The LuLac Edition #2327, January 10th, 2013

Former Wilkes Barre Councilman Jim McCarthy. (Photo: Citizen's Voice).

JIM McCARTHY 

Former Wilkes Barre city Councilman Jim McCarthy passed away the other day at the age of 77. McCarthy was a rare breed Council member in Wilkes Barre who actually liked the tinkering of governing. He came to Council with a wealth of experience from his days of reporting in Washington, D.C. where he forged many relationships with the powers that be in the 1950s and 60s. The last time I spoke to McCarthy was in 2009. It was the night Walter Cronkite died and McCarthy graciously consented to an interview for LuLac regarding his time at CBS and his friendship with Cronkite.  It is LuLac Edition #880 and here’s the link: 

http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com/search?q=jim+mccarthy+ 

McCarthy was first elected to Wilkes Barre Council in 1987, ran for County Commissioner in 1991 then came back and served on Council from 1995 through 2007. He was a true gentleman and will be missed. 

A LAWSUIT? 

How abut this, a bank we bailed out in the fiscal crisis of 2008-2009 now wants to sue the government because they didn’t like the terms of the deal? Really? Is it any wonder that Americans can’t stand Wall Street and its minions that nearly put us on the brink of disaster? These guys should have been arrested, let alone not having been bailed out by the government. Stunning. They had to be shamed to pull back and drop the lawsuit. 

GRIFFITH STORY A STRATEGY? 

The Times Leader’s Jennifer Learnes Andes ran a story the other day featuring Walter Griffith, the Luzerne County Controller saying he was the watchdog that has no bite. The story was a bit surprising to me since Griffith was quoted liberally throughout. Griffith’s critics have been saying that the Home Rule Charter took away Griffith’s strong suit in his first two years as Controller, the ability to hold up payments by check. Before Home Rule, Griffith had a seat at the big table with the Commissioners as did previous Controllers. Now he has to make public comments like everyone else. And he does, showing up at meetings early and staying late. Griffith speaks about his frustration with the Home Rule Charter as it relates to his role as Controller. In an election year where Griffith is up for another term, it is a smart political move to blunt any possible arguments that Griffith might not be the same watchdog that he used to be. So far there has not been any talk of any opposition to Griffith in the GOP primary but its early and the County Republicans have a self destructive streak when it comes to primaries. Just like their national com padres. 

GOVERNMENT BY FIAT 

Vice President Biden made an interesting comment the other day saying that in some components of the Gun Bill debate, if there is opposition maybe it can be done by Presidential fiat. I have no problem with that since the GOP Republicans have pushed back on so much during this Presidency. The guns and ammunition need to be regulated but no one is going to take away anyone’s guns. NOBODY! But there has to be some sort of threat made to recalcitrant legislators who have been in the back pocket of the NRA for years. The threat of an Executive Action is just that. But if time passes and the horror of 20 children blown to bit by assault rifles by an unbalanced young man with mental health issues fades, there will be a move to stop this. And under these circumstances that can’t happen.

19th Century catcher Deacon White in Hall. (Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame).

DEACON WHITE 

The big party at Cooperstown this summer might have a thinner crowd than usual. An 18th century catcher, Deacon White, an old time owner of the Yankees Jacob Rupert and an umpire Hank O’Day will the inductees. I wonder how the memorabilia merchants in the town are going to spin that. But then again, the living Hall of Famers just might make their presence known as a stamp of approval for the way the steroid era players were dissed. This is the first Hall of Fame election since 1960 where no current player eligible was chosen. It is a penalty for a player like Mike Piazza as well as prolific pitcher Jack Morris who has been knocking on the door. If you let Rupert in, you have to consider Dan Topping and Del Webb of the Yankees who had one heck of a run in the 50s and 60s. 
In 2014, the Sporting News reports that these players will be up for election: Full list of first-time candidates: Moises Alou, Armando Benitez, Sean Casey, Jose Cruz Jr., Ray Durham, Damion Easley, Keith Foulke, Eric Gagne, Tom Glavine, Luis Gonzalez, Scott Hatteberg, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Jeff Kent, Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Paul Lo Duca, Greg Maddux, Matt Morris, Mike Mussina, Trot Nixon, Hideo Nomo, Jay Payton, Kenny Rogers, Richie Sexson, J.T. Snow, Shannon Stewart, Frank Thomas, Mike Timlin, Steve Trachsel, Jose Vidro. Holdovers from this year's election: Craig Biggio (68.2% of the vote in 2013); Jack Morris (67.7%); Jeff Bagwell (59.6%); Mike Piazza (57.8%); Tim Raines (52.2%); Lee Smith (47.8%); Curt Schilling (38.8%); Roger Clemens (37.6%); Barry Bonds (36.2%); Edgar Martinez (35.9%); Alan Trammell (33.6%); Larry Walker (21.6%); Fred McGriff (20.7%); Mark McGwire (16.9%); Don Mattingly (13.2%); Sammy Sosa (12.5%); and Rafael Palmeiro (8.8%). 

MEDIA MATTERS 

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.

ECTV 

If you've got the "January Blues" you'll want to catch ECTV Live on Comcast ch 19 during the week of January 14th. Hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will welcome Erica Rogler from The Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. The theater serves as the Arts Center of Wyoming County and has several FREE public events scheduled over the next few weeks. Those events are open to families from throughout the area and the theater is within a short drive of the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre area. Information about all of those events will be presented on the program which is broadcast each day on Electric City Television at Midnight, Noon, and 6pm on selected days.

Two of my favorite “righties”, Tiffany Cloud and Sue Henry. (Photo: WYLN TV, LuLac).

STORM POLITICS 

This week on WYLN TV 35’s “Storm Politics”, check out Tiffany Cloud’s interview with WILK’s Sue Henry. “Storm Politics” airs on WYLN TV 35 THURS @ 9:30 PM • SAT @ 5 PM SUN @ 11 AM, MON @ 9:00 PM • TUES @ 4:30 PM. 

HITS AND MISSES 

A documentary reality shows debuts this Monday night on TLC, formerly known as The Learning Channel. It will feature Pete Rose and is called “Hits and Misses”. The show airs at 10pm on Mondays. 

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine An encore of Brian Hughes’ interview with State Representative Kevin Haggerty of the 112th Legislative District, who discusses the challenges he faces as a freshman representative in Harrisburg, and details about the Second Annual Family to Family Winter Coat Drive in Lackawanna County. This Week in Harrisburg features highlights from a speech by State Senator John Blake of Lackawanna County earlier this week at the Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton about Pennsylvania’s emerging bioscience industry, and its impact on Northeastern Pa. 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

The 1976 Flyers-Red Army game results in a 4-1 victory for the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers over HC CSKA Moscow of the Soviet Union.........Would-be Gerald Ford presidential assassin Sara Jane Moore is sentenced to life in prison………Democratic Presidential candidates Senators Frank Church and Fred Harris storm the Iowa country side trying to pick up Midwestern support in the first Presidential test of 1976. They are finding that many voters have already been contacted by an unknown former Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter……in Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Ernie Kline says he will not be a candidate for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Minority Leader Hugh Scott……in Wilkes Barre Walter Lisman takes office as the new Mayor in the newly reconfigured strong Mayor form of government for the city of Wilkes Barre and 37 years ago the number one song in America and LuLac land was"I Love Music" by the O'Jays.