Meet the 119th State Rep District candidates

119th District State Represenative John Yudichak(D) has his sights on the 14th Senate District seat held by retiring Ray Musto. He had a fundraiser on Sunday that was well attended but was not announced on his website or Facebook pages. His campaign hasn't updated his online outlets since the primary. Get on the stick guys and use every tool available to communicate your message.

Democrat Gerald Mullery hopes to fill his shoes in the 119th and has a meeting planned today at Mil & Jims Parkway Inn, 24 W. Kirmar Ave., Nanticoke starting at 7PM.

I spotted a sign at the Plymouth Kielbasa Festival that said GOP nominee Rick Arnold will be at Happy Pizza in Plymouth, Friday, September 10th at 6PM. I'm not sure if this is a go because it's not listed on on his website or Facebook.

The Libertarian candidate Brian Bergman doesn't have any events listed this week on his website or Facebook page but will be at the NEPA Libertarians Monthly Meeting Sunday, September 19th,
2pm at Grotto Pizza in Edwardsville.

Note to the candidates, send me a reminder of your upcoming event and I will plug it.

Update: The Rick Arnold camp confirms that he will be at Happy Pizza on September 10th and also has a shindig scheduled for Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 4-6 at the Alden Manor in Nanticoke.
Visit his website for the details.

To keep track of all upcoming local Republican candidate events visit the calendar page at the Luzerne County GOP website.

Senate 14 this week

Mrs G asked me tonight who I would be voting for in the PA 14th Senate race. I honestly don't know because I like both of these gentlemen.


Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton went up on the air today with an ad that says "Tom Leighton gets things done." He promises more property tax cuts using the casino revenue.




State Rep John Yudichak keeps racking up the labor endorsements

Yudichak Receives Unanimous Endorsement of AFSCME

On the way to Mark's yesterday we passed by the PAV where Yuddy had an event that was well attended.

The Yonk says he has another spot

State Senate candidate John Yudichak will preview a new ad Sunday night on “60 Minutes” Yudichak has been campaigning like a virtual whirlwind invading Plains Township yesterday for a polka party with John Stanky and the Coalminers.

Senate 14 tidbits

I wandered into downtown Wilkes-Barre yesterday to do some Boscoving and check out the Green Party gathering on Public Square. Pictures here. I always park in the Boscovs parkade for the free parking and this time it only cost me 42 bucks.

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I ran into Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton who is running for the PA State Senate seat being vacated by Ray Musto who is now caught up in the corruption investigations that have snared 28 people in Luzerne County so far.

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We were both pressed for time and I didn't expect to see him so the tough questions will have to wait to another day. For all the attention that has been put on attracting new businesses to downtown W-B I think one of Leighton's biggest successes is keeping the anchor store open. If Boscovs closes it's doors it would be the death knell for the square.

In an interview with the CV he defended the tough decisions he has had to make as Mayor such as raising taxes and closing Firehouses.

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His opponent for the Democratic nomination State Rep John Yudichak gave his pitch to the CV
for "modernized government in Harrisburg."

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Yuddy keeps racking up the labor endorsements.

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The Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association (PPFA).

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

More Luzerne County corruption

I have to tip my hat to reporters and editors of the Times-Leader and Citizens Voice for keeping us informed of the the latest outrages. I know I can't keep up on it all.


Today we learn that

TL: Luzerne County Clerk of Courts Robert Reilly rejected a plea agreement offered by federal authorities to charges related to the ongoing corruption probe, a source knowledgeable with the investigation said.

I have to say good for him. It's about time that one of these cases actually goes to trial so we can learn who is paying the bribes not just who accepting them. He will probably cave before trial.

The Little Red Wagon company of Wayne, PA is the center of the latest questionable contracting practices or lack of in the county.


County commissioners initially approved payment of $107,000 to LRW. They later voted to extend the contract, but the new terms did not detail what work would be done, set a timeframe or cap for payments. The extension also was never signed by the county.

The original contract was signed in 2005 since then LRW has been paid almost a million dollars for advice on how to put papers in boxes. No change orders or extensions were ever approved by the Commissioners.


Controller Walter Griffith has stopped paying their invoices.


Prothonotary Carolee claims credit for blowing the whistle

Medico: I called feds


Medico Olenginski loudly expressed her concerns about the payments at a Jan. 27 records improvement committee meeting – the first public committee meeting in years.

However, fellow committee members Reilly, Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla and acting Sheriff Charles Guarnieri voted to continue paying LRW, also known as Little Red Wagon, to complete more work. Deputy Treasurer Dominick DePolo, representing Treasurer Michael Morreale, also voted in favor of continuing.


LRW has a website that has client testomnials including this one from Bob Reilly:


"After a lengthy search, I finally found a professional company who understands County government and provides the unique records management services we needed. LRW was able to help many of our offices free up valuable office and storage space and develop easy to follow guidelines for maintaining departmental retention schedules. The Records Improvement Committee and County Departments are extremely pleased with the work they have done. I can depend on LRW to get any job done."

— Robert Reilly, Luzerne County Clerk of Courts

PA Senate 14th District

TL: Pittston Township union representative Michael Saporito on Wednesday filed to withdraw from his candidacy for the 14th Senatorial District seat, according to a primary withdrawal list posted on the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Web site.

I spent a few days trying to find out some info about this guy is and came up empty. Saporito's petitions were being challenged by the Yudichak camp according to PittstonPolitics.com.

So that leaves 2 local Democratic heavyweights looking for the nomination to succeed Ray Musto. I must say that I'm surprised that there are not more people running for this seat on both sides. Of the the 4 people looking to go to Harrisburg I can honestly say I like them all and will be neutral in the race.

When you compare the job that Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton has done with the record of his predecessor you have to be impressed. He restored the bond rating of the city and added to the ranks of the police department. The downtown has seen more businesses open than close and it's not a ghost town after dark anymore. The trash is picked up on time and the streets are plowed when it snows. There have been some sore spots like the Heights fire house closing and staff reductions in that department. Yes, he has raised taxes because it was the responsible thing to do because we don't want to go back to the days of taking 3 tax anticipation notes in one year.

State Rep John Yudichak knocked off Stanley Jarolin in the 1998 Democratic primary and has been reelected easily since. Jarolin was best known for keeping us informed on which streams would be stocked with trout but not much else. He has had some significant achievements in his time in the State House including ending the unemployment penalty for people on Social Security. He refused to take the the 2AM payraise and has proposed legislation to end the per diem abuse.

A comment on a previous post said Word around Wilkes-Barre is that Leighton thinks he has the Senator seat in the bag already. His camp thinks that Kanjo is going to deliver it for him and he is going to deliver the Congressional race for Kanjo. They don't think Yudichak has a chance.

This is silly. Kanjo in another fight for his political life so he doesn't need to get mixed up in other races even if we all know that Kanjo and Yuddy don't exchange Christmas cards anymore. The last politician around here that could deliver a race was Marty Murray and those days are long gone.

Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban is the only Republican running for the State Senate seat but he is also running for Lt. Governor. I couldn't find a Urban for Senate website but did come across one for his Lt. Gov bid. Steve is the only one that I have voted for in the last 2 county commissioner general elections. He says he would be able to argue for county governments across the Commonwealth when Harrisburg decides to pass yet another unfunded mandate that passes the cost on to local government.

In the fall we will also be able to vote for a Libertarian candidate provided she gets enough signatures before August 1st. It won't be easy because the Dems and Reps have set an almost impossible number for 3rd party candidates to get on the ballot. Betsy Summers has run for a few offices before and was a member of the last Luzerne County Government Study Commission.


Note: All 4 candidates are threatening to show up at our blogger get together this Friday in Pittston.


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Pennsylvania 14th Senatorial District

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton tossed his hat into the ring to succeed Ray Musto in the state senate yesterday before a big crowd at Rodano's on Public Square. He pointed to the remake of Wilkes-Barre's downtown and said he wants use his experience to help other distressed cities in the district. You can read his entire announcement speech on his website.


On Monday119th State Rep John Yudichak kicked off his his campaign to be a state senator at the construction site of the new LCCC food school in Nanticoke.


“The construction you see happening here on Main Street in Nanticoke, a $30 million investment that will bring hundreds of new jobs to Luzerne County, represents just how hard I am willing to fight to create jobs and economic opportunity for all of northeastern Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “I have listened to the workers on this site and they want Harrisburg to get to work for them; they want good jobs, betters schools for their kids and safer communities for their families. I believe, with the support of working families from Luzerne, Carbon and Monroe Counties, I can be a leader who gets things done in the Pennsylvania State Senate.”


“That’s not a lot to ask for,” Yudichak said. “People need a safe place to live and work and they want health care security.

Yuddy has all the muli-media bases covered.

Website: Yudichak for State Senate

Facebook: Yudichak for Senate

Twitter will probably follow shortly.

YouTube: YudichakForSenate's Channel






SPPE covered Leighton's announcement and Lu Lac handicaps the race.

The only Republican in the mix so far is Republican Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban who is circulating petitions for state senator and Lt. Governor.

14th Senatorial District

Former Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo has dropped out of contention to succeed retiring Sate Senator Ray Musto saying he has more important things to do than run for office. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton is looking at making the race and will let us know later in the week. The early favorite is Nanticoke State Represenative John Yudichak who shot down the wishful thinking of local Republicans that he was switching parties. Yuddy will tell us more on Monday whether or not he he running but I would be very surprised if he doesn't. PittstonPolitics.com promises that another Tomato City pol will make the race and I expect a few more trial baloons to be floated before petitions are circulated. We may even see a Green Party or Libertarian candidate on the ballot in the fall. The only Republican mentioned so far is Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban. I want to see multiple candidates on the ballot in the primary on both sides.

This made me laugh

TL: Thom Greco was thinking about entering the race in the 14th Senatorial District... but his legal residence lies outside the district.


He has property in Wilkes-Barre but lives in Butler Twp. I have to be careful here because he has a bad habit of suing people everytime one of his bars/restaurants doesn't work out. Greco also got Luzerne County to take the railroad junkyard on Market Street off his hands a few years ago supposedly to open a visitors center. The last time I drove by Market Street Square it was still empty.

The serious candidates are former Pittston City Mayor Mike Lombardo, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and State Rep. John Yudichak who are looking at seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Ray Musto. So far the only Republican mentioned is Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban. We should have a better idea who is running after this weekend.

Ray Musto retiring

TL: State Senator Raphael “Ray” Musto (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) announced today that he will not seek re-election and retire from the Senate at the end of his current term.

"After nearly 40 years of public service to the citizens of the Northeast and seven terms serving the 14th Senatorial District, it is time to retire from the Senate," Musto said in a release.

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Expect a crowded Democratic primary in the race to succeed him and maybe the Republicans might even find a candidate this time. He was unopposed in 2006 even after his vote for the 2AM pay raise. I'm looking forward to reading a recap of his career from our local political historian.

Eleven for Lieutenant Governor

With the addition of Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban to the race the Pennsylvania GOP can now field a football team in the primary for Lt. Governor. I think that Urban has been a voice of reason in Luzerne County and is the only commissioner candidate that I have voted for in the last 2 elections. He is opposed to a tax increase and wants cuts in personnel and programs to balance this year's budget.

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From the TL:

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After spending a decade in county government, the 57-year old said he’s

discovered there are some issues affecting counties across the state that cannot be fixed at the local level. He says they must be fixed at the state level.

“It is a position in the state where you can work day-to-day with the senators, be close to the representatives and try to get issues like this accomplished….I don’t think the state senators and representatives really listen to the county commissioners.”

Sounds good but the Lt. Gov doesn't really have a policy making role unless the Governor gives him or her some responsibility. Lieutenant governors preside over the Senate and cast votes to break a tie. They also serve as Chairperson of the Board of Pardons and the Local Government Advisory Committee of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The legislators are the only ones that can change the law. Maybe some Republican or Democrat will be willing to take on Senator Ray Musto to address these issues.

The State GOP website has a list of the other ten candidates:

Carol Aichele

Campaign Web Site:
http://carolaichele.com/

Chet Beiler

Jim Cawley

Campaign Web Site:
http://www.jimcalweyforlg.com/

Russ Diamond

Campaign Web Site:
http://www.russdiamond.org/

Nick DiFrancesco

Campaign Web Site:
http://joinnick.org/

Steve Johnson

Campaign Web Site:
http://stevejohnson2010.com/


John Kennedy

Campaign Web Site:
http://americanwhistlestop.com/

Jean Craige Pepper

Frank Rizzo

Joe Watkins

Campaign Web Site:
http://www.watkins2010.com/

PA State legislature

The Times-Leader today has another nifty graphic by Gary Visgaitis about the reelection intentions of our Luzerne County state legislators. State Senator Lisa Baker (R) is being coy but the rest of them all said they are running for another term. There has been some rumblings from various challengers such as Tarah Toohil saying she will take on Todd Eachus (D-116) in the Democratic primary but no Republicans have come forward yet in this or any other races. Eachus' problems in the Bonusgate scandal has been well documented by McGruff and others.

I think this is a test for Luzerne County GOP Chairman Terry Casey and Executive Director Renita Fennick to find viable candidates to run against Ray Musto(PA-14), Todd Eachus, Phyllis Mundy (120) , Eddie Pashinski (121) , Mike Carroll (118) , John Yudichak (119) and Jim Wansacz (114). If any serious candidates can be found, unlike the usual cranks, the back mountain big money boys should drop a few bucks to help them.

The Mericle of money

Multi-party Bob Mericle was named as Participant number 2 in the Juvie Brothers bribery scandal that hit the news last January and in August he was charged with being part of it.

He is going to skate.

That hasn't prevented him from greasing the wheels this year as he has always done.

The Pennsylvania Department of State’s Campaign Finance website lists the money Mericle has been spreading around just this year. It's an old habit with Bob.

March 17th he gave $500 to State Rep John Yudichak

May 27th $10,000.00 to State Senator Ray Musto

On July 1st Mike Carroll recieved $2500 from Bob.


The kicker is his May 24th contribution to Bill Amesbury, Luzerne County Judge candidate, on May 24th of $500.

Update: Mericle donated $100 to Democratic Prothonotary candidate Nancy Bellas on April 9th

Congressman Frank Harrison RIP

In the upheaval that followed Dan Flood's indictment and resignation in 1980 Frank Harrison was the 3rd person to win election to Congress to represent the PA 11th District following Ray Musto and Jim Nelligan. He lost the Democratic primary to Paul Kanjorski in 1984 who has been there ever since.

The local papers have obits.


Ex-Congressman mourned

Former Congressman Harrison dies

Congressman Kanjorski had this message:

“As we mourn the loss of Congressman Frank Harrison, I pass along my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Frank and I knew each other as college debaters. Since first meeting him, and throughout our professional careers, I have always respected Frank for his strong intellectual abilities. After his political career, he joined the classroom as a college professor where he benefited the education and lives of many students. He will be missed.”


Jim Nelligan:

“Frank was a very viable and tough opponent; a very bright guy,” Nelligan said. “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family.”


The best tribute to Frank Harrison and a recap of those turbulent times comes from our local political historian David Yonki:


Frank Harrison

Luzerne County update

“Next year is not what I am ruling on.”- Judge Ann Lokuta


Luzerne County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla is promissing cuts in next year's budget but Judge Lokuta doesn't buy into it. Walter Griffith and Ed Chesnovitch have been drilling county officials in the hearings on their request to borrow $16 million to cover last year's bills and she has let them question the officials dealing with this mess.

It would be helpful if Sam Diaz and Sam Guesto testified on how the county got into this bind in the first place.

Petrilla wants to cut 20 percent from the county’s 2009 budget


Judge Lokuta will decide if county can borrow $16 M


Judge grills Petrilla on ’08 deficit


The latest version of the Life Transiition plan claims that $1.8 million will be saved in 2009 with the acceptance of an early-retirement incentive plan by 127 county employees. The last time they tried this the county hired back many of the so called retired employees through a temp agency. I have yet to see an accounting or progress report that documents any money that has been saved. The temp agency that the Bond Brothers (Greg Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid) used was One Source Staffing Solutions owned by 10th CD Republican candidate Chris Hackett who gave his first ever political contribution to the Bond Brothers reelection committee.



Musto chosen to fill county judge vacancy


Joe Musto, brother of State Senator Ray Musto, will serve out the term of Judge Michael Conahan on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas who supposedly resigned last year. Conanhan has moved on to being a senior Judge presiding over bench trials that everyone who pays attention knows who will win. The rumor mill says that Conahan is in deep doo doo because of his actions involving PA Child Care. Musto was appointed to the bench in 1993 by Governor Casey but lost the following election to Conahan. I think we got that one wrong.