2017 Election results-Luzerne County Controller

The top  race in Luzerne County was for the Controller position between incumbent  Michelle Bednar (D) and former Controller Walter Griffith (R). I was surprised that no other Republican ran in the primary considering Walter's baggage about the wiretap thing and his aggressive style.

In an interview with the Citizens Voice he promised to be a kinder, gentler Walter. Yeah right, the Walter I know is at his at his best when he is being a pain in the ass. I mean that in a good way. The message from his campaign was that he would be a watchdog, not a lapdog. So much for the kinder thing.

Michelle ran the campaign on her accomplishments without running to the press every time she found a problem but worked for a solution.  She refused to criticize her opponent when given the chance. From the CV:  Bednar declined to offer an opinion on Griffith, who resigned as controller in 2013 as part of a plea agreement in a wiretapping case.
“I would leave that to the voters,” she said. “That’s their choice.”

The Result:

Bednar       24,458  54%
Griffith       20,609  46% 

Blogfest Fall 2017

The Bloggers and the Blogcon Squirrels

Another great Blogfest was held at the River Grille in Plains. In addition to the political types NEPA Blogcon joined us for their after party. There is always a prize for the person who traveled the farthest and this time it goes to PA Lt. Governor candidate Aryanna Berringer who came all the way from Pittsburgh. Aryanna is no stranger to our area, she lived in W-B a few years ago.


Two 11th Congressional District candidates also traveled a bit. Democrat Alan Howe from Carlisle made another appearance in the area and Republican Andrew Shecktor left the wilds of Berwick to
join us.




 Many Luzerne County hopefuls were there. Both Controller candidates, incumbent Michelle Bednar (D) and former Controller Walter Griffith (R), worked the crowd. County Council Democratic nominees Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough mixed it up with Republicans Marc Dixon and Greg Wolovich. Municipal candidates included Luzerne Mayor candidate John Cordara (D?), incumbent Dallas Twp. Supervisor Liz Martin (D) and Plains Twp. Commissioner nominee Barry Kresge (R).
Plus W-B City Councilman Tony Brooks (R) and State Rep Jerry Mullery.

The NEPA Blogcon group were a lot of fun and added energy to the gathering.

Local TV coverage

Bloggers meet political candidates in person

Michelle Bednar for Controller 2017

Incumbent Democratic Luzerne County Controller had a nice gathering of supporters at Bentley's on Friday. It attracted a nice crowd including a few Republicans including District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis. The Democratic Party heavyweights State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski , Jerry Mullery and State Sen. John Yudichak sang her praises. Her campaign team touted her accomplishments including weeding out incorrect homestead tax breaks wrongly granted to some Luzerne County property owner. Her opponent Walter Griffith  had received the break on two homes and an auto repair business he owns.

Democratic County Council candidates Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough and John Gadomski  offered their support and Republican Chris Perry showed up. Perry has been to almost every event D or R I've been to. He is running hard.

Other notables were Judge David Lupas who is up for retention and George Brown who should have been the Mayor of W-B. I asked Judge Lupas about mandatory minimums and he gave me a  lawyers answer saying they could act as a deterrent but Judges should be able to fit the punishment to the crime.

                                          


Luzerne County sending bills to recipients of incorrect homestead tax break

Looking to the Fall- Luzerne County Controller

.
The headline race in Luzerne County will be the contest for Controller. Incumbent Democrat Michelle Bednar is being challenged by former Republican Controller Walter Griffith.
I hope I'm wrong but this one may get a bit nasty. Both candidates have been friends for many years and I would hate to see that. My advice to supporters of both candidates is to stick to issues and qualifications. Skip the personal attacks

Rock the County-Wendy Cominsky for Luzerne County Council

Wendy Cominsky is one of those very special people who decided to run for office. She doesn't have money or powerful friends just a desire to make a difference. I asked her why she would want to do such a thing and she told me she has been an activist about issues she cares about and people suggested she should run for office. So she listened to them and threw her hat into the ring. She is a middle class worker who owns her own business and she said if she is successful it will encourage more people like her.

She organized a great event and invited other candidates to circulate  petitions. The other council candidates gathering signatures were incumbent Linda Houck and newcomers Phil Gianfarcaro, David Popiak and Sheila Saidman.

Michelle Bednar is running for reelection as Controller and said she is proud of the job she has done. She has reorganized the office and has done more with less people because of the county financial problems. The audits are on time and she will be looking at the  books of the local tax collectors next. The audit of the Homestead exemption has netted $100K in back taxes.

A couple of Wilkes-Barre Area School Board candidates also were seeking some ink.Melissa Etzle Patla and Jarvis Wright. More on Jarvis tomorrow.

 

Walter is back

A photo from Griffiths campaign in 2009

To the surprise of no one former Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith has announced he wants his old job back. Walter was elected to the office in 2009 but resigned in 2013  after he was charged with illegal wiretapping and sentenced to probation. “I think it’s a valid concern for people to have about me resigning my position as a controller,” he said. “If I made a mistake, I made a mistake.”

I expect a few other Republicans  will enter the primary to take on incumbent Michelle Bednar.

This race should be one of the most hotly contested in 2017. Many of my Republican friends are telling me they won't support him this time.

From his FB page:

Today I'm officially announcing my candidacy for Luzerne County Controller. I will be circulating Nominating Petitions to have my name placed on the ballot for the Republican party nominee in the May 16th Primary election. If you would like to sign my petition please let me know as soon as possible. Please remember you can only sign 1 petition.
Thank you and please share this with all of your friends.

I'm surprised he didn't send me a press release, he's pretty good at that.  I will have more on this next week.

Former county controller convicted of obstruction wants the job back

 

Update

 

Walter Griffith responds:

 

 Ben I want you to know I respect your post. I also want everyone to know the circumstances that led to my removal. Everyone knows that the entire courthouse wanted me gone because of my uncovering the poor practices of the administration. I did not "Wiretap" anyone I recorded the Chairman of City Vest in my office at 7 PM because I was there alone. I placed him on speakerphone and was not aware that this was a violation of the law. I simply wanted to have a source of reference for myself of what was told to me regarding this very important audit of 10 million dollars of Federal Funds. I never released this recording to anyone and no one ever knew I had the recording. The FBI issued a Warrant for all the information that I had regarding my audit of this money and under the threat of Contempt, it was provided to the FBI ONLY. I was not aware that I was doing anything illegal or wrong. The County Power-brokers wanted me removed from office, plain and simple as was evident by the plea agreement. The taxpayers of this County are all smart enough to see that and will support me in my effort to finish the job I started. Thanks for listening and I appreciate your time.

Yuddy pick-a-nick 2016

State Senator John Yudichak had his annual get together at the PAV in Plains today. Local labor unions sponsored the event . Many candidates running for election this year and in the the future  showed up.


Yuddy  actually made some news. He told me he favors legalizing Marijuana.

One statewide candidate made an appearance. Joe Torsella wants to be the next Treasurer of the Commonwealth.

Joe with Bob Caruso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The State Rep candidates are sticking together.

Maureen Maden, Yuddy, some guy and Bob caption

 And my pal Michelle  with Mrs. G

More pics at my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/gort.fortytwo?hc_ref=NEWSFEEDhttps://www.facebook.com/gort.fortytwo?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Bednar bests Carolee

The new Luzerne County Controller will be Michelle Bednar who came out on top of a hard fought race.

 unty Controller

Michelle Bednar

22,225

Medico Olenginski

18,749

Last minute emails

The election is tomorrow and a few candidates have sent me some stuff.

I don't cover Scranton or Lackawanna County unless a friend is running for office but the Mulligan camp has been sending things to me for months. This is the latest:

SCRANTON, PA - With just one day until Election Day, the Mulligan for Mayor of Scranton campaign continues to build momentum. And as the campaign continues to build, here is a look back at the numbers behind the momentum:

21,000            Number of doors in Scranton knocked on by the Mulligan Campaign

1890               Number of blocks walked in Scranton while going door-to-door

180                 Miles walked by Jim Mulligan while going door-to-door in Scranton

$154,165        Amount raised by Mulligan Campaign in less than three months

$66,703          How much less Bill Courtright's campaign raised than Mulligan in the last 3 months

41                   How many ideas Mulligan proposed to fix Scranton's finances

41                   How many more ideas Mulligan proposed than Courtright to fix Scranton's finance

1-0                  Jim Mulligan's record in debates against Bill Courtright

1                     Endorsement by the Scranton Times-Tribune of Jim Mulligan for Mayor

 Luzerne County Council candidate Eileen Sorokas talks about the budget:

The County Council has many issue they are facing prior to this election. In fact, all issue are important, that affect the public. Indeed, the most important issue, beside public safety, I will have to deal with is the budget. Through life experiences I have gain skills to manage budgets and understand the suffering people undertake when they lose their homes to foreclosures due to taxation or loss of jobs from budgets cuts. The hard decisions have to be made to either increase taxes or lay off people. My Goal is to “To Hold the Line on Taxes” with staff reduction through attrition. However, the county released an unbalance budget.  Consequently, putting fear into the public and employees with having an 8% tax increase or 160 employees to be lay off. Also, the unions will be asked for $2.7Million dollars concessions or 57 layoffs. Furthermore, the county cannot get a Crediting Rating for potential refinancing of their bond issue, unless they prove they have fiscal stability for at least two years. Also, no credit rating is causing our bonds fees to increase.  Appears my Goal may be out of touch with the main stream. Indeed, I will have to work harder to achieve my goal. Consequently, the County Manager and his staff should works to reduce taxes for all the citizens of Luzerne County.

The time for talking is over, we must go back to justifying all department cost.  Zero base budgeting. No more using past figures. Also, the taxation problem is state wide, but magnified with Luzerne County’s high debt. Furthermore, our State legislators should be working with our county to fine solutions. Indeed, there are some bills in the house and senate for tax relief using the States Income Tax and Sales Tax. Maybe, a local Drink Tax. However, the bills are not going anywhere. Incidentally, the Gaming Industry was for property tax relief, how much are we getting?  We have a Casino in Luzerne County and the county get very little if any benefit. We must look at other ways of taxation besides property taxes. Certainly, new taxation in the future to be equal for all citizens. By council working together and making it a goal, I believe the end result will be positive for all citizens of Luzerne County.

  Thank you 

Eileen M. Sorokas for County Council

As does Kathy Dobash:

 Luzerne County Citizens:

I attended the first public hearing about the Luzerne County Budget.

Below is the audio.  If you fast forward to the end of the meeting you will hear the intimidation thrown at citizens who stayed to speak during the public comment portion of the forum.

The County Solicitor is instructed to time everyone. 

10-29-2013 - First Luzerne County Public Budget Hearing

First I want to say, public comment should be allowed at the beginning of the meeting.  The meeting should take place in a larger room. 

A  tax hike of 8% was suggested throughout the meeting.

The majority of County Council did not want to hear the public outcry.  They are out of touch with those who live on a fixed income and working families.

The next scheduled budget hearings are:

November 12th, 18th and 19th.

My name is Kathy Dobash. I am a candidate for Luzerne County Council.

 I oppose tax hikes.  They hurt families and businesses.

On Tuesday, November 5th, help me OPPOSE the 8% tax hike.

Political Rants: 


Tomorrow is election day here in Pa. I am urging everybody to get out and vote. In particular (no fainting please) vote for Bednar for Controller and Harry Haas for council.

In the controller race, as much as it pains me to ever endorse a democratic candidate, this is an easy call to make. Sometimes the devil you don't know is a far better pick than the one we all know all too well.

For county council I am hoping everybody votes for just Harry Haas. Harry is a man of exceptional character and honesty and he deserves all of our votes.

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.

Michelle Bednar on the air

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

Michelle Bednar for Controller

Democratic nominee for Luzerne County Controller Michelle Bednar had a nice turnout for an event at the The Red Mill in Pittston today. State Rep Mike Carroll was the MC  who complimented every person who is willing to offer themselves for office  regardless of party. It takes a combination of guts and ego to run in an election. Mike is one the most accessible people that I know in office. He will talk to anybody at anytime. After the latest redistricting he will become my State Rep replacing Eddie Day. He has moved up in the rankings of my favorite state legislators even outpacing Phyllis Mundy. She didn't show up for Blogfest so I have to vote for Mike in the next election.

Both Pittston DJ candidates worked the room. Alex and Jerry are both good people and  it's shame one of them will not be elected.  Council candidates Michael Giamber and Renee Zita Ciaruffoli Taffera make it to everything. 

Independent Council incumbent  Rick Williams  told me he is going to go up on TV. That was the difference last time. He is the first Independent candidate to win a county wide election in my memory. 

It was good to chat with Bear Creek Sup Gary Zingaretti.

The highlight for me me was I made a joke about Michelle would be the prettiest county official since Ethel Price. 3rd District  Chair Phil Struzzeri caught that one and we had a great time reminiscing about Ethel, Marty Murray, Wideman, Crossin and the rest. We just needed the Yonk to keep us straight.

It was a fun time

More pics at this link

Walter endorses Carolee

Gort


I am supporting Carolee for Controller. We need someone that understands our government and Michelle Bednar is a nice person but doesnt know how the COunty Government is used against the Taxpayers. Carolee will stand firm for the people and wont be intimidated by the Players of COunty COuncil or County Manager. The function of Independent Watchdog is first and foremost before audits and Carolee knows this because she has lived the corruption in our county,

Walter Griffith Jr

Luzerne County Controller

Nice profiles in the TL.

Bednar says she empathizes with taxpayers

 

 Medico Olenginski says she’ll stand up to powerful

 

Walter Griffith would probably would have won  reelection easily as I think he was most popular politician in the county. But in his quest to expose corruption he put his heart ahead of his head and had to resign because he recorded some conversations without asking for permission from the people being recorded. Don't mess with Judd Shoval. I was disappointed with Walter when I asked him at the Spring Blogfest  if he had recorded the conversations and he told me NO. Then he plead guilty to the charge. Walter Mitchell was a good choice as the interim Controller.

Now the choice in upcoming election is between Michelle Bednar and Carollee Medico
Olenginski.

 Michelle Bednar is the tax collector for Cunningham Twp and Carollee is/was the Probationary of Luzerne County. 

 To put it mildly Carolee doesn't play well with others. See my archive.

  Carolee told me she is not planning any events before the election but Michelle is campaigning hard.  

She has a Meet and Greet at

The Red Mill
340 S. Main St., Pittston, PA
Sunday, October 20th, 2013
2 p.m to 5 p.m.
with Master of Ceremonies,
State Representative
Mike Carroll

 

Blogfest is a good time

A very big Thank You to the staff of The Red Mill for the outstanding service they provided to the 8th semiannual Blogfest. Our glasses were always filled and the food was great.

The bloggers and candidates filled up the place early and then the regular Friday night crowd rolled in. In 35+  years if politics I saw something tonight that only happens every once in a very while. A  young lady not connected to any of us wandered into our scrum and started talking to the various candidates. She told me that she had never voted before but will this time because she liked a few of the candidates.She had plenty of candidates to choose from.

Add caption

Controller candidate Carolee Medico Olenginsk (R) was the first in the door and bought pizza for the crowd. The question I kept getting is "where is Walter?" Former Controller Walter Griffith was always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave at our last events. I can't say I'm shocked he skipped this one. Dem nominee for Controller Michelle Bednar arrived later and charmed the crowd.

Most of the Luzerne County Council candidates attended. Eileen Sorokas (D) has been to everything  and Rick is a lot of fun. The Accountability Ticket of Mike Giamber, Renee Taffera  and Kick Heffron arrived together. Republican candidates Paul Defabo and Sue Rossi and Independent Rick Williams are all working hard to get votes and Blogfest was a natural stop.

Bob Morgan represented Cong. Matt Cartwright who has made every Blogfest since he got into the public spotlight. Cong. Lou Barletta did not send a surrogate as he usually does. They are both stuck in Washington dealing with the latest  manufactured crises.  

State  Rep Mike Carroll knows his back yard but the Mayor didn't make it.. 

Phyllis Mundy  was awol. I just might have to vote for Mike in the next election.

Alex Milanes lost his last election and is shopping around for an opportunity to lose another. Bible Buck and Duke from Dallas made it an official event.

The DJ race is the hottest thing in Pittston politics this year. Both hopefuls stopped by tonight and I like both of them. Jerry Macadon and

Alex Kokura have run great campaigns that tell you about their experience but have not ripped into each other.





Fellow bloggers Joe V, Michelle and Harold  helped organize the event and long lost blogger Zen made it as did the Yonk.  County GOP Vice-Chair Lynette Villano and 2032 Presidential hopeful John Lombardo had a good time. Former W. Pittston Mayor and the Governors local point man Bill Goldsworthy kept his consecutive string of appearances alive. 

More pics at

Blogfest Fall 2013

 

Steve Mocarsky of the TL was there

 

 

Politicians, bloggers gather at semiannual event

 

Eillen Sorokas for Luzerne County Council

Eileen Sorokas with Mrs. G in the background

Eileen Sorokas had a nice turnout for her kickoff rally in her quest to win a seat on the Luzerne County Council at the Polish Club in beautiful downtown Hudson yesterday. When I walked in the door I thought I was in the wrong place as the first person I spotted was Luzerne County GOP Vice-Chair Lynette Villano. It was then explained that Eileen generously invited all county candidates regardless of party. She's a class act.

The other 4  Democratic Council nominees showed up. Incumbent Linda Houck and the Accountability Ticket of Michael Giamber, Richard (Kick Heffron)   and Renee Zita Ciaruffoli Taffera. They were joined by Republican candidates Kathy Dobash and Paul DeFabo.

Both Controller candidates worked the crowd. Michelle Bednar (D) has already knocked off a big name in the Primary (Urban) and is now facing another one  Carolee Medico-Olenginski (R).

Councilor Ed Brominski and LC Chair Tim McGinley greeted the crowd.

More Photos at this link.