The LuLac Edition #1087, Feb. 5th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: GATEWAY ENERGY PRESIDENT STEVE MASLAK, OUR 1966 LOGO, FORMER WILKES BARRE AREA SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT FRANK PIZZELLA, AND THE FIRST LADY OF SCRANTON, DONNA DOHERTY.

OH DONNA!!!

So Thursday night we get a telephone call from a telemarketer who wanted us to vote for Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty for Governor. Stories have been surfacing that Mr. Doherty just might be considering taking the second slot with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato as Lt. Governor. It is widely speculated that the favorite for that position is Former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel who is considered the leading announced candidate for the Democratic lieutenant governor nomination and the party's endorsement.That big endorsement meeting will be held on Saturday. All of this came about when our good friends from PA2010 ran a poll speculating on the Democratic ticket. Donna Doherty sent an e mail to supporters asking them to vote in the poll. Here’s what she said in the e mail obtained by the Scranton Times: "As many of you know, Chris (my husband) is running for governor. There is a poll out today, and only today, about an Onorato/Doherty ticket," Donna Doherty wrote. "Please go to pa2010.com and cast a vote to say yes. This would make a terrific ticket. Please spread the word to as many people as you can. The momentum is building in Chris' favor!" Donna Doherty's e-mail does not say her husband should be the lieutenant governor candidate.nor is the specific either, asking only, "What do you think of a Democratic gubernatorial ticket of Dan Onorato and Chris Doherty?" All of this has the other Democrats in a real gabfest about the machinations of the political process. My guess is that Donna Doherty, a seasoned veteran of the political races and perhaps Chris Doherty’s greatest asset was trying to help in any way possible. And if that was the case, it had the desired effect because people are talking about his candidacy for whatever office he winds up gong after or getting.

FRANKIE FUGETUBOUIT

Wilkes-Barre Area School Board President Frank Pizzella Jr. submitted his letter of resignation, effective Feb. 8, the other day. Pizzella who has some pretty nice cars on his lot in Plains made the announcement after taking a guilty plea. Pizzella indicated he would not make a plea and would fight the charges in court. Instead he becomes still another public official charged in the two year investigation by the FBI.In a strange statement to the papers Pizzella said that the FBI were more than cordial to deal with and he felt they treated him well because they realized his intentions were not bad. Okay then.

BAKER BACK

Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve and for the local support she has received, state Senator Lisa Baker is asking voters for a second four-year term.
“People want leaders who are conservative on spending and taxes, who have an ability to get results on matters of the public interest, and who possess a strong sense of ethics. Those are standards I try to meet every day,” Baker said. “When I first ran for office, I pledged to work to control the growth of state government and to secure reforms that people believe necessary. There have been some notable successes in terms of significant spending cuts and adoption of an open records law, but there is much more to do. I hope to have the chance to use my experience and determination to achieve better results from state government,” she stated. She voted against measures that take Pennsylvania in the wrong direction and hurt her district, including state tax increases and the attempt to toll I-80. During her three years in office, Senator Baker actively pushed legislation, proved accessible throughout the district, and demonstrated accountability by accepting only actual expenses, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars. “I listen to the concerns people express, discuss issues with individuals and groups across the district, and make sure that state officials respond to the problems, projects, and priorities that emerge in our communities.” Senator Baker is a key player in the effort to strike the right balance in the gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, allowing the region to realize the jobs and economic benefits while ensuring that water and land are properly protected. As a committee chair, she pushed through legislation long sought by veterans and volunteer emergency responders. “I believe we have a special obligation to those who serve to defend freedom and to protect our communities.”

GATEWAY BRINGS NEW JOBS

Gateway Energy Services in Forty Fort had a ribbon cutting ceremony opening their new facility. The N.Y.-based retail electricity provider will fill up to 100 jobs by the end of the year, according to president and Chief Executive Officer Steve Maslak. The CEO traveled to Wilkes Barre again to christen the new facility. State Representative Phyllis Mundy as well as Chamber officials were on hand to greet the head guy and his Management team. In addition to the 70 full-time and part-time jobs being created at 190 Welles St., the energy supplier will fill more than 20 positions for call-center service representatives and residential sales reps in the Scranton and Allentown areas. Folks, you have heard me complain long and hard about the quality of jobs being imported here in terms of salary. This time the Chamber has scored big with Gateway. Experienced telemarketers can earn up to $16 an hour, including commission, while residential sales representatives earn an annual salary of about $20,000 plus commission. The company provides consumers another retail choice as an electricity provider now that rate caps are off and PPL's rates increased an average of 30 percent. Gateway Energy is one of a group of retail companies offering customers lower electricity costs than PPL, but it is the only electricity supplier to open an office locally and hire. "Since we started selling electricity in Pennsylvania, which was two Saturdays ago, we have sold to about 3,500 customers in PPL's territory," Mr. Maslak said. "Most folks here are in favor of reducing the risk of volatility and pricing by taking fixed-rate plans” as reported by the Citizen’s Voice. According to the state office of consumer advocate, Gateway offers the lowest cost on fixed rates: a fixed rate of 9.35 cents per kilowatt hour through December. For that low rate, call 1 800- 805 8586.

A DICHOTOMY

The kosher delicatessen in the YMCA has closed, but one of the owners vows to reopen either as a deli or as a snack bar. According to the Times Leader, Co-owner Steve Arnovitz said the deli shut down because business was off. He said he is meeting with representatives of the Wilkes-Barre Jewish Community Center Federation to see what the next move will be. I love deli food. The first thing I wanted after my cancer surgery last year was a kosher meat hoagie. This area needs a good Kosher Deli (Abe’s in Scranton is wonderful but a little out of the way for me sometimes) and I hope this eatery comes back. But only in LuLac land would there be a kosher deli in the Young Men’s Christian’s Association building.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


1966

West Germany procures some 2,600 political prisoners from East Germany….Fidel Castro blames China for spreading anti-Soviet propaganda among Cuban soldiers...............The National Hockey League awarded Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a second NHL franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins. And of course without the Big Pens, there would be no baby Pens in Wilkes Barre…Statewide the Democratic committee endorses 36 year old State Senator Robert Casey from Scranton as their candidate for Governor. Tabbed for the second spot is Allegheny County Commissioner Leonard Staisey. The endorsed team of Casey and Staisey will be opposed by Milton J. Shapp in the Democratic Primary…..Ralph Smith, President of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania says he is pleased and expressed “enthusiastic acceptance of our expanded obligations within the community”. The announcement comes on the heels of the announcement by the Secretary of Health Education and Welfare the assigned Blue Cross as the administrative financial intermediary for hospital and nursing home services under the newly instituted Medicare program….and 44 years ago this week the number 1 song in America and LuLac Land was “My Love” by Petula Clark.