TOMATOES AND SHAMROCKS
PART 2
Had a conversation yesterday with former Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo regarding the decision by Pittston City Council to have the Pittston Tomato Festival acquire the parade as a subcommittee.
Lombardo noted that the parade is a superb event and right now there is a need for more structure. Pointing out that not a few individuals can do everything, it is important that the parade gets more structure. Lombardo pointed out that the perfect model is the Tomato Festival which on the surface appears that it runs on auto pilot. But behind that is a well based structure that can protect the foundations of it but more importantly insure its continued success.
To that end, Lombardo who has always been a builder of bridges in his time of public service met with Ginger Murphy and plans to meet with Mr. Pat Toole to iron things out.
If anything this association will take responsibility of a few details, and at least in my estimation give it some structure.
Lombardo said that when you google Pittston there are many positive things and he hopes this dust up will not be seen as a negative.
As for the e mail he sent out and copied to others, Lombardo quoted my buddy that old capitalist himself Joe Valenti by saying “Only mold grows in the dark”.
Good luck to all parties involved.
GOVERNOR WOLF:
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
The Republican-sponsored tax amendment was defeated unanimously Monday as the two parties fought over the Wolf's budget plan with less than a month to go before the fiscal year ends. And see this is where you have to really rail at the Legislature. You know with a new Governor there will be a discussion, yet you saunter back in June to get something done. It almost is a guarantee of failure.
Republicans say the vote shows a lack of support for the Wolf’s first budget, and the Dems say it is a gimmick. Wolf calls it a stunt.
The majority Republicans introduced the current year's budget as a stop gap, to meet rules in the budget process. The Democrats introduced the Governor’s plan and the GOP forced a vote on the total proposed increases.
The truth is that Wolf’s plan is a tax shifting of billions of dollars to reduce property taxes and increase state spending through taxing the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus shale, raising cigarette taxes and taxing cigars and snuff
The plan designed by Wolf was to help middle class families. And we know full how the GOP in Pennsylvania feels about middle class families. They yes them to death but screw them in the end.
More on this to come.
PASHINSKI ANNOUNCES PROPERTY TAX REBATE DEADLINE
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2014 has been extended from June 30 until Dec. 31, 2015. Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1.
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income and any COLAs are excluded and the maximum standard rebate is $650.
Claimants must apply for rebates every year because rebates are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of deceased claimants who lived at least one day in 2014 and meet all other eligibility criteria.
MEDIA MATTERS
ECTV
An ECTV favorite, Jenn Moran of the West Pittston Library returns to the program during the week of June 8th to review a list of Summer activities at the Library.
BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM
This week's guest on Community Forum will be David Abrams, co-managing owner of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Jim Riley hosts Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on The Game Sports Radio Network 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River
SUNDAY MAGAZINE
SUE 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.
Gemini 4: Astronaut Edward Higgins White makes the first U.S. space walk.
Kakanj mine disaster: A mining accident in Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, results in 128 deaths……Vietnam War – Battle of Dong Xoai: About 1,500 Viet Cong mount a mortar attack on Đồng Xoài, overrunning its military headquarters and the adjoining militia compound……..Pennsylvania State Legislators visit the Hayfield House at the proposed Penn State Campus…..in Wilkes Barre the city council voted to employ the services of Philadelphia Attorney and former candidate for Governor Richardson Dilworth in a suit against the National Salt Producers Association. The Association was indicted for price fixing and fifty years ago the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Crying In the Chapel” by Elvis Presley. In the midst of the British invasion and the hot streak of Motown and the Beach Boys, the King reasserts himself in pop music with this memorable ballad.