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SUPER-WALMART AT PEDA: THE RIGHT MOVE FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016) — The ONLY, and THE PLANET means ONLY argument in favor of a SuperWalmart at the PEDA site is, unfortunately, the winning one. For that reason, the proposal must be approved. Bear with us.

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And in the end, two things happen: (1) The love you make is equal to the love you take, and (2) the council will approve this project. All other criticisms of the use of those anti-precious acres hold true. The arguments against the superstore, however, die with the readings of the reality check the pouty pragmatist must administer. Specifically, Pittsfield must admit it’s a Walmart city. It’s population is old, poor, and distressed. The leftovers consist of gang members, drug pushes and users, the mentally ill, and other assorted creatures and critters of the byways.

The city itself has destroyed what’s left of the middle class with its ruinous tax rate. No legitimate, private sector company has sniffed at the PEDA site in nearly 20 years, so why pretend it will be anything but for the next 20? If you don’t buy that, take one look at the CEO of PEDA, Corydon Thurston. Enter the Marx BrothersRoom Service, when Groucho points to Chico and says to a dubious investor, “This is Baravelli. He’s the brains of the organization. [PAUSE] That’ll give you an idea of the organization.”

Simply put, Walmart is the best the city can do, even if it hair lips every Mormon on Bear Creek.

There are no Mormons in Pittsfield, and there is no Bear Creek.

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To refuse this deal would be a mistake, but not the colossal mistakes The Suits orchestrated over the years to ruin Pittsfield, for example —

— Moving BCC four miles out of center city

— Destroying the downtown mall, though twice approved by referendum

— Doing nothing as GE made good on its promise to bolt.

The Suckups Sound Off

Of course, one must hate this project, if only because The Suits favor it. For example, Peter “Fair Wind” White wet himself praising the move of Walmart from Berkshire Crossing to Woodlawn Avenue. Fair Wind, remember, ALWAYS votes the way of his Masters … and Mistresses. Here is Fair Wind on Facebook singing “The Superstore Shuffle”:

An entirely private investment, without government grants or subsidies, tax abatement deals or other use of public money, according to Waterstone.

Commitments by the developer to upgrade the look of the Woodlawn Avenue neighborhood, improve traffic flow at the Tyler Street and Dalton Avenue intersection including a new traffic signal, and add public transit stops at the business park site as well as new walkways for pedestrian access.

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The redbird warbles. The mulberry blooms. The fair wind blows.

You have to love Fair Wind’s first point about “private investment, without  government grants or subsidies, tax-abatements deals, or other use of public money.” You will recall Fair Wind had no problem when Richard Stanley pulled off his latest downtown heist, winning five more years (14 total) of “tax abatement.”

Mayor Linda Tyer issued this statement:

“The City of Pittsfield welcomes any developer who expresses an interest in locating a business in our city. As Mayor of Pittsfield, I believe strongly in the right to a due process concerning proposed business developments. This applies to the Waterstone Retail Development proposal.

 This recent proposal now marks the third time, first in 2011 and then in 2013, that Waterstone has pursued the City of Pittsfield, namely the William Stanley Business Park, as a location for its retail enterprise. As it has in the past, we know that the proposed development will lend itself to a spectrum of varying and staunch perspectives about the nature of the development and its place in Pittsfield. This, too, is a part of the process. It is important to realize that while it’s really easy to say no without further discussion, it’s often harder to engage in dialogue that challenges us to consider positions other than our own.  Is there a way to establish a finished product that not only works for the developer, but the neighborhood and landscape as well? Just one of the many questions that is tantamount to this conversation.

 Maintaining a fair and balanced process, in spite of varying perspectives, ensures that we keep our city open to not just this particular project, but potential economic development opportunities in the future.”

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THE PLANET shant parse this statement. That lakebed is dry enough. It should be obvious The Lovely Linda secretly backs this project so much she’s in front of it. Nonetheless, her fence-sitting statement talks about “a fair and balanced process” — you know, like the one she gave taxpayers on the $200 million new high school and also on her new record-spending budget.

We wrap this up with verse:

The dim dominions that have Pittsfield final years

Will yield earlier than thought.

We can only yield to it with tears

And Rue the waste we have bought.

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“Blight and Walmart are the gateway drug for urban decay.”Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI; this website reserves the right to remove any comment which violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service.

 

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Pat
Pat
8 years ago

Somebody named Charles Flint, whoever he is, is supposedly against a Super Walmart in Pittsfield. This was in an article in the BB today about local opposition to the Super Walmart here in Pittsfield. The Eagle hastened to add that one of their columnists had a mostly favorable opinion of a Super Walmart. Apparently all the progressives, you know the same ones who have been putting down Walmart for years and who are praying daily for the Berkshire Mall to fail, yes, those progressive liberals, are worried about Walmart killing small businesses in the area. We all know that the Berkshire Eagle is also extremely progressive but they must have finally realized that Pittsfield will never be Stockbridge or Great Barrington no matter how much culture we pretend to have.

Nobody knows why progressives don’t want the poor to have anywhere to shop since as Dan V. rightly says the majority of people here in Pittsfield are poor thanks to far too many years of progressive politics. Maybe they think all the poor in the city will suddenly be forced to shop on North Street if progressives get their dream of getting rid of the mall and Walmart. Like the poor could afford to do that.

Rich Cranium
Rich Cranium
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

Pat. You only mention progressives 6 times. We get your a rabid Republican.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
8 years ago

Wal Mart moving from one part of Pittsfield to another part of Pittsfield is not new growth. If I lend myself a dollar and then spend that dollar at Wal Mart, I do NOT have two dollars. If I lived in Pittsfield, I would NEVER support investing in Wal Mart doing business to thousands of welfare and low income residents at a capped/polluted empty business park left behind by Jack Welch’s GE. It is another scam being put over by the Good Old Boys who ran Pittsfield politics into the proverbial ditch.
Pittsfield politics is in a downward spiral. The question any community should ask is: “Is Pittsfield attracting new growth by retaining and attracting middle class families and small businesses?” In Pittsfield, the answer is “NO!”
The only growth in Pittsfield is in welfare caseloads, poverty, the underclass, violent crime, drugs, and corrupt, insider third-rate state and local politicians!
– Jonathan Melle

dusty
dusty
8 years ago

I suggest we do a Walmart poll right here. It is probably going to happen no matter what we think or say anyway.

I say just do it and get it over with. Is it going to bring wonderful job opportunities to the city? NO. Is it going to really contribute to the tax base in a meaningful way? NO. Is it going to take up space where a more beneficial business might set up? NO. No one else is coming so let’s put that fantasy to rest once and for all.

But if there really is a caveat in the decree that no business setting up on that site can sell food there was a legitimate reason for it. And if there is a special override to this then there is something seriously wrong in this city. And I distinctly remember reading about this in the Eagle a few years ago.

Other than that I am in favor of it mostly because I just don’t care any more. Not a great reason but it’s my reason.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

Contributing what? Moving from one site to another. End of Story.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  spagirl
8 years ago

Just like mountain1, whats your point spagirl? Businesses move all the time, especially when they want to expand. Normally it is considered a positive thing.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
8 years ago

I want the Super Walmart. As it is, I travel all the way to North Adams now to get a better selection. No matter what anybody says, I have bought some great stuff at Walmart. I just recently bought a sunhat there and people keep asking me “Where did you get that beautiful hat?” I proudly tell them I got it at Walmart. Despite what the elites will tell you, you don’t always have to shop at pricey stores to get good merchandise. Go Super Walmart!!!

Also some jobs in this city are better than no jobs which is what we currently have. A super Walmart will create more jobs because it will be larger. I agree with Dan V. that local politicians seem to be incapable of doing better than a Walmart for this area.

Ed Shepardson
Ed Shepardson
Reply to  Pat
8 years ago

A grocery selling WalMart will create enough job losses at Price Chopper, Stop N Shop, Big Y and Harry’s to offset the gain and those four pay offer better pay and benefits than Walmart. The move is not a good deal for the people of Pittsfield.

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

If there is no interest in paying higher taxes to support a neighbor, then there should no interest in paying higher grocery prices to support a neighbor.

Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

Absolutely, Ed. I agree 100%. These are not ‘new jobs,’ they are jobs that will take the place of existing jobs, for lower pay and worse benefits. Price Chopper, Big Y and Stop and Shop all provide higher pay for employees than any Walmart does, and also provide a better benefit package. There is a story out today that Walmart is, again, pressuring its suppliers to provide their goods at even lower cost, with Walmart claiming that it needs to lower prices even further for their customers. They do this all the time. Walmart is not an improvement, and to those who claim Pittsfield needs a Walmart… um… you have had one, for the past 20 years. And if they don’t get the new store, they will not be closing the old one.

K E Double L
K E Double L
Reply to  Bull Durham
8 years ago

No company beats up its suppliers and vendors more than Walmart.
No company treats their employees worse than Walmart.
Bull Durham isnt speaking bull, he speaks the truth. This project wont create jobs it will replace jobs with lower pay lower benefits.
Another sign that city is doomed.
Anybody Else for mayor and council.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

Its called free enterprise Ed. This is the USA and that’s how business works. We certainly can not stop a business from opening because it may do better that an existing business.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

I so agree with you Paul. It’s call competition which is something that people in the Berkshires want to avoid like the plague. Competition is good, it’s healthy. All the stores will survive in this area with a Super Walmart. People in this area love the variety of different places to shop for food…I know I do.

Ed Shepardson
Ed Shepardson
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

Huh? This isn’t like we’re discussing IF Walmart should come to Pittsfield. Walmart IS in Pittsfield. That’s OK. I even shop there. The issue is what is the best use for the GE property Some seem to be willing to settle for a lateral move with zero gain in jobs instead of insisting that the folks that have been charged with developing this INDUSTRIAL property do their f**king jobs.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

That’s my point too, Ed Shepardson. It’s nothing but a lateral move. Gain nothing. Zero!!!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Paul
8 years ago

That’s the problem the people in charge of this property have no intention of getting anybody in there other than a Super Walmart. If they could have done it, they would have by now, one would hope.

spagirl
spagirl
8 years ago

Jim’s House of Shoes turning 70 years….. and yet… the Beacon Theatre Millionaire …..we can’t do without! This is the mindset in Pittsfield.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  spagirl
8 years ago

Congratulations to Jim’s House of Shoes!!!

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

Business has pitted taxpayers against each other for decades now that most larger businesses went for 3rd word wages.
NAFTA was the most progressive program conservative s accomplished in the history of capitalism .This is why pittsfield is excited just to have a walmart move down the street and pave the PCBs into the ground forever or.

Whiteyfla
Whiteyfla
8 years ago

Shouldn’t we force wal mart to operate it’s stored properly first? They can’t or won’t properly staff or stock the one we have now, the super will be worse…wasn’t it our wal Mart that was rated worst in the US ? This is a giant in necessary pile of pigeon poo that we don’t need, that said … Trader Joe’s anyone ? If we’re gonna add another grocery option, why not one with a different dynamic? “This town needs an enema” – Jack Nicholson, Joker

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

Another major advantage of this proposal, “ which would be known as Woodlawn Crossing, is that it would not only make use of a 16.5-acre chunk (known as the teens) of the 52-acre business park but Waterstone will redevelop a site that is in severe need of remediation. Woodlawn Crossing will be within walking distance for many residents of Tyler Street, who lack a supermarket, and would ideally attract a few businesses within its orbit.” When did this become known as the teens, I think of the teens and I think of the yutes in my cousin Vinnie or the skateboard park enthusiasts, not the minor industrial development site we use to call PEDA.

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

The GE buildings that were formally in that spot were “the teens”, Buildings 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,and 19.

Roman Knose
Roman Knose
Reply to  Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

Bldgs 13,14,15, 16, & 17 were located there, Hence “The Teens”

Roman Knose
Roman Knose
Reply to  Roman Knose
8 years ago

I forgot building 19 The home of Regulators

Spider
Spider
8 years ago

If it is true that no business will be allowed to sell food, and that story has been floating around for years, how can Walmart become a Super Walmart? Dan?

Also, I hope any future plans for that area will not have a stupid maze for a packing area like the one that exists now at the old Walmart. I don’t know what idiot designed it.

Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Reply to  Spider
8 years ago

It looks like Walmart has agreed to fully remediate the site, so that the toxin issue will no longer apply to a store selling food.

Spider
Spider
8 years ago

Should be “parking” not packing.

Magic
Magic
8 years ago

Congratulations Jim’s House of Shoes – amazing 70 years and no tax incentives Amazing

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
8 years ago

BIg thank you to CarlyDon for finally getting a prospective tenant. Think of the jobs,and thank former Mayor Ruberto for his support of a Wal Mart to enter the P E D A Site years ago.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
8 years ago

Pittsdield is good at knocking down structures to put new ones up.. Didn’t North Adams do the same thing, build a Wal Mart then move it?

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Harlan Rinklenutts
8 years ago

Yes 3 years ago and Ocean City Job Lots and Tractor Supply moved right in and are still there.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  Harlan Rinklenutts
8 years ago

Yes they did and 2 new businesses immediately moved into the old building.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
8 years ago

Dan,

You are right on with BCC move to the boondocks/closer to New Dork.

People who need the education the most don’t have ways means or money to travel to the place. BRTA is good, but not for morning , and NO service for evening classes.

We now have an elderly facility/section 8, and the Common should have been the new BCC campus.

Walmart? Take all the crooks PEDA money and pay down the debt of the city. Yes, FIRE THEM ALL!!!! Would have saved MILLIONS if done years ago.

Reopen the consent decree, make the GE site a superfund site and clean it properly, with the criminal polluters paying.

THEN, and only then, clean up the rest. That is ALL the river/floodplain and dumpsites the company that “brings good things to life”/GE, left in it’s TOXIC LEGACY!

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

I will be in favor of lee shops going into tyler street …no to a walmart….no jobs associated with this move….if there is information that nobody is going to develope this then ok let taxpayers know that information…..you know there is another story here and we dont know what it is

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  The School committee
8 years ago

This blog substantiates a supreme lack of knowledge about economic development for both the posters on this blog and the public staff/business development groups.

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

Mccandless lied again and told city council all laid of school employees would be called back to work .All in mccandless speek it everyone except 3 custodians….those 3 custodians are going to pay for administrative raises and principle raises…most principles earn 90k tp 100 k.
As Councilor Simonelli found out Mrs Behnke lies about how the use money

dusty
dusty
8 years ago

Both cemeteries in Pittsfield are nearing capacity. It would be most fitting if the PEDA site became the cities cemetery. We could locate all the cities funeral homes on the site and use the rest to bury the taxpayers for the next 50 years.

Can you say, ….. ECONOMIC ENGINE!!!!!?????

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
8 years ago

Impossible.

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

PEDA is out of gas and has nowhere to turn.Walmart is so cool of an option in pittsfield at this time as we have hit our limits to raise more taxes.
When a departmend head…Jake Mccandless ….rescolds the Sitting city council president on budgets cuts which was awesome tv you know your only shot in the budget nightmare is to have walmart save the city from talking about budgets…a very nice diversion.
There is not 1 school employee that coulnt give 15 positions in the schools you could remove yesterday without missind a beat.

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

Shake , whats the answer?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  The School committee
8 years ago

First, hire an experienced, credentialed economic development professional

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

Oz has spoken.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

More like bozo…..you just left of the b and o

MrG1188
MrG1188
Reply to  Ed Shepardson
8 years ago

I am in full agreement with that. Development is a sales job; an active, go out and turn over every rock job. Build relationships, find matches that could work and work them til they acquiesce. Someone with experience, and even certification 15- 20 years ago woulds been smart!

H
H
8 years ago

The best Is yet to come.

Painter
Painter
8 years ago

The mayor is wrong the powers to be have never made it easy to come to Pittsfield. The few new business that have come heir can tell you for sure some of the difficulty that they have had. No they don’t make it easy.

mi
mi
8 years ago

They don’t make it easy and they don’t want to come heir. Is that the message?lawyers and bankers run the unfrastructure.

What is this OLLI and who does it benefit?

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

Last night a pick up truck almost ran me off the road at Hancock. be carefully on that Oad guys. idiot was coming right at me.

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

Road, sorry.

The School committee
The School committee
8 years ago

The next teacher contract is being negotiated starting in a few weeks.Gym teachers want to make 92 k.Engineering jobs at General Dynamics are at 70k.
Community coordinators at 75k….adjustment councilors 75k….principles 90kplus…art teacher with her masters and 18 years is 75k….183 days……days…..they are all to be in work after school is over all summer a full day…..not 1 of these people give a full day…2 hours and go home….check crosby school coordinator there works another day job at the same time he works for the city full time

Ron Kitterman
Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

You guys have been watching too many A Civil Action and Norma Rae movies. It’s not like all of the Housatonic river, Silver Lake and all the buildings, houses, school, parks, playgrounds near Allendale School Hill 78 and other sites in and around Pittsfield are still contaminated with PCBs, and there would be and contamination of the food supplies with cancer causing toxins. It’s going to be okay, trust me on this one.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Ron Kitterman
8 years ago

There is a difference between probable carcinogen and a carcinogen. One indicates a problem and the other is a definite maybe.

Really?
Really?
8 years ago

Really?

Watching budget hearing.

Melissa is realizing that her former
partner in crime screwed the taxpayers with this health insurance mitigation fund.

It would be funny, except we are the ones paying the bill.

Thank you former Mayor bend us over.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Really?
8 years ago

Mazzeo sold her soul to that ass.

Bill Q
Bill Q
8 years ago

Guyer called Donna his hero, what nonsense. Richard Stanley is my hero.

billy
billy
8 years ago

Sorry Bill Donna is the only person showing any kind of leadership. She is not a coward and a disgrace like most of the council especially Kathy Amuso that got scolded for not being prepared when she goes to the meeting and making rash statements and actions..Kathy said I’ll wait till next year and let the levy limit do the job she was elected to do. She is a a political joke and embarrassment .Kathy Amuso was the head of the School Committee that pushed unsustainable school budgets that Councilor Christine Yon and Kevin Sherman said they would rue the day they voted for them.They were the lone votes against them.That day has finally come.

I would say with the occasional bravery of Tony Simmonelli I think most of these officials are clueless and lack any leadership ability and should not run for reelection unless they want to grapple with fiscal responsibility For the long term health of Pittsfield

Joe Bob
Joe Bob
8 years ago

We can do better than Walmart on that parcel, and if our leaders concede that we can’t, then we MUST be great deal more creative with rest of that campus. I’m telling you, IF it’s clean, it is very much a hidden gem out there.