Amazed at the Turn of Events!

I look at this Judge Kosik rejection of the plea with Judges Conahan and Civarella and think that it was nothing more than pandering to a very biased newspaper, the Citizens Voice, and, to elements of the media, and, of our citizenry, who are jealous of the success of these men, in that, they became Judges and were up until this point in their lives true success stories.

The blood thristy mob full of envy thirsts to have their jealousy satisfied by tearing down the symbols of their envy and, in this case, it is Civarella and Conahan. So, they call the media on talk radio or they write comments in the newspapers online yelping about the horror of these two men when, in fact, Conahan and Civarella's biggest crimes were against themselves by destroying their honor, their work, their legacy and their financial stability.

Of course, there were abuses when the juvenile's charged were not told of their right to a lawyer but again these juvenile defendants worked their way into the court system and basically did things to get there. Yet, the Citizen's Voice says very little about the victims of those who were in juvenile court because it is not in their best interests to do so. Don't hold your breath waiting for the Citizen's Voice to be a voice for the victims in these juvenile cases.

Clearly, Judge Kosik did what the popular thing to do was which was to kick two men--Civarella and Conahan--when they are down. This is what the Citizens Voice wanted and what the yelping jealous members of the public wanted. It is also what the talk radio crowd wanted. But was it the right thing? Hardly.

The right thing would be to wrap the case up and sentence these two men and let the do their time in federal prison for 8 years.

Folks, let us not forget they are being jailed for 8 years! That is a long time. No one "got off easy" or "beat the system" as some idiots in the babbling comments online have said. No, when you are jailed for nearly a decade you have a problem and you also are not doing well in life. The fact is that 8 years is a very severe punishment and there was no need at all for Judge Kosik to have rejected this plea aside from a desire to curry public support for his decision.

Let me say that Judge Kosik is not the only Judge who ever played to the crowds. This is been going on forever-- it is hard to be a person of substance and stand up to the media and angry mob.

Judge Kosik Plays to the Crowds!

On Friday, we got yet one more personality in the media circus called the Luzerne County Judges Scandal showing no courage and playing to the crowds and newspapers, especially, the Citizen's Voice which is so biased due to the questionable lawsuit it is engaged in that involves Judge Conahan.

Judge Kosik, sounding like he too wants to pander to the Citizens Voice and the media, blabbered on about Judge Conahan not kowtowing enough to the justice system and Judge Civarella not being humble enough for his own tastes.

This is all so much nonsense. These two judges are to be imprisoned for nearly 8 years for God sakes! They plead guilty too. Gave up their jobs and, for the most part, their lives as well for from now on they are scandalized and lacking in credibility. So Judge Kosik wants them to be altar boys and bow and scrape! Astounding and foolish too.

The public would be well served for this case to be resolved and for this to happen we need Judges who have the courage to move the case to it's conclusion and not to be so concerned with the media.

Clearly, the actions of Judge Kosik and the Judge from Berks County, Judge Grim, who is looking at the Juvenile Court cases are highly concerned with the media and are not going to make decisions that would put them in a bad light with the media and all it's glory. Too bad as we need people of substance at this time who are courageous enough to take a stand.

Doug Richards and His Wife are a Powerhouse In Luzerne County Politics!

Many people are commenting on the new powerhouse, Human Resources Director at the Luzerne County Courthouse, Doug Richards. It is clear that Doug is on the ascent at the Luzerne County Courthouse and the sky is the limit as to his ambitions and potential. One thing for sure Doug Richards knows what he is talking about and the Luzerne County Commissioners recognize Doug as a definate asset.

While Doug is busy making things happen at the Luzerne County Courthouse his wife is an equally powerful force at the Luzerne County Community College. Taking the Community College by storm Doug Richard's wife is a dynamic personality who is without a doubt helpful to the college administration including President Tom Leary.

Look for this power couple to be around for a long time do excellent work to assist the Luzerne County Commissioners as well as the administration and President of the Luzerne County Community College, Tom Leary.

Marty Kane Rallies to James Height's Defense

At the recent breakfast for Luzerne County political aspirant, Bob Morgan, Magistrate Marty Kane vigorously scolded Frank Pizzella, Wilkes-Barre Area School Director, for not endorsing the embattled James Height who is currently part of the messy and embattled and being investigated Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Height admitted in a recent newspaper article that he went on a vacation (along with 6 others) with a local businessman who is currently being mentioned in articles dealing with the investigations of the W-B School District. Height contends that he has proof that he paid his own way.

Big Marty Kane took Pizzella to task for not endorsing Height and did so in front of many present. Marty takes that judical role seriously as part of the magisterial cloak he wears. One has to admire his restraint and tact in being both a magistrate and a politician.

For more on James Height please read below:

"James Height Out of Control at Public's Expense

Did you read where the charming James Height, School Director in Wilkes-Barre Area, has employed a relative at the top of the pay scale for this particular job in the Wilkes-Barre School District?

Then he had the nerve to actually vote for this person and said he did not have to abstain because he, "checked with a lawyer." Who was the lawyer? Perry Mason?The HUGE salary of Jim Height's relative, James Post, was noted in the article in the Times Leader on July 12th.

Jeff Namey, Superintendent said in the article that James Post, “will be responsible for totally computerizing the purchasing department,” Namey said. “We are computerized, but there are still a lot of things being done with paper and pencil, which, to me, is ridiculous in this day and age.”The article then noted that at a July 7 meeting, the board hired James G. Post as purchasing agent at an annual salary of $68,000. Post is married to the sister of Height’s wife, Namey said.

In the article, Jeff Namey said Height's relative's salary will be a few hundred dollars more than than the person he was replacing.So, let me get this right, Height's relative starts at a salary higher than the guy he replaced who took a lot longer than Height's relative to get to the top of that pay scale.

Way to go Jeff.

Thanks for sticking up for the taxpayers by defending whole hog Height.This type of public service is shameful. As voters we need to boot the James Height's out of office because they don't deserve the office after such appointments that he made."

posted by Colonel Klink at 11:12 AM

Not Much Has Changed

I see Wilkes-Barre Online is still a member of the Leighton yes man squad being his big supporter. Aside from that all is well with the world.

Home Rule will pass this year. Will it be better? Probably not but the times are right for it to pass.

Happy New Year to all!

James Height Out of Control at Public's Expense

Did you read where the charming James Height, School Director in Wilkes-Barre Area, has employed a relative at the top of the pay scale for this particular job in the Wilkes-Barre School District? Then he had the nerve to actually vote for this person and said he did not have to abstain because he, "checked with a lawyer." Who was the lawyer? Perry Mason?

The HUGE salary of Jim Height's relative, James Post, was noted in the article in the Times Leader on July 12th. Jeff Namey, Superintendent said in the article that James Post, “will be responsible for totally computerizing the purchasing department,” Namey said. “We are computerized, but there are still a lot of things being done with paper and pencil, which, to me, is ridiculous in this day and age.”

The article then noted that at a July 7 meeting, the board hired James G. Post as purchasing agent at an annual salary of $68,000. Post is married to the sister of Height’s wife, Namey said.

In the article, Jeff Namey said Height's relative's salary will be a few hundred dollars more than than the person he was replacing.

So, let me get this right, Height's relative starts at a salary higher than the guy he replaced who took a lot longer than Height's relative to get to the top of that pay scale. Way to go Jeff. Thanks for sticking up for the taxpayers by defending whole hog Height.

This type of public service is shameful. As voters we need to boot the James Height's out of office because they don't deserve the office after such appointments that he made.

James G. Post, related by marriage to James Height, named purchasing agent with pay of $68,000.

Gotta love that Jeff Namey is scrambling to justify the HUGE salary of Jim Height's relative, James Post, when he said in the article in the Times Leader on July 12th, “will be responsible for totally computerizing the purchasing department,” Namey said. “We are computerized, but there are still a lot of things being done with paper and pencil, which, to me, is ridiculous in this day and age.”

So Jeff, you are computerized but you are still using paper and pen. That's like saying your half pregnant.

The article then noted that at a July 7 meeting, the board hired James G. Post as purchasing agent at an annual salary of $68,000. Post is married to the sister of Height’s wife, Namey said.

Namey said that Height's relative has “He has an excellent resume,” Namey said, and was doing similar work at Sun Chemical, handling “millions of dollars of business.” I guess Post's dedication to public service caused him to seek work in the Wilkes-Barre School District, eh Jeff?

Height voted for Post, but Namey said “Mr. Height said he checked with an attorney and was told he did not have to abstain from the vote” because Post was not a direct relative. Who was the attorney--Perry Mason. Or did Height go online and ask.

In the article, Jeff Namey said Height's relative's salary will be a few hundred dollars more than than the person he was replacing.

So, let me get this right, Jeff Namey, Height's relative starts at a salary higher than the guy he replaced who took a lot longer than Height's relative to get to that pay scale. Way to go Jeff. Thanks for sticking up for the taxpayers by defending whole hog Height.