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TELL THE TRUTH? CITY LIES TO CITIZENS BUT WHEN BEGGING FOR STATE GRANT $$, IT COMES CLEAN ON THE DIRT

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

First of Three Parts

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016) — Buried within a massive 350-page supporting package for tomorrow night’s city council meeting a most startling document. It contains something you only rarely come across in official Pittsfield: truth. THE PLANET credits Terry Kinnas for wading through the morass and fishing out what amount to indictments about the veracity of local government.

The city filed the paperwork with the state’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research in pursuit of another Shannon grant, $95,000 for so-called anti-gang programs. In plain English, the city is begging the state for public funds. To win this money, Pittsfield officials had no problem telling the state what it almost never shares with its citizens or taxpayers, which is an accurate assessment  of public safety.

‘Gang Violence Problem Statement’ is Just That

In its “Gang Violence Problem Statement,” Pittsfield admits to “a severe and disturbing trend for youth involvement in gangs and violent acts in Pittsfield over the last several years.” The statement then reveals the shocking numbers of gang members:

Bloods — 198 members and 54 associates, for a total affiliation of 252 persons.

Crips — 52 “documented members.”

Latin Kings — 70 members.

That adds up to 374 documented gang members. Keep in mind, as the report implicitly admits, that the 374 does not include members of lesser known gangs, nor does it include members of known gangs whose affiliations have eluded public safety officials. The city’s statement confirms there are “nearly 500 known gang members” in Pittsfield. How many “unknown” gangsters lurk in the shadows? If you talk to the Pittsfield Police Department, the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department, and others in the local criminal judicial system, there’s general agreement of “at least double the [official] number. This leaves the city with about 1,000 gang members, mostly male, minority, under age 25.

One thousand gang members.

Let it sink in.

Murders, Violence Increasing ‘at An Alarming Rate’

The “Problem Statement” tells the state that murders, gun violence, use of weapons among local youths, and delinquency have increased at an alarming rate. We read, “When compared with cities in central and western Massachusetts with similar population sizes, Pittsfield experiences higher numbers of DYS admissions and drug[-]related intakes. There are also a large number of DYS releases. All of which indicated youth are playing a significant role in violent behavior … that manifests on the streets of Pittsfield.”

Hmmm, THE PLANET doesn’t recall the city using language like this when pumping Hotel on North or some downtown promotion, for instance. However, when coming to the state with the tin cup out, Pittsfield all of a sudden can’t share enough of what’s truly happening — the stuff it keeps from You, The People.

The report tells the state of the “trend toward more overt demonstration of violence, and an increase in the possession of weapons, and the use of intimidation at an early age.” Contrast that with the lies of the Pittsfield School Department and especially the Pittsfield School Committee (PSC), whose deliberations blindly send more taxpayer dollars to a failing school system and whose verbiage paints a rosy picture replete with sparkles, swoons, and moons in June.

Later in the report, we read this astonishing fact in a section dealing with “high risk” matters such as drugs, delinquency, and teen pregnancy: “Pittsfield has 5,774 students, over 70% of which meet state definition of high needs.”

Folks, when more than 70% of students (about 4,100 of 5,700 ) are “high need,” educational is impossible.  High-priced day care is the goal.

Funny how the city so readily admits the truth to the state but lies so handily to its own citizens. Questions:

  1. How much longer will citizens be content to allow this political travesty?
  2. When will the mayor, council members, school committee, state reps, and other officials address the problem of gangs and violence in such honest terms as we find in the application for the Shannon grant?

Tomorrow, THE PLANET continues to expose the truth about “quality of life” in Pittsfield.

———————————————————————————————-

“‘Courage,’ he said, pointing toward the land”Alfred Lord Tennyson, opening line, “The Lotus Eaters,” (1842).

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI 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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Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle
8 years ago

Dan da man. Dis is jus da tip of da iceberg. Yo bro, keep diggin and you all may jus find some more of da truth out there. Take a walk on the wild side after sundown. You won’t see the first couple out where da bullets meet da bodies.

How many more days do i have to look at the pair of sneakers hanging off the wires over West Street by Riverview Homes?

Why is it acceptable that they remain there? A symbol perhaps of the city’s decline.

Dans’ Book title for Pittsfield sad story; My City of Ruin

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Rip Van Winkle
8 years ago

Typo correction: Mah City be Ruin

Wolfman
Wolfman
Reply to  Rip Van Winkle
8 years ago

Da neekers ova da wires means its a locale for dee kommerce of farmasuidkals, bro man.

Winchester 73
Winchester 73
Reply to  Wolfman
8 years ago

It’s a gang signal. Seriously.

johnny dingo
johnny dingo
8 years ago

Interesting revelation. Terry sure is a workhorse.

It would be nice if the Berkshire Eagle would print this information in large print so that all the taxpayers, especially senior citizens, can get behind this wonderful grant stuff.

Just what do five hundred gang members in Pittsfield do all day? How many of these gang members are enrolled in the Pittsfield public school system? Is this one of the reasons why so many teachers and school employees send their children to school out of Pittsfield?

Would the mayor or anyone from the DAs office or police dept come on your show to discuss this bombshell topic? If not why not? Is it supposed to be secret information?

Wilson
Wilson
8 years ago

The government is the most dangerous gang, every innocent man woman and child is under threat of being beaten or killed if they don’t pay up, while drug gangs provide a voluntary service and only use rare and limited violence against each other

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

This headline in todays BB, “Pittsfield School Budget up by 2.3 million for Fiscal 2017 as Committee Review Begins”. That’s very expensive daycare folks. Add to that the new Taconic and the Pittsfield School Department continues its expansion. I think it’s obvious by now that all of this money is going toward keeping school personnel earning large salaries. With over 70% in the school system as high need students, education is impossible.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

In today’s BB editorial, Tricia Farley Bouvier is working hard to give driving licenses to illegal aliens. Just to let you know what the main concerns are of our local pols. Berkshire County is falling apart, but Tricia Farley Bouvier has her priorities straight.

Wolfman
Wolfman
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Interesting; $1.68 million is allocated for anticipated Pay Raises. And this does Not include teacher pay raises.
If only the dreaded private sector was a generous.

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Reply to Pat. I agree with you about TriciaFarleyBouvier.
She is devoted servant of DempartyBosses and she would do absolutely anything they ask her to do…$69K her salary for 2015.
She even hired Renaldo DelGallo to file Petition asking a new civil right for Pittsfield (only for us–yes) so any man can come to womens bathroom, if he feels he is a woman(transgender Bill)

We need another State Representative!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  VillageKnight
8 years ago

I agree with you. She is useless for this area. Can’t wait to NOT choose her name on a voting ballot.

smoke & mirrors
smoke & mirrors
8 years ago

“I can walk down any street in Pittsfield, day or night, and feel safe”.
– Barry Clairmont 2015

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

I was right about the 70% statistic after all. Pittsfield is another version of North Adams. The underclass is the majority and the new normal!

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

No, you remain incorrect, high needs is a social/developmental classification, not a metric of economic disposition.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Shakes His Head
8 years ago

(Sarcasm): I must be wrong because there are hundreds of living wage open jobs in Pittsfield. I must be wrong because it isn’t true that all K – 6 students receive free lunches in Pittsfield’s public school system. I must be wrong because Pittsfield’s public schools are among the top 10% performing school districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I must be wrong because Pittsfield doesn’t have population losses in the thousands over the past decade. I must be wrong because Pittsfield’s municipal taxes are economical and don’t increase by about 5% every fiscal year. I must be wrong because Pittsfield’s streets are safe from violence, drugs, gangs, and crimes. I must be wrong because Pittsfield politics isn’t totally corrupted by the Good Old Boys.
Yupper, indeedey, you proved me wrong, again.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

I am not saying I don’t agree with many of your opinions – amazingly some are backed with actual statistics, just not the 70% figure you made up.

Vinny Boombatz
Vinny Boombatz
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

Jonathan, Shakes His Head is just a troll on this blog….best to ignore it.

Roman Knows
Roman Knows
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

You called it, Jotnathan

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
8 years ago

I have been reading the press logs of the Pittsfield police for this year and almost every school day there is a call between 8:00am and 9:00 am that is flagged “Gang Related” and the disposition is “placed on file”. Also everyday there 2 to 3 calls to schools. Here is the link to the logs for this year:

http://www.pittsfieldpd.org/presslog/

johnny dingo
johnny dingo
Reply to  acheshirecat
8 years ago

I am sure the schools are great places to recruit fellow gang members. Which is why school employees send their own kids out of town I imagine. Every kid wants to be cool and tough. What better path to follow than the school gang bangers?

pittsfields finest
pittsfields finest
Reply to  acheshirecat
8 years ago

it’s an incident placed on file for the gang unit, that starts their shift around that time, to document their interactions, field interviews and generally anything they do or encounter while on duty.

Donna M
Donna M
8 years ago

Just read the Gazette–Gaetani is pretty much t6he whole show for the
council meeting. He has 4 excellent petitions and of course they are
all geared at saving the taxpayers dollars. I happened to see the
irish sister city show. nice little show and photo ops for all
politicians and politician boot lickers. Watching the show made me
remember something the Wiz told me some time ago that he started the
sister city of Cava de TIERNNI ITALY AND PITTSFIELD. It was the first
sister city for Pittsfield. MAYOR ABRO of the Italian city was an
employee of the WIZ. It might interest some to know that Gaetani and
his two fellow Viet-Nam vets Rolland Nichols and Larry Caprari started
CHAPTER 65 VIET NAM VETS OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY AFTER THEY RETURNED HOME
FROM THE WAR. The G. man seems to have always been an activist of some
sort or other. I also know he was a religious teacher at St. marks
working with the late Monsignor Joseph Johnson a beloved priest for
many years at St Marks and with the present Monsignor Mike
Shershonovich at St Joseph. I bet this shocks many as the wiz is a
take no prisoner personality. but I know him well and you could not
find a more decent person than him. I would hate to be on the wiz’s
s–t list because if he identifies you as a buffoon– you are in deep
trouble Think Bianchi and Mazzeo and Collingwood just to name a few.

johnny dingo
johnny dingo
Reply to  Donna M
8 years ago

As far as I know Collingwood remains employed with the city. He has been around a long time and knows where the bodies are buried. I imagine he would be handled with kid gloves.

Donna M
Donna M
8 years ago

Shakes His Fat Ass–ROMEN AND LOSECHESTER37–I saw the Wiz today. He
just got back in town and hasn’t seen the Planet in several days. I
showed him the planet’s posts for the past several days and he wanted
me to invite you 3 or 2 or 1 to meet him at the PCTV STUDIOS WEDNESDAY
AT THREE PM. He wants you o come on the show. He plans to demolish all
three of you at the same time. You will have your chance to come up
against the wizard. He hopes all three of you are PE’S OR ARE LICENSED
WATER OR WASTE WATER TREATMENT OPERATORS. We will see whether the Wiz
knows how to make PE’s or Operators cry like a baby. His only request
is that you all wear diapers to the show as he feels you will
definitely need them. So here is the chance for you cowards to appear
on the most popular show on PCTV. ALL of the people on the Planet will
wait to see if you show up. Hopefully we can see who knows what they
are talking about and who doesn’t. See you Wednesday.

Ed Shepardson
Ed Shepardson
Reply to  Donna M
8 years ago

Getting like the WWF here.

Dowager Hat
Dowager Hat
Reply to  Donna M
8 years ago

Me thinks perhaps that “Donna M” be the Caitlyn Jenner side of the Wizzy.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Somebody needs to throuw a bucket of water on Donna M. Maybe she needs to be put in a home with her precious wiz.

Paul
Paul
8 years ago

Sorry, Throw

Donna M
Donna M
8 years ago

Paul, be at PCTV 3 pm Wednesday and you can go his show…..

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Donna M
8 years ago

The 4 petitions the Whizzer in his pants outlined on the show last week are puny and insignificant, rambling words of a doddering fool. The “water lesson” was fraudulent. He should enjoy his years on his charter fishing yacht and live in his airstream.

I am sure he is a very fine man, and a good friend. His legacy should be of his glory years filled with civic accomplishments, not this embarrassing crusade against reality.

A modern day Con er Don Quixote.

Donna M
Donna M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
8 years ago

Shaky, I’m sure his TV invitation extends to you as well. I’ll be looking forward to Friday when his shoe airs and you’re on it.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Donna M
8 years ago

Let me know how that turns out. I’m sure the tens of people that waste the rest ours’ money to watch it will be thrilled to see the white board filled up with gibberish yet again.

Donna M
Donna M
Reply to  Shakes His Head
8 years ago

So you don’t have the stones to be on the show?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
8 years ago

What, are you going to shoot me and burn down my house? Maybe get me fired? I wasted a single hour of my life listening to the Megalomania Hour With the Whiffer last week. Never going to waste my time like that again.

Dennis Stevens
Dennis Stevens
Reply to  Shakes His Head
8 years ago

So yes you are too much of a coward to show up

Tim Bartini
Tim Bartini
8 years ago

Dan It looks official . You’ve let the nuts take over your blog. Too bad it used to be good read.

K-Man
K-Man
Reply to  Tim Bartini
8 years ago

Tim it looks official. You’ve let your imagination run away with you again. Too bad it used to be a good read.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
8 years ago

Disagree, Dan is a great read!

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

The Planet is too big to fail.

Deb S
Deb S
8 years ago

Off topic! Has anyone seen Linda Tyer Mayor facebook post?? Very interesting on who are the new police recruits. Things are not changing in Pittsfield just a new face with strong GOB ties and four years instead of two years…. SMH…

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Deb S
8 years ago

Yes. They give all their friends and relatives the good paying jobs with the great benefits. Everybody else can line up at Thanksgiving to get their free frozen turkey with all the fixings at the local church each year here in Pittsfield. Unbelievable.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

If Tyer doesn’t do anything to refuse the 2.3 million demand from the school department for 2017 then we will know right away that she is no better than Bianchi. I was hopeful that she would be different.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Pat it’s actually a 3 million dollar increase. There is $600.000 surplus in the fuel & heating line, of course they slurped that up too. Mayor and Council will back it, after all it’s for the children.

johnny dingo
johnny dingo
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

I believe this is one of those deals where McCandless really only wants 1.5 million but he will ask for much more. And then when it gets cut back from to 2.3 to 1.5 he will say, “oh shucks” and then go into the back room and laugh his ass off.

Nota
Nota
8 years ago

She will cut it a tad Pat! and make it look likes she cut it big time. Afraid it’ll be same old same old.

mi
mi
8 years ago

I was reading about theKrofta based application,the 3500 applications is astounding. Of Mr. Gaetani and Dr. Wuong, the achievement and cost savings on this unique design is impressive to say the least. As a taxpayer, whether you like an outfit or not, respect must be given whena proven and cost savings product is introduced.

We should embrace a chance to at least look at what they offer? This is really common, practical sense. Not Propaganda.

Nota
Nota
8 years ago

Deb S. How many we’re bypassed, that’s the question? You wanted new officers didn’t you..or we?

Deb S
Deb S
Reply to  Nota
8 years ago

Not sure Nota, I remember someone posted the list from the state website a while back and the names that were on the bottom of the list were the ones hired. Yes I wanted more on the force but with that being said it should of been on the scoring not who you are related to.

Romen
Romen
Reply to  Deb S
8 years ago

I wonder how many more will be added. I counted eleven names so maybe a half dozen more? Definitely biz as usual on hiring by who you know!

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

Nota, I would question a couple of those younger Dispatchers hired a few years ago, for instance. Did they have experience when hired? Were Vets bypassed?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Bill Q
8 years ago

Dispatching is an extremely stressful position. I whole heartedly Stuart the preferential hiring of veterans, but the emotional toll of dispatching is difficult for some with PTSD.

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Bill Q
8 years ago

Well one is a former counselor presidents son. Don’t know what his other qualifications were.

Student Clown
Student Clown
8 years ago

How can a candidate be thrown out if they pass a score? Is and was this the case? Doesn’t make sense. Would like to know of just one who did pass the test and got passed over?

Student Clown
Student Clown
8 years ago

The ultimate Quid Pro Quo. Super asks for more, gets less, which is actually more, then the Mayor slashes ( sarcasm..to make it look like a big relief for the taxpayer, year after year. like the post above, they have this down to a science.

Pat
Pat
8 years ago

Yes it’s the oldest trick it in the book. Figures that McCandless would use it to get the most money possible for the school system. People on this board need to start grooming the next mayoral candidate. In a city as corrupt as Pittsfield where the voters are also in on the taxpayer scam, it will be an uphill battle. The GOB’s are already grooming Melissa Mazzeo to be the next mayor. She will be the same as the others if not worse in giving the schools all the money they want. They reward themselves financially by taxing the poorest residents of the city and try to justify it all by saying they are doing it for the children. It’s quite a scam.

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
8 years ago

I like this one best for posturing.When there really isn’t any money to give, they still get it and then the City Councilor or two will state…’I would give have liked to give them more???? Have actually heard this from two of the Councilors still on this Council. So much word play, only a decoder can sift through these clever comments.

Tim Bartini
Tim Bartini
Reply to  Miss Vito
8 years ago

Sorry Dan. But your blog is losing its power. Your letting the nuts take over….too bad

K-Man
K-Man
Reply to  Tim Bartini
8 years ago

Sorry Tim. Go back to sleep. Thats what we pay you for. What part of The Planet Rules dont cha get??

Vinny Boombatz
Vinny Boombatz
Reply to  Tim Bartini
8 years ago

Translation I’m a GOBSIG and I don’t like being exposed.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Tim Bartini
8 years ago

These are GOB plants…they come on the board and call anyone who exposes their corruption “nuts”. It’s the way they operate.

Vinny Boombatz
Vinny Boombatz
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Amen Pat

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
8 years ago

Go make Dinner.

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

That guy always comes out at Budget time and election time. He has tried to get the best of Valenti for years, and is just plain in awe of the Man.

amandaWell
amandaWell
8 years ago

There will be correct Council Grades Tommorow Night and a Mayoral Grade as WELL.