G@etani. It’s truly our last chance.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
9 years ago

The only special interest any candidate should have is that of what the people of Pittsfield actually want. Im sure debt and bankrupcy isnt it either

spagirl
spagirl
9 years ago

Bianchi and the City Council should hear from Citizens actively that the building of Taconic High School should Not go forward. I am doing that today.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  spagirl
9 years ago

I can picture Bianchi snickering and pumping his middle finger in the air as you close the door on your way out of his office. I am guessing too many promises have been made to contractors to back out now. Short of a massive sinkhole on the proposed site this pork project is an iron clad done deal.

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

spa girl you know G@etani was and is against the new THS. What more do you need to earn his vote.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

I do not want to hear these phrases during the debates. Step up to the plate..Agree to disagree…Let’s have the Conversation..I’ll answer only to the taxpayer… let’s move the City forward (Progressive talk) and for God Sakes…NO PIPELINE!

Dowgerhat
Dowgerhat
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

And, one candidate’s ubiquitous, tired, and worn out buzz word; “Collaborative”. From a historical perspective, at times collaborators were executed or their head shaved. Now picture that!

Kate Dempsey
Kate Dempsey
Reply to  Dowgerhat
9 years ago

Trisha Farley-Kennedy-Onasis-Clinton-Bouvier, used the term “collaborative” to mnay times to count during her rise to mediocrity in the Statehouse.

In politician talk, the term “collaborative,” means only one thing: “I don’t have the foggiest damn clue what these people are talking about, so I’ll speak to my spouse or neighbors (but in my speech they will be labeled as “power brokers”) and get their opinions. This is my “collaborative effort.”

Hell, Alan Chartock collaborates with his dog (can’t remember the dogs name), except Alan calls it what it really is “I spoke to …..”

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Cat, you know that Mr. G@etani is not a progressive puppet and he”ll be a CEO/Mayor. He has the background to walk right into the job on day one.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Tammy should be able to devour Lisa today, if not, you could be cooked. Don’t let her of the hook, she has no clue. Take her to task on the Pipeline issue, do you think Tully has any clue where she stands on that issue or why? There are a ton of issues that Tammy can gain points on,where Tully will have no answers?Tammy also needs to express what her agenda for the taxpayer, not just berate the incumbent. You can be civil and show what you will do representing Ward One that the opponent hasn’t done. Good Luck.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Shelley,
Tammy pre-recorded it thursday… not a debate by any means. Len had a few questions lined up already.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Moiseff might make it in, but he’ll have the deck stacked against him. The Southeast voting block votes for these ass clowns year in and year out. We also no who the snakes are for local government and will not be surprised, one iota, at those results!. And for goodness sakes, keep Sturge away from and moderatorated event and use Valenti all the time. It’s funny, the Crime Candidate has officially emerged yet, maybe because of the loss of jobs has put it on the back burner. Famous former crime candidates have been Cappy and Lothrop. What does that tell you?

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

…sorry for the misspelling…the Planet deserves better and so does the taxpayer.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Does anyone know when debates on t v and radio will be? The only one for sure is the Planet Debate.

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Ward 1 radio interviews today at 11am on 1340… each other following days

SOL
SOL
9 years ago

Out of touch Krol wants the laid off Sabic employees to become entrepreneurs. Those who don’t are missing a great opportunity – why not open a business that helps people relocate out of Pittsfield? There is a never ending supply of customers!

dusty
dusty
Reply to  SOL
9 years ago

Why doesn’t the city of Pittsfield just buy out Sabic? Buy them out with the bottomless taxpayer monies, give it non-profit protection from taxes, and keep the employees. Put Collingwood in charge and make this lemon a true economic engine for the city. If he got stuck for ideas he could solicit help from the scholars at the highly successful PEDA board.

And now that the back of the building has a fresh new look we could put the carousel there and put paddle boats in the Unkmet brook.

Of course, if it snows all bets are off.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

All we kept hearing from the ones who wanted a new school was’ you had your chance to ask questions, the powers to be vetted the entire process thoroughly??? The bottom line was, the fix was in from the beginning, hell, they could vet it for years because it would take years to build it, barring a catastophe, the new school was going to be built. What the progressives don’t understand is the taxpayer should have had the say at the voting booth.Period.

Spider
Spider
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

They learned their lesson the last time the voters were given an opportunity to vote (ball park/Civic Authority) and they weren’t going to make that mistake again.

No doubt in my mind that it would have been voted down. Just remember what happened in Holyoke a few years ago.

William
William
Reply to  Spider
9 years ago

Great point, Spider. I attended some of the school session. They were not held to give people a say. They were held to be able to say “See you had your chance to speak on the issue.”

I agree with Dan Valenti. A new school even with the best scenario is not needed due to school population and continuing loss of students. Now it will only be built to satisfy lucrative contracts.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Keeping personalities out of it. Gaetani.is the only candidate who has said anything significant..cut taxes by 7% each year for four years, put a stop to the new school and make department heads accountable..(fire them).. But you know and the gobies also know, for sure, that in the background the powers to be are saying we must have a new school, and we must keep raising taxes, otherwise we cannot sustain our livelihoods…Period! All any of them are….., are Messengers protecting their self interests.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Cat, Mr. G@etani has stated at the council meetings that with him as mayor there will be no new THS. He also stated that the $40’000’000 figure for repairs was pie in the sky. He will be able to repair THS for tens of millions of dollars less as projected by the present administration.The citizens need the technical expertise he brings, just consider what he saved at the water plant. No consultants will pull the wool over G@etani’s eyes like they will every time with Tyer or Bianchi. Neither of the two GOB special interest backed have any technical expertise whatsoever. The Wizard has the technical expertise to insure that the taxpayers won’t have the wool pulled over there eyes. Vote for the Wizard.

Jaxur
Jaxur
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

OK. I’ve made up my mind. After hearing the usual from the mayor and the city clerk, I’m going with Gaetani. He’s the only true alternative.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
9 years ago

Think the fact that the Sabic site Is sitting on General Electrics still contaminated toxic cesspool figured into the decision to move?

Jerry Doyle, what has Pittsfield now of a legacy of your clandestine sellout to GE? A vacant superfund site.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  Mad Trapper
9 years ago

Probably not. You must be a public sector employee. See in the real world successful companies eliminate redundancy to increase profits/reduce losses. Don’t let that little fact get in the way of your argument.

paybacks a bitch
paybacks a bitch
9 years ago

Every single incumbant running (mayor, city council & school committee) has locked Pittsfield’s voters out of having a vote on the new Taconic. It was unanimous.

They were all in total agreement to lock you out from having a vote on spending $121+ million dollars of your money, needlessly.

Now they want your vote to keep bilking you out of even more money. They really don’t care what you think. Yet, they want your vote.

Vote all incumbants out. Period.

They have proven themselves in track record that they simply don’t care about you.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  paybacks a bitch
9 years ago

Absolutely Vote them out. They all had their stay. They all took their stand. They all let the Taxpayers down.

Larrybirdsofafeather
Larrybirdsofafeather
9 years ago

This article misses a very basic premise in Economics that reducing services and canceling projects which will further reduce consumption from the lose of disposable income by reducing jobs and services.

Aggregate Demand is the total demand for final goods and services in an economy at a given time. In this instance of Pittsfield reducing the income and services by slashing some of this expenditure will only lead to a decrease in income and aggregate demand.

If your argument about cutting property taxes will stimulate the Economy is just not the case. The cutting of property taxes will not have nearly the same Multiplier effect on the local economy as the continuing to fund construction project and other services. It may actually have little to none as much of that money may go to debt or go outside the area (Amazon Example) The other provides jobs, housing and disposable income not to mention investing into better education system and community.

Also considering how many people whom have higher incomes want to continue to invest their lives in a community that has schools falling apart and a poor education system. Those that are highly educated with the ability to be flexible and move to better communities would further decreasing the income in this area.

Some very basic concepts are missed here.

Larrybirdsofafeather
Larrybirdsofafeather
Reply to  Larrybirdsofafeather
9 years ago

Please only educated responses and policy arguments follow here. I’m tired of the personal attacks and incoherent banter I get when debating very basic policy issues.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Larrybirdsofafeather
9 years ago

I concur with some of your premise that new construction will provide temporary jobs during the project. Architect funding went where? Local? Consultant funding? Are we building a community that is sustainable and suitable for the demographics of tomorrow? From the population trends as well as federal projections via health care investment no we are heading toward much more aged population and will really need to spend wisely now to allow for services of this population in the future.
We are all aware of the GE pensioners who have migrated to Florida the “older” population that will be here say in 2025 may not have the means to migrate or the desire. We will need to keep the pensioners here by providing services they need and desire.

Just sayin

SOL
SOL
Reply to  Joe Pinhead
9 years ago

Joe, exactly – all these highly paid out of town consultants paid for by the Pittsfield taxpayer! That does nothing for the local economy. And how many of those construction jobs for the new Taconic will actually be workers living in Pittsfield? I guess Larry thinks it’s the Pittsfield taxpayer’s duty to support the entire state and region.

SOL
SOL
Reply to  Larrybirdsofafeather
9 years ago

Larry, you are missing a basic concept here. Many of these jobs created by the Pittsfield gov’t… are for people who do not live in Pittsfield! Our taxpayer dollars going for housing and disposable incomes in other towns is a recipe for economic disaster. Those other towns are taking in property and other taxes that are paid for by the taxpayers of Pittsfield. The other part you are missing is that if you cut taxes enough to attract businesses, those business now pay property tax… to Pittsfield!
Your whole economic premise is incorrect. Your big gov’t, big spending theory has been in place here for many years and has led to the disaster we are now facing.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Larrybirdsofafeather
9 years ago

Larry,
Just a question in your post you state “…not to mention investing into better education system and community.” I am not certain that a new building in fact enhances the educational system of any community. If it were that simple every municipality would build a new building every few years. Can you provide some substance to this some supporting data? Kansas City was court ordered to spend BILLIONS on schools to no avail. Please post a link for us to read.
You further state “Also considering how many people whom have higher incomes want to continue to invest their lives in a community that has schools falling apart and a poor education system.” The next logical question that flows is, since the schools are falling apart is the education system poor? And do we have any data to support the cause of the poor education system is due in large part to the condition of Taconic high school? Just a question if the premise is true why was there really now substantial movement regarding economic development after the last round of school renovation? I ask your question in a different way. How many people whom have a higher income want to invest their lives in a community that doesn’t build support for a major project thorough out the community? How many people whom have higher incomes wish to invest in a community that are not good stewards of the public infrastructure? Just questions no personal attacks please.

Just sayin

Quentin
Quentin
Reply to  Joe Pinhead
9 years ago

Well done Joe P. You have wiped the floor with Larry in an intelligent and professional manner.
Larry as several have pointed out is the one who has missed the key points.

Might also want to ask if a community that allows its high schools to deteriortate builds a new high school, what convinces anyone they will take care of the new asset?

Mr Larry your comments read like theory. They ignore the practical realities.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
9 years ago

The new school has to be rammed through now the future does not look well economically nor population / need wise in the future. As you know the population of school aged children is expected and projected to decline dramatically in the next few years. The current projections show the enrollment in grades 9-12 going to just 1600 children by 2020 (Approximant completion date) and down further after that. The data is from the US census and BRPC. Look at the population projections and the shift in age demographics. A good question to ask is with the changing age demographics are we building the infrastructure to support those needs? Who is managing the contraction of both the county and the City? It is not a popular subject nor a happy topic but facts are facts, the Berkshires as well as the region is losing population and the contraction is every bit as important as growth to effectively and efficiently manage.
http://berkshireplanning.org/reports-and-documents
Please take a look at the following reports

School Enrollment Trends
Berkshire County Population Projection Presentation

Just sayin

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Dan’s (Planet) calling card has been the suits..Tes the empty suit, The powers to be..the suits etc. Must say I was a little bemiffed that he would be critical of Gaetani’s apparel at the first debate..windbreaker…. Has anyone ever noticed those G O B’s that hang on, like Massimiano, Doyle, etc. they seem to enjoy wearing that suit when one isn’t required,but do so anyway. It’s my perception also that, it signifies a power urge to look important. Once they have that power, it’s hard to let go of.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Gawtani being as expert in technical issues , he doesn’t need to be seen in a suit. What’s in G@etani’s head is what’s important. Not what’s on his back. I agree with you Cat Dan V shouldn’t have taken issue with G@etani’s dress. G@etani prefers to be seen as the average Joe that he is. He is just a very concerned citizen who loves Pittsfield.

No plan Dan
No plan Dan
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

So if you wear a suit it “signifies a power urge to look important?” GTFOH. No wonder you people can’t find good jobs when you’re showing up to interviews in track suits and gym shorts. I think I just discovered the root cause of the unemployment issues in Pittsfield. Unreal thought process.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

@ Cat.. Or maybe they hang on because of the power they have accumulated and have to have a suit on to show they still have the power. It’s Vanity if you ask me?

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Tammy’s doing well in her debate!

enough already
enough already
Reply to  Nota
9 years ago

What possible reason would anyone in their right mind vote for Tully?

She betrayed her people and voted in lock step with the suits for the new high school.

She can’t be trusted.

Vote Tully out. Vote Tammy Ives in.
The whole fence debacle is a non-issue.
It was made an issue to keep Tammy out.
With Tully you get a tax increase, with Tammy you get some relief.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

WBRK softball non debate. I thought Tammy was overwhelming the opponent, as she never says anything at the council meetings,but it wasn’t even a debate. How do we know certain candidates aren’t getting scripted questions. WBRK light??? Planet from now on or forget about it!

Corey Ives
Corey Ives
Reply to  Nota
9 years ago

Definitely had no idea what questions were on Tammy’s end

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
9 years ago

There are three basic reasons that people choose locations.

Jobs
Schools
Public Safety

There is a relatively predictable cycle of gentrification that happens, however, Pittsfield is not far enough down the spiral to feel the effects of depressed markets. The cycle forces tremendous losses on the “Kapinskis'” and windfalls for new people that locate to the area to take advantage of the market shift.

Good luck Pittsfield. It isn’t as bad as it needs to be for it to get better. I think you have about 4-6 more years.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

4- 6 thank you shakes, for the warning. Bright of out of our nightmare. I to was listening to brk and Tully said something about a security camera being beautiful in someones home that she saw, beautiful. Another comment was,everything runs downstream? I guess?

Henry LaMere'
Henry LaMere'
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

I live in Ward 1 and listen today to the non-debate on WBRK. All I can say is God Help Us !!!!!

Quentin
Quentin
Reply to  Henry LaMere'
9 years ago

Man if WBRK ever needed a Dan Valenti it was today. Someone said WBRK Lite. Nah it was WBRK Nothing. Amateur radio.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Does make five figures at the station?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
9 years ago

Ten years ago, Detroit was convincing everyone that things would get better. 2005 saw the super bowl, street scaping, some investment. Then the bottom fell out. Downtown office buildings were abandoned. Jobs vanished. The School system is in tatters and with the state only paying $8,000 per student, and 20% of that going to pay down debt that was issued to pay for past operations, there is no easy repair. Crime spiked.

But now there is activity. Property consolidated. If buildings are free, people will fix them up. The traditional neighborhoods, and the impoverished are decimated and pushed even lower. The people, particularly minorities, that couldn’t escape are footing the bill. It will happen. It is the cycle. Just ten years later than thought at the beginning. It wouldn’t have happened without the bankruptcy.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Read the writing on the wall..OPEB is 350 mil in debt that taxpayers and Councilors like, LOw, actually said we are in good shape with, the funding of that…you can’t make it up FLO will make no difference as City’s Next Mayor.

eye in the sky
eye in the sky
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Cat, I’m sure that you know that the only person who addressed OPEB was Mr. G@etani. The Wizard even addressed solutions on his TV show. Cat have you ever seen Mr. G@etani’s TV show.

It’s on Friday’s at 10 am 130pm 5pm and 830
pm

It’s an excellent show geared toward taxpayers.

Sean
Sean
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

I am not sure as to your purpose of inserting the @ symbol instead of the “a” symbol into the spelling of “Gaetani”.

Is this sort of a “pixelating” attempt to hide the name so as to soften the original purpose of your message?

What does this @ mean relative to spelling Gaetani?

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

for awhile posts with the proper spelling were blocked

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  eye in the sky
9 years ago

Gaetani will launch a campaign to seize Dalton and their supply of paper. HE WILL THEN PRINT MONEY AND RESCUSE THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD WHILE RIDING THE 12 POINTED UNICORN ON MAGICAL RAINBOWS>

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
9 years ago

I feel sympathy for all of the hundreds of working people who will lose their full time, living wage jobs in Pittsfield. While the average working family will lose, the Good Old Boys will win more and more power over the needy people who remain in Pittsfield.
Pittsfield is a dystopian community like the ones portrayed in “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Back to the Future, Part 2”. Instead of Potter and Biff, Pittsfield has Carmen Massimiano and Jimmy Ruberto!

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Jonathan, actually, you would have qualified for a job here. You are now considered an out of towner, they get preference lately. But stay where you’re at, job security isn’t to great here, lately. FLO (progressive) will not make a difference.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Discreet Cat
9 years ago

It will never happen! Jonathan Melle (me) never has and never will find a full time, living wage job in Pittsfield, Massachusetts! When I was a young man, I walked the streets of good old Pittsfield for over one year of my adult life looking for a job, and no one offered me employment. Why did I bother? I had better odds being struck by lightning or winning the big lottery jackpot than finding a good job in Pittsfield.

C. Trzcinka
C. Trzcinka
9 years ago

Lets get the numbers right. If Pittsfield loses 500 jobs and each person was paid 100,000 this is a $50 million loss per year. If you use a macroeconomic multiplier you might get up to $100 million but this is a stretch. The latest GDP numbers I could find was 2008 (!) which put Pittsfield’s GDP at $5.4 billion. So Sabic will cost the area 1.8% of its income –using 2008 numbers! It probably will affect taxes a big more since many low income people don’t pay taxes but this is hardly a disaster. Obvious it will hurt people who lose their jobs–including two of my relatives– but if the high school was affordable before its affordable after. However this is a very, very big IF….

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

I….I was told I am a regular on his show. He has good taste.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Quid pro quo…

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

If the powers to be knew Sabic was leaving, they certainly did not factor that in for their decision. Never once was Sabic discussed as leaving, during deliberations,pretty darn sure. Another question, did anyone in government know Sabic position before the vote for the school?

Paul
Paul
9 years ago

I am so disgusted with the Pittsfield Police Dept. I called them today @ 448 9700 to report a telephone scam. The woman who answered the phone was beyond not caring. She told me that this was reported in the past. My thought was to simply inform the public (mostly the elderly, as that is who is mostly targeted) that the scam was circulating again. The PPD is our first defense against these type of scams. They have a responsibility to report these scams to the public.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Sabic Innovative Plastics unit, you can’t make it up.

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

First one to say: “stop the taconic project” loses in a landslide. So if the goal is to get elected no one will say it. It is the third rail.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

Just out of curiosity does anyone know who owns the land the new school will be built on?

Does anyone know who owned the land that the first one was built on?

Does anyone know who owns the land the school buses get parked on?

Silence Dogood
Silence Dogood
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

Do you think that those who pay taxes in Pittsfield want it then Chuck?

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
Reply to  Silence Dogood
9 years ago

No taxpayers probably don’t want it. But voters do.

Silence Dogood
Silence Dogood
Reply to  Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

Hmmmm….why do you think that?

EddieP
EddieP
Reply to  dusty
9 years ago

Petricca owned Valentine rd. lots from West st. to the school. And possibly to Lakeway Drive. He sold off the lots for houses, including one or more for high school projects.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Remove the hell of voting between these candidates and create a town manager position.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Dilly Dally
9 years ago

A Town Manager is paid and holds his/her job based on performance, and comes up for review. Pittsfield is absolutely ripe for this change.

Chuck Vincelette
Chuck Vincelette
9 years ago

I agree a professional city manager, with a smaller city council, would be more effective. I think Phil Massery floated the idea about 12 years ago.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
9 years ago

Chuck, I thought the third rail was Gaetani? Lol…..

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

Dusty, I have an idea who owned it. The city paid 98,000. I found it ironic, the reason foC Taconic was overcrowding at PHS…and as the saying goes, you can’t make it up.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
9 years ago

I like the double talk by the Media. A Headline reads…Pittsfield Approves Funds To Build New Taconic High School…I think they mean…..City Council Approves Funds To Build New Taconic High School. Because many did not approve of it, period!

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

If the Council and SBNC were so adamant on the decision to fund the new school,where does it say the taxpayer footing the bill shall have no say. They shut us out, it’s was wrong.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
9 years ago

Maybe the Council will impose a penny tax on any daily newspaper sold in the city? 2 cents on a Sunday paper. I am certain the Eagle will pony up. Its a tax they endorse all of them and its “For the Children” win win

May Hemm
May Hemm
9 years ago

Anyone catch the interview on 13 concerning tonight’s ban on styrofoam. One of the restaurant workers ws serving up food, no gloves, then wiped his shirt to remove food .

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Renaldo just might get a petition passed tonight, he’s done his homework. Maybe the next project can be cigarette butts, and those who litter them in our streets.

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Lothrop said of the appropriation of the new school, one of the easiest vote ever taken in his tenure as city councilman. Tonight he is questioning the information concerning a couple of trucks for the fire department at nausium. Why not just say the usual, Again, I don’t have enough information?

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Councilors, at some point, sometime, somewhere,you’re going to have to start cutting, but not safety, I’m sorry.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

Amused so makes me laugh, and most of these Councilors are the same way. Their leery of certain requests,fire trucks, or some types of high end equipment. But they always approve the request. Chuck was right on, vote against and you won’t get re elected. I can’t even watch the rest of these council meetings, they sicken me.

Gee Man
Gee Man
9 years ago

Eye in the Sky may be a bit over enthusiastic, but his support for Gaetani is understandable. Gaetani has a desireable platform. and he is confident that it would work.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

What is the Big Deal about polystyrene, as a kid I used to chew the cup, for crying out loud. I’m more worried about walking to Cumby’s to get a coffee. Why doesn’t the great Renaldo have some enforcement done about cigarettes and butt throwing dirtbags.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

With that being said I also don’t like eating food from paper. I’d rather eat it out of a can, then that! Clairmont and Lothrop are keeping a keen eye, I notice on Mazzeo, she would be affected by this ban.

Discreet Cat
Discreet Cat
9 years ago

Because council woman Tully is on board with Renaldo tonight, who wants a ban on sty-cups,the stooge from the styrofoam company is copping an attitude with her. Send this clown out of the Chambers, he has a bad attitude. I’d like to scratch his shaved head.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
9 years ago

For your info councilman,d d in my is going to go t a polypropylene cup as the ,,,, thier using now is not bio-d…Wake Up’

Nota
Nota
9 years ago

Do you mean N Y LIv? Anyway this is my wheelhouse. Food service containers or certain containers are not biodegradable. If that is the petition then ban. Dunkin Donuts is going to use a different cup because it makes sense (recyclable) As far as I know, I’ve never heard of the product currently used ever banned or classified as dangerous, other than not being recyclable) Council woman Tully said she works in a cancer setting, but she’s not a scientist or chemist or biologist,I don’t think. One thing for sure, Clairmont is awful quiet tonight!