ASSESSMENTS: WHY DID MOST EVERYONE’S GO UP (INCLUDING MAZZEO) BUT THE MAYOR’S WENT DOWN?
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY OCT. 28, 2019) — A brief housekeeping note starts us today. The launch of the new site went well overall. Transferring data from and to different servers always involves a few kinks. Mostly they have been addressed. We thank everyone for their patience in this transition. If you have feedback on the new site, THE PLANET welcomes them. There will still be a little adjustment here and there, mostly backstage. Now on to today’s column. As Johnny Olsen used to whisper to Alan Ludden, “Today’s password is ‘assessments.'”
What is your home worth?
The answer will always be the product of a subjective determination. Your relationship to your home, if you own it, will be primarily emotional. You may love it, though it may be a humble hearth. You could also loathe it, even though it’s lakefront and jazzed with the amenities.
Within that introspective framework, local government steps in to provide an assessed value for tax purposes. Each locality uses a different process. Theoretically, the assessed value for tax purposes should equal the market value of the property. In reality, that’s almost never the case, especially in cities with politics as sour as brine. Pittsfield, anyone? It’s long been known — or at least perceived — that a sprinkling of “connected” properties receive a lower value for tax purposes. The laugh is when they sell, the selling price can make the valuation look like Gen. Tom Thumb. The bottom feeders don’t worry. They don’t own. It’s those in the middle — the Kapanskis — who get nailed with unjustifiably high valuations that ignore declining market value.
Assessments and valuations, in fact, have emerged late in the cycle as one of the mayoral campaign’s hottest issues. THE PLANET has received and heard of numerous complaints from homeowners who feel the assessments were arbitrary and too high.Certainly, the temptation sits before the city like a blank check. Need more money but don’t want to “raise taxes?” Simply bump up the assessments. Bingo! It’s raining cash.
In any case, THE PLANET received the following information from a City Hall source who spent a good chunk of time researching assessments in Pittsfield. Here’s what was sent:
There’s a fun little game to play with modern technology and the wonders of electronic record-keeping if you’re into properties in Pittsfield and tax bills. It’s called, “see how much your property value has increased according to the city of Pittsfield.”
It’s great. You can go to this cool online site, accessed by clicking PROPERTY MAPS – GIS from the city’s website homepage and you can search your own property, and those of friends, co-workers, family and others, and see assessed values and also the amount it has increased compared to the prior year. Hours of fun.
But that’s not all. It gives you a pretty good idea how much more you, your friends, and neighbors are paying on their property tax bill. The higher your property is valued according to the city, the higher your tax bill. For instance, even with the minuscule reduction in tax rate recently touted by Mayor Tyer, there are a number of property owners who still got whacked with an increase in the bill based upon the increase in property value. The bottom-line is, the assessed values continue to go up, so will the tax bills. You know, the whole death and taxes thing.
Every property you view will show an increase of 1 to 3 percent. That’s why it was so odd to see the property inhabited by Linda Tyer and Barry Clairmont with a decrease in valuation. It’s remarkable. The property at 3 Pheasant Way owned by Three Nominee Trust (interesting that it’s owned by a trust) is valued at $586,700 compared to the prior year total value of $595,700 — a reduction of $9000. It’s not a huge amount, but totally strange based upon the property of everyone else. To be fair, perhaps abutting properties decreased in value for some reason in the gated community? Nope. They all went up, like every other property in the city — ALL except 3 Pheasant Way. How about other elected officials? Nope, their properties are like everyone else. For instance, mayoral candidate Melissa Mazzeo’s home on Gravesleigh Terrace increased by $5000 from $483,500 to $498,500.
It would be incredibly interesting to see if there is a specific reason as to why Linda and Barry got a break.
THE PLANET asked Mayor Tyer and candidate Mazzeo for their reactions and comments. We present their comments verbatim, with no editing. This is what the mayor replied:
Hi Dan:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding property values. Specifically, you asked why my home value decreased by $9,000 and why Melissa’s home value increased by $5,000.
First, the mayor and the city council have no role in setting property values. By law, the responsibility for determining property values rests jointly with the city’s three member Board of Assessors and with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services. I have included a link to the Minimum Standards required by the Department of Revenue for assessing property values. Page 9 of the certification standards speaks to the statistical analysis and page 19 speaks to interim year adjustments.
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/04/26/igr2019-8_0.pdf
You will see that assessing property values is extremely complex. There are many factors contributing to property values and yearly adjustments. For residential properties that are not income producing, the marketplace of home sales is heavily weighed. Assessors also take into consideration current replacement costs, adjustments for new growth such as physical improvements that are made from year to year, and the removal of improvements located on or attached to the property. These all contribute to the annual valuation.
Based on information provided by the Board of Assessors, here are a few facts related to the FY19 values: 150 single family homes saw a decrease in value; 85 single family homes decreased by $9,000 or more; 119 of 599 condominiums decreased in value.
Here is a link to the city’s Board of Assessors. There is a lot of great information on their webpage. I encourage you and your readers to contact the city’s Board of Assessors if you have any other questions.
https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/board_of_assessors/index.php
Sincerely, Linda
Councilor-at-large Mazzeo sent this:
Dan- Thank you for asking for a comment. You know, I would love to say something more politically appropriate, but let’s be honest here. The mayor touting that taxes going down while valuations are going up just puts the cherry on top of this administration. The complete story is rarely told. It’s like their (and I say ‘their’ because as we know there is more than just Linda steering this ship) top strategy is smoke and mirrors. I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the untruths the Tyer Campaign is spreading, but this is so reminiscent of how she ran for mayor four years ago … tying constant lies to empty promises. And yet here we are, present day, paying more taxes, waiting for violent crime to stop rising, watching teachers flee the district. I could keep going.Lately I hear from certain people, “Mazzeo is negative.” It’s not about being negative. It’s about telling the truth. Someone recently said to me, “I like your style, Melissa, because you’re willing to diagnose and intervene.” And that’s why I’m running for mayor. There are so many challenges facing this city that need an intervention. Why run for mayor if things are great? Do I love Pittsfield? Yes. I have raised my family here, kept our business here, and devoted 10 years of service to the City Council. But are we at a turning point? Yes. I have said this before and I’ll say it again: We can’t afford 4 more years of this administration.So back to your question, what do I think about the Tyer administration lowering taxes but raising valuations? It’s just another check mark on the empty promises and false statements of the past 4 years.I welcome open discussion. As Dan knows, I don’t respond to comments as I prefer to have personal conversations. Email mazzeoformayor@gmail.com, and I can respond to your questions/comments/concerns. Or reach out to Dan, as he does a good job communicating with me and asking for comment on items concerning you.Thanks- Melissa Mazzeo
There may be some valid explanation for the valuation of the mayor’s home decreasing in value, alone among the properties searched. Then again, there may not. What can’t be denied is the perception that somehow strings were pulled to produce favor: the mayor’s valuation goes down. The Mazzeo number goes up. As we know about perceptions, it matters little whether they are based upon foundations made of sand or concrete. They stick. Do we think that Tyer would intervene to manipulate the number? No, we don’t. All we know are the numbers. They are there, and they’re there for a reason. One other thing is for certain. For the Tyer camp, the optics don’t look good. Perception often sways into assumption, which becomes the held “truth.” In a close election, this one issue might be the decider.
Finally, this last word about assessments. First, when an assessor comes calling, ask to see official ID. Second, you don’t have to let the assessor in or on your property. Third, you can challenge the number. If you think your property has been overvalued, the assessor’s office at city hall provides an appeal process.
As always, THE PLANET welcomes your views on this issue and others.
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“All that is seeing, believing can do” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Another great piece of investigative work. You’re the only journalist that looks into finding out the truth, even if that makes you unpopular with the “powers that be”. Thank you, Dan.
Hi Dan,
I like the new Planet format, thank you for keeping this site relevant.
I think property taxes are the most regressive form of taxation. Here we are in the bastion of liberalism and in Pittsfield, we are continually taking more money from the same pool through property taxes, regardless of the ability to pay. To me, it is unconscionable to tax residents on a perceived value of their home. I bought my home for $145k in 2001 and have seen its valuation as high as $337k in 2008. This year, it was $258k and I don’t know what the new valuation will be but I fear it will be back over $300k. In reality, the value of my house only matters when I sell it. Can you imagine the firestorm that would be created if stocks were taxed based on their value every year?
BTW, I refused to allow “Tyler Technologies” entry into my home to assess improvements and the penalty I will pay is that I cannot ask for an abatement.
Also, under Mayor Tyer, my property taxes increased $500.
Maybe we can slip Tyer some GE economic redevelopment money so she can bring her home up to snuff.
Forget about asking for ID. As Dan wrote you can kick them off you’re property. And you have the right to remain silent, thanks to Ernesto Miranda – don’t even talk to them.
I want to know what the candidates think of the letter sent under city letterhead requesting searches of people’s homes and why did Tyer authorize this and I want to know when the 2020 re-assessments are getting posted and I want to know how much the Kapanskis taxes are going up after the election.
Not exactly secret squirrel spit and available for years at city hall and online but good analysis by you’re Z Agent. Here is a link to the fy2019 assessments. Fy 2018s are also on city site. Note that current posted assessments took effect 1 January 2018, so they are 2 months shy of being 2 years old. You can also see online that Tyer raised your tax rate 7.53 percent since being elected – this doesn’t count the phony assessment increases upon which your valuations are based. After the election expect it to be closer to 10 percent.
No doubt the fiscal year 2020 tax screwing will be retroactive back to 1 July and will be a walloper with the fy 2020 assessments and the regular annual screwing and the high school tax. We’ll be getting screwed 3 ways. When will the city be posting the new assessed values? No doubt after the election but before gutless mayor and council set tax rates after election.
https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/board_of_assessors/uploads/FY%2019%20PP%20ABSTRACT%20PDF.pdf
Last I checked, city Clowncil is the body that passes the budget…
Still is the budget passer as well as the body snatcher of the body politick. The “however” here, however, is that in Pittsfield, what the mayor proposes is the de facto budget because of the rubber-stamp syndrome. Until machine politics is countered and we get a modicum of political independence, it will be this way.
The council can cut but cannot add to the budget. If Tyer doesn’t propose outrageous sums of money be spent to begin with, supported by the tax increases, and increased valuations, the council would be approving much smaller budgets. What we need in the corner office is a people’s mayor, not a tax and spender with a rubber stamp council. We need budget cuts. The mayor sets the tax rate, with councils approval. It’s all smoke and mirrors pal. Dummy Up.
Absolutely. A parasitic special interest mayor is bad for the people AND the city as a whole. There is no future with a government that cannibalizes its own city. Tyer needs to be a part of Pittsifleds dark history, starting next week.
SallySays,
Boy oh boy Dan did Tyer blow a whole bunch of smoke and mirrors or what, with that reply?
Hey Sally, great campaign theme for GOBSIG controlled Camp Tyer – Smoke on The Water, by Deep Purple. Back when I was a hippie.
Well Well Mz. Mazzeo. Glad to see you get fired up before it’s too late. There’s hope for your campaing yet. An Intervention is right, and I am so glad you wrote that because that is exactly what this city needs, along with an enema, because this city has a serious spending disorder, especially the school department under McCandles, who should be shown the door, especially after his latest navel gazing, assuming he could find it. He’s been feeding at the city trough long enough. Restorative Justice my ass! City Hall needs a serious cleansing, for starters. You can cut 10 percent off the top of every budget and 20% of the school department, and the city will function just fine. I hope if you get in, that you become the change we need, and not another wishy washy tax and spender who can’t see the forest for the trees. Tyer has been a colossal failure and a total disappointment. And to back Harrington was the icing on the cake.
Like the saying goes…. “That’s bullshit!”
Unbelievable, did the mayor think no one would notice? Pittsfield GIS is a fun and helpful tool. I bet it would reveal other fortunate decreases in valuation.
She is a sneaky one. Who is the trust that owns her home? How are Scarafoini properties doing? How about Carver? And are both of these pals getting additional tax breaks through TIFFS?
Next time see if you can get Tyer to comment on a forensic audit which this situation may indicate a need for. If she does not get voted out can we start an impeachment movement?
It’s interesting that those two are lifetime board members of downtown Pittsfield inc, and are constant beneficiaries of money dole outs.
What is Downtown Pittsfield Inc – it seems like a money laundering racket. I also would be curious sale prices on Pheasant Way in 2014. It seems like the mayor paid over the going price at the time. Who did they buy from? Follow the money.
Did the Mayor think no one would find out about her purchase of a $700k home in Denver either? I wonder where that money came from
There is no solid evidence that it came from kickbacks.
Her husband used to own a large rental property 8n Breckinridge but sold it a few years ago. The mayor never had an interest in it. Try some facts.
So Barry & Linda purchased a home in Denver which just happens to be the headquarters of EMA? Pittsfield Talks – please tell us more about this connection.
What are you implying? Did Melissa Mazzeo marry a sugar daddy or what? Where would she be to-day if left her own devices? Exactly!!
Asking valid questions, just like Dan is doing in his column about the mayor’s home appraisal going down while most are going up. Stop getting your briefs in a twist, Brian. Looking for answers.
So, how is that relevant to the best interest of Pittsfield. You do realize she earns over 100K per year, right? While your prize candidate earns about 8k per year. Who’s financially better off to afford a million-dollar home than someone earning close to a half mil in four years, or someone earning 8k? Help me understand everyone’s fuzzy math.
Looks like the mayor gave you double duty trashing Mazzeo on both the 411s and here. What did she promise you this time?
That’s not the point, Brian, and you know it!
Soon to be Mayor
Yeah,she married A..sugar Daddy,who she had kids with,not three Sugar Daddy’s and zero kids.
The easiest way to figure this out is the property record card.
If you get last years and compare it to this years, it will tell the story in where the reduction is.
They don’t allow you access to old property record cards online but you can get the current one.
https://mapgeo.s3.amazonaws.com/clients/pittsfieldma/data/2019propertyrecordcards/A080001186.PDF
You can either ask the assessors for last years via email or go in and get it yourself.
The key to these things is to always look at your tax bill not your tax rate or assessment. Tax rates go down as values go up. Values go down and tax rates go up. All all the K’s really care about is are they paying more each year. The answer is yes.
This is made dangerously worse by Kerwood’s pay interest only approach to borrowing. It’s adding millions to the costs of projects.
The water and sewer, no matter what your tax rate does, because of bad policy Kerwood is going to make you spend millions more on his interest only sewer scheme.
Your water and sewer rates will go up 4-6 times as much as they were last year and just wait for that continuously deferred waste water treatment project to hit.
Your sewer and water rates will look like your tax bill.
Will a Mazzeo administration boot Kerwood?
Not exactly. The easiest way is to look at your tax bill each year for comparison. If you want to look at other peoples, fy 18 and fy 19 are both on assessors website but in two different places but there is no need to email anyone or go to shorty hall.
You are incorrect, it’s not the values we are discussing it’s what actually changed that made her value go down. The only way to do that is to look at the property record card from one year to the next to see what decreased in value specifically.
We know the house value went down. Was it due to a change in condition or grade? Was it due to a depreciation table change based on age? Was it due to demolition of a shed or a pool?
The ONLY way to see that is by looking at the detail on the property record cards, not just the valuation report.
Since Pittsfield only publishes the current property record card, for the the year, you have to actually go to city hall to the assessors and ask for a print out of the old one.
If her value went down because she filled in a pool, demolished a shed, that would be legitimate. If there was an error on her card, like they said 4 bathrooms and she had only three, and they removed one, again a legitimate change.
Those homes on Pheasant Way are very nice, well built and maybe a bit Mc-Mansion-y. I doubt the Mayor and husband could shift their house for much more than $500k. I would probably grieve my taxes if they were that high. So I don’t think they are getting much of a deal.
I think recent sales in that neighborhood are not good. That may be because it feels a bit tacky over there, if high quality builds, or because no one wants that much tied up on Pittsfield real estate.
They paid $615k in 2014
Oh wow. I wouldn’t have paid that.
I have looked around the realtor sites and looked at historical sale prices and the mayor paid an overly high sale price for that neighborhood. Most neighboring properties were in mid 500k. Why did they pay so much? Business sense?
If you see the way she spends the cities money it all makes sense. 2 million over on salt and sand leads me to believe she’d easily overpay on a house
Did anyone Else’s tax assessments go down?
How about those Belicheats pounding a hapless Cleveland squad yesterday? That defense is amazing!
love the new format!
Much appreciated, SHAUN.
My father was the assessor of a city in NY state for a couple of decades. My mother used to complain every year when the tax Bill’s came out that our house had the highest assessment on the block. My father just said, “yup.” Even the appearance of him or the city manager getting a break was not acceptable…even if it was deserved! What was Linda thinking?!? She could’ve checked first and avoided all this. It’s not like its gonna save them a ton of money so I can’t imagine it’s even intentional on her part. It just looks bad.
Site looks great Dan. I have no problem with the programmatic ad spots. Can you sell those individually as well or do they belong to Google to fulfill?
NY assesses very differently than MA
Google sells the ad. To put it simplistically, PV has a contract with Google to be my salesperson. I could sell ads locally but turned down that option so the site avoids the perception of influence peddling. As we have seen with this story on assessments, perception often becomes “reality.” Thanks, G.
It’s been well known that BC hides his assets, a lesson he learned defending his brother Bruce – google the story from the Eagle in 2004 ish. The house at 3 Pheasant Way is owned by Lori Robbins an attorney in Lenox. No gripes with hiding assets but from people that tout transparency etc – BS
It is very common for people that are in tune with tax law and property law to have property trusts.
The trust insulates the house from lawsuits and taxes at certain transfers. It also allows for the transfer of a property without filing a deed. You just amend the trust and the new beneficiaries of the trust get the benefit. It’s all part of proper estate planning.
As trustee Lori Robbins does not own the property, she is just the person that all bills are forwarded to. I’d bet that they have an escrow account with her and she pays the tax bills. There is nothing wrong with this arrangement and it’s actually a very smart thing to do.
BC may be a jerk and anything else but putting a property in trust just makes him a little smarter than most when it comes to real estate law.
The formulas for appraisals are rigid. If you accuse the licensed professionals of certainly unethical if not illegal activity behind pseudonyms then you are a yellow-bellied coward.
Shakes – please re-read my post, trying to read all the words. no accusations. no problem with hiding assets. Is Shakes the name your mom gave you ?
As much as your mom gave you UAlbany, although I do admit the comment did not post where intended and idiocy is not a crime.
That is true,you’d be doing time shakes shaker
Shakes is a liar. (S)he doesn’t know Mass appraisal, mass assessing, or CAMA.
I teach a number of the Mass Assessors courses at Amherst (101 on up). I also train collectors and treasures for the State, the biggest problem is that Mass Assessing is anything g but pure numbers, there’s a lot of subjectivity in grade and condition.
Two assessors can be tens of thousands dollars off on grade, condition, or even judging effective year built due to maintenance.
Also, the last time mine was done the assessor added a new deck onto my house. And I could not see it. Only he could. Was working on commission. Brother had a finished attic added on to his. Only assessor could see it.
The formulas for Mass Assessment are not ridged at all. In fact there are many areas within the system that all specific applications of factors, both negative and positive, to be applied to make up for deficiencies in the subjective nature of validating sales with respect to assessment to sales ratios.
Every state approved CAMA system allows for factoring, additional assessment, and individual assessment to a very minute detail.
You clearly have no clue what you are talking about.
Curious things about your profession, It’s like a paramedic not stopping for a car crash. If you don’t report unethical behavior, then you’re equally in breach of your professional code.
The MAAO complaint form is easy to find online.
So, because I rent rather than own, I’m a bottom feeder. Good to know. I have an advance degree, work 40+ hours a week and do volunteer work. When taxes &/or fees go up, so does my rent.
DOWNTOWN
Of course what I wrote didn’t include you. Not all apartment dwellers are feeders, but most feeders do not own homes.
While I am no big fan of Mayor Tyer, this is just something that can’t be proven. Did the owner of Mayor’s house apply for and get an abatement? Maybe Tyer’s neighbors should apply? Maybe Mazzeo should apply, but I’d much rather live in Mazzeo’s neighborhood than Tyer’s.
Sure it could be proven since the assessment is just based on a formula, not on anyone’s professional judgment since that requires work. But Tyer’s salary is raised automatically so tax increases are irrelevant to her. What’s really going on is that high-end properties are generally underassessed so that the rich and connected can save 10s of thousands, while everyone else if overcharged. Then the city makes taxpayers pay $40k to tear down homes that it claims have a market value of $150,000
Nice that the assessors office told Tyer that 85 homes went down by 9,000 or more and 150 total went down in value. How about Tyer tell us what percentage of single family homes went down in value? How stupid does she think us Kapanskis are? See 84 others had decreases too – give us percentages. How come the average Joe can’t get meaningful numbers like percentage of homes doing down in value? And when are the fy 2020 tax rates getting set and the new valuations coming??? Fiscal year is half over almost. We deserve to know how much our taxes are going up. We’re not all making 100,000 plus grand a year in cushy city jobs ya know. Some of us actually have to budget.
All the fancy math. Wonder who puts these ideas in her head. Betcha it’s a numbers guy? It’s like the two cents. More propaganda. You can get your ass that he lovely one already has a job lined up. Even DumstEarl got a nice gig in Lenox.
Mayor says if home is assessed more, when you sell your home, it will be worth more when you sell it. Incredible. What if we don’t want to sell it. And I will move if I can’t afford deal of a revenue tax increase. And the two cents on the tax rate was an insult to the taxpayer,anyway you look at it,totally amateurish. Thousands don’t want to sell anyway unless they have to and don’t want to. They don’t have your income.
“Imagine NO possessions. I wonder if, you can”
Penned by John Lennon, a known communist.
The only nastiness coming from a campaign is from Mazzeo’s. This is hers and theirs last hurrah, so give it all you guys got because November 5th is a do or die event.
I’ve written about this in the past, and as quick reminder, I’ll go at it again. My taxes in Lanesborough are 334% what they were when I bought this house in 1999. And still, I maintain a Title 5 septic system; pay Republic Service each month for trash removal; we still have an all volunteer fire department; our Town Hall is open 20-hours a week; and the list goes on and on.
In the end, please don’t don’t bitch about paying taxes in Pittsfield until you live in a town where your property tax investment shows a zero percent return – every year. At least Pittsfield pays a hauler to pickup your trash on weekly basis; you have one the finest (permanent) fire and police departments in the county; your school district maintains its own fleet of buses; your City Hall is open at 40-hours a week; and the list goes on and on!
STOP whining. Get over it. Pittsfield pays high taxes mostly because union CBAs need to fully funded every couple of years. Your fire and police departments are highly paid (as they should be) and your highly skilled city officials and workers are paid handsomely (because you demand a professional workforce).
Your City Council, on the other hand, is over-bloated with redundancy. Specifically, you don’t need four at-large councilors coupled with seven ward councilors and a mayor. That’s what we call extreme redundancy in favor of others. If you want to bitch about something, bitch about Mazzeo and her role as one of those redundant at-large councilors. And why hasn’t she used her citywide notoriety to raise public awareness to adult & juvenile crime rates.
I’m curious, why did you start bitching about higher taxes and crime until after she announced her candidacy for mayor? And why is it she votes every year to adopt budgets that include higher taxes? And why did she and Bianchi resist hiring more police when she sat as City Council president and Bianchi as mayor? What gives?
I’ll tell you what: because she’s a phony and a liar. Her campaign is a sham built on a house of cards that could fall by the wayside with a quick huff and puff. Mazzeo’s embraced and recruited the same o’ bunch of hacks that worked on Bianchi’s, Bowler’s, and Caccaviello’s campaigns. A group of fence-straddles with dual loyalties and no character or code to claim their own. I know, because I worked with them on all three campaigns!
Good luck, Pittsfield, if Mazzeo wins the corner office. You bought yourselves a Bianchi third term. They both failed twice before, so the probabilities that they’ll fail again are even higher the third time around. I guess three times is charmer!!
And that’s the bottom-line!!
Oh shut up Brian you’re a troll with a brain of a child. You sound like a lunatic off his meds every time you speak. Mazzeo is not Bianchi she is herself. She is much better than rubber stamp good ol boy loving Linda Tyer. Mazzeo has done more for this city than you ever have, you don’t even in live in this city.
Another intelligent reply.
You certainly put me in my place; good for you, avatar!
Stick it out here; reveal yourself. Exactly!! You pathetic Coward!!!
One brain. One Mazzeo campaign.
Mazzeo is what Bianchi and Bowler tell her what to be!!
I have no problem paying taxes and realize that we still get a decent return, but, I don’t want to see my taxes wasted and go to special interests. I think that Mazzeo reflects that same belief.
Stinks to be you, Brian!
Another reply, on point.
And the hits just keep on comin’! Anyone else wishing to join the chorus? Is there no one else?
Just so we’re crystal clear: I do not affiliate myself with Tyer’s campaign. She’s highly capable of handling her own affairs without a nuisance like yours truly meddling or interfering! Give it a rest.
It’s to-day’s mission to stand straight upward instead of bending over backward for the likes of Melissa Mazzeo, Dan Bianchi, and Tom Bowler; a bunch of crybabies still whining about losing in 2015 and 2018.
After all, I am me!!
Tom Bowler is a crybaby? Seriously? Tell that to the hundreds – possibly thousands – of people he helped during his many years as a police detective. Even people he arrested turned up at our father’s funeral. Tom Bowler has earned great respect from this community that came from a lifetime of hard work and courage. You’ve been trying to disparage him on this site for awhile now. It’s meaningless. I probably will regret responding to your most recent comment but …. crybaby? That’s a good one.
He’s (BCM) a deeply irrational if not mentally ill person who contributes nothing but toxicity to the community. Don’t waste your time.
Yeah, you! Good response!!
Thank you for the mention. Attention seeking behaviour? sorta like your local politicians out there professing they give a damn about your community; instead, it’s all about power, access, and self-enrichment.
Ohh, James, be the person you’re not by revealing your true identity. Coward!!
What’s sad is Tom Blower accused Carmen Massimano of child exploitation without a shred of evidence. To think as a police detective he would’ve gathered a scintilla of evidence first; then presented it to Capless’s office for prosecution; then paraded his prop in public so he could humiliate a sitting sheriff. But not Bowler, put it out there hoping it’ll knock the old guy outta there so he could have the field to himself. Hey, it served his purpose, right?
And I’m the “mentally ill person”? Go figure!
And he squandered all that goodwill away by openly supporting Mazzeo and Bianchi. He’s certainly has changed since taking office. Now he’s just out to recoup lost power.
No doubt you recall when your brother paraded a gentleman in front of PPD, claiming Massissiano sexually assaulted him when a youngster. Where is your prop now? And why were charges (or an investigation) never considered by Capeless’s office? Because your brother wanted to be sheriff – at any cost. And if it meant exploiting someone to achieve that goal – then so be it. To this day, we don’t know if his claims had any merit! Odd, though, he disappeared right after Massimiano bowed out from seeking re-election; coincidence, I think not!
I used to look up to Tommy Bowler. In fact, last year when Caccaviello ran his write-in effort a lawyer reached out to tell me one or two of his deputies, working at Williams College, were about to be used as scapegoats by Harrington’s campaign. They were about to expose one or both as respondents in a couple of sexual harassment complaints. Your brother’s response, after I alerted him to this: toss Marquis under the bus; use him as a sacrificial lamb to escape the nastiness brought about by Cacc’s write-in effort.
Rumoour has it it was your brother who sent Barry Claimont’s children a picture of Linda Tyer representing her a “their new mother”. That was low even for Cacc’s and your brother’s people. FYI: I took heat for that twisted bullsh*t. I never ever heard about nor did I participate in such a despicable event. And I resent you people for putting me in the forefront of such a slimy, underhanded campaign.
Tom Bowler doesn’t do for others unless they can pad his ego or his campaign war chest. That, Donna Mattoon, is exactly how Dan Bianchi and Melissa Mazzeo work the system and their constituents – that believe (or believed) in them.
This is the third time you’ve written (that I’ve read, there’s probably more) that the Bowler Campaign for Sheriff paraded a sexual assault victim in front of city hall. I’m not sure where you got this, but I can tell you it did not happen. I was in St. Joseph’s cemetery that Friday afternoon at my parents grave when I heard WBRK report the incident. It was a total surprise to me. And how dare you, anyway, say such a ridiculous thing about someone who has earned the respect of the people all over the county and state for that matter. You continually claim that you were “intimately involved” with our campaign. I’m not sure where you got this either. Because I WAS, and you were not. Why is it that Pittsfield cannot have a civil election? Why do people have to disparage anyone and anything in the way? Why is the city of Pittsfield so toxic right now? Because of posts like this Brian. False, mean, and inappropriate. You can stand with whichever Pittsfield mayoral candidate does the most for you in Lanesborough, but lying about dedicated, good, hard working public officials makes no sense. And we see right through you.
I’m guessing you forgot about your brother’s charade in front of PPD months before announcing his candidacy for sheriff? It was designed to knock out Massimiano from contention. Guess what – it worked. He knocked a guy out to spare himself the shame of having to defend himself against a false claim of sexual battery. Your brother painted Massimiano a pervert before the contest even took shape!
Emotions and family ties almost always cloud our long-term memories.
FYI: I do not support any candidate for mayor in Pittsfield. I posted long ago if any of Mazzeo’s, Bianchi”s, or Bowler’s people began trashing me around Pittsfield, I would return – with a vengeance. I’m back!!
Most of this past summer, I heard from many in Pittsfield (some I did business with, some I did) how nasty Mazzeo’s, Bianchi’s, and Bowler’s people were behind my back. All because I pulled myself out from under a bus your brother and others tossed me under last year, just to try and score a few points with an electorate bend on electing Andrea Harrington DA.
Besides, that’s a helluva ending to someone who’s staunchly supported all three of those politicians. at one time or another. Dual loyalties and fence-straddlers sabotaged Bianchi’s and Caccaviello’s chances of victory – not me.
I will be proactive in Tom Bowler’s re-election campaign – one way or another. It’s my hope he decides to call it quits before someone parades a prop around town with false claims of misconduct like he did to Massimiano. Karma is a bitch served cold!!
No I have not forgotten about that poor man but you are wrong Brian. Sheriff was not involved in that incident, not would he ever do something like that. You can think what you want. And you can say what you want for that matter. We take the high road where we go.
I disagree with your past characterization of the incident. With that, I thank you and Donna for such a civil and intriguing exchange of ideas and opinions.
I hope all is well with you and yours!!
DONNA
I agree completely with what you said about Tom. Whatever he is or is not, he NOT a crybaby. As you say, TB has great respect from the community, and that includes me.
Just the facts Brian. Get with the program.
I have followed Pittsfield politics for many decades now. In Pittsfield, they always raise the municipal budget by 5% per fiscal year. I do not know why? I believe the vested interests (Big 3 Unions – Police, Fire, and School) want their money, and they vote for the state and local Democratic candidates who will raise taxes on the proverbial Kapanski family.
I also believe Pittsfield politics has an unsustainable financial management system. Matt Kerwood is disingenuous to make interest only large debt payments to keep the tax rate lower in the short-term. Pittsfield has hundreds of millions of dollars in debts that will never be paid off in our lifetimes.
Thousands of people have moved away from Pittsfield over the years due to the toxic combination of high taxes, a distressed local economy with a huge number of living wage job loss, poorly performing public schools, an unsafe downtown full of violent crimes, and severe economic inequality.
Lastly, I strongly believe that the “Good Old Boys” have made Pittsfield worse over the years. They have done nothing but perpetuate a corrupt one political party system and a failed economic development policy disaster that features the over 21-year-old vacant and polluted wasteland called PEDA!
– Jonathan Melle
P.S. Pittsfield will never change for the better!!!!
I’m still wondering where the money came from to purchase LT and BC’s $700k house in Denver.. anyone else as curious as I am? At least we know she’s prepared to pack her bags when she loses. I can’t wait to see you go Lyin’ Linda.. I hope Denver isn’t as cold as your soul
I’m curious as to the connection between LT & Barry & EMA which is also located in the Denver area.
You needed a boat on morningside and center and west yesterday.throw us a life jacket mayor.
So Tammy Daniels is fumbling the moderators gets during debate and we could have had the Planet? Shes worst than Kratka and Stooge and that’s saying something,
Here’s a interesting tidbit of info regarding assessments. On North Street, most of the property assessments remained the same or had a slight increase. I could only find two properties that decreased in assessed value from Park Square to Wahconah Street.
-116 North Street (corner of North and Fenn)
Went from $1,172,100 to $1,651,700
Difference of $75,400
Probably some legit reason…probably…
But this one was quite interesting:
– 75 North Street “Central Block”
Went from $2,774,300 to $1,979,500
Difference of $794,800
Why did this building lose close to 30% of its value in one year along a corridor where all other properties remained the same or increased…?
Works out great for Cavalier! Saves them about $31,744 in real estate taxes annually!
Some people consistently seem to come out winners in Pittsfield.
Watching the debate. Tyer is such a phony.
Mazzeo got a good one in on mayor says big Beacon doing so well, and wasn’t it supposed to be the Achor? Why Jay Allen’s closed? The Beacon could had paid the two point something million now back that was forgiven now that the popcorn sales are up. Stanley got away at least for now. The Mayor is either completely stupid or is just as culpable as Ruffer on that decision.To let that schister not pay. I was not impressed with this moderator (Daniels),a very good friend of John Barrett. Aside from that,again,not remotely in the Planets class.
The new site looks very professional….very good to see it improve . Keep up the good work.
Thanks, GIO. It’s improved tremendously, upfront and especially backstage.
Hey Dan, is that a bottle of Dinosaur BBQ sauce in the 3rd picture down (on the right column)
IF so, good call. The original was in ‘cuse. The second was in Rochester. I remember when those were the only two and it was a Hell’s Angel’s meeting place. Now it’s a family friendly chain restaurant and you can get the sauce anywhere. I miss the old days of having the wait 2 hours in the cold just to get in and get some Blues, Booze and BBQ
BLUES
No. It’s a bottle of Stubb’s, which is THE PLANET’s favorite sauce. Dino BBQ is a close second, however. The original in downtown Syracuse is still running strong, still packed on most nights, still making the best BBQ, and still attracting the best blues.
I need to say neither one of these Candidates are good for Pittsfield. Linda Tyer has had 4 years to show Pittsfield where we are headed. I am not happy. Melissa Mazzeo can’t even look up or make eye contact when she is speaking. She spends more time on Linda than a plan. This election is a disaster for Pittsfield.
Spa stick with the we are all screwed…correct and to the point.
I agree.
MelMazz probably not the answer either. But four years is enough, especially if we’re all scared to go out after dark–or even during the day.
Vote MelMazz for the simple reason of rotation in office.
Never say that. Mazzeo has great momentum. Just say this ten times fast and you will be cured of any future negativity..no mo Lo..no mo Lo..no more Lo.. no mo Lo.. no mo Lo.. n o mo lo.. no mo lo.. no ok Lo.. no mo lo.. no mo lo.. no mo lo.. no mo lo. No mo lo..no mo lo..Veela that’s eleven,one mo fo good luck. Vote Patrick Kavey!
Check out SlammyDaniels moderator? Every time Mazzeo spoke because Slammy was the one messing up-she looked like a Warren puppet holding up her arms at her. Check out the picture in the paper? Slammy would make a good traffic cop.
Just as I predicted, another campaign cardboard from Camp Tyer, and just as I predicted, a desperate, last gasp attack on her opponent, straight outta Roberto’s playbook when he barely beat Bianchi, and full of mistruths, and half truths. Also, just read the boring broadsheet recap of the latest so called deabate. Now the truth comes out – Tyer only hired 6 additional cops, not the 30 she bragged about, so most of the 30 were through attrition, like I said. She has failed miserably at crime and that is why she is not giving real crime states, despite our highly paid crime analysist. Instead, she keeps bragging about shitspotter, and her efforts, and blaming civil service for not being able to hire more cops. Seriously???? It’s all about results Linda, not efforts. And you were the one who filled the civil service chiefs’ job in both departments, and you bypassed the top two in the fire department. What gives. If it takes so long to get cops that you’re always playing catch up to get to your staffing level, just increase the staffing level so that you can hire in anticiaption of the departures. It’s called management. Maxxeo doesn’t have the answer on crime either, but she ain’t Tyer. Tyer’s had 4 years. Time to give it up, and give someone else a chance. Elections have consequences, just as you wrote on your cardboard – The city is on the move alright. Oneway – Down. Crime is up under your watch Linda not down. It was your signature issue and you failed at it. Move along now.
Will there be a 6th piece of cardboard? One more and my granddaughter can make a dollhouse out of them.
Well at least they’re selling popcorn at The Beacon,sales are up according the multi mil giveaway mayor. Hey,maybe that’s what happened to the salt account? Stanley probably bought a shipment of popcorn from them, taxpayers supplied the salt.
Sales are not up at the beacon. My son works there and they cut most of the staff. Since he was the lowest paid, he got to stay.
He works exactly 38 hours a week. No more no less. They used to staff six people on during the day shift. It’s now one manager and one counter person.
They are going to put in reserved seating again but the price of tickets is going to go up. $7 before 5pm, $11 after.
They have city workers doing work in the actual building and that buffoon Coakley walks around like he owns the place.
BEACON
We also heard there are structural issues in both the basement and the upper levels. Can you check and confirm?
Her cardboard campaign mailings are blatant fiction. And all these mailed lies suggest that she thinks her voters are plain stupid. I am personally insulted by them. And I believe this is a reflection of what is going on behind the scenes and should be looked into by the people in Boston. She really is lying right to our faces and hoping enough people will swallow it.
eddieP
Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason.
First time in on new site DV. Great look updated, professional and clean. pEven greater is the article on assessments. What gets me is the mayor lives in a gated community about as far out of Pittsfield you can get and still be in Pittsfield. How out of touch is that? Voted for her in 2016 voting for Mazzeo in 2019.
Tyer’s camp is throwing a fit over this article Dan. Who knew posting public information would cause such an upset. I think Tyer’s trolls forgot the phone book exists. Good work Dan the public deserves to know
Sunlight is the best disinfectant
This is why I Love the Planet. He owes no favors and owes nobody….. nothhhhhh thing!
Mrs. Mazzeo will win getting the anti-Mrs. Clairmont vote just like she did 4 years ago getting the anti-Bianchi vote. A taste of her own medicine. Choke it down baby.
The new Planet looks good when opened with Microsoft Edge but gets all messed up when I open it in Google Chrome….Anyone else seeing that? All of Dan’s images appear at the bottom of the feed and they are huge.
Milt, the site is now responsive which means that the layout adapts to different screen sizes. What you’re describing in your Chrome instance is the mobile version. I’d be willing to bet that your Microsoft Edge window is wider than your Chrome window. If you widen the Chrome window beyond 1100px, you’ll see the desktop layout.
Geuil said Nichols attacked her because he said her employment with the DA’s office was a conflict of interest. She’s a snow flake.