The LuLac Edition #1840, November 19th, 2011

"Maybe I'm Amazed" logo.

MAYBE I'M AMAZED

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that there is a tug of war starting between the current Commissioners and the incoming group of Commissioners. Edd Brominski questioned some of the appointments being made by the Commissioners asking that a hold be put on them to let the Council decide. Commission Chair Mary Anne Petrilla literally tried to throw the book at him dusting off minutes from a 1983 Commissioners’s meeting where room made some appointments. Brominski correctly said the situation was different back then because the same form of government was in check, a new administration was just coming in. Brominski made the point that a brand new government and charter was in play here. And they’re off…….
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that all of sudden Wilkes Barre Area School Board Superintendent Jeff Namey says he needs Mayor Tom Leighton’s son as a permanent school teacher…..after the election. Must have been a busload of new students signing up after Election Day.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that even more than 10 years after his death, there are still more than 100 tribute radio shows to the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. Even though his bobbie sockers are fast becoming a part of our historical lore, the music plays on.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that Jerry Sandusky’s lawyer sat by and watched as his client creeped out America. Bob Costas’ interview was a true journalistic “get”, but you had to wonder why Sandusky had to dance around the question as to whether he was attracted to boys or not. Pretty chilling if you ask me.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that NBC hired Chelsea Clinton as a Special Projects reporter. This should not come as a surprise since children of White House occupants generally get a leg up when it comes to nabbing hot broadcast jobs. Also thought Chelsea Clinton conducted herself with class while in the White House and even on the campaign trail. And even though I never voted for Clinton for President, I thought he did a good job. All of that said, I wonder how a kid getting out of journalism/communications school these days feels about a “first child” getting a pass in front of one of them. I now fully understand Howard Cosell’s and Tony Kornheiser’s complaint about athletes stepping into the broadcast booth ahead of journalists.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that Major League Baseball is now extending the playoffs by another team and moving Houston to the American League to even things out. I guess they are trying to have baseball go the way of the NBA making the regular season obsolete.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that the brain operates on the same amount of power of a ten watt light bulb. For some people that will give new meaning to the word “dim bulb”.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that the H.J. Heinz Company has joined a long line of American business companies that have started to downsize their portion size for products. It’s kind of ironic that the fast food restaurants give mega portions to stuff that tastes good but isn’t that great for you. And companies like this need to lower the portion content to stay competitive.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that even a story thirty years old is new and news again. The reopening of the Natalie Wood accident case came to the forefront this week again after three decades. Can another George Banks story be far behind?
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…..that there should be no surprise as to the diagnosis of Joe Paterno’s lung cancer this week. Many people feel that the former Penn State Coach (who would ever guess that those words would be used this season) is in danger of going the way of legendary great Bear Bryant when it comes to longevity post coaching.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that good time rock and roll our parents used to rail against now is good for a cause. Friday evening’s concert event at Genetti’s featuring Eddie Day and the Starfires as well as Joe Nardone and he All Stars was a big hit. The event was organized by Union Township Supervisor Ed Raineri as a way to show support for residents who were devastated by the recent local flooding. Raineri also has a world wide known show on WRKC FM 88.5, Fridays at 7PM called The Beatleed Hour-----a show devoted to the Beatles.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……that there is talk the new County Council members are going to have to figure out how to balance the new county budget. Current Commissioners will enact a budget that ensures basic services are taken care of. But it will be up to the new council members to cut if they want to free up dollars for additional spending. One of the key developments here is the new salary of the County Manager. The incoming council members are being left with a line item for some dollar amount that is significantly lower than was advertised nationally. This boxes in the new council to perhaps picking a new manager or an interim choice from within the county that is already meeting one of the requirements, he or she will fit the line itemed salary bill. Here we go……………….