The LuLac Edition #891, July 29th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: THE WERELY FAMILY (THE FOUR STANDING) AT COOPERSTOWN, THE GANG FROM MAYBERRY, CIRCA 1986 AND HALL OF FAMER RICKEY HENDERSON.

THIS AIN’T TV!!!

When CBS did a special presentation in 1986 called “Return To Mayberry”, the plot was that long serving deputy Barney Fife was finally going to run for Sheriff. His plans were momentarily spoiled when Andy Taylor returned to town. Naturally there was a groundswell of support for Andy and the duo wound up facing each other. I thought of that today when I read with interest when a Lackawanna County Deputy Sheriff Chester Cipilewski was fired by his boss John Szymanski. The Sheriff has served numerous terms and easily won another nomination in the May primary against, you guessed it, Cipilewski. Szymanski said he fired Deputy Chester Cipilewski for a lot of reasons but wouldn't discuss specifics. As a long time political observer in LuLac land remarked, “Dave, this isn’t Andy and Barney, and Gomer and Thelma Lou Aunt Bea. These guys play for keeps." Evidently.

QUOTE OF THE YEAR

Lackawanna Minority Commissioner A.J. Munchak reacted to the FBI investigation of the previous administration he was part of in an interesting manner. Munchak took the offensive saying, ... “I hope they'll be ready to issue an apology when they find nothing was done illegally." Munchak has long been associated with Robert Cordaro, the Lackawanna County Chair for years through business associations. Loyalty is a wonderful thing and I hope that Munchak is correct in saying that nothing was illegal. Let’s face it, the last thing we need here in NEPA is another scandal. But the feds and investigators are not known for saying, “Ooops”. A friend of mine was audited by the IRS 4 years in a row. Understandably he was outraged and after his ordeal was over wanted to demand an apology. Both his attorney and CPA advised, “Pack your briefcase, keep your head down and don’t say a word. Sorry isn’t in their vocabulary.

DETOUR: BASEBALL

A slight detour on baseball. My good friend Gene Werely and his family went to Cooperstown to see Rickey Henderson inducted into the Hall of Fame. If you ever get a chance to see the Hall, it will be a great family experience. Gene says, “Rickey is my man. I've said for 25 years that when he makes it to the hall I'd be there. I've had the date circled for three years. Long story but a childhood friend of mine mad me aware of Rickey in the summer of 1980. He was my best friend in the years I lived in NY state. Unfortunately he died in an auto accident the week I graduated HS. Rickey has and always will be my bond with my late friend Jimmy Naccarato.”
Baseball, more than any sport bonds people, living and dead. You think of the past, while savoring the present and passing on the future to your sons and daughters. Gene did this with his trip to Cooperstown this past weekend.
One more baseball note: To all you Phillie fans out there, my Indians provided you with Cliff Lee today. Don’t screw up!