STATE AUDITOR WARNS OF ‘FRAUD AND ABUSE’ IN LOCAL AWARDS OF THE ARPA BUX … FACTS OF MAYOR’S $$$ GIVEAWAYS SHOULD BE IN AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S CROSSHAIRS
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION OCT. 14-6, 2022) — On the flip chart, the mechanisms of government work flawlessly. In practice, not so much. That might well service as the controlling idea of many of THE PLANET‘s thousands of columns over the years.
Government is a necessary and prerequisite evil designed to gather, control, administer, and fairly regulate the larger systems of cooperative, collective resources meant to produce the systems and services that individuals can’t provide for themselves. These include a national economy, a transportation system, national security, the generation of energy, and a host of other large endeavors.
Problem is, the role of government tends to expand irrespective of a society’s prosperity, outgrowing proper (independent) controls. Case in point: President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
This plan brings together two volatile element, power and money. Add politics and partisanship to the mix, and you lose oversight, destroy accountability, and trigger greed.
Welcome, Corruption.
———- ooo ——–
WHAT THE FLIP CHART SAYS: Under the American Rescue Plan Act passed by the federal government in March 2021, Massachusetts state, county, tribal, and local entities will receive federal aid to respond to the public health and economic impacts of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has compiled the rules and resources related to the American Rescue Plan.
As reported by the State House News Service, state auditor Suzanne Bump and IG Glenn Cunha warned that “the windfall of billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid sent to Massachusetts also creates a situation ripe for waste, fraud and abuse. They recommended that lawmakers should set aside a reserve account to fund audits, investigations and other oversight activities to make sure that the state’s $5.3 billion ARPA money is not wasted.”
“The urgency of getting relief dollars into the hands of state and local governments, businesses and individuals necessitated the lowering of some of the normal barriers that regulate eligibility for government contracting and relief programs. Through these openings flooded identity thieves and fraudsters,” Bump told Ways and Means Committee members holding their final planned hearing on how to spend the ARPA aid (THE PLANET‘s emphasis].
Bump said the ARPA money has brought with it a wave of fraudulent claims, sending money where it should not have gone and creating headaches and delays for people who were legitimately seeking benefits.
Did the $43 million in ARPA Bux gifted outright to the Flat Administration include “fraudulent grants” in the first round of giveaways?
THE PLANET has no hard evidence of that happening. Of course, we haven’t the time nor the resources to investigate the situation properly.
THE PLANET‘s gut feeling and certainly the anecdotal perception out on the streets: A sizable portion of the millions thus far distributed were done so bearing the taint of villainy, turpitude, and blackness.
We could be wrong.
Then again …
———- ooo ———-
A set of facts might help us to examine possibilities:
- The mayor appoints two longtime city employees, fresh off their decades at the public trough, to head the distribution of ARPA Bux One of them is a Deanna “John Evan” Ruffer. You’re shocked. Shocked.
- With Flat’s approval, the board invents its own rules of procedure.
- It picks insiders for the nine committee positions that will decide who gets what.
- The deliberations ARE CONDUCTED IN SECRET.
- NO PUBLIC MINUTES ARE KEPT.
- After the ARPA Bux first round, Flat announces that the appropriation committee have awarded much if not most of the first release of millions …
- TO THEMSELVES and/or the organizations they front.
Only a completely independent FULL audit will answer the lingering questions surrounding these allocations. Citizens should contact their councilors an DEMAND such an audit. It’s the only way We The People can know if this deal was on the up-and-up or just another charade.
Have a great weekend, everybody.
—————————————————————————-
“The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right” — Learned Hand.
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2022 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice, and available to all. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this website. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.
Great article as always. There has been enough talking about this from not only your reporting on but from others who I have heard called in or emailed complaints to the state. Hopefully it is true and they dont turn a blind eye and do an audit and see just how this money was falsely and wrongfully given out to the corrupt few. A trip to Africa are you kidding me for what. I feel left out and so should ever other race that was left out of this fun family vacation. Someone needs alot of explaining to do and I hope some heads role but lets not hold our breath.
Pittsfield politics sad legacy of failed leadership:
* Over $41 million in Biden Buck$ given exclusively to Mayor Linda Tyer, who managed the financial windfall in secret and then spent the Biden Buck$ by filling the coffers of the special interests she has long favored
* Matt Kerwood’s secretive multimillion-dollar Slush Fund$ and Creative Public Accounting schemes (Cooks the Books!)
* Annual fiscal year municipal budgets always increasing local spending by 5 percent every year going back 40 years (which was the start of the flawed Proposition 2.5 state law)
* Hundreds of millions of public dollars in municipal debts and other liabilities that will never be paid off in our lifetimes (Is Pittsfield really financially insolvent?; Answer: YES!)
* Level 5 public school district that charges its taxpayers top dollar for rock bottom results
* Marijuana cultivation buildings stinking up residential neighborhoods with no action taken by Mayor Linda Tyer
* A homelessness crisis that is making distressed dangerous downtown Pittsfield a place most people hope to avoid even worse than ever (if that is even possible)
* The still polluted 24-year-old PEDA debacle that has millions of dollars of always growing liabilities
* Pittsfield always being in the top ten cities in Massachusetts for violent crime, according to the FBI’s annual reports
* London, NYC, & L.A. museums and upscale art galleries showing arts exhibits of Pittsfield (MA) that is billed as “A City in Decay”
* Pittsfield’s failed “Ruberto Renaissance” arts mecca that was sarcastically compared to Paris, London, NYC and L.A. (only to be derided by these famous cities)
* Mayor Linda Tyer living in a mansion in a Gated Community, while she passes record high annual municipal budget that are crushing the fictional Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski household who are dealing with severe economic inequality in a distressed polluted postindustrial city
* The Dirty Bird (Berkshire Eagle)’s favorable coverage of the failed political establishment that has ruled Pittsfield politics despite the decades of population loss and the lost living wage jobs that are not coming back, (Neutron) Jack (Welch), in our lifetimes
* Generations of systemic political corruption in state and local government that shuts out the common people from having a voice in their government
* Hell would freeze over if Jon Melle’s political letters were published in the Dirty Bird (Berkshire Eagle), if Jon Melle was ever able to find and retain a living wage job in Pittsfield, and if Jon Melle’s political emails weren’t blocked by the corrupt career politicians who only want everyone to kiss their dirty behinds out of fear of retribution
You should be the mayor of Pittsfield Jonathan. You have your finger on the pulse of the city. You’re progressive, you have that vote. You’re homosexual, so you have the LBGTQ vote. You just have to worry about Luciforo.
Jonathan Melle for Mayor of Pittsfield in 2024.
Nobody can be worse than Linda Tyer.
Your late to the party Jonathan,the G-man recently had a show at Tyer tv (pctv) and as for the last seven years he has been outing these incompetent fools that’s costing us taxpayers millions while getting nothing in return.. Why don’t you get your own stuff and make sure it’s original. G man never called her lovely either.
Jon, Andy wants you to come on down to Dalton Ave to give you a little special something to mellow you out. Smoke ’em if ya go ’em.
Tyer’s ARPA slush fund to be audited? I suppose the next thing you’ll expect us to believe is that Tom Brady is involved with pickle ball
He is, but it’s a deflated pickle
Looks like Giselle is out of his pickle
Start with before Covid? Are there any businesses that started up after arpa arrived? That received arpa monies? Totally illegal. And to Lawyer Kenny. The law has already been broken with the policy on the distribution. You cannot give to relatives for one? Why are you sitting on on your hands Attorney?
And Her Uselessness claims, erroneously of course, thst the city can’t do jacknshit or diddly squat about panhandlers. The reality is she could virtually eliminate the problem in 6 months without violating anyone’s constitutional rights, but she doesn’t have the balls to do it.
We can all stop panhandling – by NOT giving them money!
Absolutely. Tyer should be issuing pubic service announcements bragging about all she is doing to help the bums, and how there are plenty of services, and how no one should give them plug nickel.
That’s right. Put a cop next to every panhandler. When they move along, lather rinse, and repeat. Problem solved.
…panhandling, solicitation, or begging are protected speech under the First Amendment.
But not if money is exchanged, regularly.
…..Receiving a Certificate of Solicitation
Prior to soliciting contributions in Massachusetts, or having other solicit contributions on its behalf, a charitable organization must obtain a valid Certificate of Solicitation from the Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
A Certificate of Solicitation is required in Massachusetts.
First Amendment does not protect tax fraud.
Gainful
Employment
Safety concerns are not, covered as “free speech”.
Obstructing traffic and a safety hazard, at middle of intersections/medians.
Ship them back to where the “Liberals” sent them from (eastern Dem shitholes)
Public funds may only be lawfully used for constitutionally authorized purposes.
Not Yours To Give
Are you saying there is a investigation into Tyers awards?
J6 Committee will be on it!!!!!
As soon as FBI sorts through Melania’s panties, and Joe’s done sniffing for more “evidence”.
The FBI has also made a stunning new discovery, Ms Trump has better taste in lingerie, than Liz Cheney and Jill Biden.
The J6 committee, from its composition to its deliberations, has been nothing but a political charade from the get-go. For those not convinced, consider the “October Surprise” aspect of the latest announcements.
It’s going to be SHTF, again this Nov Dan. The election schisters will be going full steam as was Nov 2020 swindle, nothings been fixed and the same criminals are stiil in place running the dog and pony Selection show.
Got a Banana?
I’m expecting something like ” A Few Good Men” hearing in the future with Liz Cheaney grilling Trump on the stand DID YOU ORDER THE INSURRECTION? and Trump in his best Colonel Jessup impression responding YOU’RE GOD DAMNED RIGHT I DID Nancy calling him a Son of a Bitch and punching him in the nose and ordering him to be arrested.
Why is such a charade if most of the witnesses testifying to the bad stuff are republicans that worked for Trump? That is true Dan, not sure how close you are following it. Almost ALL of them. No way you can do due diligence to this subject and make that comment about the J6 committee investigation.
The only “witnesses”/evidence allowed, is presented by the J6 kangaroos. No testimony that goes against their narrative/script.
Hours of video tape they won’t release, what they have released is cherry picked. Plenty of citizen cell videos that show the bad actor “plants”, and violence by and instigated by the Capitol Police. People like Rat , er Ray Epps……..
Fizzlehead,are you referring to Cassidy Hutchinson where she testifies about Trump’s behavior on Jan. 6 th, where she described the scene in the presidential vehicle as then-President Trump demanded to go to Capitol Hill and his security detail refused, Trump lunged at the steering wheel and ordered them to turn around ?
I am referring to EVERY witness. Many of whom worked directly FOR Trump and for whom this attack on the capitol building was just too much. They overlooked a lot but taking down the government was more than they were willing to go along with. This side of the story is available to those who are open minded enough to check it out. People like Mad Trapper only see what they want to see and refuse to look any further than the story they are used to. Very sad for the country because our children and grand children may live in a political environment that disrupts their every day of their lives. MT is not thinking about them.
FIZZ
Not following it closely. The GOPers testifying against Trump doesn’t surprise me. He’s a tough guy to work for, given his temper and tendencies to shoot from the hip. I see it more as “this is our chance to dish it out the way he did to us” rather than evidence in the legal sense. I would also like to know what kind of understandings were in place for the testimony. Thanks for the pushback.
I also believe the democRATS are nervous about the midterms, especially the Divider in Chief, Barry Sotero. He’s got many future subpoenas with his name on them.
I’ve got a question for Fizz and TSC.
Barry Sotero has taken in millions upon millions of dollars for his Presidential Library. Where is it?
I know he purchased that $14,000,000 “climate safe” beach front property on the Vineyard, but no library.
What happened to the guarantee of a speedy trial amongst peers. Obviously they would never find their likes in D.C. where everyone is at the trough of the government. It has been 2 years which is ridiculous for trespassing. Also everyone with intelligence knows Pelosi was behind the whole charade.
Republican President of the United States did not defend the Capital of the United States of America as it was being attacked by the Proud Boys….Immediate arrest is warrented.
Capitol Capitol Capitol.
Protection of the Capitol is the responsibility of the Capitol police (not Mass. National Guard). That goes to N. Pelosi. The President does not have the direct authority to mobilize or direct them. So, the President did ask her to mobilize them but she had refused. It was her house to trash, in other words. So, I think that Pelosi should NOT be arrested.
Not unusual for Democrats. They have a history of removing police from raucous protests and then let the media just swarm over the wreckage.
I remember the Liberal sanctioned, “summer of love” 2020. “Peaceful protests” , as reported by the puppet MSM, and “shopping excursions” with “camp fires”.
Somebody who ran for VP, championed and bailed out those felons, er protestors. She got Selected, along with the imbecile who hid in his basement spring/summer 2020.
Then there was Charlotte VA. The mayor – democrat – allowed more than the sanctioned number assemble in a tiny park – smaller than the Pittsfield Common, and yanked the police. They permitted a brawl between the overcrowded demonstrators and counter-protesters and it was absolutely deliberate.
Police are always present at demo’s in order to maintain the peace, except when politics are at risk.
Pssttt……TSC……The current Congress and Joe Biden, is looting the US treasury, they are are giving it to Criminal Aliens, and laundering the rest in a former Soviet Republic.
That laundramat was installed by the CIA in 2014, under orders from Joe (the “big guy”) and Barry, one of his string pullers.
That’s treason.
How’s the price of: heating oil, gasoline/diesel/gas, food, clothing, electric, …… been with the Turnip?
you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic
More like a burnt slice of toast.
Relating to your story Dan, might I direct your attention to an article in the local newspaper dated Sept. 24-25. On page D5 there is an article titled, “Here’s how you can protect yourself from embezzlment.” (Yup, they spelled their key word incorrectly)
A Mr Allen Harris discusses embezzlement in depth and says “according to the National White Collar Crime Center, employee theft and embezzlement costs organizations 400 billion annually.” One key line caught my eye. “There should never be a a reason why your employee wouldn’t explain transactions. If there is a reluctance, you should consider an audit”. Well, that sounds like great advice to me. If anyone out there is having trouble getting answers about financial transactions they might want to have a consultation with this guy.
In a municipal financial department or a money-centric business (bank, investment) – policies should build procedures that make embezzlement impossible.
Separation of duties.
Speak English you fruitcake.
Chill out Dirty Barry.
You might keep the parking lot crime free at Cumby’s, but your gaffes far out weigh your vigilante ways.
A stroll down memory lane with Dirty Barry will help:
*stumbles into the room where they were counting the mayoral votes his wife was a part of.
*just “looking for the exit,” was the reason given of a building you’ve been in countless times as a former city councilor.
*sued his wife’s mayoral competitor.
*refuses to discuss where that lawsuit currently stands. Translation: dismissed
*PPP Loan. Only CPA in America unable to perform that type of work at home. Internet, web/zoom meetings, email, etc, must not work on outer West Street.
*believes a forensic audit for Pittsfield is akin to voodoo science.
*A vocal supporter of soon to be DA Wrong Way Harrington and her progressive policies.
**Ill give Dirty Barry some credit. He realized his stupidity in supporting WW the first time. He remained as quiet as a church mouse in his (lack of) support for WW in this last campaign against Tim Shugrue.
They should or they are? Are you saying there is oversight in Pittsfield and that Kerwood would be willing to attend a city council meeting and answer all questions from the public without Tyer kicking him under the table?
Is Dan Bianchi still around and does he ever comment on the state of the city?
He walking his dog and looking very old lately. Hope he’s ok.
He’s too busy banging chicks in gym parking lots.
I’ll list a few of the bigger ARPA award winners (fraud and waste) and their contributions to Pittsfield with this windfall:
*ROPES- $500,000 led by Shirley Edgerton. Edgerton used a portion of this money to take members of her family and friends to Africa to “explore her roots.” The Eagle even did a story with photos of this taxpayer funded trip. FRAUD
*Berkshire Black Business Council- $750,000 led by Shirley Edgerton and Warren Dews. In July, Edgerton and Dews “consulted” for function in south county, that laid the foundation that all things people enjoy, need to be “black.” In August, Shirley and Warren “consulted” for another event in south county. This time, it was for an all-black dance troupe that they consulted for. The BBEC was noticeably absent at a recent small business seminar held in Dalton. No future business events planned at this time. FRAUD
*Second Chances on Second Street- $750,000 led by the Berkshire Sheriff’s Department. The state should be funding this. Or at the very least, other cities and towns who’s vibrant and dynamic population frequent the jail, should kick in a little to help out. WASTE
*Berkshire Museum- $500,000 didn’t they just sell off millions of dollars’ worth of artwork a couple of years ago? Where did all the money? Or did the money just jump up and run away, like the missing PHS prom money from years back? FRAUD
These people better be keeping good financial records. More and more stories of such waste pop up across the country and county; people are getting sick of this criminal waste of tax money.
Ruberto is on the museum board. He might be happy to answer any questions about large sums of money involving the museum.
Remember Van?
Dead
Deadly shootings in Raleigh N C
Listening to Jessie Kelly one nights a few weeks ago nailed it with his 3 rules.
1 Politicians hate you all you are to them is a vote. They would rather be appointed or anointed than to have to bother with elections.
2 They have no concept of reality and are all out of touch.
3 They would rather rule like kings and queens.
Said this to one of Biden loving friends and her response was agree with you on 2 and 3 but not the first one. The ship is definitely taking water, who knows long before it sinks like the Titanic or Andrea Dora.
Next to the previous at large c-councilor Yukie Cohen. Dina Guiel Silbera Nattitgagalia Sanchez,Rodriguez de Medico is the worst City Councilor in the history of the city.
Wtf is Jessie Kelly?
The Jesse Kelly Show – Unfiltered and Unapologetic
The Jesse Kelly Show – Unfiltered and Unapologetic
About The Jesse Kelly Show | The Jesse Kelly Show
Pittsfield needs a city welfare department right next to the state welfare department to deal with its homelessness and poverty crisis. Something is really wrong with the current situation. No one should be homeless. No one should be at-risk of homelessness.
Homeless Pittsfield Residents Ask City Council for Respect, Solutions / iBerkshires.com – The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
Massachusetts taxpayers get State check rebate in November.
iBerkshires is worst than The Left Winged Parrot……or are they……the same?
Well, whole bunch of gobbly-de-gook in the iBrekshires spin and mouth pieces like Kavey and Persip.
111 W. Housatonic? What is history of that property and who is involved?
It’s probably contaminated. Is that why the owner wants to get it off his hands?
Dan please explain in detail how thumbs up or down is calculated,on the blog their some posts that are plainly terrible,which continue to get thumbs up time after time, conversely there are many good posts which always Garner thumbs down.
I believe it is you who determines the scores and that’s it cannot be that said that this is a fair site. All polls should be non-graded, it should be posted for content.I Hope you consider doing away with the scoring method and allow posts to stand on their own. People should know that they can post and not worry about you grading them. This will make the blog a more democratic site.
WILL
Good question. The thumbs were added when we did one of our large upgrades. They are generated by readers, not me. Like any reader, I can give a column thumbs up or down. I can’t give thumbs to any of my own comments. I have no control over how the thumbs tally.
Might be interesting to see both the numbers of thumbs up AND thumbs down separately instead of the combiing the two.
Yes. I agree. We’ll look into it.
“You may run like Mays, but you post like $hit,” Lou Brown.
Willi – you were at -9. I gave you another minus and now you’re at (time of posting this) -10.
Now why you’re doing so crummily? Some must be thinking you be a jerk and are grading you, not your post. I just think your post is silly.
Homelessness is a choice you damn fool!
No we don’t need another taxpayers funded agency! We need the already taxpayers funded agency (s) and leadership to do their jobs. Why pay more for the same results?
It’s the progressive-liberal way. It’s not their money, so spend foolishly, but most importantly, SPEND!!!
So true,
The welfare state is the oldest con game in the world. First you take people’s money away quietly and then you give some of it back to them flamboyantly.
THOMAS SOWELL
We need to vote Tyer out and Krol is not the answer. Is there anyone out there who, as mayor would push for a city manager?
Dan,what is service net cil realty doing with all these properties…Stonehenge rd…cascade street…Clydesdale dr. Dan Ave to name a few? The ones mentionioned look like very nice homes?
Thought Service net did the city dirty by closing last year. Why are we doing business with them again?
I agree. The only thing ServiceNet earned with their service is a good firing, not a rehiring.
Service net is a joke the city would be better off running the place or look for another provider
“the city would be better off running the place”? Have you looked at the departments the city IS running?
Krol is a toxic weasel. A tweasel.
And lately atwizzler. He goes out with a former cops daughter. He live in Windsor. Never like him either.
He The G-man has always called for a city manager, he has been very vocal about this at city Council meetings and on his TV show without widescale support from everyone. Especially from those on this site, it ain’t going to happen nail people on his board stick together and there in lies the problem. The G man always carry’s the torch for everyone and when he decides to walk away it, to be sad day for everyone no one from the site ever appears at city Council meetings, all we get is lip service from this board, wake up posters your actions Are needed very desperately.Please get involved and start acting,the G-man can’t do everything by himself.
I have been saying that for years also a city manager that has to account to the people not just vote them out during an election year and with the people that we get running for mayor is a joke
And this four year horseshit is the first step. Tyer hasn’t got it done in nearly seven years.
Krol is sort of like this, to taxpayers……I miss FZ……
How can we expect a man who could never hold down a private sector job because of his ego and narcissism to effectively administer the state’s 3rd largest city. Have we not learned our lesson from Andrea?
If Pittsfield had normal taxes and a normal budget without millions of pork cash built in annually you would not see near as much special interest money supporting candidates whom feel obligated to do as they are told. It is the enormous floating, unspoken for cash pool that is generated from over taxation that attracts the unworthy, self serving types to Pittsfield government.
If you had a forensic audit that exposed all the waste and nefarious spending, and then adopted a realistic budget, that could not be so easily manipulated, taxpayers would have better representation and hope for the city.
As it is now it is set up to fail, and it is. Middle class families are fleeing the city in droves and they will not be replaced with middle class. They are and will continue to be backfilled with well to do types who do not worry about high taxes and also very low income who take much more financially from the city than they give back.
As Horace Greely used to say, “Go west young man, go west” He is now shouting it from his grave to the people of Pittsfield, Ma.” Get out!! Go west!! Just go.
I think a more equitable distribution of that tax money would be to help the people who actually pay into the system before the people that perpetual withdraw from it.
City. Manager immediately
Very true, got to get Flat Tyer out, but, I would rather have Krol than PeePee Petie Marchetti!
No we would rather have anything but those three
True, but Krol is the lesser of three evils…..
Less indeed
The lesser of three weasels.
There is such a thing as that though
.
There’s no such thing as ‘lesser than x evils’. Evils in politics is bad news for everyone.
Every day of the week, M&B. In fact, eight days a week.
I wouldn’t want either of those two. I do agree that Krol would be the better option.
PeePee Petie will have many axes to grind. Remember he lost his mayoral bid a few years back. You don’t think he hasn’t forgotten who derailed his bid.
Plus, PeePee Petie seems of that ilk to champion drag-queen shows for elementary school kids, under the guise of “arts and entertainment.”
Krol is Ruberto Jr. If you believe Ruberto’s arts renaissance saved Pittsfield, than Krol is your guy.
Krol’s habit of not being able to keep his snake in his pants, makes him a very undesirable candidate. What man in their right mind would want his wife or daughter working with a guy who’s philosophy about marriage is, “it’s only a piece of paper.”
I’m sure Helen “Handgun” Moon will slither from under the $hit pile and put her hat in the mayoral ring. She’s watched Flat Tyer go from a school secretary to a multi-millionaire mayor, in less than a decade. Handgun will play the woman and race cards, like she’s holding a royal flush.
Doesn’t this vibrant and dynamic city have anybody? Sir Charles? You interested. You’d have my vote.
All three are losers. We need better candidates.
There are none……yet.
Let us not forget that Krol was THE biggest supporter of Tyer, Marchetti, White, HARRINGTON et al! Then he gets kicked out of the group and suddenly sides with the opposition. He is not to be trusted. Beard or no beard. He’s just as bad, if not worse.
Voting for Rico Suave is akin to voting for the five worse mayors in the city. He’s sneaky, cunning and will say anything that will benefit his expectations. He’s a nobody who hooks his claws into those whom he thinks will benefit his cause. He is a pathetic super buffoon who couldn’t win a race for dogcatcher
I predict that he won’t even make it through the primary. We need Tom get behind a candidate who has a set of stainless steel balls and who is not afraid of anybody, there is only one candidate who fills that Bill ,and I don’t know if he’s interested in running so I can’t name him.
He would be the choice of the Kapanski’s and will be the winner of any debates, he is smart as a whip and is very persistent. If we find someone who has these attributes we have to draft that person and build support around him. We are in a horse race and it may be a long shot who is going to win. We should hope for those results……forward march.
We all know why he was supporting DA Wrong Way so vigorously.
He was helping her remove her “legal briefs.”
Who is the opposition? Is he working with Mazzeo?
No he supported Tim Shugrue as the campaign went on. Krol was at both the rally and victory celebration. I’m sure it was to get our incoming DAs support. Krol may be sleazy but he’s not stupid.
Actually, Krol’s neither. He’s on the level and he’s sharp. He’s a new man.
How does Shugrue fit in with mayor mover and shakers?
Don’t know if she even is interested but I really like this Justine Dodds. I think she is neutral as far as her allegiances to specific parties and have yet to see anything but professionalism from her. She doesn’t stutter.
Krol is stage for Marchetti. If he gets elected he will go to stages four and five. Do NOT do this. Do NOT even consider this. Poison is poison.
I totally agree with you, although have not heard of anyone else planning to run. Of course if another person who would be a good fix should come out and run, Flat Tyer and Bare Bare and their followers will be sure to do and say anything to stop them, and unfortunately there are two many blinded citizens of the Pitts that believe her lies and there is also a huge population of folks in the Pitts that don’t bother to vote or never even registered. Bottom line is the future of the Pitts looks very bleak, just look at our current do nothing City Council, our only hope comes from the three K’s, and they are constantly shot down and bullied. Did anyone else notice the “look could kill” at Kalinowsky from Flat Tyer at the last meeting. Karen was trying to get help for the homeless and Flat Tyer did not like her comments. Look at how many times Flat Tyer has yelled out from the crowd at Ken or Charles. She is nothing but a bullying bitch and the rest of the ball less Councilors are afraid of her temper tantrums. Also, after the Bare Bare last mission of supposedly getting lost in City Hall, how can the voters trust the voting system?
I’m going to make an early prediction in the future Pittsfield mayoral race as far as a candidate.
It’s going to Flat Tyler’s protege: Roberta “if it financially benefits me, I” Dews.
Go down the DIE checklist and see where Roberta stands:
*BLACK
*BLACK
*BLACK
*BLACK
*friend of Flat Tyer
*friend of Shirley, NAACP
*wife of BBEC executive Warren
*not a white male (Krol, Pete)
* will keep ARPA gift handouts quiet
*will keep things the same
*would be first B/F to be mayor in history
*BLACK
Did I mention that she’s black?
MARK
Plus, she’s BLACK. She’s/its/or Whatever Pronoun You Care to Choose is the correct gender! Slam dunk. …
… except for … well, that’s for another time
If Tyer is not able to digest all the millions herself during her term, her backers will make damn sure they get a Tyer clone in to replace her. No way on gods green earth they are leaving any of this Covid money on the table. In Pittsfield, money controls almost everything that happens including most of the electorate who get financial backing from the special interest who pull the puppett strings from above the stage.
I 100% agree with you. Not to mention, Flat Tyer and Co. definitely do not want an “outsider” looking into how the ARPA money was dispersed and why it was not used to benefit Pittsfield taxpayers.
I began to add criteria on how the ARPA was dispersed, but I think we all know. You had to meet two of the three categories in order to get ARPA money:
*Flat Tyer’s friends
*Flat Tyer’s co-workers
*Black
Dangerous downtown Pittsfield features a crisis in homelessness, a crisis in panhandlers, a crisis violent crime, dozens of empty storefronts, social services alley, and an out-of-touch and unapproachable wealthy Mayor named Linda Tyer, who lives in a mansion in an elitist and exclusive Gated Community neighborhood within a few feet of the Hancock border, which is as far away from inner-city as possible while still living in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
What is being done about it all? A useless public forum whereby Mayor Linda Tyer said that little can be done.
Letter: “Preponderance of panhandling is hurting Pittsfield”
The Berkshire Eagle, October 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. (“Mayor Linda Tyer says officials hear residents’ complaints about panhandling in Pittsfield. But there’s little they can do,” Eagle, Oct. 14.)
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
The hero of the game for the guardians tonight vs Yankees doesn’t even speak English.
Coles, he may not speak english but he is here legally and working.
I ended 32 years working on North st this summer. I had the exact same expirences 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. Its the same core of about 10 or 15 people. We could see the Park Square panhandlers and they worked in shifts and 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 and will only drive through Pittsfield to get somewhere else. The Pittsfield Mayor is a joke and the businesses on North St deserve better representation. The City is on life support and the Mayor has her hands on the plug. Good luck Pittsfield, I miss you!
CAT
Thanks for sharing this valuable testimony. This is precisely what the mayor, council, and to some extent the SCOHOL committee refuse to acknowledge. You have been there. In the trenches. You have seen businesses battered and the reasons why shoppers will not go downtown.
No. 18 Syracuse remains unbeaten, beats NC State 24-9
Great day in the sold-out Dome. As loud as I’ve ever heard it. State came in at 13th, so ‘Cuse will rise in the rankings. Go Orange!
Tricia Farley is pushing for a yes vote on Question 4 which would keep the law of giving drivers licenses to illegals in place. Did anyone even know it was in place? It was already a done deal (The Work and Family Mobility Act). They make it sound nice. In the article Trish makes a big deal about 16 and 17 years old getting drivers licenses, but not being able to vote. Trish doesn’t mention that most of these illegal immigrants are over 17 years. Biden is trying to clear green cards for illegal immigrants which means they will be given immediate legal status and in Massachusetts and many other states will be able to vote if they have a drivers license. This will happen if the Democrats take over the House and Senate in November.
Question 1 is another one where lots of misinformation is going around. They want to tax millionaires an additional 4% to use for road repair, but also for schools. This has “slush fund” written all over it for the schools especially. The schools already have more than enough money if the money went where it’s supposed to go. They are just throwing road repair in there to make it more palatable.
Never enough taxes, yet nothing changes for us.
The only thing that changes for us is how the snakes come up with ways of taking more from us.
True. This 4% tax is just to refresh their appetites. They’ll come back to you for more. It’ll all go to Boston unions and other gangsters in the Commonwealth. Maybe they’ll make a 4% Commission to study and dispense the bread.
Exactly! Just like the lottery money was supposed to be used for the same you mentioned. Instead it went into the general funds so they could instead use for whatever they wanted to .
Biden and the far left are planning to spike energy prices after the election with Biden begging OPEC to hold off their decision on oil production for 1 month which will conveniently be after the elections. The Saudis have refused to do this though and Biden and Chucky Schumer are extremely upset, but is what they are doing even legal?
https://www.foxbangor.com/national-news/republican-calls-for-pelosi-to-probe-biden-admins-potentially-illegal-request-for-saudis-to-delay-oil-cut/
Here’s a new one in vibrant town. Car drives by tag sale and steels guitar. Ppd currently on the job. They have a plate number though,good strumming thieves
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 establish 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. Or could it be that the space in front of their business was a Birdy station? Was it the bike lanes, or 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!!
Bump is a crook herself. She never paid taxes on the second home in the Berkshires.
She “didn’t know” she’s a cunt
Yeaaah. She claimed primary residence on both her boston and berkshire home. Then in the debate she excused it calling it the ‘secondhomeowner loophole’.
Madam – in other words, we call it ‘fraud.’