7 Days left to file petitions

With only 7 days left to file petitions, Primary Election 2007 is shaping up to be a very boring election cycle. Greg Skrepenak and Maryanne Petrilla have formed a team, and with no serious candidates challenging them they will have a lot of money on hand for the General Election. The turnout for their announcement was pathetic. Approximately 200 county employees, two dozen local elected officials, and a handful of friends. Of these people, none were serious campaign workers. If Skrep/Petrilla had to rely on volunteers to win, it would not even be worth filing the papers.
(Sidenote - it would be nice since Skrep/Petrilla have a free Primary they spend some money on rebuilding the Democratic Party but don't hold your breath.)

Dave Shipula and Bill Jones most likely will be the GOP team for the November election provided they campaign against Steve Urban with a positive pro-taxpayer message. Both men are from the mold of Kennedy Republicans or Reagan Democrats, so countygovernment may run better with them at the helm. Luzerne County Republicans like Steve Urban because he opposes everything his Democratic counterparts attempt. Shipula/Jones need to demonstrate they can lead the county not just provide token opposition to Democratic Commissioner plans.

In a sign of hope and humor, Steve Flood will run because he cares (we just don't know what he cares about). And likewise we are just thankful he's back because anytime you get a guy who wears 20 rings on 10 fingers you know he's in it for the people. It's interesting to see some people still remember his connections to Ed Rendell in 2002, those ties are officially broken. But he will not run as a Republican because he thinks he has a chance of replacing MaryannePetrilla should she win a commissioner seat. Her replacement for Controller must be from the same political party. And the replacement will be Former Pittston Area School Director and Retired Wyoming Valley West Super August (Augie) Piazza. We can think of better people for these positions but this year no one is stepping up.

There is always a small chance that voters will be given good alternatives to the front runners and if that does happen each new entry will have a legitimate shot at winning a commissioner seat or any of the row offices. Let's say people want to "believe".

Up Next - A look into how non-competitive the other Luzerne County races are this year and a look into Lackawanna County's Democratic Endorsement.

This Weekend -

We'll look at the announcement of Greg Skrepenak and Maryanne Petrilla, Super Mario getting stuck in the snow, and other Luzerne County Commissioner bits.

Feel free to look at the fluffy from the CV below:
http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17893962&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=571464&rfi=6

And take a look at one of the best efforts so far by opening up the Bureau of Elections in Luzerne County.
http://www.luzernecounty.org/county/departments_agencies/bureau_of_elections

Patrick Judge - A Judge behind the scenes

Some attention was given to the recent announcement of Patrick Judge to
Chairman of the State's Judicial Conduct Board. The State Judicial Conduct Board monitors Judges to ensure they are behaving and acting according to the Commonwealth's Constitution. Originally based on the West Side of Luzerne County, Patrick Judge now lives in Glenmaura, Lackawanna County. His ties to backroom deals and having a great deal of power is rarely ever seen and instead just felt by elected officials and those who work in government. Patrick Judge has been a member of the Wyoming Valley Sewer Authority for over 15 years and in that position has influenced a majority of the hiring of all personnel. He has been given credit to keeping a working Republican Party structure together unofficially which has helped Former Gov. Tom Ridge, Former Attorney General Mike Fisher, and Current Attorney General Tom Corbett among others. He has also been rumored to have helped Former Luzerne County Commissioner Frank Crossin out of his legal troubles several years ago with then Attorney General Mike Fisher. Patrick was Vice Chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Committee but resigned upon moving to Lackawanna County in the late 1990's. However his residency has not caused him to resign his position on the Wyoming Valley Sewer Authority. In addition he also a member of the Luzerne County Arena Board Authority, which oversees all operations of the Wachovia Arena.

Much of his power began due to his relations to Patrick Solano, who had served as a Senior Counselor to every Governor since the 1960's both Democrat and Republican. Patrick Solano was known as a deal maker able to bring both parties together thus earning him respect among many elected officials. Patrick Judge is also tied to Keystone Automotive, based in Exeter Boro. Luzerne County.

Of current interest is Patrick Judge's current role as chairman of the State Judicial Conduct Board and their efforts against Luzerne County Judge Ann Lokuta. He is the first lay person (non-lawyer) to serve as chairman of the State Judicial Conduct Board. A quick look through Internet searches shows some of the people who have relationships with either Patrick Judge or Patrick Solano and many are known political players in Northeastern PA, including Luzerne County Judge Mike Conahan who controls Luzerne County's Judges with an iron fist.

All of this speaks ill for Judge Lokuta's chances of being found innocent of the charges brought against her. She does not play ball with any of the other judges in Luzerne County and does not associate with political players in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Also if she is removed, her current voter registration is Republican which would almost guarantee her replacement would be another registered Republican considering her replacement would need to be approved by the Republican Controlled State Senate. So although Conrad Falvello and Tom O'Connor both have decided not to run for Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas and wait for this seat to open up, they might not get the chance until Judge Chester Muroski retires.

Watch for more of this to come out especially if Judge Lokuta plans on bringing down as many of her advisaries as she looks more and more likely to be suspended or removed from the bench.

Speaking of a Lacking in Judicial Qualifications

Another judicial problem in Luzerne County, getting much more attention is the saga of Judge Ann Lokuta. Judge Lokuta has had more than her share of critics and some of the problems such as being unreasonable and having the ego she does is well known throughout the county. But is that enough to actually get a Judge to be dismissed or suspended? We don't think so. Much for the same reasons why Philadelphia State Senator VinceFumo will walk away from the charges presented against him.

If either of them took bribes or illegally directed government resources
to friends and family, then there can be a case. But it seem we now live in an era when a public official isn't a carbon copy of other public officials something must be wrong. Judges should all act alike, State Senators should all act alike, etc. Trying to focus on Judge Lokuta , it seems very hard to prove she had employees clean her house and shovel her driveway, and just because she made an intern cry does that
really deserve a suspension from the bench or does it mean she's simply tough on her staff. We would find it hard to believe U.S. Senator Arlen Specter never made an intern cry and I'm glad that the Senate didn't impeach him because he's hard on his staff.

We as a society deserve effective public officials in each branch of government. While Judge Ann Lokuta will have her sex life thrown around and might use it as a defense and former staffers will say mean things about her - let's instead focus on how effective she is as a Judge for the citizens ofLuzerne County. Before State Senator Vince Fumo gets years in prison, let's wait to see the benefits he obtained for himself due to abuse of government resources. Without looking for real justice for all people, how can we maintain our faith Democracy works because when one branch fails our "checks and balances" must provide a logical balanced approach to get us believing again.

As always your comment, suggestions, and emails are welcomed.

We have some tips about Pat Judge and while we need to double check our facts it seems Judge Ann Lokuta's fate is sealed with his recent jump to chairman of the Judicial Conduct Board.

Andy Taylor, Matt Dillon, and "Nipper"

Most people of NEPA know the first two fictional Sheriffs mentioned but unless you live in Luzerne County you may not know the third fictional Sheriff. George "Nipper" Nowakowski has run for sheriff many times before and as a Democrat and as a Republican. Unlike the two other men who became known to symbolize the good side of Justice, "Nipper" has become know in political circle as the man who likes to see his name on the ballot every 4 years for an office he will never win.
Why can't this time be different? He's lost the support of many close friends and even family member who have a hard time donating to a losing cause. Voters don't like him because he brings with him the exact opposite of what Andy Taylor and Matt Dillon taught us to want from our "Law & Order" Sheriff: Understanding and Fairness.
George "Nipper" Nowakowski is rude and crude while also having a reputation of not upholding his word. Hopefully though he will raise enough money to humor us with some polka political ads and the voters will leave the job of Sheriff to someone who will inspire us all to be a little bit better in our daily lives.

Early prediction: Mike Savokinas wins Primary by 10% loses General by 5%.

Let's us know if you'd like some details about any other candidates and comments are always welcome.

Meet Chris Clauss

Lackawanna County Democrats, meet your savior. This is the candidate that will join your reform-heavy ticket with Mike Washo and crush the Republicans in November.

If we can find this stuff in a 30-second Google News search, imagine the field day the Republicans will have in the fall.

COLTS Board Rides Taxpayers

COLTS official still receiving free insurance

>

COLTS elects Chris Clauss as new leader

Lawyers, Lawyers Everywhere

Maybe we do need a Law School here in NEPA because it seems Luzerne
County has a tremendous lack of qualified lawyers who enter the political arena. To be fair though, this area does have some excellent lawyers, and three of them appeared on State of Pennsylvania, Thursday Feb 8th on WVIA. Attorneys Tom O'Connor (Bishop O'Reilly), Jerry Langan (Seton Catholic), and Dave Pedri (Bishop Hafey) represented individual Catholic School supporter groups who are seeking logical explanations concerning the future of Catholic education in Luzerne County. All three men did a great job while the Catholic Church refused to comment. Of note is how Luzerne County will lose the traditions of four regional Catholic high schools (The other being Bishop Hoban) and form one new Catholic high school (Holy Redeemer). Lackawanna County is also under going changes but seem to have a much better system of inclusion. All student currently in grades 9th, 10th, and 11th will be allowed to attend their schools until graduation while students coming from Lackawanna County feeder schools will be sent to a new Catholic school. Hopefully the Church and these faithful support groups will find common ground soon.

The point though of having weak lawyers involved in politics is stronger this year than usual. Dave Lupas is getting some help from above and all around by not having a serious opponent which leaves us with a Judgeship being filled not by the most
qualified but filled by the only candidate people have heard of before.
Tom Marsillio only has negative name ID, while Dave Lupas has some positives as a nice guy. Neither have a reputation of being good lawyers. Where's someone like Atty. Joe Cosgrove when the county needs him? Another pathetic excuse of an election will be the choice for District Attorney, while Luzerne County Republicans don't have a candidate since Commissioner hopeful and Chief Deputy Sheriff Art Bobbouine can't pass the bar exam (failed 7 times), Democrats get to keep the seat and it goes to a weak lawyer who only has her name to prop her up in this race. Jackie Musto-Carroll is counting on her Uncle Senator Ray Musto to provide lots of muscle and also her relation through marriage State Rep. Mike Carroll to help her become the county's first female DA. Sadly the alternative to her is Vito DeLuca , a criminal defense attorney with no name ID and seems to be running just because every qualified lawyer is afraid to upset the political climate in Luzerne County.

Will voters wake up in time for the election? And if they do will they have
a viable alternative to the leaders we know all too well?

Speaking of a Lacking in Judicial Qualifications

Another judicial problem in Luzerne County, getting much more attention is the saga of Judge Ann Lokuta. Judge Lokuta has had more than her share of critics and some of the problems such as being unreasonable and having the ego she does is well known throughout the county. But is that enough to actually get a Judge to be dismissed or suspended? We don't think so. Much for the same reasons why Philadelphia State Senator Vince Fumo will walk away from the charges presented against him.

If either of them took bribes or illegally directed government resources to friends and family, then there can be a case. But it seem we now live in an era when a public official isn't a carbon copy of other public officials something must be wrong. Judges should all act alike, State Senators should all act alike, etc. Trying to focus on Judge Lokuta, it seems very hard to prove she had employees clean her house and shovel her driveway, and just because she made an intern cry does that really deserve a suspension from the bench or does it mean she's simply tough on her staff. We would find it hard to believe U.S. Senator Arlen Spector never made an intern cry and I'm glad that the Senate didn't impeach him because he's hard on his staff.

We as a society deserve effective public officials in each branch of government. While Judge Ann Lokuta will have her sex life thrown around and might use it as a defense and former staffers will say mean things about her - let's instead focus on how effective she is as a Judge for the citizens of Luzerne County. Before State Senator Vince Fumo gets years in prison, let's wait to see the benefits he obtained for himself due to abuse of government resources. Without looking for real justice for all people, how can we maintain our faith Democracy works because when one branch fails our "checks and balances" must provide a logical balanced approach to get us believing again.

As always your comment, suggestions, and emails are welcomed.

We have some tips about Pat Judge and while we need to double check our facts it seems Ann Lokuta's fate as a Judge is sealed, stay tuned.

Commissioner Comments

First we'd like to give some Thanks! to Gort42 in reading our site and mentioning us to his devoted readers. Our prayers are with him as he focuses his time towards a personal family matter and of course wish his Uncle Howie a speedy recovery. Also an apoligy to our readers - we would have liked to update more often but for one reason or another we just didn't. This was most likely the underestimation of how much time you need to devote towards a successful blog.

Some interesting things concerning the Luzerne Co commissioners race is the Republicans as mentioned earlier look very strong and might be very successful in using the same model of victory the 2003 Democratic winners used. Running seperate and well organized campaigns Bill Jones and Dave Shipula should propell them towards a November showdown with Greg Skrepenak and Maryanne Petrilla who have the right stuff on paper but just like each county goverment project/proposal of the past 4 years had looked good on paper, the results didn't always pan out. Don't be surprised if Democrats lose control in 2007 just like Lackawanna County Dems did in 2003. Jumpimg into Lackawanna County, because so many things need to go right for the Dems to take back the majority many people are riding off any hope. But by looking into the crystal ball, Republicans lose just like they won control 4 years ago (under 1000 votes) and Dems take back control. Expect the Lackawanna Dems to endorse very soon with the team being Current Commissioner Mike Washo and Corey O'Brien,(their endorsement may develop like Luzerne Co where the endorsement links them and they wait to join forces) will ride into November challenging Commissioners Bob Cordaro and A.J. Munchak. Remember as much as well like high end shopping centers and SWB Yankees baseball, the bottomline will still be: Are you better off now than you were four years ago? And higher taxes seem to say no, look for voters to vote with their pocket books.
If we get some comments or emails (this way we know someones reading) we'd be glad to run a background on the front runners for commissioner in both Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties, just let us know if it's needed.