The LuLac Edition #732, Feb. 18th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: COMMISSIONER STEVE URBAN AND THE ROBES OF A JUDGE.

ONLY 2 SEATS UP

The Governor's office announced that Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella’s seat will not be on the ballot in this year’s election because he had not resigned from office prior to the required deadline to place the seat up for election. What this means is that Rendell will appoint a person to serve in Ciavarella’s position on an interim basis once Ciavarella quits. That person has to be confirmed by the Senate and will serve until the full, 10-year seat comes up for election. Judicial seats are open in odd-numbered election years, which means Ciavarella’s full term won’t be placed on the ballot until 2011.

AN $800,000 MISTAKE

Remember Judge Conahan's brother in law Frank Vita? He was the psychologist who got $800,000 in contracts from the County to evaluate people in the court system. (Now to me, and this is a personal opinion, I think most psychologists are full of crap and have no idea what they are doing. To me, they are a pompous lot who couldn't get a real job in the private sector if their life depended on it. But I digress). Anyway, it turns out that Paul McGarry, a high-ranking court official who used to run the Luzerne County probation department, put at risk more than $800,000 in state reimbursements by signing invalid contracts with the good doctor. A state department of Welfare Audit alleges that McGarry ignored protocol by entering into one-page agreements with the psychologist. The rub here is that there was no approval of the county commissioners. It seems to me McGarry is caught in a crossfire, if he didn't have to do it before because the Courthouse, prior to Petrilla taking over was run like an amateur hour, then he should bear no responsibility. But if he did it out of expendiency, then Steve Urban's contention that there should be reimbursement to the county holds water. But let us not forget that this was part of the culture of the Judiciary at the time and it's tough to say no to a brother-in law of a Judge. Doesn't excuse it, just might explain it.

IMPEACH MORAN

Steve Corbett's newest crusade on WILK is to start a movement to impeach Jill Moran as Prothonotary. Tune in 3pm to 7pm to hear his latest take on the County Corruption cases.

HOME RULE

Want to be a candidate for the Home Rule Commission? There's a meeting Thursdsy night at 7PM at the The Organizing Center, 198 South Main Street, Wilkes Barre, Pa. Here's the perfect candidate according to the committee, the person needs to be:
Open minded.
Willing to make the significant time commitments to the campaign for the GSC and the GSC itself.
Willing to host an information session to inform the public about Home Rule and the GSC.
Not currently on the county payroll.
Not on record making negative statements about current county officials or tendering an opinion about the ideal form of government for Luzerne County. Does that rule out bloggers?
Not interested in running for county office beyond the GSC.

GSC stands for Government Study Commission.