BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, LABOR DAY, SEPT. 5, 2016) — THE PLANET here, checking in on your holiday weekend, the last “official” one of the fleeting summer. It’s hard to realize that summer itself has now left the long-passed spring lost in the affection of a fond memory. Sure, we play out the string until the official passing on Sept. 22, but we all know summer 2016 is over. The NFL starts up this week, baseball’s pennant races heat up, The Old Professor returns to the classroom, and the air begins to smell of pumplin spice.

Where did the time go? Ah, we won’t try to answer that immortal and haunting question today. We just want to wish all a refreshing, enjoyable holiday full of love, laughter, and fun. That and to share a couple of announcements you may find interesting.

1.) Summit — Yesterday, THE PLANET and Democrat state senate candidate Adam Hinds had our long-delayed summit meeting, at a secret location far atop a mountainside overlooking the city to keep the prying eyes of the national media out of our hair … so to speak. The joint was so exclusive, it even banned the flies on the wall. To use the diplomatic verbiage Hinds got accustomed to in his 10-year stint at the United Nations, we “had a frank and businesslike exchange, with a mutual expression of views.” In truth, the meeting cleared the air and left both candidate and writer better off than when we first sat down. THE PLANET enjoyed it, and we think we can speak for Adam Hinds much better than his “Committee” in telling you he enjoyed it too! THE PLANET has a full report tomorrow. You won’t want to miss it.

2.) Corner Office Press Conference — Tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in the corner office, mayor Linda Tyer has called “a closed press conference,” the purpose of which is “to hear the story of a proposed candidate (in his own words) for appointment to the Fire Department which has spurred some debate.” The latter phrase, dripping between the words like beads of wax pooling out over a candle stick, refers to THE PLANET‘s column of Aug. 28 (“Controversial Hire for PFD on Hold Because of Push-Back in the Ranks … Fire Fighters Don’t Want Convicted Felon in Dept.“). Obviously, we withhold judgment and suspend commentary until we get in the room and witness what transpires. THE PLANET can preliminarily commend the mayor for the event, which speaks of accessibility and transparency. We can’t imagine her predecessor doing this. It doesn’t mean we agree (or disagree) with the proposal to hire the “proposed candidate.” It simply means that the corner office seems determined to get ahead of the controversy and put this forward with as much “availability” as possible. Whether it puts out an internal fire or fans it remains to be seen.

With those two items, go back to your hots dogs, burgers, and brats. Enjoy the rest of the day day. Back to reality tomorrow.

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“And it’s hopeless to say, how can I forget the way you used to love me.” — The Bee Gees, “Birdie,” from the album Horizontal.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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