BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 8, 2016) — Today THE PLANET dishes up two items of interest, the first local and the second local, regional, national, and international — one that journalists deal consistently.

1. LETTER SUPPORTS CONNELL: ‘NOT A TYPICAL POLITICIAN’

I am writing this letter to express my support for Christopher Connell, who is running as an Independent for state representative.

It is unusual for me to write in support of a candidate, as I tend to be skeptical of politicians who too often are in politics for power and to promote their self–interest. I can tell you first-hand that Chris is not a typical politician.

Chris became my first friend in the area when I moved to the Berkshires 8 years ago. Chris wasn’t in politics then. I met him playing basketball at the Pittsfield YMCA. Basketball reveals character.  Chris was the ultimate gentleman on the court and looked to pass to teammates rather than score himself. Over the 8 years I have known Chris, I have observed that he is concerned about the success of others.

My business struggled during the financial crisis and even though we had just become friends, Chris took the time to listen to my problems and offered me helpful and creative ideas that made a difference. I was so impressed his business experience, from being a regional manager for Cumberland Farms, a contractor, and a rental property owner/manager. His wealth of experience enabled him to see solutions to my business challenges that I had overlooked.

When I learned Chris was running for city council 4 ½ years ago, I became interested in local politics. I have observed that Chris works hard to listen to people and get things done for them. He is a lot more action than talk. For example, during the last 4 years he has been fighting to get more parking spaces in Pittsfield for the physically challenged.

Chris has collaborated with other councilors to improve the quality of life for those of us in Pittsfield.  Chris is not into party politics. His agenda for running for state representative is to bring needed dollars from Beacon Hill back to Pittsfield.

On a personal note, I have made so many friends in Pittsfield these last 8 years, and I love this town.  With all the companies that have gone out of business or left the region, I worry about its financial well-being. It is not because Chris is my friend that I pray that he wins this election; it is because Chris will work harder than any other candidate to help Pittsfield receive the funding it needs to maintain our infrastructure and create more business opportunities and jobs. —  MCHAEL EITELBERG

[ED. NOTE: THE PLANET encourages letters in support of or in opposition to candidates for office. Letters must have a valid name and contact information.]

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2. USE OF UNNAMED SOURCES

“‘The difficulty that WikiLeaks has, of course, is that we can’t go around speculating on who our sources are. That would be irresponsible,’ Julian Assange said in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press. ‘I do think it’s an interesting question, of course, as to who our sources are. But as a source protection organization that many sources from across the world of many different types rely on to protect their identity, and their rights, to communicate the truth to the public. And that’s what we’re talking about here, communicating the truth.'” — From a wire service story.

Assange might as well have been speaking for THE PLANET. In this area and particularly in Pittsfield, sources for investigative new reporting are not hard to come by for any reporter willing to dig, but there is extreme reluctance to go “on the record with attribution.” As a consequence, THE PLANET must rely on official (and unofficial) sources reluctant to reveal their identities out of fear of retribution. In the clenches, local politics is a nasty business, full of spite and pettiness.

Officials who allow themselves to be quoted usually “reveal” nothing more than the pre-sanitized version of whatever story bathes in the spotlight. If the subject matter is important enough, you can bet The Suits have hammered out the pre-masticated bullet points for public consumption. They must be followed lock-step. Ask Tricia Farley-Bouvier. News organizations such as The “New” Boring Broadsheet print the press release disguised as a “news” story. THE PLANET doesn’t do that. For us, the press release or official statement only begins the digging.

Ironically, The “Worse Than The Old” BB has advertised for an “investigative reporter.” If they were serious about enterprise journalism, they would turn reporter Phil Demers loose under the guidance of an experienced, fearless editor who would ALWAYS back him up against the publisher and the business side. However, this sorry rag doesn’t want to upset its wobbly applecart.

MEMO

FROM: THE PLANET

TO: THE BB’s NEW INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

SUBJECT: PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST

1. Get prepared for your best stories to end up spiked.

2. Steel yourself for the reaction the first time you Offend The Wrong Official or Big Shot. Your management will sell you down the river when The Suits order it. 

3. If you want to to know where the real stories lurk, drop a dime to THE PLANET. We guarantee total confidence.

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“I call your name, but you’re not there. Was I to blame for being unfair?” — The Beatles, “I Call Your Name.”

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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