I’ve seen the CJ Bufalino television commercial several times now and it always brings a smile to my face. And not just because a friend of mine produced it. It’s because of a newspaper clipping that flashes by the screen. The clip is of a story and photo about CJ scoring his 1000th point as a basketball star at Wyoming Seminary.

I smile because I wrote that story. CJ is 49 so the clip must be about 32 years old. It illuminates something I always say about the Sunday Dispatch: we’re the most clipped out newspaper in the world. I wonder how long the CJ clipping was on the Bufalino refrigerator before it made it into a scrapbook.

On that basis alone can I vote for CJ Bufalino for judge? Of course.

I cannot look at a photo of Eugene Sperazza and not picture him in a Little League uniform. He’s “Gene” Sperazza on his billboards, but he will always be Eugene to me. More than 40 years ago when, as a teenager, I was assistant manager of the Miners Bank team managed by my Uncle Eddie Strubeck, Eugene was our shortstop. He followed in the footsteps of his older brother Mike who played shortstop on a Little League all star team that made it to the State finals. Uncle Eddie was his manager too.

Whenever Eugene runs into me he inquires about my Uncle Eddie and I know he is sincere.

On that basis alone can I vote for Eugene Sperazza for judge? You bet.

Joe Terrana is not related to me, but with a stretch I can call him “cuz”. Joe’s sister Rosemary is married to Joe Dessoye. Joe Dessoye’s brother Jim is married to the former Linda Kern. Linda is a sister of Paul Kern. Paul Kern is married to my sister Sheila.

On that basis alone can I vote for Joe Terrana for judge? Absolutely.

I graduated from high school with Joe Musto’s brother John. More importantly, we became friends in first grade. I’ve been dealing with Joe’s brother Senator Ray Musto since he first ran for office in the ‘70s. I recently brought 20 college kids to Harrisburg and Ray hosted us for lunch. Joe’s brother Gerard loves to see me at 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings so he can tell me he’s already read my column. And while I do not know them quite as well as the others, I have had interesting conversations with Joe’s brothers Jimmy and Biagio.

Joe’s daughter Laura was a reporter at the Dispatch when I returned here as editor nine years ago. His son Rob runs Caf� Olivia. At the Pittston Tomato Festival I stuff myself with his pasta with Bolognese sauce.

On that basis alone (the family connections, not the Bolognese sauce) can I vote for Joe Musto for judge? Definitely.

My wife remembers the day Tina Polachek Gartley was born. Her mom is one of my wife’s best friends. They worked together in the operating room at Nesbitt Hospital for decades. My wife calls Tina’s mom “Rocky”. Everyone does. When I started to date Mary Kay I knew early on our relationship was going nowhere without Rocky’s approval. Mary Kay and I have been married nearly in years. Yes, Rocky approved.

On that basis alone can I vote for Tina Polachek Gartley for judge? What do you think?

Steve Menn is from West Pittston. I do not know him well but I know people who do. One is Tony Callaio, our West Pittston correspondent and a longtime friend. Besides, the Menn family name is legendary in Greater Pittston.

Molly Hanlon Mirabito’s brother Jerry lives right next door to me in Pittston. His son, David, is my 8-year-old little buddy I occasionally write about. Every morning as I leave my house and every evening as I arrive home, I look directly at the “Molly for Judge” sign in David’s front yard.

Tom O’Connor’s wife Roseann works with me at Luzerne County Community College. She’s not only a fine teacher and a delightful person, she’s also the former Roseann Naples of Greater Pittston. I know her family well.

Bill Amesbury I do not know at all. But the advertising component of his campaign – the cards, the posters, the billboards, the TV commercials, the website – are the work of a very good friend of mine, a honest family man I wish nothing but good things for.

Can I vote for Tina Gartley, Steve Menn, Molly Hannon Mirabito, or Bill Amesbury for judge on these bases alone?

Well … yes.

Notice I haven’t mentioned the qualifications of any of this group, and haven’t mentioned at all the other six candidates for judge all of whom have similar personal connections throughout Luzerne County.

Are such connections good reasons for voting for someone to be judge? Perhaps not, but they are reasons nonetheless.

About the Author

Ed Ackerman is the editor of the Pittston Sunday Dispatch. He can be reached at 602-0175.

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Milking a column, one more time