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.
Mike Bloomberg, true to his word, did not remain silent about the school budget.
He spoke at the CC open mike and was all in favor of it. So much for thinking about the poor taxpayers who may or may not be voting for him now.
Pandering to the city’s largest voting block… no surprise! I don’t see Bloomberg as passionate about helping the city…But simply looking for a job on the taxpayers dime.
Huge mistake for him with those who realize the financial position of the city. Somewhat smart move politically. Question is has he alienated more voters than he pleased? If he supported the school budget, it’s clear he pleased The Suits. How is this any different from Tricia’s stance?
I WILL JUST BET THAT WALMART WILL BE LOOKING FOR A TAX BREAK IF THERE PLANS GO THROUGH.
I wounder how all the business on north st will be effected by walmart move.
Richard Stanley And the Beacon really is anchor which go right to the bottom.
Police Captains $248.262 $251.062
Police Lieutenants $384.362 $398.965
Police Sergeants $724.849 $872.117
So i can only conclude from this that the crime ion Pittsfield must be under control other wise there would be no increase in pay.
I dont belive that it is right for the mayor to put in for her own pay increase after not even a full year in office.
Mayor $91.540 $95.000
Roll over at Valentine and Lakeway.
Wall-Martz will have jobs over their. Sew that’s a good thing write? I could be a greater I’m good will people.
The fact is The City council of Pittsfield ma is completely on board with the way Tayor…Yon…Elias and Mayor Behnke spend war veterans Social Security Check….The Marchetti led council approved….It was Marchetti turn and he approved of this financial DWI…..We will not forget each name attached to this council…..Anyone think these folk can balance a personal checkbook
Of course they can when it’s their own money.
A simple statement to union president Sheran…in 1992 the teacher won substacial raises that were paid for by laying off 90 teachers…..and that is how its done.
Peter Marchetti can still do this….they can pout all they want but Marchetti has put our city at risk …who thought a banker could kick this can dow the road.I am embarrassed for him….more lip service to the elderly more buying of time….more chapter 70 money in teacher pockets…..Marchetti needs to walk in to the budget meeting and explain to nobody that a 1.5 million dollar cut is on the table and then take the vote…or your a faker.
Administration negotiated contracts.
True Shakes, but layoffs are not negotiable. They are enforced. Take drastic measures. Close a school. Do the analysis, then start cutting duplicated positions. That would include teachers, aides, support staff AND administration.
As I always maintain, teachers WERE indeed grossly underpaid…20-30 years ago. It is extremely important work, most critical, no doubt, and most teachers are conscientious professionals who take pride in what they do, again no doubt. The problem is, there are too many of them, too many total class units…and way too many administrators. Since the mid 1990’s, the automatic “step raises” have brought teacher salaries up to and beyond fair. They also should be negotiated out because they have achieved their original purpose and outlived their usefulness.
EVERYTHING is negotiable, especially re-openers for a ruinous contract.
Discrete Cat, I agree with your earlier post. We Pittsfield elected the wrong person mayor. Bianchi would have on his knees too. Wlato, I doubt that she would have been effective. We know who that leaves. The one person who would have stood up to the special interest gangs.
Isn’t the P E D A Board stacked?
You think? They did their job well getting their little groups in place. We will pay dearly by the end of the 4 years!!!
I loved that the drama of marchetti speech and then a department head (mccandless) stand up and one ups him telling marchetti you better not single us out and you need to go after all other city departments where people make 15 bucks an hour…..I would have told him to sit down and tell him hes not marchettis boss….That did not happen….after mccandless scolds marchetti …marchetti and 7 other councilors vote how mccanless told them to.
It was riveting tv and no Mccandless is the Mayor.Got to had it to him now thats hes their Daddy…Connells done
Really?
This Bloomberg kid is just panders. For the schools, spend, spend, spend.
Against Walmart, one of the only places I can afford to shop.
Not All of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth.
The state rep race is worse than the presidential race. No one worth voting for.
Conneellls been done.
I spell like a fool where’s M Vito?
She’s having dizzy spells.
Pittsfield city council….whos your Daddy
I thought Marchetti was finally going to explain to the schools…..this broken down city just cant do it anymore….and in the blink of an eye he votes for the entire budget…hook …line …and sinker
..Mccanless was Awesome…best salesmen ever….then he rescolds the council president
Mayor Behnke was quiet as a mouse….Mccandless sells 280k worth of school adjustmen councilor less tha 12 month ago…Simonelli exposes the scam 140 k redirected for something else and Behnke mccandless never communicate this to council…..i would ask yon if they told her…..behnke is a pitbull …curtis is a pitbull ….Marchetti is no match for them.
SPANKED
Did anyone read the absolute insanity of what happened at the council meeting last night? It was in the Berkshire Eagle today. It seems that Kathleen Amuso apologized to the Assistant of Linda Tyer for wanting to cut her pay. The Assistant’s husband came forward complaining that they wanted to give a cut in pay to his wife (Tyer’s Assistant) because she is African American. Amuso was in the hot seat for political incorrectness for singling out one of the few if not the only African American in city hall for a pay cut. This could only happen in Pittsfield.
Pittsfield city hall and even the schools have been criticized fairly recently for not even hiring anyone who isn’t white which isn’t shocking since they only hire their friends and relatives for the good paying jobs. Again, not surprising since this is Pittsfield and despite their supposed progressive politics, they don’t actually do anything that is really progressive like being fair and equal with everybody financially or otherwise since they are too busy being greedy. Just more hypocrisy.
Again why are people getting a pay increas and have not even been in the job for a year yet so how can anyone judge if they deserive it or not.
It’s not what you know…but rather who you are aligned with.
Warren Dews is a buffoon. He should run for office in Hinsdale where he lives and pays taxes.
Under which mayor did the mayor’s office become such a pork barrel?
It seems that the mayor is getting some push back from the 2 police unions regarding making Acting Chief Wynn the permanent Chief. The unions want it to go the civil service route so others from with in the force can throw their hat in the ring to become chief. Lets see how she handles this.
Wynn has been Acting Chief for 8 years. He should be required to take Civil Service test for Permanent Position, as well as any other Department Officers interested in Position.
Hope the union is strong and will fight for the best man for the job….It certainly isn’t Winn. Talk to the officers and they will tell you right up front about him
The way to change this crap is not through a new council but through gaining control of the school committee.
Way things are going it won’t be long until the State steps in and takes control like in Holyoke a few years ago. You can only put lipstick on a pig for a little while, eventually everyone will see that it is just a pig.
Looks like the cIty is going to have a weed clinic soon.
Maybe the super hero Roundup Man will appear.
Amuso fas never cut 1 penny from any school budget..Mazzeo sells them pasta…Connell is asking them for votes…kroll doesnt understand how money works…Caccamo does not pay pittsfield taxes…tully is a newbie…Marchetti keeps getting our vote but is the King of lip service.
The school committee is proud of Mayors Behnke…Curtis and Mccandless….this town is their town now…as we falter we should think of Mccandless and his ability to be disaplined.
Under these current financial circumstances this council would be considered the worst.In a city that has a reputation of uncontrolled school budgets the council keeps telling schools to cut it for them.
Marchetti based on his own words will be driving the bus when it hits the wall.To Simonelli and Morandi I want to thank you for being honest.
Our council is the bad news bears of city goverment.Tyer is now a non player on injured reserve duty for the next 4 years…Marchetti sighned a 2 year deal to play council president and has struck out in the biggest game of the year.Mccandless is MVP and player of the year …
I couldn’t agree more. Some cities are run by the mafia. This city is owned and run by the School Dept, and union.
The largest group of voters in this city are teachers or friends and family members of teachers. Figure it out. We don’t have a chance.
If CC members want to keep their seat, they have no choice but to abide by the wants of the School Dept.
It won’t be long before this city crashes!
I agree. Look how they use intimidation tactics at the council meetings to get what they want. All the school employees show up in this huge crowd chanting nonsense about saving the children when in fact it’s their own outrageously high paying jobs they are trying to save. This city has been hijacked by these crazies. They will probably pass a proposition 2 1/2 when we reach the tax ceiling because they will again show up in mass numbers. Don’t expect to be helped by state government officials because they are just as insane.
I hate to bring up Tricia Farley Bouvier again, but unfortunately she started her campaign yesterday with a big shin dig at the Itam. Such wonderful people as Attorney General Healey (“if you are afraid to use the bathroom, then hold it” is her famous line regarding women’s fears of men pretending or really thinking they are women being allowed to use showers and bathrooms that women use, sweet woman really) oh and Pignatelli showed up to tell Bouvier how wonderful she is and what a great unquestioning foot soldier she has been for the progressive cause here in Massachusetts. They really can’t understand why anyone is running against her. The progressive crazies in Boston do not want anyone to run against Bouvier because she is so progressive. This is why it is critical that as many people as possible vote against Bouvier. It will be an uphill battle as she has so many followers in this area.
Yeah what a bunch there Itam. The speakers kept saying how much she has gotten done. The only things they specifically mention was work on gas leaks and transgender issues. They all agree she will tow the line of progressives blindly. Thank goodness she is not running opposed this election.
People should do some research and they will find she is not liked in Boston but more importantly what has she done for Pittsfield other than photo ops to fill up space in our pathetic Berkshire Eagle.
Fair comment, PHYLLIS. She has done nothing substantive for Pittsfield. As for Boston, correct again. They don’t like her. The Bosses, however, love her votes, which side with leadership every time. In effect, Pittsfield has no representation in Boston.
The teachers act as though someone is trying to cut there pay so they come up with don’t hurt the children. They make very good money for what they work1/2 a year. I cant ever remember when they were not given a pay raze unlike myself and many more like me who have worked for years with out getting a raze and when we finally did it did not match or even come close to what the mayor has put out for pay increases.
True. It’s also why they have so much time on their hands to show up at meetings. During the school year, the times of these meeting are made known well in advance to the school employees so they can show up in a large herd. For this meeting a few days ago, they showed up in shorts and summer clothing to the council meeting since they are just beginning their long summer vacation. They are pampered and get nasty as we have seen if anyone attempts to take money or perks away from them.
that’s just it painter, there seems to be a gravy ride for those with an edjamacation which for all intensive proposes is an entitlemenant.
After reading today’s Eagle about the budget cuts, I am dumbfounded that our CC sat there and never responded to Warren Dews when he said “It hurt my heart what you did to my wife here Monday. If you were not thinking about race, what were you thinking?”
He’s accusing them of being “racist” and they sat there and took it. Wimps!
Poor thing. Can we give a tax break on his home to make him feel a little better? You want to know what getting your heart really hurts is Warren? Having your child eaten by an alligator. Somehow your little issue does not even deserve honorable mention.
Playing the race card is despicable.
it did seem as though Amused So was singling Mrs.. Dews out, no? Sly did say she was compensated according to her skill set. I have talked to Mrs.Dews on the phone at City Hall and she has been very good with the questions and response that I’ve asked. I personally don’t know the woman, but like her.
Amuso was singling her position out and the unusually high salary for someone new…..not that she was African American, as her husband implied.
Shame on him for playing the race card.
I agree that’s what she was doing, but just think if she had done the logical thing and taken money from the School Department, none of this nonsense would have happened in the first place, but oh no, the school system is the sacred cow that nobody will touch. It’s her own fault!!!
The only card Dews EVER has is the joker.
Gym teachers make 90 g a year, is that so?
We should be happy, know matter wear the Dews live to have such talented people in our Communeity.
WTF talent does Warren Dews have?
agree, just in quality for the position Dews should be compensated at the highest level. Only in th private sector should that rule apply.
It sounds like the Police Chief might be worried about his job. Is he afraid of some competition? Is that why the mayor wont go cavil service way? I think it time for a change then maybe we can get this drug thing under control.
If he supported the mayors campaign I think he is in good hands. He should not lose any sleep over it.
Warren, Yaba Daba Dews, also known as the hill town clown has to understand one thing. It’s not about black or white it’s about green dummy. If he wants to flap his gums about Pittsfield, he needs to buy a house in Pittsfield.
Yes, the whole issue is about reducing the budget and nothing more. Too bad that didn’t happen here in Pittsfield, but the intimidation from school employees scared the councilors and the mayor from doing the right thing. As for Amuso, she has been the biggest cheerleader for getting more money for the schools.
[REDACTED]
Crawl back under your rock
Shakes, the bozos in the school department and on the school committee would not be laughing if he were elected. Now they are laughing at the taxpayers. How’s that for clowning around. You’ll have a good laugh when the City goes belly up by Tyer’s third year and you as a city employee will be paid pennies on a dollar.
If he were elected, wet paper sacks everywhere would be a sigh of relief as the worst mayor in history can’t find his way out of one.
I think our current mayor is in the running for worst ever. When the city goes belly up you’ll get pennies on the dollar if you keep your city job.
Tricia Farley is the Kim Kardashian of press….
She even showed up for the Housatonic river cleanup…..Tricia is done
I can not get the picture of Marchetti driving the pittsfield financial stability bus into the brick wall of common sense out of my head.
The passionate plea to stop spending and department head mccandless disrespectul rescolding of Marchetti .
This was a first in pittsfield politics and mccandless knew he had won the battle when he rescoded not just the council but the retired veterans and their spouses who are struggling to get medication and a ride to the doctor’s office and a council that dismissed our senior population when they had a chance to do something.
Except for Simonelli and Morandi we saw cowardess lip service who wanted both the seniors to vote for them and teachers to vote for them.
In the end it showed that our city councilors are elitists who want the poor peoples vote.Marchetti s only real dilemma was weather he wanted to drve the bus and to my surprise he chose to drive and Mazzeo hollered she wanted shotgun.Marchetti also did not want any taxpayer to see the meetinf having scheduled on third thursday and NBA playoff night.Marchetti had a plan and he pulled it off clearly all this show of passion was a premeditated gimmick.
Really?
How about Rivers? Go mow your senior neighbors lawn and leave a food basket on their front porch.
Is she talking to people who grew up during the depression?
It was depressing to listen to such nonsense. She is a whack-a-doodle.
I live in a neighborhood where three quarters of the people are elderly. Many lawns are not mowed because the people cannot afford to pay someone $25 a week to mow. You just know these poor people are going to have to move out of their homes soon and into elderly subsidized housing in large part to the skyrocketing Pittsfield property taxes.
And that is the main reason it pisses me off so much that a multi millionaire business owner ( who does not even live in Pittsfield) gets a tax break for 14 years while some elderly person who has lived and paid taxes in the city for 60-70 years gets charged the full boat year after increasing year. What kind of uncaring society treats its senior citizens like this? Why do elderly fixed income people have to subsidize multi millionaires? What a really, really rotten, low way to run a government.
Totally agree about the situation of the elderly in this city. Not to mention that even renters will feel the brunt of these rising taxes. Landlords raise rents when their taxes increase. It’s a no win situation for those who are struggling financially in this city.
There is a poverty discount for seniors.
Its not just the elderly who are hurting financially. Remember the 70% of the city that lives in poverty? It’s not just the elderly. Get informed.
That 70 is a contrived number. We’ve rehashed that several times.
Nice wake up call this morning heard gun shots somewhere around the west side near Madison? it woke me up about a little after five this morning.
Are you a Pittsfield cop on the night shift?
Lol
What is missed is City council is about to add a 120 million building and irresponsible decision s not to add buildings trades people to the elderly investors in the new Taconic……they are elitists…..maintenance of new buildings is something they can relate to.
Amuso will never understand we need to maintain.
Former Great Councilor Jon Lothrop once said to attract the best candidates we have to pay them.
Well that can’t be true because in the past we have had such hall of famers as Gerry Lee, Gerry Doyle, Matt Kerwood, Gary Grunin, Lous Massery and a host of others who did not get paid. Well not from the city coffers as I understand it. So Mr Lothrop kind of insulted these fine folk I would say but maybe he was right and they were not good after all. But they did work hard trying to push the Civic Authority through so there was that.
No one can surpass Pete Arlos for doing what was right, abd dogging those that didnt.
How do you distinguish Qualified when the whole staff is practically the campaign staff?
We pay Mayor Behnke and Mayor Mccandless like Lothrop it is easy to spend they are all qualified to spend money.
If you pay a priest more money do you get a better priest.
That why Jonathan wanted to increase City Councilors pay, to attract the best.
Wasn’t that the Councilor that didn’t want people cutting through his street?
What does clear for a seven,ean on the scanner?
It means go buy doughnuts and bring them back to the station.
they are asking if they are clear for a lunch/dinner break. unofficially they get 30 mins which usually gets interrupted for a call
Highly recommend the new Viet-Namese Restaurant at the old Paul’s…Excellent and Fresh. No TIF.
Mccandless is everybody’s Daddy and today we celebrate another school budget victory….That is 22 wins in a row ….This is Jakes day and he earned it.Sorry councilors but we gotta say…Whos your Daddy? It takes guts to cut a school budget.
Anyone check out the Ladies who looked smitten with the G Man? Cool Hand Cra@g.
Check Out the exchange between Kufflinks and Mazzeo at the June 14 City Council rerun……Incredible.There is no money to pay for anything.
Time to let the Mayor do all of Her Appointments. One in particular is that of the Chiefs, why do the Unions object? Chief Czrwinski and Wynn are excellent in my opinion, it’s time.
Is that why we have so much drug crime because is doing a good job.
before this incredible weekend is over what do you think the story of the year was in Pittsfield. I let three guess before I give the answer.
No guesses no answer.
You need three? I’ll bite. Pittfield needs 400 mil in o p e B’s .
No, good guess though. Need two more guesses.