The LuLac Edition #3072, November 19th, 2015

NOT SO WILD ABOUT HARRY

Luzerne County Council member Harry Haas. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Harry Haas shocked his fellow members n Luzerne County Council the other night when he sided with Kathy Dobash, Ed Brominski, Eileen Sorokas, and the Urbans (Steve A. and Steve J. respectively in voting to not apply for a 20 million dollar loan to get the County through the State Budget impasse. Through the years Haas has been pegged and targeted by taxpayer groups as a guy who voted to raise taxes. To many it was a sure bet that he would vote to take the loan. He didn’t!
His rationale was that this County and presumably Mr. Haas himself needed to send a message to the Governor and Legislature that the budget stalemate had to stop. It is true that the County desperately needs the money to continue vital County services mandated by the non paying state. It is also true that the Governor and the Legislature are at odds and have been trying to hammer a budget out for months now.
I get all that. And I always liked him, voted and respected Harry Haas. Still do.
But this was the wrong message at the wrong time. The State Legislatures and their staffs are getting paid. (Some aren’t taking salaries but for the most part it is “Obla di, Ob la da Life Goes On”) for all of them. They know what needs to be done but neither side will budge. 
Then there’s the Governor who as a non traditional candidate has followed that mind set into being a “non traditional Governor. Wolf figures in his first year he wants to send his own message on how thinks a state budget should be crafted. Haas’ “Danger, danger Will Robinson” will be totally lost on this Governor.
Haas’ declaration made big waves in the County. Unfortunately his message was like a pebble in an ocean with the State Budget people. If we learned anything about the gridlock in Washington the last few years, it was that government needs to work. Essential services need to be funded. No matter where you get the money.
County employees suffer from low morale. I’m confused by that but I can understand not being paid for what you do. This will not help services in various departments.
Harry Haas joined the anti loan people to send a message that was not heard for those who he intended it for. But at least he made a stand. Bob Lawton was nowhere to be found. That message from him was loud and clear. Unlike Harry’s, Lawton’s will require immediate action.

LAWTON PACKING?

There are votes now to dismiss Robert Lawton. When he lost Rick Morelli, he lost his job.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

This week I received a letter from The County Election Board. Apparently this week I received 6 Write In Votes for Constable in my ward (6) in Wilkes Barre. I was to appear tomorrow afternoon for the tie breaker and really considered whether I wanted the position or not. But my full time job which has expanded, my media commitments during the three day election tridium as well as being mindful about my health are the reasons why I sent a note declining the opportunity. But it would have been interesting.
Perhaps providence willing, somewhere down the road. But to the 6, thanks. I am humbled by you true Americans!

CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE GREATER MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS TO VETERANS

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

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide veterans who have served in combat from all military operations with greater access to mental health resources.
TheVeterans Mental Health Accessibility Act, introduced with the support of 15 colleagues, would eliminate a current five-year window that veterans face within which they must seek treatment for mental illnesses before losing their “higher priority status.” If passed the legislation would allow veterans to seek treatment for service-connected mental illnesses regardless of when their conditions manifest themselves.
“This commonsense piece of legislation would ensure the services and treatments that are available to recently discharged veterans are available to all who have served in combat,” said Rep. Cartwright. “It is time we ensure that the veterans living in northeastern Pennsylvania and across America have the fullest access to the health care benefits they have earned.”
While the diagnosis of physical injuries typically is made before or shortly after separation from the military, mental illnesses may not manifest themselves until years later. Serious mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder were virtually undiagnosed in veterans of conflicts prior to 2001.
Rep. Cartwright concluded, “As the United States military and the VA continue to improve treatment for those who have served, there remains a gap for veterans struggling with mental illnesses. This is a gap we need to close.”

BARLETTA TAKES TO C-SPAN TO CALL FOR REFUGEE PROGRAM “TIME OUT”

NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS PROFESS NO ABILITY TO GATHER INFORMATION IN SYRIA

 Congressman Lou Barletta (Photo: Barletta office).

Congressman Lou Barletta, appeared on C-Span’s Washington Journal program to call for a “time out” in the United States program that admits refugees from other countries. Barletta, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, noted that he has heard from four national security experts, including two from the FBI and the Secretary of Homeland Security himself, who testified that the U.S. has no ability to properly vet refugees fleeing Syria. In the wake of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, Barletta discussed the issue with C-Span host Greta Brawner and took viewer phone calls for 45 minutes.
Barletta stated, in part:
“We’ve had four national security experts, two from the FBI and the Secretary of Homeland Security himself, Jeh Johnson, testify to our lack of ability to gather information. The FBI has no system on the ground to collect information, there’s no FBI office in Syria. There’s no one we can count on. And the Secretary himself said that there’s a lot that we don’t know about the people that we’re letting in. That’s a national security risk and I think it boils down to just that.
“Allowing Syrian refugees into the United States when ISIS has claimed that ‘no blood is better than American blood,” and that they will ‘taste it soon,’ I think it’s irresponsible for us to turn our heads and not heed the warning of national security experts who cannot collect any background information.

BOBBY KENNEDY @ 90

The late Robert Kennedy (Photo: UPI)

Robert Kennedy would have been 90 tomorrow had he lived. Even though he was a ruthless son of gun who never gave Lyndon Johnson his due for passing his brother’s agenda, he did inspire a generation and that was no mean feat.

MEDIA MATTERS

EYEWITNESS NEWS MAKERS RECAP

For those who missed it here is the WBRE TV Eyewitness News-makers program that was seen this past Sunday on WBRE TV.

TOOLS FOR CREATING SUCCESS

THE IRREGULARS

Everyone in attendance at The Irregulars Think Tank Breakfast on Saturday said they benefited from the presentation “Tools For Success: Thinking Without Action Is Merely Entertainment” presented by Gina Yarrish from YarCorte Acres in Kingsley. The group is sharing the printed handout so you too can discover what the three tools are for developing success. Gina warmly welcomes you to contact her directly by calling 570-877-3655 or write to gina.yarrish@yarcorteacres.com … Happy Thanksgiving!!

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

ECTV

Christmas with a Twist will be the subject of discussion on ECTV Live during the week of November 23rd. Steve Perillo of "Making a Difference Ministries" will join David DeCosmo and co-host Rusty Fender to talk about the Christmas concert that's set up to help the Toys For Tots Drive. 

ECTV Live is carried on Comcast Cable channel 19 (61 in some areas) and can be seen three times daily throughout the week. The program is scheduled to run near Noon, 6pm, and Midnight.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with David Slade from Healthy Living Solution about his physical challenges and how a homeopathic approach got him out of a wheelchair.
Brian speaks with Dr. Paul Checchia & Jennifer Degl about Prematurity Awareness Month and about the dangers of RSV to pre-mee children.
And Brian speaks with Cassie Ronning from Catholic Charities and prospective mother Katie about the adoption process.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590, and 6:25am on Magic 93.

A “MAGIC”AL MUSICAL CHRISTMAS

The Magic of Christmas kicks off Wednesday morning at 9am on Magic 93, and runs straight thru Christmas Night. Here's one I can't get enough of!

FROM A POSTER

I'll see your Chick-version-Christmas song and raise you one!!!

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.

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP!!!!!

The Doo-Wop Sock Hop can be heard every Sunday night from 6P to 9P on “105 The River (104.9 FM) Host is the incomparable Bobby V. www.105theriver.net
www.doowopsockhop.net

1965

Our 1965 logo.

Freedom Flights" begin: Cuba and the United States formally agree to start an airlift for Cubans who want to go to the United States (by 1971 250,000 Cubans take advantage of this program)…. Dorothy Kilgallen, 52, (below) dies suddenly. The cause of death was unknown which led to many conspiracy theorists saying she knew something about the JFK assassination….

The Soviet Union launches the Venera 3 space probe from Baikonur, Kazakhstan toward Venus (on March 1, 1966 it becomes the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another planet)….. In the Philippine general election, incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal loses his opportunity of a second full term as President of the Philippines to Senate President Ferdinand Marcos……in Pennsylvania Governor Scranton begins a real push for a Constitutional Convention….in Wilkes Barre Councilman do battle with Mayor Frank Slattery as the talk of a wage tax begins…and fifty ears ago this week the number 1 song in LuLac land and America was “Everybody Loves a Clown” by Gary Lewis & the Playboys.