By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 30, 2011) — Many critics who lashed out at THE PLANET for our comments on the dud Irene seemed upset by what they read. The reason for this, while puzzling to some of our fans, is clear to THE PLANET. For whatever […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 29, 2011) — So much for the Hurricane from Armageddon. Storm of the Millennia, and Big Wind from South. The fizzled Irene, as far as the Berkshires go, packed as much damage as the arguments from one of THE PLANET’s critics, which […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY AUG. 28, 2011) — After taking preparations at the ranch for Irene, THE PLANET will watch with detachment what follows. We will not become “engaged” to this storm but simply act and react to whatever happens. Beyond that, we find it useless to […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, AUG. 26, 2011) — “It’s moving! It’s alive!! Ohhhhh, it’s alive it’s alive!!!” No. That isn’t Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein watching his Grand Experiment come to life on the Universal laboratory table. It’s Campaign ’11 flicking its little finger in Pittsfield. Several items […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD 1, 8/25/11 FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE BIANCHI DECLARES AT PACKED ITALIAN-AMERICAN CLUB In answer to numerous questions THE PLANET has received about Dan Bianchi’s “Did he or didn’t he?” formally announcing for mayor last night, the answer is yes. Apparently, The Boring Broadsheet made the editorial decision […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011) — It’s amazing. We have huge questions facing candidates and voters in Campaign ’11, and everyone wants to talk about … …Signgate. And what’s the big mystery about Signgate? A mayor takes down the sign of the rival of the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 23, 2011) — There are several issues that must become pandemic and ongoing to Pittsfield’s Campaign 2011. These include: * Mandatory, random, and unconditional drug testing for all public employees, accepted as a requirement for employment, with no grandfathering. * Adjusting the […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 22, 2011) — One of the most vital debates for any so-called free society has occurred in the “Comments” section of THE PLANET in the past few days. The subject: The role of the press in a free society. THE PLANET is […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY, AUG. 20, 2011) — Today, THE PLANET received an excellent post in response to one of the stories in our series exposing perhaps the main point of contention between the city of Pittsfield and the fire department as they try to find agreement […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, AUG. 19, 2011 — There are many “eternal debates” in Pittsfield. The rotary around Park Square went on for 60 years before Mayor Jimmy Ruberto set in place the decision to implement the “straight shot” from south-to-north. That’s a rare example of an […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 18, 2011) — On the road, here and there, hither and yon, pursuing our craft, THE PLANET returns to our den in the FORTRESS to share these observations, which have accumulated during our two-day hegira: · THE PLANET has asked presumed mayoral […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17, 2011) — This morning, Peter Marchetti sent THE PLANET a quick note on Facebook, confirming that he received our question on random drug testing for firemen and other public employees. He wrote that he had only just then checked his FB […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 16, 2011) — A second candidate for office in Pittsfield, this for the office of mayor, has declared his position on drug testing for firemen and other public emplyees. Mayoral candidate Joe Nichols, back from his recent honeymoon, told THE PLANET that […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY, AUG. 13, 2011) — The firestorm over THE PLANET’s exclusive coverage of the inside details of the contract squabble between the city of Pittsfield and the Pittsfield Fire Department has elicted an avalanche of comment. There have been nearly 100 comments on THE PLANET. […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, AUG. 12, 2011) — Yesterday, Tim Bartini and Robert Czerwinski sent THE PLANET a letter. Bartini and Czerwinski are, respectively, president of Local 2647 Pittsfield Firefighters and acting fire chief of the PFD. The letter addressed THE PLANET’s recent postings on the contract […]
By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, AUG. 11, 2011) — The controversy over the city’s withdrawal of its 4% pay hike offer to Pittsfield fire fighters in exchange for the union’s agreement to random drug testing continues to burn out of control. No back-up units will be called in […]
