YouTube weekend

Keeping with the weather theme that seems to be popular on the intertubes. Tonight it will dark then it will turn into a glorious morning.


Andre Rieu Morning

There is a football game tomorrow

Who will win?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Arizona Cardinals

Vote in the poll on the sidebar.

No Eagles, again.

Name that scandal

The Judges scandal in Luzerne County deserves a moniker that doesn't end in -gate. Some of the terms that have been suggested so far are:

Black Robes

Juviscam

Judge Sludge

Un-Reel Justice

Caught with the robes down




(Fill in the blanks)

Help me out in the comments then we will put up a poll to pick the appropriate term.

YouTube weekend

Wired for sound?

We have all heard that someone has been singing.


From the comments:


It is rumored that Powell was wearing a wire...well more than a rumor but for now settle on that. The question remains- How long did he wear the wire and in who's company was he wearing it. Was it limited to the judges??


Big Daddy's right. He did wear a wire. No honor amongst thieves! I was disappointed that this all took so long to break - but I'm hoping the Feds did an extensive job and plan to finish this root canal.

Cliff Richard - Wired For Sound (Video)

If the Judges are taking bribes ...

Somebody is paying them.




HOME COURT ADVANTAGE?


MERICLE MAN

Justice for the juvies

WILKES-BARRE – The Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia announced it will file a renewed petition with the state Supreme Court that asks the justices to review the cases of every child who was deemed delinquent and placed in detention by Judge Mark Ciavarella from 2003 to 2008.

The PA Supreme Court denied their last request for relief for kids that were denied counsel and railroaded through the system. Civil rights attorney Barry Dyller may file a class action suit on behalf of the kids and Joe Lach, a Kingston attorney, said he is also considering a similar suit.

Some other private firms are soliciting business even setting up a questionnaire on the company website and running TV ads. The top dog in the 'The People's Law Firm' has been a contributer to various local and federal Democratic politicians and has been a delegate to the national conventions. The state website has chronological limits but these 2 contributions are curious;

8/31/2001 $300.00 to LOKUTA, ANN H COM TO KEEP JUDGE and

10/16/2003 $300.00 CONAHAN, MICHAEL COM TO RETAIN


Other news links in this saga:

JUSTICE FOR JUVENILES?

Conahan resigns from bank board

Powell may eat words about PA Child Care

Election to be open to public

Activist demands justice for juveniles

Kanjorski votes against Stimulus

Paul Kanjorski (D-PA 11) was only one of 11 Democrats to vote against President Obama's economic stimulus bill. He said "We face the most challenging economic crisis since the Great Depression, yet this bill merely throws money at the problem by expanding existing programs...Had we reached this bill through a more orderly, bipartisan basis, I very well may have cast my vote for it."

Kanjo has been pushing the idea of bringing back the Nixon Revenue Sharing Program that provides local governments with money with no strings attached.

Chris Carney (PA-10) and the rest of the Pennsylvania Democratic delegation voted for it.

Skrep and Vondy are shocked and sad

According to the CV. Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak and former Commissioner Todd Vonderheid expressed their regrets on the recent news that Judge Mark Ciavarella and Judge Michael Conahan were on the take for placing kids in the PA Child Care facility in Pittston Twp.

What they need to explain is why did they approve a $58 million, 20-year lease for the facility when all sorts of red flags were being raised by then Controller Steve Flood and the PA Dept of Public Welfare. Who the hell signs a 20 year lease for anything?


Luzerne County Juvenile Detention Center Analysis has a great rundown.

Papers filed in the Luzerne County Courthouse indicate that Pennsylvania Child Care took out a $10 million loan through S&T Bancorp in Indiana, Pa., to finance the detention center project.If you calculate $10,000,000.00 at a 10% mortgage interest rate for 20 years it would cost PCC $23,160,521.88 in total payments including interest. Using the figures presented PCC stands to make more than $35 million on this lease since the prevailing interest rates would be less than 10%. Receiving $58.1 million total compensation is absurd.

Home Rule Kickoff

The NEPA Organizing Center will be working in collaboration with Luzerne Home Rule in order to develop the movement toward Home Rule in Luzerne County.


Together, we are sponsoring a Home Rule Campaign Kick Off Event at the Center on Thurs., January 29th at 7:00 p.m. The event will be open to the public, and we encourage anyone interested in joining the movement to attend. The Center is located at 198 S Main St. Wilkes-Barre.


Home Rule made it onto the May 19 primary election ballot. With all the bad news coming out of the Dingdome I think there is a good chance of it passing. Also on the ballot will be the candidates for the 11 spots on the study commission. It will be interesting to see if any of the 'good old boys' try to win a spot on the commission.

Idiot watch

Acting Luzerne County Controller Anthony Martinelli crashed his car into a wall at 3AM a few days ago and police allege he was shitfaced at the time. He then gave one of the more memorable “Give me a break” DUI performances.

CV: Martinelli exited the vehicle, his pants had fallen to around his knees and he handed over his county badge when asked for identification. Martinelli, 32, of Dupont, then began spouting the names of local politicians he knows and begged for a break. Martinelli told Purcell he’d be fired if he was arrested and said, “Why are you trying to ruin my life?”Arrest papers also note that, at one point, Martinelli tried to exit the police car by continuously pushing on the door. When an officer confronted him, Martinelli allegedly said, “I know I (expletive) up. Just take me home.”

And from the TL: At that point Martinelli “started naming local politicians that he stated he knew, along with the statement, ‘Maryanne will fire me. Why are you trying to ruin my life?’ ”
He also told police, “Just let me out. No one will know,” and asked if knowing township Supervisor Joe Zelonis “could help him.

His BAC was .212

I think everyone will want to know why were his pants falling down.

And yes Dana, Mr. Martinelli is a Democrat.

Ann Lokuta feels vindicated

It looks like Lokuta may have some additional grounds to appeal her removal from the bench alleging that Mike Conahan perjured himself at her hearing before the Court of Judicial Discipline. It is well known that Conahan was behind the charges being filed against her.


SCRANTON -

“I think it’s a sad day for the citizens of Luzerne County, and yet I find a certain vindication in this, because for years I’ve been asking for the (court) budget,” Lokuta said. “I wasn’t the only judge in Luzerne County who tried to make inquiry. Perhaps I’m the only one that bore the greatest consequence, the sacrifice of my judicial career, because I was outward in that attempt. People knew what was going on...Michael Conahan and Mark Ciavarella were the legal puppet masters over all of the staff in the Luzerne County court system, and if anyone dared to step up and ask them questions, they stepped on them like little ants,” Lokuta said. “I’m living proof of that, but I’m not done yet.”

More on Luzerne County Judges Ciavarella and Michael Conahan

I don't have any Schadenfreude like some people I have talked to today or heard on the radio. I think it is a very sad day when two of the people we depend on to make fair decisions involving life and death are exposed as being crooks. How many lives have these two judges ruined so they could make a few bucks?


These guys put kids in jail that didn't deserve it. My definition of a juvenile delinquent is a kid that got caught and the rest of us angels were lucky. Sights on Pennsylvania has a detailed analysis of Judge Mark Ciavarella railroading kids though the system and the efforts of the Juvenile Law Center to remedy the situation.

Let's connect some dots after we read the Indictment.

Luzerne County judges Mark A Ciavarella and Michael Conahan cop a plea

Confirming what we all have suspected 2 of our Judges are crooks. They are charged with income tax evasion and corruption for taking payments related to the juvenile detention center in Pittston Township. I'll have more later tonight.

U.S. Attorney: Ciavarella, Conahan agree to serve 87 months in prison


Update: Ciavarella, Conahan plead guilty to fraud, income tax charges; will serve 87 months

Carney votes against the bailout, again

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Christopher P. Carney issued the following statement after voting for both the TARP Reform and Accountability Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 260 to 166, and TARP Funds Disapproval Resolution, which passed by a vote of 270 to 155:

.

“I voted for the TARP Funds Disapproval Resolution because I could not, in good conscience, burden taxpayers with $350 billion dollars of further debt. The American people deserve a better explanation from the financial services industry as to where the $350 billion dollars from the first half of the bailout, which I did not support, have gone.

.

“We were promised accountability when the first portion of bailout funding was released, but still have not received it. I voted against the bailout before because I was concerned about the lack of accountability, and I am voting for the TARP Funds Disapproval Resolution now because Wall Street has yet to provide the public with a clear plan of how they plan to spend an additional $350 billion dollars.

.

“We do still need oversight of the federal bailout funds. That is why I voted in support of the TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009. This legislation would give significantly greater oversight of the federal dollars that have been loaned to financial services institutions since October 3, 2008, when Congress passed the initial bailout package.

.

“We live in the greatest country in the world, one that was founded on principles of a free and fair market economy. Thus far, the bailout has relied too much on the U.S. Treasury to solve the problems that have been brought on by greed. Yes, we need to see trading and credit markets stabilized, but not by increasing the debt our grandchildren will shoulder.

.

“We can look to our community banks as an example: they are subject to stricter regulations than Wall Street behemoths and do not have nearly the amount of toxic debt that their larger counterparts incurred over the last few years. Our small banks went about things the right way because they have always been held accountable to a higher standard.

.

“Congress has a role here, not by taking control, but by mandating and conducting oversight. The federal government should not be giving more money to bail out the financial services industry when it hasn't unfrozen the credit crunch or given our economy the boost it needs.”

YouTube weekend

Another request.

This one is from the Rain Man who sent along this message of comfort; At least your thumb is not broke. My advice to you is to drink heavily.

This song always reminds me of Henry Kissinger and Jill St John. Long story.


Jimmy Castor Bunch -
Troglodyte

YouTube weekend

By request.

I usually stay away from this subject but Dr. David Madeira asked me to post it on Tuesday. I'm a few days late.

Gort,

I know you like to post music videos with powerful messages.

Here is one that gives us all something to think about on such an historic day .

Walter Griffith for Controller

Walter L Griffith responds to my earlier post.


Dear Gort,


I appreciate your Blog today regarding the Luzerne County Blog Page and the comments that were made concerning the candidates that expressed their interest to run for this office in the County. I do however must clarify the comment about me being a " Pain in the Ass" which is referenced to Wilkes Barre Online Web Page.

The Wilkes Barre Online Blogger Mark Cour is a very knowledgeable and interesting writer and blogger whom of which I have the utmost respect and appreciation for, in regard to, his ability to express his opinion.

I consider myself a very knowledgeable and formidable person regarding the County and City Political scene in this County and I attend as many meeting as possible with knowledge and information that would make our elected officials at least think about the way they are treating us as taxpayers that are their employers not the other way around as they would like everyone in the County to believe.


I have been very instrumental in making the City get all the information about the City Council meetings posted online in advance of all the meetings, because of my constant and relentless attending the meetings and asking them to do it with the proper information and concerns for the taxpayers...If that is being a "Pain in the Ass" then I am guilty as charged but the taxpayers deserve this information so they can be informed about what OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS are doing in government.


I was the person that represented the entire Luzerne County Taxpayers in a lawsuit to stop the County from borrowing 16 million dollars because they mismanaged our money and therefore were not being responsible to US THE TAXPAYERS.


There are many things that I have been able to accomplish by just being at the meetings with the proper information and I am very proud of my accomplishments as a taxpayer advocate, however there are some in the County that feel that this is being a "Pain in the Ass" and that is fine and they are entitled to that opinion, however I feel this is the reason why the County and City Governments are in the state and condition that they are in at the present time because of the people not being there to keep them accountable but they rely on the press and the blogger to do the work for them.


I appreciate your Blog, as well as the blogs of so many others like Dave Yonki and Mark Cour, and would also appreciate the recognition of all the things that I do to make the government accountable to US the Taxpayers as well..

Walter L Griffith JR
Luzerne County Taxpayer and Activist

Courthouse rumor

I have heard from 2 sources that Mark Ciavarella has resigned as Luzerne County President Judge and Michael Conahan has stepped down from his post as a senior judge. I'm trying to get confirmation.

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.

Lots of would be Judges

We have at least 3 spots open on the Luzerne County County Court of Common Pleas and plenty of applicants.

Those who confirmed they will seek election are:

Richard Hughes, 47, of Mountain Top;

Thomas O’Connor, 57, of Kingston;

Joseph Sklarosky Jr., 39, of Mountain Top

Eugene Sperazza, 54, of Mountain Top.


Attorneys who said they are considering running are:

William Amesbury, 61, of Wilkes-Barre;

C.J. Bufalino III, 48, of Dallas;

Mark Bufalino, 38, of Trucksville;

Conrad Falvello, 59, of Sugarloaf Township;

Lesa Gelb, of Laflin;

Tom Marsilio, 60, of Mountain Top;

Molly Hanlon-Mirabito, 46, of Forty Fort;

Luzerne County Judge Joseph Musto, 64, of Duryea;

Joseph J. Terrana, 46, of Yatesville;

Joseph Saporito, 48, of Jenkins Township,

Ferris Webby, 54 of Slocum Township.