BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

Second of Two Parts

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY AUG. 4, 2016) — With the simmering controversy in the appointment of legal services not making one column inch of taking up one second of time in the Mainstream Media, it has again fallen on THE PLANET to expose the latest example of the political rift that has held Pittsfield hostage to a petty political feud between two warring “machines.”

As machine politics goes, this isn’t Colossus vs. Guardian. It’s more like The Little Train that Couldn’t vs. a jammed cap gun. Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots has more working parts. Nonetheless, one could successfully argue that it has been for that reason all the more debilitating for the citizens of this once great city. While the Hatfields (Del Gallo Machine) battle the McCoys (Wotjkowski Machine) going on more than 30 years now, another precious day goes by where Pittsfield loses its chance of addressing its problems — and one more day before the systemic issues eroding the foundations reach a point beyond repair.

In awarding legal services, Pittsfield had two choices: Donovan & O’Connor (D&O) vs. Courtney, Lee, & Hamel (CL&H). On the surface, both seem equally qualified for the job. In the end, Pittsfield went with D&O, a choice one would have predicted had it been made solely for political considerations. Was that the criteria? Darren Lee, former assistant city solicitor and a principal in CL& H thinks so.

THE PLANET contacted Lee, and he was forthcoming about his concerns:

“There are many layers to this issue, some more complex for me than Tom (Hamel).  However, in my view at the heart of this RFP is the public bidding laws, which the  Massachusetts are meant to obtain the lowest cost that fair competition can achieve to protect and preserve taxpayers dollars, protect the integrity of the bidding process, prevent favoritism and maintain a level playing field for all bidders,” Lee said. “In this case it appears the justification to award the contract to D&O at a significantly higher price was experience. [ED NOTE: Cited by Colleen Hunter-Mullet, purchasing agent, in a letter to Lee dated July 7].

“I beg to differ,” Lee continued. “Tom and I have 40+ years practicing law in the municipal arena, and anyone that knows Tom knows he is an excellent attorney.  My reputation for excellence speaks for itself.  Never mind, I did the job for 4 years at a very proficient level and made the City $2,200,000.00 in the meantime [via Lee’s push for the tax title auction].  To me, the RFP was an attempt to sanitize a choice that was predetermined.  As a taxpayer, I view the savings in the bids as significant and any opportunity for the City to save money ought to be embraced.

“On a personal note,” Lee said, “I‘m not surprised as a [Dan] Bianchi supporter that I will need to suffer at the hands of Linda and the Tyer supporters until the next election, but it is unfortunate that each election cycle brings more divisiveness in this small town, keeping us from our true strength of unity.  In fact, I’m sure this e-mail will cost me something down the line, whether it be a financial loss or loss of a resource at the hands of the City! I know sour grapes when I see them, and I’ve experienced many in my years, but this is a simple case of nepotism. If I stipulate an equal ability to represent the City, although we are better, why hasn’t the lowest accepted and why did the committee negotiate a lower fee for D & O behind closed doors? I don’t have time to [feud] with Linda and her crew, but this decision is highly questionable.”

Sources Say Bid Protest Under Consideration

THE PLANET‘s investigation reveals that Lee’s company is considering a bid protest, according to one source, although Lee wouldn’t comment. One city hall insider agreed with Lee, saying the mayor “has a political ax to grind with Darren. To me, this was done to sanitize the selection of [former mayor] Jim Ruberto‘s long-time friend [Rich Dohoney of D&O].” Another city hall source said, “To me, the story is it’s a shame that the city of Pittsfield taxpayers continue to lose out on saving money for political cherries being handed out.”

Tomorrow, we present the case for D&O as seen through the eyes of Mayor Linda Tyer. Part 3 concludes the series.

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“SARTRE (TO A WAITER): ‘I’d like a cup of coffee with sugar but no cream.’ The waiter goes off but comes back apologizing, ‘I’m sorry, Monsieur Sartre, but we  are all out of cream. How about with no milk?”

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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