The LuLac Edition #1136, Mar. 31st, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: JOHN WEBSTER AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN YUDICHAK.

YUDICHAK ON TV

John Yudichak, Democratic State Senate candidate in the 14th Senatorial District, launched his first campaign TV commercial this week addressing government reform and the culture of corruption in politics. The 14th Senate District encompasses parts of Carbon, Luzerne and Monroe Counties in Northeastern PA. The 30 second spot forcefully stakes out Yudichak’s competitive advantage in the race – his strong record of independent leadership on reforming government and standing-up against the culture of corruption in politics. “The people of Northeastern Pennsylvania are tired of reading about their elected officials being implicated in one scandal after another, whether it is ‘Bonusgate,’ ‘Kids for Cash,’ or some ‘pay to play’ deal for no bid contracts,” Yudichak said. Yudichak recently attended a job summit where Luzerne County businessman, Charles Cohen, told the forum attendees: “It is hard to be in business in northeastern Pennsylvania when we have a culture of corruption.” (Citizens Voice, March 26, 2010) “If we are going to create jobs and get people working again we must start by cleaning up this pervasive culture of corruption and restoring the public’s trust in government,” Yudichak said. As a State Representative, Yudichak has consistently stood with the people of northeastern Pennsylvania by voting ‘No’ and refusing to accept the pay raise and pension increase in Harrisburg, Yudichak also stood firm with the people of northeastern Pennsylvania when he voted to strip taxpayer pensions from corrupt politicians. The new television spot - which opens and closes with Yudichak with his wife, Heather, and their three young daughters, Sarah, Anna and Evelyn - emphasizes Yudichak’s “No” votes on the controversial legislative pay raise and pension hike, as well as his leadership in denying public pension benefits to politicians found guilty of corruption, prompted by the guilty verdicts against two Luzerne County judges in the “Cash for Kids” scandal that brought unwanted national attention to the region. The commercial also makes reference to Yudichak’s recent introduction of legislation that would require state lawmakers to submit expense vouchers for all per diem expenses, as well as setting term limits for House leadership positions. He also called for a state constitutional convention to address issues such as campaign finance reform, reapportionment reform, and local tax reform. Pennsylvania’s Primary Elections will take place Tuesday, May 18th. Here's the ad:


KANJO TAKES THE HEAT

U.S. Representative Paul Kanjorski met with constituents at a Senior Center in Scranton on Tuesday. He took some heat for voting for the Health Care Bill. What is extremely scary is that Kanjorski was criticized by senior citizens. Most of the benefits senior citizens enjoy today are the result of the policies of the Democratic party. Listen to what one seasoned citizen had to say the Congressman, "This Obama bill is no good, This Obama bill is no good." Never said why he thought the bill was no good, just said it was no good. This senior American might have made better use of his time if he just shut his mouth and went off to play bingo someplace.

WEBSTER

John Webster, the half of the popular morning duo Daniels and Webster quit his job yesterday. Webster was known as the wise cracking side kick of Jay Daniels. Legend has it that John, a former employee of WCDL Radio was working as a business manager at 107 in the early 80s. His quick wit caught the imagination of a GM and he was teamed with former KRZ disc jockey Jay Daniels. Webster’s success and popularity came from the fact that he represented the “everyman” in northeastern Pennsylvania. He was fond of saying “This isn't heavy lifting”. As a sales rep, it was a pleasure working with Daniels and Webster because they knew that clients drove the economic success of their show. Behind the facade of fun and frolic Webster had an innate curiosity about politics and pop culture. I thought he would make an excellent teacher or writer. John had confided to me as long as 5 years ago that the daily grind of the show was leaving him unfulfilled. I had thought though that he’d be able to hang in there but apparently there was a breakdown in contract talks. No matter how those negotiations ended, Mr. Webster deserves some kind of send off from Shamrock. He was a major part of the landscape of local radio. Whatever he does in the future will be interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him enter the political arena or land at another media outlet. Webster is always our featured photo on our anniversary blog since he was instrumental in teaching me the intricacies of the various enhancements. John helped make LuLac, like he did local radio, a little more creative.

ISSUES AND EGGS

If you would like to meet our Republican candidates on the federal and state levels and want to know how they stand on issues that are important to you, here's your chance. The Luzerne County Republican Party is hosting an Issues & Eggs Forum on Friday, April 9, at 7:45 a.m. at Genetti's in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. We're starting early so that you can enjoy a breakfast buffet with us and then sit back and listen to the stellar GOP candidates who are running for state and federal offices.
All Republican candidates who have races in Luzerne County are invited to participate. With the help of some local media, you'll hear how they stand on federal issues such as health care and taxes and state issues such as property taxes and gas drilling along with their ideas for passing a budget on time. (Novel idea!) You will be able to submit questions and meet the candidates. The forum will run from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. so you still have time to head to work or class. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $20 each. Candidates, groups and businesses that purchase tables of 10 (for $200 each) may display business signs or candidate signs at their tables. Call the County GOP office at 208-4671.

TOM SAXTON

The Times Leader reports that the man who many say left an indelible mark on the quality of health care in the Wyoming Valley area has died. Thomas P. Saxton Sr., former chief executive officer of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, was responsible for bringing the open-heart surgery program to the community more than 25 years ago. Saxton, who served 21 years as a hospital administrator, passed away Monday after a 1 ½-year battle with cancer. He was 84. When I was a staff person at the United Way of Wyoming Valley in the Communications Department Mr. Saxton was a very cooperative volunteer who easily helped communicate the mission of the agency in the eighties. It was a pleasure to work with him and we mourn hs loss.

JOSEPH X.

When I was a youngster just getting interested in politics, a must read for me was Joseph X. Flannery, the political reporter for the Scranton Times. Mr. Flannery gave us all a bird eye view of local, state and national politics. One of the first stories I read was in 1967 when the Sunday Times was just gearing up and he wrote an incredible piece on the political future of William Scranton Senior. Mr. Flannery also penned the Roderick Random column for the Times for years. I saw him in passing when I worked for Rock 107 in the late 90s occasionally sharing an elevator with him. Once on a rainy day he got in the elevator and the Times operation, (yes they had elevator operators take you to your floor in those days) said to Mr. Flannery “How long you have that raincoat?” “As long as you’ve been alive he said, good stuff endures”. That was oh so true of his raincoat, his words and prose as well as his reputation as one of the premiere print jourbnalists in this area.