The LuLac Edition #2912, May 18th, 2015

POLITICAL ADVICE FROM TEXAS, SERIOUSLY?????

The mailer targeting Tony George.

When I was a kid, I was thrilled to get political mailings. Being the political geek that I was, I actually saved them. Through the years and since I started LuLac I've scanned some just for future reference but truth be told never looked closely to see where they came from.
Tonight I came home from work and saw the mail on our steps. I saw an ad with Tony George's photo on it. Again, no reaction. One last minute blitz I thought to blunt the barrage of George Brown materials.
Then I heard about the ad, then I read it.
A few things. First off, this goes to show that anything you do, any decision you make years ago will come back to bite you. George's lack of knowledge of the group was not pretty but as a Police Chief while he needed to know who specifically these people were, I think he realized what a fine line he needed to walk in making a terse comment to the press.
Second, this flyer said that it represented no other candidate or entity in Wilkes Barre. If that is true, then who did the research on this and what is the Wilkes Barre to Houston connection?
Third, Tony George must have a lot of haters who don't want to see him as Mayor. People have a perverse reaction to things like this. Instead of buying it hook, line and sinker, they react in the opposite direction and vote for the beleaguered candidate because it is a last minute smear. Who can ever forget the last weekend news about George W. Bush's DUIs in the 2000 Presidential race?
There are people I've spoken to who told me they are voting for George because of this.
Fourth, the worst thing about this flyer is that it is unfair to ALL the candidates. It puts a negative light on an otherwise competitive and spirited race. If Brown wins, even though he had nothing to do it with it, it was dirty. If George wins, it is because people felt bad for him. No one wins here.
This area has enough blood sport activity in it without inviting the crazies into the pool.

NEWS FROM THE D.A.

 District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis. (Photo: Standard Speaker).

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis has issued a press release to update the public on the status of the investigation into the allegations surrounding the election for Wilkes-Barre Magisterial District Judge in District 11-1-02.
The District Attorney’s Office received a complaint alleging fraudulent signatures on a candidate’s petition. Two detectives were assigned immediately upon review of the written complaint and are currently acting to gather information pertaining thereto.
District Attorney Salavantis has also already personally contacted the Office of Attorney General to ensure a conflict would not exist with her office performing the investigation and any potential prosecution and awaits that determination.
Although the Petition had been filed and made public on March 10, 2015, the complaint was not made until days ago. While others may have an interest in the investigation concluding before tomorrow’s election, that is an impossibility. The duty of the District Attorney is to objectively investigate crime and prosecute offenders. That duty is not and will not be determined by the election calendar. This criminal matter will be investigated expeditiously and fairly just as any other matter brought to this office.
In the meantime the three candidates for that District Judge's seat are working down to the wire. Jared Kane had a breakfast yesterday at The Golden Palace and did a mass mailing targeted to today, Tom Malloy has been working the neighborhoods and Justin Woychik was on WILK's L.A. Tarone program tonight touting his candidacy.