The LuLac Ediition #3292, September 03, 2016

WHY LABOR DAY SUCKS IN LULAC LAND

  

Exhibits A & B. Bob Lesh and Bob Casey. (Photo: Times Tribune)

Just a few thoughts on Labor Day. As we all know Labor Day is a celebration of American workers who through the years have made this country not only a model for Democracy but very formidable as a world power. Workers were the fuel that drove the economic engine here in LuLac land and in the country.
Despite the problems, there are still opportunities to get a job and a decent career. But around here if you really want to do well, eschew the middle and upper class and go for the political class. The cool thing about the political class is that the less credentials you have, the better off you’ll be. Don’t even think about getting good grades. Shit, don’t even finish high school and get yourself a GED.
See with the political class, it is not what you know but WHO you know! Hell we always knew that. NEPA has been famous for that in not only politics and but in business. But lately the Political Class has ceased any type of pretense and is blatantly shoving the cronyism in the faces of the professionals, laborers, service workers and retired people who pay taxes. Two cases in point out of Scranton. First:
Bob Lesh. He is a 59 year old member of the Scranton School Board who just snared a job with COLTS Transportation as its Fixed Route Operations Manager. The vote was 3 to 1 and Lesh will get $57,000 a year. Now keep in mind Lesh was FIRED from the agency before and the job description had to be REWRITTEN for HIM! He got a lukewarm endorsement from a citizen saying he was a great bus driver but that she was worried about his tendency to lose his temper at public meetings.
His defenders came up with the same old bullshit that no one could do the job like a person on the inside and that he is giving up SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH to make this sacrifice and take this job. My heart bleeds!
Then there’s Bob Casey. Not Bob Casey the Senator, but still another guy gifted with a great name to make political hay out of it. Casey won election to the Scranton School Board (you see a pattern here?) and then had issues with alcoholism and drunk driving. As a matter of fact he was arrested for DUI. He stayed on the School Board despite the uproar that a board member’s actions are not great inspiration for district student’s to follow. Oh but how wrong they were!
Casey stayed on the School Board and got a job with the Auditor General’s office as an Auditor 1. Not sure he finished his degree, not even sure of his qualifications BUT he is getting paid $70,000 to audit……………something. Plus Casey has a real conflict of interest. He is Chair of the Transportation Board Committee which was reviewed by the Auditor’s office. Okay………………nothing wrong here, heyna? WILK’s Steve Corbett confirmed that Casey got the job. Wonder how and why that happened?
Look as Vito Corleone famously said, “I worked my whole life, I don't apologize, to take care of my family.” Despite the source, most people feel that way giving up time for extra hours and even taking a second job to make ends meet. For those people, Herb Alpert’s “The Work Song” might be appropriate. But for the Political Class who never can be found the Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend, Ringo sang it best.
Meanwhile Eugene DePasquale for all the good he’s done has disqualified himself in my eyes with my vote this year by choosing a flunky to do whatever in an otherwise functional office.

RESTORE INTEGRITY, ACT INDEPENDENTLY, DEFEND FREE ENTERPRISE"

VOIT ENDORSED BY ASSOCIATED BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS

Otto Voit. (Photo: Voit Campaign).

Former Army officer and Pennsylvania businessman Otto Voit received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).
In a written statement, representatives from ABC emphasized the need for an independent treasurer who will restore integrity.
"We are offering our endorsement of these candidates and are confident that they will unequivocally restore integrity, act independently, and defend free enterprise in these statewide row office positions."
Voit expressed his appreciation for the endorsement:
"ABC does great work helping to create jobs and protect free enterprise. I'm excited to see their shared commitment to restoring integrity to Harrisburg and echo their call for a State Treasurer who is independent of the governor and the legislature. I am honored to have their support."
Throughout his campaign, Voit has called for an independent treasurer to provide a check on both the governor and the state legislature. Toward this end, he has introduced PACheckbook.com--a user-friendly website detailing every fiscal transaction the state makes, from revenues to expenditures to to contracts and salaries.
About Otto Voit
Otto Voit has over 30 years of experience in the fields of finance, accounting and operations. His experience includes serving as CFO for an Inc. 500 company, CFO & partner in a software company, and CFO & President for Keystone Industries.
Otto is also a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and previously served with the 101st Airborne Division. He is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants. Mr. Voit resides in Berks County, Pa with his wife of 27 years, Sheryl.

THE DEBATES SET FOR LATER THIS MONTH

The first Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is set for the last week of September. There has been speculation regarding how each candidate is preparing. Trump is testing out one liners over burgers with Roger Ailes and company. Clinton has been avoiding Trump like character imitators and I think does so at her own peril. Thursday Valerie Tysanner and I mixed it up on PA Live about the debates and here’s how that went.

TRUMP VISITS DETROIT CITY AGAIN!!!

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump praised the black church Saturday at the Greater Faith Ministries International as he made his first direct appeal to African-American voters.
“I will always support your church always and defend your right to worship,” said Trump, who was introduced by Bishop Wayne T. Jackson to polite applause.
Standing at the front of the church holding a cordless microphone, he noted that it was from black churches “all across this land that the civil rights movement lifted up its soul and lifted up our nation. It’s from these pews that our nation has been inspired.”
The New York businessman emphasized issues such as fighting for good-paying jobs, expanded school choice and a civil rights agenda in his first campaign appearance before a predominantly black audience. In recent weeks, he has appealed to African-Americans for their votes, but before mostly white audiences, including one in the Lansing area on Aug. 20 where he asked: “What the hell do you have to lose?” (The Detroit News)

Reaction to the speech was fast and furious. The GOP surrogates said he reached out to the African American community. The anti Trump people pointed to Trump’s embracement of the birther movement saying President Obama was not a citizen.

REP. BARLETTA STATEMENT ON LABOR DAY 2016

Congressman Lou Barlett. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Congressman Lou Barletta, issued the following statement regarding Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2016:
“To many Americans, Labor Day means a final three-day weekend at the conclusion of summer, kids going back to school, the beginning of football season, or the unofficial start of fall. In reality, it is a time to observe and acknowledge the contributions of working men and women who have made this nation what it is today.
"Our part of the country has a well-earned and deserved reputation for earnest hard work and dedication to productivity. From the coal miners who fueled America’s emergence during the Industrial Revolution, to the leaders in steel, manufacturing, business, heath care, and technology today, Pennsylvanians have been doing the work that continues to pace the world economy.
“On this Labor Day, I salute the hard working men and women who make our communities strong, and continue to lead the United States in the 21st Century.”

OZZIE QUINN PASSES AWAY 

The late Ozzie Quinn (Photo: The Times Tribune)

News came this week that  Scranton government activists Ozzie Quinn passed away. The Times Tribue reported that Quinn was president of the Hill Neighborhood Association, died Tuesday at the age of 79 after battling lung cancer since December. His other roles included a stint as regional housing planner at the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania; a member of former Governor Dick Thornburgh’s task force; former relocation director of the Scranton Redevelopment Authority and the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County. He operated the Northeast Collegiate Summer Baseball Association, an amateur baseball league that served as a stepping stone to the pros for several local players; worked as an assistant city planner and served as a member of the Scranton Redevelopment Authority.
I met Quinn on a number of occasions when working with WVIA FM, other stations and with my stint with The Metro Newspaper.  Quinn also was front and center at political events and always was advocating for the improvement of his town Scranton.
He was 79 and will be missed.