THE RIGHT THING TO DO, A PHOTO, AN ODE TO WINTER, AND WHAT WILL JIM RUBERTO DO IN 2011?
* THE PLANET has had a large response at this address to our protest of the $27.55 charge to veterans and their families to take out a small ad on Veterans Day. We thank those who realize the seriousness of this issue, and why it is in extreme poor taste to charge that particular demographic (that’s what they are to the Eagle marketing people) for the “privilege” of being recognized. I haven’t run into one of my colleagues in the newsroom there who thinks the paper is doing the right thing. We would hope the newspaper returns all the money and publishes all the ads as the right thing to do, but the business side runs things there. Don’t hold your breath.
- Dan Valenti, having his say for the Vox network microphones. Tod, Demon Engineer, ponders yon board in background.
* Here’s a shot of THE PLANET in the Vox studios on election night, doing our broadcasting “thang.” This was one of the pictures I couldn’t get to work the other night. The format of that night is what we love doing best when it comes to braodcasting: a fast, furious, scriptless, improv designed to better inform and educate while making it interesting and entertaining. This week, THE PLANET guests on Bill Sturgeon’s show (WBRK AM-1340) from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday and “Good Morning, Pittsfield” with John Krol at 7:30 a.m. for WTBR and PCTV. Hope you tune in.
* It started last year that I came around to loving winter again in a way I did as lad growing up in Pittsfield. Ah, the snow forts. Ah, humanity. This morning, with the ice, rain, and wind, I had a smile because of the weather.
Changes in weather can be received like news from a foreign county where you are heavily invested, in other words, with an focus and interest that keeps you “in the moment.” Even scraping off my wife’s car and mine, I swallowed the icy tidings as they came and would leave my home tomorrow to entertain the same.
* Is he or isn’t he? “He,” in this case, is Jimmy Ruberto. Is he running in 2011 for a fifth term or not? THE PLANET has heard from many interested parties on this topic, which is ripe for speculation. We hope to have a definitive answer shortly.
MAYOR JIMMY RUBERTO: Is he up for another run in 2011?
There’s part of Jim that wants to keep what he sees as the positive thrust Pittsfield has taken in the past several years. There’s another part — fixing its beam more than he realizes on the self-care of not running — that’s says, “no.” Would he have the stamina for another tough, hard-hitting campaign? Would he want to have to raise that much money? Would he want to do it with his beloved late wife by his side?
Most observers expect Dan Bianchi to re-up, and they see a campaign even more bruising than in 2009. If Mayor Ruberto bids adieu, that sets up another line of questions. Will you see the likes of Peter Marchetti taking a crack at it? Who else will jump in? Certain lines are buzzin, even as we write. Stay tuned.
You look fetching in a set of headphones (I’m a woman, btw). I follow local politics closely because politics for me is about what people do and the lives they live, as least locally. We must try to get more responsiveness from local politicians, who it looks like have become more increasingly beholden to outside or special interests, as they are called. As for Mr. Ruberto, I would say not to run. He has to take time to grieve properly. I wonder if he has done that yet. take care take care. Taht’s what I would say to him.
roberto had the political angels flying over his head thruout that election.225 v0tes! my god thats pathetic for a 4 termer. if ever the term sympathy votes was in order this was it. now if bianchi can energize the vote hes in like flint., it seemed in the city only one area voted for roberto…thats were the pity vote came in….i know not many pittsfield workers voted for him even with the deaths in his family. i know that sounds heartless ….but thats politics baby!!!!
Jimmy has just mailed it in since 2009. Ask anyone who knows. But there is the big draw of a state pension if he completes 10 years. I figure he will run. He even has his old buddy Angelo around again to “help”.
10 years is the golden goose, dan(bianchi) needs to go after the wards that we know do not vote………. roberto will not get the votes there, most dont vote because of the last few elections where he puts up that kind of money,and runs it negative.if roberto stays on point he is a gonner and he knows it.(roberto is definitly not the greatest of speakers) people all across america are screaming to just stop spending…roberto will take any grant that comes his way,and i think he forgets that its taxpaers money. if we do not watch his spending,and freebies on north street, roberto will chase the young away, drive up taxes,and those who dont leave stuck holding the bag!!!!!!!!!!!!
Didn’t know about the 10 year pension thing, so it looks like thats enough of a “carrot” that Ruberto runs again. This says he will but can’t imagine him winning.
ruberto WIL NOT win again. I know the people who work for the city (teachers mostly) who voted for him last time won’t this time because of promises made and not delivered upon involving the GIC insurance. We all got screwed on that, especially retirees, and he pushed and threatened his way into getting that passed, along with the unsubstantiated promises.
Hey, tuned in to WTBR this morning thinking you’d be on John Krol’s program (I’m a frequent listener and sometimes guest), but … nope. Let us know when it’s re-scheduled.