The LuLac Edition #980, Oct.20th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN MICKEY MANTLE'S 78TH BIRTHDAY. HERE I AM WITH A VISIBLY ANNOYED MICK CARRYING A BIRTHDAY CAKE PRESENTED TO HIM AT A CARD SHOW AT THE COAL STREET ICE RINK IN THE MID 80s. EDDIE ALBERT, VIC MIZZY AND EVA GABOR AND THE WILK LOGO TO COINCIDE WITH OUR 980TH EDITION.

BREAST CANCER LEGISLATION

Congressman Kanjorski sent this directive regarding his involvement with breast cancer awareness month. I proudly co-sponsored the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act of 2009. The EARLY Act will implement a national educational campaign to increase awareness of the threats posed by breast cancer in young women, and the particular heightened risks faced by certain groups. The campaign would help young women and providers identify the specific threats and warning signs of breast cancer that lead to early diagnoses, and increase prevention efforts women can undertake to reduce their risks. It would also provide assistance to organizations to support young women diagnosed with breast cancer and help them get the assistance they need. Additionally, after learning about managed care organizations that require doctors to perform mastectomies as outpatient surgery or to discharge patients on the same day as the surgery, I decided to co-sponsor the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act. With same-day discharges, patients may not receive pain management help, wound drainage assistance, and psychological support. This legislation would require a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours for mastectomies and 24 hours for lymph node removals.

CONTROLLER’S RACE

The Controller’s race in Luzerne County is now getting red hot. Bob Morgan is on the air on local radio stations touting his experience. Morgan is also taking a swipe at his two rivals Republican Walter Griffith Junior and Independent Wil Toole. Morgan makes reference to the watchdog term readily applied to Griffith saying it takes more than some sort of mutt to oversee the finances of the county. He also refers to Toole’s previous administrative tenure as a way for the old boy network to continue to thrive. Predictably Toole took exception and has fired off a missive to the local papers. Here’s an excerpt:
As this election draws near, I urge that the current negative ads being aired be withdrawn. Luzerne county is at a point in time when these type of negative ads discourage good people from getting involved. Enough negativity has surrounded the court house and if we are to attract quality candidates then the traditional mud slinging must stop. As an Independent candidate for the office of County Controller, I made the decision to have nothing to do with the long standing practice of mud slinging campaigns. Public Office is a worthwhile endeavor and to reach out to the voters on a platform covered in mud is no way to begin a term of office. There are many issues which should and must be addressed or once again, the voters will be shortchanged. Tell the voter what you plan to do, not what your opponent can't do. Bring the beef to the table and leave the BS in the gutter where it belongs. Meanwhile, Walter Griffith tells the Times Leader editorial board that as far as him being referred to as a dog with a bone, so be it. “I just won’t let go if it’s not right”. Griffith continued saying, "My big issue with county government is the lack of consistency. There never seems to be anybody that will put their hand in the air and be accountable or consistent with their policies. I think that’s crucial in government".
He said he will shut down his business for four years if he’s elected unless he finds someone else to operate it. Griffith said he’s not running for the money because he makes about twice the $36,562 controller salary in his business.
You can meet all three candidates this coming Monday night at the LuLac Political Letter candidate’s forum, Oct. 26th from 7 to 9 PM at Bentley’s in Ashley.

VIC MIZZY

Vic Mizzy died the other day. At the end of Green Acres or The Addams Familly you’d usually see his name at the end. He was 93. Here’s one of his greatest hits: