More on KOZ's

The Legislative Budget and Finance committee released a report last week on the Keystone Opportunity Zone program. The thing that jumped out at me was that there isn't enough data to adequately evaluate the program's effectiveness. From what data that is available it looks like 75% of participants didn’t create any jobs.


Policy Blog: If that wasn’t bad enough, the Department of Community and Economic Development does not even have a method to calculate total program costs. Therefore, it is impossible to run a cost-benefit analysis to determine if KOZ-related “job creations and capital investment” (see above) justify the amount of state and local tax revenues being forfeited.


CV: "We found that many KOZ participants are providing little, if any, job creation of capital investment in return for the KOZ tax abatement and exemption benefits they receive," said study director John Rowe.


The recommendations in the report's highlights are the same I have been advocating for a few years. The tax breaks should only go to someone that has a believable business plan to develop the parcel and if they don't produce in a agreed to time the tax exemption should be revoked. While many of us look at large increases in our property tax bills the owners of the now defunct Lowe's Restaurant didn't pay local property taxes for the last 10 years and didn't create one new job. And I'm sure there are many other sweetheart deals for the well connected that shortchanged our local school districts and local governments.

A big pile of junk

After the owner, Al Roman, of the Huber Breaker in Ashley threatened to sell the place as scrap metal the Bond Brothers went into panic pass mode and decided to take the property by eminent domain. The Commissioners have since backed off from that but Mr. Roman smelled the bucks and now is suing.

Huber Breaker owner suing county for $1.7M


No. 1 Contracting Corp., owner of the historic Huber Breaker, is seeking nearly $1.7 million from Luzerne County in a lawsuit filed last Friday. No. 1 is suing the county for abuse of process, malicious prosecution of civil proceedings and negligent interference with a contract. The company claims it is now obligated to remove steel from the site at a cost of almost $200,000 - instead of getting nearly $1.5 million - because of county decisions.

It would take at least $10 million to restore the site and make it into some sort of tourist attraction that very few people will ever visit. We don't need another White Elephant like Steamtown.

In other Luzerne County news the $9 million budget gap will filled by borrowing $18 million. It must be an example of the new math.

Get well Senator Lisa

State Senator Lisa Baker recently had her gall bladder chopped out and we hope she will mend quickly. Her bill to examine the Luzerne County Juvenile Justice system recently passed and she is needed to keep up the good work. Plus she is going to be Governor some day.

The All Star break

The Red Sox have a 3 game lead in the AL East with Tampa Bay and Toronto hanging around. The Dodgers are running away with the NL West but that usually doesn't usually translate into post-season success. You got to get hot at the end of September. The Phils look good. The starting pitchers have been outstanding the last week and they can score some runs. They have a 4 game lead over the Marlins and the Met's suck.

It's only 75 degrees in July

And it feels good. This would be a nice day in May but by the middle of July it should be at least 85 or 90.

I blame Al Roker.

Radall Terry was in town

FORTY FORT -Terry, the 50-year-old founder of the anti-abortion organization Operation Rescue – known for promoting civil disobedience – was at The Beer Deli in Forty Fort to urge people to join his fight against the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor...Sotomayor has not publicly disclosed her stance on Roe vs. Wade.

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It was less than an overflow crowd. I should have brought some bricks so the people in attendance could hit themselves in the head with them because that would be more effective in defeating her confirmation. Of course he passed the hat and got a few bucks which is what this was really about.

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He had this to say about the murder of Dr. George Tiller:

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CNW: "Dr. Tiller was a mass murderer...But even Mr. Tiller - like other murderers - deserved a trial of his peers, and a legal execution."

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So much for being "pro-life."

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A question for my anti-abortion friends. Do you really think that if a law is passed it will end the practice? or will it double the casualties? For as long as there have been people walking the earth ways of ending an unwanted pregnancy have been known. The difference is today that it can be done safely without coat hangers or dangerous drugs.

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Another question. If a woman decides to have an abortion and you consider it murder is it 1st degree murder since it is premeditated? The punishment for 1st degree murder is the death penalty or life in prison. So how long should she put in jail or should she be subject to a "legal execution?"

Luzerne County theme song

We have the Bond Brothers and the Juvie Brothers and in honor what is going on with the Sheriffs Department the Chemical Brothers seems like the right choice. I don't think I can even list all the scandals going on right now, maybe the The Yonk is right and the courthouse should just be blown up. Other suggestions for a theme song are welcome.


Out of Control-chemical brothers

No honor among thieves

Former Judge Mark Ciavarella denies that he extorted payments from PA Child Care owner Robert Powell calling him a liar. Wired for sound attorney Powell says he did exactly that and claims to be a victim of the Judges greed. The part that I found to be funny was when Ciavella contended that Robert Mericle just walked into his office one day and offered to give him almost a million dollars as a "finders fee." I wish I had such generous friends.

Get well Mayor Jim

Kingston Mayor and Chairman of the Luzerne County Government Study Commission Jim Haggerty had emergency bypass surgery at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Tuesday. Let's hope they get his ticker on beat again. I've had a few conversations with Jim over the last few months about home rule and other subjects and found him to be very receptive to my ideas. He is one of the good guys on the local political scene.

Sarah Palin resigns

I know I'm few days late to this story but it was a great weekend and the only TV I watched was baseball.

Like most people I'm still scratching my head about her decision to just walk away from her responsibilities. Last week's article in Vanity Fair, It Came from Wasilla, started another round of recriminations over the McCain campaign. Palin Story Sparks GOP Family Feud. Then she drops the resignation bombshell in a nonsensical, rambling word salad press conference that will be remembered for her reference to dead fish going with the flow. Most people think that this is the end of her Presidential ambitions although some think the old rules don't apply. My favorite Palinololgists are amateur obstetrician Andrew Sullivan and T,J &P and even they can't figure out what the hell is going on with her. The most plausible reasons for her resignation is that she wants to cash in on her fame or there is some scandal lurking around the corner. I'll bet on the money option as she could easily become even more outrageous than Ann Coulter and rake in the bucks. But the scandals could be out there and her lawyer is threatening to sue anyone that would even suggest such a thing.

Just for fun the speculation is "Then again, tomorrow we may find out that she's been hiking the Appalachian Trail with Vladimir Putin."

But JudiPhilly got to the bottom of it:

She used a bunch of sports metaphors in her press conference. To keep with that all I can say is she is as wierd as a football bat.

I'm going to work tomorrow

I have had the winning Powerball numbers for the last 5 years but they just can't figure that out. Anyway, I can take comfort in the fact that my dollar helped pay for my Mom's bus ride and someone's prescription.

July 4th message from the President

Gort-


This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.


Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.


Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.


Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.


As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.


So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it.

It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.

With very best wishes,

President Barack Obama
July 4th, 2009

P.S. -- Our nation's birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.

Happy 4th

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Joke of the day

I think everybody needs to realize that it’s 2009, and the days of no-show jobs are over.”-Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla

Conehead

Quincy has had an allergic reaction to something which is common in Golden Retrievers. Trying to figure out what exactly is making him chew himself is difficult. At first I didn't pay much attention to his licking and chewing his hind quarters because dogs are dirt bags and they all do it but he really did a number on himself. We thought he was having a problem with his anal glands but the Vet checked them out and they are functioning properly. Some of the possibilities are his food or more likely a reaction to fungal spores, pollen, cat dander, weeds and grasses that he either inhales or soaks up through the skin. We are treating him with oral and topical antibiotics and he has to wear this ridiculous looking helmet until the irritation clears up. Plus we have to give him steroids as if a 8 month old puppy isn't hyper enough. After a few more days on the roids I will check to see if he can hit a baseball out of the park.

More puppy pictures on my Facebook page.

A Savo pizza and a coke

Remember that Barry Stankus lost the election because he was squeezing a few oranges at the Sunshine Market.


Illegal drugs found in two sheriff’s vehicles


Feds launch probe of Luzerne County sheriff

So drugs were found in two sheriffs’ vehicles which will probably not amount to much. According to Luzerne County Mike Savokinas it happens all the time.

The Yonk lists all the other problems with his leadership of the office:


1. TRAIN-When Savokinas first took office, it took reporters dogged questions before the Sheriff admitted that he was still working for the railroad, in effect double dipping. A furor erupted and the Sheriff took a leave from the choo choo job.

2. HEROIN-Savokinas admitted to WILK talk show host that he had 7 bags of the drug stashed in his office for safe keeping. The chain of evidence implications in this admission are breath taking.

3. TIME CARD-Savokinas has been widely criticized for letting his office procedures go amuck when it came to keeping track of his people’s vacation and personal time.

4. GUARNARI-The Sheriff’s top deputy was not in the office for a few weeks and there was no record of vacation time. Guarnari who was interviewed by WBRE’s Joe Holden was not happy with the line of questioning and lunged at the reporter’s microphone.


All sorts of accusations have come out in the comments on the CV article that I will cherry pick. Since Mr. Savokinas has a habit of suing people I want to emphasize that these are not the opinion of Gort42 nor do I attest to the veracity of the accusations. But they are interesting.

From the CV Comments:


-I don't understand what the fuss is all about. I routinely find cocaine and heroin on the floor of my car when I unlock the door. Doesn't everyone?


-Lohman is not the only crooked cop that Savokinas is involved with there are many. maybe the FBI should look into that. Just go to the Scranton Police they will give you some background on one of them. Mental and criminal.


-I'm amazed at how this newspaper permits blatant allegations of criminal behavior to be published along with peoples' names without any corroboration - this is a lawsuit waiting to be filed.


-how long can the DA cover up the crime at the xmas party at savos pizza place. everyone in town knows about savo covering up what lohman did. some things in the small town never change.


-X'Mas, We can add that party to the list as well, but there was an incident a few years back and of course it was swept under the rug because of him being in law enforcement.


-Are you referring to a party around Xmas??...at his restaurant??? I heard a lot of rumors on Main St. Pittston, but seems everything was swept under the rug......if the rumors turn out to be true, and the FBI can get some answers, there will be a LOT of folks in some BIG trouble (another rumor was that county detectives weree aware of this incident).... I hope it comes out so we can continue to knock down the blue wall


-Its a real shame that people are so blind to this. So many people in Pittston Twp. where Savokinas is from knows this stuff about him, but noone comes forward because they are afraid of his frivilous lawsuits and threats. He has relations in law enforcement and the courthouse to protect him again. Wake up people put a tail on him you will see alot more!


-If someone wants to know why to cocain was in 'his vechile", maybe they should ask the Pittston Twp. Police about the incident a few years back.....


-maybe if they searched his residence they would find an extensive collection of Grateful Dead albums and tie dyed t-shirts.



-Savokinas,Guarneri and Lohman are all personal friends.Each one of them has testified for the other two at lawsuit proceedings.


Savokinas was on WILK yesterday and you can listen to it '>here.