The LuLac Edition #359, Nov. 29th, 2007
PHOTO INDEX: CITIZEN ADVOCATE AND WILKES BARRE RESIDENT WALTER GRIFFITH AND THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
HYDER'S HOLIDAY
In today's TL, they tell us this about a big meal in Vegas. One expenditure sticks out on Luzerne County's debit card receipts: an$896.88 restaurant tab for Paris Le Rotisserie in Las Vegas.The bill was incurred on Dec. 11, 2006, under a debit card held byprison Deputy Warden Sam Hyder.The tab covered bottled water and a meal for six, Hyder said Wednesday. Hyder said he and the other county representatives were concerned aboutthe steep price and compensated by scaling back or not charging thecounty for other meals during the conference, which was sponsored by theAmerican Jail Association.The bills indicate that a total $1,742 was spent on all meals during theconference from Dec. 10 through Dec. 14.
Here's my take on this: It's Vegas, it's a French eatery with French food and wine. I think the boys from Rolling Mill Hill stepped into the joint, slapped their collective foreheads and said, "This ain't Perugino's on Parrish Street". Unlike past junketeers, they realized this was too pricey and cut back. The fact that the big bill stands out like a sore thumb is the only thing wrong with this picture. They ate, chalked up the expensive menu to experience and dined cheap the rest of the way. I say "good for them". But by not getting this out to the public at first, it looks bad.
STRIP CLUB
Cops and law enforcement officials in strip clubs? As Maynard J. Crebbs used to say, "Oh come now!" Again, this is a small charge that was paid back in a rather sheepish manner. You're in Vegas, I'm sorry, ya gotta go to one. It would have been better if he used his own card but what the heck, what's done is done. The last time I was in a strip club was 1991, it was a few days before Christmas and a few of my friends and I who were all unemployed at the same time decided to have a "company Christmas party". We traveled to a place called "Irv's" in the Poconos (and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Irv in a totally unrelated matter years later) and was told for our $8.00 entry fee there'd be 100 ladies, a seafood buffet of shrimp and clams and CDs given away as prizes. Well, there were 8 girls, the buffet consisted of Wonder bread and baloney that some hairy guy was dispensing and only one of us got a CD. Despite that, we had fun. But it was no Vegas. And even though it's been years for all of us, in my informal poll tonight everyone of the guys would check out a Vegas club just to say we've been there. If Hyder or whoever had his card got seventy bucks worth of wings and beer, the only mistake was using the wrong card. The guy paid it back, we should move on.
Cops and law enforcement officials in strip clubs? As Maynard J. Crebbs used to say, "Oh come now!" Again, this is a small charge that was paid back in a rather sheepish manner. You're in Vegas, I'm sorry, ya gotta go to one. It would have been better if he used his own card but what the heck, what's done is done. The last time I was in a strip club was 1991, it was a few days before Christmas and a few of my friends and I who were all unemployed at the same time decided to have a "company Christmas party". We traveled to a place called "Irv's" in the Poconos (and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Irv in a totally unrelated matter years later) and was told for our $8.00 entry fee there'd be 100 ladies, a seafood buffet of shrimp and clams and CDs given away as prizes. Well, there were 8 girls, the buffet consisted of Wonder bread and baloney that some hairy guy was dispensing and only one of us got a CD. Despite that, we had fun. But it was no Vegas. And even though it's been years for all of us, in my informal poll tonight everyone of the guys would check out a Vegas club just to say we've been there. If Hyder or whoever had his card got seventy bucks worth of wings and beer, the only mistake was using the wrong card. The guy paid it back, we should move on.
NOT THE HEN
Let me say this from the start. This should not be intrepreted as a slap against Mary Anne Petrilla who is a fine public servant. And the term "hen" is not a sexist remark directed at her or any female. All that said, Petrilla should not be investigating these debit card expenses. There should be an independent panel consisting of Atty. Joe Cosgrove (see I don't hate all lawyers), former County Commissioner Jim Phillips and former State Senator and Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge, Charles Lemmond. Political wags have said Petrilla's involvement in this (looking into it) is like the Hen guarding the Foxhouse.
THE PATRIOT
Wilkes Barre city council and the Mayor recently held a meeting to discuss the 2008 city buydget. One citizen showed up. ONE! Walter Griffith. Note to voters of each party, this guy takes his government seriously and in my book that makes him a true patriot. It's refreshing to see a candidate walk the walk, long after the campaign signs are thrown away.
AND ON A RELATED NOTE:
Who says the GOP is bah hum bug on the holidays. A note from the 6th District Republicans:
David:
Reports of the death of the Republican Party in Luzerne county are a bit premature. Here in the 6th District, we're already regrouping. Further below is information on the 6th District Republican Committee's upcoming Christmas Party. Lou Barletta will be joining us as our guest speaker. It should be a great night!
Love the blog...
James O'Meara
Reports of the death of the Republican Party in Luzerne county are a bit premature. Here in the 6th District, we're already regrouping. Further below is information on the 6th District Republican Committee's upcoming Christmas Party. Lou Barletta will be joining us as our guest speaker. It should be a great night!
Love the blog...
James O'Meara
posted by David Yonki @ 7:16 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Hi Dave
The best way to avoid problems with overcharging for meals is to give employees per diem when traveling. Give a set rate, if they go over it comes out of their pocket.
My thoughts on the debit card fiasco: If I told my boss I wanted to be reimbursed for trips he didn't know I took and for which I had no receipts, he'd roll on the floor laughing for an hour or so, then thank me for brightening his day with a touch of the utterly absurd.
But if I lifted the company AMEX from his wallet for those trips, I'd be in the slammer.
This debit card mess, as you said, truly is Ugly Town.
Yonk!!!!
You sound like you're in the tank for this county regime. Are you up for a county job?
A lot of this was indefensable and you seem to be carrying water for the boys.
IN RESPONSE
You sound like you're in the tank for this county regime. Are you up for a county job?
YEAH, ME UNDER THE DOME. THAT'LL HAPPEN WHEN PIGS FLY, BUSH ADMITS A MISTAKE, MARS BECOMES THE 51RST STATE, AND GEENA DAVIS SNEAKS DOWN THE SIDE STEPS AFTER MRS. LULAC COMES HOME EARLY ONE NIGHT. I JUST THINK THAT TAXPAYERS SHOULD BE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT THE ISSUES THEY GET RILED UP ABOUT, AND A GUY GOING TO A STRIP CLUB AND ONE BIG MEAL BILL IN VEGAS AIN'T IT. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE JUDGE'S? I BET THEY'D MAKE MR. HYDER'S SUPPOSED MISTAKES LOOK LIKE ONE OF THOSE HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINES WE USED TO GET IN GRADE SCHOOL. SURE AN APOLOGY AND PAYBACK SHOULD BE IN ORDER BUT MY ONE QUESTION REMAINS: WHY WASN'T THERE A GUY, WHO BEFORE THIS WAS PAID, SAID SOMETHING? WHERE ARE THE BUGGERS WITH THE GREEN LAMPSHADES ON THEIR HEADS WHEN YOU NEED THEM?
Dave,
Thanks for the comment regarding my attending the budget hearing on Tuesday in City Hall. I will always be there to defend the taxpayers against the likes of an administration that talks out of both sides of their mouths.
The Mayor would like everyone to believe that he is cutting the spending in City Hall, however the budget reflects that the City Mayor has given pay increases to everyone in the government. The City Administration must stop this mindset and start to really take a hard look at the salaries in Wilkes Barre Government. The average salary in the City s 45,000.00 per year and at the rate this Mayor is going, in 4 years it will be 55,000.00. The long term effect to this out of control spending is the Pensions that everyone will recieve after they leave the City Government. That is the reason for my asking for a freeze on all salaries and health care increases along with a freeze on all projects and overtime for City Employee's. This needs to be implimented in order to stop the deficit spending and the out of control borrowing. This Administtration needs to be stopped from thumbing their noses at the taxpayers and start being responsible.
I just would like to know where people like Linda Stets- Urban, Sam Troy, Tony George, Pete Gagliardi,Rick Cronauer, Mike Merritt and Lisa Cope McGlynn were to voice their concerns for the taxpayers? I know, they were busy but not when they were campaigning for the election for the people's trust last month. I seem to get discouraged at times but I always seem to get focused on the real issue and that is the Taxpayers rights and money.
Thanks again for your hard work on the Blog Page and keep on doing the great writing about the history of our area and the politics.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Geena Davis sneaking down the side steps while Mrs. LuLac comes home. Bernice sneaking down the side steps while Adrianne comes home late. I read the book Dave, what is fiction and what my man is fact? By the way, A RADIO STORY is a very funny read. There's my free plug. My fee? A little less than $70 worth of drinks!
Sure they need to investigate the judges (particularly one soon-to-be-judge who has been our top do-nothing-but-get-paid law enforcement agent in this county), and the strip club is not the whole issue.
Who paid these debit card bills for nearly two years without asking any questions?
(You already know the answer.)
Dave, Your defense of Hyder is admirable and very fair. You know the guy? If so, you are a good friend.
Great idea for a three person committee to watch this thing. And the guys you picked, Cosgrove, a flaming liberal, Phillips a conservative Reaganite to the right of Fred Flintstone and Charlie Lemmond who never took a stand on much of anything in his political career (hey, it served him well so God Bless!)was brilliant. Dave, I'm gonna talk to Jesus this weekend and ask him to let you run the world.
Well at least we dont have Bob Cordaro to kick around anymore!
Looks like the Lu is on the front burner for awhile. Dont worry, the Lac will come up with something before too long. Thats NEPA.
IN RESPONSE
Your defense of Hyder is admirable and very fair. You know the guy? If so, you are a good friend.
I WOULDN'T KNOW THE GUY IF I FELL OVER HIM. I JUST THINK HE'S BEING MADE A SCAPEGOAT FOR SOMETHING WHERE OTHERS HAD BIGGER SINS. I HOPE HE KEEPS HIS JOB AND MOVES ON. FINDING AN ACTUAL COURTHOUSE EMPLOYERE WHO LIKES HIS JOB AND DOES IT WELL IS A RARITY! EVER SEE A LAWYER AROUND UNDER THE DOME AFTER 4PM ON A FRIDAY? DIDN'T THINK SO. THE ONLY HYDER I EVER EVEN SAW WAS JOHNNY HYDER WHO HUNG OUT AT NEDDOFF'S WITH FREDDIE AND THE GANG THERE. SO I DON'T KNOW THE GUY. BUT IF I DID, I'D SAY, "**** 'EM IF THEY CAN'T ACCEPT YOUR HEARTFELT APOLOGY ON THE CORBETT SHOW. THE GUY OPENED HIS HEART UP.
Dave, I'm gonna talk to Jesus this weekend and ask him to let you run the world.
THANKS FOR READING, THE SUPPORT AND THE FLATTERY BUT LET ME HANDLE MY OWN JESUS ISSUES, OKAY? I MEAN I DON'T WANT THE GUY TO GET ANY MIXED MESSAGES. MY EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT AS GRANDIOSE AS YOURS. SO LEAVE MY NAME OUT OF IT. THANKS!
Yonks,
Seems everytime I watch TV or read the News something outrageous and bad has happenned in Florida or Texas!Florida has already proven an inability to vote according to guidelines and Texas sort of gave us Geo W. Any chance we could drop both states from the Union? Its what Texas always wanted and except for Willie Nelson, I cant see where a positive contribution has been made by either state.As it would be conditional on better behavior, we could simply X out two stars in the Flag!
I don't know the esteemed Mr. Hyder's record, but if the worst thing he's done is get a peek on the county dollar ... well ... it's probably the least waste we've had around here and the least damaging.
I'll buy his excuse. Once.
Most companies/corporations pay "reasonable" expenses with receipts. High-cost areas like NYC they will pay 500 bucks for a room & 100 bucks for supper as part of doing business. The federal government, on the other hand, has a table of rates that cover the whole nation. Google government per diem rates. The room rates are not generous, and when staying in areas such as Manhattan or Las Vegas you sometimes have to scramble to find rooms at the rate or add your own money. Sample rates- Vegas- room rate 93-104 bucks a night, 64 bucks a day for meals & incidentals. Manhattan- 220-311 rooms, 64 bucks for meals. W-B- 70 for rooms, 39 bucks for meals. Receipts required for rooms, not meal money. I'm sure local governments could follow the federal rates very easily, if they wanted to. The work's been done.
Yonk-
"This ain't Perugino's on Parrish Street".
It sure isn't- They went Mexican!!
IN RESPONSE
"This ain't Perugino's on Parrish Street".
It sure isn't- They went Mexican!!
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN? WE WERE SO USED TO PERUGINO'S ON S. MAIN, THEN WHEN THEY CLOSED WE STARTED GOING TO PILLEGGI'S, THEN WHEN THEY CLOSED, WELL WE DIDN'T GET TO PARRISH STREET LATELY. IN THE 80s, I THINK THERE WAS A BAR/MEXICAN EATERY THERE CALLED SNAPPSIES. I THINK THAT WAS THE LOCATION BUT I'M NOT SURE. I DID GET THEM (THE BAR) TO SPONSOR A SOFTBALL TEAM, THIS WAS CIRCA 1988-89. IF IT IS BACK TO MEXICAN AND THIS IS THE SAME BUILDING, THEN IT'S COME FULL CIRCLE. THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.
Funny story how we found out- One daughter was in from college and we were looking for some place to eat. Her 2 choices- Olive Garden & Outback- were 1 -2 hrs wait. So, we figured let's go to Perugino's. We hoped we could get a booth in the bar. We got shown right in, but was surprised the same waitress wasn't there. They gave us menus, and the jig was up- gone mexican. Made the long journey across the valley to Andy Perugino's in Luzerne, after a wasted stop at Hottles, another 1 + hour wait. Tough to find a meal sometimes!
So Hyder's a scapegoat!for the judges and other local foibles? What about ethics? I'm back in town after a fouteen year abscence. (Living on a beach was to hard to resist). What a mess. I tried to vote them all out. Smelled a rat. I'm hoping your blog will keep me somewhat aware.
MEAN IRENE
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