The LuLac Edition #136, Jan. 19, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, OR AS THEY USED TO CALL IT IN THE OLD DAYS, "THE HOUSE OF JUST US".

DEMS ‘DHAT HAVE

ARE

DEMS ‘DHAT GET

The Luzerne County Democratic party gave its party endorsements to various candidates Thursday. The people who are “in” and have the “power” just got one more tool to keep it: a party endorsement. No big surprises here.
The endorsements were made unanimously by 43 members of the committee.
Commissioner Greg Skrepenak and candidate Maryanne Petrilla were endorsed for county commissioner.
No other Democrats bothered to apply for the position against Skrepenak and Petrilla. Both are also on the Executive committee.
D. A. David Lupas was endorsed for a judge’s seat. Thomas Marsilio, who campaigned as a Republican against Lupas for district attorney during the primary election in 1999, addressed the committee to no avail. He recently switched to the Democrat Party.
First Assistant District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll was endorsed for Lupas’ seat as district attorney.
If elected, she would be the first female district attorney in the history of Luzerne County.
The committee endorsed Michael A. Savokinas for county sheriff. Savokinas, a Canadian Pacific Railway employee, resides in Exeter Township. George “Nipper” Nowakowski is expected to run. Can't wait to hear the polka radio spots if he does!
Luzerne County Coroner Dr. Jack Consalvo was endorsed for coroner. Consalvo was appointed after Dr. George Hudock died in October 2005.
James “Red” O’Brien, the only person to apply for Recorder of Deeds, was endorsed by the committee. He served as mayor in Avoca and was unsuccessful in his bid for the Democratic nomination for the 118th District state House seat last year.
Also endorsed were two incumbents: Bob Reilly, the Luzerne County clerk of courts, and Michael L. Morreale, treasurer. Reilly was elected in 1987, Morrealle in 1979, between the two they both have 48 years of government service.
The Luzerne County Republican Executive Committee did what it does best: NOTHING! They voted not to endorse any candidate for the upcoming primary election on Wednesday night. Only in Luzerne County would a County GOP committee not endorse the row officers of Sheriff and Recorder of Deeds for another term. All the two office holders did was something uncommon to local Republicans: WIN AN ELECTION!!!! Jeez, it’s no wonder why the Dems win everything without breaking a sweat.

PA. PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY SWITCH

The State Legislature is trying to come up with a plan to move the state's Presidential primary from April to March. Governor Rendell has long been a proponent of the change saying it will give the Commonwealth greater input and impact in choosing a President. I agree totally with him. My opinion is that hayseeds in Iowa have long been wagging the tail of the dog as far as the Democratic party and even the GOP is concerned. The electoral vote total and general election turnout is anemic compared to other big states. New Hampshire, while it has its history of being first should also be cut down to size. Iowa and New Hampshire are respoinsible for picking Presidents Harkin, Gebhardt, Dole, McCain, McGovern, Robertson, and Buchannan. Enough already. Let Pennsylvania as a large state help make the large decision.