By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013) — When Pittsfield contractor Scott Graves bought the dilapidated YMCA boat house on Pontoosuc Lake for a mere $10,000, it seemed not even Pittsfield could screw it up. The building, long in need of refreshment, would be brought back as […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013) — THE PLANET is tracking several important stories, one that could have major impact on Mayor Dan Bianchi‘s re-election bid and another that illustrates, once again, how the city of Pittsfield continues to sleep at the wheel when it comes […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013) — THE PLANET hopes you had a nice Memorial Day weekend. We did, thanks, spent with friends in New York. We even checked out a 1970 VW bug, which may at sone point soon become the PLANETMOBILE. We also have […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY—MONDAY, MAY 24-27, 2013) — First, before THE PLANET get to the conclusion of our story on “Smartgate” in the Pittsfield Public School system, we give you this update on those who took out nomination papers. New names from last week are highlights in […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013) — First off, let us say that THE PLANET heard from school committee chairman Alf Barbalunga on “Smartgate,” and the chairman’s response will, as it did us, prove a glimmer of hope that our quest to have the problem of […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013) — Thus far, four from the following list of 11 school department officials have responded to THE PLANET‘s request for a statement on the disruptive use of personal “smart” technology by students in the Pittsfield Public School System: Alf Barbalunga, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2013) — Yesterday, THE PLANET printed a Letter to the Editor from Varsity Mom, who confirmed what we’ve been hearing about the misuse of smart technology in Pittsfield’s high schools and middle schools. In more than a few classrooms, teachers who […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2013) — Before we begin with today’s topic, let THE PLANET be the first to tell you that Christine Yon has taken out nomination papers to run for re-election in Ward 1. THE PLANET wishes Yon every good luck in her quest. […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 17-19, 2013) — At its final meeting of this month, our Right Honorable Good Friends on the city council will in all likelihood decide the fate of the application by Cafua development company to purchase the Plunkett School site in Pittsfield, tear […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, , 2013) — Since nominations papers for municipal offices in Pittsfield’s upcoming elections were made available, there has been what THE PLANET might call, in an oxymoronic way, languorous action. Here is the list of people who have taken out nomination […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013) — The Pittsfield School Committee‘s dubious practice of issuing two separate agendas for its meetings — one for the public and a separate, secret one with administration recommendations meant for committee members only — raises many questions and at minimum […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI Arts and Entertainment “The Jewish Jester: A Fable with Music” — A Play Review (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013) — To laugh has been likened to speaking in tongues. One does it in spite of oneself, if the laughter be true. The noise of the activity bears a […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ” …for each school committee, there are two agendas, not one. The first agenda is the one the public and press see. … The public never gets a view of the second, secret GOB agenda.” (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013) — Keep this in mind as the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2013) — Budgets are called “living documents” not because they add oxygen to the air and breathe in carbon dioxide but because they represent “guesstimates” of fiscal things to come. They represent educated guesses subject to change based on how the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD #1 TO MAY 7, 2013, 5/8/13 — There are a bunch of items yesterday, and we shall leave them up for further comments. The discussion among Mike Ward, Dave, and Scott on the Dunkin Donuts drive-through issue produced a crackling good exchange. Each man raised solid […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013) — Gov. Patrick, Come clean. Please answer: * Why was the family of the Boston Marathon bombings, including the bombers themselves, on welfare? * Why were Mary Jane and Joan Kapanski supporting these people? * Why won’t you release the […]
