The LuLac Edition #2379, March 14th, 2013
CAROLINA OFF HIS MIND!
The safe confines of a South Carolina prison former Senator Bob Mellow was utilizing has been invaded by the news that the former lawmaker is now facing charges of taking limos to Yankee Stadium, paid for by PNC which were undocumented and pressuring Turnpike vendors to contribute to his campaigns and those of others. Mellow’s picture was on top of the flow chart presented by Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Former Turnpike officials as well as two vendors were also charged.AND THEY’RE OFF!!!!
Democrats Renee Ciaruffoli-Taffera, Eileen Sorokas, Michael Giamber, Linda McClosky Houck. and Richard Heffron are all in for the Spring primary. (Ciaruffoli-Taffera, Giamber and Heffron were in on the ground floor when the Charter was being proposed) That’s because the second time around for Luzerne County Council, there seems to be a dearth of candidates interested in running for the job. The five will proceed to the General Election and it will be interesting to see if they will run independently or on a ticket.On the Republican side, two incumbents and two good guys by the way, Harry Haas, and Eugene Kelleher will once more run again. They will be joined in the primary by Hazleton’s Kathy Dobash, Paul DeFabo, (long time GOP leader and franchise owner of the former Popeye’s Chicken on South Main Street, man that stuff was good!) Sue Rossi and Alex Milanes. As usual, most of the GOP candidates will most likely operate on their own and it will be interesting to see who will be the off candidate out.
Independent Rick Williams is mulling a second run as an Independent. Williams ran a very good campaign last time and proved you don’t need an organized party (or as organized as political parties get in the Lu) to get you elected.
I think the reason why there is not a lot of candidates running this time is because it has been proven how much work is involved in these County Council meetings. If you broke down the hourly rate of the 8,000 grand the Council members earn, and the time they put in, it might work out to about three bucks an hour. And with the new found transparency in the new government as well as the televised meetings every week on Service Electric filmed by our friends at Video Innovations, there isn’t a lot of room to sneak in a relative on the payroll. Plus there’s no money in the cash strapped budget.
Speaking of money, the Controller’s race is also on the line this year. Incumbent Walter Griffith is facing off against Karen Ceppa-Hirko of Wilkes-Barre. who polled very well against Kathy Kane in the Wilkes Barre Controller’s race. On the Democratic side, Council member and former Commissioner Steve Urban is in and he’ll run against Michelle Bednar of Conyingham Township. The current salary is about 36 grand, that jumps to $64,5 when either Griffith is re-elected or a new Controller steps to the fore.
CARTWRIGHT GETS CRACKING
Today, Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced his first piece of legislation entitled the Focused Reduction of Effluence and Stormwater runoff through Hydrofracking Environmental Regulation (FRESHER) Act.
“It’s a proud moment for me, introducing as my first bill, this measure to protect the water supply for families in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and every place in America where the water could be endangered by oil and gas drilling,” said Cartwright.
“The FRESHER Act simply seeks to eliminate the oil and gas permit exemption in the Clean Water Act and makes oil and gas exploration companies follow the same rules that apply to all other industries,” said Cartwright. “As hydraulic fracturing and the runoff that comes with it continues to increase, the need to make sure these companies are maintaining the cleanliness of our water becomes greater.”
The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a basic study of the oil and gas stormwater runoff issue.
The Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 as a means of combating the discharge of pollutants into waterways for all industries. This law was amended in 1987 to exempt oil and gas companies. These exemptions were even further expanded in 2005 to cover the even more environmentally risky activity of construction, again just for oil and gas companies.
“Fracking was not a concern on anyone’s radar when the Clean Water Act was originally debated, but the practice is expanding today” said Cartwright. “It’s time to update this important public health and environmental stewardship law.” Cartwright introduced his bill simultaneously with Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), who brought the Bringing Reductions to Energy’s Airborne Toxic Health Effect (BREATHE) Act, to the floor. Both bills are meant to ensure that the fracking industry follows the same rules that other industries do in preserving our natural resources.
New technologies have led to the rapid development of hydraulic fracturing in Colorado and Pennsylvania before community members could fully understand the potential health, safety, and quality of life implications of drilling in their neighborhood,” said Rep. Polis. “Through the BREATHE Act and the FRESHER Act, we want to make sure that fracking is not exempt from the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.”
Cartwright, who pledged that his first piece of legislation would deal with fracking and our natural water sources, will also sign on to the Frack Act, which if passed will eliminate the well-known “Haliburton Loophole.”
A ONE TERMER?
Is it possible for Governor Tom Corbett to become the first one term Governor since the Constitutional Change in 1968 that allowed Governors two consecutive terms? If you believe the polling recently released by QuinnipIac, that just might be the case.In head to head contests with former Congressman Joe Sestak, Sestak wins by 47% to Corbett’s 38%. In a match up with current Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Corbett garners just 39% to Schwartz’s 42%. Corbett beats former Secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection head (corrected) John Hanger, businessman Tom Knox and current Treasurer Rob McCord by scant percentage points that could well be within the margin of error on most polls.
It is a year out to the election and things can change, especially if the Democratic party implodes itself with an embarrassment of riches with their candidates. No Governor seeking a second term has ever been denied since the Succession rule went into effect with the 1970 Gubernatorial election.
MEDIA MATTERS
THE PARTY ZONE
Catch the new extended 70s, 80s, 90s oldies show "The Party Zone" with Shadoe Steele beginning this Saturday from 6 - midnight on 50,000 watt powerhouse WAVT-FM - T-102. ... and on line at www.t102radio.comSUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Kimberly Pellicano from Commonwealth Health about their Healthy Woman event, featuring guest speaker Elizabeth Smart. Frankie also speaks with WNEP's Tom and Noreen Clark about "Bowl For Kids Sake" next Saturday at Stanton lanes in Wilkes Barre, with proceeds benefitting Big Brothers/Big Sisters on Northeast Pa. Brian Hughes speaks with Dr. Kat Miller and Spencer Casey from the ASPCA about pet obesity. And an encore of Brian's interview with Dawn Jackson Blatner about a healthier take on comfort foods. 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.
1976
Harold Wilson resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom……………Patty Hearst is found guilty of armed robbery of a San Francisco bank……….Boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter "Hurricane" Carter is retried in New Jersey………Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp hints he just might give up his futile Presidential bid for the Democratic nomination. Polls show the Governor finishing dead last in Florida, a state he was counting on to win……….in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, volunteer committees continue to work on events aimed at celebrating the 200th anniversary of the U.S.A. Informational programs are being featured on the radio and TV airwaves with “Bicentennial Moments” being the biggest and most popular venue of getting the word out electronically….and the number one song in LuLac land this week 37 years ago was the first number one hit by the Four Seasons since 1964’s “Rag Doll”, “December 1963 "/“Oh What A Night” featuring Frankie Valli.
posted by David Yonki @ 2:03 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Although he certainly will not get my vote, don't count Corbett out. Two years is a lifetime in politics. Since the first two term Governor Milton Shapp was re-elected in 1974 only on incumbent was ever in true danger, Dick Thornburgh back in the 82 contest...he bested Alan Ertel by a whisker as I recall to gain a second term. And we must remember, two years ago today another politician was touted as a failed one-termer--Barack Obama.
Bless You and special greetings to Pope Francis I.
IN RESPONSE
. Since the first two term Governor Milton Shapp was re-elected in 1974 only on incumbent was ever in true danger, Dick Thornburgh back in the 82 contest...he bested Alan Ertel by a whisker as I recall to gain a second term.
VERY TRUE. THORNBURGH WAS THE VICTIM OF THE REAGAN RECESSION AS WELL AS SOME SECOND GUESSING ON THREE MILE ISLAND. WHILE I AGREE THAT THE 8 YEAR CYCLE OF DIFFERENT PARTIES MIGHT NOT BE BROKEN, AND THAT IT IS TOO EARLY, CORBETT JUST HASN'T SEEMED TO WARM UP TO PEOPLE. DICK THORNBUGH, A PROSECUTOR LIKE CORBETT WAS SO MUCH MORE ENGAGING AND FRIENDLY. BUT AS YOU SAY, WE ARE TWO YEARS AWAY AND A LOT CAN HAPPEN.
Two things, great 4 Season song. Have to tell you that I think the Controller's race in Luzerne County is going to be a joke Urban is after another big pay day so he can add to his pensions, Bednar while competent can't campaign to save her life, Ceppa Hirko is showing the same scatter shot approach to running for office like Urban (she wants to be somebody instead of doing something) and that leave Griffith who is being investigated. The one guy that should run for that job is Tom Pribula because he knows the budgets. So we'll most likely get Walter by default but if he gets pinched by the legal system (that by the way has thus far ignored the people who are still trying to tell us where those millions went for the Sterling) where will we be? Only in Luzerne County!
I'd convict Mellow on the smirk alone.
Dave, I remember ver well the Bicentennial Minutes on WARM that George Gilbert and Ron Allen hosted. I also remember the Bicentennial shows you produced on WRKC FM Radio back in the day. It seems like such a long time ago.
Hi David,
I checked out your latest post. I noticed one error in the post about Gov. Corbett. John Hanger was not Transportation Secretary. He was the Secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection. As always, I enjoy reading your blog.
IN RESPONSE
I checked out your latest post. I noticed one error in the post about Gov. Corbett. John Hanger was not Transportation Secretary. He was the Secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Protection. As always, I enjoy reading your blog.
GOOD CATCH. CORRECTED. THANKS ED.
I remember Pope Eyes. Great food. And I am so glad Paul DeFabo has reentered the world of local politics. THe man is a class act and his getting on County Council will signal another sane presence with Kelleher and Haas as well as Rick Williams. If he makes it past the primary, he has my vote!
Gawd- Frankieinthemorning now has to do public service too? How the mighty have fallen. Really this is an indicator of how far radio is in the toilet. Can you imagine Harry West doing a public service show? Where would he do his lame jokes?
IN RESPONSE
Frankieinthemorning now has to do public service too?
I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT. SUNDAY MAGAZINE CULLS ONE OF FRANKIE'S INTERVIEWS FROM HIS MORNING SHOW AND PUTS IT INTO BRIAN HUGHES' WEEKLY PROGRAM. SINCE THE SHOW IS AIRED ON ALL THE GROUP'S STATIONS, THAT MAKES SENSE. HARRY WEST DID HIS FAIR SHARE OF PUBLIC SERVICE INTERVIEWS ON HIS PROGRAM (OF WHICH THE AGENCIES/CLIENTS I REPRESENTED AT THE TIMES WE DID THEM WERE HUGE BENEFICIARIES) BUT IT WAS ONE AND DONE. BY INSERTING ONE OF FRANKIE'S INTERVIEWS ON A WORTHY CAUSE INTO THIS PROGRAM, THE NON PROFIT OR CAUSE IS GETTING A BIGGER BANG FOR THEIR BUCK.
i can see why you would say that kelleher and haas are "good guys" because they went right along like sheep on council to raise taxes with the democrats
you wouldnt have said that if they voted against your boy jimmy bobeck
its interesting only because during their campaigns haas and kelleher ran on not raising taxes and being transparent
all they did was vote the majority and kiss lawtons boots
the only one that stood for the taxpayers in the past two years on the clown council was bromo
i hope he kicks the crap out of the urbans
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