BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY SEPT. 24, 2018) — In our previous column, THE PLANET broke an important story that the local mainstream media missed about a phone call made by Democratic nominee for district attorney Andrea Harrington to city councilor Melissa Mazzeo. They missed it because they didn’t know about it.

They didn’t know about it because the editors and reporters covering the campaign do not have our deep Rolodex. They don’t work the back alleys and shaded doorways, where the real action takes place.  They don’t dig, probe, or push. For some reason, they don’t want to go there. It’s a pity, because this is a vital story, one that gets to the heart of this campaign, an election between two stark choices for the most important criminal justice position in Berkshire County, an area — Pittsfield especially — sorely in the midst of an unprecedented crime wave bordering on a societal breakdown several clicks south of anarchy.

The councilwoman and probable mayoral candidate said Harrington threatened her political future because of Mazzeo’s support for acting D.A. Paul Caccaviello, who decided in dramatic fashion to seek the office with a write-in bid following his loss to Harrington in the September primary. Through her consultant, Harrington called Mazzeo’s account of the call “wholly untrue and completely absurd.”

Harrington’s denial left Mazzeo staggered. She provided THE PLANET with a screen shot of Harrington’s call, made at 8:13 p.m. Sept. 18 and lasting 15 minutes.

“I just read your column [THE PLANET, Weekend Edition, Sept. 21-3],” Mazzeo said. “I’ve never been so sick in my life. She outright lied. She never asked for my support. She called me in March and asked to meet for coffee when she first thought of running. We meet at Guido’s, and I told her then that I was supporting Paul. So why would she call me for support against a possible write in. ? That makes no sense. She sarcastically reminded me that I said I was going to take a low key position during the primary… and I quote her  ‘You obviously didn’t stay in the back ground,’ to which I replied, ‘Since many of your supporters were taking such an active role, I did them same.’ I am actually speechless that she denied this conversation. ‘The public should be very concerned.'”

Further investigation into the controversial phone call turned up three related morsels. First, it’s clear that Harrington made her call unilaterally, without her campaign knowing about it. That’s not to say her staff would disagree, and, in fact, one member close to the campaign that she made a good move — assuming her version of the call is true. That’s the second morsel. What if it’s not true? What if Harrington did indeed call Mazzeo and issued the threat? What would that say about her suitability for an office that should be as non-political as possible. Many who know Mazzeo, even those who don’t agree with her politics, vouch for her integrity when it comes to truthing or lying.

———- 000 ———-

Mazzeo’s swift and insistent reaction to Harrington’s phoner stands out as unusual given the nature of political types, who typically wash their words with Lava, soak them in bleach, and rinse them in warm milk. Mazzeo minced no words. She says Harrington threatened her political future, giving her the clear message that if she came out loud and visibly for Paul Caccaviello on the campaign trail, the Big Boys would see to the end of her career as one of Pittsfield’s kingmakers. Play ball … or else.

Third, we learned that sheriff Tom Bowler supports Caccaviello’s write-in bid “100 percent.” A source close to Bowler confirmed that, refuting rumors that the sheriff bailed out on Cacc after the latter lost to Harrington in the primary. The rumors, which in some circles still are being issued, have it that Bowler built his current “empire” by pleasing the Bosses. Since many of them Bosses are backing Hrrington, Bowler would not want to risk it by sticking by his man. This doesn’t appear to be so, and folks must remember that Bowler, after a few years ensconced as sheriff, has taken Carmen’s Holiday Ranch and made it his own. In other words, he, too, is a force with which to be reckoned.

THE PLANET contacted both Harrington and her campaign adviser, Adam Webster of Castlepoint Partners in Boston, but they did not respond as of press time.

This issue assumes its importance given the nature of the office being discussed. District Attorney looms large over every law enforcement and criminal justice action that goes on in the county. The person holding that office will determine the future path of justice in Berkshire County.

Will it be Justice, “justice,” or “just us?”

——————————————————————————————————————–

“The book is like the spoon, scissors, the hammer, the wheel. Once invented, it cannot be improved” —Umberto Eco.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.