The LuLac Edition #501, June 20th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: THE LATE PHIL McCABE, MOVIE STILL FROM G MEN AND OUR 1968 LOGO.

PHIL McCABE

Former Wilkes Barre City Councilman Phil McCabe died the other day. McCabe served on Council for 16 years and was a vigorous voice for fiscal responsibility in the city. Winning four terms on council, McCabe always finished near the top in each election he competed. His base was local labor but as time went on, he built a base of citizens that supported him because of his independent stance on many issues. Although he was a political ally of Mayor Lee Namey, he did not hesitate to disagree with a Mayoral decision if he didn't think it was in the best interests of the city. McCabe chose not to run for a fifth term on Wilkes Barre Council a few election cycles ago.

INNOCENT

It appears that Chuckie Costanza is innocent on 11 counts of conspiracy, aiding and abetting interference with commerce by threats of violence and money laundering. Prosecutors alleged that Charles Costanzo and Philip Forgione extorted more than $300,000 from Alicon Environmental Inc.

The case centered around payments that Mr. Costanzo and Mr. Forgione received from Alicon. In 2004, Lackawanna County paid Alicon about $1.8 million to remove about 20 tons of pigeon dung from the Courthouse, along with removal of lead paint and restructuring of that impressive looking bell tower. The central element of the case revolved around whether thepayments were a finder’s fee for helping Alicon get the county work or an illegal kickback. Former Lackawanna County Commissioner Robert Cordaro's name came up during the trial when prosecutor's said that Costanza could use his influence to steer work toward the company in question. Cordaro, guest hosting on WILK this week said the ceiling collapsed as the company was holding a meeting with county officials and that Alicon stepped in immediately to take care of what turned out to be an environmental and health disaster at the Courthouse.

G MEN

The FBI came a calling on late Thursday afternoon at the Luzerne County Courthouse annex and they didn't just want to get a good parking spot to have lunch at Genetti's popular Oyster Restaurant. Nope, they took financial records relating to placement of juveniles going back to 2002. The Director of Administrative Services, said the feds took records relating to placements, including Pa Child Care and Western Pa Child Care, formerly owned by Butler Township attorney Robert Powell. The Times Leader reports that billing statements and records of the number of children who were placed at PA Child Care and Western PA Child Care. Even though a warrant was issued for the records, it should be stated that these are all open to the public. Some have speculated that the FBI signature on this search signals that the feds are looking into the business dealings of the Child Care Center. The Times Leader is saying that the search is the latest development in the county’s long, convoluted and often controversial dealings with Powell and PA Child Care. Most recently, Powell’s relationship with President Judge Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan, a senior judge, came under scrutiny after it was revealed the three had current or former ties to W-Cat Inc., a real estate development firm building a townhouse project in Wright Township.
Conahan and Ciavarella each listed financial ties to W-Cat on the statements of financial interest filed for 2007. Powell has acknowledged he was part owner of W-Cat, but has said he sold his interest to Luzerne County Prothonotary Jill Moran in 2004. Moran is a partner in the Powell Law Firm. The revelation of the financial ties prompted commissioners Maryanne Petrilla and Stephen Urban last month to call for an investigation to determine if that relationship influenced the decision to utilize PA Child Care. Our take on it is this: if you are associated with this company, or any company doing business with the county government, you do not want records seized by the FBI. Even if things turn out clean, and there's no evidence of irregular billing, the stigma of an FBI seizure does not bode well for the people associated with the business. Reports have circulated for years that the FBI was looking into the dealings of the Judiciary under the dome. There is even a media watch going on to see if there will be major indictments. Whatever happens with this thing that happened Thursday, it is sure to change the political landscape of the County and once more give voters pause to reflect on the ethics of their already battered county government.

HOMETOWN BOY

Paul Kanjorski's new TV ads are up. Running frequently on TV. Shows the Congressman stepping out in matching royal blue with his wife, meeting a neighbor walking a tiny dog. Saying he's a hometown guy that never forgets his roots. In my opinion, an okay ad but they should so something with the closing shot. It does not look dynamic in my humble opinion.

1968

Former Alabama Governor George Wallace resumes his presidential campaign which was suspended after the death of his wife Lurleen in May…….Atty. Robert Casey Senior of Scranton begins to gear up for his race for Auditor General in the fall criss crossing the state attending fairs and picnics……Locally, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas rejected Dallas Borough’s suggestion that a 50 cent license fee on each electric light pole in the municipality be enacted into law……and in Pittston, this blog editor began the summer with the knowledge that he would return no more to St. John the Baptist Grade School as a student and forty years ago this week, the number one song in America and LuLac land was “Yummy Yummy Yummy” by the Ohio Express proving not all the music was superb in that summer. Here’s the link from You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozqfOzqMvlQ.