SERVICENET ACTED/ACTING ILLEGALLY WITH RESPECT TO HOMELESS … plus … FOUR ‘HOMELESS’ PETITIONS TARGET MAYOR, FINANCE DIRECTOR, COUNCILORS
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 3, 2020) — Jenn Smith’s feature in the Berkshire Eagle about homelessness in Springside Park had this revealing snippet: ServiceNet, according to the mayor’s office, now will be collecting any unclaimed items at the pavilion tables at the end of each day. The agency, which receives funding from Pittsfield and the state, has been directed to store the items collected and distribute them as needed.
Smith’s piece added a human dimension to this unfolding crisis about to turn tragic. What jumps out to THE PLANET is that ServiceNet is still involved. The agency has not signed a contract for FY’21, which means that as of July 1, 2020, it has been operating illegally. If there’s been an interim understanding, what is it? Where is it? Again, silence from Tyer. The seriousness heightens when you consider that ServiceNet unexpectedly shut SJHS on July 13, booting scores of homeless. From the first through the 13th of last month, it had no standing to take any actions for the city.
One lawyer told THE PLANET ServiceNet faces enormous liability, opening itself up to lawsuits by any of the ousted homeless. The previous contract, which expired on June 30, had a bonding clause. Since there is no agreement, surety bonds would not cover financial damages. The city’s legal exposure is also great. Why did mayor Linda Tyer and OCD director Deanna Ruffer allow the FY20 pact to die without a plan moving forward?
Meanwhile, the Consolidated Annual Action Plan that that was to be approved and implemented 7/1/20 has languished, freezing CDBG, Section 8, HUD and other public monies to help the homeless. Again, zero leadership, strategy, and plan. Tyer and Ruffer continue to remain quiet, Supt. JIV is getting out of Dodge, the middle class continues to shrink, the Kapanski’s are getting screwed again, and the “armies of the road” continue to flock to town.
You getting angry yet?
Has the city
• Accessed marijuana money to fix the SJHS boiler?
• Applied for emergency HCDC ESG funds?
• Applied for McKinley-Vento emergency funds?
• Tapped into the leftover $1,600,000 CARES ACT money Pittsfield received in May?
• Replaces ServiceNet?
No, No, No, No, and No.
The needle is stuck.
———- ooo ———-
In other developments, THE PLANET has learned that four petitions have been presented to city clerk Michelle Benjamin for the council’s Aug. 11 agenda. That agenda will be posted on Friday Aug. 7. If the petitions do not appear on the agenda, it means council president Peter Marchetti, the city clerk, and the mayor will have crushed them. Publishing here may force their hand.
Here are the four petitions:
———- ooo ———-
The proposed FY21 ServiceNet contract was for a paltry $22,000. The FY20 deal was for $25K. Why peanuts? The agreement is window dressing, a token to make it look like they care. They don’t. Having a contract would allow Tyer to issue a cottony statement like the one she did toTHE PLANET July 16, three days after the shelter doors were slammed shut and 16 days into an illegal operation by ServiceNet. She said, in part, “All of us care deeply about how to best serve vulnerable populations.”
Right. And THE PLANET knows someone who has a $700,000 home in a gated community who will sell it for $1.
Kick a buck.
——————————————————————————————-
“Martyrdom has always been a proof of the intensity, never of the correctness of a belief” — Arthur Schnitzler.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Nope you have this wrong.
ServiceNet is not open to any liability.
ServiceNet is not required to have a contract with the city at all. It has contracts with the federal government, state government, any local governments that choose to use their services.
They are also grant funded as well as privately funded.
They are licensed in MA for any number of services and do not have to report to the city even if they are providing service within the city.
Only if the city SPECIFICALLY engages ServiceNet to provide contract services are the required to have a contract with the city and if part of the contract required to be bonded.
There are dozens of not for profits that can and do provide services in Pittsfield, including direct contact client services with no contract with the city.
Your legal friend and you entire premise of the article is just BS.
Just because the city says ServiceNet is doing x, y, and z doesn’t mean they are contracted.
Further I think if you look at the emergency Covid funding bills, cities have more latitude in extending contracts, doing month to month extensions, and funding authorizations. But I don’t even think that’s happening here.
Ask the lawyers but I believe there is something called a duty of care – and if Service Net breached that they would be liable for any damages caused by that breach related to these people they belched out into the park.
That breach could be related to not transitioning them properly to a new shelter or not giving adequate notice. It is based on the standard expected from such an agency.
The obfuscation on what the city setup was for the homeless is the biggest red flag for me. The COP con artists (and don’t get me started on the con artist Eagle) have 10 million and can’t provide a shelter? What about all the other money you mention? That went to whose budget for computers? This administration is full of crooks, quite frankly. They should be ashamed of themselves. Everything they touch is a dung heap.
Markey is garbage and Kennedy is just as bad – vote for Kevin O’Connor in Nov.
Lack of a contract too, can be problematic.
Wrong. Them not having a contract with the city doesn’t mean anything. There are lots of not for profits that don’t have “contracts” with the cities they operate in.
[REDACTED: COMMENTATOR IS WARNED TO USE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND AVOID GRATUITUS INVECTIVE] Catholic Charities, Goodwill, soup kitchens, planned parenthood, legal aid services, employment services, as not for profits they aren’t required to have any contracts to conduct business.
As for duty of care, you legal eagles are washed up and full of it again.
RN
Stick to nursing. I hope you’re better at that than you are at the law. Also, as our robocensor flagged, watch the language. You’ve been warned.
United Way
I did not say a contract is required. I said, the lack of a contract there’s potential for liability/negligence. Contracts are drafted in order to shield parties from liability.
KERMIT
The “duty of care” provision is the one cited. RN may be a great nurse, but she’s no legal mastermind.
[COMMENT REDACTED NOT FOR CONTENT, FOR LANGUAGE]
This is a true conundrum. If the city or another entity was to come forward with a decent living space with food and clothing and some health care, then some people would be very happy.
The downside is that this community is going to keep growing. And the better care and conditions you provide the more people who will be attracted to it and eventually, sooner rather than later, the city, the services and the community will be overwhelmed. The hydra will continue to grow heads until almost everyone is fed up and unhappy.
It is a complex problem and can easily and quickly be made much worse. If someone has solutions that will not compound the problem I am sure city officials will be happy to hear them. But it is my opinion that city officials, by providing all kinds of social services, with monetary kickbacks to the city, have opened this Pandora’s box themselves and now we are all suffering the consequences.
Hinds and Tyer lured more of them here with the hotels. It’s on their hands.
Find a shelter, offer it to the homeless, if they don’t take it, arrest them for vagrancy. The women who claims she has pitched tent next to a stream so they have stream water for washing is creating an even bigger public health issue. The people who say they don’t want to be in gender specified shelters sound like they never heard of beggars can’t be choosers. This is a shit storm and it had got the mayors and State Senators name all over it.
Sounds like the Mayor has taken a knee. As Hess still stands.
Pandora’s box for sure! This is one big mistake. Taking care of our own homeless is one thing, but feeling obligated to provide for others who come here for a handout is stupidity.
This cost will come out of the taxpayers pocket. It’s one thing having your taxes increase to pay for services that benefit our citizens but we will see a significant tax increase to cover the price we will have to pay for turning this city into a “sanctuary city”.
Don’t we have any leadership?
Satire….
What Pittsfield needs is an Antifa/BLM style “peaceful protest” on Allen and Fenn Sts, “for the homeless”.
Democrats bend over backwards, and even bend over and grab their ankles for these causes.
The rioters/looters/arsonists, er “protesters”, could set up camp at the Common to stage the “peaceful protests”. Covid-19 regulations ignored and tofu and marijuana vendors set up shop.
PPD would be ordered to stand down and a push would be on to defund them.
The Highland, Burger King, and all Christian churches within two blocks would be burned, the precious metal store on 1ST street looted, as well as all the banks. The Ma Registry/ Brien center building under siege , with Ma troopers in place, Gov Baker would waffle on what to do? PPD building overtaken and used as a launching site for fire bombs directed at now vacant City Hall
Trump would offer help and face a backlash.
Tyer/Barry, Hinds, and Tricia would be in hiding at a “safe place”.
D-emocracy 2020!!!
The situation in Springside Park is unacceptable….open fires,camping in park,in park after 9pm etc! If this was going on in one of the nicer neighborhoods it would have been shut down. What other laws are they not going to enforce?
If they stay there long enough they will have squatters rights and own the Goddamn park. But I am curious as to the breakdown of males/females, age group, general ethnicity etc. How many would be willing and able to work if they were offered a job?
Could the city set up cameras and turn it into a realty show for TV? Like Big Brother? Lots of money in that stuff and they could each get a paycheck.
Turn this whole debacle into another Pittsfield economic engine.
Bust open the doors of that 13 million dollar Innovation center and house the homeless there. At least that building would be used for SOMETHING.
Hello Dan Valenti, If I had a slush fund of over $10 million in Kapanski Ka$h like Matt Kerwood, would it still be legal? What if Matt Kerwood used some of the Kapanski Ka$h in his +$10 million slush fund to help the over 60 homeless people living in Springside Park? Would that be legal? The lovely Linda Tyer has the money to help the homeless! Best wishes, Jonathan Melle
I read and re-read the article in the BB pertaining to Mayor Tyer and Jim McGrath’s visit to meet with the homeless at Springside Park. Was this all for just a photo op? What did either of them do or say to remedy this sad & dangerous situation? This visit was basically an insult to these homeless folks. Promises, promises, no just another bunch of lies from the Mayor and her do nothing department heads. From what I read the homeless have more class in their little pinkies than the Mayor and McGrath have. Is there any department that works properly under this Administration? Nothings right in this City anymore. Although, don’t forget to pay your Real Estate taxes today. Where is this tax money going? No traffic enforcement, no road cleanup, no line painting, an AWOL City Council, although maybe the Council went to Mexico on vacation with Chief Mikey Wynn and they are all quarantined together. On the bright side, at least Dottie’s is open thanks to our taxes.
and the acrid smelling smoke you see from the squealing tires is from the school superintendent heading out of dodge before someone changes their mind. His bags have been packed for over a year
buh bye now……
Did Mikey use the city credit card on his 4 week vacation?
You know, they did sound like decent people. I still think it’s wrong the city is encouraging this.
Dotties’s yum
I want to make a public statement that I am not the attorney to whom Dan refers in this blog post.
ditto here
Don’t trust the Attorneys who work for the law firm “Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe”.
I am not an attorney either. But I know negligence.
Don’t trust any attorney period. Especially mediators.
STACEY
I will also attest to that. My source is a Pittsfield attorney, one who has an interest and specialty in housing matters.
And the have no idea wtf they are talking about.
I was not even there that day
Are you worried that you have upset someone?
Superintendent McCandless is leaving. Who can blame him? Seven years working with Pittsfield’s elected and appointed officials is more than enough for a responsible and intelligent person. Congratulations to him on his new position. I hope, very much hope, this foolishness about a 90 day notice is not adhered to. After 7 years he deserves to be free to leave as he wishes and his new position desires. Good luck to you, Superintendent McCandless. Your new community is fortunate to have a man of your ability and good sense.
Just wanted to puke up my dinner. Saw another great photo op of Andrea Harrington, Puki Yuki, Adam Hinds and Joe Kennedy at Springside Park visiting the homeless. Andrea thanked the “residents” of Springfield Park for welcoming them. Really “residents!!! Just another pathetic photo op, surprised the Mayor wasn’t there for another shot at a picture of her. What is wrong with these people! Sad thing is we are paying their salaries. I would rather have my tax money go to help the homeless than these high on their horse politicians that only care about getting elected. They do not care about struggling human beings and hardworking taxpayers. I am sure they are all home in their air conditioned homes tonight drinking and eating. What is going to happen to these homeless folks for the next two days when the hurricane rain arrives.
Isn’t that in !oons Ward. I would have felt better if Joe would pitch a tent and stay the night there.
These people are politicians first.
Kissing babies and stealing their lollipops when they aren’t looking.
Red October .
And visiting Hooverville for a photo-op.
Had to bring the Mayor into it again. The obsession is amazing. A legit post about the D.A. and still the Mayor is brought up. You need help fast.
Hinds with a 1/2 gallon of what appears to be milk. With the money they make and pay raise he and our other reps. voted for themselves, you would think a little extra in hand would have been in the offering.
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/kennedy-visits-springside-park-homeless,610631
Reminds me of when Trump went to Puerto Rico after they were devastated by a hurricane and tossed paper towels to them.. Then left in his helicopter and pretty much abandoned them to this day.
Springside reminds me of why the politicians in PR are under investigation for stealing relief $ and supplies.The connected got what they needed and the truly suffering very little.
I cannot even keep track of how many of Trumps connected friends and family are under investigation but I am glad you brought it up.
Name me a politician who doesn’t take care of political friends and family . We have some who have been doing it for years and years from both sides. $ome longer than others.
See, they all keep us saps divided on issues while they all laugh their way to the bank.
JA, and other posters. I urge all to read this from a MSNBC employee. It is what I’ve been saying. Applies to ALL networks and politicians and we the people.
https://www.redstate.com/mike_miller/2020/08/04/msnbc-producer-resigns-slams-network’s-‘cancer’-they-‘block-diversity-of-thought’-stoke-national-division/
Just like I’ve been saying all along BHS and the local BoHsin Berkshire County are under reporting COVID cases. They are doing so purposefully. Pittsfield has Dozens of more cases then have been reported to the state and it’s getting worse each day.
PITTSFIELD — Though state reports showed a Pittsfield nursing home had no COVID-19 cases, Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center told residents’ families something else.
The coronavirus had infected people in the facility.
The discrepancy suggests that despite daily and weekly statistics provided by the state Department of Public Health, it can be hard for families to monitor outbreaks of a virus that as of Monday had killed at least 5,504 people in long-term care facilities.
The most recent DPH report on cases in nursing homes did not show any infections at Springside, located at 225 Lebanon Ave. in Pittsfield.
But in a robocall to families in July, a Springside official said testing had revealed four cases of COVID-19 at the facility, including one staff member.
All this cryptic and bouncing virus data makes me very suspicious and reluctant to trust the sources. Is it that hard to just report what is going on in a simple but comprehensive platform that everyone can understand? And if not, why not?
Dishonest left winged MSM with a political agenda Johnny.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/covid-19-dr-zelenko-150000-americans-many-around-world-dead-hcq-stood-way-making-trillions-video/
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/exclusive-new-york-health-commissioner-zucker-wont-provide-number-elderly-went-nursing-homes-died-hospitals-reportedly-state-not-gather-data/
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/unbelievable-new-interview-bobby-kennedy-jr-claims-dr-fauci-will-make-millions-coronavirus-vaccine-owns-half-patent/
Johnny, are are you with graphs?
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/two-charts-put-dr-fauci-prison/
I hate to seem cold hearted,but setting up and supporting this homeless camp in a city park is crazy. The people should be screened, as to their situation, and an action planned formed to move them along to permanent housing. In the article in the Eagle a couple was complaining that they couldn’t rent a place because they couldn’t save for a first and last month security deposit. If that’s what’s really holding people like that back then it would be cheaper for the city to just fund it, and get them off the street. Section 8 housing is based upon their income, so in theory, all of these people could be housed somewhere. And if it cost the city 100 grand to get them all in apartments and clean this mess up, it would be worth it. But f there are people who just want to hang out and not be productive, well then here’s a bus ticket, it’s time to move along, because you can’t reside in a city park. Society rises or falls to level that people are willing to tolerate. We should not tolerate that here. Give a man a fish he can eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he can eat for a lifetime. Deliver fish to a man for free every day at Springside Park and he will never leave.
It should not be difficult for homeless people in the Commonwealth to get housing assistance such as for 1st & last month security. According to 760 CMR 67 (Emergency Assistance Program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development from which I assume ServiceNet also receives funding as Pittsfield is identified as the only locale in the state with state-funded homeless shelters [see https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2020/03/30/as-virus-spreads-to-homeless-shelters-say-state-lacks-plan%5D), Emergency-Assistance eligible households are given money through the Housing Assistance Program for things such as first/last/security or temporary shelter.
I know Pittsfield landlords who take new tenants with this kind of funding and I myself have helped a tenant with this: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-residential-assistance-for-families-in-transition-raft#:~:text=Learn%20about%20Residential%20Assistance%20for%20Families%20in%20Transition%20(RAFT),-The%20RAFT%20Program&text=helps%20families%20who%20must%20move,can%20be%20paid%20for%20furniture).
The problem lies with those who are ineligible for Emergency Assistance. What makes someone ineligible?
760 CMR 67.05: An EA household that fails to cooperate with housing assistance program services and subsequently becomes homeless as a result of the noncooperation with housing assistance program services is ineligible for temporary emergency shelter benefits, as specified in 760 CMR 67.06(2)(g). An EA household that fails to cooperate with the housing assistance program services while in a temporary emergency shelter will be found to be in noncompliance with the requirements of maintaining temporary emergency shelter as specified in 760 CMR 67.06(5)(a).
Same restrictions exist in the Housing Assistance Program. I don’t know the circumstances of the couple interviewed for the Eagle piece but I do know that unless they are ineligible, there are resources at their disposal.
In my younger days I considered myself a pretty damn good fisherman. But if the fish are not biting you go home empty handed and if that is your only food source you would starve. I am sorry to throw shade on your teaching a man to fish theory Mr. Doe but they would be better off learning about plantain and dandelions and cattails which are all good eating when prepared properly and you don’t have to wait till they are hungry to harvest them.
Of course come winter you may well starve to death and have to be buried on the taxpayers dime in an unmarked grave. So on balance there is that side of it as well.
Put the homeless in the vacant 14 million dollar, currently useless, “Berkshire Innovation Center”.
Lots of cattails and fish growing in Silver Lake.
When the fish aren’t biting they can harvest cattails, and prolific edible weeds in the cracked pavement/cement from the rest of the desolate former GE site. Ice fishing in the winter! And “frogging”, in “the cleaned up ” Housatonic River
The still toxic chemical cesspool, that should have been, a superfund site.
Tell them D-Doyle , DeVillars, and Welch sent you!
My point was really about creating dependence, and I realize I’m oversimplifying. But it’s amazing how someone can find motivation when they aren’t being given things for free. When I see the homeless guy with a sign at an intersection begging for money and he’s smoking a cigarette that costs $10 a pack, I think that if people stopped giving him money he might want a smoke bad enough to earn the money to buy it.
I’m ashamed to admit that when I was young and lost a job through no fault of mine own, I stayed on unemployment until two weeks before it ran out. It’s amazing how motivated I got when the spigot was about to be turned off.
Springside Park will be subject to a tropical rain storm with high winds. I think it is time for the lovely Linda Tyer to use some of Matt Kerwood’s +$10 million slush fund to provide shelter for the +60 homeless residents there.
Do far left politicians think they can set up tent cities here in Pittsfield and throughout Berkshire County? Berkshire County weather will not cooperate with that scenario and, hopefully, neither will the citizens of this area. Find real homes for the homeless. Why are circumstances allowed to get this bad in far left cities and states that the number of homeless gets so out of control? Pittsfield is not a large city and yet we have a large and growing homeless problem? Local politicians are blaming this problem on COVID-19, but many of these people have been homeless for years, if you read some of their stories, and many are not even from this area.
Pat maybe you could go up to Springside and snivel and sneer at these homeless folk and lecture them on their “far left” liberal leanings. Be sure to squint and point your finger at them. Also, throw in some Hannity and Tucker Carlson catch phrases so they know you are serious.
It’s not the citizens of this city who are ignoring the homeless, it’s local politicians who only kicked it into gear to help these people after everyone on this board complained about the terrible conditions of the homeless. These people still do not have homes, but food is being provided. You have it backwards, as usual, it’s the local politicians who were sniveling and sneering at the homeless. It took the concern of people on this board to give a voice to the homeless.
Dan did you mention that the boiler at SJHS was an issue? I believe that was all upgraded to new not that long ago. They even ran a new bigger gas service to accommodate it.
Who did that? The city or the parish? And if it was the city why did they do that if they did not own it? If it was the parish and the school was closed why would they do that?
Good lord. It’s like Joe Kennedy 3 went to a Bantustan to observe how the other side lived. Country Club Joe 3 accompanied Hinds and Puki trying to play de Klerk.
Except YUKI COHEN and HINDs and all the councilors from Harrington’s office are the are THE ACTUAL PEOPLE who created this crisis and who refused to vote on the Methodist shelter due to Downtown Pittsfield Inc.
HINDS, PUKi, MOON, GUIEL refuses to deal with the shelter – blocked it – and then went for a photo op in the ghetto.
What the actual F?
Also, Joe Kennedy – your emissary Dellea is responsible for the worst hospital system in the state. Your healthcare advocate wife – can she fix this? Would she even bother?
Your supporters have done diddly squat to change the MA banking system (Hello Greylock! Hello Warren! This means you!) that takes advantage of people in distress to move properties of value to connected gobsogs at discounted prices.
Go home Kennedy Boy to your country club but maybe offer a Yuki a ride home first – see if she will take it.
Ed Markey is no better. These politicians are all about the “agenda”. Pittsfield has so many needs and NONE are being addressed by these “agenda” driven politicians. We have a retail desert in this area. Too few stores for so many people which results in overcrowding conditions and shortages of everything. The job situation in Pittsfield and Berkshire County continues to be depressing, even more so now after the China manufactured virus was unleashed on us. Local politicians want everyone to blame this on President Trump despite years of lack of jobs in this Democrat controlled area, but this is what Democrats do….take no responsibility and blame others. They are only worried about their “Marxist agenda” for this country and that agenda is now throughout our entire school system too. This is also why they are fighting against private schools. They need to promote the Marxist agenda and no parent should be given a choice to avoid that agenda being taught to their children.
I agree with you about Markey. I am voting for OConnor in Nov. I have voted Democrat far more than I ever have for Republicans but have had enough.
Public education has been corrupted by politics and it’s a disservice to the kids. You can see it in the shrill squealing of the unions about having to do their jobs.
Does Joe III, have a black Buick, with large back seat, to “chauffer” Yuki in?
I shouldn’t joke about the Kennedy crashes or debauchery as it is really awful. It’s weird to me that the left think the Kennedy family is so awesome. Have the Kennedys produced any female children in the 70 years in which they have been in state politics – and yet none have a national political voice. How progressive. There has been a Kennedy in politics in this state for the last 70 years and Western MA has seen zero benefit – no advocacy for GE, no advocacy for the economy, a shitty health system, and no protection against the pedo priests. Joe 3 might be a great guy but his whole platform is based on nepotism and he has not won my respect.
He hasn’t won my respect either. I will not vote for Kennedy or Markey.
olds delmont
I stand corrected , black 1967 Olds Belmont
https://www.change.org/p/pittsfield-urgently-needs-this-emergency-shelter?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=abeea790-cdef-012f-5ef2-4040f855b16c
On facebook, I asked Helen Moon what she is going to do about the situation and I received this public reply:
Thanks for the honest question. It is reasonable and I’ve heard many concerns from others in the surrounding neighborhoods.
I definitely don’t have all this answers. This is a pretty expansive and complicated issue. What I’m currently doing is volunteering my nursing skills for wound care, donating supplies, meeting with and speaking to various stakeholders (including those finding shelter at Springside Park, surrounding neighbors, other councilors, service agencies and partners, etc.) and organizing syringe cleanups. I have tried to learn about alternatives, various legislation to advocate for and spoken with local folx who have done this work for a long time. This is obviously not a solution, but I believe that our city needs to look at long term, sustainable solutions to protecting those that are housing insecure, have mental illnesses and struggle with substance use disorder. A difficult and heartbreaking situation all around, it needs to be addressed collectively with compassion, empathy, resourcefully and utilizing all levels of our representative govt. from city councilors, the mayor, our state delegation to federal leaders. As I’ve mentioned in other comments, I don’t think electeds learning from those with lived experiences with houselessness is wrong. It’s actually good. It’s authentic and meaningful. I do have issue, however, with said people centering the issue on themselves and capitalizing on a photo op.
Lastly, I have been advocating for the downtown shelter that’s proposed on Fenn Street. It proposes expanded capacity, has identified and appropriated funding, and is more accessible for services. Unfortunately, it’s getting a lot of push back from local businesses, who like some around Springside, are worried about having homeless individuals in their backyard, frontyard, etc. But, I think it’s important to remember, homeless individuals are also members of our community. Additionally, my question to both downtown Pittsfielders and neighbors abutting Springside, where should the homeless individuals go? Looking at the situation from a 50,000ft view, we have a growing problem with housing insecurity. That problem will only be further exasperated with sky high unemployment rates. It’s a scary future. But I am thankful for people like Brad Gordon who are and have been doing the hard work of prevention of houselessness for a long time, utilizing best practices, and treating all individuals with dignity.
Thanks for sharing this, SR.
I’ll be happy to answer your questions, Helen.
“They are members of our community”. Answer: Actually NO. We are being told by reliable sources that the vast majority are from out of town.
“Where should they go?” Answer: Back where they came from.
This was a vibrant and dynamic reply from Helen.
Could Helen’s dismissal from the DA’s office be that ,Helen was one of the ones putting out the behind the scenes going’s on in the office? She might have been privy to other information from the corner office.
So Helen Moon, who is quite the political mover and shaker, is against Joe Kennedy etc. doing political grandstanding? She would probably be his campaign manager if he asked her and she thought it might help her climb the ladder.
Maybe she could give some support to the Salvation Army, a true non-profit.
They lost their Pittsfield 501 Dalton store to a weed factory. The Boston connection to approve the weed factory, was a connected former D-politician, with interests in the business.
That’s PITTSfield for you
I agree! Pittsfield politics pay$ off for the incestuous Good Old Boys club.
John, the “connected guy”, is your favorite, former state politician.
I want to puke!
Oh Please! poor Helen didn’t get the invite to play with the other kids in her own back yard. Markey is her boy and this is in her Ward she totally has egg on her face. Please tell me what she is doing today during this storm for the camp besides bitching on face book
Moon ought to show some guts and speak up about the disaster that is her former boss. What has the people’s lawyer done for us besides trot around her political cronies?
She got a boob job
For real?
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR RADAR ………. TORNADO WARNINGS NOT TOO FAR AWAY TO THE NORTH AND WEST
i had to laugh at the picture of Hinds and Kennedy in the paper today with their meager supplies for the homeless. Where were the testing supplies for Covid 19?
It’s interesting that we are constantly badgered to WASH ;YOUR HANDS but there doesn’t seem to be much concern about their lack of hygiene.
It also appears that some neighbors have experienced “problems” when some of these homeless have decided to venture out of the park. Will this escalate?
Again, where the h…. is our Health Dept., CC and mayor?
Hinds is a clown. Kennedy is Clintons East
Will this escalate? Let’s just say if you live in that neighborhood you better nail your windows and door shut.
Yep! The Democrats don’t want to have police, they want social workers instead.
Let the thugs Burn Loot, and have Mayhem!!! Rape , plunder and pillage!!! If you don’t allow this lawlessness you are a: “racist”, “bigot”, “fascist”, “XXXXphobe”, “white supremacist”, ……….
And with no LE, they expect you to give up your 2nd Amendment RIGHTS, so you can’t even protect yourself.
The DNC has went full nuclear on the 2nd Amendment 2020 election cycle. They want all Americans, defenseless and bent over for the coming storm.
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20200803/2020-democratic-party-platform-declares-total-war-on-second-amendment-rights
“The national Democratic Party is no longer making any attempt to hide their antipathy towards guns and gun owners. Where once the party attempted to tailor their anti-gun messaging to appear moderate and appeal to some gun owners, the draft 2020 Democratic Party Platform contains a full-throated assault on firearms ownership and a blueprint for undermining every aspect of Second Amendment rights. Viewed in historical context, the draft 2020 Democratic Party Platform is the most anti-gun the party has ever put forward…………”
Breaking from Seattle.
“BLM ‘Protesters’ on Their Way to Harass Seattle Police Chief at Her Home Encounter Armed Locals Who Are Not in the Mood to Host Protests”
“……..Best’s neighbors weren’t in the mood to host malcontents protesting in their neighborhood.
Armed residents confronted the protesters and the exchange further confirmed why the 2nd Amendment is essential for our protection and to ensure our freedoms.
“We are peaceful! You pointed a gun at my face!” the protester yelled to the armed residents.
Resident: “That’s why you are peaceful.”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/blm-protesters-way-harass-seattle-police-chief-home-encounter-armed-locals-not-mood-host-protests-video/
Again, where the h…. is our Health Dept., CC and mayor?
When the going gets tough, D-politicians go AWOL, and hide in their “safe spots”, far away from the troubles/turmoil they themselves fostered and cultivated.
Still no world on how/whom approved, the way Homeless Covid-19 imports came to be in Pittsfield? And which D-politicians approved/knew of this without ANY foresight to the future at all.
The whole Tyer Administration save Jim McGrath and Vinny Barbarotta,Dusty Haas are below par for sure.
https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/docs/Public%20Parks%20and%20Conservation%20Area%20Rules%20and%20Regulations.pdf
Interesting read. Almost seems as if the City is ENABLING these people.by ignoring their own rules. Amazing!
hobos,don’t drink milk. Hinds should donate his pay raise he gave his himself. Believe it or not that was his first vote as a new Senator.a
Thimble full of milk gonna save the world.
Tornado might be at a Springside. Hope theCity has liability insurance. Tents uproot fast during windy conditions.
I also asked Joe Durwin (a Parks Commissioner) what he was going to do about the situation (since he “reacted” to my question to Helen Moon with a “wow” emoji – as did two others…. as if to ask this question of public officials is shocking). His response was, verbatim: “what are you going to do?” Astounding, to say the least.
He then referred me to his “thoughts, comments and advocacy priorities [] already on the public record” and that I am “welcome to view the July 20 parks commission meeting online…”
I watched the 1 1/2 hour July 21st meeting (there was none on July 20nd). The Commission discussed a range of issues from painting rocks, emotion beads (whatever those are), egg hunt, Springside House restoration, basketball courts, etc. At 1:20 in, Jim McGrath bring up the “major elephant in the room” (kudos to him for making it an issue as it wasn’t even on the agenda at all).
Durwin’s comments – 1) Clapp Park not at a level as Springside 2) His concern is how is Parks Department going to respond 2) Concerned with conditions left behind in park when encampments are abandoned. (That’s all, Joe?)
Chair DeMartino – Cleanup will be required when encampment abandoned. City has cleanup on standby, is ready to act when needed. Repeatedly said the issue is complex, nuanced, layered
Jim McGrath – Annual Springside cleanup was cancelled but the place is cleanest its ever been in years. Credit should be given to the stewardship of the “residents” there. The Mayor’s “standing policy and protocol along with the police department is not to evict them from the parks and not to remove their property.” Anything we can do to enunciate to the folks that their belongings are safe, we should do.
Chair DeMartino – This is also the standing policy of the Public Services Parks Division – hands off approach. They are only taking notes, “tracking these folks,” and passing on information to ServiceNet. We know where they are. ServiceNet knows where they are. We are not removing their belongings. Services are being brought to the attention of these individuals. Some take advantage of them; some refuse the services. Problem needs a team approach and the leader of the team is ServiceNet with the City ready to assist. We do need a Parks Commission response to the situation.
Durwin added – There are fire pits and beer drinking. What do we have in terms of policies to fight that kind of stuff?
Chair DeMartino – Make us aware of party spots or encampments that we may or may not be aware of.
Another Commissioner – We need to take a look again at our policy and camping and encampments. We may need to make modifications.
Chair – Let’s take a look at that. Sooner rather than later.
STACEY
Thanks for this vital information. Right now the plan here is to feature this information in THE WEEKEND EDITION for wider spread, to be included with a PLANET INVESTIGATION into the city’s attitude with respect to its parks. You have been a GREAT resource for my readers.
Dan, this not amateur hour anymore. Happy the JK was at the camp Moon should have had Markey for tea as well but she dropped the ball. This needs a federal response from our Senator state rep etc time for the face book warriors to get out of the way. The real estate market is blowing( 42 closings for an agent friend) up creating lot’s of work which will continue for everyone except Pittsfield if this circus continues. Defund the police camp Springside etc.. Covid has created a wave of city dwellers coming to the Berkshires Pittsfield is dragging it down once again.
Ha! We don’t have wow emojis here. But wow!!
‘The Commission discussed a range of issues from painting rocks, emotion beads (whatever those are), egg hunt, Springside House restoration, basketball courts, etc. ‘
Vote of No Confidence
I have heard through the grapevine that one is in the works.
Maybe one of our farmers here can send a dairy cow out to the Spring and Hinds can milk it.
Hinds only milks taxpayers
Anyone see Hinds and Stooge interviews. Bring a barf bag. No substance,just accolades?
What about Tricia Farley? Doesn’t she usually have an answer for everything? Can’t she fly in on her broom and throw some fairy dust on the issue and make it go away? At the very least make a proclamation from her lofty pedestal.
Not before she tries to tax it Johnny
Tricia Farley Bouvier voted herself a 40% legislative pay raise 3.5-years ago in early-2017. Maybe she can give back her pay raise by donating the Kapanski Ka$h to the homeless in Pittsfield.
Listening to the scanner. Sounds like the first responders are doing another great job under difficult conditions. Thanks guys and girls.
There’s no way the tents at Springside are holding up.
I’m pretty convinced the last think these people need is food. I’m pretty sure the food problem has been addressed, nobody’s hungry. This ain’t my 600 lb. life – for f* sake it’s a hygiene issue – NOT F O O D !
Agreed. Unfortunately Hinds thinks a quart of milk and a Kennedy on the seen was the fix.
Scene. So sorry