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Do homework, then cast vote
During the primary election on May 17, we have the opportunity to set Luzerne County on a solid foundation.
Whether or not we voted for the new home rule form of government, we can agree that our government is in need of a new beginning that includes integrity, transparency and sound decision-making. While forms of government might change, the quality of the people is still at the core.
I would ask that everyone take a few minutes to do some research before voting for candidates to serve on the Luzerne County Council. Choosing candidates solely because of where they live, or by name recognition alone, will likely produce the same flawed structure that we have seen in the past.
Each candidate brings a different background, accomplishments and life experiences to the table. Those of us who have served in public office have track records. There is a great likelihood that how elected officials performed in the past will be a good indicator of how they will perform in the future. Everyone running has a reputation and a background. Don’t listen solely to a candidate’s words.
The days of using public money to further nepotism, give jobs to friends and grant insider-only contracts must end.
As elected officials, we have the distinct responsibility of making sure we put policies in place that will form the basis for good government for every citizen. It is more important than ever that our elected officials act according to, and be held to, a higher standard of conduct. We desperately need to put trust back in government for the people of Luzerne County. The “business-as-usual mentality” must come to an end.
Do some homework before you vote. The next generation is counting on you.
Connector project vital to region
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport’s Bi-County Board of Commissioners recently approved plans to advance the construction of the “Airport Connector and Interstate 81 Exit 178 Realignment Project.”
The board specifically granted approval for airport staff to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to provide an easement for the construction of the connector road into the Grimes Industrial Park. This vital decision allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to continue efforts that will allow bidding of the project late this year or early next year with construction to soon follow.
The importance of this project to Northeastern Pennsylvania cannot be overstated. Upon completion, the new access road will foster safe and efficient movement of traffic from the industrial park onto Interstate 81. This traffic includes hundreds of Lackawanna County residents who will be among the roadway’s most frequent users. Equally important, the realigned ramps for Exit 178 will boost safety at this interchange.
These improvements will help ensure the retention of the 2,800 jobs in this industrial park and enhance the prospect for new tenants, jobs and air travelers. In addition, this project will create a true 21st century gateway to the airport, improving the overall experience of travelers in and out of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Another noteworthy product of the highway project will be the minimization of truck traffic on the streets of Dupont Borough. For many years, Dupont residents have shouldered the burden of truck traffic on Suscon Road and throughout the community in order to support job growth in the Grimes Industrial Park. The new connection to the interstate will alleviate this burden.
Finally, this $42 million project will create jobs and allow for the purchase of road and bridge building materials from local firms.
I applaud the deliberative efforts of the airport’s Bi-County Board of Commissioners as well as the efforts of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, employers and employees in the Grimes Industrial Park, Dupont officials and residents and the support of state Sen. John Blake. Each advocated tirelessly for their constituents, and the collective result is the foundation for this project.
I stand ready to work with airport Director Barry Centini and his staff to implement the action recently taken by the board, as well as to work with appropriate partners to advance the complementary projects.
For our region’s sake, it is imperative we work together to complete this project.
Retain members of GNA board
As another election draws near, it’s time for a watchdog report. Five Greater Nanticoke Area School Board seats are up for election.
The GNA Taxpayers Forum supports these candidates: present board members Kenny James, Tony Prushinski, Ryan Verazin, Frank Shepanski Jr. and a new member of their team, Janine Floryshak.
The current school board members have done a good job directing our school district, balancing the budget, controlling taxes (no tax increases over the past several years), maintaining buildings and grounds, and taking steps to improve our students’ education. The latest teachers’ contract was very good for the taxpayers: 0 percent in year one, 1.3 percent year two and 1.4 percent year three.
It makes no sense to break up a good team. On May 17, vote for the team that has represented the taxpayers well: James, Prushinski, Verazin, Shepanski and new teammate Floryshak.
Saving Sterling unrealistic plan
Faced with unsustainable levels of debt at the county, state and national level, I was stunned to see someone’s latest vision for the Hotel Sterling splashed across the front page of the newspaper.
The question of saving or not saving the Sterling cannot be based on some vision or some emotional desire to save a fond memory. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to pay higher taxes to pay for the millions needed to do so. We also might want to give a thought to the $9 million that already has been spent attempting to save a building that offers no outstanding architecture. It is a square, flat-roofed building that can hardly be considered beautiful.
Save it if you wish, but not with taxpayer money. Find someone or some group that has a vision for the old Sterling and is willing to pay for that vision with their money. That would be real progress.
The reality is that government cannot even pay for all the visions, programs, projects and promises it has made over the past several decades, much less new ones. There is no free money, no government money tree to be harvested. Every dollar spent by government is harvested from the taxpayer’s pocket, or borrowed.
It was fun while it lasted, but we cannot continue to borrow and spend if we hope to leave anything other than debt to our grandchildren.
Let’s put the grand visions on the shelf and get back to reality, politicians. We are broke. You put us here. Now fix it.
Council candidate lays out agenda
Many people have asked me why I’ve decided to run in 2011 for a seat on the newly forming Luzerne County Council. For me, the answer is easy.
The institutional corruption that has had a death grip on the people and government of Luzerne County has lowered the quality of our life, instilled distrust in our elected officials and placed the county in debt to the tune of almost $500 million. This has resulted from contract payoffs, greased palms and, worst of all, the offering up of our children on the altar of greed: the courtroom scandal. This is a black stain on the honor and history of this county that will take decades to wash away, if ever!
Knowing about the problem and doing something about it are two different things. It is time for the people to take back their local government. As a former law enforcement officer and federal agent, I give no quarter to the backroom deal in which the interests of the citizens are sold to the highest bidder like so many cattle at a beef auction. Good ethics regulations with teeth must be implemented to guard the people’s interests. I want to be there to make sure that not only are these ethics regulations put in place, but also see that they are enforced.
Regarding the county debt, innovative ways must be found to pay down this debt without raising property taxes. I have proposed such a way to begin this process. (See website, simpsonforcouncil.org.) Our county has many senior citizens who have lived and worked here their entire lives, and now that they are in their golden years, many are worried about the cost of rising taxes and their ability to maintain the homes that they’ve spent years living in. Something has to be done, but we also must look at whom alternative increases are going to affect and see if there isn’t a better way to do it. Budget cuts might be one way.
During my time in federal service in Washington at the U.S. Treasury, I was given $50 billion of non-tax debt to collect for the federal government. How much, if anything, is owed to Luzerne County, and what is being done to collect it?
I have the management experience and the practical experience not only to serve on the council, but also to be a leader. With 11 new people taking over the reins of the county government, we hopefully can arrive at satisfactory ways of dealing with these issues as well as other quality-of-life matters.
These are the two main reasons why I’ve chosen to continue my public service by representing the people of Luzerne County, without pay. I hope that I can count on the support of the residents of our county to help me restore honor and fiscal integrity to our daily governmental lives.