The LuLac Edition #2968, June 25th, 2015

THE SCRANTON PENSION PROBLEM:

MY SOLUTION

Even though the pension for retired Scranton employees was received under dubious and unclear circumstances, there are debates raging about what to do. Here’s my solution. But first, here’s why I’d never be on Scranton City Council.
a. I have a modicum of a brain
b. A modicum of common sense.
An investigation will tell the tale as to how this whole thing was maneuvered. A criminal investigation. They should look at the Attorney who signed off on it as well as the fiduciary officers of Scranton, elected and non elected.
Even though the pension was received under dubious methods, it still is nonetheless a pension. Might not have been earned but people, even political slugs feeding at the trough of a dying city deserve some lead time to make plans.
When the pension fund dries it, so do the payments. It was extra money they didn’t deserve.
Mayor Court right transferred control of the City pension program over to the state. This should not be part of it.
In the meantime, let’s honor the officer of Auditor General and look into this. The AG’s office put time and energy into trying to explain this breathtakingly stupid move.

LEIGHTON GETS CHAMBER AWARD

Mayor Tom Leighton, Lori Nocito and John Maday. (Photo: Times Leader).

Wilkes Barre Mayor Tom Leighton is going out in style. Tuesday the Mayor was the recipient of the “I Believe” Award from the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce. It is hard to imagine that it has been ten years since the Mayor launched his “I Believe” slogan. Embraced by many, ridiculed by others the slogan and what it stood for never was put on the back burner by the Mayor. He never wavered from asking the citizens of the city to have a vision of better things. The event was held at The FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Leighton joined two other worthy recipients, Lori Nocito from Pittston and John Maday from Wilkes Barre. Nocito has been front and center in efforts to rebuild Pittston and Maday has been the guy who helped make Riverfest every June the major event it has become.
Before a crowd of 400 Leighton said “My speech 10 years ago was not about bricks and mortar, it was about the mindset of the city. The latitudes and the attitudes were going in the wrong direction and changes were needed. I believe that there are many, many more people who chose to believe in our great city than those who have not”.
Leighton has had detractors but you cannot argue this fact. Leighton is leaving this city in better shape leaving then when he arrived. When he took office he walked from City Hall to a downtown hotel to symbolize that change begins with a few steps. That’s why Wilkes Barre has gone from those steps to a big leap in progress. The base is set, now all the successors need do is build on it.

PETE ROSE

The Hit King. (Photo: Rivercity Rascals.com).

I am the biggest Pete Rose booster you will ever find. But the guy just can’t get out of his own way. Just as he was set to be welcomed back to Cincinnati for the All Star Game in a few weeks, and just when people were beginning to say “yeah, give him a shot”, the revelation came that he did in fact bet on baseball as a player manager. His own team but betting nonetheless.
This provides a perfect out for the Commissioner. He can make Rose eligible for the Hall and let the voters decide. With this new revelation of non total disclosure Pete will lose fair and square.

THE MALL’S  MILLION DOLLAR BIDDER

Anyone want to bet that the top bidder was The University of Scranton?

TOM WOLF’s RESPONSE TO GRIDLOCK

 Pa. Governor Tom Wolf. (Photo: Philly.com).

Tom Wolf doesn’t need anyone to paint a rose on him. The Governor Realizes that if he a chance of getting any part of his agenda through he needs new Democrats to try and break the GOP juggernaut in the House and Senate. Wolf’s pack is called “Rebuild Pennsylvania” and he has funded part of it.
The GOP in Pennsylvania is saying the Governor is paying more attention to politics during budget time. But you know what, let’s see how much cooperation he gets in this budget. Wolf is not an unreasonable man. Let’s see if the GOP he wants to work with will accept at least some of his ideas. If they do, that’s a plus. If they don’t, then maybe the timing of this new PAC just might be the thing to let the people holding p progress that this guy means business. The GOP majorities are daunting in both Houses but Tom Wolf has had major political challenges before. Those thinking this effort might be impossible should remember that. 
Meanwhile there is late word today from WFMZ in Allentown that Democrats say Wolf may veto the GOP budget. 

MEDIA MATTERS

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

ECTV

Summer events in the Endless Mountains are the subject of discussion on ECTV Live during the week of June 29th. David DeCosmo and co-host Rusty Fender welcome Jean M. Ruhf, Executive Director of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau to the program which can be seen on Comcast Channel 19 (61 in some areas). ECTV Live is broadcast several times each day throughout the week.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Chuck Tatlebaum, a prominent bankruptcy attorney about the future of shopping malls in America, and he has some advice for the new owners of the troubled Mall at Steamtown in Scranton.
Brian speaks with Sandra Serhan, Event Coordinator for Lake Fest 2015 at Harvey's Lake coming up at the end of July. And Brian speaks with Carol Kennedy about her ongoing battle with heart disease, and a fundraiser for her coming up on July 3rd in Wilkes Barre.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590, WARM, and 6:25am on Magic93.

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.

1965

Our 1965 logo.

Police in Algiers break up demonstrations by people who have taken to the streets chanting slogans in support of deposed President Ahmed Ben Bella….The Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea is signed in Tokyo…..A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-135 Stratolifter bound for Okinawa crashes just after takeoff at MCAS El Toro in Orange County, California, killing all 85 on board…1st US ground combat forces in Vietnam authorized by President Lyndon B. Johnson...................Princess Beatrice & Claus von Amsberg announce their engagement…US President Lyndon B. Johnson...The NFL grants Atlanta Falcons a franchise…..in Pennsylvania, Joseph Barr seems on his way to a second term with minimal opposition. Barr called for more redevelopment of the city and in Scranton Joseph Eden says he will campaign with incumbent Bill Schmidt who he opposed in the primary. The Mayor beat him 10 to 1 but I’m sure accepted the help and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land an America was “I Can't Help Myself” by The Four Tops.