!! CITY CRIME WAVE!! AN UPDATE … THE PLANET’S DIGGING UNEARTHS DOCS THAT EXPOSE CITY LIES ON SPRINGSIDE PARK DESTRUCTION
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
ADD 1 TUESDAY 3-28-23 6:30 pm — THE PLANET received two dispatches from the Pittsfield Police Department, which we now share:
This morning, our state law enforcement partners made us aware that several communities in Eastern Massachusetts had received similar calls reporting critical incidents at local schools.These reports were determined to be false and are commonly referred to as “SWATTING” in which nefarious callers attempt to precipitate a swift and strong law enforcement response.
At approximately 10:40 AM, Pittsfield Police Dispatch received an anonymous report of an active shooting at Pittsfield High School. The call was immediately recognized as similar false calls received in other Massachusetts communities. Out of an abundance of caution, PPD units responded to the school and based on the circumstances, worked with school and district staff/administration to clear the building, and ensure the legitimacy of all occupants. PPD units cleared from the school at 11:50 AM.
AND THIS
On March 27th at approximately 7:03 PM, PPD Officers were dispatched to the Pittsfield Ulta Beauty store at 555 Hubbard Ave. for a reported shoplifting in progress. This location had been the target of organized theft multiple times in recent weeks.
Immediately upon the officers’ arrival at the scene, Sgt. Matthew Killeen stopped a motor vehicle in front of 875 Dalton Ave which matched the description given by the reporting party.
As a result of the investigation & motor vehicle stop, Rayquan Carter, age 22, of Albany, NY and Jonneasia Welcome, age 19, of Menands, NY were subsequently arrested. Two juveniles were also arrested with the pair for their involvement in the thefts. Over $5000 worth of merchandise from Ulta was recovered from the motor vehicle.
Ms. Welcome & the two juveniles were each charged with:
-Organized Retail Crime
-Larceny Over $1200
Mr. Carter, who was also charged with Organized Retail Crime, was additionally charged with:
-Receiving Stolen Property Over $1200
-Possession of open container of Marijuana in a Motor Vehicle.
First of Two Parts
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY MARCH 27, 2023) — In the vast scheme of things, a pump track for mountain bikes (MB) seems like a speck — a Richard Speck, that is. Actually, the attempt by a tiny group of MBers in cahoots with greasy city officials to lay waste the peace and serenity of Springside Park offends not just on the merits but especially in the underhanded, furtive action of the perps.
THE PLANET has caught The Northeast Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), Berkshire Chapter, red-handed, trying to make off with a half a million bucks taken from Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski. After winning council approval to go ahead with their plans by promising that NEMBA would pick up all the costs, including maintenance, the bikers switched gears (easy on bikes that cost $5,000). Now, they demand $500,000 from the public treasury.
———- ooo ———-
Springside has enough problems, not the least of which is the merry band of drug-laced deadbeats living there as “the homeless.”
THE PLANET, unlike MBers and city “leaders,” realizes the importance of keeping Springside Park open for passive enjoyment (hiking, walking, appreciating nature, quiet time to slow down and restore one’s sanity). That’s also the goal of The Best Friends of Springside Park, not to be confused with the original “Friends of Springside Park,” which years ago The Suits loaded with compliant jellyfish and ambitious skunks to assure the bike track would go through. That how “forward vision” looks in Pittsfield.
There’s much to be uncovered with respect to this cynical, anti-Pittsfield effort, most of it having to do with money and power. A tiny few will be rewarded handsomely. The Kapanskis? Never herd of ’em, except, of course, come election time.
You think the “Friends” are hiding something? Go on the city’s website springsidepark.org. Click the hot link for “Friends of Springside Park.” You get a message saying “This content isn’t available right now.” Then try their Facebook page. It’s private, closed to the general public. You have to apply for membership, and if you’re a Kapanski, you have as much chance of joining as Malcolm X had of joining Augusta National.
———- ooo ———-
What’s it all add up to? For taxpayers, at least $one million smacker$.
In Part 2 Wednesday, THE PLANET reveals more of the shady plot.
———————————————————————-
“If they propose wrongdoing, don’t go with them” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2023 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 site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.
Pittsfield politics gives away millions of dollars to special interests. Please don’t share my fictional email to the lovely Linda Tyer requesting a million-dollar grant for the “Jon Melle Economic Council”. In return, I will provide a vibe for North Street by naming the 15 empty storefronts: “Barstool”, “Aberration”, “Rolodex”, “Montello”, “Vibrant”, “Dynamic”, “Kufflink’s Suits”, “Old Deanna”, “DIE”, “Luciforo’s Good Old Boys Kingdom”, “Shitty’s Pigpen”, “Chrome Dome”, “Paul Marxism”, “Tricia’s Happy Endings”, and “Kapanski’s Plungers”.
Stud muffin you could open a gay and trans friendly clothes store to and vibe it up. That way guys like you and me could shop for lingerie or a thong and not get threatened or triggered. “Melle’s man merch” can be the name.
Dan this piece reinforces our understanding of why the corner office is fighting like hell to deter a forensic audit.
Has anyone watched the HBO series, THE SUCCESSION? If not you might like it as it helps gives understanding to things that go on around you.
BI’ve watched the Tired Pcv City Clowncil Town players. The city clerk by bobbling her head agreeing when Marchetti spins a tale. The dumpster,portraying a confused Individual who’s always trying to make a wrong a wrong. Little pee pee always trying to amend a vote after decisions are already made.The Climate Change clowncilor, who adds absolutely nothing and recommends the book Nudge,in determining how to act on any votes?
Then you have the nefarious pen twirler muffin top, who seems to know the answer to the question for Ricardo or Paggs the attorney. When you really wanna get confused then comes K G or should I say Clarence Darrow, good theater though.
Then you have the two statues who don’t want to be there to begin with, the Sloth and Elmer Fudd. And there’s Karen who is the personal dartboard for climate change. Climate never agrees with Karen, ever.
And now there’s Charles Kronick,valiantly plays Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront,only thing he needs is someone he can yell to and that would be….STELLA!!!!?
I don’t think that I could play Marlon Brando or rather, out-play Marlon Brando in even an advertisement.
I’ll bet Pete White has a Marlon Brando action figure
Whoa, interesting column Dan, how is it that the NEMBA crowd could get the $500,000 without City Council approval if the Parks Commission hasn’t approved the pump track? Where are our city councilors? Are they all in on it? No way, let the NEMBA crowd ante up the money as agreed upon! Deanna Ruffer has destroyed city parks – look at the common which used to host football practices and ice skating!
Other city questions;
Why are people who are not city residents being appointed to city commissions? See the mayor’s referral of Debra Miersma of Dalton to the airport commission. Surely there are city residents who could serve. This woman’s only claim to fame is that she likes to travel by air(!!).
Why is the city plowing private ways like the mayor’s Woodmonte Estates?
What purpose will a renovated Springside House serve? What will it be used for? Who is the potential tenant referred to in earlier discussions? NEMBA headquarters?!
Seriously, our councilors had better wake up and start defending the interests of the city’s residents.
I have consistently rejected non-resident appointments (except for when futility overwhelms.) I made such a statement on a school building appointment 2022. I actually see the entire public service committee needing a complete overhaul with a balance of mayoral and council appointments. As it stands, the Council functions as a ‘hand in’ ‘give back’ committee.
Regarding approval for NEMBA track – I would suggest contacting me directly with information that I likely do not have.
Isn’t everything in Pittsfield preordained. The only thing remaining for Pittsfield’s next new corrupt mayor, is to be officially ordained. The only thing remaining for Pittsfield’s next new despicable Chief of Police is to be officially ordained. Before Michael Wynn officially claimed his disreputable role of Chief of Police, Riello passed off the keys to the lawless corrupt office of Chief of Police to Michael Wynn. I’m certain that the reason for eliminating the residency requirement for Pittsfield cops is that Pittsfield’s next new, but not improved, Chief of Police refuses to live within the violent drug infested city limits of Pittsfield. But really, what’s breaking another rule, when it comes to cops. And if Pittsfield’s preordained mayor didn’t reside within the city limits, we’d be seeing that rule deep-sixed too. No one is riding in on a white horse and saving Pittsfield. ONLY WHOREMONGERS NEED APPLY!
His ol lady makes 100g at bcc.
By his you mean whom?
The answer is, “yes.”
Everything is preordained because the connections within government and connections of government/bureaucrat to external interests (family, donor, business, emeritus pols) are too well-formed and too diverse. State Ethics provides loopholes to permit unethical deals via its ‘exception.’*
Corruption is impossible to eradicate – there are too many people, too much money, too many opportunities to exploit. These associations are like permanent overlays on civic institutions, and if you think you can scrape it off, it will simply regenerate. When you succeed in digging one out via the court, it comes back into circulation soon enough. This situation is universal.
Here’s an example: President Lula of Brazil. He went to jail for spearheading a massive money laundering machine that lined the pockets of corporate directors, politicians, thugs, and Lula himself. It was investigated under Operation Car Wash. The investigation resulted in hundreds of trials that lasted almost a decade. The judge who presided over the trials that handled hundreds of top executives, congressmen, and the President held ‘star’ status. But, look who’s now the President. I don’t think that things work much differently here.
As a councilor, I assure you that each proposal is a fastball that defies the majority. You may swing fast enough, others won’t; and sometimes everyone misses. How does that happen? You have exactly 2 business days to digest a 200 page agenda and build the logic for challenges that have a remote chance of success. You can do a charter objection, but that only buys you a week or two to explore. And for systemic dysfunction, you have 11 councilors which is five too many to make an effective group. I’d have a bicameral Council one to check the other – 7 in one, 4 in the other. With an eleven member Council, you will rarely get good results except on account of the broken watch that is correct twice per day.**
If you want change, you need to form institutions and groups that then field candidates and lobby, and you need to work hard.
*Exceptions. A conflict also includes ‘the appearance of conflict.’ That said, if a conflict is apparent or real, the ethically-challenged person can get an exception by admitting the conflict and securing the blessing of a relevant board. See prior post to lenny (awaiting approval) about commissions and boards as to how that does not produce an ethical government.
**: Exeption alert: School Committees. Small does not seem to help them. They take small and then bifurcate into smaller and smaller units. It’s unnerving watching them do that, forming subcommittees of 1.5 persons. No wonder an agenda of 2 items can drag on for 3 hours.
so this city goes out of its way to pretend to be inclusive but what it craves the most is for the majority of its population to remain ignorant and just shut the hell up and take the incompetence and malfeasance. Just sit back and let the wannabee one percenters make decisions for you. Pittsfield has become what happens when you let the monster get too big. No oversight. No checks and balance from council president. So sad.
What Pittsfield needs most is some coaching from the current Israeli protesters. They are saying no to govt. takeover. It is awesome to watch people who really care about there country.
The community development board needs to be overhauled and hung out to dry starting with the corruption of Jim mcjtath and ruffer , the entire park commission also needs to be charged, community development puppet mcjrath is running the park commission and they just sit back and do what they are told.
Agree. The little guy should hang it up. Thanks for your service.
Biden chuckling it up before talking about Nashville shootings. Check out the two goon from Nashville, Rausch and the police chief. Both looked liquored up
You voted for him!
Low gas prices, low food prices, great stock market and bustling 401K’s, no wars, record low inflation, border secure, Middle East in check, and last but not least, boys were boys and girls were girls.
All of this under Trump.
But mean tweets and ‘guy talk’ made a lot of these spineless ‘men’ so upset, they voted for Xiden and the destruction of our once great country.
**I use the term ‘men,’ with a feminine connotation to it.
The whole f Ing community needs overhaul.
This 8 year term can be summed up in one word…..JOKE
or…coup
I agree!
Shootings in Nashville Tn….
Transgender perp whole story will DEI quickly
Or sochol
SOCHOL FOREVER!
Get a certificate of attendance upon graduation. The Pittsfield Pbulic Sochols can’t give diplomas for performing at a level 5 teaching and/or learning environment.
Translation: Bottom of the Barrel.
Explain to me again what the cultural competency coach does exactly and why this position is needed?
Hasn’t this person collected enough?
Pittsfield has a shit ton of boards and commissions and consultants that do everything except, ( but maybe, I don’t know for sure) wipe the mayors ass. Glaringly absent is a board, commission or consultant that does oversight. If anyone, especially city councilors or city leaders is aware of anyone who fills this role could they paaalllease chime in here?
No one seems to be in che checks and balances game around here. Where did they all go? And why did they go? And why doesn’t anyone seem to care that they are gone?
Marchetti is in charge of wiping the mayor’s backside.
There are (were) two – Commission Finance and Commission Public Works.
They were dissolved under petition process by some guy this term on the flimsy grounds that since they were never filled (that being unacceptable) it’s apparent that no one in the public would be willing to serve on them. I argued against both moves.
As it now stands, if we want to purchase a water plant upgrades, we pay a consultant to spec it out and have a Commisssioner to approve; no citizen experts to review the specs. Who would argue that a resident who has engineering expertise would not want to potentially lower his/her taxes and fees by advising in municipal contracts.
Beware of all petitions to date that are designed ‘to serve the Charter Review.’
Wethinks, CHAZ, that this is a sign of the growing alienation between governors and the governed. Citizens don’t trust their representative, and usually with good cause. They know local politics for what it is and do not want to get in the same cage with the animals. Not worth it and dangerous in there, especially if you’re honest, upfront, and not connected.
Ninety percent of Americans don’t trust their representatives. It’s just easier here.
That alienation would be the end of us.
Agreed, and that’s the road we’ve traversing.
Any mayoral candidates should have a good response to CKs observations
well described Dan….they create an environment of hostilty for those not loyal to the special interest agenda…a governement set up to fail its people….middle incomers deserve better than they will find in Pittsfield, Ma. Your children deserve better. Don’t make the hill they need to climb any steeper.
This city is designed for the well to do and the poor. If you are middle income you are supporting both groups with money you should be spending on your own family.
Actually, the poor are completely out of luck.
This point matters because all this spending, new hiring, funding etc… is sold on the merits of ‘social justice.’ It’s not true and 99.99% of the poor will never see a dime.
Example: thus far, $40 million ARPA has provided 10 children art therapy. There are a lot more children needing therapy. That is a valid use, and if the effort was made to provide for them that use of funds would merit the inclusion of the service in the report. It was included to provide a mental image of ‘good work’ such as an illustration on a brochure. The emotional value of the point outweighs the functional in proportion to the value of the grant.
Item 7 3/28 agenda: City of Pittsfield decides it no longer wants to keep “city owned property located on Beacon Avenue, identified as Assessor’s Map, Block & Lot G15-0016-007” and wants to sell it.
It used to be Antonio and Saratore’s De Geaero’s property. Maybe they lost it due to illegal behavior. More likely, they couldn’t run as fast as the Tax Collector. Either way, it is a relevant issue for the Council.
Truth be told, I have no interest in nor right to provide cover: Councilor Warren has/is responsible for removing the public committees that were intended to review and audit public works projects and review the books.
These committees have long gone unfilled to the detriment of the residents. What should have happened is the council demand explanation as to the vacating those boards.
The boards and commissions are made up of those very sympathetic to the mayors ideas. In some cases these commissions have people contracted for services to the city. I thought we called that a conflict of interest?
Three hour parking limit goes into effect today. When does the three hour panhandling limit go into effect?
Love it!
It won’t surprise when the houseless transients lobby tyerkrolchettiwhite to mandate toll booths on every beggar’s corner in Pittsfield. Obviously standing on corners begging for handouts is dehumanizing and humiliating for our houseless guests. And rather than give any more of our tax $$$$$$$$$$$$ to the BBECnegro to allegedly fill Pittsfield’s many vacant North Street storefronts with ‘Vibe North Street’, why not rent the storefronts out to Tricia Farley-Bouvier’s working girls. Pittsfield already has prostitution.
Berkshire Eagle – A homeless woman faces a prostitution charge after she allegedly tried to solicit sex from an undercover state trooper working a drug detail. DRUGS AND SEX in Pittsfield!
Lee man charged with paying for Sex in connection with Pittsfield’s prostitution ring.
Two men face charges in Pittsfield prostitution ring.
Pittsfield police crackdown on prostitution and drugs in city.
Pittsfield police Break up Alleged Prostitution Ring.
Pittsfield Police: Prostitution Ring run out of senior living facility on North Street.
Prostitutes Pittsfield, Find Whores in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
State of Main v. Angelo Stracuzzi
Stracuzzi charged with ‘Patronizing Prostitution of a Minor. Biddeford is about the same size as Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Let the whores ply their trade from the comfort of the windows of Pittsfield’s vacant North Street storefronts. I don’t doubt for one second that the whore business will be more legitimate than anything from the BBEC NEGRO VIBE.
Then Pete White could get a free poke along with free lunch.
Where did you find these articles? The hate Rag, er Berkshire Eagle, I’m sure didn’t run these articles. This is what is really missing a local paper that cares about the citizens in the community,
Pittsfield police continue to crack down on prostitution and drugs in city – Masslive.com – December 28, 2017
Charges filed against alleged john in widening probe of prostitution in Pittsfield / Berkshire Eagle Dec. 27, 2017
Three Charged in Pittsfield Drug Raid / iBerkshires.com
Pittsfield, Mass – A Becket man pleaded guilty on Monday in Berkshire Superior Court to Human Trafficking Charges.
Lee man charged with paying for sex in connection with Pittsfield prostitution ring / Berkshire Eagle
Pittsfield Police Break up Alleged Prostitution Ring / Ibeerkshires.com – July 29, 2020
Randy Lambach sentenced to 10-12 years for sex trafficking in Pittsfield Prostitution Ring / masslive.com – December 18, 2019
Leader of Large Human Trafficking case in Pittsfield convicted / http://www.wwlp.com Specifically, Lambach pled guilty to two counts of enticing a child under age 16, and single counts of open and gross lewdness, dissemination of harmful matter to a minor.
Men ran prostitution ring out of old folks’ home / nypost.com
in beautiful downtown Pittsfield, Ma North Street
PITTSFIELD, Mass. Prostitution Ring run out of senior living
facility. – The Boston Globe
Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Press Release – March 12, 2018
Marshall arraigned on conspiracy to traffic for sexual purposes.
A Pittsfield man was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court on several charges.
New bill could decriminalize prostitution in Massachusetts Spectrum News / March 28, 2023
It’s clear officials elected or appointed along with the groups of people involved with pushing both the Pickle Ball or Pump Track are and have been working in tandem
behind the scenes.The pumpers need taxpayers money pumped into the pump track because they couldn’t even pump in the money they, said they could pump in for maintenance etc.., so now we (taxpayers)will get pumped for all of the project $ by the officials who were planning on pumping the money in they pump from taxpayers from the beginning anyway.
I think Sir Charles should take out papers for Mayor. Who is with me?
I would certainly vote for him. But if he did not have a city council with integrity there is not much he could do. Marchetti would sand bag every move he made to reign in expenditures.
City Council cannot force the Mayor to spend nor mandate employment/compensation schedules. The relationship between CC and Mayor is one of veto, recommendation, and review.
One way or another marchetti won’t be a councilor
Crazy democrat tranny in tenn
That story will die now that this has come out
Thanks TFB….
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/03/27/drivers-licenses-for-illegal-aliens-to-cost-massachusetts-taxpayers-28m/
Surely there’s someone in Berkshire County who could run against, and beat, this idiot woman!
It truly is a head scratcher how this worthless person continues to get re-elected.
Hasn’t authored one piece of legislation to help the Pittsfield taxpayers in over a decade.
She does bring in the ‘grant money’ and the vibrant and dynamic and diverse and inclusive individuals the eastern part of the state have deemed a problem and need to be “relocated.” She serves her masters in Boston well. You’ll have to give her that.
Blogger Dan Valenti wrote and posted: “Wethinks, CHAZ, that this is a sign of the growing alienation between governors and the governed. Citizens don’t trust their representative, and usually with good cause. They know local politics for what it is and do not want to get in the same cage with the animals. Not worth it and dangerous in there, especially if you’re honest, upfront, and not connected.”
My response: Then what the Hell is the use of democracy with voters electing their representatives in government? Citizens don’t trust their representative sounds a lot like Divide and Conquer, which is the oldest strategy to exploit and take advantage of the people who don’t understand what is really going on.
Pittsfield is my native hometown. I understand a lot of the problems there. Level 5 public schools. Severe economic inequality. A distressed economy with little to no living wage jobs. The city always being in the top 10 cities in Massachusetts for violent crime year-in-year-out. Over 1,000 gang members living in the inner-city. Daily shootings. Excessively high municipal taxes, fees, debts and other liabilities in return for “a shit sandwich”. One political (Democratic) Party corrupt career politicians who answer to the inequitable political bosses in Boston. The Good Old Boys and Girls political network whose Godfather lives in Naples, Florida, and whose Pot King lives in Boston. 50 years of significant losses in population and living wage jobs. The postindustrial polluted PEDA debacle that is heavily indebted with millions of dollars in unfunded liabilities that will never be paid off.
I am sure that there were, are and will be good people in Pittsfield who will participate in Pittsfield politics to pull the city out of the proverbial ditch. They will have to fight like Hell against their elected officials, bureaucrats and special interests, but almost nothing is impossible. I feel sorry for the old timers who knew the old school Pittsfield when it was a nicer community than it is today. I feel bad for the youth because they may never know that there is a bigger and better world out there than Pittsfield.
There are a lot of “Pittsfields” out there in the “Rust Belt” of the U.S.A. There are a lot of good people who live in the “Pittsfields” who want a better life for themselves and their loved ones. I will always fight for the good people who live in the “Pittsfields” who want more than “a shit sandwich” out of their city and lives.
Jonathan A. Melle
The Democracy you speak of applies to prior times – those which you casually dismiss when you incorrectly impugn the morality and ethics of past generations. Then, as opposed to now, (more) people understood their personal responsibility to be active and productive. Now, the mantra is “vote! vote!” Here’s a fact: voting is not indicative of democracy. Voting is strictly the means to provide legitimacy to the elected.
These are bad times for the American Democracy, but what really matters is that times are bad for the Pittsfield Democracy, and we will not vote ourselves out of them nor have the courts rescue us.
America is founded on the principle of permanent revolution – each generation fighting for self-determination. The alternative is tyranny and corruption. Preserving the Constitution and the rights it recognizes requires continual rebellion against the forces of corruption. That means, rebels need to run for office and lobby. That is my point.
Tonight’s school committee meeting was attended by all of 5 people. Only one person spoke in the public session. This person gave the committee a good warning about the school budget and defended the kapanskis admirably. This person was CG.GOOD JOB MY FRIEND
THE PLANET applauds Mr. Gaetani for his civic involvement at meetings.
I thought meetings were on Wednesday?
Can’t wait to see this on PCTV select
A most insightful analysis, SIR CHARLES.
We need to go back to the voting rules the Pilgrims used. They worked well.
Rules? Go on…
Mr. Kronic the GMan can be considered a rebel and he does the things that you talk about here on the planet. Have you ever contacted the wiz and get the drift of what he is trying to do??. In short he is trying to save the kapanski from ruin by exorbitant water and sewer rates which will come in the very NEAR FUTURE. G SAYS that unless you start to lobby the council and find 5 progressive councilors like your self ruin will fall on the heads of the kapanskis. If the council doesn’t listen to you you should lobby the people of this city. As you stated rebels need to run for office and act and that means you too. if you need to have more information please call the Gman. He will be glad to help you. And oh yes he is trying to save the kapanskis in excess of 100 million as he did in the 80’s. Please act to save this 100 million dollars for the poor kapanskis
Turns out The Simpsons didn’t predict Pumpgate, but Elvis Costello did:
That’s that, I don’t want to chitter chat.
Turn it down a little bit, or turn it down, Flat.
Pump it up, when you don’t really need it.
I’m with Elvis on this one. Turn it down, Flat; we really don’t need a pump track. Beyond going against the mandate of the park one thing adding more asphalt into Morningside will do is to increase the heat in the surrounding neighborhood.
Pittsfield is the largest heat island in the county;on the Pittsfield island are the other two largest heat islands, the neighborhoods of Morningside and the West side.
Heat islands are most often found in the poorer neighborhoods and there’s some pretty good science that says this is a big contributor to chronic health problems for low income people, basically an environmental barrier to access for people below the poverty line.
When Skytop (Im) properties purchased 42 Summer Street they also acquired a vacant parcel next to the parking lot for 42 Summer.
That parcel was used as parking for the people on that block of Union Street. It was hard pack dirt and stones, almost never washed out, and was used by people living on Union Street as their informal neighborhood parking.
Skytop paved that hard pack dirt parcel with black top, probably the neighborhood from using it unless they paid for a parking sticker, and shortly after that I notice that the residents of the brick rowhouses on Union Street are now sitting outside their apartments from early in the morning until well after midnight.
If you think about it, that row of apartments, how often did we really see the residents hanging out on those little front lawns? Almost never, in my recollection,until that parcel was paved. So I put it to the test.
Several nights that summer after the vacant parcel was paved, after midnight when the city was cooling down I walked over to the newly paved and expanded parking lot, and I could feel the heat of the day still rising off of that blacktop.
So nothing scientific — didn’t have any measuring instruments ,I did not collect anecdotal information from the residents of that row of apartments on Union Street to see if the reason they were outside of their building for the majority of the day and night on the really hot days was due to their apartments being hotter due to the new blacktop.
We know heat stress is deadly.
Now over Morningside in the past few years we saw on the corner of Lincoln and is it Wellington? Housing stock get torn down and then replaced with a park for the neighborhood.
Okay that sounds nice it’ll open up that corner. But this park is made out of big pieces of gravel in lieu of grass, and then there are large pieces of gray cement in different shapes and height that I guess from above are the letters of the alphabet, and it is, of course, “for the children”.
They tell us these sharp rocks and large pieces of concrete upon which the children can climb and stand and push one another off onto the sharp rocks that are the only terrain below them, is a playground.
What the hell kind of Brutalist informed by Bettelheim hell playground IS this?
Both of these projects are installed AFTER the Gray to Green project for Morningside and the Westside is announced and funded, and we’ve started the community convo about the impact of gray versus green along with the anticipated impact of climate change on public health.
So here we are, having this supposedly informed conversation while at the same time the city of Pittsfield gives us new blacktop and concrete installed in the very neighborhoods in which the conversation is about mitigating the effects of those very things on the neighborhood populations.
Wait, what? I don’t know.
Ask Dina.
Thanks, FOX. A most interesting post. I have to agree with your views on the “playground” on Lincoln Street. It’s done it the Brutalilst architectural style so popular in Soviet Russia back in the day. It is a style linked to dictatorship and totalitarianism. From an aesthetic as well as a safety standpoint, a monstrosity to be sure.
However, there is a somewhat saving grace to that strange park. The wooden fence surrounding the park has cabinets and inside are books available for the kids to use. There were several times last summer, when I went by, when children were actually sitting on the concrete blocks ..reading! If you can only reach a few…
Sounds about right for Pittsfield
But those large grey Brutalist concrete alphabet shapes will shield children from a hail of bullets during drive Bys and turf wars among homegrown and out of town drug traffickers. I’m sure city leaders weighed the risks that children may very well fall from these large concrete shapes onto a rock-hard surface and crack their little skulls open with the very real possibility of children getting their little heads blown off by stray bullets in Pittsfield’s concrete jungle.
Many years ago the Worcester Museum had a study that was completed by UMass students about the effects black pavement had on increasing the temperature of cities. If I remember correctly I believe the report stated the temperature increased by 2 degrees in Worcester due to the black pavement that ran through the city. I still do not understand why Pittsfield would even be thinking of destroying this 200 acre in the middle of the city “green environment”!! Isn’t the city trying to tout themselves as being a green city? This destruction will “pollute” the city more than the plastic bags ever did!
Good points Shirley.
Where are all the environmental activists?
They are out shopping for mountain bikes and gear they will need for the pump track grand opening.
Exactly, destroying 200 acres of fauna and flora environment while the city of Pittsfield is buying up open space green environment wetlands to allegedly protect these wild environments from greedy developers. The city of Pittsfield recently acquired 52 acres on Barker Road for the sum of $400,000. I don’t if this property was even on the tax rolls, but I know it isn’t anymore, if it ever was.
The final answer of this issue will be the usual. Liar Linda’s Pals will get what they want once again. Taxpayers will have no say, look what just happened to Councilor Kalinowsky after she succeeded in getting a vote on the bike lanes, only to have it squashed by Linda’s Clownsil children, especially Pee Pee Petie. All she had done during her too lengthy term is waste money.
Had the vibrant and dynamic pleasure of visiting City Hall the other day to license my dog. Tried to park on Fenn Street, unfortunately both of Linda’s Nazi parking police were taking up the parking spaces along with a bunch of City trucks just waiting for their next victim. Parked behind City Hall and then had to find a friggin door to go in. Why are all the doors locked? Trying to traverse the broken cobblestone park without breaking an ankle you then get to walk the slippery handicap ramp to finally get in. How welcoming to anyone wanting to move to Pittsfield, especially a potential new business. The place was like a ghost town, proving to me once again that Liar Linda does not want to advocate for the taxpayers and will continue to hide from us as she had done her whole Mayorship. As I was leaving the parking lot, while female Nazi parking police glared at me, did notice Liar Linda has a nice Lexus and Co-Liar Kerwood has a nice BMW. Must be nice to make that kind of money for lying to the taxpayers.
This line had me laughing. “Linda’s Clownsil children.”
Man they do listen to and obey mommy mayor well.
The subject of the Springside House renovation funding is on the agenda for tonight’s city council meeting.
From the Eagle 3/9/23 in regards to coming up with the $500,000 for SH;
”Kerwood also added that if the city takes out tax-exempt bonds & that if the city leased space to an OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION after renovations were complete – which the city leaders say THEY PLAN TO DO – then those bonds would be in jeopardy.”
Again I ask – who is the city renovating SH for? NEMBA headquarters? Housing for migrants? WHAT’s THE PLAN here??
And why isn’t the funding coming out of the CPA funds? Why didn’t McGraff apply for those funds (before the deadline) which are to be used for projects like this?
The city should NOT take on more debt for the SH project!!!
Yup. There has to be special interest benefit to the renovation or it would never have come forward. Kinda like how taxpayers retrofitted Stanleys theater and office bldg complex and then he dumped it and made a killing. Is that the plan here? City, using taxpayer money) fixes it up and sells it cheap to a waiting, drooling buyer who will turn it into a restaurant and bed and breakfast?
I know why they change the mayorals term from 2 to 4 it isn’t that it takes more than two years,you don’t do it in the first two years then the second two years you don’t have to worry about getting beat in the next election. This bird eight?
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/director-of-victim-assistance-for-berkshire-das-office-wins-statewide-award/article_1285da0e-ccb4-11ed-9c3f-7389ac7d17e7.html
CPCS does not help victims of wrongful conviction stemming from fraud upon the court. If there’s fraud a involved in a wrongful conviction, there’s no representation.
Keeping up with the current theme of grifting, but yet, never offering a solution to help the real issues in THEIR community: gun violence, gang violence, above average HS dropout rate, “jugging”, thug life, and on and on, Pittsfield community activist, Kamar Taliaferro, is against police officers in schools.
Children of color don’t like it, according to Taliaferro. You know what he should be told, the same thing my parents told me when I get older and didn’t agree with their rules: TOUGH SH!T!!
Pittsfield Public Schools add two new school resource officers for middle and high schools | Local News | berkshireeagle.com
These folks whine about the police, but who do they call when they get robbed, store robbed, home invasion, family shot (and it isn’t ghostbusters) these folks need to be apart of the solution, or if not when they become a crime victim call a social worker, don’t call 911, maybe the mayor will come out and make a report for them , or provide security for them , I’ll give them credit for being able to sucker people to make them feel they are the victim.
Did anyone see the photo of the studio morning TV stooge. Show? He was in his basement doing the repeat but the guest was in a still photo? I believe it was Marilyn Monroe I could be wrong
OP-I believe in our day, they would have called the police. I believe in today’s day and age, the young POC solve their issues with guns and violence.
I know Xiden keeps talking about the ‘Ultra MAGA’ boogeyman, that goes around and terrorizes neighborhoods of color, but I don’t seem to ever find them. I do see in Chicago, NYC, or DC, POC shooting and killing each other in record numbers.
But keep telling everyone about the ‘Ultra MAGA’ boogeyman Kamar, Shirl, Denny, OB. Maybe one day, he will magically appear like the Easter Bunny or tooth fairy.
I keep telling myself that my tax dollars going to these horsesh!t causes will end one day. Like I said, grifting dollars to destroy my community and tell me how “racist” I am, but not squat when it comes to helping their own communities or discouraging gang violence or thug life.
I completely agree, Marcus. I would ask for more resource officers on a revolving basis at the elementary schools as well. Way past time to secure all the schools.
Isn’t this day two of the Eagle’s continuing worship of Miggy?
Yeah at least ten in each class. The teachers should have more power. Hit the f ing buzzer and have the sheriffs ☹️ Department remove any student who is unruly where is having a hissy fit. ASIDE. Watch. The city Council meeting tonight ,Guaranteed most of the counselors won’t say a freaking thing
Sure is. But not a peep about the mental illness of the cross dressing female who shot and killed innocent children and adults at a school in Nashville yesterday.
Peer pressure wasn’t enough? Now you’re allowing boys to become girls and girls to become boys and blaming guns for their mental illness?
What’s next, honor a drug-addicted criminal who places a loaded gun up against a pregnant woman’s stomach and robs her……oh wait. I forgot. That happened during the summer of love in 2020.
TSC and JM’s D-party make heroes out of villains and make heroes (cops) the villains and criminals the heroes.
Miggy’s family & friends speaking at city council meeting – against police in schools. Where’s ICE? Just had an elementary school shooting in Nashville and these idiots are whining about cops in schools and the police budget (even though they live in Dalton & Middlefield). Helen Moon now speaking about “racial injustice.” Glad she is no longer in city politics.
Unbelievable.
But not fact one about “racial injustice,” whatever that is.
Not sure if Handgun watches the news, but I never see ‘ultra MAGA’ white males attacking people of Asian decent. Usually it’s the people she advocates “racial injustice” for.
A real bunch of nut logs
These people are idiots and color blind they only see black and brown, screw everyone else. If there is cops in schools there kids of color wanna be ganstas, drug dealers, rapist cant be held accountable. Even with cops wearing cameras they will still see what they want see and cry black. How about black on black crime? This whole world is a sh**t show and only getting worse. Someone please take control, speak up and put these aholes in there place and back where they belong or we are all F***ed.
Maybe people on the west side should not call the police for help either. They sure like to call them as a huge amount of police calls seem to be for one area of the city. Make up your mind. Cops are good or not. Can’t have it both ways.
Today is Miggys murder one year anniversary. Have a little respect for the dead. And the people of Middlefield were speaking on behalf of that. So why the big deal as there were very few from here remembering the statements at Clowncil.
The cop should have let Miggy stab his ass
I think cops are very good. If you don’t, watch that video of the Nashville cops rushing in and stopping that mentally-ill female from killing more, and come back and talk to me.
I’m not into progressive politics. That’s for wingnuts, grifters, and fools.
Why are Albany hoodlums driving all the way to Berkshire Crossing to steal cosmetics when there are so many stores in the Capital District? Are we a known soft target?
Yes. The word is out. And it wasn’t just a couple bucks of makeup by a teenage girl. This was $5,000 from this one visit (who knows how many before it?). Five grand! Also, notice the first names.
According to iberkshires, $37,000 in the past month alone.
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/71301/Shoplifters-Pinch-37K-in-Merchandise-from-Ulta-Beauty.html
Also note, they skipped their court date today.
Can I call you KNO3?
They should have been held on high bail. No local ties, what possibly could go wrong?
I can say with 100% certainty that I never went to school with , worked with, or have ever personally known a Rayquan or Jonneasia.
Our sales tax is lower