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SABIC KISSES OFF PITTSFIELD WITH DONATION TO UNITED WAY, THE ONCE AND FUTURE(?) SCAM CHARITY

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 25, 2016) — With SABIC having pulled the plug on 300 jobs — 500+ if you count positions dependent on the company’s presence in Pittsfield — it received a healthy tax write-off while easing its corporate conscience in the form of a $1 million gift to United Way (UW), delivered on July 22.

Over the course of SABIC’s eight years in Pittsfield, it contributed $2.5 million to UW through employee “donations.” That translates to $312,000 a year. Amortized and annualized, SABIC left UW with a little more than three years’ worth of handouts. Good for everyone involved.

But how much do you know about United Way?

——– 000 ——–

From charitywatch.org:

William Aramony served for 22 years as president and CEO of United Way of America (UWA), the umbrella group for thousands of local United Way organizations that fund social and human service projects nationwide. In 1992, Aramony resigned amidst allegations that he siphoned money from UWA through spin-off companies he helped to create. Before the scandal broke, Aramony was widely respected as one of the most influential nonprofit leaders of his time. He even had a hand in creating many of the rules under which charities operate today. In 1995, Aramony and two conspirators, Thomas Merlo and Stephen Paulachak, were convicted of defrauding UWA. Aramony was convicted on 25 felony counts and sentenced to seven years in prison for fraudulently diverting $1.2 million of the charity’s money to benefit himself and his friends.

This scandal is especially memorable given how Aramony chose to use some of the charity’s funds. For instance, he used UWA cash to woo a girl, Lori Villasor, who was only 17 years old when they began dating; Aramony was 59. He met Villasor while dating her slightly older sister. Both young women were added to UWA’s payroll. For his notoriously young girlfriend, Aramony spent $450,000 of the charity’s money to purchase and lavishly furnish a New York condo; $78,000 to chauffeur her around New York City; and $4,800 to renovate her home in Florida. The couple vacationed in Egypt, London, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. The New York Times reported on the testimony of Aramony’s former aide, Rina Duncan, with whom he also had an affair. Duncan testified to falsifying Aramony’s expense records for seven years so that he could charge the charity for things like champagne, flowers and plane tickets for Villasor.

Aramony was also known for treating female employees inappropriately. He offered some women financial benefits if they had sex with him and would transfer those who declined, according to the indictment. Aramony’s lawyer claimed there were medical reasons for his client’s behavior, arguing Aramony’s ability to control impulses was impaired by brain atrophy.

——– 000 ——–

Fine, you say. Aramony left almost 25 years ago — to which THE PLANET responds: (1) The company began on a bad premise in the form of its CEO. As students of logic know, however valid the reasoning, derivations from a bad premise will not be true. (2) Consider this from Capt. Capitalism:

Why You Should Never Donate to the United Way

Something is terribly amiss with The United Way.

I have been out of the work force for quite sometime.  And when I was in the work force, my wonderfully calm and amicable demeanor told any HR rep or manager never to ask me to donate to charity. I was a stringent fiscal libertarian and really have no pity for the poor, as I too was once poor and managed to get myself out of without a single penny of help from anybody.

SIX times that I’ve heard about employees being forced or arm twisted by their bosses or their HR managers to donate to The United Way. So I decided to do some research, and it’s a god damned epidemic.  The most “authoritative” article was this one here from the SF Gate.  But a basic Bing search pulls up hundreds of stories, articles, discussion boards, etc. about how (in addition to a 40% tax rate) employees are forced to donate to the United Way.

Charity ought to be optional, not forced or coerced.  And since we’re already forced and coerced by liberals via the government to donate to their pet charities, the least we can do is tell the HR bitch and the manager douche to shove it next time they ask us to donate to the United Way.

——– 000 ——–

We wish SABIC well in Selkirk, NY, and Houston, TX. Meanwhile, United Way can send THE PLANET its books. We shall independently audit, and if all is well, we’ll reconsider revising our views on the ubiquitous charity. Meanwhile, if you are “forced” to give, don’t. Or would you rather live a lie?

————————————————————————————————–

“Although your mind’s opaque, try thinking more if just for your own sake.”George Harrison, The Beatles, “Think for Yourself” from the Rubber Soul album.

“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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heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

I know people in the health care industry in Pittsfield who are shamed into donating to the United Way. But let me ask you this. Where does this money actually go? I mean really go. And who do you think in Pittsfield decides who the beneficiaries are? Can we see a definitive list of those who received funds? Do these monies go to truly needy people or do they prop up good old boy ventures? Are there local administrative costs for collecting and distributing these funds?

Would answers to these questions be readily given or does one have to dig and cajole and beg? I have read so much about the scams involving charities especially how the people who run them are paid crazy money. That turns me off big time.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Very good question in pittsfield ma,where does the money go….weather its departments in the city or united way or crosby school store there is one question where does the money go and into whos pocket does it go.

southeast
southeast
7 years ago

off topic, but on point: Surprise, surprise!! The SBNC will be meeting today to discuss two important topics – the additional ledge (unexpected) and contamination (also unexpected) encountered in the site prep for the new THS.

Don’t these folks read the Planet?

unlike the BB, don’t they trust what they read here?

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  southeast
7 years ago

They might want to discuss how the state of Mass. which has serious budget problems of its own, is going to reimburse most of the cost of the school. It is looking more and more like the state may not be going to come through on the promises Tricia made.
OOOPSEEE!!!

K-Man
K-Man
Reply to  southeast
7 years ago

southeast, great post here because The Planet had this story months ago and more than once. DV revealed both ledge and pollution issues, both were covered up at the time and no admitted by no one. SBNC, SC, CC, mayor no one addressed the concerns.

Your remarks are on topic not off because it illustartes the point made in today’s article…Nothing is on the level in Pittsfield until there’s proof otherwise.

K-Man
K-Man
Reply to  K-Man
7 years ago

illustrates (sorry)

Really?
Really?
7 years ago

Really?

United Way is a scam run by rich businessmen for rich businessmen.

They force their employees to give so they can sit around a board room and decide where their employees money goes. They give to places they are connected, not the charities that need the money.

I heard a few years ago they started giving most of their money to, get this, the school department for some reading program. Like more money for Jake is going to help the kids read.

K-Man
K-Man
Reply to  Really?
7 years ago

Exactly really! And when you get to decide where large sums of money go you get power. The political power are so called leaders crave with gluttony.

Tennightsinabarroom
Tennightsinabarroom
7 years ago

What’s a few hundred grand more, chump change to the taxpayer….go ledge!

Gigi
Gigi
7 years ago

Your article hit a nerve with me, Dan. Thank you for exposing the United Way. For over 30 years I have been harassed by employers to contribute to the UW, and have refused due to 1) their high administrative costs, and 2) their list of supported charities which included many I had no interest in contributing to. At one employer, my boss called each employee into his office and asked us to subscribe to the employee deduction plan in which the employer would automatically withdraw xx dollars out of our paychecks to support UW. After refusing, I received a visit from the HR rep, with a veiled threat that there were “ramifications for not supporting UW through the employee contribution plan.” That visit was followed by the company VP with more veiled threats.
My advice is to contribute to your chosen charities DIRECTLY after you have thoroughly checked out their financial reports.

Still Wondering
Still Wondering
7 years ago

I too worked for a company that pressured its employees to contribute to the United Way. I said no and the pressure continued all the way until the contribution deadline. Screw ’em.

southeast
southeast
Reply to  Still Wondering
7 years ago

don’t you want to win a nice car?

The United Way was set up to make it “easy” to donate. The problem is, it’s also easy to loose site of accountability. In this community, as many others – every non-profit known to man and God tells you about the good work they do. one tells you they actually made a dent in teen pregnancy, substance abuse, child abuse, poverty, illiteracy, delinquency, etc.

No metrics to measure the affect of all the money we pour into these groups.

what makes a dent in these problems: two parent households, parents who care, books in the house, a JOB or two. Maybe schools that teach? None of that is brought by the United Way or any of these non-profits.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  southeast
7 years ago

I’m pretty sure the spouse of a Berkshire Life executive makes over 100k to run the Central Berkshire United Way. Maybe the United Way should sponsor a public education program about distracts driving with a targeted area on East Housatonic Street.

southeast
southeast
7 years ago

no one tells you – typo!

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Let Dan V. do an audit on the United Way books.

Spider
Spider
7 years ago

Is there any one out there who hasn’t felt the arm twisting to give to UW by their employer? I know I have. And they make you feel guilty as if you are letting your co-workers down Remarks like: This will be the only dept. that isn’t 100%.

Tennightsinabarroom
Tennightsinabarroom
7 years ago

Thanks to you, it’s working.

That’s their motto..

Painter
Painter
7 years ago

You are absolutely right Dan. I have worked for companies that don’t come to you personally about not donating but usually the department head will say something like how disappointed he is or she is that there wasn’t more money given and how bad that made them look.

So Pittsfield wants to put our U-Haul storage unit where the former big N shopping plaza. And that’s supposed to be better. Ugly storage unit. I don’t think so. Thank God those expensive traffic lights were put in for what was supposed to be a new shopping center.

Really?
Really?
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

Really?

So you would rather it remain empty? You must really like to look at empty lots.

How many years has that eyesore been empty?

I’ll take a parking lot full of trucks, maintained, over the dump there now. I’ll also take how ever many jobs they create, even if only one.

Painter, you only post negative things. Do you ever see the positive in anything? Or do you just like to bitch?

As for the traffic light, it was installed as a result of a child being killed trying to cross to the cinema center. If it saved just one light I’m happy it was installed.

Painter
Painter
Reply to  Really?
7 years ago

No I would like to see it turndown

Painter
Painter
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

Where do you live maybe we can put the U-Haul on your back yard

Really?
Really?
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

Really?

Painter, I live in Pittsfield, close enough that I will see it 4 or 5 times a week.

Where do you live?

I’m not a NIMBY type of person. Apparently you are.

Painter
Painter
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

I’m not here to get a match with youI have my opinion you have yours and we should be allowed to express our opinions.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Debbie Schultz (her name is too long just like TFB) proves she was not acting neutral (with her exposed hacked emails) which is her job, but what does the Clinton campaign do? They validate her corrupt behavior by hiring her to the Clinton campaign. Hillary doesn’t say that she thinks what Schultz did was wrong. She doesn’t even bother. She just blames it on the Russians. This is how this Clinton campaign operates. No accountability. We could never trust a word she said (she or her appointees) if she becomes president.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

UH, did she release her tax returns? Why doesn’t Trump get on her about her releasing her tax returns?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

I can understand why Trump is afraid of releasing his returns. Look what they did to Romney when he released his and Trump earns MUCH MUCH more than Romney does.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Anybody seen the film Clinton Cash?

It will make liberals squirm and wish Bernie was the nominee

Spider
Spider
7 years ago

It’s too bad that the money wasn’t given just to the city and not UW. There are plenty of ways that money could help beleaguered taxpayers and NOT for the school dept.

Magic
Magic
Reply to  Spider
7 years ago

But Spider we all know if they had given the city $1 million it certainly would not have been given to the tax payers

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
7 years ago

Painter,ugly Is in,nowadays. As is misery.

H
H
7 years ago

Spidy is right, we could have used that million to correct the previous million on our ball fields.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Now Debbie Schultz says that too bad if people don’t like seeing her as she will be around everyday until the end of the Clinton campaign to make sure Hillary is elected. This woman is not only corrupt, but a fanatic. She brazenly doesn’t even bother to apologize for what she did as head of the DNC, but she doubles down on her “mission” of getting Hillary elected. The arrogance is astounding.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

It’s OK. Donald Trump is going to fix EVERYTHING.

too big to jail
too big to jail
7 years ago

Everyone knows that Hillary stold the election from Bernie Sanders. Its common knowledge.

Now that they have been caught and its proven that they stold the election from Bernie, now top democrats and the controlled media are saying they had no idea. They are desperately trying to bury the leaked DNC emails. They are even trying to blame this all on Vladamir Putin. You can’t make this stuff up.

You would have to be mentally ill to vote for Hillary Clinton.
She is going to try to steal the general election from Trump.
There has never been a more UNqualifed candidate for president than Hillary Clinton.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  too big to jail
7 years ago

Blaming it on the Russians is crazy. If anything Putin would prefer Clinton as president since she would be a lot easier on him than Trump will be. There will be no advantage to Putin of a Trump presidency.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Tricia Bouviers photo has been in the Berkshire eagle 87 out of the last 88 days…I think they would like her to win…
Question if she goes to an event to have her picture taken by the eagle is it Ben Garvers job to get a repetitive photo of her or does she call the eagle and tell them to go down a take a picture of her….is she dictating what is news….Dan you probably know the answer to this.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  The School committee
7 years ago

TSC, it’s common knowledge that the Berkshire Pigeon is the most biased newspaper anywhere. They don’t even try to disguise their outrageous biased. The new owners are even worse than the last clowns. I’ve read high school newspapers with more integrity than the Eagle.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Does that newspaper have unpaid employees at city hall or are they just “consultants?”

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Correction BE = Left Winged Parrot

New ownership has sent bad journalistic ineptitude to just ranting liberal drivel.

They left some of their spoor in my driveway when they changed hands. I called and asked them to come pick up their litter. “But, But it’s free….” Nope it’s LITTER.

JJS
JJS
7 years ago

I find pretty much everything in this story and especially in the comments to be totally off base. Do any of you even know what your local United Way does, or do you even understand that each United Way has its own 501c3 charter and a local board of directors and a 9.8% administrative rate and you can look at their audits for years and who exactly they give money to in the Berkshires specifically on their website, http://www.berkshireunitedway.org??

Berkshire United Way has accountability in place and outcomes and real measurable results. They make investments in best practices and evidenced based programs that are proven to work in the areas of early education, positive youth development and financial stability. You can see those results on their website too, not to mention the good they’ve done installing 50 book houses across the whole county, or investing in parent home visiting or mentoring or after school activities or job trainings or helping all 6th graders experience a college visit – the list goes on and on …

Don’t believe me? Swing by your local United Way sometime and chat with them, they will be happy to show you why they are truly committed to creating sustainable change here in the Berkshires by working with its hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors to continue their 90 year local legacy of helping children and families get ahead.

Oh and no one who is trained as a employee giving volunteer is ever instructed to cajole or pressure folks to give – they don’t believe in that so if it’s happening somewhere, it is without the United Way’s say so or advice.

Finally, the money received from SABIC is an endowment, I would think folks on this blog would actually think that was a smart way to ensure continual reinvestment in our local community for years to come.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  JJS
7 years ago

JJS, I don’t give a hoot about anything you have to say. All I know is that my wife was clearly bullied into contributing by her employer. We did NOT want to donate to them as we had our own charity we wanted to donate to. Unfortunately that charity got nothing. United Way can bite me and so can’t her X employer.

JJS
JJS
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Well that sure is a way to add something meaningful to the conversation.

Mike Ward
Mike Ward
Reply to  JJS
7 years ago

People should also know that you have the option of choosing how your United Way contributions are allocated. You can direct all of it to your church or the Boys Club if you like.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Mike Ward
7 years ago

Just a couple questions I’m hoping those in the “know” can help me with. But first I must say I was working for an organization at one time who had a pledge campaign and it was pretty harsh and it was expected each department would have 100% compliance.
Full disclosure I do not have not nor do I plan on contributing. I understand Mr. Wards position I can ear mark it for my church the Boys club etc. Just a question if I earmark my $20.00 contribution to the Boys club do they get the full $20.00? Or is it minus the 10% administrative fee? I will not give even an earmark to them I will give it to the club or church directly, I can then see, talk to and learn what my $20.00 is doing and going for. Does anyone “invest” in stocks or other financial instruments without some research and knowledge?
Another reason I won’t Give to Berkshire United way is the fact they are not rated by Charity Navigator nor is the NTEE classification, NTEE code or NTEE type available there. I have “voted” for them to be analyzed but I guess they are not large enough.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.profile&ein=042104841
While they do have a webpage I am sorry, but of course they espouse the wonderful things they do however one can’t reasonably expect them to document anything less than they restore the breath to humming birds and calm the wind generated by the fluttering wings of butterflies.
If one truly desires to “give” to a worthwhile and meaningful cause I invite you to go to a VA hospital strike up a conversation give an hour to hear a story to listen, give a hand to hold and a shoulder to a brother in arms. Drop of a box of donuts and a box of Joe at a veterans outreach or home. I promise you while it may not be tax deductible you will never find such an inner peace and a feeling of doing God’s work.

Just sayin

southeast
southeast
Reply to  Mike Ward
7 years ago

True Mike. But I can just write the Boy’s Club the same checks can’t I?

My issue about the United Way is the great bulk of their money goes towards “initiatives” which have no measurement tools in place to evaluate their effectiveness.

Has anyone asked if all the money given to Berkshire Children’s and Families have reduced teen pregnancies in the county or the City? The rate grows and the black holes like Berkshire Children’s and Families grows wider and wider.

All the gimme girls on Elizabeth St., how many become productive workers? How about good tenants when they get evicted from their current homes? is there follow on tracking for 2-3-5-10 years? At some point you need to ask if the experiments funded have failed, and look for another way to help solve the problem.

Instead, the United Way seems to keep funding programs which show no effectiveness because the social service world is an industry and so is poverty. Your contributions just perpetuate the failure at times.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

GE (Jack Welch) gave Gerry Doyle $10 million for economic development in 2000.
Over $2 million of that money was spent on downtown revitalization arts projects.
GE sold its plastics unit to Sabic in 2007. Pittsfield politics (under Jimmy Ruberto) gave Sabic millions of dollars worth of tax breaks.
In 2015, Sabic made the decision to close its Pittsfield business and move to Houston, Texas in 2016.
In 2016, Sabic gave Berkshire United Way $1 million for social services agencies.
The lovely Linda Tyer is overseeing the economic losses of over 500 jobs in her first year as Mayor, while she passed a record breaking municipal budget and capital budget.
The downward spiral continues!

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

What year was it that Mayor Ruberto won the United Way car giveaway? Talk about luck huh?

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Jonathan…I believe she is overwhelmed with high taxes crime job losses so much so that Walmart is now in the drivers seat with Caccamo White Kroll in shotgun Amuso yelling that my seat….can they pay bill at home.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
7 years ago

No one said running the second largest employer in Berkshire County was going to be easy. Cut LT some slack.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Linda Tyer raised taxes 6 million dollars in a city falling apart from irresponsible spending.There is no logic or common sense associated with that.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  The School committee
7 years ago

Don’t forget about the +$121 million new Taconic High School project that the lovely Linda Tyer fully supports!

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Bouvier is running sprints around Tyer.

Really?
Really?
7 years ago

Really?

Painter, I agree that we should all be allowed to express our opinions.

I try and understand where each poster is coming from, what they think like, what are their core values.

I’m trying to understand you and your point of view. What I’ve noticed is that you only complain, never offer up suggestions on how to make anything better, and never say that you like something or think something was done right.

If I’m wrong, please correct me.

You see, if I can understand where a poster is coming from, it helps me put context to their posts and helps me weigh how much I should listen to them.

You seem intelligent, but very negative.

Painter
Painter
Reply to  Really?
7 years ago

We were told it was going to be a shopping center where the big N was well that’s not gonna happen. We were told that there was going to be manufacturing companies at GE property that’s not going to happen. As far as offering solutions that’s why the mayor is getting paid so much and why she was voted into Office. They have the Power they are supposed to be looking after our interest sadly from where I’m sitting there not doing such a good job. I don’t expect you to agree with me and that’s OK but these are my Opinions. You are entitled to yours and I won’t try to change you’re mine

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
7 years ago

painter should run for Mayor.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Yes…Really sounds like work.

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Qualifications for Mayor: Raise Taxes, Really really support schools, I mean really….. do a few proclamations, hope the baseball teams do well, do many many photo ops, and one other is typing, if you can type that really really helps…get a four year deal.

h
h
7 years ago

It is Time for a Change, again.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
7 years ago

The perception was the last Mayor was not on the ball and previous mayors were total failures, a lot of them, this mayor was visualized as keeping order and to make sure everything stayed put, funding wise. She certainly did that……And it has just about brought the taxpayer their knees.Former Councilor looks confused at the PEDA Board, to say the least.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

It was just in the Berkshire Eagle 5 minutes ago that the Taconic project has unearthed land on which they cannot build due to debris and other stuff they uncovered. It will costs hundreds of thousands to fix this problem and this is just the first hurdle of this “Big Dig” of the Berkshires courtesy of Kathleen Amuso, local pols, and other suits who pushed through this project without the consent of taxpayers.

Sandra
Sandra
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Another story The Planet had M-O-N-T-H-S ago when this issue was still in talking phase. The BB is a “news”paper the way Hillary is honest and trustworthy. Not one on SBNC addressed the concerns then…

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Sandra
7 years ago

If only the city had a PE on staff that specializes in geology.

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
7 years ago

Debris? Dinosaur’s?

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Miss Vito
7 years ago

They also found 3,000,000,000 beer can believed to belong to Gerry Doyle.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  12 Gauge
7 years ago

Now that is funny.

Nota
Nota
7 years ago

Our beloved Planet told us many times that this would happen, as well as countless,countless,others. If a vote was taken on the Project,did the SBNC factor in their vote, our concern that overuns could happen and what was the safety net for the cost. Plain and simple, this city council should be thrown out, along with the Mayor. Something like this is just plain negligence.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Yes Pat…..PCBs found along valentine road years ago where people dumped everything.Taconic is lousy land of ledge and swamp so spend 120 million to build a 80 million dollar high school….the worst piece of property in Pittsfield….you wonder why southeast pittsfield goes to lenox

mi
mi
7 years ago

Contigency is the new free-cash. Or maybe the same?