The LuLac Edition #227, May 16th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: LACKAWANNA COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEEDS EVIE REFALKO MCNULTY, GOP COMMISSIONER STEVE URBAN, ATTY. COREY O'BRIEN, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR LACKAWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND D.A. NOW JUDGE DESIGNATE DAVID LUPAS.

THE DAY AFTER

Some quick observations on some key races the day after the primary election.

LACKAWANNA COMMISSIONERS

The Democrats just couldn't take a chance on Evie Refalko McNulty. It should be remembered that the Munchak/Cordaro team only won the Commissioner's Majority four years ago by a mere 200 votes. Another 250 votes in various parts of the county and Corcoran would still be there. With the tax issues of both Munchak and Cordaro, the Dems needed two people who could raise that issue without recprecussion. Mrs. McNulty's claim to history did not fly because of the financial problems she had. Because of that, McNulty was viewed by some Democratic voters as "not the right woman for the right time". That is why, despite some powerful city wide backing, McNulty lost. As predicted here earlier this month, O'Brien started to gain steam in the Moosic and Mid Valley areas biting into traditional Democratic strongholds. Look for O'Brien and Washo to become fast friends and become focused on "re'taking" the Majority back in November. And as a good soldier, Mrs. McNulty will help.

IN LUZERNE COUNTY

Greg Skrepenak and Mary Ann Petrilla won easily in the spring and will do so in the fall. The reason is the GOP situation. Steve Urban on the news last night talked about trying to get a third term for himself while Bill Jones talked about his grassroots effort that would translate into the fall. Obviously these guys are not running together. Unlike Crossin and Wideman of the 60s and 70s who ran together but did not govern together, these guys are going to be touting themselves on the trail and not each other. The GOP in the county is too weak for a split but they'll have one between Jones (the new wing of the party) and Urban (the old guard). So it looks like Skrep can hunker down at Big Ugly's in the fall and enjoy the NFL on his way to another term as Commissioner taking with him Mary Ann Petrilla.

HERE COME 'DA JUDGE

Dave Lupas won it going away. As predicted here, on both tickets. He had money, he had the respect of the legal estblishment as well as the powerful Democratic organization. Tom Marsillio, a nice man had less money and might have miscalculated by switching parties. He might have recieved more GOP votes to stave off the Lupas double nomination. The word on the street was that Marsillio's choice of a chief campaign operative did not help him with the Legal or Law enforcement community.

SHERIFF

Mike Savokinas won with a slight margin over George "Nipper" Nowakowski. The battle ground was the Pittston Area and one has to wonder how this race would've played out if there was a third candidate. Again, the likeability factor seemed to hamper "Nipper" as well as some dubious statements to the papers regarding how he'd staff his office.

CORONER

This is a perfect example of what happens when a third person gets into a race. Dr. Jack Consalvo, the appointed one to succeed Dr. Hudock seemed to be in the driver's seat. But wiley political Plains veteran John Corcoran ran a campaign saying that only a Pathologist could conduct an autopsy. Dr. Hudock was one but apparently John Corcoran, Dr. Consalvo and Mr. Desidserio weren't either. Even though Corcoran raised the issue, it brought to attention the fact that Consalvo, an ER doctor was not. With Corcoran's strong base in Plains, Desiderio's votes factoring into the race and the void left by Dr. Hudock, Consalvo, expected to win by many lost narrowly to the Funeral Director.