The LuLac Edition #192, April 5th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX:
WILKES BARRE CITY
COUNCIL CANDIDATE
IN DISTRICT "D",
TIM ANDERSON.




ANDERSON COMING ON STRONG

One of the best things about this primary season in Wilkes Barre this year is the diversity and number of candidates in the race. Yes, I know in the past more than 30 candidates tried for City Council but this year’s formation of districts in the City is going to make for some interesting races.
If you were going to pick out a dogfight of a battle, you’d have to look closely at the contest in District D. Two incumbents, Mike McGinley and Bill Barrett are going against two challengers, multi time candidate Joe Daniel and newcomer Tim Anderson. Others running in the district are Bruce Szczecinski, James G. Taylor, Sarah McCaffrey, and Linda Stetts. The conventional wisdom is saying that in that district the voters want a change. Even though McGinley has served well and Barrett has not suffered many missteps in his first term, Daniel with the name recognition from past races and the newcomer Anderson could shake things up. Picture this: if the McGinley and Barrett forces split, it might make way for someone new like Anderson to prevail.
Anderson has some very interesting approaches to this race. The 29 year old is canvassing the district with a pledge saying that as an elected Councilman, he would not take the city paid medical coverage or a buyout. This hot button resonates with voters, some who are not on major group plans and have to pay their own premiums. Health care has become a line item in the family budget and it doesn’t come cheap. Anderson’s pledge can certainly have an impact. His “Contract With Wilkes Barre” says:
1. I will not take the Blue Cross benefits or cash in lieu of benefits because it is an unjust cost to taxpayers.
2. I will always keep the better interests of you, the taxpayer and the city above my own.
3. I will lead by example and be guided by values and principles, not popularity and greed.
Then he signs the card and gives it to the voter in the district. Idealistic? A gimmick? Hey, it’s creative and that’s something that has rarely been seen on council over the past 20 years.
Anderson has also been trumpeting the fact that more community development block grant money could be used for the growth of the city. He’s right on that score because while the downtown has been developed well, the neighborhoods have been going to hell. I thought of this the other day, out of all the criticisms that came down the path of the former administration, no one ever accused them of not having the available hardware in the DPW department. That money comes from those block grants. Anderson seems to have the financial knowledge to not only be a watchdog but also be conversant in funding and accounting practices that might engender more money for the city. True, a Councilman cannot be an administrator but if you followed the council meetings in recent years, no member has been informed on the small and big details to even ask an intelligent question. Anderson can be that guy. He can separate the minutiae from the important stuff and at least represent the people with that knowledge.
A huge factor in my mind is going to be the elimination of the firehouses too. First off, the heavy handed way a city resident was treated when they went to court was scary for normal citizens. Voters are still talking about that. And the current administration’s spin that more new fire trucks were purchased was a surprise to Ms. LuLac. She was interviewed the other night for a political poll and told the pollster that new trucks are fine but there should be firehouses to provide the service.
The Fire House issue was addressed by Anderson and former City Planner Jim Hayward last week. It was a good presentation with most of city council there along with city activists. Unfortunately, the entire set up and issue was mis represented by a newspaper headline in the Citizen’s Voice saying that paving would have to be put on hold to provide more fire protection. That didn’t make sense to me and I got a hold of Anderson who provided me with a letter he sent to the newspaper regarding that erratic headline. Here’s what he wrote:

Dear Editor,
Last week, Denise Allabaugh wrote an article about our firehousepresentation, but she left out some vital information that thetaxpayers need to know. Our plan for new firehouse centers around the Community DevelopmentBlock Grant program which is a program funded by federal money that hasvery limited uses which are determined by the federal government. Right now there is over $1,000,000 left over from previous years goingback to 2003. Approximately $200,000 is earmarked for street pavingprojects, leaving around $800,000 for a new firehouse (the new stationat Hollenback cost less than that). Miss Allabaugh made it seem likeit was either street paving or a new firehouse, but that is just plainwrong and misleading. We have the money to do both, we just needsomeone to stand up and do what is right for the people ofWilkes-Barre. Current City Council members claim that they do not have the power to push a new firehouse agenda. Not the case. An ordinance by the City Council is needed to start the process and earmark money for a firehouse. Both Mr. Barrett and Mr. Thomas were quoted in the article saying that they want adequate fire protection in the Heights. But instead of watching out for the residents of the Heights, they (along with the rest of the council) allowed the mayor to close the firehouse on Northampton Street, in direct violation of an ordinance that they passed just 2 months before. Now 2 1/2 years have passed and nothing has been done. We have not been given any ideas about what can be done. We are only given excuses, sound bytes from members who were only given bits and pieces of the plan, and reasons why new ideas would not work. We need some solid leadership to bring this city around. Leadership is moving ahead with what you believe is morally and ethically right, regardless of the consequences to yourself and regardless of the obstacles you might face.
Timothy Anderson
Wilkes-Barre

District D’s is at this point anyone’s race. If it were only one incumbent, I’d not say that. But with Barrett and McGinley both pledging to be “buds”, ya gotta know there’s some dealing going on in both camps. Throw in Anderson’s considerable efforts and Daniels as the wild card who has run well in past races, plus the splintering of the second tier candidates, and you have yourself an old time donnybrook. Hang on to your hats and Easter bonnets for this race in District D.

LULAC INVITES GO OUT

The invites to city council candidates were mailed today. The LuLac City Council Forum takes place Sunday, May 6th, 430pm to 700pm at Genetti’s Imperial Ballroom. WILK’s Sue Henry moderates.
Deadlines and contact numbers were included in the mailings.

WALTER ON THE WEB

Walter Griffiths, Junior has a website. Griffith is leading the way in terms of technology and outreach among GOP candidates and even some of the Dems. Very nice site too.
Here's the link: http://www.walterlgriffithjr.com/index.html