NOMINATION PAPERS ARE AWAITING … PLANET PRESENTS COUNCIL PROFILES IN COURAGE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, DATE, 2021) — It’s April, the cruelest month, and nomination papers wait for the claiming in the Pittsfield city clerk’s office. Already, a cuppa-three have done it. With that THE PLANET presents this unabashed look at the current lineup of sodbusters.
Ward 1 Helen Moon — She got fired by the D.A. Boston cops pulled her over for a traffic stop, arrested her at gunpoint, cuffed and jailed her because of her race. No wait. New Hampshire cops pulled her over, arrested her a gunpoint, cuffed her and jailed her because of her race. No wait … Alabama cops pulled her over … No wait, it was the Michigan state police … No, wait, it was …
Ward 2 Kevin Morandi — After a series of lackluster councilors, Ward 2 finally got a good one. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions and had a pragmatic approach top policy. Morandi put out a barber pole and rode upward on the red, white, and blue spirals. Not running for re-election.
Ward 3 Nick Caccamo — This young man gave every indication of promise, but the track record of his tenure proved him to be a dabbler likely more interested in pension than policy. Mostly invisible in the ward. He was that tree in the forest that fell with no one to hear. Not running for re-election.
Ward 4 Chris Connell — Council MVP, he gave better than he got. Came to meetings prepared. Under typical conditions, this would not be worth mentioning, but in Pittsfield, that’s considered duty above-and-beyond. Connell brought intelligence, wit, care, and concern with him to the dais, and he will be sorely missed. Not running for re-election.
Ward 5 Patrick Kavey — Is he Mr. Inside or Mr. Outside? That’s a question raised by vexing inconsistency. Has an eye for detail and a healthy independent streak, but he needs to hone his arguments and learn the fine art of political paraphrase and summary to cut down on the long wind. Bit of a policy wonk with a tendency to kiss up, and that’s OK. It’s at a manageable level so far.
Ward 6 Dina Lampiasi — Triple Crown winner, holding three public positions simultaneously: city councilor, licensing board member, and employee in the D.A.’s office. That’s two city positions and one state job. She’s stretched the taxpayer’s dime into a dollar, but what for the public trough? A walking conflict of interest. With the right candidate, she’s ripe for the picking in 6.
Ward 7 Anthony Maffuccio — Not King Kong but Tin Tone. Means well in a rambling and breathless way. Not enough firepower and too much tethering for a loose canon, more like an unholstered .22. Tony can be relied upon to show up, speak up, and surprise. Wears his lanyard on his sleeve.
At-large Peter Marchetti — His indecisiveness hiding behind neutrality makes for a perfect council president, that is if the prez is supposed to be a liaison for the council and a lay down for the mayor. Pete gave up Velveeta for the 2% whole and after so many years, it’s made him satisfied and overstuffed to the point of lethargy. His own political shadow has for too long scared him.
At-large Yuki Cohen — The Yukester gave every indication of promise when elected, but the shine got eaten away after serving one drink too many at Methuselah in the off hours. If she were a wood product, it would be onion-skin typing paper. The blank page, as always, held much promise. After 250 words, however, the readers lost interest. Big bust.
At-large Earl Persip III — He made The Dumpster Behind Paul Rich an urban legend, replacing the Big Red Asphalt Eater From The North as the city’s main tourist attraction, just ahead of Barrington Stage. You could look at that and shake your head, but it’s something, right? His contributions to the body politick seem to be directed below the belt and over the head.
At-large Peter White — The council’s James Joyce, coining the word “houseless” to refer to human beings who find themselves without dwelling. One look and you realize he’s “on the spectrum,” or are those superhero dolls and pictures of food desert — rather, dessert — mirages from unseen matchstick men? When you knock, there’s never anyone home. Houseless, you know.
Want to make a difference? Want to “play ball?” Want your 15 minutes of local fame?
THE PLANET reminds you that the papers await your plucking.
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“If you want to stop time, make sure to locate your sundials in the shade” — Sir Donald Turpentine.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Can someone please explain the dumpster story.
You had to be there.
Lol. Now that’s a good one!
Pittsfield politics always has a rubber stamp city council and Mayor who answers to the Democratic Party bosses in Boston who are still in power after their 2020 homophobic and sleazy smear campaign against populist Alex Morse who dared to challenge Richie Neal, who is K Street corporate lobbyists’ favorite PAC Man on Capitol Hill. I have followed Pittsfield politics for decades, and I find it to be totally predictable and very mean-spirited. Every fiscal year, Pittsfield politics raises spending by around 5%, hikes fees, and borrows at least $10 million or a lot more money to add to its hundreds of millions of dollars in public debts and other hidden liabilities. Matt Kerwood uses creative accounting schemes to make the Lovely Linda look like she has stabilized city government’s financial management, but it is all a house of cards that will most likely collapse into insolvency in the future. Matt Kerwood is deferring most of Pittsfield’s huge municipal debts and other hidden liabilities decades into the far off future. Matt Kerwood is still building a huge slush fund, which he calls reserve accounts, that is estimated to be around $14 million. Over the next 2 years, the Lovely Linda and Matt Kerwood will receive $41.6 million in direct aid that I call Biden Buck$. Will the taxpaying public – the proverbial Kapanski family – be able to have a direct say into how Pittsfield’s financial windfall will be spent by City Hall? I won’t be holding my breath. On the state level, Pittsfield politics has State Representative Tricia Farley Bouvier, who votes herself big pay raises, and collects up to 3 legislative pay raises every two years. Then there is State Senator Adam Hinds, who also votes himself big pay raises and cashes in with 3 legislative pay raises every two years. TFB and Hinds both openly support raising state taxes, especially on the wealthy, but they have not offered to sacrifice any of their public pay and perks. Pittsfield politics is mean-spirited because the ruling elite persecutes and blacklists anyone who doesn’t fall in line with their agenda that is destroying the peace of mind and financial security of the proverbial Kapanski family. Pittsfield politics has an antidemocratic reputation for very low voter turnout and little citizen participation in state and local government. Pittsfield (Massachusetts) has one of the highest ratios in the state and nation for economic inequality because there are little to no living wage jobs there for the average working family. The Lovely Linda lives in a wealthy gated community literally feet away from the Hancock border. Wealthy Ward 4 in Pittsfield always elects the Mayor and the at large City Councilors. The working class and proverbial Kapanski family have no real voice in Pittsfield politics. One example of this is the skunk-like odor from a marijuana growing business that stinks up a working class neighborhood in Pittsfield. People complained, but they still wake up to smelling stinky air. Pittsfield has been losing population and jobs for decades on end since around the 1980s when GE closed shop and cut thousands of living wage jobs. It has been over 30 years of a distressed local economy, but Pittsfield politics has done nothing for economic development to grow living wage jobs for all of that time. I believe that Pittsfield politics did this on purpose because they make more money off of social services dollars and Level 5 inner city public schools than investing in a working class economy – or investing in people. I call it “Perverse Incentives” where I explain that poverty and economic inequality is Pittsfield’s real business. In closing, Pittsfield politics does one thing successfully year after year, and it is screwing over Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski!
Open City Hall.
Agreed. And it’s time for the council to resume in-person meetings.
Then tyet would have to open library and courts, initiating a landslide of backed up lawsuitS against the city.
ppd & local 5.0.
No progress is the Biden protocol, be a shame to protect them minor children At border from politicians.
Look for missy to join the fray, after publicly jettisoning blower and crack.
Massive corruption in da – police & sheriff departments are obvious.
And bustin at seems.
The elephant In the room is.
Who’s lining up for DA & mayor?
Big Tim Jamros going to push out Sheriff blower, the guards had enough of his bs. The civil rights violations are going to be extremely expensive.
Front runners seems to be Megan Tessanero- and missy mazzeo pretty potent & productiive crew if M&M run on police reform and attracting business after housekeeping offices.
Moon shot is an automatic, no competition.
Look for Scooter graves to pull an upset Out.
Due to itam conflicts and nimby backlash elsewhere.
Yet another hardworking landscaper puts on a push in downtown, riding scooters tail wind.
Town needs fresh set of eyes and legs.
Kid has a better than punchers chance.
West side be a come from nowhere dark horse, sucker punches incumbent reminiscent of Harington/crackiavello 2018 upset.
Place your bets, my crystal ball 89% accuracy.
No matter to the mayor if some councilor who is not afraid to ask questions, accidently gets elected because she has stalwart, bought and paid for, president to shut off any meaingful investigation into what is really going on behind the scenes.
Is Matt making any headway in his efforts to have a full blown forensic audit to find out why the city is constantly raising taxes while at the same time hemmoraging money to the special interests?
Love the” accidently gets elected”. Sums up pretty much everything wrong with the politics in Pittsfield.
Well, how many 9-2 council votes have you seen in the last 20 years? A ton of them and that is because they stack the deck with rubber stamper council persons by encouraging AND backing candidates they know ahead of time will vote as they are told. Are promises made to these “candidates” to encourage their participation? Well, when you see someone vote for or against something that makes no real sense you kind of have to wonder why.
And if you happen to be the independant guy or woman who gets elected on true merit, but refuse to play along with the establishment, your time in office can get difficult.
There is a no win situation for taxpayers in Pittsfield, Ma. as far as govt. represenatation goes. You either pay through the nose and suffer through it in disgust or you pack up your shit and leave town like thousands who already have. Those are your ONLY two choices.
Happiness is Pittsfield in the rear view mirror.
It would be nice to see a bunch of unconnected smart civic minded individuals to run for office in Pittsfield. Unfortunately even if they did the local powerbrokers who could guarantee you thousands of votes would stomp on them and the chosen idiots will win. Just how it is in the Pitts
Shirly, totally agree with you. Nick Russo the Vibrant, Innovative and Dynamic Creator of the bike lanes that have totally ruined what was left of North Street is running for Morandi’s seat. Just another hand picked puppet by the Mayor? Hoping that every ward has many candidates and the majority of the current puppets will be voted out. I will vote for any candidate that runs on asking for a forensic audit on City Hall. Taxpayers should not be left in the dark on what is really being done with our tax monies and all the tax monies collected from the pot shops. The Mayor seems to feel this is none of our business. Speaking of the Pittsfield pot shops. The stench in the Allendale, Dalton Ave. neighborhood today from Berkshire Roots is terrible. No matter what department you call in the City’s administration, they claim…Not Their Problem, that’s if they even answer the phone!
The problem is most gainfully employed people who would make great councilors could risk employment/personal issues by simply trying to improve the city. Look at Connell for example. He was accused of being racist by Earl Persip, made fun of for the way he speaks by the Mayors husband, and accused of not even living in Pittsfield months ago by other councilors.
As someone gainfully employed, it just isn’t worth it to family and an employer to have to go through that. This is exactly why you end up with a bunch of do nothing people on council who already work in the public sector with no clue what the private sector in the city is going through.
So true. The way the Clownsil grilled Chris about his personal life was a crime. Worst thing is that our so called City Solicitor went right along with it and so did Pee Pee Petie and he should know better. Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and Persip and Pee Pee Petie were grilled about their personal lives! The Clownsil did the same to Morandi. Gave him trouble because his wife works in the School System and he chose to school his son in Lee because that is where Kevin’s business is. Both Chris and Kevin should have secured a lawyer to defend their personal lives against these Clownsils, the same Clownsils that have done nothing for the taxpayers, spent their time harassing Chris and Kevin instead of working for the City. Need to clean house.
Thank you Chris & Kevin for a job well done!
I want to know if Chauvin showed up randomly responding or did Floyd’s name go across the radio and then Chauvin showed up because he knew Floyd and he took charge of the restraint and his knee went on Flords neck for a possible personal reason we may not know about.
Grow a brain sir! And unless you’ve walked in a cops’ shoes, you don’t really know what it’s like.
Police have the Hardest job in America. Explain why you believe it may be OK to possibly call this a permissible action?
I haven’t seen the video but it appears the cop was totally out of line, or at least crossed it at some point. However, doubtful there was any intent to murder. Floyd should have complied and he might be alive.
So mistakes just happen to unconscious people.When arresting someone the goal would be for him to not harm you or himself.Does unconscious meet the goal?He passed a 20 dollar bill.
The only shoes TSC has walked in , is clown shoes and has worn out many a pair.
This is the answer when you dont have an answer.
Aren’t you listening or don’t you know?
You can’t handle the answer! You are looking for what you want the the answer to be!
Never forget Trumps failed Coup on 1-6-2021.
American people came very close to being Russia…..Pardoned General Flynn wanted Marshall law declared suspending the rights of citizens until all votes were thrown out and declaring Don Trump president for life.If elected again Trump will overthrow our country.
Im confused… what happened on 1-6-2021? Can you repeat that and explain it again
Americans were fed up with a fraudulent national election which the legislative and judicial branches of government approved of.
A peaceful protest was hijacked by agitators from the left (the guy with the cow horn hat who broke in to the capital was Antifa), and the Democrats and RINOs about pizzed their pants. The bad actions of others got blamed on the protestors. Pelosi aided and facilitated this farce with her actions/orders to the police in DC.
The real tragedy in American politics was the stolen election Nov 3-4 2020.
Americans votes don’t count anymore. Unless they are liberal votes, then they count many times over
The only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask.
Fox follower loop hypnosis
Listen to yourself. They’ve arrested hundreds of people and it turns out they’re all Trump supporters.
Your heros, Hitler Stalin and Mao arrested a lot of people too.
Please just go away. You need help.
If I go away you will all just Fox lie yourself into believing democrats are resposible for the Goverment overthrow even though we are in charge of the Senate and House
TSC, be careful when you blindly follow the liberal mASSES, because in that/your case, the M is silent
Xiden’s got a knife in Americas back
Mega TDS
BlueQanon 1/8/21 mobster bat crazy speaker of the house commits treason
Well you better have real thick skin to run for any political office these days. Why people decide not to run is simple why would you put yourself and your family through the constant barrage of insults and slander.
It is very easy to sit home on a computer anonymously insult and degrade the select board city councilors, the Da the Mayor etc etc.never even thinking about the ramifications that your words have on that person. It’s all an after thought. Very sad these days people just can’t be adults and have civil conversations about the topic of the day. Social media is by far the number one reason people never run.
It goes both ways, Mary! Politicians are not always our friends! It is an insider’s game for sure.
Speaking for myself. I use the computer to VENT. That is all you can do in Pittsfield. I could not get elected to an councilor position if I wanted it because I neither can buy it nor do I have the political connections that would pave my way in. (not willing to sell my soul for it either) Pittsfield politics serves up a shit sandwhich to its constituents unless you got grease for the players. And it all leaves more than a little bit of a helpless feeling as you watch these power holders feed hors d’oeuvres to their buddies using your hard earned money. How many of the ten commandants do they violate every day?
Once the far left progressive agenda spreads across the country, others will know what we have been experiencing here in Pittsfield for a very long time.
The question everyone asks about Pittsfield politics is: WHY?
The far left supports human rights,unions,the middle class,national health insurance,15.00 hour wage min.,a swith from gasoline powered wheeels to electric powered wheels,solar heat over number 2 oil and higher taxes on corporations and rich folks.Fox followers are against all that and dont know why they are.
TSC you have been trained very well and incorrectly. The looney left want a power political class where they control all instead of having citizens with freedoms to make their way with personal responsibility. The left can not stand capitalism which made this country the symbol for the world which immigrants flocked because they knew it didn’t matter what class of citizen you were with hard honest work you could improve your lot in life. The looney left wants to tell you what you can’t have and will forcibly take your hard earned money. They are also the immoral party in many ways but I will just say Clinton and you may understand some. I think you need to stop watching Maddox because as she said in court she is just entertainment not news. That also goes for The NY Times and Washington Post which I know you think are the end all
Maddox. Who is Maddox ? Lester Maddox ?, he died years ago.
I think he meant Rachael, the rabid liberal Mad Cow, who drivels her not news spew, it’s just entertainment, that MSNBC puts out.
Hannity is Trappers source
Mad Cow Maddow had to go to court, her defense was she does NOT do news, “it’s entertainment”.
TSC, you’ve entertained!!!!
Let us know when you heat your home with solar panels.
No successful big businesses = nothing for unions to leach off of.
So many, myself included, were out of meaningful employment during the Obama/Biden years (8 years) so don’t tell me that far left progressives care about the middle class and jobs. Most people were forced to work temp jobs during those years and lost so much money in wages. So many lost doctors and received terrible medical care from Obamacare. Now we have Biden as president and the far left lunacy continues. Minimum wage is meant for workers just starting out NOT for all. Joe raising taxes will make all wages meaningless because higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy are passed down to all of us in the form of higher costs on everything. The far left has brainwashed you.
Pat,
Some don’t understand:
Success is earned – it is not an entitlement – it is not a privilege – it is a responsibility. Minimum wage jobs are for teenagers. These jobs are not to be considered as career options. Want better pay? Learn better skills. Simply hiking minimum wage rates is no solution, it is simple pandering. Get some education. The old-fashioned way – it works. Why would an American ever dream of a
minimum wage job as a career?
People overwhelmingly love Affordable Healthcare Act
We can’t even produce a battery that will power a lawn tractor for an afternoon!
TSC,
Unlike POTUS Trump, IM-POTUS Xiden s not going to donate his salary, he’s going to donate YOURS!!!
https://www.ibtimes.com/trump-kept-his-promise-donated-all-his-16m-salary-federal-agencies-3168160
Trump has stolen money from you and you still dont get it.
Patrrick Kavey as a 27 year old total outsider ran against an entrenched well known former counselor who had the strong backing of the mayor won ward 5. You could get out and do the same Annul. You have some great ideas..
And Pleeeeeze do not Vote LOW the HAck in any elected office again…..Please! And Stooge please stop embarrassing yourself on pctv interviewing non- performing overpaid leaderless individuals and bootlicking, shining their shoes,and false praise.
Kavey is one of the FOOLS, who endorse 100%, the parking scheme on North Street.
He’s a 27 year old nitwit.
Not many businesses left on North St worth patronizing. Carr’s has it’s own parking. I’ll make the walk of several blocks from free parking, to go to George’s Shoes and Maria’s Deli.
hors d’oeuvres?
If you don’t want to read about your stupid behavior, don’t do and say stupid things. Don’t be utterly unqualified for the job. Do the actual work. Pay your taxes, credit card bills, renew your license, stop being a political power seeker.
James, you always seem to respond only about the DA which leads one to believe you have a bias. That is your opinion however the last administration was humbly defeated in a landslide election so I would say more than many disagree with you. Surly you are perfect or close to it and seem to be an expert in the law and everything related.
The perfect armchair quarterback! You wouldn’t have the nuggets to say anything to face of the Mayor DA or any other women that is fact. .
Do you think she would have been elected if she had failed to renew her license, drove the wrong way, screamed at the townclerk about not paying her taxes, had to be chased down by the sheriff for non payment of credit cards? Nice deflection to playing the woman card but yours is indefensible.
James your obsession is starting to get weird. Just saying
Why would you defend Andrea Harrington? Just asking.
Psst nobody at the sheriff’s office could chase anything except a bowl of Snickers
Well they had to go after Harrington for credit card debt. Ask her.
Was she summonsed to court for that? Was there a summons for the DA?
Course not. She was given special treatment and was rude about it too. She acts like laws don’t apply to her and apparently she is right.
BINGO! Mary
Why,what’s the difference when you have good ol boy type media including the rag not throwing the truth out there, and others in the media condoning the goings on here. Why don’t you comment on how badly Chris was treated while his Mom was ailing? Do you think he was wrong during Covid. And look at the nonsense deal at the sewage plant.
The consultant telling how much and how high to jump with the contingencies. Speaking of that, why was the project lowered significantly? Could have been because the G Man tried to help? And why wasn’t there any oversight. I could have told you the plant needed gold stairwells there and could have written in any price?
The Mayor and majority of the City Clowncil, NEVER even think about the ramifications that their actions have on Pittsfield and it’s citizens.
It’s all feeding their porcine friends, at the liberal only, political pig through.
China is using brainwashing techniques on Christians to get them to renounce their faith. China allows no religion in the country and the far left holds up China as a hero. Can you see where the fate of all religion is heading with the far left Progressives and China in control of the world?
https://www.theblaze.com/news/report-china-detaining-christians-in-windowless-transformation-facilities-using-brainwashing-to-get-them-to-renounce-their-faith?utm_source=theblaze-breaking&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210407Trending-ChinaChristianPersecution&utm_term=ACTIVE%20LIST%20-%20TheBlaze%20Breaking%20News
This was Barry C
According to the arbitrator’s summary, Filiault questioned Esoldi about his possible presence at the rally after a letter appeared on the iBerkshires website Oct. 8, 2019, alleging that a city-owned vehicle had been present at the Mazzeo rally. Though Mazzeo won the preliminary election by 290 votes, she lost to Tyer in the Nov. 5 general election.
Esoldi told Filiault that he had been asked to dismantle and store election equipment on the day of the rally, but had gone home afterward.
(The letter was taken off the website, Hiller wrote, after questions arose whether the authors provided fake names.) The city contended in arbitration that Filiault believed Esoldi’s denial and that he dropped any further investigation related to the rally.
While reading the article on this latest Dynamic, Innovative and Vibrant Pittsfield Administration blooper that has cost taxpayers another money handout, one thought came to me. Don’t get me wrong Mr. Esoldi is owed this payout. The thought is the City just gave Michael Taylor, City of Pittsfield Human Resource Director a huge raise, a raise that 99.9% of taxpayers will never receive on their jobs. While working in HR during my career in the private sector it the job of the HR Resource Director to know what exists in an employment contract. Why was this vehicle taken away in the first place when it was part of this employees’s sign on agreement? Maybe this payment should be taken out of Mr. Taylor’s huge new raise that was just passed by our Clownsil puppets. Sounds to me that he was not doing his job.
The only thing Taylor does and ever did was shill for the Democrats locally and harass dissenters on Facebook. He has no business being in HR. Maybe a production of RENT. Would be more appropriate
Merry & Bright, but we ARE a dynamic community, generally speaking.
Getting grilled for doing your job?
Priceless.
Seems Jamie probably has a large defamation settlement coming in time for 2022 election cycle. , been too easy forTyer to get facts first, run mouth second. “ It’s a personnel matter “DONE!
look for missy to clean Up her image and friends list- winning large 2022 as Center progressive candidate.
Tessanaro crushes Harrington and crackaviello
Out with the bad in with the new.
Megan too is replaceable.
It’s only 4 years folks, what do we have to lose?
Running As a prosecutor who doesn’t disregard gun charges- bring a gun to Berkshire county- maximum sentence- no if but or maybe. bye see you in 5
Police reform Has to be top of list, preventing wasted resources on settlements and prosecutions ruined by dirty Lying cops.
Must be frustrating beyond belief.
Her 1st step matters the most,
It’s her time.
Look for Harrington to hinder her career, as she is a threat to bell, Dahomey and Harrington. Causing a legal battle Megan wins easily in court and public opinion, just in time for 2022 🙂
Logistics matter kids- timing is the key
Like a rudick smash, it’s just rhythm and black & blues- one and done.
Was the esoldi article by Larry halfa€£ parmass,
The propaganda parrots usual hit piece poet ?
I’m betting yes.
Thank you Dan for the kind words. I always tried to do my best for the residents and the city. I certainly will miss many of the residents especially those that I now call my friends. Thank you also for being a responsible journalist and media source. Only yourself, Mike Daly and Jonathan Levine report the truth regardless of the issue. The three of you are fair to both sides and always give both a chance to comment.
CC
THE PLANET appreciates the nod, and we also appreciate the job you’ve done not only for the ward but for the city at large.
I second that emotion.
Chris, Jim Bouton wrote a great expose on the inner workings of Pittsfield govt. I would love to see you also take pen to paper and do a deep dive on your political experience in Pittsfield. Dan could publish and promote it.
Or a book. Titled ….A Lonely City Councilor. Or…Working With Dummies.
THE PLANET received this comment by email from “Concerned Citizen,” asking that we post it. It’s a rebuttal to the comments on Chris Connell:
While you guys all think Chris is a great Councilor because he asks the hard questions and tried to cut budgets and save taxpayers money, you all have short memories. During the Bianchi administration he was nothing but a yes man. During that time, Clairmont outlined how the School Department had built up their reserve funds by millions of dollars and wasn’t returning any free cash to the city. Clairmont proposed a 2 million cut to the school budget to force them to use said reserves.
You savior here voted against the cut, as did your other hero, Morandi. The biggest savings in over a decade and they both voted no. Why, because it was political
then, as it is political now.
If you can’t all see this, you are blind to reality.
Yes, I did vote no because I felt 2 million was too much at one time. I would have approved a lesser amount for the following year considering the fact that the chapter 70 reimbursement from the state had not been verified. You don’t cut off your nose to spite your face . Otherwise you have to find it from the general fund.
Thanks, CC.
Bounton wanted Pittsfield to give him Wahconah Park for 30 years with no concession on who could use it.He was mad because we did not do it.
Rinaldo Del Gallo III sends mixed political messages. Some critics of Rinaldo accuse him of being pro men’s rights and against women’s rights. Rinaldo says he believes in free speech, but he doesn’t limit it to stopping hate and fascism. Rinaldo says he is a Bernie Sanders progressive, but he shows up at so-called free speech events and calls protesters “Antifa”. I admire Rinaldo’s advocacy for progressive causes, but he should stop sending mixed political messages. I disagree with Rinaldo’s support for free speech at any cost. I believe that free speech in the name of hate and fascism should not be supported, and protestors are right to denounce it. Adolf Hitler rose to power by sending mixed political messages to the German people after World War I. Hitler used free speech and democracy as a means to his evil ends to lead a racist and violent regime that persecuted those who believed in free speech and democracy. Hitler made a mockery of Western political ideals of free speech, democracy, and Human Rights. White nationalist domestic terrorism is the biggest form of terrorism in the United States of America in 2021. Innocent people are murdered and otherwise harmed by hate and fascist white domestic terrorists. Black Lives Matter is sending us all a message that we have to stand up to hate and fascism. Donald Trump used Hitler’s playbook to send mixed political messages that inflamed racism, violence, and white domestic terrorism. In closing, I believe that Rinaldo is sending mixed political messages that resemble both Bernie Sanders’ progressive movement and Donald Trump’s white nationalist movement.
JM’s daily stinkin’ BM.
What a load of crap!
JM your comments are all incorrect go back and fact check. Hitler used mobs and violence. BLM and Antifa are following that playbook and black on black murder and gangs are the biggest issues in America followed by the border crisis that Biden created
Consider this
“Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re really in favor of free speech, then you’re in favor of freedom of speech for precisely the views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favor of free speech.”
― Noam Chomsky
ERIC
Precisely. If you willingly allow alternate views, even loathsome ones, you’re in favor of free speech. This doesn’t mean you agree with them — only that they, too, shall be heard. THE PLANET shall always be in favor of free speech.
April 8, 2021
Hello blogger Dan Valenti and blog posters,
I am in favor of free speech, but not at any cost. There has to be limits to free speech. If someone similar to Hitler – such as Donald Trump or worse – used or may use free speech to incite racism, violence, persecution, and the like, then they should be prosecuted for their harmful words under the law.
Hitler rose to power for a little over one decade in Germany in the 1920s and early 1930s. During all of that time, no one stopped Hitler from using free speech to create a nightmarish regime that killed tens of millions of innocent people, especially the Jewish People in the Holocaust. WHY? Why didn’t the German government prosecute Hitler for his hateful words? How on Earth did such an evil man succeed in politics under the pretense of free speech?
Hitler did, indeed, send mixed political messages. After all, Hitler hosted the 1936 Olympic games. If Hitler only sent his political messages of hate, war and persecution, then I am sure that no nation-state would have attended the 1936 Olympic games in Nazi Germany. When the German people voted for the Nazi Party when Hitler first became Chancellor of Germany, I am sure they were not voting for the Holocaust.
In closing, I understand that we do NOT live in a perfect World, and that we cannot make it a perfect World at any cost.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
Classic Marxist doublespeak.
”There have to be limits to free speech.” – well who gets to make that determination Jon?
BOGUS!
Fritz,
It only matters when these people have their free speech rights trampled on.All speech matters, like it or not.
Tucker Carlson:
Cracking down on speech and freedoms is just for our safety, don’t you know? You’re
protected when you can’t speak.
You have fascist tendencies and don’t even know it.
Trump used free speech to promote a lie.A lie that 55 courts said to him was where is any evidence to support your claim….proving it to be a lie.
Not what the courts said
Who would decide what would be considered hate speech? In our current times everything is up for grabs as what people feel is hate speech.
The average home in Pittsfield.ma is selling in 5 days .Realestate taxes are coming in a record levels allowing the mayor to freeze residential taxes on Senior homeowners who are 65 and over.
You mean connected seniors right? Her friends and family? Country club friends?
That would discrimination, but that’s okay with you. You probably favor reparations too.
People should all pay their fair share, no favors
What is Sherman running to do.Only in PIttsfield politicians run on spending.Not one runs on lowering realestate taxes for the Seniors 65 or over.Most people can not control their own spending……We have a city council with no ideas on how to help Seniors stay in their homes.Not one councilor has compassion for their struggle.PLEASE HELP SENIORS Councilors of Pittsfield
He a good ole boy!
The security of our nation is at risk with terrorists coming over our border. How many are not being caught? Where is physically and mentally challenged President Biden? Where is giggling VP Harris? Kamala Harris is supposed to be in charge of the border, but has yet to visit any border areas.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gops-mccarthy-says-vp-harris-should-attend-fbi-cia-terror-briefing-i-know-she-hasnt-been-to-the-border
Great column, Dan.
When I lived in the Pitt, Connell was my ward councilor. He always responded to my questions, was direct, and helpful. I’m sure he will be missed. The Pitt has been destroyed by the Democrat party. The latest wealth redistribution program (home repair giveaways) is outrageous but was approved by this council. They should all be thrown out of office.
What I would look for in a candidate for the CC;
If you want to save your city, work is involved! Good luck!
Pittsfield has a nepotistic city council,an open bill upwards 400 m a budget of 170 m and climbing, is fourth highest city in ma for crime and now another Covid surge. We’re doing great. Keep electing these bozos and appointing retreads. We are the only city in the commonwealth that rewards mediocrity.
Nobody actually came out and said that the open schools were exacerbating the covid spread. (but it might be true, right mayor?)
keep dreaming, Mr. Fritz
Drop in police reports for domestic violence, sexual assault drives underreporting fears
By Danny Jin, The Berkshire Eagle 2 hrs ago
While the Pittsfield Police Department saw fewer calls related to domestic violence and sexual assault than in the previous year, observers don’t necessarily see that as a good thing.
This is known as the “nipple effect”. Since EVERYONE knows that Nipples can’t even pretend to be a lawyer, people aren’t reporting crimes because it’s a waste of time.
Nipples advocated for the release of violent criminals. Do you think she actually cares about victims? Absolutely not. Well she does care if the victims can get her hawkish bird face in the paper.
You still have a crush on the DA i see.
Let me see if I understand this, because I report on the continued failures of Nipples Harrington, I have a crush on her?
If that’s your position you are incorrect.
I think she’s a self serving, incompetent (she too admitted to her own incompetence in court), loathsome person.
I don’t have a crush on her at all, I’m just highlighting her many failures. Unfortunately those failures have long lasting and serious impacts on victims lives.
Well if you report an assault and some official puts that clown back on the street your life may be endangered. Someone has created a double edged sword at the old library building.
Can you provide anything that says Harrington advocated for the release of criminals? do you mean during covid? or is this like a Brain dead Marquis statement just tossing out whatever
She advocated for the Covid companionate release of two criminals who then immediately went out and committed crimes, in one case a very violent crime.
Saddest part is, the one criminal had bail imposed by a judge, and the DA worked to negate that. When I say “she” she didn’t actually argue it, someone else did.
Remember the thrashing the girl at the lake took. Prime example. Oh wait a minute, Andrea wasn’t d a then?
NH, the fact that you cannot distinguish the part of the sartorial skill set known as a “dart”and human female anatomy has me feeling sorry for your girlfriend on So. Many. Levels.
So now we have a collision of factors causing collisions on the roadways. So the years long creep of lax traffic enforcement in Pittsfield, particularly ignoring red light runners, has combined with the cell phone drivers and now pot high drivers and our first responders are out straight responding to all the accidents. And we can expect it to get even worse now with the nice weather, bike lanes, jaywalkers and a shit ton of clueless Pittsfield asshats who seem to be in the Goddamn twilight zone.
Thanks mayor, for once again dropping the ball on the important things while focusing on handouts to the special interest folk. probably no record you can find on the subject but if there is less than ten a day in Pittsfield I would be surprised.
And we will all pay through higher insurance rates
Yup,those crazy driving rates cuz of the scum ball crazy drivers. An those high assessments locally along with Biden nationally taxing big corp that end up leaving the USA and guess who makes up the difference? You got it. Good ol middle class America.