The LuLac Edition #309, Sept. 21, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: LINDA STETS, CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR, CITY OF WILKES BARRE, STATE SENATOR JEFF PICCOLA AND GOVERNOR RENDELL TAKING IN A PIRATES GAME THIS SUMMER WITH A LOBBYIST.

STETS SHUNNED

A few weeks ago Linda Stets wanted to know if she was being covered on my blog. So I dutifully sent her an e mail regarding some of the events that I publicized on the site for her campaign. It appears that after yesterday's council meeting, Stets doesn't need my help in getting her name out there. The Wilkes-Barre Republican mayoral candidate was escorted from council chambers Thursday after she leveled accusations at Mayor Tom Leighton, her political opponent.

Stets was upset to learn that Solid Cactus, a business that employs around 300 people, was leaving the city and relocating to KingstonTownship. Solid Cactus also recieved a corporate welfare grant from Harrisburg to expand its operations. No word from them on what the newly expanded work force will be paid though. She said she has learned that Mia Bella Candles in Parsons plans to leave the city with its 300 employees."To allow another company to leave this city is placing a greater burden on the taxpayers," Stets said. "How are you going to stop this from happening?" When Leighton did not respond, Stets became upset."The mayor is not answering and that doesn't surprise me," Stets said. "He doesn't answer his phone, doesn't return letters and ignores company owners. Wilkes-Barre is losing a lot of revenue." At one point, Council President Bill Barrett slammed the gavel repeatedly and asked Stets to refrain from carrying on. When she continued, Barrett asked police Capt. Thomas Ungvarsky to escort Stets out of the chambers. Stets left quietly. Leighton later said he worked closely with Solid Cactus, but its needs -115,000 square feet and 250 parking spaces - could not be met anywhere in the city. The attack on Leighton continued when former mayoral candidate Tim Grier asked if the mayor has ever used his office at City Hall to conduct private business. The key question many people want to know is why Leighton declined to answer the question directly of Stets and waited until she left. A larger question is constitutional, just when does a citizen cross the line when they disagree with a public official and make them uncomfortable. The big thing politically to remember is this, people like Stets, Grier and Sam Troy aren't going away no matter how uncomfortable they make the Mayor and Council. As a matter of fact, Troy said he feels the city and the county are not giving serious consideration to the idea of a public skate park. Troy said a park would help retain young people and attract new residents.

LOMBARDO TO RENDELL

Well, the good old boy network is alive and well in the Valley. Former Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo who was recently with the Chamber landed on his feet working as Governor Rendell's point man in the area. Lombardo, former Mayor of Pittston needed a new job because the Chamber was having budget problems. His salary of over $100,000 was needed for other things, like staying afloat. So when an opening came up in Rendell's office, it was only natural that Lombardo received the job. This hiring accomplshes three things:

1. Gives the Chamber more dollars with the elimination of his position. His duties are being absorbed by other people.

2. Puts a strong leader in charge of Rendell's northeastern effort. 3. Provides a safety net, few if any other citizens receive when their jobs are downsized, eliminated or their duties are absorbed by other staffers.

But here's the kicker, Lombardo's salary is reported to be $103,000 while the guy he replaced was making only $57,000. That's nearly half a salary increase. And Jimmy Connors is making something like 45 grand. A poster seemed confused as to why Lombardo was making more money. Simple. He is one of the chosen. No one will ever admit it, but this area has a class system. And if you aren't "one of them", you don't get the big bucks. You have those who blithley go from high paying job to high paying job, while the rest of the people are stuck in second gear. Lombardo is a member of this area's ruling connected class who will be taken care of no matter what they do. John Blake on the other hand merely did his job. Which is why he got half of what Lombardo is getting. He wasn't one of the cool kids!

EDDIE AND THE ANCHOR

The hot story going around the Capitol is my man Ed's relationship with a Pittsburgh anchor woman turned lobbyist. John Baer reported in thePhilly Daily News Monday that the woman in question, FOE, a friend of Ed did not properly register as a lobbyist. The relationship as well the lobbying effort is being investigated by long time GOP state senator Jeff Piccola. Piccola, who sought and then abandoned a bid for the GOP nomination to oppose Rendell last year, is investigating lobbying by a major film company, Lionsgate, and a friend of Ed's, Leslie Merrill McCombs,and a $75 million tax credit for film and TV companies working in the state. The credit was part of a negotiated state budget settlement in July, one of those behind the scenes things buried in the middle of the night. The problem is that the company and its rep apparently violated a new lobbying law by failing to properly register as lobbyists with state officials. That's what Piccola says he's looking at. He's hiring a private eye and wants one or two Senate hearings. He chairs the Senate State Government Committee, which has lobbying oversight. McCombs is a former anchor for WPGH-TV, Pittsburgh. Campaign-finance records show she gave Rendell $4,000 for his re-election last year. Given Ed's teflon reputation, this will lead nowhere but like all gossip, this will be fun to talk about. Look for the good State Senator to start his probe soon.

THE HOGS ARE BACK

A group of State lawmakers including our hometown boy Bob Melloow recently came back from a junket to Taiwan. Billed as a trade mission,the trip was paid for by special interests. Is trade with China really a top priority of the constitents in the state? MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, I don't think so. But what the heck, at least they didn't charge us a per diem for the trip, or did they????

SKREP BESTED

The recent revelations that Greg Skrepenak might move into the 11th Congressional District has caused all type of denials from the Commissioner as well as courthouse insiders. But word of this came fromTerry Best, Pittston Area School Director. Best was the one who basically transmitted what other people were saying. He had no axe to grind, and was just telling people what he heard. In all my years of dealing with him, I have found that you take what he says at face value. He is a man of true integrity and is a valuable public servant. So despite the hue and cry his remarks have engendered, I have to tell you that when a guy like Terry talks, I'll listen. Or, as far as the comments made go, "where there's smoke, there's fire".