The LuLac Edition #1991, March 20th, 2012

Santorum with his constant friend!

WHAT IS HE THINKING?

First Rick Santorum starts losing women about the contraception issue. Then he starts blathering about enforcing rules about porn. Now he’s talking about the unemployment numbers. Strike one: women. Strike two: men. Is he heading for strike three?
Santorum said on Monday he did not care about the U.S. unemployment rate, perhaps the nation's most closely watched economic indicator, despite being embroiled in a campaign largely focused on the still-sputtering economy.
"I don't care what the unemployment rate is going to be. It doesn't matter to me. My campaign doesn't hinge on unemployment rates and growth rates," Santorum said during a campaign appearance in Illinois, which on Tuesday holds the next contest in the state-by-state battle for the Republican presidential nomination. Santorum walked back from his comments later in remarks to reporters. "As far as my political campaign ... of course I care about the unemployment rate. I want the unemployment rate to go down, but I'm saying my candidacy doesn't hinge on whether the unemployment rate goes up and down. My candidacy is about something that transcends that; it's about freedom. It's not about Governor Romney's idea that he is going to fix the economy," he said.
Santorum seems hellbent on losing the nomination and ending his political career. What’s next Rick, ban the NFL? Jesus!


Interim Budget and Finance Chief Vic Mazziotti.

NEW KINDA SORT OF FINANCE PERSON

Luzerne County Manager Robert C. Lawton today announced the appointment of Vic Mazziotti of Allentown as Interim Chief of Budget and Finance, filling temporarily the vacancy created by the resignation of Joan Pusateri.
“Vic Mazziotti is a public finance professional experienced in Home Rule government, having served as Northampton County’s Director of Fiscal Affairs until his retirement in 2011,” stated Lawton.
In Northampton County, Mr. Mazziotti oversaw a department of 80 employees, developing and administering a $350 million budget funding 2,000 employees serving 300,000 residents.
“I am excited by this opportunity to assist Luzerne County in implementing the financial elements of the extraordinary Home Rule Charter approved by its residents in 2010,” said Mazziotti.
Beyond his service with Northampton County, Mr. Mazziotti spent three years as Charlottesville, Virginia’s Director of Finance. In the private sector, Mr. Mazziotti spent 25 years with firms developing financial management software for local governments and educational institutions. Mazziotti holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago and earned a BS in Accounting from Shippensburg University.
“When Vic combined his private sector and public service experience under Northampton County’s Home Rule government, he brought about changes in service contracts saving the County $800,000 a year,” Lawton said. “Policies he adopted for Assessment staff improved accountability and helped significantly reduce a two year backlog in updates.”
Mazziotti’s interim appointment will support Luzerne County’s finance operations during the coming tax season, in the development of budget strategies for Fiscal Year 2013, and in the reorganization of staff and function directed by the Home Rule Charter. A part-time member of Lehigh County’s Home Rule County Council, Mazziotti will not be a candidate for any other position with Luzerne County.
“I believe Vic can be most valuable to Luzerne County if it’s clear from the start that this appointment does not open the door to his further employment here. His advice will be disinterested and his expertise unbiased. I look forward to working with him over the next three to six months to advance the objectives of the Home Rule Charter,” concluded Lawton
As an interim employee, Mazziotti will be paid $40 per hour worked – the same rate as the employee he replaces – but for no more than 75 hours per month, and will not receive health insurance, pension benefits or accrued leave of any type.

BYE BYE BK

I always liked Burger King. I might have been the only person in America that liked cold whoppers. But the creepy King advertisement on Burger King stopped me from going there. Plus Wendy’s started to look fresh, hot and good. Most likely my tastes matured. So I was happy to hear that Wendy’s has dethroned Burger King as the country’s second biggest hamburger chain.
Wendy’s edged out Burger King in U.S. sales volume for the first time last year since Wendy’s was founded in 1969, according to a report by the food industry research firm Technomic Inc. that’s set to be released next month. Wendy’s had sales of $8.5 billion in 2011, compared with $8.4 billion for Burger King. McDonald’s remained far larger than both with $34.2 billion in sales. That to me is truly amazing, McDonalds has 4 times more in revenue than BK or Wendy’s.