Eddie Day Pashinski for State Represenative

Eddie Day had his annual brunch that attracted about 300 people at Genetti's. He brought in some of the heavy hitters in state and local politics like Bob Casey, Matt Cartwright, John Yudichak, Mike Carrol and Guido Sarducci.

In the warm up Yuddy sang Eddie's praises since he rarely does it himself. He recounted the  many infrastructure and economic development projects he has done the hard work to make it happen. He had a nice quip about how he shows up with a piano and his own  Paparazzi. Matt Cartwright also praised him and noted that he is sharing campaign space in W-B. He said "I've had worst roommates but at least he cleans up after himself."  All those losing lottery tickets and empty cans end up in the trash.

Senator Bob Casey continues to impress me. He gave another fiery address about the ACA and his opposition to the Trumplican agenda.


When it came time for Eddie to speak  he told us about he is working with his Republican colleagues to get help for grandparents raising grand kids. He lamented that that the Republican Party has been hijacked by extremist who want to divide us on race, sex, etc. He said they want to divide us because there are "more of us than them."   He decried the money in politics and  defended public schools, labor unions, Social Security and Medicare. He doesn't want to go back to the days of the coal barons and celebrated the gains made on job safety, the 8 hr.workday/ 40 hr. week because of collective bargaining. And then he went on and on and on so I had to leave because I already missed kickoff.

He never mentioned his opponent.

Scott Wagner in Luzerne County

GOP Governor nominee Scott Wagner had a rally at the Woodlands Wenesday night and had a nice turnout. State Senator Lisa Baker was the MC and she kept the program rolling along limiting the under card to brief statements. Many people think she should run for Governor.

The state rep candidates warmed up the room. Sue Henry started off with her usual good humor saying :“It’s really good to be behind the microphone again.”.  I'm sure she is happy that the Red Sox are running away with the AL East. She then made her case for property tax reform.

I want to thank Sue for being so generous to me when she was on WILK, she always gave me a good time slot, :07 after the hour and entertaining us on WRKC 88.5 FM. My favorite conversation  was when we decided to nominate David Yonki for Jury Commissioner . I have always cast a write-in vote for the Yonk in every election since.

Justin Behrens and Frank Scavo also joined the bandwagon on taxes. John Chrin (R-NJ)  said something about socialism.

The red meat was thrown out by Pennsylvania  GOP Chair Valetino  DeGiorgio. He mentioned Maxine Waters and Nancy Peolsi which got of few boos in the audience.  He repeated the ALLEGATION that immigrants get welfare. And Socialism! He forgot George Soros.

Scott Wagner started his speech talking about his humble upbringing and some flashes of humor admitting he didn't have the best smile and can sometimes be abrasive. He talked about touring areas hit by the recent flooding recent and accused Tom Wolf of using it as a photo op. He backed teachers in his education plan but panned union bosses. Wagner wants to sell the liquor stores to fund education. He also made fun of Wolf's "honky jeep." He denied wanting to tax retirement income claiming his opponent is using 7 seconds of a long speech out of context.

 He talked about his plan to combat Pennsylvania's opioid epidemic. Emphasizing treatment, education  and surprisingly suing pharmaceutical companies. Then he attack Wolf for vetoing a bill he sponsored claiming he did it because he has taken money from the PAC Fairness PA saying Governor Wolf is just as bad as the drug dealers. He also said "If you want a guy who enables those who makes money killing our kids, taking contributions of $1.2 million please reelect Tom Wolf. Because I'm not your guy."

He then said he could get things done because he has relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and told us what a great guy John Yudichak is. 

Wagner unveils 'first real plan' to tackle opioid epidemic

Oppose the Funeral Tax

Sue Henry has a famous name and a bumper sticker issue in her challenge to Eddie Day Pashinski. Her issue is eliminate property taxes but HB 76 does no such thing.It just moves taxes from the wealthy property owners to working people.  The response should be to oppose the expansion of the sales and income tax such as a NEW TAX on Funeral Services of 7%.. It will also tax food and clothing for the first time.

 No one wants to see a senior lose their  home as we are told  but I've never seen any data to support the allegation that seniors lose there home more than other people that fall behind on their taxes. In fact people over 65 and the disabled get a rebate up to $650 to offset the tax. I would like to see it applied up front so they don't have to wait for the money after they paid the bill.

I'm getting to be a senior and know how much a funeral can cost since I have had  to plan a few. I read obituaries all the time that ask for a donation to a Go Fund Me page to pay for the funeral service, burial and marker. Sadly, many of the deceased left us way before they should have because of overdose, murder, car crashes, etc. Young people for the most part don't have Life Insurance and the family should not be burdened with an additional cost such as a sales tax.

Pashinski Brunch

Eddie Day and the Guv

 Thom Shubilla and Eddie

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski is having his annual September Brunch at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday at 11AM.

This event always draws a big crowd and in 2013 our future Governor scored some major points with the locals by greeting everyone at the door.

It's curious that there is nothing on the intertubes about this gathering. Pashinski doesn't have a Facebook campaign page and his campaign website hasn't been updated in a few years.

Eddie Day in 2014

Eddie Day

State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D) wants to go back to Harrisburg for another term and over 100 of his friends gathered at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre to support him on Sunday for brunch.

Tom Wolf

Exeter Mayor Cassandra Coleman-Corcoran organized the event and PA Governor hopeful Tom Wolf greeted people at the door.

W-B council member Maureen Lavelle showed her support and West Wyoming's Eileen Cipriani represented Phyllis Mundy who is plunging in the rankings. Only two  2013 candidates were in the crowd.  County Council Democratic  nominee Eileen Sorokas and Republican Controller replacement candidate Carolee Medico- Olenginski.

Carmen Ambrosino and Mrs. A

A real treat for me was I had breakfast with my committeeman and Young Dem Prez Thom Shubilla and local legend Carmen Ambrosino who has spent his career helping people with abuse
problems. Luzerne County Democratic chair Bob Boyer was late to the party.


Eddie Day gave what can only be described as a populist speech. He ripped into Governor Tom Corbett for his attempts to privatize all sorts of government function including education, liquor stores and the lottery. He described the voter ID law as cheating as it would disenfranchise 700,000 people.He reminded the audience that all elections are big elections as the school director and city councilor affect you life as much as a President. He reminded us that the common man can stand up to the billionaires just by casting a vote.

Eddie Day and family

So far I haven't heard of anyone planning to run against him. I hope a Republican candidate emerges soon. We should always have a choice in an election.

More photos at this link.

Brunch with Eddie Day

Please join my 3rd favorite state legislator Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski
for brunch to support his re-election

Sunday, September 22nd
10:30am Registration
11:00am-1:00pm Brunch
at
Genetti’s
Wilkes Barre, PA


More information on the FB Event  Page

Predictions 118th HD and 17th CD

 
Sorry I have been out of the loop for the last 2 days but I had some family obligations to tend to. I'll start off with the easy ones. You can beat me up on later posts.

Mike Carrol will be reelected in the 118th HD. Terrance O'Connor is the Republican candidate but has not made much of an effort other than putting on tricorner hat and yelling into a bullhorn from the back of a pick up truck just like he did last time. Carroll has pleasantly surprised me with his desire to overhaul the campaign finance laws (there aren't many) of Pennsylvania and reforming the redistricting process.



Karen Boback is unopposed in the 117th HD as is Eddie Day Pashinski in the 121st HD. I told Pashinski  that I'm not voting for him this time. More on that later. As a political junkie I hate unopposed races. Sorry but I have to put up James favorite Karen pic.






In the newfangled gerrymandered 17th Congressional District Matt Cartwright (D) will win in a blowout over Laureen Cummings(R). Probably 60%+. Cartwright beat incumbent  Blue Dog Tim Holden in the primary in the overwhelmingly Democratic district because people wanted a real Democrat not Republican lite. It's great that both candidates have run positive campaigns discussing issues. My contact at the DCCC tells me that Cartwright is up 26% in their latest poll.

If you are still undecided here is the video from WVIA debate.

 

Watch 2012 PA 17th Congressional District Debate on PBS. See more from WVIA Special Presentations.

A night with the Democrats

Eddie Day Pashinski and Phyllis Mundy

A nice night with my Democratic friends at Brews Brothers in Pittston watching Vice President Biden and President Barack Obama accept the Democratic nominations tonight. Alex Milanes was the token Republican in the crowd joining Luzerne County Chair Bob Boyer, Vice Chair Jane Waitukus and 2nd District honcho Casey Evans. State Reps Phyllis Mundy and Eddie Day Pashinski were the stars of the night. 17th CD candidate Matt Cartwright was represented by deputy dog Mike Szusrtak.

You can read the text of the President's speech at this link.

President Obama's acceptance speech.

He defended his record and outlined a path for the future and got down right feisty saying:

Now, our friends at the Republican convention were more than happy to talk about everything they think is wrong with America, but they didn’t have much to say about how they’d make it right.  They want your vote, but they don’t want you to know their plan.  And that’s because all they have to offer is the same prescription they’ve had for the last thirty years:

“Have a surplus? Try a tax cut.” 

“Deficit too high? Try another.”

“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning!”

He ended the Iraq war and will end the Afghanistan war and unlike Romney he payed tribute to our troops and veterans. 

He blasts the Republicans on foreign policy:


"You might not be ready for diplomacy with Beijing if you can’t visit the Olympics without insulting our closest ally. "

The President didn't say it but how can you expect Mitt Romney to stand up to the Iranians when he won't even stand up to Rush Limbaugh after he insults a young woman.


Bill Wellock filed this report in the Citizens Voice

Obama's speech attracts interest from both sides

Mailloux and McCabe out

Pete Mailloux is a casualty of the hash that the Harrisburg Republican's made of reapportionment. A W-B city employee challenged his petitions because he doesn't live in the 121st HD. Mailloux conceded the point and dropped out of the race. Barring a 3rd party or Independent candidate getting enough signatures by August 1st Democratic incumbent Eddie Day Pashinski will be the only name on the ballot in November.

On the west side Dem Asst. DA Frank McCabe only got 325 signatures on his petitions that were challenged by Charles Jackson of West Wyoming and Anthony Perzia of Luzerne. The rule of thumb is to get twice as many signatures than you need to ward off challenges because there will always be something wrong. In a state rep race you need 300 but it's harder than you think to gather them especially when you get a late start. McCabe decided not to fight his way on to the ballot. It's doubtful a 3rd party candidate will get into this race as Libertarian Tim Mullen who ran last time was at Republican Aaron Kaufer's kickoff event and the local Greens want to save the world but can't field candidates in local elections. Right now it looks like long time Democratic incumbent Phyllis Mundy will face Young Republican Aaron Kaufer in the fall.

Area House hopefuls pull petitions

Young Republicans to meet

The Luzerne County Young Republicans (“LCYRs”) will be holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7pm at the Waterfront Bar and Grill on N. River Street in Wilkes-Barre.

The LCYRs are pleased to announce that Republican State Representative candidates, Rick Arnold (119th), Aaron Kaufer (120th) and Pete Mailloux (121st) will be in attendance and address the group.


.
Partisan politics play too big a role in reapportionment
By Aaron Kaufer

.
The recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision should teach us one thing about the reapportionment process: there is too much party control. Redistricting is supposed to be based on census data and population changes to help balance out uneven districts. Instead, it has become a political tool for the majority party to gain an upper-hand over its opposition.
This year the Republicans used it to their advantage. They sought to manipulate districts in order to strengthen Republican re-election bids and challenge vulnerable Democrats. To do this, many Democratic towns got reapportioned out of these districts and placed into one heavily Democratic territory where Republicans have already conceded victory. This political chess match results in partisan districts, partisan politicians, and partisan stalemate. We need to reform this system.
As a Republican candidate, I would like to praise the leadership of Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Bethlehem, and parts of Senate Bill 650, co-sponsored by Sen. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, and Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township.
The bill includes five considerations by which a district will be created: ideal population, municipal boundaries, contiguous territory, compactness, and communities of interest. It would also prohibit reapportionment based on the address of incumbent legislators, previous election results, and most importantly, party affiliation. Lastly, the bill calls for a full-time Legislative Reapportionment Bureau in hopes of fixing the partisan nature of this issue.
Although I agree with most of this bill, I do not believe a separate full-time Legislative Reapportionment Bureau is necessary for a job that is done only once a decade. Instead, we should look to other models that have had success. In Iowa, a separate non-legislative staff draws the map and the legislature votes on it. In California, a panel of state residents picked by the state auditor handles the map-drawing. Both models have been lauded by numerous independent agencies.
It is important to note that these changes in Iowa and California only happened due to mounting public pressure. Finally that same pressure exists in Pennsylvania and we must make the necessary changes for a better governmental model.
My father once told me that it's better to agree for the common good than to disagree for no good. Politicians should heed that advice. The reapportionment process is a perfect example, but only one of the many examples of partisan politics that permeates our system. We need a voice to stand up to the political culture of Harrisburg. I hope to be that voice.

3 Republican State Rep candidates

Republican Rick Arnold will take on Gerald Mullery again in the 119th and may benefit from the redistricting. In 2010 Arnold lost by just 1300+ votes with a Libertarian candidate in the race. If this is a 2 person race it could be very competitive. He will kick off his campaign Saturday in Mountaintop.

PR: Arnold will launch his campaign before family, friends and supporters at 11:15 a.m. Jan. 21 at the Crestwood Industrial Park, Wright Township. Arnold, of Rice Township, said he chose the industrial park as the setting for his announcement because it symbolizes the major problem of the day – unemployment.

In the 121st Eddie Day Pashinski cruised to reelection last time and will face former Fairview Township Supervisor Pete Mailloux, a Republican who owns a business in Mountain Top. He will at the Wilkes-Barre Township Fire hall on Tuesday at 7:00PM to announce his run.

My 2nd, 3rd or 6th favorite State Rep Phyllis Mundy (depending on what day it is) will have a challenger, it's traditional. From the inbox:

Kingston, Pa. -- Aaron Kaufer will announce his candidacy for state representative of the 120th district in front of family, friends and supporters at the American Legion in Kingston at 6 p.m. Aaron will address the crowd at 7 p.m.

WHO: Kaufer Now Campaign, Aaron Kaufer for State Representative
WHAT: Aaron Kaufer’s announcement to run for State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 120th District.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (speech will be held at 7 p.m.)
WHERE: American Legion Post 395
386 Wyoming Ave.
Kingston, Pa. 18704

Maybe Omeed will have to take a sabitical to fend off this challenger. No word from John Cordara.

Info for this post came from YRLC and Bob Zaruta's Facebook pages. I always link back to my sources so hopefully I won't be gobbled up in the next incarnation of SOPA and banned to Mooslyvania .

PA State House redistricting

Late this afternoon the new boundaries for the Pennsylvania State House and Senate were revealed. As usual Borys is on top of what it means for Lackawanna and Luzerne counties with a list of what towns will be switching districts. It's hard to visualize without a map to actually look at but I'm sure our local papers will have them tomorrow.

I don't cover Lackawanna County much so I will leave it to my friends at NEPartisan to analyze what this means to citizens north of the border with the move of the 115th to Monroe County and 117th and 118th that have been mostly in Luzerne County getting chunks of Lackawanna.

The 120th represented by Phyllis Mundy appears to have the least change picking up Edwardsville from the 117th which makes it a bit more Democratic as far a registration goes.

Mike Carroll's 118th seat has Monroe County towns taken out and is moving both north and south. According to this Plains Township will now be in the 118th despite being in the 121st for a long time and will now snake up to include some Lackawanna towns such as Moscow. I know both towns and they have different concerns. I live in Plains and we have more in common with W-B than Moscow or Pittston.

The 121st (Eddie Day Pashinski) will still be centered on Wilkes-Barre and W-B Township but will move south to include a part of Mountaintop, more of Hanover and throw in Laurel Run, Sugar Notch and Warrior Run. Ashley moves to the 119th ( I'm not sure how they pulled that one off) and the district makes into the Hazleton Area that has freshman Rep. Gerry Mullery objecting.

I only looked at 3 of the traditional 6 House Districts in Luzerne County and have yet to look at the Senate bounderies but is apparent that the people drawing the lines ignored geography, the common interests of the people invovled and common sense.

It may take 10 years but it would be good idea to take the redistricting process out of the hands of the politicians. Much as I advocate Judge's on Merit. Sometimes we need less politics deciding the ground rules.

Phyllis on the job

Mundy calls for improved gas drilling oversight


HARRISBURG, June 21 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, today joined House Democrats, environmental advocates and residents who had their water supplies contaminated by natural gas drilling to demand better oversight of the industry.

Speaking at a rally in the Capitol, Mundy said the state has issued more than 6,600 Marcellus Shale drilling permits, and more than 2,800 wells have been drilled.


"I agree that the drilling industry is bringing economic benefits to our state and to some of our citizens," she said. "However, anyone who travels to Dimock in Susquehanna County as I have, or reads about countless drilling accidents that have occurred across the state, knows that we are not properly regulating drilling operations in the Commonwealth."

Several residents of Bradford County, where a large spill recently took place during Marcellus Shale fracking operations, attended the rally.


Mundy has introduced five pieces of Marcellus Shale-related legislation this year.

H.B. 233 would put a one-year moratorium on new Marcellus Shale drilling permits to give the legislature time to enact necessary protections in law and regulations. H.B. 230 would create a 2,500-foot drilling buffer around drinking water supplies. H.B. 234 would create an online tracking and reporting system for Marcellus Shale waste, such as drilling mud and chemically treated water used to fracture shale to release gas. H.B. 232 would restrict drilling and site preparation in floodplains, improve the disposal of waste water and better control erosion and sedimentation where gas is drilled.


In addition, Mundy attempted to amend a bill so Marcellus Shale wastewater would be designated as hazardous waste under the state's Vehicle Code. The amendment, which was blocked by Republican procedural maneuvers, would have ensured drivers transporting frac water for treatment are held to the highest standards.

Mundy said new state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer has recommended more than 20 amendments to the state's Oil and Gas Act that mirrors legislation she and others have repeatedly introduced. She said she hopes the amendments become law soon.

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it," she said. "If we as Pennsylvanians learned nothing from the legacy of the coal industry, shame on us."

If you think that this gas drilling is some jobs panancea take a look at this report from the Keystone Policy Center.

My blog buddies were out on the river this weekend and had the nerve to object to the gas drilling companies sponsoring Riverfest.

Kayack Dude documented the lies and The Blogfather wrote it all up.

Speaking of Mark, he took a shot at me the other day and I think he was trying to get me to start posting again. Well if if you wanted to get a rise out of me pal you have succeeded!


I talked to him recently, and I was stopped dead in my tracks when he said he thought Barack Obama was doing a “good” job. And even though his comment resulted in tiny bubbles coming out of my nose, I sought out no point/counterpoint exchange.

I know that the rest of you will be surprised that Mark and I disagree on national politics although we are almost on the same page on what is going on locally. Yes, I have been disapointed with this President. I voted for him to end the wars not to start a new one in Libya or Yemen. On the domestic front I think he inherited an enourmous mess that is going to take time to fix. It doesn't help that he is dealing with a Republican Party that is hell bent on economic sabotage. You don't take money out of the economy when growth is slow. The people who are bitching about deficits now didn't care about them the last decade.

We need another stimulus. Instead of a payroll tax cut of $120 billion spend that on fixing our roads, bridges and isolate the storm water runoff from sewage systems that pollute the Susquehanna River and many more accross the country. I think that would please Kayack Dude.


And please find another color for your exceperts of the local papers. It's hard to read.

Pennsylvania Exit Polls

A grand total of only one poll worker was outside the Plains Twp. firehall when I was recorded as voter number 310 out of 1000+ at about 3;30PM today. She handed me a card urging me vote straight Democratic but I have never done that in the 32 general elections that I have voted in unlike my polar opposite.

I did vote for the Dems in 4 out of the 5 races on the ballot with the one exception being James O'Meara in the 121st State House contest. If James wins it will be the biggest upset in local politics that I can remember.

The Blogfather shares his deepest, darkest voting secrets with us.

Predictions: Home Rule Yes and some state legislature races

I have been doing an informal survey of office holders, fellow bloggers and other political watchers over the last few days and we pretty much agree on the following races.

The Luzerne County Home Rule Charter will win big. Unlike 2003 there has not been a very organized effort against it and people are so fed up with what has been going on for years that just has recently been exposed that they are willing to take a chance on another form of government. The charter is not perfect but the biggest objections about an elected county executive and council elections by district can be addressed in 5 years by amendment instead of going through the whole process of electing another commission and writing another charter.


The PA 14th Senate race will be won by John Yudichack(D). The district has an overwhelming Democratic registration and Yuddy has been a good state rep. I like Steve Urban (R) and think he has been a good county commissioner. The Libertarian candidate Betsy Summers will eat into his vote but even if she wasn't in this Yudichack would still win big.

In the 118th State Rep District incumbent Mike Carroll (D) will be returned for another term.
Carroll has pleasantly surprised me with his desire to overhaul the campaign finance laws (there aren't many) of Pennsylvania and reform the redistricting process. His opponent Terrance O'Conner likes to dress up in 18th century garb and stand in the bed of his pick up truck yelling into a bullhorn. Today is Halloween so O'Conner should fit right in. One of his campaign planks is repeal ling the sales tax on ammunition. It's hard to win an election when you make yourself into a cartoon character and a joke.

Karen Boback (R) will win big in the overwhelmingly Republican 117th District. I have to congratulate Richard Shermanski (D) for running a energetic campaign.

James O'Meara (R) is my favorite underdog in this cycle. He has stayed positive in his uphill challenge to unseat Eddie Day Pashinski (D). He came to every blogger event and he married a great girl. I have never cast a straight ballot so this is one Republican I will be voting for. Pashinski wins big.

This week's events

121st Republican State Rep candidate James O'Meara is having a Wing Thing tonight at
Dan's Keystone Grill, 162 Union Street, Plains, PA 6-8 PM

The 120th District hopefuls are busy

Tomorrow you can find GOP candidate Bill Goldsworthy at Gober’s Art Deco Lounge, Schooley & Wyoming Ave., Exeter 7-10PM

Incumbent Democrat Phyllis Mundy will be at the Fox Hill Country Club, Thursday, September 23 from 5:30 to 7:30

On Saturday Libertarian Tim Mullen has a shindig at Grandaddy's Cafe, Vaughn and Buckingham St. in Luzerne 7:00-10:00pm

116th Republican challenger Tarah Toohill is hosting an old-fashioned 1950s Sock Hop on Wednesday at Byorek's Knotty Pine Restaurant, North Church St. (Route 309) Hazleton 6-9PM. Incumbent Todd Eachus doesn't have anything on the calendar this week but you can join him in Harrisburg next month.

Friends of Home Rule, a political committee in favor of the proposed home-rule charter for Luzerne County, is planning a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Hoyt Library in Kingston

In the 119th there is a South Valley Mixer to meet/greet Republican Rick Arnold on Sunday at Alden Manor. 4-6 pm, Middle Road in Nanticoke.

Also on Sunday the 4th and 6th District Republicans have gettogethers. You can read the details on the Luzerne County GOP website.

Finally GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett will be at the American Legion Post 609, 320 Lee Park Ave., Hanover Township on Thursday

You Tube weekend

This is for Phyllis

You're going to be my number ONE

What the Frack

News about gas drilling has been hot and heavy the last 2 days.

Congressman Paul Kanjorski announced that he has secured a cool million in federal funding to start an Energy Institute run by Wilkes U, King's College and the Earth Conservancy.
The institute will provide research about natural gas drilling's impact on the local community and environment, help with problem solving for issues that arise, and enhance public outreach efforts in order to promote safe and environmentally responsible drilling in the Marcellus Shale that could aid in significant local economic development, he said in a press release.

I asked Kanjo about his position on the Frac Act introduced by Senator Casey but he was noncommittal.

The argument in Harrisburg has moved from if there should be a severance tax to how much it should be. The Republicans want 1.5% and Rapid Edward wants 5 %. I think it should be a lot higher along with Tim Mullen's idea of requiring the drilling companies to post an environmental bond. Dan Onorato is beating up Tom Corbett on this issue. A new Penn State study looks at the tax issue. I know many of my friends don't trust anything coming out of PSU on this issue after the last fiasco but it is worth a read.

Kayak Dude is reporting there are tiny bubbles of methane in the Susquehanna River.

Scott Cannon of Video Innovations has produced a short film featuring Dr. Tom Juinta of the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition and State Reps Eddie Day Pashinski and Phyllis Mundy. Some of it is "what if" these things blow up in our back yards but those "what if's" are serious concerns. The damage the heavy trucks will cause is indistibutable.

121st State Rep happenings

Republican candidate James O'Meara has a shindig tonight at Saint Maria Goretti Church Banquet Hall, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin, PA.

Incumbent Democrat Eddie Day Pashinski has been out front on the drilling issue lately supporting a moritorium and attending Gas Stock. O"Meara also talks sense on this issue.

Yesterday I received a newsletter from Pashinski telling me what a great guy he is. This was probably paid for with taxpayer funds because the website on it directs you to pahouse.com/pashinski and the email listed is epashinski@pahouse.net. It's chock full of reminders such as reminding me to get a colonoscopy, take a walk at lunch and encouraging seniors to apply for the rent rebate. It also covers his greatest hits, the scrap metal law and dental assistant bill.

You can view the whole thing here (PDF).

This is the kind of thing that drives challengers nuts because they can't compete with direct mail that is not paid for with campaign funds. It should stop.

Pashinski on gas drilling

Last month I asked PA 121st District State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski about the proposed gas drilling in Plains Twp.

His response:

Thank you for your message related to the proposed gas drilling in Plains Township. I too have grave concerns about the entire operation and I am engaged in conversations with a wide variety of people who are involved and active with this issue. I have gone on record to support a temporary moratorium on all gas drilling in Pennsylvania until we can provide the necessary safeguards and regulations for this industry. I believe we must proceed cautiously and adroitly to provide an atmosphere to create jobs and economic development, without sacrificing our natural resources, our pure water and our lifestyles. Over time I will be talking with several Plains Officials to better understand the situation and determine the appropriate action. I thank you once again for actively participating in the democratic process and I encourage you to continue to uphold your responsibility as an American citizen by exercising your right to speak.



Sincerely,

Eddie Day Pashinski

State Representative

121st Legislative District