DOWNTOWN CRITICS SPEAK OUT; NORTH STREET DETERIORATION CONTINUES WITH LOSS OF KEY BUSINESS
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY OCT. 19, 2022) — If it occurs, as seems likely, THE PLANET can harken to earlier this year, when in a column we predicted that downtown Pittsfield would lose at least one key business by the end of the year. If scuttlebutt can be believed as well as informal chat with those who work (and play) there, Mission Tapas will be soon be putting up the “Mission Accomplished” banner. Translation: We’re outta here.
THE PLANET has a call into the bar and restaurant for comment. As of press time, no one got back to us.
If true, it’s another nail in the coffin sturdied by the Flat Administration of the “vibrant and dynamic” fiction. With a municipal election in 2023, we shall make another prediction. Flat will not run for re-election. If our Nostradamus-ing does not come true and Tyer foolishly tries for the third term, she will be crushed.
Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, taxpayers, and businesses have HAD ENOUGH. They form a powder keg, and the mob will be out with torches.
Here are two recent comments to THE PLANET:
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From Merry and Bright
Another business is leaving Flat Tyer’s Vibrant & Dynamic North Street. Mission Restaurant is closing by the end of the month. Can’t help but wonder if the following constant issues in front of their establishment led to the closure.
- Was it the large crowd of homeless? twice I have seen the homeless utilizing the flower pot in front as a bathroom.
- Could it be that the space in front of their business, used as a Bird scooter station, killed business?
- Was it the bike lanes
- Was it the constant meter-maid patrollers,
- Or possibly people do not feel safe on North Street.
All of these issues could be solved if we just had a mayor that cared about the City!!
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From A Cheshire Cat
I ended 32 years working on North Street this summer. I had the exact same experiences as Mr. Sacchetti above. It was worse on days I worked late. We would literally look out of our windows to see if the walk to our cars was clear of panhandlers. If they saw you, they would make a bee line right towards you. It’s the same core of about 10 or 15 people. We could see the Park Square panhandlers, and they worked in shifts. It was the same core of people for 2 yrs.. We stopped going out to lunch and only had it delivered. We stopped our short walks on breaks, and I have not been back to Pittsfield since summer. I will only drive through Pittsfield to get somewhere else. The Pittsfield mayor is a joke and the businesses on North Street deserve better representation. The city is on life support and the mayor has her hands on the plug. Good luck Pittsfield, I miss you!
[ED. NOTE: Here is the “Mr. Sacchetti” reference to which A Cheshire Cat referred]
Letter: “Preponderance of panhandling is hurting Pittsfield”
The Berkshire Eagle, Oct. 15, 2022
To the editor: This letter is in response to Berkshire Regional Housing Authority Executive Director Brad Gordon saying we should look away if we don’t like the panhandling we’ve seen get out of hand in this town.
I’ve worked in the heart of downtown for 13 years, and in the last three I’ve seen this increase personally. It is very hard to look away when these panhandlers follow me to my car or at the ATM. When I leave work on a daily basis, I am approached by people. Sometimes they bang on my car, and sometimes they yell at me. I work for a local family-owned deli, and I’ve lost many customers this year because of this issue. People don’t want to walk to our location anymore because they get harassed on the way in and out.
Looking away comes at a cost, and that cost is downtown and its businesses. I don’t feel safe coming to work in downtown Pittsfield anymore.
Gregory T. Sacchetti, Dalton
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None of this should have happened. Tyer has had seven years. Her Administration, her department heads, and her policies have run the city into the ground, yet she still continues with the dirty lie of “vibrant and dynamic.”
That lie will be put out of its misery next year.
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“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones” — St. Teresa of Avila.
LOVE TO ALL.
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Is Mission Located behind st Joe piss hole? An adjacent to the bus stop and across from Linden st.? That Dont help. The clientele wasn’t exactly upscale. Saw a beer foot buffoon sitting at one of the tables outside.
When the bums approach ask them for money and give them a hard luck story. Tell they your name is Berry and your wife needs a boob lift .
Brilliant
You are very anti-semantic
Impossible for a semantic to be anti-semantic.
If they are going to remain homeless and die, let them die.
The Lord is my portion.
How many others have experienced the same scary shit that Cheshire Cat and Mr. Sacchetti are talking about? I know I have. It was disheartening to hear nothing will be done.
HARD
Many have, including downtown business owners, downtown workers, and citizens who for whatever reason find themselves unfortunate enough to have to go downtown.
Many years ago, critics sarcastically wrote that the so-called Ruberto Renaissance of downtown Pittsfield’s arts and cultural mecca rivaled Paris, London, NYC, & L.A. All of the tens of millions of public dollars that were poured into downtown Pittsfield proved Jimmy Ruberto to be a big spender of Kapanski Ka$h for the benefit of his special interests, while Pittsfield continued to lose its population and living wage jobs – the worst of both worlds! All of these years later in 2022, Mayor Linda Tyer is out-of-touch with downtown Pittsfield’s plight, Jimmy Ruberto writes his useless Pittsfield politics letters to the Dirty Bird (Berkshire Eagle) from Naples, Florida, and Pittsfield politics is spending hundreds of millions of dollars per fiscal year without any concern for the predicted brutal economic recession next year in 2023. Chrome Dome Adam Hinds resigned his Pittsfield State Senator seat a few weeks ago. Trippy Country Buffet is enjoying her 5-monthslong taxpayer-funded vacation. PAC Man Richie Neal is spending the federal government into oblivion, while the U.S. national debt is over $31 trillion. Maryland Markey is still spewing his HOT AIR about the Swamp’s Green New Deal nonsense. Elizabeth Warren is nowhere to be found on Main Street, USA, as usual. Joe Biden is fuming over Saudi Crown Prince MBS and OPEC’s cuts in oil and natural gas supplies after Joe Biden controversially fist-bumped MBS in Saudi Arabia on July 15th, 2022. My point: The fictional Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski have no real representation in local, state and federal government. All of the failed corrupt career politicians selfishly enriched themselves and the rich and powerful elites at the public trough! North Street’s plight is a prime example of the government at its worst.
Doyle had “Pepe’s.” Hathaway had “aberration.” Ruberto had “renaissance.” Tyer has “vibrant and dynamic.” Only Jimmy had at least the basis of fact.
Noooooo. Ruberto saddled us with a recession proof arts venue which isn’t so Recession proof unless the taxpayers are funding it daily and Covid knocked it out of the park just like everything else so that wasn’t true but Robertos claim to fame was his stupid Rolodex
Rubertos terms started the era of hyper inflated tax increases. I wish Kerwood could drag out the ledgers for Rubertos years from beginning to end so you could see for yourselves.
Ruberto was a sleazy snake oil salesman. A weasel in a suit and tie. It was all a mirage, not a renaissance. Doyle was a back slapping, good old boy, which was his undoing, but he actually had more potential than all of them. Mayor Hideaway was a joke, calling shootings on North Street an aberration. Reilly was a watch,asker, as you so eloquently stated here once, and Tyer is just just plain ole pitiful.
Sorry, make that a “watchmaker”.
Reilly = Ask him for the time, and he told you how to make a watch.
Doyle = It’s Happening.
Hathaway = Aberration.
Ruberto = Rolodex.
Bianchi = Spectrum
Tyer = Vibrant and dynamic.
The scooters, the bike lanes, and the parking fiasco were all caused by Scooter Linda. She has done a horrendous job. And how much has the budget increased in 7 years?
Pittsfield is and has been a runaway train barreling down a mountain without brakes. Ex President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines is the only one I know with the balls to fix Pittsfield and he may not be available. But it is going to take a hard firm hand to clean up the mess this administration has made of Pittsfield.
But I do not see it happening. I see the train completely jumping the tracks and leaving the city a huge homeless encampment. The mayor and her cronies will have already bailed taking with them the looted vaults.
FIZZ
I’ve got a call into DUTERTE. If he’s not available, I’ll get THE GENERALISSIMO on speed dial.
The bum problem could be fixed “real quick” if Her Uselessness had some balls!
Pissin in flower pots and just the other day someone shootin up behind a vibrant and dynamic electrical box. Where is Paul Kersey when you need him?
Outer West Street,hand with cock.
Come on Man! Don’t be down on Vibrant and Dynamic Dowsntown. And it’s Upstreet, just ask Trisha.
Rumor is that Maria’s euro deli and the Berkshire General Store are setting sail away from North Street soon.
Yes that is sad. Maria is a fine woman of Polish heritage, and runs a great market place.
She will be missed by many. Give her a fine a farewell, and business until Christmas time.
You can blame Flat for that , also.
In yesterday’s blog, the gman claimed to have filed a lawsuit against the city of Pittsfield to prevent the building of the new Taconic. He claims to have paid for the lawsuit. I cannot find evidence of those claims.
I would like the gman to provide the court docket number, date of filing and presiding judge’s name, otherwise I will call him a boldfaced liar.
It was in the Eagle.
Hay everybody I’m having breakfast with Giselle Brady tommorrow. Let’s hope are famous personalities aren’t bothered by you scrubs out there..
Well, when you have some measure of fame, these are the risks one runs. This is why some such folks have to keep their rendezvous secret. Call it the downside of success!
I saw that also in sea gull. Unfortunately this Leslie can’t comprehend the truth or just doesn’t want it to admit anything is true without proof.
I don’t think you have a truthful bone in your body.
Too vague – either post the article or give the facts I asked for. Surely you remember the judge’s name.
Look it up yourself. I’m not your secretary.
Gaetani filed a civil suit in Berkshire Superior Court in 2016, seeking to have construction on the Taconic High School project halted and put to a citywide vote.
That suit was dismissed by Judge Daniel Ford in August 2016,
Thank you Agent. I appreciate your help in confirming his statement.
The eagle state I believe it was to put it to a vote ie referendum. Pretty sure it was around 2016.
Sorry L. 2017. Bob Dunn was the writer
Who was the judge? You claimed you sued to stop the Taconic project.
Answer the question.
Dan Ford.
Answer the question, gman. You stated you sued the city at your own expense. Where is the proof?
Bob Dunn was a horrible journalist and is right where he belongs, slinging weed in Easthampton. He needed a long walk off a cliff
Boldface liar!
When a brother calls another a heretic, we know for certain one is.
I rescind my remark.
It’s still there.
Brad tells people to look away… He’s good at “looking the other way” aren’t you, Brad?
Did anyone hear dumpster say guidos is busier in the morning than afternoon. Hell no,it’s always busy. This new location for Starbucks WILL be a traffic disaster at that location
Brads a good man
This comment was as heavily redacted at the committee meeting minutes sent to the Berkshire Eagle when the tomfoolery I typed about was discovered. Call me shocked, Dan.
Dan, I also believe Tricia Farley-Country Buffet (D-illegal immigrants) has an equal part in the destruction of NON.
All of TFCB’s state grant money to take in a few “houseless,” recovering drug addicts with no treatment plan, and halfway house members, from the Boston area during the pandemic, has accelerated the decline much more rapidly.
I’m sure behind the scenes at the state house, they assured Flat Tyer that no state oversight or investigation will come her way in her ARPA money disbursement, as a way to say, ‘thank you.’
It’s a win-win for all in state and local politics.
For the Kapanski’s, you get the big FU!! There are sob stories in the Eagle about two twenty-something, “houseless” drug addicts, who use the McKay Street parking deck as their personal toilet, to try and garner sympathy for them. She’s pregnant, but still using drugs. For the unborn child I sympathize. For those two, I have ZERO sympathy. Get help.
I’ve got an idea for Flat Tyer and Ricky Rumpus. How about putting up signs at the intersections where the most bums gather. On the signs, write:
Instead of giving your money to panhandlers, think about donating it to a local charity. This will encourage panhandlers to seek services and get off the streets.
Ironically, can we bring back the “It’s Happening” slogan to Downtown Pittsfield? Obviously it’s a completely different connotation but how fitting!
Suffice to say, the panhandling problem is not unique to Pittsfield. Panhandling is multiplying exponentially all over the state and region.
Gerry’s famous “It’s Happening.” The genius of that slogan is that it never went out of style … because it never CAN become outdated.
it’s happening all right
Panhandlers should be required to give receipts, keep records and pay taxes. The IRS got rid of Capone. They should be able to put beggars out of business. Sorry TSC pay up.
Excellent suggestion, MARCH.
Panhandlers should wear masks.
I think they should have to get a permit and wear a picture Id while there out. If you dont pay and get the permit or wear the Id off to jail you go.
I said a certificate of solicitation..
Get the parking police to start taking names. Failure to obtain certification must come with “recommendations” from an oversight ?
While no one’s at it how bout they find out what other “Friends of Heirloom Tomatoes” and “b-o-l-o-g-n-a foundation”; NPO’s do NOT behold Certificate of Solicitation.
And which Workforce Housing is classified “Commercial” for taxing purposes.
They don’t bring attention to illegitimate solicitation…. but just relax there’s no unethical nor illegal solicitation happening it’s all in the First. It’s protected.
Pretty obvious they don’t want anyone seeing what is happening on North Street.
Someone should survey with a commercial drone and watch the activity 24/7/60.
He ain’t Yoko, he’s my brothel
Code for suttin
Not sure why I talk I feel plumb redundant redundant redundant
$hit happens
Especially in Shittsfield. That’s how it got it’s name.
“Moratorium on rents” = tenants don’t have to pay = housing crisis
”Panhandling is free speech” = panhandling is ok and in fact encouraged
Get a grip Mayor Tyer
get…….a…….grip
There is a famous quote by former President Ronald Reagan ‘’your hopes are our hopes…. and ‘’’your destination is our destination’’ and I don’t think you can apply that to this current Tyer Administration .We have the willpower to send this mayor packing right now, all it needs is votes .We can recall her an end the misery suffered by the 80% that didn’t vote in the city,because we don’t need to have 80% of the people that didn’t vote. To recall we only need fraction of that.Wht can’t someone start an initiative to do this?
Why not you?
Aren’t you a “someone?”
If these bums were all holding “Tyer Sucks” signs I bet the mayor would find a way to move them to a safer location.
Now you’re talking. We should grab some cardboard and do this on every street corner. Another idear: what if some bruisers took up positions next to these guys. Tell them to shove over.
I’m against using police to police social behavior. They should be held in reserve for the bad stuff.
like traffic accidents
Traffic incidents. ‘Accidents’ suggests fault or worse, ineptitude, which is hurtful language.
…..and their donations would go up exponentially
Another part of the problem is all these addicts and drunks coming from out of the area to go to Mcgee and Jones. A large part of them of course are homeless and use that as an excuse. Once they are released where else would they go but out to our community not back from the area they came from. Then you have the regulars that just keep the cycle going in and out of the door but it doesnt kick them in the butt on the way out. Welcome another time free 3 meals and cot and bleeding hearts to listen to the BS.
Biden plans to tap into the strategic mail in ballot reserve just in time for the midterm election.
Can I borrow that and use it? That was great!
Be my guest
Once again can we just all agree that if a republican wins an election the election was legitimate but if a democrat wins it was rigged?? This is the only way we can make America great again and should be put into the constitution.
I am going to predict this election will be total chaos and the results will be held up in courts for months if not years. Any democratic victories will be contested with accusations of sixteen different kinds of voter fraud.
I said I was going to predict this, but having thought it over for two more seconds I now feel confident in guaranteeing it. The week after the November election will have the country in a mind boggling mess just the way Putin wants it to be and trying to get accepted results will be almost impossible given the lockstep denial of constitution process from the right. We may be a country without a government.
The way to fix the issue of voting corruption is simple,, in person voting using an ID. Put voting roles out for people to see so everyone can see if there are listed people at their address that don’t live there. For some reason the democrats in MA are afraid of simple solutions which leads to the assumption of corruption. Just like how the Legislature does everything behind closed doors. BTW still waiting for the voter approved (in the 90’s) of bringing our state income tax back to 5%
ID to enter the Democrat Convention(s) across America needed.Also you can’t even get into the neighborhood of senate democrat candidate Val Demmings in Florida without an ID. Such hypocrisy!
FU until NOV 3rd 4th 2020 felonious crimes are prosecuted
FIZZ
We share the view that from here on out, national elections could be, and likely will be, chaotic. The nearly 50-50 split will itself provide a temptation to both parties and the nefarious interests behind them to engineer the results they wish to obtain. It’s akin to fixing a game or a match in sports.
The Tyer legacy is the destruction of North St. which started with the placement of the parking kiosks that Bianchi had placed in storage. Instead of making downtown more customer friendly, the kiosks became the reason to avoid the area due to the cost and inconvenience of using them. Then came the bike lanes…..
Now she has proceeded to destroy Tyler St. with unneeded bump-outs, a tight rotary and an unsightly new apartment building.
Ditch the witch! Please, someone with solid business experience run for mayor!
This zoom is dumb on all viewings including stooge show.Bad enough we have to listen to theses ding dongs. Check out the Housing trust board committee
Why is Mission leaving but Yuki Meth doing well? Maybe because Fizzy and TSC go there on Wednesday nights?
I have not seen any panhandlers on Tyler street yet and maybe that is because they know they would be mugged every half hour on the hour assuming they did not get caught in the crossfire of drug dealers.
Is there a hidden solution to getting rid of the panhandlers here? Perhaps if North street had a couple more muggers and a couple more gunfights the panhandlers would move out by the college where the real money is.
How about people stop giving them money. No money = no panhandlers.
That is the best solution of all, MR W. No tickee, no washee. Yes, that is from a non-politically correct time, butwe are not politically correct!
Why don’t you take a stab at the answer yourself? It’s pretty obvious.
Start with ” No money = no panhandlers” Hint: Fizz wonders why they aren’t on Tyler.
Is there such a thing as a fourth world country?
It’s what you find inside a third world country. Or county.
Does anyone out there see the fiscal cliff ahead of Pittsfield politics? Mayor Linda Tyer’s record high fiscal year 2023 excessive operating budget and capital budget are well over $200 million. There is a brutal economic recession that is predicted to happen in 2023. Other than the Great Depression in the 1930s, the worst recession was in 2008, and the second worst recession was in 2002. If one puts together the 2002, 2008 and the upcoming 2023 economic recessions, combined they are/will be worse than the 1930s. I am sure that Pittsfield’s Ward 2 City Councilor Charles Ivar Kronick understands Pittsfield is headed off of the proverbial cliff without a parachute.
It is so refreshing to see Equality at its best by seeing that our Female Politicians like our very own are just as useless as Male Politicians .
Maybe it’s all the tax shelters and fraud committed by Tyer’s minority friends who no one can speak against without being racist. Let’s just call them Brooklynites
BTW, FYI … …Brass Balls and Nerves of Steel is a criminal infraction in the Massac – I mean, you can’t have that here.
Steel Balls reminds me of that time in band camp when the Moon reverberated for hours.
Side note,
Jesus did not have Brass Balls. Or did he ? I’m thinkin he did
If you talk about a Pittsfield bar closing the the deposition in the Don John Trump rape case was big news everywhere but fake FOX and the planet.Trump had a tough tough legal week with 5 crimes all needing his attention.What do you Christian nationalist think of Bannon wanting to tear up our Constitution that allows you FOX viewers to be angry at everyone in your depressed mental state……I will bet you still have whispering love for Don and Steve….FOX / Putin want a brand new constitution and all you have to do is vote Marge Taylor Green who wants to have freedom
That is very anti-semantic. NOrth St Nomad may be right afterall
Please seek mental help
Disclaimer: Above comment is “Paid for by the Democratic/Socialist party”
Fentanyl is in children’s Halloween candy thanks to our open borders.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fentanyl-pills-found-packaged-candy-lax-tsa-checkpoint
The Biden administration is pushing transgender drugs on children while at the same time funding studies to make sure they are safe.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-funds-studies-dangers-transgender-hormone-treatments
Just look at Traitor Joseph Stolen appointments, and friends. Queers, trannys, child molesters, his Son, his Brother, corrupt DOJ/FBI, …
“Com on Man!!!!”
tRumpy’s Appointments are all in Jail. Baaaaaa Haaaaaaa Haaaaaaa Rube ROTFL ROTFL
Except no. sorry
name one
Send Richie Neal packing – vote Dean Martelli!
I identify as naturally immune. My pronouns are, They Lied.
petition to keep the covid vaccine optional for children.
https://p2a.co/aqDQCEU
https://markmcdonaldmd.substack.com/p/has-the-cdc-finally-gone-too-far