The LuLac Edition #2333, January 17th, 2013

Guns. 

HERE IT COMES 

You think the Health Care debate was out of control, that was child play’s compared to the upcoming gun debate. There is a minority in this country, a very loud, mean crazy minority that attempts to distort the truth about this administration and what it wants to achieve. When the Health Care debate began, more than 75% of the American people polled that a public option might be a good idea. By the time the right wing radio hosts, and the scared GOP lawmakers worried about a challenge got a hold of it, the lies and misconceptions started to fly fast and furious. The White House in an amazing display of stupidity let the right wing control the argument. By the time the summer of 2009 came, the Public option was polling at under 50%. It didn’t help that the Obama White House caved on it either. 
That’s why I’m glad to hear the President and his team are finally taking a stand on issues important to them. I am glad they are saying no to the right wingers who have shown nothing but disrespect and disregard for the well being of the middle class of this country. It took the Republican House more than 90 days to help storm victims in the New York, New Jersey area. And even now, more than 150 voted against it because they needed to find the money. Know this about the gun resolutions. 
1. You won’t have your guns taken away.
 2. The Second Amendment will remain intact. Anything else you hear is pretty much a lie designed to derail this legislation. 

GRIFFITH LAWSUIT TO COST 

Guess who is going to pay for the legal action filed against Controller Walter Griffith? The CityVest people with the 6 million dollars for The Sterling? Judd Shoval, the CityVest principle and corporate magnate who filed it? Nope. Me and you. The taxpayers of Luzerne County. We are paying for this witchunt against the Taxpayer Watchdog. Only here! 
Blogger Betty Roccograndi from PureBuncum wrote this: Although Griffith denies the allegations, Luzerne County’s rookie district attorney Stephanie Salavantis has pretty much declared the maverick county controller guilty. Does anyone else feel that this inexperienced county official is one day going to find herself in trouble for not looking before she leaps? “The bottom line is he broke the law,” the DA told The Citizens’ Voice while passing off the case to the state’s attorney general. Why again is Salavantis wasting the time of new Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who’s eyeing bigger fish to fry, like state Gov. Tom Corbett, when she said her own office’s investigation determined that Griffith recorded dozens of conversations without the parties’ consent? 
The point is Salavantis said she became aware of alleged violations after federal agents supplied her copies of tape recordings Griffith, in replying to a subpoena, had allegedly made of conversations with multiple people connected to the Hotel Sterling project. The real question here is why were county detectives investigating if the DA said she should not be involved due to Walter's elected office? Looks like a lack of communication in the DA's office. So are we as taxpayers going to paying for a prosecution that is going after the wrong party? Shouldn’t we be trying to find out where the 6 million went? Like with maybe receipts, records, deeds? Am I missing something? I don’t mind paying my taxes. Especially the county ones, but I don’t like paying for this. 

MELLOW OFF TO THE JOINT

Bob Mellow reports to jail today in one of the Carolinas. He is said to be going to a minimum security prison for about a year and half. Mellow was the former President Pro Temporare of the Pennsylvania Senate.  

ACE O’MALLEY

I  knew the late John “Ace” O’Malley since I was in kindergarten at Jefferson Grade School in the Junction. One day a bespectacled man with a sweater vest came into our classroom with the biggest camera I have ever seen (it was the size of a portable TV) and took our photo for the Sunday Dispatch. When I was in high school and began writing a music column for the Pittston Dispatch, he would always lend an encouraging word. I’d see him at Detato’s Supermarket in Pittston where I worked with two of his kids, John Junior (J.J. aka radio’s own Gene Bishop in the 70s in this area) and his daughter Mary. As I bagged his order, he'd  say, “Looks like you got a yen for writing. Keep it up”. Through the years as I worked in broadcasting, I’d see him at the Times Leader. And then when the Citizen’s Voice started, Mr. O’Malley (could never call him Ace, just couldn’t) would always lend a friendly, helping hand in my Public Relations endeavors. 
There’s a plethora of information on his military service, his devotion to family and his church in the newspapers. But under the definition of “Good guy” in the dictionary, you’ll find a reference to “Ace”. Or as he will always remain to me, “Mr. O’Malley”. 

MEDIA MATTERS 

ECTV 

Viewers of ECTV Live may want to keep a pencil and notepad close by when the program airs its January 21st series of shows. Hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will welcome Nancy Post and Jim Conrad from the Voluntary Action Center to the program to discuss tips for Income Tax Preperation! The Center offers fee appointments for qualified families but will discuss material to have ready and changes in the tax code during the week's programs which are presented each day at Noon, 6pm, and Midnight on Comcast Ch19. 

THE PARTY ZONE 

Catch the new extended 70s, 80s, 90s oldies show "The PartyZone" with Shadoe Steele beginning this Saturday from 6 - midnight on 50,000 watt powerhouse WAVT-FM - T-102. Tiffany Cloud and Stephanie Salavantis during the 2011 election campaign.

Stefanie Salavantis and  Tiffany Cloud during the 2011 election campaign. 

STORM POLITICS

This week Tiffany Cloud has as her guest Stefanie Salavantis the Luzerne County District Attorney. Salavantis broke news during the taping when she said she will open an office in the city of Hazleton. Tune in to Storm Politics on WYLN TV 35 SAT @ 5 PM SUN @ 11 AM, MON @ 9:00 PM • TUES @ 4:30 PM.  

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 

This Week on Sunday Magazine Brian Hughes speaks with State Senator John Yudichak on a number of topics, ranging from Governor Corbett's lawsuit against the NCAA on Penn State's behalf, to the possible privatization of the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Pa. Liquor Control Board to gun control legislation and the economy. Brian speaks with Monica Ann Thomas from Parents Advocating for Safe Schools about the latest bullying incidents, guns in schools, and their Candlelight Vigil for the victims of bullying on Monday Jan. 21st at 6pm on Public Square in Wilkes Barre. And an encore of Brian's interview with Barry Lunquist about the need for disability insurance. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on Great Country 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93 and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.

Our 1976 logo. 

1976 

Jimmy Carter wins the Iowa Democratic Caucus……..Carter after spending more than three years in the state placed second but won anyway. Here’s the breakdown; –
 "Uncommitted" (37%), 
Jimmy Carter (28%) 
Birch Bayh (13%), 
Fred R. Harris (10%), 
Morris Udall (6%), 
Sargent Shriver (3%), and 
Henry M. Jackson (1%)………..in Pennsylvania Congressman John Heinz says he will be a candidate in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Hugh Scott. Heinz would prove to be a formidable figure with his good looks and name recognition…….and in LuLac land, Scranton Deputy Mayor James McNulty resigns his position with the city of Scranton to work on the campaign of independent businessman Frank Elliot/. Elliot was vying for the Democratic nomination for Senator. In a news conference, McNulty quoted the Paul Anka composed/Frank Sinatra performed song “My Way”which brought even the hard bitten news reporter Liz Purcell from Newswatch 16 to tears….Aand 37 years ago this week the number 1 song in LuLac land and America was “Convoy” by C.W. McCall.