VOTE ‘YES’ ON Q2 … or … ONCE AGAIN, FACEBOOK SINKS SWEET PETE “I’m With Me” WHITE
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY NOV. 2, 2016) — When you win election to public office, you have a responsibility to your constituents. When you win an at-large municipal post, that means everyone in the city. Hello, Sweet Pete White.
White has been brave and bold posting on Facebook what his masters in the United Educators of Pittsfield tell him to post, namely, “no” on Question 2. “YES” on 2 is the proper vote for anyone who cares about public education — as opposed to caring about the corrupt and corrupting stranglehold the union has over citizens, taxpayers, parents, and — most importantly — the children themselves.
White feels safe on FB, since he posts to his “friends,” but FB is a interactive public forum. Consequently, THE PLANET pushed back, fairly but firmly. Local “progressives” aren’t used to that. White ended up calling us a “bully” because we invited him to a TV interview. This is Pittsfield. This is Pittsfield politics.
An Invitation Devoutly to be Missed
On behalf of PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION, we invited White to appear on TV with us tomorrow night to defend his position on Q2. He wimped out of it every which way, including loose.
It began innocently enough with this comment on FB by Dave Bubriski. [Full disclosure: Dave directs us on PV-TV]. Note how Peter White answered.
——– 000 ——–
— Dave Bubriski: The teacher’s union not the school committee runs the school system.
— Pete White: any benefit that the Teacher’s union have, were negotiated and agreed to by both sides.
———————————
This is where THE PLANET jumped in:
———————————–
— Dan Valenti: PETE, that is the lamest of all answers. Technically true. Both sides agreed. But “both” sides represented one side, the UEP. You politicians, scared to death as you are of the school union, failed to represent citizens and taxpayers.
—————————————-
So when THE PLANET invited White on the TV to defend Q2, he said:
——————————————
— Pete White: no. I am not free.
— Dan Valenti: OK PETE, then give me a date when you’re free Thursday at 4 p.m. We’ll get you on AFTER the election. Look, if you’re afraid of going on, just admit it. If not, then let’s book it.
— Pete White: I’m not afraid, just uninterested at this time. I am booked for the next several Thursdays.
— Dan Valenti OK, anticipating that, we will film an interview at your earliest opening, any day, any time. If you can’t find one, sorry Sweet, but you’re afraid … afraid to defend your “No” on 2 logic. What else are we to think?
— Pete White: You can think whatever you want to.
________________________________
Then Chris Barbarotta, who says he is a “public school administrator,” entered the squared circle:
—————————————————–
— Chris Barbarotta: You don’t have the right to challenge Peter. He has been 100% transparent the entire process.
— Dan Valenti: PETE, I’m making it easy for you. I shall accommodate. We can bring a film crew on location. Back up your blind “yes” on 2. Of course, if you are just working from the talking points handed out to you by the UEP, then you can’t do that. I understand, but at least be man enough to say so. If it’s some other reason, tell me. You are an at-large councilor. You owe it to be available to inquiry.
[THEN TO BARBAROTTA]
— Dan Valenti I have EVERY right to challenge Peter. He’s an at-large councilor. He OWES the people. He doesn’t owe me. I get that. Clearly, he has gone out of his way not to appear live on-the-air with me, going back to my radio days. I love Pete and all. Sweet guy. But that has no bearing re: office holding. Now, as for your facts, present them here or to me c/o www.planetvalenti.com. I welcome them. [BARBAROTTA WAS SILENT TO THIS REQUEST]
— Pete White [TO VALENTI]: I am uninterested in being interviewed by you on this. I have been very available. Take no for your answer. Twist it as you will.
— Dan Valenti A good journalist is an aggressive journalist. An aggressive journalist never takes “no” for an answer, because it’s often is not the true answer. OK, so if you are not interested in “being interviewed by [me] on this,” we can do one on every and any other topic of your choosing. I’ll even keep the hot-seat on “low.” What say? Or maybe Chris Barbarotta wants to be your surrogate on the telly?
— Pete White: I have typed numerous posts and answers on this topic. From the research I’ve done, I’m voting no. Has nothing to do with the temperature of your seats. [YOU CAN HEAR HIM SQUIRMING AT THIS POINT]
— Dan Valenti I respect your vote “no.” Seems to me, though, as a councilor holding a city wide seat, you MUST be able to appear in public, in a forum, and be able to defend your position with the other side present. That’s reasonable.
— Pete White: there are many demands on our time and we must pick and choose. I defended my stance at the City Council meeting. I will not take the time to debate every issue at a public forum. [GOOD LORD, WHAT A ‘BUNCHA’ BULL; HE’S TRYING TO DODGE, WITH NO SUCCESS]
— Dan Valenti: PETE With all due respect, “debating” it at a council meeting is different than having to defend your positions with questions from a tough-but-fair journalist. As JEFF C [E-MAIL NOT INCLUDED HERE] says above, you are “the best person” to have for the “Yes” side. So that’s what I want, to take on the “best” the other side can give me. So what do you say? Let’s have a go. It will be hard-hitting but fair. You will get more than = time.
——– 000 ——–
Enough. You get the point.
The “Yes” on 2 people want it all their way. They are afraid to have a go in honest debate. If for no other reason, that should be enough to get anyone and everyone else to VOTE “NO” ON QUESTION 2.
White may be a “nice guy” but as a councilor-at-large, he’s an utter disgrace. Fortunately, he’s toast — guaranteed — after his term expires next year, when it again becomes election time.
——————————————————————————————————
“I’m with stupid” — popular T-shirt. … “I’m with me” — version of popular T-short “worn” by Pittsfield councilor-at-large Peter White.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI; this website reserves the right to remove any comment that violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service.
White, Krol and Amuso insisted on bringing this issue in front of the city council…….All three of them should be willing to field a few tough questions.they are councillors not commissars.
What these three city councilors represent has nothing to do with government or the people. They are lobbyist backed by the special interests who have infested and infected a government body. They represent everything that is wrong with government of and by the people. They poison the city. When I think of all those brave men and woman who have fought and suffered and died for our country, and then we wind up with representation like this, I want to puke.
Reply to 12 Gauge–You are absolutely right! Bravo!
They simply feel they can do anything in this village!
How about a Sack WAC PAC to field candidates to target these liberal loons next election. It worked for WHEN – Pummelin Pam, Faraway Farley, Taxes Tyer, and Sexy Melissa were all products of WHEN. Didn’t do much for neighborhoods, then again neither did Robertos’ waste of cash called Barrett the Bully. Maybe the big cost savings report he promised will resurface someday like the missing emails.
Who do you know who would be a good city councilor?
Most good people I know do not have enough time and patience to get involved in the steep uphill climb it would be trying to reign in these people. And “these people” know this and like it that way because it ensures their control and disposition of the purposely bloated city budget.
I suppose you think Ann Coulter is a looker too LOL
The PPS and Union are clearly scared to death of a yes vote win on 2. People need to realize this and that they are trying to protect their golden goose. Please vote YES on 2 people.
Amuso Yon white Kroll…..Pittsfield schools reputation as failed begins with Amuso and Yon..White and Kroll blindly will support spending until they are told we are broke.
Excellent work Dan, Still can not believe the council and a few surrogates would bring a referendum vote up for consideration before their body. What scares them is the completion, choice and results of the charter schools. It has little to do with the loss of anticipated revenue and fixing the broken system of failing schools the unions created. A YES vote makes the most sense to me.
Is it just me, or is the “Yes” and “No” getting confused in this post?
Wlson: The correct vote is YES on two if you are in favor of more charters.
I fail to understand the attack on the city councilors is so offensive to you when the governor is publicly on the other side of the issue. That should be more troubling. There are millions of dollars pouring into Massachusetts from Wall Street trying to influence this question. The people providing this money have one interest, and that’s not fixing a broken system to help poor people.
Note to Sister GH; MelMaz is not a product of WHEN, which was another group that was organized to go directly at your pocketbook.
The guv, TM, as well as all other public officials (including Pittsfield city councilors) do not lose their rights as private citizens. They can lobby for or against measures ON THEIR OWN TIME. They cannot, though, push as an organized body duly constituted in an official meeting using public resources do the same. That’s the difference.
At the very least I must give Caccamo credit (it’s not often) he had enough smarts to recuse himself from the vote. I agree with Dan, the council’s job is not to influence the public’s vote. Do it on your own time. This is exactly why people do not trust their representation. The councilor are clearly pushing their own political agendas at the expense of their constituents; whom it is their JOB to represent in the best interest of.
Those tax dollars are attached TO THE STUDENTS… NOT the district. Notice how school choice is less so in stronger, better districts? So basically voting NO says this… WE don’t care if your child gets a shitty, PPS education we just need more money to keep up our salaries and benefits. One big reason charters are successful is the fact they can FIRE BAD TEACHERS WITHOUT UNION INTERFERENCE.
IN public education, someone like Pam Farron can get fired for incompetency; fight it with the union, get re-hired despite noone wanting them back, get a plum job at BCC and get on the school committee
VOTE YES
Most of them ought to be stocking shelves at Target.
The Guv, Dan, was on Channel 5 today speaking for the charters on a paid commercial. It was paid for by Great Schools Massachusetts, Tom Kiley, treasurer, an organization that is getting almost totally funded by Wall Street financiers. This should be of some concern to you and your readers. What is their motive, are they just do-gooders or is there something else?
As for the council, nothing they do should surprise anyone. I try not to call names but I do suggest you read Two Cents down below.
MelMaz was a product of WHEN, just not the first election cycle. In fact, at one point she was the President of WHEN. Just to clarify.
Barry
TM. I don’t care what they do on their own time. When they are on my time I expect them to follow the law.
Many people are interested in taking over for failed public schools….teachers and kids do what they are told…….almost every person in a administrative role in pittsfield should be Fired…..Curtis Behnke Rush and the principles were incompetent when amuso yon eberwien Massimiano hired them to carry out orders
White and Kroll Marchetti and Caccamo are not feeling it…..pittsfield is a mess.financiallying and they play games to pretend to save money
Mr White is only interested in putting out his personal point of view not the voting public of Pittsfield
Bravo!
Whether it is a charter or public school, they should publish a high school public financial management textbook on how NOT to run a municipal government called “Pittsfield politics 101”.
Peter White, once a true champion of his constituents, has met the devil at the crossroads and sold his soul. In exchange for integrity, conscience and respect, he receives an invitation to the powers that be party, drinks with Marchetti, Kroll and Claremont and the delusion that he is a player, when merely a pawn. In some ways, I pity him. In this deal he makes with the devil he will have no true friends, no respect in the community and in the end no self esteem. Thank you Peter for a cautionary tale of the seduction of power and how evil flourishes when good men do nothing. I will do my part and never vote for Peter White again!!!!
You are aware that Peter White’s cohabiting significant other is a teacher in the Pittsfield Public Schools. One of the high schools, methinks. This might help to understand his position on the ballot question.
I think Mr. White is a far left loon…..doesn’t matter about the girlfriend
To 12 Gauge–again you are right!
He looks, talks, and acts like the product of a diminished gene pool. Something’s not right there.
Marchetti White Caccamo Amuso Tyer Kroll……Marchetti gave the schools a a dirty look last year and warned them against the huge budgets the elderly are going with out prescription drugs to pay….Charters are never going away….Pittsfield failed administrators need charter schools to get them fired…..Joe Curtis needs to be fired
Why do we call Behnke a superintendent?
I have been told that Tyer school dept head is still hiring
Hope everyone realizes in Pittsfield the logical choices lose in elections and the illogical ones win. I can see why the small logical group would become so angry and frustrated. What they have to do is try to take small steps at changing the results.
I will guess Tyer to raise taxes 4.5 million on top of last year’s 6 million.The parents are leaving our public schools for other public school……when will everyone learn this is a administration problem.
Money won’t solve it…..firing will solve it….Its a very depressed school system led by curtis and his depressed principles
Teachers in Lenox were handing out pamphlets to vote NO on school time. Superintendent said it was okay for them to do this but I disagree. I wouldn’t be wearing a Vote for button at my job or handing out pamphlets. It’s just not the place.
It’s a violation of state law that should be reported to state ethics.
Dan, fix the second to last paragraph before you inadvertently (or not as you are an educator) help the cause you speak against by confusing the hell out of people. The questions sometimes are worded to confuse, don’t muddy the waters.