JUST IN!! SWAIL (RHYMES WITH ‘FAIL’) GETTING OUTTA DODGE … MORE TRUTH ABOUT PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT’s SCAMMING OF TAXPAYERS
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary
ADD 1, TUESDAY MORNING — THE PLANET has just received word from our spies that Pittsfield Highway Department head Kevin Swail (rhymes with “fail”) gave public works chief Bruce Collingwood his two-week notice this morning. Sources say Swail has taken a position with the Lanesboro Water Department. You’ll recall (how can you forget?) Swail’s bungling of Pittsfield roads this past winter. His negligence left roads nearly impassable, and his “legacy” can still be felt in the horrible conditions of the Shire City’s byways.
Now back to our regular programming.
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(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015) — Yesterday, our Right Honorable Good Friend Mike Ward tried to go on offense after THE PLANET pointed out the inconvenient truth that 71% of the city budget will go toward funding a sick, underperforming school department.
THE PLANET cannot be too hard on the well-intended MW. He’s a “liberal.” They don’t use that word any more, not even in Massachusetts, where left of left is always right and right leaves We The People shivering in the cold and damp.
Liberals were shamed into finding a new word in the 1980s when Republican strategists launched the tactic during the soporific presidential campaign of Daddy-O Bush, who liked peace, loved war, and worshipped fat-walleted arms dealers. The poseur got elected, however, when Democrats put Mike Dukakis into the turret of a tank wearing a Snoopy helmet. Game, set, and match.
After Duke’s loss, “liberals” took more than a decade before someone came up with the word “progressive.” You can change the stripes on a tiger, but when you step in its path, you end up like Roy Horn of Seigfried and Roy.
Roy Horn Tiger Attack – YouTube |
Ah, but we digress. We give Ward credit for climbing into the cage, but he left it wondering if Marlin Perkins was still shilling for Mutual of Omaha. Here’s our exchange:
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Mike writes on 6/8:
Dan, you consider it a “scam” that the city-side includes the health insurance for school employees. Fair enough, but you present your own creative math by intentionally failing to mention that state funding covers the majority of the school budget. It’s significant because you place great importance on the ratio of school-side to city-side spending, implying that 71% of our property taxes goes to the school system when that’s not the case.
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THE PLANET replied
Thanks for the comment. Now, who’s being disingenuous? First, glad you agree with my major point, that the school health insurance tab (probably around $15 million) is not included school side. Ah, but what’s $15 million to a “progressive” such as you? Talk about “creative math.” Second, as has been pointed out by at least two of THE PLANET’s commentators (sharpest in the business!), uh, where do you think “state funding” you mention comes from? Oh yeah, I forget. Liberals think it “droppeth from the heavens, upon the place beneath” (Billy Shakespeare, from “The Merchant of Venice”). Third, I know it pains you, but there’s no way for you to get around it: 71% of The Little Guy’s tax bill goes to the schools. Nice try, though.
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We used present tense introducing Ward’s comments and past for ours because our good friend is still dealing with the hurt of our encounter. Conversely, THE PLANET has forgotten it’s happened, just as we can’t remember the hundreds of chess tyros we whipped during our college days. We only remember the big ones, such as the time we edged Lev Polugaevsky, Russian International Grandmaster, during his promotional tour of the US in 1973 (hot on the trail of Bobby Fisher‘s defeat of Boris Spasskey). Granted, we had no business being at the same board as Polugaevsky, and we must have gotten him on a fluky night, tired, jet-lagged, and babbled from hearing Paul McCartney and Wings‘ “Another Silly Love Song” too many times on AM radio. Nonetheless, he was one of the strongest players in the world.
Ah, but we digress again.
Public Schools Taking Huge Amounts of Money, Delivering Ever-Worsening Performance
Progressives like Mike get nervous when folks such as THE PLANET, Terry Kinnas, Craig Gaetani, Scott Walker, Forbes Magazine, Condoleeza Rice, and others reveal inconvenient truths. Dangerous truth might actually sink down on an apathetic, disillusioned electorate, who might respond at the polls and vote out scammers such as Pittsfield Public School System apologists.
7 Signs That U.S. Education Decline Is Jeopardizing Its National …
Tomorrow, we continue our expose of the PPS by looking at what happened in Holyoke, when The Suits there foisted a brand new vo-tech high school on the hurting city by calling it “an economic engine.” Prologue to Pittsfield.
In the meantime, be careful with tigers. We bite, hard.
jethro tull – bungle in the jungle – YouTube |
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“Just say a word then the boys will be right there with claws at your back to send a chill through the night air.” — Jethro Tull, “Bungle in the Jungle,” from the band’s War Child album, (1974).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Excellent response to Mike Ward. Other school districts in Berkshire County have wised up and are not giving in to the demands of the schools for more money. They have realized that they are throwing money into a bottomless pit that will never be satisfied. There are other needs in the city that are very pressing such as the deplorable conditions of our roads here in Pittsfield. If we have another harsh winter some of these roads will need total replacement. That takes money.
The Pittsfield schools have received everything they have wanted from new buses, fat pay raises, yearly budget increases, and now a new school, but like a spoiled child they will keep demanding more. It’s up to the public to slap their hand away from the cookie jar and say NO and the only way to do that in this city is to elect a mayor and councilors who will put taxpayers first and not the school unions and the school personnel. This is serious and the general public needs to get the message and get to the polls. This greedy school department will eventually bankrupt the city and its residents. It is unsustainable.
I didn’t have waste time on a lengthy exchange in yesterday’s post because as soon as Dan resorted to name-calling I considered it a rhetorical tap out on his part. I’ll take a TKO any day, sticking with the fight metaphor.
Mike, how is Dan calling you a progressive or a liberal name calling? I mean, that is what you are politically, correct? Your votes as councilor to keep raising our taxes sure do seem to back that up. Perhaps your visions of Pittsfield becoming like Stockbridge have clouded your thinking? And we all know you would have voted for the new Taconic, don’t we.
You clearly don’t know my voting record but you just had to participate. Good job, anonymous dude.
Agree Mike no need for swipes at you or anyone. The thing that gets me about the school dept. is they never try come up with ways to save money. Won’t even look in to the feasibility of closing a school, or consolidation of jobs or dept.
Mike, you wanted the residential tax rate raised even higher than Ruberto proposed, with a lesser burden put on commercial properties. And your support of the teacher’s union and the out of control school budget was always clear. These are your own words, “I do, however, support investing in excellent teachers and maintaining a low student to teacher ratio.” and “I have consistently supported our public school system and I believe that public education is our most important investment as a community.” These words are clearly those of a tax and spend liberal/progressive, are they not? It’s OK to be a liberal/progressive but one has to admit it first.
Our commercial shift is jacked in Pittsfield. I stand by that statement.
MIKE WARD–LET ME TELL THE PLANET ABOUT YOU. In 2011, I came before the council you were on and asked if Dr. Wang and I could address the city council about saving a couple hundred thousand dollars in operating costs at the two water plants that Wang and I built. YOU and KROLL were very vocal about NOT letting Wang and I to speak. YOU called us salesmen and I told you that we were the inventors ,designers and builders of the plants. This made no difference to you and KROLL and you REFERRED us off to dim wit Collingswood. OF course we never heard from him. YOUR move cost the city over a million dollars. NOW when your name is mentioned fess up and admit. PV posters can check on this story on a post from I-berk 2011. WE CERTAINLY DONT NEED YOU ON THE COUNCIL BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW YOUR RECORD . SPEND SPEND SPEND WITH NO REGARD FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE. YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE YOU ARE A CONFIRMED FAILURE.
I agree Craig. I for one am glad Mr. Ward no longer serves on the council. However the current council is stacked with people who think just like him. They all need to go.
His entire line of thinking is liberal whether he realizes it or not. He is always on the side of the good old boys and always votes against relief for the people.
He is intelligent. I am sure the ladies find him pleasing to the eyes. I am sure he is a fine man. I only object to his political views. His track record speaks for itself.
Mike I didn’t see where DV “resorted to name calling.” I thought his response was point-on…funny at times … but above board and on target.
MIKE
It’s uproariously funny that you think that being called a “progressive” is “name calling.” Finally, one of “yooz” admits it! At least this shows you understand how onerous it is to be one. That’s the first step to recovery.
Sir! Thank you for the blanket party, Sir!
Nothing’s too good for a Orbit Award winner!
Spend, get elected. That’s the bottom line.
Its funny how liberal democrats hate being called such. Even the term “progressive” a term of their own choosing is considered derogatory.
Call President Obama a liberal democrat and you are a bigot, a racist. The whole idea behind political correctness is not to offend anyone and those who do should be punished.
Conservative republicans on the other hand love the term. They are proud to be called conservative. They tend to believe in the constitution, the rule of law, a baby’s right to live and a better way than tax and spend.
But to use it as a form of argument, as Dan did, is merely changing the subject. It’s a simplistic tactic, in my humble opinion, and a good example of what is wrong with politics today.
who was the last conservative you voted for?
The bandying about of various terms of characterization to try to pigeonhole, or worse, insult someone is completely useless. When it comes to politics and politicians, I have come to realize that all the terms are meaningless, and that whether they are conservative, liberal, republican or democrat they all want the same thing; pockets lined with money and the best seat at the banquet table. Tax and spend is not good. But then, no Conservative I’ve ever heard has come up with a better alternative. Trickle down? C’mon now. Shrink the government? Really? And how much do you want to spend on defense to feed THAT bloated pig?!?
In the end, we need to go back to basics…maybe even start over, come up with some fundamental things we can agree on, like every person has value, no one should be hungry, everyone deserves access to clean water, clean air, healthy food and sound medical care and everyone can call whatever they want god…even if it’s nothing, or a multi- headed, large breasted bird. Those priorities should then inform our spending. I am so tired of politicians elected to do the peoples’ work immediately seeking to benefit themselves.
Mike, you accused Dan of creative math and intentionally failing to mention things, then have the nerve to cry foul when he comes back at you? And this fantasy TKO you claim – seems to me that you took a dive.
BTW, raising taxes on residents rather than businesses give the residents less money to spend at the businesses, which of course then hurts the businesses. And alot of business owners don’t even live here so why you’d want to give tax breaks to out of towners is beyond logic. If you want to help the local economy, then lower taxes for everyone, both residents and businesses. Did you ever try to do that?
…but you can’t buy things if you don’t have a job. So adopting a business friendly tax rate is also important. You disagree, whatever.
Yes I pointed out that Dan frames the budget in a certain way – to foment anti-school sentiment in my opinion. That was the subject. And not one person here is capable of staying on that subject, as flattering as it is to be grilled by the planet faithful.
Mike, reread my post. I said taxes for both residents AND businesses should be cut. Your idea of raising residential taxes even more while cutting commercial rates is not going to work. As far as Dan’s framing of the school budget, I don’t think he does it to cause anti-school views, but rather to point out the misleading framing of the budget by the mayor. It’s important to have opposing points of view, including yours. We are all aware the state contributes money to the school budget. It contributes to the city side too although not as much. And why take offense if someone calls you a progressive or a liberal? Isn’t that a badge you should wear proudly? Your a good guy (how’s that for a label) but ya gotta be able to take some heat on this blog.
Whatever. I don’t even know what it means to be a progressive. I like to think there are more than two types of people in the world. And I call it like I see it on an issue-by-issue basis. This label fixation is the result of watching too much Fox News and MSNBC.
Mike doesn’t know what progressive means!!! Guffaw. Miguelito your voting record while on the council in this case dooms you: Voted for every increase the schools wanted and then some.
DV addressed your points and then some. You turn around and claim he was “name calling.” Grow a pair. Though it is good to see you squirm at how much being called a progressive bothers you. What you prefer liberal?
I don’t watch Fox news or any cable news. Don’t have a tv. Get my news from NY Times Wash Post and the WSJ.
One last point, Planet did more than score a TKO. He knocked you out, three seconds in round one.
I have to agree with you deflator. Cut the taxes for business and residents.Then everyone would have more money. Businesses would be able to lower their prices and residents would have more money. They would then spend more money at the businesses and the business would lower their prices again. Get it. To lower the taxes services would have to be cut. Remember the poorly plowed streets this past winter and the potholes that followed. We all made it so that proves that we need not take care of the streets. Of course you might damage your car in a pothole but that wouldn’t matter because you’ld have the money to fix it, The street sweeper could be eliminated as unkempt roadways don’t hurt anyone. Close the library as it serves mostly peiople who can afford to buy their own books, The Senior Center will no longer be needed as the people who use it will be able to join the various country clubs as they will have more money.Close half the schools. Remember when we were in school and we had 50 kids in the class. Didn’t hurt us.
Progressive liberals will NEVER cut taxes. If anything once a tax is in place it will only go higher, but never go lower or be removed. Case in point is the food tax. It was only supposed to be a temporary tax, but we still have it and it increased.
Pittsfield politics, like China, is ran by a one party system. Whether it was Jimmy Ruberto or Danny Bianchi, Pittsfield politicians answer to the Massachusetts Democratic Party in Boston. If a conservative or a green party member runs for office against a Democratic political hack, he or she faces a stacked deck. What really bothers me about Pittsfield politics is that all of the state and federal candidates ran unopposed last year of 2014. Congressman Richard Neal, State Senator Ben Downing, State Representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and William “Smitty” Pignatelli all ran unopposed for re-election. There is NO democracy in Pittsfield! It is a one party system where big government politicians get a free ride to re-election! Pittsfield politics has the worst performing public school district in the state and nation. Over 65 percent of Pittsfield’s students are from families receiving welfare assistance. Pittsfield has become another North Adams! It didn’t have to happen in Pittsfield. Over the past 4 decades, good people like Dan Valenti tried to change Pittsfield, but the Good Old Boys club insisted on running Pittsfield into the ditch. Pittsfield politics raises its taxes and fees, increases spending, and adds to its massive debts each and every year. Pittsfield politics is financially unsustainable and is on the path to bankruptcy. There is no rational way for Pittsfield politics to pay off its approximately one-half billion dollars in debts! Pittsfield politics is totally corrupt. It is the only explanation why Pittsfield politics continues to raise taxes while its tax base shrinks.
To Jonathan Melle
Not only do I enjoy reading your posts but I agree with everything you say about the corrupt Pittsfield city politics. When Bianchi first ran for mayor I was impressed with his vision of how to run this city. Not only did I vote for him but helped in his first campaign for mayor. His stated priorities were to No 1: Fight crime in Pittsfield. No. 2: Curb excessive spending of taxpayers money realizing there is a large population of retired residents in Pittsfield who are on fixed incomes and of course, the residents, young or old, barely existing on their income. No. 3: To work on Pittsfield’s deplorable streets. Following up with his fourth issue was to maintain a healthy school system. After winning election for mayor, he apparently forgot his first three issues and pushed only for a new Taconic that the city does not need at this time nor can afford in this lovely economy where there are no jobs, no new industry, no new growth, that is except for the school budget which is totally out of control.
Lately, he wants to trim the roads budget which is already rediculously low but has no problem spending $3.5 million in an airport runway to which a handful of private jet owners use. How does the millions spent on our airport help the local taxpayers? Is there an airline servicing Pittsfield? The answer is NO. Are any airlines planning to put Pittsfield in their planned routes? Again, NO. So the taxpayers have to continue supporting this airport used primarily by the wealthy few who use it.
If only the electorate of Pittsfield will wake up to this corrupt team running Pittsfield, it would be wise to rent a plane and purchase one way tickets to send Bianchi and his eleven henchmen (city council) to some far away place. A nice thought for sure.
There are two sales jobs that I totally dislike: used car salesmen and snake oil salesmen. Used car salesmen will often sell you a car that you really don’t need whereas the snake oil salesman will flat out sell you a pack of lies and goods of no value. In doing so, he will convince you that you made the right decision. As to Bianchi and his henchmen, they are definately not used car salesmen.
I am so glad that I left Pittsfield. Just remember one truism. As the pie gets smaller, the noise gets louder and louder.
Jonathan, Massachusetts is a one party system, haven’t you heard?
One party political systems are called dictatorships! Pittsfield politics is a one party political system. There is NO democracy in Pittsfield politics.
I have to laugh, cutting both taxes on commercial or property, isn’t a cut? We still get an increase. “”; “”. Those Progressives!
I saw Mayor Ruberto in the supermarket shortly after Bianchi was elected (2011) , he proudly boasted himself a progressive. To call this a TKO Mike has me somewhat puzzled. This being a one party state, though maybe this collective, totalitarianism, progressivism wins out, but allow us a little dissent and difference of opinion once in awhile just to keep us thinking we have a voice.
Speaking of the consumate tax and spend “progressive” city councilman, who never saw a tax increase that he didn’t like, John Krol finally took out his ward 6 nomination papers, most likely because he now has some opposition, a Bruce Wood. Does anyone know him ?
I haven’t heard of him, but hope he is anti school budget increases and pro taxpayer. I am not from that ward, but I think anyone would be better than Krol.
And then there is the Joe Buffis aquittal 10 of 11 charges. That Jury should be investigated. Stupidity.
The problem with juries today is since the general public has been losing their moral compass at such a rapid rate, they see the bad things that other people do as not that bad because heck they might have done it themselves. It’s a kind of moral relativism. It sounds disgusting and it is, but this is what happens to society when people lose their concern about what is right and wrong.
Normally don’t change the subject but the X police chief in Lee gets the normal Berkshire County justice. Can’t wait to watch the judge give him probation.
The well connected; never fails….
Good Riddance to Swail…but, Collingwood is the one that needs to go. Swail was his fall guy…until Swail couldn’t take any more. This is the biggest black eye in Pittsfield…connected to Mayor Bumstead who took the funds.
SWEEET ADDDDDDOOOLLLIIINNNNEEE!
Dan, can’t wait to read the upcoming report on the Holyoke schools and how they also built a vocational school in hopes of it being an economic engine for the city. Unfortunately a school is not an economic engine, only jobs and actual companies are economic engines so it is not shocking that Holyoke is a city that is in bad shape despite its vocational school. Pittsfield has the exact same idea for this new Taconic.
This just in, Crosby elementary school is having their 50 year old boiler replaced. I don’t know I think they should just build a new Crosby. Why waste money on a new boiler when a brand new shiny school would be so much better and it would of course have a new boiler. What do others think out there? I mean who knows what they will find when they try to replace the boiler? You may go in there to replace the boiler only to find something else, god forbid, needs repair or replacement. I don’t know about you, but I’m shocked that Bianchi and the school system don’t want to start from scratch with a new Crosby.
Looks like tTerry got dissed at the Progressive Council meting. And Tes gave a beautiful Prock to the Berkshire Hills Sweet Add A Line Irem.