The LuLac Edition #1464, Feb. 7th, 2011

PHOTO INDEX: TIMES LEADER PHOTO OF FORMER JUDGE MARK CIAVARELLA ARRIVING AT FEDERAL COURT THIS MORNING THROUGH THE BACK DOOR FLANKED BY WBRE'S ANDY MEHALSHICK AND WNEP TV'S ANDY PALUMBO.


BACKDOOR MAN

This morning former Judge Mark Ciavarella was given special treatment on his way into Federal Court for his corruption trial. The former Chief Judge of Luzerne County Courts was afforded the opportunity to enter into a rear portal for security reasons. Reporters nonetheless followed him there. Ciavarella, at least for today avoided the gauntlet of people assembled at the Federal Courthouse in Scranton.
Federal Judge Edwin Kosik began the afternoon session of jury selection by noting the prosecution plans to present two witnesses, Attorney Robert Powell and Robert Mericle, both of Luzerne County. When Kosik asked the potential jurors if any of them have ever heard of both men, only two members raised their hands. At the morning session Defense Attorney Al Flora constantly challenged the jury selection process instituted by Judge Kosik. Kosik countered that he would stand by his decisions and if the defense wanted to call him on it later, they could.
LuLac will be filing reports when we can on future developments.
UPDATE: JURY PICKED: The jury of 16 - 12 plus four alternates - was even mix of eight men and eight women. Trial resumes at 8:30AM Tuesday.

LEIGHTON’S IN

Mayor Tom Leighton apparently will make an announcement of great import this coming Wednesday night. It will be on Feb. 9th, 5:15PM at the Ramada in Wilkes Barre. I’ll be shocked if the Mayor does not go for a third term. Third terms have been problematic for Wilkes Barre Mayors. Both Tom McLaughlin and Tom McGroarty tried and the third time wasn;’t the charm. Mayor Lee Namey declined to run after his second term ended.

MEDIA MATTERS

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will feature discussions concerning Marcellus Shale on two of the network’s original programs this week.
On Tuesday, February 8, Rep. Greg Vitali (D) Delaware will sit down for a candid one-on-one conversation about the Marcellus Shale tax. The half-hour long “On the Issues” interview will air statewide tomorrow evening beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Then on Wednesday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m., the LIVE PCN Call-In program will feature borough, township and county state association representatives as they discuss the local impact of Marcellus Shale and take viewers’ calls on the topic. By dialing toll-free at 1- 877-PA6-5001, viewers will be able to share their comments and questions directly with representatives from the PA State Association of Boroughs, the County Commissioners Association of PA and the PA State Association of Township Supervisors.

MUNCHAK IN

Congrats to Mike Munchak for being named the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Munchak is a greater Scranton product and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The last head coach to hail from our area was Walt Michaels who piloted the New York Jets as well as Donald Trump’s New Jersey Generals in the USFL. The new coach is related to retiring Lackawanna County Commissioner A.J. Munchak.

COLD SHOULDER

President Obama gave a speech today before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The President asked for the business people to invest in the country and have them do better in giving workers a better living wage. Did that sound like socialism to you? Predictably the Chamber fatcats sat on their hands and gave the President tepid applause.

OH REALLY!!!!!!!

I saw Bill O’Reilly’s interview with the President on FOX TV. O’Reilly showed disrespect for the office and the President with his constant mean spirited questions. He could’ve let Obama try to get a word in edgewise. The President let O’Reilly go on and make a total ass out of himself. But those of you who see him every night on FOX News Channel already knew that.

UH OH-VOUGH

Battling Prosecutor and Assisttasnt District Attorney Michael Vough of greater Pittston announced his candidacy for Common Pleas Court Judge in Luzerne County. Vough made the announcement over the weekend at the Courthouse with about 150 people to see it. Vough is no friend of area criminals and brings with him a great resume for one of the open seats.