Even more Meth info

I've been looking for more info on Meth Labs to add to my other posts (here and here).

First off, If you suspect someplace is a Meth Lab, REPORT IT to the PD!!! DO NOT try to confirm it yourself!!! These dirtbags aren't just... well dirtbags, They are EXTREMELY PARANOID DIRTBAGS! On the paranoid scale of 1 to 10, these A$$HATS turn the dial up to 20 and make Spinal Tap look like amatuers.

By the way, Do not touch or smell any of the substances at the site. Meth ingredients are highly toxic and can be absorbed through your skin during even the most casual contact.

In Shepherdsville, Ky., "Investigators also discovered what appeared to be a military-grade rocket propelled grenade" (actually picture below) and "what was believed to be C-4 explosives."


Some of these places put dangling fishhooks in attics or crawlspaces just as a begining!

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People who abuse Meth regularly are known as 'tweakers'. Tweakers often behave or react violently. Keep in mind, the tweaker may not have slept in three to fifteen days and may be irritable and paranoid. If the tweaker is also using alcohol or other drugs, the danger may be intensified.

The tweaker craves more Meth, but no dosage will help recreate the first rush. This may cause frustration and leads to unpredictable behavior and violence. To support their habits, tweakers often participate in spur-of-the-moment crimes, such as purse snatching or burglaries.

Tweakers are often involved in domestic disputes and automobile accidents. They may also be present at raves or parties. They may at first appear to be normal. A closer look will reveal eye movement ten times faster than normal, a voice with a slight quiver and jerky movements.

If you suspect that someone is tweaking, be careful how you handle the situation. Keep in mind these six safety tips for approaching a tweaker:

1. Keep your distance. Coming too close can be perceived as threatening.
2. No bright lights. The tweaker is paranoid and bright lights may cause them to react violently.
3. Slow your speech, lower your voice.
4. Slow your movements. The tweaker is paranoid and may misunderstand your movements.
5. Keep your hands visible, or they may feel threatened and become violent.
6. Keep the tweaker talking. A tweaker who falls silent can be extremely dangerous. Silence often means that his paranoid thoughts have taken over reality, and anyone present can become part of the tweaker's paranoid delusions.
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And
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White phosphorous, explosive concentrations of organic solvents, makeshift electrical wiring, conspire to produce an environment particularly susceptible to fires and explosions.
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And
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Cooking a single pound of Meth will leave five to six pounds of toxic residue.
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And
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Police and first responders are generally accustomed to the general fears of drug dealers. But a person who is both using and manufacturing Meth will have increased levels of paranoia, anger and mood swings. Many of them will resort to extreme measures to protect themselves and their labs – security systems, explosives, guns, attack dogs and poisonous snakes have all been found at Meth lab sites.
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Holy sh!t! POISONOUS SNAKES!!???! How the HELL... What do they.... Forget it. I don't want to know. I hate snakes.


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Booby-traps. These are NOT passive hazards. These are clever, resourceful ways to hurt, maim or kill people who enter the meth-lab area. Simple examples include bottles of acid falling into cyanide powder, Al or Mg bombs (photo flash and 9v batteries), pipe bombs, venomous snakes, trip wired explosives, etc. In one lab in California, the entire concrete floor was cantilevered in the center, and under the floor was a 700 pound bomb.
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Again with the POISONOUS SNAKES!!
Imagine this scenero.
A firefighter enters a structure fire (Hollywood fires are bullsh!t, you can't see squat in a fire, close your eyes and try to find something in your house. Now try that somewhere you've never been before.) As you do your search (BLIND!), you feel a sting in your leg. then again. Your leg feels like it is on fire. You struggle to get out, but in the end your partner needs to drag you out. As you remove your mask, you see it is covered with blood. Your gums are bleeding?!! What the hell is wrong with you.
This is the beginnings of the bite from a Russell's viper. I picked that species randomly. I will spare you from the graphic (and disgusting) pictures.

Information shamelessly stolen from National Institute on Drug Abuse

Two things I'm noticing about recognizing a Meth lab, is Propane tanks (filled with anhydrous ammonia) turns the brass fittings blue. This is going to be something I'm going to be on the watch for.



And

The chemicals are highly corrosive and items that don't normally rust will.



Dan Emplit WBFD

More Meth Info

Crime Free Wilkes-Barre has a post about Meth that describes aspects of the addiction. Twelve times the normal level ! Take a look.

This Picture shows what this drug WILL do to your body


This is what it does to your face


This is what it does to your mouth


Any questions?

Dan Emplit WBFD

Meth labs

This is NOT like making 'bath tub gin' or moonshine from the Prohibition era. This has more in common with the manufacture of clandestine EXPLOSIVES!! Involving HUGE risks with flammable and corrosive chemicals.

Labs are often discovered by FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS caused by the improper handling of volatile and/or flammable solvents.

The most common method for small-scale methamphetamine labs primarily involves phosphorus (compounds of phosphorus form a wide class of materials, some of which are extremely toxic and some are an explosive/fire danger.), ephedrine (which can cause SEVERE heart problems), and iodine (When mixed with ammonia and water, elemental iodine forms nitrogen triiodide, which is extremely shock-sensitive and can explode unexpectedly) from which hydroiodic acid is formed.

Other chemicals found in Meth labs include:
Acetone: Poisonous, Flammable, toxic, Can be absorbed Through the skin; Causes Reproductive disorders

Methonol: Poisonous, Flammable, toxic, Can be absorbed Through the skin; Causes Blindness/ eye damage

Ammonia: Poisonous, toxic, Corrosive, Can be absorbed Through the skin: Causes blistering, lung damage

Benzene: Poisonous, Flammable, Explosive, Corrosive, Can be absorbed Through the skin: Causes Carcinogen, Leukemia

Ether: Poisonous, Flammable, Explosive: Causes Respiratory Failure

Freon: Poisonous, toxic, Corrosive: Causes Frostbite, Lung damage

Hydriodic Acid: Poisonous, toxic, Explosive, Can be absorbed Through the skin: Causes Burns, Thyroid Damage

Hydrochloric Acid (HCL Gas): Poisonous, toxic, Explosive, Can be absorbed Through the skin: Causes Respiratory, Liver Damage

Oh hell, This list is WAY to long to put here, Just go to KCI the Anti-Meth site



Here are some things to look for in identifying a meth lab:

Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).

Residences with windows blacked out.

Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in cash.)

Lots of traffic - people coming and going at unusual times. There may be little traffic during the day, but at night the activity increases dramatically.

Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.

Unusual amounts of clear glass containers being brought into the home.

Secretive / protective area surrounding the residence (like video cameras, alarm systems, guard dogs, reinforced doors, electrified fencing).

Persons exiting the structure to smoke

Little or no mail, furniture, visible trash and no newspaper delivery.

I'd also like to point out that ALL THREE of the structures (Blackman St, Spruce St, and Regent St.) are in Engine 3's territory (The Engine Leighton has turned 'part-time')! And one of the buildings is DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM SPRUCE STREET PARK!!!!

Some quotes from Captain U. Cupcake (Leighton) that are relevant.
"I would never, never gamble with the safety of residents visitors or guests," Oct 5 2004 (WNEP) That is EXACTLY what he is doing.

"With the location of three city fire houses - Hollenback at the city's north end, headquarters near center city and the Parrish and High Street station on the city's southern border - the department can respond promptly to all calls" Oct 27, 2008 (The Times Leader) Not with 2 Engines we can't and this proves he knows it.

"The new station will cover the north end of the city. Headquarters will cover center City and the other station will take care of the south. In turn, the residents of the city and firefighters who protect us will be safer and better equipped" June 8, 2005 (WNEP) And then he cuts our numbers. Right around the time his Intermodel center was going up in cost by 225%. Yeah, he's not sacrificing your safety for his pet projects.


Now to quote myself, "Labs are often discovered by FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS"!!!!

Remember the dictators cut backs when one of these Meth labs (AKA BOMBS WAITING TO HAPPEN) goes up. Remember the Fire Department will still do EVERYTHING possible to save lives and property while working in one of the most hazardous environments known to man. Because it's not just the fire from a meth lab that will kill you. It's also the booby traps, the maze, the chemicals, and God only knows what else.
It's Leighton who is ignoring your safety and ours.


Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

A Third Hypothetical Story

I would like to tell you a third hypothetical story to go with the first and the second.
This time there are 17 men on duty. The FIVE that Leighton slashed from our shifts since becoming dictator.

You are asleep in your South Wilkes-Barre home.

Around 1 AM you are awakened to the smoke detectors shrill tone. You wake up your spouse and open your bedroom door... and are greeted to a wall of thick black smoke and intense heat.

You can't get to your children. You must get out while you can. You and your spouse barely get out through the bedroom window.

You can't get back into the house, the fire is blocking you. You must do SOMETHING to save your children.

Your spouse has already limped to the home next door to call 911.
Seconds pass like days, minutes seem like months.

It seems like forever until Engine Three is on scene. The captain and a hoseman get out and start pulling lines while the driver puts the engine into pump and then charges the lines. You tell the Captain that 2 children are in the home. Less than 2 minutes have gone by since the Engine got on scene.

The Captain and hoseman begin the attack. The driver is balancing time between the pump controls and helping feed the hose line to assist the attack team. Engine One is already at the hydrant and are hooking up a huge yellow hose to it. Engine four (a hypothetical engine that I am saying is stationed at headquarters, but takes care of the Heights) heads for the rear of your home.
One minute has gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 3 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 3/4s of a tank of water.




The attack team is having a hard time with the heavy fire load, but you have hope. Engine One drives to Engine Three and are attaching the other end of that huge yellow hose to Engine Three, Also The ladder truck, Truck 6, is there and 2 more men are now helping the attack crew.
Engine four is mounting an attack from the rear of your home and it drastically slows the fire because the two fronts gives the flames nowhere to expand.
Two minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 4 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 1/2 of a tank of water.

The Ambulance crew is taking your spouse to the ambulance, you refuse to go. The chief (When did he get there? You can't remember) is asking you questions, but your attention is on what was your home.

Three minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 5 minutes since they arrived on scene and Engine 3 is now below 1/4 of a tank of water, but now the hydrant is open and the water level on Engine Three is going up.
Engine four is at 3/4s of a tank.
The attack team now has the upper hand on the fire and the crew from Engine one is actively searching for your children.



Engine 2 is now on scene, They had to come from all the way across town. They are now hooking up to a different hydrant and heading for Engine 4. 3 minutes later and they have Hooked Engine four to a hydrant. Now they are putting an attack team into your house.


Will it be soon enough? When unhindered, fire will double in size every minute. In this scenario, the children have the BEST chance of survival. All because our manpower was not IRRESPONSIBLY slashed, giving the city a third and a fourth fire engine.
For those who would say, "The city can't afford it" I have only one question, What is the value of your child's life? AND SINCE WE ARE PAYING MAXED OUT TAXES, SHOULDN'T WE HAVE TOP NOTCH SERVICES?

Don't let Leighton play games with your lives.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

A Second Hypothetical Story

I would like to tell you a second hypothetical story.
This time there are 14 men on duty. The two that Dictator Leighton slashed from our shifts last March.

You are asleep in your South Wilkes-Barre home.

Around 1 AM you are awakened to the smoke detectors shrill tone. You wake up your spouse and open your bedroom door... and are greeted to a wall of thick black smoke and intense heat.

You can't get to your children. You must get out while you can. You and your spouse barely get out through the bedroom window.

You can't get back into the house, the fire is blocking you. You must do SOMETHING to save your children.

Your spouse has already limped to the home next door to call 911.
Seconds pass like days, minutes seem like months.

It seems like for ever until Engine Three is on scene. The captain and a hoseman get out and start pulling lines while the driver puts the engine into pump and then charges the lines. You tell the Captain that 2 children are in the home. Less than 2 minutes have gone by since the Engine got on scene.

The Captain and hoseman begin the attack. The driver is balancing time between the pump controls and helping feed the hose line to assist the attack team. Engine One is already at the hydrant and are hooking up a huge yellow hose to it.
One minute has gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 3 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 3/4s of a tank of water.



The attack team is having a hard time with the heavy fire load, but you have hope. Engine One drives to Engine Three and are attaching the other end of that huge yellow hose to Engine Three, Also The ladder truck, Truck 6, is there and 2 more men are now helping the attack crew.
Two minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 4 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 1/2 of a tank of water.

The Ambulance crew is taking your spouse to the ambulance, you refuse to go. The chief (When did he get there? You can't remember) is asking you questions, but your attention is on what was your home.

Three minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 5 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is now below 1/4 of a tank of water, but now the hydrant is open and the water level on Engine Three is going up.

The attack team is now gaining the upper hand on the fire and the crew from Engine one is actively searching for your children.



Engine 2 is now on scene, They had to come from all the way across town. They are now hooking up to a different hydrant and heading for the rear of what is left of your house. 3 minutes later and they are putting an attack team into your house.


Will it be soon enough? When unhindered, fire will double in size every minute. In this scenario, the childrens chances have been improved dramatically. All because 2 more men were on shift, giving the city a third fire engine. This is a perfect example of the old tale, "For want of a nail, The kingdom was lost".

Don't let Leighton play games with your lives.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

A hypothetical story

Andy Palumbo blogged about the Sullivan St Fire.



One point about that fire. It being on a holiday weekend, it was difficult to get off-duty guys to go to the fire. Why? Would you want to risk your life after having a few? Remember, They were off duty. This is a very good reason why 12 men per shift are not enough. That the second building was saved was due to nothing short of the almost superhuman efforts of the on-duty firefighters.
For the cost of two men per shift, Leighton is willing to risk our lives, your lives and your homes. As he complains about overtime he does not mention the 20 plus men we are short. As he pats himself on the back for getting a 'splash park' he ignores the safety of citizens.

I would like to tell you a hypothetical story.

You are asleep in your South Wilkes-Barre home.

Around 1 AM you are awakened to the smoke detectors shrill tone. You wake up your spouse and open your bedroom door... and are greeted to a wall of thick black smoke and intense heat.

You can't get to your children. You must get out while you can. You and your spouse barely get out through the bedroom window.

You can't get back into the house, the fire is blocking you. You must do SOMETHING to save your children.

Your spouse has already limped to the home next door to call 911.
Seconds pass like days, minutes seem like months.

It seems like forever until Engine one is on scene. The captain and a hoseman get out and start pulling lines while the driver puts the engine into pump and then charges the lines. You tell the Captain that 2 children are in the home. Less than 2 minutes have gone by since the Engine got on scene.

The Captain and hoseman begin the attack. The driver is balancing time between the pump controls and helping feed the hose line to assist the attack team.
One minute has gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 3 since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 3/4s of a tank of water.

The attack team is having a hard time with the heavy fire load, but you have hope. the ladder truck, Truck 6, is there and 2 more men are now helping the attack crew.
Two minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 4 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is below 1/2 of a tank of water.

The Ambulance crew is taking your spouse to the ambulance, you refuse to go. The chief (when did he get there? You can't remember) is asking you questions, but your attention is on what was your home.

Three minutes have gone by since the hoses have been charged, about 5 minutes since they arrived on scene and the engine is now below 1/4 of a tank of water.

The attack team is now getting out. WHY???!!!
They have less than one minute of water left, and without it they can not do their job.
Why don't they hook to a hydrant! There it is! It's at the corner!! That is the job of the second due engine. Still minutes from arriving because Engine 3 is out of service.

Engine 2 is now on scene, They had to come from all the way across town. They are now hooking up to the hydrant. 2 minutes later and they are getting water.
Will it be soon enough? Leighton says yes. I say if you play Russian Roulette enough and someone will die. This is a stupid game to play (especially since we are paying for top coverage) and when you play stupid games you win stupid prizes.

Don't let Leighton play games with your lives.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Add on: part 2 is here and part 3 is here.

Someone beat me to it

Betty Roccograndi of Pure Bunkum beat me to a subject that has been bothering me.
I always thought that News services were supposed to report the news, Not try to influence it. And if the paper thought strongly about a candidate, they would publish the article as an editorial (So people would know it is the papers OPINION) Obviously this is another thing I have been wrong about.
The Times Leader has become Leightons propaganda machine, even going as far as publishing the 'Leighton ledger' with a little tiny note saying, "Oppses we meant to mention that was a paid advertisement." Somehow, even with multiple shady deals, Constitutional Rights violations, Threats (that their reporters have witnessed), lies (That one of their own reporters caught him in) and financial boondoggles they still endorsed Leighton. Publicly. In print. And lets not forget that the FBI is still hovering around the county government. It will only be a matter of time (The FBI moves VERY slowly to make sure the cases stand up in court) before they take a close look at the city... If they aren't already.
Will the Leighton Regime escape unscathed when the Feds look at it?




Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Pure bunkum has a post about Conahan Leighton Carey

Nice Goin', Mayor Leighton, Racketeer Conahan


And shortly after Conahan decicded against Mrs. Carey, a private medic unit (That Conahan was part owner of) was awarded a VERY lucrative no-bid contract to back up the city ambulances.
Isn’t any contract worth more than $10,000 a year supposed to be a closed bid? This contract is EASILY worth 20 times that amount.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Doing the Big-Check Dance in Downtown Wilkes-Barre

Doing the Big-Check Dance in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
by kustomkool
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Big, comically oversized checks might look funny, but when politicians hand out big checks, the joke is usually at taxpayers' expense

In April 2010, Congressman Paul Kanjorski did the big-check dance in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
Coming along for the ride were Pennsylvania state senate hopefuls, John Yudichak and Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton.

On the receiving end of the big check was a start-up company, Federal Review Services. Federal Review was promising to create 100 new jobs in downtown Wilkes-Barre with salaries from $35,000 to $65,000.

Federal Review announced layoffs only two months after being handed that big check.

The moral of the story? Big checks from politicians don't create jobs. Jobs are created by businesses that fill a need in the marketplace. If you have a great idea that will make money, you don't need the government...you need a bank. People who rely on government sources for start-up funding usually have better connections than ideas.
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Denise Carey

I've written about Denise before Here and she has written me as well.
But a few people will not pay attention to facts. They wish she had curled up and gone away after the first lawsuit. (You remember, the one that then judge Conahan decided against her. Why did he decide that way? I do not know. It has been suggested that the No-Bid contract that his ambulance service got shortly afterwards may have something to do with it. BTW any contract worth over $10,000 a year is supposed to be put out for bid. That is the law. The back up ambulance contract is worth at least 20 times that.)
But back on target. Denise didn't 'curl up and go away'. She stood tall and fought for her Constitutional Rights. AND WON. Court after court has decided in her favor. I've always heard that courts don't like to reverse decisions. (Makes you wonder why then Judge Conahan decided against her).

"He bullied me, he bullied my family. He put us through a lot of sorrow and heartache for a lot of years," Carey said. "It's still not over yet, and he still has not yet taken responsibility for it yet. I can't respect someone like that. I just can't."
Personal vendettas are not the mark of true Leadership.
I've mentioned Dictator Leighton has a problem with taking responsibility for his actions.

We need a mayor who doesn't look at the First Amendment (The right to free speech) as something to wipe his feet on. We need a Mayor who doesn't try to bully anyone who thinks differently than he does. We need a Mayor who doesn't get involved with questionable deals. We need a Leader.
And we need a city council that will oppose the Mayor when he is wrong. Not a bunch of mutes that WILL NOT oppose someone who treats our Constitution like a baby treats a diaper.



Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

The Lies

In Leightons 'The Leighton Ledger' which was delivered in yesterdays Times Leader (May 14, 2011) which is a PAID ADVERTISEMENT (and about as accurate as late night ads), Leighton claims "The city has 3 fire stations strategically placed in the north, center, and south of the city". This is another of the dictators half truth half lies. South station is manned about an eighth of the time. This leaves south W-B uncovered for seven eighths of the time.

Plus he claimed, "The Wilkes-Barre Fire Department's average response time to an emergency call is 3:27 Which is significantly lower than the national average." Another half truth from Leighton. He doesn't tell you that 16 men per shift is the national standard and we have been cut to a minimum staffing of 12 per shift. Meaning that the long delay for a second engine risks our safety. It's not just what our response time is, it's how long it takes to get the minimum number of firefighters on scene.

Quotes from our dictator, notice he ALWAYS blames someone else and that shows his leadership skills(or more accurately, his LACK of them):
June 10, 2005 (WNEP) "I wouldn't say I oversold it. I think maybe the media did,"
AKA It's not my fault, it's the medias fault.

June 8, 2005 (WNEP) "I would love to have a fire station in every neighborhood but you have to remember, this is neglect of the past," said Mayor Leighton.
AKA It's not my fault, it's McGroartys fault.

Mar 12, 2010 (Citizens' voice) "You left me with no choice, I'm not failing you, the city administration is not failing you and city council is not failing you. Your union is failing you."
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighter Unions fault.

Oct 18, 2007 (Citizens' Voice political blog) Leighton raised taxes 20 mills when he first took office in 2004, but has not raised taxes since. “I was forced to raise taxes because of past mistakes, because of past debt,” Leighton said.
AKA It's not my fault, it's McGroartys fault.

October 27, 2008 (Times Leader) Leighton said the union contract demands that the city first call out all city firefighters before another community can be contacted for help. He said Luzerne County 911 does the call-out, but the mayor said a lot of time is lost during the process.
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Call Centers fault.

July 16, 2010 (WBRE) About claims by police officers the system is bogged down by technical glitches at times, Leighton said "they're (police) not happy about it because they think we should put more people on the streets."
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Policemens' fault.

October 15, 2008 The mayor blames the hike on health care costs and a million-dollar firefighters’ arbitration award. "By no means am I happy or proud of this budget, but it's legitimate numbers, it's legitimate expenses," said Leighton.
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighters' fault.

May 16, 2010 (Citizens Voice) "We've tried to work with them to help the city," he said. "They have to help. Employees have to help. We've had other unions help us"
AKA It's not my fault, it's the Firefighters' fault.
When mayor was elected he asked all the city unions to help the city financially in their contracts. the fire union did (concessions = approx 3.5 million dollars over 7 years). Mayor Leighton said "By making (these) substantial concessions, the firefighters' union has agreed to become partners with the city in its revitalization plan" The Fire Fighters Union did their part and who gets cut back? And what did the other unions do exactly?

October 15, 2008(WNEP) Mayor Leighton blames the tough economy, increasing health insurance premiums and a recent award of one million dollars to the city's firefighters union for the budget gap. But he promises the financial squeeze won't mean fewer police patrols, or reduced services like salting, plowing and roadwork.
AKA It's not my fault, It's the tough economys', increasing health insurance premiums' and a recent award to the city's firefighters unions' fault.

Oh and he he 'promises' the financial squeeze won't mean fewer police patrols, or reduced services like salting, plowing and roadwork.
What about essential LIFE SAVING Services?

We are paying for the services. Police protection, fire protection, and clean neighborhoods. WE ARE NOT GETTING WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR! We are experiencing POOR customer service!
Voting for any of the incumbants (basically hiring them for 4 more years) for ANY political position makes sense. Like lug nuts on a birthday cake or a cupcake.



On a side note, The The Lu Lac Political Letter (a local Blog) did an independent poll of his readers to gauge the mayoral Democratic primary election results.

The results were :
Tom Leighton 31%
Charlotte Raup 64%
Nick Punko 8%.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Remember the Backroom deals

1. The no-bid contract to disgraced ex-judge Conahan's medic unit (This happened after it was proven that a part time 3rd ambulance would cost the city NOTHING). This happened right around the time then judge Conahan ruled against Denise Carey (Read the details here and here). Interesting that Conahan rules against Denise and his medic unit gets a no-bid contract. Interesting... or suspicious?

2. The Old River Road Bakery. Where do I start on this? Here? Or Here? Or here?

3. Screwed up selling the Sterling hotel (costing us $325,000). Which is Here and Here.

4. And the 'missing' 38.8 MILLION dollars, Here and Here and Here.

Sorry I've been out of sight and distracted the last few days, family medical problems are keeping my attention elsewhere. Things are well on the way to being better now. Thank you to a few true friends who helped when it was truly needed.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Cupcake!!!??

I've posted about the dictators court (AKA city council) before. But this one REALLY Takes the cake (Pun intended).
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W-B City Council Towing service operator Bob Kadluboski seeks lower salaries, elimination of pensions

Posted: May 13
Critic’s challenge lands with thud
BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – Bob Kadluboski on Thursday presented his case to City Council, asking the five-member panel to support lowering salaries for elected officials and to eliminate their pensions.

When he was finished, nobody offered support.

Kadluboski wants council to enact a salary ordinance that would significantly reduce the salaries of the mayor, council and controller and do away with their pensions. He targeted Councilman Bill Barrett, a retired city police chief who now works at Luzerne County Community College. Barrett told Kadluboski he had bad information, stating that he (Barrett) does not take any of the benefits offered council, other than salary.

Kadluboski also claimed Council Chairwoman Kathy Kane receives a pension as a retired teacher and she should not take the benefits available as a member of council

“By the time you get all your pensions, you will need me to haul you home with all your money,” said Kadluboski, a towing service operator.

He asked for extended time past the allotted five minutes to address council, but was denied. He became upset when Kane was talking to City Attorney Tim Henry while Kadluboski was addressing council.

“You’re interrupting me and that’s rude,” Kadluboski told Kane. “You don’t understand, Kathy, you work for me.”

When Kadluboski’s time was up, he walked to the back of Council Chambers and Kane said, “See you cupcake.”

Kadluboski said taxpayers can no longer afford what he termed “these pricey sums” for elected officials. Earlier this year he decided not to run for mayor despite securing the more than 200 signatures necessary on nomination petitions. He said Tuesday that if no candidate supports him on the issue, he will get in the race for mayor.

The owner of City Wide Towing, Kadluboski said he sent each city candidate a certified letter asking for support on the salary and benefits issue. None of the candidates for mayor or council spoke on his behalf last night.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday,” Kadluboski said, referring to the primaries. “If none of the winning candidates supports me, I will run as a write-in candidate in November for mayor.”

The mayor’s salary is $79,911 per years, council chairperson makes $14,699, council members are paid $13,199 and the city controller earns $41,553. If elected since 2001, the mayor, council and controller become vested in the city’s pension plan after 12 years of service; prior to 2001, it was 10 years of service. All become fully vested in the pension plan after 20 years of service.

In other business Thursday, council:

• Heard from Chris Stephens, who talked about noise, litter and other activity at Scouten Lee Park during late hours. He said he has called police and he suggested removing the basketball courts to deter the adults from using the park late at night. Kane said she will ask the administration to look into increasing patrols.

• Was asked by Tyler Hammond about the city’s purchase of a 2005 Chevrolet van that was subsequently sold four and a half months later. Hammond said he requested information on the vehicle, such as the vehicle identification number, to find out what happened to the van, but received nothing. He said a check was issued for $18,000 to United Sanitation for the vehicle.

Council will look into the matter, he was told. “How does the city lose these records?” Hammond asked.

• Received a request from Scott Spinucci for support for two projects: having the River Common declared America’s First Park and to establish a Diamond City Walk of Fame and Museum.

• Listened to another request from home repair contractors Mike Haduck and Fred Heller for the city to make it easier for contractor to obtain licenses to work in the city. Both said the city’s policies are unfair and they asked the city to accept the state licensing system.
####

I think I'll start with Tyler Hammond. He's a W-B paramedic, FRIGHTENINGLY smart, and an 'all round good guy'. He's been telling me about trying to find out about the city's shady purchase of several vehicles and his attempts to get some facts from the city. Our evil regime has been dodging and weaving all his attempts, FOR MONTHS. By the way isn't United Sanitation owned by the Denaples? and aren't they business partners with LAG towings owner? Who is a campaign contributor to ..... Emperor Leighton? And that brings us back to ..... the Old River Road Bakery debacle. Politics as usual in this area.

Now on to Bob Kadluboski and his points.
The first thing I've got to say is, If City Wide Towing can loses its contract with the city for Bob being rude then Kathy Kane should be FIRED (Or impeached, forced to resign, or what ever you do to a council person) immediately for her conduct to the tax paying public at these meetings. This isn't 'Judge Judy', It isn't a ratings driven TV show, and she needs to be reminded SHE IS A PUBLIC SERVANT NOT ROYALTY. Whether she likes Bob or not, whether she can't stand him or not, she needs to go for this behavior.
Also for what she gets paid, the LEAST she can do is LISTEN to the speaker and not talk to the City Attorney. If she doesn't want to do her job, SHE'S GOT TO GO.
Remember her rudeness when you vote. She's running for the City Controller's Office.

Next up:
"Barrett told Kadluboski he had bad information, stating that he (Barrett) does not take any of the benefits offered council, other than salary." No, but he and Kathy Kane do take the buy out for health care. (How many PART TIME jobs give you health care?) Thats a couple GRAND a year.

I totally agree and have posted before of my belief that working a part time job for 12 years and a full time one for 8 years, DOES NOT qualify you for a sweet $40,000 a year pension. Hell you shouldn't get health care after working only 8 years full time.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Heartbreak

#########
Heartbreak on Schuyler Street, through a photographer's lens
By [TIM FISHER]
Story Updated: May 10, 2011

The fatal fire on Schuyler Street Monday caused a lot of emotion, and you could see it in the eyes of the firefighters, the bystanders, and even the media who was there attempting to sort out the chaos and report it to viewers and readers.

One of those at the scene was WKTV's Photojournalist Tim Fisher - a 40 year veteran of the news business, who wanted to respond to an onlooker saying firefighters didn't do enough to save the family. The same onlooker who struck Tim when he saw him recording video at the scene.

WKTV decided it was important to show you Tim's side of the story, in his own words:

"Bringing you the news and stories of the day is our job and it is a vocation we take seriously. We are granted access to people and events that are often beyond what most folks experience. We observe, record, and report what we see and hear and understand to be the facts and realities that occur in and impact our community.

An important piece of our mission is to give voice to those who may otherwise be ignored. But we must also give perspective to the events we attend, especially when the voices we present seem one sided, unbalanced, or inaccurate.

At yesterday's fatal fire on Schuyler Street in West Utica, some close to the family felt that the fire department did not try hard enough to find and rescue the 4 who died.

What I can tell you is the following:

Pat Bailey and I arrived across the street from 935 Schuyler Street within 15 minutes of the initial call from Utica fire dispatch. I know this because we literally walked away from what we were doing at the WKTV studios on Smith Hill and drove down to the scene.

I immediately began to record the flames and fire and work of the firefighters and police officers. Within 2 minutes I observed and recorded a firefighter exit the front door of the house, looking tired and spent. Flames were shooting out of front windows and smoke was pouring out of a side window with flames licking at the roof just above it.

About 3 minutes later a couple of men rushed up to the police officer next to me, breathless as if they had just arrived, agitated with an understandable fear, and began to shout that there were 3 or 4 people in the burning apartment. One of them, the same one who said later that he felt not enough was done to search and rescue the occupants, observed me recording him and lunged at me. At the time, believing he was probably the father of those in the building, I felt compelled to be understanding of his emotional out burst. This was an awful, dreadful day for those whose family and friends were in danger.

But it is important to note that firefighters had already attempted to search the building and had made the judgment that conditions were too dangerous, the fire too hot, (indeed I can say that I felt a bit of that wall of heat all the way across the street). They also determined the building too unsafe. Chief Brooks said he knew from his experience that conditions were lethal and could be for firefighters as well.

I observed the firefighters pouring water from at least 5 hoses and multiple angles into the building as police and fire chiefs attempted to gain accurate information from frantic, nearly hysterical family and friends.

Within another 5 minutes the fire was pushed back enough to gain entrance. This time with better information about bedrooms and such, they found children and their mother who had perished in the inferno.

As they brought out the bodies, some firefighters stumbled and knelt on the ground, obviously exhausted.

The fire was then attacked with more water once the searchers were out and eventually it was extinguished.

I am a photojournalist. I am obviously not a firefighter. But I have to present the narrative that I feel is accurate and true, the more so because one that I perceive to be clouded with emotion and grief has already been told, demanding another perspective.

And the story that played out in my mind was one of desperately difficult work, a terrible and heart rending loss that tore at the faith and fabric of the determined and experienced first responders.

The outcome almost seemed to cut them down, yet they saw it through.

They never gave up, fighting the fire and their grief that lives were lost. They reminded me of an image from my childhood of an aging Y.A. Tittle, kneeling after his NY Giants were defeated in the old NFL title game. But this was no game. For firefighters this is their life and livelihood. On the one hand it was just another day at the office. But on the other it was a loss that will "take a piece of their heart out'.

I admired these firefighters. They gave it everything they had. The heat was intense, the flames an awesome sight that struck fear deep into my heart. But they never shrank. They just did their job as they had learned it and as they were directed by their chiefs.

Why do I take this time you may ask?

I believe it is important, especially at this moment in our country's history when public servants are being resented for what they earn or bargain for to see them at work as they truly are. Folks just like all of us, doing a hard days work. In this case it was a very intense job in which they faced "a clear and present danger". Still, they did it and then went back to their firehouse to await the next call. We don't even know their names.

Did they do all they could?? I wish you could have watched and listened and felt what I did yesterday. Then I would be happy to leave it up to you. But I hope this helps."

-Tim Fisher - WKTV Photojournalist
#########

WKTV is the NBC-affiliated television station for the Mohawk Valley area of Central New York State licensed to Utica.

Thomas Makar (from facebook), "This same scene has happened more than I would like to remember in W-B. Seven souls have died in fires since 2005 at 4 different fires. I feel for the Utica Fire Fighters. But this reporter is right...Fire Fighters are Public Employees who are being used by heartless politicians to lay blame."

Due to Blogger being down (Publishing problems, not viewing ones) and some family health problems I haven't been able to post.

Dan Emplit WBFD

Sketchy Deal Behind the Sale of the Old River Road Bakery

Someone elses take on the Old River road bakery debacle.

He also has this:
#####
Beat the Candidates (part I)

Even Lex Luthor Knew How to Make Money in Real Estate.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas M. Leighton
Age:48
Education: King's College 1982
Elected: 2004
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Looks Like: (See above)
Dubious Wikipedia Entry Obviously Planted by Someone on the Payroll:
“...Leighton's policies have led to the 'brightest future Wilkes-Barre has seen since the' '50s”

Like his doppelganger - Lex Luthor in Superman II – Wilkes-Barre mayor Tom Leighton knows the value of land.

“People are no damn good, but they will always need land and they'll pay through the nose to get it!” -Lex Luthor to Miss Tessmacher.

Lex Leighton has deftly transferred the trench-warfare skills he learned in the family real estate business, to the loftier (and more lucrative) arena of political wheeling and dealing.

Leighton supporters like to trumpet his complex real estate transactions as being part of a grand plan to open up a can of gentrification whoop-ass in Wilkes-Barre's diminished downtown. The problem is, these noble deals are routinely dispatched through the usual good-old-boy networks and non-government organizations like the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, CityVest or the C.E.O. (Council on Economic Opportunity.) Beyond the Wyoming Valley, a “chamber of commerce” evokes visions of organizing Christmas parades and keg parties for a membership of barbershop owners and life insurance agents. The Wilkes-Barre chamber operates more like a private developer with back-door access to public money - sans the pesky checks and balances that might limit an above-board, taxpayer funded entity.

Leighton has also signed off on well documented deals of dubious ethical parameters and little apparent benefit to anyone but political cronies and hockey players. City and federal funds earmarked for construction or demolition, usually end up in the pocket of somebody on Leighton's Christmas card list. A recent demolition job - expedited in the name of public safety - conveniently cleared the way for a proposed housing project. Of course, both projects were spearheaded by ad-hoc organizations attached to familiar names.

When a local woman started a petition to keep a neighborhood firehouse open, Leighton played a big part in a morally questionable, carpet-bombing campaign against her. That ugly episode cost Wilkes-Barre hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs and the likelihood of an eventual settlement in her favor will add a few zeros to the total. Keeping a firehouse of questionable utility operating would have been a bargain in retrospect.

Like his northern neighbor, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Leighton has visions of glory that stretch beyond his hometown. Leighton has his eyes on the Pennsylvania State Senate seat of the departing, long-reigning king of sketchiness, Ray Musto. The biggest hurdles between Leighton and his Harrisburg ambitions are a reputation coated by a thick mucus of proximity to the endless Luzerne County scandals, and a dubious history of quasi-legal shenanigans – low-hanging fruit to potentional challengers.

Sketchiness Rating: 2.5 Stars
#####

I'd give the dictator a higher Sketchiness Rating.
I couldn't find the 'wikipedia' entry. It may have been changed. It does mention these things,

"On June 9, 2005, Leighton unveiled his 'I believe...' campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits and rid residents of their cyncisim and negativity about the city. Many residents were, and still are, skeptical of the campaign, since it is being paid for with tax dollars."
And
"A renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling is being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. In March 2006, CityVest purchased a property adjacent to the Hotel Sterling for $325,000, the City had a lien on the property, but the property owner got the cash, the City somehow transferred the lien to CityVest(and then forgave it), and the taxpayers were on the hook for $311,000."

And the SHORT List of his 'accomplishments';
1. Backroom deals (like the no bid contract to disgraced ex-judge Conahan's medic unit)
2. Trying to sell city property for 8 cents on the dollar to a campaign contributor
3. Lying to county officials to get tax forgiveness to a campaign contributor
4. The largely worthless camera system (Costing us well over $2,000,000)
5. Violated contracts (like Citywide Towing's contract) so he could give it to a campaign contributor (that cost us over $225,000)
6. VIOLATED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, TWICE !!! (Denise Carey & the Hammonds). That's going to cost us over $275,000.
7. The Threats (I've been on the receiving end of some, Why? Because I dare oppose him.)

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

More Comments

Time for more from the comment section of our newspapers. I've done this twice before. 9 out of ten commenter's agree and comments from the Times Leader.
Now from the Times Leaders 'Leighton touts city’s progress at final town hall'
Once again I edited out the ones that are just insulting, irrational or made zero sense, Also a few were repeated, so I took them out for space reasons.

+Bruce
On drug and gang violence, the Mayor and his police chief don't have a clue. They reek of arrogance and need twice the number of cops they have. What good is a rehab'd downtown if you can't be sure you'll leave alive at night? How many officers are assigned to the "gang unit?" Do you even have a "gang unit?" What about drugs? What's being done to cut off the supply from New York and Philadelphia? Looks like that so called "town hall," was nothing more than "gimme another four years of taxpayer money to live off," meeting.

YAYA44
I'm afraid to critique Leighton, he may want to beat me up like he threatened to do to Yudichak.

soldier
Feel safe to walk downtown??? in broad daylight maybe, shootings in the parkade and on the streets, stabbings, fights outside downtown bars, cops being jumped and knocked out while responding to calls huge amounts of drug and gang acitivty.....and I should feel safe to walk downton...this is a small city these problems go unaddressed and are festering........SAFE? I laugh at this political bravado and challenge anyone who thinks the city is safe to prove me wrong.

Former City employee
Another taxpayer funded event for the Leighton for Mayor campaign! The entire front row of that picture is his staff! These numbers he throws out, $13 million spent on District C and 53 new businesses what is he talking about? Your reporter O'Boyle should question him on these numbers.

mjj
The mayor has done squat. He uses his position to improve his private business which is a conflict of interest. The mayor makes twice what the mayor of Scranton makes . Scranton is a far better place to be than WB in my opinion. Why is the downtown composed or restaurants only? What factories like manufacturing has Leighton attracted to Wilkes Barre? The apartments or should I say condos still remain vacant and will remain vacant at the prices being asked. Who is going to buy a condo without mass transit operating after 5:30? These are NY prices but they have transportation most of the day and night. Who are the owners of these condos and why are they silent? Why doesn't the TL send some cloak and dagger reporters into the business's on the square and ask them hows business. You will get an ear full.

Heights_Resident
It does not matter. Leighton wins even if he loses. If he wins, he runs his business out of the Mayor's office and draws over $80,000 a year while doing it. If he loses, he runs the business at his work office but still draws over a $40,000 a year pension from working only 8 years full time. While I get a tow truck pulling cars into an "unsafe" building that used to have a Fire Truck in it that protected me.

the_woodrow
How much did that 'movie' cost the city?

duke911
30 people turn out for final town hall meeting .........but half of them were administrative staff.........DOH !

And from 'Our endorsement Wilkes-Barre Mayor (Democrat) Tom Leighton'

YAYA44
I just keep thinking about that Old river road bakery deal.

Ralph_Edmunds
Generally speaking, the longer someone is in power, the more corruption seeps in. Leighton, a real-estate magnate, is responsible for converting a tax-generating property on South Main street in the heart of our city to a tax-exempt property putting yet even more burden on already stressed taxpayers. This is unconscionable. For a multitude of reasons, its time for a change.

Randall Flagg
How does a city of 40,000 people justify paying a mayor $80,000.00? The mayor of Pittsburgh, with a population of over 300,000 people only earns $16,000.00 more than Mayor Leighton.
Want something closer to home? The mayor of Scranton, with a city population larger than Wilkes-Barre, makes half as much as his Wilkes-Barre counterpart.
I swear Luzerne county residents are an apathetic bunch, who enjoy being screwed over by politicians. As long as the beer is flowing at the bars, everything is a.o.k. in Luzerne County.
It is disgusting.

Laura
He may have done all that but at what cost? Look at the city streets!! Downtown may look nice but you have to drive over HORRIBLE streets to get there.

dg1959
Anyone who would listen to this endorsement with any brains at all can see that the Wilkes Barre is a mess. And to endorse him. Please I thought the TL would have done itself a favor as well as the voters and stay out of it. The people of Wilkes Barre deserve better than the current Mayor.

And finally from 'Leighton lists achievements at town hall '

Former City employee
The Mayor once again uses his political position to hold his Election Rally, I mean Town Meeting to tout his accomplishments as the election draws near. Where were these meetings for the past 7 years? I thought the purpose of the meeting was for City officials to hear concerns from the residents not the residents hearing a paid for political ad!

TwelvePack
Let's not forget about the downtown nightlife achievements Leighton made. If you want to see overly intoxicated people vomiting and urinating in the street, fighting, committing acts of vandalism, etc., the downtown is the place to go.

333m
Wilkes Barre has been and is still a mess. Roads are a disgrace, no stores in the downtown, empty buildings, rampant drugs, no reason to go downtown. The city needs a lot more then Leighton.

Jeff Thomas
I like Leighton, but bragging about establishing an online presence seems a little extreme. Everyone has an online presence these days. it was the inevitable response to the changing times.
Furthermore, 250 cameras with no measurable results seems to be overkill. I know the room with all the screens looks cool, but I question the effectiveness of the system.
If Tom wants to get votes, he needs to distance himself from LAG Transportation, and do the right thing with the Old River Road Bakery. Sell it for a discounted price (NOT 39,000!) to the highest bidder.

Turk74
The Ice rink is the only project he created on his own. The other projects were from McGroarty. The theater, the coal st. widening, the transportation center, all McGroarty's administration. All Leighton did was torpedo McGroarty's project at the theater so his buddy Finlay could make out. Then it cost the taxpayers 5 million for the "hole in the ground". I don't hear him mention the "Call Center" project, Ive seen a picture with Leightons name as Chairman of Council, taken in front of the Call Center. Taxpayers lost Millions of Dollars on that project. His camera's haven't caught anybody important for 2 million bucks. Now he started cleaning the City up because the eelections coming. Where was Tommy boy the last 7 years? People aren't that stupid Tommy!

Ernest L. Schmid
800,000 people spending money at hotels, bars, restaurants, that puts money in the pockets of hotel owners, bar owners and restaurant owners. How does that help the taxpayers of the City of W-B ???? How does it put money back into the city, when most of them are in a KOZ zone ? Taxes have been raised, fees have been raised, but at least we have a facebook page...ain't that just great. As far as the streets being paved it was paid for by the people who drive and buy gasoline, with the fuel tax you pay at the pump, and the paving was long overdue.

COWBOY33
Still in bankruptcy???? Guess those millions of dollars wasted on the useless camera system could have been used better. The vast majority aren't in a neighborhood.
And "those people are spending money in our hotels"? Who uses the ice rink or goes to a movie and then stays in a hotel? Hired 29 officers??? Not new positions, just filling openings. 3 million to the fire dept? Wasn't that from a federal grant?
I remember over a year ago his press conference about computers for police. Still none in their cars..... though he said there would be. And the crime tip site? Could it be any more generic??? Check scranton's page for a real one.
Seems he likes to put his spin on things.

JoeLuke in reply to COWBOY33
Spin???You are a joke Cowgirl. Let me take your false info in order...
The cameras were obtained through a grant and if they were not applied for the grant would have went to some other project outside of W-B. The cameras are in EVERY neighborhood as they are in every park.
Coal Street rink built with grants. see note above about the money being spent elsewhere. So a family comes in from out of the area for a weekend hockey tournament and stays in a hotel. Chances are they take in the positive things that are in the community to include our movies and new restaurants. Hopefully they do not run into a negative officer like you, but chances are, you hide yourself pretty good instead of being a proactive officer.
Since I assume you are not a Police Chief, when is the last time you arrested a guy on a bench warrant? Since you were critical of Chief Duffy, I like to hear your record.
You said the Mayor just replaced 29 officers. Weren't there only 60-something when he took office and now there are more than 90. For that alone you should be thankful. Instead you sit behind your computer or phone and make negative comments all day.
The Fire Department has a bunch of new equipment and a new firehouse. Again, never enough...OHHHH the truck was paid for by a grant....Glad to see they are applying for these grants.
Computers in the car....Not sure I ever read about that, but sounds like more progressive ideas from the Chief...Again, you complain that it is not happening fast enough. lol
The city has email, a wireless city, a website and now a crime tip line...All done under Leighton's leadership. If you are such a good cop do some investigation and name another city in PA that has all of these. I will be waiting for your answer.

COWBOY33 in reply to JoeLuke

Sure ...web tips are progressive??? Yep, breaking news in 1992.... in 2010, not big news.
Magically you forget when he falls through with his promises. It was a big story.... technology in the city and how we were moving forward.
Ok, so where are the cameras in the neighborhoods? There aren't any!
As for the grants, yes they were applied for.... but they could have been applied for and used for much better things.3 million on a useless (for the most part) camera system so his buddies could start their own business....
Would much rather have seen police and fire get better equipment, and the roads paved. But hey, who needs money? I mean he can sell a bakery worth 250k for 39k. I guess the city didn't need that money.
And bankruptcy? Wasn't he touting how he has taken care of the cities finances? So which is it???
What city has those? Other then the Amish in Lancaster county most have e-mail,and webpage. W-B twp has had them for many years.

22 comments.... ONE pro Leighton. Kinda says something.
JoeLuke 'The Fire Department has a bunch of new equipment and a new firehouse. Again, never enough...OHHHH the truck was paid for by a grant....Glad to see they are applying for these grants.'

We needed the equipment, The newest Engine was a '97 with many problems, the best was a '91 also with many problems. The Ladder was a '76. So they HAD to be replaced.
We got a new fire station. He closed TWO! He said with 3 stations, the city would have adequate protection, and now he is poised to close ANOTHER!!
The Engines, the Ladder and Hollenback station were paid for with grants. Hope he doesn't hurt himself patting his own back for doing PART of his job.

Oh BREAKING NEWS, 5 or more stabbings in the city tonight. 1 at Stanton and Airy, More on Coal St. In 18 years I can't remember this much violence in one night. Do you feel safer? I don't.

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

Tettigoniidae

Yesterday, I saw a very rare creature.
Evidently, much like the Katydid (scientific name Tettigoniidae, which only comes out every few years), these only come out every 4 years. The Wilkes-Barre street sweeper! Oddly enough the 4 year cycle co-insides with the primary election, and can serve as a reminder to vote.

On a serious note, who does Leighton think he is fooling? I've lived here 6 years and have seen the street sweeper 4 times. And not only has our Dictator sent the street sweepers out, he had DPW guys out with brooms and shovels! He neglects everywhere but downtown for 8 years and we are supposed to forget that because he has our streets cleaned.

####
Leighton lists achievements at town hall
STEFFEN LIZZA Times Leader Correspondent

WILKES-BARRE – Mayor Tom Leighton met with the residents of the city’s East End, Heights and Mayflower sections Tuesday night to break down his administration’s accomplishments since 2004 and to answer questions from residents.

The meeting took place at the Coal Street Ice Rink, a venue built as the centerpiece of the Coal Street Park Project.

The mayor responded to the criticism that he essentially built the facility for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with public money noting that the Penguins use only about 4 percent of available rink time, which they pay for. The facility has brought in more than 300,000 patrons since it opened in 2009. Combine them with those of the R/C Wilkes-Barre 14 movie theater, which has brought in nearly 500,000 customers since 2006, to get more than 800,000 patrons who would not have normally come to the city, the mayor noted.

“These are people who are spending money in our restaurants, staying in our hotels and putting that money back into the city,” Leighton said.

Concerning neighborhood infrastructure, Leighton said that from January 2004 until March 2011, the city spent more than $47 million on improvements that include paving 162 streets or 39 miles of road, repairs to five bridges and three new parks.

Regarding public safety, the city hired 29 new police officers, placed 250 new surveillance cameras around the city, and reinstated the K-9 and SWAT units, Leighton said. Also, police received protective vests and 18 new vehicles. The city launched its crime line website ( www.wbcrimeline.com) that allows residents to report suspicious activity directly online.

A city with virtually no online presence before 2004 now also has a website with officials’ e-mail addresses and a Facebook page, the mayor said.

The Wilkes-Barre fire department received $3 million in upgrades for a new ladder truck, three new fire engines, and three ambulances.

All this Leighton said, with the city still technically in bankruptcy.
####

I wasn't there, but I've heard that Leighton turned a Town meeting into an election rally.
Real quick, lets look at these claims.
1. Coal Street Ice Rink has been up and running for a few years. How much revenue is it generating for the city?

2. “These are people who are spending money in our restaurants, staying in our hotels and putting that money back into the city,” Leighton said. But he also said 'the city still technically in bankruptcy.'

3. The Wilkes-Barre fire department received $3 million in upgrades for a new ladder truck, three new fire engines, and three ambulances. He makes it sound like the city paid for these! They were paid for with federal grants, and they replaced old, worn out equipment.

4. "the city hired 29 new police officers", Yes they did. They replaced retiring officers. Leighton tries to make it sound like these are extra officers. They are NOT.

If the city is 'technically in bankruptcy', maybe the 2.5 million from the casino would have helped. Instead it went into Leightons 'pet projects' like:
$1 million to city of Wilkes-Barre for the Northampton and Main Street mixed-use facility
$500,000 to city of Wilkes-Barre for the successful innovation center/small business incubator
$1 million to city of Wilkes-Barre for a wireless surveillance camera system. (The system cost a LOT more than this. This is just where the casino money went.)

We've got corruption, backroom deals, Constitutional rights violations, bullying, a camera system with no records, craters in our streets, our safety ignored, Community Development Block Grant Week annual allocation has been cut by 16.2 percent, or $342,610 (Hey if the old river road bakery is sold FOR WHAT ITS WORTH, it would make up more than the difference!) but don't worry, WE HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE NOW!!

Man, you need hip waders for this load of $hit.



Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

And more money WE have to pay

####
W-B firehouse activist’s rep seeks legal fees from city
Attorney wants $240K in compensation in Carey’s successful suit vs. the city.
By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter

SCRANTON – The attorney for city firehouse activist Denise Carey has filed court papers seeking more than $240,000 in legal fees and other costs associated with Carey’s successful suit against Wilkes-Barre City.

Attorney Cynthia Pollick of Pittston filed a legal brief Monday supporting her request for compensation in connection with Carey’s six-year battle with the city.

A federal jury awarded Carey, of Wilkes-Barre, $67,000 in compensatory and punitive damages following a trial in November 2008 for violations of her First Amendment right to free speech.

The panel determined Mayor Tom Leighton retaliated against Carey by seeking $11,000 in attorneys fees the city incurred in fighting a petition Carey circulated that opposed the closure of a fire station in the Heights section of the city. The jury rejected her claim for damages for defamation, however.

The city appealed the ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the verdict in February.

Under federal law, attorneys who represent plaintiffs in civil rights cases can seek compensation for each hour they worked on the case. The fees are in addition to any monetary award to the plaintiff.

In Carey’s case, Pollick initially sought $222,821 in attorney fees and costs following the trial based on a rate of $300 per hour. Those fees and costs increased by $17,492 for hours spent fighting the city’s appeal, for a total of $240,313, Pollick says in court records.

Attorneys for the city filed court documents in opposition to the fee request, arguing the hourly rate is excessive. They also contend the fees should be reduced because Carey did not prevail on each count of the suit.

U.S. District Judge Sylvia Rambo will review the court filings and issue a ruling at a later date.
####

If there was true justice in this city, Leighton would have to pay this himself. But instead the city (meaning we the taxpayers) have to foot the bill for his violating Denise Careys Constitutional Rights. Oh and add to that the money the city (We the tax payers) have to pay for his defense lawyers.

1. Backroom deals (like the no bid contract to disgraced ex-judge Conahan's medic unit)
2. Trying to sell city property for 8 cents on the dollar to a campaign contributor
3. Lying to county officials to get tax forgiveness to a campaign contributor
4. The largely worthless camera system (Costing us well over $2,000,000)
5. Violated contracts (like Citywide Towing's contract) so he could give it to a campaign contributor (that cost us over $225,000)
6. VIOLATED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, TWICE !!! (Denise Carey & the Hammonds). That's going to cost us over $275,000.
7. The Threats (I've been on the receiving end of some, Why? Because I dare oppose him.)

If you treat citizens as enemy combatants, eventually they will be.

If Leighton has his way the FD motto will change to "When Seconds count, The Engines are only Minutes away."

Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

The Old River Road Bakery is back in the news

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Judge reopens Old River Road Bakery lawsuit
By Andrew Staub (Staff Writer)Published: April 23, 2011

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton cannot escape the controversy surrounding the Old River Road Bakery.

In an about-face from a previous order, a federal judge on Friday reopened a lawsuit in which a Wilkes-Barre couple accused Leighton and assistant city attorney William Vinsko of violating their due process rights by stopping them from buying the Old River Road Bakery so it could be sold to a Leighton and Vinsko associate at a deeply discounted price.

U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo, in a March 30 ruling, had dismissed the lawsuit saying Antonia and Tyler Hammond's complaint did not pass constitutional muster and did not adequately explain the "nexus" between the city and the associate, Leo A. Glodzik III.

The judge reopened the case, though, after the couple filed an amended complaint last week that named Glodzik as a third defendant and accused Leighton and Vinsko of directing him to violate the Hammonds' constitutional rights.

The violations arose, the couple argued, when the city supplied "false and misleading information" about the bakery, abruptly removed it from a 2009 county tax sale without notification and allowed or directed Glodzik to destroy their personal property and build a fence that encroached onto their property.

After removing the property at 250 Old River Road from the tax sale, the city sold the property to Glodzik for $38,000, even though the county had assessed the property's value at $478,300.

Leighton had served as Glodzik's real estate broker, while Vinsko had incorporated several businesses for Glodzik. The Hammonds' lawsuit pointed out both relationships and said Leighton and Vinsko's actions "amount to what could be considered insider (city) trading in connection (with) city properties as well as ethics violations since there is a clear conflict of interest."

Leighton, Vinsko and city spokesman Drew McLaughlin did not return phone calls seeking comment. When Caputo dismissed the lawsuit last month, Leighton released a statement that said he, Vinsko and the city "always acted in good faith and did not violate anyone's constitutional rights."

Reached Friday, Glodzik declined to comment about the lawsuit.

"I don't know anything about it," he said. "This is the first I'm hearing about it."

Glodzik pays about $50,000 a year for an exclusive towing contract with the city and often has donated to Leighton's political campaigns. The lawsuit alleges Glodzik built a fence that encroached on the Hammonds' property and then bragged about his relationship with city officials when Antonia Hammond told him she would call city hall.

Glodzik told her, "Go ahead, (they're) all my buddies," according to the lawsuit.

In his March 30 ruling, Caputo noted that government officials can be held liable for the unconstitutional conduct of their subordinates.

The Hammonds have 14 days to file a brief explaining why Caputo should accept the amended complaint.
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Just to recap:
Old River Road Bakery was scheduled to be sold at the Sept. 16 2009 tax sale conducted by the county. One day before the sale the city removed the property from the sale list.

The selling of the old river road bakery to LAG towing for $38,000 when it was appraised at $478,300. That's less than 8 percent of the value!!!
8 cents on the dollar. That's like selling gas for 30 cents per gallon!!! And the mayor says he is fiscally responsible. "We were very thankful to get $38,000." Leighton said (Oct 9 2009 Citizens Voice)

Mr. Leo Glodzik donated more than $10,000 to Leighton's campaign in the last four years. He also owns LAG Towing. There is also the "city's" (AKA Leightons) aquizition of several vehicles, of questionable quality and legality but with a HIGH price tag, from Glozdik's in laws (payback?). This is under investigation.

The City asked the county commissioners to forgive $42,349 in back taxes which they did with the understanding the city would acquire it and sell it to a developer for townhouses. LAG is in the towing business not construction.

Leighton has said the city intervened because the building was deteriorating. The city would have no control over who bought the property at a tax sale, which means the city could risk a new buyer who would not clean up the site, Leighton said.

LAG is a towing company. What do you think they will do with the property? I think the will store damaged, leaking cars there.
Does that sound 'Cleaned up' to you? No? Does it sound like MORE of Leightons political lies? Yeah, I think so too.




Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote

An Interesting Question

I've been asked, more than once about this. Once upon a time, During its fire, Salernos tavern had one of Leightons worthless cameras pointed at it. Now Salernos 'went up' in a blaze of arson. Where is the camera footage? According to 'legend' it exists, I haven't seen it. The camera FAILED exactly when the arsonist would have been leaving. Convenient, you say? I agree, even with the camera system going down if a pigeon craps within 10 feet. What about before the fire? Wouldn't 'Big Brother' have caught them going in? Who knows, maybe the planets didn't align. But here is another interesting bit O' info. The camera was removed and NOT replaced.


Dan Emplit WBFD
AKA Don Quixote