The LuLac Edition #329, Oct. 21rst, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: CONTENDERS IN WILKES BARRE DISTRICT "C", PETER GAGLIARDI, KATHY KANE AND SAM TROY.

"C" THAT!!!!!

So far its been a quiet election season in the city of Wilkes Barre but some interesting things have surfaced in Wilkes Barre District C. In the spring primary Sam Troy lost his bid to become the Democratic candidate for Wilkes-Barre City Council but has decided to mount a write-in campaign for the seat.
Troy, 57, lost to incumbent Kathy Kane in the primary for District C. Troy garnered 124 votes to Kane’s 437. Republican Peter J. Gagliardi received 123 votes.
Troy said by jumping in the race he is giving voters another choice, one that is more in line with the people.
Troy told the local papers that feels a sense of arrogance when he attends council meetings. Troy has been insulted, chastised and criticized at Wilkes Barre Council meetings for speaking his mind.
Troy's pet issues are lower taxation, more open government and a skate park for the kids in the city.
Kane wished him luck but also made the point that primaries were set up to pick a candidate for the general. She intimated that once one runs and loses, they should go to the sidelines but Troy doesn't appear to be doing that.
Kane said she will run a clean campaign and run on her record.
The GOP candidate, Gagliardi welcomed Troy to the race, saying he was glad he is running. and he hoped Troy’s candidacy increases voter turnout.

This might make for an interesting scenario in "C". Even though Kane got a combined number of votes outscoring Gagliardi and Troy, in the General anything can happen. One might be that disgruntled Democrats would vote for Troy taking votes away from Kane. Another might be that the anti-Kane, or anti incumbent vote would be divided and give Kane even more votes. As usual, Gagliardi is running a shoe string budgeted campaign devoid of signage and relying on the local GOP and his fellow ticket members to get his name out there. If he is to make inroads, he has to become more well known personally. It would be history making if Troy's entry gave an underfunded Gagliardi the seat. But that's a longshot from where we sit.

LETTERS, LETTERS!

Unlike other incumbent council candidates, Pete Gagliardi has taken to the pen to articulate some of his positions and ideas. The guy has some thoughts and ideas and are worth repeating. Here's his recent letter to the newspaper on the Drug problem in the city.

I am alarmed by the drug problem and the crime it produces.
We must develop a hostile environment for drug dealers so that they leave our city. This will significantly reduce our drug and crime problems. I have a plan to develop that hostile environment for our drug dealers.
The plan is called the police knock and talk program and has been successful in Kingston. When citizens see suspicious activity, they report it to the police and provide the address where the suspected drug dealer is operating. The police then knock on the door and tell the residents that they have reports of suspicious drug-related activity coming from this address. They will also patrol the area and park a police car in front. The drug dealer then moves from the house. Eventually, Wilkes-Barre will be known as a difficult place to deal drugs and drug dealers will leave the city.
Peter Gagliardi

Wilkes-Barre City Council

District C candidate.

PERZEL POPS OFF!!!

In explaining why he would not give every Pennsylvania homeowner property tax relief, the Speaker Emeritus of the House Republicans this week said, "Let's forget this nonsense about trying to help everyone. The communists tried it and it didn't work." John Perzel, Philadelphia Inquirer 10/11/07. And, to add insult to injury, the leader of the Senate Republicans says the Senate won't even talk about property taxes this fall. And that is the reason why Perzel is no longer the Pa. Speaker of the House.