The LuLac Edition #2559, November 13th, 2013

Our “13 Questions” logo.

13 QUESTIONS

1. What do you think of the Time Magazine cover of Governor Chris Christie with an out sized profile of him with the title “The Elephant In the Room”. Was that a fat joke?

I really haven’t thought about it but I can say this. Time did this before with the Obama cover of the then Presidential contender being profiled in white and black if you will. They want people to talk about it and sell magazines.

2. Who will the next Governor of Pennsylvania?

The same guy that you have now, Tom Corbett. Despite the bad press and clumsy first term, he’ll win again. Tough to beat an incumbent.

3. The biggest surprise of this past election?

I’d have to say the Kathy Dobash surge at the end of the campaign. You would think that an old pro like Paul DeFabo might have had more traction but her message resonated. Plus her persistence. What will be interesting and wildly entertaining will be the interactions she will have with Council members who she had adverbial relationships. My advice to her: be gracious in victory.

4. What do you think is the best and worst thing about the County Council race?

The worst thing is that many good candidates didn’t get a chance to be heard. And when they did try to something issue oriented, they got shot down. If you look at the four candidates who talked specifically about the debt issues, I mean the nuts and the bolts, they lost. Giamber, Heffron, Taffera and Kelleher had specifics. I’m not saying they didn’t get a hearing, they did but I think people heard but did not necessarily listen. The best part was the plethora of events. If you were interested, you got a chance to meet these people one on one.

5. Did you ever think the County Home Rule Form of government will work?

In time, yes. I think if we go back to the old way too soon it will not be productive. Wilkes Barre went back to a strong Mayor form of government and that got us a Democratic dynasty.

6. Did you ever do a documentary on the Kennedy assassination when you were in college?

Yes. It was a five part series called “Who Killed This Man?” Ran on WRKC FM and I donated a copy of it to King’s College. They most likely pitched it.

The late Mary Barrett, your blog editor circa 1975 and Reference Head Judith Tierney. (Photo: Times Leader/LuLac archives). 

7. Any interesting nominations for “Women We Love 2013?

Oh yeah, a few surprises.

8. I saw you on WYLN TV on Election Night, you said the Council candidates had great rallies featuring good food. Any opinions on any you attended? The second part to my question is this, on WYLN TV do you feel you were ambushed on Health Care at the end of the show?

I thought the Sausage and Peppers at the Grinaway rally in Plains was very good. The Pizza at the Red Mill was outstanding for a few events I attended there including Blog fest. I heard the food at the GOP Wilkes Barre Township pre-election event was good too but left because I had a very long day that Sunday. But people tell me it was great. The Pasta at the old Pilleggi’s, now Keeley's Ale House was also reminiscent of the old days at that eatery. And the booths are still there.
On the TV show, Don Pachence and I along with Tiffany Cloud have been sparring politically for a long time. I think Don was amazed that I agreed with him most of the night about a lot of things except health care. I don't think a difference of opinion was an ambush. Take a look.


9. Did you see the Kennedy documentary that Bill O’Reily was part of on National Geographic?

Yes. “Killing Kennedy”. I thought Rob Lowe did an outstanding job, the actress playing Jackie not so much. More cheekbones from her would have hit the mark. The story was a contrast between Kennedy and Oswald supporting O’Reilly’s contention that Oswald was a failed loser looking make a name for himself. Not the best but not the worst.

10. Favorite part of the turkey?

Legs.

11. Do you ever shop on Black Friday?

Never. I don’t even leave the house on that day unless of course it’s for work. I went Black Friday shopping once in 1968. My uncle Timmy Pribula and his family took us up to the Viewmont Mall. I remember my mom buying me a Navy Blue Tweed sport coat. It was crazy and I think that at that young age, I was cured of Black Friday! In high school I worked at Detato’s in Pittston and the day before Thanksgiving was the real grind, not the day after. And we got Turkey day off back in those days.

12. How do you stop the violence in Wilkes Barre?

Hard to say but the answer has to come from within. The Police do an outstanding job. The 911 operators do a great job under a lot of pressure. The Mayor can’t stop crime. Nothing will be gained by a Mayor showing up at a crime scene trying to second guess his police force. We as a community have to stop being suckers. There are a lot of gullible people here who are persuaded by out of town people to go the wrong way. I’m the only one saying this but it is not uncommon for characters from Philadelphia and Brooklyn to come into this community, meet some woman, knock her up and get a landing pad to deal drugs, commit murders and make a bad name for all the struggling people whatever their color or persuasion here in Wilkes Barre. We as a community have to get street smart and I’m sorry, not so accepting of out of towners with a sob story or a grand idea. This is starting to become war and you don’t win a war on half measures. Someone said on the radio the other day that if you put pressure on the criminals, they’ll either get caught or give up. But we have to stop being so trusting and welcoming to people who show up here with a smile and a nice watch.
We have got to stop being such easy marks. These bastards don’t care who they kill. A baby, a guy walking someone to a car, they just don’t care. We have to stop being patsies. That’s what I mean by starting from within. In the homes.

13. I hear you have a bobble head collection. Any on your desk at work?

I have a few of my favorite players as well as the ones from the Red Baron days. Not worth much but fun. Not a lot either. But at work I do have The Holy Trinity of the 60s in terms of sports and politics, JFK, Vince Lombardi and Richard Nixon.