The LuLac Edition #1145, Apr. 9th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: RAY MUSTO CAMPAIGN FLYER FROM HIS SPECIAL ELECTION WIN THIRTY YEARS AGO TODAY, OUR 1966 LOGO AND OUR LOGO FOR STRANDED DISABLED PEOPLE IN LUZERNE COUNTY. (CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS).

SEARCH ME ????

Thirty years ago today Ray Musto was fighting to win a special election for Congress. On that day he succeeded and won the nomination as a Democrat. Almost thirty years to the day Musto was facing another federal challenge. Here’s the Times Leader Bill O’Boyle’s story:
Sen. Musto, D-Pittston Township, confirmed the investigators are at his residence on Market Street, but he did not know what they were looking for.
"They showed me the search warrant and said they were here to search my home," Musto said. "I really don't know much about it; it just happened. They just showed me the papers and came in." As investigators were walking through his house, Musto said he is not concerned about the search. "There is no reason for me to be concerned," the 81-year-old senator said. "They have given me no explanation; let them look, I'm not concerned." Musto said he was not asked to provide anything to the investigators, nor was anything removed. Musto has served for 27 years in the state senate, representing the 14th Senatorial District.

Okay, here’s my take on it. Musto is pretty beloved in the Greater Pittston area but the guy like all long serving politicians has a lot of enemies. Musto has always run his campaign his way with a lion’s share of the credit always going to family. There might be resentment on the part of some local politicos. A search doesn’t prove anything. But if anything does turn up, you know the feds will hammer him. Yesterday Bill Brace was sentenced for a suit. If there is something, they’ll find it. If there is not, then this too shall pass. My first reaction though was that I was surprised it was Musto’s house they were searching and not some others. We shall see.

NO RIDES

There are about 1200 disabled individuals who might not have a ride to their destination today because of a dispute between Controller Walter Griffith and the Luzerne County Transportation unit. WBRE reported the story last night. Drivers who make the runs for the disabled are being told they won’t be paid past their 30 hour week. There was a Gentlemen’s agreement that existed between the drivers and the county but because Griffith is holding fast services will be delayed or curtailed all together. County Administrator Doug Pape was visibly angry in an interview and said that some issues and services are not just black and white. I have to agree with him and although Griffith is a good watchdog for the county finances and abuses in this case he should back pedal in order to provide uninterrupted services for the physically and mentally challenged.

WAGNER AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Auditor General Jack Wagner, Democratic candidate for Governor, held a press conference this morning at the South Street Bridge to unveil his reform proposal for infrastructure. Pennsylvania is known as the "Keystone State." It originally earned that nickname due to its central location among the 13 colonies. Today, as the sixth most populous state and a hub for industry and agriculture, the Commonwealth remains a vital connector between the northern and southern regions and eastern and western regions of the United States. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania's infrastructure is outdated and decaying. Pennsylvania is falling behind other states. It is in critical need of improvement through public investment. A 2006 Report Card by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the Commonwealth a cumulative "D" grade. "With Pennsylvania continuing to experience job losses, state government must focus on putting our citizens back to work," Wagner said. "The Commonwealth's infrastructure has fallen behind; however, this provides a magnificent opportunity to employee Pennsylvanians in rebuilding the 'Keystone State.'" Smart public investment in infrastructure can create tens of thousands of jobs. We must make sure we pick the right projects and use the available resources wisely."
Wagner's reform proposal for infrastructure contains the following items:
Build effective high-speed rail systems that connect Pennsylvania cities to each other and surrounding cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland.
Make the Pennsylvania Turnpike a model national superhighway and the first multi-fuel (natural gas, electric, gasoline, and diesel) road in the nation. I will ask Governors Christie (New Jersey) and Strickland (Ohio) to join Pennsylvania in that effort.

Convene a blue ribbon committee to offer realistic solutions to the bottlenecks throughout Pennsylvania including the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia and the Parkway East in Pittsburgh.
Modernize state roads and bridges by building them correctly the first time, properly maintaining them, and making them safer.
Fix the hundreds of high-hazard Pennsylvania dams.
Convert state government fleet vehicles, school buses, and mass transit buses to be powered by compressed natural gas and/or electric.
Revive Pennsylvania airlines so that companies can connect here, by reviewing the tax structure compared to surrounding states.
Consolidate water systems by tying city systems into surrounding communities and maximizing their output rather than building new systems and prioritize separation of ground water, waste water, and run off through incentives.
Bring strong broadband service to all of Pennsylvania, not just urban and suburban areas.
Advocate for Rails-to-Trails to create greater opportunities for walkers, runners, and bicycle enthusiasts.
Implement proper scheduling of maintenance activities for state highways, especially interstates, at times when traffic is less.
Ensure that fair portions of Marcellus Shale revenue go toward water treatment and road repair.
Invest in mass transit projects that make sense.
Develop innovative ways to market the Commonwealth on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-80, and other interstate highways.

HARDY HAR HAR!!!!!

Okay I always wanted to say that. But James Hardy Williams is a serious candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. Hardy Williams is the son of a Philadelphia political legend and his late entry into the race is sure to confuse the Democratic picture even f more. Williams sent a fund raising letter and is up on the air with a TV commercial. Obviously Williams is counting on making a big splash in the Philadelphia area. Here’s his letter and ad:
The stakes on May 18th couldn't be higher. I am running for governor because the status quo isn't working. We need innovative, outside-the-box ideas to create new jobs, reform our schools, and safeguard our streets and neighborhoods. If you believe we need to chart a new course to get Pennsylvania back on track, please make a contribution today. I'm the candidate in this race with a real plan to lower property taxes, and I am the only one supporting a robust school choice program that will allow money to follow the students, not the bureaucrats. We can’t be afraid to think big and think bold when it comes to solving Pennsylvania’s chronic problems. Here's an example: the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force - a program I helped create - has taken hundreds of illegal guns off the streets. This is a program that has proven to be effective and should be replicated throughout the state. But this is about more than just gun violence. The bigger picture - the one the next governor needs to see - is that curbing gun violence makes neighborhood safer, encourages growth and development, and by helping to stimulate our economy, eases the burden on taxpayers.


REP MUNDY ANNOUNCES

A Home heating equipment rebate program opens April 21. A new state rebate program designed to help consumers save money and energy will open April 21. The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program could help as many as 33,000 households to purchase Energy Star-rated, non-electric residential hot water heaters, furnaces and boilers. The $11 million program is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Consumers can apply for and receive their rebates by following three simple steps:
1. Reserve a rebate by completing an online application (available at www.paheatingrebates.com on April 21). Residents without Internet access can call 877-592-2061 to make a reservation;
2. Purchase and have a contractor install a qualifying product. Purchases made before April 21 will not be eligible; and
3. Submit the completed rebate application within 30 days of the reservation date.
The best way to guarantee a rebate is to obtain a reservation when you are in the process of deciding to make a purchase. Rebates will range from $100 to $500, depending on the equipment’s efficiency rating. Complete information about the program, as well as a listing of eligibility requirements, are available on the program's new website at www.paheatingrebates.com. Consumers will also be able to check the website for real-time updates on reservation availability.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


1966

Buddhists in South Vietnam protest against the fact that the new government has not set a date for free elections…………………………..Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Leonard Staisey running with Scranton State Senator Robert Casey Senior predicts an overwhelming victory for the Casey/Staisey team on the campaign trail………………….in Kingston Borough Council Chair Frank J. O’Connell campaigns furiiosly for the newly created seat in the old 5th district……and 44 years ago today the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “Soul and Inspiration” by the Righteous Brother.