By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014) — Want budget? We got budget. “Budget” here on THE PLANET means something far different than it does for the mayor and his stooges. “Budget” also means something else than what The Boring Broadsheet and other commercial media in the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary Part 2 of THE PLANET‘s Exclusive Four-Part Series on Pittsfield’s FY15 Budget Proposal (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2014) — At the recent Memorial Day tribute, Pittsfield Mayor Dan Bianchi said the following: “Memorial Day should be a reflective day for all Americans. I am honored to […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary First in a Four-Part Series on the Proposed FY15 Pittsfield Municipal Budget (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014) — Under Mayor Dan Bianchi, more popularly known as The Empty Suit (TES) thanks to our recent coverage both here at this website and on the telly, Pittsfield has […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MEMORIAL DAY, 2014) — THE PLANET immensely enjoys one of the year’s great, sweet, unpretentious treats: the Stockbridge Memorial Day Parade. Now this is what a hometown parade should be: Simple, eye-to-eye, breathable, and full of more warmth, good will, charm, and innocence than a Norman Rockwell painting […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 23-25, 2014) — Having started a radio talk show from scratch; having given birth this journalistic website from oblivion to this, its 970th edition; and now having created a nascent television show, THE PLANET knew from the start that […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014) — First off, see you at 7 p.m. tonight on Planet Valenti Television — PV-TV. Our call-in number for Episode 3 is 445-4234. As the show evolves, we have to figure out if we want to continue with call-ins. Actually, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014) — During the most recent 24 hours, you have seen why the newspaper formerly known as The Berkshire Eagle is now The Boring Broadsheet and why THE PLANET is THE PLANET. We kick butt. They kick the can down the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014) — The resignation of William Monterosso as executive director of Berkshire Works — first reported by THE PLANET, who was also the first to bring the spotlight on the situation in the first place — ends one phase of a […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ——- 000 ——- BULLETIN: THE PLANET received word this afternoon of the resignation of William Monterosso, Berkshire Works executive director. The decision was made following a meeting between John DeAngelo and BW employee Dan Collins, who had filed charges against Monterosso. We shall be following this story, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ——————- WATCH EPISODE 2 of PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION — PV-TV, now loaded at pittsfieldcommunitytv.org (go to “Show Search” and type in “Planet Valenti Television” to access the show). It’s also available on YouTube and Google. Seach “Planet Valenti TV.” Re-broadcasts on Friday, 5-16 at 11:30 a.m., 3 […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD 1 THURSDAY May 15, 2014 — Just a reminder, not for the faint or feint of heart, but Episode 2 of Planet Valenti Television: PV-TV Starring Dan Valenti airs tonight, live, beginning at 7 p.m. and going for the hour on Access Pittsfield, Channel 16. THE […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014) — There’s so much “stuff” flying off the fan’s spinning blades and so little time in which to cover it that we must not only pick and choose what good stories to mention and what juicy ones to leave out, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014) — Dan Bianchi — a.k.a. The Empty Suit, a.k.a. TES — sure knows how to pick ’em. If he went to Saratoga in August, which nag do you think he’s pick from the following field: Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Secretariat, Man […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 9-11, 2014) — First, allow us a few brief comments on the inaugural edition of PLANET VALENTI TV. We had fun. Yes, some spots were ragged around the edges and we had some of the usual first-show technical issues, but nothing […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014) — Boys and girls, be sure to tune into PCTV’s Access Pittsfield, tonight beginning at 7 p.m., for one of the most unusual hours of local TV you’ve seen in a while — or perhaps have ever seen. Tonight, we […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014) — Much happened on Monday night in council chambers as Ordinance and Rules took up Mayor Dan Bianchi‘s request for a huge pay hike for himself and his managers. The most convenient way to present this boatload will be to […]
