By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 23.25, 2015) — Well, THE PLANET, too, has been captured by the gravitational pull of a huge, international story that has captivated the limited global attention spans. For the a story to go this big, this quick, the very existence of […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JAN. 22, 2015) — THE PLANET is working on two local stories dealing with the controversial decision to press ahead with the construction of a new Taconic High School. Each has the power to stop the project cold. Open Session Admission, Petition Process Could Derail Project […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ED. NOTE: Before breaking into Part 2 of the school building whitewash, THE PLANET breaks some news. We have confirmed that Ward 4 Chris Connell today will file a petition with the council asking the mayor to rescind his administrative order on restructuring public works and utilities. […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary First of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, JAN. 20, 2015) — We start with a bit of dialog by way of making our point. ——– 000 ——– WILLIAM OF BASKERVILLE: It seems that we are in a labyrinth. ADGO: But how will be get out, master? […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 16-18, 2015) — Free speech. It is one of the cornerstone rights that made and makes America. But in this country and around the world, in the name of “the war against terrorism,” the assault continues against this precious commodity. THE […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JAN. 15, 2015) — We have been asked about how to force a vote on the building of a new Taconic High School. It’s a reasonable question, given that the project is being advertised at $115 million and will in all likelihood come […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14, 2015) — The Pittsfield city council passed Kathy Amuso‘s petition to hire a Six Sigma quality consultant by a 7-4 vote. Voting against the measure were Tony Simonelli, Chris Connell, Barry Clairmont, and Kevin Morandi. Pittsfield city clerk Linda Tyer sent […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, JAN. 12, 2015) — We’ve seen all kinds of protests last year and already this, after shootings, prior to war, and during looting. Here’s a protest that you may have missed that THE PLANET wishes to share with you, courtesy of The Associated Press: […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 9-11, 2015) — Our show last night on PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION we had our Right Honorable Good Friends Chris Connell and Barry Clairmont. We largely focused on the process of government in light of the Article 6 of the new city charter, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JAN. 8, 2015) — It’s a cold day, but things heat up tonight on PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION as we present two councilors squaring off live and in real time, with no notes, no retakes, and totally on the fly in the wise company of […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 2015) — We begin today with an announcement. Tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m., PLANET VALENTI TELEVISION shall be broadcasting a new, live show. Christmas, New Year’s, and other commitments have given us a nice break during which we have shown reruns, […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, JAN. 6, 2015) — This is an update to the NYPD story on THE PLANET yesterday. Union leaders in the city sent a letter to President Obama and Congress saying that cop killing should be prosecuted as a “hate crime.” “Right now, it’s a […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 5, 2015) — On Saturday, prior to the Sunday wake of Officer Wenjian Liu, one of the two NYC police officers ambushed and murdered by a “make ‘em pay” gunman, Police Chief William Bratton had his command staff read a statement prior […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (ED. NOTE: We close out this year with a final column on the looming “unfunded liability” crisis threatening to swallow Pittsfield. We began with a two-part series on the OPEB problem. Today, we take a closer look at the pension situation. Be advised that this will be […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary Second of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, DEC. 30, 2014) — Virtually alone among local media, THE PLANET has been hammering on OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) for at least four years now, on this site, on radio, and on TV. OPEB refers to benefits other than pensions for […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary First of a Two-Part Series (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, DEC. 29, 2014) — Back in the 1980s, when the 21st century sounded more in the realm of George Jetson than Dan Bianchi, Pittsfield’s OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) funding deadline was 2018. As a starting point, let’s define OPEB. […]
