The LuLac Edition #989, Oct. 29th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: ROW OFFICER CANDIDATES AT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM AT KING'S, IN PHOTO ONE, CONTROLLER CANDIDATES DEMOCRAT BOB MORGAN AND INDEPENDENT WIL TOOLE (SEATED) STANDING REPUBLICAN PROTHONOTARY HOPEFUL CAROLEE MEDICO OLINGINSKI, GOP CONTENDER FOR REGISTER OF WILLS GINA NEVENGLOSKY AND DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT REGISTER OF WILLS DOTTIE STANKOVIC. THE MIDDLE PHOTO SHOWS CANDIDATES MORGAN, TOOLE, MEDICO OLINGINSKI, NEVENGLOSKY AND STANKOVIC READY FOR QUESTIONS, AND THE BOTTOM PHOTO SHOWS NEVENGLOSKY AND STANKOVIC SHARING A MOMENT AFTER THE FORUM ENDED.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

The League of Women Voters hosted their own forum on Wednesday night at King’s College. League member Ingrid Cronin served as moderator and did a fine job. The forum was designed to have the row office candidates come and greet the public. About 25 of the general public showed. Not even all the candidates came. Controller candidate Walter Griffith was at the Government Study Commission meeting and told me Monday night at the LuLac Forum that his responsibilities on the Home Rule Commission came first. Nancy McGinley Bellas, Democratic candidate for Prothonotary was not present nor did the moderator mention whether she even responded. Let me break down who was there representing what office and some memorable phrases.

CONTROLLER: Democrat Bob Morgan and Independent Wil Toole presented their views in a collegial fashion. Unlike the Forum on Monday night there was no tension between these two candidates. Morgan offered up his experience in the financial area while Toole touted his governmental experienine as an administrator. The personable Toole all but admitted he was not only a follower of government but a big fan of what it could do for people. Toole reiterated that things are broke and he’d try to fix him with his administrative expertise. Morgan also talked about his own lifetime commitment to the area and how ashamed people feel with the scandals surrounding government. Morgan pledged to work hard to rein in some problems at the Courthouse. Both Morgan and Toole referred to the Sheriff’s office as one of their first targets if elected. Toole pointed out that the Sheriff’s office had no bookkeeper and found that astounding since they handled so much money. In a remark clearly directed at the absent Griffith, Morgan said the Controller needed to be focused and have a professional purpose and goal and not go off “shooting in all directions like Yosemete Sam”. (Best line of the night by the way)

PROTHONOTARY: Carolee Medico Olinginski was the lone representative because the Democrat Nancy McGinley Bellas did not attend. Olinginski recounted stories about her 20 year effort for reform, advised that after 8 years of undoing if elected she’d have to reinstate some of the reforms she felt were put on hold. Olinginski and Toole bantered about the time constraints and when the subject of hiring relatives came up, Olinginski joked, “I hope I can just get them to vote for me because they are so apolitical!” Olinginski cited her previous experience in the Prothonotary’s office and promised to be the same outspoken and effective watchdog she was when she served in the late 90s. Olinginski said that the Democrats spent over $250,000 in 2001 trying to unseat her (they succeeded with Jill Moran cruising to victory) but it appears in 2009 the Dems have all but given up on beating her. If they were serious, their candidate might have made an appearance.

REGISTER OF WILLS: Republican Gina Nevenglosky and Dottie Stankovic squared off in their little debate. Nevenglosky advised that she would keep the office open during lunch hours and said that as a people person she would have the best interests of the taxpayers at heart. The Gop candidate kept on saying "the people were in her heart". Stankovic defended her 16 year record saying that she has administrative duties at Penn Place, the Brominski office annex, the Thomas building as well as going to nursing homes for executor issues. She pointed out that she is a full time official and said that she is running the office with a staff of 6, down from 15 when she took office. At times Nevenglosky was a tad unfocused in her presentation while Stankovic was crisp and to the point. But both were warm and cordial to each other in a very civil display uncharacteristic in many campaigns.

FASHION REPORT: Toole and Morgan wore dark suits, white shirts and red patterned ties. Carolee Medico Olinginski was wearing a winter white ensemble with matching boots, Nevenglosky sported a navy blue business suit with red top and Dottie Stancovic had a burnt orange blazer accented by a matching fall colored scarf. The moderator wore a dark gray muted pinstripe suit with black heels.

NEXT UP: The League of Women Voter’s next event is a Legislative breakfast at King’s in January 2010.

CONCLUSION: The debate/forum gave candidates and the public still another opportunity to meet and greet one another. After the event, all the candidates dashed off to other events.

GOP RALLY

Get Out The Vote Rally" on Friday, October 30 at 6:00pm.
Event: Get Out The Vote Rally
Start Time: Friday, October 30 at 6:00pm
End Time: Friday, October 30 at 10:00pm
Where: Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Hall.

GARTLEY RALLY

Get Out the Vote Rally for Tina for Judge" on Sunday, November 1 at 1:00pm. Event: Get Out the Vote Rally for Tina for Judge, What: Rally, Start Time: Sunday, November 1 at 1:00pm End Time: Sunday, November 1 at 4:00pm Where: Plains Polish American Veterans Hall (PAV).

GET WELL PETE

Best wishes go out to former GOP council candidate Pete Gagliardi. Gagliardi was injured a few weeks back on his way to the Judicial Forum at King’s when he was struck by a car. Drop him a get well wish at 423 South Hancock Street in Wilkes Barre.