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.