The LuLac Edition #4,202, January 9th, 2020

FOUR TO OPPOSE CARTWRIGHT IN GOP HARI-KIRI RACE FOR THE 8th in 2020

Congressman Matt Cartwright now has four opponents in his re-election race for the 8th Congressional District. The seat has been targeted by the GOP National Congressional Committee since he won in 2012. The four running against him are Harry Haas, a Luzerne County Council member and educator, Teddy Daniels, a businessman, former Hazleton Mayor Mike Marsicano and Veteran Earl Granville. This certainly is an enthusiastic lot of people running. Local Republicans seem to have a knack for running against each other in a primary when facing a lone incumbent without opposition. They have done this time and time again, cannibalizing each other and then giving their foe a chance to raise money. After the incumbent wins, the GOP complains that the voters go in lockstep with the incumbent. Well maybe if there weren’t so many resources spent in a primary, they might have a fighting chance.
Cartwright has beaten a Republican business woman, a County Official, a race car driver and a millionaire. That's a variety of opponents who  have failed to unseat him. One of these four will face off against him in 2020 and there will be a lot of money poured into an attempt to defeat him. He knows it and is game for any challenger.
Will the Trump win in Luzerne County last time mean something? Well that’s a big maybe. Trump in my estimation will carry the county again but not by the margin he did. This race will get national attention…………in the fall. Not before then ans not until the GOP four horses are done running their Quixote like races.

BIG CROWD AT KIRBY FOR NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WILKES-BARRE

George Brown can call himself Mayor now after being sworn in at The Kirby on Monday night. Hundreds came by to see the event. We wish him luck. Here are a few photos. 

Mayor George Brown addressing the big crowd after being sworn in. Walter Banicky is standing and Tony Brooks, Councilman from District B, Beth Gilbert McBride from District C and Assistant City Attorney Maureen Collins are pictured listening to the new leader at 40 East Market. (Photo: WNEP)

Judge Richard Hughes swore in Tony Brooks. The Judge got a hug from Matt Malani as Brooks embarks on another term on Council representing District B. (Photo: LuLac)

Former Magisterial Judge Martin Kane swore in City Controller Darren Snyder for another term as his proud dad Leonard stands by and takes it all in. (Photo: LuLac)

MARCONI SAYS THANKS!

John Marconi the newest Wilkes Barre Councilman in District E thanked his family, friends and supporters the other evening at Buona Sera in Wilkes Barre. Marconi succeeds Mike Merritt. A few photos, after Louie sings!

Here is Judge Tina Polachek Gartley swearing in John Marconi as his wife Mary Jo and niece Starr Sabach look on with support and pride.  (Photo: LuLac)

Some of my co-workers with me from City Hall. Leaning in or out, Director of Operations Butch Fratti, Lisa Sanfilipo Administrative Assistant, me, Assistant City Clerk Cathy Macko Payne, Betty Barrett and Councilman from District D Bill Barrett who is entering his fifth term on Council. (Photo: Terry August)

WHAT WOULD NIXON THINK? 

Memes by LuLac

Today is Richard Nixon’s birthday. The 37th President who was NOT impeached but came close to it (he resigned) would have been 107 years old today. My heavens, what he must be thinking about the man who succeeded him  6 Presidents later! 

REP. CARTWRIGHT PRESENTS MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS TO FIVE LOCAL VETERANS

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: Cartwright office)

Representative Matt Cartwright honored one veteran of World War II along with four who fought in the Korean War at an event at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center.
Rep. Cartwright presented numerous awards to the late Robert A. Jones, First Sergeant, U.S. Army, recognizing him for a career of outstanding military service during World War II. 1Sg. Jones’s son, Allan Jones, received the following awards in his father’s honor: the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Expert Badge with Carbine Bar, and Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar. Jones was a native of Carbondale and lived in Waymart before his passing.
Cartwright also presented the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal to four distinguished servicemembers with Northeastern Pennsylvania ties:
Corporal Joseph Castellano, U.S. Army, of Scranton
Sergeant Eugene Chikowski, U.S. Army, of West Pittston
Seaman First Class Donald Liotta, U.S. Navy, of Scranton
Private First Class Frank Prokop, U.S. Army, of Wyoming
The Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal is an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to the American men and women who served in the Korean conflict.
“Today we pay tribute to these five brave Northeastern Pennsylvanians who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom and our democracy,” said Rep. Cartwright. “They served at a perilous time in our world’s history, when the future of our democratic way of life was anything but certain. In the face of this global threat, they answered the call to fight. We must never forget their role keeping our nation safe. It is a privilege and an honor to thank them today and celebrate their service and sacrifice to our nation.”

CASEY FIGHTS FOR SENIORS

Senator Bon Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Democratic colleagues on the Special Committee on Aging has sent a letter urging the Social Security Administration to respond to the growing threat of scams that target senior citizens benefits.
Casey, said following recent news from the Federal Trade Commission that these scams are the most prevalent form of reported government imposter scams, the senators sent the letter to the Social Security Administration requesting information on the SSA’s work to prevent seniors from falling victims to such scams.
“For seniors, including many who live on fixed incomes, losing any amount of money to a scammer can force an individual to go without needed essentials, like groceries or medications,” wrote the senators. “Based on the median loss reported by the FTC, the average retired Social Security beneficiary, who receives $1,477 per month, is likely to lose all of their monthly income to a Social Security scam. It is highly unlikely that victims will ever have the money returned. (Casey website)

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest is Maureen Maher Gray, Executive Director and Founder of the NEPA Youth Shelter in Scranton.
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400-The Game, NEPA's Fox .Sports Radio and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River.

ECTV LIVE NOW CALLED "PREVIEW"

For the past 9 years David DeCosmo has been producing and anchoring a Public Affairs program called ECTV Live Electric City Television in Scranton. The show lives on but the name is being changed to "PREVIEW" to better reflect the intent to discuss upcoming public events and public services throughout the area. The first program under the title PREVIEW" will air on Monday, January 13th and will feature officials at the
Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater who have scheduled a host of public events in the first few months of 2020. ECTV Live, now Preview is seen three times daily on Comcast channel 19 and is also available on the electric city television YouTube page!

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:20 and 8:20 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1980

Our 1980 logo.

In Saudi Arabia, 63 Islamist insurgents are beheaded for their part in the siege of the Great Mosque in Mecca in November, 1979…….Nigel Short, 14, becomes the youngest chess player to be awarded the degree of International Master. 

Indira Gandhi returned to power as the Prime minister of India……….. The Pittsburgh Steelers win their fourth National Football League championship in six seasons, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 in Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

The game was shown to the Americans held hostage in Iran and forty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was "Escape" ("The Pina Colada Song") by Rupert Holmes.