Never trust a politician that doesn't pay her parking tickets

Pic from here

Attorney General  Kathleen Kane  has been mired in controversy since she took office. She has burned through  staff members including about  57 press secretaries. Our own Joe Peters didn't last long. It's been one thing after another from not prosecuting a corruption case in Philly to leaking Grand Jury information. She can't manage and her office is a mess. 

Now multiple sources say she will be charged with a crime tomorrow. 

When I wrote a post about her not paying her parking tickets many  said that was not important and was the oldest attack in the book.  Sue Henry on WILK thought it was important and it even made it to the afternoon show.

I think that every elected official should obey the law and pay the fine when they commit a minor infraction. Especially someone who is charged with the duty to enforce the law and prosecute those who do not follow it.  The Ticket thing just smacks of an old arrogance of 'I'm important and only the little people have to do that, not me.' It should have been a warning siren. 

YouTube Weekend

Aggie, Joe, CPC and many others have wondered why I haven't posted lately. Thank you for the encouragement and concern. I had an illness that I wouldn't post on Facebook and just got into my midwinter funk with the resulting writers block,  that and playing too many video games.

CPC told me that YouTube Weekend is his 2nd favorite feature just behind Polka Friday on WILK so here is a song from one of his favorite artist.

Don't be a drag Just be a Queen.



President Obama was sworn in for a 2nd term. \\



My bride has also pointed out that I have neglected her .

Mullery hits Arnold on taxes

State Rep Jerry Mullery (D) asked if Rick Arnold (R)  can’t pay his property taxes, how can voters elect him to represent them in Harrisburg?

Arnold is behind on the taxes on 3 properties he owns totaling $16,579 according to the TL. They are not up for Sheriff's sale and he made a payment plan. He blames it on the bad economy and reassessment. I hear him on reassessment since my property taxes tripled on our home and rental properties. His home building business is down after the Republicans crashed the economy impacting his business and cash flow.

“Many of (Mullery’s) constituents are having the same problems,” he said. “I’m a constituent too. Why isn’t he concerned about me? Instead he attacks me.”

Mullery gave a condescending answer.

Mullery said Arnold has never contacted his office for help, noting that he has answered many requests for assistance from constituents in similar circumstances to Arnold, referring them to financial planning agencies that could help individuals reassess their spending habits or assist in mortgage refinancing.

Arnold has a radio spot airing on WILK that I haven't heard and is not available on his website, FB, etc.

He also had this LTE published a few days ago:


For too long, homeowners in Luzerne County and across Pennsylvania have been burdened with crushing property taxes.

Seniors on fixed incomes find themselves in the difficult position of losing their homes because they can no longer afford their property taxes. Small business owners, who already are struggling in a weak economy, find themselves struggling to pay their mortgages and bills, let alone expand and grow.

Over the years, usually in an election year, politicians in Harrisburg have promised relief. The passage of gambling in the commonwealth was the last broken promise, when lawmakers failed to dedicate 100 percent of the revenue generated toward real property tax relief.

As a small business owner who builds homes, I know how difficult it is to afford high property taxes. Like many people, I struggle every year to pay my property tax bills. While my family and I always have managed to meet those obligations, sometimes paying penalties, there are many people who unfortunately continue to lose their homes.

We need someone in office who will side with our interests, not “special interests.”

That’s why I’m running for state representative in the 119th District. I am a real blue-collar worker who understands and has struggled the same way many residents in the district have. I promise to do everything in my power to eliminate sky-rocketing property taxes and finally give back control to local taxpayers.

YouTube Weekend

I was on WILK yesterday with the Lovely and Talented Mrs. Sue Henry. (back off Joe) We discussed Blogfest, the Toohil video, Aaron Kaufer and writing in David Yonki for State Rep.

The Tom Marino  almost Macaca moment with a tracker also came up and much to my surprise Steve Corbett sent me an email inviting me to call into his show to discuss it. Unfortunately I had another commitment and wasn't able to chat with him. Is Corbett mellowing out on bloggers? 

Sue is also the GM of Kings College radio station WRKC 88.5FM and has a show every Saturday 3-6PM. She asked me if I had a request for this week's show.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott-Heron

 

 

Home rule event tomoorow

My favorite radio talking head asked me to post this and I'm happy to oblige. Unlike some other people on WILK she is up front about her loyalties and biases, I can respect that. Plus she is a Red Sox fan, we'll get 'em next year.


Gort,
If you are blogging, can you give a shout out to a:




Home Rule Forum
King's College
Monday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center
Third Floor Walsh Room


Sponsored by the King's College Pre-Law Society
Moderated by Dr. Jayne Klenner Moore, King's Professor of CIS
10 minute opening statement, then questions from the audience
Open to the public!


Featuring Jim Haggerty and Rick Morelli on behalf of Home Rule yes and Attorney Vito DeLuca on behalf of Home Rule no


Coordinated by Dr. David Sosar of the Political Science Dept.
Thank You,
Sue

.


If you are blogging?


The above pic is from the Arlen Specter airport rally in April with VP Joe Biden. (L to R) Attorney and past Judge candidate Joe Terrana, the lovely and talented WILK newstalk radio host Sue Henry and fellow blogger Steve Urbanski who writes SPPE who is talented but not lovely.

You will notice that they put them in a cage.

Tom Marino admits he's been lying for months

Marino changes story


Tom Marino, Republican candidate for Congress, has changed his story six months after he told a Wilkes-Barre talk radio reporter that he had gotten permission from his superiors in the U.S. Department of Justice before lending his name as a reference for a convicted felon who was seeking a casino license...He also denied that he had ever claimed that he received, or could provide, written authorization from the Justice Department allowing him to give a personal reference to former casino operator Louis DeNaples.

Two weeks ago his campaign sent out a press release saying he had written authorization from the DOJ that the department refuted.

Digging his hole deeper he then said that WILK loudmouth Steve Corbett was a liar:

“The radio personality made it up. There is no letter,” Marino said.

Listen to the radio interview at this link.

Before this broke yesterday the CV Politics Blog reporter Mike Sisak had this exchange with the Marino camp about the spokesperson for the Justice Department saying there is no record of any letter giving Marino the OK to give Louis DeNaples a reference.

Marino's press flack actually said: You have our statements, this is a non-story.

The response from Sisak: Actually, for some reason at this point in the race, this IS the story, and these questions are still unanswered:

DID MR. MARINO HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO SERVE AS A PERSONAL REFERENCE ON MR. LOUIS DeNAPLES’ STATE GAMING LICENSE APPLICATION IN DECEMBER 2005?

WHO SPECIFICALLY GRANTED THIS PERMISSION? HOW WAS THIS PERMISSION TRANSMITTED TO MR. MARINO (letter? telephone call? fax? e-mail, etc.)?

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE (documents, notes, telephone records, e-mails, anything at all) TO CORROBORATE THAT PERMISSION WAS GRANTED?

DOES MR. MARINO HAVE POSSESSION OF THAT EVIDENCE? DOES THE DOJ?

Carney's mouthpiece put out out a statement that I think was unnecessary but I'll publish it anyway just to be fair and balanced. If your opponent is imploding you should sit back and watch.



CLARKS SUMMIT -- Five months after Tom Marino told a radio host that he had received authorization from Justice Department superiors to serve as a reference for a felon under investigation by Marino's own office, Marino now says that he never asked for permission from the agency. The Sunbury Daily Item, which reported the news today, also reported that Marino now says "there is no letter" to prove he received permission and he claims WILK radio host Steve Corbett "made it up."

Marino's latest statements contradict what he told Corbett in a live interview on April 28. It also reverses his own statement to the Associated Press Sept. 17, when Marino said he had been in touch with DOJ about releasing "documents that would end this matter" but was not authorized to make them public.

A full timeline of statements and events is provided below.

"Another day, another lie from Tom Marino," said Josh Drobnyk, Carney for Congress campaign spokesman. "Tom Marino is spinning a tale of lies to the public and it has become clear he will say anything to get elected. He said live on the radio in April that he went to his Justice Department superiors before providing the personal reference for a felon under investigation by his office and was satisfied with their response. Now he says he never sought their permission. He said just days ago that there were agency 'documents' that would end this matter. Now he says 'there is no letter.' How can the public trust Tom Marino when he continues to insult them with so many lies?"

TIMELINE OF STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS

Sept. 28, 2010: Marino says he never asked DOJ anything, accuses Steve Corbett of lying

Marino tells the Sunbury Daily Item that he never asked for permission from DOJ to provide reference to felon under investigation by Marino’s office and that WILK's Steve Corbett lied about having been promised a letter.

Marino on Monday said he never asked for permission from the federal agency because it was understood he would be allowed to provide personal references to anyone as long as he didn’t use his job title or attempt to promote individuals on his staff.

He also denied that he had ever claimed that he received, or could provide, written authorization from theJustice Department allowing him to give a personal reference to former casino operator Louis DeNaples.

“I did it all the time,” he said, of providing personal references. ....

In that interview, Corbett asks:“Did you have to tell any of your supervisors that you were acting as a reference?” “Yes,” Marino said.

“And did you?” “Yes,” Marino said.

Corbett then asked Marino what the response was from the Department of Justice, and Marino replied that “it was nothing out of the ordinary.”

Following that exchange, Corbett said he followed up the interview by asking Marino’s staff for written documentation that Marino had received permission to serve as a reference. Corbett said a Marino staffer promised to get him that documentation but never did.

On Monday, Marino said there was never written authorization from the Department of Justice.

“The radio personality made it up. There is no letter,” Marino said.

Corbett stands behind his reporting.

Sept. 23, 2010: Marino campaign says Marino never referred to specific document


Marino’s spokesman tells the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice that Marino never referred to a specific document.


He never refers to a specific document regarding a specific issue.

Sept. 18, 2010: Marino campaign says it doesn't recall referring to specific document


Marino’s spokesman is reported telling the Williamsport Sun-Gazette that “it's unclear there was any single document regarding authorization to serve as a reference” in the first place.


Now, Marino spokesman Jason Fitzgerald said it's unclear there was any single document regarding authorization to serve as a reference for DeNaples in the first place.

"I don't recall Mr. Marino ever referring specifically to a document from the Department of Justice that gave him permission to give a reference," he said.

Sept. 17, 2010: Marino says he's contacted DOJ about documents

Marino says he’s contacted DOJ about releasing documents “that would end this matter” but been informed they “are confidential and are the property of the Department.”

Marino statement: “I have been in communication with the Department of Justice concerning the release of documents related to my service as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The Department of Justice General Council has informed me that these documents are confidential and are the property of the Department. The Department of Justice General Council explained that even though I am a former U.S. Attorney, I am bound by security and ethics provisions of federal law associated with my past service. While I am confident that the release of certain documents would end this matter, I understand the sensitive nature of these documents and the important role that the Department of Justice has in keeping us safe. As a former U.S. Attorney, I will abide by the laws of this land and the polices of the Department of Justice, without question.”

Sept. 16, 2010: Marino says he can't release documents

Marino says he has not been given approval by DOJ to release documents.

Marino statement: I have not been given approval by the Department of Justice to release documents regarding my tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Aug. 25, 2010: Corbett says he's been waiting four months for promised letter from Marino

Steve Corbett writes on his blog that he’s been waiting four months for a supposed letter that Marino promised him after his appearance on the program that Marino says will prove that he had permission from DOJ to serve as a reference for a felon who was under investigation by Marino’s office.

May 2010: Marino campaign tells Corbett he has letter

Tom Marino's campaign tells WILK's Steve Corbett that Marino has a letter for him from DOJ that will prove he got permission. Marino never gives it to Corbett.


April 28, 2010: Marino tells Corbett he vetted reference and got all clear from DOJ

Tom Marino tells WILK’s Steve Corbett that he “vetted” the reference with DOJ and got the all clear

Corbett: "Did you have to tell any of your supervisors that you were acting as a reference?"

Marino: "Yes."

Corbett: "And did you?"

Marino: "Yes."

Corbett: "And what was their reaction?"

Marino: "It was nothing out of the ordinary."

Corbett: "So are you saying that it is not extraordinary for a United States Attorney to act as a personal reference on a gambling application for an admitted federal felon?"

Marino: "The way you are putting it, you are putting it in the most negative terms."

Corbett: "Did you have any pangs of conscience that that might not be ethical?"

Marino: "No, because I checked it out, vetted it and was satisfied with the vetting process."

Jan. 2008: Marino goes to work for felon

Marino works for the felon for whom he provided a personal reference, making $249,999.96 a year.

Oct. 2007: Marino resigns

Marino leaves office.

Sept. 21, 2007: Marino announces resignation

Marino announces resignation, which takes effect Oct. 12, 2007.

Aug. 24, 2007: News breaks that Marino will resign, Marino denies that he'll step down

The Allentown Morning Call reports that Marino will resign, three days after story breaks about his withdrawal from probe and the reference he provided.

Aug. 21, 2007: News breaks that Marino served as reference for felon under investigation by his office

The Allentown Morning Call breaks news that Marino had served as reference on felon’s casino application and was forced to withdraw from probe.

Jan. 2007: Marino discloses to DOJ he gave reference

Marino discloses relationship with felon to the Justice Department and is ordered to withdraw from the investigation into felon.

Nov. 2006: Marino's name on list of prosecutors to be fired

Sampson places Marino's name on another list of targeted prosecutors.

Sept. 13, 2006: Marino on firing line at DOJ


D. Kyle Sampson, the chief of staff to then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, places Marino's name on a list of U.S. Attorneys the department "should consider pushing out."

Jan. 2006: Marino "problem" attorney, according to DOJ

A Justice Department official includes Marino on a list of "problem" prosecutors and tells a colleague she is "not sure about" him.

Dec. 2005: Marino writes reference letter

Marino writes personal reference for the casino application of a felon who is under investigation by his office.

2004: Federal investigation into felon begins.

2002: Tom Marino sworn in as U.S. attorney for Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Tom Marino has been unavailable for press interviews since this story broke and even his website is down. He is not only a liar but a coward who will not face the press. Expect him to show up on FOX News to tell us Nancy Pelosi is a liberal in the near future.

There is a newer Carney attack ad up but it's not on YouTube yet. This one is playing defense:




Love the Foster Grants

Tom Marino said what?

Congressman Chris Carney's biggest assett in his quest for reelection continues to be his Republican opponent Tom Marino. His latest misspeak happened in Williamsport when he got into a shouting match.

PoliticsPA: The video, taken at a joint appearance with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Pat Toomey in Williamsport on Aug. 26, shows him getting into an argument with a group of people the Democratic-produced clip identified as voters.
“What do you do for a job?” he thrice asked a group of people not pictured in the video, who appeared to be yelling back at him.
“What kind of welfare are you on?” he asked.

This comes on top of his interview with WKOK in which he says he wants to eliminate Social Security for future generations and shows a total ignorance of how the system is financed while trying to assure people who are getting benefits now. What a train wreck.

Q: Where do you cut? Give me a specific?

Marino: “Let me address Social Security. You have paid into it. I am paying into it. And my generation – like you did for the generation before you – we are paying for your Social Security. You paid for the generation’s before you Social Security. My generation and probably the generation that follows me, we are going to have to step up to the plate and say, We are not going to get Social Security. But we are going to pay into it to get this debacle squared away. So if I have to sacrifice my Social Security to get it squared away – because we can’t take Social Security away from people that are on it now. They are dependent on it. It is a fixed income. And for someone to say we are going to cut Social Security to the seniors, we cannot do that.

I got a press release yesterday from the Marino camp yesterday demanding that Carney agree to the 9 debates that he has previously proposed. Nice try to change the subject and damage control.

This entire campaign Marino has been a gaffe machine second only to Joe Biden.

SUNBURY-“I challenge anyone that has information on anything that Mr. Denaples has done illegally to call me and we will go to the FBI together,” Marino said. ”He is my friend and he has never done anything wrong, and I won’t throw him under the bus just to get a vote.”

Uhm, I don't know about "never."

MC: DeNaples pleaded no contest in 1977 to felony charges of stealing $525,000 from the city of Scranton for cleanup work following Hurricane Agnes.

Friends of Ours : DeNaples pleaded no contest to the fraud charge following an earlier mistrial in the case against him. Four people, including James Osticco, a reputed associate of the Bufalino crime family in Scranton, PA, were convicted in 1983 for their roles in bribing a juror in the original trial against DeNaples.
.
Then there was that perjury thing that forced DeNaples out of the casino business after Marino provided a reference for him. Marino stepped down as US Attorney shortly after that.
Borys reports . Marino has made as the lawyer for DeNaples pulling in $250,000 as his in house attorney. He also has real estate interests in Florida.
Marino defended the ponzi scheme scumbag Sean Healy until recently when he withdrew as counsel when he told the court among other things
Healy could no longer pay him



Marino was on WILK and was pressed on his relationship with DeNaples. You have to listen to it.


Asked if DeNaples was a criminal, Marino responded circuitously: "There was clearly a violation of the federal system that he paid the price for. … If you want to say for one offense, they're a criminal, I guess you're entitled to say that."


Marino's fundraising has been abysmal and I doubt if he will even be able to to go on the airwaives although outside groups might run some ads to remind us that Nancy Pelosi is a San Fransisco liberal and Carney belongs to the same political party or maybe not.

RNC leaves Marino waiting: The Republican National Committee has yet to give Thomas Marino a red cent.Nor has it spoken with the former federal prosecutor, who will face incumbent Democrat Chris Carney on Nov. 2 in the 10th Congressional District race.

Much has been made of a partisan poll that showed Marino ahead but it is hard to put much stock in it. Borys breaks it down.


CQ Politics recently had a nice write up about Tom Marino and this caught my eye.


The success of a second Republican revolution may rest in this beat-up mobile home named Bessie, 20 feet of faded purple upholstery and wood paneling plagued by bad shocks and unpredictable windshield wipers.

“This is not Bon Jovi’s tour bus,” Tom Marino warns before inviting guests aboard the 1989 Damon Escaper, which doubles as his unofficial campaign headquarters and a rolling billboard that sleeps six.

Late to the game

I see Mark is engaging in one of his favorite passtimes, bashing WILK's Steve Corbett:

Not too long ago, I chastised WILK's Steve Corbett for finally coming around to the Marcellus Shale drilling issue way, way, way too late to make a discernible difference...Still, you belittled the clarion calls coming from the Internet while telling us at length about the systematic rejection of your upbringing. And you wasted your time as well as ours by droning on and on about the inconsequential, the meaningless Friendly Sons get-togethers, something you had to do so as to promote domestic tranquility after you shed the headphones.


So I thought I would join in the fun. Because of my work schedule I stopped listening to his show month's ago but on Thursday I was in a place that had WILK on the radio so I had no choice. Corbett was droning on about the 3 candidates for the Federal Bench for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and what a shame it was that they are all men. To make matters worse in his eyes one of them belongs to that sexist organization the Friendy Sons of St. Patrick.

In 2008 presidential primary his show turned into the Whoring for Hillary Hour then after she lost the nomination he backed MCCain because Sarah Palin was on the ticket. To him issues don't matter only gender. I searched for an explanation of this bizarre behavior and it may be found in his interest in eastern religions.

He just may be a reincarnation of the guy on the left in this video.





Or maybe this is just a WLIK staff meeting.

For more Corbett fun check out Steve Corbett: The Drinking Game

If you're on Facebook vist this group.

You can't trust bloggers

The Blogfather is defending a left leaning bloggers reporting about the explosion in western PA of a gas well because a local talk radio gasbag has decided that the controversy about the Marcellus Shale gas drilling is his issue. Someone had the audacity to mention on his show that a blogger had tried to get to the details and was cut off because "we don't know who they are."

The blogger in question is Mike Morrill of Keystone Progress who tried to get access the site but reports "they not only wouldn’t let me on the site, they told me I might be shot for being on their property and then sent thugs to chase me and threaten me."


More from Markie:

He went on to say that the accurate information comes from the print media and...wait for it...here it comes...talk radio.

Mark has been all over this issue since 2008 and Kayak Dude warns that water pollution is a real worry. Read the profile of Don in the CV, he knows what he is talking about.

Bloggers are doing great work on this issue and have been far ahead of the traditional media.

Another Monkey

GDAC - Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition

Frack Mountain

Breathing is Political

Gas Wells Are Not Our Friends

Splashdown

There are many more so if I missed you let me know.

Technical difficulties

Thanks to all of you for pointing out that the audio of the WILK interview with Tom Marino was automatically playing every time you opened up Gort42. I tried to disable it by tweaking the HTML code several times but nothing worked so I deleted the post. I did save it and the comments and will repost it over the weekend.

Mrs. G said it's typical, you just can't get Corbett to shut up.

Radio Daze

I don't listen to a lot of local talk radio anymore and missed much of the the latest manufactured controversy about Luzerne County Bureau of Elections Director Leonard Piazza posting a flippant remark on his Facebook page during office hours that may have taken a minute or two out his day. The afternoon shock jock of WILK decided to make this into a big deal after convicting Judge Chet Muroski of DUI a few weeks ago despite a lack of evidence. Sometimes he does a good job of exposing problems in the Luzerne County Government like Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly selling used cars when he should be in the office but jumping down Piazza's throat was stupid and unfair.

.

The Lu Lac Political Letter agrees that this is making a mountain out of a molehill and defame the character and work ethic of a good man.

.

I have found Leonard Piazza to be one of the most responsive people in our county government. Whenever I have asked him a question he has always got back to me in a few hours. He has been a good leader and manager and the best measurement of that is he has hired very good people to do the job. They keep their cool even when some candidate wanders into the office at 5 minutes to 5PM demanding all sorts of documents and keep them there for hours after closing time. Many times I have emailed or called him after business hours and he has always answered.

.

So I put this down to his usual bufoonery like backing Hillary for President then switching to McCain because Sarah Palin was on the ticket.

YouTube weekend

By request. Thanks Danny.

I was listening to local talk radio yesterday discussing Bill Brace's $1500 suit and it sounded like queer eye for the corrupt guy.

Jury Commissioner

A few months ago I was on the WILK Sue Henry Show and the situation of indicted Democratic Jury Commissioner Jerry Bonner came up and off the top of my head I suggested that we should all write-in the Yonk for that office in the November election. The reaction to that idea was tremendous. Unfortunately David wasn't able to mount a campaign for various reasons which disappointed me because I had already appointed myself campaign manager.

The office is useless and should be eliminated either by the Study Commission or a referendum authorized by the legislature that has happened in other counties.

Write-in David Yonki for Democratic Jury Commissioner and skip the other 2. The one good thing about the new electronic voting machines it is easy to write-in a person for an office. No more stickers or golf pencils just hit the letters on a touch screen.

What's your sign

The other day Sue Henry on WILK suggested that I check out a political sign at the end of Madison St in Wilkes-Barre just before North St. This piqued the interest of Facebook pal David Wayne of David@DavidWaynePhotography.net who took this picture.

.

Tom Witts is a candidate for city council in Snelville, GA. Why somebody on Madison Street has a yard sign for a local candidate in Georgia is anybody's guess. Maybe some of my North End readers will get on their bikes, ask some questions and report back.

.

According to his website Tom Witts is a big fan of yard signs. I would appreciate your support by allowing me to come by and place one in your front yard.

.

Well Tom, you are certainly welcome to put one in my yard and I will even take a picture and urge all voters in Luzerne County, PA to support your election.

.

You have a friend in Pennsylvania.

.

Update: I learn things with your help.

.

Tom is a native of Carbondale who left the area in 1966 to serve in the the US Navy. After his service he built a successful business in Florida then relocated to Geogia.

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.

Reassessment

TL: The company hired to reassess Luzerne County property values had argued in court that the county has a contractual obligation to pay the company to manage and defend the county against Hanover Township resident Vic Kopko’s property assessment court challenge.

But the county's newly hired legal guns say not so fast. Philadelphia based Elliott Greenleaf & Dean is getting $300+ per hour to defend the county in the lawsuit. Why in-house lawyers can't handle this is puzzling. Staff Solicitor David Schwager, who represents the assessment appeals board, doesn’t have time to devote to the Kopko case because he’s busy processing mediations, commissioners said. Every county department, board and agency has a solicitor which may or may not be mandated by state law. It seems like there are hundreds of them. The GSC should look at creating a solicitors office with a staff of attorneys that would handle all county legal business. Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald was originally hired but pulled out because of a claimed conflict that Dr. Kopko called bullshit. “I believe they’re smelling a case that they can’t win,” Kopko said.

Some more fun with reassessment include The Luzerne County Assessor’s Office has failed to fully value and tax a Rice Township residential property that’s on the market for an asking price of $649,000. The home is owned by Angelo Terrana. Terrana sits on the county Board of Assessment Appeals, which oversees the assessor’s office. Plus there is Participant 2's multi-party Bob Mericle's dance over a Wilkes-Barre property that he owns. We own a rental double block and one side is valued $8000 more than the other but for the most part the houses are the same. 21st Century may have got a few things wrong.

And I got this in the inbox:


Gort:


Would love to give you an update on reassessment. The law has been violated and the county knows it! Apparently the rats are turning on each other as 21st Century (who will be held responsible along with the commissioners and others) filed a brief indicating, and you guessed it, that reassessment is now illegal based on county actions and the settling, or tanking, based on your perspective, has reduced the equalized values.


Oh, by the way, mediation is absolutely illegal, appears nowhere in the 3rd Class County Reassessment Law, and was signed into "law" by none other than Mark "I'm gonna do time" Ciavarella. The process does not address the sweetheart deals for politician's and their family/friends/political contributors which it will when we file for removal in a few weeks. My attorneys and I are confident that we will prevail. We have to ..for the people! For as many on the ridiculously high side values, their are the ridiculously low values.


Please keep in mind that I met with the commissioners to head this off. I asked them for three things; 1) correct the overs and unders on reassessment (Urban indicated that he knew of at least 5 municipalities "grossly undervalued". He said he would not address those and each municipality should file an appeal in 2010. Not happening since the politicians in those municipalities need their constituents votes to get re-elected. 2) Guarantee no more tax increases since the base has been adjusted (Petrilla answered, "No way, can't do it" Could you blame her with the corruption and mismanagement of funds that have gone on? She is a party to it! 3) Return the windfall fees to taxpayers since their is evidence that 95% of individuals did not receive their Pa certified appraisal amounts and were beaten down because they could not afford anymore attorney fees or associated costs. (Can anyone say, collusion?)


It goes on and on. There will be 25 items that clearly has violated the law, let alone adding the county corruption issues in. I would enjoy to fill you in more. By the way, keep calling the Sue Henry Show.

Dr. Victor P. Kopko

Bob Reilly is a used car salesman

This is both funny and infuriating.

From The Lu Lac Political Letter:

For weeks WILK's Steve Corbett had heard rumors that long time Clerk of Courts Robert Reilly was selling cars as a side job at a Wilkes Barre Twp car dealership. Nothing wrong with supplementing your income. We’ve all done that at one time or another. But apparently Reilly was selling cars during the hours he was supposed to be administering the Clerk of Courts office. The intrepid Corbett called the auto lot at 10:26AM and got Reilly on the blower. After a brief conversation, Reilly told the radio host he’d call him on the air at 5:06PM later that afternoon and explain what was going on. Needless to say, the call never came.

He is spending his/our time at Nationwide Car Sales on Mundy St. behind the Mall next to the defunct Ground Round. Go say Hello.

A few year ago I would stop by a local beer distributor on a weekday afternoon to pick up a few adult beverages and spotted Reilly working there.


The subject of work hours has been a hot topic in the Luzerne County Controller race.

At the recent LWV forum at Wilkes University the only Democrat in the race, Bob Morgan, was noncommittal on spending 8 hours a day in the office. “I think we sometimes get too focused on the idea that we’re there from a certain time to a certain time. The reality is: Can you do the job? Do you have the ability to do the job?”

Republican Edd Brominski said he was retired so he had nothing else to do and cited his experience as a Democratic County Commissioner claiming he would be in the office 7Am until 11PM if necessary.

Nanda Palissery said he finds the question about whether or not he will be a full-time controller “offensive” and said he will be in the office when needed.


Water Griffith said he wasn't offended by the question and committed to being in the office 8:30M-4:30PM and later every day. “For $38,000 a year, which is probably double what a normal citizen of this county makes, if I can’t commit to you to be in that office every single hour that you would be in your job, then shame on me.”


Bob Sypniewski also said he will show up for work saying; "You put me there to serve. How dare me then on your time do my business?”

CPA Alice Coffman also wouldn't commit; “Will that mean I’m in that office everyday eight hours? I’m not going to sit here and promise that to you, because I don’t think that that is likely.

Walter sent along this guest post on the subject.






Dear Gort42,



.

I would like to write in regarding the story about Bob Reilly " Luzerne County Clerk of Courts" and his ability to have a job as a Automobile salesman in addition to his County Row Office.
.

Mr. Reilly is a disgrace to the County Row Officers and the taxpayers for his behavior and he should immediately quit his job as a salesman or County Row Officer. This is the same person that has stated "on the record" that his job requires more money from the taxpayers and he has demonstrated that he isn't even on the job "Full Time". This is the same person that used the County Taxpayers money to fund a lawsuit against the taxpayers to stop the Clerk of Courts budget because it was not enough funds for his office.
.

The Luzerne County Courthouse has had its time in the sun for to long for all the wrong reasons, and this is just another case of the abilities of a few, that tarnish the entire beauty of the wonderful building that will be celebrating its 150.year's of existence.
.

My time has been spent the past 3 years trying to hold the elected officials of this County accountable to the taxpayers, by attending County Commissioner meetings, and asking for accountability and transparency in government, when all the rest of the candidates that have now come on the scene have been silent.
.

The County Commissioners have never held anyone accountable for their abuse of power in government in the past, and I as a taxpayer advocate, have been trying to have them do this since attending the first meeting regarding the issue of the Debit Card abuser's in which I call the "magnificent seven".


The taxpayers of Luzerne County should and must have elected officials that are "Full Time" and should not accept anything less, and this can be accomplished by instituting a policy in personnel that requires everyone to "Log In" and "Log Out" and show mileage for all travel to designate their time out of the office.


I have been asking for the use of a " Badge Scanner" or "time Clock" to verify the attendance of all County Employee's and I feel with the abuse of this type with Mr. Reilly it is long over due for the taxpayers.


.
I, as a taxpayer advocate, the past three years in the County, and the past 7 years in the City of Wilkes Barre, have taught me several lessons about our government regarding our Elected Officials like Mr. Reilly and Ms. Moran, as well as a few others, that feel they are above the same rules of employment as the people they supervise, and that is that we, as taxpayers, are always being taken advantage of by a few people in government that can get away with it, and we need people to always be there asking questions and holding our government accountable.
.

I, as your taxpayer advocate, have attended the meetings at my own cost, and have been a taxpayer advocate for the taxpayers of Luzerne County on many issues that concern abuse of power by the elected officials. I spoke out for the taxpayers regarding the "Debit Cards" and tried to have the "Abuser's" fired for their actions, however the Commissioners chose to turn their heads and wink and nod at this type of corruption.
.

I, as a your taxpayer advocate, represented everyone in the County. at my own cost, regarding the court case to borrow over 16 million dollars because of the Commissioners reckless spending and was successful in having the courts rule in the taxpayers favor to lower that to 5 million.
.
The reason for my bringing this to light is because at election time, we always seem to see candidate ask for the taxpayers confidence and vote, and then we never hear from them again after the election. I have demonstrated that I will always be there for the taxpayers "AT MY OWN EXPENSE" because I truly care about them and its not about myself or the money.
.

I vow to all the taxpayers that I will be a " FULL TIME" Controller, and that means that I will be in the office at the same times that I expect my staff to be there, and I will lead by example. I will not abuse the taxpayers like Mr. Reilly or Ms. Moran or the others that are pledging to be "FULL TIME" just to get elected and then "Thumb their noses" at the taxpayers once they are elected. I will be the right person for the job and will not pay a vendor for work if they don't follow the contract like what happened with 21st Century and our botched reassessment for the profit of our corrupt officials.
.

I would like to conclude by saying that there are several people that are professionals running for public office, and are asking for your support to get the votes required to win the election on May 19th.I would suggest that each taxpayer ask this one very important question on election day and that is " Where were these people that are asking for our vote when we needed them when our elected officials were abusing their power and our money" ?


Walter L Griffith Jr
Candidate for Luzerne County Controller

Puppies and Politics

I was on WIlK with Sue Henry a few days ago and she suggested that I rename the site Puppies and Politics in order to appeal to a wider audience. I've been finding out that just about everybody that is interested in local politics reads my drivel so that is unnecessary. She mentioned that we have a really cute puppy and unknown to Sue he is 6 months old today. Sue is a class act, whenever I have been on the radio with her she gives me time to state my case unlike some of the other hosts. She mentioned the Cory O'Brien story that I broke last week and gave me time to explain how I got it. Now if she could just teach those kids on WRKC how to pronounce Wilkes-Barre. It's berry not Burrrrrhhhh.

We celebrated John Quincy Adams birthday today by giving him a bath. He celebrated yesterday by ripping off Mrs. G's steak from the grill. I will never hear the end of that one.

More Puppy pictures can be found on my Facebook page.

Ptolemy was not impressed by all the hoopla.

Radio Gort

A reminder. You can catch Me and David Yonki with Shadoe Steele on his Outlook On NEPA show. If you're up early it will air at 7AM this Sunday on WKRZ 98.5 FM, Froggy 101 FM and the Mountain 102.3 FM. If you sleep late and can tear yourself away from football it will also be on WILK Sunday between 5-7PM . It will be repeated every Sunday until election day.

This is the radio Gort

Me and David Yonki were interviewed by Shadoe Steele for his Outlook On NEPA series. It will air at 7AM this Sunday on WKRZ 98.5 FM, Froggy 101 FM and the Mountain 102.3 FM. You can also catch it on WILK Sunday between 5-7PM on Sunday. It will be repeated every Sunday until election day

I'm sure you will be surprised to learn that we talked about blogging and politics.

.

This Is Radio Clash