CONTROVERSIAL HIRE FOR PFD ON HOLD BECAUSE OF PUSH-BACK IN THE RANKS … FIRE FIGHTERS DON’T WANT CONVICTED FELON IN DEPT.
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY AUG. 29, 2016) — A few weeks ago, fire alarms rang over the expected hiring at the Pittsfield Fire Department of a convicted felon. THE PLANET heard on good authority that the person in question ran into trouble with the law a few years back with incidents involving drugs and shootings. Sources say he did time in Walpole State Prison.
THE PLANET has contacted relevant officials in the affected offices, including the city fire department, fire fighters’ union, mayor’s office, and personnel office, asking for comments for the record. All declined except mayor Linda Tyer. We did get a lot of “PLANET, you didn’t get this from me, but …” remarks that must be a key part of any investigative journalist’s toolbox.
Here’s what THE PLANET can share:
— The hire was smooth sailing until the fire fighters’ union raised a ruckus internally.
— The hiring was originally planned for the Aug. 9 city council meeting. The day before, the proposed hire was at FD headquarters on Columbus Avenue filling out papers. A fire fighters told THE PLANET, “Yes, we are hiring him, but the chief did all the hiring on his own with no input from any of us.” Fire department sources told us they believe pressure to hire the man came from sheriff Tom Bowler because it “could be a requested favor [from Bowler to fire chief Robert Czerwinski] after Bowler hired Czerwinski’s daughter at the jail.” THE PLANET has not confirmed this.
— Sources within the fire department say they don’t trust going into houses with drugs and firearms, which we do all the time. This guy has no place doing this kind of job.”
— Tyer told THE PLANET, “There are five positions open for fire fighters. None of these positions has yet been filled. [The applicant] has not been appointed but continues through the civil service and local vetting process. I have a very clear understanding of his background and that will be taken into consideration as the candidates move forward.”
— Another well-placed source told THE PLANET this person has “a very interesting story of life-altering mistakes, punishment, and redemption. He has been absolutely up front and honest about his young adulthood and he has shown by his actions eagerness to succeed. It is my hope that if he’s appointed he will share his story as an example of how one can rebuild a life.”
— Sources say the applicant had already been passed over once before by the department.
— Sources say the applicant was a sports star at Taconic High School several years back. They say he was involved in a “knife assault … when he was the star player on the basketball team.”
— The father of another fire department applicants said his son was passed over in favor of “a guy with a criminal record.” He called the move “more back-door deals and political debauchery in Pittsfield.”
— A police officer with access to the proposed hire’s record says his criminal record is “pages long.” This source says, “Yes, there was political pressure to hire him, from within. I’m not sure who was pulling for him hard, [but] coincidentally, “Pudge” Bowler just hired [Czerwinski’s] daughter at the jail. I can’t understand what type of politics pressure powers-that-be into hiring felons, but then again, that’s Pittsfield.”
— At the Aug. 9 council meeting, Czerwinski pulled the request to councilors but went ahead with three promotions. Incidentally, tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers, the city will conduct a “Safety Promotional Ceremony.” The program will include promotions for both fire and police departments. The events will recognize fire captain Thomas Sammons and lieutenants Ken Cowan, Matt Packard, and Bob Stevens. Full disclosure: THE PLANET had Cowan as a student several years ago. He remains one of the best students we ever taught, a model in the classroom. The police department will recognize captain Mark Trapani, lieutenant Gary Traversa, and sergeant John Soules. We congratulate to these public safety officials, whose promotions are well deserved.
— The hiring is still active and expected.
— The proposed hiring of the convicted felon, according to sources, would take precedence over two fire candidates who scored higher on Civil Service.
— The proposed candidate is black. Sources claim that is why he was pushed forward bypassing the Civil Service. Sources also pointed out the same was done when the sons of Bowler and former mayor Dan Bianchi were hired by the Pittsfield Police Department. THE PLANET has not confirmed that assertion.
— Sources say Bowler has pushed the hiring of the felon because it will activate grant money for his department.
Welcome to Pittsfield.
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“Something kind of hit me today. I looked at you and wondered if you saw things my way.” — David Bowie, from Diamond Dogs album.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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You can’t make it up.
I definitely believe in second chances, maybe even third. But after that not so much..
But to jump a person with a record like that over candidates with higher civil service scores is very smelly stuff.
This looks like one more very good reason for the people of this city not to believe anything that comes out of city hall. ANYTHING And they wonder why people are so suspicious. And consider that we probably only hear about a small percentage of what really goes on behind the curtain at city hall. They have no shame.
I’d like to know the experience years ago hiring of some of the policedispatchers?
My thought is we have a Firestorm to block a second chance, but yet we have huge favoritism and nepotism in these Departments. One is No better than the other. I would rather see a second chance given to someone, than corrupt Department heads who take care of each other’s family. The beat goes on.
Seems the lesson learned here is don’t bother to walk the stright and narrow because someone with lower scores and spent their days as a criminal will still get ahead of you. And they say crime doesn’t pay!
Dan: Thanks for the info. It’s interesting the connection between Bowler and the Chief. But I wonder if the newly revived local NAACP played a part in this.
My guess is YES!
I find no fault with the applicant. lIt is great that he is trying to get a decent job and make an honest living. But I find a lot of fault with the people using their power positions to manipulate the normal process. It is not fair to others who have done the right thing and got better marks on the test.
Civil Service tests do not supercede nepotism. The heads get around it. The Police Dept. has internal strife and lawsuits. On a daily basis on this site it is a subject of matter…..regarding Politics across the board. Power and Money elevate the haves….. Somewhere, someone has to be the be the one that gathers Moss for the middle class and poor. Unless you are some bodies someone……you get turned away. No matter how smart, how qualified, how able.
Dusty, well said!
I think that herein lies the issue: Diverse workforces usually make for a better workforce. Both PPD and PFD are loaded with legacy staff (Dad was a cop or a fireman and that helped the son get it). And I’m not sure all those guys were brilliant test takers or squeaky clean – but they were white. Some have been great public servants – others, not so much.
I wonder if every member of the PFD has a clean CORI? If so, then there may be an issue here.
I wonder if the real issue is that we may be bypassing a white guy for a black guy? When I was younger, cops let us go for a lot of things. The old, “go home and don’t let me see you here again”. Today, they arrest everyone for everything. If you aren’t Christ himself, it seems if you’re under 30 you probably have some sort of a record.
While the facts seem to be clear – I do wonder if this would be a similar problem if the kid was white, his Dad was a cop or if the folks being bypassed were also not connected.
The truth has three sides, and we are only hearing part of it.
Not quite buying that Southeast, the old white/black argument. There’s a huge difference between cops letting go a few white kids who got caught in high school (or pre-21) with beer, versus a black guy who did state prison time for drugs and weapons violations.
You read the paper or hear on the news all the time, of guy or girl (white, black, red, or green) getting caught with 75 bags of heroin and let out on PR all the time. So in order to actually do state prison time, he/she must have been caught w/a lot of drugs and some heavy-duty fire power. This isn’t county jail time were talking about.
So a white kid with a few minor blemishes on his record, still doesn’t hold a candle to a (insert race here) guy/gal who did serious enough crimes to warrant state prison time.
Southeast, I call bull crap! Not everyone commites crimes! Some uf us go thru life with nothing more than an occasional parking ticket.
One of the many problems with society is that people are always judging people based on their past mistakes. Let’s get a few things straight this man served his time and came home. He works, volunteers as a coach on the sports teams that his children participate in. Not to mention he took the civil service exam and unless those ” so called applicants with no criminal record scored a 100 on the civil service exam than they did not out score the said applicant with the criminal record … Ohhhh and in his efforts to become a fireman he proactively took the Emt course and is certified as an Emt … This man earned this nothing was given.
Another confirmation to local high schoolers that if Daddy is not connected to the special interest folk you might find the grass greener in another town…or state. One less reason to hang around Pittsfield. Of course if you have a Pittsfield education you probably are not going anywhere anyway but there are always those little nook parks on North street where you can hang out.
If I were the candidates ahead of this felon, I would be in an attorney’s office the day after they hire him/her. Not only did these people score better on the civil service test, they stayed out of trouble with the law. Are the powers that be in Pittsfield really that stupid? Why would the city want to take on a huge liability like that?
Secondly, Tom Bowler works for the state as the sheriff. How does he have political power in the City of Pittsfield? Plus, didn’t he back Dan Bianchi in the last election? If I were the mayor, I would turn that felon down just on that alone, not to mention his time spent in the big house.
You have to ask yourself, if Tom Bowler wants the guy/gal so badly, why doesn’t he hire him/her at the jail? Maybe because Bowler doesn’t want to take on that risk? So find somebody dumb enough to-behold, the City of Pittsfield is dumb enough….I mean their real trail blazers.
Sounds like Political Influence, not that I care who is , but Bowler’s whole campaign theme was, he is not a Politicianx, incredible.
Pittsfield all about the inside job…DV can you offer an explanation as to why Hinds and TFB can advertise on City owned property on Wahconah Street, right outside Wahconah Park – it’s an outrage – IMO
If the city owns that lot, then it is illegal for Hinds or any other candidate to have one sign there, let alone the three “Hinds for Senate” signs in place now.
If it’s the parcel of land located just to the right of the park entrance, it is privately owned. It was to be the site of the Housatonic River Museum.
owned by Berkshire environmental action team. not buildable – so they tried to sell it to the City for $50K.
Zoning says a skyscraper can go there – so the City needed the site to “protect” the view of Historic Wahconah Park.
Fortunately, the more everyone talked, the dumber this deal sounded, so they pushed it aside. Probably so they can find a use for the lot that qualifies it as an economic engine.
Most of the political signs are illegally placed. City property on most streets goes from the curb to about 11 or 12 feet or to where the sidewalk borders your front yard.
If they put them in the right of way then code enforcement should pick them up
So, is this what the city has to do in order to hire a minority candidate? Were there any other minority candidates without the criminal record?
Really?
Correct Ed. I believe a plumber bought the property. The guy who does the flags at park square. I forget his name. Nice guy though.
I hear the black guy was the top scorer on the civil service test, or was being taken in the order of the scores. Didn’t the mayor say there were five openings? If he finished third and fills one of five positions, what is the problem? Yes he has a record, it sounds like he has turned his life around.
There aren’t many people of color working for the city. Good for the NAACP for sticking up for one of their own. As a community we need more diversity.
One thing I’ll say for this Mayor is she responds to the Planet. I like that. Ruberto rarely responded and Bianchi never. You may not like her but she runs an open government. I’d vote for her next time based on that alone.
Tell me why selecting someone on the basis of their skin color is a good thing for our community?
Really?
Diversity is a good thing. Government should employ people in a similar ration of the ethnic make-up of the community.
I never said they should be hired solely on that criteria. When you look at the Mayor’s response, she said there are 5 openings. If he was in the top 5, he should be hired.
I heard he was the top scorer on the test.
12 Gauge, please tell me why he shouldn’t be hired if he scored in the top 5.
Diversify is code for skin color quotas……….. Did he actually score in the top 5 or did he get put in the top 5 with extra points for his skin color?
Put him to work at the jail. Isn’t that what they did for Frank Scago after he screwed up?
Really?
I learned today he finished first from a fire fighter. You, sir, are a bigot. Skin color doesn’t come in play in civil service tests.
Nothing like an angry, uneducated white male trying to oppress the black man.
You sir are a moron. If you take a civil service test if you are a woman, a veteran or a minority you have preference. That is a fact.
He is also a certified Emt… How about the other applicants .. Are they?
Not really so much of a bigot as just someone that isn’t very smart.
Try to get a job as a felon in any state, you’re statement sounds ludicrous.
so I guess a mistake at 22 condemns you to a life of non-productivity? I guess everyone here is the same as they were then? I know I am a far different person than I was 35 years ago – mostly better.
I am with you Southeast. The nepotism, favoritism, palm greasing ….in the top echelon in Pittsfield, is a huge integrity issue. I will Never stand up for what’s wrong. This gives Noone a fair shake except their exclusive..inclusive members. Spin masters.. to get around everything. Corrupt@!
He had more than a “mistake” he actively went around shit stomping and intimidating since Middle School. The point is there is a list a mile long of qualified candidates; yet, we hire one with a history of violence and drug abuse?
Some of these posters this k two wrongs make a right.
LoneGunMan, just the guy you want going thru your home in an emergency.
I have a better chance winning the lottery jackpot than finding a full time, living wage job in Pittsfield! Those are terrible odds! But that is what it was like for me when I lived in Pittsfield many years ago. I guess I am not related to one of the low gene pool, multi-generational Good Old Boys families that have ran Pittsfield into the proverbial ditch.
Paranoid, I even believe they laughed at me when I wanted to earn a living in Pittsfield. It felt that way, anyways.
It is all water under the bridge, now.
Look at the City maps and drive down Wahconah Street to see if you all change your mind where the signs are located…
The higher the risk the higher the liability, wasn’t there a Cop that broke a drug law and was on the task forcce? Could be wrong.
Hello Freddie Conyers. I’d rather my house burn than trust him to save it. Redemption my back end. He’s trash. There has to be another person qualified.
http://www.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us/eligiblelist/eligiblelist.aspx?ListId=2&Location_Id=251&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csexam.hrd.state.ma.us%2Feligiblelist%2Fcommunities.aspx%3FListTypeId%3D1%26ListId%3D2&name=Firefighter+2014+Eligible+List
You really have to question why the head of a law enforcement agency (Sheriff Tom Bowler), would give his blessing to a convicted felon (based the above list, Freddie Conyers, Jr)? You really have to question Bowler’s motives?
Bowler should hire him. back in the day Frankie was given a second chance by Mazzimano.
Courthouse is crooked….schools crooked….jail and police and fire….they all vote…..the have not got to vote as 1 so that you can be a have………you can sell herion and plead down to doing 6 months.
Hey, Fireball is still employed.
Wasn’t Carm famous for hiring former criminals?
The City of Pittsfield employed a distinguished Vietnam
Veteran back in the 1990’s who was Afro – American. He
was always made to shovel sidewalks in front of City Hall
on Martin Luther King’s Birthday and never complained.
What did Gerry Doyle do on St. Patrick’s day?
Your mom.
The question is…..If he was at the top of the civil service list. was it because of his actual marks, or because he is black. I know for a fact that if you are black you are put way ahead of others on the civil service list. If you don’t believe me……just check it out.
This is not fair to others who honestly score higher, have no criminal history but unfortunately are white in this day of PC.
Unless they scored a 100 they did not score higher !
Maybe the young man has changed for the better and is intelligent.
it appears he is 6th – but the #1 person is a woman with a classification of 402A. Anyone know what that designation means? And why aren’t we hiring her? As far as I know other communities have female firefighters. Why doesn’t Pittsfield?
So if the #1 person is di=qualified, he is 5th most qualified for five openings.
If he gets points for skin color, he will not be the first nor will he be the last. Those rules are not set at the local level.
35 years ago I scored #1 on the civil service for MSP. there were only minorities and veteran’s on the list behind me. How far down? I don’t know – but by the time I was called, I was no longer 18 – I was 31, had a career, a mortgage, and a now ex-wife who didn’t want me taking a job where I needed to worry about getting shot. I scored one point less than the preference points awarded – meaning my top score was, not so important.
Points should not be given for “skin color” PERIOD! It’s called reverse discrimination.
And as a earlier poster said…..if he is so worthy, why isn’t Bowler hiring him for the jail?
http://www.mass.gov/anf/employment-equal-access-disability/civil-serv-info/civil-serv-overview/order-of-eligible-lists/definitions-for-eligible-list.html
This might explain.
402A: MGL c. 402A of the Acts of 1985, amending c. 31, Section 26 – enables a child of a police officer or firefighter who passes the required written, medical and physical examinations to receive a statutory preference in placement on all entry-level police officer or firefighter eligible lists if the police officer or firefighter was killed in the line of duty and benefits are paid to the beneficiary due to the parent’s death.
Congrats on being number one,southeast.
Also curious about the 402a status…not listed as vet or non vet either
Let’s see if the young man would be interested in running for Mayor.
Give him a t v show on PCTV.
The School Committee from this site should have his own show.
Preference is given when towns and cities simply will hire friends almost always white…end of story…..almost always White…so yes preference can be given if Stockbridge lenox and Pittsfield just will not hire people of color…..is it fair…Yes Yes Yes
My buddy is white over 50 and angry….guess who he is voting for.
This isn’t controversial at all he’s African American and he played sports. When Colin Kaerpernich sits on his ass during the national anthem and he’s a hero, and the NFL denies the Dallas Cowboys request to put a decal on their helmets to honor 5 police officers killed in an ambush. Move for approval on the hiring end of story.
That’s correct Ron and his father is kinda connected. He was allegedly a snitch for the police for many years to keep his own behind out of jail.
If this is the same Conyers his dad was a drugging stealing robbing SOB you couldn’t trust as far as you throw him.
Seems the apple fell not far from the tree
It is Mad.
The hire is a good man, who made some bad choices, when he was younger. Let’s talk about the former correctional officer, who was fired for his drug use of steriods, and actually got caught up in a drug investigation. He’s a was hired by the fire Dep, and I don’t recall hearing anything about this Man who took advantage of his position as a correctional officer to use, and sell steriods! Also, years ago a member of the fire department., harassed and attacked a young Black teenager, Because of the vehicle he was driving one of the fireman actually called this teenager a NIGGER. Look up the case for yourselves Powell VS Commonwealth appeals court