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 that discussed urban revitalization and characteristics shared by cities on the rise. We thought of this after reading a recent article in the New York Times comparing Nashville, Tenn., to Birmingham, Ala. As the former waxes and booms, the latter wastes and busts.
What do cities on the comeback have in common.? We’d like to share are few. As you read, keep in mind the case of patient 655321, a wheezing creature known as Pittsfield, Mass.
The diagnostician’s objective look shows poor Pittsfield is not the Adonis depicted by the mayor in her self-serving State of the City speech. Rather, this is a city on the skids with a shrinking, aging population; an explosion of gangs, drugs, and violence; a diminishing tax bas; too many “non-profit” organizations bleeding the treasury; too much government spending; not enough private investment; a minimum-wage economy; poorly maintained parks; a failing school department; a divided police department; and a corrosive, in-it-for-myself political establishment. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln loved the play.
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How do you make Pittsfield a better city?
- Wise Investment of Public Dollars — Healthy cities invest wisely. From the Times: Nashville made intelligent capital decisions that “brought lucrative — and relatively recession-proof — public investments. Its colleges and universities, anchored by Vanderbilt University, earned it a reputation as the ‘Athens of the South.'” Syracuse, N.Y., did the same thing. The city partnered with private schools (Syracuse University, Lemoyne College) to drive investment in a “Downtown Corridor” that increased the connection of town and gown. In turn, the schools — SU in particular — have invested hundreds of millions. What did Pittsfield do? It borrowed $121 million to build a white-elephant new high school that has turned into a clunker. It poured public money into “private” enterprises such as Nuclea, WorkshopLive!, EV Worldwide, Spice, and the Beacon Theater, enriching scam “investors.” All went down the tubes and cost taxpayers millions.
- Low Tax Rates — Successful cities don’t tax their residents to death. They know that the best use of a citizen’s hard-earned money is to keep more of it in those private pockets, where it will spend and recirculate. Good urban areas also limit welfare and public assistance through stringent means testing, follow-up, and accountability. Contrast this with Pittsfield’s reputation as a place where deadbeats and freeloaders can get a free living.
- Diversified Economy, Educated Workforce — Tennessee overhauled its community college system in conjunction with recruiting efforts to lure companies such as Bridgestone, Nissan, and UBS. Pittsfield moved its community college miles from downtown. Successful cities diversify, going after a mix of companies but focusing on those that provide “21st century jobs.” These are tech-heavy position that require critical thinking. Pittsfield “invested” in a service economy fatally thinking the arts could spur revitalization. All they produced were seasonal, part-time, minimum-wage jobs without benefits. Nashville lured private enterprise to relocate. Pittsfield is building the BIC — the so-called Berkshire Innovation Center. No private commitments. No defined purpose. Cost to taxpayers: $13 million and counting.
- Civic Leadership — Solid civic leadership where politics are relatively clean draws people who are knowledgeable, educated, and more concerned about the public good than “taking care of themselves.” Doesn’t exactly described Shire City, does it? Of course, as the Times article points out, “having an elite university is a big advantage.” Nashville has one. Syracuse has one. Pittsfield doesn’t, though it has one of the country’s best community colleges — one that it bnished to the boonies 47 years ago.
- Economic Gravity — Successful cities draw “the best jobs and the most talented workers.” It doesn’t work the other way around. Successful cities actively recruit companies looking to move or expand. They attend conventions and trade shows to find the talent they need. They have schools that train workers with the skills needed for a 21st century economy. And get this. Successful cities avoid an overdependence on state aid. Unlike Pittsfield, they eschew grant money and refuse to become “a junkie to state aid,” to use Sara Hathaway’s immortal phrase.
- Traded vs. Non-Traded Business — A “traded” industry draws big dollars from elsewhere. Manufacturing and technology are traded industries. “Non-traded” businesses recirculate money back-and-forth among themselves. Restaurants, retailers, bars, arts are “non-traded.” Non-traded businesses are Pittsfield’s economy.
- Collaboration — Growing cities work with and not against the other communities in their areas. They take a regional approach to development. Pittsfield for a generation has fought turf wars and built fiefdoms. Or haven’t you noticed the Route 7 bypass never got built?
Question is, will we get a sniff of this discussion in the upcoming 2019 municipal election?
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“Geometry is the knowledge of the eternally existent” — Plato.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Pittsfield is an economically unequal community. You are either loaded with money, or you are near poverty. A majority of young adults move away to go to college and find a living wage, full time job.
Pittsfield has lost thousands of residents to population loss. Pittsfield has also lost many hundreds of living wage jobs.
Over 650 students per year choice out of Pittsfield’s public schools. All K – 6 students now receive free school lunches.
Pittsfield politics is an incestuous group of inter-related Good Old Boys who serve themselves and the vested interests. If you speak out, you lose your job and get blacklisted. A majority of residents don’t vote in so-called “elections”.
Pittsfield’s economic formula: welfare, the growing underclass, crime, low-wage, part-time jobs, inbred, one political party politics, population and job loss, high taxes and municipal debts, and a sad downtown.
Celebrity President Don Trump who takes no responsibility for anything begged America to relieve him of his stupidity last night by explaining that Mexico wont pay for a concrete wall or a downgraded steel slat barrier or a tumbleweed fence and its all Chuck and Nancy’s fault.His base feels bad and will forgive him everytime….Chauncey Gardner is consistently making untrue statements at all time pace.
TSC, is there ever a day that you stay on topic? Are you capable of talking about anything besides the President?
I actually see a correlation in that Tyer is very much like Trump as she leans heavily on the side of special interests in her governing.
Doomie You are very right about tyer. She is a puppet of the special interests. Eight of the eleven councilors are also rubber stamps for her. One of these eight, marshitti the council president is long past due to be voted out of office as he never has the interest of the taxpayer in mind. Last night the Gman and Mr. Lis were both I’ll with the flu. Lis was very I’ll and the Gman asked marshitti if he could use lis’s 3 minutes to talk for him. Marchetti instead of being accommodating for someone who was ill didn’t allow the Gman’s request even though he could have. Toward the end of the Cc meeting Mr Connell saw the Gman’s petition which asked that the city hire an independent engineering firm to do an independent comparison review of his technology, ozonixs and ballasted flocculation. Mr Connell asked a question of the Gman and he came to the podium to answer. While responding Marshitti kept interrupting the Gman because he the tyrant marshitti saw that the Gman was starting to expose tyer and marshitti and 7 other fools on the council for the buffoons which they are. The Gman was exercising his right to answer a question asked of him by a city councilor. At this point marshitti declared that the meeting was over and before he was able to get the words out another buffoon peter white seconded the motion. It too bad that pctv shut down the coverage at that point because the Gman unloaded on Marshitti. He took him to the wood shed and told him that his civil disobedience is what leads to better government. Marshitti has as few accomplishments as tyer and the Gman stated that he was goiñg to work hard to get rid of him in the next city election. The Gman is one of a kind in pittsfield and what occurred last night was proof positive as to how far he will go to insure the taxpayer in this city is not hoodwinked by people like Marchetti. Marshitti made the motion to shut down the meeting but four councilors also showed civil disobedience by siding with Gaetani. I haven’t seen the Berkshire eagle yet today but I wonder how dumb dumb crane will report this if at all. Good job wiz. The taxpayer I believe supports your efforts to prevent them from heading to the chopping block.
The wiz is a blowhard joke. Too bad this Lis fellow is associated with him.
Doesn’t Marchetti work for one of the banks that was invested in that Beacon theater caper? I never did hear what his thoughts were on the whole mess. I guess he decided it was better at the time to keep quiet lest he stir up more dust and bring on even more questions as to what the hell was really going on and who else might be involved.
But with his rubber stamper minions at his side he feels powerful and is able to stifle public commentary.
Viccoward (shakes)The Gman is a doer and you are a useless talker. You have been invited to the G show but being the coward you are you choose to throw stones as an alias. Compared to the Gman you are but a flea on a dogs back. In a word a buffoon.
ART
See my comments above regarding the council president’s action.
If Lis had partnered with a legitimate entity and followed the laws and rules like all the other contractors then there may be a good chance that his proposal would compete. But he tied up with the waterboy and that feeble horse didn’t even make it to the start of the race.
PAUL
True about “off topic,” although THE PLANET adds that in the name of free speech, we employ a liberal definition of that. The endless comments about the President are tedious and ignored by most, but we allow them. When someone takes the time to respond, it takes a lot for us to pull the plug.
I get that Dan. I remember when we use to stay on topic during the week and then you encouraged open discussion throughout the weekends. I tend to find the nonstop Trump and Gaetani crap becomes stale.
True Dan V. Pittsfield lacks true diversity in its economy. Pittsfield politicians have put all their hope into an “arts” economy which has been a dismal failure. Too many Non-profits and artsy type businesses do not make a diverse and healthy economy. Unfortunately Pittsfield politicians just want to pile on the taxes and ignore the true needs of the people in this area. People do not want to be dependent on government (at least most people don’t), but people do want the opportunity to improve their lives.
some people think there is more money passing through the underground economy in Pittsfield than what there is of the legitimate economy. What with the multitude of gangs, drugs, jprostitution and hoodlums not to mention white collar crime it could vey well be true.
and it is all lost tax to the city coffers
JOHNNY
Your comment got me to thinking about the economic value of the underground economy. Such an economy exists in the city, and it’s flourishing in part because officials are looking the other way. Probing the extent and the workings of this black market would make for a great investigative series. Too bad Pittsfield doesn’t have a daily newspaper interested in Pulitzers.
I fail to see how General Dynamics, Unistress, Interprint, Blue Q, BMC, Cavallero, Maxymillian, Pine Cone Hill, Greylock FCU, Berkshire Bank, Precision Spools, and UPS among others are not a diverse economy. Seems like lots of opportunities to me.
SHAKES
“Seems” should not be mistaken for “is.”
The Bypass would have put Pittsfield out of its misery years ago, so perhaps it should have been built – believe it or not a dirt road was created on Crosby property exactly where the bypass would have been , as soon as the route was determined. and you can see it today – runs from the railroad tracks north to almost West Street. While there you can also see how the city has let Crosby and its land go to pot over the years, pun intended.
Hathaway also said crime on North Street was “an aberration”,
and Ruberto campaigned on tax relief and taking his suitcase in hand and using his sales and executive experience was going to travel the country finding companies to come here. Instead we lost KB, and have a failed movie theater us Kapanskis’ paid for. We also lost the mall thanks to Smith and of course Doyle sold us out to GE. The BIC is a Joke – another Beacon Debacle in the making.
The mayors’ job is a crappy one and really who in their right mind would want it and even if they did good luck dealing with an incompetent city council. I see Tyler skating to re-election.
And great line Dan about Mrs. Lincoln liking the play.
Mr Valenti I was hoping that you would have critiqued the puppet show put on by tyer at THS but Mr. Gaetani will take care of it tonight on his TV show. He and I were both there and the only people I saw were the usual gobsigs. However the crowd was very small. It was one lie after another. Mr. Gaetani will correct the lies tonight.
Talk about lies, Scump spun a litany of them last night. He was being fact checked during the speech and just about everything he said was a lie. Today Sarah sanders is continuing the lies. We have never seen a president like this in US history. It is a certainty he will be a one term dictator or be impeached. Look how he has divided this country. One other thing we are certain of is the fact we have about 70 million lost souls who are going to need repatriation after scump is gone. Actually it is these people who delivered scump to us and they are going to be very hard to deal with in the future. We are in in unchartered territory with this buffoon in the white house. Even fox news is starting to bail on scump. That’s the first crack.
ART
The mayor’s speech was the typical self-justification one hears in such exercises. It warrants an autopsy. We had a couple of spies in the room and later read the speech on the city’s website. It was unremarkable, and that’s why we decided to pass on it. I am glad that Mr. Gaetani keeps his show going. A multiplicity of voices of all stripes from all sides can only be good for pushing the discussions. I heard about the incident last night at the council meeting where Mr. Marchetti shut down the meeting when Mr. G was answering a question posed by councilor Connell. All things being equal, a council president should never do that. If a councilor answers a question, the respondent should be allowed to answer. Free speech must be kept free, and it a mistake is made, it should be on the side of erring on allowing the expression of it.
The Council President runs the meetings in accordance with duly adoped meeting rules. If those meeting rules are that each person from the audience has 3 minutes to speak on non agenda items then audience member has 3 minutes to speak on whatever it is they choose. The person in the wrong is the councilor that interrupted public comment. Public comment is not discussion, not back and forth, not question and answer.
The audience member can read Llama Llama Red Pajama for all I care, but if they want to have discussion then they can have it with their elected officials outside the meeting or present information during an agenda item appropriately posted and advertised. The 3 minutes is for them to speak. Anything else is placing their rights above all others which is not the point of public comment.
Council President Marchetti was correct in ending the meeting. City Council meetings are for the people’s business, not childcare for one man’s bruised ego.
SHAKES
We agree that the council president has wide latitude on how to legally run meetings. From what I could gather, Mr. Marchetti acted within his legal rights. That said, perhaps something occurred that I don’t know about. I’m not clear on when Mr. Connell asked his question. Was it addressed to Mr. Gaetani while the latter spoke in public comment period or when he was sitting in the audience. If the audience, doesn’t Roberts Rules allow for the questionee to respond? If would also question, because I don’t know and haven’t the time to look it up, whether there is a provision in Roberts that allows someone on the dias to ask a question of someone speaking during public comment. We disagree on the ending of the meeting. As I have previously stated, I believe in erring on the side of wide, robust, even bruising free speech Mr. Marchetti erred in closing the meeting as he did, although that is at his discretion. Gerry Lee would have acted like Marchetti. Tom Hickey and Kevin Sherman would have allowed the speaker to continue.
Has this Council even adopted Robert’s Rules? Regardless, If a councilor has a question that they want answered of an audience member, then they should ask it outside of conducting the people’s business.
Dan Yes I saw your comments. Good job. The Gman sends regards. His show tonight should be must see TV. I think that when Marshitti tried to shut him down last night the Gman was looking back to the time when he was publicly humiliated when that asshole Marchetti had him arrested at city hall for trying to represent the taxpayer. The case was dropped but not before the Gman’s face was plasterer all over the eagle.Dan you should have seen what occurred after the pctv feed ended. Gaetani butchered that asshole and marshitti didn’t know how to respond. It was t he greatest act of positive civil disobedience I ever saw The Gman will be back at all future CC meetings representing the taxpayers and hopefully building a larger consensus. This is what is needed to rid ourselves of the marshitti s and the seven dwarfs. Things are looking up.
You make it sound like the fool is Antigone defying Creon over Polynices funeral.
He is no Ghandi, he is no MLK, he is no Mandela. He is only being disobedient to hear himself talk, not to effect positive change.
SHAKES
A reference to Antigone with respect to the funeral of Polynices! A mythic and welcome first in the comments section.
So instead of a bypass we have put up a plethora of traffic lights and stop signs and are no going to narrow one of the most heavily traveled roads through the city.
this is what happens when special interests run the city from the golf courses after a few high balls.
“Holy shit, look at that, the moon is out in the middle of the day! WTF”
Johhny. I was just watching an interview with a border official who said he watched scumps speech and he disagreed with everything the scump said about conditions at the border. Also many federal employees who said they voted for scump and are now receiving no pay checks will not vote for him again if he doesnt get impeached which many felt he will. I believe that many in this country are realizing what a grave mistake they made in voting for scump. More and more people are distancing themselves from scump including high ranking officials and top tier career military brass. The cracks are starting to widen and scump gets closer and closer to the exits with each passing day.
Art, you are always wrong about anything you post. Tell me who’s going to win the football games this weekend so i can bet the other way and make a fortune.
Interesting strategy toop.
Here is a sure way not to lose. Dont bet. You know I always give good advise. Spend you bet money on something useful like soap and wash your mouth out. There is a lot of rot in there. Jest saaaing.
I think JM is correct about the economy. You can feel how different other economies are if you travel outside this area. I would encourage young families to move – the schools will not improve and that just means more dumb people making dumb decisions. I’m not sure why JM likes Tyer or this admin – I can’t see a difference.
Maybe if Shakes is correct all the fired ADAs shouldn’t have trouble getting an equivalent job — one not on the patronage dole.
KERMIT
Excellent point. If you travel around the country as THE PLANET does, you will see economic diversity and decent politics in well-functioning cities. The level in parochialism — a better term might be inbreeding — has never been higher, creating a toxic level of dysfunction in government and hopelessness in the electorate.
Many people who are unable to move have found out that they can at least save their children’s future by sending them out of the city for their education. Despite tens of millions of dollars being thrown in the direction of the schools they come up quite short of providing a positive learning environment. And part of the problem is that the money is thrown “in the direction” of the schools but not quite getting to where it might actually benefit a student. The mayor knows it and the superintendent knows it but much of this money supports all kinds of associated parasites.
The cure is a dedicated, hard nosed professional superintendent whose main concern is the children. I think it is a very bad idea when you have to bury a superintendent with baubles and perks and all kinds of monetary and other goodies for him or her to accept a job. That would be a red flag for me to toss that applicant post haste.
Please tell me, why would someone be unable to move?
As usual viccowzrd is wrong. At the last Cc meeting there was good give and take between the council and audience. Mr gaetani wanted to speak for Mr Li’s because he was very ill and the topic was the same as the Gman’s. There has been precedent for that in the past and Marchetti should have allowed it but he didn’t. The Gman had a petition which marshitti shit caned under rule 27 which asked that the city hire an independent scientific and engineering consultant to review his proposal and the consultants proposal. Mr. Connell called the Gman to the podium to explain further how the city hired a firm called CEM to do just that in the 80’s. Marchetti saw that the Gman was gaining traction and Napoleon Marchetti tried to shut him down but the Gman had enough and ripped marshitti a new asshole. Probably the most important thing that the Gman tried to get out which may have changed the whole ball game for the taxpayer was blocked by marshitti. Four other councilors Mazzeo Connell Morandi and rivers weren’t buying marshittis bullshit and wanted the Gman to continue. The vote to shut down the meetindvwas 5to to 4 with many shittis minions in lock step. Gaetani gave a lesson in civil disobedience last night and stated that his civil disobedience will lead to better government. Like I always said the Gman is this city’s greatest treasure and for those who dont believe it like some of the crackpots who post on this board if you and others in this city were more like him no one would be kicking dirt in your face like tyer marshitti and his minions. It is very clear why he is a decorated Vietnam vet as he is fearless. He calls a buffoon a buffoon and doesnt care who you are or what title you hold. Yesterday at his house I saw the plaque awarded to him by the mayor and city council in 1985 that stated. For your effort in bringing the Krofta technology to pittsfield and your perseverance in seeing the project to completion. Yes the Gman is the most important man in pittsfield. He makes his way with perseverance and just when his opponents think they got him he pounces like he did last night. Marchetti is just the latest in a string of ass holes who have felt the Gman’s claws. Long live the Gman.
Decorated veteran…. A search of:
Records of Awards and Decorations of Honor During the Vietnam War, created, 5/1969 – 3/1973, documenting the period 12/1965 – 11/1972 – Record Group 472…….
does not show a Gaetani. It is entirely possible that his commendations are not in that particular list of Vietnam military awards. His name yields nothing from the national archives searches. Also, no results in the purple heart database search.
Art, when I started reading your post, I couldn’t remember if I was reading a biography or a romantic novel?
As I stated to you before. You have to know when to admit defeat. The decision has been made. The city doesn’t care what the GMan brings to the table. minus, the GMan making it snow gold nuggets, as Dandy Don Meredith used to sing on old MNF games: “Turn out the lights, the parties over…”
Money can be an issue. They may not want to abandon elderly parents that they may need to watch over.
While those are valid concerns, they are personal choices.
shakes, really? There are many reasons why a person or families can’t move. health issues, money, illness, families responsibilities, career. Yes they are ‘valid cponcerns’. Personal choices come with moral ðical responsibility don’t they?
Viccoward (shakes) I am certain of two things. The Gman is a decorated Viet Nam vet and you are a decorated asshole. If there were less of your type of individuals in this city people like the Gman could be more successful than he is. You questioning the Gman!!!!! Get a life loser you are way out of your league. Mr. Valenti evidently knows you and he could confirm whether you ever served in the military. Throwing a stone at a decorated Viet vet just goes to prove you are a nothing but a jealous ass wipe with no life accomplishments. There is a name for your type but I won’t use it here but I think you know what I mean. Your still posting under various names and you are a known quantity. As I stated before you are as a flea on a dogs back and as worthless.
I did not serve in the military. My public service is in other forms, including my career as a public servant. If that makes me a decorated asshole than so be it.
I’m not throwing any stones. As I said above, his commendations may be on other lists that aren’t publicly available. I don’t believe military service is the high honor many others do. I have family members that serve and I am proud of them for their individual accomplishments.
It is a Federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself as having received any U.S. military decoration or medal.
Shakes I couldn’t agree more with ALL your comments. Research does not support the Gman’s outrageous claims over the past year. His behaviour at the CC meeting was rude & obnoxious.
The wastewater plant project has now been decided and is a done deal. Bids have been accepted, plans reviewed by the state and contracts awarded. There is no out or alternative at this point. Though the GMan continues to make a fool of himself at council meetings harassing city officials. It’s like a surgeon continuing to operate 3 weeks after the patient has died. Give it up dude…and find another way to tell everyone how great you are!
Okay “Art”…Let the filthy name calling begin.
Two cents we all know you were born without a brain. We forgive you
Fritz one idiot always agrees with another one. Still not one coherent thought from you ever. Your way out of your league loser.
Shakes, I didn’t know you were decorated.
Moron military service is the highest honor. Many who have your low opinion of the military durring the Viet Nam war were called draft dodgers like you and scump. Always thought you were a coward now we are certain of it. Thus my name for you Viccoward. You are a known quantity. Only cowards throw stones at war veterans. COWARD.
You post under an alias, did you enlist?
Please excuse my interest in Trump from NYC .He makes news all day everyday that is offensive to a few.I don’t have much interest in this blog wanting to rip Pittsfield all day everyday.Its a City that wont consolidate schools to save millions.The consolidation would improve education putting more taken under one roof.What is Pittsfields advantage is it great diversity as the other towns are extreme vanilla.Pittsfield youth league’s are second to none.We have a beautiful main street with great activity.We have a wealth of parks,state forrest,and 2 lakes are rare.A main line railroad,airport.We have a pedestrian friendly sidewalks everywhere.
Pittsfield has a terrible school committee where in most towns they are watchdogs of spending.Pittsfield lies to itself about it ability to run a school system that is extremely oversized and expensive to run.Pittsfield will not take control of its school system AND probably never will.They hire awful Principles who are not given power.Pittsfield schools have great teacher,great kids and horrible leadership.Leadership needs you to put blinders on.School choice is a failure for cities taking 7 million from Pittsfield. We need an alternate school help student with therapy.
TSC There is a lot of truth in your post. The biggest problem facing this city is the poor caliber of individuals holding public office. It is a you scratch my back and I will scratch your back mentality. The mayor, council president and 7 other rubber stamps on the council has put this city in a very downward spiral. We all know how these losers get elected but do we know what needs to be done to chañge this disgustedness. We need to get ñew people to run for just about every elected position in this city and even if they are for breaking up the status quo While they are campaigning they should pretend to be a panderer to the gobsigs and when elected move forward to cut their stones off. This is a methodology that can work. Short of this you can’t beat the real panderers. The Gman told me this and I believe he is correct. He said he is looking to find individuals for all the positions he said need to be cleaned out and to put these fake panderers in. These new people will have the same mind set of the Gman to do the bidding of the taxpayer and to have no qualms slashing positions and wasteful spending. We all know that real change is an absolute necessity and this is at least one way to bring it about. If others have different ideas please by all means tell us. We have to move fast as the city election is this November. I say down with incompetents. By getting rid of them we lose nothing and gain everything.
Let me address all Gman naysayers so I dont have to keep reposting. If you had got behind the Gman there is a good chance you would not be a candidate for the blood bath that he is trying to keep you from taking. He is only one person and he tried very admirably to help you but there is only so much he can do alone. In the 80’s the city was as far along with the water project as the city is today with the sewer project. He never gave up and his persistince would save the ratepayer 116 million dollars and another 50 million in reduced water and sewer rates the past 34 years. The Gman is far from done with this sewer project. If we had a good mayor and council it would be a no brained. Who wants to pay 28 million dollars more for a project that can only do limited clarification??? Who??? The mayor and 8 councilors that’s who. You people who throw stones are not aware who the real idiots are. They are you. I can’t make it any simpler than that. Be assured the Gman will continue to try to save you even though you are not with saving. Regardless he will still try to save you. If he fails he still wins but if he fails the biggest loser will be you. Think about it.
Shakes, although you have stepped up your game lately and probably Orbit material, albeit PETE White wasanOrbit Winner? Anyway, I know for a fact that Gaetaniis a decorat d. Terran beacause idid work foe him, about two and a half years ago and asked him about his Mi.itary and so so-called citation from the City, and there it was, photos of him and Presidemt Johnson medals with pictures of himself and Colin Powell. He showed me a picture of himself at a base with Generals and high brass looking over his shoulder as he was doing his work,highly secret. I assume. One other little tidbit was a citation from the former Mayor Charlie Smith,congratulating him on the water
Project he performed in the eighties for the City, saving millions.
The work I was doing for G Man the time was an inordinate amount of bee hives he had in his yard. I have photos of that.
With all this being said, wasn’t being a Viet Nam Vet enough to gi e him just a speck of respect? Don’t think this individual would have been a draft dodger like Bush and Trump … [REMAINDER OF POST REDACTED. POSTER IS WARNED AGAINST THIS TYPE OF LANGUAGE USED IN PERSONAL ATTACK}
You are the gman. Stop with this nonsense, it’s ridiculous.
Oh, I hit my stride, as I kepted typing,don’t ya think?
If the mayor says we are all on easy street I don’t know why we can’t all just gather at the new movie theater and sing Kumbaya.
She has no reason to blow smoke up our collective asses so for Christ sake give the woman a break!
OMG people…..
The mayor said taxes went down.Was that really truthful.Did services get cheaper in Pittsfield. That a lie.
Trump stormed out of a meeting at the White House because Chuck and Nancy will not fund his Mexican Wall .Where is Mitch McConnell?
Just saw the council meeting replay. I understand Marchetti’s frustration with Gaetani but nonetheless kind of a bullshit move by Pete and repeat to end the meeting.
Agent 86. Can you imagine Gaetanis frustration with Marchetti???
In Pittsfield, it used to be “blame GE”, but now, it is “blame Mayor Linda Tyer”.
Don’t you get it? The lovely Linda Tyer inherited each and every problem people bitch about! The current Mayor of Pittsfield, Linda Tyer, inherited a big fat mess from the past Mayors of Pittsfield, especially from the “Doyle debacle”, the “Hathaway hack”, the “Ruberto regime”, and the “Bianchi bust”.
Linda Tyer is like a child whose parent committed a serious crime. She is innocent and a victim of circumstance, but she inherits the blame for her parent’s mistakes.
As for Gaetani, who allegedly committed actual crimes and comes off as negative, he is staking his would be political career on disparaging the Mayor and her allies on the City Council. To me, it is a lot of hot air!
Pittsfield needs to rebuild its middle class population and living wage jobs instead of criticizing the lovely Linda Tyer all the time!
– Jonathan Melle
Well said JM. Very diplomatic.
Problem is she continues to make the same bad decisions her predecessors made. No improvement.
I agree Acute – she has had time to present a picture with less corruption. The Beacon and Tyler Street don’t add up to JMs image of a above board mayor.
Melle you should stick with street names other than that you are pathetic. You should be working to keep your small mind occupied. Like I said you should pray gaetani doesnt run for mayor as if he does he will destroy her during the campaign. Last night he took Marchetti to the woodshed. You claim you are a disabled vet. Are you a decorated Viet vet like the Gman?? In any event you deserve to be thanked for your service. You should take a lesson from gaetani and learn to be a leader. He single handidly takes on the mayor and council and makes a fool of all of them. You appear to be a very weak follower and a chronic complainer with no suggestions on how to make things better. That being said you are like four or five others who throw stones but have no solutions . That’s where the Gman differs from you. Please try to find out what is really happening here in pittsfield. You posts indicate you are lost.
Didn’t you also commit actual crimes? I would LOVE to see your DD214.
As the her foray into serious crime and law enforcement DAAH DA Andrea Harrington’s office asked for NO BAIL for alleged serial stick up man Jameail C. Beckett.
This is your new DA. She is NOT my DA, she is clueless and dangerous due to her ambition and abject lack of experience and her lack of understanding of criminal law.
Go back to your yoga classes
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/our-opinion-worrisome-decision-by-da-on-bail-case,561138
Agent. I found that unbelievable also. She is in the same league as tyer and Bouvier. This trio is indicative of how poor a quality individuals are being elected to positions which they are clueless as to having the ability to perform the responsibilities of their positions. The ones most responsible for their existence is the voter. I am beginning to think there are more buffoons in this area than there are sane individuals. If this is the case how do we fix that??? I dont know if things could get worse here but at what point will we reach bottom?? With OPEB in excess of 465 million and property taxes at their highest and water and sewer rates ready to go thru the ceiling. How long will it be before the city files bankruptcy??? I actually think it might be a blessing in disguise because we can reset our compass and start all over again. What do you think about bankruptcy?????
The public voted for a progressive DA based on the counsel of Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. This is what one looks like. They want to “end mass incarceration and bring balance back to sentencing.” Theoretically, this means offering pleas at the bottom end of normal. But anyone with common sense and experience would consider the crime and look at the rap sheet as well. If you find yourself with a gun to your head at the sub shop you know who to blame. We are in real trouble here, so early in the game, too.
Agent,
What I loved about the editorial, was the last sentence, “In her desire to protect the rights of the accused, District Attorney Harrington must not be so zealous that she fails to protect the rights of the larger, law-abiding community. We urge the district attorney to strike a better balance going forward.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the DA protect the public and the crime victims? Shouldn’t the public defenders office worry about the “rights of the accused?”
Art and all your aliases,
I took a moment and unblocked your name from my blog feed after reading Shakes comments on your posts. First of all Shakes is spot on in regards to replies and statements. Once again reestablishing my request for a “like” button or some other method of showing agreement with a comment or contributor.
Now on to your comments from today you stated that both you and Mr. Lis were very ill with the flu. Do you really think it wise that each of you went to a public meeting with the flu? I understand that you can’t walk past a microphone or a camera but that’s for another day. Mr. Lis if to ill to even speak could have reduced his comments to writing and E-mailed them in to Council President Marchetti or some other Councilor and request that they might read them into the record. I would like to think the Council President would extend that courtesy to any member of the public who extends and demonstrates respect and the same courtesies to the council. His Council none the less. You go on further to state: “The Gman had a petition which marshitti shit caned under rule 27 which asked that the city hire an independent scientific and engineering consultant to review his proposal and the consultants proposal.” So the Council president followed the rules and his dispatching of the petition was not in violation. Need I remind you that the contract had a bidding period? You were extended the opportunity to bid as well as to give what you referred to as a presentation post bid. The procurement laws are set up to protect all of us as citizens to the extent possible, The successful Bidder played by the rules, had submissions on time design and review, provided all the insurance, bonds etc. you did not thus you really have no business in front of the Council at this time with a plant proposal. You claim to represent the taxpayers you do not and your methods could actually harm the taxpayers in additional costs via litigation, construction delays etc. I for one feel as if the Council, its president and any other interested parties have given you a wide path and I hope it is somewhat contained moving forward.
Going to the council meetings and grand standing is not the way to accomplish things. As you should be aware typically the bulk of the heavy lifting is done in separate meetings subcommittee meetings etc.
…” Gaetani gave a lesson in civil disobedience last night and stated that his civil disobedience will lead to better government” I assure you it won’t it only further diminished his standing in the community at large and drove a larger wedge in establishing any kind of a working relationship with the Council as a body moving forward. You requested Council President Marchetti afford you the respect of time via Mr. Lis time but you refuse to afford the body its due respect. Your request was a nonstarter from the ghost of council ramblings and actions past.
“Yes the Gman is the most important man in pittsfield.” Really in past posts you have stated the taxpayers are the most important please pick and stick with it. You claim to represent the taxpayers yet I as a taxpayer asked you questions all weekend in which you either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. They were relevant to the subject matter that you claim to be the champion of still no answers.
“He said he is looking to find individuals for all the positions he said need to be cleaned out and to put these fake panderers in. These new people will have the same mind set of the Gman to do the bidding of the taxpayer and to have no qualms slashing positions and wasteful spending.” No one in their right mind is going to go through you to run for office. You are looking for disciples not free thinkers. Anyone who teams up, coordinates, endorses or even associates with you will be sunk simply because of the brand that you built and represent.
Let the name calling begin let all hell break loose and call me a coward if it makes you feel better but mark my words you will not win an election in this City.
PS Please feel free to address my questions from the weekend.
just sayin
Agent I find that odd also but not surprising. She is in the same league as tyer Bouvier and many on the council and school committee. It appears the dumber you are the easier it is to get elected to these lofty positions. Things are so bad that capable people no longer run for political office. This leads to the poor quality of candidates who get elected to these positions. I guess you could call it the ship of fools. The real problem is the individuals who vote for these miscreants. The Gman has always said the voters are most responsible for the election of these buffoons. Throw in the Berkshire eagle and the local radio and you have the trifecta for failure. Only a few people like you and Mr Valenti and the Gman try to initiate change but it is a very uphill battle. If more people were like you three we would have a fighting chance but look at how divergent the individuals are on this board. There is an element who throw stones at those who are trying to help make things better but society mirrors them. It appears there are more buffoons than sane minded individuals. How do you defend against that. We are in real trouble with run away spending and it is only going to get worse. I guess we could pray for a miracle but I’m afraid nothing may help. God help us all.
I agree with Joe P. While I love Mr. Gaetani s civic pride and enthusiasm I do think his methods kill his message. While it can be extremely frustrating dealing with embedded politicians, a bull in the china closet approach is unlikely to get positive results.
Having said that I have no idea how one would get a message to the mayor and council that would actually effect change as they seem hell bent to do everything their way.
Doomie Some times banging the heads of the I’ll informed is the only way to go. It is the last resort before you give up but it must be tried before walking away. Does that make sense???
I haven’t seen such disrespect to the G Man since what they did to Kitty Lichtenstein,it’s awful. G Man is a alone Wolf who has been shut down at every turn.
U. You are correct but the Gman knew it would be an uphill battle. One thing everyone needs to know is that the Gman doesnt need these water and sewer projects. The public needs the Gman and he knows it. He could walk away and never look back. However he knows if he does the ratepayers in this city is going to be slaughtered. Anyone who is able to asses his capabilities and there are very few that can he is light years ahead of everyone. Always has been is and always will be. If you doubt that the Gman is having fun putting this mayor and council up against the wall you better think again. He thrives on exposing buffoons. He has had to deal with many of them in his career and has never lost a project. The difference in this present sewer project is the fact that there is very little technical expertise in the mayors office and the bulk of the council. The DPW commissioner is as clueless as the mayor and council. That being said sets up the city to be butchered by the consulting engineers. Normally in all the projects the Gman has built he was fortunate to have knowledgeable DPW commissioners who he could clue in to and protect them from being butchered by their own consultants. This situation in pittsfield is deplorable and the consultants are butchering the city. This is why the Gman stepped in but in dealing with a pack of buffoons it may be the city’s undoing. The Gman has done his best but he says you can’t fix stupid and there is plenty of stupid in city hall. He will keep on trying but if the city fails to do the right thing it will be the rate payer who will be butchered. Its sad how many buffoons are runing this city but the Gman has no control over that. Pity the poor sheep. They are not aware of the wolf who will soon show up at their pen.
Dan marshitti nixed the Gman’s petition under rule 27. Marchetti always places the Gman’s petitions under rule 27. It was the last piece of business on the agenda. Mr gaetani was in the audience and Mr. Connell decided to question Mr gaetani asking him to step up to the podium. He asked the Gman a question and the Gman tried to answer but Marchetti kept on interrupting him. Knowing his rights to speak the Gman continued then marshitti threw a tantrum and shut down the meeting. He had to get a vote to shut down the meeting and Connell Mazzeo Morandi and rivers sided with the Gman but the other usual Buffon’s rubber stamped for marshitti. After the shut down the Gman butchered marshitti. The Gman saw his opportunity and he acted on it. Marshitti was shocked and speechless. There is more. Mr. Liz’s name was on the same petition and the Gman told Marchetti that he had a right to be heard. The tyrant said he didn’t . He was wrong lis had a right to be heard and the Gman lit into him again. This Marchetti is a very dangerous individual and his power has gone to his head. Gaetani told him he would be working to have him beat in the next city election. You have to love the wizard he is fearless and makes city council meetings interesting. Without him there it would be an exercise in boring
I have been watching Marchetti city council offerings for years. He comes across to me as someone whose political actions are managed. He strikes me as a tool of the special interests and unable or afraid to think independently. And I think that is why he was so heavily baked for mayor.
Trumpchetti?
Agree with everything you said. The problem is these actors are in On it.p ams probably aren’t savvy either. Gobsigs do their best work art night.
Ask yourself why Pittsfield needs 2 high schools for 1600 students.Ask your school committee person what the electric and heat bill is at PHS as its still the original boilers.Ask what the maintaince cost are of those boilers.PHS alone was build and remodeled for 1600 students and now services under 800.This massive structure is half emty………Crosby and Allendale pose unhealthy environments….Pittsfield loses 8% of its students to the right wings school choice law.
A rightwing law in Massachusetts? Wait until at least noon before you get loaded Mario.
Does Republican Senator Linsey Graham want a Mexico Wall and where is McConnell on the Mexico Wall……People voted for Trump to have Mexico pay for The Mexico wall…..let that fantasy sink in.Now take a minute and think about that one more time….it was a insane promise by a candidate and he now wants to blame Democrats. He pouts because Democrats wont build it.I can see Trump the little boy pouting.
The democrats learned that Mexicans are smuggling in plastic straws so now they want the wall.
Donald Trump appointed Mitch McConnell s wife to his cabinet so that he could control the republican leader and by extension the party.
Lindsey Graham is acting like a man who has been compromised and is afraid that Trump will out him.
Four hundred g to feed kids in our schools,
…..a month. That’s tells you one thing, we are a poor community.
For sure a poor community. Might also be interested to see who the provider is and what their profit margin is.
Rumor has it one of our community homeless leaders is not taking care of his business by the llligitimate kid from the lady he knocked up/
Trump is local to Pittsfield?
He used to be on the city council.
High personal caliber begins with posting under your true identities – not assumed names.
Criticize Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer all you want; but give some credit for sticking it all out there – everyday.
Good or bad, she’s doing the job, and she’s accountable to all Pittsfield residents – under her true identity – everyday.
Since taking office she’s pumped a fair amount of needed air into that deflated ball left behind by her predecessor, former Mayor Dan Bianchi.
Mayor Bianchi spent more time squabbling with Krol, Clairmont, and Lothrop than on city business.
At least Mayor Tyer is full-time and accessible.
Mayor Tyer deserves a second 4-year term.
Good luck, Madam Mayor!!!
The air she’s pumped is hot air.
and I believe the Hindenburg was full of hot air before it blew the hell up and killed a lot of innocent people
just sayin
Hot air is always an operant reinforcement in cold climates!
She’s takin’ Pittsfield from a cold, resentful climate to a warm inviting one.
Keep the “hot air” comin’, Madam Mayor!!!
I agree. There will always be criticism. At least she is positive and gets out there and promotes the city. Investors recognize that.
sure she’s positive since becoming mayor gave her riches beyond anything someone of her ability could ever dream of earning; and no doubt the meetings with “investors” are also very cheerful when she hands them millions of taxpayers’ money
Methane blowing out an anal canal is often hot as well. not always noticeable unless you are in unusually close proximity.
Mayor Tyer as I always address her without a disrespectful term in front of her name,she is the Mayor and she always speaks respectful to others.She also as Mayor should be open to criticism.The School system will never change under her leadership.We need to save millions of dollars and the only place to save it in large numbers are the schools.We have the same amount of school square footage as we had for 9500 students.We are not consolidating schools because of the poverty gap in town.People do not use real names because the slightest criticism can cost you your job your family a job so there is a great risk on this blog posting information.
What is very clear is she is not running the city. Anything and mean anything. What the school does or doesn’t do is at request of the Superintendant,public works, same thing,police, same thing,fire, same thing, as well as tifs and grants,she was elected
to cross the i’s and dot the t’s (pun)…as she has done. She has accomplished very little other than reduce the tax rate,over all taxes however, are highest in History of Pittsfield with this administration.
Mr. Gaetani please tell me if Ozonator have Flux Capacitor installed?
Wong…Yes, it does but needs a power source of no less than 1.21 gigawatts. It also makes a mean cup of coffee!
Wong it have influx decapatator. It run vawy good.sianara
All kidding aside I think Mr. Lis’ technology is the way to go.
Wong never mine, pay your wate.
Kate you dont understand the Gman. Can’t is not in his vocabulary. At Tuesday nights CC meeting the Gman was going to answer a question posed to him by Mr. Connell that Marchetti was aware of but did not want the Gman to talk about because he knew that what Gaetani had to say might derail the sewer project. The Gman is a master strategist and has been dropping hints here and there regarding what he has saved for last in case he needed it. The Gman says this sewer project should and can be put on ice and the city should do what he will talk about at the next CC meeting. If Marchetti hadn’t thrown a temper tantrum the city could be doing this today. The Gman feels there has been no fiduciary responsibility to the tax and rate payers and they must be held accountable. That is why he is so persistent and will continue to do whatever he has to do to hold them accountable and reduce the costs of these water and sewer projects by tens upon tens upon tens of millions of dollars He has done it once and he can do it again.You all need to understand this. This is not pie in the sky this is real.
What’s the punchline to this joke?
How can it go if they won’t let it arrive?
Michael Cohen to testify publicly before congress.WOW. He is the new John Deane. I think this means bye bye bye scump and clan. No wonder scump has been hiding behind WALL. Killing sanctions against Russia also needs to be stressed by scump. The plot thickens. Uh Oh.
Scump must be sweating bullets over Cohen upcoming meeting with Congress. This is being billed as the greatest show on earth. It is said that this show will be seen by nearly all civilized individuals on earth and some uncivilized ones including many in pittsfield. Mark your calendar for second week in February.
Another Art prediction that won’t amount to a pile of poo.
Would the mayor have shut the city government down if the council did not let her give the movie guy 2 and a half million?
iBerkshires story says sewer stink at the new Taconic school
uh oh
Doomie. That stink is a result of the state of the city adress by the secretary and the gobsigs in the audience. They produce a foul stench.
What they smell is one of Art’s predictions.
Are you loaded again or is this natural stupidity???
Trump says he never meant Mexico was paying for the wall directly,but indirectly. So it is said, and shall be written.
Nota that is as valid as people saying I am the Gman. Cohen is going to boil scump in oil. We who have been waiting patiently will get to have a little taste of scump stew. But we won’t be able to swallow it or it will kill us.
Trumps head looks like a big block of Cheese….just sayin.
Wow, you’re a smart guy and very funny too.
Your not a smart guy and your not funny either. Your posts are indicative of a person with low intelligence. Please make an attempt to sound educated. Your post clearly point to the fact you aren’t. Some ignorant people try to hide the fact but you broadcast it. You are way out of your league loser.
Don’t know about smart or funny but put some flour, nutmeg,eggs with that cheese~Head and you got a helluva souffle’
TF Now that is funny and clever also.
12 definitely so. You have been paying attention. It can clean up everything even some of the crap on this board and in city hall. It can also clean up the mess the secretary and the gobsigs left after the state of the city speech at THS. If the ozonator can clean up that crap it can clean up anything. The city should get in the ozonator business because there is a lot of crap that needs to be cleaned up.
Put the ozanator right in the school and a boxing ring in the parking lot….at all the schools…..just sayin.
I’d like to have an Ozonator t~shirt with the caption…Send the rates down the drain….