The LuLac Edition #1154, Apr. 18th, 2010

PHOTO INDEX: LUZERNE COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS BOB REILLY.

CIVIL RIGHTS ?????

Yesterday on the news WNEP was covering a story about the beer parties going on at Bloomsburg State College. Through the years students exhibited bad behavior toward the Bloomsburg community. What was hysterical in my view was when 16 interviewed a Bloomsburg student who opined that his “civil rights” were being violated. In my estimation this kid wouldn’t know a civil right if he fell over it. Who the heck does he think he is, one of the Beastie Boys fighting for his right to party? Civil Right is people getting beat up by fire hoses and mad dogs in Selma in the 60s. Civil Rights is being able to buy a house in a neighborhood where you were banned because of the color of your skin. Civil rights is being able to vote when your sex and your social status previously prohibited it. Civil rights is not your right to get slob drunk, litter your neighborhood and throw up like a pig on the streets of downtown Bloomsburg. Civil rights my ass. Grow up kid or go home to mommy.

REILLY BUSTED

It was rumored for a long time but it finally happened, Clerk of Courts Bob Reilly went down for the count the other day. Reilly was charged with bribery. The charges were filed Reilly relating to his alleged acceptance of $1,500 in kickbacks from contractor Barton Weidlich for work Weidlich performed in the Clerk of Courts office. An affidavit says Weidlich told federal authorities that Reilly demanded a 10 percent kickback for work he performed in the clerk of courts office, which included the installation of a wooden gate. Reilly came to politics with great youth, enthusiasm and promise in the 1970s.Known as one of “The Young Turks”, Reilly and fellow Councilman Kevin Blaum and Lee Namey represented a new generation of political leaders in the city of Wilkes Barre. A reformed city charter which focused in on a strong Mayor form of government allowed for a new political dynamic in town. Reilly, Blaum and Namey were stark contrasts to older council members Joseph Williams, Con Salwoski and the one term Mayor Walter Lisman. While the trio helped run the city on the elected side, a newly appointed city clerk Bill Brace helped steer the ship at City Hall. On the heels of the redevelopment of the city from the flood the four forged new ground in working closely with Lisman and then Tom McLaughin in rebuilding the city and its image. Blaum was the first one to leave in 1980 when he wonj a stunning primary victory over State Representative Bernard O’Brien. The same year Namey ran for Mayor, 1987, Reilly saw an opportunity to go for the Clerk of Courts Office when Eugene Hudak of Nanticoke tried to be a Luzerne County Commissioner. (This was during the Republican era of Frank Trinisewski and Jim Phillips). Reilly's time in office was uneventful except for his apparent restlessness. Reilly caught the ire of the Times Leader when in 1998 it was revealed he spent 80% of his time out of the office and was found at the Beer Store which he owned with Mike Pasonick. Reilly was also affiliated with Big Ugly’s Sports Bar owned by Greg Skrepenak’s dad. Reilly often petitioned the County Commissioners for raises to the row officers but tax payers saw him as a poor poster boy for more money for officials that rarely spent time there anyway. Reilly ran in a 3 man race again Dr. Brian O’Donnell and current Rep Eddie Day Pashinski to succeed Kevin Blaum. Pashinski won handily. Reilly is described by his close friends as loyal to a fault and a dedicated person who holds the interests of the public good. His detractors say he is arrogant, always looking for an angle and has given “moonlighting” another dimension all together. Whatever the case, Reilly unlike the two other “Young Turks”, Blaum and Namey has not gone softly into that goodnight of politics. If he doesn’t plea he will most likely stand trial on information from charges that were reportedly obtained from another charged individual in this case, his former city hall team mate, Bill Brace.

JOE ROCK

The name might not mean much to you but in the west side area of Exeter and West Pittston Joe Rock was a political dynamo in the 60s. Joe Rock passed away lasat week. He was A veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater, participating in the battles of Guadalcanal, Rendova and Guam. Mr. Rock was employed in the printing and publishing trades for more than 30 years. His employers included the Scranton Times, McCord Industries and, later, he retired from The Times Leader as the night-shift composing room supervisor in 1978. Active in local and Luzerne County politics for more than 50 years, he served on the Exeter School Board in 1962. In 1966, he was elected to serve on the initial board of directors for the Wyoming Area School District. Rock gave up that seat after winning a convincing primary. His successor was my late Uncle Timmy Pribula. Rock is credited with helping to form the merger of the Wyoming Area School District through his leadership prior to that merge on the Exeter School Board. Rock stayed active in Democratic politics working very closely with the late Jerry Clapps who is credited with turning Exeter into a Democratic powerhouse in Luzerne County.

22nd DISTRICT FORUM

The Disability Coalition of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a network of nonprofit organizations, will host the Disability Issues Forum from 2 to 5 p.m. April 21 at the University of Scranton’s DeNaples Center. People with disabilities, representatives from human service agencies in the district and the public are encouraged to attend. Keith Williams, a community organizer for the coalition, said that four of the seven candidates have said they’ll participate. They are Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty; former state Department of Economic Development executive deputy secretary John Blake, of Archbald; former Lackawanna County Commissioner Joseph Corcoran, of Scranton; and former Old Forge School Board member Frank Scavo, who is the lone Republican in the race. State Rep. Jim Wansacz, D-Old Forge, cannot attend because the state House is in session that day. Candidates Charles Volpe, an insurance company owner from North Abington Township, and Chris Phillips, a Scranton School Board member, have not confirmed their appearance. The moderator will be former Scranton Mayor David Wenzel. A panel of coalition members will address programs and issues affecting people with disabilities in Northeastern Pennsylvania, such as attendant care, transportation and other services. Candidates will respond with their views and perspectives. The 22nd District seat was held by Robert Mellow for over 40 years. Mellow has been a champion of people with disabilities and organizers of the Forum hope the Senator’s successor will continue that tradition.