The LuLac Edition #2589, January 23rd, 2014
THE SLOB-IFICATION OF THE KIRBY
I have to get this off my chest. It has to do with the FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. I was around in the mid 80s when Al Boscov wanted to save The Paramount. The tattered old theatre was in need of renovation and the community got together and raised enough money to restore the Theatre to its art deco splendor. During the first few decades, entertainers of all stripes graced the stage. This blog editor even had a hand in a few shows thanks to the good graces of John Loesser, the Executive Directorthrgeee at the time. Does the last name Loesser sound amiliar? His father was one Mr. Frank Loesser of “Guys and Dolls” fame.
What I remember about the Kirby was getting dressed up. If it was the NEPA Philharmonic or Asleep At the Wheel, people got dressed up. And when you wanted beer or wine, you drank it in the lobby. Before or after the show. When you went to an Oldies or Rock Dhow, you danced in the aisles.
Not anymore.
I talked to a few friends who went to see Trombone Shorty last Friday. They had good seats, about row 10 and paid about fifty bucks for them. Unfortunately they saw little of Trombone Shorty because of the jackasses dancing in front of them. In order to see him they had to go to the aisles. And of course there were the cup holders on the back of the seats in case the local drunks couldn’t get through fifteen minutes without a beer.
The Kirby was intended to be a showplace for entertainment and the arts. Greats like Miles Davis played there as well as the Righteous Brothers. People came to see the acts, not to be seen. The Kirby has some great programs on tap but be warned, if you go, you may not see the show. The slobs have invaded the arts. The Kirby like all of our culture has now entered the era of Wyoming Valley slobification. I ams whose I am and don’t care if yuz don’t like it. Yep, we’re all class. Heyna.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON
During the past two years of service on the new Luzerne County council, I have attempted , through words and actions, to promote Luzerne County and it’s assets. I have arranged and attended meeting with the Manger at the Northeast Leadership Council, Rotary groups, summer outings attended by Local, County, State and Federal Officials as well as significant community leaders, in an attempt to jump start our movement toward county growth. I have also had businessmen make cost saving presentations to the manager ( savings on utilities and foresting of our woodlands). To date none of my attempts to have these resources used to improve the economy of the county have been utilized.
Most recently I made an amendment to open the county budget to implement some of my suggestions. After a rather contentious meeting regarding the opening of the budget, I was asked why I did not make these suggestions before. I had apprised the council on numerous occasions of my ideas , unfortunately they went right over most of the then majorities’ heads. Now with a new majority , I may be heard, although it may be too late too really impact a change in the budget.
Be that as it may . I was amazed that two of my fellow councilmen criticized my proposal and said they were pie in the sky and essentially inane. Interestingly the two critics had proposals for enhancing Luzerne County, both were costly not cost savings. One proposal was to build a skate board ramp along the river commons and the other was to extend new road ways to accommodate cyclists.
Certainly they are to be commended for their suggestions, but when we are $380,000,000 in debt, I believe something more substantial should be offered. With that in mind I proposed to gain revenue by:
1. Selling Valley Crest at a reduced amount of $3.5 million
2. Give an early retirement incentive to employees( mostly upper income people) saving about $2.5 million
3. Reduce the county share to LCTA by the reduced percent of senior riders saving about $350,000
4. Implement utilities saving which could realize $120,000
5. Forestry of our woodlands that could bring in about $250,000 per year.
The total could amount to $6.5 to $7 million which would put our tax increase at about the CPI ( Cost of Living raise) which we senior received.
I plan to announce another initiative for improved revenues for the county.
Predictably County Manager Bob Lawton disagreed with Bromo’s plan. He outlined his outrage in Jennifer Learnes Andes story in the Times Leader today. Here’s the link:
http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1142939/Lawton-blasts-Brominskis-proposed-budget-cuts
BARLETTA ANNOUNCES
Rep. Lou Barletta kicked off his re-election campaign today with meetings with community leaders, supporters, and the media. Barletta released the following statement:
“Today, I officially announce my intention to seek another term as U.S. Representative to continue my fight for the people I’m honored to represent. As someone who sees the world through the eyes of a mayor, my priorities are always local. But we have also made progress on important national issues like cutting Washington’s wasteful spending and protecting my constituents from the harmful impact of Obamacare.
“Through my chairmanship of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee I have been able to save over $700 million in taxpayer funds by applying the common sense principles I learned as a small-business owner and as a mayor to how Washington does business.
“I continue to defend American workers and small towns across this country by opposing any attempt to grant amnesty to those that are in this country illegally.
“And, judging from the letters and phone calls I receive, the concerns people share with me when I am touring their town or meeting with community leaders, it is clear that the people of my district are deeply concerned about the negative effects of Obamacare. Just recently, the pressure I and many of my colleagues put on the Internal Revenue Service prevented the agency from treating volunteer firefighters as employees for federal tax purposes. As a result, volunteer fire and rescue companies will not have to face crushing Obamacare costs for their volunteers. This is a victory for volunteer fire companies in the 11th District, and across Pennsylvania and America. I will still be pursuing legislation to write the protection of volunteer firefighters into law, so that this issue will not be subject to the whims of IRS policy makers.
“In short, Obamacare is a bad law that is hurting our economy, forcing the cancellation of millions of insurance policies, killing jobs, and even threatening public safety. I will continue to oppose it.
“Over the summer, I fought for Sarah Murnaghan and her search for equitable treatment and her right to life. Sarah, a 10 year old Pennsylvanian with Cystic Fibrosis, was in desperate need of a life-saving lung transplant but was prevented from receiving the care her doctor prescribed for her due to regulations imposed by U.S. Health and Human Services. After a long fight, I am happy to say that Sarah received her needed double-lung transplant and is healthy and strong.
“After the damage of Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene, I saw a need for change in how Washington handles national disasters. The Federal Government simply didn’t do enough to help families and businesses rebuild after Mother Nature strikes. I introduced the Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2013 to help solve this problem. While I realize no amount of money can ever replace the lives, valuables, or family treasures lost in a disaster, this legislation makes more affordable avenues of recovery available to those impacted by national disasters.
“There’s still a great deal of work to be done in Washington and I humbly and sincerely ask for the support of the people of the 11th District. Together, with their help, support and prayers we will put America back on the right track and guarantee a better opportunity for our children and our grandchildren.”
MEDIA MATTERS
ECTV
Steamtown National Historical Site has a lot of exhibits and attractions. It also has a schedule to Free Fee Days throughout the year! ECTV Live hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo will welcome Park Ranger Tim O'Malley to their show during the week of January 27th to announce those free admission dates and talk about the many things to see at the Railroad based National Park. ECTV Live is seen on Comcast Ch19 every day at Noon and Midnight with additional showings at 6pm several days during the week.
THE DOCTOR ON PA LIVE
Dr. Joe Leonardi will be a guest during the 4pm hour on PA Live on WBRE TV. Leonardi will be on the January 27th program.
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION
Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.
BUDDY RUMCHEK
Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”
Our 1974 logo
1974
4th NFL Pro Bowl: AFC beats NFC 15-13…….7th ABA All-Star Game: East 128 beats West 112….A college basketball game ends with this score. Essex Community College beats Englewood Cliffs 210-67 in basketball……Gold hits record $161.31/silver hits record $3.97 an ounce in London……1st edition of women's magazine "Story"….. Christian Barnard transplants 1st human heart without removal of old and Ray Kroc, CEO (McDonald's), buys SD Padres for $12 million……………….in Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner under the Shapp administration Herbert Denenberg says he will seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator to try to upset first termer Richard Schweiker…….in Luzerne Ciounty, freshman Representative George Hasay announces his re-election bid for another term in Harrisburg. Hasay was elected as one of the youngest Representatives in 1972….and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “You’re Sixteen” by former Beatle Ringo Starr.
posted by David Yonki @ 8:07 PM
19 comments
19 Comments:
I won't get into the cultural aspects let me say:
The people in row 9 thought: "hey for 50 bucks, I'm dancin'" while the people in row 10 thought "for 50 bucks I wanna SEE the act too".
Perhaps if the center section was "reserved SEATING and listening" while the last half of each side section was designated "seat dancing" the patrons would know what they were getting and ushers could enforce the policy if necessary. Tickets would support consequences for policy violations.
Good morning students,
Mr. Yonki, I give you an A+ on your article on the one time cultural center turned roadhouse, the FM Kirby Center. I recall many years ago the grand opening of the once great institution. It was black tie only for the men and gowns for the ladies (as the dress code for any cultural center should be). Ravel’s “Bolero” was performed, accompanied by the American Ballet Theatre and the Northeast Philharmonic w/Mr. Hugh Keelan (if my memory serves me well) conducting. I recall sitting there pondering that finally, finally this run down area may have a chance. The performance was stellar, the audience appreciative and refined; a wonderful evening.
My belief is the cancer that is now destroying that theater began when the so called “rock” acts were allowed to enter the sacred cultural edifice. Ingrates such as Bob Dylan and the British group the Konks. It was then I told the boys at the club to begin the deathwatch. That was many years ago and, as usual in many things, my prediction has come to fruition.
If this government’s policies continue to drag us downward, I fear one day the Met will be hosting a rap act and Avery Fisher Hall a traveling side show. Dear God.
Our culture has been usurped by the leftists who see nothing wrong with excessive drinking, drug use, and sexual promiscuity. Our children cannot differentiate between when the Civil War was fought as opposed the World War II. Liberal teachers teach all youngsters that each one of them is “special” and will never “fail”. All the little children get a medal in a competition. So, young Mr. Yonki, the reason those morons are dancing and blocking your vision is that they were brought up to feel entitled to do so----by some useless and unqualified teacher. Dear Lord, teachers are now even fornicating with youngsters.
We as a nation are quickly approaching the path the Roman Empire traveled. IF we do not shape up----a fiscally responsible government, teaching morality instead of praising immorality, re-instituting corporal punishment for unruly students, and reading the Bible instead of knocking it---we too shall go the way of the Romans.
So, if you slackers would take the time to go to your respective houses of worship this weekend, instead of the local bar and grille, you may wake up on Monday morning feeling a bit better---and a bit wiser.
Something to think about this morning……..
Class Dismissed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama interview with O'Reilly during the Super Bowl? Did I hear that correctly. Good time to make room for more adult beverages and food.
I hope someone tracks the number of people who switch channels. Who the hell wants to ruin a good time?
The bigger problem is that the president is now "albatrossed" with ObamaCare not as a hazy promise or concept but a fact. People now know it was badly thought, badly written and disastrously executed. It was supposed to make life better by expanding coverage. It has made it worse, by throwing people off coverage. And—as we all know now but did not last year—the program was passed only with the aid of a giant lie. Now everyone knows if you liked your plan, your doctor, your deductible, you can't keep them.
When the central domestic fact of your presidency was a fraud, you can't expect people to listen to you anymore and we won't.
When will Yonk wake up?
I agree with your comments about the Kirby. It should hold up a somewhat higher standard.
I like what the Sherman Theater does in Stroudsburg, they keep an old facility moving and busy, but for the most part it is equipped for drinking, "club-like" events. I'd love the Kirby to stay a step above that as a classy venue and not become WB's Sherman.
Dave, your buddy Pribula, when he was interim manager, was figuratively smacked around by council and Brominski took his swings at him. However Pribula's assessment and projections were right on. If the county took small steps to close the gap between revenue and expenses (i.e. small tax increases or alternative revenue sources along with expense contractions) we could have been basically out of this mess. Lawton coasted through 2013 with no tax increase/alternative revenue sources/expense contractions and then lowered the boom on taxpayers and the average employees who actually do the work. Higher taxes and reduced services are counterintuitive. Usually you hear that taxes must be raised to maintain services. He has surrounded himself by less than capable "yes" managers and the majority of council has nodded in agreement like a dummies with Lawton's hand up their butts. Is he for real when he lauds his new budget and finance appointee saying that's the best a nationwide search can come up with? Irregardless of his past employment history, what has he provided for the county since being there? The new financial system doesn't work as promised, there has been no regular reporting, the audit is late again, there is no historical data to compare to see if Home Rule has actually saved any dollars, etc. I can go on. I also can believe the numbers in the budget since past performance demonstrates a lack of credibility. I don't agree with Brominski's suggestions that retrace some past errors, but Lawton needs to be terminated. Now he has demonstrated that he is aligned with the majority and thinks nothing of publicly bashing the council vice chairman.
Dave, another great edition on LuLac. Have to tell you that I look forward to the Thursday editions and am glad the Professor has returned.
On 1974's music, you'll see some very good and bad.
Thought we were rid of the professor.
Hope the guy is healthy, but sad to see him back on the Lulac scene. I dont care for his pompous arrogant ramblings, but fortunately I dont have to read them, do I?
Slim
He's back! Thats right Prof, all the trouble in the world has been caused by Bob Dylan and Barrack Obama!
Personally I think we should blame it all on the Rolling Stones and John F Kennedy!
Your comments on the F.M.Kirby:
You will be the first to lament it closing because the tickets go unsold.
Let people have a good time. Or stay home.
"When will Yonk wake up?
6:31 AM"
TRANSLATION........ YONK, WHEN WILL YOU RECOGNIZE THAT OBAMA IS BLACK AND JOIN THE BIGOTS WHO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 10 MILLION AMERICANS NOW HAvE HEALTH CARE AND THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS CONTINUES TO SIT ON EVERY EFFORT OBAMA HAS PUT FORWARD IN THE FROM OF JOBS BILL, ETC.
Brominski has some good point and some that need revision.
Yes it would be a good idea to sell some of our forest under strict guidelines. If this can be done yearly with a constant yearly flow for years to come then the proceeds could be used for the general fund. If they can't then the proceeds should be used to reduce the debt.
There is no time that nonrecurring funds should ever be used to pay recurring bills. This policy would lead to double the trouble the following year. Too bad Mericle is so damaged because I would give him the property for almost nothing because he has an outstanding track record as developer.
Lawton is wrong in thinking retirement incentives have no value. They had no value in the past because it was done to favor a few. They added years of service that increased retirement checks. They allowed people to retire and then hired them back the next day as per diem employees. They can offer health insurance which would be a great savings in salaries even if some have to be re placed.... they would be re placed with a lower starting salary and increased health insurance contributions or not rep;laced at al but county staffing is beginning to suffer with firings.
Utility savings are real but there is a large investment to get to that point.
Brominski has an obvious problem with the head of the LCTA and cutting their funding would have a strong negative effect on those who need and rely on public transportation. I have to wonder if this was just a shot at the LCTA Director?
What I like is that Brominski at least threw some ideas out there. The other members have done nothing and Dobash who was anti tax increase came out of the boss with her first official action to be to hire a steno for the Council when a tape recorder would have served her purposes. Proof positive that ya get what ya pay for!
THE SLOB-IFICATION OF THE KIRBY
Our area is being overrun by the rabble that people like you and corbett hold so near and dear to your hearts, and now you're complaining about them.
Dave, what can we expect when it comes to behavior at the Kirby. Maybe it all stems from watching all those reality shows. Just to name one. Honey Boo Boo. Just don't be surprised this show receives some sort of an award if it hasn't already. As I stated in the beginning, "what do you expect".
IN RESPONSE
Dave, what can we expect when it comes to behavior at the Kirby. Maybe it all stems from watching all those reality shows. Just to name one. Honey Boo Boo. Just don't be surprised this show receives some sort of an award if it hasn't already. As I stated in the beginning, "what do you expect".
YOU BRING UP A GREAT POINT ABOUT REALITY SHOWS. WHY DON'T THEY DO A REALITY SHOW ABOUT PARENTS COPING WITH A DISABLE CHILD? OR PEOPLE OUR AGE RAISING THEIR KIDS CHILDREN. OR PEOPLE OUR AGE DEALING WITH PARENTS WITH DEMENTIA. THAT WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL THE PEOPLE AT "E" SEE THEY CAN MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT.
Barletta is on his way to becoming the next Flood, McDade or Kanjorski in terms of longevity.
Dave, I agree on your comment on doing a "REAL" reality show on real life day to day hardships.
It would be a flop. People today do not want to see or hear such things. They would rather hear and listen to people belching and farting. Maybe they believe this is the real deal.
Maybe it's time to wakeup and smell the coffee. Or as Forest Gump would say, stupid is as stupid does."
Any more coverage on state races yet? Any word on district chair Peckaroski running for State Rep?
I'll take the 5th on the Public Bank proposal.
TRANSLATION........ YONK, WHEN WILL YOU RECOGNIZE THAT OBAMA IS BLACK AND JOIN THE BIGOTS WHO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 10 MILLION AMERICANS NOW HAvE HEALTH CARE AND THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS CONTINUES TO SIT ON EVERY EFFORT OBAMA HAS PUT FORWARD IN THE FROM OF JOBS BILL, ETC.
Re-translation:
Everything is racial because I don't understand financial.
I never ran a successful business where other men and women relied on me to support their families.
I never had to navigate code enforcement, permitting, county, state and federal tax and regulatory authorities.
I prefer the security of government oversight and a substantial safety net.
I refuse to acknowledge man's need to try, even though it requires risk when he does.
I refuse to acknowledge the things that our founders considered central to being a great country because they make me uncomfortable.
I continue to forgive my political leaders their blatant transgressions while mocking those teachers, lawyers, judges and others who dare display an ounce of forgiveness towards those same transgressions.
1:57
But can he ever match them in corruptness? I hope not and dont see it happening. Unless he screws up badly I think you are correct.
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