Nobody reads Blogs on Saturday

Except Alex Milanes. So I'm not going to post anything until later.

To get along, go along

"I'm not going to fight him out in the press about this. He hasn't been a board member very long. He needs to come to some meetings to learn what the process and procedures are. He's just been very disruptive. He's doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it."- Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Board Chair Donna Cupinski


I had a bad feeling when I heard that local hooligan Alex Milanes had been appointed to the Arena Board. Alex doesn't always play well in the sand box and is working on a follow up to the Dale Carnegie  classic with the working title of How to Lose Friends & Piss Off People. He is the kind of guy that makes you feel good about being constipated. His entertainment experience consists of working as bouncer at one of those safe downtown W-B bars. Hell, I've been thrown out of places like that by people like him so maybe they should put me on the board.  Maybe he can use his connections to bring in some unique acts  such as a one legged tap dancer or a ventriloquist that stutters.

At his first board meeting last week Alex endeared himself to the other members by objecting to the free lunch that was served. I think he was just disappointed that corn dogs were not on the menu.  Cupinski said it was no big deal as she said the sandwiches only cost a buck.

That led to an exchange of emails that a 3rd party was good enough to forward to me.

Alex asked for all receipts  for catering and the authority to pay for it. Donna shot back that it would take 3 days to put that together and told him he can't go into the place unless he has an appointment, tickets or a meeting. She then accused him of  wanting special treatment for tickets to the Luke Bryan show. He explained that he actually wanted to exchange his floor seats for less expensive side seats so his son could see the stage.

Cupinski also told him not to bring in cookies for the staff. I'm not sure about that one but she might be concerned that Milanes got his cookie recipe from Casey Evans and gay dope might be baked into them.

 She is just as charmed by him as I as am

Alex-

That is enough!  I have checked my facts and know what is true. You have  been nothing but disruptive since you have been appointed to the board and  I will not stand for it. We are doing GREAT things at the arena and I will  not have you paint the staff, the board or me as doing otherwise. I also  will not fight this out in the press or before county council.

Donna

Maybe he should get a suit that fits.

What! No corn dogs for lunch?

According to the TL new Luzerne County Convention Center Authority member Alex Milanes has probably pissed off the other members of the board in his first meeting by calling attention to the sandwiches that were served for free. This is a real stand on principle as I have never known Alex to skip a meal. Maybe the solution to the perceived ethics violation is they all kick in a couple of bucks for lunch.

Some guy headed to Seattle and Alex at Blogfest

No such thing as a free lunch? There is for arena authority

 In more important news: Another authority committee is reviewing options to continue improving the arena sound quality. Acoustics have been an issue because the building is cavernous, Cupinski said. A new soundboard, acoustic panels and additional speakers have made a difference and prompted praise from many arena-goers, and the board is studying the benefits of reconfiguring the placement of speakers, she said.

 The acoustics in the place needs improvement. Unless you are on the floor in the first section the sound quality stinks. 

After  Alex was appointed to the position a local politico cried politics because she wasn't appointed. 

 

LOL stuff from Pure Bunkum

Kathy Kane Sounds Off On Playing Politics. Public Laughs Out Loud.

 

 

Alex Milanes for Luzerne County Council

Milanes makes it official:

My name is Alex Milanes and I know what The American Dream is. Fleeing Castro’s Cuba, my family settled in Northern New Jersey without a penny to their names. Within a few years, my grandfather would open an electronics store and my cousin would start a fencing business. Kenny Electronics and Delta Fence Company would eventually grow into successful businesses.

I lived with my parents in an apartment over my grandfather’s store, and spent my youth in the shop, running errands and witnessing the hard work and long hours my grandparents logged each day. After graduating high school, I started working for my cousin at Delta Fence Company. Through these experiences at an early age, I can attest that hard work and discipline were the keys to realizing the American Dream.

When my work with Alliance Inspection Management brought me to Pennsylvania, I lived first in Philadelphia before moving to Easton and then Wilkes-Barre, where I found a home. For the past few years I have involved myself in local Luzerne County politics. I serve currently as the Secretary of the Luzerne County Republican Party, as well as representing the 6th District in the party’s grievance committee. I also serve as the Treasurer of the 6th District and represent the first ward of Wilkes-Barre Township in the Luzerne County Republican Committee.

I am a believer of supporting our veterans and currently an associate member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 412 “Black Sheep”, Social member of The American League Mountain Post 781 and a supporter of Vets to D.C. I am also an active member of the Luzerne County Historical Society.

I want to make the American Dream that allowed my family to rise from nothing available to everyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules. I believe that immigration is the lifeblood of this country, and I am the only candidate that will make sure the interests of ALL people in Luzerne County are represented on the Council. I have a proven record of building bridges and serving the people of Luzerne County.

Alex Milanes

“Your County…Your Voice”

Luzerne County Council candidates

Harry Haas (R) will be running for another term and will have a meet and greet at Rondano"s Thursday February 28'th from 6 to 7:30 P.M.

Linda McClosky Houck(D) is in for another term.  Elaine Maddon Curry(D) has had enough and will not seek reelection.. Eugene Kelleher (R) will run for reelection. Democrats Eileen Sorokas and Renee Ciaruffoli-Taffera said they  will run for county council. Republicans Kathy Dobash and Alex Milanes are also mounting campaigns.

Alex Milanes for Luzerne County Council

Alex is the son of Cuban immigrants that landed in New Jersey via Spain and said he wants to be the Hispanic face of the local GOP much as Marco Rubio is trying to be the Savior of the national Republicans according to Time. The difference is that Alex is rational person who understands the need for compromise to make government function. He tossed out a few ideas at our meeting tonight to raise revenue such as a tax amnesty for delinquent property owners and expressed reluctance to slash county jobs sacrificing customer service. Milanes doesn't support the recent move to cut out the local tax collectors saying it needs more study. His reluctance to tow the party line got him kicked out of the local Young Republican outfit. He has been a regular at Blogfest.

Alex with a friend at the last Blogfest

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A night with the Democrats

Eddie Day Pashinski and Phyllis Mundy

A nice night with my Democratic friends at Brews Brothers in Pittston watching Vice President Biden and President Barack Obama accept the Democratic nominations tonight. Alex Milanes was the token Republican in the crowd joining Luzerne County Chair Bob Boyer, Vice Chair Jane Waitukus and 2nd District honcho Casey Evans. State Reps Phyllis Mundy and Eddie Day Pashinski were the stars of the night. 17th CD candidate Matt Cartwright was represented by deputy dog Mike Szusrtak.

You can read the text of the President's speech at this link.

President Obama's acceptance speech.

He defended his record and outlined a path for the future and got down right feisty saying:

Now, our friends at the Republican convention were more than happy to talk about everything they think is wrong with America, but they didn’t have much to say about how they’d make it right.  They want your vote, but they don’t want you to know their plan.  And that’s because all they have to offer is the same prescription they’ve had for the last thirty years:

“Have a surplus? Try a tax cut.” 

“Deficit too high? Try another.”

“Feel a cold coming on? Take two tax cuts, roll back some regulations, and call us in the morning!”

He ended the Iraq war and will end the Afghanistan war and unlike Romney he payed tribute to our troops and veterans. 

He blasts the Republicans on foreign policy:


"You might not be ready for diplomacy with Beijing if you can’t visit the Olympics without insulting our closest ally. "

The President didn't say it but how can you expect Mitt Romney to stand up to the Iranians when he won't even stand up to Rush Limbaugh after he insults a young woman.


Bill Wellock filed this report in the Citizens Voice

Obama's speech attracts interest from both sides