Wilkes-Barre Area School District

From LuLac: Very simple. Ned Evans former District employee vs Kathy Grinaway a widowed, working mother who has worked in the private sector all her life. Grinaway has presented herself well, Evans I’m told has not. People have told me there is nothing wrong with have former School District employees on a School Board. I agree. But you don’t want all of them to make a majority. Already political insiders are calling it “The Coaches Club”. That is just so wrong for the district. Plus look at how this district was asleep at the wheel when Attorney Anthony Lupus overcharged for professional services. They thought that was okay.

Incumbent Christine Katsock and newcomers Joe Caffrey  and Denise Thomas won double nominations and barring some last minute scandal will probably win 3 of the 4 spots up for election. I would really like to see the end of cross filing for school board races as there is nothing more political in this area than a school board. Better yet get rid of school boards and let the IU's administer education.


I still can't forgive Katsock for voting for indicted and later convicted criminal Frank Pizzella as board president and she botched the hiring policy. For too long the hiring policy has been who you know are related to but then again that's life but it's done in such a blatant way.

The TL story by Mark Guydish asks about security and 3 of them want to put metal detectors in the schools.Denise Thomas said it would only cost $50,000. Sorry Denise, there are  a bunch of other costs with metal detectors. They have to be maintained and calibrated then you have to train people to man them so they know what they are looking for. And the biggest cost is

Do we really want to treat our kids like criminals?

So the final choice is between Evans and Grinaway with wild card Independent Sam Troy thrown in.

I like bomb throwers and rabble rousers so Sam has one of my votes and Grinaway has the other. That's only 2 votes out of 4 spots so I will write-in the Yonk.

YouTube Weekend

More Lou Reed


Every time I hear this I'm reminded of one of my first blog buds. This is for you AAJ:  




He had one top40 hit






Laurie Anderson

Read Laurie Anderson’s Letter About Husband Lou Reed’s Final Days

 

 

 

Wilkes-Barre Area School District

What can I say about such an organization as the W-B Area School Board Over the last the 10,20 or 50 years it has just been a personal department dedicated to getting friends and relatives a job. We really should get away from  local School Boards

Harry Haas for Luzerne County Council

Harry Haas has a web ad:

A message from the President

From the inbox:

Omeed with a mutual friend

When the government shutdown ended 16 days ago, I made one thing clear to Republicans. If they want different leadership from the White House, they should go win an election.

I want to tell you what I meant by that.

A few extreme Republicans in Congress -- one faction of one party in one branch of government -- shouldn't hijack our economy in an attempt to force through a failed, partisan agenda. That's not how our system works -- and that's not a precedent we can abide.

If members of Congress and their constituents don't like a policy, they can argue for their side. They can debate other candidates, lay out their plan, and let the voters decide. That's how our elections -- and our democracy -- are supposed to work.

And if we want to make sure that Congress is focused on things that matter, we need more lawmakers who share that fundamental belief -- and we're going to need your support to make that happen.

Even though I won't be on a ballot again, I'm asking you to stand with me and support fellow Democrats who will. Help fix the broken system in Washington by electing a Congress that will keep our economy moving forward, not shut it down.

Luzerne County Controller

Democratic nominee Michelle Bednar had a LTE published in the CV today and Republican Carolee Medico Olenginski  responded by sending out an email to the media including us lowly Bloggers. . This is the top race in this year's election. I'll have more on this contest over the weekend.

 Michelle in the CV:

Michelle Bednar: I have financial experience

 

As a candidate for the position of Luzerne County controller, I ask voters to compare my experience, employment and education with the other candidates in the race. I feel very strongly that my qualifications set me apart to fulfill the necessary duties and requirements from the very first day in office. 

The controller serves as the independent watchdog over fiscal and management activities while also monitoring and examining government operations. The controller also has the authority to conduct fiscal performance audits for nearly every facet in county government to ensure transparency and foster trust with taxpayers. 

For the past 25 years, I have worked in finance and management within the public and private sectors. This has given me a wide breadth of experience that I will apply wisely as your controller.
For ten years, I served as the branch office manager of an investment securities firm where I administered and reconciled client accounts and contracts. I also worked with internal regulatory auditors and created reports. During my 10 years in banking, I successfully cross trained in both operations and finance. I have supervised employees in many aspects of business including payroll, bookkeeping, and ensuring valid and accurate payment of income, dividends, and commissions. In addition, I have proudly served as the elected tax collector of Conyngham Township since 2009. This experience will allow me to audit both the finances and operations of the county. 

I have confidence that my employment and education will be great assets to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as Luzerne County controller and humbly ask for your vote on election day, Tuesday, November 5. 

Michelle Bednar



From an email from Carolee:

Response to Bednar’s letter to the Editor:

If Bednar had not gone negative on me in the zero hour, I would not be responding to her letter published in the Citizens’ Voice today and I expect her letter will also appear in the Times Leader and Standard Speaker in the next few days before the election. 

In her letter she implies that my experience, employment and education were inferior to hers.  The facts are that Bednar’s educational credential is an “associate’s degree in tourism and travel management from the LCCC.”   Her 25 years in management are questionable for she would have started in management at 22 years old (with no educational 4 year degree). 

She was underestimating the intelligence of the voters when she asked them to compare her experience, employment and education with me, implying that she had superior qualifications.

As a struggling single mom raising 4 children I graduated with honors from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Science degree in Human Resource Administration.  When I was unable to afford my last year I studied harder and pulled a 4.0 that awarded me a scholarship enabling me to graduate.  I am proud of my education because I got it as an adult student who was going through many sacrifices and hardships.

Since 1985 I was a management consultant, award winning motivational seminar facilitator and I have over 20years experience as a successful manager including my proven record of excellence in government.  The Prothonotary’s office has become one of the best in the state for efficiency, productivity, profit and service at peak performance.  We were the first 3^rd class county to offer access to records online and e.filing for legal documents.  I am responsible for researching, reporting possible embezzlement to the secret service and stopping the LRW (Little Red Wagon) scheme that was being mismanagement and misspending over $900,000.

These are my experiences, employment and formal 6 years educational degrees.  The University of Scranton would take issue with Bednar’s claims that an associate’s degree trumps a bachelor’s and master’s from their fine school.

I would welcome the voters to compare my documented qualifications with my opponent’s allegations.  I would also welcome a public debate with my opponent any time, any venue between now and Tuesday.

Kokura hits back

Why can't we all get along

It was nice while it lasted when both candidates stayed positive.  The Pittston District Judge  race was described by PAPolitics as just plain fun local NEPA politics.

Now it is really fun NEPA local politics with dueling attack ads as we get closer to the election. Jerry Mecadon slammed Alex Kokura for her lack of courtroom experience and tied her to the hiring of Red O'Brien by the Pittston Area School District inferring a relative engineered it after he lost the primary by 8 votes to get his support. Red trashes Mecadon in the CV. You tell me.

The Kokura camp had been running positive spots but responded immediately. In politics this is one of those ads that you keep in the drawer that you really don't want to use unless you have to.

It yells KIDS FOR CASH because Ed Mitchell handled the media for Conahan and Ciavarella and complains that a campaign tracker videotaped her at a public event.






When this is over I expect them to kiss and make up after some time for the loser to lick the wounds. They are both good people.

All Hallows Eve

MY PORCH LIGHT WILL BE OUT TONIGHT, SO STAY AWAY TRICK OR TREATERS!!!!
.

A Halloween Message by Mean Old Man
.

Once again, we are upon that stupid holiday (?) called Halloween.  Damn!!!!!!  Each year all the handout seekers come to my door asking for free candy or money.  And the twerp heads can’t even have the common decency to say ‘thank you” when they get it!!!!  Against the wishes of my missus, I will not be taking any of these future welfare recipients into my living room this time.  I remember one year some punk who looked about 25 years old coming inside.  He looked as if he’d had twelve Stegs and some of that funny tobacco for dessert.  The thing that really got to me was his looking around my place----particularly at the picture of Ronald Reagan with the gold-trimmed frame over my fireplace.  I made a point to let this vagrant know that if I ever saw him within a mile of my homestead again he would have the opportunity to meet my two cousins, Smith and Wesson.  Needless to say the loser never showed again.
.

In my day we celebrated Halloween too.  But there was an age limit.   Once I turned 9 my old man put an end to it.  “Dimwit, it’s time for you to go out and find a part time job!  Not dress up like a little panty waste!!!”  I remember him saying, right after he belted me after finding me dressed in my homemade Superman outfit.  And when Pops found out that I used Mom’s red dress to make a cape, he flung me down the stairs and kicked my sorry butt into the coal chute for the night.  I remember laying on top of the coal with the cold October air seeping through the corners of the basement window.  My legs and back were in dire pain and my head too.  It was brutal, inhumane and degrading punishment for a 9 year old----and I loved it!!!  Because it taught me a lesson that childhood has its expiration date and adulthood starts!!!  Good ol’ Pops, when they made him they broke the mold.  I miss him a lot.
.

It ain’t that way today. Kids of all ages go out begging.  No doubt, a product of the welfare state.  And what about the real joy of Halloween-----horror?????  In my time we had real monsters played by real men.  Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi.  Bela was the best vampire ever.  Not like these prissy vampires today in those Twilight films.  My dumbbell granddaughter, Molly is in love with some nerd who portrays a vampire in that movie.  She has a poster on her bedroom wall of him, hoping he will stop by in the middle of the night to take her away and marry her.  What a load of balderdash!!!!  I’ve seen this nitwit in the silly movie and I have news for little Molly.  This jerk may stop by someone’s bedroom to take them away in the middle of the night, but most likely it won’t be a girl named Molly but a guy named Roy!!!!!!!!!!!!
.

So, all you commies enjoy your Halloween.  Maybe if you trek down to DC and stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. you’ll pick up a free, pie in the sky health insurance policy to put in your trick or treat bag.  As for me, I’ll be in my living room, drinking a few Stegs, smoking a Lucky while listening to the soothing sounds of Sammy Davis, Jr. singing “Me and My Shadow” on the ol’ victorola.  Happy Halloween and remember, I ain’t takin’ any!!!!!!!!!
.

I hate you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Sox win the World Series

It's a great thing that Boston has won the World Series for the 3rd time in the last 10 years. They went from last to first and we can hope the Phillies may figure that out.  The Red beards won it.

Signs change over time

Before the primary.

From a reader: Card being passed by Frank Pizzella & christine Katsock

After the primary

Today

                                           

Pittston District Judge candidates on the air

I didn't pay much attention to this race previously because  Magistrates don't decide public policy but I have met both candidates and like them and as PAPolitics said because it’s just plain fun local NEPA politics.

Alex Kokura won the Democratic nomination by a whisker over Red O'Brien with Jerry Mecadon coming in a close third.  Democrat Mecadon bested Kokura by just 26 votes to grab the Republican nod. Results at this link. I think they should do away with cross filing. So now 2 Dems are in the finals. The overwhelming  registration advantage favors Kokura as  5594 votes where cast in the Democratic primary versus only 982 for the GOP. On the other hand Mecadon pulled 1284 votes on the Dem side. So the aggregate primary result was Kokura 1626 to Mecadon's 1570. This a barn burner but Kokura has to be be the favorite because of the registration edge in the district.


 The TL:

Northeastern Pennsylvania politics for sure, the race is ripe with rumor and accusations, according to PA Politics:

• Mecadon’s camp was spotted videotaping Kokura at an event.

• Kokura is using the office as a stepping to stone to Luzerne County judgeship.

• Mecadon wants to move the district judge’s office out of Pittston City Hall.

• Kokura’s cousin, Pittston Area School Board President Charles Sciandra, helped get James “Red” O’Brien, who lost to Kokura by eight votes, a job at the Pittston Area School District warehouse in exchange for support.

In separate interviews on Tuesday, both candidates distanced themselves from the innuendo that has surfaced in local news reports, blogs, talk shows and message boards.


You can get the real skinny on this race at PittstonPolitics.com

Alex has a positive spot up:





Ed Mitchell has been polling the district and cut one of his contrast ads:



Jerry has an event tonight: Free Home Stretch Rally at the Duryea VFW at 492 Stephenson Street, Duryea this Wednesday October 30th from 7-9 p.m. Food and Beverages will be provided. This will be our last event before the election.

Alex has a get together on Sunday: 
Attention Ladies: Please join us and Michelle Bednar for an "Autumn, Wine & Women" event on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 from 2 pm to 4 pm at Tony & Deno's located at 295 Parsonage St., Hughestown, PA.

Rick Williams on the air

Independent County Councilor Rick Williams is running a reelection TV spot that is very similar to one that worked so well for him last time. I think the TV ad put him over the top in 2011. He is the first Independent candidate to win a county wide election in my memory. It has  testimonials followed by his pitch.




And he sent along this note:

Two years ago, when  Luzerne County voters decided to govern ourselves differently through Home Rule, many predicted that change would not come quickly.

Taking one step at a time, I believe we are now on a path toward more accountable, effective and ethical county government.  It’s important to vote in the election next Tuesday, November 5^th.  It does matter.

Help Luzerne County Council keep moving forward to a more promising future.

 Vote.

Rick Williams

Independent Candidate for re-election Luzerne County Council

And one last event:

 Independent candidate Rick Williams is holding a Get out the Vote Party. On Wednesday, October 30th, from 5 to 7pm there will be a gathering at the Riverside Café, 187 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre.

Paul Dezinski for county council

In addition to the 11 people on the ballot Paul Dezinski of Wyoming is running a write-in campaign. He owns a lawn care business and  has 14 years experience  in the Fire-EMS service. He's a lifelong Colts fan and likes the Yankees in baseball and picked the Cardinals to win the Series.

I talked with him the other day and asked why he is mounting a very long shot write-in campaign but  didn't try to get on the ballot. He said the time limit had expired before he decided to run. His motivation for running is the spike in crime. I'm not sure  that the county council can do much about that.  He said that  John Boland and John Marianacci have been supportive.


More info on his Facebook page.

Some of his messages to me:

 I could tell u some why I've decided to try as a write in campaign . Well the violence is a big part of it 10 Homicides in Wilkes-Barre and no other council person campaigning has mentioned to make our streets safer and to curb the violence . I have 14 years in the Fire-EMS service both currently as a volunteer and career . I see and deal with the bad violence on a daily basis over the last 14 years it has risen and risen even higher ....And now to see that at the casino a girl was held gunpoint and robbed . It's only gonna get worse if someone like me doesn't take the step forward . I'd like to see a county wide gang task force and work with the local authorities to make our streets safer for people of all ages and it's a beautiful place here in Luzerne County and we can even go forward and still make it safer for tourism and if not soon we will see houses being sold off as people being in fear of their lives ....And our county 911 system I'd like to implement the Lackawanna county style GPS dispatched for Paramedic units only . I am sure you have read the paper a few months back about the elderly gentleman heart attack on the ground in the back mountain area . And a closer paramedic unit was closer but they waited for one of out Luzerne Borough to respond and pass the closer one ....Also taxes are a concern on not to higher taxes as it effects the senior citizens who live on fixed incomes and can barely pay for medications due to the Medicare changes they go with out meds as the out of pocket expense is draining them to nothing and it not like they get raise when taxes go up . So I would have to analyze any tax hike very carefully before I said yes to raising them.

Michelle Bednar on the air

Luzerne County Controller candidate Michelle Bednar (D) gets some help from the auditor guy.

Poll workers

What a waste of time. For the most part people going to vote have their minds made up so somebody handing a card in front of the voting place is not going to persuade them. A better use of volunteers is to identify your voters and make sure they get to the polls. Call them , give them a ride or whatever it takes.

The only poll worker that matter's is the candidate in a local election but that could cut both ways . A few years ago I was impressed by a School Board candidate that I met on the way in and voted for the guy. The flip side is I talked to a candidate for a local office and he was clueless so I didn't vote for him.

You Tube Weekend

RIP Lou Reed

Lou Reed - See that my grave is kept clean

 

 

 

Quincy turns 5 today

I'm not really big on  birthdays as I was born on my sister's 5th birthday and she has not forgiven me til this day. But John Quincy Adams wants to celebrate by chewing up stuff and digging holes. Chris Matthews (Tweety) of Hardball ended our argument on what to name him when he mentioned JQA. His predecessors were Hubert Horatio "Humphrey" and Michael Gorbachev "Gorby."

When we brought him home the cat wasn't thrilled at first but Ptolomey has since made his peace.

He figured out how to dig holes and still does. I can't believe I actually have to buy dirt to fill them in.

The Q likes to dig when it rains.

We nursed him when he wasn't well.

And put up with the destructive streaks.

He helps with yard work.

He is our big affectionate,clumsy Golden Retriever.

Life in Plains Twp is good

I awoke to the wonderful sound of beeping trucks and heavy equipment ripping up West Stanton Street this morning. Another street in Plains will be paved thanks to the money from the Mohegan Sun casino. I've never been in the place but thanks to the revenue from it our streets look better, trash bags are cheap and the police and fire departments have new equipment.

Thank you suckers.

Mrs. G says I avoid the casino because I'm afraid I would like it. She is probably right.

Brominski on the Luzerne County Council election

Luzerne County Councilor Edd Brominski is backing the accountability ticket +1 of
Mike Giamber, Eileen Sorokas , Renee Taffera and Rich “Kick” Heffron  in the upcoming election.

He sent along a somewhat cryptic LTE:

Editor:

The following are examples of how TRANSPARENT three of the four incumbents running for County Council really are.

One incumbent said at a meeting of elected officials and some of the public “WE are not going to let the Charter get in our way”!! He has proved it by serving on a board which allows pay increases to employees of the county without Council approval as required by the Charter.  He proclaims business knowledge yet has not made one suggestion as to how we are to solve the $430,000,000 crisis we are in.

A second incumbent read the Bible at a public meeting, yet he fabricates numbers to be saved by eliminating the tax collectors, at a political rally, without substantial information.  The only purpose was to secure votes for re-election.  Further he committed to vote for a person applying to a County Authority solely to gain votes for his re-election from a segment of his party.

The third incumbent solicited an applicant for a county appointed board (who he nominated and voted for) and also solicited the same person to apply for the Deputy Director’s Position in the Elections Bureau.  All this was done to curry minority votes.

These are issues that the public does not know of, but are examples of the LACK of TRANSPARENCY by these incumbents seeking re-election in November.

These same candidates voted for the 2012 2% tax increase, voted for pay raises and now we are further in the hole with our budget.  They have all indicated they support the 8% tax increase proposed by the manager. None have ever offered a way to solve our budgetary problems nor objected to the reckless spending by the manager. 

These three also voted down a division head in order to hire another, less qualified person, at a higher salary. Make them accountable to you now, do not re-elect them.

I ask you to, research, vote and be very selective in your choices, and when you choose, select Mike Giamber, Eileen Sorokas , Renee Taffera and Rich “Kick” Heffron  for Luzerne County Council.

Yours in Honest Government, I am…

Edward A. Brominski

Luzerne County Council Member

Then he posted this on his Facebook page:

 Do you care?

Luzerne County has a tax value of $19,000,000,000 ( that is BILLION)
Each mil of taxes is worth $19,000,000 (that is million)
We are taxed at 5.32 mils (0.00532)
From Sept. of 2012 to Sept. of 2013 we picked up $401,000,000 in new assessments.
That should be $2,000 000 + in new tax dollars, correct? 

WRONG!!!

$389,000,000 was abated, given back.

$12,000,000 was used for tax purposes, that equates to $64,000 in new money to run the county.

With these figures, why would Jim Bobeck support Haas, Kellerher and Williams for re election? To keep the status quo!!!!

We pay a manager $100,000 plus benefits to stop this loss of money, and I and the council get $8,000 a year to watch the books. Something is wrong. 

Renee Taffera , Mike Giamber, Eileen Sorokas and Kick Heffron deserve your vote to help keep an eye , or TEN including me, on your money. Remember Nov. 5th VOTE..