BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 29, 2016) — A few weeks ago, fire alarms rang over the expected hiring at the Pittsfield Fire Department of a convicted felon. THE PLANET heard on good authority that the person in question ran into trouble with the law a few years back with incidents involving drugs and shootings. Sources say he did time in Walpole State Prison.

THE PLANET has contacted relevant officials in the affected offices, including the city fire department, fire fighters’ union, mayor’s office, and personnel office, asking for comments for the record. All declined except mayor Linda Tyer. We did get a lot of “PLANET, you didn’t get this from me, but …” remarks that must be a key part of any investigative journalist’s toolbox.

Here’s what THE PLANET can share:

— The hire was smooth sailing until the fire fighters’ union raised a ruckus internally.

— The hiring was originally planned for the Aug. 9 city council meeting. The day before, the proposed hire was at FD headquarters on Columbus Avenue filling out papers. A fire fighters told THE PLANET, “Yes, we are hiring him, but the chief did all the hiring on his own with no input from any of us.” Fire department sources told us they believe pressure to hire the man came from sheriff Tom Bowler because it “could be a requested favor [from Bowler to fire chief Robert Czerwinski] after Bowler hired Czerwinski’s daughter at the jail.” THE PLANET has not confirmed this.

— Sources within the fire department say they don’t trust going into houses with drugs and firearms, which we do all the time. This guy has no place doing this kind of job.”

— Tyer told THE PLANET, “There are five positions open for fire fighters. None of these positions has yet been filled. [The applicant] has not been appointed but continues through the civil service and local vetting process. I have a very clear understanding of his background and that will be taken into consideration as the candidates move forward.”

— Another well-placed source told THE PLANET this person has “a very interesting story of life-altering mistakes, punishment, and redemption.  He has been absolutely up front and honest about his young adulthood and he has shown by his actions eagerness to succeed.  It is my hope that if he’s appointed he will share his story as an example of how one can rebuild a life.”

— Sources say the applicant had already been passed over once before by the department.

— Sources say the applicant was a sports star at Taconic High School several years back. They say he was involved in a “knife assault … when he was the star player on the basketball team.”

— The father of another fire department applicants said his son was passed over in favor of “a guy with a criminal record.” He called the move “more back-door deals and political debauchery in Pittsfield.”

— A police officer with access to the proposed hire’s record says his criminal record is “pages long.” This source says, “Yes, there was political pressure to hire him, from within. I’m not sure who was pulling for him hard, [but] coincidentally, “Pudge” Bowler just hired [Czerwinski’s] daughter at the jail. I can’t understand what type of politics pressure powers-that-be into hiring felons, but then again, that’s Pittsfield.”

— At the Aug. 9 council meeting, Czerwinski pulled the request to councilors but went ahead with three promotions. Incidentally, tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers, the city will conduct a “Safety Promotional Ceremony.” The program will include promotions for both fire and police departments. The events will recognize fire captain Thomas Sammons and lieutenants Ken Cowan, Matt Packard, and Bob Stevens. Full disclosure: THE PLANET had Cowan as a student several years ago. He remains one of the best students we ever taught, a model in the classroom. The police department will recognize captain Mark Trapani, lieutenant Gary Traversa, and sergeant John Soules. We congratulate to these public safety officials, whose promotions are well deserved.

— The hiring is still active and expected.

— The proposed hiring of the convicted felon, according to sources, would take precedence over two fire candidates who scored higher on Civil Service.

— The proposed candidate is black. Sources claim that is why he was pushed forward bypassing the Civil Service. Sources also pointed out the same was done when the sons of Bowler and former mayor Dan Bianchi were hired by the Pittsfield Police Department. THE PLANET has not confirmed that assertion.

— Sources say Bowler has pushed the hiring of the felon because it will activate grant money for his department.

Welcome to Pittsfield.

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“Something kind of hit me today. I looked at you and wondered if you saw things my way.” — David Bowie, from Diamond Dogs album.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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