TOBACCO ROAD: ‘STATE REP’ CONNELL, MAZZEO BURY TFB IN FIGHTING FOR SMALL BUSINESS AT BOH AIRING
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
Second of Two Parts
[ED NOTE: The Board of Health meets at 6 p.m. tonight at city hall, room 203.]
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016) — THE PLANET would bet a mountain of gold bars on the following proposition. If the applicant for a tobacco license was on the “Ins” with The Suits, he or she would get the permit in two puffs of the magic dragon.
If you’re a Little Guy trying to earn an honest living, however, you’re screwed. In Pittsfield, it’s Who You Know. This is the message the city has sent to businesses with the recent and botched introduction of a new law aimed at reducing cigarette smoking among teens.
ZUKE & SOUPS: Driven out of business by an “out of control” Board of Health? (Photo By BEN GARVER, The Berkshire Eagle)
The new law allows transfers of existing licenses, pending board approval, but wants to whittle the number in half by attrition through an arbitrary process of “yes” or “no.” Pittsfield’s embrace of the new regs has already closed businesses, among them the Berkshire General Store on North Street and, yesterday, Zuke’s on West Housatonic Street. Last year, Big Y almost pulled the plug on its new Big Y Express store in Pittsfield because of Barney Fife-type over-meddling by the Bobbi Orsi-chaired city Board of Health (BOH). According to the city’s website, other BOH members include Dominica D’Avella, Cynthia Geyer, Jay Green, and Steve Smith.
Councilors Step Up to the Plate
At a BOH hearing two weeks ago, Our Right Honorable Good Friends Melissa Mazzeo and Chris Connell of the city council fought on behalf of Zuke‘s and a new convenience store-gas station looking to open on East and Lyman streets (Gas Man). Actually, the councilors were battling for business in general on behalf of a city that can ill afford to be driving current businesses into the ground and preventing new ones from opening because of a politically correct and non-effective crusade against young smokers.
It’s not a coincidence that — according to D.J. Wilson, tobacco control director for the Massachusetts Municipal Association — hardly any towns or cities outside of Pittsfield and Berkshire County have a tobacco cap. The reason is simple: Lowering the number of tobacco licenses has no effect on limiting under-aged smoking. Wilson said even fewer locales maintain a number below what current regulations allow. Pittsfield has 51 tobacco licenses. The BOH wants to cut that number to 25.
In an interview with THE PLANET yesterday, Connell blasted the BOH as “really out of control.” Connell called the move to limit licenses “anti-business … We need business. Small stores and big stores. You don’t shut them down. That sends the wrong message.” On his Facebook page, Connell reported, “I was just informed that Zuke’s has closed. I guess they couldn’t survive losing 40-50% of their sales.”
Too Much of a Hit
Connell says industry statistics show that on average, tobacco sales account for almost 1/3 of convenience store business. For the nation’s largest chain of convenience stores, 7-11, tobacco generates 38% of all non-gasoline revenue. Connell makes another point, one vital to quality of life. Neighborhood convenience stores also supply groceries and staple items. In the case of Zuke’s, Connell says most of the customers came from Riverview West, a large, low-income housing complex just east of the store. Many do not have transportation. They rely on Zuke’s not only for cigarettes but for bread, milk, and other necessities. Crossing busy West Street to get to Big Y or Big Y Express is dangerous, particularly for children sent on shopping errands, and parents are hesitant.
Connell, who is running for Pittsfield state representative as an independent to challenge Democrat Tricia Farley-Bouvier, attended the BOH meeting a couple weeks ago. TFB was nowhere to be seen on this vital business and neighborhood issue. She must have been busy campaigning for transgender bathrooms and driving licenses for illegals. Connell says he and Mazzeo plan to attend the BOH meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Room 203 at city hall. You think TFB cares enough to be there? Connell has again answered the call. THE PLANET may start referring to him at “state rep Connell.” He’s doing the work. He might as well get the title.
Capping licenses will not keep teens from smoking. You know that. THE PLANET knows that. Too bad too bad Pittsfield city officials don’t know that. Ah, but they know better than you, right?
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“There was me, Alex, and me three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim” — Malcom McDowell as Alex de Large, in the opening voice-over to Stanley Kubrick‘s A Clockwork Orange, (1972).
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Why isn’t the Mayor advocating for small business, violations vs tax revenue, she must have a money tree somewhere. Cigarettes have been around for eternity, we used to smoke them in trees at the park, they were known as gerbs. Fine owners,it isn’t Rocket Science. This Boared is overboard.
I don’t smoke so I don’t know what a pack of cigs costs but I do know that the State gets $3.51 a pack. What’s the feds cut? How much does the state bring in in cig tax for the demohackaroma in a year? Can you imagine if people didn’t die from cigs what the long term care cost would be…..if we kill em with cigs we don’t have to pay for years in a nursing home, and we’d lose all that cig tax.
I’ll buy you a carton to start you off.
The only economic growth in Pittsfield is crime, welfare, and the underclass!
The only constant in Pittsfield politics is corrupt G.O.B.’s.
Pittsfield continues to raise municipal taxes while it loses population and jobs.
Smoking is bad for your health. Pregnant women should not smoke at all.
The federal and state governments profit off of taxing tobacco.
You bet Jon….they fund the hackorama with cig tax and lottery tickets
I attended BOH meeting a few month ago.
Boston man came with orders, sorry–suggestions–from MassMunicipaly to reduce tobacco permits in Pittsfield.
There was also ex-boss of Board of Health–village patriot and blight fighter–James Willus.
You should see this meeting, guys–PCTV, January07,2016 6pm
They were angry at me just for being present, since
it was open Conspiracy meeting–they talked to each other, looking at me–saying: ” If it is objective to reduce tobacco permits by creating more difficulties, then we should think how to do it”
Please, watch that meeting on line PCTV!
Moreover, Tobacco Ordinance is violation of MassGeneralLaws and Federal laws as well since smoking is absolutely legal.
Is that bad for health–yes it is, but BOH has no right to oppose
Federal Laws!
Why noboy has guts to file a lawsuit agsint City of Pittsfield?
I am a small guy–I can’t do it for your village.
I wasn’t even born here.
JAMES WILLUS needs to back where he came from. why is he involved in pittsfield’s BHO. I think he use to work at pittsfield BHO and caused a lot problems for local business’s. I was glad when he left to take job for tri county board of health. I thought we were rid of him, I guess not. I don’t smoke but I don’t need him to tell me whether i should or shouldn’t. I don’t know who he thinks he is. I’ve watched him at many meetings, he’s quite a Bullsh—t artist.
Selling cigarettes is lucrative. We are not going to eliminate selling them but rather limit the locations you can buy them. The less places you can buy them the better it will be for the ones who are still allowed to sell them. So, are there business’s who are in no danger of losing their tobacco licenses who might benefit from the cap? Surely. And might they be discreetly behind the promotion of the cap?
The concept might seem ridiculous except that we are talking Pittsfield, Mass where funny stuff is often the rule rather than the exception.
The premise that reducing the number of places you can buy cigarettes will stop or slow kids from smoking is beyond ludicrous. So one must wonder if there might be another reason.
I think it’s about more social engineering on the part of progressives. With government footing the bill for healthcare they think they can make a dent in the number of smokers if they limit access to cigarettes. This is only the beginning. Eventually I think it will be more lucrative for them to eliminate cigarettes even with the sales tax benefit if they save money in healthcare costs down the road. Government will take care of people, but that care comes with a price of losing the freedom to do what you want. They don’t even care if businesses close because for progressives it’s all about growing government.
Smokers often die well before their time. If everyone quit or never started we would increase healthcare costs down the road because healthy people live longer and die more slowly, often requiring years of care. Plus state governments, such as Massachusetts would loose significant tax revenue that helps keep ass clown hacks employed and off the streets. Can you imagine the indignity if these people had to get real jobs in the private sector?
I wish the BOH would do something constructive such as inspecting the bathrooms and kitchens of our local food establishments. Not long ago the Eagle published the violations that the BOH found at a recent city wide inspection. What a joke! The inspector must have been blind. I can only wonder if the inspector even went into the buildings.
Will work for Cigarettes.
Work ?? Where ?? In Pittsfield ?? At the tobacco barns on the PEDA site ? Jobs ?? No Way ?? Foul Ball (Jim Boulton) for sure; as it was secretly dormant but now rises again. Throw away the blinders and rose colored glasses.
PEDA a bridge to nowhere the Pittsfield dust bowl area 51 land of opportunity Christmas Past
If the Indians could only see what we have done to their land
General Dynamics had a job fair a week or so ago. They have been trying to fill positions for a long time. Unistress has been looking for laborers, carpenters, welders, and management for a long time. They had a large sign out on the road last time I was by there.
They spend 50 bucks for a sign instead of higher wages
Why 25 licenses Bobbie? Why not none at all? Then all the convenience stores would be on equal footing. Those of us like Bobbie and I who have no vices would not be the least inconvenienced.
While the city is trying to stop people from smoking and I assume that is the reason for not having more license why don’t they do the same for liquor license they could stop people from drinking. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think any of those things will stop people from doing them. As for small business Pittsfield has never been business finely they try to make them jump through too many hoops. And T F B is much too busy having her picture taken I think she feels the more she is on Facebook that will get her more votes..
So it is okay to moan about poor people smoking, until their access to cigarettes is limited, then it is an economic development issue? Honestly, Connell and Mazzeo should be involved, and TFB, who is a STATE representative, should focus her attention on Beacon Hill.
I can understand why the Commonwealth wants to end at exit 4.
TFB is from this area though and should give a thought to helping the Berkshires in this time of financial crisis. She should be advocating on Beacon Hill to help families who are hurting in this area due to a lack of jobs. Instead she focuses on children’s issues that are separate from that of their families so she isn’t helping with the big issues facing children and families right now. Helping children means helping their parents who are struggling to survive in this area. This keep families together and in so doing you are really helping the children in these families.
We could also reduce the incidence of drinking and driving by cutting in half the licenses available for bars. Unless people are walking to the bar. They are drinking and driving.
Chris Connell has done good work on this issue. I’ve been quietly following it. Excellent coverage, DV.
Anyway they can find to make government our master instead of our servant the GOB’s will find it.
On a recent PCTV show-I saw Warren
Dews, Eddie Taylor some guy named Jackson. All of
them were Tyer water carriers and do not stand out in any way shape or
form as city benefactors. If someone can tell me why they are held in
such esteem -I would like to know. They are what Dan was talking about
in a recent blog -individual who are nobodies who get invited onto shows some PCTV
abd get told how wonderful they are. It is
pathetic. there are many more no-bodies like these that Tyer touts.
These guys and others are fawned over. But what the hell have they done for this city? I really don’t get it.
They may just be trotting them out for review and to try to get their name out in the public. Could be they are lining them up for a future election.
Hi there Donna M. I still think we should cancel PCTV and save all that money for taxpayers. Are you too GOBSIG to join me in this crusade?
Next time the contract is up Give your opinion . In the meantime go to satellite or a roof top antenae
I think the City should also stop funding Services with the CDBG funding it gets annually and focus on fixing infrastructure. Stop being a GOBSIG loser and ditch the senior center.
One works with at risk youth and tries to keep them from going down the wrong path.
Another is the author of children’s books and was invited to do a TED Talk. Something only people held in high regard are invited to do.
It’s okay to ask who these people are if you don’t know. But wait for an answer before you trash them.
In this case, you made yourself look foolish.
Barry
Barry-Are you still working on on that 1% raise for the school dept? The three that you just described are boot lickers and your girlfriend’s admin asst. is another and they both live out of town and do not pay taxes here. Any other questions? I just streamed the Wiz’s show-must see tv for all NON-GOBSIGS. To air on Friday. The best show on PCTV without a doubt YOU AND LINDA SHOULD CATH IT YOU WILL LEARN PLENTY.
You’re a GOBSIG boot licking hack.
Held in high regard by who? The DelGallo squad?
Maybe if you had watched the show, you would’ve “gotten it” eh Donna? Besides, *anyone* who lives or works in Pittsfield can produce a show. Isn’t it up to them to decide the guests? You aren’t the authority on those choices.
To quote PCTV :The public access station is an electronic forum for free expression by the residents of Pittsfield. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees this freedom of speech. Any resident of Pittsfield is free to say or do anything on public access television as long as the content is not illegal or obscene.
Anyone can any guest they want and then allow the show to play for public consumption. In turn any one who has the capability to view the can comment if they choose to do so. If someone wants to question the value of any guest on any show they are free to do so
And give up the News Hour? Don’t be foolish.
The booze hour more like it.
who cares what you do when you watch it?
or host it.
To Barry, just curious where are Dews, Jackson, Taylor, from, this area? And there was another question you were asked and have failed to respond, are any of the Adminstrative Stafff hired by The !Mayor, live out of Town, or have a child attending out of town schools, private or not?
It hardly warrants Mr. Clairmont’s time to answer your second question. Anyone on the Planet could answer!
Like He’s so busy and above it all
Good luck on saving the at risk youth.. ….it hasn’t been working out very well so far but it gives guys like hinds ant Taylor a job outside the dreaded private sector…. They were theatrical ones
Connell is low energy.
Tully is no energy
I like PCTV and I never miss the Gaetani new hour . Of course you’ll watch no Klew Lew tonight . You’ll probably want to gas veterans the elderly and the mentally ill too and put the savings into GOBSIG hack jobs
Fire up the death committees and stop coddling losers like old people.
I believe Lewis has Dick on tonight.
Is Lindsay a strap on ?
Dan you really let your blog go into the gutter. Now it’s just a joke. It used to have real conversation now it’s just garbage. Too bad you let it get like Topix. Too bad.
good blog except for those who whine on city time
The gentleman from East St. making a case for himself seems to be selling his reason for a cigarette permit quite nicely. good job sir.
I am enjoying the clever posts tonight. I have not posted in quite some time. I will be streaming the news hour and I expect another great show.
for those of you (like me) too broke to afford cable, Here is the Pittsfield news hour’s youtube feed:
https://youtu.be/pDXtNabs-Do
If you have run out of Somonex put on Lew show at 8 you be in dream land by 802
Will Lew ‘s show play again tonight?
I don’t think he’ll be on tonight
Hey…anyone know what ever happened to the couple with the junkyard, the collapsing garage and the “F U” painted on their fence? They were fun, but they literally dropped off the face of the planet (pun intended) after the election. Tammy Ives was it? You guys still reading?
The History Major is speaking,….. shhhhh.
I think the Ives should have a Show.Lew is averaging a half a call, a show.
Maybe he’ll get lucky next show and get a call fro a telemarketer
Any news on the airport mess? Or is it all neatly back in the closet?
Next meeting is at the airport on Friday, April 8 at 6 pm.
I think it is just a tour of the boondoggle.
Then most likely into the closet to protect the skeletons.