The LuLac Edition #574, Sept. 16th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MARYANNE PETRILLA AND ENTERCOM'S RUSTY FENDER.

GETTING IT DONE

Luzerne County is taking a hard look at its finances. They need to come up with 16 million dollars to cover the costs of outstanding commitments. For once the county has some people who are taking the bull by the horn and giving the leaders a lot of straight talk. The county used $18 million of a new bond to cover the 2008 deficit, and now need to vote Wednesday to seek court approval to borrow up that aforementioned $16 million. They need it to get through the rest of the year. County Budget/Finance Chief Tom Pribula told the Times Leader today the county was unable to secure the following budgeted revenue: $8.6 million in debt restructuring; $6.3 million in land sales; $5 million from back taxes; and $1.5 million from a 911 wire line surcharge increase. Back-tax collection was actually down $9 million, Pribula said, but commissioners plan to vote Wednesday to “sell” a back-tax portfolio to the county Redevelopment Authority in exchange for $4.4 million in upfront cash. On the surface, this all looks very painful but you can be sure they are on the right track. The first part about getting out of a hole is recognizing that you are in said hole.

HOW 'BOUT THIS?

The city of Wilkes Barre, i.e the taxpayers of the city are on the hook for half a million dollars because a Federal Judge Monday ruled the city violated the civil rights of tow truck driver Bob Kadluboski when it terminated his contract in 2004. And just how did the city do that? It turned out that when they had the arbitration hearing, they never invited Kadluboski or even told him about it. So he had no recourse. His rights were violated. My God, if I had gone to law school, I'd be a king somewhere! I mean it's common sense, invite the guy so there is no clue that there is bias later on. You don't want to give the guy the contract? Give him his due, let him rant, rave, videotape whatever he wants. But to not invite him meant one of four things. The leage eagles at city hall were:

1. Afraid of Bob. (ANd the guy is a peach once you get to know him!)

2. They were arrogant.

3. They were stupid.

4. All of the above.

Jeez! As a taxpayer, I'll take the hit. I hope they give Bob every cent. It's nice to see a working class guy outsmart the yoiung sharpies with their brand new briefcases.

FENDER A HERO!

Borough of Old Forge, Lackawanna County honors radio/TV traffic guru Rusty Fender
“RUSTY FENDER DAY” proclaimed in Old Forge Tuesday 9/16/08

(Old Forge) Chief Lawrence A. Semenza, O.F.P.D., Mayor Michele Avvisato and the Borough of Old Forge honor radio and television traffic reporter Rusty Fender with the "Outstanding Citizen Award" for his help with an arson investigation which occurred on Maple Street within the Borough, Saturday August 30th just before 5 AM.
Shortly after noticing a vehicle without headlights fleeing from an abandoned structure, a general alarm fire broke out. By early afternoon, Chief Semenza, Captain Jamie Krenitsky and Officer Jason Dubernas already had a suspect.
"If more citizens would get involved in their neighborhood, it would not only be a safer place to live but make everyone's work a lot easier" said Semenza, citing quick work by Old Forge Police to a detail-oriented tip provided by Fender.
The award will be presented to Fender at the Old Forge Borough building 310 South Main Street Tuesday September 16th at 2 PM.
Rusty Fender's traffic updates air "live" during morning and afternoon drive times over the Entercom cluster of radio stations including 98.5 KRZ, WGGY-FM 'Froggy 101', WILK-AM/FM, 'The Mountain' 102.3 FM and on television from 5 - 7 AM on WBRE-TV Channel 28's "Eyewitness News" with Doug Currin and Eva Mastromatteo and at 4 PM on WYOU-TV Channel 22's "First at 4" with Mark Hiller, both stations part of the Northeast PA News Alliance.