The LuLac Edition #4, 963, May 11th, 2023

 CROCAMO BACK

 Romilda Crocamo will be Luzerne County’s new top manager, county council decided in a 10-1 vote Tuesday.

The Republican lead county council could have done this last year but Lying, crying two faced baboon Brian Thornton gummed up the works saying he had new information. The new information was a derailment of a competent interim manager who was qualified. But as usual, brain dead braggarts like Thornton thought the grass would be greener on the other side.

The hiring of Crocomo is good news for sensible, main stream Republicans who have a good thing going despite the hapless performance of guys like Thornton and Child Urban.  By screwing up the federal funding for two years and the Robertson fiasco, this GOP majority has proven, much to the chagrin of mainstream Republicans and Independents that they can’t govern.

Crocomo will do just fine but one had to wonder if the majority of citizens who were disgusted by the ineptness of the GOP majority since taking office will remember their obvious failures in even basic common sense let alone leadership.

I’m betting there are people not willing to let these clowns forget what a crap show they made into the county council. It is ironic that a majority of 10 Republicans, some of which are numbskulls (you pick ‘em out) has made possible the talk of a reduction in council members.

With 10 or 5, Crocomo will handle all incoming with class and dignity. Let’s hope she can teach elected leaders something about basic human traits like lacking thus far in their incompetent tenure...

 

LUZERNE COUNTY GOP PICK COUNTY COUNCIL SLATE

 In an effort to repeat their success of 2021, the Luzerne County Council has endorsed a slate of 6 candidates to run in the fall. Being a longtime incumbent didn’t guarantee a spot of this roster. Here they are with incumbent DA Sam Sanguedolce.

HAZLETON MAYOR COMES OUT AGAINST URBAN AD HAAS 

This came across our wire over the weekend. Apparently the GOP Mayor of Hazleton has no use for Steve Urban Junior and Harry Haas. Here's why: 

 MEANWHILE ON THE DEMOCRATIC RANCH

There are only 7 candidates vying for nominations on the D side. Six are running as a team with Mary Ann Velez who ran in the General last time running her own effort. Velez, a strong campaigner it is safe to say one of these 6 might not be in the fall effort. This campaign roster though s decidedly more diverse in it make up. They are:

 

And/or Maryann Velez

 

WANTED: GOP VOTES IN WILKES-BARRE

Two well established Democrats in Wilkes Barre are asking for Write In votes on the GOP side to win a double nomination.

 Incumbent Mayor George Brown is running a radio campaign asking for a GOP vote. 

Bill Barrett who does face primary opposition on the Democratic side for Council in District D is also asking for GOP votes to keep perennial Republican candidate Linda Urban from advancing in the fall.

This will be worth watching as the results pour in Tuesday night.

 

 REP. CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN PAY OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS FAIRLY ACT

NEW LEGISLATION WILL REVISE PAY RATES FOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS EMPLOYEES

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

Rep. Matt Cartwright introduced the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act, which would revise locality pay rates for federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees, including correctional officers at U.S. Penitentiary, Canaan, in Wayne County.

The Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act would address staffing and retention problems facing BOP facilities by allowing for competitive pay that considers factors such as cost-of-living, commute times, and the hard work and dedication of correctional officers. Specifically, BOP facilities located within 200 miles of the nearest General Schedule (GS) locality pay area would be eligible to pay their staff higher, more competitive wages.

“Correctional officers put their lives on the line every day to meet inmates’ needs and keep our communities safe. The value they add to civil society must be adequately reciprocated,” said Rep. Cartwright (PA-08), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee. “This much needed pay increase will help address critical staffing shortages at USP Canaan and federal prisons across the country and will serve as an investment in the safety of the brave correction officers who go to work in them every day. I’m proud to support this bill again this Congress.”

"Our correctional officers deserve to be compensated fairly for their tireless service,” said Republican Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14), who co-sponsored the legislation. “This bill is a common-sense measure that will help us retain and recruit highly qualified officers and show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”

"The National Council of Prison Locals applauds the efforts of both Congressman Cartwright and Congressman Weber in the bipartisan work to support the Correctional Officers and Professionals of the Federal Bureau of Prisons," said Shane Fausey, President of the National Council of Prison Locals. "The common challenge in the nation's federal prison system is the inability to compete in an economic environment, adversely affecting the ability to recruit and retain qualified federal law enforcement officers. Our rural facilities cannot compete with neighboring urban markets and climbing rates of inflation. Elevated rates of prison violence and systemic dysfunction, caused by a staffing crisis of epic proportions, can be curtailed by passing the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act. The human consequences of the status quo are not acceptable, and the American people deserve better."

When Cartwright first became a member of Congress in 2013, USP Canaan corrections officer Eric Williams was brutally murdered by an inmate. Since the tragic death of Officer Williams, Cartwright has made staff safety at USP Canaan and Bureau of Prisons facilities one of his priorities at home and across the country. His efforts include enacted legislation, enforced safety initiatives, and an increase in federal funding.

"The reintroduction of the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act is a step in the right direction for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to make the wages for the staff more comparable to other law enforcement agencies,” said Dave Demas, American Federation of Government Employees LOCAL 3003 President. “If this bipartisan bill is passed, this would not only help the hard-working employees of the United States Penitentiary Canaan, but it would help the staffing crisis the Agency faces by hiring, and most importantly, retaining the current staff, who are leaving to seek employment in other agencies with better pay."

 

In January, Cartwright announced that he successfully secured $180 million in additional funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the 2023 Government Spending Package to sustain and increase BOP recruitment and hiring efforts nationwide.

“Prison officers face a unique kind of danger, and it is imperative we provide them with every tool and authorization necessary to protect their lives and wellbeing,” Cartwright said. “Sadly, we have lost too many good officers and the tragic loss of Eric Williams still weighs heavy on our hearts.”

 

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES BIPARTISAN CASEY, FETTERMAN LEGISLATION TO PREVENT FUTURE TRAIN DERAILMENT DISASTERS

COMMERCE COMMITTEE VOTED 16-11 TO MOVE THE BILL FORWARD FOR FULL SENATE CONSIDERATION

LEGISLATION WOULD TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT FUTURE, MAN-MADE RAIL DISASTERS LIKE NORFOLK SOUTHERN’S DERAILMENT NEAR PA-OH BORDER; INCLUDES KEY PROVISIONS FROM CASEY, FETTERMAN BILLS TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS, ENHANCE SAFETY STANDARDS

Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted out the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023, sponsored by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA). The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. This landmark legislation would prevent future train derailments by taking key steps to improve rail safety procedures and protocols and increasing fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers.

The legislation includes key provisions based on Casey and Fetterman’s Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, which would set aside funds—paid for by rail companies that ship and carry hazardous materials—to provide emergency responders and firefighters, with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs. Also included are provisions based on the Senators’ Railway Accountability Act, which would direct the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to assess potential regulations improving end-of-train and head-of-train device communications and brake signal testing.

“Pennsylvania families, businesses, and first responders are still reeling from the disaster caused by Norfolk Southern’s trail derailment. No community in America should have to endure this ever again,” Senator Casey said. “By passing this legislation out of committee, the Senate took a crucial step to protect people over profits, make freight rail safer, and hold rail companies accountable for putting communities and workers in harm’s way.”

“I’m proud that this vital bill to improve railway safety is making its way through the legislative process. Above all, we need to make sure a disaster like this never happens again,” Senator Fetterman said. “That’s why I was proud to help lead on this bipartisan bill to strengthen rail safety regulations, which would make sure rail companies have the interests of workers and local residents in mind — not just their bottom lines. After this markup, it’s time to swiftly bring this bill to the floor and get it passed.”

Casey and Fetterman have repeatedly advocated for resources for Pennsylvania and Ohio residents affected by the derailment and are working to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for the cleanup and to help the community recover. They pressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its plan to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for releasing hazardous materials into the air and water and highlighted the need to ensure the proper resources are reaching Darlington Township, PA and East Palestine, OH to continue to aid residents in need. The Senators wrote to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to express rail safety concerns they have heard from constituents, rail experts, and railroad workers as the NTSB conducts its investigation into the derailment. Additionally, they implored the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA) to address the concerns of farmers and agricultural producers in the region.

In a letter to Norfolk Southern Corporation President and CEO Alan Shaw, Casey and Fetterman emphasized the company’s legal and moral obligation to the residents of East Palestine and Darlington Township as the carrier responsible for operating the derailed train and demanded a response, in writing, on how the company plans to be an active member of response and clean-up operations as well as provide full, adequate, and equitable remuneration for the damages caused to the surrounding communities and environment by the derailment of their train. In a separate letter to Shaw, the Senators urged the company to provide support to Darlington Township residents after repeated reports of Pennsylvanians being turned away at the Family Assistance Center in East Palestine.

 

 FIRST LADY SHAPIRO VISITS FORT INDIANTOWN GAP TO SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL GUARD, VETERANS

First Lady Shapiro with some of the troops.

Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro today visited Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Lebanon County, to show the Shapiro Administration’s support for the Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) and the more than 700,000 veterans across the Commonwealth. The 17,000-acre installation is headquarters to the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the PNG and is the busiest National Guard Training Center in the country.

The DMVA serves a dual role of supporting the 18,000-member PNG – the third largest National Guard in the nation – and provides programs and services to more than 700,000 veterans – the fourth largest veteran population in the nation – and they operate under the mantra, “Together We Serve.” Currently, 844 PNG members are deployed overseas and in the United States.

“Our servicemembers and veterans have sacrificed for our Commonwealth and our country, and we owe it to them to ensure they have the resources and support they need,” said First Lady Lori Shapiro. “It was an honor to meet with the hardworking women and men of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and at Fort Indiantown Gap today, and I look forward to working with them to ensure Pennsylvania’s veterans and service members are well taken care of and receive the benefits they earned.”

 “We are thankful to the First Lady and her staff for visiting and taking the time to learn about how the DMVA supports the PNG, Pennsylvania veterans, and our communities” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “This administration made an immediate commitment to supporting Pennsylvania’s service members, veterans, and their family members, which is demonstrated by the First Lady’s visit today.”

While at FTIG, the First Lady participated in an orientation of the training site, and toured locations such as the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES) vehicle maintenance facility, and the Training Support Center (TSC) that provides state-of-the-art training resources to service members.

The First Lady also toured the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA), which provides Pennsylvania at-risk teens an opportunity to achieve the self-discipline, education, and skills necessary to succeed through an engaging, safe, and structured residential experience.

Last week, the Governor Shapiro broke ground on a $97 million renovation project for a 200-bed long-term care building for veterans in need of skilled nursing and memory care at the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) campus in Duncansville, Blair County. Our veterans served our country and defended our freedoms – that’s why the Shapiro Administration will continue to work to provide our veterans with the best possible care and the benefits they deserve.

 

MEDIA MATTERS

TRUMP ON CNN

Former President Donald Trump appeared at a Town Hall meeting on CNN hosted by Kaitlin Collins their morning news anchor. Here’s what happened:

1.Trump whined about his election being stolen.

2.Trump told numerous lies.

3.On the debt ceiling, Trump said “might not be a bad thing to be in debt”., This deadbeat pig should know all about debt and bankruptcies.

4.Trump bashed women and made fun of a woman he victimized.

5.CNN let in a bunch of Trumpanzee morons who cheered his every move.

6.Trump said the military ran out of ammunition.

KEY TAKEAWAY WORD: ammunition. Every statement he made gave investigators more of that to prosecute him.

HEADLINE: TRUMP SELF INDICTED HIMSELF

 

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM 

 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 SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

1954

Our 1954 logo

U.S. Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, declares that Indochina is important but not essential to the security of Southeast Asia, thus ending any prospect of American intervention on the side of France (→ proposed Operation Vulture). That was  the name of the proposed U.S. operation that would rescue French forces at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 via B-29 raids based in the Philippines. The French garrison had been surrounded by the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War. When the British government refused to give its support (something that Eisenhower required for the operation to proceed), the plan was cancelled and as a result the French Army organised Operation Condor, an attempt to weaken the Viet Minh artillery's assaults against the besieged French Union garrison……On the day after the deadline for all male British subjects and Federal citizens between the ages of 18 and 20 to register for part-time National Service, a peaceful demonstration by students turns into a riot, resulting in multiple injuries and arrests.

A Royal Commission on Espionage is established by Australia's government to look into the "Petrov Affair", events surrounding the defection of a Soviet diplomat…….The World Chess Championship is won by Mikhail Botvinnik in Moscow…..The Boeing 707 is released after about two years of development.

The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict is adopted in The Hague, Netherlands……The British tug Harrington capsizes and sinks at Swansea, Wales, with the loss of two f her six crew……..The Kengir uprising breaks out at a Soviet labour camp for political prisoners in the Kazakh SSR. Prisoners force the guards and camp administration out and an internal "government" is set up. The uprising lasts for over a month until forcibly suppressed by Soviet government troops……….and 69 years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Thisa Ole House” by Rosemary Clooney.