A boring upcoming election

Most of the PA legislature seats in Luzerne County are uncontested. John Yudichak and Lisa Baker may get a third party challenge but will cruise to reelection to the state Senate. Eddie Day, Mike Carroll, Jerry Mullery and my favorite party girl Tarah Toohil don't have an opponent for state rep in the fall.

The most interesting races are Karen Boback being challenged by Laura Dickson and the open seat being vacated by Phyliis Mundy's retirement.  Eilleen Cipriani is the hands down favorite to succeed one of my favorite state reps although Aaron Kaufer has been working very hard.

The most interesting race is the 117th District which has been redrawn to include Wyoming County and local official Laura Dickson is looking to work the home field. I don't know what it is but the local Republicans out there have a thing for making Karen Boback's life misarable. Davis Haire took her on in the primary this time and James May went after her earlier. I think Dickson's best chance is a depressed GOP turnout because Tom Corbett has pissed off just about everybody on both sides of the aisle. 
 

Dairy issues may be a key

Looking to 2014

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

Kaufer hands out hotdogs in a parking lot

Tens of people turned out for the Aaron Kaufer hot dog giveaway in a supermarket parking lot  in Shavertown Saturday afternoon. Getting there was frustrating because of the construction on 309.
He skipped the prayerfest that was going on in Hazleton at the same time. Wrong religion or something.

A gaggle of local elected officials showed up to support him.

I may get this wrong or skip someone.

L to R.

Kurt Santayana Luzerne Council, Mike Bearish Prez Pringle Council, Sandy Case Kingston Council, Jack Schumacher Kingston Council, Aaron Kaufer, James Keller Mayor of Luzerne, Jim Raino Kinston Twp super , Shirley Moyer Kingston Twp super, Nancy Cooper Kingston Council and  Mayor Jim Haggerty of Kingston.

Kaufer was endorsed by the.  PA Taxpayers Cyber Coalition for his support of HB 1776 that proposes to eliminate property taxes. Good idea but the problem with that bill is that it leaves a $1.5 Billion hole in the budget. Republicans are not good with arithmetic. As I always say endorsements are good for a press release and not much else.

Kaufer teased that some Democrats will be endorsing him. There was one.

Pringle Council President Mike Bearish (D) said he supported Aaron Kaufer

Bridge to Nowhere

James May and PennDOT are off the hook.

I'm not the only one frustrated by the lack of progress on the 1st Street bridge in Plains Twp.

This is what it looked like 2 weeks ago.

Today the only difference is some orange spray paint. Although the road on both sides of it has been paved.

Plains Twp. Commissioner says don't blame us.

PLAINS TWP. -- Board of Commissioners Chairman Ronald Filippini announced Thursday night that the First Street Bridge, in the Hudson section, is scheduled to reopen on Oct. 30.
The bridge, which crosses over Mill Creek on one of the main streets that connects the township with Wilkes-Barre, has been closed for more than a month, despite initial Luzerne County engineering estimates that the bridge would be closed for only one week.
Several residents complained about the paving and repair project at the township’s regular September meeting. Filippini acknowledged their frustration and said the township has little control over the county project.

So if this a county project how do you explain this sign?

Road Rage

As I pointed out in a post last weekend First Street is closed in the Hudson section of Plains but the repairs to the RR crossing in Laflin is complete so I'm not trapped despite the efforts of that evil PennDoT government  bureaucrat James May who wants to restrict my freedom.

The First Street sidewalk repairs are done then they moved on to fixing the bridge over Gardner's Creek but there has not been much progress.


Here is a picture of the bridge last weekend.

This is a picture of the bridge today.

Nothing has happened in a weeks time.

These people are taking credit for this project.

New Luzerne County GOP chairman

In a bit of a surprise Kingston attorney Bill Urbanski was elected as Luzerne County Republican chairman defeating incumbent Terry Casey 79-72 at the party convention Sunday at Genetti's.


Casey was elected in 2008 succeeding Lynette Vilano. and it's fair to say that his record has been more hits than misses. In 2007 the Luzerne County Republicans lost EVERY contested county election. Their only winner that year was Steve Urban because one Republican had to be on the board of commissioners. His first move was hiring Renita Fennick as executive director who was able to deal with the various factions and got people to work together. A year round headquarters was opened in downtown Wilkes-Barre with space donated by a real estate outfit and he got the back mountain money boys to kick in some bucks to pay for it all. It paid off in the 2009 county elections when the Republicans won 2 out 3 of the Row Offices up that year. In 2010 the focus was getting Lou Barletta elected to Congress that was helped by the national wave.

Elections for the county council under the new Home Rule form of government was on the ballot in 2011 and the Republicans snagged 4 of the 11 seats and Stefanie Salavatis knocked off DA JAckie Mo. Not bad for a party that has been on the outside for a long time with a significant deficit in registrations.

 But some Republicans said they should have done better after all the corruption that has seen a slew of Democrats go to jail. Some have complained that the county party didn't help out municipal candidates enough particularly in Wilkes-Barre but that is not the focus of the county party.

The county Republicans haven't been able to fill all of the committee spots and got a big black eye when a race hater wrote himself in for one of them.One of my Republican friends said it was not a priority to recruit county committee members but 6th District honcho James O'Meara said he tried his best to get people to sign up without much success.

Bill Urbanski sounds like a Republican populist if there is such a thing CV: "My vision is simple: do away with unnecessary expenditures and bureaucracies and build a more inclusive county Republican Party," Urbanski said. "Too often committee members and even average voters feel as though they are on the outside looking in, or what may be worse, on the bottom looking up. In my mind, the contributions made by the rank-and-file members of the GOP are just as important as the contributions made by those in positions of power."

It looks like Kingston Mayor Jim Haggerty is the next coming of Marty Murray on the Republican side. He wrote the Home Rule Charter and now this.  "Winning the Republican county election is proof of your grassroots ability," Haggerty said.

Bill's brother posted this picture  :

Update: James O'Meara corrects me in the comments..

Actually, Gort, this year we were successful in the 6th getting new committee members. We have filled 8 of 10 slots in Plains, for example, and I will find people for the other two slots. It was similar throughout the rest of the 6th District. Recruiting those slots is a primary duty of a District Chair, so the empty slots ...and the responsibility to fill them ...are my responsibility.

Looking to the fall: State Rep 120th District

I was going to a roundup of the 3 competitive Luzerne County state rep races in one post but decided to address them individually. Since I started blogging I think I have given more ink (ether, pixels) to state rep races than any other local blogger and maybe as much space as the local papers.I always cover the underdogs in these races.

At a rally that  Phyllis Mundy recently hosted for him our next likely Congressman Matt Cartwright said ""Phyllis is a giant in the Democratic Party." So that raises the question can Republican Aaron Kaufer be a giant killer? Probably not but that is why we have elections.

In the recent primary election with an abysmal turnout Mundy got 4210 votes to Kaufer's 2917. In the 2010 primary she gathered 5400 to Republican West Pittston mayor Bill Goldsworthy 3223.The General Election results returned Phylis to Harrisburg  in the very Republican/Tea Party year of  2010 winning a solid 53% 10,153, to Goldsworthy's 6154 32% with Libertarian Tim Mullen mounting a valiant effort finishing with 2858 15%.

Looking at the campaign finance reports on the PA Department of State Mundy is way out in front with $48,000 cash on hand to Kaufer's $3300. Mundy raised $21K since the beginning of the year adding to the balance carried over. Kaufer snagged $6375in contributions  which is a surprise. One item on Kaufer's CFR that piqued my interest was this in-kind contribution from Sheldon Kaufer of $6000. It is described as Office rent for Jan., Feb.,March 2012. Who get's 2 grand a month for office space around here?

I like Aaron and you all know that Phyllis is one of my top 5 legislators.

Below are a few challengers that Phyllis has vanquished in the past and may in the future

L to R

Bill James, Aaron Kaufer, Rick Arnold ( another district), Tim Mullen, Bill Goldsworthy, John Cordora

James O'Meara Sr. for Plains Township Commissioner

Tomorrow my neighbors and I will select 3 people out of 4 candidates running for Commissioner in my little burgh of Plains, PA. Plains is a great place to live. For the most part crime is low with most of it being a domestic dispute, the Turkey Hill getting robbed or some nonsense at the Moghegan Sun and/or The Woodlands. Our streets are being paved and the price of trash bags was reduced because of the windfall from the Casino. That being said not everything is perfect and we can always use some improvement.

In addition to the host municipality fee Plains Township gets for putting up with the casino there is another pot of money for the health, safety and economic development projects in those counties where the casinos are located. In the last 3 years the Plains Twp Board of Commissioners have kicked backed a million dollars a year to the Casino to pave the parking lot that is located on top of the old East Side Landfill neglecting other needs such as purchasing a new ladder truck for the fire department. Kevin Blaum documented that a few years ago. Such nonsense, we are supposed to make money off the place not subsidise it.

Sure enough, there was an application on DCED’s list for $5 million, half the amount available, to remove garbage from Mohegan Sun land to enlarge its parking lot. Obviously Mohegan is capable of paying for its own paving and garbage removal. Yet this project survived DCED’s initial cut (an official act) while many projects in other communities did not.
It’s important to note that a casino may not apply for this money. If it did, it would be laughed out of town. ...To end-run this prohibition, the application was submitted by none other than Plains Township (an official act). This application, if approved, would return $5 million to Mohegan Sun at the expense of other municipalities that need these funds.
Why would anyone do such a thing? Follow the money.

Another old story that bugs me but nothing ever came of it.

From SOP: More Corruption Allegations In Luzerne County: Plains Township

According to Andy Mehalshick, lead I-Team investigator, Pennsylvania State Police are looking into allegations of use or misuse of taxpayer-funded equipment and township employees with particular focus on the Department of Public Works. The township is now conducting an internal investigation. Steven Menn of Plains Township says, “As I understand it the board is going to do an internal investigation to find out what is going on. That information has to be looked into, and who’s making that complaint and what actual allegations are, I don't believe we have all the information of those involved or who is making the complaint."One Township Commissioner, Ron Fillipini, stated he supported an independent investigation by an agency such as the State Police.

I've never seen the report of the so called independent investigation. I asked the DPW people that I know about this but they wouldn't confirm or deny anything. One said I just can't talk about it.


2 of the Democrats were also able to snag Republican write-in nominations, long time Commish Brigid Murray O'Conner and Ciro Cinti. Ron Filippini is other incumbent. It s nice club if you can be invited to join. There is one outsider running and I hope he shakes it up.

James O'Meara Sr

He answers the most important question:

I will oppose gas drilling in Plains Township. That’s as plain as I can say it.

Closing statement:


My name is James O’Meara Sr. and I’ve been a resident of Plains Township since 1984 when I married my wife, Ann M arie, from the Keystone section of Plains. Both of my children were born and raised here, and both still reside here (my daughter at home, and my son and his family just across the yard).

I attended Penn State as an undergraduate from 1975 through 1978. I left to work full-time. I also attended College Misericordia during the early years of my marriage, and left to work full-time to support a growing family. In short, I have a pile of college credits but never got the sheepskin. I don’t regret that one bit. That decision led me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

Over the years, I have advanced in my career through hard work and my own initiative. I haven't been afraid to take chances. I follow some advice my father gave me: Always bite off a little more than you think you can chew. I’ve worked at US Foods in Pittston since 1995, and my father’s advice has served me well during my time there. I’ve had to tackle complex problems and respond to challenges that were difficult at times, but always exciting. I worked my way up from a computer tech to the manager of a department that at one time was responsible for the data operations of three warehouses in three states.
If there is one lesson I learned above all, something driven home by my first political campaign last year when I ran for State Representative, it is that the People matter above all else. I’ve learned you don’t run against other candidates. You run for the People.

I don’t bring a wealth of political experience to the plate. I bring a dogged perseverance to find solutions, a passion to serve, and a love of hard work. I believe I can make a difference in Plains Township . I will ask hard questions. I will look for creative solutions to problems. I will work for you with the same passion I bring to everything I’ve attempted in life. I will be available and accessible.

If you would like to hear a new voice as Commissioner, I ask that you bullet vote for me on November 8.

Thank you, and together let’s make a difference!

James O’Meara, Sr.

James O'Meara, Sr.Republican Candidate for Commissioner

Carney slams Marino in new ad

If your keeping score this is the third TV spot from Congressman's Chris Carney reelection campaign. The first 2 were positive spots that you can view here. His Republican challenger Tom Marino is not on the air yet and may not have the money to do any TV after reporting only $11K cash on hand as of June 30th. I'm sure that his fundraising has picked up since then but looking at his last FEC report most of that is probably going to various consultants. I'm sure he will get some outside help but so far the NRCC hasn't spent any money on his behalf.

That being said the only 2 polls released in this race so far that have come from Republican outfits shows that he is ahead. Carney's campaign polled the district in June and has surely done so since but unlike the last 2 cycles they have not released the results. They might be worried because this ad goes after Marino's relationship with Louis DeNaples who is famous for owning a junk yard, bank, landfill, all the former watershed land of PG&W, a casino and who knows what else. He may even own my blog.

Here is the ad:




From Wiki:


Louis A. DeNaples is a prominent Scranton, Pennsylvania businessman, best known as former owner of the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. In January, 2008, DeNaples was charged with four counts of perjury due to his suspected ties to the Bufalino crime family when applying for a Pennsylvania state gambling license.[1] The charges were later dropped in April 2009 after DeNaples agreed to turn over legal control of Mount Airy Casino resort to his family.[2] DeNaples is owner or invested in several businesses, including DeNaples Auto Parts, Inc., Keystone Landfill Inc. and is Chairman of the Board of First National Community Bankcorp, Inc.[3]...

In 1978, DeNaples pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge of defrauding the government of $525,000 in contracts relating to the cleanup and recovery of the City of Scranton in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes. Prosecutors claimed DeNaples plotted with three county employees to falsify records to obtain $525,000 in federal reimbursements.[4] He was subsequently fined $10,000 and was placed on probation for three years. Four people, including James Osticco, a Bufalino crime family underboss were convicted in 1982 of jury tampering in DeNaples fraud trial. [5]

In 2001, as part of a federal gambling investigation, four informants make mention of a relationship between DeNaples and current leader of the Bufalino crime family, William D'Elia. The informants alleged DeNaples made payments to D'Elia for undisclosed work and paid the crime boss protection money. [5]

The Carney camp sent out a press release yesterday reinforcing this message:

CLARKS SUMMIT – Congressman Chris Carney today called on Tom Marino to release a letter he has promised to make public surrounding the controversial reference he wrote as a U.S. attorney on behalf of a convicted felon. Tom Marino claims that he has a letter that shows he was authorized by the Department of Justice to give the personal reference despite an ongoing federal investigation of the felon at the time. The unethical decision by Tom Marino has yet to be fully explained, despite repeated questions from reporters in northeast and central Pennsylvania.

"The controversial ordeal illustrates Tom Marino's career-long lack of judgment and integrity," said Carney for Congress campaign spokesman Josh Drobnyk. "Tom Marino should stop hiding and release the letter. He said he had permission from the Department of Justice to serve as a personal reference for a convicted felon back when Tom Marino was a U.S. attorney. He said he would provide proof in writing of that permission. But he has yet to do just that. Where is the letter? The people of northeastern and central Pennsylvania deserve a straight answer on this and, instead, all they are getting is the run-around from Tom Marino. Families deserve to know the truth."

Here's what we do know. In 2005, while Tom Marino was a U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he wrote a personal reference for a casino application of a convicted felon who was under further investigation. Marino resigned in disgrace two years later and promptly went to work for the felon, making $250,000 a year. When asked about the matter in a radio interview in the spring, Tom Marino said he had notified the Department of Justice about the personal reference and had been given the department's permission. He later told the radio host that he would provide a letter from the Department of Justice showing he was authorized to provide the character reference. More than four months later, he has still not released the letter.

Reporters have tracked this story for years:

http://www.wilknetwork.com/pages/7074698.php

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/all-marino082107,0,878720.story

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/all-resign082407,0,4810885.story

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36560.html

http://www.mcall.com/news/all-a1_5marino.6221869jan11,0,4798885.story

http://thetimes-tribune.com/marino-tops-gop-opponents-in-personal-wealth-1.749563

http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-marino-justice-20100901,0,6567497.story

http://www.wilknetwork.com/-Tom-Marino-Should-Stop-Hiding-/7074698?pid=20883

http://www.wilknetwork.com/-Casino-Marino--Plays-Roulette-With-The-Truth/7074698?archive=1&pid=20411

The Marino campaign responded by reminding everyone that Nancy Pelosi is a liberal:


Williamsport, PA – Following a negative and misleading ad released by Chris Carney, U.S. Congressional candidate Tom Marino issued the following statement.
“Chris Carney should be ashamed of himself for attacking my character and ethics in his latest negative ad. He is trailing badly in the polls and has grown increasingly desperate. He wants to talk about anything other than his liberal voting record.
For 18 years I protected the people of this region, first as Lycoming County District Attorney, then as United States Attorney for the Middle District. As a prosecutor I put away murderers, child molesters, rapists, drug dealers, and organized crime figures. For Chris Carney to question my integrity is outrageous.
If Chris Carney wants to talk about associations, why doesn’t he explain his close association with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi? He has voted with Nancy Pelosi over 91% of the time. He has been a part of the Obama/Pelosi team that has allowed unemployment to hit double digits, the national debt to double, and Medicare to be cut by 500 billion dollars. He joined Pelosi in voting for bailouts and the governments run health care. It’s Chris Carney that owes the hard working people of this district an explanation.
While Chris Carney and his liberal cronies continue their negative personal attacks, I will focus on the issues that are important to the people of the 10th District. I will talk about my plans to create private sector jobs, eliminate excessive regulations, reduce government spending, cut taxes, and repeal the Obama/Pelosi/ Carney Healthcare bill”.

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.

O'Meara and Pashinski on gas drilling in Plains

The 121st District State Representative candidates sound off about the proposed gas drilling in Plains Twp.

Republican James O'Meara left this in the comments on my last post and also sent it out as a press release.

I am deeply concerned that an exploratory well may be drilled in Plains Township by Rice Energy, LLC.

The proposed drill site raises a number of questions: Is this site a Coal-Bed Methane extraction site versus a shale extraction site? The northern anthracite field runs under the heart of our valley. What special hazards exist when drilling for gas in regions where extensive coal mining was once practiced? Are there risks of subsidence or methane explosions? What are the risks to nearby residences, hospitals, and schools?

Rice Energy has indicated that if the well is productive they will drill more. Where? Will they continue drilling in Plains, or perhaps elsewhere in the valley?

The recently-passed Pennsylvania budget cut funds to the DEP at a time when we seem to be entering a “Wild West Anything Goes” era in gas exploration. This flashes a big fat yellow warning light that we may not be paying enough attention to the potential risks of this industry.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue; it goes to the very heart of ensuring public safety and preserving our natural resources. In the case of drilling in Plains or elsewhere in the valley, we need to put the brakes on until we have answers.


James O'Meara, Sr.
Candidate for State Representative
District 121

I have asked incumbent Democratic State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski for a statement but have yet to receive a reply. He was quoted in the Times-Leader


Reacting to news of the drilling permit application, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said he’s “in favor of economic development and job growth,” but he supports a temporary moratorium on gas drilling in Pennsylvania “until safeguards are in place.”

“There needs to be regulations in place, enough inspectors on the ground, enough state police to monitor and check vehicles and proper water treatment facilities to protect drinking water sources,” Pashinski said.

“We were all very excited when we learned this new industry was coming to Northeastern Pennsylvania. … Their initial presentations were very encouraging. But in light of what happened in Dimock and Clearfield County, I am supporting a temporary moratorium,” he said.

NIMBY

A comment on the TL website:


Dan said...

"THEY CAME FIRST for the people of Western PA, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't from Western PA. THEN THEY CAME for the citizens of Dimock, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't from Dimock. THEN THEY CAME for the the good people of the Back Mountain, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't from the Back Mountain. THEN THEY CAME for my backyard and by that time no one was left to speak up.

.

The Plains Twp. planning commission and the Commissioners have to give Rice Energy the go ahead. I hope my neighbors will join me in putting up a fight against this.

Meet the candidate

Normally there is a lull of political activity after the the May primary until Labor Day but not this year.

Today 117th Democratic State Rep candidate Richard Shermanski will be at King's Pizza, 49 S Mountain Blvd in Mountaintop at 7PM. Join us for free pizza and soda, and meeting the Democratic Party's nominee for State Representative! Representatives for other local and statewide campaigns will also be there, so please pop by and say hello!

Tomorrow Congressman Joe Sestak will bring his US Senate campaign to Misericordia University's Bevevino Library, 301 Lake St, Dallas starting at 2PM. It's good to see that his camp actually did some advance work this time.


On Tuesday James O'Meara will be at the Naked Grape in Plains at 6PM and he also promises free pizza. All this pizza is not going to help my ulcer. Jim has an uphill fight as a Republican in the overwhelming Democratic 121st State Representative District and also has a tea and crumpets event scheduled for June 24th at the GOP HQ in Wilkes-Barre or is it coffee and cake. My suggestion is to forget the deserts and go for a cheesesteaks and beer event.

State Senate 14th District Republican candidate Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban has a meet and greet scheduled for June 17th starting at 5PM at one of my favorite restaurants Dan's Keystone Grill , 162 Union St., Plains. If you go and decide to have dinner get the prime rib and order it rare. The next day Urban will be at the Chicken Coop in the East End section of Wilkes-Barre. The wings are way overrated.



El alcalde de Hazleton Lou Barletta está tomando su tercer disparo en la sede del Congreso de 11 y una barbacoa para programar 18:00, 22 de junio en la parrilla de Damon Estado Carr. 120. 93 de Hazleton, PA y estará a Dooley's Pub, 120 Oak Street, Old Forge a partir de las 18:00. No he comprobado el menú para ver si puedo conseguir un burrito o algunos de nacho

Sorry Shawn, I just can't help it.



This Sunday you can join my Libertarian Party friends including Tim Mullen at Grotto Pizza in Edwardsville at 2PM.

Liz Sichler busted

Until she resigned as the the Vice-Chair of the Luzerne County Republican Party in 2008 Sichler was best known for her hard nosed approach to politics with a particular talent for challenging the nominating petitions of candidates that she opposed.

According to the TL story she was running a Bernie Madoff type ponzi scheme until it unravelled and is now accused of embezzling $2 million from her title search company and the people who trusted her to do the paperwork to buy a new home.

She was a top operative of State Representative Karen Boback before all of this and succeeded in getting James May kicked off the the ballot in 2006. In 2008 she was one of the leaders of the Boback campaign that turned back May's primary challenge then quit politics a few days after the primary after the news broke that the Secret Service was investigating her activities.

Liz was a big contributor to various Republican candidates before she ran out of other peoples money to throw around. She tossed $825 to Karen Boback before the 2008 election and in the 2008 federal elections she dropped 8 grand to her favs including $4600 for Lou Barletta and $3200 to Dan Meusers losing effort.

Note: I'm back

State Represenative races in Luzerne County

It's refreshing to see that the 6 State House seats in the county will actually be contested this fall. In 2008 none of the 5 Democratic incumbents faced a Republican in the general election much to my chagrin. This time out we have a full slate on both sides plus a couple of Libertarians thrown into the mix.

As usual the incumbents will be well financed and so far the challengers have little or no money but that could change in the next few months. It's not like there are not people in Luzerne County willing to toss some of their spare change to GOP candidates. 10th CD Republican candidate Tom Marino's FEC report shows more than $30,000 in contributions from people in the county and many of the same names show up on the lists of contributors for statewide Republican candidates. The trick this time is to get those people to actually support the local candidates unlike past elections and to be fair some of them of them have actually been bankrolling the Luzerne County GOP operation over the last few years.

The top target for the Republicans has to be the open seat in the 119th District where Gerald Mullery won a spirited Democratic primary easily but spent all his money doing it. Rick Arnold
doesn't have any money either and to make it more interesting there is a Libertarian Brian Bergman.

Tarah Toohill surprised some people by getting just 800 votes less than longtime 116th State Rep Todd Eachus in their respective unopposed primary elections. Eachus has about $185,000 cash on hand and Toohill has about $2000. Blog buddy McGruff has done his best to tie Eachus to the bonusgate scandal and other transgressions. Who knows, lightening may strike in this one.

In the 121st Eddie Day Pashinski has about $30,000 going into the fall and his Republican challenger James O'Meara didn't raise a dime at the last reporting deadline but that will change if you want to have desert with him.

Mike 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. Forget the the bat thing. He is opposed in the 118th by Terrance O'Conner who wants to solve the fiscal crises of the PA by repealing the sales tax on ammunition. Carroll has $26,000 cash on hand and O'Conner didn't report anything.

One of my favorite State Reps has always been Phyllis Mundy. She has been a champion for senior citizens and the rate payers of NEPA Blue Cross and lately has been trying to stop the rape of our environment by the gas drilling companies. Her Republican opponent is West Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy who I don't know much about but he seems to be a good guy. The Libertarian in the race will make Goldy's life more complicated. Tim Mullen is a third party candidate I can root for. I have long advocated that the minor party's like the Greens, Constitutional and Libertarians, etc. concentrate on local elections that they may just win instead of running candidates for President, Governor and Senator that don't have a chance. Build a bench folks. As far as money goes Goldy and Mullin don't have any and Phyllis has about $67,000.

Sugar Notch happenings

This is a guest post from Mario Fiorucci. He is the Democratic candidate for Mayor of Sugar Notch.


SugarGate: Cover-up or just confusion?

At the Sugar Notch Council meeting in May, Council President James Mullin asked for approval to pay $2,700 of the $5,400 owed to the Commonwealth of PA. It was owed because 'taxes' on the Liquid Fuels Fund had to be paid to 'unfreeze' the account so the borough could use the money for road repairs, etc. At the council's next meeting in June, I (Mario Fiorucci), asked why taxes were owed on the Liquid Fuels Fund, which itself is funded by gasoline taxes. Council President JM insisted that the money owed to the state was to pay back employee payroll taxes that were not paid for over a year. I questioned his explanation and asked to see the minutes of the May meeting. They did not mention a word about how taxes were owed on the fund or that the check for $2,700 was approved to send to the state. Not a word about the whole thing was mentioned!

Luckily, a Citizens' Voice reporter was at the June meeting. In a report titled "Sugar Notch back taxes questioned", reporter Robert Olsen said "What it sounded like was there was money missing from the liquid fuels account that had to be paid back." I said "There was money missing from the refuse (Garbage) account, it's happened before." I thought the state found that the town misappropriated money from the fund and wanted it returned. The town has been running in the red and there were rumors that the mayor had to bail out the town with his own money at least two times for the last few years.

The article also said that I requested a copy of the meeting 'minutes' from May and had found that 'there was no mention of the $5,400 owed in them'. Council President JM said that the "unpaid taxes were discovered when the borough hired a new accountant. She reported the discrepancy to the state, which then froze the Liquid Fuels Fund." The article also quoted JM as saying he "failed to recall if anything was said about the problem or the request to approve the payment at May's meeting." He wasn't sure why it wasn't in the minutes. To me, this explanation was insufficient and still poses the question, "Was the money diverted from the employee payroll taxes so it could be used to just help keep the town running?"

At the regular July council meeting, I said "I know I heard council President JM ask for the check approval. If he did not, then how could I have been able to bring this subject up at the June meeting? And at the June meeting, not one council member volunteered to back me up by saying "they remember that a check for $2,700 was approved..or not" It seems that stealth government has returned to Sugar Notch, yet again.

I also asked the council and mayor to explain the payroll process. I thought the mayor was in charge of scheduling the police and maintenance employees. But they said that the Chief of Police Pelchar schedules hours for the police dept. employees. And councilman, Pat Dalton, schedules hours for the road crew. After they submit pay requests, the Treasurer issues checks. I then asked if the money was 'missing' and just 'not paid' as they claim. They said no money was missing. I do not have a lot of confidence in the council's ability to oversee an antique accounting and budget process. And from what I heard about the town, it has not paid the employee payroll taxes before, because several times when the town had to lay-off the road crew, for lack of funds usually, the state had to call the town to pay in it's taxes, so the road crew could file and get their unemployment checks! Things need to change in Sugar Notch and that includes looking at consolidation.

Petition challenge

I'm surprised there are not more. Past wannabe Commissioner Bill James made some objections to wannabe Prothonotary Walter Mitchell's nominating petitions and financial disclosure forms.

Bill claims he has altruistic motives

“Things brought questions into my mind, and I just had to step forward.”

James has pointed out some problems with Mitchell's paperwork including an incomplete financial disclosure.

Mitchell did not give complete financial disclosure because he cites as sources of income “various insurance companies” but does not give any names or addresses. It also states that Mitchell’s signature only appears on one of the 20 separate nominating petitions he filed, and that he fails to give the name of the office he seeks. James is asking for eight of the 20 petitions to be invalidated because Mitchell does not list the electoral district on them, the document states. As a result, Mitchell would only have 233 signatures, falling short of the required 250.

It looks like Bill James is backing Carolee Medico in her quest to recapture the office. I think Carolee wins the Republican primary going away and will probably cruise to victory in the fall so this challenge may be unnecessary. According to the TL Lance Strange from Lackawanna County is the point man for Mitchell's camp and thinks this is a desperate tactic.

"We are not going to speculate to exactly who is behind the challenge,” Stange said, adding Mitchell’s campaign “will be moving forward with a vigorous defense.”
In the end, Mitchell will be on the ballot and win the upcoming election, Stange said.

W-B Area School Director candidate Christine Katsock is challenging James Susek right to be on the ballot. Katsock states Susek did not file a required statement of financial interest before the March 10 deadline. If Christine keeps running for office she may eventually get elected to something.


The best petition challenger around for the last few years has been Republican Liz Sichler but her title search company Priority Search Inc. has seemed to have adopted the same business practices as Bernie Madoff. So she is unavailable for comment.

Bob Sypniewski for Controller

From a press release.

LOCAL BUSINESS LEADER, BOB SYPNIEWSKI, TO RUN FOR CONTROLLER


Bob Sypniewski will announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Controller in Luzerne County on Saturday March 14th at the Republican Headquarters on Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. The announcement will be at 11:00 am and doors will open at 10:30am.

Bob has been self-employed as a Mortgage Consultant for the past 10 years in the Back Mountain and is the CEO of 5:19 Investments, LLC a company dedicated to raising joint venture capital for various business projects throughout the state. Bob says his recent service on the Luzerne County Assessment Appeals Board was a major factor in his decision to run for controller. Sypniewski explained "As I helped people through the appeals process, I saw the harm government can inflict on it's citizens when it is poorly run. As a life-long resident of Luzerne County, I decided that I could no longer simply sit back and watch a steady stream of politicians put their own self interest above the interests of the people they were chosen to represent".

Bob - the 15th of Wilkes-Barre Police Officer Stanley and Blanche Sypniewski's 16 children, Bob was born and raised in the Heights. After graduating from GAR Memorial High School, Bob attended Luzerne County Community College where he majored in Human Services.

Bob currently serves on the board of the Pennsylvania Family Coalition and is an active member of Cross Creek Community Church in Trucksville. Other memberships include the PA Association of Mortgage Brokers and the Better Business Bureau. In 2008 Bob served as the Chairman of the Friends of James May Committee. He lives in Dallas with his wife of 11 years, Tara Harteis and their children: Christian 9, Ethan 7, and Gavin 5.

Luzerne County Home Rule

A crowd of about 50 people attended the Luzerne County Home Rule meeting at the NEPA Organizing Center in Wilkes-Barre tonight.

Luzerne Home Rule Chairman PJ Best (left) gave a tutorial to the candidates running for the Government Study Commission (GSC) on how to file nominating petitions and stressed the importance of electing the right people. He said the the outfit would be working to educate the public about the need for a GSC and a yes vote on the question that will be on the May primary ballot. He promised that all candidates will be given access to the website to post their qualifications and put their video presentations on YouTube. He hopes that an interactive forum can be developed. A voters guide and DVD are in the works and a big fundraiser is being planned for late March/early April.

Some of the prospective GSC candidates then were given an opportunity to address the crowd.

Phil Struzerri warned that there are some people that are running for the GSC with the intention of making sure that Home Rule is scuttled.

Courtdale Mayor James Gaughan is also a high school government teacher who said he always gave his salary back to the town much to chagrin of his wife.

Walter Griffith brought along a copy of the county code from 1955 that is still the governing document and made the obvious point that it is antiquated. To change anything it requires an act of the PA Legislature and we know how quickly those guys act.

Ed Transue is Social Studies teacher who got pissed off over the reassessment when it "made me a millionaire on paper." He stressed that "without integrity you have nothing."

CJ Kersey is a Government teacher at Wyoming Seminary and a volunteer for the Obama campaign who said he will be open minded.

Rick Morelli was a member of the Hazleton Area School Board a few years ago and pointed out that he doesn't have any relatives employed by Luzerne County. He repeated the oft heard phrase government should be run like a business.

Ray Gustove wants better internal financial controls.

Frank Sindaco, the host of the event, explained that he is not a politician but felt compelled to run for the GSC.

Paul Krumbel is a union electrician that was uncomfortable speaking in front of a crowd.

Recent W-B council candidate Pete Gagliardi gave a mercifully short pitch.

Only one woman came forward to volunteer to be a candidate for the GSC and she pointed that out. Meghan Godwin is a philosophy teacher that would give the GSC a different view.

After the program I asked PJ Best who was on the Luzerne County Home Rule Committee and he gave me a vague answer. He named the officers but I neglected to ask who elected them to their positions. I also asked the director of the NEPA Organizing Center who was paying for the place, he told me that it was coming out of his pocket.

Luzerne County Controller

So far we have 2 Democrats say they will run for the post.


Dallas School Board member Russ Bigus said “We need some competency in the courthouse. I think I might be able to bring some order"...“I would like to build up the public trust and get a real grasp of the financial crisis in the county.” Though he stressed that there’s a need for “teambuilding within the dome.” Last year Bigus lost the race for 117th District State Rep to Karen Boback and in 2006 he came in 4th in the 20th Senate District Republican primary.


The other declared candidate is former Pittston Area School Board member and Yatesville councilman Anthony Rostock. He pledges to be a full time Controller and takes a few shots at previous Controller and present Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla "There are certain things that have happened when the previous controller was there, things that should have been seen,” Rostock said, referring to Petrilla. “Even shortcomings in the county budget – that should have been seen years in advance.” Rostock said he’s not criticizing employees in the controller’s office.“I blame the people running the show,” he said.

Pittston litigation specialist Wil Toole has had cards printed up put has not formally declared his candidacy. He made sure that the public was informed about Rostock's $30,000 no-bid contract to provide landscape consulting services at Luzerne County Community College.

Bob Morgan, a financial adviser from Mountain Top said it’s “very likely” that he will run.


On the Republican side Attorney Nanda Palissery has been mentioned. He ran for Judge a few years ago and I voted for him. If we can have a President with a weird name we can put up with a Controller with one.

Two names are not mentioned in the press have been kicked around on this site and I have asked them for a comment.


Wilkes-Barre resident and unsuccessful city council candidate Walter Griffith does a great job of keeping an eye on things. Some people consider him to be a pain in the ass. My opinion is that the Controller should be a person who is willing to ask the tough questions like Steve Flood did.


Bob Sypniewski was the chairman of James May's 117th State Rep primary campaign is a local mortgage broker. Some of the back mountain big money people may be willing to back him.

117th State Legislative District debate?

Freshman GOP state rep Karen Boback wouldn't agree to a debate with her primary challenger, James May, so I'm sure she will find an excuse to avoid a conversation with Democratic nominee Russ Bigus.

This story in the TL today is full of ifs, ohs and uhs.


Don't hold your breath Russ, she will not appear on the same platform with you.