The LuLac Edition #193, April 7th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: THE LATE JEROME "CURLY" HOWARD, RADIO STATION BHT FM 97.1's JENNIFFER STARR WITH "THE GRUMP".

BLOG COMMENTS

A word about blog posts from our faithful readers. When we started this effort nearly a year ago, we did so because of some other sites (mainly in the Lackawanna County area) that were derogatory and demeaning to individuals in the public sector, whether that was media, politics or community activism. Our intent is never to attack anyone personally on physical appearance. A few days ago in Edition 192, a poster commented on someone’s teeth using a reference of a commercial cartoon character of the 1950s. Some saw it as a low blow, I saw it as a “bust” public figures once they enter the arena should be subjected to. We can argue on what is right until the cows come home. But the ultimate responsibility is to the editor to moderate anything questionable. I did not do that and you can be sure I’ll be more careful next time.
But let me say this: In my time in the public arena in broadcasting, public relations and now as a writer, I have been told I look like Truman Capote, former Mayor James McNulty, former Gateway Cinema owner Fred Krauss and Jerome “Curly” Howard. Nowhere in that group was Tom Cruise or George Clooney. The reality is once you’re in the mix, you are open to public scrutiny of your wardrobe (who can forget the big deal over a reporter referring to the late Tom McLaughlin as a “frayed shirt” Mayor? McLaughlin, an impeccable dresser all his life one time appeared at a function wearing an old button down shirt that was a little frayed. For months, the local media went to town on that story. ) your weight, your hair (ask Judge Lokuta) or even your smile. When you’re out there, you’re out there and it’s all in how you handle it. In the meantime though, we’ll watch the comments more closely so that we can attend to the issues. But we’re still going to have a little fun too!




SAM TROY SPEAKS

Sam Troy, Council Candidate in District “C”, running as a Democrat against Kathy Kane recently penned a letter to the Times Leader where he took that paper to task. Some interesting points from the man Mayor Leighton publicly chastised at an open council meeting earlier in the year. Here’s what he had to say:


Your recent editorial, which gave a lukewarm endorsement to my candidacy for Wilkes-Barre City Council, was welcome, yet I remain somewhat dismayed at your portrayal of me as a kind of political deconstructionist who uses every opportunity he gets to criticize the actions of the Leighton administration.
You describe my ideas as being “against the grain,” noting my opposition to such city projects as the intermodal transportation center and the downtown theater complex.
In fact, I am opposed to these projects not simply because they are an integral part of a reckless fiscal policy, but also because they run contrary to my vision of a city government responsive to the needs and concerns of the public.
I cannot accept the business-as-usual modus operandi that has characterized our city’s polity the last four years. My candidacy is about reclaiming the democratic process in order to put our local ship of state back on its proper course.
Mayor Leighton and council in its complicity and failure to even question any of the mayor’s actions have not only discouraged but have sought to stifle any semblance of this process. Their policies have emanated from an arrogance and presumptiveness matched only by another coterie of politicians running the executive show in Washington, with two Luzerne County Commissioners perhaps a close second.
There are many things I would like to accomplish if my campaign is successful. I want to reduce taxes -- especially the EMS tax -- and improve services provided by the public works department such as recycling, sewer cleaning and snow removal.
I want to make every effort to re-open the Heights firehouse and invest in area youth by re-opening the Coal Street pool, ice skating rink and tennis courts, while exploring the feasibility of constructing a recreation center and skateboard park.
There is great potential for our area to become a worthwhile place to live and to restore a sense of community pride. I hope to be given the chance to begin this process of change.
Samuel Troy District C Democratic Wilkes-Barre City Council candidate



WB COUNCIL CONTENDERS
ON THE WEB

Two candidate websites to share with you, Tim Anderson has a great site. You can access it at www.ElectTimothyAnderson.com . Anderson is running for Council in District “D”.
Running in District “E” is Ron Silkosky. You can access information about Mr. Silkosky and his interesting background on htpp://ronsilkosky.com.

CONDOLENCES

Our deepest sympathy go out to the family of Helen Crossin. Mrs. Crossin was the wife of the late County Commissioner Francis Crossin. While Mr. Crossin had the public persona, Mrs. Crossin held things together at the home front. I only had the opportunity to meet her once. In 1978, then Commissioner Crossin was helping out the campaign of the late Tom Lehman who was running as a candidate for the State Senate in the 20th district. Commissioner Crossin and the late Joe Tirpak, who got Lehman to both change his registration and get into that race were the only two politicos who really helped out the doomed effort. Mr. Crossin loaned out huge cross-reference books to the campaign and instructed both Mr. Lehman and I to pick them up at his home. Mrs. Crossin was gracious and engaging as she offered us ice tea on a hot September day. As we left, she bade us good luck as we carried the huge, big royal blue books to my little Red Camaro. Turned out the cross reference directories and everything else we did in that ’78 election against the late Fank O’Connell didn’t help at all. But it was sure nice to meet Mrs. Crossin. Here’s her obituary from the Times Leader.

Helen G. Crossin, 82, of Kingston, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, April 4, 2007, at her home, surrounded by her family. Born and raised in Luzerne, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Holecz) Gutchmonoski. She was a 1942 graduate of Luzerne High School and a graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing, Trenton, N.J., from which she received her Registered Nursing License. Mrs. Crossin was a homemaker most of her life. She was a member of St. Ignatius Church, Kingston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis “Chink” Crossin, who passed away January 10, 1981; son, Dr. Robert Crossin, D.M.D.; brothers, John and Paul Gutchmonoski; sisters, Mary Bednar and Ann Siracuse. She is survived by her children, Frank and his wife, Donna Crossin, of Kingston; Kathleen Anders and her husband, Bruce, of Kingston; Mary Liberaski and her husband, Ted, of Wilkes-Barre; and Don and his wife, Teresa Crossin, of Plains; seven grandchildren, Courtney Crossin, Francis Crossin, Michael Crossin, Robert Anders, Kara Anders, Kelsey Crossin and Ryan Crossin; many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston, with the Very Rev. Monsignor John J. Sempa, V.F. Pastor of Sacred Heart/St. John’s Parish Community, North Wilkes-Barre, officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704




PLAY BALL

While Mrs. LuLac and I sat in our warm church for Holy Thursday services, my friends were freezing up at PNC park at Opening Night for the SWB Yankees. Urns out there was more than baseball going on that night regarding the team.
Fans saw a mascot called “The Scooter Holy Cow” modeled after Phil Rizutto’s famous catch phrase, “Holy Cow”. The regular mascot, “The Grump” seemed to be having image problems with the arrest of a back up employee who occupied the costume.
The 42-year-old Scranton man who works for the Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority as a "Grump" mascot was re-arrested this morning for the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old Scranton boy.
Jay Hastings, of 1021 S. Ninth Ave., met the boy when he was 14-years-old through myspace.com. Mr. Hastings was arrainged before Magisterial District Justice Theodore Giglio and remanded to the Luzerne County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

ON THE TUBE

During the baseball game televised by WNEP TV, local politicians got their messages out. Corey O’Brien candidate for Lackawanna County Commissioner had a great ad running during the game. Commissioners Munchak and Cordaro ran the very first commercial in the televised game. The advertisement chronicled the saga of how Yankee baseball got here through film clips featuring the Commissioners and Yankee GM Brian Cashman. Great ad and kind of curious that Munchak took top billing in the tag line: Munchak/Cordaro.
The strangest ad at least for my taste was the Skrepenak/Petrillo ad that seemed for all the world to believe that Luzerne County leaders had great access to the Yankee acquisition. With Petrilla pumping her fist saying “Go Yankees” and Skrepenak waxing poetic about Luzerne County’s minor league association with local baseball, you’d never believe that the county solicitor made this statement hours earlier. Luzerne County solicitor Jim Blaum told authority members before management and purchase option agreements were signed Thursday. “It gives us reason for concern. It gives us reason for skepticism.”Moreover, he said “Luzerne County has been ignored throughout the process of negotiating those agreements.”Oh well, I guess no one wanted to spoil a good time with silly details.

LULAC HALL OF FAMERS

The death of Mrs. Helen Crossin reminded our staff of a story we are currently working on and hoping to complete very soon. Once in a while, we’ll feature stories about political leaders out of the past who made a great difference in the political landscape of NEPA. We are currently researching a story on great elections of change. In future editions, we’ll tell you the story of the 1979 Luzerne County Commissioners race and how the late Frank Crossin Senior took on the then powerful Democratic establishment to win control of the Courthouse.