The LuLac Edition #367, Dec. 12th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: TWO OF THE ALL TIME GREAT, FRANK SINATRA AND LOCAL LEGEND LEE VINCENT.

SO LONG LEE

How ironic is it that we get the news on Frank Sinatra's birthday that local bandleader, entertainer and legend, Lee Vincent passed away at the age of 92. For years, Vincent's band typified the smooth sounds of Sinatra that became the soundtrack to the 20th century. When you went to a concert that featured the band, hired him for an event or saw that familiar bass among stars like Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Humperdink, and hundreds of others at the FM KIrby Center (the center used Vincent's band for back up purposes because they were just as good as any musicians in the country) you knew you'd get quality. My relationship with Lee Vincent had many stages. In college, he was known as the radio sales wizard at WILK Radio that other sales people coveted and feared. As a professional staff member and events coordinator for The United Way of Wyoming Valley, we'd hire Vincent and his band for the events and it was like a step back in time. They showed up in tuxes, ready to play and entertain and donate their time for a good cause. As a United Way staffer, I came into contact with Lee's daughter Candy who passed way too young. I also had the pleasure of working with Lee at Shamrock Communications, WEJL/WBAX, Oldies 92 and Rock 107. Lee was past 80 but coming to sales meetings every week, contributing, mentoring new sales reps (mainly so they wouldn't upset his accounts) and literally out running us all. After my broadcast career ended due to my accident, I recieved therapy over at the Saxon Pavillion in Kingston where I had worked out before and one of my therapy coaches was another of Lee's daughters, Penny Conyingham. I'd see Lee around town with his cronies, his right wing brother Frank, TV salesman Bob Popeck, radio salesmen John Koury and local broadcast radio legend Joey Shaver. He'd see the cane and say, "what the hell happened to you?" And I'd tell him I got hurt trying to keep up with him. He'd stare off into space for a second and then with ultimate timing say, "Impossible". His entire family seemed to follow me into various workplaces. At the old Call Center on South Main Street, I worked with his son Michael and then the two of us wound up at on online business facility a little later on that I dare say never recognized our talents and dedication. Needless to say we both left that sorry ass company but Michael was bold enough to make the move first. Through Michael I'd e mail Lee and although it was sporadic, we still found the time to say hi. I lost contact with Lee and his family the last few years but I'd remember him from time to time when a spare memory would come up. I thought of him just this morning as a matter of fact. When I worked at WEJL/WBAX AM, I wanted to do a promotion with a local mall to commemorate Frank Sinatra's birthday. At the sales meeting where I proposed this, the rock and rollers wanted to give it a thumbs down. Lee stuck up for the deal simply saying, "It's ******** Sinatra!" We got the yeah not the nay. Afer the meeting, Lee pulled me aside and asked, "You got the order right, I wasn't sticking my neck out for nothing was I?" I replied that he was safe and I did indeed have the order. Then he said, regarding me and WEJL/WBAX AM personality at the time, Michael Neff, "Be sure you wear tuxes, after all it's ******** Sinatra". We did and we looked great and the promotion went very well. However, my favorite Lee Vincent story of all time is a simple one. After his open heart surgery, Lee became the poster boy for the heart surgery center at Wilkes Barre General and had his visage on various, huge boards across the county. One time he was getting his car serviced at Bonner Chevrolet (one of his key accounts forever) and needed a ride back to the auto center when he found out the car was ready to roll. So we're driving by the Wilkes Barre General Hospital and see that big ass bilboard. Stuck in traffic, I look up and point to his smiling face. He looked up and said, "God, I never thought anyone could make me this big! Look at that, I'm bigger than life!" It didn't take a billboard to make that happen, Lee Vincent was always bigger than life. Rest well my friend.

LOKUTA FIGHTS BACK

DAY 3

Here's a bit from the Times Leader:

Some states can seek reimbursement for fees and costs from a judge who’s been found in violation of codes of conduct.
Not Pennsylvania.
That leaves all the costs of investigating and prosecuting judges, like Lokuta, with the tax-funded conduct board, regardless of the outcome of the case.
As Lokuta’s trial on misconduct charges winds down, officials said they can’t yet “quantify” the costs associated with the case.

As I said before, it'll cost plenty just because a few spoiled, privileged patronage job holders can't stand the heat in the kitchen.

THE REPS?

The silence is just plain deafening from the State Legislative contingent about the debit cards. Hey, why should Ralph Musto, and Phyllis Mundy say "boo" about the debit cards when they took that big pay hike in the middle of the night in 2005? From Tim Grier an interesting development:

On a side note, I contacted the offices of Rep. Boback, Sen. Baker, Rep. Pashinski, Rep. Yudichak, and Sen. Musto. I expressed my disappointment that they had nothing to say on the current matter at hand (county lay-offs), since it was PA law that I was using as leverage, and I asked that they all get involved. It is my thinking that they may try to use a shut-down as an excuse to remove from the LGUDA the language that allows the citizenry to challenge borrowing practices, when what we really need is stronger language to dissuade municipal governments from even thinking they can get away with such practices. Keep fighting Tim.