Fin - for now

I'm a proud Liberal

The last few years right wing types have been successful in turning the word liberal  into a pejorative. They are dismissive of the opposition often referring to them as the democrat party instead of the Democratic Party  I would counter that today's so called conservatives are not conservative at all but are right wing anti-government anarchists. This argument started on the Yonk' s FB page


It's about time that Democratic politicians take back the mantle of Liberal instead of the wishy washy progressive nonsense. 

Some times it takes a TV show to remind us of what we believe in. via  Simply Left Behind


 "Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things...every one! So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, 'Liberal,' as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won't work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor." -- Matt Santos, The West Wing

Idiot watch

WILKES-BARRE — Police were dispatched to the area of 29 Essex Lane at about 10:15 Wednesday night for a report of a male yelling at a tree in a resident’s back yard.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with Gregg Smith, who police said was standing in the rain in a yard and could be heard yelling from the street.

Police said Smith, of Essex Lane, had an odor of alcohol emanating from him, and was in possession of an open can of beer. They said Smith couldn’t understand simple questions posed to him and spoke with slurred speech.

There has a problem with aggressive trees in our area. 

 

Killer trees

 

 

 

 

Kaufer wants to tax the drillers

120th HD GOP nominee Aaron Kaufer sent out a press release calling for a severance tax on the frackers. I guess he is different kind of Republican so Grover Norquist will not be sending him a Christmas card. Even Tom Corbett won't rule it out as long as he can screw over state employees on their pensions.

Corbett administration won’t ‘rule out’ gas tax this year

Speaking with reporters after the press conference, Corbett’s Budget Secretary, Charles Zogby, was clear that raising taxes on drillers is still on the table.
“There’s multiple options we can look at,” he said. “I’m not ruling out a severance tax.”

Kaufer Calls for Bold Leadership to Pass On-Time, Balanced State Budget

State House candidate Aaron Kaufer urges Governor Tom Corbett to pass a severance

tax to balance the state budget and provide additional funding for public education.

KINGSTON, PA – State House candidate Aaron Kaufer today issued a statement calling on Governor Tom Corbett to provide bold leadership and pass a reasonable severance tax on the natural gas industry to help balance the state budget and provide more funding for public education.

“In order to secure a prosperous future for Pennsylvania and our children, I believe it is critical to enact a reasonable severance tax, like is already done in neighboring states, on natural gas drilling to help address the budget shortfall,” Kaufer said. “In addition, this revenue will enable the state to meet its obligation to fully fund the educational needs of our children and should keep school property taxes in check before legislation can be passed to eliminate them.”

Although Kaufer does not think raising taxes should ever be the first option to meet a budget shortfall, he knows from going door-to-door to thousands of local residents that middle class families and seniors cannot afford to pay more. He also believes our state must remain competitive in attracting good paying energy jobs to Pennsylvania so this severance tax can’t be higher compared to surrounding states.

“In doing so, it is important to consider a few key principles,” Kaufer said. “Pennsylvania must continue to cut wasteful government spending to protect taxpayers. In addition, our state already has the highest taxes on established businesses because of both the corporate net income tax and the capital stock and franchise tax that these companies are required to pay in our state. A reasonable tax on Marcellus Shale drilling can ensure drillers are paying a fair share for the natural resources they are extracting from the Commonwealth while enabling the industry to continue to thrive within our borders.”

He is a little late on this as his opponent Democrat Eileen Cipriani  and Dem Guv candidate Tom Wolf have long favored an extration tax. 

From Cipriani's website:

 
Marcellus Shale

Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that does not tax natural gas, yet it is home to one of the largest natural gas formations in the world, the Marcellus Shale. Pennsylvanians are essentially giving away our natural resource.

While Governor Corbett instituted a local impact fee, the fees collected are only a fraction of what the citizens of Pennsylvania would receive if we enacted a severance tax like other gas producing states have done.

Experts say a 5% severance tax will yield $720 million in its first year, which can be used to fund education and protecting our environment.  It is time we made the gas drilling companies pay their fair share and put Pennsylvanians first!

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

Mark as Spam

For some reason I get a lot of emails from right wing outfits. In the last few days Liz and Dick Cheney, Pat Toomey, John McCain, Rick Santorum, Lou Barletta and the war monger John Bolton, etc. have tried to pick my pocket with screeds telling me Barack Obama is a weak leader because he won't bomb everyone in sight and a  dictator for issuing executive orders. I used to just delete them from my inbox but now I just mark them as spam. I can only hope that these hucksters will fleece one less person because I did that.

Petition Day

Tomorrow we should know who is running for what as March 11th is the day to file petitions for the Republican and Democratic primary to be held May 20th. Independents and 3rd party candidates have a bit longer with higher signature requirements.

 So far there might be contested primaries for the Democratic nomination for Governor, Lt. Guv, PA 11th CD, PA 10th CD,  HD  119th and HD 120th. 2 Republicans are reported  to be interested in taking on Matt Cartwright in the PA 17th CD. I will wait until Tuesday to see if the people threatening to run actually file the paperwork.

Blogfest will be Friday, April 25th at the Red Mill in Pittston starting at 6PM. All statewide and local candidates will be invited.


Details on our FB page

Eileen Cipriani for State Represenative

From a release: West Wyoming Council president Eileen Cipriani will announce her candidacy for state representative in the 120^th district Thursday, February 6th, at 5:30pm at The Gallery (Pierce St. Deli Bldg.) at 517 Pierce Street in Kingston.

   Cipriani is a graduate of Bloomsburg University and holds a masters degree in organizational management from Misericordia University. In her most recent employment she served as legislative assistant to Representative Phyllis Mundy, specializing in constituent services and district outreach.

   She is the 2011 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in the category of responding to adversity. Cipriani is also the founder and president of the Council of Governments and an officer on the board of directors of CASA, court appointed special advocates. A founder of the Abrahams Creek Watershed Association, she was awarded the Luzerne Conservation Award for Stewardship. Cipriani has a record of service in many additional community organizations.

   She is married to Joe Cipriani, a professor at Misericordia University and is the mother of their two sons, David and Michael, both students at King’s College. They reside in West Wyoming.

   Light refreshments will be served and a large crowd is expected.

  

 


My take is this Eileen's race to lose and she is not going to lose it. She has been a real leader doing some common sense things like getting all the west side governments together to buy equipment they all need but can't afford on their own. She has been the right arm of my favorite State Rep Phyllis Mundy dealing with the concerns of citizens and there can't be a better mentor than that.

 Website

Facebook page

Melanie Madeira for State Rep

I usually don't wander north of the Maginot Line of Luzerne and Lackawanna as Tom Borthwick puts it but the 114th HD race just got interesting.

This is a bit of a surprise Melanie Madeira has entered the GOP primary to take on Democratic incumbent Sid Michaels Kavulich (Sid K) who was unopposed in 2012 and romped to victory against a guy named Derf in 2010.

It's hard to separate from her husband David who found a way to lose every election he ever contested. Dave now has a  radio show  and told me he was done running for office.

TL: “I strongly believe in the importance of an incumbent having a challenger every election. Anyone elected to represent the voters should have to be held accountable — good or bad — for their record.” She added that if she wins she would hope someone would challenger her every election, too.

“My campaign will be getting people to vote for me, not against Sid. I’m an issues person,” Madeira said.
“My platform is based on a quote from Samuel Adams, ‘It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people’s minds.’ I intend for my campaign to become a firebug,” she said.
“Voters are tired of platitudes and promises … what they want to hear is someone speaking the plain, old truth, and the truth is what lights those brushfires in people’s minds.”


Website

Melanie Madeira

http://www.melanieforpa.com/

Sid K

http://sidmichaels.com/

Maureen Madden for State Rep

From FB:



All Supporters of Maureen Madden for State Rep. are invited. All guests may invite friends. Please invite them through this event page so we know how many are attending. Thank you!

Join us as we support Maureen Madden the Democratic candidate running to represent the new 115th district. Meet many of the elected officials in our area and get to know other members of our community. Hors d' oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar.

At our Campaign Kick-Off Event we will be taking donations of new clothing and other outdoor survival gear to provide a modicum of comfort for our homeless vets.

Donations of new duffel bags, back packs, socks, gloves, hats, sleeping bags, blankets, thermals, are being accepted for a complete list please visit http://operationchillout.org/support-us/backpacks

 

.

Your support is greatly appreciated by Friends of Maureen Madden, Operation Chillout, and the Vets.

Laura Dickson for State Rep

Wyoming County Commissioner Ron Williams and State Rep. Candidate Laura Dickson

“I’m glad that we were able to attend the farm show in Harrisburg this year. Pennsylvania’s number one industry is agriculture and it’s important to keep up with the latest information.” said Dickson.

Ms. Dickson and Commissioner Williams attended several events at the farm show including the PA Agricultural Forum, the Public Officials Luncheon, and the Keystone Energy Forum.

"As a member of the PA Farm Bureau, I support reforms to agriculture including a comprehensive farm bill and new measures addressing agricultural labor."

Ms. Dickson serves as Wyoming County auditor and is a Democratic Candidate for State Representative in the 117^th District.

For more information, please contact info@lauradickson117.com or follow on Facebook

 Her opponent discusses dairy issues

John Bolin for State Represative

The first but not the last person announcing that they want to succeed Phyllis Mundy.

Bolin is a member of the Wyoming Area School Board and a small business owner.

From his Facebook page:

About

Hello I am John 44 years old Born and raised in Exeter Borough Luzerne County , Residing currently In Wyoming Borough Luzerne County ,

Mission

I am currently Seeking my first term for the 120 th Legislative District of Retiring Phyllis Mundy , I humbly ask for your support May 2014 in the primary , If anyone would like to volunteer or help on the committee please Contact John Bolin 570-760-6137 , Also Monetary Contributions will be accepted . Please check back soon for official time and location for Public Speech to be held

Description

Hello I am John Bolin 44 Years old Born and raised in Exeter Borough Luzerne County Pennsylvania , Currently Residing in Wyoming Borough Luzerne County Pennsylvania , Bishop O'Reilly High School Kingston , Attended College Courses Through Luzerne County College , Small business Owner for Flowers By Lucille , Just Elected my third term on Wyoming Area School Board , Wyoming Recreation Board President , Wyoming Hose Company # 1 Vice President ,

Vince Rongione for State Rep

A fiend from the Carney campaigns sent me a release announcing his bid for state rep. It's  out of the area that I cover but I appreciate that Vince remembers me unlike some other people.

His press release:

RONGIONE LAUNCHES BID RAISING OVER $20,000 IN ONE WEEK

DREXEL HILL - Today, attorney Vince Rongione announced he will run for State Representative, challenging incumbent Nick Micozzie for House District 163, which represents Drexel Hill, Clifton Heights, Havertown and Aldan.

“I learned early in life that public service is a privilege. My grandfather moved our family to Upper Darby after returning home from WWII and I am very fortunate to have grown up in Havertown and to live in Drexel Hill. Now is the right time for me to give back and serve the communities that have given me so much.”

Rongione is the son of two teachers and the product of local public schools. He graduated from Haverford High and went on to attend Villanova University and the Villanova School of Law. After working for a few years as an attorney, Rongione joined Admiral Joe Sestak’s first run for Congress, where he worked his way up to Deputy Campaign Manager for Finance. Since that time, Rongione has worked for State Representative Bryan Lentz and served on Capitol Hill as Communications Director to Congressman Chris Carney, where he worked on the groundbreaking Wall Street reform legislation following the financial crisis and legislation to help families stay in their homes after the mortgage crisis.

“It is time for new energy and new ideas to help our neighborhoods thrive. I am running because I believe so strongly in the neighborhoods where I grew up. We need better schools that turn out more prepared workers into an environment where there are more and better jobs. We are going to build a community-focused grassroots campaign that will always put the people of Clifton Heights, Drexel Hill, Havertown, and Aldan first.”

Rongione is known as an intensely hard worker and a tenacious fundraiser. His campaign committee, “Vote Vince PA”, has raised over $20,000 in one week. The Rongione campaign can be found online at www.votevincepa.com.

“I’m energized by our strong start and humbled by the outpouring of support that I have already received from the community but I also know we have a lot of work ahead of us--a lot of organizing, volunteering, and door knocking. I know what it is going to take, and I plan to work hard everyday to earn the trust, respect and support of every voter.”

Vince Rongione currently works at Villanova University as Director of Major Giving for the College of Nursing. He lives in Drexel Hill and is engaged to be married later this year. Rongione’s father, Nick, is a graduate of Monsignor Bonner and was elected to three terms on the Haverford Township School Board including two as President.

Happy Christmas

Tis the Season

SANTA WASN’T WHITE BECAUSE HE NEVER EXISTED!!!!!!

 

A Yuletide Message by Mean Old Man

 

Once again we are upon that holiest of seasons, the observance of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But what with all the damn commercials and sales pitches for everything from cell phones to Ford F150’s you wouldn’t know!!!  And to top it all off, all of the spoiled, bratty kids squawking about wanting this and that and-----Hell---everything!!!!   No one even talks about Jesus anymore or all of his good works.  Except for this week when some bleach blonde on Fox news stated that our savior was white.  Now, I wasn’t around then, but all I know is every single picture of Jesus Christ that I have seen has him white, so I have to accept it.  End of Story!!!!!!!  But there is another thing that the dumb bimbo brought up that I need to get off of my mind.

 

Santa Claus, the biggest detractor to Jesus that ever existed and more likely an early invention of the Communist party…..perhaps Karl Marx’s grandfather came up with the idea.  Anyways, once ol’ Santa got into the mix that’s what everybody seemed to start talking about.  Hell, even I believed in this silly fat Soviet invention at one time as a child, until ol’ Pops put an end to it.  I remember it so well…..

 

One Christmas around the time I as 7 years old, I was obsessed with getting a new baseball glove as a gift.  So, I went upstairs to the bedroom that I shared with my two loser brothers, Mike and Bye (who were older than me, by the way).  I sat down at the small desk that Pops made for Mike and began to write a letter to ol’ St. Nick.  I don’t think I got to my second sentence when the door slams open and there standing, big as life was Pops.

“Hey dimwit!” He screamed louder than a banshee.  “I get home from the breaker and I find that the furnace is almost empty.  What the hell are you up to?!?!?!”  I told him that I was writing to Santa to ask for a baseball glove.  Pops face turned redder than Gloria Steinman at a pro-life rally and he nearly went nuts.

“I’m gonna let you in a little secret moron, there’s no such thing as Santa Claus and even if there was he wouldn’t give a lazy dope like you a damned thing!!!!!!!!!!!”  Pops then proceeded to ball me out for not shoveling the coal into our furnace.  He then grabbed me by my shirt collar and lifted me up from the chair while slapping me around like a rag doll.  Then he proceeded to fling me down the stairwell into our parlor.  Once there he rushed down the steps and made a quick 180 to the ice box to fetch a bottle of Steg.  While slugging it down he grabbed me once again with his other arm and flung me down the cellar steps.

“I had better see enough coal in the furnace to keep the King of Siam warm, or your spending the night making an igloo out in the yard!!!”

While shoveling that night, I could feel the blood seeping from my forehead and the pain in my lower back each time I bent to pick up a load of coal.  It was painful, horrifying and degrading….and I loved it!!!  Because Pops taught me an important lesson that day, to face reality and not count on any handouts.  Good ol Pops, there’ll never be another like him.  I miss him a lot.

So, all you liberal, commie idiots out there screaming about some bimbo saying Santa is White, forget it.  There is no Santa and there never was.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a  Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, that Christmas I didn’t get my baseball glove.  Instead I got a new shirt because Pops had ripped my old one when he hoisted me up like an ornament.  It was one of the best gifts I ever got!!!!!

So all you goofballs have a Merry Christmas….and make sure you got your cards out early to the Kremlin and Peking.  As for me, I’ll be sitting at home, enjoying a Lucky and hoisting a Steg while listening to Nat King Cole singing the Christmas Song.

Merry Christmas!!!!!  I hate you all!!!!!!!

 

Bob Guzzardi for Governor

PoliticsPA is reporting that Montgomery County attorney Bob Guzzardi is asking people to help him gather signatures to get on the Republican ballot for Governor next year. People who follow PA politics know that Guzzardi has donated to many republican candidates and a few Democrats over the last few years. On his recent Facebook posts he talks about the Forgotten Taxpayer and regularly rips GOP lawmakers that have voted to increase spending and debt.


The latest transportation funding bill seems to have pushed him into running saying “Why would you want to be complicit in the nomination of a Promise Breaker to represent you? This is a moment,” Guzzardi wrote.
“The polls tell us that Tom Corbett is very likely to lose and not likely to get better with the Corbett Gas Tax.”

He knows this a long shot and may not even get the 2000 signatures to get on the ballot. 
“Winning is unrealistic,” he said. Instead, he wants to send a message.
“My goal is to mobilize a disaffect grassroots, the Forgotten Taxpayers, who are forced to fund Unions and Government Contractors and Vendors.”

Bob has an informational website and a Wiki page. 

YouTube weekend

Carol of the Bells done on Cello

Possible 120th HD candidates

First of all I want to say say thank you to Phyllis Mundy for being for being a friend and an outstanding State Representative.

Just as I was getting worried that we wouldn't have many competitive state legislature elections next year Phyllis drops a bomb shell. Right now Pashinski, Carroll, Mullery, Toohill, Yudichak and Baker don't have an announced opponent but that will change as some guy with a tri-corner hat gets the itch. So far only Karen Boback has a serious opponent in Laura Dickson.

Bill O'Boyle in the TL runs down the likely candidates.

On the GOP side 2012 nominee Aaron Kaufer gives kudos to Phyllis and sounds like he will run again. She cleaned his clock 56%-44% after the state GOP pored a ton of money into the race. And there is always  speculation that Kingston Mayor for Life Jim Haggerty will try to lose another election outside of the Municipality after getting shot down for State Senate and Judge. I'm sure some other names will pop up.

The Dems will have plenty of candidates. Edwardsville Councilor Gary Mack is interested as is West Pittston attorney Laura Dennis who is said to be able to self finance. This line from the TL article kind of bugs me. Dennis said she wants to run for elective office; she has to decide if the state legislature would be the best fit for her. In other words she wants to run for office to be somebody instead of doing something. She has time to clear that up.

The early frontrunner for the Democratic nod has to be West Wyoming Council Prez Eileen Cipriani. She has been at Phyllis' side and organized the West Side Council of Governments that has been able to pool the resources of the west side to get things done.

Other names being thrown around include:

Former W. Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy who is working for the the Guv and ran against Phyllis in 2010. He may want to get off the Corbett sinking ship before it goes under.

Just for shits and giggles a commenter says:  I say Michael Szustak- did a bang up job with Gelb and Cartwright. Has what we need for the job!

 And we all know that Joe V has always wanted to be elected to something...anything

If Mundy does retire, who knows, maybe I’ll tap into that communion money and throw my hat into the ring as well.

Phyllis hangs it up

Mundy will not seek re-election to Pa. House

 

HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, today announced she will retire at the end of this legislative session.

 

Mundy, who represents portions of Luzerne County, is serving her 12^th term in office, which runs through Nov. 30, 2014. She was first elected in 1990.

 

"It has been my privilege to serve the people of the 120^th District," Mundy said. "My staff and I have worked hard and done our best to serve all who needed our help. I am humbled by the confidence and support shown to me for the past 23 years, and I am extremely grateful for the tremendous opportunity to serve."

 

Mundy led successful initiatives to expand prescription drug benefits and care for senior citizens, maximize early childhood care and education, increase home visitation services for at-risk expectant mothers, and promote quality care for foster children. She has also garnered a reputation for outstanding constituent service.

 

She has consistently advocated for middle-class families, working for consumer protections in utility cases and for tax fairness. In 2005, she led successful efforts to prevent hoarding of excessive surpluses at Blue Cross.

 

Before her tenure in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Mundy was manager of a multi-million dollar manufacturing company. She also worked in many volunteer organizations, including the Junior League and League of Women Voters where she served two terms as president.

 

Mundy reminds her constituents that she will still be their representative in Harrisburg for the next year. Her local office at Park Office Building, Suite 113, 400 Third Ave., Kingston, will remain open through the remainder of her term, and her staff will continue to assist constituents with their needs.

 

The 120^th Legislative Districts includes the townships of Exeter, Jackson and Kingston and the boroughs of Courtdale, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming.

 

Blogroll update

Many people over the years have said one of the best features of this blog is that I link to other scribes in the area. Happy to do it.

I deleted a few today because of dead links or the site has  not been updated in the last year. This blogging thing is harder than it looks.

I have been remiss by not adding Omeed Firouzi  His writings won an award. I predict that he will become either President of the United States or a talking head on TV news shows.

Scranton SB candidate Tom Borthwick took a break from his first internet adventure NEPartisan. Too bad. He is back with Tom Borthwick.