The LuLac Edition #303, Sept. 12th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: MINORITY COMMISSIONER MIKE WASHO AND MAJORITY COMMISSIONER BOB CORDARO.

BOB ON BALLOT

Efforts to chase Bob Cordaro off the ballot failed this afternoon. Two Lackawanna County judges rejected today an attempt to have County Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro thrown off the Nov. 6 election ballot.
Judges Thomas Munley and Carmen Minora gave no reasons for their rulings, but said they would issue an opinion to back it up shortly. Former Republican commissioner candidates Robert Castellani and Lee Jamision had challenged Mr. Cordaro's right to be on the ballot. Their lawyer argued Mr. Cordaro gave up the right to be on the ballot when he withdrew in July and the Republican Party's renomination of him later violated the state election law. However Cordaro's attorney came up with a 1941 precedent from Lackawanna County Court that proved an individual could have himself renominated by his party, even after declining said nomination.

PAVING THE WAY

Well, all roads it seems leads to counter claims regarding cronyism in the 2007 Lackawanna County commissioners race.

Mr. Cordaro chastised Mr. Washo for saying one thing and doing another. Mr. Washo routinely calls for bidding of county contracts for goods and services and criticizes Mr. Cordaro and fellow Commissioner A.J. Munchak for not seeking competitive bids.Mr. Cordaro said P&W Washo Inc., a firm owned by Mr. Washo's brothers, received no-bid contracts for paving from the county housing authority, Scranton Redevelopment Authority, the state, Scranton School District and the county recycling center. He estimated the contracts total at least $1 million.Mr. Cordaro's claims could not immediately be independently verified. Until he became commissioner in May 2005, Mr. Washo said he was general manager of P&W Washo for about 10 years. Mr. Cordaro accused Mr. Washo and The Times-Tribune of being part of a "concerted effort" to portray him as engaging in cronyism and political favoritism." Cordaro says if his family sold a hammer to the county, everyone would be notified through the press in the county. But Washo, who was not the owner but worked for the company denied knowing anything about the no bid contracts. Fair enough, but if you are in a position to work for a company, a family run company owned by your brothers, would you not have the curiosity to ask where the money was coming from to pay your salary and support a family run business? Washo seems too smart to be a stooge for anyone, which is why his denials seem implausible.