CAM ‘BAM’ CUNNINGHAM: A STAR IS BORN
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SEPT. 28, 2026) — A Star is Born.
THE PLANET speaks of the Bitchfield city councilor from Ward 2, Cam “Bam” Cunningham. Some of the more superstitious types at Pity Hall think Cam Bam is Charles Kronick come back from the political dead, you know, like King Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist revisited. Like Sir Chaz, and Kevin Morandi before him in Ward 2, Cam Bam speaks his mind, shows an independent streak, and displays the most audacious quality for a Bitchfield politician wanting to gorge on the corrupt leftover: He asks questions.
Cam isn’t Sir Chaz, a mighty big footprint to fill, but he is … himself.
CAM CUNNINGHAM (photo from his Facebook page)
Unlike the automatons and zombies who occupy the other council seats, the sochol committee, and a miscellaneous assortment of offices, he has begun to carve out an identity that appears to be based on honesty, integrity, and actual representation of his constituents. The latter is to other councilors as garlic and mirrors were to Bela Lugosi.
Cunningham wins THE PLANET‘s monthly Orbit Award for reaching into the charter’s bag of tricks and pulling out our old friend, the Charter Objection (CO). For that alone he wins Politician of the Year Award.
———- ooo ———-
Using the CO, Cam brought debate to a halt on the latest subterfuge attempted by Mayor Lumpy. Because of new federal directives aimed at curbing the egregious waste of money on offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Lumpy and Co. want to rename the waste as the Equity, Access, and Opportunity Commission.
A fraud by any other name …
The city blows $200 grand of taxpayer money on this failed attempt at social engineering. To make matters worse, the Administration wants to throw this proposed commission in with the Human Rights Commission and the Affirmative Action Committee. If anything, this proves that each of these three non-sequiturs have served no useful purpose when put up against the public funds they eat up.
Lumpy proposes this uneconomical pastiche because, he says, “It is there to do what we have always done and add the ability to work on poverty issues …” ‘Tis true, what the mayor says. The Frankenstein mix of combined offices will continue to “work on poverty issues,” meaning it will continue to further impoverish Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski [quotes from Brittany Polito’s article in iBerkshires].
———- ooo ———-
The mayor chastised the only councilor earning his keep when he admitted to Cunningham the subterfuge involved: “If you want me to go on record to say that it takes us out of federal guidance of DEI, you got it, councilor. I don’t want the city jeopardized for [federal] funding. I don’t want to change what we have done,” Lumpy added, even though “what we have done” has been a failure and done nothing more than (a) rip off taxpayers and (b) make it clear that there is a favored and protected class of people in the city whose “needs” come first.
In other words, “Mayor to the Kapanskis: Go to hell.”
Author Dan Valenti is published worldwide by PMB Books and distributed by Amazon.
Cam Bam had the audacity to question Marchetti and chief diversity office Michael Obasohan, particularly the latter’s demonstrated lack of leadership ability and the sloppy way he’s run his office.
“I want to make sure that people are [held] accountable,” Cunningham said. For that alone, he gets a coveted Orbit from THE PLANET.
As for the Office of Uniformity, Exclusion, and Nonequity, it should be eliminated but not before first firing Obasohan.
As for cringeworthy utterances, we give you this gem from Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody: “I’m a blonde white chick.”
She stares at a quart of orange juice because it says, “concentrate.”
Rim shot, maestro.
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“Why do blondes love boob jobs? Because it’s the only job they qualify for” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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How many white men who work for the City of Pittsfield (Massachusetts) receive the coveted 6-figure public pay plus perks for life?
Are some of these same white men named Pete and Pete really telling the Kapanski’s that poverty and other social injustices in Pittsfield are the root of all of the city’s problems?
Is not the 6-figures for life sitting Mayor the “One Pittsfield” behind city’s record-setting fiscal year budgets with one of the top Commercial Tax Rates in Massachusetts?
ANSWER: Pittsfield City Hall’s leaders want to change the name of the DEI city office to another name to keep on receiving federal funds so that the mostly white men city personnel who receive their coveted 6-figures for life will continue to be well taken care of by the fictional Kapanski’s.
IRONY: Massachusetts’ state and local career politicians use every CARD in the deck for MONEY and POWER for life. They don’t really care about the Kapanski’s!
CONCLUSION: The 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics should change the name of the DEI Office to the Office of Shit Sandwiches! At least it would be good for a laugh with the foul stench of city government.
I actually thought this was a great blog because THIS is what I have been waiting to see from somebody sitting at that table.
Someone saying, “Wait a minute.”
Not automatically voting yes. Not falling in line because the administration already decided what it wants. Not treating questions like acts of insubordination.
Questions.
Why are we doing this? What did we get for the money? Where are the measurable results? Why are we changing the name of something instead of asking whether the structure itself works? And, my personal favorite: are we even following our own policies?
I am a liberal. I believe diversity, equity and inclusion matter. I believe government should make sure people aren’t discriminated against, marginalized or shut out of opportunities.
But believing in DEI does not require believing that Pittsfield needs an entire standalone department to accomplish it.
Those are two completely different conversations.
Human Resources already handles hiring, employment practices, training, workplace policy and employee relations. If the City believes DEI belongs in municipal government, then let’s have the grown-up conversation about whether those responsibilities can be incorporated into HR and done effectively without maintaining another administrative department.
And Cam Cunningham is asking exactly the kind of questions councilors SHOULD be asking.
Show us the numbers.
Show us the outcomes.
Show us what was built.
Show us what changed.
Show taxpayers what they’re getting for their money.
That’s not being anti-DEI. That’s called oversight.
And apparently we’ve reached the point in Pittsfield where asking a department head to explain what taxpayers received for hundreds of thousands of dollars is considered controversial.
I don’t need another presentation about intentions. I want results.
Four years into this experiment, taxpayers are entitled to ask what measurable outcomes justify continuing the same structure.
Maybe the answer is that the department can demonstrate tremendous value. Great. Put the numbers on the table.
Maybe the answer is that DEI is important but doesn’t require its own department. Fine. Move the responsibilities into HR, properly fund the work that actually produces results, and put the remaining money somewhere residents can SEE it working.
That’s the conversation government is supposed to have.
And THAT is what I appreciate about Cam.
I don’t have to agree with every position he takes. I don’t have to share every political belief he has. What matters here is that the kid apparently didn’t get the memo that his job was to sit down, smile politely and wait for the stamp machine to reach his desk.
He keeps asking, “Why?”
Why aren’t we following the policy?
Why doesn’t this add up?
Why can’t you give us the numbers?
Why are we doing it this way?
Why can’t we do it differently?
Those questions shouldn’t threaten a functioning government.
They should DEFINE one.
Pittsfield doesn’t need eleven people who agree with each other.
It needs eleven people willing to make the administration explain itself.
And whether you love Cam Cunningham, hate Cam Cunningham, or occasionally want to reach through the television and tell him to wrap it up already — watching a young councilor realize that “because we’ve always done it this way” isn’t actually an answer is refreshing as hell.
Keep asking questions, Cam.
That rubber stamp has been getting entirely too much exercise.
Another superb, incisive, well-articulated comment from the VALE. It is a model of and for argumentation.
The purpose of the dept is that it do things that HR professionals can’t do legally. Like mandate a usive trainings, special cash awards for non-work related things.
That’s why they have these departments.
Congratulations Cam on the courage you’ve displayed in representing your constituents and the residents of Pittsfield. Don’t let them try to convince you to “work” together and as a result they will tell you to vote as the administration wants you to. Continue to stand up for the people that elected you to the council. GREAT JOB!!!!!!
What courage? He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing. His job. The great thing about him it exposes the bias of the rest opt the council uniform vote.
I strongly agree with Chris who also is a beacon to great councilor leadership. He and Kevin were colossal.
Cunningham clearly values his integrity more than he loves approval. It’s ironic since integrity should be naturally praised by all, but rarely gets it.
This irony, which contaminates all political bodies, brings the question of courage. Integrity requires adherence to principle. It hurts to violate principles. So, when Chris mentions courage, he knows how much it takes courage to have the resolve to prefer the pain of others’ rage to that of damaging ones integrity.
Cunningham, plow on! I’m glad to see Ward 2 is alive.
I don’t need Chris or anyone else to tell me how great Cunningham is. He still has no chance against these buffoons. That being said,he does One Thing like the Planet does ?
Exposes the Assclowns majority. C C Benjamin should apologize to the city taxpayers in Ward 2 for that charade,but what do you expect? … she was given her position by the former mayor and clearly shows a bias to this bunch of buffoons.
Flats is making Over 100g at b c c ? Executive Director. Maybe the d e I director should look into these high paying positions not given to poor inclusionist.
and probably working from home just down the road
You don’t make sense.
I strongly agree with Chris who was a great councilor. He and Kevin were colossal.
The lack of convictions and cowardice – it contaminates everything. Cunningham clearly values his integrity more than he loves approval. It’s ironic since integrity should be naturally praised by everyone, but rarely gets it.
Cunningham, plow on! I’m glad to see Ward 2 is alive.
The rest of the council are not allowed to think or act by themselves. They stored their balls in Kerwoods lockbox until their terms are over or health insurance is no longer a benefit, whichever comes first.
Chris, your replacement in 4 sucks. He hasn’t said two sentences in any of the meetings?
Thanks, CC. You were THE BEST EVER in Ward 2, so coming from you, it’s more than noteworthy.
Ahem…
Ward two was the other buffoon,Charles.
He wasn’t in ward two buffoon.
He was, however the best. And Kevin too.
“Bam Bam” Cunningham
In Bitchfield’s halls of nod and grin,
Where questions are considered sin,
Bam Bam rose from Ward Two’s chair,
And asked, “Just what are we doing there?”
The zombies blinked. The robots froze.
A nervous sweat dripped from their noses.
For honesty, that strange old curse,
Had wandered through the chamber first.
He pulled a Charter Objection free,
Like a rabbit from bureaucracy,
And stopped the latest costume show:
“Rename the waste and no one will know.”
While others feasted at the trough,
Cam Bam’s simple question caught them off:
“Who’s accountable?” he dared proclaim.
And suddenly politics wasn’t a game.
Not Kronick or Morandi reborn, nor a saintly knight,
Just one man willing to shine a light.
In a city where silence is often preferred,
Bam Bam became the inconvenient word.
Love it. How about amoeba
The Didn’t Earn It,l era of patronage is beginning to expire.
Let’s look at who benefited
Queen Latifa, who was only minority,Lumpy and School commie, could find to conceal the sexual assault and grooming scandals.
Ricky Retardo , who snarls traffic, in New England shity, for the Lance Armstrong , virtue signaling class.
Add your pubic DEI recipient!.
This should be a fun exercise:)
Tax Dollars not at work, is a Demonrat policy …
9)28/26@9am
Tom
Dan, I know you pride yourself in being a provocateur and I’ve often found myself hooked by your name calling and derisive language and that of your loyal followers. If I hadn’t had face-to-face conversations with you, I wouldn’t know that you are an intelligent person who knows how negative energy works in the world. Today’s Eagle has a commentary that seems pertinent to this issue: The best answer to offensive speech is a hard question.
Good advice. The editors there should study it.
They always begin their arguments with the statement “they are too ignorant to understand”.
As Vicky implies, Cam Bam Cunningham is no more incidental than Richie Cunningham is to the Fonz. Appropriately, Sir Donald Turpentine is an anagram of President Ronald Trump.
Look.The fact is Trump has failed miserably. Even m a g a is distancing.
The Pittsfield City Council has completely lost any sense of professionalism. This behavior of several members is pathetic and embarrasing. Moody calling herself a “blonde white chick,” excusing Cam of being a “rich white man”. No one flinched, what if the word White was changed to black? Lampiasi sarcastically commenting about Cam being an analyst and Warren being the legal expert. Lumpy’s red faced tantrums. Amuso throwing in her squeaky voiced motherly comments. Michelle Benjamin’s totally unprofessional behavior breaking legal laws and Dumpster Persip just sits there. All this because Cam does his homework about issues and the others don’t and never have. The whole committee is out of control. If the City Council can’t work together how are the taxpayers suppose to trust them to make decisions about the City. Might as well cancel the meetings. What does Lumpy and Dumpster attend to do to repair this total disaster of a mess committee?
Also, find it rather strange that Mayor Lumpy, Councilor PorkChop White and Councilor Warren are all wearing black wrist braces on their right wrist. What’s going on behind closed doors? Is someone politically twisting their arms? Kind of a weird coincidence.
The city Council is a LARGE gear. The MAYOR is its other gear. Larger even. They roll together. Cunningham is a notch chipped on the gear. It rolls on, with some noise.
You, with your money willingly granted, allow those gears to roll.
Either change out the gears, or stop feeding it money.