!SHOCKING! INFAMOUS ‘PHOTO 39’ REVEALED (ARE YOU READY??) … plus more QUICK HITZ AND HOT LIX on THE WEEKEND EDITION … ‘THE COMMENT LINE’ IS OPEN
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, NOV. 20-22, 2015) — Here’s it is, the infamous Photo 39 from the Tyer Victory Party at Hotel On North (HON), election night.
As you can see, there’s not much to see: two friends celebrating a hard-fought victory at HON. In Pittsfield, apparently, such an event spells controversy. It must be the water. See below. By the way, that’s former Ward 1 city councilor Christine Yon, upper right. So what’s the big deal?
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PLAY BALL
The Pittsfield Suns, a member of The Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), has released the team’s schedule for the upcoming 2016 season at Wahconah Park.
The 5th season of Suns baseball at Wahconah Park will host a 28 home game season, scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 2 against the Bristol Blues at 7:00 PM. The Suns will host their annual School Day Game on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:30 am against the Worcester Bravehearts. The final home game of the season will take place on Friday, August 5th against the Wachussett Dirt Dawgs.
The season will consist of fireworks nights, special giveaways, and of course game night themes.
The Futures League will continue to feature two divisions; The East Division will consist of the Nashua Silver Knights, Seacoast Mavericks, North Shore Navigators, Brockton Rox and Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. While the West Division will consist of the Bristol Blues, Wachusett Dirt Dawgs, Pittsfield Suns, Torrington Titans and the 2015 Futures League Champion Worcester Bravehearts.
As of now, season tickets and mini plans are available through the Suns box office. The Suns also offer a variety of birthday party packages, group outing opportunities, and picnics. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit pittsfieldsuns.com or call the Suns ticket office at (413)445-SUNS.
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LOOK OUT BELOWwwwwwwww …
Recently, we were treated to this story from Inside Edition:
A skydiver plummeted to his death Saturday after his parachute appeared to become tangled just before he was to give a demonstration to a California festival attended by thousands.
The unidentified 65-year-old was reportedly a seasoned skydiver. However, one witness said his chute became tangled immediately after he exited the aircraft.
THE PLANET may seem hard-hearted when we say to the victim and those like him: “Good. Happy now? You got what you wanted — the Ultimate thrill of a lifetime.”
Check us if we’re wrong, but flying to 10,000 feet then jumping out of an airplane without a war going on is foolish and reckless. And so we beat on, enjoying the headlines of those who for some reason need to show off, prove their toughness, or relieve the boredom they find in life by taking unnecessary risks with the most precious possession they own.
The next time we hear of a group of hikers dying on Everest or a show off skateboarder who cracks his head open attempting to scale down an escalator, we will ask the question that can’t be answered: “What did you expect?”
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COOL WATER
Better check that bottle of clear, clean, fresh spring water — if you bought it at WalMart, that is. No, you are not quaffing the pure aqua from the dew drops of a virgin foreset. You’re probably drinking Pittsfield tap water. Here is the photographic proof.
PHOTOS
Wal*Mart Water: A great buy …
It’s the best news coming out of Shire City since we went a day without another shooting or stabbing on North Street.
… even after you check the label!
To spell it out for you, on the photo at right, you see: “SOURCE: Municipal Water Supply, Pittsfield, MA” So, THE PLANET wonders if WalMart is paying for tapping us dry or if the company is engaging in water piracy? Anyone have an answer?
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STEEL PLATE SPECIAL
Spagirl, one of THE PLANET’s best commentators, nailed it when she asked about the steel plate on Newell Street, which has been in place since the Fillmore Administration. Why is it still there? Why hasn’t the repair work been finished? When the spit hits the fan and the snow meets the road, we are in for it. As Spagirl so neatly put it, we can call this take: Plate Meets Plow. You can practice your cringing when this collision occurs then pay the bill for plow repairs when one of the snow jockeys’ trucks gets wrecked. Memo for the future and soon-to-be Tyer Administration: Want to score early point. Make sure the Newell Street plate is gone before your administration’s first “snow event.”
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THE COMMENT LINE IS OPEN
And with all that, our dear friends, THE PLANET opens The Comment Line. All topics, all subjects. Intelligence? Yes! Ignorance? No! Don’t piss us off. Be cool.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
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“Keep a movin’ Dan. Don’t you listen to him Dan. He’s a devil, not a man, and he spreads burning sand with water.” — Frankie Laine, “Cool Water,” from the Hell Bent for Leather” album, (1962).
“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.
Did Mr Lothrop ever say whys he was not running for reelection? He sure seems happy with Linda s victory. Will he be working for city hall in the near future? What is he saying about it?
No but Berry could be in city hall
As far as the bottled water goes…..I met a guy a few years ago who worked for the water bottling plant in west Pittsfield. He told me that they just take Pittsfield tap water and “treat” it to remove the chlorine and sell it back to the people who paid to have it chlorinated in the first place.
Good luck getting any of your local representatives, especially a mayor, to discuss this in any detail.
And this is the case with most of the bottled water sold across the country. i am not sure what the reason is that so many people feel like they have to buy water when they can get it from their sink but I do remember the pet rock craze. People were paying two dollars for stones that they could call their pets. An absolutely genius marketing plan as it is true that a sucker is born every minute.
Your friend’s take on bottled water isn’t true. It’s purified first, not just ‘treated to remove the chlorine’, but to remove all contaminants. That process also removes all the natural minerals and that is why you see 3 listed on the label as they are added back in to give it some semblance of normal taste. I prefer real spring water myself.
Too bad the berkshire village spring was closed.
Pittsfield has very clean water due to the Sand Float treatment system. The glitch in the system is an ancient distribution system. So if your area has bad pipes if you put a relatively inexpensive filter on your system you will have very good water….no need to buy bottled water.
Glad to hear the Suns will be returning. Fun affordable entertainment for all.
I have only one thing to say about the ridiculous, juvenile jester made at the expense of photo 39. If Dan Bianchi had won the election, I could put together a picture of some of his insiders, the likes of what you
wouldn’t want to see. Think about that. AMEN!
I think the scandal in photo 39 is the woman in the bottom right corner. Anyone know who she is?
Maybe it’s the guy in the upper left with half his face cut off. Was that done on purpose?
The plot thickens!
Barry
If you hold the picture upside down you can see a secret message on Lothrop’s head.
Barry I believe the woman you are asking about is the lady that works in the city solicitors office with Attorney Degnan. A very nice woman.
Rosaura Romano the solicitor’s secretary. She has a lawsuit against Mr. Bianchi.
Chuck,
You are correct. To Dilly below, that is not the congressman. I know who it is. Just a supporter.
Barry
I am thrilled to hear the Suns are back for another season but why a new general manager? KM built that team from scratch and created a Pittsfield success story. And now he’s gone?
Barry, is half a head the Congressman. How did HON get selected for the after party?
Its not how did HON get selected but WHEN?
Better yet, who was watching their vehicles?
The new Mayor can’t get those new officers here fast enough. spagirl is a hoot, you have to give her credit, she never ever, said anything juvenile against Bianchi, never, nope.
Pittsfield politics is one big conspiracy of Good Old Boys vying for power.
The lovely Linda Tyer has offered me a job in her new administration. My new title is “Director of the Good Old Boys club”. My duties include providing special events for Jimmy Ruberto, Gerry Doyle, Carmen Massimiano, Jr., Angelo Stracuzzi, Gerry Lee, and the rest of the gang. I will report directly to Peter Marchetti and Denis Guyer. I will retaliate against anyone who doesn’t answer to the G.O.B. I will be paid in praises and hamburgers.
Are you saying these are good ol Boyz, tell us something original Jonathan. The interpretation of the photo was joy of the candidate winning the election. If you were to put a caption on it, maybe it would be, just hit the lottery, or, just won the world series, same thing, just emotional. It seemed to work, whatever they did.
Do you think the closing of Baba Louie’s has anything to do with it’s location? The other two will remain open, including the one in Gt. Barrington.
I think from reading the Eagle article you could imply that it was indeed a landlord tenant dispute. Landlord wanted more $ and tenant didn’t want to pay. I found it disingenuous that Mr. Masiero would express how badly he felt for the 30 employees when it was he that decided to give them, what, 4 days notice that they were out of jobs? Not cool.
Now with HON all the rents may go up to keep up the fantasy that it is New York City in the Berkshires.
And we have NY gang bangers to further fill out the illusion.
All we need is a visit from Trump.
Yes and don’t buy that malarky about the business being profitable. No businessman shuts down a money maker. More fear of sharing how bad the downtown situation is right now.
Will Flavours be next?
The saying is “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” in this case the residence of Pittsfield felt the urgency to fix it. Stop whining and move forward.
An Army of DPW workers are staring into the hole on Newell Street. Dan Valenti… What did you do? LOL
Don’t think Dan Valenti did anything. The house near the plate was for sale. Ex owner probably did not want to get it fixed. New owner got it fixed.
Good job Mr. Collingwood!
Mr Collingwood my rear rump…good job Mr. Valenti. Let’s just say he made a phone call or two…
Time to prune the deadwood
Is anyone exited about Big Papi and the Farewell Tour next season? Is he a Hall of Famer?
Because of G@etani and his associates Pittsfield has some of the cleanest water on earth so, is it any wonder why Wal-Mart would bottle it and sell it? Whatever this contributes to the Pittsfield economy can be traced back to the G man.
Is G Man on today? He said he was going to the French Rivearea.
I don’t know his travel plans but his show plays at 10:00 am, 1:30, 5:00 and 8:30 pm on 16.
Have you seen it yet? Good show. I wonder if he has his eye on higher office? He does have a good grasp of National issues too.
Anyone check out the water over in n y it showed it as yellowish with thick sentiment floating in a bottle, yet said it was safe to drink? Bad pipes and will be treating the pipes with chemicals. Have they lost it over there? I forget what City.
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Photo 39 falls a little short. The real story there is Christine Yon. It looks like she was saying more there than her entire term on the city council where she spoke less than 1000 words.
Also, does Walmart pay Pittsfield fees to sell its water? What would happen if people in other parts of the country who drink the water they buy at Walmart saw picture 39? What if Pittsfield residents were to reuse the water jugs they bought at Walmart?
I wonder what the water and sewer bill for the bottling plant is? With all that water they are using you’d think it would be pretty high, but you never know in Pittsfield where well off hotel owners pay no property taxes and elderly people on fixed incomes make up the difference.
Were they not one of the business that got tax breaks when they opened up?
Another one
Just how many flourishing business s in this city are the taxpayers subsidizing anyway? I imagine this info is under tight lockdown.
SOL, FYI, the HON owners do indeed pay property taxes. The TIF allows a slow (ten years, I think) incremental addition of the taxes on the IMPROVEMENTS made by the new owners.
I believe the base assessment on the building is about a million bucks, and they pay full taxes on that. The improvements get phased in over time, 10% increments each year.
That’s how TIFs work. Nobody involved in a TIF pays “no taxes”.
Looks as though Mr. G on P C TV will be showing the Photos next week, so suppress the idea of revelations until then. It will show The Gob mob at the H O N who the taxpayer will be represented by. Should be entertaining.
Friends hugging friends in anticpation of change. Tax rate set this week – we shall see – free cash shrinking, THS bill in the mall, hirings and firings in the air – the BIG question is….will the KFC site be cleaned up ? Will Guyer and Durwin do it with their weed wackers themselves ? Or now that LT is in will blight not matter ? This is gonna be an interesting 4 years !!
Dan I wish you would post a video or picture of Melissa Mazzeo on election night telling everyone the voters of Pittsfield got in wrong !!
Mazzeo will go down in City Council folklore History. In an unprecedented move, not only took away any power to the three amigos, Krol Lothrop and Clarimont, but stripped them of any duties other than sitting City Councilors and no Chairmanships on Ub Committees to boot. I got your back on this blog Councilor.
I wonder if Mazzeo and Bianchi are hanging around with Lame-Duck signs?
I don’t think so because I saw her driving around picking up her signs and the Mayor has not been back. I hear he left to Florida.
Im hearing that Melissa will come to regret sending the three amigos (Krol JLo BC) to Siberia. Whats that saying about revenge as a dish best served cold?
The only thing about looking at photo thirty nine is compassion, vision, honesty,and genuine happiness.
We now know the reason that everyone is going batshit crazy in this country:
They are all drinking Pittsfield water from Walmart.
Last I heard Mazzeo was voted in, second in numbers also? What’s your point?
Lame duck Mayor Lame duck Prez
Mr. Lothrop is a diehard Red Sox fan, maybe he was emotional over Pappies retirement.
I still say download the picture, enlarge it, turn it upside down and you will see a secret message on his head.
Dan,
Have you seen the new Beatles 1+ video?
Its really good. They did a nice job at cleaning up the old clips and enhancing the sound.
On a big screen with surround sound its great. I just watched it.
Mr. G. Goes to Washington? I ‘m in.
The message Juan, should read, didn’t get it done.
Twelve years of voting for increase of budget and tax increases. A statement of a no referendum vote of the highest magnitude, ( it was our money also, LOw) and the kicker, on the way out, wants to give the Council a raise….the gall of it all.
Unfunded liabilities to be taken out of certain governmental agencies.
The plate has been removed and the road repaired on Newell Street. That took a Village. Thanks!
It took Valenti. I was “there” — some of hte workers took DV’s name in vain. Dan, belive me THAT’s a compliment!!
sorry for the spelling, in a rush. “the”.. “believe”
I am sure. They don’t like getting called out for incompetency. Thanks Dan Valenti. In a normal town these things are only a hiccup.
Think receivership
I have to laugh because The Berk Pigeon today blocked the comment section on Alan Chartocks column. I think its funny that they would block free speech. I guess that’s why planetvalenri thrives. As usual Alan speaks from his ivory tower. He doesn’t do all his homework. He credits Lenox with having a Guido’s store when everyone knows its in Pittsfield. His column is quite flawed. Shame Alan shame.
The JFK assasination still has relevance to our lives today.
Most of the truth has been revealed for those who research it.
The same powers that be are still around who got away with murder.
Here is an article that recaps the intervention, naming names if the culprits:
https://www.intellihub.com/the-who-how-and-why-of-the-jfk-assassination-52-years-on-part-1/
This is a bunch on nonsense. Kennedy was shot by a communist lunitic. Just about every would be assasin or successful presidential or assisan of a presidential candidate was a left wing Looney tunes. The only exception was Booth.
Agreed, Paul. Alan Chartock’s column is a waste of space. His wife Roselle is an Agent of Change. Both of them together don’t make a full loaf! Another good reason why NOT to subscribe to the Berkshire Eagle!
His wife “the lovely Roselle or Rosanne or Robotmonster,” whatever her name is, Im not saying she’s ugly but when she and Alan sit onthe beach, cats come and try to bury both of them…
I am told by a person who would know that Chartock has been know to keep raffle gifts intended for WAMC auctions for himself so he is able to eat free. He shows no guilt.
That paper will block comments, letters to the editor or any other story it is told not to allow. They make a mockery of the profession. It is the newspaper of fools
Agreed Gigi and dusty. He went out of his way to paint Pittsfield in a bad light. If he was a bigger man he may have mentioned the positive. For example; 2 beautiful lakes, an outstanding community college, BMC (which by the way is the largest employer in the county), Barrington Stage Company ( 2 locations by the way), what about Pittsfield Rye Bakery (my, my, they are at the Big E in the MA State House representing our state.), there is so much more but I think I made my point. If you only look for bad all you will find is bad.
Professor emeritus of communications, sure, but he has nothing interesting to say.
Planet friends, I was talking with my good friend Mr.Gaetani this morning and he wanted to let you know that his guest on his TV show the day after Thanksgiving day, Friday the 27th will be former mayor Charlie Smith. Promises to be a good show.
Gaetani is a Great Man.
Are there any little Chartocks?
Eye in the sky=discreet cat=mr. G
What U talkin’ bout Willis? I am who I am, and have never posted under another name.
MR VALENTI
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Yes Dan, you should have stayed in Pittsfield. You could have had lunch at Lach’s Lounge and taken in the GOB flag football classic on the PEDA property. Gerry Doyle turned in a stunning performance as QB and scored three touchdowns for the opposition Masmianno and Angelo were playing wide receiver. Bianchi coached from 100 North St. While Ruberto coached on the field and was outstannnnnding.
Tricia Farley Bouvier is at it again with her comments that have no basis in reality. She said refugees should be allowed into the country and she exactly quotes what Obama said as his reason which is, “the best way to keep our country safe is to continue to live by our values and be welcoming to refugees.” No thought went into it. She just quoted Obama word for word. We are truly witnessing the dumbing down of America. How has bringing all of the refugees into the country worked out for France? Not good.
Is she the same person who sent her kids out of Pittsfield to be schooled because she did not think even Pittsfield was safe?
Supposedly her kids are out of school just recently, but she was sending them to Lenox schools you know as all the upper classes will do. All the money we give to the Pittsfield schools wasn’t enough for Tricia Farley Bouvier to be satisfied enough to send her own children.
Pat, TFB is totally useless. We would be better off if she were replaced with a test dummy. I can’t figure out for the life of me why anyone voters for her.
Hey, hey, hey, Tricia Bouvier, how many taxes have you raised today.
It is absolutely frightening that somebody like her is a state rep.
Neither can I. She fits it with the other progressives is the only reason I can think of.
If Tisha Farley Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Grape Jelly is the answer Pittsfield is asking the wrong question.
It appears that specific posters at this site have their comments “redacted”. If the moderator is going to “redact” specific posters than it might be best to not tell the rest of us who you have chosen to be cast aside.
I understand the need to forbid certain comments…..but the need to tell the rest of us that this specific person is not worthy to be “read” speaks to something else.
Dan: Maybe include a couple of words as to why specific posts are redacted. Or maybe not even show your readers that they have been redacted in the first place.
SEAN
Thanks for your input on the redaction question. A site like this, which allows wide-ranging feedback, must be regularly vetted to keep the comments on as high a level as possible. To see what a site looks like that doesn’t do this, go to Topix. The post we redacted in this string asserted ridiculous fabrications as fact pertaining to our weekend activities. It involved a situation with which I obviously had personal knowledge and 100% of the facts. Therefore, it made the vetting easy. Generally speaking, if we catch outright factual lies, personal smears, and language that goes beyond what we judge to be reasonable discourse, we press the James Bond “ejection button.” Even with that, though, we often will give the commentator a warning first. When I started THE PLANET, I decided to allow comments. I will continue to do so, but as our readers know, we won’t tolerate outright idiocy and will stop at nothing to keep the discourse high. That included legal action when and if necessary. When troublemakers are tracked down and they receive communications from our attorneys, one of three things can be counted on to happen: (1) They immediately cease and desist, with apology; (2) We settle out of court in our favor; or (3) we go to court and win.
Dan
Thanks, appreciate the input.
The Berkshire Eagle is deleting messages in many of the sections about refugees. I just saw several disappear because they were saying things that the Eagle doesn’t agree with and go against Obama’s policies. One person wrote that David Brooks of the New York Times thinks that Obama is responsible for the refugee crisis because he let genocide go on in Syria so he has no reason to be so self-righteous. That message quickly disappeared. Another person wrote that bringing refugees in was a mistake because 70% of them were young males in their twenties and that’s the age of many of the jihadists and the Democrats have been saying its mainly women and children. That too quickly went away. Big brother is alive and well at the Berkshire Eagle. Regardless of your feelings on the issue, they are blocking free speech.
Rather than redact, Dan, you should refute. If the comment is not factual the record should be corrected. I have no respect for the local paper, especially since they censor critical comments. Please do not take the planet down that path.
Thanks, ED. Some comments should be refuted, and I try to do that as time permits. Others, though, present outright lies — fabrications that should not be given the respect of a reply.
Yeah they do that all the time. Especially when you back it up with facts or common sense. They don’t like to be shown that they really do zero investigative checking on their stories. I had 2 comments removed about the 2 doctors who spoke in Windsor about the pipeline compressor stations. One question I asked is’ Were the doctors paid to come speak’? The other was that the doctors said the compressor building would emit most notably benzene and formaldehyde. I wrote that benzene and formaldehyde were main emissions from cars, trucks and trains. I argued that the emissions from alternative delivery methods would cause much much more air pollution than the 9 compressor buildings proposed along the pipeline.