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.

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.

NEPA Blogfest Spring 2013

Our 7th Blogfest will be held at our traditional home of Rooney's Irish Pub in Pittston on April 19th starting at 6PM. I'm working on a Facebook Event page and several 2014 statewide candidates and 2013 local candidates say they will attend.

Support the Pittston Library

Local libraries are under great financial pressure these days seeing their government funding repeatedly cut. This should be a good time for a good cause. I understand that Shawn Klush realy nails the King.

From the inbox:

PITTSTON (10-12-12) – The Pittston Memorial Library Board and Capital Campaign Committee have announced that tickets are now on sale for “Shawn Klush, the World’s Greatest Elvis.” The show will be presented on November 24, 2012 at 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center. Tickets are $75 (VIP), $45 and $35 and can be purchased at the Pittston Memorial Library, Kirby Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

     Born and raised in Pittston, Shawn has been designated the “First Ever Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” by Elvis Presley Enterprises. He has also been named “The World’s Greatest Elvis” following a vote of 6.5 million international viewers on BBC1 Television in the United Kingdom.

     Also appearing with Shawn at his performance at the Kirby will be special guests, The Sweet Inspirations, who performed for years as backup singers for the King himself.

     Those purchasing $75 VIP tickets will be provided with choice seating and access to a pre-show “Meet and Greet” that will include appetizers, complimentary drink and photo/autograph opportunity with Shawn. The “Meet and Greet” will begin at 6:30 p.m. and go to 7:30 p.m. 

To purchase tickets from the Pittston Memorial Library, call 654-9565 X 25. The F.M. Kirby Center Box Office can be reached by calling 823-4599 or e-mail Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Payment can be made by check, money order, or credit card.   

     Library Board Member Marla Pupa is serving as event chair.

     All proceeds of the event will go to benefit the Cosgrove Capital Campaign for library expansion. The library plans to add a 5,175 square foot addition to the current facility at 47 Broad St. in downtown Pittston. The new addition will include a community/conference room large enough for 100 people and furnished with Smartboard, WiFi and teleconferencing capabilities. The new community/conference room will also serve as a home to the Intergenerational Family Center, an all-inclusive program designed to provide support and services to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The program will be open to all residents of Luzerne County.

     The library addition will also provide a larger children’s section, arts and crafts room; teen, senior and veterans space; entrance, vestibule and other amenities.

     Sponsorships for “Shawn Klush, the World’s Greatest Elvis” are available as well as space for ads in the show’s Program Book. For additional information on sponsorships, ads and ticket specials, call Carol Crane at 654-9565 X 25.

Mike Carroll voted for the Congressional gerrymander

I'm surprised that there has not been more outrage over the new Congressional districts approved by the state legislature in the print and electronic media. But the reaction has been "so what, that's the way it is." Much like the national press accepting that every bill in the Senate needs 60 votes to pass without pointing out that the filibuster was rarely used in the past. The only people who are kicking up a fuss are bloggers.

Pittston State Rep Mike Carroll (D-118) voted for the new Congressional map joining 36 other Democrats in the PA legislature and 128 Republicans to approve it. I only met Carroll once at the 1st Blogfest so I don't know why he wants Republicans to win more elections to the US House of Representatives. Maybe he is looking to run for Congress in the future in the now Democratic friendly 17th CD when/if Tim Holden retires.

In the next election the 118th includes my little burgh of Plains Twp. and I'm open to helping a real Democratic primary challenger and if that fails maybe even a (shudder) Republican candidate. I'm not a one issue voter like the abortion hotheads or gun nuts but this vote betrays his party and the people of the the 11th Congressional District.

See NEPartisan for a Lackawanna County perspective


Selling Out PA in NEPA: Ken Smith, Sid Kavulich, Ed Staback

14th Senatorial District

Former Pittston Mayor Mike Lombardo has dropped out of contention to succeed retiring Sate Senator Ray Musto saying he has more important things to do than run for office. Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton is looking at making the race and will let us know later in the week. The early favorite is Nanticoke State Represenative John Yudichak who shot down the wishful thinking of local Republicans that he was switching parties. Yuddy will tell us more on Monday whether or not he he running but I would be very surprised if he doesn't. PittstonPolitics.com promises that another Tomato City pol will make the race and I expect a few more trial baloons to be floated before petitions are circulated. We may even see a Green Party or Libertarian candidate on the ballot in the fall. The only Republican mentioned so far is Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban. I want to see multiple candidates on the ballot in the primary on both sides.

Expect an indictment

Marty Carlson may be moving along but his staff is still on the job.

PittstonPolitics.com speculated about another school board director going down in Pittston Area.

YATESVILLE – Joseph Oliveri abruptly resigned from the Pittston Area School Board and from his post as a Luzerne County Sheriff’s Deputy with tersely worded letters that cited “personal reasons” for his departures.

I could buy the "I want to spend more time with my family" excuse if he just quit the school board after losing the election but he also gave up his daytime job as a Luzerne County Deputy Sheriff.

From what I hear he is mixed up with the Intellecom/LCCC/PA thing.


Update:

Pittston Area school board member charged with accepting bribe

Oliveri will plead guilty to accepting bribe

Toole in

It looks like The Lu Lac Politcal Letter has stopped swilling TAB and is now gulping Snapple. Between soft drinks David made it down to Penn Plaza to witness former Pittston city clerk/administrator Wil Toole file his petitions to get on the ballot as an independent candidate for Luzerne County Controller and snappled the picture on the right. Toole needed 982 signatures but filed more than 1500 on his nominating forms. The usual formula is to get at 3 times more signatures than what you need to withstand challenges and you can bet that there will be challenges to some of the signatures.

According to the TL article Toole was highly critical of past controller Steve Flood. I'm not sure what he is critical about. Steve Flood sounded the alarm bells about the 20 year lease of the PA Child Care facility in Pittston Township and Juvie Brother, Michael Conahan, made sure he was taken out when he ran for reelection. Maryanne Petrilla was recruited to make things right and she has yet to explain why she dropped all the investigations that he initiated.


Republican nominee Walter Griffith was measured in his response saying he was “kind of disappointed” that Toole switched parties to get on the ballot...“If he’s a Democrat all his life and just switches to run, that says a lot about his integrity,” Griffith said. “It’s just one more person that people will have to do their homework on.”


Bob Morgan won the Democratic nomination and has to be worried about a long time Democrat from Pittston being on the ballot even if he is calling himself an "Independent."


Morgan said he briefly reviewed Toole’s nominating petition Monday and said it was signed by many “old guard” political figures in county politics. “Clearly this is an attempt by the old guard of the county to take control of this election. Mr. Toole is being nominated by the old guard.”


My advice to Walter is to let it alone and let Morgan and Toole fight about signatures. If Toole is on the ballot in the fall he splits the Democratic vote and you win in a walk.

Idiot watch

An update.

Remember the guy that was driving around Pittston last year with a sign on his truck that said "If your (sic) in America and can’t speak English, get the Fuck out."


Well I'm sure it will not shock you that he is suing the cop that cited him for disorderly conduct and anybody else that he thinks that might have deep pockets. He was never prosecuted because the charge was dropped but claims his right to free speech was violated for receiving a ticket in the first place. I agree with that. The police should have never cited him for expressing his opinion even if he used a swear word.


If he left it at that I could be on his side but he alleges that the ticket resulted in damage to his vehicle, including a shattered rear window, slashed tires, a creased bumper, a broken mirror and scratches and dents. He also alleges he suffered an attempted knife attack by a woman and was forced to install security lights on his house. I never heard or read a report of this assault. Hughestown Mayor Paul Hindmarsh said he doesn’t think the retaliatory acts cited in Decker’s complaint were related to the citation.
.
“I think it was a personal issue he had with his neighbors, to the best of my knowledge.”

A commenter on my last post about Joe the pickup owner made a great point:


...the real humor in the sign is that those who can't speak English would not be able to read his message and follow directions. At the very least, "Joe" should have listed his declaration in Spanish.


Si tu en América y no pueden hablar Inglés, obtener la mierda a cabo.

Contracts at the cube

FBI seeking documents from LCCC

LCCC has received criticism in the last year for the way the board of trustees handled the awarding of contracts when Ross Scarantino was chairman of LCCC’s Board of Trustees.

Scarantino, Pittston Area School District’s superintendent, agreed to plead guilty to federal charges May 20 for receiving money for supporting a contractor seeking work with the school district.

No bid contracts are nice when you can get them.

Former Pittston Area School Director Tony Rostock got a mere pitanance of $30,000 to do some landscapping at LCCC.
.

Precept Associates received a nice premium to oversee the construction of a building and Intellacom got $130K+ to install spy cameras before they were fired because they didn't fulfill the terms of the contract. The Pittston Area School District also paid Intellacom $300,00o for a survallience system and the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Tech School hired them when Brian Dunn and Jim Height were on the board. Dunn and Height are also facing charges of accepting bribes. I'm certainly not accusing Intellecom or any other outfit of wrongdoing but I do find it interesting that they are mention in just about every story about local school officials taking bribes.

In more LCCC news former Dean Peter Moses is collecting unemployment compensation while awaiting trial on theft and receiving stolen property charges.

I'll take my ball and go home

Pittston Mayor Joe Keating quit after he lost the primary election to newcomer Jason Klush. Keating claimed his surprise resignation was not about " sour grapes"

but said "I can not be effective in that short time period … However, the voters have seen they do not like the direction in which Pittston City has taken.”

He was hired to a job until January 2010 and instead of throwing a shit fit because he lost the election Keating should do it.


PittstonPolitics.com has the lowdown


A Northwest Area School Board member did something similar.

Another day another indictment

The FBI shows up at the Pittston Area School District with a subpoena for school board minutes and the next thing you know Superintendent Ross Scarantino is indicted and arrested for taking bribes from contractors. He is out on bail and has asked for a leave of absence. US Attorney Martin Carlson noted that this was “the first charge in an ongoing investigation into allegations that teachers and contractors were required to provide money or anything else of value in connection with being hired or obtaining a public contract.” This is probably just another example of how government business is bid out in Luzerne County but this time it involved money from the Federal Government. The School Board members are all “shocked,” “saddened” and “surprised” by the charge . What next ?

Update: This dropped into my inbox yesterday

"CUZ, YOU GOTTA BE FRIGGIN KIDDING ME FBI WHO? MINGIA, WHAT ARE MY COUSINS GOING TO DO NOW?....HEY, LET'S GO DOWN THE GRAMERCY FOR MEATBALLS".....

Pittston Area under scrutiny

As first reported on Pittston Politics on Tuesday Pittston Area Solicitor Joe Saporito has confirmed the FBI paid a visit to the district Tuesday, April 14th. “The FBI served a subpoena requesting minutes dating back to April of 2004,” Saporito said.

The Times-Leader says the investigation seems to be focused on purchases and contracts, not teacher hirings.

Who's next?

Who's running for what?- Judges

With so many county and local offices up for election this year I have to decide which ones to concentrate on. Since the Judge candidates have to run on their resumes and can't comment on current issues I will defer to my colleagues unless something crazy happens. The Lu Lac Political Letter has a roundup of the 17 hopefuls who think that they will look good in black. We will be picking 2 or 3 new jurists depending what happens with Ann Lokuta's appeal. With so many Pittston attorneys in the fray PittstonPolitics.com will also be keeping us updated. Joe Valenti also goes to too many school board meetings and keeps us informed of the races for the boards in the greater Pittston area along with the contests for Mayor and council in the home of the tomato fest.