TYER BUDGET PROMISING TO BRING ON THE BLUES … plus … DEL GALLO ANNOUNCES STATE SENATE BID
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016) — Soon Pittsfield mayor Linda Tyer will unveil her first municipal budget, heartburn and all. The FY17 budget will determine far better than any other indicator or antacid the direction of her leadership in and from the Corner Office. Early word has Tyer submitting a spending plan multimillions above her predecessor‘s final filing, the FY16 scheme that, mercifully, has just one month left.
Here’s what you can do with the proposed FY17 budget.
With that said, what did The Ol’ Redhead warn us from the “catbird seat?” Something about being careful about wishes, for they sometimes come true. Word has it that Tyer hasn’t said too much of “nay” when it comes to the funding requests of the various city departments. Of course, if they lop $10 off of some rinky-dink line item, it will be propagandized as a Cultural Revolution, all the while the sainted Pittsfield School Department will break dance all the way to the bank they are in the process of breaking with at least $3 million additional, on top the 16-to18% raises.
Tyer has done well with the perfunctory and ceremonial aspects of office. She can cut a mean ribbon (being a woman, she has wrapped a lot more gifts than a guy). She can read a boring Memorial Day speech with the best of them. Moreover, The Lovely Linda projects an image of caring sincerity. All good and well on these bitter banks of the Housy, the citizens’ hollow faces an emaciated white. The bottom line, however, is The Bottom Line. The municipal spending plan will likely steep deep the taxpayers’ wallets in BLEEP!
It will be dreadful, we predict, the what light shines on Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski shall likely burn even their shadows away.
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Del Gallo All In for State Senate Bid
Last night, attorney Rinaldo Del Gallo formally announced his bid for state senate. He will first need to get out of the primary hurdle, in which he will be pitted against Andrea Harington, a lawyer from Great Barrington who has yet to breathe all her tears, and young Adam Hinds, the fair-haired bald guy who, as one of the most prominent of Suits told THE PLANET, “It’s his turn.”
“It’s his turn.”
RINALDO DEL GALLO, driving home a point in July 2012 in successfully defending DAN VALENTI in a First Amendment case that garnered national and international attention. (Photo by Ben Garver for The Berkshire Eagle)
Upon hearing these coronational words, THE PLANET leaned low and drank a long draught. The words tell you everything about local politics. The Boston Bosses, that is to say the state Democrat biggies, want only two things from the state reps we send their way, especially from Pittsfield, the county seat: (1) Always vote the way leadership tell them, except on Mickey Mouse bills, and (2) Keep your mouth shut, and do as you’re told. In other words, don’t boat the rock. The rock must stay, for that is from where all the gravy flows — you know, like Moses tapping a stone in the desert to produce water (and we don’t mean Moses Connolly).
Del Gallo is running as a self-described “Bernie Sanders progressive.” A progressive typically describes a well-meaning, Democrat do-gooder who, after feathering his or her own nest, wants taxpayers to subsidize everyone else except the middle class. They toil without working until the day comes when, instead of dying, they simply cease. How can one die after having never lived? Del Gallo isn’t that kind of progressive. He’s too much his own man for that kind of mould.
Here are 10 reasons to like Del Gallo as the Democrat nominee:
1. He’s intelligent, with an insightful mind that can get to the bottom of issues.
2. He’s got the pedigree as the nephew of the great Remo Del Gallo, barkeep supreme and former city mayor.
3. He’s independent. He has the only local attorney with enough separation from The Suits to prevent a playing dead as rep. The remainder of the local court system has suffered from a generation of political inbreeding, producing some gross deformities.
4. He’s tough. Del Gallo won’t be afraid to go to Boston and fight for Berkshire County. Fight, we said.
5. He resilient. Del Gallo’s been knocked down before, fallen off the horse, and yet he always bounces back. You gotta like it.
6. He’s issue-oriented and unequivocal, for example, his early stand against the Kinder-Morgan proposed pipeline.
7. He’s persistent. Success comes after relentless effort. Agree with it or not, he successfully championed a Pittsfield ban on Styrofoam containers. He was at first laughed at, but through relentlessness, achieved political consensus.
8. Speaking of which, Del Gallo has enough political omniscience to work collegially across the aisle (not much of that required in the Dem-Dominated People’s Republic of Massachusetts) and within the ranks.
9. He’s thoughtful. Del Gallo’s approach to issues tends to reply on logic over emotion, as exemplified by his work with the Berkshire Fatherhood Coaltion.
10. He’s got way more hair than Adam Hinds.
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“America was born out of self-determination, a longing for the human dignity that only independence can bring.” — Maurice Saatchi
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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10.
Finally, proof that the Planet can write satire.
I predict the lovely Linda Tyer’s fiscal year 2017 municipal budget for Pittsfield politics will raise taxes by over 5%. This spending increase doesn’t figure in the annual borrowing costs of the new Taconic High School project, which will add another 1% to the +5% tax increase. Ergo, Pittsfield politics is looking at a 6.5% tax hike. That means a gross annual spending increase between $6,000,000 to $9,000,000. This will be a record-setting municipal budget for Pittsfield politics.
As for Rinaldo Del Gallo, III, running for Berkshire…State Senator, I believe he has good progressive ideals, but he sounds more like a candidate for U.S. Congress in the likes of Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders. His proposals to grow state government spending to fund socialist programs won’t work on the state government level. Nuciforo ran for against Richard Neal in 2012 as an Elizabeth Warren progressive, but it didn’t fly.
In Massachusetts politics, political hacks ham it up to be the biggest phony spouting off their boloney among their Democratic Party colleagues. It is all for show! The vested interests eat cake, while the Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski choose between rent or food before they become homeless from record budget government budgets with 5% annual tax increases.
NEWS Article –
“Tyer Proposes $6 Million Budget Increase for Pittsfield”
By Andy McKeever, iBerkshires Staff, June 01, 2016
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer is calling for a 4.2 percent increase to the city’s budget.
The order calls for a $151,293,951 operating budget, which represents an increase of $6,070,410. The mayor says that will cost the average single-family homeowner an additional $230.47 per year.
The capital budget calls for the borrowing of $11,948,000 for capital expenses, which is about $1.7 million than last year.
Recognizing the city’s financial limitations recently presented by the Auditor Thomas Scanlon, who says the city’s levy ceiling is now lower than the levy limit restricting the amount the city will be able to tax, Tyer says the city’s budget makes investments in priorities and positions the city to grow the tax base in the future.
“The first step in developing the FY17 budget strategy was to understand what our fiscal challenges are. A decade of declining property values and inadequate growth are the primary factors that effect the city’s levy limit,” Tyer said.
“However, even in a down cycle we must plan for the future by making smart, long-term investments to be better positioned for increasing property values, inspiring new growth and creating a fiscal safety net for the city.”
The levy situation left the city with room to raise taxes by about $6 million. If the fiscal 2017 budget proposal goes untouched by the City Council, that capacity will be at $2.4 million.
Among the six members of the City Council who received the budget Wednesday afternoon, sending the orders to the council as a whole for a series of hearings, at least two councilors showed an appetite for cutting expenses.
Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso motioned to cut the operating budget by $3.2 million and send it back to the mayor, a move made just moments after the council was given copies of the proposal. She was joined by Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli in supporting that but the other councilors voted against such a cut so early in the process.
“I think there are a couple of departments we can make some changes that’ll hurt but is doable,” Amuso said. “I would really like the mayor to go back to the department directors and find a way to cut $3.2 million.”
The City Council has little control over line items and Amuso wanted to send the administration back to the drawing board to come back with a proposal more in line with her desires.
“I really want them to do the work and I think they can,” Amuso said,
Amuso tried to do the same with the capital budget, calling for a $2 million cut there and sending it back to the administration. Again, she was joined by only Simonelli and the motion was defeated.
Both Council Vice President John Krol and Councilor at Large Peter White spoke against making such cuts and said having the council review the budgets with department heads over a series of meeting was the proper way to make changes if desired.
“This is the mayor’s budget. That is the starting point,” Krol said.
Council President Peter Marchetti added that if the budget is sent back to the mayor at this point, the entire process outlined in the charter would have to start over. The fiscal year starts on July 1 and the council needs the budget for at least seven days before debating can start. Additionally, the public hearing that was already scheduled would have to be rescheduled.
The City Council will hold five budget hearings, each reviewing different departments, starting on June 13.
Tyer’s budget is mostly driven by an $1.8 million increase for the School Department, $1.3 million for health insurance increases, and $936,208 for Police Department personnel and equipment — a vow she made at a recent press conference to develop specialized units in the department with additional staff to combat an uptick in gun-related incidents.
“The FY17 budget is fundamental in ensuring that our city has the services it needs to raise property values, to keep educational standards at a premium, and to make public safety priority No. 1,” Tyer said.
“As we move forward beyond the FY17 budget, I am committed to undertaking a number of strategies that I believe will further position us for cost containment, financial planning, increased efficiencies, and consolidations. We must be better stewards of our finite resources.”
Additional drives include $329,049 increase for the health insurance mitigation fund; $521,833 increases in retirement contributions; and $489,249 increase in long-term debt principal payments. From there, Tyer said the budget calls for “modest” increases to some budget lines while decreases to eight other lines.
“This budget places a high premium on investments in core services. Subsequently, we assessed the programs and services in relation to their capacity to foster increased real estate values and inspire new growth through private investment,” Tyer wrote in a summary letter to the council.
Tyer is also asking to use $2 million in free cash to offset the tax rate despite the auditor’s recommendation to put the money into reserves. Scanlon advised the city against using free cash to offset the tax rate because it is a “non-reoccurring” funding source and shouldn’t be used for operations. Further, he said the city needs to build reserves for the future and free cash would better be used in stabilization accounts.
Instead, the mayor is hoping to get the state Legislature to release some $1.6 million the state has restricted for the city’s stabilization reserves.
“As we have learned the city’s reserves are too low. It was a difficult decision to utilize free cash to offset the tax rate; however, stabilization reserves will be funding in the amount of $1,720,000 and is comprised of an appropriation from balances remaining in the overlay account and by transferring Chapter 28 restricted stabilization funds,” Tyer wrote.
The $11.9 million capital budget calls for a number of projects including $250,000 for a site analysis and design for a new police station — a project begun a few years ago with a feasibility study and a part of Tyer’s focus on public safety. The biggest project is a $2.6 million runway project reconstruction at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport, a project which will likely be nearly entirely reimbursed by the FAA as is typical with airport projects.
The capital budget calls for some $2.5 million in street improvements. $1 million in stormwater improvements; $775,000 for new equipment in the Fire Department; and $378,000 for equipment in the Police Department.
Overall, the capital budget as presented is close to 20 percent higher than last year. However, any FAA reimbursement is not factored in, which is likely more than 90 percent of the $2.6 million being expended.
Coupled with the budget, water and sewer rates are asked to be raised. Those two operate on enterprise accounts funded by the users. The water rates are proposed to increase by 2 percent while the sewer rate is expected to rise by 6.7 percent.
“Both increases are driven by the increase in debt service from recently completed capital projects and the retirement board fees associated with enterprise employees,” wrote Commissioner of Public Utilities Bruce Collingwood.
A total of $570,000 for various improvements at schools, many of which were discussed during the School Budget process.
The mayor is also proposing putting $100,000 into the other post-employment benefits trust account.
Thanks, JONATHAN. Good coverage by Andy McKeever. THE PLANET will say more about this for The Weekend Edition. Bottom line is the bottom line, and this is disastrous news for the city.
Once the levy ceiling, which is calculated as 2.5 percent of a city’s total taxable property value, is reached, a municipality can’t tax past it without an exemption. As a rule of thumb, the ceiling caps the single-family homeowner’s tax rate at $25 per every $1,000 of assessed value, Tom Scanlon, Jr. said.
Matt Kerwood said the estimated tax increase over the current year would require a rate of $24.28 per $1,000 of property valuation, if a single rate for all property is used, up from $22.97 per $1,000 this year.
The levy ceiling capacity will be at $2.4 million for fiscal year 2018. That means the lovely Linda Tyer will have to ask for a Proposition 2.5 override next year when she proposes her second municipal budget for fiscal year 2018. I wonder how Pittsfield voters will vote for another +$6 million tax increase? Next year, the voters will have a say!
I think by now, due to more inside information about how this city really works against itself, that many residents are seriously considering their options. Options to live elsewhere.
Every time taxes go up (especially in the face of giving tax breaks to rich cronies) people start to wonder if they really need to stay in such a place.
Every time the school system cannibalizes those it is supposedly there for people start to wonder if it is all worth it. Did I see St Joe saying its new enrollment will be triple that of last year. Did I read that right? More people bailing on the local public fiasco? Does this count in the opting out figures which would be embarrassing if not humiliating to most school systems?
It can’t be great for local business s if the people are leaving. Too bad they cannot communicate local leaders to run a more ethical ship.
They’re leaving in droves. Leaaving both the PSD and the city itself. I am one of them. Relocating to more affordable NYS (can you believe it?). New job at nanotech center outside Albany. I will still be religiously following the Planet though, the only I mean only media place for the truth.
first line second sentence should be “Leaving” ..sorry, typing fast
Congratulations! I can not imagine you regretting the move. You can now get yourself a T-shirt that says, “I survived Pittsfield, Mass.” You may be able to order them through the Beacon theater promotional department.
Dusty,
Now that is a great idea for the Fourth of July Parade: “I survived Pittsfield, MA!” These words will be made from crime scene tape. Around the lettering can be pictures that help outsiders understand the meaning of that. A montage of: PCB barrels, EBT cards, guns, gang-bangers, welfare moms dragging her six kids into WalMart, crack pipes, hypodermic needles near an elementary school park, a bullet riddled dead body, and an “economic engine”-whatever that is.
Good one, KATE.
Good for you. Wish my family could leave the Pitts.
A 6.7 hike would be appropriate. Why not knock all of the pins down.
Inner circle cronies with esoteric knowledge say John Krol urged a 9.2 % increase, but it was tempered due to political fallout.
When it comes to tax increases, Krol’s mantra has always been. “What ?, Me Worry “.
Makes you wonder…what is in it for him?
Jake Behnke and Jake Curtis have already laid off everyone needed to keep the budget in line.Teachers union demands this be done by May 15 of each budget year.
Linda Tyers budget if over school projections will bring teachers back to the schools payroll.This budget is 100 percent Tyers budget.The dirty work of teacher layoffs are done and question is where is Tyer going to take the retired home owner.Let see if she keeps her promise.Mayors will no longer get 2nd chances and Tyer and city council will soon find out their political futures.
Did anyone see Melissa Mazzeo on the Bill Sturgeon show yesterday? They were going crazy over the tobacco issue in the city and how small businesses are closing down due to over regulation here in the city. They said the Pittsfield Board of Health is too autonomous and is out of control. I happen to agree with that, but naturally they had to add that everything else is great here in Pittsfield. The new Taconic will train kids to work in jobs created by the Berkshire Innovation Center. Well you get the idea. Lots of praise was heaped on the School Committee for pushing the Taconic project.
If Stanley was selling tobacco he would get an exemption. For the better good of the city as a whole you understand.
That young lady has found an issue she can ride and I’ll give her that much. The PCB problems we still have, right here in town, well it ain’t her cup of tea is all.
The Board of Health should try to manage what they already have on their plate. Tyer’s big push when running for Mayor was to address the slum areas and houses which bring down the property values in the neighborhoods. They have not done anything on that. Just drive around Pittsfield. My feelings about the tobacco sales is this: If our youth can fight for this country at 18 they should be able to purchase a pack of cigarettes. I am not a smoker and don’t like it, but really, the health dept really needs to get a handle on things, The attitudes of some of our leaders is horrible. Another reason people are so fed up with this city
Also the bathroom bill will more than likely pass here today in Massachusetts. Charlie Baker was pressured by the crazies in Boston to accept it.
If you survived the gay marriage bill you will also move on from this.
This is totally different from gay marriage. This is about privacy issues.
Mazzeo needs an issue tha has nothing to do with spending money.Mazzeo restaurant is getting in the way of her fiscal responsibility to retired taxpayers.She can afford to pay 8 k a year in real estate taxes and people that will vote her out cant afford 2 k in home owner taxes.Say goodbye MM
Joe Pinhead–Thank you for asking for dialog. It has been a long time
coming. The Wiz is the real deal. Anyone who wants to read what the
Wiz did for the city need only go to the Eagle ARCHIVES-1981-1987. He
does not have to bow to anyone. I was around when he dealt a death
blow to Metcalff and EDDY. He stayed on the fringe until he saw that
the city of Pittsfield was moving to his side and with a spectacular
presentation to the city council– he sent M and E ENGINEERS PACKING.
He alayed all doubts that KEC could build facilities for water
treatment for much less than any technology on the face of the earth.
Valenti took down one of the most important posts that the Wiz
posted– detailing how KEC was going to build the facilities for 16
million dollars but the FED EPA and State DEQE– SAID THAT THEY REALLY
COULDN’T UNDER STAND THE TECHNOLOGY–and if they wanted to build the
facilities– they woul have to build in 100% back-up. The Wiz fought
tooth and nail with the regulatory authorities– stating it would just
add 16 million dollars more for the city to pay that was not
neccessary. This sticking point held the project up for a year but
finally KEC went along with the added costs– under protest. When all
was said and done the entire project came in just a little over 33
million dollars saving the city well over 80 million dollars because
in the 33 million dollar cost– were 5 storage tanks and a new 36 inch
main from the Cleveland Plant– all the way to the storage tank
accross The street from THS. G@etani hopes this dialog puts questions
of doubt to sleep once and for all. No Mr. G DOESN’T GET ANY SPECIAL
BREAKS -HE PAYS THE SAME w/s rates as anyone. Mr. G HOPES THIS
SATISFYS YOUR QUESTIONS JP. The Wiz is doing everything he can to stop
the THS PROJECT. The city didn’t respond to his law suit and he filed
a motion for default judgement. As the relief he was seeking was a
halt to he project it now is up to the court. THE CASE IS BECOMING
VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE THE COURT MUST ACT. The wiz knows there nis
no leadership in the city and he is moving forward as best he can
considering he is dealing with a pack of incompetents. He thrives on
situations like this and you can all be certain that he will do
everything in his power to help the taxpayer. HELP would be EVERYONE must
pull together to build the NON-GOBSIG Network or you can kiss this
city good bye. You all know who must go. Everyone step to the plate
and be counted–you will feel good knowing you did you best. GOOD
LUCK.
BATRACHOMYOMACHIA (Gr. βάτραχος, “frog,” μῦς, “mouse,” and μάχη, “battle”), the “Battle of Frogs and Mice,” a comic epic or parody on the Iliad, definitely attributed to Homer by the Romans, but according to Plutarch (De Herodoti Malignitate, 43) the work of Pigres of Halicarnassus, the brother (or son) of Artemisia, queen of Caria and ally of Xerxes. Some modern scholars, however, assign it to an anonymous poet of the time of Alexander the Great.
In modern parlance, the term refers to “a silly altercation“.
Somebody should be very careful that the Court doesn’t get fed up with his silly altercation and make him pay the City’s legal fees.
Don’t be such a poser
6.9 would be an appropriate number.
So that was it, either 20 grand tax easement or kaput. We are insane.
We must thank Mr. Gaetani for trying to represent individuals who didn’t want the expansive School Contracts and new Taconic as a result our taxes will soar through the roof.
Thought about that one did you? Typical resort to insults instead of debating the issue.
The City isn’t going to respond and that is probably a good thing because they could counter sue for the legal fees for this frivolous lawsuit aka BATRACHOMYOMACHIA.
SHAKY-nothing to debate. [REMAINDER OF COMMENT REDACTED]
dude… lady…. whoever you are…. you need to chill out.
I believe we have a school department hack at work here.
Councilor Donna Todd Rivers had Lisa Tully on her tv show- BERKSHIRE VIEW POINT. Tully didn’t speak one intelligent sentence. Just before the show ended- Rivers said she hoped she could be as good a councilor as Tully has been. Do you think that might be the quote of the year? We are in seriuos trouble in this city. River’s show is just like Sturgeons show. Lots of rump swabbing. The Wiz’s and Dan’s tv shows are the best shows on pctv. If you missed any of the other tv shows on pctv-Don’t worry–YOU WON’T BE MISSING MUCH UNLESS YOU LOVE RUMP SWABBING.
I agree that Lisa Tully is in way over her head. She accepts everything the powers that be tell her to accept. There is no thought involved.
At least Rivers and Mazzeo had the good sense to vote against the TIF nonsense…….I see hope.
But not against the continuing to give more money to the schools nonsense. Mazzeo and Rivers are all for that.
Whatever floats your boat.
Looks like my comment is above the ceiling.
The king of clichés lives
I’m sure Donna was not serious about that, right Donna? That would be llike a Major Leaguer saying batting 200 was a career year.
After the Budget is set, Laxh’s should have a celebratory get together doe the Senior and Jobless beaters.
What time does the Big Dig get under way?
I for one am extremely disappointed in you for not telling the truth about Del Gallo and his assault conviction. What is the matter with you? He has been arrested multiple times, has had family restraining orders against him and was convicted of domestic assault. Please explain yourself.
There is nothing to explain concerning that ancient news. These matters have been long adjudicated. You don’t like Del Gallo as a candidate for state senate? Fine. But if that’s all you’ve got, you’ve just won him a bunch of votes. And you ought to know: THE PLANET doesn’t explain itSELF to anybody. You dig?
I say this with all due respect
…..Rinaldo is a clown.
Okay 2014 is ancient history Don’t let relevant and recent facts get in the way of your opinion.
Did Donna really say that?
For nearly a year, a variety of community stakeholders joined forces in support of the Working Cities Challenge, attending weekly meetings, traveling to Boston, and hosting community input sessions.
I am beyond thrilled to share that Pittsfield was among the five Working Cities Challenge Grant awardees announced today by the Boston Fed!
As such, Pittsfield will receive $475,000 toward a collaborative initiative, Pittsfield Bridges: Transformative Movement, which aims to remove barriers and create viable pathways to financial sustainability.
This was truly a collaborative effort that proved what can happen when organizations, agencies, and groups work together.
More to come!
Seniors don’t get increases and live on sixties pension benefits. This budget needs to be cut more. I’d like to see Pete White in the cutting fray for a change. wasn’t a relative of his helped during a house fire, ask her Pete, how does she feel about tax increases?
Guess they should have saved up more money. Lazy seniors. Complain about millennials that are paying for their healthcare and social security, knowing they won’t just be able to work thirty years and turn into whining, entitled leeches.
The entitled leeches work for the city. Especially the school department.
Since some folks don’t mind paying silly increases let them pay double and cancel a home owners increase that can’t afford it.
Toyota and Tyre,,,, You asked for it !….You got it !
Stay tuned more to come,
Shakes if you pais into ssi or it’s fund you get an entitlement just like the millions of vets get pension and entitlements they paid with lives and hard work. it’s the millenials that never paid in that gets me?
I am watching Jake Curtis tell school committee about online course 5-26-16 meeting and its clear committee doesnt know what he talking about. and Jake Curtis must have found this on the internet 125 k a year….Sounds like he wants to spend some of Jake Behnke money……its sounds so ignorant listening to Jake Curtis but he does seem proud he put this together……this work we pay him for keeps him busy which is good .He bullies janitors when hes idol.Wow morningside was a mess when he was there.He is the peter principle….he just loves the Q and A proud as a peacock.
Hmmm. I think everyone in the school administration has the first name of JAKE.
Contributions are capped for the wealthy. But required for the young and low wage workers. If you don’t like the taxes, sell the house. I’m willing to bet the housing subsidies in Pittsfield are closer between the elderly and the poor. Giving up safe streets and good schools isn’t a trade off for keeping people in houses they can’t afford. Besides, you can get a senior exemption I can’t.
Who do you think is going to buy houses in this town you moron? Why the hell is someone going to buy a house here,
you should get down on your hands and knees and kiss the feet of taxpayers who fund you blood sucking city job. You and your entitled leech friends will smarten up when the city goes bankrupt and you’re paid pennies on the dollar. Then we’ll see who lives in a house that they can’t afford.
The high taxes are strangling out any life in the city, the more that is taken out the productive economy the worse the schools will be and more crime there will be as the quality of population drops. Smart move is take out loans against your house, stop paying bank or taxes, and let the city get it some years later after the pipes have been looted and it costs more to tear it down than it was built for.
Rhymes with ache, as in pain in the ass.
Careful ladies–Your criticizing Shakes and You know what happens to those that criticize that ASS. Perhaps you will be banished by Valenti. Your description as an ass is correct. Has anybody noticed that no one can criticize this ass. Why do you think this is so. Anyone brave enough to reply?
Sell the House? That’s you’re answer? No one will buy it.176 assessed two years ago, now at 155 latest offer 139.
Sell, buy long term care insurance, downsize or rent.
Don’t you see the writing on the wall jackass? You city leeches will soon be paid pennies on the dollar. And it’s going to be tough shit if you don’t like it. Then YOU can sell YOUR house for pennies on the dollar.
Are you Mr. Stanley?
Clown- Of course he isn’t Stanley. This fool has no brain. Perhaps we won’t be hearing from you anymore either. DIG?
Watching from afar I wonder how Pittsfield has gone so far astray? Shootings on North Street? Crushing taxes? Floundering government? In my youth Pittsfield was notable for electing characters, but Peter Arlos was never handed the keys to the city as mayor. It is clear to me that Linda Tyer shouldn’t be dogcatcher, never mind Mayor. How could a flake like her get elected?
You want to fix Pittsfield? Cut the municipal budget by 20% (as a start). Get the fire and building departments out knocking on the doors of decrepit and rental properties. Force landlords to bring their property up to code. No cheap rentals = nowhere for gang bangers and drug dealers to live! Start bulldozing decrepit properties. Seize the property of landlords who rent to drug dealers.
Pittsfield better do something and soon. The GE retirees who fill the nice homes on the southeast part of town are dying off and with them go their taxes. I am astounded at the falling home values in that part of town. But I shouldn’t be – there is no one to buy those houses as they become vacant. There are no middle class jobs, other than in government. You want to see the future of Pittsfield? Visit Ohio. You can buy a nice 2000 square foot home in Dayton for $25K. The people all left, but the houses are still there.
The neighborhoods south of Elm Street and east of Route Twenty ought to secede and join with Lenox.