Archive | January, 2019
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SOURCES PEEL BACK THE ‘IRON CURTAIN’ FROM THE NEW REGIME AT BERKSHIRE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 31-FEB. 2, 2019) — It didn’t take long before reports trickled out of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s office, led by newbie Andrea Harrington. Our new Hamilton Burger assumed office with the startling agenda of going after “crime” on the basis […]

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A PLANET EXCLUSIVE: WE REVEAL WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITIZEN’S ACADEMY

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 30, 2019) — In early September, Pittsfield begat another bizzywerk brainchild of government in a welcoming event for the 20 or so people who would make up the Citizen’s Academy — and believe us: We mean “make up,” because the event proved […]

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‘MONEY. IT’S A HIT. DON’T GIVE ME THAT DO-GOODY GOOD BULLSHIT’

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 28, 2019) — One subject that needs to be added to the public school curriculum is money. THE PLANET first learned about money and how it works in grammar school. We had our first bank book in first grade. Today, it’s not just […]

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BEACON’S LIGHT CONTINUES TO DIM; TICKET SALES PLUMMET, SEATS REMAIN EMPTY

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 24-27, 2019) — Too bad the light from the Beacon Cinema can’t serve as a lighthouse for itself, because the Good Ship Movie House on North Street is heading for the rocky shoals. Here is an edited post from AgentSmith, shared […]

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ANOTHER WAY TO HAVE YOUR SAY: THE PLANET OPENS THE LETTER BOX

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 23, 2019) — It’s been a while since THE PLANET dipped into the Letter Box. These are comments sent to us (usually by e-mail) that aren’t posted here but are also not submitted as off the record. We ALWAYS respect a writer’s call for […]

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WAYFAIR PART II: THE PRICE IS WRONG … or … THE DILEMMA OF PROFIT

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 21, 2019) — On Oct. 17, 2017, the New York Times ran a prophetic piece on an online furniture and home-goods company. The article questioned how it would be possible for the firm, Wayfair, to compete given its razor-thin profit margins in an […]

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ALL IS NOT FAIR WITH WAYFAIR … or … ANOTHER PITTSFIELD FIASCO?

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 18-20, 2019) — You’re an online business. You lose $151.7 million in the third quarter 2018. Customers file countless complaints about bad service, cheap products, and “bait and switch” practices. Your customer relations are a mess. You’ve just been hit […]

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MARY JANE, MUNCHIES, AND FOOD IN THE SCHOOLS

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 16, 2019) — Yet another company looking to sell dope to dopes has applied to operate in Pittsfield. The growing number of would-bes includes Tenesel Wellness, Pure Botanicals, and Berkshire Roots. There may be others, but forgive THE PLANET for losing track. Sometimes […]

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‘CITIZEN TRUMP’ AND THE FBI: SOME LIKE IT HOT

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 14, 2019) — Is Donald Trump a traitor? That’s the question at the heart of the FBI probe into the President, an inquiry taken over by Robert Mueller. It’s a large question, as outsized as Trump himself. Short answer, based on the […]

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BRIC-A-BRAC ON A DIVISIONAL WEEKEND

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 11-13, 2019) — Before we open up to open comments, allow THE PLANET to share a few random observations. It’s Not My Fault, Mommy! — To say that Mayor Tyer came to office inheriting the problems of her predecessor — to […]

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WHAT MAKES FOR A HEALTHY, GROWING CITY? A CHECKLIST FOR URBAN SUCCESS

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 9, 2019) — Cities, like people, have temperatures, pulses, and vitals. No case is hopeless, and no run of health immune. THE PLANET recalls a meeting with Jim Shulman when he was building his carousel. He recommended a book whose title escapes […]

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OCASIO-CORTEZ TAX PLAN FOLLY AT ITS NAIVE WORST

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 7, 2019) — If the Democrats hope to pry the White House from the clutching, begrudging hands of President Donald Trump in 2020, party leaders better hope that newbies such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez do not gain traction that makes them the […]

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NEW D.A. TAKES OFFICE; NOW ITS TIME TO DELIVER … AND SHE BETTER AFTER ALL THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, The Weekend Edition Jan. 4-6, 2019) — On Tuesday, Andrea Harrington was sworn in as Berkshire County District Attorney. Took the solemn oath. Pledged. Pinky promised. Triple-dog-dared. You know, what politicians secretly call “lying.” THE PLANET need not remind anyone. ———- ooo ———- Harrington […]

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STATE OF THE CITY IS ‘VIBRANT, DYNAMIC’ … WHAT? YOU WERE EXPECTING HONESTY, PERHAPS?

BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 2, 2019) — THE PLANET presents an exclusive look at the speech Mayor Linda Tyer will not present in her State of the City address. Before we unveil the sacred anti-text, we need to ask why this exercise in self service even happens. […]

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