PLANET RESPONDS TO ‘ACTING’ PFD HEAD’s WILD ACCUSATIONS – WITH AN INVITE, THOUGH! THE WEEKEND EDITION SERVED HOT AND FRESH
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION Sept. 9-11, 2016) — “There was an article that was written a week ago by somebody who was totally out of line because none of it was true.”
Did the “acting” chief of the Pittsfield Fire Department actually say that?
He did.
THE PLANET and the five other media outlets who inhabited the room heard acting chief Robert Czerwinski’s eject the ridiculous statement. Not since Gus the Fireman got caught gumming a fire hose in Mayfield has a fire chief been in such lava.
ROBERT CZERWINSKI (PHOTO: City of Pittsfield)
THE PLANET sympathizes most with “the brothers,” those 80 or so jakes who get the job done because of their professionalism and the ability of their deputies, captains, and lieutenants. They have to stew while an incompetent holds the helm. Back in the day, Czerwinski may have been a jake’s jake. Talk to the ranks, though. Almost to a man, they’ll tell you the “Chief” is no Robert Parrish. He’s The Peter Principle personified. No wonder why three mayors in a row are glad to keep him “acting.”
‘It’s a Significant Story’
In THE PLANET‘s initial story from the press conference on the controversial hire of convicted felon Fred Conyers Jr., we graciously waved off Czerwinski’s accusations (don’t ask us what happened before the conference began). However, since one of our colleagues included it in his coverage, we felt obligated to respond.
We refer to the article by Andy McKeever of iBerkshires. McKeever’s piece drew many comments — not as many as THE PLANET but indicative of community sentiment regarding the hire.
McKeever quoted “C-zer” in his Sept. 6 piece (“Redemption: Pittsfield Fire Department to Hire Ex-Con”):
ROBERT CZERWINSKI (PHOTO: iBERKSHIRES)
“’There was an article that was written a week ago by somebody who was totally out of line because none of it was true,’ Czerwinski said. … Czerwinski was referring to a post on PlanetValenti.com …”
THE PLANET commented at the end of McKeever’s piece:
My coverage, for the benefit of your readers, can be read at www.planetvalenti.com. Your story refers to my previous coverage of Mr. Conyers and the controversy. In fact, THE PLANET was the only media outlet to throw sunshine on this issue. It’s a significant story (now and before) because there is now a three-alarm fire within the department ranks. The union doesn’t want the guy. The acting chief and mayor do. In fact, I support the decision to give [Conyers] a second chance. Acting Chief Czerwinski said, and your article quotes him, that, “There was an article that was written a week ago by somebody who was totally out of line because none of it was true.” As you recall, I pressed the chief … to give me specifics on what the inaccuracies in the story were. He chose not do because there were none. The letter from the union to the mayor and councilors, in fact, confirmed the union’s suspicion that there was a political quid-pro-quo going on here between the sheriff, who hired Czerwinski’s daughter two years ago, and this controversial hire for the PFD. That wasn’t MY accusation. It was the accusation from a number of sources, and that is what I reported. For the acting chief to say the article was ‘totally out of line’ shows his ignorance of the role of a free press in a democratic society.”
Freedom of the Press ‘Never Out of Line’
In the America THE PLANET knows and loves, it is never “out of line” for a journalist to pursue the story. It’s only “out of line” with the type of troglodyte thinking espoused by close-minded bull necks whose uncultivated world-view can’t handle opposing truth — or The First Amendment.
The acting chief claimed “none of [THE PLANET’s] story was true.”
“None.”
CURLEY JOE DE RITA (PHOTO: threestooges.com)
You better have verse and chapter when you dish out that kind of mud. We challenged Czerwinski to point out the inaccuracies. He declined. Why? Because we had the story straight. Czerwinski also has not returned one of our many e-mails since July, when we began tracking the Conyers story. We can hardly include his comments or present his side if he refuses to return THE PLANET‘s inquiries.
Many over-their-head managers, especially in public office, mistakenly believe that if they refuse to comment, the story goes away. It doesn’t work that way. The press can only offer the opportunity to comment. A person may accept or not. We’re fine either way, but don’t bitch after the fact about not being quoted.
TV or Not TV?
We close by repeating an offer we made last night on PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION, inviting the chief to appear with us on the telly to comment directly to our audience. THE PLANET also invites him to write a guest column for us, which we will print in full, without editing. Rake us over the orange glow, chief. Accuse of of starting the Great Chicago Fire. When the phone doesn’t ring, will know it’s you not getting back to us.
With that, we throw open The Comment Line. Do try to keep it on the up, eh? Have a great weekend, everybody!
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“A minute I was up there standing by her side. The next I was down there, well, left out of the ride.” — The Rolling Stones, “High and Dry.”
“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.
I was saddened to read that my friend Rinaldo Del Gallo, III, finished a distant third in the Berkshire State Senator primary election. He has run for local political office in prior years in Pittsfield, and he always lost the election in Pittsfield politics. Rinaldo may be a fringe political candidate. He is an anti-establishment voice in a top-down local political system.
Adam Hinds ran as a “moderate” Democrat who will bring people together to solve state and local issues facing Western Massachusetts. Unlike Rinaldo, Hinds was the establishment candidate supported by the Good Old Boys club. It was predicted he would win the political office of Berkshire based State Senator.
Tricia Farley-Bouvier, like the lovely Linda Tyer, was a WHEN and Jimmy Ruberto Pittsfield politician who was supported by the Good Old Boys club. Her political positions align with mine, however, and she impresses me because she cares about both the people and her community. It was predicted she would win the political office of Pittsfield State Representative.
– Jonathan Melle
Be specific on the who this good old boy network is.
Geekers! What a can of worms this has opened. Dirty laundry everywhere.
A guy wants a job and seems to do all the right things to get it. But along the way he inadvertently punctures the colostomy bag which is the Pittsfield city government and now there is shit all over the walls.
wtf
Exactly dusty!!
Change 200 votes and Bloomberg is the winner.This is the most significant newcomer vote Against a shoe in PTO …WHEN…..candidate.Trisha has just lost her election.Bloomberg spent almost no money.
Bloomberg did well….sorry he came up short.
Voter turnout was pathetic as usual. TFB could have easily been defeated if more people bothered to vote and pay attention to what is happening in the city. TFB acts like she has been given a mandate. “I just love being a progressive”, she says. If only the entire city was happy with her on the job performance. Sadly, she only caters to the school employees who are the main people that voted for her.
I agree
Actually, turnout was about 21% – which I think was above the State average.
Folks don’t generally vote in Primaries – and nationally, civic behavioo0r is down. Folks today don’t vote because they believe it has no impact. In Pittsfield or Lee, or in Peoria IL.
technically it has very little in this state. It’s going to be a democrat almost always. Many heart attacks were had when Baker and Scott Brown won office.
Not really, Robert DeLeo got all his power back since he doesn’t have to defer to a democrat governor. The legislature now runs the state since they can override any veto.
I think even if voter turnout was at 51%, the percentages would have been about the same. Bloomberg did remarkably well for a new guy against an incumbent. Tricia should take heed.
TFB will not take heed. She knows who is keeping her elected. It’s the school employees. Truthfully, even if Bloomberg had been elected, he may just have been seen as the “bright eyed kid” by Boston and made to follow marching orders from the progressives in charge there. TFB is experienced enough to be able to fight for Berkshire County, but she doesn’t. I really think that progressives are the problem, but these are the only candidates that run in this area. We need to have alternatives to progressives.
Why do we have a mayor when the Mayor is told by all the department heads what to do.If the school and fire department heads are in charge let them say so publicly.
Bouvier is for school choice and charter schools.I hope Connell come out against school choice and charter schools which have weekend public education for the poor.
The chief won’t comment because he knows the Planet has exposed him as a weak leader and an ass kisser. You got him on the run DV.
Not to mention that once you turn over a rock you never know what else you might find under it
Chief C-zer is well ingrained within the Pittsfield political powers (GOB). Even his cohabitant lady friend is part of the government gravy train. He may not have been a fireman’s fireman and maybe his leadership skills are secondary to his political “prowess”, but maybe he always wanted to be a fireman somewhere while growing up in Poughkeepsie , NY, and Pittsfield provided the end to a boyhood dream. Oh! He’s not from here either.
He’s not “from here” but somehow he became a GOB, eh? That must really bother you. Dowager Hat is the voice of the creepy crawlies who hold Pittsfield back. The defeated puss addicts and vibe killers who don’t comprise an organized group per se — that would require work — but are energized by any opportunity to criticize the work of others.
Ward 3 and 4…nothing new and that is why they run the city….people are lazy in other wards and Ward 3 and 4 have high energy and no competition from other parts of Pittsfield.Ward 3 and 4 are really part of Lenox.
Bouvier made Lenox cool for Pittsfield students with a stay at home mom or a kid with a new car.TRISHA is the leader of student fight from Pittsfield
Ward 3 and 4 are exiting Pittsfield. Lot of homes for sale in the Elm St., William St. corridor. Dawes Ave included.
The sad part off this Conyers story, that is not being told, is about the poor “non-criminal” guy who was eliminated in the Civil Service process in order to place Conyers on top.
What is his life story? What struggles and hardships has he endured? What are his feelings about being rejected because he isn’t fortunate enough to have a “Bowler” and others go to bat for him.
As Paul Harvey used to say….”Now for the rest of the story”
Really?
The rest of the story is he/she didn’t study hard enough to make the grade.
Oh, Really?
In order to place Conyers on top? Conyers did place on top.
My question is about why chief C-zer is still acting. Not Roberto, Bianchi or Tyer want him as “Chief” chief.
So why do they keep him there especially when the men in the dept do not like or respect him?
Love the new name “”C-zer”… Its perfect.
A while back if I recall there was an explanation as to why Wynn was not named Chief…..it had nothing to do with politics, I just can’t quite remember….it was more of a legal situation. Perhaps Dan V….can bring this forward.
When the 3 most powerful people in Pittsfield – the Mayor, the Chief of Police and Fire Chief all socialize, date woman with in the same circle that are friends and have parties in gated communities how can you expect a dissenting voice ? Both Wynn and C-ski will remain acting Chief’s because like Ruberto and Bianchi she can’t figure out a way to get them ordained as permanent without following the necessary legal steps and have them be the ones – both are on a string controlled by the last 3 Mayors and quite frankly the Mayors have liked it that way –
The Mayor dates women?????
Dan, this is the perfect time for you to do a story on the whole “acting” thing. How can 3 mayors violate the law for years and get away with it? Civil service was established to eliminate politics, or at least reduce it. Blatantly violating the law is unfair, wrong, bad for morale and even unfairn to the acting chiefs. And how and why did were they made chiefs to begin with? I heard Jodi announced for city clerk race against Tyer years ago and withdrew when Ruberto either threatend to remove fire chief, or agreed to make him acting chief, to get her to withdraw. Don’t know for sure but I do know the whole acting thing doesn’t pass the smell test.
If the apple fell close to the tree the PFD have a real gem.
When Trisha was on the council she considers her self the educational counseling that’s a bigger joke that if I said I was. It’s too bad she won there will be no more done know than she did before. The Trisha and the mayor we’re going to do so much better than the men in politics the proof is in the putting.
That’s pudding it mildly.
Lol
pudding?
After she gets a cap on the charter schools will she then try to close down the ones we have so that the school unions remain strong and vibrant? After all, the more pupils a city has the more teachers and administrative positions it needs and a big strong unions means more votes for the special interests. And guess what? Charter schools are bad for special interests and unions and 100 million dollar school budgets. And that folks is why some politicians are against charter schools That is the real reason that they so deftly dance around.
Well in Pittsfield the fewer number of students the more administrators, teachers para”professional” assistants, aides, they need. Less is more-a lot more for those who keep the failing school system going so they can keep cashing in.
I remember from my sociology text thats called an ‘inverse’ relationship.
& am I the only one who laughed out loud at “Curley Joe”? He and C-zer separated at birth!
Thanks for the laugh DV
There is only one thing the acting Chief read when he saw the article.
The payback for hiring his daughter.
When he says “none” of it is true, its because his little mind only focused on that one thing. He does not credit the article to The Planet or Dan Valenti. His rhetoric gives him away. It actually proves the accusation is indeed true.
It seems he is simple minded. He has no clue how to deal with a truly free press and is used to a totally controlled media such as The Berkshire Eagle.
His only hope is to hire a writer who can write a decent response and present it to The Planet for publication as his own. Aka damage control.
Bart took a building from the old Donovan and O’Connor law offices for peanuts, and are doing just fine with curriculum, proving new doesn’t mean successful.
oooooh, the BB just released a story that Dale Eason has been fired.
this will start a new uproar I am sure.
They hire a violent Ex-con drug dealer so how can you fire anyone?
Good question
Is he going to the fire department?
Did Yaba Daba Dews approve this move southeast?
Let’s wait for the details s e. We don’t want to interfere with the ongoing investigation.Stankiewicz might have a hefty lawsuit awaking against the City.
the BB seems to indicate he was fired for “misconduct”. Stankewitz would be wise to settle – at her age, they can drag it out and outlast her. Smarter to grab the cash and go on an Alaskan cruise.
Why wasn’t the detective fired in the steroid incident? Come on Dale, get another attorney.
While both are nice guys….Czerwinski is to public safety what Kratka is to journalism!
Why do people get fired in Pittsfield? The answer is that they did not bend down and kiss the dirty behinds of the Good Old Boys who have ran the community into the proverbial ditch. If you want a living wage job in Pittsfield, you have to be related to one of the low gene pool, multigenerational Good Old Boys families. If you don’t kiss their dirty bums, then you won’t have a job in Pittsfield. It is all controlled by the G.O.B. in Pittsfield politics!
The real truth will come out
The. Council should not have a vote on the Mayors appointed to the fire Dep only because of the Mayors attitude.
Yeah.
PPD FINALLY s-canned the thug who “put down” a 88-years old woman after assaulting her in mistaken identity. Strangely, his co-conspirator is still on the PPD.
Why is that?
I hope Granny sues both their sorry arses
Eason should re apply, it would fall into the second chance theory.
Maybe the fire department can hire him. How bout it C-zer?
I was thinking Dale Eason could use the concussion defense, its not like he perjured himself, destroyed evidence, made false statements to the FBI or stole $200 K or union dues or money intended for Christmas toys or anything, where’s the redemption ?
What does cherwinkis daughter do at the jail? What kind of job does she have? I heard his daughters wife also works there too.
Daughters wife????…hummm…. NA?
Sister is your mother, your cousin is your brother, your uncle is your father, North Adams family!
Radio Operator – paid $37,301 in 2015
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Itsa gene pol thingamajig
Just saw Cindy Taylor and that bald guy with the glasses praising the school committee, school administration an McCandless on TV. I didn’t know if I should laugh or throw up.
TFB will not take heed. She knows who is keeping her elected. It’s the school employees. Truthfully, even if Bloomberg had been elected, he may just have been seen as the “bright eyed kid” by Boston and made to follow marching orders from the progressives in charge there. TFB is experienced enough to be able to fight for Berkshire County, but she doesn’t. I really think that progressives are the problem, but these are the only candidates that run in this area. We need to have alternatives to progressives. Progressives need to be replaced.
Christine Canning is claiming voter fraud. She say some funny business was going on with her votes counts. Her claim sound legit if you read the article and the comments in iberkshires.
Ho Hum. So what else is new ?
Just reminding the Mayor and her handler that you need to be out in front on crime.Mayor Flynn and Giuliani of Boston and New York led those cities to greatness because they showed up at problems and talked about what they were doing at that moment to put people on notice.You are not making people feel your on the job…..Do not squander the bigger paycheck or the longer term…
You need to work nights and weekends when crime is happening….put the last 9 months behind you and do it right.
So will the officer get a pension paid for by the taxpayers?
He should be reinstated and eligible to apply for Police Chief.
If Trump is true time his word he will not allow Obama to collect his pension .He will knowingly let the illegal president retire on illegal pension payments.
Trump could not even get elected the president of the birther movement .He is the most popular birther in the country.
He doesn’t need a pension.He’ll write a npbook 10- 20 mil.
Hillary was the original birther!
Hillary’s campaign team were the ones who started the birther movement chief.
Eason should get a pension for working in this hell hole, good luck Dale.
September 10, 2016
Re: Open letter to UMass Amherst administrators
Dear UMass Amherst administrators:
As a graduate school alumnus, MPA 1999, from UMass Amherst, I am writing to voice my support for Eve Weinbaum. In the Fall of 1998, she was my Professor in a labor studies class. She is a very intelligent and fair educator. I learned a lot in her class, and her values of fighting for the working people inspire my own beliefs for bottom up public policies.
I am completely opposed to Eve Weinbaum not being the Director of the Labor Center at UMass Amherst. I respectfully request that she be quickly reinstated to her former position with the full time status and pay she has previously received prior to the administration’s cuts in her contract.
John Hird is an impressive Professor and Administrator. He has a long list of academic accomplishments. He also was one of my Professors at UMass Amherst in the Spring of 1998, which was one of the most difficult periods of my then young adult life. My dad had “ethics” complaints filed against him and then Pittsfield State Senator Andrea F. Nuciforo, Jr. tried to have me arrested, in addition to multiple personal and political conflicts I endured.
While I had a lot of difficulties back then, I believe John Hird cared about me. He is a compassionate person. However, my public policy beliefs align more with those of Eve Weinbaum than those of John Hird. I believe in helping people who are in need of public policy advocacy. There are enough corporate elite lobbyists on K Street, but there aren’t enough people like Eve Weinbaum fighting for working people on Main Street.
I am writing to voice my support for Eve Weinbaum. I hope the UMass Amherst administration listens to my concerns. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jonathan A. Melle
UMass Amherst, MPA, 1999
Send Weinbaum down the road and take the lovely one phrase with her,
Why write a open letter to U Mass on the Planet?
UMass Amherst includes many students from Pittsfield/Stockbridge and rest of the Berkshires.
Do you know what the Massachusetts state taxpayers are paying Marty Meehan?
UMass president Martin T. Meehan will make $769,500 during his first year (2015 – 2016) on the job. His overall compensation package will rise to $869,000 in 2019. He will get annual performance bonuses of 11 percent his base salary and retirement contributions of 18 percent his salary. He made $459,000 in 2014 – April of 2015 as chancellor of UMass Lowell.
I pays very well to be politically connected!
Think Derek Kellog makes a million a year coaching a bad basketball team.
Hillary has called all Trump supporters “deplorable” and other ugly names. Yes, she will make a fine president for HALF OF THE COUNTRY and we know who will make up the half that she will be president for……special interest groups mainly not the average hardworking people of this country. She will be just like Obama only worse.
Really?
Hillary is a “good ole boy.”
Don the con is a clown.
Business owners need to stop hiring illegal citizens to work for 3rd world wages.It’s another progressive idea as opposed to oppressive ideas.The oppressive candidate celebrates ignorance.
If they are here illegally why shouldn’t I hire them for a cheaper wage.
You deserve a second chance.
Who’s going to do my yard work?
Trumps’s wall won’t work, hasn’t he heard of a bungy cord and aliens are the greatest tunnel rats in the business.
Hillary left the 9-11 NYC event early because she “wasn’t feeling well” – check out the online video of her trying to get into her van – she is obviously having some sort of seizure. The video is posted on the USA today page. That, plus all the coughing fits……..the woman is physically sick!
May e she has some disease from Willy’s fooling around.
I wouldn’t be surprised, Halo!
or too much to drink
She has pneumonia. People are idiots. I can’t stand drama mongers.
Parkinson’s Disease
It doen’t look like the majority of folks walking on North Street are headed to any of the more affordable venues, I could be wrong.
If she has pneumonia…..then why was she kissing babies? Don’t believe everything the media feeds you.
I watched the video and she was clearly dragged into the van because her legs buckled underneath her. She went all the way down to the ground. People with pneumonia especially a nearly 70 year old are typically put under bed rest for pneumonia. It’s serious if that is what this was. It just seems like more cover ups which I guess we better get used to if she becomes president.
Doesn’t she go both ways? Thought her and Weener’s wife were an item.
Pneumonia is what she has.She of course went to the ceremony knowing she was ill.This and the cough is enough and she should get out of the race..Trump will say something stupid…he cant help it.
Trumps supporters always very dramatic and over react to all things.Even Puttin thinks he’s goofy.
“Puttin?”
Is that like the short game in golf?
That kind of puttin?
I started out a Hillary supporter. Not now. Cant do TRump so I will go green with Jill Stein.
Hillary is embarrassing herself at this point and it troubles me to have to admit it
When a mayor is overwhelmed it’s best to say and do nothing.This mayor raised an additional 6 million ….Walmart is moving from Coltsville to Woodlawn Ave.
They have the right mayor to pull it off because she’s desperate for a build.
Hope my good friend G is doing well.