The LuLac Edition #1043, Dec. 18th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: HAZLETON MAYOR LOU BARLETTA, OUR 1964 LOGO, PETE GAGLIARDI AND GOP LOGO.

ETHICS COMMISSION?

I have been criticized many times for saying that with the recent scandals in Luzerne County perhaps the best idea is to start over, fire everyone and have them reapply for their jobs. Former Wilkes Barre City Council candidate Pete Gagliardi says he sees a less drastic alternative, the need for an Ethics Commission. Throughout the country in big and small towns there are volunteers who serve as citizen watch dogs to make sure their elected officials do what is expected of them.
An ethics commission would promote ethics in public service to strengthen the public's confidence that Government business is conducted with impartiality and integrity. The Commission would have jurisdiction over public officials and employees at the state and local levels of government, except legislators, judges, and their staffs. A possible mission statement can include but not be limited to:
1. Promulgating rules of ethical conduct for state officers and employees, including civil penalties for violations of such rules.
2. Providing assistance in and monitoring the disclosure of campaign financing for state and local candidates and committees, personal financial disclosure for state and county officers and employees, and registration and reporting by lobbyists.
3. Providing assistance in and monitoring the political activity and official conduct of state officers/employees in order to prevent conflicts of interest.

4. Serving as the repository and making available for public inspection and copying all required disclosure documents.
5. Begin issuing opinions on and investigating and/or prosecuting alleged violations of the constitutional rules.
Given the problems that are facing Luzerne County, this formation of an ethics commission might be a good idea to add to a Home Rule form of Government.

RALLY AT COURTHOUSE

There will be a "Protest the ACLU! Save our Nativity Scene and Menorah!"on Sunday, December 20 at 1:00pm at the Courthouse. Here are the details:
Event: Protest the ACLU! Save our Nativity Scene and Menorah!
What: Protest.
Start Time: Sunday, December 20 at 1:00pm
End Time: Sunday, December 20 at 2:00pm
Where: Luzerne County Courthouse steps (200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre,
PA, 18702)

LOU'S PLAN

When I appeared on WYLN TV 35 on Election Night, Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazleton was excited about a new plan that he said would revitalize the tax base in his city. Thursday Barletta announced that a 5 megawatt solar power generation facility will be built on city owned land near the Hazleton airport. The facility will provide enough electricity to power 725 average households for a year. Barletta said he expects the city to realize $1.6 million in revenue each year from the plant's operation. Barletta also announced the city is in negotiations to sell the city Water Authority for what he said could be "tens of millions of dollars." He said two private companies have submitted proposals to take over the water authority. Barletta has been touting his Hazleton's financial picture while lowering the tax burden. He said during an afternoon press conference that he expects city council will adopt a 2010 budget that "will mean an average of $249 more in taxes and fees." The recent election gave the Hazleton Mayor a leg up in having a virtual veto proof council.

NO GAMING

A frustrated Majority Leader Todd Eachus was chagrined as State House members headed home for their holiday break Thursday after a brief session that did not include a concurrence vote on a Senate table games bill that legislative body approved 27-22 Wednesday night. The House will not return to session until Jan. 5. Apparently there were not enough votes to get the job done. With 102 votes needed for passage, the House voted 103-92 Tuesday night for its version of the bill that was then sent to the Senate for approval. When the Senate tinkered with some language, including scrapping a House plan to increase the number of casino licenses from 14 to 15, some House members balked.

AL TAKES ON JOE

Newly minted Senator Al Franken presiding over the Senate denied Senator Joe Lieberman an extra minute to finish his speech on an issue on the floor. That got John McCain’s ire up and I thought you should see this exchange.

1964

"Goldfinger," the James Bond film begins its run in movie theatres across the nation. It becomes one of the most successful and popular Bond films ever made. And it turned out to be a movie with one of the greatest theme songs of all time.

Comedian Lenny Bruce is sentenced to 4 months in prison, concluding a 6-month obscenity trial. Bruce was a controversial and in hindsight a brilliant satirist. Here's a little bit of Lenny:

........In the Commonwealth Governor William Scranton announced the creation of a commission to look at a new state constitution. The committee would promote the realignment of the 90 year old state document. The name of the group is called “Citizens For A Modern Pennsylvania Constitution” and is chaired by Richard Bond, CEO of John Wanamaker's Inc. in Philadelphia….A road proposed by former Governor Fine won backing by a the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. One objection came from Sugar Notch Councilman Richard Riley Junior who said the exit to the South Cross Valley should be in Hanover Township instead of Sugar Notch….and 45 years ago the number 1 song in LuLac land and America was “Come See About Me” by the Supremes.