The LuLac Edition #87, Nov 9, 2006

PICTURE INDEX: LOSERS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DONALD RUMSFELD. WINNERS: COUNTY COMMISSIONER TODD VONDERHEID AND WILK'S NANCY KMAN AND KEVIN LYNN.



WINNERS AND LOSERS

The past election gave us a few winners and losers. Let's review the losers:

SECRETARY DONALD RUMSFELD

A day after the election, the President announces that the Secrertary is moving on. If I were a GOP candidate who lost my election by a razor thin margin, I'd be really angry at the President. Removing Rumsfeld before the election would've been one less piece of baggage for the Republican candidates. The President's late realization that he needed a "new set of eyes" at the Defense Department did little to help his party, Rumsfeld or the people involved in fighting the war on terror.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON

Mike Veon was the state represntative who supported the pay raise from the start. Plus he was the lone representative who voted against recinding the payraise. During the spring primary, he won re-nomination and it was expected that he would have little or no trouble in the general election. The voters in his district said: "Not so fast my friend..................."
The Democratic Party's plan to take over the state House didn't count on one of its top leaders losing and another having an extremely difficult race.
State Rep. Mike Veon, the House minority whip who was the only member of the Legislature who refused to vote to repeal last year's unpopular pay raises for state officials, conceded defeat last night.
Democratic House Leader H. William DeWeese, of Waynesburg, appeared to survive a tight battle.
Democrats were hoping to win nine additional seats to take control of the House, which now favors Republicans by a 109-93 margin. But the defeat of Mr. Veon could throw the party into turmoil even if it does take control, which was still a possibility.
The party targeted the House in an effort to give Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell an easier time moving his agenda. Republicans were considered a lock to maintain control of the Senate.
In Mr. Veon's race, Republican Jim Marshall, 46, of Big Beaver, was swept to victory when the Republican Party poured a lot of last-minute money into advertising.
Mr. Veon, 49, of Beaver Falls, is an 11-term incumbent who used his strong party position to deliver money to his district. But his blunt style rubbed some people the wrong way, especially after his staunch support of the pay raises.
He survived an onslaught of several Democrats to survive in the primary, but he couldn't win a one-on-one battle against Mr. Marshall.
Mr. Marshall, a Big Beaver councilman, claimed that despite Mr. Veon's tenure, the district continued to struggle financially. He claimed Mr. Veon violated the public's trust by pushing the pay raise and standing as the lone opponent to repealing it.
Questions also have been raised about the Beaver Initiative for Growth, a development corporation he runs with state Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester. It has been involved in numerous development projects, but has faced questions about its bookkeeping and general use of funds.
Criticism has also been leveled at such things as the size of Mr. Veon's staff.
Mr. Veon was not available for comment, but his aide, Bob Caton, said he took it like a gentleman.
"He handled it the way he handles everything," Mr. Caton said. "He was unflappable, took it in stride, gave all the credit to all the volunteers who did so much work."
Mr. Caton said he "couldn't even speculate" on what happened, adding, "I'm sure there's no shortage of theories."
The result was a shock to Dan Donatella, chairman of the Beaver County commissioners and a friend and supporter of Mr. Veon's.
"To throw out one of the most powerful men in Harrisburg and replace him with someone who will have an office in the basement -- it's crazy," he said. "All our grant money and everything is going to go with him."
Fellow state Rep. Vince Biancucci -- a fellow Democrat and close ally from a neighboring district in Beaver County who narrowly retained his seat -- said he was "extremely shocked" at the outcome.
Mr. DeWeese, who has served in the Legislature since 1977, was in a tough battle with Greg Hopkins, an Arena Football League player and Morris Township auditor. The Democratic attempt to take over the House was fueled by several key races in Western Pennsylvania.
In Allegheny County, Chelsa Wagner, 29, of Beechview, defeated incumbent Republican Michael Diven, 36, of Brookline. The seat had been a Democratic stronghold, but Mr. Diven changed to the Republican Party last year after a feud with House Democratic leaders, who targeted his seat this year.
The key to remember is this: even after 18 months, the people of western Pennsylvania were upset by the pay raise issue. The fact that DeWeese had a tough, tight race is telling. When the Dems ran in the primary, they had multiple challengers, going one on one in the fall, the true weakness of their position was revealed.

JOHN CORDARA SPEAKS

John Cordara, candidate for State Representative in the 120th district who posted a huge loss to incumbent Phyllis Mundy went out with a bang. Cordara leveled criticism at the moribound county GOP organization. Here's what he said: “There was no backing from the local Republican party. The one thing the Luzerne County Republican Party needs to do is to get rid of Lynette Villano or there’s not going to be a Republican Party here in this county.” Right you are, John!

WINNERS

The WILK Morning News with Kevin Lynn and Nancy Kman has been voted the number one morning radio program by readers of Electric City and Diamond City. Voters cast their ballots over the last few weeks. Congrats to the duo and the entire morning cast of characters, Rusty Fender on Traffic, weathercaster Joe Snedeker from WNEP TV, Bud Brown on News and the ever personable Mark Michaels, aka Bosco producer of the program.

VONDERHEID EXITS

Reports are circulating that Luzerne County Commissioner Todd Vonderheid will announce his resignation from the county to join the staff as CEO of the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce. Vonderheid is an excellent public servant and area citizens have benefited mightly from his leadership. So in effect the public's loss is the gain of the Greater Wilkes Barre Chamber. The official announcement can come as early as the end of this week.

ED BRADLEY

News junkies and fans of good journalism were saddened by the news that CBS correspondent Ed Bradley passed away of cancer at age 65. He was an extraordinary jouranlist who's dignified presence and erudite presentation will be missed.