The LuLac Edition #89, November 14, 2006

WHAT, US WORRY?

PLAINS LEADERS MIFFED

From the "get over yourself" department, Plains Twp. Board of Supervisors are upset because they were not included in the photo op at Mohegan Sun before the election. Governor Ed presented a huge check to Mohegan Sun CEO Bob Soper and the assembled multitude. The guys at the podium were all candidates running for election this year and they were state officials. (I know Mayor Leighton was there but he's a FOE. (Friend of Ed). The Plains Supervisors were left in another room and not included in the shoot. Look, if I had something land into my lap like the Plains Twp. guys did, I wouldn't be squaking too much. The benefits from the casino revenues are going to flow to Plains Twp. first. The only pictures needed are for when the Plains officials run for office again and proclaim all the good things Mohegan Sun money and their stellar leadership provided. Everytime I see or hear a story like this, I know why people hate politics and politicians.

THE MELLOW INTERVIEW

Michael Race, the Harrisburg correspondent for the Scranton Times recently had an interview with State Senator Robert Mellow. Here is a short segment of the interview. Mellow's statements are in black, what he was thinking, courtesy of this blogger is in red.
Q: You have the only caucus not impacted by election losses or retirements. Any particular reason why, or is it just the luck of the draw?
A: It’s not the luck of the draw, it’s the luck of hard work. You could say the harder I work, the luckier I become. Yeah I was lucky I didn't have a primary opponent because I would've gotten my ass kicked. Brilliant strategy to put a ringer in there to oppose me and have the sucker withdraw the day before. Oooo, remind me to get him a better job in Harrisburg, will ya! Our caucus has a great staff and we don’t pay attention to the hours of the day or days of the week, we do the work that needs to get done. Then of course we become like high priced lawyers or Vegas call girls, we overcharge and under deliver. And of course when the work does get done, we dine out on taxpayers expense and agonize about how much money we talented men and women can make in the private sector. NOT!! And when we talk to our members, we always talk to them about how all politics is local. Yeah, we tell them to keep the party people in line and by all means never tell anyone to "get a life"! It comes down to how active you are and how visible you are in your district. Except of course when you raise your pay in the middle of the night, then I put my basketball officiating uniform on and hang out in Dick Tricewski's basement until everything blows over.

A TAXING SITUATION IN WILKES BARRE

As the 2007 election draws near for Mayor and City Council, it seems that the Council is being asked to forgive some taxes of city landlords. Here is a post that Mr. Walter Griffith blogged regarding the issue.
I see in todays Paper that the City COuncil and Mayor are going to do another great Real Estate deal... I read in today's paper that the property on S Main St that is now Deli Devine is being considered by City Council for Tax Forgiveness for Mr Gildea....I think this is unfair to the taxpayers of the City...Mr Gildea is now at least 50,000 delinquent in back taxes on the Property on 446 S River St that I asked the Mayor about and the Mayor is trying to get this property from Mr Gildea and forgive these taxes ...The Property on S Main St is owned by the same guy that owned the row of apartments on the property on N River St that the City has demolished at the taxpayers expense and placed a lien on the property for the cost of the demolition...I think that if the City Administration is going to get in the habit of just transferring debt to property owners that do not pay their taxes, then there will be no leverage for the taxpayers or City Administration to collect any of the debit...I also find it very unusual that the property on Blackman St is being acquired for $1.00...Seems the Mayor of Wilkes Barre is conducting his real estate business at City Hall now and using the City Government for leverage with the help of City Council...Elect Walter Griffith Jr for City Council in 2007 .
As you can see, Mr. Griffith is off to the races on this issue. Taxes always seem to resonate with people when someone else is getting a better break. And it seems that Mr. Gildea has been taking a big hit for the properties he has within the city. Check out these comments from the Times Leader comment line.

Comments
forgiveness of taxes should not occur... you bought it, you get what comes with it, including tax and other liens... let's not give up a tax debt just because the owner purchases a former drug house - buyer beware - is alive and well...
Posted by: Al B. Paying

I believe Mr. Gildea is trying to make changes and has asked for help and should get it. It looks like turning of the cheek was happening here. Like the cops and council turned the other cheek and problem would go away.. I am glad to see someone take a stance and try to clean up Wilkes-Barre. Good for you Mr. Gildea.
Posted by:

Someone refresh our memorys, what is the rule say "you get what you pay for". Well Mr.Gildea did you buy these properties or the citezens of Wilkes -Barre?
Posted by: F. Barnes

Everyone who walked by that place knew drugs were being sold there. The city administration had to know too. What an embarrassment to the police department.
Posted by:

What a crock!!!! So Pat Gildea is whining because he has to pay taxes on a building he bought. This is the same guy who has bought up residential homes and crammed them to capacity with college students who drink themselves into oblivion, puke on lawns, have loud parties that last until 2am, look down their noses on tax paying people who have lived here all their lives because mommy and daddy are paying for everything, litter in neighborhoods, and have understaffed police out on calls every weekend night. In one house, he has 5 students living there, they pay 350 to 400 a month, that's $2,000 a month for one property! Mr. Gildea can afford to pay his own taxes and bills without a handout from Wilkes Barre city council. Oh gee, wait, I bought a new faucett for my bathroom sink, I'm revitalizing my home therefore revitalizing my city, can I get a tax break on that? Wilkes Barre city council should not provide welfare to a guy who drives a brand new SUV and has considerable real estate holdings. Let him pay his taxes like everyone else. He isn't that special!
Posted by: North End Neighbor

Are all the residents of North End as bitter and angry as the one who believes Mr. Gildea's plans are a "crock?" Ugly America is alive and well in the North End, but equity and intelligence are not.
Posted by: ONE NEPA HAYNA

hey, who gives a shi*t? Wilkes-Barre is a dump in the east, the west....all ends.
Posted by:

The real estate market is a "business", he bought this property to well lets say in the long run make a profit. Tell him to suck it up and start paying up.
Posted by:

I find it amazing that the new building owner reports 3 meth labs in the building in question. If that is the case, a hazadous waste team must come in and decontaminate the building, and probably the grounds around it. Either he's full of it, or he just bought a superfund site.
Posted by: Watch what you wish for.

Sounds like Mr. Gildea has figured out how to achieve "property tax relief". Buy all you can at dirt cheap prices and get the taxing municipality to forgive back taxes. Individuals who purchase homes they plan to renovate and live in themselves don't get this option. I fail to see why those who have the bucks to use real estate to make a living should be treated differently. As for some North Enders being bitter, let me say you might be bitter too if you spent your time cleaning up after the irresponsible tenants who rent from the likes of Mr. Gildea. Beer cans, cigarette butts, bottles and assorted trash litter the streets and yards of the neighborhoods where these "rehabilitated" homes are located. A landlord doesn't have to live in Philadelphia to be considered "absentee".
Posted by: Rainyb

This morning, Nov. 12th 12:15AM, in the 200 block of north main, a near riot breaks out with people screaming, yelling, shreiking, glass breaking, and people running up and down the streets to safety to their cars. Just another Saturday night in the Northend courtesy of a Gildea property. Police called, did a pass up and down the streets, the little rats from Father O'Hara's paradise scattered into the night until the next time. Bitter in Northend? Nope. Just the facts. Ugly America? Yep. Nothing so lovely as hearing young lady's saying the F word at the top of their lungs, young men threatening to hit the ladies, and a once beautiful home owned by a respected public official now turned into a toilet. Let's give Mr. Gildea a tax break on the puke and litter we have to walk by on Sunday mornings.
Posted by: North End Neighbor

Public officials have to draw the line on who gets tax breaks and who does not. Does a developer, landlord or a realtor deserve a tax break just because that is their line of work? By definition, every homeowner who makes an improvement or keeps his or her home up to code is in effect revitalizing a neighborhood or city. If that logic follows, then why shouldn’t all Wilkes Barre homeowners show up to City Council and demand a stipend or tax forgiveness from the city fathers? Wilkes Barre city council members, all up for reelection should tread carefully on this issue. If Mr. Gildea gets tax forgiveness for his properties, then every realtor, property owner or handyman has a right to appear before council with his or her hand out. The bottom line is this………….where will the money come from? The taxpayer, that’s who. And in this climate, the taxpayers are watching. Years ago, this request by a landlord from city council would get little notice. No one would contest it, write about it or even comment on it. But from the reaction by an already avowed candidate and the comment line in the newspaper, it is evident that this story will be monitored and might have political implications for the 2007 election.

RUDY, RUDY, RUDY

One of my favorite guys comes to town to talk to the folks at the Kirby. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was asked whether he was considering a run for the 2008 White House. "Naw" he said on Sunday, "still thinking about it!" Monday it was announced he was forming an exploratory committee to weigh his Presidential options! That Kirby crowd must've energized him something fierce, that's all I can say!