The LuLac Edition #4,534, June 10th, 2021
GENE ROTH
Wilkes-Barre lost both a legal giant but also a great humanitarian this week. Attorney Eugene Roth’s passing this week reminded us all that when someone of his stature is gone, we are all diminished.
My interactions with Mr. Roth came when I was a staff member of the United Way of Wyoming Valley working in the Communications Department. At that time, United Way had these huge Kick Off, Victory and Annual Dinners. My job was to coordinate these events which numbered about 800 people per event. As UW Chair and Board President, it was part of my job meet with him when we had to go over scripting for the dinners.
At our first meeting, he told me, “David you have an impossible task ahead of you. No one in my legal memory has ever successfully scripted a lawyer”. Knowing he was saving me work, I replied, “Here’s your outline, go with God”. He did.
His observations on community sharing, helping the poor, the dignity of labor and his beliefs were served up quietly, logically, with wry humor and sincerity. At a function at his home in Harvey’s Lake with United Way staff, he introduced me to the fine art of preparing a Hebrew National hot dog with the just the right amount of mustard and onions. “You never want to drown the dog” he said. His wife Connie observed that he
sometimes liked to eat standing up to save time and get moving.
Those movements in a legal career as well as his beloved charitable organizations made our community better.
Our condolences to his family and legion of friends.
NOTE: I have photos somewhere of Mr. Roth at an Up With People event o the Square sponsored by United Way. When I find them, I’ll dd them to this post.
WALKITECTURE COMES TO WILKES-BARRE
McCONNELL WALKING BACK FROM TRUMP IN MID TERMS
Mitch McConnell was on Fox the other day and said that former President Trump had his own agenda. The Senate candidates meanwhile had their own issues of the future to fry against the Biden White House. But Trump’ endorsement in the primaries might prove problematic for the general election.
The problem for McConnell is that, as he acknowledged on Fox, Trump "has his own agenda." Which implies that Trump's agenda and McConnell's agenda don't really align. And there's a zero percent chance that Trump won't loom over the midterms in ways that are likely to complicate McConnell's hopes of retaking the majority next November.
For example, Trump has already made clear he plans to campaign against Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski next year -- as punishment for her insufficient loyalty to him while in office. "She's the best friend Washington Democrats ever had—and Alaska's reward for that betrayal is an empowered Left coming after their wealth and jobs," Trump said of Murkowski in a statement on Monday. "I think she will be met very harshly by the Alaska voters in 15 months, and I will be there to campaign against her!" The problem for McConnell is a) Murkowski is an incumbent and b) she is the Republican candidate best equipped to easily hold the seat for Republicans. Trump, of course, could care less about any of that. He wants revenge on Murkowski for voting to impeach him over his actions on January 6. This isn't about what's good for the Republican Party. This is about (as always) what's good for Donald Trump.
While Alaska is the most prominent example of how Trump's presence (and meddling) could hamstring Senate Republicans, it's far from the only example.
Trump-backed former NFL football player Herschel Walker has signaled potential interest in running against Sen. Raphael Warnock in Georgia. Warnock is widely seen as one of Democrats' most vulnerable incumbents -- and nominating someone like Walker, who has never run for office before and currently lives in Texas, would represent a major risk.
In Missouri, the prospect of Trump endorsing controversial Gov. Eric Greitens in the primary race to replace Sen. Roy Blunt worries Washington Republicans. Ditto Trump's vocal support for Sean Parnell's Senate bid in Pennsylvania. (Parnell lost a House race in 2020, again with strong backing from the former President.)
Trump's endorsement over the weekend of Rep. Ted Budd for the North Carolina open seat makes the congressman the early favorite. But former governor Pat McCrory is also in the race and has been regarded by some GOP strategists as their strongest nominee in one of the swingiest states in the country.
In Wisconsin, Trump has publicly urged Sen. Ron Johnson to
run for a third term -- even though the incumbent may be too, well, Trump for
the Badger State electorate. So, yeah. McConnell may want Trump to stay out of
Senate races -- and let the, er, experts handle things. But this is Donald
Trump we are talking about, so there's absolutely no chance of that. (LuLac, AOL News, Fox News)
Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport received $2,380,828 from the government funding and coronavirus relief package enacted in December 2020. Administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the grant provides funding for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitation, janitorial services and combating the spread of pathogens at the airport.
“Now more than ever, our airports need our support as more Americans start to feel more comfortable with air travel again. We need our airports to be well equipped to keep travelers and staff members safe,” said Rep. Cartwright, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “AVP is essential to our local economy and welcomes passengers from throughout the region as they travel across the country and beyond. Carl Beardsley and the entire AVP team have worked hard to respond to changing needs during the pandemic, and I am proud to support the funding our airport needs to continue to thrive.”
“We greatly appreciate the support we have received from Congressman Cartwright and our other elected officials who recognize the importance of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to this region,” said Carl R. Beardsley, Executive Director of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. “We'll be good stewards of these funds, which will help us to advance efforts that will improve passenger convenience, allow for more touchless interactions, create greater terminal efficiency and ensure safety in ways that will set AVP apart from others.”
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSA), passed as part of the government funding omnibus in December 2020, provided nearly $2 billion in economic relief for U.S. airports as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAA established the Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (ACRGP) to distribute the funds to all airports in the national airport system, including commercial service airports, reliever airports and some public-owned general aviation airports.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is the only mid-sized airport in the region and it has served as a gateway to Northeastern Pennsylvania for more than 70 years.
CASEY, BLUNT INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO MAINTAIN RURAL BRIDGES
ALMOST HALF OF NATION’S BRIDGES ARE NOT ON THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND OFTEN CANNOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS
As Congress considers infrastructure legislation, U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Roy Blunt (R-MO) are introducing the Support for Community Bridges Act. Across the U.S., city and county governments struggle to maintain the cost of repairing bridges in poor condition. Almost 50 percent of the Nation’s bridges are “off-system,” meaning that they are not on the federal highway system and are often left out of federal support, putting further strain on local budgets. Of these off-system bridges, many are located in rural areas. This legislation would allocate more dedicated funds for bridge repair to states with more off-system bridges in poor condition.
“The safety and quality of our Nation’s roads and bridges is paramount, which is why Senator Blunt and I are committed to ensuring dedicated federal set-aside funding to repair off-system bridges. This legislation will provide a much-needed funding increase for bridge maintenance and help local governments get back on their feet after the financial challenges of the pandemic,” said Senator Casey.
“Repairing and upgrading our transportation network is especially important here in Missouri, where location is one of our biggest competitive advantages,” said Senator Blunt. “I’m proud to join Senator Casey in introducing this bill to provide much-needed support to off-system bridges throughout Missouri, especially in our rural communities. This bill will ensure state and local governments get additional resources to modernize their infrastructure and create a stronger foundation for economic growth.”
Based on last year’s funding levels, off-system bridges would receive roughly $1.2 billion, up from roughly $776 million, which comes from a combination of highway trust fund and general treasury funds that go to the highway aid program through Congressional appropriations. As federal investment in infrastructure increases, so would the amount for off-system bridges.
The National Association of Counties and National League of Cities support this legislation.
MEDIA MATTERS
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
This week's show addresses Pennsylvania's 2021 Climate Impacts Assessment Report.
Tune in Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Mothership 1340/1400 am, 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on The River 105 and 103.5.
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Bettino Craxi's Socialist Party wins election in Italy…….Michael Spinks TKOs Gerry Cooney in 5 for heavyweight boxing title,,,,,,,Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, opens……New York City subway gunman Bernhard Getz acquitted on all but gun possession charges after shooting 4 black youths who tried to rob him…….With the death of the last individual, the Dusky Seaside Sparrow becomes extinct………..Charles Glass, ABC journalist, kidnapped in Lebanon………ETA bomb attack in Barcelona, 15 killed…..The Supreme Court rules school teaching evolution need not teach creation and this week in LuLac land and America the number one song was Kim Wilde’s “You Keep Me Hanging On”.
posted by David Yonki @ 10:32 PM
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