The LuLac Edition #4, 725, April 21st, 2022

UPDATE 

Andy Mehalshick, Atty Todd Eagen, Dr. David Sosar and your blog editor.

 https://www.abc27.com/2022-united-states-senate-election-in-pennsylvania/pennsylvania-senate-race-debate-democratic-candidates-spar-for-first-time/

 

 DEMOCRATIC SENATE DEBATE ON WBRE TV @ 8PM TONIGHT-

LULAC PARTICIPATING ON POST DEBATE BROADCAST @ 9PM 

 Lt. Governor John Fetterman, Congressman Conor Lamb, and State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta will debate at 8 p.m. from the abc27 studio in Harrisburg. The debate will be broadcasted to all 67 counties in the Keystone State and livestreamed to millions more.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The opinions posted in all LuLac editions are those of the LuLac editor and assigned partners associated only with The LuLac Political Letter and no other business, government or social entity. 

 

THE DEEP DIVISIONS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY COME HOME TO LUZERNE COUNTY

Even though there seems to be a major buzz in the political world that the Republicans will overtake the House nod possibly the Senate in 2022, you can’t ignore the fact that the GOP is more divided than ever. The National Party is paralyzed by Donald Trump and his role as a King Maker or better put, an Incumbent Deflator. Anyone not in line with Trump, he bashes. Even those who court his favor are dispatched in an instant if he has a Caligula moment and dispatches  them to the dustbin of the party.

Republicans who backed Trump’s Impeachment are not running. Mainly because their lives are being threatened and fellow Caucus members won’t even talk to them.

On the state level, every candidate for Governor and Senate is pro Trump. In ads they are trying to outdo one another to show their adoration to The Donald. At this stage in the current state of the GOP even Jesus might have a run for his money in the “worship” department.

That conflict has come to Luzerne County where a newly installed member of the County Elections Board issued a stern warning to the newly minted GOP Council,   Alyssa Fusaro looked directly at new County Council  members comparing traditional Republicans who gave money to all of the new members and referred to them as “The Swamp”.

Last I saw people  like Andy Sordoni, Aaron  Kaufer, Lisa Baker and Karen Bnbeck were not swamp creatures. Neither were the 5 elected to County Council, They were seen as reasonable alternatives to the Democrats. That and “traditional” money got them elected .

What is even more disturbing is how Fusaro said that her wing of the party was the “correct” wing. That they were more patriotic, more loving of their country  than the current Council members.

Egad, what must she think of the Democrats!!! 

The contingent of Trumpanzees are not only dangerous and threatening to the Council member but to the entire body politic of Luzerne County.  

Fusaro also serves on the Luzerne County Board of Elections, a group that I always thought was measured and bi partisan. With this type of rhetoric and flame throwing, I can see that isn’t the case anymore.

The bad news is this is not good for a rejuvenated  Republican party on the local level. They won the election on local concerns.

The good news it might put a spotlight on the misguided vision the Trump wing has for their country. Talk about “my way or the highway”.

Good luck County GOP with this tiger by your tail. 

 Take a listen to this speech given before Council from March 29^th, of 2022.

 PA GOP GOVERNOR CANDIDATES WANT TO ABOLISH MAIL IN VOTING

 

 

(Photo: PCN)

Five of the 9 candidates running for Governor,  Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale, political strategist Charlie Gerow, former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart , and surgeon Nche Zama all stated that they were against mail in voting.

This was an act signed by Governor Wolf with solid majorities from the Republican  controlled Legislature.

Wow! How times have changed. Now they are all claiming fraud even though the state wide GOP in 2020 won two row offices of Auditor General and Treasurer. The bill passed with bipartisan support in 2019 that instituted no-excuse mail voting, was unanimously condemned by the candidates at the debate.

All said it enabled fraudulent voting, a debunked claim. They also cast aspersions about the use of ballot drop boxes, pointing out two instances in which ballots were dropped off by someone other than the voter. While that is illegal under current law except for voters with disabilities or in the case of an emergency absentee ballot, it does not mean the ballot itself was invalid or fraudulent.

Mail in voting has been deemed a convenience by  Democrats, Republicans and Independents. These guys are crazy if they want to take it away. Think of it as an elective incentive, an easy way to cast a ballot.

Their logic is self-inflicting.

We don't know what front runners  Lou Barletta, Scott Martin, Doug Mastriano, William McSwain think because they were in a snit because..wait for it...they wanted a partisan moderator. A person who thinks like them. 

Funny the front runners want softball questions but the second tier at least have the stones to take show up.

 

THE FETTEMAN FAMILY’S VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE 

Fetterman and family. (Photo: Fetterman campaign) 

United States Senate candidate John Fetterman and his family were at the White House this Easter season.

Fettermn who wore long pants to the Easter Egg Roll said that “My family is the reason I can make the following pledge + mean every single word: If you help send me to the U.S. Senate, I will fight for you + your family just the same way I'd fight for my own”.

Here’s the link to help send Fetterman to the U.S. Senate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jf-email-20220418-1?akid=5439.28555.bQYXtQ&amount=5&rd=1&refcode=em20220418-5439&refcode2=5439_28555_bQYXtQ&t=24

 

REP. CARTWRIGHT CELEBRATES MARGARITAVILLE DEVELOPMENT AND LAND DONATION FOR AMTRAK

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright hosted a press conference celebrating the announcement of Margaritaville Resort Village arriving in the Pocono Mountains. The first-of-its-kind destination resort, RV park and housing development is a billion-dollar+ investment in the Northeastern Pennsylvania economy that will bring more jobs, more tourists and more dollars to the region. Margaritaville, the global lifestyle brand synonymous with fun and escapism, has also offered to donate a large portion of land for a proposed Amtrak station to be built.

“As we continue to make progress in our efforts to connect New York City and New Jersey to the Poconos and Scranton by passenger rail, it’s no coincidence that we’re seeing such a significant investment in a recreational and resort facility now,” said Rep. Cartwright. “We all want to see the Poconos thrive and serve as the premier vacation destination for the tri-state area, and this development moves the region forward.”

In 2021, the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law, providing billions in assistance for Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and other rail entities to modernize the rail system. Amtrak estimates that the development of a connecting rail line between New York City and Scranton, with stops along the way, would have an estimated economic impact of $87 million every year for the region.

The landmark development project and land donation were applauded by local business and community leaders, including Chris Barrett, President and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

“Today’s announcements are game changers for the Pocono Mountains, a desirable destination already hosting nearly 30 million tourists each year. After the devastating 2019 fire at Pocono Manor Resort, we are thrilled the iconic property is making its comeback in such a massive way,” said Barrett. “The Poconos has so much to offer, and this billion-dollar investment in Margaritaville reaffirms the vital need for passenger rail service, which will make our thriving region accessible to many more visitors.”

You won’t see Jim Bognet or Teddy Daniels bringing in such an impactful project a this.

 

 GOV. WOLF ANNOUNCES $199 MILLION INVESTMENT IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN 11 COUNTIES

Governor Tom Wolf (Photo: LuLac archives)

Governor Tom Wolf today announced the investment of $199 million for 13 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source projects across 11 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

“Ensuring the reliability of our most precious infrastructure is vital to the road to recovery for many of our communities,” said Gov. Wolf.  “As we prepare for much-needed increases in federal and state resources, like those in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will bring more than $240 million to Pennsylvania next year alone for clean water infrastructure, I am confident that these projects will pave the way for successful growth and revitalization.”

 The funding for these projects originates from a combination of state funds approved by voters, Growing Greener, Marcellus Legacy funds, federal grants to PENNVEST from the Environmental Protection Agency, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards. Funds for these projects are disbursed after expenses for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for review.

“PENNVEST continues to make valuable and prudent use of the state revolving fund,” said Gov. Wolf.  “As we continue to soar past the landmark of $10 billion invested in clean water projects, it is evident that there is still a need for infrastructure improvement and I’m proud to be part of a successful system that provides efficient support while saving Pennsylvanians money.”

A project summary for The Lu follows:

Luzerne County

Hazleton City Authority – received a $3,300,000 loan to replace and relocated existing pressure-regulating valves, currently located in below-grade pits, to above-grade installations.  The project will increase system reliability and eliminate unaccounted-for water loss.

Hazleton City Authority – received a $1,857,220 loan to make improvements to an existing, damaged pump station, which is a critical component of the authority’s system and key to the authority’s drought planning strategy.  The project will restore reliable drinking water to a major portion of the service area while also modernizing a completely inoperable facility.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week's guest is Holly Yorkonis, Community Revitalization Coordinator for United Neighborhood Centers.  She will discuss upgrading Scranton's Pine Brook section and next Saturday's Arts Festival. You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SOCK HOP

SUNDAY NIGHTS!

1975

Our 1975 logo.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah opens to the public in Jakarta, Indonesia….. Six Red Army Faction terrorists take over the West German embassy in Stockholm, take 11 hostages and demand the release of the group's jailed members; shortly after, they are captured by Swedish police (See West German Embassy siege)…….Vietnam War: As North Vietnamese Army forces close in on the South Vietnamese capital Saigon, the Australian Embassy is closed and evacuated, almost 10 years to the day since the first Australian troop commitment to South Vietnam…….Operation Frequent Wind – Americans and their allies are evacuated from South Vietnam by helicopter…….North Vietnam concludes its East Sea Campaign by capturing all of the Spratly Islands that were being held by South Vietnam. …..The Vietnam War ends with the Fall of Saigon: The Vietnam War concludes as Communist forces from North Vietnam take Saigon, resulting in mass evacuation of the remaining American troops and South Vietnam civilians. As the capital is taken, South Vietnam surrenders unconditionally and is replaced with the temporary Provisional Government…and this week in 1975 the number  one song in America and LuLac land was  “Walking In Rhythm”- by The Blackbyrds.