The LuLac Edition #1720, August 15th, 2011
PHOTO INDEX: REPUBLICAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY CANDIDATE STEFANIE SALAVANTIS AND STORM POLITICS HOST TIFFANY CLOUD.
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Mark Ciavarella gets investigated, arrested, convicted and sentenced in a time line of 4 years. The Luzerne County District Attorney’s office remains in the hands of the Democratic party. Dave Lupas moves on to the Common Pleas Court bench and Jackie Musto Carroll becomes District Attorney. Both have landslide victories. Then the proverbial stuff hits the fan. Fast forward to 2011. For whatever reason the Luzerne County GOP, fresh from a dual win in the last county wide election of Republicans Walter Griffith and Carolee Medico (albeit candidates the powers that be didn’t like or endorse) fails to field a candidate for the District Attorneys office. An old reliable like Attorney Tom Marsillio have gone on to the Democratic party. Or maybe it’s just that no one asked any of the eligible Republican attorneys in the county to run. During the 2011 primary the Democrats decide they want to win a dual nomination for Jackie Musto Carroll. The GOP sleeping (and I use the term erroneously if not kindly) giants awaken and say, “not so fast my friend” and mount a write in campaign for one Stefanie Salavantis. Salavantis wins the GOP primary proving that when the Republican party sets their mind on something, they could actually pull it off. So on the day after the primary, there is a contested race for District Attorney. Then come those lazy hazy crazy days of summer, like Nat King Cole used to sing about. Those were the days of popcorn pretzels and beer. Then comes August 11th. A rude interruption but one of finishing business that started in the cold days of February. Mark Ciavarella is sentenced. Case closed right? Not really because people start to question the fact that this one little guy could not have acted alone. There had to be a few people in the District Attorney’s office, like the District Attorneys themselves that had to notice something, right? Since the sentencing, the political maneuvering has ratcheted up. First Stefanie Salavantis issues a statement saying that there needs to be a total restoration of integrity in the DA’s office. She said the same thing at the 6th District Summer outing. I heard the buzz words she was using and I thought, “game on”. Then last week Salavantis takes a very prominent role in political godfather Pat Salano’s outing. Solano doesn’t have parties on a whim, his get togethers always have purpose. On Salavantis’ FAcebook page are photos of her with every GOP big whig, a luxury the aforementioned Griffith and Medico were never accorded. The message is clear, Stephanie is our choice and we’re going to fight. Then this afternoon the Young Republicans issue this statement.
On August 11, 2011, the former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his involvement in the “Kids for Cash” scandal. Ciavarella abused his judicial powers, thereby corrupting the juvenile court system in Luzerne County and destroying many young lives along the way.
Ciavarella’s criminal actions, however, could have been, and more importantly, would have been prevented had the elected officials of Luzerne County done their jobs. The Luzerne County court system, when run properly, provides checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. Several of Luzerne County’s elected officials failed to perform their required duties, which would have prevented, or at a minimum, significantly limited the destruction caused by Ciavarella. District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll, who was the First Assistant District Attorney at that time, failed to perform the duties she owed to the residents of Luzerne County.
The Luzerne County Young Republicans hereby call for the removal of Jackie Musto Carroll from the office of the District Attorney of Luzerne County.
On May 27, 2010, the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice issued a report on the “Kids for Cash” scandal, detailing the “total collapse” of every “check and balance” in the Luzerne County Court system. Commission Chairman John M. Cleland, a senior judge on the Superior Court, blamed, among others, the current District Attorney, Jackie Musto Carroll, who “stood by and abdicated” her responsibility as a prosecutor. The report further concluded that Musto Carroll “demonstrated no initiative, interest, or concern with what was occurring in juvenile court.”
The Commission’s conclusions can be summed up by Musto Carroll’s own admission during her testimony, that she had never set foot in a juvenile court throughout her entire career.
Musto Carroll’s complete disregard for the minors placed in Luzerne County’s juvenile court system runs entirely contrary to her duty as the District Attorney to “safeguard the public.” The residents of Luzerne County need a fresh start in order to re-establish trust in the court system. As Luzerne County attempts to move forward, leaving its scandal-plagued past behind, the residents deserve that all of the parties who contributed, either through commission or omission, to the “Kids for Cash” scandal, be removed from office. District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll’s admitted negligence contributed to Ciavarella’s criminal and unethical activities and therefore warrants her removal from office.
After that release came the news that Salavantis is going up on TV this week with WYLN’s Tiffany Cloud. Here’s that release:
If you thought the race for Luzerne County District Attorney wouldn't be that exciting...guess again...
All indications are that DA Candidate Stefanie Salavantis is mounting enormous support. For those who wonder if political newcomer Salavantis is up for the task of taking on such a well-known political name in Musto Caroll...just wait until you see this interview!
TUNE IN TO STORM POLITICS, WYLN TV THIS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17th 8PM TO WATCH THE FIRST SIT DOWN TELEVISED INTERVIEW WITH CANDIDATE FOR LUZERNE COUNTY DA, STEFANIE SALAVANTIS.
If you are out of the viewing area, you can livestream online this Wed 8PM @ WYLNTV.com. Additional airtimes: Thursday 8/18 @ 9:30PM, Sat 5PM, Sun 11AM, Mon 9PM, Tues 4:30PM. Please encourage your friends to all tune in as...
a political storm is coming...
No kidding. It will be a storm. The Republican party for whatever reason has decided they want the DA’s office. While most people want to forget the name Ciavarella, I’m afraid to report that won’t happen until after the General Election in November. While Mark Ciavarella sits in jail looking for his next home away from home, his name will be bandied about in just one more election. Unintended consequences sometimes beget political opportunities.
posted by David Yonki @ 7:08 PM
27 comments
27 Comments:
So whose on first? Pat Salano host a gold outing for Gov. Corbett and look at the photo's on Valenti's site to see the good Demcorats who took part in a party sponsored by the Republicans new fund rasing committee. Commissioner Tom Cooney, State Senator John Ydichak, Judge candidate Democrat Mike Vogue and of course candidate Dick Huges but he is a Republican so he belonged there and then there was thee grand fund raiser Bill Joyce. As I've said before, it is hard to tell the players without a score card. I'm sure there were other Democrats there who I just didn't recognize. Many of the phots had the faces darkened from the sunlight. These are the pure politicians who stand for only what they can profit by.
The Republicans screwed up by not putting forth a candidate with experience. All they did was stop put forth a young girl with two years of experience practicing as a lawyer and one who failed her Bar examine the first time. (Give me a break Yonk and let this fly, all's fair in love and war). The young lady is going to get her name bashed and that's a shame because the person(s) behind her candidacy have a real personal reason to beat Jackie Carroll and they are using the young lady to beat their drum. That's a damn shame.
If she's got legs like Tina & Jen she gets my vote!
See these comments, starting with the 2nd one: http://www.city-data.com/forum/northeastern-pennsylvania/967858-who-handled-corrpution-luzerne.html
On the positive side, I guy who never needed a single steroid smacked his 600th Home Run! Congrats Jim Thome. I saw him hit two of the hardest, quickest to the seats homers I ever saw. One in Boston and one in New York when he was with the Tribe. Way to go Jim, you join an elite group and you are a future Hall of Famer.
Pete
Students, rarely do I address local political issues as I must concede for the most part it is a waste of time.
HOwever, this morning I would like to take on the subject illustrated in the well written column by Mr. Yonki.
In a democracy we have the power as I have stated in previous lectures, to either advance or hurt ourselves. Just look at the consequences of the last presidential contest.
Now we are faced with a grave consequence of Judges Ciavarella and Conahan's folly of two years past. That consequence is the probability of electing a woman, Miss Salavantis as the next District Attorney of Luzerne County.
I must caution you class, I am no fan of District Atty. Musto Carroll, however when we come down to the choice of a seasoned student of the law as opposed to a woman (Miss Salavantis) who is best suited for the cover of Redbook magazine than the Law Journal then that choice is quite clear.
Ms. Musto Carroll is far more qualified than Miss Salavantis for District Attorney.
Yet, as they did by electing a pro football player to the all important (and near extinct) position of County Commissioner several years back, it would not surprise me in the least if Miss Salavantis is the next DA courtesy of the voters of Luzerne County.
Such is the mindset of an uneducated, non-cultured, misinformed populace.
I would also remind our citizens and certain members of the press that it is imperative that we understand Ms. Musto Carroll has not been charged with any crimes or any direct involvement in the incidents of the past few years.
Finally, when we vote on personality and appearance we deserve what we get.
I also wish to point out to all of the detractors in this class who have cast aspursions on my character and used expletives in place of honest debate/argument to counter my teachings that I am hereby endorsing a Democrat for a political office.
SO much for my far right slant.
Have I made my point, students????
Class Dismissed!!!!!!!
Dear Mr. Yonki,
How do you feel this will hurt Molly Hanlon? Wasn't she an ADA during all of this? If so, do you believe that the voters will have her shoulder some of the blame for what happened?
Thank you
Just listened to the young republican's "communications" director completely drop the ball concerning Salavantis' November election. Sue Henry several times referred to her campaign as a write-in, fortunately someone emailed Sue and corrected it.
If one is going to hold themselves as the communications director then learn to ****ing communicate.
Bring back Ms Fennick, she was actually building the party.
IN RESPONSE
Dear Mr. Yonki,
How do you feel this will hurt Molly Hanlon? Wasn't she an ADA during all of this? If so, do you believe that the voters will have her shoulder some of the blame for what happened?
Thank you
NO. FIRST BECAUSE HER GOP OPPONENT RICHARD HUGHES ALSO WORKED IN THE DA's OFFICE. SECOND, MIKE VOUGH WORKED IN THE DA's OFFICE TOO. EACH ONE OF THEM HAD CRIMINAL CASES AND WEREN'T THE NUMBER 1 PERSON AT THE HELM. DID THEY KNOW ANYTHING? MY GUESS IS NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE A STAND. MY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF ATTORNEYS IS THAT WHEN ONE PERSON IS ON A CASE, THEY TEND TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT WAS HANDED TO THEM. DESPITE THE FLURRY OF ACTIVITY, I'M NOT EVEN SURE THIS WILL HURT MUSTO CARROLL THAT MUCH. ALL THAT SAID, I WOULD NEVER HOLD ANY ADA RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT SPEAKING OUT OR "KNOWING" ABOUT ANY SUCH IRREGULARITY. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS ODD BUT AFTER COVERING THE CIAVARELLA TRIAL FOR TWO WEEKS IN FEBRUARY AND LSTENING TO ALL THE TESTIMONY, BOTH CONAHAN AND CAVARELLA WERE PLAYING EVERYTHING EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE VEST. THEY WEREN'T "SHARING" ANYTHING WITH ANYBODY UNTIL THE FBI CAME A CALLIN'.
Yonki, the very fact that Sue Henry did not know that Salavantis was the nominee tells me you need to get more aggressive with promoting LuLac. I mean it was there in black and white since last night. Some people need a push.
So their "whigs" are big? Oh my.
IN RESPONSE
Yonki, the very fact that Sue Henry did not know that Salavantis was the nominee tells me you need to get more aggressive with promoting LuLac. I mean it was there in black and white since last night. Some people need a push.
WE TRY OUR BEST AND SOME PEOPLE EVEN SAY WE OVER PROMOTE OURSELVES. NOT EVERYBODY CAN READ EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME SO CUT SUE SOME SLACK. AND ME TOO FOR THAT MATTER.
Not knowing that Salavantis was not the nominee says more about a poorly run campaign than anything else.
Fact: The Report cited in the Young Republicans press release specifically identified Jackie Musto Carroll as one person who abdicated her responsibities as a prosecutor.
Fact: Musto Carroll admitted that she never set foot in a juvenile court.
Fact: According to the report, Musto Carroll, had she been doing her job, could have limited the destruction caused by Ciavarella.
Musto Carroll may not have broken the law. No one is even implying she knew what was going on. The report, as detailed in the Young Republican press release, merely states that she, as well as many others, did not do her job.
Luzerne County needs a person without connections or political interests in the DA's office. Salavantis is an attorney with experience. She may not have the experience Musto Carroll has, but she also is not a political insider like Musto Carroll.
are you kidding me saying she (salavantis) doesn't have connections. look at the fat cat croonies behind her. If you can't see the the power brokers behind her who want someone to play ball with them then your blind. let's stop the rhetoric and really look behind the curtain you'll be suprised what and who you see I hope the feds watch this race closely
Hey 7:11, agreed. If you look at the scenario Yonki laid out in his article, you'll see that there are people wanting this DA's job for the party. Whether they were distracted earlier in the primary with the illness of Rusty Flack and the departure of their Executive Director, well that's open to conjecture. But as Yonk says, they want it now and they are gearing up. If Salavantis does a decent job with that interview on WYLN, you'll see a lot of that show in sound bites on TV ads for the fall campaign. And as for the Communications kid on Sue Henry, he was going all Karl Rove on us by referring to the current DA as "Musto" not "Musto Carroll". You gotta love these Republicans. We Dems want to compromise and ask, these ****ers (edited) just go out and grab whatever it is they want with no regards to the cost or the facts.
Salavantis an attorney with experience? O my god are you NUTs ? She went to the lowest rated law school in the U.S. and that was less then 2 years ago. Now lets look at who is backing this poor girl . go to pittston politics.com and take a look at all the politicos in the pictures thay were there for her but their hats should have been BRACK !!!
People need to educate themselves with the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice report, of course those that push Jackie Musto Carrol don’t want to look at the facts…just because Jackie wasn’t accused with a crime doesn’t mean what she did by inaction was right. Good Journalists’ research topics, more so if they invite those onto their show to discuss topics. Sue Henry didn’t know Stefanie Salavantis was on the ballot is this the Communications directors fault? The people of Luzerne County now have a choice vote someone who stood around and let corruption happen or vote in someone and give them a chance to restore integrity. Read the report…educate yourself!
Ya gotta blame Jackie for using her "Musto"name for the value. Of course she had no idea her famous uncle would end up on the dishonor roll or I'm sure she would not be bragging about being a Musto.
So alla long I thought that Salavantis was a write in rather an actualy listed candidate, hump! Doesn't change a thing. She is a kid with no experience and she is about to get her butt handed to her.
All DA Musto Carroll has to bo is run that intervuiew on WYLN as her (the DAs ) TV ADS and this race is over!!!!! I'm very sorry but that intervuiew was a JOKE !!!! The GOP is a much biger JOKE for suportimg this poor YOUNG GIRL i am so sad for this girl!!!
hey yonk any chance tptb at wyln will let you put the interview up?
IN RESPONSE
hey yonk any chance tptb at wyln will let you put the interview up?
I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO. YOU CAN GO TO THE WYLN WEBSITE AND PULL UP LIVE STREAM I BELIEVE.
Ok I call on Ms salvantis to answer some questions
1 have you ever tried a criminal case including summary cases
2 have you ever tried any case in your life
3 have you ever selected a jury
4 have you ever held a managerial positioning your life
5 have you ever supervised a staff
6 do you own your own home
6 have you ever been at a crime scene
7 do you have any idea what a tough job the da's job is?
8 have you ever won a case in your life
So you have no managerial experience to rely on and that means you can't just sit back and manage the operation. You have zero prosecution experience. Why is it you bring to the table? A pretty face umm have u been to the da's office it's full of pretty faces. You bring nothing to he table. Oh that's right integrity look at your backers before you speak
Bottom line I hear you say you wil rely on experienced prosecutors then you say your going to clean house there which you can't because they are In a union. So which isn't. I hate to say this but I am not sure you can handle being n entry level Ada due to your lack of experience.
Pat Solano should be investigated. He knows both woman and yet he choses to push every money man he knows to support this poorr naive young person. No offense Stephanie but you are being used. Par will go down like the rest of the power brokers. They think they are invincible but they always push just a little too far. Enjoy your downfall.
When given a choice between a young girl and a woman that didn’t do her job as outlined by a bi-partisan Interbranch report…I will take youth over incompetence any day of the week.
Choice between a young girl with NO EXPERIENCE. how can anyone believe this young woman has any business in this office. She is not a prosecutor Jackie Musto Carroll is one of the finest our county has ever seen. The job of DA is Prosecutor- look at the stats
Salavantis 0 experience 0 trials 0 court proceedings 0 criminal law 0 managerial experience work Lets add that up = 0
Carroll 1000's of cases won - 100s of murders gone for life - 10000s of criminal law cases 4 years as county's top cop = a hell of a lot more than your candidate
Wake up JMC has reformed the system. It was flawed but Salavanntis she is NOT the cure.
JMC JMC JMC.
You cannot put the responsibility of the DAs office in the hands of someone with absolutely no experience with, quite frankly, anything. Salavanitis has not prosecuted someone for something so minute as a traffic ticket. Electing her to the DA post will be a disservice to every law abiding citizen of Luzerne County.
She would have the least experience prosecuting cases of any attorney in the office. Ms. Salavantis would what, just rely on all the experienced prosecutors to do the work? What is it that she's going to do then if everyone else is trying all the cases and doing all the work? And Ms. Salavantis, what makes you think that, in good conscience, all these experienced prosecutors would want to stay and work for you? If Salavantis wants to be top prosecutor, don't you think she should get a job as an ADA and learn the ropes first? You can't make the important decisions until you've been there, in the courtroom, prosecuting cases yourself. Salavantis would be a mere puppett with everyone else pulling the strings.
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