!!BULLETIN!! FORMER MAYOR DOYLE DEAD … BOOK IT: MAYOR’s SECRET TEAM ADDRESSES ‘THE ULCER OF UPSTREET’
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 10, 2020) — THE PLANET begins with a bulletin. We received word from a reliable source just as we went to press Sunday night that former mayor Gerry Doyle has died. We had not other details. Stay tuned. Now on with the regular column.
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You know Pittsfield is in trouble when they call in the “consultants.”
“Consultant” — n., a person usually though not always connected to the existing regime through blood and politics and, when so, receives overpayment for under service, with the stipulation that a portion of the advanced sum returns with interest to the grantor, preferably in cash with unmarked serial numbers.
C’mon down, NAN BOOKLESS
This “progressive” woman — who fights the wrong battles in the name of truth, justice, the American way, vibrancy, dynamism, inclusion, and diversity — evidently is serving as the Pittsfield downtown savant. Pittsfield, you see, doesn’t have enough in-house talent to issue common sense advice in addressing the ills of upstreet. Besides, she’s a graphic artist, a profession known to have particular expertise in urban strategy.
Is Bookless under contract? By what understanding is she advising the city? How much is she getting? Does anyone even know?
She recently wrote the following report at a secret meeting of the mayor’s Downtown Action Plan Team. If only the groups had an “A” in front, it would have a cool acronym: ADAPT. Or how about the Intercommunal Network of Engagement and Public Trust — INEPT?
The report circulated for “eyes only” before escaping into our capable hands. THE PLANET shares this without comment, reserving that for our august and ever-growing readership.
- What recommendations make sense?
- Which ones make little sense?
- Where did they get it right?
- Where did they miss the mark?
- What does the report fail to address?
- What is included that shouldn’t be there?
- What needs to be added?
- The ads are THE PLANET‘s. All else is the report, word-for-word.
The report begins with the Bookless bio:
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A native of the Berkshires, Nan began her graphics career as a freelance designer and illustrator focusing on design for print. Her subsequent employment at Quality Printing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, first as a staff artist and then as Art Director, solidified her move into the graphics industry. After a number of years at Quality she revitalized her freelance business and was also recruited into the position of Art Director at The Women’s Times, a monthly publication for women in western Massachusetts, handling the design and layout of the newspaper and its special supplements. Nan was interviewed in the October 2000 issue of The Crafts Report in an article titled “21 Tips for Creating Effective Advertising.”
In 2003 Nan was part of a team at The Women’s Times that won the prestigious American Cancer Society Sword of Hope Award (in the magazine/periodical division) for their annual Guide to Breast Cancer Resources. A published illustrator, Nan is also a small works collage artist and has shown in local and New York City galleries.
Mayor’s Downtown Action Plan
Nan Bookless
Pittsfield, MA, United States
AUG 1, 2020 — Mayor Tyer recently released the following downtown action plan that covers a wide range of issues.
We can see some specifics that address some concerns and objections raised about the shelter.
CITY OF PITTSFIELD
North Street/Downtown Issues – Meeting Summary
July 21, 2020
Members of the Mayor’s senior management team reviewed the complaints we received and our own experiences on North Street in recent weeks.
We all agree that these are real issues, affecting our downtown property owners and businesses and the downtown character (“our front porch”).
All agree there is a need for enhanced and long-term collaboration with social service partners to develop a pro-active and comprehensive plan.
With all that’s underway and upcoming, it’s essential to find the right balance between supporting our business leaders and demonstrating compassion for people who are struggling.
We have developed an internal action plan that categorized our work into three timelines – Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-Range.
Below is a summary of the actions each department will undertake.
We will reconvene in two weeks to review our immediate action steps.
Department of Public Services (DPS)
DPS has enacted an internal policy of “See Something, Pick it Up” which calls on all staffers to take a proactive approach to clean up.
Immediate:
Street maintenance
On Monday July 13, the contractor was working on the beds.
Outstanding areas of that still need work include Park Square (by Museum Facsimiles) and a bed by West and North. Tuesday night work continues with power sweeping by the contractor and power washing by the Department of Public Services.
This type of work will occur once per month until October.
Contractor was issued a change order for weed control in the brick work on a monthly basis.
DPS will advocate for additional maintenance of the planting beds and rain gardens as current maintenance is once a month.
Clean up to occur behind Paul Rich and Sons Furniture. [c.f., THE DUMPSTER BEING PAUL RICH!]
Open the public bathrooms at the Common.
Trash/trash pickup
Casella is currently contracted to pick up on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. DPS will add 10 locations to the downtown vicinity.
Locations are being determined in coordination with DPI.
There are currently about 15-20 black decorative receptacles that can be put in use now.
Cigarette butt dispensers – suggested locations included Union Court, Central Square, and in front of the YMCA.
The department is exploring installing these in the next month.
DPS has provided the DPI Ambassador program (which is partially funded by the City) with a few carts to assist in their downtown cleanup efforts. DPI will also assist in wiping down the parking meters.
Parking
Implementation of friendly warning message, will include a link to DPI and a QR code; one free parking allowance per year.
Continue to review the recent analysis and update of the parking management plan.
Long-term:
Explore the creation of a Parking Benefit District – this is bigger conversation with additional stakeholders at the table. Will first need to finalize the update of the parking management plan and reconvene: Internal committee, Downtown stakeholders
Health
Immediate:
Nuisance control officers to do more daily monitoring of buildings where there are vacancies.
The Department is already working on a couple of areas based on complaints.
PITTSMART promotional campaign – develop a quick hit informational postcard. Health, Community Development, and Mayor’s Office can work on production; DPI will be asked to assist in sharing throughout the community.
Healthy Steps to commence street outreach in the city, as well as throughout the Berkshires.
As conversations and advocacy around this continue, also think about the costs for Pittsfield implementing its own outreach team.
Work with DPI to schedule a meeting with the DPI ambassadors to discuss nuisance education, etc.
Community Development
Immediate:
Contribute to the preparation of outreach materials.
Update DPI on what’s going on and discuss how they can help.
In coordination with the Health Department, reach out to key downtown landlords about critical nuisance activity with the goal of obtaining their commitment to help address.
Get a status update on the redevelopment of the Wright Building.
Parking
Intermediate:
Parking Management Plan – reconvene internal and stakeholder groups in mid-August with the goal of presenting to City Council in September or October.
Look into potential designs (BSC) for retrofitting benches and follow up with DPS.
Work with Health and Police to identify opportunities to draw on public services funded by the City to assist in addressing undesirable behavior in the downtown corridor.
Long-term:
Increase focus on housing needs from single room occupancy units to market rate housing.
https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png Restructure the Homeless Commission.
Enhanced collaboration with social services partners around sheltering for the homeless with the goal of developing a shared comprehensive program approach to addressing needs.
Police
Immediate:
Downtown bike patrol.
Identify the “frequent flyers” of North Street and discourage congregating on sidewalks and extended use of downtown benches.
Work on increasing police participation at DPI board meetings.
Follow up on the Cambridge program, a partnership between police and social services, presented last fall to the
https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/1/16/2b50.png Homeless Commission.
Intermediate
Participate in an educational forum providing business and property owners with information and tools they can use to safeguard their spaces and properties.
Use recent incidents (i.e. loitering, public intoxications) to expand public understanding of the type of behavior that are not considered crimes and communicating ways businesses and property owners can work to address such behavior in the vicinity of their business and property including how to involve human service agencies.
Long-term
Establish a dedicated downtown patrol.
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Do you think this report adequately address the many issues now affecting downtown Pittsfield? THE PLANET wants to hear from you.
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“Two-thirds of my energies go into trying to save one-third for work” — Katherine Anne Porter.
“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. Copyright (c) 2020 by Dan Valenti.
August 9, 2020
Hello Chris Canning,
I followed your two political campaigns for Berkshire area State Senator in 2016 and Northern Berkshire area State Representative in 2018. While I know that a Republican candidate has little to no chance of winning an election in Berkshire County, I believe you contributed a lot to the debate about the problems and issues Western Massachusetts faces. There have been so-called “Democrats” who served on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill from Western Massachusetts, but they only said they were “Democrats” in order to get elected. Exhibit A is GE and corporate lobbyist Peter Larkin, who always ran as a Democrat, but was anything but. Exhibit B is PAC-Man Richard Neal, who is the ultimate corporate “Democrat” on Capitol Hill. Congressman Richard Neal’s politics favor Wall Street and K Street instead of the majority of people who live in his Western Massachusetts legislative district. Richard Neal will easily be re-elected this election year of 2020. Alex Morse is running against Richard Neal in a futile effort to possibly have name recognition when Richard Neal retires or dies in political office. I am sorry to read about your negative experiences with Alex Morse. I believe that you, Chris Canning, fight the good fights in public education and politics. I have had horrible experiences in Pittsfield politics when and years after my dad, Bob, was a politician decades ago. I have written and blogged at length about what happened to my dad and me. In closing, politics is frustrating for the common people like you and me. We mean well, but the politicians do not. If someone like you and me stand in there way, watch out! Please take care of yourself. I am happy to know you and follow your political campaigns.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
Hello blogger Dan Valenti,
How many tens of millions of Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski’s hard-earned tax dollars were spent on “Ruberto’s Renaissance” on dangerous downtown Pittsfield? In addition, well over $2 million dollars from GE’s 2000 $10 million settlement fund were also spent by Mayor Jimmy Ruberto on the so-called arts and cultural mecca that is North Street that supposedly rivals Paris, London, Manhattan (NYC), and L.A. There have been art exhibits by Gregory Crewdson that show downtown Pittsfield in a Dickensian light that were shown at World famous museums in London, Manhattan, and L.A. The lovely Linda Tyer forgave millions in so-called loans to out-of-town millionaire Richard Stanley. I believe dangerous downtown Pittsfield is a black hole that sucks up Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski’s hard-earned tax dollars. North Street is called “Social Services Alley” by day, and “The Shooting Gallery” by night/after hours. I spent my then young adult life trying my best not to end up on North Street. I call Pittsfield’s social problems and issues “Perverse Incentives”, whereby I explain that Pittsfield profits off of poverty and crime. I told my parents the other day that when I studied public administration, I read that a community thrives when the politicians and businesses invest in the people who live there. But in Pittsfield, Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski always get the proverbial shakedown and shaft by City Hall and Beacon Hill. Pittsfield has shrinking population, jobs, and tax base, while taxes, fees, public debts, poverty and crime always increase. Downtown Pittsfield is not a normal business district. If one ends up on North Street or inner-city Pittsfield, it usually means they did not succeed in living a rewarding life.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
Mayor Doyle was a good guy and he loved Pittsfield and spent most of his adult years trying to improve it. He should be remembered for his many years of service to an often thankless public. May he Rest In Peace.
I am saddened by Gerry Doyle’s death, too. He was kind to me when I was a boy and young man. I have criticized his time as Mayor of Pittsfield, but now I feel bad about it after he passed away. I was frustrated with him for signing the 2000 Consent Decree, the failed PEDA “business” park, the millions of public dollars that is still unaccounted for, his alcoholism, and “Good Old Boys” barstool Pittsfield politics. In the end, I feel warmly about him. He was a good man.
He may have have made a bad recommendation with the Consent Decree, but his heart was in the right place, and it was the city council stooges that approved it.
The 2000 Consent Decree was the worst decision in the history of Pittsfield politics! GE is immoral for leaving Pittsfield behind with its toxic waste industrial chemicals called PCBs. The capped leaky landfills, including Hill 78 that abuts Allendale Elementary School, become defective over time. Pittsfield’s public health is still at risk. Thousands of Pittsfield area residents have suffered and/or died from cancer. I feel bad for the residents of the town of Lee & Lenoxdale (Massachusetts) for the politicians and EPA bureaucrats sell out decision to put a capped leaky landfill there. Their property values will plummet, along with their public health.
RIP Gerry. Condolences to his family.
In this world today while we are livin’
Some folks say the worst of us they can
But when we are dead and in our casket
They always slip some lilies in our hands
Didn’t know Doyle personal. I hope he RIP.
If he loved Pittsfield he would not have sold out entire Housatonic River Valley, for Judas $$$, for his friends.
Maybe we can rename Hill 78 , in his honor , “Mt Doyle”
Honor the toxic mess with a monument to Doyle’s legacy. Use granite, it will last longer than GE’s landfill liners.
Nan Bookless is as inept as they come.
So when she says they will install cigarette butt dispensers, does that mean the divides will give the bums cigarette butts?
Not to be a gust but the best the city could do is hire a has been or never was to plagiarize info from other departments?
I keep thinking I am reading RN. Did you lose your login and are now McSqueaky? I don’t mind as I appreciated RNs comments.
If the city needs a consultant to tell them this information then – well that is ridiculous. It’s not awful – it’s common sense – and there is a lack of that apparently in the mayors office. Now that they have pissed away the settlement money they want to keep the slush fund for this nonsense. If the don’t keep buying votes they won’t have any. The DA does it with Quid Pro – which is disgusting but is what Healey does as well.
Last person to leave remember to turn off Silver Lake.
Isn’t it fascinating that a person’s “voice” on this blog can seemingly be identified, even under another screen name?
I was/am sure RN was morphed from “Police Report”, who I also believe was formerly know as “Proxy” on this site.
That being said, I’ve always thoroughly
enjoyed all his personalities and contributions. 😉
Please see Dan’s own admission that he got the entire story wrong.
I did not get the “entire” story wrong. I questioned if you were hired by the city as a consultant, a reasonable assumption given that the report was publicly circulated not under the mayor’s name, Deanna Ruffer’s name, or any other city official’s name. It went with your byline. As you say, NAN, facts matter.
What legal rights does Pittsfield City Councilor Chris Connell have over the petition to remove him from political office? Is this a first, or is there a legal precedent? Can he appeal or is the City Council’s vote a final decision?
https://live959.com/city-councilor-chris-connells-residence-called-into-question/
How come Mayor Jimmy Ruberto did the same thing for 8 years as City Councilor Chris Connell did for less than one month, but no one filed a petition to remove him (Ruberto) from political office from 2004 through 2011?
Jimmy Ruberto moved into his mother’s Edith’s Pittsfield home in 2001. His residence was in Naples, Florida. Chris Connell moved in his mother’s Pittsfield home last month of late-July of 2020. His residence is in upstate New York.
It seems like a double standard to me!
I would LOVE to see the total expenditures for downtown beautification. Next several times you drive the city look around at how many planters (some huge cement ones) there are. There are tons of them and they had to cost giant dollars. How about all the rich soil that is in them? The flowers and fertilizers. How much did it cost to load and deliver them to their locations. Some are big enough to have needed forklifts.
Who are the vendors for the flowers, planters and set up?
I heard perhaps there are some city workers or volunteers that water them but I am not talking about that.
Is there one city councilor or finance director who can produce these numbers and vendors? If not, why not? I would ask the mayor but when it comes to where taxpayer money goes she seems to have her mouth sewn shut.
Some nice native shade trees would have been much more sensible (sensible- a variety of common sense Pittsfield leadership lacks), and grow on their own, yearly bi annual prunning.
Wait!!! Didn’t North St have those? up rooted for planter?
Off topic but MSM will ignore this
BLM is driving around looting and shooting Chicago. I’m sure Mayor Lightfoot will blame guns and Conservatives for looting Gucci Nike and Timberland stores.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/breaking-shots-fired-chicago-looters-target-louis-vuitton-store/
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/breaking-massive-looting-underway-chicago-riots-continue-across-nation-watch-live/“]https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/breaking-massive-looting-underway-chicago-riots-continue-across-nation-watch-live/
“Black Lives Matter engaged in massive widespread looting in Chicago on Sunday evening, once again.
A caravan of vehicles was carrying dozens of looters from store to store, according to reports.
Facebook pulled down livestreams of the looting after shots were heard being fired near a Louis Vuitton store that was being raided.
Chicago pic.twitter.com/PISzhnlthf
— boot licker viti (@selfdeclaredref) August 10, 2020
Chicago pic.twitter.com/xhGQzGOSst
— boot licker viti (@selfdeclaredref) August 10, 2020
Chicago pic.twitter.com/g5sMyCC2OB
— boot licker viti (@selfdeclaredref) August 10, 2020
Chicago pic.twitter.com/NQsrSNXo37
— boot licker viti (@selfdeclaredref) August 10, 2020
A Facebook user with the name Aero Finesses was enthusiastically livestreaming and encouraging the destruction while celebrating the amount of live viewers on his stream. Another Facebook user livestreamed himself looting Nike while broadcasting his own face and faces of other looters.
Along with the vandalism and looting, cars were also being lit on fire.”
So much for Facebook “standards.” I would hope that Aero Finesses and his buddy are in Facebook jail AND in a Chicago prison. Facebook has no problem shutting down their political foes, but when it comes to BLM & looters – A-OK!
Where is LOCAL , Left Winged Parrort/RutBerg on this D-sponsored ( yes BLM “donationtions” go throrgh the national JACKASS DNC), terrorism?
AWOL!!! Rutberg!!!
Some more from Chicago:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/mayor-lori-lightfoot-lashes-president-trump-says-national-guard-not-needed-looters-ransack-downtown-chicago-attack-police-5-straight-hours-video/
Mayor Lori Lightfoot Lashes Out at President Trump — Says National Guard Not Needed After Looters Ransack Downtown Chicago, Attack Police for 5 Straight Hours
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/breaking-security-guard-shot-chicago-mass-looting-mayhem-overwhelms-police/
BREAKING: Security Guard Shot in Chicago as Mass Looting and Mayhem Overwhelms Police
https://www.redstate.com/nick-arama/2020/08/10/massive-chaos-in-chicago-riots-looting-shooting-at-police-cops-attacked/
Democrats want to spread this terrorism across the country and they will do it whether they win in November or not. If they don’t win it will be in retaliation of a Trump win. If they do win, they will spread the terrorism in order to totally breakdown the country for their total takeover. Either way, this country is in extreme danger from these far leftists.
Where is the mayor?Where is the city council?Where is the School Committee?….If your going to Tax Pittsfield residents so high would it be too much to sweep Elm Street,Williams Street Appleton Ave,Pomeroy and Newell street.Southeast Pittsfield is looking dumpy.The schools are going to the weeds and litter is everywhere.Tree bark all over southeast Pittsfield.Could some one pick up old curbing along those streets.Set the speed limit in Pittsfield at 65mph and forget about enforcement.If you as mayor cant sweep streets in sountheast Pittsfield with no parked cars you cant get anything done….Cris Connell should have enough class to step down and I voted for him.If you dont live in Pittsfield how can you make good decisions?How?
You might think some of the Community Preservation money might be used to clean up some of the garbage on the streets instead of benefiting people connected to the mayor. But then it was never really intended to do what the name suggests was it mayor?
You’re absolutely right about the mayor and her administrations (Ruffer, McGrath, the CP commission & her cronies on the council) intended use..or misuse…of the CPA money. The ballot question approved by the voters in 2016 clearly stated what the money was for, in its summary…
”Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act (Act), establishes a dedicated funding source to enable cities and towns to (1) acquire open space, which includes land for park and recreational uses and the protection of public drinking water well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, wetlands, farm land, forests, marshes, beaches, scenic areas, wildlife preserves and other conservation areas, (2) acquire and restore historic buildings and sites, and (3) create affordable housing.”
Tyer was complicit on this one from the get go. They gave it a happy name knowing it was really to help out the good old boys. Greedy bastards up all night looking for new ways to get their piggy hands on more taxpayer money. So sad that some people feel like they should have all the kids marbles.
Why should he step down? He lives in Pittsfield (has not “removed from the City”)
no matter the smear campaign to the contrary.
Right you are, Stacey. He’s the only common sense business person on the city council.
What a load of crap. This is not too long after the Mayor found a load of crap on North St. Two months prior I heard from a business owner on North St that the illustrious mayor was spending the day on North St checking on local businesses due to the outcry of derelicts on the street from to the St. Joe shelter. As she left a prominent North St business she saw human excrement on the sidewalk and tried to clean it up quickly but made a bit of mess and demanded city workers come finish the job. It was quite the buzz on North St that day.
Maybe she was making an organic “bag lunch”, for Dotties?
I think another question needs to be asked. Did this “secret meeting” violate the Commonwealth’s open meeting law? You will find the answer here, on page 8: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/25/2017%20Guide%20only.pdf
It doesn’t sound like Connell is living in Pittsfield. In his own words he visits twice a week.
Couldn’t he have moved into one of the apartments he owns. Oh I forgot, he is a slum landlord. His own properties aren’t good enough for him.
Here is a good questions. If he was worried about getting his mother sick by meeting with constituents, how is he meeting with them from upstate NY?
The whole thing sounds shady to me. I think he is just hanging in there to get lifetime health insurance.
The presumptive D-POTUS candidate (D-s never have finished primaries/or had convention) has been hiding in his basement for 5 months.
Blames it on Covid-19. He only has contact with his wife, she seems to be fielding questions/interviews he can’t understand/answer. MSM cuts off, what little he does say, soon as his foot enters his mouth.
Let’s give Chris a MSM Covid-19 pass too!
Just because you have a second home where you are spending a majority of time during a season, that does not make the second home one’s primary residence.
That plan is only about stopping the shelter
https://www.change.org/p/pittsfield-urgently-needs-this-emergency-shelter/u/27429975
I love how she has a ‘Senior Management’ team. Isn’t she supposed to be the uhhh Senior Management?
Unbelievable! The Mayor had to waste our monies to secretly hire a consultant to figure out that North Street, excuse me I should say the whole City is a total mess. How many other private meetings are being held? Evidently, she does not ever venture out of her little comfort zone, a straight route from City Hall to her gated mansion on the edge of the City. I found this report to almost be comical especially since just about a year ago I wrote a comment on this blog about an afternoon venturing down North Street to go to a Barrington Stage play. I outlined all of these issue only to be called a LIAR several times on this blog by the Mayor’s hubby Bare Bare. He accused me of fabricating my whole comment. Gee Barry, what has changed since last year? Did you and the Mayor lose your rose colored glasses or is it Dottie’s and HON have complained so you only listen to your “close” friends but NOT the taxpayers of Pittsfield, the ones that don’t get a monetary bonus from the Mayor! Barry, I suppose your accounting business is one of the 60 small businesses that received money from the Mayor to add to the million you received from the government for your PrePayroll Plan, since your website list 9 employees, nice paycheck! Taxpayers, only 3 more years of this crap, will Pittsfield survive? Having my doubts.
If you think about it Trump was brilliant signing the executive order and made Pelosi and Schumer come to the table to make a deal. Surprised if it isn’t ironed out before the end of today.
Trump is a moron and America is a mess.End of story.
Joe was so embarrassed by his latest gaffes on black people not being black,if they don’t vote for him and the black reporter being a junkie ,that he painted his
lawn-jockeys white!
Mario has spoken
President Trump is one of the best presidents we have ever had. Biden pales in comparison to the brilliance of President Trump.
It is kind of too bad Donald Trump did not become a doctor because he has saved so many lives. He has so much knowledge of viruses and contagious diseases that he makes all other doctors look like Doogie Howser. If I had a brain tumor (and there is that possibility) I would not want anyone else to do the operation except for Donald because he knows just about everything about everything.
And I think it is insulting for you to say he is “one” of the best presidents because he is head and shoulders above not only all other presidents but all other people, and I am including those alive today, those who have lived and died and those who are yet to be born.
I wuv him
Did you read the lovely Linda Tyer’s update on Pittsfield politics?
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/62801/Tyer-Says-State-Spending-Plans-Holds-Good-News-for-Pittsfield.html
She did not mention her position on tomorrow evening’s Pittsfield City Council’s petition to remove Ward 4 City Councilor Chris Connell.
Or maybe she did which is why there is a petition in the first place?
Who cares?
Jonathan,
Lay off of Chris Connell. He’s my ward councilor and he does a great job. He contributes to his community, do you contribute to yours?
Get a life, man.
We didn’t elect that piece of garbage the voters block did. We still think she’s useles. Hess STILL STANDS. Jakes a FAILURE,and this interum is a quack,no Doctorate. Next.
Merry & Bright
Now you are bringing her husband into it? Sad, very sad this obsession you have with the Mayor. I urge you again to seek help. This is very unhealthy.
The nose in the air types at Barring Stage have rented and fenced in the old polish club’s parking lot on Linden for some type of performance. Let me tell you they CANT STAND the locals and I recently witnessed the police being called on some folks wearing the Pittsfield uniform (white male 30+ with dirty clothes and a backpack) because they were trying to ask what’s going on.
“He cant just approach my vehicle” Squeaked the beta male employee to a rather un-amused officer.
Like throwing a picnic and getting mad when the ants show up.
Is that why the homeless got shucked up to Springside?
No,the homeless blame one person. TYER.
Polish Club , Lampinskis, the Polish Church … All casualties of Pittsfields LACK of leadership. Even American Legion.
When I drive down Seymor, I count the crack whores, gang members, and homeless.
Doyle, Bianchi, ROBberto, .. they are all to blame. Now Tyer too, and her 3AM cowboy/handler
“Public Safety Alert” –
Stay off of:
NORTH STREET,
Tyler Street,
Lincoln Street,
First Street,
Second Street,
Linden Street,
Dewey Avenue,
Cherry Street,
Burbank Street,
Kent Avenue,
Madison Avenue,
And Seymour Street,
And you might survive.
and Silver Lake……just sayin…..
Cunning is a fruitcake Jon. She never be elected to anything here.
Are you suggesting we do not elect fruitcakes?
Check again
When’s the last time you were even in Pittsfield. You’re clueless what’s going on in Pittsfield. Find another website to bother.
(Sarcasm): Last week, I was in Pittsfield (Mass.) for a lunch meeting with Matt Kerwood to ask him if he would cut me in on his +$10-million slush fund. Then, I toured the new BIC building at the 22-year-old polluted PEDA site with the lovely Linda Tyer. Then, I went to the corner store to buy scratch tickets. Then, I went to the marijuana dispensary to buy some pot. Then, I went to the liquor store to buy some booze. Then, I took a nap at Springside Park. Then, I met Bare Bare at Cumby’s for a 3 a.m. visit.
(Not sarcasm): I keep up on Pittsfield politics via blogger Dan Valenti, and the “Dirty Bird” (Berkshire Eagle). Sometimes, I visit the Pittsfield Gazette web-site.
– Jonathan Melle
I enjoy most of your posts Jonathon. I think you are one of the most articulate and well informed posters we have here. Keep up the good work.
Not sure which one of those is the handler. Barry seemed like a nice guy before he got hooked up with her.
Will Tyer supporters explain why she wont sweep the streets a couple times a month.Its no wonder all the nice homes in the Southeast are for sale.
Hello Patrick Fennell,
I was wondering what your thoughts are on this new development on Beacon Hill?
“The Baker administration is refusing to provide data on coronavirus cases reported by the state-licensed emergency child care centers that remained open during the three-month period while the state was shut down.”
Do you believe that Governor Charlie Baker is wrong to not let parents, families, public schools, and communities know about the coronavirus cases in state-licensed emergency child care centers?
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
In honor of Doyle let’s do a beer can salute. At five pm this coming Saturday everyone please open a can or bottle of beer in honor of Doyle.
Pittsfield politics’ Good Old Boys are passing away. Carm in late-June, and now Gerry Doyle in early-August. Gerry Lee last Christmas Day.
Mayor Ed Reilly recently passed away, too, as well as Mayor Smith.
Legendary GE CEO Jack Welch passed away this year.
I want to make it real. Can I substitute wine in stead.
Only if it’s Medoc, Chateau St. Esteph, 1960. If you can ever taste it, everything else will seem like vinegar.
For the record, Jimmy Ruberto praised Gerry Doyle for signing the 2000 Consent Decree with GE. Ruberto’s quote in the Eagle:
“I think Gerry should best be remembered for saving this city from becoming a Superfund site,” said former Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto, who was one of Doyle’s close friends. “I think that the tenacity that he demonstrated during that period of time to bring about a settlement definitely benefited the city despite some of the criticism he received for understanding that all negotiated settlements require some compromise.”
How could any rational person say this? The 2000 Consent Decree was the WORST decision in the long, sad history of Pittsfield politics! Allendale Elementary School abuts Hill 78. The capped leaky landfills in Pittsfield will not last much longer. After the capped leaky landfills break down and become defective over time, GE’s PCBs industrial chemicals pollute the land, water, and air. GE screwed Pittsfield on many levels. Gerry Doyle, God bless him, screwed the people of Pittsfield by signing the 2000 Consent Decree!
Now, the people of Lee and Lenoxdale (Mass.) are protesting their politicians’ horrible decision to put GE’s PCBs into a capped leaky landfill in their town. They know all about Pittsfield’s capped leaky landfill problems and issues.
We have so many women politicians across the country of all races and even here locally and nobody is happy with the job they are doing. They do nothing to stop the violence in their cities. They seem clueless. Many want to defund the police. Yet everyone is so excited about a female VP for this country. Even more frightening, with Joe Biden so mentally unstable, this VP pick may have a good shot at actually becoming the president if Biden can’t finish out his term, but all of the women on his list for VP are extremists.
This is a woman who is a really good police officer, but Seattle is forcing her to resign. She wanted to stop the violence and not defund the police. They didn’t like her common sense ideas.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/carmen-best-seattles-top-cop-emails-resignation-notice-to-officers-report
she gave up a precinct. Should have resigned weeks ago. A cops cop would not have given up precinct, even if mayor fired her.
Pittsfield economy is so much more important than controlling the novel Pandemic- GTFOH. Theater ? Really ? Ppl need to iron out their priorities around here.
Does this Barrett or Tyer remember that Pittsfield was in receivership when Gerry was Mayor? Was he a nice guy, yeah,so what,don’t lie about his Mayorship,people aren’t stupid here. And don’t forget Tom Hickey was with him in Boston,whatever that’s worth.
Ask the Planet about the Consent decree,he was always involved and against on his radio show.
Oh Boy! They just wont stop with Councilor Connell. There’s a vote tonight to see if he gets the boot because of residency.
First look at the woman who petitioned this, her facebook is so pro-Tyer it’s like they aren’t even trying to be sneaky anymore.
Second, Chris if you make it through this, create a Councillor page to post city shit there and make your personal one private. You’re leaking personal opinions and data like a siv.
Up street is a pleasure to visit.
Bum pushing a cart with aluminum cans vomited in the planters by the intermodal center.
There are needles everywhere. So many stores are closed and shop windows are empty.
There are some homeless hanging out in the two “parks” by the intermodal station.
The areas smell like urine. They shit in the woods by the tracks next to the graphics company and soda chef
No legal teams have visited the homeless maybe squeaky was told what she proposed was illegal. She’s not working in a legal aid office or public defenders office.
Is that where Covid alley is? Aside,Hess still stands.
The Ruberto Renaissance. Art and Culture. Meanwhile, he recently purchase a $500,000 estate in Lenox. By the way no mortgage. Money is of no concern.
From what I understand, last Autumn, Jimmy Ruberto purchased a $490,000 condo unit in Lenox. He has always been a resident of Naples, Florida since his 2001 entrance into Pittsfield politics. He never owned or rented a place of residence in Pittsfield when and since he became a Pittsfield politician in 2001. He moved into his mother Edith’s Pittsfield home back in 2001. It has long interested me how Jimmy Ruberto could raise municipal taxes so excessively and spend tens of millions of public dollars on his downtown so-called “Renaissance” without ever investing one single penny into living in Pittsfield. Some of the worst economic outcomes occurred during his 8 years as Mayor of Pittsfield (Mass.) from 2004 – 2011. Many hundreds of living wage jobs were lost, thousands of people moved away, and Pittsfield’s municipal finances became very costly while the city’s tax base greatly diminished. In closing, Jimmy Ruberto was a slick salesman who promised the World to the people of Pittsfield, but in the end, it was all really proverbial snake oil.
In a non-related story, the Berkshire Museum sold much of its art collection for about $50 million.
Sounds “Vibrant and Dynamic” to Me!!
Ineed
Off topic. I am waiting for comments regarding Mr. Morse’s campaign for Congress after the revelations of his inappropriate sexual behavior with UMass students while acting as an adjunct professor. It’s amazing to watch Progressives unwavering support for Morse, but they would crucify any Republican for similar allegations. Rather two-faced in their conduct and continued support.
Morse would essentially be Harrington 2. Inept and hampered by his own demons and inexperience. Ego is bad in Trump but okay if you’re Progressive I guess.
On the other hand, Neal endorsed Harrington without any due diligence so he lost my vote.
Planet Bulletin……..Kamala Harris selected V P.
stalker! almost like J- Peter pan
Yes, Neal did as did Warren as did Healy. The ol’ practice of dems endorsing winners of dem primaries. That said, between Neal and Morse – Neal has power and Morse is a negative. He has achieved nothing in Holyoke – and yet he feels he has the cred to move up in the world. Sounds like Trumpian or Harrington fever ambition.
Maybe Alex Morse’s political advisors include Bill Clinton and Donald Trump? Sometimes voters like it when politicians are sexually inappropriate. After all, the “bad boy behavior” candidates have won in the past.
Yeah sexual misbehavior is in today
Rainbow Covid debucnct? I don’t think so,they went ou5 of business because of management losers.
Forget the Eagle. Planet smoked them on Biden’s pick and was before all the networks as well, predicting Harris as V P choice.
That we did. We are THEEEE first in the media, anywhere in the country, probably the world.
Come on man! Those are only 2 of many politicians who have been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. Hell, taxpayers pay for our politicians bad behavior through a slush fund to pay off their accusers.
Kamala Harris is Biden’s VP pick. Months ago Dan Valenti predicted this. I picked the senator from Minnesota. Reason being Biden needs the mid-western states. Dan was
on target, as usual. Good pick, Dan.
Dan did call it early on. Personally I wasn’t sure what Biden was going to do other than a woman of color.
She’ll make mince meat of Pence debates
Yes he did.
Harris is descended from Jamaican slave owners, is she going to pay the BLM thugs “reparations”?
Not a good choice for you, joe. Here’s why, she’s much to good for you, to smart, to aggressive, and will make you look like the the donkey you are. Another case a a politician hanging on much too long. Why don’t we have an age limit for these guys?
lets hope PresidentMarchetti lays down the Law withConnell tonight.
D stands for Dementia-crats! Joe Biden will be 78 if he becomes the 46th U.S. Prez on January 20th, 2021. If he serves one full 4 year term, he will leave the Oval Office at age 82. Joe Biden has been running for Prez since 1988 or for the past 32 years. His main reason for choosing Kamala Harris is because she is political moderate similar to Joe Biden. The far left Democrats will not support Joe Biden like when they snubbed Hillary Clinton 4 years ago. It will end up being a close November 3rd, 2020 presidential election. I believe it will be a lot closer than 4 years ago when Trump won the electoral college vote, while Hillary won the popular vote. I hope Joe Biden wins, despite his old age and dementia health issue. However, I thought Hillary would defeat Trump in 2016, which was wrong, of course.
Trump by a landslide! MAGA!
The zoom Council meeting is very painful
Dementia Joe and Kamel Toe Harris…..LOL.
Harris is Little Richard. So it is said and shall be written. Dementia Joe and Little Richard vs The Donald and the Indiana Bozo.
Biden needed a script in his call to Kamala.
Why on earth would anyone in his right mind vote for Dementia Joe for the highest office in the land? His mind is gone! He’s too old, he’s a crook, he has no energy and he’s not that bright!
The Dems only hope is to win by cheating – through mail-in ballots!
https://thefederalist.com/2020/08/11/bidens-staff-gave-him-a-script-so-hed-know-why-he-was-calling-kamala-harris/
St. Blows dignitaries should be embarrassed for the now defunct high school,once a proud group of students who have studied there. Imagine the alumni who sat on their hands and let it become a homeless pissing station.
Maffucio is saying needles,shitters and pissers and domestic violence at the causeway. Way to go Maffuch! He’s right. And Beer Drinkers and jaywalkers.
First shift back from vacation. Hospitals and labs are hiding the number of Covid cases.
They are coding them wrong, they are coding them to the address that the person lives full time, not to the address they were living when they tested positive.
There are over 24 new cases in Berkshire county since Friday. Also they are not doing follow ups right. And they aren’t doing contact tracing.
There was a wedding party. 11 people in that party tested positive. There have been no follow ups.
This is happening in Berkshire county and MA
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-s-top-public-health-officer-resigns-amid-revelations-massive-n1236338
Money over safety
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/the-show-will-go-on-for-now-pittsfield-theater-companies-adapt-to-states-new-gathering-limits,611231
You are just an endless fount of baseless information. You have made so many ridiculous COVID claims that it’s impossible to keep them all straight. Go back on vacation. Stay away from patients – for their sake.
OMG I am laughing so hard I can barely breath!!! Dan misread something on someone’s Facebook post and made a million ASSumtions and published it as a conspiracy theory!!! This is all so ludicrous it doesn’t even deserve a response, but since Dan is so interested in truth…I must… I am not employed by or a consultant for the city in any way, shape, or form. Dan saw a post on Regina White’s Facebook page. She copied that post from a petition that a few Pittsfield citizens wrote give others a way to support the proposed First United Methodist Church’s planned. downtown shelter. As an update to the petition I posted the MAYOR’s Downtown Action Plan as information for petition signers. The plan was shared with me by a member of DPI. When Regina posted it, she simply copied and pasted and as I posted it, my name was attached. I immediately could see that some idiot might think the plan was mine, and contacted Regina to delete my name so there would be no confusion. I guess Dan is easily confused. His “article” reveals that he is simply a pot stirrer, and his “information” is not a realizable source of fact. More facts: I am retired from my award winning career as a graphic designer. My action in support of the shelter was born out of personal experience with people experiencing homeless in the county and in conjunction with other who have actually experienced homelessness, and other concerned private citizen exercising our right to petition the Community Planning Board. Change.org/ProShelter. I won’t hold my breath for a retraction or apology. My guess is my comment won’t even be posted.
NAN
Thanks for correcting the record. In this life, I am human, all too human — “easily confused.”
Hmmmm. That might be okay for a personal interaction, BUT as a journalist who one would think might want to bolster his own credibility, you need to set the record straight, loud and clear. That post should come down or a nice big bold correction posted above it. You can read the negative comments about me (from people I neither know not care about), all based on you ignoring your professional responsibility to fact check. Correct your own record. That and a apology would have been more human.
The post will NOT come down. My credibility is not at issue here. My 45 years in the business takes care of that nicely. The record has been set straight, “loud and clear,” but one must have eyes to see and ears to hear. No appy polly doggies necessary, either. I offered you, and offer again, to submit a guest column to THE PLANET in which you can articulate your case and tear me apart at length. Do you accept?
What a pompess has been. Award Winning,bought and paid for and by whom. NaN you are and always were second rate.