The LuLac Edition #420, Feb. 15th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: AN OLD HAND CARD FROM THE 1975 LUZERNE COUNTY CHARTER YES ELECTION, WBRE TV'S JEFF CHERICO, GARY NORTON, CEO OF THE ERIE URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WITH THAT OLD RACE BAITER GOVERNOR RENDELL, (YEAH RIGHT!) , OUR 1968 LOGO, LUZERNE COUNTY CORONER JOHN CORCORAN AND A SLIDE FROM THE HUNTLEY BRINKLEY REPORT IN THE MID 60s.

RENDELL AND RACE

The Governor is a very loquacious guy. He'll talk to anyone, he'll expound on any issue. This week before a Pittsburgh newspaper Rendell was quoted as saying that Pennsylvanians, some, might not vote for a person of color. Well, the scribes pounced on it making the Governor look pretty bad. Momentarily. The Governor told statewide media he "was ticked" because the writer never finished what else he said which was that there are some Pennsylvanians who wouldn't vote for a woman either. But the race part was the sexy, controversial part, juicy, if you will. Governor Ed was right on both counts, it seems like there are people in this state opposed to both Obama and Clinton for various reasons. One might argue that the success of Obama, who has inspired crowds (but damn if those same people can point out a reason why) is based on the fact that people would rather vote for a man of color rather than a woman. We'll see how Pennsylvania reacts in April. And any question about Ed Rendell's comments about race should be taken in the context in which he said them, not how the overpaid, pompous newspaper writer heard them.

McCAIN AND ROMNEY

Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain and it looked for all the world to see that this was a shotgun wedding. They looked uncomfortable but McCain got the delegates that put him closer to the magic count he needs. Running mates don't need to be soulmates, JFK and LBJ as well as Governor Ed and Katherine Baker Knoll proved that point. The move was smart by Romney because he put actions behind his words of party unity and I can't help but think that might be rewarded somewhere down the line, no matter how stiff they looked in the photo op.

CORCORAN GOES

Leaving the political launching pad that propelled him into County office as Coroner, John Corcoran said goodbye to his fellow Wilkes Barre School Board members. Corcoran addressed the board before they voted to formally accept the resignation he tendered Feb. 6. He said he resigned reluctantly after the state Ethics Commission ruled last month that he cannot serve in two elected positions. He expressed appreciation to his fellow board members and school district administration and staff. Superintendent Jeffrey Namey presented Corcoran with a plaque commemorating his board career, which began in 1998.

GUESTO STAYS

So were you really that surprised when Sam Guesto was named to the new court position by the President Judge? Let me say this from the onset, despite the debit card scandal and Guesto's lack of oversight in it, I have heard many good things about Guesto as an administrator and employee. That said, you have to wonder how fired PR director Kathy Bozinski feels after being kicked to the curb by Ms. Petrilla's stilettoes. And how about Mary Ann Dyseleski getting shunned with all that education!!?? All you young coeds at King's and Wilkes, that oughta show ya it's still a man's world under the dome. Steve Corbett on WILK and his gang were articulating their anger which is all well and good but I've heard reports that there is a movement going on to start up another county charter effort. And unlike 1975 and 2003, people are really upset about the flagrant decisions of those in power. There will be a time in Luzerne County where its citizens will realize there are more of them, than the well connected at the Courthouse. It's all a numbers game and pretty soon, this county government's number will be up. In the meantime, congrats to Sam Guesto. Good luck in the new job, as bittersweet as it is, after all, when he announced his resignation he said he wanted to spend more time with his family. Oh well, they'll live, I suppose.

STATE REPS FACE FOES

Tuesday was the original deadline for filing nomination petitions for the April 22 primary, but Gov. Ed Rendell issued an executive order extending the deadline to Thursday at noon, because of the snowfall. Paul Dudrich, a special-education teacher from Jessup, filed nomination petitions to run against Mr. Staback, of Archbald, who was first elected in 1984 and is serving his 12th two-year term.Mr. Staback has not faced a competitive Democratic primary since his first election, when he defeated eight other challengers who wanted to replace retiring Rep. Joseph Wargo. He last faced a challenge in 1998, but easily defeated Reform Party candidate Ron Hannivig. Mr. Staback is the chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee. Staback is well known and liked in the mid valley but it has been over twenty years and this might be time for him to go.

Meanwhile in Scranton, Kevin Murphy, former city councilman is gearing up for another run against one termer Frank Shimkus. Murphy ran a good campaign last time but with a field of five, he never had the opportunity to go head to head with the former TV anchor. Murphy was defeated for Council when he couragiously voted for the Mayor's recovery program and garnered the anger of some of the city unions. Shimkus though visable and articulate has a hard core base of people who just don't like him. Whether that might have an impact is anyone's guess.

**Disclaimer: Kevin Murphy and I worked together at Cable Rep Advertising 1999 through 2000.

Rep. Mike Carroll, an Avoca Democrat, will be challenged for the party’s nomination to the 118th District seat by P.J. Best, of Pittston, son of Pittston Area School Board member Terry Best, who lost in the Democratic primary to Mr. Carroll in 2006.

First-term incumbent Republican Rep. Karen Boback, of Harveys Lake, will face primary opposition from James May, of Northmoreland Township. Mrs. Boback represents the 117th Legislative District, which includes the Back Mountain section of Luzerne County, some of the county’s southwestern communities, most of southern Wyoming County and two municipalities in Columbia County.

There was no reported opposition for the following reps; Ken Smith, D-Dunmore; Jim Wansacz, D-Old Forge; Todd A. Eachus, D-Butler Township; John T. Yudichak, D-Nanticoke; Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston; and Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre.

BUSTING OUT!!

Jeff Cherico is the consumer reporter at WBRE TV and he does a great job. An all hands reporter, he does well with other assignments outside the consumer realm. Valentine's night he reported on a website where women who want breast enhancements post messages on line and solicit money from men to pay for the procedure. Most interviewed in the story say it degraded women and I agree. And I have to tell you, from some women friends who have gone through it, the operation is no picnic. But what struck me was the woman Cherico interviewed, a single mom of 19 who wanted to feel good about herself. Two points: seems like she got herself pregnant without the big breasts, I mean someone found her attractive and if you want to feel good about yourself, how about raising a loving and productive child?

NBC NEWS 60 YEARS ON

NBC News today celebrated its 60th anniversary as a nightly news program. Here's the chronology of this fine institution:

Feb. 16, 1948 — "NBC Television Newsreel"

Feb. 16, 1949 — "Camel News Caravan" with John Cameron Swayze

Oct. 29, 1956 — "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" with Chet Huntley and David Brinkley (initially called "NBC News," then "The Texaco Huntley-Brinkley Report" became "The Huntley-Brinkley Report" in 1961)

Sept. 9, 1963 — Huntley-Brinkley Report expands from 15 minutes to a half-hour

Aug. 3, 1970 — "NBC Nightly News" with David Brinkley, John Chancellor and Frank McGee

Aug. 15, 1971 — "NBC Nightly News" with John Chancellor

June 7, 1976 — "NBC Nightly News" with John Chancellor and David Brinkley

Oct. 5, 1979 — "NBC Nightly News" with John Chancellor

Apr. 5, 1982 — "NBC Nightly News" with Tom Brokaw and Roger Mudd•

Sept. 5, 1983 — "NBC Nightly News" with Tom Brokaw

Dec. 2, 2004 — "NBC Nightly News" with Brian Williams

As a child growing up the Huntley Brinkley Report was my first exposure to how the world worked. Happy birthday NBC News.

1968

President Johnson's announcement of Defense Secretary Robert McNamara's move to the World Bank stressed his stated interest in the job and that he deserved a change after seven years as Secretary of Defense, much longer than any of his predecessors (and longer than any of his successors, to date).
Other sources gave a different view of McNamara's departure from office. For example, Stanley Karnow in his book "Vietnam: A History" strongly suggests that McNamara was asked to leave by the President. McNamara himself has expressed lack of certainty about the question.
McNamara left office on 29 February 1968; for his efforts, the President awarded him both the Medal of Freedom and the Distinguished Service Medal.......In Statewide developments, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an order to stay all proceedings in the certification case of City Councilman Joseph Williams………………….Dr. Roy E. Morgan was elected to the Pennsylvania State Public Welfare Board….on the County level, Atty. Chester Muroski accepted a position as a law clerk in the office of recently seated Judge Peter Paul Olszewski…in the city, King’s College received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to license an FM radio station, in Pittston at St. John the Baptist Grade School, the second of third co-ed dances between 7th and eighth graders was conducted…..and the number one song in the country and LuLac land forty years ago this week was Paul Muriat’s “Love Is Blue”. Here it is from YOU TUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIKpko4Ln90&feature=related