LACKAWANNA COUNTY’S ALTERNATIVE NEWS WEEKLY May 18, 2008

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“GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING”?

BUT FOR WHOM, AND WHERE?

By now we’ve all heard that “Good Things Are Happening”, and many people are, quite frankly, fed up with hearing about Mayor Chris Doherty’s plans and are asking, “Where is all this happening?” Aside from Nay Aug Park, Doherty’s personal playground, and the fiasco known as the 500 Lackawanna Ave. development, nothing seems to be transpiring except more spending for ludicrous projects; the “grand theft” of TV Ch. 61 from the people and turned over to political cronies; the “reversal of fortune” game played by Scranton’s City Council; and of course, more Doherty rhetoric with little achievement.

Let’s examine what is “happening” in Scranton, under the “good things” Mayor and his three “little Dohertys” on City Council. The picture is not a pretty one.

The Scranton Housing Authority Director has been charged with a 16 count indictment by the Federal Government, for misuse of funds and other egregious actions, and is slated to face the music this month, unless it is postponed.

The Single Tax Office has been raided by the F.B.I. for who knows what reason; an account containing more than $12 million is “discovered”; the former head of that office “disappears” and emerges as the new County Controller, then “disappears” again, only to surface under “medical treatment”.

District Attorney Andy Jarbola cites he will not investigate the Tax Office due to an ongoing federal investigation; reverses his position and conducts an investigation. Then Jarbola consults with legal “scholars” to avoid charging the School Board President with involvement in a ridiculous case of “pettiness” involving what should have been a routine questioning of a submitted and paid bill for entertainment. As a result, the three people involved, minus of course the “mastermind”, are cited and one loses her long-time job. The alleged “mastermind” of the crime, Lawyer and School Board President Gilbride, is exonerated, because he could have simply asked for the documentation due to his position on the Board. This he didn’t do, but he is nevertheless cleared of any wrongdoing, leaving us to wonder where he got his legal credentials for so stupid an act.

TV Channel 61, long under the “volunteer” care of Scranton Today, is yanked from its caretaker group and turned over to three of Doherty’s supporters, all of whom contributed heavily to his last election campaign, all of whom were invited to his “inauguration” ball; and non of whom can display any credentials warranting their running a TV station. The fact that two other proposals were submitted was incidental to the Doherty crusade, and despite a complaint to the ethics board, the “deal” went through. Sadly, had the City Council given the present caretakers a lousy $20,000 that they had previously voted unanimously to provide, CH 61 would have remained a viable and needed civic entity which is watched by thousands in and around Scranton. However, Doherty would not have been able to exercise control as he has so “droolingly” cherished for some time.

In effect, this amounts to another of Doherty’s “grand theft” programs which leaves the City and the area under his complete control, making him, again in effect, the tyrant dictator which he has obviously modeled his career after. He appears to envision himself as a Caeser and Scranton as his Roman Empire. “Beware the Ides of The 2009 Election”!

The Lackawanna Avenue project was handed to a local developer, with grandiose plans in place, and now we suddenly see more taxpayer dollars being allocated for beautification and other niceties. It is hard to conceive of any other place in the U.S. where private developers are awarded contracts to make money, then are the recipients of taxpayer funding to finish the project. Only in Scranton, where “good things are happening”.

We wonder what Doherty is going to do when the Feds drop the other shoe and he has to answer for the OECD; the Sewer Authority; the Parking Authority; and a host of other of his projects, for which he has yet to give an honest and open answer to the taxpayers of this city.

This is probably the only city in the United State where a Mayor, his City Council, his administrators, and his other appointees not only do not have to answer to the citizens, but seem to delight in avoiding the issues and sweeping any dirt under the rug. Yes, “good things are happening”, if you happen to be Doherty or one of his cronies. We watch, with baited breath, as the chips are beginning to fall into place and the rest of the “house of cards” collapses!

KUDOS TO OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

We would be terribly remiss if we did not acknowledge that “grand” newspaper (?) which monopolizes our city news media. Where else would the only local “fishwrap” take a cheap shot at Scranton taxpayers who question City Council at meetings by referring to them as “anklebiters’?

If this publication had any dignity, they would endeavor to cover the city meetings completely, report the facts to the citizens, and stop pandering to Doherty and his cronies, simply because they are “bedfellows” of the real culprit, THEIR Mayor. A real newspaper owes its allegiance to its readership and is predicated on the principles of printing the news, presenting the facts, and letting its readers decide for themselves. Journalistic pride…..ha! Where in Scranton?

Referring to Ozzie Quinn; Marie Shoemacher; Bill Jackowitz; Nancy Frakes; Dave Gervasi; Nelson Ankerani; Andy Sbaraglia; and dozens of other genuinely concerned citizens as “anklebiters” is certainly not conducive to good public relations and certainly not the way for a city newspaper to act. Councilwoman Sherry Nealon Fanucci “Doherty”; Bob McGoff “Doherty” and Judy Gatelli “Doherty” being referred too as “concerned representatives” is really a stretch. These three “yesmen” are in Doherty’s pocket and couldn’t make an independent decision if their lives depended upon it. Their futures in politics, absolutely, but not any genuine concern for the citizenry. Why not call a spade a spade and stop pussyfooting around under the guise of journalistic excellence. A reporter who is Doherty’s press agent; an editorial “board” which is obviously biased towards the administration; family ties; and a wealth of other “unbiased” garbage is what that publication is all about. At least we have the “moxie” to admit we are biased and try to print the facts with only a one-man staff, calling it for what it is! We sincerely hope that a proposed new publication, albeit a weekly, will really give them a run for their money. They have our support, so far! “Good things are happening!”

COMING S.A.L. ISSUES TAKE A “REAL LOOK” AT THE FACTS

Due to time constraints and the pending “summer” hiatus of City Council, we have decided to employ our readers and much information from them, into our next issues in order to give the people a real look at what has been happening in our city. Hang onto your hats!

TAXPAYER RALLY PLANNED TO SUPPORT HB 1275

The Scranton-Lackawanna County Citizens & Taxpayers Assoc. is planning to join other taxpayer associations across the State in a rally in Harrisburg, on June 2, to urge support of HB 1275. The bill is designed to expand the sales tax to include many items which do not presently fall under “sales tax required” status. It would eliminate the present 3.4% Earned Income Tax (wage tax) presently paid by workers and reduce the assessment to 2.4%. If passed, the bill would also conceivably eliminate the over $200 million in long-term indebtedness owed by the Scranton School District.

None of our area State Representatives, Wansacz, Staback, Shimkus or Ken Smith is supporting the bill. The local taxpayers group is also considering a local rally to support the bill, hoping to get voters out to protest the fact our local reps have not signed on to the measure.

Sadly, local state reps have not had a very good record of achievement in the past, and present situations make one wonder just what they are doing and who they really represent. Shimkus was
booted” off the primary ballot because he filed a false residency report, yet he has denied it was deliberate. It would seem he should know where he lives!

Smith has recently paid back taxes on his family-owned restaurant, but is still in arrears. He claims his wife usually handles the money matters. Citing hard times, Smith seeks the empathy of taxpayers who can’t make ends meet, are in danger of losing their homes, yet he benefits from a State salary as well as his business interests. “Good things are happening!”

We urge all to join the rally, if possible, and will apprise you of further details as they become available. Those who cannot venture to Harrisburg should attempt to join the local rally!

CHANNEL 61 COMPLAINT NOT ANSWERED

Although a complaint against Mayor Doherty’s awarding of the Channel 61 franchise to Electric City TV was lodged with the ethics board, no answer has been forthcoming, and it would appear it is a done deal.

The complaint, lodged by another local group seeking the franchise, is based on more expertise in running a TV station, better financing, and superior technology, and that the group should have been considered but was not even heard.

Instead, Doherty, in his forward thrust to reward all his cronies, barged ahead with his “grand theft” and the ECTV group was awarded the public access channel. This effectively places public access in the hands of the Doherty administration, and will probably result in edited city council meetings, the elimination of the taxpayers association from public access, and a bevy of more pro-Doherty programming. “Good things are happening!”

HOW ABOUT SUPPORTING A LOCAL ZOO?

It is about time the City of Scranton began to explore the feasibility of providing a local zoo for its citizens and visitors. We presently have an “animal display” but this hardly qualifies as a bona-fide zoo.

It should be incumbent upon our city officials to get the ball rolling, seek citizen assistance, and draft an overall plan to make this a first-class city priority. There is ample room in our community to build a zoo, suitable to house a sufficient number of animals to warrant zoo status, and to maintain and feed the animals in adequate housing and environment to make it a priority project.

We would wager there is sufficient interest within the community, and enough volunteers available to support a small to medium sized zoo which would accommodate many animals and be a big boost to our civic pride. Memberships and donations from businesses, private citizens, and others as well as minimal admission fees would more than offset the costs.

It is time for Scranton officials and business leaders to step up and be counted if this city is to begin the march back toward first-class status. A zoo would be a major step in re-instilling a sense of pride to Scranton and we feel sure a concerted effort, with the backing of the County and State would make this project viable and successful. How about it, Mayor? “Good things can, and should happen!”