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POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME FOR PITTSFIELD

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 22, 2018) — Let’s start with the name. It would be a “Police Oversight Committee,” not a “Police Advisory Board.” You don’t need THE PLANET to tell you there’s a gulf’s difference between “oversight” and “advice.” A PAB would have gums. A POC, if properly constructed, would have teeth, sharpened into points.

The rationale for creating a POC: Only an independent board with freedom to probe and power to enforce is capable of rendering believable verdicts in cases of alleged police misconduct. Whenever you entrust an organization or department to investigate itself, you invite whitewashing. The argument for not creating a POC is that the police department can be trusted to handle internal investigations professionally because that’s their business. Opponents of POC say the department has the best incentive for self-policing, since those who run it wish to have it run efficiently and effectively as possible.

THE PLANET‘s view? Yes, Pittsfield needs a POC.

Our primary reason goes back to the nature of democratic government and the question of who rules, government or civilian? The Founders wanted a civilian to control the military, and we have a Commander in Chief, elected by the people. On the local level, and especially since 2001 with the militarization of police departments, police need civilian oversight more than ever. The police unions of Pittsfield (officers and brass) need to see that a properly composed POC would help them do their jobs better. The International Association of Police Chiefs, in fact, has long endorsed the existence of civilian review panels because chiefs know that citizen input leads to safer cities and towns.

What influences a police officer’s behavior? Three things: (1) Department policies (2) Enforcement of those policies (3) Departmental culture. The first job of a Pittsfield POC would work with Mayor Linda Tyer and Chief Mike Wynn and examine these three factors. It would retain practices that are working, replace those that aren’t, and see to proper implementation. The view, generally, is that the Pittsfield Police Department is wracked and cracked, primarily because of factor (3). Officers tell THE PLANET that internal and external politics play too much of a role in determining policies and assignments. Is that in fact the case? A POC would find out, as job 1. Thus, it would begin work proactively, not waiting for citizen “complaints” over specific cases but acting at the systemic level to drive quality and improvement on a department that has grown stagnant.

Police Oversight Committees work for the following reasons:

  • They lead to more effective policing.
  • They improve departmental culture and morale.
  • They reduce the number of lawsuits.
  • They act as “early warning systems,” fixing little problems before they become big ones.
  • They promote local preferences with a view that is not internally but externally focused by being community-wide rather than department narrow (data suggest that fewer than 1 out of 12 cases of police misconduct result in disciplinary action when police are left to investigate themselves).
  • They reduce costs.
  • They create an incentive for better police work.
  • They establish a healthy bias for civilian rule versus paramilitary rule. The “Little Guy” can be more in charge.
  • They create a tangible mechanism for police to “walk the talk” about their love of “community policing.”

The most important point is all of this can only happen if the POC is properly constituted. That’s the gigantic, humongous, colossal “IF.” You MUST get the right people to serve on the POC. How do you get that?

  • First, eliminate political hacks, carpetbaggers, and the usual suspects that Pittsfield draws to these types of boards, committees, and commissions. Human Rights Commission, anyone?
  • Second, keep the POC streamlined. THE PLANET suggests three or five members.
  • Third, make sure they are qualified with proper training in civics, law, and law enforcement.
  • Fourth, the POC would have an investigator, an ombudsman, and an auditor, all paid.
  • Fifth, the POC would meet on a modified ad hoc basis. The schedule would look something like this:
    • Meet with the mayor and police chief, get input, and conduct a departmentwide review of all policies. Time: One month.
    • At the end of the review, write and publish a report, making the findings public.
    • Meet monthly on a formal basis with mayor and police chief to review implementation.
    • Meet when necessary to handle complaints about specific cases.

No matter how well an organization operates, smart “coaching” remains always open to improvement. The PPD, particularly its unions, need to realize this fact.

This isn’t the only way the POC can work, but THE PLANET offers it as a reasonable starting point.

——————————————————————————————

“I know you’re not saying a thing because I didn’t hear a thing” — Mrs. Tiberius Fruitjuice, to her husband, Sir Tiberius.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.

LOVE TO ALL.

“The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Why do the police need oversight more so than say, the school department, the public works department, or even city hall? And who does the investigating of the bad apples in these departments? And what about all 50 state police agencies? Who oversees them? At least Tyer will be creating jobs because it will cost a bunch of money to have real oversight, but I can tell you it aint happenin.

Village Knight
Village Knight
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Reply to SisterGoldenHair:
I agree with you 100%! School Department and other Deps need oversight badly! At present time School Dep consumes about 40% of City’s budget with No any kind of control.
But I like the consept of creating People’s Control Commission–independent body from Mayor/Councilors to investigate any Department–Mayor’s Office first.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

If you got pulled over for speeding thats all it was.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

It would be a first in Pittsfield politics if the people selected to the POC were all based on merit and represented the people. But, it will never happen in Pittsfield! The Good Old Boys run the show! They suppress democracy with their one political party system that controls Pittsfield politics. To be clear, that means the POC would be filled with political hacks loyal to the GOB!

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

It would be a first in Pittsfield politics if the people selected to the POC were all based on merit and represented the people. But, it will never happen in Pittsfield! The Good Old Boys run the show! They suppress democracy with their one political party system that controls Pittsfield politics. To be clear, that means the POC would be filled with political hacks loyal to the GOB!

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

Dan V., I like your ideas for a POC. Finding the right people to put on this committee will not be easy in this area though. Crime has only gotten worse locally and may increase even more in the future if the open borders idea of Democrats takes hold across the country. Let everyone pour in and we will deal with the consequences later is the thinking on the far left. Sanctuary cities are wonderful, ICE is bad are more far left views so the police will be very busy in years to come until people figure out what a disaster these policies are, but by then it will be too late to stop the crime that will spread across the country.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

If the people who pick “the right people” are not themselves “the right people” you won’t get “the right people”.

Why in the hell would the mayor pick someone who might at some point be critical of her friends? Not gonna happen folks. Not in this burg.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

You, Dan Valenti, said “It CAN be done” in Pittsfield, when you referred to would be “good, honest, level-headed people” on the POC.

I ask you, “when was it ever done before” in Pittsfield? It would be a first!

Pittsfield politics is like a “Kangaroo Court” full of political hacks loyal to the Good Old Boys!

Why is this so? For many reasons, which include:

* If you speak out against the GOB, they take away your job in Pittsfield.

* If you continue to speak out about the GOB that runs Pittsfield politics, they spread vicious rumors against you.

* The GOB runs Pittsfield politics via a one political party system that makes China look like a democracy! That means, if you are not loyal to the oligarchs in Pittsfield, you have no real voice in your government.

So you would ask, who are the GOB? The answer is that the GOB are a group of interrelated, multi-generational local families who serve themselves in a group-think mentality while running Pittsfield’s depressed and unequal economy into the proverbial ditch. Everything is a done deal in Pittsfield politics. All that matters is the shakedown of taxpayers, which has resulted in significant losses in population, business, and jobs!

The only way to change Pittsfield politics is to stop the GOB who has run the show for generations. It will never happen!

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

Just yesterday, Mollie Tibbet’s body was found in a cornfield and an illegal immigrant has been charged with her murder. This illegal immigrant would never have been in this country if the laws were followed. Apparently he entered the country through the e-verify system 4 years ago, but homeland security has some explaining to do. President Trump continues to be right about illegal immigrants. They should not be in this country illegally since this does encourage crime.

Mollie Tibbets was pleading for this young man to leave her alone. It sounds like he was stalking her even before the day of the murder. She did everything right on her part. She told him to leave her alone. She threatened to contact police if he didn’t leave her alone. This country failed Mollie Tibbets by not enforcing the law.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Well, yah that is what Fox news covered. But didja see the part about Cohen and Hannifort? It ain’t going away no matter how much you pretend it is not happening Pat.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

As Mollie Tibbets’ family said yesterday, they “are not condeming an e tire class of people for the reprehensible actions of one. Get Mollie’s name the F out of your mouth, and quit trying to make her deathan immigration issue.” As your hero would say Pat, Sad.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. G
5 years ago

Mr. G,
That statement was made by a distant cousin of the deceased. Mollie’s death is a senseless tragedy which is the result of the failure to enforce our existing illegal immigration laws. The same applies to the death of Kate Steinle and all the other victims at the hands of illegal immigrants.
Are you not aware of the violence in Europe as a result of illegal immigration??

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
5 years ago

49 people are murdered every day in the US. Illegal immigrant murderers are a statistically insignificant portion of the equation.

Men murdering their female domestic partners is a much more significant component, as is gang violence.

The Planet: how do you propose paying for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in new costs your proposal requires?

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Shakes His Head
5 years ago

Tell that to Mollie Tibbett’s grieving family.
“Statistically insignificant?” You are a cold-hearted bastard!
A country cannot exist without laws & borders. Until the sanctuary city designations are removed, there will be no law & order. Common sense requires the police to check immigration status – I want the police to enforce existing immigration laws – and that will not happen until the state policy changes.

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  Shakes His Head
5 years ago

nice try, but domestic violence and gang membership are also higher among Latinos smuggled into the country by socialists with the excuse that they are a superior race

shakes
shakes
Reply to  Wilson
5 years ago

superior race, local police enforcing immigration laws, you morons have no idea how the United States operates, do you?

The U.S. has open jobs. Immigrants come here to fill those jobs. More legal opportunities to immigrate reduces the incentive to cross unlawfully or overstay a visa. With fewer unauthorized entries to pursue, our immigration enforcement resources can focus on the real criminals.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  shakes
5 years ago

Who’s the moron?
You think illegal immigration will be stopped by increasing legal immigration? Without a wall, the illegals will continue to flood our country – encouraged by leftists – offering freebies in exchange for votes.
You live in a fairy tale world!

Dumb Mr. Fritz
Dumb Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

That quote comes from the world renown leftist think tank, the Bush Institute, housed at the George W Bush Presidential Center.

if you would like to educate yourself with credible information, you can find their entire 2017 report and facts here:

https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/resources-reports/reports/immigration.html

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

why not a school department oversight committee? They have a much bigger budget than the cops and way more employees and we all know how useless the school committe is? Who investigates the bad apples in the school department?

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Sister,
The PPS definitely needs an oversight committee. Throwing money at failing schools is not the answer. I don’t think that many locals realize how poorly they are run, as they cater to the lowest denominator. Visit other area schools and choice your kids OUT!

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Lenny
5 years ago

and that is exactly what many of the teachers and people who worked for the school system do. They know there are better options.

Top heavy with administrators with generous salaries the focus of the goal seems to have shifted off the children and onto what is good for the people who run the system. And that is just plain sad.

Mr. G
Mr. G
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

The school department oversight committee is called the School Committee. It already exists. If you dont like how they work, run for office!

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
5 years ago

Left wing very fake information . Half of those in prison are illegal aliens.

Still wondering
Still wondering
5 years ago

A POC for Pittsfield sounds like a good idea and if it was staffed with responsible level-headed people it might actually work. But hey folks, this is Pittsfield! The suits will ensure that the POC is a toothless non-entity that will not ruffle any feathers.
You can take it to the bank.

U
U
5 years ago

I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t be Biasone way or the other. An impossible task to assemble this Committee, I think everyone would agree.

Cos
Cos
5 years ago

Did you ever see the movie 12 angry men? That’s what this committee would remind me of. Gaetani could play Lee J. Cobb!

Rudy Baker
Rudy Baker
5 years ago

Dennis Powell, Shirley Egerton and Drew Herzig would be the mayors first three appointments to this committee.

Behnkrupt
Behnkrupt
5 years ago

Why isn’t anyone mentioning Pittsfield ‘s cruel mismanagement of the municipal animal shelter and Tyer’s coverup?

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Yes this story and its being shuttered is an example how any POC might not be totally above board. Information just seems to get lost in a void when convenient.

“It is a personnel issue, can’t talk about it”

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

Americans who support President Trump will stick with him because the alternative is the crazy far left agenda which wants to destroy the capitalist system and have open borders. This information that came out yesterday is nothing new. We knew all of this before. Don’t be fooled by all the phony hysteria from the left!!!

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Well yah Pat, we all knew Trump and his family were running there short version of the mafia. Nothing new there.

But you know what is hysteria? We are still taking about Hillary’s emails. Mostly we want to talk about theme to divert attention from Trumps latest wtf moment. Are you gonna make it fun to watch the republicans twist in the wind?

Cos
Cos
5 years ago

Gaetani News Hour tonight, Channel Mars at six… believe it will be take out the trash night….From Trump to flip flop and Terrochee and the dues, to the secretary and water -rates,and the I famous eight, and the bought and paid for vote.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Cos
5 years ago

I think Gaetani is the the one and only person that I can think of who would get to the bottom of any hanky panky in this city.He has demonstrated time and time again that he fears no one. It is of significant note that many political hacks are scared to death of him.He clearly is the watcher of the gate in this city and I believe he has broad support of the tax and ratepayer. If I were Gaetani I would run for congress. We need someone like him at the national level. How old is Gaetani. Does anyone know?

Still wondering
Still wondering
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

The G man is indeed very old and well past his shelf life.

h
h
5 years ago

Trump thinks Cohen was a hersay. Edict, they have something on him,you know like a taped conversation.Trump prediction, an indictement is looming, first in History.

u
u
5 years ago

Trump is a disgrace as not only President but using his pablum to give away awards for bravery when he like Bush were both draft dodgers. Vince McMahon created a monster and a fool.

mi
mi
5 years ago

While Jim Henneberry was shot down in Viet-Nam Trump was getting a hair treatment and caps for his teeth.

u
u
5 years ago

And probably doing coke and eating filet mignon, and wiping his ass with satin sheets.

Harrison
Harrison
5 years ago

In Trump’s world, Manafort is brave where McCain needed not to be captured to be brave.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
5 years ago

Now Tyer is endorsing Harrington. I guess swamp turds stay together.

tom
tom
Reply to  12 Gauge
5 years ago

Harrington is now doomed. Do nothing Tyer and cry baby Krol will finally sink her campaign.

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

The far leftists on this site and in this country for that matter, really need to take control of their hysteria. They are being consumed by the insanity on the left and it’s not healthy for them or this country. We are fighting far leftists who want to literally tear this country down and start a socialist system similar to the dying Venezuela. Did you know that Venezuela used to be a very wealthy country before also being taken over by socialism? Now the people are literally starving.

There is no logic or common sense coming from these people. Calling ICE terrorists, promoting open borders, wanting to destroy our system of government and most importantly putting themselves in charge…..no thank you….let’s not forget shutting down free speech.

Can people on the far left understand that to many in this country, President Trump, while hardly perfect, seems like a saint in comparison to what we are witnessing from them?!?

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

What is your definition of “hardly perfect” Pat? I think he is “hardly human”.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Doomiedoger
5 years ago

Oh please Doomiedoger. Where was that tough talk when it came to Bill Clinton? Clinton was so popular with the left it was insane. Bill is still popular. Too much hypocrisy.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Doomiedoger
5 years ago

Also, all the comments I made about the far left which I guess you have no problem with since your only comment was to put down President Trump. No comments about the way the left wants to turn this country into Venezuela? Are you just fine with turning America into a socialist country with government having all the money and power? People need a stack of money now to buy a loaf of bread in Venezuela. Amazing how people block all of that out and just focus on President Trump while our country is in danger of being destroyed by the far left.

Enema of the State
Enema of the State
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Pat, the leftist crazies are running on a platform of hatred for Trump. They have no plans to fix any of the problems in this country, except to give freebies to criminals, those too lazy to work, and foreigners and foreign countries. Drug dealers, criminals, welfare cheats, and gangs like MS-13 love the progressives.
They even love the illegal alien who brutally murdered Mollie Tibbets.

Ozias Vincelette
Ozias Vincelette
5 years ago

I fail to see the logic behind voting for and supporting anyone else, other than PC, for DA.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Ozias Vincelette
5 years ago

Guess I am not a critical thinker. Feeling pretty stupid right now.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Congratulations

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  Ozias Vincelette
5 years ago

Ozias,

Elections are popularity contests and Paul is way more qualified than the others combined, but he is not a member of the good ol boys club, like Tyer, ruberto, bouvier, et al, and they want someone they can control, like harrington. So to the GOB network, it is logical, just like to them it was logical to elect Tyer.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

I agree. Mayor Tyer had a big rally today for Harrington. I really don’t like the coziness that would exist between Harrington and Mayor Tyer if Harrington is elected….both are soft on crime. Both are hard core progressives and are just trying to make this area even more progressive when it comes to crime control…..translation….easy on crime and criminals and lets make sure we are a sanctuary city. No thank you.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Sister. You are 100% correct that elections in Pittsfield are all about popularity with the gobsigs and lawn signs. Lawn signs capture the interest of the least informed individuals and very sadly the least knowledgeable candidates have the most lawn signs.Think Tyer and persip two elected officials who couldn’t get a job at Walmart cleaning the washrooms. The low intelligence of the balk of elected officials should scare the electorate. We can be certain nothing will change here in Pittsfield until we somehow can break up the gobsig network

Vincent
Vincent
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Is this the queerest election in Pittsfield history?

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

The most lawn signs I see are the blue Cavv guys. They outnumber others 10-1. remember he has union backing money.

Enema of the State
Enema of the State
Reply to  Ozias Vincelette
5 years ago

Chuck, trying to find logic in Pittsfield is like trying to find darkness in the sun.

Rudy Baker
Rudy Baker
Reply to  Ozias Vincelette
5 years ago

Like someone said. They are swamp turds.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
5 years ago

Just what we need. Another of Clairmont’s snakes.

Liza Kay
Liza Kay
5 years ago

I think it is way worse than Pat and Sister GH forsee. Backing Harringto is a very poor political move on the part of Tyer because 1. if Caccaviello wins and he likely will, she has just backed a moron against him and the DA’s office is not going to be very keen to help her in any way 2. God forbid he loses. It will be open season on Berkshire County for every drug dealer from Springfield and Holyoke to NYC and Albany with Tyer to blame.

Art seller
Art seller
Reply to  Liza Kay
5 years ago

Lisa. You make a lot of sense. On another topic. I think Trump is in serious trouble. Cohen’s admission about pay outs to two bimbos implicates Trump as a co indicted co conspirator and if Mueller by some stretch of the imagination can’t prove trumps connection to the Russians may not even be necessary to charge Trump with the same crimes Cohen admitted to. Guliani is a laughing stock. His denials of any Trump criminality will win him the title of Americas biggest buffoon. I follow politics very closely and I am betting that Trump is going down. Sooner than later

Trump Derangement Syndrome
Trump Derangement Syndrome
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

Where is the crime in paying bimbos to keep their mouths shut? What law was broken?

Still wondering
Still wondering
Reply to  Trump Derangement Syndrome
5 years ago

There is NO law against paying someone to keep their mouth shut. The only possible problem would be if it was proven that the money was campaign funds and that will be impossible to prove in a court of law no matter what a state witness says. There must be actual proof and that just like the supposed “Russian collusion”, there is no proof.

Rudy Baker
Rudy Baker
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

A connection to the Russians? You are mad. Total very fake nonsense.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

Trump will win another term by a landslide. You are completely nutz.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

TDs,still wondering and Fritz. Does the truth mean any to you? While you add nothing to the conversation Gaetanis is out there laying down concrete plans to try to help every tax and rate payer in this city.l would strongly suggest that you view his show. He is not a sniveling coward like those who post under Penn names.What you see in Gaetanis is what you get. There is no programing on pctv that even comes close to the news hour. I am hearing that the G Man may be getting involved in a mega project overseas and that would be the worst thing to happen to the city’s tax and ratepayers. For our salvation we better pray that he turns down this opportunity. Each week I see his show I say he can’t top that but hegets better and better. Does any one know of anyone else who is more pro taxpayer than Gaetanis? If you do please do tell so I can look them up

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Liza Kay
5 years ago

I agree with you Liza. We need a new mayor – one with better judgement. This is also the mayor who was pushing for Syrian refugees to be housed in our city, lest anyone forget.

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Liza Kay
5 years ago

Liza Kay are you suggesting that Cavvacello would use his office in an unprofessional way if the mayor does not back him? Wow

Liza Kay
Liza Kay
Reply to  Doomiedoger
5 years ago

Have you ever met him? The guy does not have a vindictive bone in his body.

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Liza Kay
5 years ago

Oh OK. You said his office would not be too keen on helping the mayor in any way and I guess I just misinterpreted that huh?

Liza Kay
Liza Kay
Reply to  Doomiedoger
5 years ago

The intersection of the two offices is most visible when there is an incident. I doubt Caccaviello would bother holding anything over on the mayor, he’ll just need her to stay out of the way.But the public might have a hard time believing she has a clue what she is doing given her backing of Harrington. She has a credibility issue and I’m guessing the DA’s office won’t be making that their problem.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Well, well, I told you guys Paul was not the GOB candidate -Harrington is. Tyer endorsed her:

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/58178/Tyer-Backs-Harrington-In-District-Attorney-s-Race.html

Tyer campaigned on getting tough on crime, and now she endorses a weak sister who fought to overturn convictions. I hope they both get their arses kicked in their elections. Bianchi lookin better every day.

Art seller
Art seller
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
5 years ago

Mrs Bianchi. I stated a few days ago that Tyer is Harrington. They are both rah rah cheerleaders and no substance. Yes your husband looks better every day but there was another candidate who is looking much better every day who is pure substance and he has a TV show where he demonstrates this substance every week. Do not worry, Harrington will come in third. Real change is coming in 2020 for Pittsfield. This change will wipe out the gobsigs who have ruined this city. Remember the slogan. Real Change. It is coming.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

Your slogan reeks of Obama. He took this country down for two terms. I would never vote for an anti-Trumper for any office.

Bruce Banner
Bruce Banner
Reply to  Art seller
5 years ago

Art Seller is a comdian huh? Are you really suggesting Krol will run in 2020 and he’s not a GOB.

A good laugh in the morning helps start the day.

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  Bruce Banner
5 years ago

Bruce…I believe Art Seller is referring to Gaetani…apparently he has thought of a new alias.

Art Seller
Art Seller
Reply to  Bruce Banner
5 years ago

Bruce. I am no comedian and yes Krol is indeed a Gobsigs and no I wasn’t talking about him.Two cents who very seldom has more than that to say identified who I was talking about. Dan can you give us a few details about Percip? The suspense is killing me.

Earl Parnsip
Earl Parnsip
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

Persip is a taller dumber version of Pete White.

u
u
5 years ago

Well,some dude named David Pecker corroborated about the Trump pecker hush agreements concerning the conspiracy to his sex partners payments ie overt act….and Mueller has more stuff. We haven’t seen anything yet.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  u
5 years ago

At some point should far left people consider getting a life instead of making it their mission in life to take down a legally elected president out of revenge for Hillary who would have been a terrible president for this country by the way. Mueller belongs in the era of the Salem witch hunts. This fishing expedition to get something, anything on President Trump needs to end. Russia collusion didn’t pan out so now this witch hunter has moved on to other hunting grounds. Truly shameful for this country.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

So where were you and your concern for legally elected presidents when republicans and their media backers spent 8 (eight) years tearing up Obama? O’Connell vowed on inauguration day to make Obamas life miserable and he and the right tied themselves around Obama’s legs and went against everything he tried to do for the length of his term, even if it was good for themselves?

So stop with the whining about Trump being treated unfairly because he has the whole republican congress, supreme court and white house on his side. The only one tearing him down is himself. Others speaking out are trying to save the country and if you opened your eyes you would see that that benefits you as well.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Turning us into a socialist country is NOT saving the country. Just look to Venezuela to see what happens to a wealthy country after socialism takes over.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Or just look at the Land of Oz with the flying monkeys because it has the same relevance.

Shakey Shakey
Shakey Shakey
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Pat, socialism is not what brought down Venezuela’s economy, cronyism, mismanagement of monetary policy, and the bottom falling out of the price of oil is what put Venezuela in shambles. That said, I am not a socialist, so don’t try to spin it that way.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/how-venezuela-went-from-the-richest-economy-in-south-america-to-the-brink-of-financial-ruin-a7740616.html

Spider
Spider
5 years ago

Dan – Looking forward to your news about Persip and the lawn signs on Monday.

Lots of stories going around and none of them good.

mi
mi
5 years ago

Trump stated that if he is impeached,the stock market will crash..

dusty
dusty
Reply to  mi
5 years ago

Read that between Jared and Ivanka they made well over 100 million dollars last year, much of it due to Trumps presidency. So sure glad I got my tax cut cuz I am on top of the world right now thinking about what I am going to do with it all.

Bill Q
Bill Q
5 years ago

Trumps and friends already got thier’s.

Still wondering
Still wondering
Reply to  Bill Q
5 years ago

As did O and the Clintons.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Still wondering
5 years ago

Worst President ever.Bush was better and he started 2 Wars and ruined the economy.Thanks Obama for bringing us back from the brink only to have Trump take 1.5 trillion out of it.

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
5 years ago

Big ongoing burglary / theft/ stealing episode going on in Pittsfield right now. If you can’t get something valuable inside your house, chain it down or put it on your roof because they will find a way to steal it. Drug fueled zombies are wandering around looking for sustenance and they will steal a wheelchair out from under a one legged man if he cannot fight them off.

Seriously keep a close eye on your stuff cuz once it’s gone its probably gone forever.

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  Doomiedoger
5 years ago

sounds like a good time to sell all your valuables to pay the utility and property tax surprises coming

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  Wilson
5 years ago

Wilson
You are spot on. For decades, Pittsfield taxpayers have been getting raped.

Art Seller
Art Seller
5 years ago

Dusty. Yes the Trump brats have made millions but third day of reckoning is near at hand.They have flaunted their Gaul right in front of the taxpayers but they will end up in prison for a very long time when daddy is in jail and not able to pardon these upstanding citizens. Time is tuning out for the Trumps. Does any one feel sorry for them? Does any one think I am wrong?

Lenny
Lenny
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

You are wrong.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

You are so WRONG Art Seller. Did you feel sorry for Hillary selling uranium to Russia? Think of all the money she pulled in so that Chelsea can live in the lap of luxury. Chelsea is also married to a very wealthy financier in addition to the dirty money wealth from her parents. You were just fine with putting Hillary and clan in the White House. Hypocrisy.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

tic toc tic tock tick tock…………………..

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

tic tock tic tock…… until our country is destroyed by these far left crazies. I hope the elderly poor will survive when this country is turned upside down by these radicals.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

I think you ate very wrong and you have Trump derangement syndrome.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  12 Gauge
5 years ago

tic toc…tick tock…..tic….

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

President Trump haters prefer the smooth talking lying but good mannered local politicians we have here in Berkshire County. If they showed even half of the hate that they show to Trump to these local pols then maybe Pittsfield wouldn’t be in such a sorry condition. More hypocrisy.

Pat
Pat
5 years ago

President Trump haters ignore the horrible agenda of the far left because they hate Trump so much. This is what the far left is counting on so they can inflict their socialist open borders agenda on this country laughing all the while at just how gullible people are to be so fooled by this lying liberal media in bed with the far left socialists.

People are starving in Venezuela and paying tons of money for a loaf of bread while so many geniuses in this country are touting socialism as our savior. I can understand that college age kids have been taken advantage of by their Marxist and communist professors because college age kids aren’t experienced enough as to how the real world operates and haven’t been taught the horrible track record of socialism, but anybody over 30 who wants socialism for this country has no such excuse.

Harrison
Harrison
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

I’m pretty sure he’s going down.

Doomiedoger
Doomiedoger
Reply to  Pat
5 years ago

Venezuela Pat? Are you about to claim the insanity defense? Is that gonna be your cop out when Trump goes down? You were temporarily insane?

u
u
5 years ago

Trumps done,and so are the uneducated red neck white trash type supporters,couple few on here.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  u
5 years ago

And you expect to run for mayor with that ego & attitude?!

u
u
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Oh, sorry fritz, got carried away….trump derangement candidate.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  u
5 years ago

Typical behavior from the far left. Anybody who thinks differently from them should be hated. Didn’t liberals used to be the people who welcomed diversity in everything including diversity of opinions? Now they are always right.

Bill Q
Bill Q
5 years ago

Exactly! W T T S.

Art Seller
Art Seller
5 years ago

It is a forgone conclusion that Trump will fall.No one will have to push him he will trip himself. That said, we have huge problems right here in pittsfield. Tyer doesn’t have the brains to open an umbrella in a rainstorm and she is pushing Harrington as having the same mindset as her.God help us. The city council is full of lightweights who couldn’t find their way out of a room with a thousand doors. These are huge problems that can only be eliminated at the ballot box.This is where all of us the good citizens of Pittsfield must put all of our efforts to insure that Tyer and the bulk of the council are not re elected. These individuals must be replaced by people who will listen to we the taxpayers. People vote in 2019. Everybody!!!.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
Reply to  Art Seller
5 years ago

Art,

Who will step up to the plate, to make Pittsfield great again, that is actually electable? Haven’t had a really good mayor in my lifetime and I’m a senior citizen.

Troll Patrol
Troll Patrol
5 years ago

Trump delusion

h
h
5 years ago

The puddy victims aren’t the only one coming out against trump. now a pecker is on the scene.