Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Luzerne County Commissioner's race

Bill James said he is running a write-in campaign after losing the Republican nomination in May. James and incumbent Steve Urban deny that they are in cahoots but Democrat Greg Skrepenak smells a rat:

It’s Steve Urban’s way of taking votes away from Bill Jones. Obviously Steve Urban must be scared,” he said.

It just may be a coincidence that Steve Urban plans to join picketing Crestwood School District support workers on Thursday. Bill Jones is a Crestwood School Board member and the union workers have been working without a contract for 6 years. It's good to see a Republican office holder stand with the working man.

Urban said the county would never allow negotiations to drag on for six years. He pointed out that Jones was on the board for eight years.

“This tells a little about his leadership and not being able to sit down and negotiate in good faith,” Urban said of Jones. “To me it shows a lackadaisical attitude on his part.”

Jones said it's not his fault.

“Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s going on way too long. I’m not on the negotiating team.”

And Urban still wants to see the super secret audit of the juvenile detention center in Pittston owned by an outfit called PA Child Care. The owners of the company are Robert Powell and Gregory Zappala who claim the audit is “private and confidential,” and contend that the audit report is inaccurate and “reaches conclusions that are unjustified.” County Chief Clerk/Manager Sam Guesto said he won't give Urban a copy of the audit because PA Child Care might sue if the information becomes public and Skrep backs him up. Never mind that this about a $58 million, 20-year contract paid for with taxpayer money. I think it should be public. And don't forget the names Powell and Zappala, they are part of the group that wants to build a cargo airport near Hazleton. That project is already looking to use some of the slots revenue that is supposedly going to be used to lower property taxes. This time I smell a rat.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's the taxpayers' money. We have a right to know what it's going for... Didn't Skreppy say he's fighting corruption and changing the way government is run in Luzerne County? Wow! what horse sh*t

Anonymous said...

I want to see that damn audit. We should all be allowed to see that audit. What the hell is wrong with Tom Corbett is what I want to know. Who is scratching his back? Why does he continue to fail to conduct a thorough corruption investigation in Luzerne County? Who does he owe the favor to and what are his aspirations that he would be willing to neglect his job to maintain support from an entire county's worth of corrupt sleazebags like Skrep and his financial backers?

Anonymous said...

I am going to vote Urban/James. I hope everyone does. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. James, and I believe it is safe to say that he is far more an impressive candidate than Bill Jones, who is a man who has gotten campaign financal support from Skrep's buddies.

Anonymous said...

I'm writing in Gort and the late great Dr. Rick.

Anonymous said...

Anon 11:18, you can ask Tom Corbett on Thursday night at the Luzerne County Republicans dinner. He's the guest speaker.