Luzerne County:QUESTIONS ON HOME RULE on Lu Lac political letter

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Luzerne County:QUESTIONS ON HOME RULE on Lu Lac political letter

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Kathy Dobash

Member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 558
offline

Saturday, November 14, 2009
The LuLac Edition #1007, Nov. 14th, 2009

QUESTIONS ON HOME RULE

"Luzerne County Republican activist Kathy Dobash has some questions and concerns for the Home Rule Charter Study Commission. Dobash has been religious in attending the meetings and has some concerns which I will list in an e mail sent to LuLac last week: At the recent public meeting held in Hazleton, PA last week on Wednesday November 5, 2009 Luzerne County Home Rule Study Commission read a statement to the Luzerne County Citizens who attended the meeting. I saw, heard and felt that the citizens were instructed on how to phrase their inquiry. So instead of the presentation of a question I was forced to make only a comment. Now I will fire away many questions here in my blog and forward it to all the local media. This also revolves around the recent controversy about one member of the Commission who has been elected to the Luzerne County Controller. Apparently he is under pressure by the chairman and his followers to resign immediately. This is truly a political tactic by the chairman of the Commission: Jim Haggerty. He is also the Mayor of Kingston, PA.
Here are the members of the Luzerne County Home Rule Study Commission:
Jim Haggerty Walter Griffith Jr., John Adonizio, Veronica Ciaruffoli, Frank E. P. Conyngham, Jack Schumacher, Rick Morelli, Richard “Kick” Heffron, Robert “Whammer” Wanyo, Christopher “C. J.” Kersey, Charmaine Maynard.
That night I only had one issue. The members are creating duties, salaries, and positions to run the county. I believe it is a conflict of interest to form those positions and then later run as candidates for the very same positions they have created.If I was allowed to ask a question I would have simply asked:Are any members of the Luzerne County Home Rule Study Commission planning on running for office for the very same positions they have created?I now have more questions because I believe the Chairman is using his position to move forward with an agenda that the public might not appreciate.Here are more questions: Is this an open and honest Commission? Is this a Commission of 10 individuals listening to the directives of the Chairman?Will this be the forum for every public hearing? Is this statement read by Chairman Jim Haggerty meant to discourage the voters? I understand that questions and answers will extend your meetings. I know everyone wants to leave in a timely manner. Perhaps your dual role as Mayor of Kingston and Chairman of this Commission is more than you can handle. People do have questions. How can anyone recommend your ideas to pass a new charter for Luzerne County when you discourage and control the public's thirst for transparency?"

There is commentary from readers. Go to this link and read them:
http://lulacpoliticaletter.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The LuLac Edition #1007, Nov. 14th, 2009

I believe Walter Griffith will do what is necessary to resolve loose ends with the Luzerne County Home Rule Study Commission. I believe he wants the Commission to go forward. His concern: An appointment will be made that is politically motivated.
I believe that appointment should be based on what is best to represent citizens of Luzerne County. I believe he wants the committee to go forward. He has a strong sense of responsilbility to be a "watch dog". This is based on his interactions with the members of this Commission. Some are followers to one person's agenda. I thought this was a step up for reform. Now I am unsure it will be a step toward a positive change.

There have been severe aggressive e-mails from fellow committee members. Why?

I feel the members of this committee have their own agendas and are not truthful about their intentions.

I believe it is important for a true representation of the whole population of this county. I have seen this attitude and behavior in other non-profit organizations located in the Wilkes-Barre area. One in particular is an Arts organization name the Cultural Council of Luzerne County. http://www.cclcarts.org They were a bit vicious and aggressive to attain funds for their art shows from the County. They had no concern for the extreme debt or loss of personnel. Everyone is just about dollars and how they can move up the ladder.

Look at the many artcles in regard to bribes, kickbacks and outright giving away county contracts to make others more wealthy. I am not the person to take the verbal punches. The defense from those who cannot leave their names really is a bit cowardly.

In fact former Luzerne County Commissioner Todd Vonderheid was a chairman on that board. Corruption I throughout almost every organistion. It is everywhere.

Why do I question and make some people uncomfortable? Perhaps the lack of respons to direct questions is a cause for concern.

There is a tendency to not care about the people, the "little guy". It sometimes appears to be very heartless and cold. A bit vicious and agressive to attain funds for their art shows from the County. It is from professional members of the community. It is difficult to have representation and attention from Southern Luzerne County because of the population. We have an increase in population and many are illegal citizens.
They do not vote. That is a huge topic that I also confranted today because of a small organized group met in front of Hazleton City Hall today. I cannot even get into that issue now.

My friend Gort said this in response to my commentary:

"First of all I think that the Government Study Commission will eliminate Treasurer as an elected position and hopefully the new charter will be ratified. I don't want that job or Commissioner of the NCAA. The comish of the NCAA is an administrator that is in charge fo rule enforcement but doesn't set policy like the commissioners of NFL or MLB. the real powers in college football are the University Presidents. Their schools are raking millions under the present system so they are not inclined to change it. I would love to see a playoff system but it will not happen for a while.

And just to tie it together Morreale said in his last campaign that he would retire after Joe Paterno did."

LOL I must acquire a bigger sense of humor from my friend. This is all a huge big political game. Defense, offense.......plans, tactics, plays, computerized emails to pressure and tackle a fellow team mate.....it goes on and on!

Let's get the fans all stirred up!

There are other comments attacking Mr. Griffith. I believe he will do what is best when it is the right time.

;^)

I am looking for strong honest answers. Political tactics within government, non-profit groups, etc. get in the way of solving problems. Yet we must all play the game. Instead of working together for good government we just have more battles.
It is the system. I am looking for direct answers.

Why is everyone so evasive?

Posted 2 months ago #
Kathy Dobash

Member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 558
offline

edit:

Corruption I throughout almost every organistion.

should be

Corruption is throughout almost every organization.

Why do I question and make some people uncomfortable? Perhaps the lack of respons to direct questions is a cause for concern. edit : response

THIS paragraph below has a few errors:

There is a tendency to not care about the people, the "little guy". It sometimes appears to be very heartless and cold. A bit vicious and agressive to attain funds for their art shows from the County. It is from professional members of the community. It is difficult to have representation and attention from Southern Luzerne County because of the population. We have an increase in population and many are illegal citizens.
They do not vote. That is a huge topic that I also confranted today because of a small organized group met in front of Hazleton City Hall today. I cannot even get into that issue now.

It should just read as:

There is a tendency to not care about the people, the "little guy". It sometimes appears to be very heartless and cold. It is from professional members of the community. It is difficult to have representation and attention from Southern Luzerne County because of the population. We have an increase in population and many are illegal citizens.
They do not vote. That is a huge topic that I also confronted today because a small organized group met in front of Hazleton City Hall today. I cannot even get into that issue now.

Perhaps where I have the word committee ...well really it should be Commission...but hey who cares...because I am just one little voice in a HUGE
COUNTY full of many voices who perhaps have more power and money to shut me up!

Who reads this blog anyway?

Posted 2 months ago #
Kathy Dobash

Member
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 558
offline

Hey folks I noticed more typos in this blog..but I know you all will forgive me.

Letter to Editor is in the Hazleton Standard Speaker today.
http://www.standardspeaker.com/opinion

Letters to the editor
Editor, The Luzerne County Home Rule Study Commission met on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Educational Conference Center at Luzerne County Community College. This group has the responsibility to study the current form of government. Can it be economically ef.........

Posted 2 months ago #