The LuLac Edition #1556, April 17th, 2011
PHOTO INDEX: LACKAWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE BRIAN JEFFERS.
GELB DOES A TEDDY
Back in 1979 when Senator Ted Kennedy was set to run for President against Jimmy Carter, CBS Newsman Roger Mudd asked Kennedy “Why are you running for President?” Kennedy stuttered and stammered and looked stupid. This past Friday Luzerne County Judicial candidate Lesa Gelb was interviewed on Steve Corbett’s program. Corbett was asking questions that weren’t confrontational and dare I say throwing softballs over the plate. Gelb was pretty much on point until she had trouble with Corbett asking her if she had any trouble or problems running for public office as a woman in the Luzerne County battles. Her response was nearly incoherent. All she needed to say was, “Sure as a woman candidate I have challenges every day. People still have their prejudices. But my campaign challenges are nothing compared to the problems that women, men and children I seek to represent have had in dealing with the Luzerne County Judiciary in the distant past. I’m running to fix that”. After ward people called in saying that if she couldn’t answer that question, how could she interpret or answer a question from the bench. After Corbett expressed surprise at how she handled it, he gave her a generous second bite of the apple. (Which stunned me). In her second attempt she said that she never, ever played the gender card. She redeemed herself somewhat but those first impressions sometimes stick. In their eagerness to get some publicity, her campaign handlers as well as the candidate herself did not prepare properly. If those volunteers and media people are concerned about Attorney Gelb’s campaign , next time they better make sure she is prepared. Now this might be a small blip on the political radar screen when all is said and done. One of the most honored Judges in this County, the late Bernard Brominski was not the very best orator on the stump. But politics has evolved since his time and the media as well as the voters are less forgiving, no matter how well intentioned a candidate is. First impressions count. Friday’s Corbett show is testimony to that.
QUIT OR RUN?
Lackawanna County commissioner candidate Brian Jeffers has to resign from his state job on Friday, April 22. The resignation comes after state officials gave Mr. Jeffers a choice of resigning or dropping out of the commissioners' race. The medical manager for the State Workers' Insurance Fund, Mr. Jeffers had asked to take a leave of absence, but state officials told him running for commissioner and continuing to hold his job created a conflict of interest. No explanation of the conflict was given to Jeffers. Jeffers is one of seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for commissioner in the May 17 primary election. The top two vote-getters will face the Republican nominees in November. The Scranton Times said that Jeffers job provides workers' compensation insurance mostly to private companies, often companies that cannot obtain private insurance. Workers' compensation insurance pays workers injured on the job and, in some cases, their medical bills. Mr. Jeffers is in charge of an office that determines whether medical bills should be paid. Here’s the thing about this, Jeffers went through channels. He was denied. Others though had the opportunity to make a run and not get forced to resign their position. The guy files and judges medical claims. What conflict would a leave involve? I think the State Department, like all bureaucratic slime balls is playing political hard ball. These overpaid pencil pushers are infringing on the freedom of someone to run for office. He wasn’t double dipping, he was taking a leave. The department communications flunky hid behind the “I can’t comment on individual cases” line. If Jeffers were an “R” instead of a “D”, this would be a different story.
SKLOROSKY’S EVENTS
The Committee to Elect Joe Sklarosky Jr. Judge is hosting a cocktail fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. April 28 at Bentley's, Route 309, Ashley. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $100 per person, $150 per couple and can be purchased by calling Megan Kennedy at 570-474-1310. For information, visit www.luzernecountyjudge.com
VITO’S PARTY
There will be a meet-and-greet for Luzerne County Judge Candidate Vito DeLuca from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Rodano's, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited.
VOUGH GOES
The committee for Luzerne County Judge candidate Mike Vough will hold the following events: • Fundraiser, 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Leggio's, Memorial Highway, Dallas. Cost is $50 per person. • Meet-and-greet, 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 25, at Theo's Metro, 596 Mercer Ave., Kingston. Free food and refreshments. • Meet-and-greet, 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 27 at Uptown, 216 N. River St. at Courthouse Square Towers, Wilkes-Barre. Free food and refreshments.
RAUP’S RUNNING
The Committee to Elect Charlotte Raup for Mayor of Wilkes-Barre will hold two meet-the-candidate events: • From 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the North End Tavern, 553 N. Main St. • From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at McCarthy's Tavern on the Hill, 349 E. Northampton St. Both events are free and food and refreshments will be served.
FRED’S EVENTS
The Committee for Luzerne County Judge candidate Fred Pierantoni is hosting the following events: • Meet-and-greet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, at the Top Shelf, Poplar Street, Hazleton. There is no charge, and food and refreshments will be served. • Cocktail reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Kevin's Place, 247 Wyoming Ave., Kingston.
RADICK’S EGGCITING NEWS
The Committee to Elect Paula Radick for Judge will host a free Easter egg hunt for children 8 years and younger at 2 p.m. Sunday in Community Park, Hazle Township. The event will be held rain or shine. All children must register in advance and must be accompanied by an adult. Call 570-371-5290 or email paula@paulaforjudge.com and provide your name and the ages of the children who will attend. Radick will also hold a meet-and-greet from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27 at Hun's Westside Café in the Luzerne Shopping Center. Cost is $25 per person and includes beer, wine, pizza and wings. RSVP by April 26 by emailing staff@paulaforjudge.com or calling 570-763-9737. You can also pay at the door.
JOE'S EVENTS
Attorney Joe Saporito will hold another fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. April 28 at The Gramercy, 155 S. Main St., Pittston. Donation is $25 Saporito will hold another fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. April 28 at The Gramercy, 155 S. Main St., Pittston. Donation is $25. Tickets can be purchased for either event by calling Nicole at 570-654-4643 or emailing saporitoforjudge@saporitofalcone.com
posted by David Yonki @ 12:09 AM
19 comments
19 Comments:
Everyone's political event covers beer, wine, and pizza, well, fundraisers at least. Paula Radick's is covering wings too? I think she just won, hands down. Never underestimate the power of wing night in luzerne county.
I heard Ms Gelb's comments on WILK on Friday.
The one thing that stood out, for me at least, was her constant use of the phrase "You know."
Not especially good at ad lib!
Who knows? She might make a great
judge. But not a very impressive speaker.
Lesa Gelb's response was hardly a "Teddy." She is very articulate about her reasons for wanting to be a judge, including her pledge not to betray the public trust. It seems Atty. Gelb simply failed to respond as you believe she should have to a difficult question about gender that you will NEVER have to answer yourself. (Thanks for dictating the "correct"" response for women.)
Any woman in NEPA seeking public office knows that playing the gender card is the kiss of death. Perhaps you could consider why, and what you and your newsletter/blog might do to make local political culture more open to a more diverse pool of candidates. That includes challenging the assumption that only one woman candidate can be elected when six judicial seats are open.
Lisa Gelb would be a fantastic judge, and all that interview revealed is that she's not a professional politician.
Look at her qualifications: extremely intelligent, good career, and she's a fair and honest person. Judges don't need to be polished, nor be great speakers. The best judges know that speaking means nothing when it comes to creating a fair decision. It's all about an open and analytical mind, which Lesa has.
IN RESPONSE
Perhaps you could consider why, and what you and your newsletter/blog might do to make local political culture more open to a more diverse pool of candidates. That includes challenging the assumption that only one woman candidate can be elected when six judicial seats are open.
MORE DIVERSE POOL OF CANDIDATES? WE HAVE GIVEN AMPLE TIME TO CASEY EVANS, LYNN SWANN, TONY WILLIAMS AS WELL AS OTHER WOMEN CANDDATES SINCE WE STARTED THIS SITE. I AGREE THAT OUT OF 6 SEATS AND MORE THAN ONE WOMAN RUNNING, "ONE" SHOULD NOT BE THE QUOTA. I'M VOTING FOR MORE THAN ONE FEMALE CANDIDATE FOR JUDGE. I'VE SAID THAT A TON OF TIMES. IN THE LAST CAMPAIGN IN '09 NO ONE BOOSTED TINA GARTLEY AND MARGIE MOYLE MORE THAN LULAC. AND ATTORNEY GELB MIGHT BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE THE REASONS WHY SHE WANTS THE JOB OF JUDGE BUT IN THE ESTIMATION OF THE LISTENERS WHO CALLED ON FRIDAY, SHE STUMBLED. IS IT FATAL TO HER EFFORTS? NO. BUT IT DIDN'T HELP.
Corbett went easy on a dem/female candidate and your surprised? Really? Boy you are a ****ing brain dead Corbett koolaide nut job heyna or no?
Gelb's husband committed a mortal sin at Pittston Catholic function.
http://www.pittstonpolitics.com/news.php?viewStory=1035
I heard that interview too and could not believe what I was hearing, either- I thought some teenager was talking. She mentioned that she tried cases? How far do you get in court when you can't string a sentence together without hemming & hawing or "You know". Corbett was indeed lobbing softballs and she was struggling to hit them. And as far as being connected, she worked for Cefalo & Associates for years (and might still be there). Anybody consider Mike (For the people) Cefalo a lightweight? Corbett was still grinding his ax against the Friendly Sons not admiting women (I agree with him), and Gelb would not come right out without coaxing. This area is still backwards as a throwback to the coal baron days, letting a select few control many. Even with the judges tumbling from power stemming from their acts, you could sense she was still afraid to step on any toes that may matter in the future.
Holy Smokes.......Yonki is actually doing a story on Lackawanna County politics. Nice job. Jeffers is getting a raw deal. A man should be able to take a leave if there are no conflicts. And according to the Times and Yonki's LuLac, there isn't.
Gelb only showed she does not have the ability to think on her feet and a judge requires that ability. I have not seen any indication that David has been anything but super fair to all who run for political office. He does not edit their remarks and gives them the space they ask for. Gender has no place on my dish. If I feel that 6 men or 6 woemn are the best candidates, then so be it. As of this moment, I only have 4 candidates that meet my standards and my standards are important to me. You vote for wohmever you please, there is always room for another Lokuta on the bench but it's a shame it took 15 years to fix a voter error. God only kows how ling it wil take to fix tis Home Rule mess. That's another story. Only in the middle of this Home Rule fiasco would you have intelligent voters even considering 23 and 25 year olds as being qualified to lead a county the size of Luzerne and the fight the half billion dollar debt with yound adults with no life e xperience. ONLY IN LUZERNE COUNTY where shooting one's own foot is the order of the day! I fully agree with the Chairman of Adults Fighting to Keep Kids from Controlling Government but I would also ad to his/her title "and Keeping Unqualified PEOPLE off the Bench.
IN RESPONSE
Gelb's husband committed a mortal sin at Pittston Catholic function.
http://www.pittstonpolitics.com/news.php?viewStory=1035
LOOK, HE APOLOGIZED FOR MAKING THE ROUNDS FOR HIS WIFE. I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU'RE CALLING IT A MORTAL SIN. THIS WAS A CATHOLIC SMOKER. FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES GUYS? ALL HE WAS DOING WAS SUPPORTING HIS WIFE. AND MAYBE IF YOU FOLLOWED CORBETT'S ADVICE ON THE SAINT PATRICK'S DINNERS, WOMEN CANDIDATE'S HUBBIES WOULDN'T HAVE TO FILL IN FOR THEM AT SMOKERS. THEY COULD CAMPAIGN THEMSELVES.
Was the Seton Catholic even for men only? I didn't know they even held a smoker. But here is the point. Why do you and Corbett think that it is wrong from men to organize and have a good time without women underfoot? Why can't women have their own party and not invite men? I'm sick to death of this pandering to women to force men to include them in a man's night out. Screw them all! If they are to lazy to create an event then let them stay home and bake cookies. I've really had it with this political correct BS. Lisa Gelb is not qualified to be a judge, she can't even speak off the cuff. Jennifer thinks that having a nice smile and a hundred parties makes her qualified -- not! Molly Hanlon whatever appears to be proud to be Irish but ashamed of her husband's name. I won't vote for her just because she thinks being a Molly is a great thing. Well, I'm Irish but I think a judge should not be playing ethnic games. OK, I'm going to bed, you've upset me enough with this political correctness BS. By the way, I'm no voting against Molly because she's Irish, I'm voting against her because I'm Irish and I don't want my Irish heritage bastardized! So Molly can take her wheelbarrow and sell her fish elsewhere.
Did you notice the misogyny in 12:41am's comments. Slammed every woman out there.
Well to offset his sexism I will only vote female candidates. I will not vote anything other than gender. I might not help any of them win, but I will offset the asshole above.
IN RESPONSE
But here is the point. Why do you and Corbett think that it is wrong from men to organize and have a good time without women underfoot? Why can't women have their own party and not invite men? I'm sick to death of this pandering to women to force men to include them in a man's night out.
A FEW THINGS HERE, I'M ALL FOR A GUY'S NIGHT OUT. THEY ARE FUN AND THERAPUTIC ALTHOUGH LATELY THE CONVERSATION HAS DRIFTED TO THE EFFECTS OF MEDICATION RATHER THAN THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE LATEST PLAYBOY CENTERFOLD. THESE SMOKERS AND ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNERS ARE NOT BOYS NIGHT'S OUT, THESE ARE COMMUNITY EVENTS. IN NEW YORK CITY, THERE IS THE FINEST STEAK HOUSE I'VE EVER BEEN TO CALLED SMITH AND WOLENSKY'S. IT'S ON THIRD AVENUE AT 49TH STREET. IF YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST, YOU MUST EAT THERE BEFORE YOU DIE. ANYWAY, AT SMITH'S THEY ONLY HAVE MALE WAITERS. IT IS A TRADITION. WHEN THE FRIENDLY SONS AND THE BOYS WHO HOLD THE SMOKERS HAVE A MALE WAIT STAFF, THEN I WILL TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOUR PREMISE. 1000%. BUT UNTIL THEN, IF A LADY IS GOOD ENOUGH TO CARRY 10 PLATES OF PRIME RIB ON A HUGE TRAY FOR AN ALL MALE TABLE, THEN SHE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO WORK THE ROOM AND CAMPAIGN FOR HERSELF. AND DARE I SAY EVEN GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A MEMBER.
Yonki: good points. These dinners are only a few times a year and here's a question. What the heck did Barry Dyler do so wrong? He interrupted the boys having coffee and cake? Granted he might not have known the terrain (God Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld would have a field day with this!!) but to not vote for his wife because he offended the boys is just plain silly.
WHEN THE FRIENDLY SONS AND THE BOYS WHO HOLD THE SMOKERS HAVE A MALE WAIT STAFF, THEN I WILL TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOUR PREMISE. 1000%. BUT UNTIL THEN, IF A LADY IS GOOD ENOUGH TO CARRY 10 PLATES OF PRIME RIB ON A HUGE TRAY FOR AN ALL MALE TABLE, THEN SHE IS GOOD ENOUGH TO WORK THE ROOM AND CAMPAIGN FOR HERSELF.
Yonki......you are a selfish ass!!
Why the hell didn't you run for County Council? You're one of the few people in this political arena that makes sense!
4:12 PM So now you think the Friendly Sons and the men who enjoy smokers should begin to discriminate against women earning a living? If this were ever done and you can be sure, it never will be, YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE ON YOUR FEET SCREAMING DISCRIMINATION. I say over and over that women need to organize theeir own social lives and leave the men enjoy theire precious moments. You don't see men/boys asking to join the Girl Scouts, Caatholic Daughters, Girls Softball League or even the women's bowling league. We have our own and e don't need gender confused women to help run our organizations. Why is it you don't scsream about women in the Masons? or the K of C ?????? You know what the say about the Queen, if she had a set she would be King!
Now we all know why Yonki and the ladies got along so well. And yeah if Yonk ran for County Council, he's have waitress and the night auditor's motel vote all locked up. Could build on that.
hey 7:50 PM, I think Yonki is fair in his writing and has some pretty good ideas. Your comments are a bit tacky. His blog is the place where people go who follow politics in this area.
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