The LuLac Edition #2363, February 21st, 2013

THREE GOOD GUYS 

Three people I know have thrown their hats in the ring for political office this year. Jim O’Meara, Harry Haas and Alex Malines have stepped up to the plate. These are good guys and deserve every consideration.

Plains resident Jim O’Meara. (Photo: LuLac archives). 

O’MEARA GOES FOR SCHOOL BOARD 

About fifteen years ago, WILK’s Radio Talk show host Ted Williams asked the question, “Is there any decent person in politics in this county?” I remember little of the Vopper but I do recall that statement. And I think of Jim O’Meara every time I wonder that. Jim O’Meara and I have disagreed about a lot but we do it over a lot of laughs. And talk about shared experiences. O’Meara has done great service for the Luzerne County Republican party. He made the Laureen Cummings campaign last fall credible by his input. He ran against Eddie Day Pashinski because he felt someone should in a democracy. This time, he has bigger fish to fry. Jim O’Meara is running for a seat on the Wilkes Barre Area School Board. Why O’Meara wsould want to be associated with that laughingstock is an easy answer. He wants to fix it. Currently there are board members trying to make an impact but the old boy network of cronies like Joe Moran, Lew Elmy, Mary Anne Toole Phil Latinski, and the skype master Doctor Robert Corcoran all have made a mess out of a district that other boards used to emulate. Jim O’Meara’s candidacy boils down to this: When a building is on fire, do you want a guy to pour water on it or gas? O’Meara tries to fix things. Make them better, not worse. But he needs your help. That’s why he’s running. Here’s his statement. 
My name is James O’Meara Sr. and I am running for Wilkes-Barre Area School Director. 
I am a 1975 graduate of Wyoming Area. I’ve lived in Plains Township since 1984. I attended Penn State as an undergraduate. I also attended College Misericordia (now Misericordia University) during the early years of my marriage. In each case I left college to work full-time. I have a lot of credits, but no sheepskin. Both of my children attended Wilkes-Barre Area schools and both graduated from James M. Coughlin High School. 
Over the years, I advanced in my careers through hard work and my own initiative. I haven't been afraid to take chances. I currently work in retail sales and run a small business. I also have sixteen years of information services experience (including management) under my belt. Like many other Americans in these uncertain times, I have experienced the challenges of joblessness. I know what it is like to face the cruel economic uncertainty that comes with the loss of a job. 
I am deaf, but my hearing was restored with bilateral cochlear implants. The first thing I did after getting my hearing back was run for office. I relished the chance to once again talk with …and especially listen to …thousands of people in a door-to-door campaign for state representative. As a candidate for school director, I will campaign the same way. I will listen to what you have to say. And I will take your message with me to every school board meeting. 
So why am I running? 
I have one young grandchild, and another is due any day now. I worry about the quality of education they will receive in the years ahead. I am concerned that the education of our children and grandchildren is being compromised in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. The Pennsylvania state constitution mandates in Article II, Section 14 that, “The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education.” 
I believe the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board has a long way to go in meeting this constitutional mandate. 
The Citizens’ Voice reported in June, 2012 that Wilkes-Barre Area “…is the only school district in the entire seven-county region that failed to meet the state average in any of the 20 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests or the SAT for the 2010-2011 school year.” From where I sit the district gets a failing grade for delivering a thorough system of public education. 
As to the efficiency mandated by our state constitution, the failures there border on the spectacular. 
Just days ago, the Citizens’ Voice reported that Wilkes-Barre Area’s billing requirements were so derelict that a forensic audit couldn’t resolve whether the former solicitor overbilled for more than half a decade. In other words, it was impossible for the auditor to figure out whether the district was robbed, careless or both. 
Last November, the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader lambasted five members of the board for “…refusing to recognize and prohibit the destructive influence of nepotism on a public institution.” In recent news, one board member is voting from half a world away. 
This is a school board badly in need of a shake-up. 
It’s time for some common sense leadership. It’s time for voters to send a clear message that politics as usual in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District must end. I look forward to delivering this message personally in November, and I ask for your support. 
Thank you, and together let’s make a difference!

Luzerne County Councilman Harry Haas. (Photo: LuLac archives). 

HARRY HAAS AGAIN 

One of the most courageous young politician has geared up for another run on Luzerne County Council. Harry Haas who went into the job with a clear head and open eyes is asking for another term on Luzerne County Council. He needs to be re-elected to finish what he started. Here’s his statement of intention. 
I'm running for re-election to move into phase two of laying the foundation for Home Rule government. I see it somewhat like highway paving: We're laying the smooth macadam over the more dense stone foundation. 
In the first year, our council has successfully: --transitioned into our Home Rule form of government from the commissioner system. --hired our first professional manager, who was the most outstanding candidate. --passed two budgets, the first of which was initially handicapped by a $3million shortfall. --brought an unprecedented transparency to county government with open participation at council meetings and with public appointments to county authorities, boards, and commissions. 
My goals for another term on council are to: division heads. --agree upon a written vision for a 5, 10, and 20 year countywide plan. --continue to bring decency and respect to county government. 
Our campaign webpage is harryhaas.com 
Our campaign's kickoff event will be at Rodano's on public square --earmark any budget surpluses to specifically pay down our $400 million debt. --hire the best candidates for charter-mandated on Thursday, February 28 from 6-7:30. Fellow Republican candidates for all offices are welcome to bring their petitions. Pizza and soda will be offered with a suggested donation of $10.

GOP County Council candidate Alex Milanes. (Photo: Gort 42) 

ALEX MILANES 

The County GOP did a pretty good job in last year’s County Council races. I believe that had more to do with the strength of the individuals running than the dysfunctional party. (Bill Urbanski is making a concerted effort to build the party but it is a complex effort). In this year’s election, Alex Milanes has announced his intention to run for County Council. He is energetic, articulate and a new breed of leader that can make a difference for the future of the County. Here’s his announcement: 
My name is Alex Milanes and I know what The American Dream is. Fleeing Castro’s Cuba, my family settled in Northern New Jersey without a penny to their names. Within a few years, my grandfather would open an electronics store and my cousin would start a fencing business. Kenny Electronics and Delta Fence Company would eventually grow into successful businesses. I lived with my parents in an apartment over my grandfather’s store, and spent my youth in the shop, running errands and witnessing the hard work and long hours my grandparents logged each day. After graduating high school, I started working for my cousin at Delta Fence Company. Through these experiences at an early age, I can attest that hard work and discipline were the keys to realizing the American Dream. 
When my work with Alliance Inspection Management brought me to Pennsylvania, I lived first in Philadelphia before moving to Easton and then Wilkes-Barre, where I found a home. For the past few years I have involved myself in local Luzerne County politics. I serve currently as the Secretary of the Luzerne County Republican Party, as well as representing the 6th District in the party’s grievance committee. I also serve as the Treasurer of the 6th District and represent the first ward of Wilkes-Barre Township in the Luzerne County Republican Committee. 
I am a believer of supporting our veterans and currently an associate member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 412 “Black Sheep”, Social member of The American League Mountain Post 781 and a supporter of Vets to D.C. I am also an active member of the Luzerne County Historical Society. I want to make the American Dream that allowed my family to rise from nothing available to everyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules. I believe that immigration is the lifeblood of this country, and I am the only candidate that will make sure the interests of ALL people in Luzerne County are represented on the Council. I have a proven record of building bridges and serving the people of Luzerne County. 
Alex Milanes “Your County…Your Voice”

Congressman Matt Cartwright. (LuLac archives) 

CARTWRIGHT SAYS CUT SMART 

The House GOP is at it again, cutting the wrong people and the wrong things. Congressman Matt Cartwright weighed in on this issue with the following statement. Cartwright issued the following statement after the House considered legislation that singles out middle-class federal employees by freezing their salaries for the third year in row: “While Congress has only two weeks to prevent sequestration and take action on a comprehensive solution to our deficits, the House wasted time and taxpayer dollars this week on a bill that once again targets federal employees and does nothing to prevent automatic spending cuts set to go into effect on March 1. Federal employees are middle-class Americans who have already contributed $103 billion towards deficit reduction. These hardworking men and women, who serve our country so diligently, are the only working Americans who have been asked to contribute to deficit reduction. We cannot put the burden of our fiscal challenges on their shoulders alone.” “Federal employees provide important services to communities across our country – they serve alongside our military personnel, keep our borders safe and secure, support our veterans and our seniors, ensure the safety of our families, conduct life-saving research, and fulfill countless other responsibilities. To single them out and continue to ask even more of them is unfair and unwise policy that undermines our ability to recruit the skilled workforce our nation expects. I oppose efforts that continue to target our public servants, and hope that Congress will get serious about a fair and balanced plan to prevent sequestration and put our country on a sound fiscal path.” Federal employees have already accepted a two year pay freeze, an increased pension contribution, and reduced and delayed cost-of-living adjustment this year. Together, that has resulted in a $103 billion contribution toward deficit reduction. By voting to freeze their salaries for a third consecutive year, the House asked federal employees to contribute an additional $11 billion. Rep. Cartwright will continue to urge Congress to work on a long-term, balanced deficit reduction plan that asks all Americans to contribute their fair share. 

MEDIA MATTERS 

ECTV 

Scranton's annual Saint Patrick's Parade is one of the biggest in the United States and plans for this year's march will be the subject of ECTV Live during the week of February 25th, Hosts Judge Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will welcome a representative of the parade commitee to the program which will mark its 150th show on March 4th. ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast Ch 19 each day throughout the week. 

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. ... and on line at www.t102radio.com 

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 

This Week on Sunday Magazine Brian Hughes speaks with State Representative Kevin Haggerty of the 112th Legislative District about school safety in Pennsylvania, and his opposition to the Corbett Administration plan to privatize state liquor stores. Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Tom and Noreen Clark from WNEP-TV about Bowl For Kids Sake, coming up on March 23rd at Stanton Lanes in Wilkes Barre, with proceeds benefitting Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Pa. And an encore of Brian's interview with travel guru Chris McGuiness about the best travel deals for the Spring. 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 Spanish Armed Forces withdraw from Western Sahara. The Polisario Front, Western Sahara's national liberation movement, declares independence of the territory under the name "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic". Madagascar becomes the first country to recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic……as campaigning for the New Hampshire primary heats up, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter and Arizona Congressman Morris Udall seesaw in the race to be the top vote getter in the Granite State. On the GOP side, President Ford’s lead widens over former California Governor Ronald Reagan….in Florida, Governor Milton Shapp’s long shot bid for the Presidency continues to sputter…and in Wilkes Barre and Scranton, both incumbent Congressman, Dan Flood from the 11th and Joe McDade from the 10th announce their intention run for reelection…and thirty seven years ago the number 1 song in America and LuLac land was “Walk Away From Love” by David Ruffin, the former lead singer of the Temptations.