The LuLac Edition #2752, October 16th, 2014

LEIGHTON’S BUDGET-NO INCREASE

Your blog editor and Mayor Tom Leighton a few years back. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Wilkes Barre Mayor Tom Leighton proposed 2015 budget does not contain a property tax increase for city residents. This is Leighton’s second year in a row without an increase. The millage remains the same.
The balanced budget contains $44.36 million in revenues and taxes. Last year’s budget was $42.79 million. The Mayor actually grew the budget from last year.
There are raises for employees as well as the Mayor. You can be sure his detractors will be screaming bloody murder as we enter an election year. But the fact remains that Tom Leighton has fiscally run this city well, kept employees increases in line and has run a tight ship. If anyone complains about this document, all you need do is look at the shape Scranton and Hazleton are in. Then just shut up. .

LAWTON’S BUDGET-4% INCREASE

Through an e mail sent by a subordinate Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton proposed a 4-percent county tax hike for next year. The County Council is going to start looking it over and will have a big say in it. The Charter calls for six council members to adopt a budget. With the way this governing body is set up, in an election year looming,that is not going to be a walk in the park.
If they can’t agree, the budget will revert to the one that saw us through this year.
The e mail thing kind of bothers me. I think Lawton might have done better if he presented it face to face but that’s just me. If you have a home worth $100,000, you’ll pay 23 bucks more.
County Council member Kathy Dobash immediately weighed in sending a release saying: I will not support any 2015 budget that includes a tax increase on the property owners of Luzerne County. Every tax increase passed by the majority of Luzerne County Council has failed the property owners. The burden is too high especially on the elderly residents. These tax hikes equal overspending by the Executive Branch. I ask the Luzerne County Council Members to not support the Lawton Administrations’ recommended 2015 budget.”
Vice Chair Edd Brominski told the Citizen’s Voice that he wouldn’t vote for the budget in a million years. I agree with their frustration but here’s my question, why can’t the debt be treated like a cut up out of control credit card you have to pay off? Why can’t the County dedicate a segment of taxation to wind down the debt? That’s the smart thing to do. Rick Morelli told the Voice that the County has to learn to live with their means. Then let’s budget for what we need to make a dedicated effort to pay down the debt. My opinion.

MARTY FLYNN’S ACTIONS

State Representative Marty Flynn. (Photo: www.western journalism.com).

So I’m waiting for people who will start taking State Representative Marty Flynn to task for defending himself from 4 punks on the streets of Harrisburg. The Representative was just living his life and going home when two thugs demanded his wallet along with fellow State Representative Ryan Bizzarro, of Erie.
The “youngsters” demanded the gentlemen’s wallets. Flynn said no and drew his gun. Shots rang out and he most likely soiled the pants of the thugs who most likely were shocked that two guys in suits would have the balls to fight back. The four involved were charged by Harrisburg police. I have their names but make it a policy not to give cred to low life slobs who rob people. But let’s just say these guys weren’t named, Sean, Casmir or Mario.
Flynn has been cleared by the police but Face book has raged with some haters. By the way, no one was hurt, not the targeted victims nor the perps. This was a Forrest Gump moment for the Harrisburg thugs, you never know what you’ll get when you take on a guy from the Lac!

2 MILLION JOBS LOST BECAUSE OF OBAMA CARE!!! REALLY??????

So I hear this ad for a Republican candidate running for office stating that 2 million jobs were lost because of Obama care.
Here’s my question? Where are those 2 million lost jobs? How can you lose that many and yet have positive job numbers every month since 2009? Are we to believe that those 2 million people FIRED by Obama care would not apply for unemployment compensation?
Another day, another lie and in the meantime people are now getting care they never had before the Affordable Care Act.

FLORIDA-IF THEY COULDN’T RUN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE’RE SURPRISED AT THIS???

MEDIA MATTERS

REMEMBERING KOREA

WYLNTV35 will be airing a special honoring area Korean War Veterans leading up to and on Veterans Day called "Remembering The Forgotten War: Korea."
The special will be hosted by three-tour combat veteran, SSG Erik Olson (Retired), a local veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan, recipient of the Purple Heart, and host of another veteran-oriented WYLNTV35 program called Warrior Summit Outdoors.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Sheri Bryk about the big fundraiser for the Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge in Dallas coming up on Sunday at the VSpot Bar in Scranton.
Brian speaks with Kim Courtney & Father Gary about the Halloween Pet Parade
coming up next Saturday at St Nicholas of Myra Church in Swoyersville to benefit Tracey's Hope Hospice Care & Rescue.
And Brian speaks with Michael Milcher & Emily Hibbs from the Scranton Cultural Center about their "Thrill The World" event coming up next Saturday, and other upcoming events at the Cultural Center.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & 6:25am on Magic 93.

ECTV

Things will get a little spooky on ECTV Live during the week of October 20th! Host David DeCosmo will welcome author Regge Episale to the program during the week to share some of her regional Ghost Stories with the audience! ECTV Live is seen on Comcast Ch 19 (Ch 61 in some areas) throughout the week during the Noon and Midnight hour. Additional showings are aired, as time allows, weekdays at 6pm.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week on Community Forum Mike Remish talks with Peg Ruddy, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center of Lackawanna County. You'll hear the program Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 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.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

Our 1974 logo.

1974

In the 1974 World Series, A's Ken Holtzman, who hasn't batted all season, belts 3rd inning home run in Game 4 & gets the win, 5-2...."Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" closes at Playhouse NYC after 1065 per….NBA New Orleans Jazz begin a 28 game road losing streak……Washington Capitals 1st NHL home victory, beating Chicago 4-3..The Oakland A's beat LA Dodgers, 4 games to 1 in 71st World Series makes A's only team other than Yanks to win 3 straight series…….in Pennsylvania Senatorial candidate Pete Flaherty says he is confident he will be the next Senator from Pennsylvania citing Watergate and a successful Shapp administration…in the 22nd Legislative District, GOP challenger Gene Garvey says he can do a better job than one term State Senate incumbent Robert Mellow…................................

and forty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Nothing From Nothing” by Billy Preston.