The LuLac Edition #2693, July 10th, 2014

CORBETT SIGNS BUDGET

Governor Tom Corbett signed the Pennsylvania budget today but not without a lot of finger wagging and predictions. Corbett said the state was en route to a train wreck on the issue of pension reform. The Governor stated that those who are now getting pensions will be protected but that future employees would need to take on a pension not funded by the state but rather by themselves. So in effect Corbett is not taking away anyone’s present benefits, just redefining new ones.
Corbett also did a line item deletion, a veto of 65 million dollars in money to the State Legislature. My opinion here but I think the Governor figures the Legislators, comprised of  majority of his own party did him no favors so why not slash their funding.
If the Corbett campaign was smart and I’m not sure they are, it should run on these two issues. Corbett can try to do a Harry Truman and just hit these two issues hard. It is not unreasonable for new employees not bound by an old contract to get a different deal due to circumstances. Just because Uncle Jack got a pension in the flush times of the Commonwealth doesn’t mean his niece should be entitled to the same deal. Sorry, private business does it all the time.
On the issue of the Legislators, all Corbett’s team needs to do is run against them and their salaries. Corbett can say I asked for this, this and that but they didn’t deliver on what you elected me to accomplish by a majority four years ago.
Tom Corbett is not a likeable guy. He will never win the warm and fuzzy comparison with his opponent Tom Wolf. If he any chance of success, he should embrace the fact that no one likes him. Not many people liked Truman, even his own party and he pulled it out.
Now granted there might be an override from the Legislature but he can use that to his advantage. Everybody likes their own Legislator but en masse, he can run against them. Whether the onslaught from people who saw way too much money given to gas drillers as well as hungry Democrats wanting to reclaim the Gubernatorial throne is another matter. But right now, Corbett needs a hook.

BOEHNER’S OPPORTUNITY

Speaker of the House John Boehner might have an opportunity in front of him if he is smart enough to take it. By doing so he can help himself, his place in history and his party. There are major issues right now facing the country. Word is out that there might be a compromise on the border mess. Instead of filing a suit against the President, Boehner should take some of those ideas, grab about 190 Democratic votes and start to pass some laws. There is no longer a threat of Eric Cantor anymore taking over his job. Who will the Tea Party get behind, Kevin McCarthy? Boehner can do good things for his party giving the prospective GOP nominee a record to run on. They can frame it, “We accomplished something but put the breaks on Obama." It is a good, smart move but I doubt he’ll take it.

GOP GOES TO CLEVELAND

The 2016 GOP convention heads to Cleveland for a late June date. This will be the first time in about 16 years that a convention will be held this early. Whether that is going to work is anyone’s guess. Imagine how much damage Sarah Palin would have done to McCain if the nominating convention of '08 was in June. But Cleveland is a good city with a revitalization well underway. Ohio is a pivotal state and the GOP will focus on that when they convene. Look for the Indians to try and retire Chief Wahoo and the rib joints on Euclid Avenue to get geared up for all those Republicans.

THANKS JOHN!!!!

I would have voted for John McCain in 2008. Many people felt the same way. But his political legacy will always be marred by giving us this gem.

Cartwright Announces $176K in FEMA Funds for Three First-Responder Departments in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Congressman Matt Cartwright. (Photo: LuLac archives).

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright's office announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a total of $176,126 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds for three first-responder departments in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Ryan Township Emergency & Rescue Squad Inc. in Barnesville, PA has been awarded $149,554 to subsidize the purchase of a 2013 Type I ambulance with 4-wheel drive. The Girard Hose Company #1 in Girardville, PA has been awarded $13,633 for the purchase of 7 sets of outer protective clothing. The Citizens Fire Co. #1 in Tamaqua, PA has been awarded $12,939 to help purchase one thermal imaging camera – an effective tool for firefighters when searching for victims or locating the seat of a fire – and 14 units of self-rescue bailout kits.
“Our local first responders provide an invaluable service to their respective and neighboring communities,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “These well-deserved funds will allow these departments to purchase the essential tools for enhancing the safety of both their personnel and the public.”
AFGs are competitive grants awarded directly to fire departments and non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations (EMS) that are unaffiliated with a hospital. The purpose of an AFG is to enhance the ability of first-responder organizations to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel. Since 2001, AFG has provided approximately $5.6 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training.
Cartwright's General Election opponent is from, you guessed it, Skuykill county.

MEDIA MATTERS

Area Couple To Be Featured Nationwide On American Heroes Channel in August

Tiffany Cloud Olson and SSG Erik Olson. (Photo: Facebook)

The American Heroes Channel (formerly The Military Channel), part of Discovery Communications Network, is launching a new television show starting July 26, 2014 entitled “Saving Heroes.” The series will air on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. and will run for 23 weeks within a branded block of programming honoring heroes from all walks of life. "Saving Heroes" focuses on the heroics of first responders--brave police officers, firefighters—as well as individuals from all branches of the U.S. military. In addition, "Saving Heroes" will feature ordinary citizens who have saved others. Promotional Video: https://vimeo.com/97244792
An area couple, SSG Erik Olson, Ret. and Tiffany Cloud Olson, are going to be the featured “heroes” in an episode being taped in the region over several days the week of July 6th. The one-hour “Saving Heroes” episode about the Olsons will air on the American Heroes Channel nationwide mid-to-late August (date still being finalized).
They have been selected for the tremendous amount of work they have both done over the past decade plus to support our country and, importantly, military families/veterans of war.
Michael Noval is the Emmy Award-winning Director and Co-Executive Producer of the series “Saving Heroes” airing on American Heroes Channel. Noval best known for producing 100 episodes of "The Amazing Race." The show is hosted by journalist Mikey Kay as well as by others such as professional athlete Darian Boyle and Cpl Dan Lasko, a wounded warrior Marine.
SSG Erik Olson and Tiffany Cloud Olson are honored to represent the local community on The American Heroes Channel. They are avid watchers of The American Heroes Channel (formerly The Military Channel) and The Discovery Communications Network so are excited about and extremely touched by the opportunity to have their efforts featured on a nationwide television platform they so greatly admire…
“To even be on the same channel that shows men who stormed the beaches in Normandy, fought in the Frozen Chosin Reservoir, bled in the jungles of Vietnam…those men are MY heroes… I’m honored and humbled The American Heroes Channel is sharing our story with the nation. We are simply Americans doing our part. We are deeply appreciative the production company selected us.”—Tiffany Cloud Olson
The Olsons believe Americans must remember we are a nation still at war and that American’s finest, our returned veterans of war, deserve to be supported once back home—that their families deserve support; that we must do more to raise awareness about the invisible wounds of war and act to prevent the horrific suicide rates [per a 2012 Army Report-22 veterans/day commit suicide]; that it’s up to all of us to give back to those who have given so very much for our freedom. They both believe in the creed of Warrior Summit Outdoors LLC, that “courage heals the soul”…
“It takes courage to fight in war, but it also takes courage to come home from war and deal with it in a healthy, productive way. I don’t want any more of my brothers and sisters to commit suicide once home from battle. In the military, I learned to lead by example and I want to be a part of the solution; my wife and I both want to be part of the solution—that’s our mission. We want our nation’s returned veterans to get support, patience, understanding, jobs—opportunities they have earned and, frankly, deserve.”—SSG Erik Olson

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest on Community Forum will be Bill Schoen from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. He'll discuss the Skills in Scranton program with Mike Remish Sunday morning. You'll hear Community Forum at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network on 1340 and 1400 am and 100.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Highlights of last weeks rally by striking nurses at Wilkes Barre General Hospital. The nurses returned to work on Wednesday after being on the picket lines for 5 days.
An encore of Brian Hughes' interview with money coach Lynette Cox about our car budget for the summer vacation months.
And an encore of Brian's interview with Karol Nickell, Editor in Chief of the brand new Live Happy Magazine, about how we can all live a little happier.
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 Good Time Oldies 590, WARM.

ECTV

Former WYOU Weather forecaster Barry Finn will again join David DeCosmo in hosting ECTV Live during the week of July 14th. They'll be speaking with guest Mellody Remillard from the Grey Towers National Historical Site in Milford Pennsylvania. Grey Towers was the home of former Governor Gifford Pinchot who established and served as the first Chief of the US Forest Service. Numerous public events are scheduled there each year and Ms. Remillard will outline those activities as well as the history of the facility. ECTV Live is carried on Comcast Cable Ch19 and cane be seen during the Noon and Midnight hour on rebroadcasts throughout the week.

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

News anchor Christine Chubbuck commits suicide during a live broadcast on WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida…….

in Washington, D.C. the House Judiciary Committee readies itself to take a vote on the Impeachment of President Nixon……in Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo says that he does not regret backing Nixon for President when he ran in 1972……and in Lackawanna County the GOP County Comissioner team of Luger and Pettinato make plans for another run in 1975 appearing at various summertime events around the county…and forty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John.