ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR “DER FUHRER”

Well, it happened again! Mayor Chris Doherty, soon to be known as “Herr Doherty” had his henchmen, McGoff, Gatelli and Fanucci, pass another of his political patronage deals!

By what has now become the standard 3-2 vote, the Doherty trio effectively “stole” our Public Access Channels (TV 61-62) and handed them over to ECTV, also to be known as “Doherty’s Buddies”.

After more than nine years of operating, as mostly volunteers, the Scranton Today group was unceremoniously ousted in order for Herr Doherty to place his “Doherty Buddies” group in charge. In effect, the “theft” of our Public Access TV now falls into the hands of our new Fuhrer and his friends, technically, as of July 1^st. Despite a challenge to the “plan” by a competing group, which included a complaint to the “Ethics” (HA! in Scranton?) Committee, the deal was generally considered a “done deal” before anyone had a real chance to make an honest proposal or to have it reviewed fairly.

A $90,000 grant, undoubtedly compliments of Fanucci and her OECD friends, will kick off the new “venture”, with a probable $175,000 windfall once Comcast makes its contribution to the City. This will enable the new “group” to control Public Access TV (which includes the Fuhrer) and will result in the “creation” of at least three new “jobs”, all of which are high-priced “political plums” going to more of the Fuhrer’s friends. Ach Du Lieber! And we thought this was honest government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”! The only thing remaining now is for the Fuhrer’s “Mein Kampf” to be published and turned into a maxi-series to be broadcast on a regular basis. The First Amendment of the former U.S. Constitution has effectively been quashed.

Doherty’s “Weapons of Mass Destruction” (McGoff, Gatelli and Fanucci) were obviously prepped properly, and succeeded in keeping the totalitarian Scranton government in control. No longer a “free society”, Scranton has finally been relegated into its proper role as a “dictatorship” by Herr Doherty and his henchmen, including “Josef Goebbels” Brown, his propaganda minister. Can the “SS Storm Troopers” be far behind? Are we seeing the beginning of Doherty’s plans for “The Fourth Reich”?

We wonder how many of them will “repent” after all the U.S. (remember them?) government investigations into the “slime and grime” of Scranton politics is finally uncovered? We can’t wait! No booze or cigarettes allowed in their future “homes”!

TIME FOR CITIZENS TO ACT

It’s time for Scranton, and Lackawanna County citizens to take action! In view of the fact that Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty has “given away” the only unedited news source in this area to political cronies, and obviously will gain control over what we can watch, the alternative is to fight back.

We urge those who are disturbed by the Mayor’s actions to contact the HUD Inspector General’s Office to urge an investigation into the “misuse” of HUD funds to satisfy Doherty’s political ambitions. Especially since OECD (HUD) funds are being misused in an attempt to gain complete control over our news media.

There was no public hearing regarding the award of the Public Access TV channels to ECTV, and Doherty specifically said he would not be involved, yet he appointed a committee to make the award, and continued to violate the ethical issues. CBGD (Community Block Grant Development) funds have been appropriated and a $90,000 start-up “loan” was awarded ECTV, though there is ongoing litigation regarding the zoning for the group’s proposed site.

In addition, in a ridiculous ploy to give this group federal monies, the $90,000 voted on by Doherty’s 3 henchmen on City Council (McGoff, Gatelli & Fanucci) is supposed to be a loan, BUT, if the group employs three people from the low-moderate income group in the next 3 years, the “loan” becomes a grant! They also will probably seeks some $175,000 from the Comcast share to the city, in essence, creating three or more high paying jobs to political cronies, when the former Ch 61-62 operators, Scranton Today, only spent some $50,000 for staff, and much of that was for part-time employees. One of the ploys to be used by ECTV is planning to hire a former Ch 61 part-timer, a student. who was paid minimum wage, at a possible $30,000 salary.

Another question is John Darcy and his previous record in dealing with federal funds. If true, Darcy’s alleged record of “shafting” the government needs to be investigated. It is hard to believe that Doherty & his cronies actually think the entire city is part of their “sheep herd”. We hope this move is the one which will break the back of this clique.

And while we’re at it, let’s not forget Sherry Fanucci and Sara Hailstone’s “record”, as evidenced by HUD documents, that they failed to comply with federal guidelines at OECD. This matter needs investigating and if enough people call, we’ll bet we finally get some action. Though federal money is being used, it is our money. Taxpayers’ money!

PITY PARTY TIME FOR THOSE “OFFENDED”

It would appear that it is time to hold a pity party for some of our locals who have been
“offended” by the fact that Scranton residents and taxpayers have the nerve to go to City Council meetings to seek answers to legitimate questions.

Austin Burke, our “esteemed” C of C President seems to take offense that citizens have the audacity to question their leaders over the actual spending and taxing of these same citizens. How dare they “blemish” the impeccable image perpetrated by Burke and Doherty of Scranton as the “Eden” of northeast Pennsylvania. And how dare they protest at Council meetings which are supposed to be all smiles and nods, ala McGoff, Gatelli & Fanucci, and those “concerned citizens” who never attend council sessions.

Just because these folks are being overtaxed, facing foreclosure and being bled dry by the Doherty administration certainly doesn’t give them any rights. Why these people actually believe that the U.S. Constitution gives them “rights” when we all know that politicians have done their best to stomp those guarantees out of existence! Pity poor Austin!

And poor Doug Miller, our Jr. Council President. Why all during his “tenure” as president of that august body, Doug has envisioned himself not only as a peer of the elected officials, but actually as “acting” Mayor at times. Of course that is unless he oversteps the bounds of propriety by chastising taxpaying adults for having the audacity to attend Council meetings and airing their gripes. Then little Dougie wants to retreat to being “only a kid”. Needless to say, he usually gets the backing of the Doherty trio, even to the point of expecting to be the “first speaker” and exceeding the time constraints im-posed on taxpayers. How dare anyone question Dougie, especially since he has been schooled by Bob Bolus and Judy Gatelli. Where were they when Dougie was defeated in his run for class president? And did they fail to teach Dougie a prime principle….respect for his elders and consideration for those whose tax money helped educate him? Pity!

We respectfully ask that all of Doug’s detractors chip in to buy him a “go away” present and also to honor Austin Burke with a one-way ticket out of town and into retirement.. What better reward for these chronic whiners? Or is that word only for citizen taxpayers?

Perhaps Dougie can take a course at the Sherry Fanucci Finishing School for Wannabees!

And maybe Burke would donate his salary to retire some of the city’s debt! Oh yeah!

CAN TAXPAYERS PULL OFF A PROTEST RALLY?

Rumors are that a taxpayers rally against Doherty & the City Council’s actions in “grabbing” Ch 61 and giving it away to political cronies is being planned.

The city taxpayers rallied successfully when the administration sought to block access to city hall following alleged “near riots” last year, and they just may be able to once again sway the Doherty forces if they choose to muster a rally.

One thing politicians cannot stand is adverse publicity, and we would be more than willing to help in contacting our media friends to cover such a rally, should it take place.

“Der Fuhrer” is probably planning another run to succeed himself, and this may be just the thing he needs to convince him that all is not well in his camp. His “beer hall putsches” have been worn thin and he is gaining more and more detractors as he continues to pass off his Nay Aug Park agenda and “Revitalization Project.”

It is long past due time to rein this group in and to take our city back from this group of taxers and spenders. It’s rather sad that this once great city has become what it is, but people are beginning to see through the “mystic clouds” that have been hyped and puffed up by political blow-hards, and the truth is starting to emerge. Scranton is not the rose garden portrayed by Doherty & the C of C, rather it is a distressed city which will be in deeper distress should the Doherty policies continue. Protest may be the answer, especially if we can get national media attention to “unveil” the truth. Count us in!

HOPING TO SPEED UP FED ACTION

We are all fully aware that the Federal government would lose a race to the turtle, but we can’t help but hope for a speed-up and an end to recent investigations.

Housing Authority suspended-Director David Baker’s trial on alleged charges should begin in August and we can only hope for all the “dirt” to come out, including names. The FBI probe into the Single Tax Office should become public knowledge soon, and other investigations into city “authority” practices should unveil some “interesting” results. Taxpayers’ money and the leadership practices of some “supervisors” should become known before too long.

Former Tax Collector Ken McDowell will probably have to answer for his deeds, and we hope that others, including elected officials who have been derelict in their duties, will have to face the music as well. Should evidence emerge that they are all part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy, we hope they will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. White collar crimes merit more than a “slap on the wrist” and if anyone is guilty of criminal activity, they need to be prosecuted. The average man has suffered too long and its time to rein-in these rascals.

From all outward appearances, it seems there may very well be a long line of “defendants” at hearings and numerous lawyers “earning” their keep in what may be the biggest “payback” in the long and less than illustrious Scranton history of political shenanigans. Put that in your “Office”!

FINAL WORDS FOR TWO LONG-TIME IDOLS OF OURS

We recently lost a “real” journalist when Tim Russert, host of “Meet The Press” passed away unexpectedly. Tim was the genuine article and his passing means a great loss to journalism at a time when we need more like him. Unlike those who are in the business “for the paycheck” Tim exuded a style and grace not unlike Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. He was a true journalist and we’ll miss him terribly.

The passing of dancer Cyd Charisse, one of our first “real loves”, is a great loss to the entertainment industry. I had the opportunity to interview Fred Astaire, another great, and asked him to identify his favorite dance partner. He graciously declined, but when I mentioned her name, Astaire smiled. Sometimes words don’t need to be expressed.