BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY First of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 16, 2016) — The deeper we get into Mayor Linda Tyer’s reign, the more information we have upon which we can draw reasonable conclusions. Of course, less than five months in with more than three and a half years […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 13-15, 2016) — Lots to cover, so let us do it in QH&HL style. For those not in the know, THE PLANET means Quick Hitz and Hot Lix. No Exit … or Entrance — Yesterday you may have read the comment […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016) — Unlike municipal government and government generally, THE PLANET loves transparency. Our track record in this regard speaks for itself and stands second to none. City personnel director Michael Taylor dutifully responded to our request for the city or town of […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016) — Overall, Linda Tyer has been a refreshing change from her predecessor. She has communicated well, showed general openness to policy, and has seemed to care about opening procedure to public input. THE PLANET applauds that and hopes the pattern continues, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY,MAY 10, 2016) — THE PLANET enjoyed an urbane breakfast yesterday at the Red Lion Inn with one of Pittsfield’s greatest native sons, Chuck Garivaltis. After solving the world’s (and the city’s) problems, Chuck and THE PLANET discussed the comment made by Pittsfield police chief (acting) […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016) — As a Letter to the Editor writer wrote last week to THE PLANET, Pittsfield has wasted too much time, energy, and resources on what the letter writer called infrastructure — building a new high school, a new parking deck, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 6-8, 2016) — Happy weekend, all. We begin with two “Letters to the Editor” that come from THE PLANET‘s large population of resident Wise Men — as opposed to Wise Guys, who are, truth be told, in abundance as well. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016) — THE PLANET has written 1,442 columns since October 2010. Our first attempts were done with virtually no audience, something to be expected for a publishing enterprise that debuted un-foreshadowed and sprung on a clamshell fully formed from Apollo’s forehead. We […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016) — THE PLANET hit a nerve yesterday. We had near-record traffic, everywhere we went we ran into someone who had read or heard about our column, and the day even included not one but two e-mails from Pittsfield school supt. Jason […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2016) — Here’s another secret Pittsfield Supt. of Schools Jason “Jake” JIV McCandless doesn’t want you to know. You can contact JIV for an official denial — we won’t bother because he’s been ordered not to talk to THE PLANET as the only […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016) — THE PLANET would like to share this excellent piece by our long-time friend, colleague, and economic mentor, Dr. Charles Trczinka. This piece was first published in the Indianapolis Star. ——– 000 ——– BY DR. CHARLES TRCZINKA Special to Planet […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 29-MAY 1, 2016) — The Suited head- scratchers in Pittsfield recently conducted a conference addressing the question of how to attract and retain Millennials (is it a proper noun?) to and in Pittsfield. THE PLANET isn’t sure if any public money […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016) — Call it a bad case of triskaidekaphobia, and you’d land close. Call it triciakathyMckaphobia and you’d be much closer. The first refers to an irrational fear of the number 13, particularly to Friday the 13th. The second deals with […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016) — It’s not the kind of news you’ll hear about in the Feel Good Fakery & Fiction Department that pumps out press releases to the local Mainstream Media and provides talking points to the city’s “all-is-good-and-getting-better” political “leaders.” What news? Congratulations, […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2016) — Well within a room-service call from Hotel On North (HON) over the weekend, the low-lifes and scum who have assumed a majority position in Pittsfield treated residents to a serious stabbing and a shooting. THE PLANET checked the blueprints […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 22-24, 2016) — Spring is here, so as we clean up the yard, let’s also clean the mail bag, which has been building up. ——– 000 ——– Such a Deal! To THE PLANET: A few weeks ago THE PLANET reported on […]
