The LuLac Edition #1499, March 6th, 2011

PHOTO INDEX: JUDGE JOSEPH VAN JURA AND JUDGE JOSEPH COSGROVE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE TARA TOOHILL AND ATTORNEY JENNIFER ROGERS.

THERE GO THE JOES

The Times Leader reported Saturday afternoon that Judge Joseph Van Jura who is closing in on his one year anniversary as a Judge has withdrawn his nominating petitions for election as Judge. Van Jura, as well as Attorney now Judge Lewis Wetzel, was nominated by . Ed Rendell and appointed by the state legislature to fill a vacant judge’s seat in March 2010.
Van Jura said this week that he never promised not to run again, and that when he did take the court there were only 4 vacancies. With 6 vacancies now, Van Jura said that changed things. In addition to the debate as to whether Judge Cosgrove would run even after he said he wouldn’t when he was appointed, Senator Lisa Baker weighed in this week saying she was disappointed with developments because when she nominated them, she took them at their word that their next life after the interim appointment would not be politics. In a statement given to The Times Leader Saturday, Van Jura said he reconsidered his intent to run because “it will affect my colleagues on the Bench, men and women I have come to know well and deeply admire; it will affect the public’s view of the political and judicial systems, and it will affect those who have placed their trust in the principals of justice and faith.”
Van Jura continued that he “cannot and will not be a distraction to the conduct of this election for six judges, perhaps one of the most important contests held in Luzerne County in many years. Most importantly, I will not subject my integrity, which I have so carefully and faithfully established, to be challenged.”
With Van Jura’s withdrawal it reduces the number of declared candidates to 16. Also it puts Cosgrove in a difficult position because now he is flying alone in terms of Judges who were appointed and then decided to run. Cosgrove is facing charges of being an opportunist. Meanwhile Van Jura’s announcement is being hailed in political circles as the right thing and even the smart thing to do. One insider told me, “I’d vote for him again, even with his age (64) if another opening occurred and he wanted to run.

UPDATE

Judge Joseph Cosgrove has reported that he too will not seek another term for Judge on the Luzerne County bench. Most likely stung by the criticism he endured since PittstonPolitics.com broke the news that he was circulating nominating petitions, Cosgrove’s decision comes hours after Van Jura’s. Cosgrove will make a full statement later in the day.

STATEMENT-VAN JURA

In February 2010 I was deeply honored to have been nominated by Gov. Ed Rendell for a seat on the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County. I, together with attorney Lewis Wetzel, was confirmed to my judicial position unanimously by the Pennsylvania Senate.
Since March 19, 2010, when I ascended to the court, I have striven to add value to the fabric of a system which had been the subject of criticism and ridicule. I have devoted my full time and energy to the task of dispensing justice in an honorable and compassionate way to those who appeared before me, and I have treated lawyers, litigants and court personnel with dignity and respect. In so doing, I have intended to honor my family, my friends, and my profession, and I am confident that I have fulfilled those goals.
My stated wish to continue in the august office which I now occupy is motivated by many factors, not the least of which is my desire to continue the work which I have come to love and which I feel confident I do very well.
Recent events, however, have caused me to view my future more globally. The course which I pursue will affect not only me, my family and those who support me. It will affect my colleagues on the bench, men and women I have come to know well and deeply admire; it will affect the public’s view of the political and judicial systems, and it will affect those who have placed their trust in the principles of justice and faith.
I cannot countenance that my decision could serve to fractionalize any of those institutions which I have held dear throughout my professional and adult life, nor would I wish it to be a divisive issue within my community.
I cannot and will not be a distraction to the conduct of this election for six judges, perhaps one of the most important contests held in Luzerne County in many years. Most importantly, I will not subject my integrity, which I have so carefully and faithfully established, to be challenged.
It is therefore, with a strong sense of pride in the process which guided my decision and a continued commitment to serve the people of Luzerne County with distinction throughout the remainder of my term in office, that I respectfully withdraw my name from consideration for a seat on the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County in the forthcoming election.

STATEMENT-COSGROVE

When I was nominated to serve as judge on the Court of Common Pleas, I stated that I had no intention of seeking a full term on the bench. I was honored to hold office on an interim basis and to offer my experience in restoring stability to a court rocked by scandal. At my confirmation hearing, I reiterated my position, but was urged by several Senators of both parties to reconsider a possible run for a full term.
In the months since becoming a judge, and at the urging of many friends and members of the community of all political persuasions, I have done just that – reconsidered.
This has not been easy, but I have decided that I will not be a candidate this year for a seat on the Court of Common Pleas. There are many reasons to run for a full term, but the most important consideration is my earlier statement that I would not. That pledge is paramount, and is something I will not violate.
While I never declared my candidacy or authorized creation of a campaign committee, I actively explored entering this race. I recognize that the circumstances of our judiciary are considerably different now than they were at the time of my swearing-in. When I was nominated, four vacancies were expected to be filled in the 2011 election. Now there are six.
There also remain three vacancies on the court at this time, with no expectation that they will be filled in the interim by gubernatorial appointment given the constraints on the judiciary’s budget.
In deciding whether to run, I had to consider what contribution I could continue to make to our judiciary, especially in light of these unexpected and different circumstances. I know my service on the bench has vindicated the supportive statements made at the time of my nomination by leaders whom l greatly admire. I am also proud of my work in helping to create a mortgage foreclosure court which has allowed borrowers and lenders to seek agreement through mediation. With nearly two years of judicial experience under my belt if elected to a full term, I would have a great deal to offer in terms of ability and continuity. All of these factors were instrumental in contemplating a possible run, but my pledge to serve only during this interim period trumps all other considerations.
I remain honored to serve on the Court of Common Pleas and will do so to the best of my ability for the remainder of my term. This election continues to be of the utmost importance and I wish all the candidates well, all of whom are my good colleagues and should be commended for their willingness to serve. As I had said earlier, it is for the people to decide whom they want to sit as judge, and I am sure the right choices will be made.

TOOHILL FLEXES MUSCLE

State Rep. Tarah Toohil, together with House Judiciary Committee Majority Chairman Ron Marsico, has requested a state investigation into the operation of the controversial MinSec minimum security detention center in Hazleton.Toohil earlier this month also sent a letter to the state Department of Corrections requesting a moratorium be enacted on new placements at the facility. “I am deeply concerned about the negative impact this facility and its residents are having on downtown Hazleton,” Toohil said in a statement Tuesday. “Repeated incidents of offenders leaving the facility and never coming back have been reported. Further, offenders are committing crimes, including retail theft, bank robbery and aggravated assault in the Hazleton area.”Kate Philips, spokeswoman for MinSec, said a state investigation of the facility’s operations would be a waste of taxpayer money because MinSec is already subject to regular weekly inspections as well as surprise inspections by the Department of Corrections, and regularly. Phillips said there is a public relations problem. No kidding. The majority of the residents I’m sure comply but that doesn’t take away from the media coverage by the two Hazleton TV outlets (one broadcast WYLN TV 35, the other Public Access) and newspaper coverage in the area. Even one incident can cause a concern and Toohil, a savvy political newcomer is making an issue of the bad applies in the Minsinc bunch.

COUNTY COUNCIL

Four more Democrats are in the County Council race. They are, Eileen Sorokas, John Nadolny, Theresa Morcavage and Mike Collins. Sorokas is well known in Wilkes Barre area political circles serving as a committee woman in the city for years. Morcavage, is retired from the county mapping department after 22 years and served as a union official with the county. Nadohny of Nanticoke is an electrician by trade and is also involved in union activities. Another electrician is Mike Collins who taught workplace safety courses and was Ashley’s zoning and code enforcement officer.
On the GOP side, two guys very familiar with politics decided to make the race. Blythe Evans III comes from a family political background. He is from Plymouth and Gene Kelleher served as a staunch advocate and coordinator for Walter Griffith successful campaign for County Controller. Kelleher can give a good stump speech.
Meanwhile Libertarian candidate Tim Mullen who ran a very good race for State Representative in the 120th District last fall against Phyllis Mundy and Bill Goldsworthy is taking another turn at it. Mullen served in the Armed Forces for 23 years and is a registered nurse. He’s also the dad of Citizen’s Voice Award winning photographer Kristin Mullen.
Other Democrats in are: John Adonizio, Michelle Bednar, Jim Bobeck, Edward Brominski, Vilmarie Budde, Elaine Maddon Curry, Casey Evans, Mario Fiorucci, Christopher E. Jones, Stanley Knick Jr., Thomas Ksiezopolski, Sal Licata, Mike McGlynn, Joseph Padavan, Bob Quarteroni, Thomas Rome, Thomas Rovinski, Bruce J. Simpson, Harry W. Skene, Frank Sorokach, Michael Stair, Wil Toole, Jane Waitkus and Robert Webb.
The GOP list is growing too, they are Michael Cabell, Kathy Dobash, Harry Haas, William James, Michael Kolody, Rick Morelli, Gina Nevenglosky, Moderno “Butch” Rossi, John C. Ruckno, Linda Urban and Edward Warkevicz.

RAUP RUNNING

Charlotte Raup who last ran for City Council in 2007 is going after the big chair in Wilkes Barre this spring. The Crime Watch Coordinator is running for Mayor.
The city’s Crime Watch coordinator told the Times Leader that it’s time for her to “put up or shut up.” Raup has been very critical of Mayor Tom Leighton’s approach to the neighborhood crime watch units as well as the neglect of the neighborhoods at the expense of the building of downtown,. If Raup is going to mount a successful challenge, she’ll need more than just her mouth. She’ll need to galvanize those folks who feel the current administration has not done enough for clean up and safety in the surrounding areas of the city. It can be done in an election. David Wenzel beat Jim McNulty in the 1985 General Election for Scranton Mayor by a slight margin because he got the neighborhoods behind him. Can Raup do the same in this spring's primary?

ROGERS EVENTS

Attorney Jennifer Rogers has some events set for this month in her race to become Luzerne County Judge. Here are the particulars of the events:
March 8, 2011
Meet me at a Mardi Gras Fundraiser featuring tasty hors d’ oeuvres, open bar, entertainment, dancing and a silent auction.
Irem Country Club, 397 Country Club Road, Dallas, PA. 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
$150/per person. Please call 570-854-1171 to see if there are still openings.
March 23, 2011 : Mix and mingle with me to find out how we can cook up some positive change in the county. King’s Pizza, 49 South Mountain Boulevard Mountain Top, PA 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.
March 24, 2011 Join the Rogers campaign for a musical review, great food and fun. Vanderlyn’s (formerly Kazimi’s), 239 Schulyer Avenue, Kingston, Pa. 7 p.m.- 10 p.m.

LACKAWANNA GOP STIRRING

Former TV news sports anchor Mike Conigliaro is making a run for Lackawanna County Commissioner on the GOP side. But some offices that were not contested last time are getting filled by candidates. – Former GOP 2003 Controlller contender and brother of Randy (the Democratic Commissioner) Rob Castellani going for controller and while a former Democrat, Frank Adamo is making the race for coroner. It is important for a dormant organization to revitalize itself by running candidates instead of letting the offices go unopposed. I don’t think Register of Wills Linda Munley has had an opponent for her office in years. She’s held that office since 1990.