The LuLac Edition #808, May 7th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: ATTORNEY MOLLY HANLON MIRABITO, (PHOTO FROM TIMES LEADER) GOP LOGO AND LUZERNE COUNTY PRESIDENT JUDGE CHESTER MUROSKI.

LIVING WAGES

With the recent controversy over Bob Reilly’s auto salesmanship vs his showing up for work at the Courthouse, a number of people described his salary as a living wage for this area. Reilly gets paid about $38,000 a year. This is true, it is a living wage……..for two people. The much ballyhooed Sallie Mae announcement talked about new jobs to the area. At a rate of 9 dollars an hour (which is what most, not all employers pay, many more offer less) that comes to about $18,720 a year. Multiply that by 2 and you get $37,440 for 2 employees with 2 separate family units to support. So before the captains of industry around here start talking about our wonderful work ethic and the big mouth defenders of no show politicians start yapping about a living wage, put it in perspective. Not everyone is a County Row officer, many, many more are in those $9.00 an hour jobs and that my friends is not a living wage.

6th DISTRICT ENDORSES

The 6th District Republican Committee has endorsed Wilkes-Barre Area School Board candidates Harry Haas, Lynn Evans and Michael Desiderio in the upcoming election. Patrick Umbra is executive secretary of the committee. Mr. Haas is doing a lot of campaigning stopping off at homes in the North end of Wilkes Barre last week. Anyone who uses the shoe leather to ask for a vote has mine without question.

CHET THE VET

Like an aging veteran coming out of the bullpen to save a game, the recent flap with Bob Reilly and the Clerk of Courts position involved President Judge Chester Muroski. Muroski who has no authority over the row officers told news people he felt obligated to advise Reilly of the situation since the Judge received many phone calls regarding Reilly’s absence on Friday. Muroski said the perception was that he, as President Judge was doing nothing to address the situation. So he had a talk with Reilly. Reilly says he had the day off on Friday when he was reached by Steve Corbett at National Motors in Wilkes Barre. He did not communicate that to Corbett who was off to the races shortly after that. I did have to laugh at the headline in the Times Leader in a story written by Terrie Morgan-Besecker on the dust up. It read, “Reilly OKs spending more time at office”. Gee, thanks Bob!!!!

NEW BLOG

There is an exciting new political blog out there dealing with statewide politics. The link is http://www.pa2010.com/. It is written by Dan Hirschhorn who is reporter, editor and publisher for pa2010.com. A native of Philadelphia, Dan has worked at newspapers in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. He has worked at ESPN and previously worked for PolitickerPA.com. And he is obviously a multi tasker.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

If you have a disabled or elderly family member, don’t forget MAY 12, 2009 is the last day before the 2009 Municipal Primary which official applications for civilian absentee ballots may be received by the County Board of Elections. Go to the Luzerne County website http://www.luzernecounty.org/., go to Department and Agencies, click on Bureau of Elections for online form, fill in and mail to:

LUZERNE COUNTY BUREAU OF ELECTIONS

ATTN: ABSENTEE VOTING UNIT

20 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE

STE 207

WILKES-BARRE, PA 18701-3505

JUDICIAL CANDIDATE BIO

As part of our on going series in covering the Luzerne and Lackawanna County Judicial races, we are going to do brief profiles on those candidates running. In today’s edition, we continue with Attorney Molly Hanlon Mirabito. The order was determined by our lottery at the LuLac Forum last week.

MOLLY HANLON MIRABITO

Molly Hanlon Mirabito is running for Judge because she wants to change things in Luzerne County. She is running an underdog campaign taking no money from attorneys and doing a grassroots effort that has given her name recognition. Her signs dot the area landscape and she hopes that this will be enough to have voters give award her one of the Judicial seats up for election this year. She is running ads on the radio that tout her 22 years experience as an attorney. Hanlon Mirabito has also been doing internet advertising on the local newspaper websites. One of the highlights of the ad is her re-telling of her campaign announcement which she made on the front porch of her parent’s home in Forty Fort. Citing values and integrity the energetic attorney has been making all the stops in the county to make an impact in this crowded race. She describes her campaign message this way:

"My campaign's theme is a simple one--Embrace Our Future. I originally wrote it as Embrace the Future. But it didn't feel right to me. It's not the future...it's our future. The future of our county...the future of our cities and towns...the future of our families. It is a future we all share...you and I. And it is a future that can be bright. Luzerne Country has been in the national news since February. A picture has been painted of a failed legal system...where justice for all has not prevailed. This can change. We can create a new path...we can embrace our future by working together. I represent families...I prosecute criminals. I know the law and understand the impact it has in each of our lives. When applied fairly...the law is the great equalizer. It protects society, and it protects the individual. A judge must have the integrity...the experience with the law...and a love for what the law can do...to be effective. I have these qualifications. And I'm asking for your vote and support on primary and election day....for a new future for all of us. I am an Assistant District Attorney. I currently serve in Jackie Musto Carroll's administration and have served in prior administrations as well. As part of my job, I work closely with law enforcement officials throughout the county, and I'm responsible for prosecuting all types of criminal matters, including homicides. I also served as a per diem law clerk to visiting Senior Judges, which gave me an opportunity to work on challenging county cases, and as a Master in domestic (divorce) and in equity (involving real estate) matters. I have worked in private practice since 1987, including my own office, Mirabito Law. I represent clients before all levels of the judiciary, from Magisterial District Court through appeals to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. I've also taught in the Legal Assistance Program at Luzerne County Community College and have taught Constitutional Law at King' College."
On her community service credentials, she says,
"I served on the Board of the Forty Fort Ambulance Association and was a member of the Forty Fort Civil Service Commission. I also coached the Bishop O’Reilly High School Mock Trial Team for 14 years and have served on a number of community boards. These include VISION and the Family Service Association."
Hanlon Mirabito currently serves under Jackie Musto Carroll and served under 4 prior District Attorneys.

-Prosecutor of homicides, sexual assaults, child abuse, drug and other felony cases.

-Works with law enforcement officers and agencies...initial investigation through prosecution.

-Works with crime victims and their families.

-Member of the Special Victims' Unit.

-Broad and in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system.

-Day to day criminal justice responsibilities, both in and out of the courtroom

-Presenter at legal and law enforcement forums.
-22 years of representing clients in and out of the courtroom...before judges and juries.

-Tries domestic, civil, equity and felony cases

-Advise families and clients on legal matters

-Served as a law clerk to senior visiting judges, including the Honorable Barry Feudale

-Recognized by Legal Services for pro bono work.
-Passion for the law. It protects society and individuals

-Has the integrity, legal experience and independence to be judge

-Ethical, impartial and dedicated to the community and county.