QUIK HITZ & HOT LIX: BEACONBEZZLEMENT … VERIZON … VIGIL-ANCE … SUPERSTORE … DPI DUI … PHOOLIN’ … 10 YEARS AFTER … WELL DONE, RICK BELTAIRE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JUNE 16-19, 2016) — When it rains absurdity, as it has been lately in Pittsfield, it pours reason and logic on THE PLANET. We even rule time, declaring The Weekend Edition to start on a Thursday. Time to bring out Quick Hitz and Hot Lix.
Beacon Endrezzlement — “There a whole cultural energy around downtown Pittsfield.” Thus saith Jonathan Butler of the Berkshire Chamber in carrying water for and shining the shoes of Richard Stanley, multimillionaire owner of the money-losing Beacon Cinema. The Butler did it in support of an additional five years of tax breaks for Stanley’s private enterprise on North Street, which is losing money faster than the Titanic took on salt water, faster than the North Atlantic iced Leo DeCaprio‘s fingers. Butler got it right about “a whole cultural energy around downtown.” The culture consists of drug dealers, addicts, Bloods, Crips, gun fighters, robbers, and other creatures of the night, who have made ventures into the city a life-threatening proposition. No worry, though. While Stanley got his tax breaks, The Lovely Linda kicked Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski got kicked in the ass with a double-digit tax increase.
Verizon on the Horizon — While the city council compliantly licked Stanley’s boots, it took a “principled” stance on behalf of Verizon strikers. The council’s ridiculous show of support for this national issue came while it ignored the devastating finances of the city. Our right Honorable Good Friends must have pull, however. Not long after the council’s show of support, Verizon settled with its workers. “It’s not about wages.” Right.
Vigil Vigilantes — They rallied for Orlando, like it mattered. Tricia State-rep-hyphen-hyphen ate doughnuts in solidarity. The mayors of the county’s two cities said that the murder of so many innocent people was, you know, terrible. “Community leaders” circle-jerked for more gun laws. A splendid time was had by all.
Superstore at PEDA — The “news” about Walmart‘s proposed aircraft carrier on the PEDA site doesn’t come as new to PLANET readers and viewers. We called it months ago and broke it on Facebook days before anyone else this week. Here’s another scoop: PEDA head Corydon “Thirsty” Thurston will announce that The William Stanley Business Park will be renamed The Richard Stanley TIF Tent on honor of the multimillionaire moocher.
DPI DUI — Is Downtown Pittsfield Inc. drinking on the job? Or is it just drinking the Kool-Aid? One can only draw that conclusion when examining it’s “strategic plan” for center city. Jesse Cook-Dubin, another hyphenated DPI president, said the four-part plan included public safety, promoting downtown, and quality of life. That’s only three parts, but Dubious Dubin uses Common Core math. What are the odds, folks, that DPI survives the FY17 spending plan. Can’t you see it The Lovely Linda‘s eyes?
Don’t Be Phooled — Pittsfield finance director Matt “Kufflinks” Kerwood made a big deal about refinancing $4.8 million of city debt. Kufflinks claimed it would “save” taxpayers $448,000. Reality Check for Phantom Accounting: It won’t “save” a cent. This comes from a debt obligation of $12 million “for a variety of projects in 2008, leaving $7.2 million at ruinous rates. Phunny that Kufflinks didn’t raises a peep about the proposed record $12 million capital spending plan he engineered for the spend-happy and tax-buoyant mayor. Even Kufflinks had to admit that the actual “savings,” if any, cannot be known, since it all depends on the future of the finance market. “The current market is favorable,” Kufflinks coughed. Big deal. What will it be next month, next year? Total city debt? Don’t a$k.
Ten Years After — “North Street is a very different place than it was just 10 years ago” — The Lovely Linda. She speaks the truth. North Street is a much more dangerous, bumpy, pot-holed, congested, anti-pedestrian, anti-human place than it was a decade ago. Peter Layayette, Mr. Rah Rah, called the Beacon an “anchor.” THE PLANET agrees. It’s taking Pittsfield right to the bottom of the drink.
Don’t Let ‘em Do This, Rick — The legendary morning man at WBRK, THE PLANET’s old radio home to “The Dan Valenti Show,” retired about a month ago. Our show followed his morning drive shift. For more than a generation, Rick Pittsfield entertained, informed, and tickled a generation of Pittsfield radio heads. Well done, dear friend. You ran the good race. Enjoy a well-earned bon voyage.
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The Comment Line is now open for intelligence, always, and not ignorance. Be sharp.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
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“Listening to a news broadcast is like smoking a cigarette and crushing the butt in the ashtray.” — Milan Kundera
“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.
Gerry Doyle will be hosting a vigil at Lach’s this weekend. All are welcome
Beaconbezzlement…this word should embed forever into the Pittsfield jargon. It is just one word yet says so much. It speaks to greed, cronyism and government malfeasance without wasting a lot of time itemizing particulars.
And as the summer weekend nears I remind folk that the theater at the Berkshire mall welcomes your patronage and promises not to rifle through your personal belongings when your purchase a ticket. Great parking, no fear of getting mugged in broad daylight and a community oriented ownership.
“The Comment Line is now open for intelligence, always, and not ignorance. Be sharp.”
“The Comment Line is now open for intelligence, always, and not ignorance. Be sharp.” This was posted in response to 12 Guage
I guess you’ll be there with Doyle
Roberto to you-“The Comment Line is now open for intelligence, always, and not ignorance. Be sharp.”
Thomas moore– the comment line is open for intelligent posts. Many intelligent people who have posted here in the past, have left because of people like you- who feel that your opinion and your’s only -is the correct position. How many CC Meetings or other meetings have you attended to spew your line? I see two citizens speaking out at various council and school committee meetings and neither one is you, so perhaps you should crawl back under your rock.
Thomas More. Do you consider yourself an intellectually superior academician, like Saint Thomas More, your muse for a moniker. Who similarly opposed institutional reformation and championed the status quo.
However, today you appear to be stuttering and lost in redundancy.
You ain’t blog po-lise is youse ?
More is less.
F flat
The lovely Linda Tyer and her A & F Director, Matt Kerwood, are not listening to Dan Valenti’s financial advice for Pittsfield politics. Instead, they are increasing the operating and capital budgets by a combined over $18 million for fiscal year 2017, which begins on July 1st, 2016. This doesn’t include the financing of the new Taconic High School project!
The silver lining is that this won’t happen ever again! At this time next year, the lovely Linda Tyer and Matt Kerwood will have to ask voters for an override of Proposition 2.5. If voters reject the override vote, then Pittsfield politics will go financially insolvent.
I agree with Dan Valenti on Pittsfield’s downtown area. Cultural venues and third-rate art studios hasn’t changed anything for the better. There is still violent crime, murders, shootings, drugs, and the underclass on North Street. The tax breaks for Richard Stanley’s Beacon Cinema is a slap in the face of Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski.
Sabic Plastics is leaving Pittsfield for Houston, Texas soon. Over 300 jobs will be lost in Pittsfield within the next year. Once living wage jobs are lost, they ain’t comin’ back, Jack (Welch).
About 70% of Pittsfield residents live in or near poverty and depend on welfare assistance and social services programs for their survival. Pittsfield is the home of the underclass. Pittsfield is one of the most economically unequal communities in the state and nation. The middle class has moved away from Pittsfield. The only ones left are a few wealthy families, senior citizens living on fixed incomes, and huge underclass.
They NEVER listen to reason and common sense when it comes to the municipal budget, JON.
You wont hear the statement ( taxpayers are worried )
about where this council is taking our city.
I believe Mazzeo likes and looks up to Amuso She likes how she operates and seems to be modeling her thinking in Amusos shadow.
Imagine what its like at home fow these councilors trying to balsnce their checkbook.The person responsible for paying bills in there personel life must dread bill day every month.
How is it that they all think the same.Mayor Kroll looks and talks like an efficient manager of something type but has impossibly never shown that effective look.
There is a great possibility when you go to the Deacon you could get rifled in and out of that Sand trap..
Think about it? LaughFayette says the Beacon is the Anchor, if a business needs taxpayer money for the purpose to sustain other businesses,why would STIF need anything when he’s already sacrificing for others?
Exactly. If a failing business (which for fourteen years will get taxpayer help) is a shining example of how to do business on Norths street then somebody needs to raise the bar.
Maybe this guy taught at Donald Trumps business school.
Or Tyer university.
North Street is a disaster area. I foolishly thought yesterday that I could drive relatively quickly from one end of North Street to my destination at the other end. Because isn’t a straight line the shortest distance between two points, yes, but not when it comes to North Street. I hadn’t been down North Street in a while. It took me 15 minutes stuck in New York City style traffic jams with construction detours to one lane every 10 feet just to travel a quarter of the way down the street. The traffic was thick as pea soup for such a small city. In frustration I finally pulled out of traffic onto a side street which was also heavily congested with traffic since other people had the same idea.
Why is North Street in a continual state of construction year after year? It certainly isn’t pedestrian or driver friendly. Pedestrians were having trouble navigating through all of the construction. Do yourself a favor and avoid North Street like the plague.
I don’t think you’ve been to NY.
I have. This isn’t New York and that’s the point, but North Street is a mess not shopper friendly at all.
North St. Is a Municpal Foundary of the Walking Dead and Public Employment for the S I gs
don’t forget all the bluehairs at Columbus Arms and the Commons.
I don’t understand how it is that we give pay raises to a department that has not been able to stop or get crime under control. why would they work any harder when they get more money weather they stop the shooting and drugs or not, And don’t miss understand me I am a strong advocate of the men and woman of the Pittsfield Police I just believe it is time for new leadership.
Painter what does weather have to do with it?
I made a mistake . Thank you .
Grammar police on OT !!!! @MissVito
Dig it…it’s about time we got the grammar cops off their asses!
From south street to wahconah the reconstruction is beautiful…that is a fact.Pittsfield has never looked better.
This has nothing to do with the fact that Behnke…Yon Amuso Tyer are the Mayors of a soon to be bankrupt Walmart City.On the one hand Biotech is being sold to us and on the other hand its Walmart taking over that propetty…..Now if the Lee ma style outlets were to go there I would approve that in a heartbeat.
That outlet mall is junk.
Kufflinks himself said Debt’ is the driver. Sustain the City with giveaways ( TIF) through mad tax increases until 2017 and when the money tree stops shaking,ask for an override and declare? What a way to run a City. The key is they stay employed, including the Mayor.
It all boils down to the spending spending spending. Dr. Trzcinka and DV have laid this out beyond doubt yet on its first whack as Tyers gigantic spending increase the council ADDED to it. Beaconbezzlement = i nominate this word for a Pulitzer.
Thanks, W73
The feds throw around money for needless construction and the contractors don’t care if the government pays them to dig a hole and then fill it back in so long as they get paid. Mean while things that we need get ignored.
Rebuilding downtown Pittsfield is hanging by a very thin thread.
Why put pressure on that thread? Every City, State and Federal Gov’s give tax breaks as an incentive for business. It’s not always cronyism but often basic Economics.
These businesses create a Multiplier effect. The loss of one of the cornerstones of the Downtown project has a compounding effect throughout the whole downtown area and whats trying to be accomplished.
It seems like a pretty basic move. It’s not about a Millionaire vs the Petty poor. Seems like this is becoming a Us vs Them and losing out on some very fundamental simple facts.
The overide is in…people that love pasta vote mazzeo in.Tony S retired on 75 k per year..he will never vote against schools..Never.People that ate addicted to the shopping channel and Amazon. Com vote for Amuso….People who want a walmart on tyle vote morandi…people that love parades vote Marchetti….Senior citizen SS collectors voted Tyer…never again
…i dont think there is a desire to lower taxes except on this blog.
Mayor Reilly please run for the Senior Citizen home owner.You know how all this works.
Can you say, “MASSIVE TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK” at the corner of Woodlawn and Tyler when this new Walmart opens up? If you cannot say it now you will learn to say it in a couple of years and you might be adding a long string of expletives to the phrase.
This will be the biggest choke point in the city and I don’t care how they configure the lights.
So you want the city to be bustling with jobs and consumers but somehow have no traffic? WTF. You people are insane. Dusty,I suggest you get to know 12 gauge. It’s the only way out of this madness we call capitalism.
Don’t be fooled by Wal-Mart’s claims that they will provide a massive property tax influx to the city. They said the same thing when they built the North Adams Superstore… then suddenly they claimed they had a special tax status from the state allowing them to pay a fraction of what they initially said they’d pay. They will do the same bait and switch in Pittsfield.
A few interesting quotes from iBerkshire regarding the PEDA – Walmart deal.
“Thurston said the company will lease the property during construction — putting it on PEDA’s insurance should unexpected contamination be found — and then purchase it.”
Nah, there aren’t any PCBs left under those 16.5 acres. Who in their right mind would expect such a thing? What exactly does the “insurance” cover? I think we are in for a big surprise. Oops!
Then there’s the “expert on all things Pittsfield” developer rep Harr.
“There literally has been no project of this size and scope that been constructed in the city for 10 years, 15 years. We’re talking about a $30 million project,” Harr said.
Maybe someone should tell him about Taconic. That should come in at minimum of 4 to 5 times more than his Walmart.
Oh and how about this one?
Bianchi had more recently said he told Waterstone to back off the property and that he was skeptical that somebody was “going to receive a payday that the public will never know about.”
Payoffs in Pittsfield? Never!
Lastly I can’t help but comment on the Beacon suddenly becoming an anchor. I’d never heard it called that until a month ago. What a load of crap. Not that it would have helped keep the business here, but why didn’t we ever hear Sabic referred to as an anchor?
Jim’s House of Shoes, Paul Rich and Sons, Carr Hardware, The Soda Chef, Candle Bowling Lanes, the YMCA, they are the anchors of North St.
I couldn’t agree with you more, and add Steven Valenti to that list.
These are reasonable questions, points, and concerns about this project.
Looks like a previous administration is going to get thier box store?
This is what you get when you hire retreads.
Gaetani for Mayor.
I do wonder judging by the councils silly ass fake budget questioning if the see how serious the finances are.
Watch tonight as Schools courageously present the budget and explain how much they save the city by keeping kids out of jail.They dont take responsibility .
This is going to be a night of great courage and Thank you….if they are serious they will explore each line item …ask what each position does then ask them how they know what each person does.
At the very least have Mayor Behnke who suggested a length of contract and why is she carrying a superintendent s title and how did pittsfield survive before the title of superintendent…..I will get embarrassed at home watching the non answers…and the non questions.
Its time the Teddy bear superintendant talk about Social Security and home ownership and school expenses. We need to close a high school.1/2 million square feet of school for 1600 students
Letter: “For real change, Pittsfield must build on its strengths”
The Berkshire Eagle, 6/16/2016
To the editor:
When I decided to run for state representative in Pittsfield, I promised myself that I would never compromise my values to get elected. Those values have been tried and tested, yet when I knock on the doors of our city, and listen to all of you, my values grow stronger.
There are many in this community who have asked me to remain quiet on issues large and small. From the newly announced “super Walmart” in the heart of the city to the slashing of the school budget.
I cannot, and will not, stay silent on these issues.
This city was built by innovators with the help of hard-working, highly skilled people. Hard-working people like my grandfather, and like many of you, who lent their backs to the cause to create an excellent place to raise a family.
Now we need changes, but change is hard. It was Jack Welch, the former CEO of GE, who famously said that “change has no constituency. People like the status quo. They like the way it was.”
I believe that Jack was wrong. I believe that change does have a constituency. I believe that constituency is the PEOPLE of Pittsfield, and that the people of Pittsfield know that our future does not rest in the hands of a mega-Walmart.
Our future is in our beautiful outdoors, it’s in our machine shops, our theaters, our labs, and our schools. Our future is in our local businesses and our local innovators who make this place home. Our future is a place where great people want to raise great families, regardless of their wealth, race, sexual preference, or gender.
I’m asking you to not wait until election day, Sept. 8, to have your voice heard. I’m asking you to make your voice heard now. Because this city doesn’t need me, it needs you.
Our city needs you to write a letter to the editor telling our representatives about the future you want to see. Our city needs you to go downtown, to go to Tyler Street, to go to any one of our local businesses and say thank you, we’re with you.
Our city needs help. And that help won’t come from Boston or Washington, and it definitely won’t come from a “super-Walmart.” It has to come from right here in Pittsfield.
Because WE make this city.
Michael Bloomberg, Pittsfield
The writer is a Democratic candidate for 3rd Berkshire District state representative.
Michael, thank you for running and never stay silent. My wife and I will be supporting you. Best of luck.
Jonathan, thanks for forwarding Michael’s letter.
At the last budget meeting, Kathy Amuso asked legitimate questions about a position in City Hall held by Mrs. Dews. Well she lived to regret that. Tonight she was the first to speak at the open mike session, scared to death, apologizing all over the place and asking for forgiveness.
And then right after that, Mrs. Dews husband spoke and lambasted her for daring to do what she did.
Hey, what gives? Can’t our CC members voice their opinions without fear? Doesn’t look that way.
Walk of Shame for Councilor Amuso. How dare she express any idea contrary to, and that may financially impact a couple of New York Johnny come latelys who pay their property taxes to and reside in Hinsdale. If she didn’t grovel they surely would have invoked their omnipresent pity me card.
Or the “racist” card, if necessary.
Warren, yaba daba Dews should involve his fat ass in Hinsdale politics where he lives and pays taxes.
Classy.
No. CCers cannot express their true views without the threat of punishment. That’s how the game works in Pittsfield, no matter who is in charge.
Really?
Bloomberg talked at the budget hearing tonight in favor of the school department budget. Sounded like he wanted it increased?
Not voting for him.
At least Farley is the evil we know.
I want a super Walmart. Can’t wait.
Watching tonight’s CC budget meeting. What a bunch of windbags!!
Maybe Gigi,but they got this by the balls. Amuso should resign.
The superintendent said people should review the facts.student 13 k cost of prisoner 52 k so I did the math….13 k for 6 hrs a day for 5 days….jail 24 and 7 student cost for 24 and 7 student is close 75 thousand.
Did the superintendent say anything about the “facts” regarding level 3 being a level 5 or would we rather just not go there? After all some “facts” are more equal than other “facts”.
Student cost is more like $18,000 per year per student. JIV is using the “phunny accounting” favored for the school dept. They will advertise a cost of $60 million when the actual cost is $110 million. Ah, but we’ve explained this numerous times.
Everytime Mccandless hires a new position he puts in jeopardy a long time loyal employees job.More people need to tell them not to hire more people.
so I am listening to the CC budget hearing in the background. So there are all the councilors pontificating – and in the past hour I have heard just two people speak, and it’s 10:12 PM.
the real job they should for the budget for FY 17 is to say hey, the budget will equal FY 16’s budget.
If your budget came to us with more in it, if you negotiated and signed a bad contract, or if costs just went up – you will need to find a way to not only live with last year’s money – but if healthcare and interest (to name just two items) went up – a pro-rata share of those costs will come from your budget as well. The ENTIRE budget is level, so in fact, you may get less.
Then, let the managers deal with it. that’s why we pay them. And the school department needs to also carve out money for those busses, since not only do I not believe the cost of city run busses is cheaper than a subbed out one – but if you insist on this folly, the cost needs to come from your budget.
And then sign off on that.
Did Amuso demand a $4 million cut from the schools before debate started? I missed the beginning and I wanted to see if she “struggled” with this budget like she did with the others?
No matter the size of the high school students still hang with there own small group of like minded kids.
Reality hits pittsfield people are making 1500 bucks on ss per month…get over yourself …1 high school and kids will survive I did …they will
Will high municipal taxes and a proposed new super Wal Mart store help Pittsfield’s struggling depressed local economy?
If Tyerant takes it all who the hell will have any money to shop there except school department employees.
Anyone see Tyer wiggling her leg into a frenzy? Is that a tell?
The big Teddybear of a superintendent does not know history. Pittsfield city side workers have been unfairly subsidising schools for decades.
We have as Marchetti said decided to continue to drive at 60 miles per hour into that wall.
Today we were all told we are going to crash because of the school and mccandless got upset as we taxpayers were told to hold on.Teachers are going to get a piece of new chapter 70 s money.
“Rep. Farley-Bouvier to kick off House campaign”
The Berkshire Eagle, 6/16/2016
PITTSFIELD – State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier will officially launch her re-election campaign during a kick-off even Friday, June 17, at the Itam Lodge, 93 Waubeek Road, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The event will feature special guest Attorney General Maura Healey.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be running for re-election in Pittsfield, so that I can continue advocating for the values and concerns of everyone who resides, visits, and does business in our city,” said Farley-Bouvier. “I’m honored that the AG is making the trip out to support me, she said.
“This campaign is about being invested in Pittsfield families. That includes finding common sense solutions to create jobs, invest in the local economy, and solve the opioid crisis,” she said. “These are the issues important to Pittsfield and to our commonwealth. These are the reasons why I’m running.”
In 2002, Farley-Bouvier became involved in local politics, working with the “Save Our Schools” campaign to secure reliable funding for Pittsfield Public Schools. The following year, the grassroots group “Women Helping Empower Neighbors” supported her campaign for at-large city councilor. She received more votes than any other elected official.
Farley-Bouvier has served as the director of administration in the Pittsfield mayor’s office, and was elected to the Legislature in a 2011 special election.
She currently serves on the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, and the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
During her tenure, she said she has gotten progressive results by fighting for an array of pressing reforms, including those addressing sexual violence on college campuses, gun violence, veterans’ services, transgender anti-discrimination, public records access, safe driving, and clean energy.
What a windbag. Seriously, do people like this like themselves? Is it even possible to go home at night and have any self respect? Or do they just count their dollars and grin from ear to ear?
If I am a child and my parent is a blowhard politician, is that where I want to see myself in 20 years? Are these foot steps I want to follow? Is pretending to give a shit about your community all that rewarding in your true gut?
It will be nice when TFB has to debate. The first two questions I’d ask her are: (1) Name one company you helped bring into Pittsfield? (2) How many true jobs have you created during your tenure? And I’d want verifiable examples-not “economic engines.”
Amuso saying she wouldn’t cut anything,she will deal with it next year. Shame on her.Kathy get out of politics if you don’t wanna do your job. The levy limit gonna do what our council wouldn’t do.
SHAME on you.
No wonder TRUMP exist
TRUMP for President. The Anti-Politician.
So councilor Rivers publicly scolded our current superintendent last not for simply not seeing the reality of where pittsfield is .
He scolded back tha its not his job to recognize these facts.He is an advocate and its the councils job.
Rivers essentially begged him to bring in a budget and make hiring decisions that allows the council to see that he is capable of big boy choices.All this to no avail.
.Nothing changed but thought Rivers,Morandi,and Simonelli respectfully tried to get him to show disciplined budgeting before he brings it before the council.
Mayor Benke should be embarrassed that the heavy handed school department still holds budgeting secrets.
Two scholl adjustment salaries were redirected for paraproffesioals…145k …they are sneaky and want you to trust them.I thought Tony was going to fall over in his chair.
Marched had it both ways supported the budget in a time of financial crisis which was not logical given the scolding.
Morandi point about all the different ways pittsfield supports schools with capital investments plumbers electricians ect….Mayor Behnke was thinking at least I got my raise.Linda Tyer seemed completly overwhelmed.
Really?
Amuso was like a fish out of water, flip flopping all around.
We have a new mantra. “The schools shouldn’t have to pay for the city side increases”. That worked well. I guess they decided “it’s for the kids” has gotten old.
Two new names for the West Housatonic Street eye sores. The Wood Pile on the outer edge. The dump across from McDonalds will be called…..The Alamo. So it is said and written.
I enthusiastically endorse these titles and am curious as to when the city actually collected any taxes on either of them. Does the owner of the firewood business pay any taxes? Does the owner of the building pay any taxes?
I hope the folks from city hall don’t get hurt climbing all over each other trying to get the answer to this Q.
The Alamo. I love it!
The Plunkett school site is a much bigger jungle than the Hess jungle. I think it has its own ecosystem.
Why was the cleanup of the site never done?
It DOES have its own ecosystem. I hear that archeologists will be coming in soon. It’s Pittsfield Galapagos Island.
In regards to last night’s budget session, would someone please explain to me why the PSD needs a “Homeless Coordinator?” This person, according to Dr. McC, coordinates transportation from Westfield and “surrounding areas” for homeless children to our school district. Why aren’t these homeless kids attending schools close to where they are “homeless?” Does the PSD need the headcount? I am also baffled by the seemingly endless array of counselors and deans which we employ. Other school districts around the state are either combining districts and/or cutting back expenditures. Why does our city council think Pittsfield has an endless supply of money – especially weeks after hearing the dire “state of the city” report from the auditor??
And McCandless with his million-dollar contract says the schools have been nickel-and-dimed to a state of destitution… It’s clear they are grabbing as much as they can before the tax limit, unlikely that they will take the money and run though, so they must have a plan to steal more
They get shipped to Pittsfield as part of the hidden agreements attached to all that fake grant money that comes from the state.
The greedy school employees stormed the council meeting last night as we knew they would and demanded their high salaries. No concern for their fellow neighbors who are struggling and no doubt they are all progressive Democrats who preach equality and will vote for Hillary, just not when it comes to getting as much money for themselves as possible. Hypocrisy!!
Did you know they’re called the Gobsig Gestapo?
I believe it.
1) How dare Warren Dews (a Hinsdale resident) chastise a member of our CC for doing her job. She had every right to suggest a job be reduced. Is his wife more important than any other city employee? It seems so!
And the rest of the CC allowed him to rant and never said a word in defense.
2) Congrats to Morandi and Simonelli on their votes. Simonelli was great in his questioning (all by himself). I wish we could clone him. And Donna Todd Rivers, as usual, had a lot of talk but no backbone.
3) And how dare McCandless complain that young teachers worry about whether they will have a job. Look to the private sector, guy…..no jobs are guaranteed there!
DISGUSTED!
Dews shall soon be getting an invitation to appear on PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION for a live, unscripted interview. What are the odds he accepts?
Really?
Anyone want to wager that spineless Connell finds some lame excuse to recuse himself from the Walmart vote? If he does he should end his campaign for state rep.
Why should anyone vote for a guy who can’t vote on anything?
After overhearing several not-so-positive conversations about the questionable stewardship of the city by mayor Lovely Linda, our 13 yr. old grandchild blurted out, “Oh just call her Taxing Tyer !”
I like it…Taxing Tyer…!!!
We were also asked, if she went to Taconic High, PHS, or St. Joe.
Where did she graduate from ? Anybody know ? Classmate ?
Because “Taconic High, PHS, or St. Joe” are the only possibilities. Classic Pittsfield.
Evade the simple, harmless question Maxy Boy. The kid only wanted to know where the mayor went to high school. I don’t care if it’s in Bum Frick Egypt. What’s the big deal with you anyway ?
I posted my real name. Are you really related to Thomas ?
LENOX
As always, on the job, THOMAS.
If the city goes bankrupt all city workers may not get their pensions. And that includes city councilors and mayors etc. I assume So I would hope they would keep this in mind.