The LuLac Edition #2646, April 30th, 2014

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WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

MAYOR NAMEY REMEMBERED

The late Mayor of Wilkes Barre Lee Namey. (Photo: Times Tribune.com). 

We came across this letter last week on the WRKC FM Radio Home Visitor hosted by Sue Henry and other volunteers and students associated with King’s College. This letter appeared in the Citizen’s Voice and was penned by Wilkes Barre City Controller Kathy Kane. Kane who has been a political warrior for as long as anyone can remember worked side by side with the late Mayor. Here is her tribute in words to Namey who passed away earlier this spring.
Editor:
It took me a while to write this letter about a man who has passed away, but has left an indelible mark on my life and that of many others.
I had known Lee Namey for quite a while before I really became a friend in 2000.
(Although Lee might tell you otherwise.)
We had teased each other for years about many things, but I never truly knew him personally until I asked him to chair my campaign for Wilkes-Barre City Council in 1999. Lee had a unique knowledge about many things, but as he took me through my first campaign, I realized that he was an incredible master of the political world.
He was also an excellent teacher of so many things and had so many ideas that I cannot possibly list them here. We continued on for 14 years with him as my chairman, but more importantly, my friend and confidante.
Together, we chaired the Luzerne County Democratic Party and although our techniques were different, we were able to work together and enjoy each other at the same time.
We resigned together, but still maintained a friendship that was never broken.
We were not only political allies, but we went out to dinner with his wife, Juanita, and my husband, Marty.
It gave us time to relax and talk about everything, not only politics, but family life and how much it meant to all of us.
I will always miss Lee and the many talks we had through the years. Even though when we chastised each other for just about any reason, we always knew that we could count on one another. I would have liked to have one more conversation with him, but through his family, he will always be a part of my life.
Thank you once again, Lee.
"Many people walk in and out of your life, but only love will leave footprints in your heart." Rest in peace, Lee.
Kathy Kane
Wilkes-Barre

Wilkes Barre City Controller Kathy Kane. (Photo: Times Leader).

The LuLac Edition #2645, April 28th, 2014

WOLF BARRELS INTO THE LAC

Democratic candidate for Governor Tom Wolf Monday night at Genetti's in Dickson City. (Photo: Mrs. LuLac)

Political campaigns have a start, a middle and an end. But the most important part of a campaign is the way it conducts itself in the closing days of a race. Tom Wolf is ahead in raising money for the 2014 Governor’s contest in the Democratic primary. The York County businessman is also leading in the polls. But in the enthusiasm race the Wolf campaign is clearly on the upswing and heading for home with a lot of excited Democrats.
More than 200 loud and proud Wolf supporters converged on Genetti’s in Dickson City tonight and it is apparent the Tom Wolf message was well received if thunderous applause and disappearance of yard signs are any indicators.
The crowd was first greeted by Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds Evie Refalko McNulty. McNulty spoke of her initial meeting with Wolf long before the campaign and declared him as “a salt of the earth” type of guy. If anyone can warm up a crowd, it is Refalko McNulty who was a cross between Carol Burnett and Roseanne Barr with the one liners. But turning serious she implored local Democrats that Pennsylvania was at a turning point and need Wolf’s human touch as well as his smarts.
I have heard many campaign introductions in my life but tonight’s introduction of the candidate by former Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo was the best I ever heard. Seriously. The guy revved up the crowd and noted that he canceled elective surgery on one of his wheels (my term not his) to do the honors. Using plenty of body language Washo asked the assembled Dems to give Wolf a very large majority in this year’s primary.
But one thing Washo said quietly resonated with many in the crowd. Washo declared that if he never, ever worked for another candidate in his lifetime, he will be glad and honored that he chose to support Wolf in this pivotal race for Governor. Personally I feel the same way.
When Wolf took the podium here’s what I realized. Wolf quietly connects with people. He spoke of his volunteerism in the Peace Corps, his education and the building of his business as the right things to do in his life. I got from that little glimpse into his personal resume that nothing he did was a calculation to get to the next step. Wolf said he did things because the times called for them.
The candidate said that he was in effect not running for Governor as most people would think in the traditional, political grandstanding way but rather applying for the job as the Commonwealth’s Chief Executive. Wolf essentially said, here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I can do.
One thing Wolf ended with really hit home. He declared that Pennsylvania is a big state in the middle of all the commercial action. It has great cities, universities that people from all the world over utilize as well as a good, decent, hard working people. But he said Pennsylvania needs to shed the modesty in terms of its stature and accomplishments. The candidate said that Pennsylvanians need to declare the strength of what the state has to offer and move it to a new level.
Wolf said he didn’t want to just warm a seat but wanted to do the right thing. Wolf said it is time for people to elect a Governor who will recognize the many people doing the work instead of the select few reaping the rewards.
Evie Refalko McNulty hit a single, Mike Washo creamed double to center field. Candidate Tom Wolf cleared the bases and knocked it out of the park with his remarks tonight. 

 Evie Refalko McNulty wows the crowd. 

 State Representative Marty Flynn greeted the candidate on the dais.

It was great to see my old radio buddy Thom Welby at the event along with Representative Flynn.

The last time I saw Mike Washo was on the set of the old WYOU TV Interactive News when he was a Commissioner with Corey O'Brien and we were guests on the program. As I said, Washo, a regular reader of LuLac really had the crowd on their feet.

Had the opportunity to say hello to a very busy Evie Refalko McNulty this evening. 

Had an opportunity to speak with WOLF TV's host of the weekly Volpe on Fox 56 program Paola Giangiacomo. Her aces photographer was not photo bombing us, he's Frank Deom and owns Vid Your Biz. 

I'm not a hunter or a fisherman but I had to speak to retired State Representative Ed Staback and thank him for his contributions through the years on behalf of area hunters and outdoors people.

The LuLac Edition #2644, April 27th, 2014

BLOGFEST SPRING '14 A HIT

Thanks to all who made it out to The Red Mill for the semi annual Blogfest. The event was well attended by political candidates, observers and bloggers. It was great actually getting to this one and staying for a majority of the time. The fall 2013 Blogfest was great but I left early because of a family commitment and in the spring of '13 I was still dealing with the aftermath of an operation for the neurological thing in my life. One thing that struck me was the diversity of ages in the people who attended. That's a good ting. 
Hot topics of conversation were the passing of Senator Ray Musto, the sentencing of Developer Robert Mericle, the 2014 Governor's race, The Affordable Care Act, the job performance of Attorney General Kathleen Kane as well as the surprise motion by County Council member Edd Brominski asking Manager Robert Lawton to step aside in the latest Luzerne County Home Rule saga. Many people asked about our colleague Gort 42 and expressed dismay at the fact he wasn't able to attend. There is a good reason but I feel I'm not the person to say why.
Two events that I heard about before I could post anything about them were significant. Both happened on Saturday the 26th.
The first was a Custody4Cash Rally at Courthouse Square in Scranton. The event was held to inform, educate, and inspire the community to get involved and demand meaningful change in the court system. Special Guest speakers were  Jesse Epps Senior a Civil Right inductee and Roxanne Pauline.
Epps appearance came in reaction to the film release of the movie regarding the Judicial Scandal in Luzerne, and the recent sentencing of former Lackawanna County Guardian Ad Litem Danielle Ross who admitted to a felony. These two events prompted this event to attempt to get community leaders to work side by side to eliminate judicial corruption in family courts.
In Wilkes Barre on a lighter note, the NAACP sponsored a barbecue Dinner Sale from noon to 5 at the corner of Wilkes Barre Blvd and Hill Street. It was held Sunday too. The barbecue featured ribs or chicken. After a long work week and the event Friday night I was pretty much beat so I hung out at home but Mrs. LuLac surprise me for lunch stopped by and picked up a few items and wow....it was delicious.
Here are some photos of the event:

Blogfest technician and organizer Harold Jenkins and this blog editor. Harold is on WBRE's Pa. Live every Tuesday doing a rundown on local blogs. 

I had a great conversation with Maria Montero Governor Corbett's Executive Director for the Commission on Latino Affairs and Commission for Women. Montero was there because Bill Goldsworthy seems to be giving her the tour of the best places to eat in Pittston. Plus we had great discussions on the role of women in government policy making.

Here's Harold Jenkins with Michelle Hryvnak Davies greeting people at the door and making sure the event ran smoothly. Harold left a bit early to give a literary presentation on some of his poetry in Scranton that same evening. 

State Representatives Gerry Mullery (from the 119th and Mike Carroll from the 118th) were on hand. Mullery's daughter was celebrating a birthday and I loved it when he told me the meal of choice for her birthday dinner that night was Sanitary Bakery Pizza. 

 Jim O'Meara Senior, one of the co-hosts of this coming Saturday's Issues and Eggs at the Dupont VFW had quite the conversation with GOP candidate for the 117th Congressional District Matt Connolly. Come to think of it, so did I.

Former Congressional candidate, Author, Educator and head of Better Life Seminars stopped by and chatted with Bill Goldsworthy from Governor Tom Corbett's office. 

State Representative candidate in the 120th on the GOP side Arron Kaufer made the rounds.

State Representative from the 118th Mike Carroll and I had a lot to talk about.

120th Democratic candidate for State Representative Ellen Cipriani and me.

Luzerne County Republican Chairman Bill Urbanski, me and 120th District Representative candidate Aaron Kaufer.

Here I am engaged in a conversation with Democratic candidate for the 117th District seat Laura Dickson. Dickson is running hard and gave me some fascinating facts that were pretty sobering. She told me that 78% of the students in one of the high schools in her district qualify for the student free lunch program. That is staggering in this day and age and should make the Chamber of Commerce types who tell us they are "good" job creators hang their heads in shame.

11th Democratic Congressional candidate Andy Ostrowski, Doctor Leonardi and I go over the expansive 11th now represented by Lou Barletta.

It wouldn't be a party or a political event withput the West Side's Jimmy Dennis.

Luzerne County Council member Rick Williams came to the event.  Sorry I did not get a chance to speak more to him. (File photo). 

Exeter Mayor Cassandra Coleman was at the event. Coleman is one of the organizers for the Tom Wolf For Governor in the region. Hey Mayor, someone stole my Wolf For Governor sign out of the yard. I need another. I'll be calling you. (File photo)

Two refugees from the storied Pittston Sunday Dispatch get together and talk about books, music and the Beatles. Here I am with Jack Smiles who now is a contributor to Pittston Politics.com.

PHOTOS: Pittston Politics.com, Harold Jenkins and Mrs. LuLac.

The LuLac Edition #2643, April 26th, 2014

WHEN BASEBALL RETURNED TO NEPA

Twenty five years ago minor league baseball returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania. After a long struggle to get a major league team and a stadium built, baseball returned with a spanking new ball field as well as a Triple A franchise for the Philadelphia Phillies. Phillies official Bill Giles, later to be National League President called the Multipurpose Stadium on Montage Mountain one of the best minor league ball parks in America.
The Red Barons, a name culled from the old Scranton Red Sox and the old Wilkes Barre Barons (minor league mainstays in the 40s and 50s) lost to the Tidewater Tides (a Mets minor league franchise) that first night. But nothing took the bloom off that rose.
Through the years local baseball fans were treated to seeing the “future stars of tomorrow” like Mo Vaughan, Derek Jeter, and others too numerous to mention. Along the way fans saw major league players on rehab like Darryl Strawberry, Curt Schilling, the aforementioned Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
The fight to get Major League baseball here was a ongoing since 1977 when Attorney John McGee started pitching the idea. There was opposition by those saying no one would ever go to games and support the team because we are after all an economically depressed area. But McGee stayed on course and the Lackawanna County Commissioners, Joe Corcoran and Ray Alberigi found a way. Then Luzerne County Commissioner Frank Trinisewski persuaded the Luzerne County Board of Commissioners to kick in a million dollars and baseball became a reality. Now most of the building responsibility landed in the lap of Lackawanna County but it seemed to me that was the way they wanted it. 

Lackawanna County Stadium before the renovation. (MLB.com).  

 One of the on going promotions through the years was bobblehead night. Here's a replica of a Gavin Flloyd bobblehead. (Photo Ebay).  

Today marks 25 years of that very first game. The venture that was supposed to fail has had two major league franchise, two stadiums and three name changes. Bringing baseball to Northeastern Pennsylvania was one of those quality of life endeavors that politicians and government leaders are supposed to do. It took guts, energy and leadership. It got done. Even though at the time the people trying to bring baseball here had to do it with one hand behind their back fighting off the naysayers.
As I drive by the Stadium, I think of growing up and hearing about Triple A cities like Trenton and Binghamton. I think back to playing some form of baseball as a youth and thinking how far away those places seemed to be at the time. Every year I take a group of friends to a game and sit and marvel at the sight. Twenty five years of memories in that ballpark. Thanks to all who made it possible.
All that said, on to another 25.

The LuLac Edition #2642, April 24th, 2014

MUSTO LEGACY WILL ECHO FLOOD’S

Former State Senator, State Representative and Congressman Ray Musto passed away this morning at his home after a long battle with cancer. Musto recently returned home from the Federal Medical Center at Butner, North Carolina for a medical evaluation. Judge Richard Caputo agreed to his release in March after physicians estimated that Musto had two months to live. It turned out to be a couple of weeks.
For as long as I can remember Musto was a constant on the Luzerne County political scene. As his father James represented the old Legislative Third District in his old age, his son Ray acted as a defacto aid at the family business helping to process requests from area residents. When his father died in 1971, third District Democrats led by party Chair at the time Pittston Mayor Bob Loftus endorsed Roscoe Mulcahy for the vacant seat. Musto ran on the GOP ticket in the fall and became the State Representative. This upstart campaign was one of the first local races I became involved in.
Musto was selected to be the nominee for the seat vacated by Dan Flood and won the special election only to be defeated in the Reagan landslide of 1980 by Jim Nelligan. Two years later Musto parachuted into a more secure electoral position succeeding Senate Leader Martin L. Murray. Through the years Musto beat back Democratic challengers like Attorney Brian O’Donnell and Commissioner Frank Trinisewski.
If you saw Musto on the street and spoke to him about an issue or a problem, he’d always say, “If you are in Harrisburg or are coming, you can use my office if you need to make some calls”. I’m not sure how many people took him up on that offer but it was a unique approach.
His governmental critics called him an uninspiring plodder who seemed to shun the spotlight outside of his home area. Musto would seem more comfortable attending a Little League Opening or Church picnic than being interviewed on TV. But he was known on both the House and Senate floor. One time when I was in Harrisburg at a meeting, I had mentioned the name of a State Representative Italo Cappabianca from Erie. Musto who at the table excused himself and in an instant standing before our party was Representative Cappabianca. He knew the players and they respected him .
His political friends were sometimes stunned by his allegiance to his family at victory celebrations having the entire Musto clan on stage while the grunt workers were relegated to the seats below. The political enemies were vicious and not being able to get to Musto took their wrath out twice on his brother Joe an appointed Judge and later his niece Jackie Musto Carroll. With all of that criticism though, no one ever questioned Musto’s integrity.
Musto for whatever reason was the target of a sting operation during the Abscam scandal in the 1980s and on film turned down a bribe walking out of a hotel room.
Musto declined to seek re-election in 2010 after nearly 40 years in Harrisburg. Musto was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of accepting $25,000 from a contractor who developed properties in both Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
Musto allegedly accepted the cash and other items of value from the contractor as part of a scheme designed to secure his support of construction projects, The contractor turned out to be Robert Mericle who coincidentally and ironically will be sentenced tomorrow.
The Musto case has been puzzling. Why after years of no hint of scandal did Musto in his later years succumb to a paltry sum of $25,000. Or was there more we didn’t know about? And after years of throwing money around to political heavyweights, why did Mericle need Musto’s help so bad? No doubt something was going on and there was an impropriety that needed to be investigated. But I liken this whole scandal to a piece of dialogue in the movie “The Godfather”. (And I’m not implying here that Musto had anything ever to do with organized crime). But when Marlon Brando’s character The Godfather was shot, Al Lettieri playing Virgil Sollozzo told Robert Duvall playing Tom Hagen, “Let's face it, Tom, and all due respect, the Don, rest in peace, was -- slippin'. Ten years ago could I have gotten to him?” If Musto had retired earlier would this have ever happened? We can only guess.
But the fact is he was indicted but never convicted. Minutes after his death, Sue Henry’s show was inundated by callers choosing to remember Musto as his years as an effective Representative for his district. There will be a huge funeral and many respects paid. On his record Musto will have the charges against him but they were never proven. That will be a fact frozen in time. It is a little different than Dan Flood who Musto succeeded in Congress and copped to a plea. But years later Flood is revered despite those charges. Right or wrong, Musto in death will have that same consideration for his legacy. For every person calling him a crook, there will be five more defending him. It is something many will decry but that type of political hero worship is part of politics and our cultural DNA in LuLac land.
All that said, we send condolences to his family.

MUSTO THROUGH THE YEARS

Ray Musto photo in Legislative Directory of 1974. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Three Congressmen, Ray Musto Dan Flood and Frank Harrison. (Photo: Ron Ungvarsky).

Ray Musto for Congress Election card. (LuLac archives).

Ray Musto in his final year in office. (Photo: Times Leader).

MIDDLE CLASS EROSION

What has been speculated about for years now has been backed up by facts. The American Middle Class, once the ticket to upward mobility has stalled. The United States is behind our neighbor to the North, Canada in raises given to middle class workers. Plus Canada is dead even with us in Middle class mobility. What is worse is that the poor of Europe have higher earnings than the working poor of the United States.
While the United States economy seems to be on the rebound and corporations and individual executives are earning more than ever, the middle class of America has not benefited from those gains. Instead Americans are working harder for less and that trend does not seem to be on target for reverse.
Businesses in the United States economy distribute a smaller share of their profit to the middle class and poor than similar corporations in the world. The profits produced by the American economy has not been growing as fast than in Canada or Western Europe. While executives take their big bonuses for not substantially innovating or growing their business, the economic punishment is doled out to middle class workers who get meager raises and wages for their effort.
It is easy for a Rush Limbaugh who earns 32 million a year to talk about raising yourself up by your bootstraps because his are golden. What is astounding to me are the working poor making 11 bucks an hour cheering him on and agreeing. The middle class has been getting screwed and apparently as long as we have “The Voice”, the NFL and Bud Light that’s just fine and dandy.
But the facts are the facts, the only difference between working in NEPA in 2014 vs. 1914 is the lack of coal dust.

BLOGFEST TOMORROW NIGHT

CARTWRIGHT'S EDUCATION MEETING

U.S. Representative Matt Cartywright. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Cartwright to Host College and University Presidents to Discuss Issues Facing Higher Education

Congressman Cartwright will host a round table with college and university presidents to discuss issues facing higher education. The round table will give college and university presidents the opportunity to address and highlight how their respective institutions are meeting the needs of their students and how they plan to address concerns.
A list of topics to be discussed include: student loans, graduation rates, science and tech education, veteran’s educational opportunities, high school readiness for college, improving accountability and accreditation, President Obama’s new proposed rating system for colleges, improving the transfer of credits from one institution to another.
The event is Friday April 25th from 9am to 11am at Wilkes College. Henry Student Center 2nd Floor – Miller Room 84 West South Street Wilkes-Barre, PA.

MEDIA MATTERS

GOOD LUCK BUD BROWN

WILK did an outstanding job saying goodbye to its 40 year veteran newsman Bud Brown. Brown retired yesterday and was the recipient of a lot of good wishes from news makers, community leaders, listeners and little old bloggers like myself. Brown was a mainstay at WBRE Radio, ‘KRZ Radio and WILK. It is rare that broadcasters sometimes get the chance to walk away in dignity. Especially in this area. Kudos to the Entercom Broadcasting group for cherishing longevity and long time professionalism. And to Mr. Brown, enjoy those sunny days in Arizona. And remember it’s a dry heat!

ECTV

ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will welcome Paulette Merchel from Marywood University's Theater Arts Department to the program during the week of April 28th. As a 50th anniversary gift to the public, Marywood Children’s Theatre will be presenting a lively interactive play featuring a character from Russian folklore, Baba Yaga, as directed by Michelle Summers. Details about that production will be discussed during he program which airs daily on Comcast Ch19 in our area.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with representatives from the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute about the Judi H "Rock On" Fundraiser, coming up on Sunday May 4th at the Scranton Cultural Center.
An encore of Brian Hughes' interview with Bridget Purcell, who discusses the Pat Purcell Memorial Scholarship 5K Run, coming up on Saturday May 3rd at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.
Brian speaks with Jodi Olshefski from The Hartford about safe driving for seniors.
And an encore of Frankie's interview with Nicole Ash who discusses Autism Awareness Month.
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.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week on Community Forum Mike Remish talks with Dr. Nat Bushwick from the NEPA Autism Center. You'll hear the program Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker, 6:30 on NEPA Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400 am and 106.7 FM, and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

PAPAL CANONIZATION SUNDAY

NBC TV will be airing live from Rome the canonization of Popes John the XXIIIrd and Pope John Paul II. NBC’s Vatican analyst, George Weigel will offer commentary during NBC’s live coverage of the papal canonizations in Rome this Sunday, April 27, beginning at 4 a.m. ET. He is also scheduled to appear on MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown and Andrea Mitchell Reports on Monday, April 28.

WOMEN TODAY

Host Liz Tolan and her cast members on the new season of Women Today. (Photo: WYLN TV)
Season Five of Women Today premiers Monday May 5th on WYLN 35
Women Today, the show created by women, for women, on issues important to us, will begin season five on May 5th on WYLN35. The show is seen weekdays at 10am, and additionally on Wednesday nights at 8:30pm and Friday nights at 9:00 pm. The show is produced and hosted by Liz Tolan, Director of Sales and Marketing for WYLN, who is joined in Season Five by returning Co-Hosts Lonnie Polli of the Early-Polli Agency and Cathy Kutchi of Carmen’s Bakery and Deli and Carmen’s Country Inn. Joining the team this season is Cathy Colangelo, of “Your Life is Now” life coaching. Ms. Colangelo has been a frequent guest in previous seasons, and is delighted to be joining the Women Today team on a full time basis.
The group will explore topics of significance to women, with a focus in Season Five on living a healthy life as the new season coincides with National Women’s Health Week which falls May 11th – May 17th, 2014. http://womenshealth.gov/nwhw. Shows will include Natural Beauty Treatments, Eating Clean, The Mind-Body Connection, as well as health topics such as Breast Feeding, Women and Fitness, Post-Partum Depression, Pelvic Health, and much more.
The Greater Hazleton Health Alliance has been the master sponsor for Women Today since its inception, and WYLN is pleased to announce that the Lehigh Valley Health Network will be continuing in that fashion this season. Once again in Season Five the Ladies of Women Today will be joined by physicians from the LVHN, offering our viewers expert health advice on medical topics.
Viewers can once again in Season Five expect to see the segment “Cooking With Cathy”, presented by Heritage Hill Senior Community. The segment offers seasonal cooking and entertaining advice , with recipes posted on the “Women Today” Face Book page for future reference. As the season spans the summer months, we’ll have an “Ice Cream Flavor of The Week” for viewers to see what new cool treats are available locally, presented by Scoopers in the Valley.
One of the main goals of Women Today is to educate and empower women of all ages. In continuing with the shows tradition of highlighting sensation women in our viewing area, this season we will celebrate “Inspiring Women”. Each week we will acknowledge women of inspiration in our area, and will present them with a unique piece of Fair Trade Jewelry provided by Kathleen’s Collectibles in Drums. Viewers are welcomed to nominate their “inspirational woman” now by emailing Tolan at ltolan@wylntv.com, or by messaging the show on their Face Book page; Women Today.

DEM GUBERNATORIAL FORUMS TO AIR LIVE ON PCN

PCN will continue its extensive Election 2014 coverage with back-to-back evenings of Democratic gubernatorial forums on Wednesday, April 30th and Thursday, May 1st. Following the conclusion of each event, PCN will air a special LIVE PCN Call-In program.
Wednesday, April 30:
•6:00 p.m. – LIVE coverage of Democratic gubernatorial forum on education at the Free Library of Philadelphia
•8:00 p.m. – LIVE PCN Call-In program with guests Fletcher McClellan, Dean of Faculty and Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College and Wes McDonald, Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College
Thursday, May 1:
•7:30 p.m. – LIVE coverage of Democratic gubernatorial forum at Franklin & Marshall College, courtesy of WGAL-TV
•9:00 p.m. – LIVE PCN Call-In program with guests Jeff Coleman of Churchill Strategies and John Hanger, former Democratic gubernatorial candidate
During each of the hour-long LIVE PCN Call-In programs, viewers can share their thoughts or ask questions by dialing toll-free 1-877-PA6-5001.

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!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

In the Watergate scandal, Special Prosecutor Jaworski issues a subpoena for 64 White House tapes. And on April 30, 1974: White House releases edited transcripts of the Nixon tapes, but the House Judiciary Committee insists the actual tapes must be turned over. The transcripts become the big news of the week. National Publix Radio reads transcripts over the airwaves, the three major networks dedicate hours of TV specials regarding the release of the conversations from the Oval Office…..in Pennsylvania Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott comments that he is dismayed at the tenor of some of the conversations made by President Nixon and his advisers……in Scranton Congressman Joe McDade gears up for his reelection saying he is concentrating on his district and not the problems engendered by the Watergate scandal..and forty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone.

The LuLac Edition #2641, April 23rd, 2014

Our "Write On Wednesday" logo.

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Scranton patron of the arts, actor Paul Sorvino. (Photo: hotflicks).

THE TROUBLE WITH PAULIE

A few years back actor Paul Sorvino was going to make a movie in Scranton called "The Trouble With Cali". The Lackawanna County Commissioners forked over a half of million clams and now there seems to be, ahem, a problem. Our friend Pete submitted this to LuLac and that's today's "Write On Wednesday".
According to an article in the Times, the County Commissioners haven’t been able to get in touch with Paul Sorvino regarding an investment in a motion picture he made some time ago.
Well what the hell $500,000 is just a drop in the bucket to a distressed area and Sorvino says it was offered as a grant in the first place and he was gentleman enough to make it an investment. Thanks Paul from all the taxpayers in the County. Whats more there is no official document available as to what the deal was in the first place!  
Sorvino, a mediocre actor who appeared in one decent movie and currently has no career was also good enough to donate one of his sculptures to the area. His artistic credits in this field are in no known demand and in keeping with his thespian efforts are mediocre at best. Thanks to the efforts of a questionably talented actor, artist and failed director and a megalomaniac politician and convicted criminal, we can kiss that half a million goodbye. 
To quote another incarcerated former commissioner regarding the project, “It’s a Home Run.” No AJ, its more like a Home Movie albeit a very expensive one.

The LuLac Edition #2640, April 22nd, 2014

EVIE'S INVITE

Evie Refalko McNuklty and Tom Wolf. (Photo: LuLac archives).

RALLY FOR TOM WOLF FOR

GOVERNOR

WHEN: APRIL 28th 2014

WHERE: Genetti’s Manor 1505 N. Main Ave Dickson

City, PA

TIME: 5:30pm to 7:00pm

FREE ADMISSION & Refreshments and Appetizers will

be available.

COME MEET TOM WOLF AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

FOR TOM WOLF’S CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR

Tom Wolf is not your ordinary candidate, but that’s exactly why he’ll be an extraordinary

Governor for Pennsylvania


ATTENTION CANDIDATES 

BLOGFEST SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR CAMPAIGN ITINERARY.
APPEARING AT BLOGFEST WON'T WIN YOU AN ELECTION....BUT IT WON'T HURT. WE COULD LIST ALL THE WINNING CANDIDATES WHO ATTENDED BLOGFEST BUT THAT WOULD BE BRAGGING. YOU BE THE JUDGE THOUGH. WE DON'T EVER WANT TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE THAT WOULD MAKE US A CONTROLLER. AND WHETHER YOU SEEK COUNSEL OR COUNCIL, YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME.  

 

The Luzerne County 3rd District is hosting an "Issues and Eggs" style breakfast on Saturday, May 3 at the Dupont VFW from 9-11:30. Third District Chair Jim O’Meara is co-chairing the event. The purpose of this gathering is to highlight the Luzerne and Lackawanna County Republican candidates for State Representative and Congress.

Lou Barletta is their guest speaker, and will speak prior to the media panel.

The media panel consists of Bill O'Boyle from the Times Leader, Ray Harker, author and columnist and your blog editor.

Moderator is Tiffany Cloud Olson, an active area Republican, television host, columnist and author of “Sleeping with Dog Tags”. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Half of the proceeds will be donated by the author to The Rolling Angels for Armed Forces.

ON THE MENU:

Scrambled eggs

Potatoes

Sausage and ham

Rolls

Juice and coffee

Assorted goodies

ISSUES AND EGGS is hosted by:

Third District Republican Committee

Pat Marranca, Chairman

Event Chairs: Susan Zaykoski and James O’Meara, Sr (Committee Treasurer)

Reservations: $15.00 per person

Make Checks payable to:

Third District Republican Committee

4 Ridgewood Road

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

RSVP by April 26 to:

James O’Meara: 570-417-9518 –OR– email jimbolions@aol.com

Susan Zaykoski: email susanz@ptd.net

The LuLac Edition #2639, April 21st, 2014

LAWTON CHANGE OF STATUS RECOMMENDED BUT 

FALLS SHORT

Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton. (Photo: Citizen's Voice)

Tonight Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton had a motion made against his continuance as Manager. The motion by Edd Brominski took the Council by surprise. The motion was a recommendation for Lawton to resign. The reaction was swift and furious but there were five votes recommending Lawton’s stepping aside.
Taxpayer advocate Brian Shiner let the council have it and advised they were at fault when they never reprimanded Lawton. Shiner told the council to look in the mirror.
Another citizen George Race said Lawton parachuted in to a lot of problems and that he should be given a chance.
The motion was also called a joke by other people during the public comment session. Frank Sorick said that he had an interaction with Lawton and was contacted quickly by the manager. Even though many taxpayer advocates were critical of Lawton on some counts, all agreed the motion did not speak well for how the Council conducts its business. 
The motion to request Lawton's resignation went through a roll call vote.
The vote was:
Sorokus. Yes.
Urban Junior Yes.
Urban Senior Yes.
Bromiski Yes.
Dobash Yes.
Williams No.
Bobeck No.
McGunley No.
Morelli No.
Hauck No.
Hass No.
The motion to ask Robert Lawton to resign failed 6 to 5.

The LuLac Edition #2638, April 20th, 2014

BLOGFEST THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

Do not forget about Blogfest this coming Friday. Again we’re at the Red Mill in Pittston. They have great tasting pizza, cold drinks, a nice deck and plenty of room. Kudos as usual to the movers and shakers behind Blogfest our good friends Michelle Hryvnak Davies (one of our LuLac Women We Love of 2013) and Harold Jenkins. Jenkins has been promoting blogs for a long time on WBRE TV’s Pa Live with Dave Kuharchik and Jasmine Brooks. Be sure to stop by and say hi to these two. Blogfest was the brain child of Gort 42 and Joe Valenti of Pittston Politics.com and with the help of Davies and Jenkins it has expanded enormously. You know the rules so just show up. The fun starts at 6PM. 

Harold Jenkins and Michelle Hryvnak Davies. (Photo: LuLac archives). 

ISSUES AND EGGS

The Luzerne County 3rd District is hosting an "Issues and Eggs" style breakfast on Saturday, May 3 at the Dupont VFW from 9-11:30. Third District Chair Jim O’Meara is co-chairing the event. The purpose of this gathering is to highlight the Luzerne and Lackawanna County Republican candidates for State Representative and Congress.
Lou Barletta is their guest speaker, and will speak prior to the media panel.
The media panel consists of Bill O'Boyle from the Times Leader, Ray Harker, author and columnist and your blog editor.
Moderator is Tiffany Cloud Olson, an active area Republican, television host, columnist and author of “Sleeping with Dog Tags”. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Half of the proceeds will be donated by the author to The Rolling Angels for Armed Forces.
ON THE MENU:
Scrambled eggs
Potatoes
Sausage and ham
Rolls
Juice and coffee
Assorted goodies
ISSUES AND EGGS is hosted by:
Third District Republican Committee
Pat Marranca, Chairman
Event Chairs: Susan Zaykoski and James O’Meara, Sr (Committee Treasurer)
Reservations: $15.00 per person
Candidate confirmations are still coming in. Below are those confirmed as of press time:
Congressional Candidates (17th)
Matt Connolly
Matthew Dietz
Dr. David Moylan (response pending)
PA Senate
Joe Albert (22nd)
Lisa Baker (20th) (confirmation pending)
PA House
Melanie Madeira (114)
Aaron Kaufer (120)
Marcel Lisi (113) (confirmation pending)
Tarah Toohil (116) (response pending)
Karen Boback (117) (response pending)
Dr. Davis Haire (117) (confirmation pending.
Make Checks payable to:
Third District Republican Committee
4 Ridgewood Road
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

RSVP by April 26 to:

James O’Meara: 570-417-9518 –OR– email jimbolions@aol.com

Susan Zaykoski: email susanz@ptd.net

ON HEALTH CARE: JUST THE FACTS

Ever since the Affordable Care Act team hit their goal of 7 million enrolled, the naysayers and fear merchants have been asking for numbers. Well this week the White House released these figures. They look good. So the sky has not fallen, millions of people haven't lost their jobs and grandma and grandpa aren't being confined to Nursing Homes. And by the way, those death panels.....haven't seen them yet

FACT SHEET: Affordable Care Act by the Numbers

The Affordable Care Act is working. It is giving millions of middle class Americans the health care security they deserve, it is slowing the growth of health care costs and it has brought transparency and competition to the Health Insurance Marketplace.

HEALTH CARE BY THE NUMBERS

8 million people signed up for private insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace. For states that have Federally-Facilitated Marketplaces, 35 percent of those who signed up are under 35 years old and 28 percent are between 18 and 34 years old, virtually the same youth percentage that signed up in Massachusetts in their first year of health reform.
3 million young adults gained coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act by being able to stay on their parents plan.
3 million more people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP as of February, compared to before the Marketplaces opened. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment continues year-round.
5 million people are enrolled in plans that meet ACA  standards outside the Marketplace, according to a CBO estimate. When insurers set premiums for next year, they are required to look at everyone who enrolled in plans that meet ACA standards, both on and off the Marketplace.
5.7 million people will be uninsured in 2016 because 24 States have not expanded Medicaid.
HEALTH CARE COST GROWTH IS LOWEST IN DECADES. BUT HEY, LET’S GO FOR THE LEGITIMATE SINGLE SEASON HOME RUN RECORD SET BY ROGER MARIS IN 1961 AND GO FOR 61 VOTES TO REPEAL THIS LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS.

McCORD SIGNAGE IS UP

The teacher union lackeys have put up the signs in Luzerne County this weekend for Rob McCord in his bid for Governor. Okay, let’s see some signs from the Tom Wolf people. As stated earlier by this blog editor, you can have a lot of money, a good message, a pleasing personality and all that but you need boots on the ground. Katie McGinty had Robert Kennedy Junior stumping for him, Wolf was here twice but it seems like Philadelphia's Allyson Schwartz has hit the deck and hid…at least when it comes to LuLac land.

The LuLac Edition #2637, April 17th, 2014

MERICLE’S SENTENCE

Developer Rob Mericle. (Photo: Citizen’s Voice).

So everyone is buzzing about whether business developer Rob Mericle is going to get jail time for his role in the Ciavarella/Conahan Corruption trial. The Times Leader had snippets of some letters written to Judge Edwin Kosik from local people who think Mericle should get a break. All wax poetic about his abilities and kindness. And all of it is true. I worked in a Mericle Building in the 90s when a man who worked in another office died all too young and suddenly. Mericle was there for the business and the family. The stories of his largess and kindness are legendary. At the Ciavarella trial where the former Judge was convicted of one count of racketeering, four counts of mail fraud, three counts of conspiracy and four counts of filing false tax returns Mericle testified that the Judge was a friend and mentor to him when he went to the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes Barre as a boy. Mericle has plead guilty to not reporting a felony.
Mericle admits guilt. So, what should his punishment be? Would it do this community any good for him to serve jail time? Was Mericle gaining financially from the doings of these two Judges? If anything Mericle was guilty of trying to help a former coach and mentor keep up with the lavish lifestyle of Mr. Conahan.
There are those who will say that Mericle’s money was the root of the evil that became the tragedy in Luzerne County. Crazy stuff. If there was no Rob Mericle to fund the enterprise, you can bet Bob Powell and Conahan would have found another funding source to dangle in front of Mark Ciavarella.
Here’s what Mericle’s sentence should be. He should be ordered to serve for a dollar a day as the Head of the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce. Currently the Chamber is doing a nationwide search for a person who is going to be charged to stimulate our woeful economy. An economy and business culture that hasn’t been revived in fifty years despite high price mouthpieces and big shots who have done nothing but depress wages of working people and enrich themselves.
Mericle has proven he could develop businesses. He has proven he can build and understand the infrastructure of our area. If Mericle didn’t exist, the Chamber would not have anything to beat their chest about. I say sentence him to work as CEO of the Chamber, pay him a dollar a day and everybody wins. During the Depression and the war, Franklin Roosevelt got wealthy business people, trust fund babies and men of means with education, experience and talent and got a bargain in the process. We should do the same, convicted felon or not.
The Wilkes Barre Chamber has been a joke for many years, almost as funny as those goofy Cabbage Patch kids from the 80s. If Mericle started his successful business empire selling ugly dolls, imagine what he can do with an ugly and inert business climate engendered by the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce? I think I’ll send this idea to Judge Kosik.

WOLF AHEAD OF THE PACK

Pashinski And Flynn Endorse Wolf In His Bid For Governor

Candidate for Governor Tom Wolf. (Photo: LuLac archives).

NEPA Leaders Stand Behind Wolf

Tom Wolf this week received the backing of State Representatives Eddie Day Pashinski and Marty Flynn in his bid for governor. The Northeast Pennsylvania leaders came together to support Wolf citing his plan to invest in education, his call to make gas companies pay their fair share, and his support for cities like Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.
Representative Eddie Day Pashinsk who is serving his fourth term in the 121st District said: “Tom Wolf has a commonsense plan to restore much needed resources to our education system and make gas companies pay their fair share. Cities like Wilkes-Barre have suffered economically while gas companies have been let off the hook. I know Tom Wolf will stand with Pennsylvania families and that’s why I am standing with him.”
Representative Marty Flynn who is a Freshman Representative from the 113th allowed: “Tom Wolf has made education his number one priority, and my priority is to help him get elected. Scranton public schools are in disrepair, and the state is holding money that we desperately need to repair our schools’infrastructure. Northeast Pennsylvania cannot afford more funding cuts and broken promises – Tom Wolf will give our region the fresh start it needs to grow.”
“I am humbled to earn the support of Representatives Pashinski and Flynn,” said Tom Wolf. “Each of these leaders cares deeply about their community and understands that if Pennsylvania is to grow and thrive, we must invest in our future by focusing on education and standing up for middle-class families. I look forward to working with Eddie and Marty to help Northeast Pennsylvania grow.”

CARTWRIGHT AND SHERMAN HILLS

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright. (Photo: LuLac archives).

The Sherman Hills Task Force, led by U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright, met with John Van Metre, Director of Property Management at The Aspen Companies, a related company of Treetop Development that handles affordable housing complexes.
Aspen Companies has been successful in turning around troubled properties around the country, mainly in Chicago and Atlanta, and currently manages 15 affordable housing complexes.
“Speaking for myself and the entire Task Force, we were pleased to make the acquaintance of John Van Metre and encouraged by his willingness to sit down with us informally to share his plans. We were also heartened by his desire that the Task Force continue in existence in order to partner with the new enterprise,” said Cartwright. “I think it’s a new beginning, and there is every reason for optimism at this point.”
Van Metre noted his company’s commitment and previous success with community engagement and is determined to do the same at Sherman Hills. Specifically, Van Metre referenced working closely with the Task Force to develop programs such as after school activities, creating an active and engaged tenants association, and building a strong relationship with the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.
“Cooperation and communication often leads to positive results– and our continued positive dialogue with Treetop Development, HUD and local law enforcement will help us better serve and protect all NEPA families from crime and violence,” State Sen. John Yudichak said.
Aspen Companies will continue work to strengthen the complex’s security and is moving forward to obtain the necessary permits to do so. Additionally, the management company is preparing to make immediate cosmetic improvements to demonstrate their commitment to changing the atmosphere.
“We welcome John Van Metre to northeastern Pennsylvania and the city of Wilkes-Barre, and we offer our complete cooperation and commitment to making sure that Sherman Hills is a property that is safe for not only its residents, but the people of Wilkes-Barre,” said State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski. “I am encouraged by Van Metre’s positive approach and the fact that he has successfully managed properties of similar status. The Task Force emphasized that all representatives of the federal, state, county and city are united as one body in ensuring that we achieve the goal of providing a safe property that we can all be proud of.”
Referencing yesterday’s surprise inspection of Sherman Hills by the Office of the Inspector General, Van Metre seemed dismayed, but noted that the ongoing investigation concerns the prior owner’s financial practices.
In early February and again in March, Cartwright met with HUD Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Jane Vincent, to receive an update on the progress of Sherman Hills. At these meetings, Cartwright, on behalf of the Task Force, insisted in the event of a possible sale that any new owner must make the repairs that have already been promised.
The Task Force was formed in response to a late 2013 report by HUD, which paid Sherman Hills $1.7 million in 2013 to provide low-income housing at the 344-unit complex, about deficiencies and safety problems at the property.
Members of the Task Force are Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-17); Tom Leighton, Mayor, Wilkes-Barre; John Yudichak, State Senator (PA-14); Eddie Pashinski, State Representative (PA-121); Bill Barrett, Chairperson, Wilkes-Barre City Council; Maureen Lavelle, Councilwoman, Wilkes-Barre City Council; George Brown, Councilman, Wilkes-Barre City Council; Tim McGinley, Chair, Luzerne County Council; Harry Haas, Councilman, Luzerne County Council; Edd Brominski, Councilman, Luzerne County Council; Eileen Sorokas, Councilwoman-Elect, Luzerne County; Ron Felton, President, Wilkes-Barre NAACP; Rev. Shawn Walker, Pastor, First Baptist Church; Angel Jirau, Executive Director, Spanish American Leaders Serving All.

MEDIA MATTERS

ECTV

For over 200 weeks ECTV Live has been bringing viewers information on events, services and entertainment. ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will be looking for you input after their series of programs during the week of April 21st! Keith Williams from the Center for Independent Living will be their guest. He'll outline plans to improve voting polling places for people with disabilities after voters in this May's Primary election provide some feedback on the situation at their individual polling place! ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast Ch19throughout the week. The initial telecast is presented Live on Monday's a Noon. The program is also recorded and played numerous time throughout the week.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Bridget Kane from the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership about their Bike & River Fest in South Williamsport on Saturday May 10th.
Brian speaks with Alyssa Maria from Home Instead senior Care and Audrey Milford from Wilkes Barre, who was named as the 2014 Outstanding Senior Volunteer in Pennsylvania.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Nicole Ash about Autism Awareness Month observed during the month of April.
And Brian speaks with travel guru Chris McGuiness about the best travel deals for the Spring & Summer months.
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.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This Sunday on Community Forum, Mike Remish discusses Earth Day with Barbara Giovagnioli from the Lackawanna County Office on Environmental Sustainability. The show airs at 6 am on 94.3 fm The Talker, 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network 1340/1400 am and 106.7 fm, and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

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!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

Forty years ago today NBC Newsman and Today Show Host Frank McGee died of bone cancer at the age of 52. 

The Today Show team of Joe Garagiola, Frank Blair (who made a stop at WEJL Radio in Scranton), Barbara Walters and Frank McGee. (Photo: TV Guide).
McGee was host of The Today Show from 1971 to 1974 a short tenure but in that time McGee made it into a serious news show. McGee was a floor correspondent for the national conventions of both political parties in 1960, 1964, and 1968, one member of the so-called "Four Horsemen" that included NBC newsmen John Chancellor, Edwin Newman, and Sander Vanocur McGee also served as a radio reporter for the old NBC News Monitor series. He also reported on the Space Missions of the 1960s, had a very provocative interview with Martin Luther King Junior in which King said he thought often about the possibility of assassination. McGee was on the air nonstop for John Kennedy’s assassination coverage and ironically was on the air the night Robert Kennedy was assassinated in 1968.

McGee (left) with Bill Ryan (right) on the set the night of November 22nd, 1963 when JFK was killed. (Photo: NBC News).
McGee always had firm command of the show making sure he opened and ended the show as well as any important interview much to the consternation of Barbra Walters. McGee was one of the very best reporters and had a vivid way of describing an event. If you were growing up in the 60s and watched NBC Frank McGee was a constant in your life. He died very young and there was so much potential ahead for him. When Mrs. LuLac and I were planning a date for our wedding, we first decided on the 17th but moved it back as to not conflict with the anniversary of Mr. McGee’s death. Here is video of Frank McGee at the launch of Apollo 11……

In Pennsylvania Senator Richard Schweiker said on his radio program that the foreign policy of America was not at risk during the Watergate controversy. The first term Senator running for re-election opined that the world was safe with Vice President Ford and Henry Kissinger on the Nixon team. Schweiker was critical though of President Nixon’s reluctance to come clean over Watergate……on the West Side State Representative Frank O’Connell campaigning in Kingston without primary opposition advises that he will run hard for reelection in the Fall despite a huge GOP advantage in his District…….and forty years ago this week in America and LuLac land the number one song in America and LuLac land was TSOP, The Sound of Philadelphia by MFBS one of many instrumental hits of 1974.