The LuLac Edition #1967, March 1st, 2012

Ultra sound law discussed to Pennsylvania.


Change in Luzerne County, former Interim Manager Tom Pribula with new Manager Robert Lawton. (Photo from Times Leader).


Lackawanna County Commissioners Corey O'Brien and Jim Wansacz.


Our 1967 logo.


Our "Como phobia" logo.

SAME OLD CRAP

Last week, Lackawanna County was hiring a new Human Resources Director and picked Joseph Refice. He last a half day because he lied on his application saying he got a college degree when he didn’t. By the end of the lunch hour, he was canned. Gone. The new administration of the Brylcreem Boys Corey O’Brien and Jim Wansacz vetted this guy. But threw him overboard when he became a liability. Refice worked in state government for many years and was qualified on paper. But he also was qualified because he got those connections by being the son in law of former Commissioner Ray Albierigi. The fact that Refice lied on the application did him in. But the fact that he took another bite at the government service apple is to me part and parcel of politics here in LuLac land. People move from one cushy job to another because they are connected or are “known”. It is apparent that for all the huffing and puffing Wansacz and O’Brien did in the past election about the very best being picked for jobs, well let’s just say both men look pretty bad. And the fact that they raised taxes more than 30% to accommodate the cronyism in hiring is appalling. But hey, good for them if they can scam the voters in Lackawanna County. The Republican party there continues to be like a triple A feeder system for the Big Leagues. Bill Jones and Patrick O’Malley, a former Democrat didn’t even run together. The GOP or lack thereof made Wansacz/O’Brien/O’Malley possible. To the citizens of Lackawanna County: good luck. You’ll need it with these three Commissioners. As for Refice, he’ll land somewhere else and we’ll find out about it three years from now. Guys like that always do

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

PRIBULA FETED

The Luzerne County Council gave Interim Manager Tom Pribula a citation of appreciation for his hard work as the transition engine for the new form of government and its first manager Bob Lawton. Lawton may name Pribula to one of the manager positions and that’ll be a good thing. In the meantime, Lawton is going to have his work cut out for him. It will be interesting to see how he’ll work. Pribula by virtue of the fact that he was “interim” didn’t do as much as I suspect he wanted to. Many of the comments made against Pribula were not very kind. With ultimate power in hand and no history of what went on before, Lawton is going to make many changes that will make very few people happy. Brace yourself Bob, but let it fly and do your best. The FBI investigation might have ended the shenanigans with convictions, (more than 30) but there are still layers of laziness and entitlement residing in county government. My friend Gort42 is fond of saying that the corruption provided a much needed enema for the County government. A partial lobotomy is also in order too. Good luck.

STATE REP NEWS

It appears Eddie Day Pashinski will have a free ride in the primary and general election. Peter Mailloix who was going to challenge Pashinski when the new district lines were drawn has bowed out since he no longer lives in the 121st under the old rules. In the 120th, Phyllis Mundy will not have a primary challenge from Assistant DA Frank McCabe. McCabe did a typical rookie type mistake and got about 325 signatures on his petitions. You need 300 and with an eagle eye, a wily political operative (of which Mundy has in her corner) would spot the bogus signatures. So he’s out. Mundy will face Aaron Kaufer, the GOP candidate in the fall. In the 112th, Ken Smith was nailed big time last week by a Dave Bowman report on Newswatch 16 regarding personal loans he took out and didn’t pay back. I can’t see anyone voting for this guy. He is opposed by Kevin Haggerty. In the 113th, Kevin Murphy is being challenged by Scranton resident Marty Flynn. Flynn who is an under dog to the two term Murphy recently had a fundraising event that attracted over 350 people and had some heavy hitters at his event. In the 115th, Frank Farina and former Lackawanna County Commissioner Randy Castellani are the two men vying to replace Ed Staback who is retiring. Ands in the 116th, Tarah Toohil will face off in the general against Ransom Young.

DEWEESE ON BALLOT

A Pennsylvania judge has rejected a challenge aimed at keeping state Rep. Bill DeWeese off the primary election ballot because of his recent corruption conviction. Commonwealth Court Judge Keith Quigley ruled today that case law is on DeWeese’s side, since the ban on felons serving in the Legislature applies only after a lawmaker is sentenced. A Dauphin County jury convicted DeWeese of five felonies this month. The former longtime House Democratic leader, who continues to serve in the House, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24 — primary day. So you can be convicted and run according to the law.

ULTRA ULTRA

The abortion debate, long dormant in the Commonwealth is rearing its head again. A few weeks ago Virginia Governor Bob McDonald said he would sign a bill supporting ultrasounds for pregnant woman seeking abortions. In Pennsylvania the state house is set to debate a bill later this month would require women to get an ultrasound before they could get an abortion. Entitled Women’s Right to Know” More than 110 state House members, including almost all of the midstate’s representatives, are co-sponsors of the bill.
Sponsors and supporters say the bill would save lives, giving women pause before opting to have an abortion. The state House of Representatives is slated to debate the bill March 12.
To opponents, it is all about “shaming women” and the measure represents an offensive governmental invasion into their personal lives. More than 24,000 people have signed an online petition by Planned Parenthood Advocates to register their opposition to the bill.
Under the bill in Pennsylvania, medical professionals say women would have to undergo an invasive, vaginal ultrasound. That prospect is drawing outrage among supporters of abortion rights. Even though this bill got nowhere in Virginia, in Harrisburg there is a block of conservative Republicans who want to end abortion on any terms. And there is a GOP controlled House and Senate. However this is an election year and you can bet that a nationwide GOP ticket heading for a tough Presidential election will not want to engage on this issue. Except of course for Rick Santorum.

MEDIA MATTERS

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

This week Shadoe Steele’s guest (if he doesn’t get pre empted by a basketball game) will be an interview with the late Davy Jones of the Monkees. Saturday Night Live at the Oldies can be heard on WILK AM & FM Saturday from 7 to midnight with ABC News on top of the hour.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine. Brian Hughes speaks with Donna Morrisey and Shannon Ludwig about Red Cross Month.
This Week In Harrisburg examines the pros and cons of Marcellus Shale drilling, environmental concerns versus price drops in natural gas for consumers, and Senate Democrats take issue with Governor Corbett's proposed cuts in the Department of Public Welfare.
And Brian speaks with Doctor Phillip Friedlander and cancer patient Suzanne Leeds about a new breakthrough in the treatment of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, and 6:30am on Magic 93 & WARM 590 AM.



ECTV

Scranton is getting ready for its annual Saint Patrick's Parade! Hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will be discussing plans for the annual march as well as the history of the parade with Pat Murphy during the week of March 5th. Murphy has served as the committee historian for the parade for many years. ECTV Live is broadcast on Comcast Ch19 each day at Noon and Midnight with select showings at 6 several days during the week.

STORM POLITICS

This week Tiffany Cloud and Dr. Joe Leonardi appear on an encore presentation of “Storm Politics”. Dr. Leonardi talks about the epidemic of childhood obesity as well as his health oriented website. Storm Politics can be seen on WYLN TV 35 @ Th 930p, Sat 5p, Sun 11a, Mon 830p, T 930p. Dr. Joe Leonardi also will come and speak to your group; to learn more about his motivational speaking fees and availability contact him at docjoeleonardi@betterlifeseminars.com and check out his website www.betterlifeseminars.com.

1967

Joseph Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva, defects to the USA via the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi...The Indonesian State Assembly takes all presidential powers from Sukarno and names Suharto as acting president…….Moise Tshombe, ex-prime minister of Congo, is sentenced to death in absentia…..in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Industrialist Milton Shapp who ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 1966 says he will not be a candidate for United States Senator in 1968 against incumbent Joe Clark. Shapp says his ambition is squarely aimed at a future run for Governor in the state…..in Luzerne County Democrats Ralph Johnston and Peter Paul Olsewski join Wilkes Barre Mayor Frank Slatterty in the race for Luzerne County Common Pleas Court Judge…..and 45 years ago today the number 1 song in LuLac lad and America was a double sided hit from the Beatles, “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever”.



COMO PHOBIA (BE NOT AFRAID)