Planet Valenti

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 29, 2012) — We begin today’s installation with this exclusive. THE PLANET has obtained what a source has represented as “the entire Confidentiality agreement” agreed to by the City of Pittsfield and Spectrum Health Systems. We will simply present the contents and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 28, 2012) — They came. They debated. Harris won. Harris-Phillips-Pignatelli: win-place-and-so what? HARRIS SHOWS WHY SHE’S THE BEST CHOICE FOR REGISTER PATSY HARRIS: Cooking with the best recipe for victory. Last night at BCC, in a debate sponsored by The Pittsfield Gazette, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 27, 2012) — At 7 p.m. Tonight in the small theater, K-111, at BCC, and important debate takes place. The three candidates for Middle Berkshire County register of deeds — Patsy Harris, Scott Pignatelli, and Jody Phillips — square off. The race […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, AUG. 24, 2012) — THE PLANET gets a kick out of the ponderous lengths of honor rolls at the Pittsfield Middle Schools, where every kid is a genius and the star of his or her own bumper sticker. It has nothing to do […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 23, 2012) — He put his trust in the officials. They let him down. Thus, Bill Sturgeon is twice betrayed. THE PLANET, which as you know has been closely following the Larry Kratka-Bill Sturgeon Disappearing Act, has heard from our good friend […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22, 2012) — First items first. Tonight, beginning at 6 p.m., the Pittsfield School Committee meets. One the agenda is an appearance by WTBR mananger Larry Kratka. The meeting will be conducted in city council chambers. Kratka is being hauled in based […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 20, 2012) — Here’s a headline you will never see in the Boring Broadsheet: EAGLE FARMS OUT GRAPHICS DEPARTMENT JOBS TO INDIA, NIXES 8 LOCAL JOBS This is the news out of the Boring Broadsheet, according to a source. As of sometime in September, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 20, 1967) — We want to bring your attention to a special event that will take place on Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club. The Legends of the Lighthouse reunion concert will play the club from noon to […]

By DAN VALENTI Planet Valenti News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, AUG. 17, 2012) —  Player, coach, manager, broadcaster, special instructor, ticket salesman, and goodwill ambassador. What did he not do? He has a piece of Fenway Park named after him. He had the perfect name for a leadoff batter. They don’t make them […]

NOTE: By a slight electronic routing error, today’s post, for Thursday, Aug. 16, was coded as an “Aug. 13” story. We have reposted in this way. We apologize for any confusion. Article THREE ITEMS TO PONDER: IS ADDICTION A ‘DISEASE?’ (ANSWER, NO) … DO STATE LAWMAKERS CARE ABOUT TAXPAYERS (ANSWER, NO) … and … WHAT […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15, 2012) — THE PLANET begins with this note on today’s post: Yes, we shall be exploring the various facets of the Spectrum-Pittsfield agreement in detail. We shall ask questions that, we alone (most likely) will dare to ask. Meanwhile, if you […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 14, 2012) — Last week, THE PLANET brought readers up to date on the latest in the secret (and secretive) business between Spectrum Health Systems or Worcester and the city of Pittsfield. Stories like this can sometimes serve to pry other information […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 16, 2012) — Today, THE PLANET presents three local items for your digestion. The Pepto Abyssmal is on the house. First, though, let me say that we had an extensive interview yesterday on the Spectrum situation with Mayor Dan Bianchi. On Friday, […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 13, 2012) — When did the U. S. Empire begin its decline? First, about that word “Empire.” Writer Gore Vidal began to use the phrase in the 1960s and employed it relentlessly for the rest of his life. “Empire” had formerly referred […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, AUG. 10, 2012) — The city of Pittsfield still has not revealed the location of Spectrum Health Systems‘ Pittsfield methadone clinic, but the site must be chosen or near to it. The company began advertising on the jobs section of Craigslist this week and […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 9, 2012) —THE PLANET shares this note, so thoughtfully passed along to us by DIOGENES. Dan, On a somber note, with unspeakable sadness and heartbreak, I must inform you of the passing away of one of your prolific posters, Molly / Nancy. […]