The LuLac Edition #2578, January 2nd, 2014
THE BIG ONE FOUR!!!!!!
Well here we are on to another year. A few things we will be watching:
The way the Luzerne County Council will embark on its second administration if you will. Kathy Dobash and Elaine Sorokas replace Elaine Maddon Curry and Gene Kelleher. Council gave approval for the Manager to borrow 18 million dollars. We shall see how this all shakes out.
In Lackawanna County, the new charter proposals will be debated far and wide. Look for an ad featuring disgruntled Luzerne County residents who had Home Rule adopted in 2009 to yell, “Don’t do it”.
There will be a Governor’s race but no U.S. Senate race statewide. The Democratic primary field for Governor will be the most crowded since the 1978 GOP primary.
Our three State Senators, Blake in the 22nd, Baker in the 20th and Yudichak are safe barring unforeseen circumstances as are Congressman Barletta, (the 11th) Marino (the 10thn) and Cartwright (the 17th).
But look for some opposition in primary races for State Representative in LuLac land. Plus Phyllis Mundy’s seat which is now open will be a donnybrook.
All that on our plates as the big ONE FOUR takes center stage in politics.
(Photo: watchsanomacounty.com)
SEEING RED INK!!!!
A common denominator of local government is red ink. Scranton in debt, Luzerne County still 400 million in the hole, Hazleton cash strapped, one must wonder where this will all end. When I was on WILK on L.A. Tarone’s Sunday program, a caller from Scranton said he recently moved there and got killed with new taxes. The challenge for local leaders will be to figure out a way to keep residents as well as attracting new ones to their cities to increase the tax base. I’m afraid that LuLac will be long gone and someone else will be writing about the red ink years from now. Local leaders have to figure something out. Working smarter would be a nice idea.SCHOOL BOARDS
We’re going to start something called “Relative Watch” to see which Mayor’s cousin, Judge’s in law or local leaders brothers get hired.DOBASH TAKES THE OATH
Kathleen M. Dobash, Luzerne County Council woman-elect will take the oath of office at the Cando Office Complex, 10 Fox Run Plaza, Suite 1, Drums, PA.Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Correale F. Stevens will administer the oath to Ms. Dobash on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. Ms. Dobash is a resident of Hazleton, PA and was elected to serve as a member of Luzerne County Council on November 5, 2013.
BILL O’BRIEN AND PENN STATE
So Bill O’Brien is leaving Penn State and people have mixed feelings about it. But here’s my take, O’Brien saved the program with wise personnel decisions and professionalism. He walked a fine line in carving out his own way and went out of his way to respect the past Paterno tradition. With all due respect to Mr. Paterno, O’Brien gave the Lions an offense. An exciting one at that.A caller to Talk Radio this morning put it best, perhaps there should be a statue to Bill O’Brien somewhere for saving Penn State’s ass and building on the program. But no matter what O’Brien did, I’m sure there was a contingent at Happy Valley that said, “But we never used to do that”. That’s how people get in ruts.
MEDIA MATTERS
The late Pete DeCoursey. (Photo: PCN TV).
PETE DeCOURSEY
His name will be familiar to political junkies. Pete DeCoursey was a constant on PCN’s Journalist Roundtable through the years. I loved watching that show when he was on because he lent the program a combination of gravitas and light hearted wit that few on that show could ever attain. He was a natural.DeCoursey broke several stories in his time in Harrisburg and used his experience working for Congressman Bob Borski as an entree into the inner workings of Pennsylvania politics. He knew the players, never needed a scorecard (except for his love of baseball stats) and died at an all too young age of 52. As a cancer survivor, I noted his physical changes through the last few years but thought he was well on his way to recovery given his last appearance on PCN in late 2013. To my horror, I was wrong.
I envy the people who got to work with him closely. The tributes coming in the state Capitol today are numerous and gratifying to his family. Working to the end, one wonders how much more DeCoursey could have contributed to the political and media landscape of Pennsylvania. His untimely death can only be described as one of cosmic cruelty. He will be missed by his colleagues and political nerds like LuLac readers who looked forward to his appearances as well as his good work in statewide media.
ECTV
How many times have you heard it? "There's nothing to do." Each week ECTV Live has been telling viewers about events, entertainment, and/or services that are happening throughout the year and are available to the public free of charge! Hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo begin their 2014 season with Jennifer Moran representing the West Pittston Library which already has a lengthy list of free activities and special programs lined up through February. They'll talk about those events on ECTV Live which can be seen on Comcast Ch19 each day at Noon and Midnight with additional showings of selected days at 6pm/ You can check the Electric City Television schedule at https://sites.google.com/site/ectvschedule/SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine
And Brian speaks with Jamie Fulmer from Advance America about payday loans.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93, and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.
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 7 pm on WILK FM 103.1.L.A. TARONE DEBUTS MONDAY
Tune in to L.A. Tarone’ds new radio program slated to air on WILK this Monday January 6th at 7PM until 9PM Tarone is going to be the last word in local talk. Tune him in.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!”
1974
Thanks to our LuLac readers who picked 1974 as our feature year……Lee MacPhail takes over as AL president, succeeding Joe Cronin....NBC radio begins on the hour news 24 hours a day (following CBS lead)….. The 55 MPH speed limit is imposed by Richard Nixon…in other Nixon news, Nixon refuses to hand over tapes subpoenaed by Watergate Committee…The Yankees sign Bill Virdon former Pirate World Champ and Manager as their new field boss…..in Pennsylvania, Governor Milton Shapp is attacked by Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo for reneging on a plan that would give an additional 31 million dollars to Philadelphia schools. Rizzo was quoted saying Shapp had enough money to run three states and voiced his displeasure. Meanwhile State Representative Martin Mullen asked for more money for nonpublic schools…..in the 11th Congressional District, Congressman Dan Flood made it clear he was going for another term in Congress saying there was still more work to be done in the aftermath of the '72 Agnes Flood....and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was a country cross over ht by the Silver Fox, Charlie Rich and “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World”.
posted by David Yonki @ 9:46 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
At first I thought it was all about money and I understand the money part, but I am not at all surprised to hear Coach OBrien was tired of contending with the Paterno faction still in place at Penn State. Its a new year and for the best. Let go of yesterday, silence the ghosts in the valley.
Look for Mike Munchak, about to be let go by the Titans as the top PSU prospect. He's perfect.
Respect for the old and someone
new who is undeniably a great fit.
Munchak could be an excellent COLLEGE COACH. Hes still young, got the Penn State under JoPa cred, a HOF Ring, and about to be in search of work away from the NFL for first time in 35 years! An entire career with one team/organization. Loyalty, Stability and Character of the stature you can rebuild a program around. Coach at Penn State? What a job for a PA boy who played there and who has already made a big mark in College and the pros.
Plus hes a local guy.
Pete
Wonderful story on Pete DeCoursey. I had the Dish but switched to Cable to see the likes of him and guys like Tony Romeo, Jon Micek, John Baer and others.
You are right Yonk, he was smart but laced that intelligence with good humor and wit.
He made the hosts look brilliant.
RIP Mr. DeCoursey.
I was wondering if you could help me out.
I know you don't like anyting negataive about WILK, but...
I was out working this morning, no cel phone coverage and no internet access. I had the radio on to the NEWS/talk station WILK waiting to hear about school closings, my children have never missed a day of school, I needed to know so I could determine if I had to get home.
Well Nancy Kman is either not too bright or Webster's laziness has rubbed off on her, because she said, "I'm not going to run through all the school closings, just go to our website."
Isn't one of the primary duties of radio to inform? And, aren't most people listening because they don't have a tv, or access to internet at the time?
Just curious aobut your opinion as an old radio guy, and please try and keep you desire to be on WILK's programming to schill your stuff out of the equation.
Thanks
IN RESPONSE TO 1:33PM
Okay, here’s my take on the school closings. And this is without WILK bias that you say I have.
One of the easiest sells I had as a broadcast salesman in the mid 90s was selling School closings on the radio. It was an economical way for a small business to advertise as well as a nice throw in for a major client that was buying baseball or football. By the year 2000 that got harder because a percentage of people had home computers. I can’t imagine trying to sell school closings today because of the following reasons:
1. The abundance of weather closings when LuLac land gets a teardrop of snow.
2. The systems now in place where anyone can access if their company or school will be closed. I called my company’s hotline and knew I had to be there by 9 today.
3. The amount of cell phones that everyone seems to have these days, even kids. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a media outlet to expect a little darling to pick their head up long enough to see if they could Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or text a friend to see if they heard something. Kids have their own network and they know stuff before anyone else does.
4. TV has outdone radio for a long time. It is visual. An old radio guy noted on Facebook that his screen is reduced when this happens. If people could sit on their asses and watch American Idol and the kiddos can watch the crap MTV puts on now, they could check the news or crawls once in a while.
5. The times have changed in terms of the old WARM “Operation Snowflake”. We are driving better vehicles now (although you’ll run into a complete ahole with his monster truck and teeny weenie package that he might be compensating for passing everybody and his brother on an ice covered road. Superintendents are no longer in the fear of the state if they don’t get in 180 days because they can do a work around. And let’s not forget the work ethic of kids these days. Routinely some districts show movies the day before a holiday because the kids won’t be able to concentrate with the excitement of a holiday. Really?
6. Finally you are correct that it is the responsibility of a radio station or broadcast entity to inform. In life and death circumstances like a flood WILK and the news stations on TV have done good work. Bt in this case, the responsibility to entertain trumps 95% of your audience being bored or tuning out.
7. I miss the old days as much as anyone. As a kid I remember feeling the thrill of hearing my school’s name and going back to bed. As a broadcaster in the 70s, I read those closing with relish. The Mahler symphony could wait. But things move on.
That’s my opinion.
Hi Dave, great tribute to Pete DeCoursey. Also look forward to your news on the 2014 election,.
As always great job and thanks for your great insights.
Looking forward to 1974. Big year.
And Charlie Rich, great entertainer.
If you had hair, you'd be a silver fox too!
I really don't see how any local government can get rid of the red ink without cutting jobs and doing something with the unions. Scranton is a disgrace in terms of unions.
dave can you sometime give us a weather update on your site so I know when to shovel my sidewalks sometimes the street because I don't have any politions on my street so I don't get plowed and the street dosent get cleaned or salted
IN RESPONSE
dave can you sometime give us a weather update on your site so I know when to shovel my sidewalks sometimes the street because I don't have any politions on my street so I don't get plowed and the street dosent get cleaned or salted.
WILL DO. BUT THAT WILL REQUIRE A ROAD TRIP TO CLEVELAND TO SEE ONE MS. KRISTI CAPEL!!!
Brian Hughes at Magic 93 gives the complete rundown. Dave your bias comes sinning through. Radio is a media that is intended to be listened. Nancy Kman is not professional at all in this regard.
I agree, in the big events WILK had done an excellent job, but every day occurrences are just as important. And remember it is Steve who hammers the point that WILK is news NOT entertainment. If that is the company line, your entire, well thought out, answer is not valid
IN RESPONSE
Brian Hughes at Magic 93 gives the complete rundown.
BRIAN DOES A GREAT JOB BUT HIS BOSSES MADE A DECISION THAT I PRESUME ALLOWED HIM TO DO THAT.
Dave your bias comes sinning through.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN SAY MY OPINION IS BIASED TOWARD WILK. I TOLD YOU MY PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT AS A SALESMAN AND HOW THINGS CHANGED.
Radio is a media that is intended to be listened.
RIGHT AND THE ATTENTION SPAN IS SO WEAK THESE DAYS, YOU HAVE TO MOVE ON. WISH IT WAS DIFFERENT. EVEN NPR HAS MADE THEIR SEGMENTS SHORTER AND MORE TOPICAL. SOME OF THE STORIES THEY DO NOW WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE THE CUT 30 YEARS AGO.
Nancy Kman is not professional at all in this regard.
BECAUSE OF ONE BUSINESS DECISION? THAT MAKES HER UNPROFESSIONAL? GIVE US AN UPDATE IF YOU GO ON JURY DUTY PLEASE. JUST KIDDING, DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK I'M BIASED.
And remember it is Steve who hammers the point that WILK is news NOT entertainment. If that is the company line, your entire, well thought out, answer is not valid.
I HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE COMPANY LINE. THIS WAS MY OPINION THAT I GAVE BECAUSE YOU ASKED ME TO.
Yonk, where do you think Luzerne County would have been if your buddy Tom Pribula stayed around from 2008? Just curious as to your thoughts.
IN RESPONSE
Yonk, where do you think Luzerne County would have been if your buddy Tom Pribula stayed around from 2008? Just curious as to your thoughts.
I THINK WE'D BE FURTHER ALONG IN THE RECOVERY. NOT RAISING TAXES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LAWTON REIGN GAVE SOME PEOPLE, AND THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, A SENSE OF FALSE SECURITY THAT THE MONEY COULD BE FOUND FROM SOMEWHERE. PRIBULA HAD A PLAN THAT WOULD HAVE PUT HIS ON THE ROAD TO SOLVENCY. BUT BECAUSE THIS IS GOVERNMENT AND LUZERNE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THAT PLAN WAS DERAILED. AGAIN MY OPINION BUT WE HERE IN NEPA LOVE TO LOOK AT PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE AS "EXPERTS" AND WE TREAT THEM LIKE THE SHINY NEW TOY AT CHRISTMAS. THE PEOPLE WHO TELL THE HARD TRUTHS AND THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE. AGAIN MY OPINION, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE WHEN BOB LAWTON WAS HIRED THE WELL GOT POISONED AGAINST THAT RECOVERY PLAN SET IN MOTION IN '08 WHEN PRIBULA GOT THERE. THAT CAUSED A PROBLEM BECAUSE INSTEAD OF JUST FOLLOWING THE ROAD MAP, LAWTON TOOK HIS OWN COURSE.
AND LET'S NOT FORGET THIS, IT IS THE JOB OF THE COUNTY MANAGER TO PRESENT THE BUDGET. HE OR SHE OWNS IT. THAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A MANAGER.
I THINK LAWTON HAS COME INTO A TOUGH SITUATION BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN FURTHER ALONG IF HE HAD KEPT PRIBULA ON. THAT SAID, NO ONE KNOWS HOW MUCH PROGRESS THE TWO WOULD HAVE MADE WITH THE COURT SYSTEM AND THEIR SEEMINGLY FROZEN BUDGET CONSTRICTIONS.
Okay Yonki, so just who are you blaming for all of this?
IN RESPONSE
Okay Yonki, so just who are you blaming for all of this?
I BLAME EVERYBODY.
LET’S START WITH THE FORMER COMMISSIONERS GOING BACK TO MAKOWSKI AND PISANO. THEY SPENT AND LEFT THE PLAN TO PAY IT BACK TO SOMEONE ELSE. I REMEMBER PEOPLE SAYING LET’S GET ONE BIG CONSOLIDATED LOAN AND THEN PAY IT BACK.
THEN I BLAME SUBSEQUENT ADMINISTRATIONS FOR HIRING CRONIES IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND KICKING THE FISCAL CAN DOWN THE ROAD. I ESPECIALLY BLAME THE LAST SET OF COMMISSIONERS FOR LETTING THE NEW COUNCIL HOLDING THE BAG. I’M NOT SAYING IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF JOBS WITH HOME RULE BUT………………………
I BLAME AN IMPOTENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT DID NOTHING FOR DECADES IN NOT CREATING PRIVATE SECTOR GOOD PAYING JOBS MAKING GOVERNMENT JOBS WHICH IN ANY OTHER PLACE IN THECOUNTRY WOULD GO BEGGING BECAUSE THE PAY IS SO LOW ATTRACTIVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE TIME PRIBULA WAS HIRED, HE WAS LAUDED FOR TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND DRIVING DOWN THE DEBT. THEN HE WAS STOPPED.
SAY YOU HAVE A HOUSEHOLD WHERE YOU HAVE THREE INCOMES. TWO FULL TIME JOBS, ONE PART TIME. THOSE THREE INCOMES ARE REVENUE OCCURANCES. THEY HAPPEN EVERY YEAR. THEN YOU LOSE THE PART TIME JOB. THAT EXTRA MONEY OCCURANCE DECREASES.
SO THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT UP IS TO GET MORE REVENUE. YOU EITHER CUT YOUR SPENDING OR GET ANOTHER PART TIME JOB.
YOU HAVE TO EITHER SUPPLEMENT OR HAVE THE REVENUE REOCCUR AGAIN.
THE COUNTY MESSED UP WHEN THEY PASSED A 2% TAX INCREASE IN 2012 INSTEAD OF THE HIGHER ONE RECOMMENDED BY PRIBULA. THEN WHEN LAWTON DID NOT RECOMMEND A TAX INCREASE THE NEXT YEAR, THAT COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM. IF YOU DON’T REPLACE THE LOST REVENUE EVERY YEAR, EITHER BY INCREASING INCOME (TAXES) OR CUTTING EPENSES, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN A HOLE.
IS IT ANY SURPRISE THAT LAWTON HAD TO ASK FOR AN 8% INCREASE IN THE THIRD YEAR WHEN IN THE FIRST YEAR, ONLY A 2% TAX INCREASE WAS VOTED ON (AND BY THE WAY NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE), NO INCREASE THE SECOND YEAR AND NOW THE MAX IN 8%?
I’M NO FISCAL GENUIS. YOU LOOK AT YOUR OWN CHECKBOOK AND KNOW THIS BASIC FACT: YOU HAVE TO HAVE MONEY COMING IN TO OPERATE. AND IF YOU LOSE REVENUE SOMEWHERE, YOU HAVE TO GET IT BACK, BITE THE BULLET OR DO A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.
SO IN MY OPINOION, I BLAME EVERYBODY FOR THIS MESS. IF I DIDN’T KNOW ANY BETTER, I”D SWEAR THAT A FISCAL GREMLIN FROM SCRANTON INFECTED THE WATER IN THE LATE 90s HERE.
Yonki, you are totally wrong about who is to blame in Luzerne County.
IT'S ALL GEORGE W. BUSH'S FAULT!
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