MR. MURACA RIDES AGAIN, SNOWFALL SHORTFALL … plus … JUDGE THIS
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JUNE 30-JULY 2, 2017) — Alas, the Fourth approaches, and the Pittsfield Parade Committee will blow another $80,000-plus pouring what has become eight ounces of weak tea in a 16-ounce muscle cup. Even parade boss (and council president) Peter Marchetti privately admits the faux-extravaganza is nothing but bread and circuses to distract and appease dim-witted “Colleens and Darrens” and that the city would be better served by a scaled-back local effort that doesn’t involve expensive balloons and ringers. Our Right Honorable Good Friend, however, can’t publically confess. There’s too much free political publicity for him in this election year.
‘JASON’ MURACA — You can’t kill him. He keeps coming back, finding other “investors” to back his latest resurrection. Patrick Muraca, who in 2005 co-founded Nuclea Biotechnologies and received eager backing from Pittsfield politicians who didn’t mind picking taxpayer’s pockets, has formed NanoMolecular DX (NMDX) of Lee. As Robin Williams used to say, “Nano, nano.” Our colleague Bob Dunn of The Boring Broadsheet had the story earlier this week, doing a fine job on a tale more convoluted than a Minotaur‘s labyrinth. It had something to do with NMDX selling what the bankruptcy court determined was Nuclea’s best asset. And what would that be? THE PLANET shall leave our answer out of the present discourse. Dunn’s article didn’t gloss over Nuclea’s legal problems, which include bankruptcy, $2.7 million in debt and acquisitions cost, unpaid rent (hello, William Stanley Business Park and PEDA on Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield! … hell0 100 Acorn Park Drive in Cambridge!), “[repeated] defaults, not honor[ing] its obligations, breach of [a] settlement agreement … failing to make all payments, and also failing to provide a letter of credit, among other things.” Oh, and there was an eviction notice thrown in for good measure. We wonder: How much have taxpayers lost because of Mr. Muraca? Lee, you can have him. Among other things.
SNOW BIG DEAL — It snowed last winter in Pittsfield, well under a typical amount, incidentally. This statement should come as no surprise to anyone, but it’s big news for hapless city officials who do not know how to manage a maintenance budget. This past winter produced a tame amount of white stuff, but the city nonetheless finds itself with a $1.4 million deficit for snow and ice removal. How can that be? Could it be sending the plows out to generate sparks on days it barely snows? Maybe the overuse and dumping of salt — expensive salt. The snowfall shortfall has mayor Linda Tyer, city finance director Matt “Kufflinks” Kerwood, and public works commissioner Dave Turocy flummoxed. Kerwood said this happens all the time in other communities. It doesn’t, of course, but that’s the best excuse klueless Kufflinks can come up with on short notice: Everybody does it. He also told councilors that a budget is a “blueprint.” No spit, Sherlock, but what good does it do to craft plans for a one-seat outhouse when the customer calls for a sunroom? How do we pay for shortfall? No doubt Kufflinks will produce the necessary financial manipulations, but it points to a larger, systemic issue: that Pittsfield doesn’t know how to manage itself. Maintenance of roads has been spotty at best and moon-pocked not even at worst. You mean to say that a less-than-typical winter must produce a multimillion dollar financial hole each year? Are there not greater efficiencies to be found in this task? Moreover, for all that’s spent on dealing with winter, why is it that Pittsfield settles each year for such a piss poor job? What’s wrong? What’s not working? Maybe it’s time to give John Barrett III a call. Kudos to councilors Chris Connell (4) and Kevin Morandi for asking the right questions, among them why does snow removal cost so much and how could the city overshoot costs by $1.4 million during a mild winter. There can only be two answers: incompetence or malfeasance. THE PLANET sees no third possibility.
HERE COMA DA JUDGE — Finally, we have a nomination by Gov. Charlie Baker to fill the vacancy on the state Supreme Judicial Court. The guy’s name is Scott Kafker. He comes with a solid reputation, and he should be approved with little sweat. The pick has been widely praised, except for a few recalcitrant voices who blasted Baker for not respecting “regional diversity.” Mary Hurley, 8th district rep on the archaic Governor’s Council, said the governor should have chosen someone from Western Massachusetts. Hurley said ” …the administration has a bit of ‘area-code-itis’ and is only appointing people from the other side of I-495.” THE PLANET to Mary: This ain’t news. Boston pols couldn’t discover a parsec of property west of Worcester, let alone find the Berkshires with a GPS. The seat should go to the best qualified. Location shouldn’t matter. By the by, is “Kafker” how they pronounce “Kafka” on Beacon Hill?
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“I get high when I see you go by.” — John Lennon, “It’s Only Love.”
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Usual disclaimer.
Can’t always be negative,the winter road care in Pittsfield is 2nd to none.The game play here is the putting together a fake budget in order to allow school department to weasel another year of irresponsible spending.
The council loves to grill highway as it does not cost voted and then kiss McCandless.ass.
Who remembers Marchetti telling schools last year that they better stop messing around
And he had a mean look to go with that stern warning.
The city plow operators are excellent. Some of the subcontractors don’t do a good job. Then the city has to clean up after the subcontractors.
Very true RobEm
The subcontractor consistently plows 3/4 of my street as it connects to another street. He never finishes the end of the street. Storm after every storm.
He never comes back. I have never seen anything like it. Then he goes round and round.
You can fool the people some of the time, but not all of the time. Mayor Tyer, Kerwood, and Turocy should have red faces over a $1.4 million deficit for snow removal. This is glaring, and 100% incompetence.
Just wondering…even though there was a bit less snow last winter than normal (taking Dan at his word above) could part of the shortfall be in the way it fell? A sustained storm over several days could run up overtime much more quickly than, say, 3 distinct storms dumping the same amount of snow, no? Not trying to make any excuses, just looking for answers too.
I agree about the big Pittsfield parade every 4th of July needing to be scaled back. When the really big 4th of July parades first started here it was to celebrate the city being prosperous and even a role model for other cities. Is this even true any more? Our local media would have us believe that it is, but with all of the city financial issues, loss of jobs and poverty in the area I think a scaled back parade with an affordable community BBQ on the Commons would be more appropriate. By affordable I mean $1.00 hamburgs and hot dogs and other food. Part of the $80,000.00 could be put toward paying the vendors allowing them to charge those lower prices. This would allow many people to participate in a 4th of July event and also provide a sense of community. There would still be a parade just a scaled back version.
Pat. What Planet do you live on? Have you bought hamburger lately? Usually it’s more than $5 bucks a pound
The marching bands are expensive but that’s what people want on the 4th. Not a burger.
There could still be marching bands just not as many and people do love burgers especially on the 4th. There could even be organic chicken or veggie burgers for those who don’t like red meat. People love to celebrate the 4th with food. Working families in the area would appreciate the lower prices and affordable option on the 4th of July. Many renters don’t even have a backyard for having a BBQ so this community option would be ideal.
Is that how Trump does it? subsidize the vendor so the poor people can get a dog.hell no.
No, that’s what has happened to a city taken over by progressives.
Looks like this is the last year that the parade committee can continue with deficit spending. Who’s been in charge of that sinking ship?
All these whiny Republicans blaming everyone else because they can’t pick themselves up by the bootstraps.
Conservative=coward
Torch, we know the garbage you post here is organic.
organic food costs much more Pat, the other stuff they feed to the rats.
Huh? Weird cause I eat a lot of that so called rat food and am very healthy.
The Mayor should invite us out to the gates if heaven for an after Parade feast.
I’ll say 60 percent of this free parade is out of towners hamburg eaters.
While I applaud the decision and commitment by UCP to move the Taconic Radio Station out of the school since it serves no students and only the agenda of the politically connected and the ego of a wannabe, I still don’t understand why the PSD wants to continue to incur the liability that comes with even a non-commercial license as it recently experienced with FCC fines. Since the license, must maintain a separate identity and frequency than UCP’s current station, while in the same building, why not relinquish the liability of the license-either through sale or donation? The school could still refer any student interested in broadcasting to the station and eliminate another entity that it screw the pooch on.
The new fiscal year starts tomorrow, July 1st, and the Massachusetts state government still hasn’t passed a budget. They are facing a huge budget deficit of $900-million! I believe the big wheels on Beacon Hill will slash local aid to cities and towns to balance the budget. I thought casino gambling was supposed to solve Massachusetts’ financial problems. I guess not.
It took the state Legislature no time to vote themselves 2 pay raises in January and February earlier this year of 2017. But, they can’t pass a state budget on time!
– Jonathan Melle
trump, as predicted by someone on the Planet, is ready to take on North Korea, which could lead to something we didn’t want to engage in, especially with Grounds Troops. He needs to stay off the golf course and focus on our own crime in the states and iisis.
Because Obama was hardly ever on the golf course.
Does anyone know when the New lights are coming to Tyler Street?
Where’s the Wall?
Repeal Obamacare replace later, that’s trump latest quote. This s is all on Trump, because he isn’t prepared and wasn’t prepare, to read between the proposals lines. he was to busy getting a 300 million dollar loan for his son in law.
Now The Health Department wants tag you for furniture,most people will put out furniture hoping someone will take it. Another ordinance of the city is putting garbage to the curb 24 hours before pick up, has this ever been enforced? What concerns me is the dead carcasses in the road, the feces of animals, rabies animals, West Nile, urinating in public,drunkenness in public, road rage, the driving around here is out of control and have never seen it this bad. What gets me the most is the redundancy. Same people all the time, it’s like a joke amongst themselves. I can remember a few years ago this lady was literally calling authorities twenty times a week and calls going to her home sometimes three a day, are you serious?
There is a blog about this person..I found it when searching his name…..http://nucleabiomarkers.blogspot.com/
Shades of E. V. Worldwide and Ms. Tyer’s favorite, (She was a staunch advocate of it when she was on the city council)….Workshop Live. At least a cool mil gift given to these two.
That thing is older than the P E D A site, but thanks anyway. He’s buddies with Pete Larkin.
Does the Ma. Budget shortfall mean some of the monies for our new school will not be coming??????
The Mass budget shortfall means Beacon Hill is mismanaging your taxpayer dollars!
Truncare will be better than the ACA and cheaper with lower deductables…..Trump promised his supporters
Well that’s just it, it is watered down and not what the deal maker wants,yup. He is insane.
Why do we never hear you call local politicians “insane” when they don’t know how to create a budget that benefits everyone in the city and when they let this area turn into a crime and poverty ridden mess?
Pat, that just makes them bad managers and perhaps feckless. Insane’ certifiably so, is a label reserved for the womwn’s blood-obsessed president.
Trump supporters support Trump hating on women
Telling the truth about Mika Brzezinski is hate? Truth, the new liberal hate speech.
Mika is someone who has beat up on Trump since his election. He has been called horrible names on that show and it is VERY disrespectful of the president. They have no shame. She has compared him to the leader in North Korea who sent a young man home recently in a coma. Mika should see what it’s like to live in North Korea instead of sipping lattes in Manhattan. For someone not to get angry at her would be a miracle. She knows what she is doing.
I think she is purposely goading him so the Democrats can continue to disrespect this president. The media would never dare to treat a Democratic president in this manner.
Really.
We’re losing
Pat and the planet like when Trump gets up in the morning hes watching morning Joe,you guys dont see this as odd behavior for an American President,morning Joe has no ratings so he is watching Mika and that is very weird
He’s probably just flipping the channels and can’t help but hear Mika and Joe calling him all kinds of names.
Venus Williams and Tony Stewart oughta get a room.
Please be careful out on the Roads, there are drivers out there that will run you over.
Mr. Muraca is one shifty character. I remember years ago he tried to make a deal with the late George Jervas to buy the Bousquet property. Muraca put down a deposit, and ended up losing the money to Jervas when the deal went sour. Glad Jervas made some money off of him!
In regards to plowing, I had subcontractors plowing an inch of snow in our neighborhood this winter. And not just one pass down the street – many! Who’s watching those guys??
Rush Limbaugh had an excellent fill-in host today who was discussing the differences between Wisconsin & Illinois. Illinois is run by DemocRATS, who have pillaged the bank accounts, given away the store to the layabouts and have been spending like drunken fools. The state is bankrupt. Wisconsin, run by a Republican hero named Scott Walker, has brought the state back from near-bankruptcy by busting the school unions, cutting back spending, and balancing the budget. They are in the black. Massachusetts is following in Illinois’ footsteps – deep in debt but able to grant its legislators humungous pay raises not once but twice in a year! Vote the bums out!
Those having trouble should contact John Krol and his OneEighty Media.org… I’m sure that money spent with Krol is a gem of an investment .
Trump is a very unqualified immature lying bully who claim for 8 years Obama was not our President.
The.President of the United States of America has called women of America fat ,overweight, ugly,and bleeding messes.Yes many of you support this and American exceptionalism is over.America is in ruins because of ignorance.
Truth, the new hate speech.
Obama was idealized by those in his party and the media and that did hurt this country because constructive criticism of what was happening during those years was off the table. Now we have gone to the other extreme where the media and liberals are waging wage on the president, the complete opposite of what was done during the Obama years. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for the country. Using Trump as a scapegoat for the opioid crisis, poverty, crime, lack of jobs, problems with Russis and North Korea will only make things worse.
Mr. Trump, please a take a lesson from your immediate predecessor and just use the power of the federal government against your enemies. Don’t be so open and honest about things.
Study what Obama had some of us do in using the IRS to go after the Tea Party and other conservative groups.
After all, Obama was just following the example of one of his predecessors, Richard M. Nixon.
Not a complaint from the media while this was happening.
trumps his own worst enemy Pat. He’s more interested in power and control of the media than he is running the country,albeit the press will never let him do it, to many wounds.
The media shouldn’t have the power to decide what gets done in this country. That gives too much power to the media. For too long the media has only wanted to show one party in a favorable way while ignoring any problems with their philosophy. This is wrong and the country needs to address this imbalance. The people who elected Trump want more honesty from the media. Just this week alone the media has promoted several stories that have since been proven to be completely biased and wrong. This happens all the time. Sometimes they retract the story. Often they don’t unless called on it. The whole idea is to get their message out there to influence people.
Yeah,like the fact Trump falsley announced 600 g jobs created and the news reported half of that. We’re losing.
We need the truth. Country before party.
Some man came to my house the other day asking me questions about the water and told him I wasn’t interested, and then he tried to explain why he was at my door, again, I told him I wasn’t interested,still wouldn’t go away, then he asks how long I’ve lived in my home, I shut the door and said goodbye, all very nicely I might add. Oh, all this took place right around dinner time. I wouldn’t even have answered the door as there have been a recent flood of burgaleries in the neighborhood, but thought it was my daughter returning from outdoors.
Suspicious, to say the least. YOu did the right thing. Also, you can demand ID from seemingly official doorknockers.
I actually once had a complete stranger knock on my door and ask if he could use the bathroom. Needless to say I kept a locked door between us and I said no. Too strange and scary.
Well, that’s just it Dan, why do I have to deal with questions, I D to begin with?
Just because I have a pole with an American Flag on it,doesn’t mean we agree with the President or politicians in the City.
Imagine Trump without the press watching and reporting.The American Bully.
Americans have no idea what it’s like to have a bully and a tyrant for a president. If they went to North Korea and spent some time there or even Russia they would realize just how lucky we are to have a president who believes in freedom.
Carrie Saldo is the princess of fake news
It’s one thing for a tyrant from a communist country to bully, but not an American on Americans. No one likes a bully in the United States, especially a sitting President, have a Happy noisy holiday.
MissVito and all others – just do not answer the door. No one has a right to suddenly show up and expect you to answer. And call the cops the moment they jiggle the handle. And if they are little leaguers selling overpriced candy bars, well that’s different.
Heard a transmission on the scanner that four occupants of a car with dreadlocks were on Lillybrook road and don’t belong there? How do neighbors in that section know maybe they are visiting someone?
It’s a dead end with a cul de sac that’s out of view…..knuckleheads like to do their business there.
Go up to the Gated Communities or outer West Street et al and do something surveying of questions.
Did anyone see the Pacquiao fight last night, talk about a bad decision, I gotta get this to the Planet,Pacquicaoo clearly won the fight.
OMG- How can they get away with that? Horn won maybe 3 rounds tops and then to win by unanimous decision… Manny must have pissed off the boxing powers that be..
Wow what a great afternoon at Wahconah Park for the Drum & Bugle Corps. competition. Outstanding job by Pete Marchetti and the Pittsfield Parade Committee. A big crowd attended and the bands were excellent!
I love the Planet