The LuLac Edition #1820, November 3rd, 2011

This was the poster of Richard Nixon that hung in virtually every GOP campaign headquarters in America during the 1972 campaign.


On the set of WYLN TV 35's Storm Politics, from left, host Tiffany Cloud, me and GOP Chairman Terry Casey.


Luzerne County Council Candidate Eileen Sorokas.


Bloomsburg University mean girls.


1972 logo.

INSURANCE LOOK SEE

Luzerne County Controller Walter Griffith confirmed that there will be greater scrutiny on the dealings of the Joyce Insurance group with the County. County officials have decided to ask the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner to investigate discrepancies in information provided by the county’s insurance broker,
The Joyce company has been an insurance provider for the County for as long as I can remember. And they have also been a force to be reckoned with in terms of Democratic party fundraising for candidates. All I can say about this one is “more to come”.

CAIN’S CHALLENGE

Herman Cain now is under attack. Now there are allegations about sexual misconduct about fifteen years ago when Cain was involved with a restaurant association. There are confidentiality agreements in place but word is that one of the women wants to come forward. Two things here,
1. This was more than a decade ago. I question where this is coming from and from what area it is emanating from.
2. Cain made a rookie mistake and did not come out in front of this in time. Politico had the story for 10 days and Cain did nothing to prevent damage control.
As always the reluctance to talk about it early and the initial statements he made are worse than the actual act itself, if there was one. And I have to tell you, the line he used, if it was a line, “my wife is the same height as you”, uhhhh, bad strategy. You never lead with the word “wife”.

THE LIST MAKERS

There are people in LuLac land who are little powers on Election Day. These are people who are politically involved and display a knowledge of the sport they call politics. These people are committee people, former elected officials, former staffers or just people who know politics. Residents sometimes ask these people to make out a list of who they should vote for. The voter, impressed by the knowledge of the individual anxiously waits for their picks so they can have a stress free election day. I had a guy this week tell me that people depend on him every election to make a list. And lest you think this phenomena is limited to senior citizens and old timers, it is not. A few years ago when I was an adult student at LCCC, I had a fellow student (in her thirties) who asked me who she should vote for. So I guess the lesson here politically is, be nice to the people who pay attention. You never know how much influence they have.

SOROKAS RALLY

Eileen Sorokas is hosting a pre election get together on November 5th from 5 to 7pm. The location: LANI VFW Post 6325, 35-37 Cleveland Street, Hudson(Plains),Pa.

SOROKAS STATEMENT

Since the primary election, I, (Eileen Sorokas) have been on the road meeting
the citizens of Luzerne County. I have talked to many concerned citizens about the mess the county is in. The number one priority after hiring a county manger with the best qualifications compared to the Transition teams' Job Description, is to reduce the debt and hold the line on taxes. Our Senior citizens, in fact all citizens can not bare any more taxes without reducing their Quality of Life.
I have received many comments on how to reduce the debt and hold the line on
taxes. They can be seen in my interview on you tube and can be viewed by all.
Also, I am glad to see other candidates for council are supporting my stand
to release the nameless(redacted) resumes of the county Manager. We must have
Transparency in our County Government. We must strive for an honest, responsive government. One that will understand and serve the needs of the people.
I also support having the Transition Team assisting in the recruitment of
the County Manager as stated in the Home Rule Charter. The more people involved,
the better the decision. However, the elective council will make the final
decision to hire the County Manager. Lastly, I am a supporter of the Home Rule and will do what it takes to make Luzerne County the model for Home Rule. In summary, a thank you to all the citizens for your help and advise. On November 8, 2011 please exercise your right to vote.
Eileen M. Sorokas, Luzerne County Council Candidate.

MORELLI COMMENTS

Editor,
It is critical that in this upcoming historic County Council election that the voters put aside party politics and not vote for someone because of gender or where they live but elect the most qualified and experienced people to serve on the new Luzerne County Council.
As the ONLY candidate who has served on both the Home Rule Study Commission and Home Rule Transition Committee I feel that I bring unique experience and qualifications to this new council.
Over the past two years I have:
• Attended over 100 meetings studying and examining other home rule counties throughout our commonwealth.
• Interviewed county employees and county departments to determine where there is waste and what is efficient.
• Served on the home-rule transition budget sub-committee in helping to determine the proper funding for departments under the new home rule government.
• Helped write the new codes (ethics, personnel and administrative) which will help to enforce the much needed accountability in our county.
• Chaired the recruitment and personnel sub-committee which set up the process for conducting county job searches.
• Been involved with the drafting of the Authorities, Boards and Commissions application process.
As a study commission member who helped write the charter I have a vested interest to make sure that this new government moves in the right direction from the beginning and I believe that my commitment and involvement with this home rule process allows me to be prepared for the challenges we face ahead.
As Luzerne County continues to face major deficits and massive debt problems, we need people on council who have the financial qualifications to deal with these tough financial issues. I bring with me over 17 years of financial management experience, B.S. in Finance from Villanova University and a master’s degree in Finance from Saint Joseph’s University as well as experience in working with municipal budgets the size of Luzerne County’s. I feel I have the financial background that is needed to make fiscally responsible decisions for the taxpayers of Luzerne County.
I am very proud to say that over the last two years I have proven to be both transparent and independent. I have fought to make sure that the home rule study commission followed the Sunshine Law Act. I pushed for the home rule transition sub-committee meetings to be open to the public and I am also on record for supporting the release of ALL the names of the applicants for the county manager in order to provide full transparency and help instill trust back in our government. I have not and will continue not to be anyone’s “rubberstamp”!
It is also important to know that I am the only candidate who has pledged to give back his salary to the county and or have it donated to a local charity on behalf of the citizens of this county. I do not feel that you should have to be paid in order to work for the citizens of this county. (Please note that I am not condemning others who do take the salary).
I believe that my commitment and dedication to this Home Rule process over the last two years differentiates myself from the other candidates and allows me to bring unique experiences and qualifications to this new council that other candidates may not be able to offer.
I hope to EARN your vote on November 8th.
Sincerely,
Rick Morelli Luzerne County Council

DOBASH COMMENTS

Editor:
It is my understanding applications have been sent to the Commissioners' Office and given to the Luzerne County Home Rule Transition Committee's Consultant.
I feel the need to re-clarify information given to the public.
I am writing after review and research on the information provided by Mr. Morelli's letter published in various newspapers October 2, 2011 inviting the public to apply for positions on Luzerne County Boards, Authorities, and Commissions. Mr. Morelli failed to list a number of important details. The public should be aware that not all the information in Mr. Morelli's letter was correct.
I have been a frequent attendee to the Home Rule Transition meetings. There will be a need to make appointments however, Mr. Morelli did not mention in his letter to the editor that the current Luzerne County Commissioners have authority to make appointments to boards, authorities and commissions until the end of their term on January 2, 2012. Mr. Morelli's letter was published prematurely and can cause confusion for those interested in the application process. Other positions will be advertised as they become available.
Interested individuals should review the Charter for eligibility. The Home Rule Charter states a legal ad will be printed in the paper as positions become available. Those positions will be filled by the Luzerne County Council. The three that need to be filled will be the Board of Tax Assessment and Appeals, the Board of Elections and Registration, and the Accountability, Conduct and Ethics Commission. Interested individuals who want to apply for openings can review the Luzerne County website and send a resume to the Luzerne County Commissioners at 200 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.
After reviewing Mr. Morelli's comments in his letter I have identified five boards and authorities where no public involvement will be allowed under the new Home Rule Charter.
1. Joint Airport Board - Under the new Home Rule charter structure there are no opportunities for citizens to serve because the charter dictates the manager and two council members will serve as the Luzerne County representatives.
2. Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority - Flood Protection Authority by-laws and Luzerne County Mitigation Authority dictate who serves on that board. The Charter did not address these two authorities. The membership is restricted to Luzerne County elected and appointed positions who have expertise in the area of Flood Protection and Mitigation.
3. Retirement Board - The Home Rule Charter, which Mr. Morelli helped to write, restricts the public from serving on the Retirement Board. The Home Rule Charter specifies the following people will serve: The County Manager, County Budget Officer, two members of the newly elected Luzerne County Council and one individual who is a member of the current Luzerne County Retirement system. There is no opportunity for public involvement.
4. Workforce Investment Board - Pennsylvania State law dictates the majority of the people who serve on this board must be selected from the businesses in the community. It is a joint board. It is a bi -county board consisting of Luzerne and Schulykill County representatives.
5. Conservation District - Members of this board must be recommended by specific agricultural and environmental organizations as per Pennsylvania State law. One member of council will serve on this board. Individuals who wish to serve on these boards should make application to Luzerne County. The newly elected County Council will be making appointments in January to the Board of Elections and Registration, Board of Tax Assessment Appeals and the Accountability, Conduct and Ethics Board. These are legislative appointments by the newly elected Luzerne County Council. The County Manager will not be involved with this process.
Reporter Jennifer Andes wrote an article explaining this part of the Home Rule Charter. It was written on October 17, 2011 entitled: Residents can apply for home rule jobs. It can be accessed at this link http://www.timesleader.com/news/Residents_can_apply_for_home_rule_jobs_10-16-2011.html?pageType=mobile&id=1
I recommend the public read this article and the Charter before sending in applications.
Sincerely submitted,
Kathleen M. Dobash
Candidate, Luzerne County Council
Hazleton, PA
phone 570-579-6138

DOC GRECO'S MEETING

Let's face it, this County Council race is so unwieldy that everybody is making an endorsement. A meeting was held the other night at Genetti's in Wilkes Barre where some Council candidates were invited. Not all Dems, not all Republicans, a mix if you will. The interesting part was that two divergent candidates, Steve Urban and Edd Brominski were invited to the same affair. To be a fly on that wall.............

URSULA BURKE

Ursula Burke passed away yesterday. For those not familiar with her (she was a family friend of ours for as long as I can remember) Burke served on the Wyoming Area School Board for 4 years. Her husband, Terry Burke was a long time Pittston Area School Board member. Burke was a constant at volunteer functions after she retired from nursing. She was involved in many area activities but might be best remembered and appreciated for her efforts during the 1972 flood. She was in charge of the evacuees at the Pittston Area Senior High School. Ursula received a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the Victims of the Flood. She was a lifelong Democrat who constantly boosted the chances of women candidates. I remember her working tirelessly for Phyllis Mundy in 1990. She had a Masters Degree and a scad of other educational achievement but could relate to all people of all classes. She’ll be missed.

MEAN GIRLS

From Newswatch 16:
Three Bloomsburg University field hockey players are accused of beating up a former student on homecoming weekend earlier this month, but instead of keeping them on the sidelines, the university is allowing them to play in a championship game against Shippensburg. Bloomsburg University officials cited school policy, saying they could not take disciplinary action until charges were filed against the players last week. In the meantime, the three women have been playing with the field hockey team, and will take the field Monday night in the conference championship. Nicole Bruce, Lauren McGinley and Alexa Weber, all 20, are charged with assault, conspiracy and harassment The Bloomsburg University field hockey players are accused of attacking a former student in early October. The alleged victim told police the three women had threatened her in the past, and during the university's homecoming weekend, they confronted her near a downtown restaurant. She was hit in the head repeatedly, punched in the face and knocked unconscious. The players were charged last week, and Bloomsburg University has yet to take disciplinary action. The women have continued to play with the field hockey team. "We have to give them their due process, charges are charges, and we can't let that go beyond that they do have their rights and so we have to make sure that those rights are protected," said Tom McGuire of the Bloomsburg University athletic department.
If the undefeated field hockey team wins its conference championship, then it will play for the national championship nd possibly without three of its best players. Bruce, McGinley and Weber face a disciplinary hearing with the university this week.
"They are key players on the team, and it would have an impact to them, but I'm sure our coaching staff won't let that impact how they prepare for them," McGuire added.
He said if the school finds the players guilty, they could be suspended from games or dismissed from the team. Students at Bloomsburg are split on the school's decision to let the women keep playing. "It's really tough to say. I fee like as long as they still don't have concrete, solid, evidence against them then they should still be playing," said junior Bryan Poepperling. "I mean, I feel like, no matter what sport they're playing they should at least be suspended for a game just because of the severity of the attacks. I mean, just because you're an athlete doesn't mean you're superior than anyone else," said freshman Dylan Huth.
The athletic department said the three accused players will play in Monday night's conference championship game against Shippensburg University. The Bloomsburg field hockey team is ranked first in the country
The team did win on Monday night with the lady thugs playing. I guess my problem is what message are college officials sending to other students about the privileges extendied to atheletes. You can kick the snot out of someone and there will be no consequences? Look Bloomsburg is a pathetiuc institution that needs a lockdown every yewar when the students have their home coming parties. But this is spineless and really appalling. I guess the inmates d really run the asylum.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT


MEDIA MATTERS

STORM POLITICS

Storm Politics features Luzerne County GOP Chairman Terry Casey and this blog editor. Storm Politics is hosted by Tiffany Cloud and can be seen on WYLN TV 35. Storm Politics airs on WYLN TV Thursday 9:30pm, Sat 5p, Sun 11am, Mon 830pm, Tues 900pm.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Preempted by Penn State Football.

ECTV

ECTV Live will welcome home grown movie producer Chris Fetchko as it's guest for the week of November 7th. The founder of Chris Fetchko Productions the West Hazleton native has produced two motion pictures, "Everything's Jake" in 2007 and "Eavesdrop" in 2010. His latest movie, "Trust Me" was filmed in the Wilkes-Barre/Pittston area earlier this year and is currently in post production.
ECTV Live host Tom Munley and Co-host David DeCosmo will be talking with Fetchko about movie making in norheastern Pennsylvania. DeCosmo accepted a small part in "Trust Me: which is expected to be released in about a year.
ECTV Live is carried on Comcast Ch 19 and is aired everyday at Noon and Midnight throughout
the week.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Weekend on Sunday Magazine, Brian Hughes speaks with political activist Kevin Haggerty about Social Security concerns and his “Feet on the Street” campaign.
And Brian speaks with Ed Raineri from the Union Township Board of Supervisors about the Benefit Dance Concert for Wyoming Valley flood victims, coming up on Friday, November 18th at Genetti’s in Wilkes Barre. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5:30am on JR 93.7 & 97 BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:30am on Magic 93, and 9:30am on WARM 590 AM.

1972


At a scientific meeting in Honolulu, Herbert Boyer and Stanley N. Cohen conceive the concept of recombinant DNA. They publish their results in November 1973 in PNAS. Separately in 1972, Paul Berg also recombines DNA in a test tube. Recombinant DNA technology has dramatically changed the field of biological sciences, especially biotechnology, and opened the door to genetically modified organisms………………U.S. presidential election, 1972: Republican incumbent Richard Nixon defeats Democratic Senator George McGovern in a landslide (the election had the lowest voter turnout since 1948, with only 55 percent of the electorate voting).McGovern carries only one state, Mass. and the District of Columbia…….On Election Night Nixon pledges four more years of economic growth and a focus on world peace…….Nixon’s Election night conversations were a little less eloquent and elegant…..


And then there was the Nixon song from that year.

In Pennsylvania Robert Casey wins another term as State Auditor General wins a second term as does Treasurer Grace Sloan……in the 1th Congressional District Joe McDade wins another term in Congress and in the 11th it’s Dan Flood once more in a walk……..in the city both Flood and returning State Representative Bernie O’Brien win big in Wilkes Barre…..but in Luzerne and Lackawanna County, President Nixon wins both couties easily…..and thirty nine years ago the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “Listen To the Music” by the Doobie Brothers.