CONNELL WINS 2021 COVETED ORBIT AWARD; GARIVALTIS PRESENTED WITH A “GALAXY,” THE PLANET’S NEW LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2021) — At the Fortress, many are stirring, including the mice on this Christmas Eve.
First, THE PLANET and MRS. PLANET extend warm and loving greetings to all the PLANETEERS, Z-Agents, spies, gumshoes, secret agents, and members of the Secret Squadron. Your readership, intellectual curiosity, participation, and overall presence has been the making of this site, whose success and longevity have far exceeded any of our initial plans and expectations. What began as a simple online experiment has grown into the area’s most trafficked, most trusted news-and-comment site and source. As long as it serves its purpose at the receiving end, and as long as it provides fulfillment at the point of generation, it shall continue.
As we said before, however, all things on this earth come with an expiration date, and this website is no exception. We don’t know when that is, whether ’tis sooner or later, but … Well, all we can say about this site in its present form is enjoy it while it’s here.
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Now we present, pleased to do so, the announcement of the winners of this years Coveted Orbit Award (COA), but first, the announcement of a new annual award. Today, THE PLANET institutes the GLAM — the Galaxy Lifetime Achievement Medal. This new award celebrates public contributions made by an individual over a lifetime. It will be presented annually when the Orbit is announced. This year’s recipient of the Galaxy GLAM is reigning (2020) Orbit winner Charles Garivaltis.
THE PLANET has long extolled the virtues of Chuck Garivaltis. As a schoolboy, he made his mark as the greatest pure hitter ever to come out of Pittsfield. Chuck was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and played two years in their farm system at the Double A level. He left a brilliant marketing career with Revlon in Chicago to return to Pittsfield following the death of his father, to take up the family hotel business. Yes, that’s the kind of stand-up man we’re talking about.
Since then,Chuck has served Pittsfield as a councilor, parks commissions, mayoral candidate, and in countless other offices and capacities, known and unknown, always showing the kind of gentle, common-sense leadership in such short supply today. He has been a friend, mentor, and confidant, and it is our pleasure to acknowledge him once again.
Please join us in extending congratulations to this giant in city history.
And now to the COA.
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We had many worthy names submitted to The Committee for the coveted Orbit, and for the first time in its history, The Committee selected multiple winners.
THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S ORBIT:
- OUTGOING CITY COUNCILOR CHRIS CONNELL
- MR. & MRS. MARY JANE AND JOE KAPANSKI
Connell, of course, is wrapping up his multi-term stint as councilor in Ward 4. He has not only served the ward with excellent service and representation, he also has extended his concern to citizens all over the city, more than any current at-large councilor. Time and time again, Chris stood with The Little Guy and the Kapanskis, and his votes show that. Chris leaves a record that could serve as a template for “How To Be a Good City Councilor.” Contact him, and he responds. Ask him for help, and he’s there.
That he, usually with Ward 2’s Kevin Morandi, was often on the short end of votes during the present administration’s now-six years in office THE PLANET cites as Exhibit A in Connell’s correct sense of duty and obligation toward the office he holds. You get the feeling that when he took the oath, it meant something. How sobering it is to realize that this, too, makes him a minority. All of this makes Chris Connell the perfect Orbit winner.
As for Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, they need no introduction here on THE PLANET. In many ways, they ARE THE PLANET. They are the most real and genuine fictitious people you’ll ever encounter. They represent a fast-shrinking class of Pittsfield citizens that provides the city with its core, its heart, and its soul.
The small percentage at the top, The Suits and the Big Shots — also known as GOBSIGs — reap their six-figure salaries, face little accountability, and have first dibs on all the plum pudding that a “gateway” city such as Pittsfield gets during this era of grants and “free” cash from the feds and Boston. The ever-expanding class of bottom feeders suck public resources and not only contribute nothing, they actually represent minuses. The Kapanskis pay for all of it. They pay their taxes, keep their households clean and respectable, obey the law, report for work on time, act as good neighbors, and are that last glint of what the city of Pittsfield used to be.
Join us in congratulating CHARLES GARIVALTIS, CHRIS CONNELL, and THE KAPANSKIS.
Have a Merry Little Christmas, one and all!
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“Say the word ‘Love'” — The Beatles, from the Rubber Soul album.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Hi Dan, I am very honored to be selected for this year’s orbit award along with Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski. I want to thank you and the committee from the bottom of my heart. What a great birthday present (Dec. 24th) to receive. I just feel that I didn’t do anything special during my10 years on the council. I did my job of representing the residents of Ward 4 and the city in the best way possible. I wish I could have accomplished much more but I’m hopeful that some of the new councilors will pick up the torch and continue to be a check and balance to the mayor and the administration. Thank you to everyone that has supported me in the past and I wish that everyone enjoys a joyous holiday and a safe and productive New Year.
CC
Our thanks goes to YOU. Makes it sweeter that it’s on your birthday. We’ll be in touch privately on the details. Yes, there is an honorarium attached!
As a ward 4 resident I would like to thank you for your service. Being a part of a group of people who voted in lock step, you were truly a outsider, looking to do what was best for us. You and Chuck Vincelet will go down in my ward 4 hall of fame. Merry Christmas.
Congratulations to Chris Connell. His one decade in Pittsfield politics was dedicated to the taxpayers who have been paying for excessively record high municipal budgets that always increase by 5 percent year and year out for decades. The ruling elites in Pittsfield politics have no regard for the personal finances of its local taxpayers. In fact, I have long written that Pittsfield politics uses “Perverse Incentives” and “Creative Accounting” – Matt Kerwood’s cooking the books specialty – to shakedown federal, state and local taxpayers for as much public dollars City Hall and the Level 5 Pittsfield Public School District can get its greedy hands on. The lower Pittsfield goes in its never-ending downward spiral equals the more Social Services and public education public dollars City Hall receives from the Swamp and Beacon Hill. Matt Kerwood then creatively shuffles Pittsfield’s multiple revenue sources around various city accounts to build his excessive multimillion-dollar Slush Funds. At the end of 2021, Mayor Linda Tyer is sitting on more public cash than any Mayor of Pittsfield in the sad history of corrupt Pittsfield politics. There are new stories about homeless people and families begging for money and living in city parks even in the cold of Winter, but Hell would freeze over before Mayor Linda Tyer would use her record amount of cash and Kufflink’s Slush Funds to help these needy Pittsfield citizens. Of course, government funds hardly ever go to those who need it the most, and Pittsfield politics is Exhibit A in the ruling elites only taking care of themselves, while the proverbial Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski family struggle to make ends meet. Linda Tyer is Exhibit A- in the ruling elites profiting of off government because she lives in a mansion in a millionaires-only Gated Community within a few feet of the Hancock border and drives her Lexus luxury car to City Hall every “workday” morning she goes to City Hall to screw over the proverbial Kapanskis who unfortunately are withering away in Pittsfield.
Chuck Garivaltis is a Good Man and is an old school figure in Pittsfield politics. I am sorry that Chuck lived to see Pittsfield go from a working city to a welfare city ran by the Good Old Boys, Special Interest Groups, the Suits, the Big 3 public unions, and the like. When Chuck was a young man, downtown Pittsfield had nice stores and restaurants instead of being sarcastically called “Social Services Alley” by day and “The Shooting Gallery” after hours, as well as “The place to avoid” 24/7. Unlike Chuck, the current ruling elites who run Pittsfield politics are all totally disconnected from the people and taxpayers they are supposed to represent in state and local government. I get upset when politically connected Big Wheels in Pittsfield politics such as Cliff Nilan says, “No one cares anymore”. That is not what government is supposed to be about Cliffy & company! Government officials are supposed to be connected with the people they serve in public office, which means the government is supposed to care about the people and taxpayers. While my dad likes Cliffy, and Cliffy has always treated me well when I was a child and then a young man in Pittsfield decades ago, I have gotten frustrated with Cliffy’s leadership in Pittsfield politics, including his vote earlier this week to allow the bike pump track in Springside Park. Like Chuck, Cliffy is a good man, and I wish both Chuck and Cliffy well.
Lastly, the proverbial Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski family has no voice in the Pittsfield political machine ran by the China-like one political (Democratic) party insider group of career political hacks. Instead of Pittsfield politics investing in the people and taxpayers of Pittsfield, City Hall only wants their money for diminishing and at times substandard public services. When the proverbial Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski speaks out about Pittsfield politics, they only receive retribution from City Hall and sometimes even Beacon Hill. To illustrate, Mayor Linda Tyer ordered the proverbial Kapanskis be shut out from participating and following her administration’s spending of her tens of millions of Biden Bucks, which may be illegal due to the state’s Open Meeting Law and “Ethics” Laws, but what does she care. Wouldn’t Mayor Linda Tyer want to have the proverbial Kapankis as teammates with her financial windfall from Joe Biden and the Swamp? Mayor Linda Tyer allowed the power to go to her head instead of working with and for the proverbial Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski family who made Pittsfield special many decades ago.
Jonathan A. Melle
All excellent choices.
And thank you very much Dan for this site.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Congratulations Chuck, Mr. Connell and the Kapanskis and of course you Dan
Merry Christmas to you all
While Chris may be worthy of the award this year, remember, for 4 years he was Bianchi’s (the empty suit) boot licker. His standing up for the little guy was only because Tyer was in office. If Bianchi was still in office he would still be licking the boots.
Please give some examples/illustrations of Chris Connell allegedly being Mayor Dan Bianchi’s bootlicker!!!! It is one thing to say that, but it is a whole other thing to explain it. Lastly, please cite to the Planet’s blog readers who was the last good Mayor of Pittsfield politics and why you believe so.
Richmond is getting a 10.5% property tax increase. Holy cow.
Congrats to all the winners. The honesty and work ethic of Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski are what keep this city running and all cities across the country for that matter. Mary Jane and Joe are made up of all races and they are the backbone of the country.
We have a white Christmas! It’s Christmas Eve and I see at least 3 inches of snow in my neighborhood. The Berkshire Eagle and other climate activists have been saying no white Christmas for weeks now and they are wrong. The followers of the “religion” of climate change have been salivating for weeks over a lack of snow to justify our needing oppressive one world government to solve the problem. Enjoy the snow Berkshire County. Even if it’s gone tomorrow, we are having our white Christmas.
We have a white Christmas. The followers of the ‘religion’ of climate change, like the Berkshire Eagle, are wrong again.
AOC is at it again by accusing anyone who complains about the homelessness in NYC of dehumanizing the homeless, but it’s the Democrats who are doing just that by allowing the homelessness to get out of control. AOC needs to do everyone a favor and leave politics forever.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-bill-bratton-nyc-subway-homeless
Ya just knew someone could not hold off for a couple days, even on Christmas eve, without bringing in the political bullshit. And that is really just very, very sad that someone could not give up the hate speech for a day or two. But it goes to show just how embedded it is in some peoples brains.
Trumps tried to overthrow the democratically elected Biden who’s appeal was Republican Independent who knew Trumps Authoritarian views on how he could avoid Prison.TheTrumpers are slowly one at a time going to jail for Trumps lie to his idiot followers .FOX America is on the run but they could still kill the American dream.Sean,Brian and Laura are FOX fascist like their viewers who get indoctrinated over 25 years and write books
Merry Christmas
Thank you. Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to you, too.
Congrats to the award winners who earned and deserve these exclusive awards that compares to getting a sculpture of themselves added to Mt. Rushmore. Dan, thanks for this site you provide to all. With such a need in our community for true journalism that is lacking throughout our area you come through weekly! Merry Christmas to all and your families.
Thanks you, J2S, and thanks for your readership and contributions to Comments. You never fail to move the discussion forward.
My Christmas wish will be for all to find and live the spirit of Christmas daily. Merry Christmas everyone!
Congrats to all the winners and Merry Christmas to all:)
Merry Christmas indeed. Congrats to Chris and all who are on this site. And here are the annual Christmas Gifts for our friends.
Ricky Rumpus…..a road map
Kid Russo…..a new design
Kuffflinks……more free cash
C C Prez…….Marching orders
Pee Pee”……a new mug
Deanna And Gina…..a calculator
Dumpster diver……more signs
Nick the Quick…..Williamsburg
Chris Orbit”…..a ticket to rid
Kevin’s in Heaven…..one more cut
D G L……a new position
Thee Mayor of Pittsfield…..three more years
Charles the Great”…….a game of Clue
Caring Karen…… a billy club
Thee Mayor of Pittsfield, her resignation.
To all the drug dealers “police navidad “
Sung by Jose Felonciano.
Now that is funny.
Or Fleeceiano.
On the first day of Xmas my true love gave to me a bike lane in front of Steven Valenti
Ok I’ll play. On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me a thousand pounds of salt and a snowplow knocking down my tree..
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three broken streetlights, two thousand pounds of salt, and a snowplow knocking down my tree. Anyone for the fourth day?
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four dead skunk-like marijuana odors behind Berkshire Roots’ Dalton Avenue pot cultivation buildings, three broken streetlights, two thousand pounds of salt, and a snowplow knocking down my tree. Anyone for the fifth day?
ona fif dae of chrissmas my tru louff gafe ta me…ner mind…ikant du dis
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me 5 new city councilors.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five new bike lanes, four dead skunk-like marijuana odors behind Berkshire Roots’ Dalton Avenue pot cultivation buildings, three broken streetlights, two thousand pounds of salt, and a snowplow knocking down my tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me. Belanger field barbed wire fencing,Hess still in shambles, Springside park demolition,free cash a rising,forty one mil a vanishing,a loud non shot spotter this morning,4400 pounds of salt and a plow knocking down my tree.
One the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six freaks a- begging, five doses of Narcan, four dead skunk odors, three broken streetlights, two thousands pounds of salt,and a snowplow knocking down my tree.
5 doses of Narcan !
Congratulations to Chris Connell as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Orbit Award. For his entire time on the council, Chris has been an intelligent, gutsy, shining light. Pittsfield will miss his presence.
I’m honored to be the first recipient of the Planet’s new Galaxy Lifetime Achievement Medal. What a surprise! Thank you one and all for this honor.
CHUCK
We couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate for the first Galaxy Medal. I hope to present it over breakfast, whenever you’re ready!
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me,Big Matt a shilling,DCF a hiding,D A a running, grand jury sending,1200 pounds of salting and the damn snowplow ruining my tree.
Thanks, Dan, I’m not 100% just yet but hope to be soon. I’m looking forward to our breakfast. Always an enjoyable outing for me.
12 drivers speeding
11 councilors taxing
10 landlords gouging
9 houseless camping
8 meter maids ticketing
7 pump tracks pumping
6 plowed in plungers
5 ROUNDABOUTS!
4 charter bombs
3 pheasant way
2 turkeys killed
And a guy in the lot of Cumbies!
JUDE
This takes the prize!!
Yup,but continue with number eight. On the eighth day of Christmas , my true love gave to me, a Connell inquisition,Kufflinks deflection answers, one Pete’s belly busting the other drinking beer,1000 pounds of salt and the plow ripping up my lawn deer.
A Christmastime shout out to Mark & Lisa Tully for their realistic advocacy and analysis of municipal finances in Pittsfield politics, which goes unheard by City Hall and Beacon Hill’s career political hacks, but it makes “cents” to me.
A Christmastime shout out to Merry & Bright for speaking out about Mayor Linda Tyer’s out-of-touch leadership in Pittsfield politics. I cannot wait until Merry & Bright writes about Mayor Linda Tyer’s State of the City address at Berkshire Community College on January 3rd, 2022. I also cannot wait to read blogger Dan Valenti’s writings about it. “Vibrant & Dynamic & Love Pittsfield….” propaganda nonsense, while Pittsfield goes lower and lower into its downward spiral.
As for me – Jon Melle – I have followed Pittsfield politics for decades of my 46-year-old life. I also read about Beacon Hill politics, too. Both are totally corrupt and very secretive. Like the proverbial Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, Jon Melle wasn’t treated well by Pittsfield politics and Boston during my young adult years during and after my father was a Berkshire County Commissioner (1997 – mid-2000).
I am happy I moved to Southern NH many years ago, but I still get the Boston news stations on my television programming. The most frustrating things for me to watch are Maryland Ed Markey always saying he will save the world with his Utopian Green New Deal propaganda, and Elizabeth Warren blaming Wall Street and Big Banks for our country’s economic inequalities while at the same time supporting and promoting Joe Biden in the White House. Joe Biden received more money from Wall Street and the Big Banks than anybody else in the Swamp in 2020. Even Springfield’s PAC Man Richie Neal is interviewed by Boston’s news stations, and we all know that he only represents K Street lobbyist firms, especially Insurance Companies, in the Swamp.
Merry Christmas!
Jon Melle
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a higher property tax assessment, a pickpocket tax,a higher water bill looming, 1400 pounds a salting and a plow knocking down my tree.
Jon – Have a Merry & Bright holiday season. Thanks for your very informative writings all year.
JON
Thanks for your participation on THE PLANET. Merry Christmas to you, dad Bob, and all your family.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, Dan.
Happy Holidays friends. The thing I like about this blog is that many people come together with different views and share conversation that is decently respectful given the spectrum of ideologies.
I don’t agree with a lot of the same things as Pat for example, but I bet she is a great neighbor to someone and a good citizen. Same for Trapper etc.
I am genuinely disgusted with how the covid cash is being dolled out. Maybe Elizabeth Warren, instead of trolling Elon Musk could look at what happens in her own backyard? The waste of money and cronyism is a reason Biden’s signature bill is failing.
Unlike many on here I believe in paid family leave btw, and I think especially since society is aging we need to keep younger people in the work force. Unless we are going to close the schools and put the kids in the mills, it prob is wise to make safe childcare affordable and give new mothers time to recover. No one trusts how the gov will spend the money which is just a bad joke. They will waste it like we see here with the Covid money. So maybe they tax us less and let us make our own plans? 600 men own 80% of the United States, that might be the same number as at the declaration of independence. We can be more fair and decent and give our own people better lives.
Well said, KERMIT! And THE PLANET bets that you, too, are a great neighbor and good citizen.
Being a great neighbor and good citizen is the highest office and honor!
True, dat, JM. That’s what you guys were when you lived in Pittsfield.
I want to warn the people about a present I received this Christmas. Think of how I felt when I opened up my package and saw Ricky’s Rumpass Ride!! I immediately put it I my gps and that was probably the worst decision I made!! First it made me ride down Elm St where as the program was controlling my car. My tires were slashed on the jutting curb and The car was sideswiped along the yellow. It then headed over The PEDA land into the rotary. Up over the curb zig zagging around cars going 50, up on 2 wheels heading towards NON!! Doing a slalom through the plungers. Of course the car beeped to all the bikes riding on the sidewalk down North. Then as we closed in near the courts the car started going the Wron Way around Park Square!,, I am glad I survived, not sure how, although thankfully the shooting gallery on the west side took a day off for the holiday!, I am looking to return or sell…any takers!
Thanks SHIRL. I even heard that the home version of Rickey’s Rumpass Ride was causing temporary insanity, brain damage, and compelling urges to smash one’s vehicle with a sledge hammer.
Can wait for Rickies Taco Roller Ride to open up. I here is will be as death defying the the old Wahconah park carnival ride,the Dive Bomber.
Even more deadly: The Bullet at the old Fireman’s Muster, Wahconah PArk.
Remember the swings or the scrambler.
Yes, and the “haunted house,” which was the dolled-up trailer of an 18-wheeler.
Congratulations to Mr. G, and to Chris Connell and all my fellow Kapanskis. Great selections Dan.
Thanks, JOE.