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CLASSROOM CHAOS: LOCAL TEACHER SAYS OF HER GRIEVANCE ‘I GOT STONEWALLED’

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY DEC. 13, 2013) — Sochols.

A recent talk with a teacher friend, call her Miss Rachel, told THE PLANET all we need to know about the state of Pittsfield schools.

She told THE PLANET this would be her last year, because “I’m sick and tired of having to put up with daily abuse and getting no backing [from the administration]. I’ve been spit upon, sworn at every day, screamed at, and I spend most of my classroom time trying to keep order and prevent fights.” It’s a shame, because Miss Rachel is young, dynamic, idealistic, and the absolute best in what you look for in a teacher.

She cares too much and gets too little help or backing.

The punks have taken over the classroom.

———- 000 ———-

Miss Rachel friend said when her principal did nothing about her complains, she went straight to the Mercer Building. There, “I got stonewalled. Then when I returned to school, they accused me of trying to make them look bad.” They blamed her for “doing an end run.”

You can multiply Miss Rachel’s  complaints exponentially, although teachers must be careful about publicly sharing the truth that’s not just disrupting local classrooms but destroying the chances that graduating seniors will have sufficient skills either to move on successfully to college or begin their working careers.

She also had choice words for her union, the United Educators of Pittsfield.

“We have three grievance officers [in the union, Emily Pink, Eric Cicchetti, and Jeanne Lemmond], and they basically told me their hands were tied. I asked then “why am I paying dues? They just shook their heads.”

The teachers contract says this about grievances:

  1. A grievant will first discuss a complaint with the immediate superior together with or through a UEP representative if the grievant so desires, with the objective of directly resolving the matter informally.
  2. If the grievance is not resolved informally, the grievant may submit directly, together with or through the UEP, a written grievance to the principal of the building or to the immediate superior of the grievant. Within ten (10) calendar days after receiving the grievance, the principal or immediate superior shall communicate his decision in writing.

When THE PLANET showed these provisions to Miss Rachel, she laughed.

“I followed the procedures. Nothing. I went to [the principal]. Contract says I’m supposed to hear something within 10 days. [The principal] blew me off. I ended up with no one and nothing. I didn’t hear a thing. The union said they couldn’t help me. That’s why I’m leaving.”

———- ooo ———-

Miss Rachel’s talk with THE PLANET coincided with a wire report we received, which we share here:

(NewsNation) — Student fighting is surging in schools across the U.S., causing some teachers to leave the profession out of fear for their own safety.

“I just could see over the last several years that the misbehavior was getting so bad that most of my time in my classroom wasn’t in teaching anymore, I was trying to put out fires. And so I got tired of being disrespected,” former teacher Stacey Sawyer said.

Sawyer joined “NewsNation Prime” to share her story, saying she’s seen students punching each other resulting in blood and violence.

Parents, schools face increasing scrutiny after shootings

“I’ve talked to other teachers that have gotten hit by other students, spit on, cussed at, one even had a got a concussion from a student, and that student was brought back in school again,” Sawyer said. “So there are several fights at the schools that I’ve been at and I was just afraid of getting hurt, getting caught in the crossfire,” Sawyer said.

The former eighth-grade teacher worked in education for over 30 years before deciding to leave the profession due to increasing student violence.

Some experts blame the rise in student violence on the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, 84%, of public school administrators said the pandemic degraded student behavior, according to one study. Another study showed one in eight teachers experienced physical violence from their students last year.

———- ooo ———-

Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski dare not complain. They’re only paying for the entire mess that is the Pittsfield Public School system … and each year, the price goes up while the performance and accountability go down. Theyexpected to keep their mouths shut, which they are doing, and fork over the dough — 73% of the $205 million city budget. Do the math.

That’s OK with the UEP bosses, the Administration, and the idiots on the school committee, topped by the rotund Miss Jane Hathaway, the mayor formerly know as “Sara,” who thinks  supt. Jumping; Joe Curtiss iOS underpaid at $185,000 per year plus perks and bennies.

One final word:

SOCHOL.

——————————————————————-

You can lead them to the blackboard, but you can’t make them write. They don’t know now” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

Copyright (c) 2023 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. 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. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. 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, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice and available to all. All users of this site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.

 

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Jon Melle
Jon Melle
11 months ago

There are many negative leaning theories and views about public education. Sometimes I “Google” them to try to understand how “SOCHOL” failed generations of children who end up in our nation’s huge underclass. The only socioeconomic growth in Pittsfield is in its Level 5 public schools and its huge underclass.

The outgoing Mayor lives in a Gated Community neighborhood, the incoming Mayor said he will be taking a pay cut, the career Pittsfield State Representative wants to give illegal immigrants state driver’s licenses and legalize sex workers, the career Congressman only represents K Street’s corporate lobbyist firms. The underclass – children – experience community conflicts and violence, including at school. Do we see the DISCONNECT here?

Empty Set
Empty Set
11 months ago

The Eagle would be all over this story,

if it happened somewhere else.

WTF
WTF
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Well kudos to her for doing what is best for herself. Who needs to take that abuse and lack of appreciation home with them every day? Pittsfield may pay their teachers well but not enough to be door mats for spoiled brats with little or no upbringing. Best of luck to her.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Some teachers should quit or retire.The administration is filled with ex teachers who do not like working with kids..

Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
11 months ago

The teachers need a vote of no confidence against the administration. They won’t because everyone knows the UEP president and the lackeys are hand in hand with the admins and get HUGE stipends.

I had a friend at PHS year ago who had a medical injury and was assaulted. They too had a few grievances which went nowhere. Teacher ended up leaving mid year to go work elsewhere and has loved their job ever since. The UEP rep/president was Brendan Sheran who ended up being a building admin and is getting his PHD to become a super… what a joke.

School choice your kids. Joe Curtis is a joke. Don’t even get me started on “Dr.” Bishop over at Taconic

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Ghost of Pearl Bergoff
11 months ago

School choice caused the current problem.Money being pulled from democratic urban schools and given to wealthy suburban schools Republicans love the current public school system as they designed it.Fox owns your brain.Putin has lost 80% of his army and the Republicans won’t let the Uraine finnish the job.Republicans giving Putin a chance to regroup.Traitors in fact over and over traitors

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Further, School Choice, which is a fundamental reform of the school funding model, is the bugbear that got Gov Kean (D) of NJ canned. He wanted real estate taxes from wealthy neighborhoods pooled with unaffluent regions to equalize school funding. School Choice (You go where you want, space permitting, and your tax dollars follow you) accomplishes a similar outcome. I think it’s even better because it provides choice.

Last edited 11 months ago by Charles Kronick
The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Dan,it has not worked.This was always a political strategy to denigrate the public schools and unions.Rush Limbaugh led the charge to convince his ditto heads starting in 1989.Well done.The elite Republicans have us very close to dictatorship.The propaganda crowed know exactly what they are doing.. All fear all the time.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

????

Wealthy Republican suburbs in Pittsfield, North Adams? North Adams residents are school choicing into Williamstown elementary.

Is Williamstown a GOP suburb??

You need a political recalibration. Your Democrat Republican meter is wonked.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

What do expect from the schools when society condones people going into stores and taking what they want without paying and with no consequences? You see bums on the corner collecting free money and driving away in a new mustang, drug dealers in all the jewelry and new clothes without seeing any consequences. They also see all these “influencers” on line making millions even if they can’t read or write. Kids learn best in structure and clear defined rules, unfortunately society has followed the 60’s democratic hippie ways to no rules because that’s uncool! And if the kids can’t think (as we have seen with some writers on this board) then even the Presidency can be stolen by a crook! Keep smoking that wacky tabacky peeps and don’t look so closely as the city keeps jacking up your taxes and giving you less service!!

snark shark
snark shark
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

What about THIS guy?

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 Million Dodgers Contract Is Unlike Anything in MLB History

Ohtani is a singular talent. Now he’s set to be paid unlike any baseball player of all time. By signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani will change the landscape of MLB—and rewrite the sport’s salary structure as we know it.
By Ben Lindbergh Dec 10, 2023, 1:50am EST

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  snark shark
11 months ago

Remember when George Steinbrenner owner of the NY Yankees signed pitcher Cat Fish Hunter formerly of the Oakland A’s to the first $ 1 million contract in baseball? Now $700 m.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  snark shark
11 months ago

Hey – that’s my example of economic rent I referenced in the tax rate hearing.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  snark shark
11 months ago

It’s called Capitalism, but he is 1 in a billion with his talent. You won’t see that coming from these here hills

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

Just so you know,society does not condone organized crime.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Actually, ours does condone organized crime. Everything you touch, almost, has been touched by organized crime. A letter to the Editor from Lenox scratches the surface regarding gas prices. Every trip to the supermarket is a penny in the pocket of OC.

The opium trade has matured to the point in USA that the foreign gangs are turning their attention to having hooked the kids, now kill them off with fentanyl. Meanwhile, our gangs are getting the oven warm with pot shops to wet the appetites of kids who are reluctant to go hard.

It should take the talent and energy potential of MIT to model the sophistication and mechanism for the current organized crime gangs that now run our country.

Last edited 11 months ago by Charles Kronick
ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Wake up TSC government is the mob

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

There are also the Trump family begging you guys to send cash for a hat or a flag with the begger Trumps face on it.He begged from the White House.Ivanka Trump begged for 3billion and Saudi Royales,and FOX media has never mentioned it.Putin owns the right and will help Trump in our election.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
11 months ago

Time to introduce the Taser to Pittsfield Public Schools. It would just be another tool in the Teachers toolbox. Some folks just need a little jolt to get them back on track. Hopefully the teachers will inclusive with there new devices.

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
11 months ago

Dan, for a plain-speaking free-speecher, you sure have a hard time addressing the elephant in the room.

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Close.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  Kindergarden
11 months ago

Delusional Deviant Democrats?

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
11 months ago

Tragic.

Pat
Pat
11 months ago

The entire educational system in the country from kindergarten to college is a total mess. The young people are being used to promote a political agenda. Under such a system, the only goal is to have chaos. They don’t want the kids to be too smart because then they would figure out they are being duped on a grand scale.

WTF
WTF
Reply to  Pat
11 months ago

Many of them are just plain unteachable. Teaching used to be a personally rewarding vocation but now a lot of it is babysitting brats with little or no real upbringing. Between the phones, drugs, gangs and section 12 issues why would anyone want to teach in that environment?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  WTF
11 months ago

Teachers were batching in the 70s

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

That was about the time the 60’s kids came along. The first thing they dispensed with was discipline. Let children grow like plants was the cliche of the day.

Those 60 kids had the best. A good education, wealth generated by hard work of those before them, and the world was their oyster.

Last edited 11 months ago by Charles Kronick
Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  Pat
11 months ago

My Econ prof at UMass (Richard Wolff) used to say that the only thing they did was function as a big societal filtering mechanism.

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Pat
11 months ago

It is the Republican Ed reform Pat,you broke it and need to own it.School choice has been touted by conservatives for 30 years.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

And it was begged for by those in unaffluent districts for about as long.

She/Her/Shit
She/Her/Shit
11 months ago

And MCAS was supposed to make it so kids couldn’t graduate if they couldn’t do the basics, yet they are dumber than a box of rocks.

Tax&Spend
Tax&Spend
11 months ago

And here is how they get around the cell phone policy- some have two – they turn in their “throw a way” phone at beginning of school day when they are collected, bagged or what not, and then they just use the other in school. Kind of like how people that cheat have an infidelity phone.

Jumpin Joe Curtis
Jumpin Joe Curtis
Reply to  Tax&Spend
11 months ago

Yet, they all still qualify for free lunches!

ScooterLinda
ScooterLinda
11 months ago

Dan, I hear Tyer landed the BCC gig, due to her great success steeringShittsfield’s econmic ship into the rocks. Not sure what she will actually do at the college besides collect big pay check, or why the position even exists. Perhaps you could enlighten us. I am sure that the fact she made Wynn chief, and his buddies with him and his wife, who is a big cheese there, is just another of those Shittsfield coincidences.

WTF
WTF
Reply to  ScooterLinda
11 months ago

Next step? Gonna take Tricias position in Boston when she bails in a coupla years. Just needs that BCC gig on her resume.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
11 months ago

Take a ride by PHS or Reid (or other schools) as school is letting out. Kids are going to school, still in their pajamas and are wrapped in blankets. This alone shows a complete lack of respect, that thing called respect which seems to no longer exist. Realize that supposedly PHS has no heat once again, but students should still not be allowed to come to school in their pajamas. Although, that seems to be the attire of choice in most of Pittsfield. Many teachers show up to their teaching positions dressed like bums so why should kids dress appropriately. What happened to a dress code? This lack of dress code also exists at Tyer’s City Hall. There is no sense of responsibility being taught, actually I don’t know WHAT the Pittsfield school system is teaching. Many children that I know in the Pittsfield school system are spending their day trying to figure out what sex they want to be. Kids are graduating and don’t know how to read, write or do simple math, like giving change, they have to use their cellphones. City and school administrations both need to be investigated as to what our taxes are being used for.

One more comment, in watching Mayor Peter’s pompous demeaner last night on the CC, we are in for 4 more years of constant arrogant bullcrap. Taxpayers do not matter.

Empty Set
Empty Set
Reply to  Merry & Bright
11 months ago

Will he be a dictator on Day One? Or does that come after a 90 day grace period?

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  Merry & Bright
11 months ago

Some of you are amazing.Just because FOX news says it ,that does not mean true.

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

What does Fox news have to do with my comment?

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Same with the View, MSNBC, the hate rag, CNN,…yet that is all you vomit on this blog

The school committee
The school committee
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

The idea at FOX is repeat the loop of hate and faults.Trans people are scary and before you know it your sitting at a bar telling the bartender about scary transpeople.You guys are sponges for FOX messaging

Markus Aurelius
Markus Aurelius
11 months ago

Dan, from reading about the issues Picklefield Public Scohol teacher Mrs. Rachel lays out, if you included throwing urine and feces on their teachers, it basically sounds like they are corrections officers in a prison from the abuse they must endure from the inmat….I mean scholars.

School choice, charter schools, or homeschooling, is the way to go. Public schools have become nothing more than tax-draining, liberal indoctrination centers.

Remember when Helen “Handgun” Moon made a big push for school resource officers (SRO) out of the schools because, “It made children of color afraid.” Nobody bothered to ask Handgun “afraid of what?” Following the rules? Not fighting in school?

As I wrote on here before, who cares in Juan, Tremaine, or Mercedes, can read or write, or even do basic math, they sure can dance their a$$ off in the Tik-Tok video they are filming during Mrs. Rachels class.

Has PPS hired a Creole speaking teacher to help with the illegal Haitians that Tricia Farley-Country Buffet (D-illegal aliens) and Flat Tyer, brought out the “red carpet welcoming committee” for?

Thomas Betit
Thomas Betit
11 months ago

Lucky miss racheal isn’t in central Berkshire school District.
Where middle school students openly threaten Jewish teachers, and when the teacher reports the incident, he not the student is promptly disciplined.
More Likely than not the student is related to the local white supremacist movement, named Dalton police, Berkshire county District attorneys office.
Shagrue has Sue Morrison ( spouse of leader matt morrison – wahconah football coach – disgraced former athletic director- wcc manager – now with caccaviello pal bowler at BCHC)
As IT director. Timmy the fixer is silent on the matter, then makes a hollow statement to local Jewish community.
While his office conceals antisemitism, welcome to Harvard – right here at home.

Markus Aurelius
Markus Aurelius
11 months ago

MAGA are racists!! MAGA are racists!!

Look at what that MAGA Boston Mayor Michelle Wuhan has done:

Boston City Hall mistakenly sends out ‘electeds of color’ party invitations to entire council | Washington Examiner

A city hall sponsored event/party in which white people are not allowed.

Does anyone know if the Picklefield Public Scohol cultural competency coach or AJ Enchill of the BBEC will be the guest speakers? The topic, fleecing white liberal dolts.

Telle
Telle
Reply to  Markus Aurelius
11 months ago

How colored do you have to be?

Tt2
Tt2
Reply to  Telle
11 months ago

This needed a ha ha button

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  Markus Aurelius
11 months ago

Or, you could simply quote Trapper or Ghost of George Wallace.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  Markus Aurelius
11 months ago

Whitey’s only bash on Park Square Friday night….wu not invited

Gobsig
Gobsig
11 months ago

Will Marchetti have the backbone to end this nonsense?

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
Reply to  Gobsig
11 months ago

Has he ever had a backbone? If he hasn’t had one for all the years he has been on the council don’t think he will get one now.

snark shark
snark shark
Reply to  Merry & Bright
11 months ago

Sounds like he was not afraid to stand up to that “bitch” at the bank. He may be tougher than he looks.

(when tyer is not looking over his shoulder)

Crazy Maes Throttle
Crazy Maes Throttle
Reply to  Gobsig
11 months ago

What is going to change in a Marchetti Administration? Nothing.He’s had minimum eight years to stop it. Now he wants a ninety day reprieve? He must think the non voters are stupid. He certainly knows those that voted for him are.

Crazy Maes Throttle
Crazy Maes Throttle
Reply to  Gobsig
11 months ago

Hell no

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
11 months ago

Praise for the retired Nurse who told the Pittsfield City Council that the a little less than 9 percent tax rate increase is causing fixed income retirees financial pain!

https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-12-13/pittsfield-city-council-approves-2024-tax-rates-in-final-meeting-of-2022-2023-term

Free Bird
Free Bird
11 months ago

Unfortunately this has been going on in the schools for a long time, and appears to be getting worse. Something needs to happen at the state level so actual discipline can take place. If a district reports too many suspensions for example the state will get on their case, especially if the students are part of a minority group.

Crazy Maes Throttle
Crazy Maes Throttle
Reply to  Free Bird
11 months ago

As a resident who lives nearby Bel Air Dam I would personally like to thank Mayor Tyer on her last Titanic moment as the city sinks into oblivion on her gift from the Fish and Game and Enviormental Office for the grants and money to remove Bel Air Dam. Bel Air as it’s known has been a haven here for tourism and just a fun place to go and relish the beauty which it has always been for decades.

It would be appropriate to maybe rename the structure. I am thinking the Tyer Collapse. It would be a nice gesture as she goes into the future after her career as a politician.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  Crazy Maes Throttle
11 months ago

Wondering then, is the dam a hazard?

Bill Shaw
Bill Shaw
11 months ago

Dan, or anyone for that matter, is there any truth “educators” are the folks behind the push to dump the MCAS test? Thanks for any input.

TellitLikeitIs
TellitLikeitIs
Reply to  Bill Shaw
11 months ago

Absolutely. When the Mass Teachers Association is not busy funding the continuation of the right to kill your own kids, they are busy making their job easier. Never was about the children, never will be, not saying all teachers are like that but the union is.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  Bill Shaw
11 months ago

From day 1 the teachers unions have fought MCAS, they do not want to be held accountable for the education of the youth, or lack of. They have actually bastardized the original test and philosophy behind it in an attempt to get it removed, it’s been a 30 year quest

Merry & Bright
Merry & Bright
11 months ago

In listening to Pompous Arrogant Mayor Peter last night, it seems as though he has no intentions of replacing Bowtie Kerwood. So, after all those years working finance at Pittsfield Coop he sees no problem with Kerwood never being able to answer a simple question, leaving pertinent information buried on his desk, never prepared for CC meeting and sees no problem with Kerwood’s late filings such as the Certification of Free Cash (which I believe was done on purpose this year so Mama Linda could get her way and raise our taxes), or how about the constant ask for CC approvals for a very large amount of late invoices, some as late as a year ago, where have these invoices been sitting for all this time? Is this how Pittsfield Coop is run?

snark shark
snark shark
Reply to  Merry & Bright
11 months ago

The bottom line is that Marchetti has failed us for the last eight years and, given the strength of his obvious political cabal, will probably be mayor for at least eight more. As you witness this latest enormous tax increase, and the seven before it, do you for one second believe things will be one iota different for his term? They will not and the incredible debt incurred during the tyer years will need to be paid, with interest, over the next 30 years and if you are a home or business owner in Pittsfield, this will be YOUR debt. And that is on top of the basic city necessities like fire, police, schools, roads etc. And that 40 million dollar “ball park” will be your and your children’s debt as well, even if you never go near it or drive by it, just like the pickle ball courts, pump track, dog walking park, or Pontoosuc lake reinvention.

If you are low or middle income or a senior on a fixed income you will NEVER get ahead in Pittsfield because of the ineptness and mismanagement, along with clueless management, and ZERO oversight, will eat of huge chunks of any discretionary monies you may come across. Over time those thousands of dollars you could have used for home repairs, vacations or your child’s secondary education will not be there.

If you fall into these financial categories and stay in Pittsfield, you are pretty much giving up. There is no mayor or city council coming down the pike in your lifetime that will have any will or incentive to help you. Not going to happen in Pittsfield! The quicksand is real and you are standing in it now.

Get out if you can.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  snark shark
11 months ago

The reason a low income person can’t get ahead is the lack of personal resource to generate revenue. However, there is profound wealth in Berk County. If you can identify a skill or a resource you own, you can grow wealth. Jobs alone are not sufficient.

The fixed income person is stuck.

Last edited 11 months ago by Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

It takes money, but it also takes talent. Talent is a product of practice: 10,000 hours. few people lack talent.

Jonathan A. Melle
Jonathan A. Melle
11 months ago

Please consider this: Pittsfield politics just increased its tax rate(s) by a little less than 9 percent. In addition, Pittsfield politics continues to raise its water and sewer fees each and every fiscal year. Pittsfield taxpayers are paying hundreds of dollar more this fiscal year 2024 than last fiscal year 2023 for the same municipal services. Furthermore, the City Council still does NOT have the state’s certified FREE CASH amount from fiscal year 2023, which ended on June 30th, 2023 – the state is 4.5 months late so far!

In Boston, Beacon Hill lawmakers are sitting on a record high $8.2 billion cash surplus. If you don’t believe me, then please click on the following link:

https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/healey-shrugs-off-midyear-spending-cuts/

On December 12th, 2023, Governor Maura Healey filed her economic development plan with the state Legislature, which is currently on their 7 weeks-long taxpayer-funded vacation, which means that her plan to stimulate the Massachusetts economy is like her mailing a letter to Santa Claus in the North Pole.

Anyways, if state revenues fall short of estimates next year in 2024, who do you predict will receive the most cuts in state funding? Answer: Economically and financially distressed cities such as Pittsfield!

It is time to vote out all of the corrupt career politicians on Beacon Hill, who had their least productive legislative session so far in over one decade.

RHABC
RHABC
Reply to  Jonathan A. Melle
11 months ago

This Free Cash certification delay is very convenient for the Mayor. It killed any discussion about reducing our crushing 9% tax increase in Pittsfield. The Berkshire Eagle will NOT be asking any questions about this situation because they don’t understand it.

Tax&Spend
Tax&Spend
11 months ago

Tyers first budget was 151 million. Her last one is 205 million. Do the math. This exceeds the rate of Bidenflation by several million dollars. She deserves a gottdam F as mayor.

WTF
WTF
Reply to  Tax&Spend
11 months ago

So she actually increased the budget by over 25 percent in eight years? And nobody on the council even tried to question that? And the guy that was supposed to provide oversight then got elected mayor? Is the local newspaper doing a story about this?

Are the people of Pittsfield living in a cartoon?

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

No, not a cartoon. We are living in a simulation.

Rule 5
Rule 5
Reply to  WTF
11 months ago

More like a cartomb

Outfox
Outfox
11 months ago

The hardest part about breaking in the new mayor is going to be convincing him to switch Pittsfield to a land value tax rather than property taxes.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  Outfox
11 months ago

Unintended consequences: the gentleman who owns a hundred acres of land but is cash poor and makes his living selling wood from his land will be pile driven into his land.

Land is the essence of the American Dream.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  Outfox
11 months ago

Unfortunately, nothing will change in Pittsfield. They have always been a Tax and Spend community. They will never have enough of our money. They have an endless wish list of progressive programs. There new one is junkie shooting galleries. Where they allow junkies to use (“ illegal drugs “) under supervision by nurses and police. WTF!

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

I think one thing that is missing in the discussion is the type of student and the families that are sending their children to the Pittsfield Sochol System. When the city had a shining school system that was admired the population was made up of nuclear families and professional adults. Now I’m not even going to comment on what the city did to allow whatever kind of “parent” to reside in the city. The whole community is on a downward spiral and it is enabled to continue.

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Disagree. GIGO works in the case of code but not for humans. For humans in the school system, GI sometimes results in genius output.

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

I was thinking on the same lines. Discipline,values, and morals in a strong parenting household of two for the most part. When the government from the federal,state and local inserted themselves into just about every aspect of households
raising children it went downhill.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  ShirleyKnutz
11 months ago

Agree. The new Pittsfield students are illegal’s or transient families, following fathers who are incarcerated.A lot of students opted out, home schooled or chose another school in the area. The numbers are declining yearly. At the elementary level Pittsfield only needs 6 schools, yet they continue with 8. Why?

The school committee
The school committee
11 months ago

This budget is Marchettis budget and the CC budget.Our council must be made up of very wealthy people,if not wealthy then ignorant.These people can all absorb a 10% increase in property taxes..I can tell you that people on small residential lots pay 5 times the assessed value than that of multiple acres owned by our wealthy home owners.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

The CC is made up of everyone left over who did not pull papers. If you don’t like that, pull papers and run. Most seats were uncontested.

It’s a form of idolatry that worships the elected office and begs for rain.

The school committee
The school committee
11 months ago

Does anyone of you Limbaugh FOX Hannity viewers or listeners know which candidate is running as a strongman dictator like Putin President for life…..Be honest…I will bet not one of the new Republicans will say it.

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

They claimed the same about George Washington!

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  Two Cents
11 months ago

And though they were completely wrong about George Washington, they were completely correct about the Federalists’ aspirations separate from Washington.

Joetaxpayer
Joetaxpayer
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Seek help my friend. If Trump wins again, your health could definitely take a turn.

Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

I put you on the TDS rehab center’s waiting list. Hopefully you get in for treatment soon but the wait list is long.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Biden?

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

That would be someone who knows who his political competition is and conspires to generate flatulent charges against him to drain his wealth and liberty. Like what Putin did to Mixhail Khodorkovksy. Changed the tax code and charged him with tax fraud, seized Yukos Oil, sentenced him to hard labor. Or Alexi Navalny who is perishing in prison. A new charge every week for him. Gee, who is behaving like that here in the USA?

Last edited 11 months ago by Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

So Dan, who in this country wields the power of the highest office and strives to make his opponents disappear like Navalny?

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Question goes to the one who started this thread!

U.R. Cuckoo
U.R. Cuckoo
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Definitely Dementia Joe. Democrats want to control your life. The only choice they back is abortion. Matchetti will show you how things get shoved down your throat the democrat way.

Charles Kronick
Charles Kronick
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Democracy was widely understood to mean mob rule actually. Like, mobs of people roaming streets, burning businesses, stuffing ballot boxes…

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Since the demise of El Rushbo the MAGAs don’t know what to think anymore.

Kindergarden
Kindergarden
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Since the passing of El Rushbo, the MAGAs don’t know what to think anymore. The Pittsfield Screwl System promotes its finest grads.

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  Kindergarden
11 months ago

Keep repeating the lie maybe someone will believe you outside of JM and TDS

ShirleyKnutz
ShirleyKnutz
Reply to  The school committee
11 months ago

Biden

John Dutton
John Dutton
11 months ago

Pittsfield has become a garbage can for the rest of the state. The misfits that have been pawned off on the city for the almighty dollar has been bearing fruit for some time and it is rotten. With that the labor pool in this city is downright pathetic and the labor pool sends the little monsters to our schools. You keep these same clowns in office this is what you get. MISERY!!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Rule 5
11 months ago

Yet her husband is white. Does she hide him away in the men’s room?

Two Cents
Two Cents
Reply to  danvalenti
11 months ago

Try to find this story in any major Massachusetts media outlets, Boston Globe, Boston Herald or TV outlets. It doesn’t exist. Those willing to cry out racism at any drop of the hat, suddenly clam up when it actually exists.