The LuLac Edition #797, Apr. 28th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: OUR "FEEDBACK" LOGO.

FORUM FEEDBACK

It has been an interesting 24 hours since the Judiciary Forum we held at Genetti’s. A few thoughts:
1. A big thank you to all the candidates that are running for Judge. As I said at the meeting, other than serving in the military, running for public office is one of the most patriotic things one can do. You live your patriotism every day, not just at Kirby Park or PNC Field on the Fourth of July.
2. The turnout was a big topic of discussion. As I mentioned to Corbett on WILK this afternoon, there were people there representing the candidates but we had more than our fair share of walk ins. For that, I am both happy and grateful. Tom O’Connor said it best when he commented on the attention and respect each candidate received. So while the perception was that the turnout was low, (and it was) let me remind people that we weren’t giving anything away except ideas. And those ideas were all very good.
3. One of the posters to the Citizen‘s Voice said 5 minutes was too little time to get a read on the candidates. Maybe, but we had 15 people to go through and we wanted to be fair but not laborious.
4. Was the weather a factor? God yes! This was a miserable winter, especially for me with the chemo. So I could understand people flipping burgers on the deck and getting some sun instead of coming to a hotel ballroom. The first thing I did when I got home was throw on shorts and popped the top for a nice drive around LuLac land. But if it rained, I’m not sure it would not have increased attendance that much.
5. In many of the candidate forums I attended, 50 to 75 is the norm. Personally I wish more could come and be more civic minded. However, I make no judgments as to why people did not attend. But my hits have been up in the past week so people are interested in this race. Will that translate into turnout on Election Day? Most likely not.
6. On Election Day, the winning candidates will prevail by segmenting a block of votes favorable to their cause. It could be as low as 8,000 votes per winner county wide. The people who will vote are those with an interest, passion or connection to a candidate. There will be no storming of the voting booth because as I said to the TL’s Bill O’Boyle as well as Steve Corbett Monday, “Trouble has to be on a person’s doorstep, not necessarily in their neighborhood before they act”.
7. We will keep doing this because we made it part of our mission. When I started LuLac in 2006, I did it to improve the public debate, not to vent my spleen against an individual or institution as many blogs that existed back then did. The Forums are a way to educate and inform which is what this site tries to do. What I have tried to do is expand LuLac in other areas that I thought impossible a few years ago. The producing of videos for YOU TUBE and Google is an area we grew. Plus, LuLac spawned the 590 FOREVER, WARM blog/site as well as the AUTHOR: DAVID YONKI vehicle to sell my books. And of course we always make an attempt at entertaining and making politics fun. Not that I’m comparing LuLac to “George”, or me to JFK Junior, but his mission with that magazine was to connect politics to pop culture. That’s what we try to do here.
8. The best thing that can happen on Election Day for the Judicial race is for 4 candidates out of the 17 to win. Our electorate has a history of giving a candidate the nomination on both tickets. Let’s not do that again. The field is big enough to split the pie 4 ways. Make it interesting and have two Dems facing two GOPers. The ad reps will be happy, the news coverage will be heavy and it will make for a competitive race for both parties. The last time that happened was 1967 when Peter Paul Olszewski Senior and Ralph Johnston ran as Democrats and then DA Thomas Mack and Atty. Robert Hourigan ran on the Republican side. That year, one Dem, Olszewski and one Republican, Hourigan won. Let’s have a replay of that. It’ll be interesting!

LACAWANNA JUDICIAL

On May 5th a Candidate Forum for Court of Common Pleas Candidate of Lackawanna County will be held. 7pm. Room 228, Brennan Hall, University of Scranton. Public is invited to attend.

CONTROLLER FORUM

The LuLac Political Letter will be hosting a Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 12th for candidates running for Luzerne County Controller at the Luzerne County Community College Educational Conference Center, Room 131. The event will run from 7 pm to 9 pm.

HOME RULE FORUM

The Luzerne Home Rule committee is continuing to provide Home Rule educational information in preparation for the public question on the Home Rule Government Study Commission in May. The fifth of these weekly forums will be held April 29th at 7:00 PM in West Wyoming Town Hall. This event is free and open to the public. If citizens have any questions about Home Rule or would like to meet the GSC candidates, they are encouraged attend this forum. In addition to providing a forum to GSC candidates, Luzerne Home Rule will review their activities over the previous week and review how people in the county can become involved in this campaign. The media are invited to ask questions. Additional information about the Home Rule movement can be found on the committee’s website, www.luzernehomerule.org or by calling (570) 891-1987.

MEET AND GREETS

C.J. Bufalino for Luzerne County Judge
When: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Hosted by Allen & Mary Erwine & Ed & Tara Wilson
Huntsville Golf Club, Lehman, PA
Information: Call 674-7676

Meet the Candidate Pancake Breakfast
C.J. Bufalino for Luzerne County Judge
When: Saturday, May 2nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: Villa Foglia, 1133 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter
Reservation/Information: Call 674-7676.

ROGERS FOR JUDGE

"Meet the Candidate" Breakfast in Hazleton at Lobits Catering on Sunday, May 3rd from 8 a.m. to Noon. $15 per person. Those interested in attending may call The Committee to Elect Jennifer Rogers at 825 6300.

JUDICIAL BIOS

During the month of May, the LuLac Political Letter will profile each candidate running for Judge. That starts on May 1st. Whether a candidate wins or not, at least there will be an internet record of it..........forever. So if you're not happy with the photo you sent me, e mail me another.

UNCLE WILLIE.....

arrives in two days. Only on The LuLac Political Letter.