The Lu Lac Political Letter: The LuLac Edition #3768, April 29th, 2018

PASHINSKI OPPONENT GOES AFTER HIM ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM

GOP candidate in the 121st Greg Wolovich (Photo: Wolovich campaign)

The primary election is not even over and done with but Greg Wolovich, the GOP candidate for Representative in the 121st sent a letter to the editor this week regarding one of his signature issues, Property Tax Reform. Here's what he wrote:
Editor: For some time now, the Property Tax Independence Act has been discussed as a way to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvania. Homeowners across the state have been feeling the hard-hitting effects of rising property taxes at nearly every level of government. I feel that now, especially after the tax referendum question’s enormous push last year, is the optimal time to eliminate school property taxes once and for all.
Our current legislator in the Greater Wilkes-Barre area (121st Legislative District), Edwin A. Pashinski, is standing firmly in the way of this objective. He always seems to have a list of excuses as to why school property tax elimination will not work. Most of our legislators in the area, including his fellow Democrats John Yudichak and Gerald Mullery, have either voted for or co-sponsored the bill, known as House Bill 76 / Senate Bill 76. Why will he not follow suit and stand up for his tax burdened constituents?
House Bill 76 / Senate Bill 76 would fund schools with a statewide increase in sales and income taxes, ensuring that everyone pays their fair share in supporting our education system. This would include visitors to our state who purchase our goods and services. No longer would property owners be forced to foot the bill entirely on their own.
This November, voters will have a choice against pro-property-tax Pashinski -- a hard-working, blue-collar worker who truly understands the struggles we all face day to day. I want to fight for you, not another pension. Let’s send a message to Harrisburg telling them that we want to live without fear of losing our homes and businesses.
Gregory S. Wolovich Jr.
Candidate
In the meantime, the veteran lawmaker was called out by Charles Urban who is head of the Citizen's group touting Property Tax Reform. Here's what Urban said about Pashinski in a comment on the Wolovich's Letter in the Citizen's Voice. Unlike anonymous posters, Urban used his own name: Pashinski is tied to the teachers union who funds his campaign and is against elimination of school property taxes Do you homeowners what elimination of your school taxes to protect you from losing your home. He was the head of the teachers union . He is collecting approximately $$,429.00 a month and working on his second guarantee pension as a state representative, collecting more than $80,000 in salary and Social Security. The PSEA contributed approximately $ 23,560 to his campaign. Does he care about you the home owner when he can help you by eliminating you school property taxes? You are the government and sent him to Harrisburg to work for you . IS HE ? Time to make a change your employee is not working for you. The choice is yours this election Elimination of your school property taxes YES or No Pashinski No Wolovich YES
Wolovich seems committed to the fight for Property Tax Reform. It is up to the Republican party in the 121st to get him the money and the support he needs to get this message out before and after the primary.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY DINNER A SUCCESS

2016 Women We Love honoree and DAR member Kathleen Smith and Wilkes Barre City Councilman Tony Brooks. (Photo: Kathleen Smith Facebook)

The annual Luzerne County Historical Society Dinner was held this past Friday night. The event was sponsored by The Berkshire Asset Management Group. Members put on a short play about the Society's newest exhibit on a topic everybody loves to talk about, the halcyon days of shopping in Downtown Wilkes Barre.
“Let’s Go Shopping! Stores of Yesteryear” takes you down memory lane taking all of us back to the shops and stores in Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County during the 1800s and 1900s. The exhibit has items from the Society's collection of photos, documents and objects. Look for flashbacks to Woolworth’s, the store that originated in Wilkes-Barre, and local favorites including Blum Brothers and Isaac Long’s. Blum Brothers was still around in the 80s. The exhibit is open Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The dinner marked 160 years and it was pointed out that the Luzerne County Historical Society is Pennsylvania’s oldest county historical society.

WHITE HAVEN LIBRARY EVENT A SUCCESS

Well it was another great day at White Haven today as another wonderful community event in support of their Library is in the books. From 2 to 5pm Saturday afternoon, a large crowd enjoyed the Hops & Grapes affair.
The White Have Area Community Library started out when the community started it in the Engine House. That was where my late father, Stephen "Jake" Yonki, his brother Paul "Philco" Yonki and my confirmation Godfather, Joe "Chubby Milkanin would work out of when the snows came in the 50s and 60s for The Lehigh Valley Railroad. They'd leave Coxton in the middle of the night, and work their way down to White Haven, to that very engine house, now a Library, cleaning tracks for the trains.
Fast forward and it turns out that Mrs. FB and I have seen the growth of this event as well as The Library for over two decades.
Plus it was a pleasant surprise to see WBRE TV's Kelly Choate there hawking the pierogies as people lined up for the taste. WBRE TV Eyewitness News was one of the sponsors of the day.
After having wonderful treats, we headed down to St. Patrick's where we attended Mass with our good friend, Father Mike Kloton. We are very fond of Father because he still calls us "kids" when he sees us.