BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY SEPT. 8, 2016) — In the aftermath of the convicted felon hired  become one of the rookie class in the Pittsfield Fire Department (PFD), several key issues have emerged. Before that, let THE PLANET repeat our support for the hire of Fred Conyers Jr. to the PFD. As with all new hires, this one may work out great or not. The only way to find out is through action, which the mayor has taken.

THE PLANET, however, wants to focus beyond the appointment, which is a done deal, and mention the larger issues that have been raised. We won’t list all of them or annotate any of them, which may come later, because we want to complete the commentary on the appointment from the remainder of the city councilors. Yesterday, we managed to get late word from Peter Marchetti, Lisa Tully, and Pete White. Today, we complete the roster, with all commenting except for one. We’ll leave you in suspense until later. See if you can guess without peeking.

JUST THREE OF THE LARGER ISSUES

* A Department in Chaos — The Conyers hire have revealed the “top-down” problems within the PFD. Acting chief Robert Czerwinski has lost control of the ranks, a situation that can literally have deadly results. What will he do to address it? This needs to be watched.

* Co-Governors or not? — It came as news to many, including THE PLANET and several councilors, that the council’s vote on civil service appointment is procedurally meaningless. As constituted, the mayor and the council govern as separate but equal branches. It seems clear that the mayor has the right to appoint, which brings up the question: Why bother sending this to councilors and wasting valuable meeting time? Pittsfield has now set aside a dedicated event to celebrate new hires and promotion for police for fire positions. That should suffice for families, friends, and loved ones to celebrate in public. The correct “vote” by councilors on Sept. 13 is abstention, but only after comments that address the structural problems this issue raises with municipal “governance.” Better yet, skip the no votes and speechifying. Council president Marchetti still has time to pull this appointment. She should do so. The same goes with the other four rookies who will join Conyers for training on Sept. 19.

* Is the PFD as “public safety as police and sheriff’s departments? — A convicted felon cannot work for the Pittsfield Police Department or the County Sheriff’s Department. Why then is the PFD, as much a public safety function as the other two, exempt? This irregularity borders on irrational and needs to be ironed out.

——– 000 ——–

!PLANET EXCLUSIVE! COUNCILORS WEIGH IN

Here are the comments on the Conyers situation from all the other councilors except Ward 2’s Kevin Morandi. THE PLANET hears Morandi went with Mayberry barber Floyd Lawson to the grand opening of a new barber shop in Mt. Pilot — three chairs and an automatic hot lather machine. We heard such technology makes Morandi feel like George Jetson. He “represents” Ward 2, you see.

THE PLANET asked councilors four questions:

1. Do you agree that the mayor has the power to [bypass the council]?

2. Do you think she would be wise to do it, should the council vote Conyers down?

3. Do you support this appointment?

4. Please add any comments you wish.

The councilor’s comments are largely unedited. They are presented in the order received by THE PLANET:

KATHY AMUSO, AT-LARGE — I have had several conversations with Mayor Tyer about this appointment.  I initially had some concerns.  After my conversations with Mayor Tyer I will be voting for this appointment.  Mr. Conyers has been fully vetted and is at the top of the civil service list.  He will have to prove himself as do all the new firefighters.  I give him credit for doing the work needed to get to where he is today.

——– 000 ——–

TONY SIMONELLI, WARD 7 — I have known Fred Conyers and his family for well over 20 years.  Yes, he had a “troubled” past, but I believe he has turned his life around and deserves a second chance.  Doesn’t everyone?  As a former educator (38 yrs-Vice Principal-16 yrs), I have seen many former students get their life together and become productive citizens after a “rocky past”.  I truly believe Fred is one of them.  The applicant finished #1 on the Civil Service test and was background-checked like everyone else.  I also have a great deal of respect and faith in the Mayor and Chief Czerwinski’s recommendation as to what is best for the Fire Department.

To answer your questions:

1. If the Mayor has sole authority to appoint without Council approval, it becomes a moot point whether the Council approves or not.  I will be supporting it.

2.  Yes, I believe this appointment should be brought forth along with the other 4.

FYI: I had a conversation last week with the Mayor and at that time, she answered all my questions and concerns.  I cannot speak for my fellow colleagues but I believe the appointment will see a positive vote.

——– 000 ——–

 DONNA TODD RIVERS, WARD 5 —  I see two issues that emerge from this agenda item.

First, the issue of Mr. Conyer’s  appointment on the merits . I am inclined to vote in favor of Mr. Conyer’s appointment . I believe  in redemption and the reward of second chances for those who have made mistakes, made amends and have chosen a different path.  While redemption seems to be the theme in this appointment I also  cannot ignore the fact that Mr. Conyer has  passed all  vetting  through a process of Civil Service testing and subsequent interviews . As for the letter from the union I will be seeking an opportunity to speak with several members on the union  as is my responsibility to consider all sides of an issue.  However, I do feel strongly that Mr. Conyer’s deserves this opportunity and I will be presenting that position in my conversations with union members.

The second issue which arises as a result of this appointment is the procedural question.   I am concerned that if the Mayor was of the opinion that she did not need the Council approval, I question why she presented the appointment in the manner it appears before  us. It seems that the process may need to be reviewed and possible changed.  I will be researching the procedural issue prior to the Council meeting.

——– 000 ——–

NICK CACCAMO, WARD 3 — I support the appointment and have faith in the civil service process and that the fire chief and mayor have vetted this candidate properly.

——– 000 ——–

MELISSA MAZZEO, AT-LARGE —  1. According to Civil Service, the Mayor is the sole appointing Authority( which I did not know until this came up).

2. Since the Mayor has sole Authority, I feel that it’s a farce to ask the Council to approve appointments. In fact I am going to ask President Marchetti to not put these on the agenda anymore. If we have no say, why ask us. The police and Fire dept’s. have started a Pinning ceremony now and to me that should be how they are announced in the Future.

3. This has been a tough one I will admit. I have spoken with the Mayor, the Fire Chief , members of the fire dept. and concerned citizens. I am all for giving people a second chance in life, but I worry about moral in the Dept. and wouldn’t want a crew heading out on a call that are not working well together. I hold the police, Sheriff and Fire Dept’s all in the same regard, they are all public safety units and must be held to a higher standard. If the candidate in question can NOT work in the Police or Sheriff’s dept. then maybe the fire dept. is not the place for him. So thats my thoughts, but I know now that this is out of my hands and rests solely with the Mayor.

——– 000 ——–

CHRIS CONNELL, WARD 4 — Apparently the mayor does have the authority to appoint a firefighter or a police officer without the approval of the council.  My question is then why go through the exercise of council approval when it doesn’t mean anything.  In the future,  I believe the appointments of police and fire should  be done only  by the mayor until such time that civil service guidelines are changed. There has been discussion on both sides of this appointment.  I guess it really doesn’t matter if I or any of my colleagues are for or against it. This action is on the mayor’s shoulders.

—————————————————————————————————–

“Be thou the resolution of quick youth  / Within my veins, and manhood’s purpose stern.” — Percy Shelley, from The Cenci, end of Act I.

“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.