The LuLac Edition #3377, December 18th, 2016

BEFORE THERE WAS THE FOOD NETWORK….

THERE WAS BIAGIO DENTE!!!!

Biagio Dente: Before there was The Food Network, local residents had Biagio Dente. Every morning after the 8:30 news, like clockwork on the Mighty 590, WARM, Biagio Dente and WARM jocks, Harry West, Len Woloson, Rob Neyhard, or Terry McNulty would verbally spar with the Pittston Chef. Dente bought that time spot for years on WARM Radio to promote his business and in the process became part of those storied WARM years. Dente's famous sign off line was "Buon Appetito!!!" Dente passed away last week at the age of 78 in Florida.
I had met Mr. Dente a few times and they were memorable. Biagio was quite the renaissance man who could be seen on WVIA TV’s Ballroom Dancing, in the Pittston Tomato Festival, dropping off his Table Talk column to the Sunday Dispatch or just hanging out with his friends.
My fondest memory of Biagio was when we both attended a Crabfest at Our Lady of Victory Church in Harvey’s Lake. We both were there because of our association with Joey Shaver. I sat with Mr. Dente and his wife and he actually showed me the best way to eat and crack soft shell crabs. Our condolences go out to his family especially his son Blaise who is a fellow member of the Pittston Knights of Columbus with me.
Here’s the link to the LuLac sister blog, 590 Forever WARM Radio. http://david-yonki.blogspot.com/

ANNOUNCEMENT

It has come to my attention that many readers have said that my use of synonyms for the new President Elect is rather clunky. Hard to read. I apologize and certainly want my readers to know that I am responsive to them. I've been told the use of "Mike Pence’s Running Mate" and "Tiffany’s Dad" has pretty much has been greeted with mixed reviews.
I have been using "Donnie Rigged" lately so we’ll see how that goes.
In the meantime, I will compile a list and maybe see if we can get a consensus until this guy gets sworn in on January 20th. Then I’m sure the rest of America will be referring to him as something less pleasant than what I’ve wrote. 

LEN PIAZZA'S TROUBLES

Former Luzerne County Bureau of Elections Director Len Piazza was arrested on Friday making terroristic threats to 120th District State Representative Aaron Kaufer. News reports said that Piazza was excitable and threatening in his manner over proposed Social Security Disability benefits he was either supposed to be receiving or hadn't received.  
I was under the impression Len was still in Atlanta but with my schedule I tend to lose track of certain people if they are not top of mind. 
The charges are serious indeed but before we rush to judgement we should try to find out the whole story. Having been dismissed by the previous County Manager over a time card controversy, reported to him by then Controller Walter Griffith, Piazza was fired. 
According to reports he still has litigation with the county over this matter. But litigation without any source of income can be stressful. Not excusing the behavior mind you but I might understand why his reaction was one of frustration. Essentially as heads of the Election here in the County, he pretty much had it made.  Piazza was once the go-to guy in the County for all things election. There were many who lauded his work and said that he was indefensible. 
We all know no one is indispensable.  
Whatever the outcome, we hope that whatever caused this outburst will be taken care of for him health wise in the best way possible. His actions Friday most likely exacerbated the problems. 
Let's hope they get sorted out for everybody. 
45 years of age is not the period in your life where you just throw your hands and give up. 
We wish him the best.