CONVICTION OF BOMBER AFTERMATH
The loser who joined his scumbag brother in disrupting the Boston Marathon in 2013 was convicted on all counts. “Pretty boy” is now on his way to either jail or death. If it were up to me, I’d leave him in a room with a bunch of Boston drunks from The Combat Zone but that’s me.
My friend Drew Wasko and his daughter ran in that race and it still is a vivid memory for him.Drew is in the Endwell/New York area and he is one of the famous Wasko Brothers and St. John the Baptist Alumni who hailed originally from Dupont.
Drew shared his thoughts on the event with LuLac: “Our running community and my family
have been following this since the day it happened. I'd like to say it's a sense of relief, and it is but being there and experiencing that day still bothers me emotionally. I know I'll never forget that day. Should he receive the death penalty, Yes in this case it's deserved, BUT exiled to rot in a prison cell forever is also deserving, and it doesn't make him a martyr. I'll be lining up again this year for my 23rd consecutive Boston, and as the rest of us there, that moment always will weigh heavy in our hearts. Boston Strong says it all.”
ANOTHER POLICE SHOOTING
First off, I have utter respect for the police. Especially the Wilkes Barre City Police and other local officers. (I love the Chief in Larksville with his eyes on you campaign). That said the incredible killing of a man running away from Police because he owed child support was reprehensible. The police officer shot the guy 8 times.
The officer, Michael T. Slager, 33, said he had feared for his life because the man had taken his stun gun in a scuffle after a traffic stop on Saturday. A video, however, shows the officer firing eight times as the man, Walter L. Scott, 50, fled. The North Charleston mayor announced the state charges at a news conference Tuesday evening.
How did this happen? Why did this happen? Let me sum it up in two words, “The South”. You will never tell me this wasn’t racially motivated. South Carolina has always had its share of Neanderthals but this takes the cake., If you take a look at how our local and statewide police handle crime vs. how some of these other police departments have handled it, (Ferguson excluded because that was deemed justified) be glad you live here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
We might have low wages and political corruption, we might drink too much and owe too much, we might have Chambers of Commerce who suck the life out of us..BUT we have police here that are professional and careful when apprehending someone. Even “The Visitors” who run wild in the streets sometimes are spared from the dumb as a bag of rocks cop who shot a man in the back. Hey when someone was shot in the back in an old Western, didn’t we call the shooter a coward? What do we call the “peace officer” guffaw, guffaw” who shoots some poor bastard without a gun? A dumbass southerner.
FARINA’S STAND
State Representative Frank Farina. (Photo: WNEP TV)
In last year’s contested race for State Representative in the 112th, we were told that Frank Farina was the logical choice. Farina was reasonable and a smart young man with the interests of the district at heart. Well, how’s all that working out? Farina to his credit has taken the stance that he sees promise from a Chicago based company called Invenergy that might build a natural gas-fired power plant to be built on land that was once a coal mine. That’s all well and good but predictably the naysayer said it wouldn’t be a good idea because of various safety reasons. Also the negativity of anything different always rears its head here. If we listened to the naysayers there would be no Arena and no ballpark. But Farina who had opposition couldn’t stand the heat in the kitchen. On Facebook he took voters to task saying,
“People are trying to persuade my position on the project by threatening me with their vote. In my opinion that is as corrupt as trying to bribe me with money.”
This kid is not smooth. First off voters are going to bitch if they don’t get their way. See a leader is supposed to lead. Farina should have done what a sales person does, talk about the benefits. Instead he insulted the voters who already can’t stand politicians and telling them their opposition is akin to a corrupt bribe. What school did he go to? How in the hell did he get elected? Give me a Kevin Haggerty meltdown any day.
The sad part about this is that young politicos who win an election or two think they did it on their own. No the people voted you in. And they may not have voted you out if you explained and led with why you for this expansion. People in depressed Jessup making 10 bucks an hour understand a better job. They might give you a break. But not when you tell the voters they are corrupt for disagreeing with you. Plus the people the young legislators hire are rookies themselves. This is an incredible error by a politician that should have been avoided.
If I were Haggerty or any other candidate in the 112th with ambition, I’d call Bob Harper in Florida. NOW. Or Jim McNulty, Ed Mitchell, Joe or Gene Peters and ask, “How the hell do I get out of this?” Get the butter and jelly ready, because Farina is toast.
AFTER LEIGHTON
Outgoing Mayor of Wilkes Barre Tom Leighton. (Photo: Paindependent.com).
The Tom Leighton era in Wilkes Barre is coming to a close. Oh there’s still more than half a year left for Mr. Leighton and he is doing his best to address the issue of violence in Wilkes Barre. But as we pointed out time and time again, no one official can stop crime. I had thought Leighton would run but 12 years is a good run for any public official. The question is who will succeed Leighton? Well one thing for sure is it will be a Democrat. The woeful state of the once proud Republican party that produced Dan Hart, Marjorie Bart, Frank Trinisewski originally, John Morris and Ethel Price is just a very dim memory.
On the Republican side Frank Sorick will run for Mayor. He has been a consistent critic of the way the city is run and can articulate the problems facing the town. But it is doubtful to me whether he can garner a huge enough vote to overcome a Democrat. With the Democratic candidates there is no incumbent baggage. The only good thing happening to the GOP is that no one has challenged in the primary on the ballot.
Bob McHale is running as an Independent, has made good use of the airwaves of talk radio but is fighting an uphill battle.
If there is a consensus choice at the point it seems to be George Brown. Brown is friendly, took the job of Council member seriously by having town forums and can articulate what he wants to do. If elected he can deal with a unified Council like the Mayor did.
Former Police Chief Tony George can also work with the Council but his time on Council was a tad different than Brown’s. What makes George attractive to the anti Leighton crowd is that he has been a critic of some of the administration’s policies and for the first time in years was a dissenting vote on the nearly unanimous Council. George is running on a campaign of Law and Order and that’s like shooting fish in a barrel given the craziness that this city has seen.
Politically George has to get the old Lee Namey coalition to come out strong for him. I had thought that he would have the support of Tony and Denise Thomas but Brown has them in his corner.
Denise Thomas, George Brown and Tony Thomas. (Photo: George Brown for Mayor campaign).
George has to define what he means by Law and Order. What can he do that the Mayor hasn’t done already? What any Mayor could have done? Plus other than the late Frank Rizzo, Police Commissioners and Chiefs have never ascended to the top job in a city administration. George Brown and Tony George are the two heavyweights in this battle. Town meetings are nice, big billboards are eye catching but the tale of the tape will be how many bodies you get out to vote on primary day. This will be close.
Other candidates are Darlene Duggins Magdalinski and Brian Kelly. Duggins Magdalinski is a community activist and has been front and center in the fight for a safer city. But the two groups she has to galvanize, people truly upset enough with crime that will actually vote on Election Day and women are split among the other four candidates. It will take a Herculean effort to get this done but she has stamina and has passion. She needs to focus on what she can do and do it better than the other candidates.
Brian Kelly has done something vastly different than any other candidate. Taking the nontraditional path, he has written a book called Wilkes-Barre: Return to Glory!. The book is available for download on his website and available at local merchants. Kelly has not attacked the previous administration but has offered some ideas for the Mayor to implement if he wants to. Kelly sent the Mayor link.
What makes the Kelly candidacy an intriguing possibility is that he is now going after Republican votes. According to his site, Kelly is asking for Republicans to write-in their vote for him instead of Frank Sorick. He even has offered instruction. If Kelly can pull a good vote, there is a possibility that even though he is a Democrat, a JFK Democrat he says, he just might make it to the major face off in November.
Things are heating up now after Easter. What once seemed a yawner of a race to succeed Tom Leighton is gaining traction. More to come!
WARDLE EVENT TUESDAY
Dan's Keystone Grille
Union Street, Plains
Tuesday April 14 6p-9p
Donation $35 - Checks payable to "Wardle for Judge Committee"
Available from any committee member or at door includes Domestic drafts, soft drinks, buffet
Entertainment by The Great Rock Pair - Bill Space and Karl Metzger and Pat Ward
CARTWRIGHT BACKS EAGEN
Congressman Cartwright with Todd Eagen. (Photo: Eagan campaign).
On Monday, April 6th, Congressman Matt Cartwright endorsed Scranton attorney Todd Eagen for the state's Commonwealth Court at a fundraising event hosted by Cartwright at the Scranton Club. At the event, attended by supporters, Congressman Cartwright said, "I have known Todd Eagen for nearly ten years and he has shown to me and to the community that he has done the right thing and always fought for regular working families. I am confident that he would do the same as a Judge on the Commonwealth Court. We need a voice like his on that court and I am proud to support him."
Eagen said that he appreciated the Congressman's support by saying, "I am grateful for Congressman Cartwright's support. As a attorney, he knows the power of the courts firsthand and knows the good they can do for our society. If elected, I will make sure that the Commonwealth Court serves all of the people fairly and honestly."
Congressman Cartwright's support adds to the long list of endorsements that Eagen has received, including the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Pennsylvania State Correctional Officers Association and many other Democratic and Labor organizations. The full list can be found here.
The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania's three statewide appellate courts. In addition to its appellate jurisdiction, it also serves as a trial court when cases are filed by or against the Commonwealth. The court sits in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg. The Democratic Primary is May 19th
MEDIA MATTERS
THE IRREGULARS
Event: The Irregulars Think Tank Breakfast
Date: This Saturday, Saturday, April 11
Presenter: Sharon Krawetz, Owner, Leading Edge Success
Infinite Possibilities – The Art of Changing Your Life
Time: 9:00 A.M. (Doors open at 8:30)
Place: The Metro at Twin Stacks Center - Hwy 415 – Dallas
Cost: $12.00 per person / Pay At The Door
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with State Senator John Yudichak on a wide range of issues, from the state budget and gas severance tax to the Luzerne County SHINE after school program, potholes and property taxes.
Brian speaks with Peg Ruddy from the Women's Resource Center about their Great Chefs 25 fundraiser coming up on May 5.
And Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with film maker and Skeeball King Aaron Re about his film "SBK The Movie".
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590, WARM and 6:25am on Magic 93.
ECTV
ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast Channel 19 (61 in some areas) and is broadcast several times each day during the week.
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUMSUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION
Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.
BUDDY RUMCHEK
Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”
KAREL ON THE STREET
Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.
CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME
Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.
1965
Our 1965 logo.
Beatles "Ticket to Ride" is released in UK…………India & Pakistan engage in border fight…The very 1st game at Astrodome, Houston beats Yankees 2-1 in exhibition as Mickey Mantle hits 1st indoor home run……
At the 29th Golf Masters Championship: Jack Nicklaus wins, shooting a 271…. 40 tornadoes strike US Midwest killing 272 & injuring 5,000……1st NL game at Houston's Astrodome (Phillies beat Astros 2-0)……Beatles record "Help"…..1st US Senate black page, Lawrence W Bradford Jr, 16, appointed by NY Sen. Jacob Javits………..7th Grammy Awards: The Girl From Ipanema, The Beatles win………………in Pennsylvania Governor Scranton forges through a proposal designed to promote the state in national and international markets and to increase the attractiveness of the state's products and services……in Luzerne County work continues as the construction of a new state park takes place in the Back Mountain and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “The Game of Love “ by Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders.