‘LENIHAN v. CITY OF PITTSFIELD’ PART 1 … SOURCES SPEAK OUT ON PPD TURMOIL … LAWSUIT CHARGES CITY, MAYOR, CHIEF, CAPTAIN WITH 5 COUNTS OF CORRUPTION
By DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
First of Four Parts
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 24, 2015) — And so another layer of the rotten onion gets peeled away, and we get to see more of lurks just below the surface in the administration of Dan Bianchi. It was only a matter of time.
On April 7 in federal district court, Sgt. Mark Lenihan of the Pittsfield Police Department files lawsuit against the city of Pittsfield as a whole and chief Mike Wynn, Capt. David Grander, and the mayor individually. Lenihan demanded a trial by jury on five counts related to punishment for and retaliation against his whistle blowing of department practices, violation of civil rights, conspiracy, and intentional infliction of severe emotional distress.
Lenihan v. City of Pittsfield can be read in its entirety at this link: https://www.scribd.com/doc/275502746/Lenihan-v-City-of-Pittsfield
THE PLANET reminds everyone that the suit contains allegations. Until proven otherwise in a court of law, all defendants are considered innocent.
Tips Offs Told Off Something Being ‘Off’
Independent of the publicity surrounding the lawsuit, THE PLANET has been working on this story for more than a month. Our investigation included speaking with sources inside the PPD, city hall, and others with knowledge of the internal situation.
One of the tip-offs that all has not been right is the unprecedented level of violence the city has seen this summer. Conclusively this proves nothing, but it gives many a disquieting sense that the city is incapable of responding to the situation with efficiency and expertise. This is a problem that can be traced directly to leadership in the PPD and the corner office.
That was the second tip-off — the continued provisional status of Mike Wynn as police chief. The mayor failed to live up to a campaign promise by not addressing the interim status of the chief. It has left the chief twisting in the political Wynn. Afraid to act on his own, clearly being used by the mayor, Wynn — a talented, articulate professional — has been reduced to token status.
A city hall source says the mayor “has no respect for [Wynn]. He likes him as head of the department because he’s black, and we know the problem Bianchi’s had with race relations. Having Wynn looks good for the numbers, the diversity [affirmative action] program.” THE PLANET has asked the mayor and Wynn for comment but as of press time has not heard back.
Father Knows Best
The third clue came from a police department source, who requested anonymity. We shall call him Founding Father.
“Find out why for the first time in the history of the police department they have two additional lieutenants positions that they NEVER had before,” Father said. “One [is] in the detective bureau appointed a few years ago, Mike Grady, and last year one in the administrative services bureau, Mark Trapani. The former was to take care of a certain patrol captain’s buddy.” Father said the captain is David Granger and the “buddy” is Sgt. Glen Decker. FAther said Trapani “was clearly a concession for the mayor not giving the chief his coveted deputy chief position. Instead he gave him yet another lieutenant’s position. The department becomes more and more top heavy every day.”
Father, no fan of Wynn, Granger, or the mayor, continued: “The police have a patrol captain [Granger] and a lieutenant [Trapani] out riding bikes on North Street at time and a half. Talk about wasting the tax payers money! [Granger] takes care of his buddies — certain lieutenants and sergeants but does not allow patrol officers on the detail. This is robbery.”
Father revealed that “most of the offiers” in the department “want a no-confidence vote in the chief. He has no leadership ability. As a result, the patrol captain [Granger] runs the department through fear and intimidation.”
TOMORROW: PART TWO IN OUR SERIES, LENIHAN v. CITY OF PITTSFIELD. CHARGES OF NEPOTISM AND CORRUPTION.
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“I have done one braver thing / Than all the Worthies did. / And yet a braver thence doth spring, / Which is, to keep that hid.” — John Donne, opening stanza, “The Undertaking: Platonic Love.”
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Questions raised by the BB’s and PlanetValenti’s coverage of Sgt. Mark Lenihan’s allegations:
1. Why did it take more than four months for the BB to publish notice of this civil action filed in federal district court on April 7th?
2. Did the BB hold back on investigating or reporting on the allegations contained in Sgt. Lenihan’s lawsuit in order to protect defendant Daniel Bianchi’s mayoral re-election chances?
3. Did the BB finally publish its report when it did because editors discovered that PlanetValenti was about to publish its own report on the subject?
4. What is the present morale within the Pittsfield Police Department and are Sgt. Lenihan’s allegations only ‘the tip of the iceberg’ re mismanagement by the Mayor’s office and problems within the department?
The Fish rots from the top down.
It sure does. And to answer question 1, It is an election year and the BB is in the pocket of the corner office. Only report positives, ie. Tyler Street corridor redevelopment, new sidewalks, lots of repaving (slowly), The Fish Bowl on North (HON), putting extra police (buddies) on bicycles and dig dirt on all mayoral opponents.
As you know.. Secrecy at its best. No confidence.
I hope Mr. Lenihan is successful and brings the house of cards down.
Perhaps the Eagle waited to run the story because now the suits are willing to throw Bianchi under the bus. They used Bianchi to get their new airport and new high school. Now its time to deep six the guy and put Tyer in.
The fleecing can continue under their new boy. Perhaps the suits really don’t like Bianchi’s brand of hot headed, finger wagging, lockdown brand of politics that has gone to his head.
Interesting that Lenihan is also going after Bianchi “personally”. Requesting a trial by jury. A trial by jury would put the fate of Mr. Bianchi in the hands of the people and hopefully nullify any markers he may call in.
Put me on the jury and I will empty his bank account as part-time mayor full-time Global Montello earnings. Hopefully it will cost him more than the four years of funds he has amassed thus making his career a wash.
Did Ms. Friereri ever files charges? Debbie Sadowy? Are there pending law suits against the city for Mr. Monterroso’s escapades?
This would explain why there has been no actual mayoral race. We are only weeks away from the first vote on this mayoral race and have heard very little from the candidates. Ms. Walto seems to be a no show. Bianchi and Tyer are just hoping to get voted in by family and friends and GOB’s it seems. There has been no public forum on the issues. No mention of our most pressing concerns and there are MANY of them. Is this because Bianchi is fearful of being asked about the Lenihan investigation? What about Tyer? Is she also hiding from the issues?
Listening to Krol and Bill Strug. Threw up in my mouth numerous times. Actually said there was a vote for new Taconic. Also said building was built poorly, when in acutely it is structurally sound and only needs rehab. The new school will not be as sturdy as the existing one. The gym and theater will be smaller.
i was told by an ex building maintenance guy that Taconic was built very well and is still in quite good shape today. He would know as he has worked in there for many years. But like so many other city employees he does not dare speak out loud of his opinions on such things.
I have always maintained that THS was purposely neglected beginning 10 yrs ago when TFB and others who are smarter than I began this talk about a new H.S.
Back on to the main theme, IO have never been a Mark Lenihan fan. He may be right in this instance – but he is one man who has misused his badge and uniform many times over the years.
That said, good management from above creates good, honest systems – and whether Wynn could be a good Chief or not is irrelevant now. He has been used as a pawn for so long that he has no respect of the men and women under his command, and he has allowed those under him who are favored by the Mayor to substitute their own command for his.
A major house cleaning is now2 needed. It seems as if many PDS’s go through this – and nit is outrageous that the State, who manages the Civil Service system can be allowed to not produce exams on a frequent and regular basis to ensure there are always candidates available.
There is such a lack of vision in this town.With declining enrollment and population, all the resources should have been put in place to replace two high schools with one, adequate facility to cover the broadbase.
Sad thing is the new school is to small to combine the high schools.
The new school is appropriate as the population spirals downward. The new school should teach the proper usage of prepositions.
Southeast I agree with your first sentence 100%,
aren’t most of the school buildings in Pittsfield older that THS?
To Chuck Vincelette –
I wrote a rather lengthy letter to you over the weekend under the Sports letter from Dan Valenti. I notice it has no further letters so my response was most likely ignored by many.
Basically, I am asking you to consider a run for mayor as you were an excellent councilor with a great track record.
With our present four candidates for mayor consisting of Snake Oil Salesman Bianchi, a city clerk who was a terrible city councilor, another candidate who is a successful business woman with many run-ins with the law, and last but not least, Looney Tunes.
Pittsfield desperately needs a qualified person with the intelligence and integrity to rein in the excessive spending brought by the present administration. Pittsfield needs a leader who will save this city. Please consider running as this city needs someone of your caliber.
The pot calling the kettle black, eh Bob.
To Pummelin Pam-
Your comment makes no sense to me but if you noticed my comments were addressed to Chuck Vincelette
Ya that’s all we need is Vincelette. Robert don’t you know he is one of Bianchi’s right hand men. He helped Bianchi setup his adminstration.
That is because you don’t recognize that you are ” looney tunes” as well.
RR, it’s too late for anyone else to run unless they run a write in campaign, which has almost zero chance of succeeding. Perhaps Chuck will consider a run 4 years from now?
vc
Here is an article from the Pittsfield Gazette from 2010 listing the top salaries paid by the city. #1 SGT Decker who doubled his base salary with OT and # 5 Sgt Lenihan who also did pretty well. 9 out of the top ten salaries were police officers. The other was the school Superintendent. It looks like the super gets paid more than the mayor. How does one get the most recent city salary list?
Sorry here is the link:
http://pittsfieldgazette.com/city-salaries-reviewed-p2729-95.htm
One of the more interesting points of this article is that in 2010 11 of the 14 top paid School employees lived outside of Pittsfield. Could be more now. And why would you live in Pittsfield with all its warts if you are dragging in the kind of money that affords you a home in Lenox or Richmond or south county?
But one has to wonder if these people truly care about the schools in a city they do not live. It is not affecting their own children.
I’d like to see a list including all employees – including PPS staff.
Why hasn’t a candidate for Mayor emerged to challenge the GOB’s given that all the announced candidates are so beatable?
GM, the issue is the GOBs are not really beatable. They have the money, they have the unions’ and BB’s support, they have their own set of political allies. It’s a formula for success that is very had to beat. The only hope is that next time around, a really strong, fiscally conservative, intelligent, emotionally stable individual with some serious monetary resources decides to run. It would have to be a really well run grass roots campaign to have any chance of succeeding. Pardon me if I don’t hold my breath waiting for that.
Where oh where is Evan Dobelle now when we need him the most!
Dan Bianchi has no worries in this lawsuit against him. He can draw on the legal expertise of city solicitor Degnan whose abilities he viciously defended in her vote of no confidence by the Pittsfield city council.
With Degnan, how can he possibly lose this case?
Pittsfield needs a visionary. We are not going to get that from the same greased pigs. Over and Over.
RemeMber LOw miscalculating while saying a 2 million dollar when it was 20 million order. Or when Chuck blurted out what does P E D A mean? Got it on tape!
Hi Shelly:
I have heard this comment mentioned before. I would love to see the entire exchange. Can you give me the date so I can look it up? Rest assured I knew what PEDA means, it’s genesis and its funding sources. Even though I’m an old codger now, I think I’ve kept up with the developments at the PEDA site.
Chuck, are you an old codger or an artful dodger?
Hey man you’re still alive!
Is it possible that Mayor of Pittsfield is no longer considered to be the resume enhancer it was once thought to be?
Looks like Biden/Warren are going to make a run for the White House as Hillary’s campain implodes.
No other Republican can touch Donald Trump’s lead.
Looks like it will be Trump vs. Biden.
Trump will win by a landslide as people are sick to death of progressive liberal politics.
Hopefully Trump can undue all the damage Obama has done provided the ecomomy doesn’t crash before he gets in.
We must not forget about Capt. Granger’s lineage. He is the son-in-law of one of the former PPD “Killer Bee’s” (Boyers), who ruled with fear, intimidation and falsehoods and used the system to their advantage, torpedoed the ship and abandoned it before it started sinking, and left with a hefty booty!
It would almost seem one of them is vicariously running the PD from out West!
Donna Walto tells it like it is about the sad state of affairs in Pittsfield politics!
http://www.iberkshires.com/story/49992/Walto-Embarking-On-Fourth-Campaign-For-Pittsfield-Mayor.html
She and Gaetani are the only ones talking real issues.
And neither of them has credibility with voters.
Like Bianchi panky or Bettie blight do
Chuck, you were reading off a document presented to all the Council and while questioning the specific petition asked what p e d a was.
I don’t recall it but if I said it I aid it. Wasn’t the dumbest thing I ever said but it is close.
said not aid.
Melissa used to know what it meant but has since forgotten.
Where’s Gaetani? Isn’t he weighing in on the Police thing?
P E D A is Latin for Pittsfield Est Da Anus!
Why were the excessive pay raises given by the Mayor and City Council ?
How much does the city administration pay BB in contracts? Do not forget all the schools, including colleges.
Walto’s economic program for PEDA, turning it into a pot farm for the state. She will fit in the other 3.
Let’s not forget how they pushed thru Collingwood’s big pay raise and have now hired someone to do half of what he used to do…get a big raise then cut your job responsibilities in half
In any other reality, incompetent means you cannot perform your job description.
Chuck, it was probably a misread and as a man of Mensa, probably the only mistake you made.
Gaetani for President.