The LuLac Edition #386, Jan. 4th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: TIM GRIER AT THE LULAC POLITICAL FORUM IN THE SPRING OF 2007, OUR 1968 LULAC LOGO, AND INCOMING COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR IN LUZERNE COUNTY MARY ANNE PETRILLA.

TO GRIER: NOPE!!

Tim Grier got his answer from the state government regarding his challenge to the county for its borrowing practices. A few disturbing things about this story. The state Department of Community and Economic Development dismissed Grier’s complaints based on the county’s argument that Grier does not have standing to pursue the complaint because he doesn’t own property. So does that mean that because you own no property, you don't dare file a complaint as a citizen? Have we gone back to the dark ages of London where only the "landed" people have a right to make a challenge as a private citizen? Hey, let's face it, there's a class system existing in Luzerne County already, the "connected" vs. those who "work for what they have and answer to no one". Sometimes it's lonely being unconnected because at times, the lives of the "connected" seems so much better than the ones average citizens live. But this ruling and the county leader's reaction to it solidifies the long held suspicion that there are "those that have" and "those who don't". And God forbid if the "those who don't" threaten the "those who have". It is chilling that Grier's petition was denied for this reason, it is beyond comprehension that they actually stated that as the reason. By any logical extension, should all renters in the county ask their landlords for a rebate because they have no standing in the eyes of the state? And since there is no standing, why should they be required to pay fees at all? And how about this, property owners who nod like bobbleheads in agreement with everything the county does will also get a rebate on their taxes for not filing a complaint! Seems fair to me.
Grier's suit was going to be a longshot anyway. But what bothers me is the reaction from the victors. From Peter Moses who seems like he's trying for a spot on David E. Kelly's Boston Legal: "Tim Grier threw a snowball at the county, and today he got hit with an avalanche,” said Wilkes-Barre attorney Peter Moses, who defended the county. Moses said Grier told the media that he was calling the county’s bluff. “Today the county collected the pot,” Moses said. “Mr. Grier has cost the taxpayers of Luzerne County valuable time and money with his frivolous complaints.” Snow analogies, the county collecting the pot, (uh what pot??) and the allegation that Grier cost the county time and money. Got any documentation on those costs? And since when is a concerned citizens choice to speak out considered "frivilous"? If the good barrister was around in the time of the American Revolution, he'd be a Tory according to the remarks he's making as I interpret them. And this from All Pro, potential NFL Hall of Famer Skrepenak: In a written statement, county Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said Grier’s challenge “was based on personality, and not the principle of the law.” “Tim Grier’s action accomplished nothing but putting peoples’ lives in jeopardy, increasing costs to the county and obstructing county services,” he wrote. Skrepenak alleged Grier and minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban “conspired” to pursue the challenge because county Democrats hold the majority and won all elected row office seats in the 2007 general election. Did Kathy Bozinski have the day off when he wrote that? A few things wrong with this statement, just tell me who's life was put at risk because of this challenge? The claim that Urban and Grier were conspiring is breathtaking. Grier wouldn't back down from a stand if you put a gun to his head and Urban would still be trying to figure out what his best options were on the deal. Conspiracy? Nope. And the fact that this was payback for the Dems sweeping the row offices is not a valid claim either because Grier was nowhere near the electoral process after having his hat handed to him by Wilkes Barre voters.

The upsetting thing in all of this for me is that I thought as a county, we were better than this. I thought we'd be better at accomodating diverse points of view and the right to challenge the motions of our government. But perhaps what is the most disheartening is the way Moses and Skrep reacted in victory. They weren't gracious at all. They appeared to be like bullies in the schoolyard who just took the little kid's lunch money and bragged about how tough and strong they were. Both men are class people and it mystifies me why they reacted the way they did. Moses attended my cousin's wedding in 2005 in Scranton. The guy came in dressed to the nines with a beauty on his arm and exuded nothing but class at his table. And Skrepenak has been on winning teams professionally and in all my years of watching the NFL with him in involved in it, never once did I see an ounce of gloat in him. This to me makes it distressing because I know these guys are way better than the way they reacted to Tim Grier. In championing the causes of the taxpayers they say they represent, both Moses and Skrepenak should have been more magnanimous. Bill Brace, who was chairman of the Killer Bees softball league in the city of Wilkes Barre when I had my own pathetic team in the 80s had a saying which I remember well. Brace would hold court at Boris's bar on Carey Avenue when the teams would organize in the spring. He once said, "Remember, there's one thing worse than a sore loser....and that's a sore winner". How true that was then for the Bees and the league he founded and for the people he works for today.

MS. CHAIRPERSON

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak announced Friday that he will nominate Maryanne Petrilla to replace him as board chairperson. Petrilla had already acknowledged earlier this week that she will accept the chairmanship. Minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban had said after the November election that he would support her nomination. This is going to be a good thing for everyone all around. For Petrilla it will showcase the leadership that has gotten her elected over and over again on the Township and county level. Skrepenak will get a respite from being the front man and might have an opportunity to recraft his public image. The Democratic party will continue to showcase a new face and build from it while it might make minority commissioner more agreeable to compromise, especially if Petrilla includes him in everything. We wish her well in the new position and know she'll do well.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The show continues in New Hampshire on Tuesday. The interesting thing about the Granite State is that independents can vote for anyone they want in the primary. If you are a registered Repoublican, you can vote as a Dem. And vice versa. Plus nearly 60% of the state are independents. This adds a wildcard to the event.

The candidates coming in to New Hampshire with some wings are of course Obama. If Obama wins two states dominated by white people with little minority demographics, despite his lack of experience, he will be hard to stop. But Senator Clinton can really exhibit the strength of her organization, when they're down, they're not out. Look for the Clinton camp to begin questioning Obama's experience. Edwards most likely will fade.

On the GOP side, Mike Huckabee's win in Iowa just might give John McCain enough wiggle room for a second place finish where he can openly take on Mitt Romney. However if Romney falters, all bets are off. This could be the year that the GOP might go to their convention deadlocked. The last time that happened was 1952.

CASUALTIES

Farewell to two great Democratic Senators with combined experience of over 50 years, Joe Biden and Thomas Dodd. They were articulate and wonderful debaters who contributed to the national discourse in the early stages of the primaries. Too bad they couldn't hang on longer to serve the nation at a higher level.

1968

Forty years ago, a running back named O.J. Simpson ran rampant in the New Year's Day Bowl game. It was the start of a charmed career that would serve him well until the mid 90s....Reeling from the death of party Chair John Dorris, the Luzerne County Democrats were poised to take over the Courthouse with the Majority being Ed Wideman and Frank Crossin, Senior....The temperature in LuLac land this week was below 10 during the day.....Two eighth graders at St. John the Baptist grade school, David Yonki and Paul Komensky shattered a front door at the school. The steam heat inside the school and cold outside combined for a deadly combination. The nuns said we'd burn in hell, our parents nearly killed us but the Pastor told us the insurance would cover it......That pressure out of the way, attention was turned to the upcoming Presidential race. A Governor by the name of Romney said if his campaign could not get traction, he'd drop out of the GOP sweepstakes. It didn't and he did. His name was George Romney, Michigan Governor, father of Mitt.....and forty years ago this week, this was the number one song in LuLac land and America. From YOU TUBE: The Beatles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QShSmpI0r9k