Twitter

I use Twitter like a RSS feed. I follow my favorite writers and click on their latest post. I'm having a hard time keeping up with rest of the social media like pintarest, instagram and even google plus. Maybe I should have gone to the last Blogcon to learn about the new apps.

My twitter handle is  @Gort421

Bob Reilly wants a pension

Used car salesman and part time Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly wants his pension from the county after being convicted of corruption. That takes some balls to even ask. Salute.

His lawyers argument is that he lied to to feds but not the locals so some loophole applies.

If The Facts Are Against You, Argue The Law.

How nuts is the right wing in this country

This one is going around on RW websites:

Pat Dollard

Recycle the Turkey Day dinner

Leftovers are good on Friday but get old by Saturday. After the care packages are packed up for the relatives there is still a bunch of ham and turkey to deal with.Our system has worked for the past few years. The turkey scraps are divided between a turkey pot pie and turkey salad that we take for lunch for the following weeks. The ham goes to Mrs. G's mom because she makes a ham casserole that will knock your socks off. For some reason  we never have any left over Kielbasa that we got from the Plains Meat Market.

Kathy Dobash says thanks

Dear Friends,

I am writing to thank you for your vote and support during the most recent general election on November 5, 2013.

As a candidate-elect for Luzerne County Council I want to provide you my email address:  kathydobash@yahoo.com .  Please feel free to contact me regarding any Luzerne County issue which may require my assistance.

I believe in openness and transparency.  I will be glad to present your concerns to other members of Luzerne County Council at public meetings.

With your help, we can make a difference and improve our communities throughout Luzerne County.

Again, I sincerely thank you for your support.  I wish all Luzerne County Citizens a wonderful Holiday Season!

Kathy Dobash

Happy Thanksgiving

The Luzerne County Election website is still a mess.

When I read this story about a little town in Utah forgetting about the election I thought this is where we should look for the the next Director of Elections for Luzerne County. After all a school board election needed a do over because a candidate withdrew and the other jurisdictions were not notified and W-B Township  Dems had only one candidate on the ballot in a 2 person race. I'm sure that made John Quinn bust another blood vessel.

After spending $7000 to give us up to date election results we didn't get results until 11:30PM but  the newspapers and TV stations had them earlier. It was a  task that was completed in house in past elections with results earlier. I hope that the latest election numbers will be archived on the Luzerne County website like all the past ones.

The campaign finance reports (CFR) were not posted before the recent election unlike previous years so we were not able to see what money was flowing to the candidates. I brought that to the attention  of a member of the county council who said he would bring it up. So much for that.

 The CFRs are are now posted on the website but there are all kind of technical glitches.  The few reports that you can access are posted upside down and others give you a warning message when you click on it. 

• This Connection is Untrusted
• You have asked Firefox to connect securely to www.luzernecounty.org, but we can't confirm that your connection is secure.
• Normally, when you try to connect securely, sites will present trusted identification to prove that you are going to the right place. However, this site's identity can't be verified.
• What Should I Do?
• If you usually connect to this site without problems, this error could mean that someone is trying to impersonate the site, and you shouldn't continue.
• 
  

YouTube Weekend

Elvis Costello will be at the Kirby tomorrow,

This is a version of the Tarah Toohil song.

To get along, go along

"I'm not going to fight him out in the press about this. He hasn't been a board member very long. He needs to come to some meetings to learn what the process and procedures are. He's just been very disruptive. He's doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it."- Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Board Chair Donna Cupinski


I had a bad feeling when I heard that local hooligan Alex Milanes had been appointed to the Arena Board. Alex doesn't always play well in the sand box and is working on a follow up to the Dale Carnegie  classic with the working title of How to Lose Friends & Piss Off People. He is the kind of guy that makes you feel good about being constipated. His entertainment experience consists of working as bouncer at one of those safe downtown W-B bars. Hell, I've been thrown out of places like that by people like him so maybe they should put me on the board.  Maybe he can use his connections to bring in some unique acts  such as a one legged tap dancer or a ventriloquist that stutters.

At his first board meeting last week Alex endeared himself to the other members by objecting to the free lunch that was served. I think he was just disappointed that corn dogs were not on the menu.  Cupinski said it was no big deal as she said the sandwiches only cost a buck.

That led to an exchange of emails that a 3rd party was good enough to forward to me.

Alex asked for all receipts  for catering and the authority to pay for it. Donna shot back that it would take 3 days to put that together and told him he can't go into the place unless he has an appointment, tickets or a meeting. She then accused him of  wanting special treatment for tickets to the Luke Bryan show. He explained that he actually wanted to exchange his floor seats for less expensive side seats so his son could see the stage.

Cupinski also told him not to bring in cookies for the staff. I'm not sure about that one but she might be concerned that Milanes got his cookie recipe from Casey Evans and gay dope might be baked into them.

 She is just as charmed by him as I as am

Alex-

That is enough!  I have checked my facts and know what is true. You have  been nothing but disruptive since you have been appointed to the board and  I will not stand for it. We are doing GREAT things at the arena and I will  not have you paint the staff, the board or me as doing otherwise. I also  will not fight this out in the press or before county council.

Donna

Maybe he should get a suit that fits.

JFK and the Cuban Missile Crises

The Cuban Missile Crises is regarded as Kennedy's finest moment

The whole 13 Days film is on YouTube

JFK: 50 years later

My friend David Yonki has had the best retrospective of any local media outlet on the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's murder. The well researched posts on The LuLac Political Letter and his media tour that gave us a local perspective has been outstanding. 

I usually discount conspiracy talk but when you look at the Zapruder film it's obvious that the 3rd shot came from the front. I'm too young remember where I was when he was killed but I remember where I was when I heard that President Reagan was shot. The Hagiography of Kennedy is annoying and Taylor Marsh doubts that he could be elected today.

 The thing that always bothered me about Oswald is he had to have been watched by the FBI or some other agency. A Marine who defects to the Soviet Union, get's mixed up with pro-Castro groups and even visits the USSR embassy in Mexico City that the CIA knew about.

YouTube Weekend

The war on drugs is a failure

When I read this story

Trey Radel, Busted On Cocaine Charge, Voted For Drug Testing Food Stamp Recipients 

The real outrage is the  draconian drug laws in this country rather than the  hypocrisy of this guy in Florida. Is this really the kind of offense that somebody should be locked up? I'm sure he will not see any jail time because of his connections but many others will for something similar. 

For the last  40 Years the strategy was to  lock up everyone involved in drugs and it has not worked. 

 

I don't know what the solution to the problem is. Maybe there isn't one.

 

 

 

Nobody reads blogs on Saturday

Well maybe JimboBillyBob but he just tunes in for pictures of the Q.

The boys look so innocent

Other thoughts.

Whatever happened to the DO Not Call List? We are getting a bunch of telemarketing calls lately.

And I see Dick Cheney was in the area.

                  Turkey hunter reportedly shot in face

What! No corn dogs for lunch?

According to the TL new Luzerne County Convention Center Authority member Alex Milanes has probably pissed off the other members of the board in his first meeting by calling attention to the sandwiches that were served for free. This is a real stand on principle as I have never known Alex to skip a meal. Maybe the solution to the perceived ethics violation is they all kick in a couple of bucks for lunch.

Some guy headed to Seattle and Alex at Blogfest

No such thing as a free lunch? There is for arena authority

 In more important news: Another authority committee is reviewing options to continue improving the arena sound quality. Acoustics have been an issue because the building is cavernous, Cupinski said. A new soundboard, acoustic panels and additional speakers have made a difference and prompted praise from many arena-goers, and the board is studying the benefits of reconfiguring the placement of speakers, she said.

 The acoustics in the place needs improvement. Unless you are on the floor in the first section the sound quality stinks. 

After  Alex was appointed to the position a local politico cried politics because she wasn't appointed. 

 

LOL stuff from Pure Bunkum

Kathy Kane Sounds Off On Playing Politics. Public Laughs Out Loud.

 

 

Mr. Smith goes to Plains

Thom Shubilla is hosting an event for Lt. Governor candidate Mark Smith tonight at Leggio's on Rte 315 near the Woodlands. It starts at 6PM.

Smith is a Bradford County Commissioner and  a critic of the Corbett administration like all the other LG candidates. Thom sent me an invitation a few weeks ago in snail mail but the campaign has done a piss poor job of promoting the event. There is not an events page on Smiths website or a mention on his Facebook page. Nothing on Thom's FB page or a press release.   I'm a blogger and need to link to things.

Mark Smith with his best campaign asset

Looking to 2014

As my long time readers know the primary focus of this blog has always been elections. Next year we choose a Governor of the Commonwealth, members of the US House and state House and half the state Senate. In the next few days I will post about these and some races around the country.

PA Gov Tom Cabot Corbett has an uphill climb according to the polls but things can change in the next year and no sitting Guv has lost reelection since they have been allowed to run for a 2nd term. So far there are 8 Dems smelling blood in the water.

The Lt. Governors race is most interesting as I have met most of the Democratic contenders. My early favorite is Brad Koplinski because he sent me a bribe.

Of the 3 local Congressman I keep an eye on only Matt Cartwright has a declared opponent so far. 2 of them in fact. A few people are teasing that they will run against Lou Barletta including Bill Vinsko, Gene Stilp and Chris Carney but I doubt any of them will run. Libetarian Betsy Summers may get into it.

A few weeks ago an old friend called to feel me out about running against Tom Marino in the Republican primary. His rational was Marino is one of the most ethically challenged people to ever hold office.  I had to throw cold water on the idea because his family wasn't behind it and he would need to declare right now and raise at least $100K before the end of the year.


On the state scene Sen. John Yudichak has no declared opponent so far. Neither do Mike Carroll, Phyllis Mundy, Eddie Day Pashinski, Tarah Toohil or Gerry Mullery. I heard a rumor that Mullery may get a primary opponent.

Karen Boback however is being challenged by Laura Dickson. I haven't been this excited about a state rep race since James May took her on.

Fall turns into Winter

And the best thing about Winter is that it turns to Spring.

Time to put away the lawn mower and tune up the snow blower. The Q helped.

The cat has enough of this dog stuff

Must see TV

Molly and Murphy at the Fall 2011 Blogfest

My friend former Congressman Patrick Murphy has been a regular guest on MSNBC and today he will be hosting a show.






Dear Gort,

As a strong supporter, I wanted to let you know first about a special MSNBC event this Veterans Day weekend. I will be hosting "Taking the Hill" on MSNBC this Sunday, November 10, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. "Taking the Hill" will focus on military service, progressive politics, and national service. For this special event, we’re partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project by highlighting the story of returning heroes during our program.

The show is airing live from the NYC 9/11 Ground Zero memorial. Please tune in to MSNBC

Just Yell Kids for Cash

Longtime local political consultant/media guy Ed Mitchell has a blog on tumblr. That's probably not the best best platform if you want to reach a wide audience. I'm sure that Ed isn't aware that I did some volunteer work for him when he ran for Congress in 1976 with the slogan President Carter/Congressman Mitchell. Joe McDade won big in that one.

NEPA McCarthyism

In the 1950s there was a wing of the Republican Party that terrorized American politics by labeling political enemies Communists through guilt by association. It was named McCarthyism after it’s main practitioner, Sen. Joe McCarthy of Wisconsin.

Recently we’ve seen shades of a new McCarthyism in Northeastern Pennsylvania campaigns through guilt by association with the “Kids for Cash” judges who are serving prison terms for their corrupt practices.

It started by blaming anyone who served on the Luzerne County courts or in the district attorney’s office while the scandal took place. “How could they not know it was happening?” was the question asked.

The one who suffered most publicly over these charges in her reelection fight two years ago was former DA, Jackie Musto Carroll.

This year, Atty. Jerry Mecadon ran for District Judge. He was attacked by his opponent for hiring me to work for him because 20 years ago I helped elect the judges who later turned corrupt.
Fact is, none of the sitting judges on the current court, Jackie Carroll, Jerry Mecadon or I had any clue of the no good Michael Conahan or Mark Ciaverella were up to. They didn’t consult with any of us.

But Jerry Mecadon’s opponent’s campaign employed the new NEPA McCarthyism and tried to link him to the scandal.

I don’t know if it worked. We don’t have exit polls for local races. I suspect the fact that Alexandra Kokura had the Democratic nomination and voter registration edge is why Mecadon lost.
The “Kids for Cash” scandal was a terrible chapter in Luzerne County judicial history. But it shouldn’t be wrongly exploited by any individual or political party for electoral gain. These were the crimes of a few bad men, not an entire system.

Hopefully, voters in the future won’t be fooled by innuendo or guilt by association either. We should believe people are innocent if they’re not proven guilty.

Cartwright supports ENDA, Barletta is quiet

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Thursday to approve the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, landmark civil rights legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT individuals in the workplace.
The final vote was 64-32, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats. The Republican senators backing the legislation were cosponsors Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), along with Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

Sen. Toomey tried to amend the bill at the last minute  that would have weakened the protections under the guise of religious liberty but that was shot down and he voted in favor of it in the end.  Nice try of Pat trying to have it both ways.


Only one Senator spoke against the measure and it now moves to the House. It is hard to speak out against ending discrimination. The Speaker says it's a jobs killer and won't bring it up for a vote. I think that may change.

Congressman Matt Cartwright sent a press release supporting the law but Lou Barletta has not stated his position.

Cartwright Statement on Senate Passage of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act

Washington – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright released the following statement after the Senate passed the Employee Non-Discrimination Act with a bipartisan vote of 64-32: “Today, the Senate took an important step forward toward protecting all Americans from workplace and employment discrimination by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with a strong, bipartisan vote of 64-32.  “This legislation will make it illegal to discriminate against LGBT Americans in hiring, provide safeguards against wrongful termination, and ensure that LGBT employees cannot be held back from advancement because of discrimination.  “Currently 21 states and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of those 21 states.   “I applaud Senator Bob Casey and Senator Pat Toomey for supporting this legislation and urge Speaker Boehner to reconsider his previous remarks and allow the House to take up the Senate's bipartisan Employment Non-Discrimination Act without delay.” Statement by the President on Senate Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013   For more than two centuries, the story of our nation has been the story of more citizens realizing the rights and freedoms that are our birthright as Americans.  Today, a bipartisan majority in the Senate took another important step in this journey by passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would help end the injustice of our fellow Americans being denied a job or fired just because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  Just as no one in the United States can lose their job simply because of their race, gender, religion or a disability, no one should ever lose their job simply because of who they are or who they love.       Today’s victory is a tribute to all those who fought for this progress ever since a similar bill was introduced after the Stonewall riots more than three decades ago.  In particular, I thank Majority Leader Reid, Chairman Harkin, Senators Merkley and Collins for their leadership, and Senator Kirk for speaking so eloquently in support of this legislation.  Now it’s up to the House of Representatives.  This bill has the overwhelming support of the American people, including a majority of Republican voters, as well as many corporations, small businesses and faith communities.  They recognize that our country will be more just and more prosperous when we harness the God-given talents of every individual.   One party in one house of Congress should not stand in the way of millions of Americans who want to go to work each day and simply be judged by the job they do.  Now is the time to end this kind of discrimination in the workplace, not enable it.  I urge the House Republican leadership to bring this bill to the floor for a vote and send it to my desk so I can sign it into law.  On that day, our nation will take another historic step toward fulfilling the founding ideals that define us as Americans. Update from Lou Barletta's spox:   The Congressman opposes discrimination.  He has not seen the bill, however, and wants to make sure it does not infringe on any rights of others – religious institutions for example.

Judges

It looks like all the statewide Judges will be retained and Stabile leads McVay for the seat on the Superior Court

Luzerne County Council results

CouThe 

McClosky Houck

18,227

Eileen M. Sorokas

17,531

Kathy Dobash

17,272

Harry Haas

17,007

Rick Williams

16,739

Sue Rossi

16,584

County Council

Richard Heffron

16,265

Ciaruffoli-Taffera

15,854

Eugene Kelleher

15,852

Michael Giamber

14,701

Paul Defabo

13,182

187 of 189 reporting

 Not a bad result.

Bednar bests Carolee

The new Luzerne County Controller will be Michelle Bednar who came out on top of a hard fought race.

 unty Controller

Michelle Bednar

22,225

Medico Olenginski

18,749

Plains Township

Total Vote count Plains Twp Commissioner (vote for 2)

Jerry Yozwiak (dem) 1,011 votes 37.70% of total votes

Robert Sax (dem) 1,009 votes 37.62% of total votes

Barry Kresge Jr (rep) 402 votes 14.99% of total votes

Allan Ciprich (rep) 259 votes 9.66% of total votes

write-in 1 votes 0.04% of total votes

 

Another total fuckup

The Luzerne County election results website does not have the results from tonight's election as of 10PM. The excuse the last time was too many hits that crashed the sight although that had never happened before. In 2012 the county election outfit had the final results about 10:30 without any crashes in a Prez year.

Jesus Christos the county can't even count votes in a timely manor. At this point I want to fire the head of the election office and the county manager for firing the guy that did elections so well.

From the TL

County Council

 http://www.timesleader.com/

 

 

 

McClosky Houck

6,041

Eileen M. Sorokas

5,770

Richard Heffron

5,513

Rick Williams

5,326

Ciaruffoli-Taffera

5,225

Harry Haas

4,947

 

 

County Council

Michael Giamber

4,855

Eugene Kelleher

4,477

Kathy Dobash

4,287

Sue Rossi

3,821

Paul Defabo

3,488

 

Latest results

Not on the county website which is way behind. Heads should roll for pissing away money on this thing.

The CV has the scoop.

Election Night Blog

 

 

Scranton Mayor race is called

Bill Courtright  wins in Scranton No numbers in Luzerne County yet.  But other sources report.


In Kingston:

Final: Haggerty 1268. Piazza 532. Thanks to everyone for all your help! And our council team sweeps!

 From Pittston Politics:

Kokura Wins heated Pittston DJ race

  Unofficial results have Alexander Kokura winning the heated District Judge race over Jerry Mecadon by approximately 500 votes.

 

Election results

A reporter friend said that the Luzene County election website would crash by 9:30PM. So far we don't have anything.

Pennsylvania exit poll

We were the 186th and 187th voters in our local polling place out of  about 1000. What a terrible turnout. On the way in there was only 2 poll workers and Plains Twp.plus  incumbent Commissioners Robert Sax and Jerry Yozwiak. I have long said that the only poll workers that matter in a local race is the candidates themselves.

 But in this case they were not going to persuade me. They both voted to kick back $3 million of slots money back to the Mohegan Sun to pave the parking lot over the last few years. Then they asked for $1 Million  of slots money to finance an upgrade to the Woodlands. I voted for Barry Kresge.

Being the contrarian that I am I usually vote no on retaining a Judge but in this case I actually voted Yes for State Supreme Court Justices Ron Castille and Max Baer and No on the other 2. What persuaded me was the Tea Party groups and Sue Henry said they opposed them because they blocked the Voter ID law. It should be trashed as it's a solution in search of a problem that will keep people from voting. For all the jokes we make about dead people voting in Pittston it just doesn't happen. Absentee ballots are another matter. All my life I have heard the lament that enough people don't vote (like today) so they want to make it harder. Elections are a bad way to pick appellate judges see Choose Judges on Meirt

Kathy Bozinski reported "that for the first time ever our reporters were told it's illegal to take generic, non-invasive shots inside polling places, and were turned away, or told to shoot through a window. I can't count how many live shots I've done inside the polling place... Is this something new?... We've learned its a regulation that is decided by the County Solicitor, and for apparently the first time, he decided to invoke it for this election."  I saw Pete from the TL at our polling place tonight taking photos and I snapped a few.

The Luzerne  County Website has  a link for election results that looks pretty good. You can tailor the races you are interest in. The thing is they had to go to a vendor to do something that was done in house and worked flawlessly until last spring.  Another waste of money. I like Walter Griffith but the pissing contest that he got into with Lenny Piazza that the county manager Bob Lawton  overreacted to  is costing us money and aggravation

And another ballot screw up

.

One less Democrat on W-B Twp. council ballot

Last minute emails

The election is tomorrow and a few candidates have sent me some stuff.

I don't cover Scranton or Lackawanna County unless a friend is running for office but the Mulligan camp has been sending things to me for months. This is the latest:

SCRANTON, PA - With just one day until Election Day, the Mulligan for Mayor of Scranton campaign continues to build momentum. And as the campaign continues to build, here is a look back at the numbers behind the momentum:

21,000            Number of doors in Scranton knocked on by the Mulligan Campaign

1890               Number of blocks walked in Scranton while going door-to-door

180                 Miles walked by Jim Mulligan while going door-to-door in Scranton

$154,165        Amount raised by Mulligan Campaign in less than three months

$66,703          How much less Bill Courtright's campaign raised than Mulligan in the last 3 months

41                   How many ideas Mulligan proposed to fix Scranton's finances

41                   How many more ideas Mulligan proposed than Courtright to fix Scranton's finance

1-0                  Jim Mulligan's record in debates against Bill Courtright

1                     Endorsement by the Scranton Times-Tribune of Jim Mulligan for Mayor

 Luzerne County Council candidate Eileen Sorokas talks about the budget:

The County Council has many issue they are facing prior to this election. In fact, all issue are important, that affect the public. Indeed, the most important issue, beside public safety, I will have to deal with is the budget. Through life experiences I have gain skills to manage budgets and understand the suffering people undertake when they lose their homes to foreclosures due to taxation or loss of jobs from budgets cuts. The hard decisions have to be made to either increase taxes or lay off people. My Goal is to “To Hold the Line on Taxes” with staff reduction through attrition. However, the county released an unbalance budget.  Consequently, putting fear into the public and employees with having an 8% tax increase or 160 employees to be lay off. Also, the unions will be asked for $2.7Million dollars concessions or 57 layoffs. Furthermore, the county cannot get a Crediting Rating for potential refinancing of their bond issue, unless they prove they have fiscal stability for at least two years. Also, no credit rating is causing our bonds fees to increase.  Appears my Goal may be out of touch with the main stream. Indeed, I will have to work harder to achieve my goal. Consequently, the County Manager and his staff should works to reduce taxes for all the citizens of Luzerne County.

The time for talking is over, we must go back to justifying all department cost.  Zero base budgeting. No more using past figures. Also, the taxation problem is state wide, but magnified with Luzerne County’s high debt. Furthermore, our State legislators should be working with our county to fine solutions. Indeed, there are some bills in the house and senate for tax relief using the States Income Tax and Sales Tax. Maybe, a local Drink Tax. However, the bills are not going anywhere. Incidentally, the Gaming Industry was for property tax relief, how much are we getting?  We have a Casino in Luzerne County and the county get very little if any benefit. We must look at other ways of taxation besides property taxes. Certainly, new taxation in the future to be equal for all citizens. By council working together and making it a goal, I believe the end result will be positive for all citizens of Luzerne County.

  Thank you 

Eileen M. Sorokas for County Council

As does Kathy Dobash:

 Luzerne County Citizens:

I attended the first public hearing about the Luzerne County Budget.

Below is the audio.  If you fast forward to the end of the meeting you will hear the intimidation thrown at citizens who stayed to speak during the public comment portion of the forum.

The County Solicitor is instructed to time everyone. 

10-29-2013 - First Luzerne County Public Budget Hearing

First I want to say, public comment should be allowed at the beginning of the meeting.  The meeting should take place in a larger room. 

A  tax hike of 8% was suggested throughout the meeting.

The majority of County Council did not want to hear the public outcry.  They are out of touch with those who live on a fixed income and working families.

The next scheduled budget hearings are:

November 12th, 18th and 19th.

My name is Kathy Dobash. I am a candidate for Luzerne County Council.

 I oppose tax hikes.  They hurt families and businesses.

On Tuesday, November 5th, help me OPPOSE the 8% tax hike.

Political Rants: 


Tomorrow is election day here in Pa. I am urging everybody to get out and vote. In particular (no fainting please) vote for Bednar for Controller and Harry Haas for council.

In the controller race, as much as it pains me to ever endorse a democratic candidate, this is an easy call to make. Sometimes the devil you don't know is a far better pick than the one we all know all too well.

For county council I am hoping everybody votes for just Harry Haas. Harry is a man of exceptional character and honesty and he deserves all of our votes.

Wilkes-Barre Area School District

From LuLac: Very simple. Ned Evans former District employee vs Kathy Grinaway a widowed, working mother who has worked in the private sector all her life. Grinaway has presented herself well, Evans I’m told has not. People have told me there is nothing wrong with have former School District employees on a School Board. I agree. But you don’t want all of them to make a majority. Already political insiders are calling it “The Coaches Club”. That is just so wrong for the district. Plus look at how this district was asleep at the wheel when Attorney Anthony Lupus overcharged for professional services. They thought that was okay.

Incumbent Christine Katsock and newcomers Joe Caffrey  and Denise Thomas won double nominations and barring some last minute scandal will probably win 3 of the 4 spots up for election. I would really like to see the end of cross filing for school board races as there is nothing more political in this area than a school board. Better yet get rid of school boards and let the IU's administer education.


I still can't forgive Katsock for voting for indicted and later convicted criminal Frank Pizzella as board president and she botched the hiring policy. For too long the hiring policy has been who you know are related to but then again that's life but it's done in such a blatant way.

The TL story by Mark Guydish asks about security and 3 of them want to put metal detectors in the schools.Denise Thomas said it would only cost $50,000. Sorry Denise, there are  a bunch of other costs with metal detectors. They have to be maintained and calibrated then you have to train people to man them so they know what they are looking for. And the biggest cost is

Do we really want to treat our kids like criminals?

So the final choice is between Evans and Grinaway with wild card Independent Sam Troy thrown in.

I like bomb throwers and rabble rousers so Sam has one of my votes and Grinaway has the other. That's only 2 votes out of 4 spots so I will write-in the Yonk.

YouTube Weekend

More Lou Reed


Every time I hear this I'm reminded of one of my first blog buds. This is for you AAJ:  




He had one top40 hit






Laurie Anderson

Read Laurie Anderson’s Letter About Husband Lou Reed’s Final Days

 

 

 

Wilkes-Barre Area School District

What can I say about such an organization as the W-B Area School Board Over the last the 10,20 or 50 years it has just been a personal department dedicated to getting friends and relatives a job. We really should get away from  local School Boards

Harry Haas for Luzerne County Council

Harry Haas has a web ad:

A message from the President

From the inbox:

Omeed with a mutual friend

When the government shutdown ended 16 days ago, I made one thing clear to Republicans. If they want different leadership from the White House, they should go win an election.

I want to tell you what I meant by that.

A few extreme Republicans in Congress -- one faction of one party in one branch of government -- shouldn't hijack our economy in an attempt to force through a failed, partisan agenda. That's not how our system works -- and that's not a precedent we can abide.

If members of Congress and their constituents don't like a policy, they can argue for their side. They can debate other candidates, lay out their plan, and let the voters decide. That's how our elections -- and our democracy -- are supposed to work.

And if we want to make sure that Congress is focused on things that matter, we need more lawmakers who share that fundamental belief -- and we're going to need your support to make that happen.

Even though I won't be on a ballot again, I'm asking you to stand with me and support fellow Democrats who will. Help fix the broken system in Washington by electing a Congress that will keep our economy moving forward, not shut it down.

Luzerne County Controller

Democratic nominee Michelle Bednar had a LTE published in the CV today and Republican Carolee Medico Olenginski  responded by sending out an email to the media including us lowly Bloggers. . This is the top race in this year's election. I'll have more on this contest over the weekend.

 Michelle in the CV:

Michelle Bednar: I have financial experience

 

As a candidate for the position of Luzerne County controller, I ask voters to compare my experience, employment and education with the other candidates in the race. I feel very strongly that my qualifications set me apart to fulfill the necessary duties and requirements from the very first day in office. 

The controller serves as the independent watchdog over fiscal and management activities while also monitoring and examining government operations. The controller also has the authority to conduct fiscal performance audits for nearly every facet in county government to ensure transparency and foster trust with taxpayers. 

For the past 25 years, I have worked in finance and management within the public and private sectors. This has given me a wide breadth of experience that I will apply wisely as your controller.
For ten years, I served as the branch office manager of an investment securities firm where I administered and reconciled client accounts and contracts. I also worked with internal regulatory auditors and created reports. During my 10 years in banking, I successfully cross trained in both operations and finance. I have supervised employees in many aspects of business including payroll, bookkeeping, and ensuring valid and accurate payment of income, dividends, and commissions. In addition, I have proudly served as the elected tax collector of Conyngham Township since 2009. This experience will allow me to audit both the finances and operations of the county. 

I have confidence that my employment and education will be great assets to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as Luzerne County controller and humbly ask for your vote on election day, Tuesday, November 5. 

Michelle Bednar



From an email from Carolee:

Response to Bednar’s letter to the Editor:

If Bednar had not gone negative on me in the zero hour, I would not be responding to her letter published in the Citizens’ Voice today and I expect her letter will also appear in the Times Leader and Standard Speaker in the next few days before the election. 

In her letter she implies that my experience, employment and education were inferior to hers.  The facts are that Bednar’s educational credential is an “associate’s degree in tourism and travel management from the LCCC.”   Her 25 years in management are questionable for she would have started in management at 22 years old (with no educational 4 year degree). 

She was underestimating the intelligence of the voters when she asked them to compare her experience, employment and education with me, implying that she had superior qualifications.

As a struggling single mom raising 4 children I graduated with honors from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Science degree in Human Resource Administration.  When I was unable to afford my last year I studied harder and pulled a 4.0 that awarded me a scholarship enabling me to graduate.  I am proud of my education because I got it as an adult student who was going through many sacrifices and hardships.

Since 1985 I was a management consultant, award winning motivational seminar facilitator and I have over 20years experience as a successful manager including my proven record of excellence in government.  The Prothonotary’s office has become one of the best in the state for efficiency, productivity, profit and service at peak performance.  We were the first 3^rd class county to offer access to records online and e.filing for legal documents.  I am responsible for researching, reporting possible embezzlement to the secret service and stopping the LRW (Little Red Wagon) scheme that was being mismanagement and misspending over $900,000.

These are my experiences, employment and formal 6 years educational degrees.  The University of Scranton would take issue with Bednar’s claims that an associate’s degree trumps a bachelor’s and master’s from their fine school.

I would welcome the voters to compare my documented qualifications with my opponent’s allegations.  I would also welcome a public debate with my opponent any time, any venue between now and Tuesday.