So let me get this straight.  At this past Wyoming Area Board meeting, because the district is in such serious financial straights, they talked about potentially closing down the Sara Dymond elementary school in Harding.
   At the same meeting, the board approved to send themselves to a School Board junket in State College.  
  John Bolin and John Marrianci voted no while Frank Cassarella, Estelle Campennni, Deanna Farrell, Mary Louise Degnan, Beth Gober-Mangan, Carl Yorina and Gil Dominick voted yes.

Yorina & Sciandra

   “This is a big ship and you have to go into deep waters.”
   Those were then candidate, now sitting board member, Charlie Sciandra’s words on the campaign trail.
   With that, come big ideas and deep waters.
   Those “deep waters” just might be crossing the Susquehanna River.
   As both sides of the river know too well, Wyoming and Pittston Area School Districts are facing huge budget shortfalls.

    Only the names have been changed to protect the inocent.

Bruce Knick

   I’m not sure if Bruce Knick plans to step down because of his DUI charge and I truly wish him the best.  I am, however, hearing he plans on staying and has support internally.
   If he doesn’t resign, rest assured this will be a train wreck, the Hindenburg and Titanic combined.
   Remember the debacle with former County Commissioner Frank Crossin a few years ago when he crashed his car into a telephone poll?
   Crossin kept ducking the press and they kept hounding him till they caught up with him at a meeting.
   Armed with microphone in hand and cameraman behind, Bob Reynolds cornered Crossin after the meeting and Crossin pushed Reynolds causing quite a scene knocking over chairs.

Former Judge Joe Cosgrove leaves a mess

   No class.
   That’s the best way I can sum up former Luzerne County Judge Joe Cosgorve’s exit this past Friday.
   As five new judges were donning their new digs (court room and chambers) to family, friends and supporters, newly appointed Judge Mike Vough had to deal with the mess Joe Cosgorve’s left including a cluttered desk, pictures of Martin Sheen,  boxes that filled his chambers and support staff that stayed behind.
   Yes, with the exception of Mike Vough, the newly elected judges were moved in and personalized their individual chambers.  For example, Fred Pierantoni had his chambers personalized with his coal mining obsession complete with photos and replicas of Valley mines.
   Not Mike Vough.

CLICK HERE FOR COSGROVE PHOTO BUCKET

   “Pittston Area can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”  That was my lead after December’s meeting when they tried to rationalize the repeal of the district’s hiring policy.
   At the meeting they assured all there would be a “new and improved” policy that would be rock solid.
   Kinda reminds me of the “new and improved” Fruit Loops which had my kids bouncing of the walls.
   During the meeting it was stressed there are bigger issues that need to be addressed like balancing the budget, contract negotiations, etc….

TOP: Mike Vough is surrounded by his family as Judge Tom Burke swears him in. BOTTOM: Fred Pierantoni surrounded by his family is sworn in by Judge Bill Amesbury

   This past Friday marked a new day for Luzerne County when six new judges were officially sworn in.
   It was especially a great day when Greater Pittston’s Mike Vough and Fred Pierantoni officialy took the bench.
   Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, the new additions to the court were sworn in by different members of the judiciary
   Vough was sworn in by fellow West Pittston resident President Judge Tom Burke.  Burke had some kind word about Vough saying he watched and followed Vough come up through the ranks as an Assistant District Attorney whose office was just across the hall.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO BUCKET
 

    CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO BUCKET

   Don’t let anyone kid you that Wyoming Area is not one big happy family.  As you can see, after this past week’s meeting, all had a great time singing Christmas carols.

DISCLAIMER: Please note this is not real. It is fake. Bob Linskey really cannot blow a trumpet out his butt.  Its just a little Christmas fun.

 
    

  The Pittston Area Board can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.
   The Board majority Tuesday night lead by President Tony Guariglia, insulted my intelligence, the media’s intelligence, but most of all, insulted the taxpayers’ and residents’ intelligence when they tried to justify and spin their way out of last week’s appeal of the district’s hiring policy.
   I don’t even think I could give them a grade of a D- with the dog and pony show they tried to put on.
   As you know the new board majority, last week at the reorganization meeting, repealed their existing hiring policy.  Clearly a political move to stick it to minority member Bob Liinskey.

   White smoke finally appeared when Wyoming Area finally appointed Jarrett Ferentino Solicitor after a rather contentious meeting.
   When Ferentino’s name was nominated all hell broke lose.
   “He’s an asshole,” Board member Gil Dominick proclaimed to taxpayer and resident Tom Cason when Cason asked the board about federal lawsuits.  Dominick’s comment drew jeers from the crowd.
   After a lengthy and crazy discussion board member John Bolin amended the motion and nominated Ray Hassey.

Ray Hassey, Esq.

by Ray Hassey, Esq

  I would like to start off first by saying that the past 12 years as Solicitor of the Wyoming Area School District have been the most rewarding years of my professional career.  Having the opportunity to serve my home community, and the people I live with, go to church with and see in the grocery store daily has been a privilege that few get to enjoy, and I am grateful for the opportunity.  School Boards, by their nature, are very political. It has truly been a study in human nature to observe the interaction among the various board members over the years.  As an attorney, and not an elected official, one of my roles has been to be the professional  voice of reason, the ethical voice to try to counter the tendency of every board member, no matter how pious they present themselves publicly, to sink to the dark side of human nature, and to act contrary to their own good judgment.

Bill Vinsko (right) chats with an attendee at the Tomato Festival

   First time candidate, and Democratic Candidate for Congress in the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, Bill Vinsko, raised $84,972.16 in the Third Quarter of 2011, after filing the Federal Election Commission paperwork on July 21, 2011.  Of the $84,972.16, $80,144.00 was from individual contributions, the most of any candidate or incumbent in all of Northeast Pennsylvania.  Vinsko has not solicited any donations from any Wall Street Banks, has not had to take out any loans, and shows no debt in the Campaign.