Here's something to ponder: Who do you consider to be NEPA's political "Rising Star" and "Sinking Stone"? Note that the stone has to be sinking, not sunk (which, for example, is how I would describe Bob Cordaro). Also note that this doesn't have to be someone you necessarily like (rising) or dislike (sinking), but rather just observations on your part.
My thoughts:
Rising Star - Corey O'Brien Why? Nice face for TV, seems to embody "new democrat" with his support of Obama, good speaker on his feet, so far hasn't made any enormous mistakes, and seems to take his job seriously. I honestly think that if he can keep his nose clean, he will have a future in higher office, as you get the distinct impression that the whole lawyering thing isn't his bag anyway.
Sinking Stone - Greg Skrepenak (beating out AJ Munchak) Why? Skrep-dady just can't seem to cut a break...he's not a terrific speaker, he's made some horrible decisions, and he seems to have a nasty habit of alienating people who should be his ally, such as Maryanne Pertrilla. Goes to show you that at least in Luzerne County, "football hero" still holds some weight.
By rights AJ Munchak shouldn't even be included in this list, as I question whether or not he really rose to a point where he could actually sink, but I'll give him an honorable mention, if only for the "having-a-baby-on-a-prison-floor-is-ok" debacle. He does get credit though for being a seemingly honorable minority commissioner, something Mr Washo and Mr Cordaro never were when they were in the lonely commissioner seat.
-- Edited by Agamemnon at 20:10, 2008-07-01
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"Hope at least gives you the option of living" - Harry Nilsson
Glenn Cashuric
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RE: Your Thoughts: NEPA's Political Rising Star & Sinking Stone
Chris will move to the council in 2011 and something higher in 2015 or later. Corey Castellani will be elected county commisioner with Ed Karpovich in 2011.
Falling Star: A.J. Munchak and Corey O'Brien
A.J. has simply run his course. Even he will admit it. Corey O'Brien has managed to irritate just about everybody in Lackawanna County with his arrogance and hypocrisy. If he doesn't make a surprise (and pre-arranged) move to the state senate in 2010, he is toast.
I'm not a fan of O'Brien, but I also don't see "arrogance and hypocrisy" in action there...any examples you care to share Glenn?
Castellani...if he's related to Randy (brother?), then he has that boat-anchor to overcome. Randy Castellani, in my opinion, is was better suited for a 5pm newscast than County Commissioner. As for Philips, I'd have to wait and see...he was the credible voice against the sale of the SS Complex...but I haven't seen or heard of him doing much on the School Board.
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"Hope at least gives you the option of living" - Harry Nilsson
Chris will move to the council in 2011 and something higher in 2015 or later. Corey Castellani will be elected county commisioner with Ed Karpovich in 2011.
Falling Star: A.J. Munchak and Corey O'Brien
A.J. has simply run his course. Even he will admit it. Corey O'Brien has managed to irritate just about everybody in Lackawanna County with his arrogance and hypocrisy. If he doesn't make a surprise (and pre-arranged) move to the state senate in 2010, he is toast.
GC
Oh no...not more Castellanis. Every other employee of the Valley View School district is named Castellani....including Corey, who got his job as business administrator at VV because of his name, family connections, and past football achievements at VV rather than for being the best qualified candidate. Although that's how things are done at Valley View...football comes first, academics are an afterthought. See the fact that there was a standing-room-only packed-like-sardines crowd for a VV school board meeting when they were trying to fire Frank Pazzaglia, but at any other school board meeting, you'd probably see tumbleweeds blow through the room.
I don't think a Castellani-Karpovich ticket would go anywhere. For starters, outside of the Mid-Valley, the name Castellani brings up visions of Joe Corcoran's puppet yes-man Randy. Plus, isn't Karpovich from the Mid-Valley somewhere? That ticket wouldn't have any geographical balance...you need a candidate from the immediate Scranton area on the ticket to get enough votes.
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Glenn Cashuric
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RE: Your Thoughts: NEPA's Political Rising Star & Sinking Stone
1. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes hypocrisy going on at the county building. Hirings, firings, and plain old "looking the other way". Gas card abuse, utilization of county property for personal use, some instances of improper behavior, and a complete inability to bring about painful but necessary change. I still think Mike Washo is going to have pull a Petrilla and go out on his own if he ever wishes to accomplish anything.
2. The original ticket was Gilbride-Castellani, but there's been some grumbling since Mr. Karpovich is leaning toward a run and would win hands-down. Do I agree with these "ethnic balance" tickets? Of course not. It would be like a black businessman supporting exclusionary policies at the local country club.
3. There hasn't been a Scranton-based commissioner for two terms now. You have a Scranton-based controller. What more can you (hic) possibly want?
4. If Randy could go back in time and tell the Democrats "no" when they asked him to run for commissioner, he would.
"4. If Randy could go back in time and tell the Democrats "no" when they asked him to run for commissioner, he would."
That would probably be a smart move on his part...I always got a "Quayle-esque" vibe from the guy. Seems like a nice guy, but I got the impression that life in the county dispatch center was more than enough for him. Maybe this was a case of someone else's reach exceeding his grasp.
As for O'Brien, I'll say this: you (Glenn) may be right in what you noted, but your perspective is more "inside" than most. Put another way, this isn't what's seen by most from the outside looking in...and let's be honest: there is no credible vehicle for disseminating that kind of information. Sure certain websites may scoop something here or there, but that scoop is plastered between homophobic rants about some judge on one hand and "the Irish want to take over the world" rants on the other, so the net credibility of the source ends up being zero.
-- Edited by Agamemnon at 22:36, 2008-07-02
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"Hope at least gives you the option of living" - Harry Nilsson
Glenn Cashuric
Date:
RE: Your Thoughts: NEPA's Political Rising Star & Sinking Stone
As it currently stands, I much prefer to know everything and not say anything than the other way around. The only source of information I don't have at the county building is a camera that sends a live feed to my office. I really don't want to get anybody fired or harm someone's financial situation. However, I find it offensive when The Sixth Floor does that same thing to others in so cavalier a manner.
