Dan Emplit WBFD
WHY?
Friday, October 28, 2011
Will these Idiots just STOP
Here is a graph showing the statistics for the NYPD. Our Police do much better.
Dan Emplit WBFD
Dan Emplit WBFD
Did the Mayor just call opposing candidates campaign manager "J*ck-off" ?
The Mayor shows just how smug and aggogant he is, by calling one of his opponents campaign managers a "Jack-Off".
Two things I would like to say
First, Last night Engine 3 was out of service, so I was on Engine 1. After the council meeting we had a call to city hall for a stuck elevator.
As we were walking up the ramp to city hall, Kathy Kane drove up, wound down her window, and yelled to us (in front of the large crowd leaving at the time)," It couldn't have happened to a nicer person!" and then laughed and drove away.
Want to guess who was inside the elevator (they were out when we got there)?
Who could have inspired such an unprofessional outburst?
It doesn't really matter, but it was Linda Urban.
This shows just what kind of person Kathy Kane is. Why would ANYONE vote for such an unprofessional person?
Second, and related to the recent shooting. Where are the new handguns the police were supposed to get? That was back in May. Five months. They are probably sitting in a storage room next to the promised laptops for the Police cruisers and Fire Engines. Unbelievable.
BTW... The Beretta 96 was introduced in 1990, the Glock 21... 1990. The Parent platforms The Beretta 92 was introduced in 1975, and the Glock 17..... 1982.
IMO (and most others) the Glock IS a MUCH better platform. But if they wanted to update to a more modern design, it should be the Smith & Wesson M&P introduced in 2005 and it has a STELLAR record, rivaling the Glock.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
As we were walking up the ramp to city hall, Kathy Kane drove up, wound down her window, and yelled to us (in front of the large crowd leaving at the time)," It couldn't have happened to a nicer person!" and then laughed and drove away.
Want to guess who was inside the elevator (they were out when we got there)?
Who could have inspired such an unprofessional outburst?
It doesn't really matter, but it was Linda Urban.
This shows just what kind of person Kathy Kane is. Why would ANYONE vote for such an unprofessional person?
Second, and related to the recent shooting. Where are the new handguns the police were supposed to get? That was back in May. Five months. They are probably sitting in a storage room next to the promised laptops for the Police cruisers and Fire Engines. Unbelievable.
BTW... The Beretta 96 was introduced in 1990, the Glock 21... 1990. The Parent platforms The Beretta 92 was introduced in 1975, and the Glock 17..... 1982.
IMO (and most others) the Glock IS a MUCH better platform. But if they wanted to update to a more modern design, it should be the Smith & Wesson M&P introduced in 2005 and it has a STELLAR record, rivaling the Glock.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
A repost of what my friend Shelly put on Facebook
You're a firefighter?? That's cool. I wanted to do that when I was a kid. What do you make?
WHAT DO I MAKE??
"I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when im cutting you out of a car.
I can make 5 minutes seem like a lifetime when I go in a burning house to save your family.
I make those annoying sirens seem like angels when you need them.
I can make your children breathe when they stop.
I can help you survive a heart attack.
I make myself get out of bed at 3am to risk my life to save people I've never met.
I make it possible to keep back the chaos everyday.
I make going to work for your family's safety a duty that I will die for.
I make myself work holidays, nights, during hurricanes, tornados and other disasters.
Today I might make the ultimate sacrifice to save your life.
I make a difference, what do you make?"
Dan Emplit WBFD
WHAT DO I MAKE??
"I make holding your hand seem like the biggest thing in the world when im cutting you out of a car.
I can make 5 minutes seem like a lifetime when I go in a burning house to save your family.
I make those annoying sirens seem like angels when you need them.
I can make your children breathe when they stop.
I can help you survive a heart attack.
I make myself get out of bed at 3am to risk my life to save people I've never met.
I make it possible to keep back the chaos everyday.
I make going to work for your family's safety a duty that I will die for.
I make myself work holidays, nights, during hurricanes, tornados and other disasters.
Today I might make the ultimate sacrifice to save your life.
I make a difference, what do you make?"
Dan Emplit WBFD
Thursday, October 27, 2011
More on the shooting
I've been reading what has been put in the newspapers comments sections about the shooting in the area of George Avenue and North Washington Street Tuesday morning.
To all those who don't know that the WBPD did a stellar job, Do some research.
1. All those shots?
The accuracy of the average State trooper (no particular State) in this type of situation is about 25% hits. If what I've been told is accurate, The WBPD's accuracy was better than 23%. So lets stop complaining about their skills.
2. The stopping power of ANY handgun SUCKS. This is why soldiers use rifles.
"The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down".(Sorry I forget who said this)
3. They should have Tasered him.
Yes. Lets advance into the very short range envelope of a Taser while a Bad Guy shoots at you. That is the definition of MORONIC.
4. It was a BB Gun.
or
Now tell me which is real.
And while you're recovering from your Butt-hurt over this, remember there were 60 children FEET away.
As Miss_Brooke said in the Times Leader Comments:
"I work at the Child Care Facility that was affected. I am THANKFUL to the WBPD!!!!!
That man was warned MULTIPLE TIMES to drop his weapon!!!! (Regardless if it was a knife, gun,pellet gun or bat)
He did not follow orders.
I saw his weapon First hand, I'm no expert, but it looked like a real gun to me, I was soooo scared until I saw the police come around the corner with rifles. As for a Taser, The man was shot 3 times in front of me!!!! He did not budge, He walked across the lawn of inter-metro, sat on the stoop, the police again told him to stay down drop the weapon, so what does he do, He gets up and points the gun again, so the cops shot again. He still managed to walk to the other parking lot and then finally collapsed.
And as for being mentally ill, I know a few things about this topic, and people have the RIGHT to be CRAZY!!!
He should have been taking his meds!!! That is NOOOOOOOOO EXCUSE!!!!!
Thank God it was a Pellet Gun, I'm sure more than the Gunman would of been injured if it wasn't."
"If he points a weapon toward the officers, they really have no other choice because there is a viable threat to their safety," King's College criminal justice professor Paul Lindenmuth said.
Using deadly force (it is deadly force regardless of the outcome) cannot be easy for a police officer who is dedicated to preserving life.
Dan Emplit WBFD
To all those who don't know that the WBPD did a stellar job, Do some research.
1. All those shots?
The accuracy of the average State trooper (no particular State) in this type of situation is about 25% hits. If what I've been told is accurate, The WBPD's accuracy was better than 23%. So lets stop complaining about their skills.
2. The stopping power of ANY handgun SUCKS. This is why soldiers use rifles.
"The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should have never laid down".(Sorry I forget who said this)
3. They should have Tasered him.
Yes. Lets advance into the very short range envelope of a Taser while a Bad Guy shoots at you. That is the definition of MORONIC.
4. It was a BB Gun.
or
Now tell me which is real.
And while you're recovering from your Butt-hurt over this, remember there were 60 children FEET away.
As Miss_Brooke said in the Times Leader Comments:
"I work at the Child Care Facility that was affected. I am THANKFUL to the WBPD!!!!!
That man was warned MULTIPLE TIMES to drop his weapon!!!! (Regardless if it was a knife, gun,pellet gun or bat)
He did not follow orders.
I saw his weapon First hand, I'm no expert, but it looked like a real gun to me, I was soooo scared until I saw the police come around the corner with rifles. As for a Taser, The man was shot 3 times in front of me!!!! He did not budge, He walked across the lawn of inter-metro, sat on the stoop, the police again told him to stay down drop the weapon, so what does he do, He gets up and points the gun again, so the cops shot again. He still managed to walk to the other parking lot and then finally collapsed.
And as for being mentally ill, I know a few things about this topic, and people have the RIGHT to be CRAZY!!!
He should have been taking his meds!!! That is NOOOOOOOOO EXCUSE!!!!!
Thank God it was a Pellet Gun, I'm sure more than the Gunman would of been injured if it wasn't."
"If he points a weapon toward the officers, they really have no other choice because there is a viable threat to their safety," King's College criminal justice professor Paul Lindenmuth said.
Using deadly force (it is deadly force regardless of the outcome) cannot be easy for a police officer who is dedicated to preserving life.
Dan Emplit WBFD
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The O.K. Corral
With recent events, It's interesting that today is the anniversary of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Mainly because of the 'armchair warriors', who have never been shot at, and are criticizing the WBPD.
These morons, who probably consider themselves experts because of the many hours they have spent on their butts playing 'Modern Warfare' and haven't fired a firearm since the Bush Presidency, really need to be smacked. So until they have taken a class or been in the situation, we should just ignore them.
For those who do not know, It is legal in PA to open carry. Meaning that if you want, anyone (who can legally own a firearm) can legally carry it (holstered) in a non-concealed manner. This DOES NOT give ANYONE the right to brandish a weapon or to carry it in your hand.
On to the O.K. Corral.
First off, the gunfight actually happened in a narrow lot a few doors away from the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. The gunfighters were only around 6 feet apart. Most credible reports say about thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds. There are MANY conflicting reports about bout the actual events and those leading up to the gunfight.
No one knows who started shooting first. The reports say that the first two shots were so close, in time, that they could have been confused as one. Virgil Earp reported, "Two shots went off right together. Billy Clanton's was one of them."
Thirty shots in thirty seconds from LEGENDARY cowboys at a starting distance of 6 feet. There were three fatalities, Billy Clanton (three wounds), Tom McLaury (One shotgun wound), and Frank McLaury (Two wounds).
Here's my point. If Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp with Doc Holliday needed multiple shots at that distance, What do these idiots expect from the WBPD? Jeez even Doc Holliday (who was noted for his extreme skill) couldn't have done better!
Dan Emplit WBFD
These morons, who probably consider themselves experts because of the many hours they have spent on their butts playing 'Modern Warfare' and haven't fired a firearm since the Bush Presidency, really need to be smacked. So until they have taken a class or been in the situation, we should just ignore them.
For those who do not know, It is legal in PA to open carry. Meaning that if you want, anyone (who can legally own a firearm) can legally carry it (holstered) in a non-concealed manner. This DOES NOT give ANYONE the right to brandish a weapon or to carry it in your hand.
On to the O.K. Corral.
First off, the gunfight actually happened in a narrow lot a few doors away from the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881. The gunfighters were only around 6 feet apart. Most credible reports say about thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds. There are MANY conflicting reports about bout the actual events and those leading up to the gunfight.
No one knows who started shooting first. The reports say that the first two shots were so close, in time, that they could have been confused as one. Virgil Earp reported, "Two shots went off right together. Billy Clanton's was one of them."
Thirty shots in thirty seconds from LEGENDARY cowboys at a starting distance of 6 feet. There were three fatalities, Billy Clanton (three wounds), Tom McLaury (One shotgun wound), and Frank McLaury (Two wounds).
Here's my point. If Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp with Doc Holliday needed multiple shots at that distance, What do these idiots expect from the WBPD? Jeez even Doc Holliday (who was noted for his extreme skill) couldn't have done better!
Dan Emplit WBFD
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sterling series Floor..... Two (the Crystal Room)
The next two pictures make the Crystal Room look salvageable. I couldn't find any of the mold that is prevalent in the building.
Plastic sheeting will not last for years, another example of Cityvests POOR planning and negligent execution.
Look at the intricate moldings. Lost because of Cityvests greed.
Obviously, Cityvest thinks 'securing the building' does not mean keeping people out. Or checking it periodically.
What a waste. Of a beautiful building, the inheritance our children should get, and of MILLIONS of OUR DOLLARS!!!!
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Plastic sheeting will not last for years, another example of Cityvests POOR planning and negligent execution.
Look at the intricate moldings. Lost because of Cityvests greed.
Obviously, Cityvest thinks 'securing the building' does not mean keeping people out. Or checking it periodically.
What a waste. Of a beautiful building, the inheritance our children should get, and of MILLIONS of OUR DOLLARS!!!!
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Friday, October 14, 2011
Bill O'Boyle sounds in on councils attitude
A good amount of articles by the Times Leader have been VERY pro Leighton, but at least Bill O'Boyle has his eyes open. He openly critisized Council for its lack of Professionalism.
####
Florida has plenty of golf carts
Friday October 14, 2011
Posted by Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
At Thursday night's council meeting, politics was the flavor of the month, but coming in second was inappropriateness.
After Linda Urban finished addressing council - with several valid points, I might add - Kathy Kane, the chairwoman of council AND the chairwoman of the Luzerne County Democratic Party - decided to inject a personal attack on Urban, wife of Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban.
Kane asked Urban how much time she spends at her Florida residence, causing Urban to remind Kane that she and her husband, District Magistrate Martin Kane, recently purchased a home in the Sunshine State themselves.
Kane said Urban has a car with a Florida license plate. So what? After all, it is cheaper to register a car in Florida.
Seems good advice for council and the mayor to stop trying to belittle critics and start answering the criticisms. To her credit, Urban revealed the purchase in 2004 of two security systems - one for Mayor Tom Leighton's home and the other for then-administrator J.J. Murphy's house. Each cost $4,000 and the city picked up the tab. Leighton and Murphy have paid the monthly fees, but taxpayers paid for the system and installation.
As valid as the reasoning was for the systems - there were real threats to both Leighton and Murphy - city taxpayers shouldn't bear the burden of paying for those systems.
Urban had a valid point and she deserved answers that addressed her concerns. She didn't deserve a personal attack. This logic that people who criticize council and the mayor are out of order simply because they are political adversaries and should be silenced flies in the face of what the democratic process is all about.
Not to mention the disinterested looks on the faces of council and mayor as critics voice their opinions within the council-mandated five minute limit.
Enough has come out over the last several months that shows that there is great concern for the way city government operates and how decisions are made. How that will affect the voters remains to be seen on Nov. 8th.
But the attitudes of some of the city's elected officials has raised suspicions of their abilities to govern and increased the chances of their opponents.
And how can we forget Bob Kadluboski's theatrical-like performance at the same meeting. Using a southern belle accent, Kadluboski drew chuckles and smiles from those in attendance as he again tried to convince council to look at the towing contract with LAG Towing.
Kadluboski, like Urban, has some legitimate points that should be looked into. Instead, he is often gaveled silent and called names - the most famous being "Cupcake" - which Kane and Leighton each has used in the past, only to infuriate Kadluboski more.
Kadluboski has threatned a lawsuit. He has asked for all of the council and the mayor to resign. He said he has contacted the FBI in Philadelphia and Washington to investigate the city.
The city would like Kadluboski and Urban to go away. This coming election may change some faces, but not the way the city operates.
Urban asked about the city's rental of golf carts at Hollenback Golf Course. Kane had the figures, but Urban never saw them. Urban said the golf carts are often see at the Turkey Hill across North Washington Street from the course.
"We need golf carts," Councilman Bill Barrett, Urban's opponent, said after the meeting. "It would be a concern if we had helicopters there."
Flippant? Perhaps, but getting the requested info to Urban would have been a much better approach.
Finally, if anybody truly believes this election will make all of the suspicions, accusations and investigations go away, well, they are mistaken.
####
I posted this online with the papers,
"I would love it if the city would live broadcast all the council meetings. I was there and it was disgusting. The papers don’t tell you the way council acts like they are royalty and we are the surfs."
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
####
Florida has plenty of golf carts
Friday October 14, 2011
Posted by Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
At Thursday night's council meeting, politics was the flavor of the month, but coming in second was inappropriateness.
After Linda Urban finished addressing council - with several valid points, I might add - Kathy Kane, the chairwoman of council AND the chairwoman of the Luzerne County Democratic Party - decided to inject a personal attack on Urban, wife of Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban.
Kane asked Urban how much time she spends at her Florida residence, causing Urban to remind Kane that she and her husband, District Magistrate Martin Kane, recently purchased a home in the Sunshine State themselves.
Kane said Urban has a car with a Florida license plate. So what? After all, it is cheaper to register a car in Florida.
Seems good advice for council and the mayor to stop trying to belittle critics and start answering the criticisms. To her credit, Urban revealed the purchase in 2004 of two security systems - one for Mayor Tom Leighton's home and the other for then-administrator J.J. Murphy's house. Each cost $4,000 and the city picked up the tab. Leighton and Murphy have paid the monthly fees, but taxpayers paid for the system and installation.
As valid as the reasoning was for the systems - there were real threats to both Leighton and Murphy - city taxpayers shouldn't bear the burden of paying for those systems.
Urban had a valid point and she deserved answers that addressed her concerns. She didn't deserve a personal attack. This logic that people who criticize council and the mayor are out of order simply because they are political adversaries and should be silenced flies in the face of what the democratic process is all about.
Not to mention the disinterested looks on the faces of council and mayor as critics voice their opinions within the council-mandated five minute limit.
Enough has come out over the last several months that shows that there is great concern for the way city government operates and how decisions are made. How that will affect the voters remains to be seen on Nov. 8th.
But the attitudes of some of the city's elected officials has raised suspicions of their abilities to govern and increased the chances of their opponents.
And how can we forget Bob Kadluboski's theatrical-like performance at the same meeting. Using a southern belle accent, Kadluboski drew chuckles and smiles from those in attendance as he again tried to convince council to look at the towing contract with LAG Towing.
Kadluboski, like Urban, has some legitimate points that should be looked into. Instead, he is often gaveled silent and called names - the most famous being "Cupcake" - which Kane and Leighton each has used in the past, only to infuriate Kadluboski more.
Kadluboski has threatned a lawsuit. He has asked for all of the council and the mayor to resign. He said he has contacted the FBI in Philadelphia and Washington to investigate the city.
The city would like Kadluboski and Urban to go away. This coming election may change some faces, but not the way the city operates.
Urban asked about the city's rental of golf carts at Hollenback Golf Course. Kane had the figures, but Urban never saw them. Urban said the golf carts are often see at the Turkey Hill across North Washington Street from the course.
"We need golf carts," Councilman Bill Barrett, Urban's opponent, said after the meeting. "It would be a concern if we had helicopters there."
Flippant? Perhaps, but getting the requested info to Urban would have been a much better approach.
Finally, if anybody truly believes this election will make all of the suspicions, accusations and investigations go away, well, they are mistaken.
####
I posted this online with the papers,
"I would love it if the city would live broadcast all the council meetings. I was there and it was disgusting. The papers don’t tell you the way council acts like they are royalty and we are the surfs."
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Council meeting
WOW
First off Kathy Kane showed her true colors.
Linda Urban stated she wants the charter amended to remove benefits and the retirements for part time employees (Council),as Linda was done speaking....
Well I must have missed something that was said, because the next thing I know accusations were flying.
Kathy snapped "What about your new house in Florida?"
Linda, "What about yours!"
Kathy, "How would YOU know about that"
This is when I started with, "Personal attacks, Really?"
Luckily it calmed down a bit.
By the way Linda, I wouldn't believe Vinsko if he said the sky was blue. His grasp of the law MUST suck if he advised the dictator to violate Denise Careys' Constitutional Rights.
Later I was whispering to another fireman, and Kathy (as her standard Queen B mode) saw so she had to snap, "Be quiet, I can't hear her!". Now ANYONE who has been to a council meeting knows there is NO WAY council can hear a whisper from the back row. That was just her being the Queen B. Evidently, It's OK for her to talk to the others on council, but my whisper was WAY to much.
And near the end of the meeting, I almost got thrown out.
Bob Kadluboski had asked a question before council, and the dictator answered it badly. Bob wanted to get something clarified. Kathy would NOT allow it. So I kinda yelled.
"Why not, we pay your salaries?"
Kathy (to me): "You're out of order!"
Me: "So? What's your point?"
I'm SO TIRED of them thinking they are royalty.
Let's see how the papers handle this.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
First off Kathy Kane showed her true colors.
Linda Urban stated she wants the charter amended to remove benefits and the retirements for part time employees (Council),as Linda was done speaking....
Well I must have missed something that was said, because the next thing I know accusations were flying.
Kathy snapped "What about your new house in Florida?"
Linda, "What about yours!"
Kathy, "How would YOU know about that"
This is when I started with, "Personal attacks, Really?"
Luckily it calmed down a bit.
By the way Linda, I wouldn't believe Vinsko if he said the sky was blue. His grasp of the law MUST suck if he advised the dictator to violate Denise Careys' Constitutional Rights.
Later I was whispering to another fireman, and Kathy (as her standard Queen B mode) saw so she had to snap, "Be quiet, I can't hear her!". Now ANYONE who has been to a council meeting knows there is NO WAY council can hear a whisper from the back row. That was just her being the Queen B. Evidently, It's OK for her to talk to the others on council, but my whisper was WAY to much.
And near the end of the meeting, I almost got thrown out.
Bob Kadluboski had asked a question before council, and the dictator answered it badly. Bob wanted to get something clarified. Kathy would NOT allow it. So I kinda yelled.
"Why not, we pay your salaries?"
Kathy (to me): "You're out of order!"
Me: "So? What's your point?"
I'm SO TIRED of them thinking they are royalty.
Let's see how the papers handle this.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Election year
Threats to W-B officials prompted purchase of home security systems
Talk about trying to cover your a$$es. Let me get this straight.
####
An attempted break-in, a menacing note stuffed in a mailbox and the destruction of potted plants led Wilkes-Barre police to believe recently elected Mayor Tom Leighton and his city administrator were in danger in 2004. At least that's the justification for two security systems installed at the men's homes on the city's dime.
####
So if you are the dictator or his #1, and you get a threatening note, then you deserve a $4000 security system on the city. BUT if you are a cop, and you get attacked on the job, you don't. And if you complained about this I'm sure a, "if you don't like it, get a different job."
So, I'm looking at this article and things just SCREAM back pedaling to me.
JJ Murphy Paraphrased the note as saying, "J.J. and the mayor, you will pay for this".
Well if there was an investigation, then where is the paperwork? And wouldn't the note be in evidence? So why paraphrase it?
And some potted plants being broken is SOOO threatening. (Maybe if we had more cops instead of a $12 million parking garage that we payed $27 million for, you would be safer)
####
A man who identified himself as a city employee told Murphy's wife that Leighton had sent him to examine the pipes in their home, police said. When Murphy's wife said she wanted to check with her husband and locked the door, the man tried to force his way inside, police said.
####
Wow honestly, this is frightening. Especially to a family man. But this is a common possibility to all of us who DO NOT LIVE IN BARNEY FARMS.
Scammers posing as PPL workers
Woman claims she was robbed at gunpoint
Alleged burglar caught in act in W-B
And this is just a 3 week period, of ONE STREET in the city.
####
"That played a part in my decision to leave the city," said Murphy, who left to start a consulting firm for municipalities. "Ultimately, at the end of the day, I had to do what was best for my family."
####
Wait a second..... This happened in 2005. Murphy 'officially' left the payroll in 2010. WOW, that is a big pile there.
####
Murphy pays the monthly service charge, which has ranged from $27 to $35, but he said it "would have been justified" for the city to pick up the fee.
"But I picked those up," he said. "I think I went over and above what was necessary."
####
Once again, a cop has to pay for their own security. The city doesn't 'pick up the fee'.
####
Murphy questioned the timing of the release of the invoice confirming the city paid for his security system's purchase. Murphy tabbed the development as a political diversion set up by Leighton's critics just weeks before an election.
####
Of course it comes up in an election year, that is when politicians ARE under the most scrutiny!
This is another example of misappropriation of taxpaying dollars. Pure and simple.
Oh and
####
Leighton declined to comment.
####
Of course he did.
A new blog, Wake Up Wilkes Barre! has an interesting comment about the flower pot incident.
####
Let me explain it to you JJ your employer is not required to buy you a security system because a party next door overflowed into your yard, and the drunken folks attempted to gain access to the wrong house. Lie to someone without a scanner.
####
You should check it out.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Some comments from the Leader caught my eye
####
KevinDougherty
Leighton appears slow and dull-witted, he's barely able to form a coherent thought and yet he will easily win re-election. A ringing endorsement of two party politics.
Jolly Roger
Being a hands on mayor of a city the size of Wilkes Barre is no easy task and Leighton has done a comendable job since taking office. Are we better off now than we he took office? Absolutely!
Joe
Mayor Leighton = Hero to the STUPID !
Nicolas321
You have done a good job. But we need to rid ourselves of cronyism, so I will not cast my vote for you.
Jolly Roger in reply to Nicolas321
We finally get a mayor who does the job and you want to be rid of him ..... good thinking = NOT!
mjj 1 day ago
The mayor has a love affair with the square but all that is there are bars and bums.The square is never going to be what it once was. Public square should have a steel fence around it and operated during daylight and locked after dark. The street lights are no brighter than a hand held torch.
Where is the business in WB?No wonder the mayor can't lower the wage tax as most business's have left town. Ask anyone if they would walk the streets after dark in WB.
I believe the mayor earns twice what the mayor in Scranton earns. Anyone want to compare the two.
Nicolas321 1 day ago
Time to go, Leighton. We need new ideas, fresh blood, and fewer cronies.
the_woodrow 1 day ago
'He said the first two proposals fell through.' As are all the roofs about to do on all of the buildings he wants to get rid of in a hurry... fall through. But they don't. Who were the first two deals with? It should be public information.
Jolly Roger in reply to the_woodrow
It was ....... from the looks of some of these comments, the fire depart. is hard at work. Maybe they should just concentrate on doing their jobs.
larrydallas in reply to the_woodrow
narcissist don't admit guilt.
the_woodrow
Was that an admission of guilt? 'Leighton said, adding he wouldn’t hire a relative again for a city job – big or small.'
disabledtaxpayry
He MR. tom Leighton must not drive the streets in wilkes-barre . . THE streets are full of pot holes
larrydallas in reply to disabledtaxpayry
A drive up South Main streeet from Hanover St. to the Square and count the empty Stores and vacant lots will tell you more about the City than all his bragging. they have developed one block of center city and they left the rest of the city to deteriate.
TeaPartyDem
Seems like the Mayor talked about some affordable improvements. Unlike Summers and Cope who talk about lowering taxes without cutting costs. Oh wait, we are going to reduce the Mayor's job to part-time and save $10,000.
TwelvePack in reply to TeaPartyDem
It is so nice to see two people so in love- TeaPartyDem and Leighton.
Jolly Roger in reply to TwelvePack
Tweleve Pack, the name says it all. Bottoms up!
mjj in reply to TeaPartyDem
I believe the mayors salary is around $80,000 dollars per year plus benefits.Compare that with Scranton and Allentown. Affordable improvements? Where is the money coming from? The college kids? More and more properties are going on the no tax rolls. Is there any manufacturing left in Wilkes Barre? It seems to me that the only business's in Wilkes Barre besides retail and restaurants are scrap yards.
You brought up a good point though on the part time issue. Maybe if there was a part time mayor he/she wouldn't have enough time to think about how to mess up downtown traffic patterns. Since when does a city make it impossible to manuever traffic during rush hour to host a party of college kids on the square or some other nonsensical entertainment? Use Kirby Park , that is what it is there for.
CaseyRoman1 in reply to mjj
Leighton makes more than the Mayor of our state Capital.
Does that make sense? Harrisburg is larger in size and population, besides being the State Capital?
TeaPartyDem in reply to CaseyRoman1
Casey, please do not let facts hit you in the head. Please google the City of Harrisburg. It is the laughing stock of the Commonwealth. They are bankrupt and fighting over whether or not to let the State take over control. Running city government mean controlling a $40,000,000 budget. Any CEO of a compant that size would make a salary well over $250,000. Remember, you get what you pay for, and the residents of Harrisburg know that first-hand. Wilkes-Barre will be in the same boat in 6 months if they do not re-elect Mayor Leighton.
Scott Koppenhofer in reply to TeaPartyDem
First of all I know store managers of stores doing 60 million a year making only $60,000.00 per year. CEO's make much much more than $250,000.00 but also control companies doing 10 times more than 40 million. Maybe get back in the workforce and learn more about salaries. Next the city is not a business that has a product to sell to bring in the money a business does. The resident's taxes and fees fund the city so it should not be compared to a business. We do not have a choice but to pay taxes but we have a choice of what product to purchase and where to purchase them. If we are going to compare the city to a business then we should have the choice to shop around for what we will pay in taxes and fees based on other cities just like I shop around to different stores to purchase the same product at the lowest price. Also a Mayor should not make as much as a CEO or other up management employees. I have worked in stores doing $60 million in sales and have had a constant inventory of over 4 million dollars at all times and I was a senior manager making $48,000.00 a year. This Mayor should make much less period.
####
Things I noticed (or suspect).
TeaPartyDem is related to a council person. They are one of the Anonymous' that are insulting. That is what he does when you disagree with him.
CaseyRoman1 started as a Leighton supporter and became a vocal dissenter.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
KevinDougherty
Leighton appears slow and dull-witted, he's barely able to form a coherent thought and yet he will easily win re-election. A ringing endorsement of two party politics.
Jolly Roger
Being a hands on mayor of a city the size of Wilkes Barre is no easy task and Leighton has done a comendable job since taking office. Are we better off now than we he took office? Absolutely!
Joe
Mayor Leighton = Hero to the STUPID !
Nicolas321
You have done a good job. But we need to rid ourselves of cronyism, so I will not cast my vote for you.
Jolly Roger in reply to Nicolas321
We finally get a mayor who does the job and you want to be rid of him ..... good thinking = NOT!
mjj 1 day ago
The mayor has a love affair with the square but all that is there are bars and bums.The square is never going to be what it once was. Public square should have a steel fence around it and operated during daylight and locked after dark. The street lights are no brighter than a hand held torch.
Where is the business in WB?No wonder the mayor can't lower the wage tax as most business's have left town. Ask anyone if they would walk the streets after dark in WB.
I believe the mayor earns twice what the mayor in Scranton earns. Anyone want to compare the two.
Nicolas321 1 day ago
Time to go, Leighton. We need new ideas, fresh blood, and fewer cronies.
the_woodrow 1 day ago
'He said the first two proposals fell through.' As are all the roofs about to do on all of the buildings he wants to get rid of in a hurry... fall through. But they don't. Who were the first two deals with? It should be public information.
Jolly Roger in reply to the_woodrow
It was ....... from the looks of some of these comments, the fire depart. is hard at work. Maybe they should just concentrate on doing their jobs.
larrydallas in reply to the_woodrow
narcissist don't admit guilt.
the_woodrow
Was that an admission of guilt? 'Leighton said, adding he wouldn’t hire a relative again for a city job – big or small.'
disabledtaxpayry
He MR. tom Leighton must not drive the streets in wilkes-barre . . THE streets are full of pot holes
larrydallas in reply to disabledtaxpayry
A drive up South Main streeet from Hanover St. to the Square and count the empty Stores and vacant lots will tell you more about the City than all his bragging. they have developed one block of center city and they left the rest of the city to deteriate.
TeaPartyDem
Seems like the Mayor talked about some affordable improvements. Unlike Summers and Cope who talk about lowering taxes without cutting costs. Oh wait, we are going to reduce the Mayor's job to part-time and save $10,000.
TwelvePack in reply to TeaPartyDem
It is so nice to see two people so in love- TeaPartyDem and Leighton.
Jolly Roger in reply to TwelvePack
Tweleve Pack, the name says it all. Bottoms up!
mjj in reply to TeaPartyDem
I believe the mayors salary is around $80,000 dollars per year plus benefits.Compare that with Scranton and Allentown. Affordable improvements? Where is the money coming from? The college kids? More and more properties are going on the no tax rolls. Is there any manufacturing left in Wilkes Barre? It seems to me that the only business's in Wilkes Barre besides retail and restaurants are scrap yards.
You brought up a good point though on the part time issue. Maybe if there was a part time mayor he/she wouldn't have enough time to think about how to mess up downtown traffic patterns. Since when does a city make it impossible to manuever traffic during rush hour to host a party of college kids on the square or some other nonsensical entertainment? Use Kirby Park , that is what it is there for.
CaseyRoman1 in reply to mjj
Leighton makes more than the Mayor of our state Capital.
Does that make sense? Harrisburg is larger in size and population, besides being the State Capital?
TeaPartyDem in reply to CaseyRoman1
Casey, please do not let facts hit you in the head. Please google the City of Harrisburg. It is the laughing stock of the Commonwealth. They are bankrupt and fighting over whether or not to let the State take over control. Running city government mean controlling a $40,000,000 budget. Any CEO of a compant that size would make a salary well over $250,000. Remember, you get what you pay for, and the residents of Harrisburg know that first-hand. Wilkes-Barre will be in the same boat in 6 months if they do not re-elect Mayor Leighton.
Scott Koppenhofer in reply to TeaPartyDem
First of all I know store managers of stores doing 60 million a year making only $60,000.00 per year. CEO's make much much more than $250,000.00 but also control companies doing 10 times more than 40 million. Maybe get back in the workforce and learn more about salaries. Next the city is not a business that has a product to sell to bring in the money a business does. The resident's taxes and fees fund the city so it should not be compared to a business. We do not have a choice but to pay taxes but we have a choice of what product to purchase and where to purchase them. If we are going to compare the city to a business then we should have the choice to shop around for what we will pay in taxes and fees based on other cities just like I shop around to different stores to purchase the same product at the lowest price. Also a Mayor should not make as much as a CEO or other up management employees. I have worked in stores doing $60 million in sales and have had a constant inventory of over 4 million dollars at all times and I was a senior manager making $48,000.00 a year. This Mayor should make much less period.
####
Things I noticed (or suspect).
TeaPartyDem is related to a council person. They are one of the Anonymous' that are insulting. That is what he does when you disagree with him.
CaseyRoman1 started as a Leighton supporter and became a vocal dissenter.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Sterling series Floor..... Two
Some of the general ruin
And here
And here
Cityvest didn't, obviously, weather-proof or secure where the apartments were torn down.
And here
I believe this was called the mezzanine. The balcony around the second floor lobby.
Black Mold is visible here, where part of the ceiling was removed by the inspectors.
Yeah this building was 'secured'.
and
The 'Crystal room' is up next and should be up in a day or so.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
And here
And here
Cityvest didn't, obviously, weather-proof or secure where the apartments were torn down.
And here
I believe this was called the mezzanine. The balcony around the second floor lobby.
Black Mold is visible here, where part of the ceiling was removed by the inspectors.
Yeah this building was 'secured'.
and
The 'Crystal room' is up next and should be up in a day or so.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Just some questions
Question 1
The River St project..... Why?
Just because the college wants it, is not a reason to make this a major bottleneck. River St is a major route for ambulances going to General Hospital. By restricting the street, and with the major delays this will cause, lives will be put at risk. All so students can cross the street without walking to an intersection. $12 million wasted.
Question 2
Coal St widening project...... Why?
Leighton shows he understands property values almost as badly as he does ethics.
Beside making Coal St into a speedway with Interfaith Apts within spitting distance (Wait, the little children at Interfaith are safe with a 5 lane speedway, but the young adults at the colleges are unsafe with a 4 lane road!!?), There is the loss of parking spaces for the taxpaying people that live on Coal Street. Leightons answer to all their questions, "Wait, you'll be happy with the results". I hate to tell the dictator this (No, I'm not), But the people living there are not happy. They are angry, and rightly so. 8 more parking places really doesn't matter when the residents have to walk 2 or 3 blocks to use them.
Question 3
Campaigning inside the polling location at Kistler Elementary School, What's the big deal?
It's ILLEGAL. And even if it is a "a low-grade misdemeanor" as District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll says, They should be prosecuted. It is the LAW. And IMHO politicians should be held to a high standard.
I'll get back to the Sterling in a day or two, trying to identify the remains is harder than trying to learn Chinese algebra.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
The River St project..... Why?
Just because the college wants it, is not a reason to make this a major bottleneck. River St is a major route for ambulances going to General Hospital. By restricting the street, and with the major delays this will cause, lives will be put at risk. All so students can cross the street without walking to an intersection. $12 million wasted.
Question 2
Coal St widening project...... Why?
Leighton shows he understands property values almost as badly as he does ethics.
Beside making Coal St into a speedway with Interfaith Apts within spitting distance (Wait, the little children at Interfaith are safe with a 5 lane speedway, but the young adults at the colleges are unsafe with a 4 lane road!!?), There is the loss of parking spaces for the taxpaying people that live on Coal Street. Leightons answer to all their questions, "Wait, you'll be happy with the results". I hate to tell the dictator this (No, I'm not), But the people living there are not happy. They are angry, and rightly so. 8 more parking places really doesn't matter when the residents have to walk 2 or 3 blocks to use them.
Question 3
Campaigning inside the polling location at Kistler Elementary School, What's the big deal?
It's ILLEGAL. And even if it is a "a low-grade misdemeanor" as District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll says, They should be prosecuted. It is the LAW. And IMHO politicians should be held to a high standard.
I'll get back to the Sterling in a day or two, trying to identify the remains is harder than trying to learn Chinese algebra.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Friday, October 7, 2011
Not all the Anonymous comments are from idiots
This Anonymous' comments was so eloquent I decided to post it:
####
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A break from the Sterling":
There was a quote from a movie awhile back that is sort of befitting of those who are in denial, and supportive of the present incumbent. The quote was, "You can't handle the truth". So many questions going unanswered?
Would you agree to an "open ended contract" on a golf cart lease? Pull 3 Mil away from the Sterling project to fund your intermodal which was ill conceived, and had numerous cost overruns? Have the taxpayers fund an ice rink to which they are graciously granted 2 hrs. use a day when the hockey team is not using it? Supposedly sign a contract with a party who is a heavy donor, then not maintain records as required by the "contract"? Sell that same party a bakery for less than the city bought it for, and have the School Board forgive the taxes on it? Allow work to be done on said property even before it's owned? Allow said person to modify a structure without proper permits/zoning until a citizen complained?
And what about accountability for the fines that were imposed? Demolition of the Peanut Bldg with a promise of a Wood St. extension to Penn Ave, w/ proper street signals on S.Main and Wood St.? Was there interest collected on the money that was owed to the Firemen and held back for a year? People who want to keep him for another 4 years are either living in a fantasy world, or have a vested interest? How about when Kanjo and Musto have their day in court will they sing a song that implicates our present Mayor? Were I he, I would resign while I'm at the top of my game. Possible impeachment is a nasty way to go..................
####
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
####
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A break from the Sterling":
There was a quote from a movie awhile back that is sort of befitting of those who are in denial, and supportive of the present incumbent. The quote was, "You can't handle the truth". So many questions going unanswered?
Would you agree to an "open ended contract" on a golf cart lease? Pull 3 Mil away from the Sterling project to fund your intermodal which was ill conceived, and had numerous cost overruns? Have the taxpayers fund an ice rink to which they are graciously granted 2 hrs. use a day when the hockey team is not using it? Supposedly sign a contract with a party who is a heavy donor, then not maintain records as required by the "contract"? Sell that same party a bakery for less than the city bought it for, and have the School Board forgive the taxes on it? Allow work to be done on said property even before it's owned? Allow said person to modify a structure without proper permits/zoning until a citizen complained?
And what about accountability for the fines that were imposed? Demolition of the Peanut Bldg with a promise of a Wood St. extension to Penn Ave, w/ proper street signals on S.Main and Wood St.? Was there interest collected on the money that was owed to the Firemen and held back for a year? People who want to keep him for another 4 years are either living in a fantasy world, or have a vested interest? How about when Kanjo and Musto have their day in court will they sing a song that implicates our present Mayor? Were I he, I would resign while I'm at the top of my game. Possible impeachment is a nasty way to go..................
####
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
A break from the Sterling
I've gotten an new comment from the idiot crowd.
####
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "South Station":
so you stopped harping on mayor leighton, because you finally realized he is right. just like your union officers did but you ar to stupid to stop. let me tell you this if one of your officers posts here you will never hear from me again. i know they wont because they support leighton.
####
WOW, your grammar and punctuation just gets worse. I can only believe you are doing that on purpose.
I haven't "stopped harping on mayor leighton". Four days ago I pointed out he and cityvest tried to scam the Feds into paying for the Sterlings demolition.
If you want to know why my Union Officers will not help and post here, ASK THEM. I did. I got the biggest wad of bullsh!t that I've seen in years.
You will comment again, you can't help yourself. You are a troll.
One other thing I have seen are a few people commenting that Leighton shouldn't be investigated because McGroarty was also involved with nepotism. Or that it is a parents prerogative.
One thing that these people want us to forget is that it is AGAINST THE LAW. You know, ILLEGAL. It doesn't become OK because someone else got away with it.
I'll get back to the Sterling series shortly.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
####
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "South Station":
so you stopped harping on mayor leighton, because you finally realized he is right. just like your union officers did but you ar to stupid to stop. let me tell you this if one of your officers posts here you will never hear from me again. i know they wont because they support leighton.
####
WOW, your grammar and punctuation just gets worse. I can only believe you are doing that on purpose.
I haven't "stopped harping on mayor leighton". Four days ago I pointed out he and cityvest tried to scam the Feds into paying for the Sterlings demolition.
If you want to know why my Union Officers will not help and post here, ASK THEM. I did. I got the biggest wad of bullsh!t that I've seen in years.
You will comment again, you can't help yourself. You are a troll.
One other thing I have seen are a few people commenting that Leighton shouldn't be investigated because McGroarty was also involved with nepotism. Or that it is a parents prerogative.
One thing that these people want us to forget is that it is AGAINST THE LAW. You know, ILLEGAL. It doesn't become OK because someone else got away with it.
I'll get back to the Sterling series shortly.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sterling series Floor.....One (Requests)
We interrupt our previously scheduled presentation to answer some requests from Facebook
####
Maryann Huk
And the upper floors would need to be gutted anyway to meet code and be enlarged for today's demands. Ironically, any kind of molded plaster or stenciling that would still be intact would create additional challenges. So all that loveliness we remember would need to be reproduced.
Think of ALLLLL the people that would have to be hired to do that...
####
It would be lovely, but I don't see it happening.
####
Maryann Huk
Your last sentence says it all. Fire Inspectors have a responsibility to protect the public at all costs. A civil engineer friend of mine said municipal inspectors or those hired by a municipality will ALWAYS err on the side of caution. I'll wait for an independent inspection.
####
I'm sorry, The Fire Inspector gave an honest opinion. He has well over a decade of experience, and does not believe the building is salvageable. This was given at an informal safety meeting about the Sterling.
####
Louis Betti
Also, Dan, were you able to get any photos of the General Sullivan room(restaurant)? I dined there many times and would be curious see see what is left of it.
Louis Betti
Hi Dan, the General Sullivan room is on the ground floor off the lobby, north of the River Street entrance.
####
With the help of Tyler Hammond (He and his wife ran Cafe Metropolis when it was in the Sterling), we believe we have isolated the 'General Sullivan' room. The pictures are below.
The entrance
And here
We believe this is the Ballroom (Please remember these are structural pics and not taken to show the Grandeur that was)
Those slatted doors on the left are for a small storage room off the dining area
the dining room
What is left of the first floor kitchen
and more of the kitchen here
####
Save the Hotel Sterling, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Dan-I am rather anxious to see too about the ballroom floor two and. Have floors collapsed to a great extent from floors 2 up?
####
The Second floor ballroom was called the 'Crystal room', I believe. I'm going from the lowest level up so that will probably be the next post. By the way, don't expect much, the higher the floor, the more it was stripped.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
####
Maryann Huk
And the upper floors would need to be gutted anyway to meet code and be enlarged for today's demands. Ironically, any kind of molded plaster or stenciling that would still be intact would create additional challenges. So all that loveliness we remember would need to be reproduced.
Think of ALLLLL the people that would have to be hired to do that...
####
It would be lovely, but I don't see it happening.
####
Maryann Huk
Your last sentence says it all. Fire Inspectors have a responsibility to protect the public at all costs. A civil engineer friend of mine said municipal inspectors or those hired by a municipality will ALWAYS err on the side of caution. I'll wait for an independent inspection.
####
I'm sorry, The Fire Inspector gave an honest opinion. He has well over a decade of experience, and does not believe the building is salvageable. This was given at an informal safety meeting about the Sterling.
####
Louis Betti
Also, Dan, were you able to get any photos of the General Sullivan room(restaurant)? I dined there many times and would be curious see see what is left of it.
Louis Betti
Hi Dan, the General Sullivan room is on the ground floor off the lobby, north of the River Street entrance.
####
With the help of Tyler Hammond (He and his wife ran Cafe Metropolis when it was in the Sterling), we believe we have isolated the 'General Sullivan' room. The pictures are below.
The entrance
And here
We believe this is the Ballroom (Please remember these are structural pics and not taken to show the Grandeur that was)
Those slatted doors on the left are for a small storage room off the dining area
the dining room
What is left of the first floor kitchen
and more of the kitchen here
####
Save the Hotel Sterling, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Dan-I am rather anxious to see too about the ballroom floor two and. Have floors collapsed to a great extent from floors 2 up?
####
The Second floor ballroom was called the 'Crystal room', I believe. I'm going from the lowest level up so that will probably be the next post. By the way, don't expect much, the higher the floor, the more it was stripped.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Sterling series Floor.....One
The wall damage
and
With a LOT of imagination you can see the former grandeur.
and here
and here
Showing that the columns are NOT truly marble.
My question is what is the dollar value of the Sterling? Because , so far, I've found a $6 million loan from the county, a $1 million federal grant, a $3 million state grant and now at least $1 million to tear it down. At some point we have to look at what the dollar return will be.
Cityvest (really the people who signed for that money) need to be MADE to pay up.
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sterling series Floor.....Basement
With the volume of photos I now have, I've decided to post them in an organized manner. So from the bottom up, I give you the basement of the Sterling on August 10, 2011.
The ceiling has caved in.
All these beams are suspect and unsafe
And
And
Obviously there was EXTENSIVE water damage BEFORE the flood
And
And
And
Someone stripped all the recyclable materials
How is it that Cityvest and our mayor thought they could get away with FRAUDULENTLY trying to get the federal government to pay for the demolition?
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
The ceiling has caved in.
All these beams are suspect and unsafe
And
And
Obviously there was EXTENSIVE water damage BEFORE the flood
And
And
And
Someone stripped all the recyclable materials
How is it that Cityvest and our mayor thought they could get away with FRAUDULENTLY trying to get the federal government to pay for the demolition?
Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote
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