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.
——————————————————————-
“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.
Copyright (c) 2026 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.
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.
Dan
Verbal diarrhea,
Could have been stated in 3 words, and 5 syllables.
Typical of childless elites, with too much time on their hands…
Seeing the pattern yet?
9/29/26@2:15 pm
Tom
Dont insult her. Hold her to her own standard.
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.
But right on cue the local paper came out with a veiled admonishment of Cunninghams use of the Charter objection even though it is there for a reason just such as this. The local paper also mentioned that this Objection vehicle is most likely going to be amended or eliminated, I suppose due to that rare councilor with a backbone actually using it and questioning city hall.
Just once I would like to see local media standing up for the people’s side of government instead of unfailingly locking arms with city hall to promote their agenda.
It has been said that if you are not helping to solve a problem perhaps you a part of the problem.
Can we start a list right here now?
Nobody said HR had to do the DEI job. The point was that DEI can be blended into the HR department.
Obasohan can absolutely continue doing DEI work under HR without the position needing to remain a separate department-head role carrying a $100K salary.
Same work. Different organizational structure. Less administrative overhead.
This really is not that difficult to comprehend.
HR is a profession – it has ethical standards. Obsahalon does not suffer that handicap. HR uses his power to do things that can’t be done professionally maybe even legally by hr professional.
Inquire about ethnicity is a hr violation.
100% spot on Rat.
OB can restrict who has a chance at any of those “financial awards” for trainings, travel, etc, simply based on race.
In other words, OB and (all) DEI Offices can “legally” discriminate against white people, based on a liberal ideology that we forever “owe” POC and merit-based hiring/earning is “white supremacy” left over from years past.
Not to mention, there is no middle ground with DEI. If you don’t agree with them or question their existence (Cam Bam), then you immediately get labeled a “racist,” or a “white supremacist.”
The Cultural Competency Coach, Shirley Edgerton, shamed white Bitchfield Pubic Scohol Childran for years that they were “racist” if they didn’t conform to her indoctrination.
I requested the job requirements for that position but never heard back from BPS.
I’ll just add it to the list of items I’ve requested and am still waiting for”
*Bitchfield Pubic Scohol Skandel Reporte
*Wimpy White’s study on the “houseless” that he began during election season 2019.
*Cultural Competency Coach position/requirements/curriculum
Can Ob. Do what he is now doing from within the HR department? I don’t believe the statutes would agree.
HR probably should put its bias aside and investigate DEI for compliance with HR and labor protections.
Rat………………….
Asking about race or ethnicity is not automatically an “HR violation.” The EEOC specifically says employers may collect that information for legitimate purposes, including EEO reporting and affirmative-action/applicant-flow purposes. Massachusetts itself asks applicants to voluntarily self-identify race and ethnicity.
What an employer cannot do is use race to unlawfully discriminate in hiring, pay, promotion, training, benefits, etc. And putting the letters D-E-I on the office door does not magically create an exemption from employment law.
More importantly, Pittsfield’s own website says the DEI department works “in conjunction with the Office of Human Resources” on recruitment and retention.
So if there is a specific statute that says Obasohan cannot perform DEI functions from within an HR organizational structure, please cite it. That would actually settle the question.
Because “I don’t believe the statutes would agree” is not, unfortunately, a statute.
Fair question. Thank you.
“Works in conjunction” is in writing distancing DEI from HR. Good idea.
I suspect that an HR person cannot mandate a city worker to endure against her will a racial seminar or awarding favors on workers who conform to ethnic programming.
HR does regulate according to law. Sexual harassment violates Title VII. That means workers shall review sexual harassment training through HR. HR has a professional responsibility to maintain a workforce compliant with Federal labor laws.
However, DEI is not law, and therefore I conclude that HR mandating DEI programming will inevitably lead to violating HR professional ethics.
“I don’t believe the statutes would agree” is not, unfortunately, a statute.”
I don’t believe I wrote a statute. I refer to the DOJ statement that forcing an employee to confess to bias, circulating stereotyping materials, and creating a workplace that is uncomfortable based on ethnicity is a violation of Federal laws. Therefore, DEI is a risk story and would logically be kept at arm’s length from an HR department.
RAT
I agree. DEI is not law. In fact, abolishing the “DEI” office and incorporating it with other offices, with a new name yet, proves that. An employee will be well within their rights to choose not to attend race training. If HR were to be so foolish as to punish such a refusal, the employee could then take the city to court.
I’m glad she got back to me. I appreciate that. I was afraid she was going to content herself with battering Tom.
Rat, I came back because you finally answered the actual question instead of handing me a fog machine labeled “statutes.”
And now we’ve made progress.
We started with “the statutes would disagree.”
Then we moved to “I suspect.”
And now we’ve arrived at “therefore, I conclude.”
That is not exactly the legal breadcrumb trail I was promised, but at least we found the trail.
Nobody argued that DEI is a law. Nobody argued that HR gets to violate Title VII. Nobody argued that employees can legally be subjected to racial harassment, stereotyping, or discrimination disguised as “training.”
The question was much simpler: what law prevents DEI functions from being housed administratively under HR?
So far, the answer appears to be: none that anyone has cited.
And “works in conjunction with HR” does not prove DEI must legally remain separate from HR. It proves Pittsfield currently organized it separately. Organizational charts are not statutes either.
As for me “battering Tom” — Rat, please. I am perfectly capable of multitasking.
I can question Tom, question you, question City Hall, and still have dinner on the table by six.
Val is nothing if not efficient.
To me, the extended response to TB didn’t read efficiently.
As I clearly wrote above, DEI is not inherently illegal, but high risk. It invites activities and an environment that violates Title 7 which protects workers from abuse.
I never argued it can’t be part of HR. I wrote it engages in programming that may become abusive and may contaminate a hr department. Putting in writing the phrase “DEI is Working in conjunction with HR” clearly establishes that its program is not HR policy. DEI owns it, not HR. It appears that Mike Taylor is protecting himself and his house. The city solicitor presumably took a look at the picture and offered suggestions, which would be normal when new programs roll out.
Notice that I don’t respond to insults. For purposes of argument, you can omit them.
RAT
Your continuing dialogue with VALE is becoming THE PLANET’s “Lincoln-Douglas.” Two sharp minds, two divergent views.
If the training suggests that the employee must admit bias or prejudice, there would be grounds for a lawsuit. Since the model for DEI is premised on that assumption – its venture into the workplace is risky business.
Veronica
You must be related to John Melle, or believe verbiage, shows relevance or intelligence.
Your complaint is no accountability, same as rest of following of Dan.
That you cannot be more concise, and feel entitled to waste time on excessive verbiage, is indicative of Demonratic dementia.
Less is more, yes , shity avoids accountability, as does Commiewealth of Taxatwoshits.
As evidenced by failure to provide voters the audit , we all voted for.
Notice Dan left that little fact out of his screed?
As did yourself.
Typical of educated elites, who are comprised.
Seeing the pattern yet?
9/29/26@2pm
Tom
Tom, I need you to understand how spectacular this has become.
I disagree with you on Planet Valenti and suddenly I’m “Veronica,” possibly related to John Melle, working with Dan, carrying water for Democrats, protecting the “educated elites,” hiding an audit and participating in the downfall of the “Commiewealth of Taxatwoshits.”
Captain Corkboard, this is Planet Valenti. I did not assassinate JFK.
Although at this rate, give it three more comments and I’m sure you’ll have me on the grassy knoll.
That’s the best part about your replies: nobody can simply disagree with Tom. There must be a CONNECTION.
Who is she really?
Who is she related to?
Is Dan involved?
What about Melle?
Where’s the audit?
WHY IS VERONICA CALLING HERSELF VAL?!
Meanwhile, Veronica still doesn’t fucking exist.
You’ve turned Planet Valenti into your own personal conspiracy corkboard, and every ordinary person who disagrees with you gets another photograph and a piece of red yarn.
But forget Veronica for a minute.
We need to talk about Tim.
Because at this point, your relationship with DA Tim Shugrue has become the longest-running romance on Planet Valenti.
You bring this man up with the frequency of a teenage girl writing her crush’s last name in the margins of her notebook.
Tim Shugrue.
Tim Shugrue.
Tim Shugrue.
Tom, does Tim know you two are together?
Because I’m starting to feel uncomfortable witnessing something this intimate without a subscription.
Someone mentions city government? Tim Shugrue.
Taxes? Tim Shugrue.
An audit? Tim Shugrue.
Someone gets a flat tire on North Street?
“Interesting. WHERE WAS SHUGRUE?”
At this point, if Dan posts the weather forecast, I fully expect you underneath it demanding to know why Tim Shugrue allowed rain on Thursday.
My bewildered little conspiracy correspondent, this isn’t political criticism anymore. This is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers novel, and the rest of Planet Valenti is waiting to find out which chapter the kiss happens.
And THEN, after all of this, you accuse me of “excessive verbiage.”
Tom.
You just took us through Democrats, dementia, communism, elites, John Melle, Dan, an audit, a fictional woman named Veronica, the Commonwealth and whatever the fuck “Taxatwoshits” was supposed to be…
…before concluding with:
“Less is more.”
Spellcheck read your comment, packed its belongings and left the Commonwealth.
Then you asked me:
“Seeing the pattern yet?”
Oh, Tom.
Val absolutely sees the pattern.
You see conspiracies.
I see a grown man fighting with a fictional woman named Veronica while starring in a one-sided romantic thriller with the District Attorney.
We are absolutely not seeing the same pattern.
Anyway, I’ll leave you and Tim alone.
You clearly have feelings to work through.
With Love, Val
P.S. Still not Veronica. And no, I don’t have Tim’s number for you.
VV
Precisely. You have handled your part in “the pattern” well with this reply. It’s a great example of a defensive missive that keeps the other sides points off the board. IT’s this board’s version of Celtics’ great Bill Russell. He said whenever he blocked a shot and kept the other side’s two points off the board, it was like scoring two for the Celts. That’s what you’ve done here, and masterfully.
As for me, anything I DON’t mention in a specific column, no matter how unrelated, means a deliberate choice to leave it out. As for Tim Shugrue, he is a dear friend going back decades. That’s it. Because Timmy and I get together periodically, it’s part of “the pattern.”
Any comment of his that he posts here that is’t IMMEDIATELY published to him is the result of a conspiracy and censorship. I have tried to explain to him and others how a one-man show like this works in a cyber-universe that has grown faster and more complicated. We have made continual tech upgrades, at our expense, to allow this board to function with reasonable speed. That doesn’t satisfy our good friend, but that is out of my control and therefore amounts to nada. THE PLANET indulges Tom in the name our free speech, our belief in the importance of dialogue, debate, and discussion. He is usually fevered; nonetheless, we apply the same liberal rights to him as we do to all our other posters.
Oh, and I Cann’t tell you how relieved I am to know you weren’t involved in the Kennedy Assassination. Whew!
You like the easy fight.
I like the fight where somebody makes a claim and then has to back it up.
Apparently that’s the hard one.
It seems to me that you like the ones where claims are backed by insults.
OK good.
Claim backed up – response above
Not sure what this is…. link doesn’t work.
Local section Link to prior post. It scrolls the page up.
Hilarious
This has been the standard for decades. Flats and Lumpy haveccemented a generalization standard for poor judgement that had affected the Community for years to come. And Skinny Legs Ruberto left us with an economic measure of futility not unlike the Middle Ages, right out of n y Broadway social climate of nasty essence
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.
But he was doing it in a hostile environment which is why it was courageous. Notice, none of the others were standing up for the people.
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”.
The Berkshire Eagle is DISINGENUOUS about transparency, open deliberations, and so=called democracy in Pittsfield politics, Massachusetts, the Swamp and beyond.
The Berkshire Eagle is the most biased rag in human history. They blacklisted me for the past 22.5-years. They allow the likes of the 2-Pete’s and LUCIFORO to play their privilege CARD: I/we can do whatever the Hell we want and get away with it.
I would believe a pathological LIAR before I would believe that The Berkshire Eagle’s lofty-sounding editorials are sincere. I dislike The Berkshire Eagle, but not as much as I hate….(you all know who with a surname that rhymes with Lucifer with an O attached to the end of the Boston/Pittsfield Devil’s name).
We’re all sorry that Andy doesn’t love you JM
So which side of this comment was the rest of the council on? Did they decide not to engage? Seems like it. Seems like they banded together as if someone gave them a subtle signal not to even discuss the subject. And the usual city council herd mentality took over as per usual.
Not that they give a shit but it really makes the city look bad. Lucky for the city government, they have a population that is largely clueless as how their government works or if they even have one. And given the low ratings of the schools and how many kids stay home on any given day to avoid learning anything, it is unlikely that the next generation of voters will choose their elected officials any wiser. Actually, if two thirds of them are not even going to school why in the hell would they even vote?
FULL DISCLOSURE…this comment is in no way suggesting that the next generation of voters, uneducated or otherwise, would have any real choices that were not the same old, same old, run of the mill special interest candidates who would in any way be looking out for taxpayers best interests anyway..
I did not say that and if I mislead anyone I apologize.
Dan, I think Cam Bam should get the 2026 yearly Planet Orbit award, by calling out a waste of taxpayer money with Bitchfield’s racist DEI Office.
I tried tom find any source to show a positive outcome of any DEI Office and couldn’t. I could only find the typical DEI talking points: “Happier Employees,” “Better Employee Retention,” and the tried-and-true saying, “Better Collaboration.”
12 Benefits of Maintaining DEI in the Workplace | HR Acuity
All of these topics covered are based on opinion and emotion. There is no true data to back up any of these claims.
Especially if you compare it to a functioning Human Resources Department. HR covers all of the above, and then some.
I’ve always asked the question, why does DEI Offices seem to be authority on “how white people should behave and act towards POC,” but they always seem to fall short with their own people?
You know, the ones who lead the list in high school dropouts, newly minted gang members, and of course I wouldn’t want to leave off the list, the armed felons.
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.
Craig shut off the mainstream news!
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.
Well there is a saying, if you don’t have a good partner then you need a good hand. Maybe Poffo the Poet can do the hand trilogy.
Very observant Merry. Pork Chop and Lumpy got theirs from either excessive fork lifting or drinking beers.
Kufflinks had one on this season also.
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.
Or put it in reverse. Just sayin……
Agree. Unfortunately we need 6 Cunningham’s. Peter Arlos was the best at looking out for the taxpayers. He was in that boat all by himself.
Each ward needs to provide. How hard can it be to find one person in each ward?
Apparently very hard huh?
Step up, Sir.
No – you first.
I already have. 🙂
You serve on the Council?
It would take no more than $5000 for you to get a majority control.
Each ward: 300 for signs, 100 for cards. Rest for postage and software.
Not to mention, if the candidate is proficient with computers, in particular AI, they could create ads to post on the internet (social media) showing the true Bitchfield.
Sort of like Spencer Pratt was doing to Karen Bass and the other nimrod in Los Angeles.
Start off the video on NON with a junkie smoking his drugs and then heading out to the middle of the intersection to beg for change and harass motorists.
As he walks and the camera pans NON, we see a bum taking a sh!t in a potted plant of some poor business on NON. A lady of the night looking to drum up some biz to feed her drug habit. Teens on ebikes go racing by dangerously in and out of moving traffic and onto sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way.
From there, the gang bangers are restless and start the guns a blazing. Bodies dropping and cars speeding away. Drugs getting sold. Biniss is good.
The scene then fades to a restaurant, where Mayor Lumpy, Big Dumpster Earl, and Wimpy White, break bread and laugh it up, thanking the Bitchfield taxpayers, “who paid for this,” as they all toast their glasses and with the clang, the commercial ends.
You can’t attack black excellence and expect praise in this city
You mean the Jim I Hendrix experience? Just sayin…Maybe Poffo the talented Poet can do the D e i fiasco nonsense funding.
Is Yukis dive still there. That’s where one would end up with wrist braces.
Why don’t you know? You live here, right?
There’s no better representation of what Pittsfield City politics is than the City Clerk turning around and saying “Are you Serious??” When a City Councilor does his job correctly. So sorry you have to do your job clerk, maybe you should find a new job if you don’t like it.
On a different note, Mayor Lumpy and Co. were gleefully touting another taxpayer boondoggle, solar panels, at the Bitchfield Airport.
Pittsfield Airport Solar Panels to Generate Millions / iBerkshires.com – The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.
The headlines state “……Solar Panels to Generate Millions..” So, I decided to take a look and do a little research into these “millions,” of dollars they claim solar panels will bring in.
The city put up solar panels over 17.7 acres of land near the airport. The company who runs the solar panel will pay Bitchfield, $3M over 20 years, to lease the property.
That’s $150,000 per year. No room for Bitchfield to adjust for inflation in 2035, when $150k is worth about $110k.
How many houses will 17.7 acres of solar panels power for a 24-hour period, not including the wintertime, when the sun is out less and people need more energy to heat their homes: 960 to 1220 homes.
How many homes are in Bitchfield? There are approximately 21,054 housing units and 19,510 occupied households in Pittsfield, MA.
That equates to roughly 17% of Bitchfield homes get reduced power bills.
Any guesses who those 17% are?
That $ 150,000 a year includes taxes too. Not a bad deal, for 17.7 acres. Someone got greased.
Also read in the article there is Battery Storage facilities on the property. I don’t recall a meeting letting abutters know.
Battery storage? The city’s insurance would skyrocket.
Battery Energy Storage Systems: Main Considerations for Safe Installation and Incident Response
Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, help stabilize electrical grids by providing steady power flow despite fluctuations from inconsistent generation of renewable energy sources and other disruptions. While BESS technology is designed to bolster grid reliability, lithium battery fires at some installations have raised legitimate safety concerns in many communities.
BESS incidents can present unique challenges for host communities and first responders:
EPA has developed comprehensive guidance to help communities safely plan for installation and operation of BESS facilities as well as recommendations for incident response. This webpage includes information from first responder and industry guidance as well as background information on battery energy storage systems and resources. Access this webpage information in a printable format (pdf) (515.29 KB) .
Battery Energy Storage Systems OverviewBattery energy storage systems (BESS) stabilize the electrical grid, ensuring a steady flow of power to homes and businesses regardless of fluctuations from varied energy sources or other disruptions. However, fires at some BESS installations have caused concern in communities considering BESS as a method to support their grids. BESS fires pose challenges to first responders due to the:
Communities should consult BESS safety experts when considering and designing installations. Communities should also note that despite some high-profile incidents, improvements in BESS quality and design have led to a decrease in the number of failure incidents per gigawatt hour deployed.
In recent years, first responder and industry associations have developed guidance to help communities identify focus areas when planning a BESS, including how to work with local responders to improve incident preparedness. This document is a non-comprehensive collection of existing research and guidance.
Exactly MW.
Is Bitchfield equipped to handle a large-scale event, like a battery storage facility fire, in which entire firehouses could be tied up for days fighting these fires? I doubt it.
Better make sure that mutual aid pact(s) are updated.
If I’m a surrounding town, I’m going to want the cost of my fire apparatus paid for by Bitchfield if an even like above happens.
Bitchfield is making $150,000 a year from this, so it is profit driven and not a municipal necessity.
It seems after Flat-Tyer Clairmont fleeced the city/taxpayers, Lumpy’s just picking up scraps.
$150,000 a year for 20 years for a city?
Flat damn near makes that at BCC…..
I dont understand the Grift Theory with the solar park. How would it work?
I’m curious really. What’s wrong with the question. Who is making money off the solar park?
Are you allergic to reading? Do you not know how to find information here in PIttsfield?
?
According to Airport Commissioners quote in the I-Berkshire article, there is Battery Storage at the Airport sites. I’m sure the City did there do diligence.
I am sure they did which is why you still cannot drive under the Hubbard ave bridge without risking a ball joint kerfuffle.
Bam took lumpy to the cleaners. Plain and simple.
New Hampshire DMV joins BIG BROTHER and is sending drivers notices from other states’ DMV’s.
https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-dmv-infractions-records-92826/73931372
It was for NH to COMPLY with the FEDERAL government and its DATABASE.
“Live Free and BIG BROTHER” instead of “Live Free or Die”.
Did you have an infraction? Cuz it’ll cost you big time no matter how long ago. Masshole R Am V sucks and so do our legislators who are cashing in on decades ago infractions.
Jon. How’s your boy Trump doing?
Another festering problem that Mayor Lumpy and the City of Bitchfield hopes will go away.
Elevators that don’t work throughout the city and the cities response.
In addition to the Holiday Inn on West Street, aka-the former Crown Plaza, had to evacuate guests, because of non-working elevators.
But that’s not the only place in Bitchfield. According to posts on social media (Facebook), the elevators at Columbia Arms are not working/malfunctioning also.
When Bitchfield officials were told of this problem, their response was, “we can’t find anybody to do the work.”
So Bitchfield is put one a waiting list.
If the Columbia Arms situation is true, Mayor Lumpy and Co. better reach into their pockets from that $150k grift and pay to fly a repairperson in and fix it.
A fire in a high-rise building, that houses seniors, and it’s known that the elevators are malfunctioning, is a disaster waiting to happen. Both in human life and financially with insurance claims and civil suits.
WAKE UP LUMPY!!
Pittsfield’s Holiday Inn & Suites remains temporarily closed | Central Berkshires | The Berkshire Eagle
Can you use elevators in a fire? Unworking elevators may be an ADA violation, possibly not a fire safety one.
What are you stupid? Of course elevators have to be working.
Why Can’t You Use the Elevator During a Fire?Using an elevator during a fire is extremely dangerous and never recommended; elevators can become death traps due to power failures, fire spreading into the elevator shaft, and the potential for entrapment.
That was my thinking.
Apologize for stupid comment nothing personal. Was directing it towards Lumpy and crew. But isn’t it hippocritical? Bitchfield is so concerned about the handicapped yet how are these elderly or handicap people going to access if the elevator isn’t working? Dan? Haven’t we had this issue before? I think you did a piece on it a few years ago. Believe it was the new Taconic High. Can’t make it up.
No worries and thanks for the apology – that’s a rare gesture. I thought you were supposed to avoid elevators in a fire – they can break down and trap you.
Ask any fireman and stand back while he schools you real loud.
Apologize for stupid comment nothing personal. Was directing it towards Lumpy and crew.
But isn’t it hippocritical? Bitchfield is so concerned about the handicapped yet how are these elderly or handicap people going to access if the elevator isn’t working? Dan?
Haven’t we had this issue before? I think you did a piece on it a few years ago. Believe it was the new Taconic High. Can’t make it up.
Use a ladder rope. Bubba Rope Co. makes excellent rope. If the elevators don’t work that is definitely a safety concern.
Great idea.
Most 80 and 90 year-old people who live there still have the physical strength, agility, and mental acuity, to scale a rope ladder from the 5th floor in a freezing cold snow storm at night……
I think it was a facetious comment.
Elevator also out of service at the city hall annex at 100 North Street. It’s an epidemic!
Looks like Lumpys elevator needs repair.
The first thing to go in civilizational collapse is toilet paper. Elevators follow next.
Can we please get an Emergency Elevator Poem by the Great Poffo? I know it’s a leap.
As requested
**The Great Elevator Plague of Bitchfield**
The plague first struck at City Hall,
where elevators quit their crawl.
They groaned, they shook, they gave a sigh,
then froze between the earth and sky.
The clerk on Three was trapped for days,
surviving on expired mayonnaise.
The mayor claimed, with perfect poise,
the sounds were merely “building noise.”
At Senior Housing, things got grim,
old Doris stuck on Floor Number Ten.
She waved her cane through metal bars,
and cursed the council, taxes, stars.
The Holiday Inn soon joined the fray,
its elevators died the very same day.
Tourists climbed with aching knees,
dragging luggage, gout, and disease.
The citizens gathered in the square,
pointing accusations everywhere.
“Perhaps,” they cried, “the funds all went
to committees that achieved consent!”
“While cables snapped and motors died,
the budget found another ride.
The bolts got rust, the gears got dust,
but paperwork increased, as must.”
Others spoke in fearful tones
of signs foretold by cracked smartphones.
“A war is brewing, can’t you tell?
Bitchfield is descending well.”
They blamed beer-bellied Mayor Lumpy’s grin,
who promised progress every spring.
Yet every project, near completion,
somehow turned into a celebration.
There stood Big Dump Earl, proud and wide,
with twenty consultants by his side.
He cut the ribbon ten times more
than anything he’d built before.
And Wimpy White, toy magnet king,
sold plastic helicopters with string.
While sidewalks buckled, sewers groaned,
he launched collectibles and drones.
The elevators seemed to know
the rotten currents down below.
They stopped by choice, or so folks said,
refusing to haul the civic dead.
One car displayed, for all to see,
a message glowing mockingly:
*”WE’D WORK JUST FINE IF YOU REPAIRED US.
SINCERELY,
THE INFRASTRUCTURE.”*
The crowd fell silent. Some turned pale.
The mayor called the statement fake.
Earl blamed weather. Wimpy blamed youth.
Nobody seemed to like the truth.
So still today in Bitchfield’s night,
the elevators stage their strike.
And every clang and every thump
reminds them of old Mayor Lumpy’s dump.
For when a city feeds the show
while letting nuts and bolts decay below,
the strangest plague one day may come:
Not rats.
Not floods.
Not war drums.
Just elevators,
tired of everyone.
civilizational collapse
Amazing !
Bravo!!
Ward Two now has the Best City Councilor…
That’s the standard for Ward 2. What’s up with the others? Just rotten meat there.
In it for grifting for special interests and health insurance.
True story right there
How do they engage in graft? How might a councilor engage in graft? They seem ideologically loyal to the Mayor – so why would a private party feel the need to bribe?
Could you provide a plausible scenario?
Do they really get health benefits for just 45 minutes of work each month? Well, since CUnningham. Its more likely to be 4 hours.
Is this really true?
yes and a god rate for their whole family
and, they get it for life after they leave the council
FAmily too? That is ridiculous. Really – can you back that uip? If you can back that up, it’s a scandal.
Rat, I find it impressive that you have so many strong opinions about how government works while simultaneously filling the comment section with questions about how government works.
First you present your opinions as facts. Then, when challenged, we go from “the statutes” to “I suspect” to “I conclude.” And somewhere in between, everyone else gets assigned homework to explain the process to you.
At some point I have to ask:
If you don’t understand how the system works, how did you become so certain about what the system is doing wrong?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions. That’s how people learn.
But perhaps the learning portion should come before the opinions.
That doesn’t seem to directed to this conversation.
Thinking like a lawyer. you must see why that post doesn’t work. You open a rabbit hole of options to attack.
We always have, Kevin Morandi, Charles Kronick and now Cam. Notice I left out Brittany Do-Nothing Noto.
The last School Committee was pretty pathetic. Look. Your not producing a good product. Lumpy resign. Your embarrassing yourself.
Why do we even have a school committee? Could things be any worse if we did not have one? Would more kids show up for school? Would the Level Five rating go down even more if five is the lowest? Would a realistic budget be put before the council? Would the city focus on education instead of feeding and babysitting kids with no-show unenthusiastic parents?
Would investigative reports involving nefarious goings on within the schools be made public after every school official involved said it would happen?
Would a forensic audit of the school system top to bottom occur to see if spending practices could be improved?
School Committees can actually do: approve union contracts and reorganize where your child goes to school. Plus, they can release public reports they commission and paid by taxpayers on criminal type behavior of school employees.
The rest is mandated by the state.
Just read an article about Taconic High Carpentry Students building a house for habitat for humanity. I think that is incredible. Maybe they could also build Dugouts for Clapp Park too. WTF.
They should build the exit ramp when Trump leaves office. Use rusty nails…Republicans are dead at the polls. They’re done..
The Pittsfield government is looking more and more like the federal one.
\
Not kidding
Most Clapp park games are going to be moved to Waconah Park entertainment venue if Goldkang allows it
Wherever the beer is it’ll be at the Swamp. They should rename Wahconah Parkto ……. Lake Goldkang.
No they will not. Clapp Park is the home field for Pittsfield High. Also I believe BCC baseball team will eventually be playing at Wahconah Swamp.
Just read that ex Mayor Linda Tyer’s husband Barry Clairmont passed away this past Sunday.
I read Barry Clairmont’s Obituary tonight. He lived a good life. I am sad for Linda Tyer Clairmont’s loss of her husband. God bless.
https://www.deryfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Barry-J-Clairmont?obId=49765595
I wish his soul eternal rest. And a crack at the celestial grapes in Eden.
Poor Linda. My condolences. Died to young.
Since Plastics Avenue has been closed for the whole week you would think that the City of Pits DPW or Police Department would have posted signage on Dalton Avenue. California Avenue has now turned into a racetrack of traffic including tractor trailer trucks. Not the drivers fault, it’s the City Administration!! Again!! Of course since Lumpy and Morales had the BRILLIANT STUPID IDEA to narrow California Avenue, it’s turned into a major safety issue. Only in the Pits.
Lumpy and friend are the worst road team in the history of Bitchfield.
What’s going on at the old St. Marks school? Truck knocking down trees on streets,buses from out of town daily, speeding,construction for the last three years? Feel bad for the neighborhood near that noise daily.
Some weird stuff going on with Mayors here. Jimmy lost his wife,Gerald Doyle died,and his daughter,Marchettis husband died. Now Barry.
That’s life.
Is he the one who sued Melissa? And won?
He didnt win. She settled by stuffing both his trouser legs with $100 bills until the greenback stuff came out at the socks.
Who is going to fix the elections now? The Clerk? Tom needing to get land docs from behind the counter at midnight, Nov 5?
Well it was adjudicated and that’s a win. His reputation was accepted and he was beyond approachable,otherwise why settle? Think of it as the defendant giving the plaintiff a vacation in Rome.
Are you saying Karma?
To the devil with both.
Two heads of their own machine, interested only in themselves.
A year of fine dining and best wines should have been sufficient.
Yes. Marion Montgomery. Great song.