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OBSERVATIONS AMID THE BLACKFLIES

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JULY 12-14, 2019) — Time to clean out the notebook.

Strike Three — Ball Four created a sensation. Foul Ball described a bag job. The author of those two books, our good friend Jim Bouton, passed away. We met the news with sadness and praise. We first “knew” him as the ace of the Yankees in 1963 and ’64, a grunter whose cap flew off on every other pitch. Then came Foul Ball in 1970, which we enjoyed immensely. Finally, we got to the know the man when he came to the Berkshires, first to stage a nationally televised old-time baseball game at Wahconah Park and then to try and bring the Old Ballyard into the 21st century after the Civic Authority coup failed. He had a plan, an investor, and a partner with experience owning ball clubs. The Special Interests, frosted at their defeat at the hands of We The People, sank the Bouton Plan. Bouton chronicled the corrupt mess in Foul Ball. He devoted generous space to yours truly in the book, and we became a confidant for him as he got the royal screwing from the Pittsfield “elite.” Godspeed, Jim.

Gold Standard — President Trump is considering it, and his nominee for the presently vacant governorship of the Federal Reserve — Judy Shelton — advocated backing paper with precious metal. It’s been decades since our fiat was worth anything more than a promise. Mind you, most mainstream economists predict disaster if America returns to the gold standard, calling the infatuation with hard assets “macroeconomic illiteracy.” We wonder, though. Could it work? Perhaps THE PLANET‘s good friend, economist Dr. Charles Trzcinka of Indiana University, might offer his thoughts.

Immigration May Doom Dems’ Chances — The more the Democrats’ radical left tries to force the periphery (gender, race, immigration) into the mainstream, the greater the odds against any of them except Joe Biden having a chance against Trump. Not with this economy. Immigration holds the greatest risk for the partiers of FDR. They pretend there is no difference between documented and undocumented aliens, as if unauthorized border crossings are not criminal and do not threaten national security. Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, that hard-working couple dumped on from above by the oligarchs and shot at from below by the scuz, have boatloads of compassion, but such grace comes at the bottom of Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs as they struggle to stay afloat. To loud mouths such as Alex Ocasio-Cortez (D-Lipstick), Kamala Harris, and Kirsten Gillibrand, however, the dreadful conditions at the border represent political opportunity. AOC (Angry Of Choice), for instance, bopped down to the cages for a photo op in her designer dress, ignoring that she voted against millions in humanitarian aid for the very people she claims to champion. As Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) put it, “Her hypocrisy is breathtaking.”

Where and Whither? — People have been wondering about the sleepy local municipal election. Where is it? Relax, we respond. People don’t start paying attention until after Labor Day. The Big One, for mayor, will come down to Linda Tyer v. Melissa Mazzeo. Period.

Patriot Games — It won’t be long before another NFL season is under way. This one ushers in even more glory for the 6-time Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots. ESPN recently used an algorithm to determine the greatest sports dynasty of all time, any sport, weighing wins and losses, percentage, duration, parity, salary cap, titles (division, conference, and world), free agency, and a host of other factors. The winner? Our New England Superpatriots. Then the NFL itself got into the act, pronouncing Tom Brady the Greatest QB of All Time. We think of a nationally syndicated Patriot hater who three years ago declared Brady washed up. All Tom Terrific has done since is go 31-9 in the regular season, take three division titles, three AFC titles, and appear in three Super Bowls, winning two of them (in the loss, Brady threw for 505 yards). Father time? Tom never heard of him. He’s even faster today than he was in 2000 at the Combine! For Boston fans, these are heady times.

Factions and Long Division — In one of his great observations on the decline of the Republic, Gore Vidal noted during the Obama Administration that the United States no longer has political parties. It has factions, whose purpose is to divide the country and thereby secure for themselves tenure — the inability of the electorate to make meaningful change at the ballot box, which we see at every level of government. This state he called “a waking nightmare.” When asked by the interviewer why he continued with his criticisms when they won’t make a difference, Vidal replied, “We have an obligation to do what we think we can do.” THE PLANET agrees.

The blackflies are calling. Have a great weekend.

—————————————————————————————————————————

“He came into the game a little bit mousy. I took it from there”Bobby Fischer, defeating Petrosian in Game Six of the World Chess Championship semi-finals, 1972.

“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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dusty
dusty
5 years ago

I have a copy of Jim Boutons book Foul Ball” which he signed for me at the local Barnes and Noble. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know how government in Pittsfield, Mass. works. Yes, it has not changed much since his outing of city politics and some of the same asshats are still pulling strings from the shadows. the local library has at least one copy and you can get it on eBay quite reasonably. You won’t regret reading it.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
5 years ago

Make

Alexandria

Go

Away!

MAGA!

Johnny99
Johnny99
5 years ago

If DelGallos still existed the GOBs would be whoopin it up bigly with news of Bouton’s passing. No doubt their knockin a few back somewhere else these days. Godspeed Jim.

AOC, Harris, Gillibrand, Granny Warren, Klonechar, et al make me sick. Now Harris wants to give “people of color” free home down payments. I’d rather have Hilliary anyday than any one of these wacky women and I doubt Crazy Uncle Joe will save us- Obama’s are backing Harris secretly and tuckin it to Joe.

I hear Mazzeo has a letter out soliciting donations and talking about change for the better. If she can’t or won’t distinguish herself from a Tyer, if she’s just another feminist Whenner tax and spender, then she’s done. Pick your lion – Tax or Spend as Dan named them – twill make no difference my friend.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Let’s be honest,Boutin wanted complete control over Wahconah Park but the City was to maintain it.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

TSC, the city was maintaining it anyway and still is to this day.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  Paul
5 years ago

Exactly. And Bouton would have brought thousands of people to the area benefiting many business s. But somebody wanted his concession money and he needed that to survive. Whole thing was pulled from him at the last second after a verbal agreement with the mayor. Totally exposed the undercurrent in Pittsfield politics.

Theo
Theo
Reply to  dusty
5 years ago

Jim Boutpn was a good, decent man, always upbeat, made you feel better by his simply being around. He had a plan as DV points out. It would have worked. And pro ball would be flourishing in the Pitts. We will say a prayer for Jim.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Dan, you’re right on about Jim. He was a good guy. I did work at his home down county a few times. He was always friendly and would hang out with me as I was working. Made me lunch one day when I was there at noon. He also gave me a signed copy of Ball Four for my son.
Customers like him are hard to come by.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Also he would not concede about letting High Schools use it.Had we given in to his demands he would still be in control of the park.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

aren’t the Suns are in control of it now

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Another shooting off Tyler street and another reason Herberg School is out of control. City Council gave 1 million to help Herberg school.What a joke.Under 700 at Taconic and under 700 at PHS

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

e Berkshire Eagle
PITTSFIELD — Classes might be out for the summer, but Herberg Middle School staff and administration will be working throughout the next few months to roll out new ambitious academic and student support plans, starting this fall.

The work is being made possible by a $900,000 state grant that the school recently received.

“I’m envisioning a palpable difference from day one,” said Principal Martin McEvoy, aka “Dr. Mac.”

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

and the reason they got the grant was because of their absolutely abysmal performance as a school. Makes one curious how it was allowed to get that bad in the first place. Was anyone fire or demoted or reassigned? Probably not. Instead they are acting like they are being rewarded for doing something positive. How Trumpian is that folks?

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

You are so right. Better my ass. You don’t throw money at something, when you have a Superintendant still in charge that doesn’t get off his ass and passes the buck. When you have the same principal players nothing changes.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

Teachers are being taught how to take more abuse.The kids who abuse know this and will abuse them further creating a bully a teacher a day program.Not the teachers fault but the school committee who OKs abusing our employees

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Herberg will not change one bit.They will try to train staff to take verbal abuse and they will not tell the abusing children that they are wrong.Next budget year you will be asked to pick up this free money in your next fiscal year.The school committee will agree to support another failed grant.Senior citizens better show up to vote to cut budgets not add to them.Melisa need to tell us how many million she will cut or just vote Tyer.Mazzeo has my vote now if she does not cut I won’t vote I will just not vote again.

CC The Maze Sun
CC The Maze Sun
5 years ago

Clue: The Pittsfield SUNs

“To everything, turn turn turn, there is a season, turn turn turn”

Baseball season winds down and Football season just begins – we surely have a GAME mentality.

“Thunder only happens when its raining
Players only love you when their playing
Women they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean you’ll know
You will know
Oh oh oh you’ll know”
– Fleetwood Mac

“Can you hear me that when it rains and shines
Its just a state of Mind
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?”
– The Beatles (Rain)

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Epstien,Clinton,Dershowitz, Trump lock them up.Trump did not want Acosta to resign

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

So how many is that now that have quit, resigned or been fired? Are we in triple digits yet? Trump only hired the best ya know.

Spagirl
Spagirl
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

Trump only hangs with the low hanging fruit.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Spagirl
5 years ago

President Trump was the only one who took any action against Epstein by barring him from one of his properties. So many Democrats hopped on the Lolita Boat quite literally.

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
5 years ago

Lock up the Mayors and State officials that support “sanctuary cities/states” in Violation of Federal law. It’s a Federal Felony.

IT’s a FEDERAL FELONY, LOCK THEM UP!

https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1915-willful-failure-or-refusal-depart

1915. Willful Failure Or Refusal To Depart

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) amended 8 U.S.C. § 1253 to make it a criminal offense for an alien to willfully fail or refuse to depart from the United States within 90 days of a final administrative or judicial order of removal. It is also an offense to willfully fail to make timely, good faith application for travel documents necessary for departure, to take action designed to prevent such alien’s departure, or to willfully fail or refuse to appear for removal. The basic penalty provision is a fine under title 18, United States Code, imprisonment for up to 4 years, or both. Enhanced penalties are applicable to aliens deportable based on criminal convictions or security related grounds.

https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1907-title-8-usc-1324a-offenses

1907. Title 8, U.S.C. 1324(a) Offenses

Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324(a) defines several distinct offenses related to aliens. Subsection 1324(a)(1)(i)-(v) prohibits alien smuggling, domestic transportation of unauthorized aliens, concealing or harboring unauthorized aliens, encouraging or inducing unauthorized aliens to enter the United States, and engaging in a conspiracy or aiding and abetting any of the preceding acts. Subsection 1324(a)(2) prohibits bringing or attempting to bring unauthorized aliens to the United States in any manner whatsoever, even at a designated port of entry. Subsection 1324(a)(3).

Harboring — Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) makes it an offense for any person who — knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation.

Encouraging/Inducing — Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) makes it an offense for any person who — encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law.

Conspiracy/Aiding or Abetting — Subsection 1324(a)(1)(A)(v) expressly makes it an offense to engage in a conspiracy to commit or aid or abet the commission of the foregoing offenses.

Knowledge — Prosecutions for alien smuggling, 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(i) require proof that defendant knew that the person brought to the United States was an alien. With regard to the other violations in 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a), proof of knowledge or reckless disregard of alienage is sufficient.

Penalties — The basic statutory maximum penalty for violating 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(i) and (v)(I) (alien smuggling and conspiracy) is a fine under title 18, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both. With regard to violations of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(ii)-(iv) and (v)(ii), domestic transportation, harboring, encouraging/inducing, or aiding/abetting, the basic statutory maximum term of imprisonment is 5 years,

Mad Trapper
Mad Trapper
Reply to  Mad Trapper
5 years ago

They could start with the mASSachusetts judge, who let the Felon out of the courthose to avoid ICE.

10 years in crowbar hotel, disbarred, no pensions.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Mad Trapper
5 years ago

True. So disgusting what that judge did. The far left comparing exporting illegal immigrants to the Nazis murdering Jewish people is equally disgusting.

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
5 years ago

It’s gonna get a little more expensive to live in Pittsfield.
If tyer gets elected she plans to implement a .2% tax on deed transfers to help fund parks and park revitalization. Not a typo .2% or two tenths of a percent increase.
She has taxed kufflinks to work with legislatures to see if this is possible. This is all hush hush and she wants to keep it a secret until after the election. This is actually in response to the failed Pickleball pickle.

Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Esoterically; That ‘Ain’t ” all Tyer and the cult is planning to raise. She believes the election is bought and paid for.
Remember; Taxing Tyer and her RAT (Raise all taxes) Pack come November.

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
Reply to  Sojourner Truth
5 years ago

The “park” revitalization is part of a “preparation for global climate change” tax to make sure there are the appropriate number of trees in parks, that impermeable surfaces have runoff locations.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Sojourner Truth
5 years ago

Mazzeo is tax happy too. We can thank Mazzeo for voting for the meals tax which was supposed to be temporary, but we still have it and it has increased over the years.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Sounds like she thinks she has the election sewed up. She is horribly incompetent with all these surtaxes she is coming up with. Leave if you can people. Help your high school graduates get the hell out of the doomed city.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Tyer is underfunding all budgets so school get their cash .Simple maintenance is not happening.Please paint and clean Mark Belanger baseball field bathrooms.Begging the mayor and Caccamo. Caccamo please fix sidewalks in your ward.Tyer is the worst Mayor ever.There are storm drains blocked by broken asphalt curbing.All city Trucks should pick up asphalt city debris in the road

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
5 years ago

Took some vacation time to go to Barrington Stage this afternoon. Because I did not want to pay to park, I parked for free a few blocks from Union Street. In walking North Street I felt totally disgusted. There were drunks passed out on benches, one young lady was passed out in one of sidewalk flower pots. People were congregated outside of several apartment buildings with scooters and wheel chairs and their language was foul. I have no problem with them being outside, but make a path for pedestrians to walk by. I had to go off the sidewalk and step into the street. North Street is filthy dirty with nips, barf and garbage. I also noticed that the Mayor Dynamic Vibrant Lovely Linda’s meter kiosks are grossly dirty. Couldn’t help but think of the germs on these things. Does the City clean them? Does the City ever pick up the garbage in the street? Where is our Police Department, why aren’t they making sure the side walks are clear for pedestrians? I did see two cruisers go by, do they not see the people passed out? After the play my stroll back to my car was even worse, drug exchanges right in front of me, a couple more intoxicated folks, one that had lost control of his bodily functions. When I finally got to my car and locked myself in, I was thankful that I chose to go to the play at 2 in the afternoon. If North Street is this bad on a nice afternoon it must be awful to go to the theatre at night. The Mayor should be ashamed that she had not addressed these issues. You drive through Lee, Lenox, Great Barrington and even Northampton and their Main Street make you feel invited to enjoy their stores and restaurants. I am so tired of the excuses that Dynamic Vibrant Lovely Linda and her departments heads hand out. All of them have had almost 4 years to better Pittsfield and they have done absolutely NOTHING. They can’t even figure out how to put American Flags up for the 4th of July! Oh dear, the truck is broken! Did she ever think of calling the phone, electric, or cable companies? I pretty sure they might have volunteered to help out! I just hope that the election brings some drastic changes for the better! The Pittsfield taxpayers deserve so much more!

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Merry & Bright
5 years ago

Maybe Tyer thinks like Trump in that no matter what she does (or does not do) she will be reelected. If she has the unions it does not matter how many Johnny paychecks vote the other way. Why else would you be raising taxes just before an election?

Auto Phil
Auto Phil
Reply to  Merry & Bright
5 years ago

Astute observations here. I for one appreciate your firsthand account of a lovely afternoon Upstreet (haahhaahaa).

Pittsfield is gross. Does it matter whose fault it is? At this point I think no. I think the most important thing is to get an administration in place that can make it better. Tyer had her chance. The city council needs less puppets and more backbones.

And Pittsfield needs some major major help.

Kermit Frog
Kermit Frog
Reply to  Auto Phil
5 years ago

I agree. Everyone running seems tired and recycled from some other failure. The towns seems to cycle admins too. It’s toilet paper stuck to Pittsfield’s proverbial foot – these rotten do nothings never move on.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

SARCASM:

Blame Linda! It used to be “Blame GE!” Now, all of Pittsfield’s problems are the fault of the lovely Linda Tyer. Prior to 2016, Pittsfield was a utopia. Then, Linda Tyer came along and ruined everything.

The Good Old Boys use Linda as their puppet. She answers to the likes of Jimmy Ruberto and company. Linda hasn’t changed the corrupt way Pittsfield politics operates. The vested interests continue to benefit from all of the tax and fee hikes, huge municipal debts, and the overpriced public school system. Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski always have to assume the position.

That Linda Tyer. She is the worse Mayor of Pittsfield, EVER! She is to blame for everything that went wrong in Pittsfield. She is out of touch with the working class. She should be voted out of political office in 2019.

– Jonathan Melle

B.Clairmont
B.Clairmont
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

Jonathan,

Its an election year. a large number of new handles are people from various political camps. Don’t believe 1/2 of what you read from these people. I doubt the story about North Street is even true.

Barry

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Prolly more like 80%

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  B.Clairmont
5 years ago

So Barry, are you calling me a liar? Trust me I have much better things to do in my life than make up a story about North Street! Sometimes in life the truth hurts and I apologize to you if I hit a nerve about the sad situation in Pittsfield. In my past one of my relatives was active in Pittsfield politics and I know how it works and I do not want to be a part of it. I am not working for anyone’s campaign! All I am asking for is a cleaner safer City!

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Merry & Bright
5 years ago

There is no doubt the city is dirtier than four years ago. Definitely more drugs, gangs and crime (just because it gets red lined from the Eagle does not mean people have not seen it first hand)

It is mid June and my street still has not been swept. Sewer drains clogged with leaves and pine needles. Streets not lined, not even crosswalks. Some roads (Cloverdale) still have many potholes.

City hall used to justify the higher taxes by claiming “the people want their services”. Well the taxes keep going up but the services are going down. And now we are getting all these add on taxes.

I don’t think M&B is too far off reality at all.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
5 years ago

Jonathan – Why don’t you move back to Pittsfield, maybe your Lovely Linda will give you a job. Let’s see how long it takes you to realized that those of us that DO live here see how Pittsfield is going down hill daily.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  Merry & Bright
5 years ago

I am a disabled Veteran. I wouldn’t be able to accept a job offer from the lovely Linda Tyer, although it would be an honor to work for her in Pittsfield City Hall.

I realize Pittsfield is “going downhill daily”. I lived there for most of my life.

I have long supported the lovely Linda Tyer in Pittsfield politics. I think she is helping the community, despite Pittsfield’s problems. The lovely Linda Tyer stands for everything I believe in when it comes to politics. I like how she listens to everyone, including the poor neighborhoods that circle North Street.

My family lives in Southern NH. I would be all alone if I moved back to Pittsfield. I don’t think I would do well under those circumstances. In closing, I like following Pittsfield politics from a distance.

– Jonathan Melle

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
5 years ago

Does your disability have anything to do with military service? If not stop the disabled veteran stuff?

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
5 years ago

Dan,

If there is a way to add blocking or ignore of users to this site, I would love that feature.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

When you see the name of a user you do not like just skip his or her contribution. Not that complicated.

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

When they continually post manifestos that take up hundreds of words and post incessantly it isn’t easy as you’d think

Shakes
Shakes
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Avert your eyes, snowflake

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Taxing Tyer for mayor. Cutting budgets Mazzeo by consolidating High School saving millions.

Free Bird
Free Bird
5 years ago

Interesting letter to the editor of the Eagle today from mayoral candidate Kalinowski who doesn’t sugarcoat the problems in the schools.

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
Reply to  Free Bird
5 years ago

Mayoral candidate says schools, roads need attention
Posted Friday, July 12, 2019 4:57 pm
To the editor:

How many flat tires, broken axles and damaged vehicles will it take before our streets become a priority in Pittsfield?

Lily Tomlin once said, “The road to success is always under construction.” However, many of the roads in Pittsfield haven’t seen construction in well over a decade. So how will our city and citizens such as ourselves find success if many of our streets look like meteors hit them?

How many parents must send their children to out-of-district schools before the city recognizes and fixes the issues facing our school system? Underperforming schools, high numbers of students entering middle school unable to read at a fifth-grade level, out-of-control students disrupting classes, teachers assaulted by students, lack of consistent follow-through in regards to the breaking of rules by students, lack of support of teachers by some administrators.

These are just a few of the issues our schools are facing.

I have lived in Pittsfield my entire life and spent over 30 years as a Pittsfield police officer patrolling our streets and working in our schools. I believe it’s time our city streets get the well-deserved work our taxes have been paying for, and our children get the education they deserve.

I grew up on Henry Avenue along with my 12 sisters and three brothers. My dad worked hard to support our family working as an auto parts manager. When my youngest sister went to school, my mom volunteered in the city schools and later became a paraprofessional until her retirement.

After attending college, I worked multiple jobs including McDonald’s, Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital and Samale’s package store before becoming a Pittsfield police officer. I am married and have three wonderful sons who also grew up locally and went to our schools.

In the early 1990s I was one of the first community policing officers working in our downtown area, when open drug dealing, open drinking and shoplifting were an issue.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER THESE ADS
I helped get the drug dealers and people openly drinking alcohol off North Street. Plus, I helped store owners in preventing shoplifting. I also taught DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) in our local schools, as well as working and then helping run our city’s summer DARE camp.

I became a school resource officer at Reid Middle School at a time when the school was out of control and helped the new administrators bring the school back to a place where kids could safely learn.

I became an instructor in the ALICE (Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate) program training teachers throughout the city, as well as the students at Reid, on what to do if an armed intruder was in the building.

During my 13 years as a resource officer I saw many things that worked well and things the schools need to improve upon in order to keep our school environment safe for learning.

I worked tirelessly to make positive changes and better the lives of adults and children in our city.

If I am elected mayor I will work just as hard and tirelessly to improve our city streets, better our schools and make our city a positive place to live. You can contact me by email at bkkalinowsky@yahoo.com or on Facebook, with suggestions or support.

Karen Kalinowsky,

Pittsfield

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Maybe she should run for council or school committee. I doubt she’ll get many votes.

Johnny99
Johnny99
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Are you actually going to campaign? A somewhat disjointed letter patting yourself in the back and giving us your pedigree and telling us about your family won’t get you many votes, though I don’t doubt you’re heart’s in the right place. And how many kids or siblings you have, etc doesn’t matter to me. What exactly could be done better in the city and the schools and how can you make it happen? What leadership or management experience have you?

And 30 years later there’s still drinking and druggin on North St, and if there’s any stores left with anything to steal no doubt there’s still shoplifting.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  Johnny99
5 years ago

Ms Kalinowski posted this letter in the Eagle. Why don’t you reply to it there. Is it because you don’t have the courage and choose hide behind that foolish name. It would be more appropriate if instead of using Johnny99 you called yourself Johnnynospine.

Johnny99
Johnny99
Reply to  Thomas More
5 years ago

Hey Thomas, or is that a fake name? Are you jealous of my name?

A. I don’t read the boaring boradsheet and

B. they didn’t bother publishing my last letter.

C. They don’t allow comments.

D. I’m too scart of the GOBSIGs to publish my own name. I am a property owner, have kids in local school, etc. Scart of retaliation.

By the way, if someone is going to run for office and make public statements or write letters, it’s fair game for respectful comment.

doomiedodger
doomiedodger
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

She certainly sounds like an option for someone like me. I am not going to waste my gas going to the polls to elect someone who is primarily there to feather their own nests and those of their friends and family as seems to be the case now.

She may get more votes than you think because many of us cannot afford a special interest mayor in the corner office.

doomiedodger
doomiedodger
Reply to  danvalenti
5 years ago

Not like the police union is going to back her given the political relationships surrounding the election. But I wish someone would send a message that things need change. School union is bought and literally paid for.

Drew Z
Drew Z
5 years ago

So K Cop says she worked in the schools,worked as a cop. So she is part of the problem, neiher this has improved and we are fourth currently high crime city Ma.

doomiedodger
doomiedodger
Reply to  Drew Z
5 years ago

Do you think she has more or less influence than the mayor in such matters? Just asking.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

The Pittsfield Boys club removes kids with no respect from the building.Not 1 nickle should be spent on our schools.Lets get adults to admit we have a behavior problem.Teachers should never have to be abused because of McCandless and his policies.Lets let children know the schools are a safe well run place.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

iBerkshires has an article about a guy named Jay Hamling who is running for Pittsfield city council. He says he believes in transparency. That would be refreshing because that is what Tyer ran on and she is anything but transparent.

This guy could convince me and get my vote if he could get a hold of and release the names of the business s that get tax breaks in Pittsfield. This seems to be one of the current mayor biggest cover ups. My guess is that some of these business s absolutely do not want the taxpayers to know they are being subsidized by the taxpayers. Haddad would be one.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

McCandless and the Eberwien committee spend 10 million dollar of a grant through the Sherrifs department over the last few years and Amuso was part of those mistakes to keep kids in school even as they abused teachers.Mccandless and Pittsfield have lost 10% of our children to Dalton,Lenon,Lee.Who wants to Audit that 10 million dollar grant to see what’s left of it.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Various underground news sources are saying Biden will drop out of the race before or shortly after the next debate, due to health/ stamina issues.
Hickenlooper poised to emerge from the shadows?

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Are they the same underground sources that help Trump get elected?

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

Absurd,
I don’t listen to your mainstream news which predicted a Hillary landslide.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

She won a landslide by 3.9 million more votes.

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Hilary won the illegal immigrant vote and the dead democrat vote hands down without question.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Fritz,

I have heard the same about Biden taking his ball and going home do to health reasons. Personally I wish him well if in fact it is for health reasons. I do tend to believe it may be more to Joe being Joe.

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

Johnny2,
Do you think Biden or a Biden family member may be involved in the Epstein case?

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Fritz,

Haven’t heard anything of the sort. Many rumors going on with this and until more facts of who is involved come out it would be a guess.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

No ,I believe the Trumps are very involved with the billionaire .

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

Clinton took 27 trips to Lolita island. Trump kicked Wpstein out of Margo largo for hitting on a young girl. Democrats love pedopfilia.

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

I doubt that joe has healthy balls

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

News site I stumbled upon. Sorta of like Drudge.

https://www.whatfinger.com/

Mr. Fritz
Mr. Fritz
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

Hey thanks Johnny2 – adding whatfinger to my daily news scan sites.

Acute Angina
Acute Angina
Reply to  Mr. Fritz
5 years ago

They need to have men with white coats and nets at the next dem debate.

Drew Z
Drew Z
5 years ago

I have it on good authority that Elizabeth Warren will announce her V Will be none other than Caroline Kennedy.

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

Trump was to divert attention while he stole 1.8 trillion from our Obama economy to give to his friends.The working middle class is who Trump stole it from

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

Wait a minute! I thought Obama claimed it was W’s economy when things weren’t going well?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Johnny2Shoes
5 years ago

It was called the Bush collaspe and Obama took it on with 3 hours to go and a world financial collaspe. It took 2 years and slow sustainable growth and Obama handed Trump a very beautiful economy.Its at a standstill because he stole 1.8 trillion and the middle class got none

The school committee
The school committee
5 years ago

She won a landslide by 3.9 million more votes.

Johnny2Shoes
Johnny2Shoes
Reply to  The school committee
5 years ago

I have to admit that her presidential portrait hanging in the oval is a masterpiece.

Johnny Absurd
Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

It is just a coincidence that one of Epstein’s properties in Florida where he trafficked underage girls, was right next to Donald Trumps Mara Largo golf resort. And none of the horny old golfers from around the world that visited there came for access to illicit sex. In fact, according to Access Hollywood, Trump does not even like sex.

Believe me!

Fake News
Fake News
Reply to  Johnny Absurd
5 years ago

Very fake news.

Gigi
Gigi
5 years ago

Huawei planning big layoff of U.S. employees, after being blacklisted by the Commerce Dept.

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/453014-huawei-planning-massive-layoffs-in-us-report

ProxyDate
ProxyDate
5 years ago

Big trouble for Adams/Cheshire school district.
Allegedly a school employee hacked the email system and stole tens of thousands of emails.
Some of them are from a former educator who is married to her lover who was also a staff member. The former educator quit before she could be fired and landed as an administrator in another school district.

Auto Phil
Auto Phil
Reply to  ProxyDate
5 years ago

Why can’t Pittsfield have fun and entertaining troubles like these?

This kind of problem is way more interesting than the troubles of a city that built a brand new $120million high school and didn’t design it big enough to hold its annual graduation ceremony…