The LuLac Edition #715, Feb. 5th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: SUSPENDED JUDGE MICHAEL CONAHAN WHO RAN A SPIRITED CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATTY. JOE MUSTO IN THE 90s QUESTIONING FAMILY CONNECTIONS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHYLLIS MUNDY AND STATE SENATOR ROBERT MELLOW.

ECONOMIC SEMINAR

An economic seminar, "How to Survive and Thrive: Gaining Ground in an Economic Slowdown." is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Innovation Center@Wilkes-Barre, located at 7 S. Main St. in Wilkes-Barre. State Representative Phyllis Mundy sent us info on the upcoming event.
Key topics of the seminar will include:
The state of the current economy and its impact on small business;
The starting a new business in an economic slowdown;
The importance of cost and cash flow analysis;
Tips on reducing costs and increasing sales;
Exploration of new opportunities; and
New marketing strategies.
Admission to the seminar is free, and interested parties are asked to register by calling (570) 408-4340. The center has helped many area businesses start, grow and prosper. In a statement, Mundy said, "During the economic downturn, it's imperative we look for ways to keep local businesses operating and I believe the seminar will provide valuable information to that end."

CONAHAN MADE POINT

When then Magistrate Michael Conahan ran for Judge against appointed sitting Judge Joseph Musto in the nineties, he did talk about nepotism and the stranglehold a political name dynasty might have on the County. Conahan in particular pointed to the brother of his opponent, Ray Musto as someone connected to the political infrastructure of the local Democratic Party. Musto was defeated by Conahan. Conahan as we all know went on to become President Judge in the County, winding up under investigation and losing his seat on the bench. The recent news that Judge Musto’s son asked for special favors, not once but twice when he was in seperate traffic incidents and then stopped by Duryea police in a way makes Conahan’s point. It has come to light that the Judge’s son was stopped during a traffic stop. Police alleged in arrest records that Musto resisted arrest and used the position of his father, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph Musto, in a threat toward the officers' jobs. When reached at his business, the Judge’s son told a reporter he was being singled out for political purposes. The Judge, to his credit issued this statement, "The alleged charges against my son, Rob," are deeply disturbing to me. I can only hope they are not true. My wife and I love him dearly and always will support him. We expect our children to know the difference between right and wrong, to respect authority and to face the consequences if they've done something wrong. The judge continued, "Regarding the charges, I can say this: my son will not receive preferential treatment.
"Furthermore, I will ask the court to have a judge from another jurisdiction hear the case because I don't think any of my colleagues on this court should handle the case”. I have never been a proponent of the “sins of the father” must be conferred on the son and vice versa. But when your parent is a public official, an upholder of the law, you, as the heir bear a certain responsibility to your family. You, as an adult can’t go allegedly careening around the area in your little SUV with your “peeps”, smoking dope, throwing it out the window in full view of the police and then we you get caught, use the good name and hard work of your father to get you out of the jam. For Christ sakes, “man up”. Every family has “issues” but when a family member makes a mistake, especially a family of noted political nature, you don’t use that trust and capital on your own mess without the knowledge of your father. Judge Musto was not in that car that night, his name should never have been invoked. I will most likely support the Judge if he runs for election to the bench this time around. His statement today cinched that for me. My only problem with his comments today is that perhaps they should have been made directly to his son, Joseph Robert in the young man’s formative years and not now.

THE SKREP WATCH

Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said he did not try to commit suicide and Skrep says federal investigators have not searched his property. He also said he never accepted any kickbacks, never stayed at a condominium owned by county judges and has not had his property searched by federal investigators. Two of my sources saw Skrep at the Doctor’s office in Wilkes Barre on Tuesday afternoon. The big man answered his cell and chuckled at the incoming caller obviously revealing he was alive and well and nothing was afoot in terms of his health except for some old football injuries.

MELLOW/RENDELL FISSURE

Governor Rendell’s budget announcement Wednesday and his intention of closing the Scranton School for the Deaf has gotten the attention of Senate Leader Robert Mellow. Mellow is upset about Rendell’s proposal to close the school as well as his cutback to the Commonwealth Medical College. Mellow made the point that the school would increase economic growth for NEPA and a tough economic climate is not the right time to make such a cutback. Rendell in the meantime has proposed a $29 billion budget Wednesday that would expand spending on education, prisons and health coverage while drawing from federal aid and state surpluses, increasing some taxes and cutting other programs. The plan, a 2.5 percent increase from what was originally approved for the 2008-09 budget, also would withdraw hundreds of millions of dollars from the state's "rainy day" contingency fund without depleting it. The Rendell-Mellow disagreement will be an intriguing part of the budget negotiations set to begin in the state shortly.