How Does The Media Let Eachus Spokesman Get Away With His Comments

Back in 2009 Eachus Spokesman Brett Marcy made this statement to the press about Todd Eachus and Bonusgate.

HDC spokesman Brett Marcy said Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

In the very same article Todd Eachus had this to say.

Eachus wanted to make it clear that the subpoenas were not served by the attorney general or any law enforcement agency, but by the defense. He said he and current HDC staff have “cooperated fully” with the attorney general’s investigation.

On Decembere 4, 2009 Dennis B. Roddy and Tom Barnes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote this article, House leadership invited to testify to grand jury.

HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has invited the state House majority leader, the man he displaced in that job and the state secretary of revenue to appear before the panel, a move that has presaged charges against others who received such letters in an ongoing corruption probe.

The letters went to State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, the House majority leader; State Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, who served as majority leader until Mr. Eachus succeeded him in a caucus shakeup; and Revenue Secretary Stephen Stetler, a former eight-term Democratic House member from York.

Eachus never testified. So let's get this straight. Eachus makes the claim he fully cooperated but his spokesman says Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

The deception doesn't stop there. Statements are being made about Michael Manzo, admitted participant in the Bonusgate proceedings.

In February, 2010 Fox News 43 out of York ran this story.

HARRISBURG - The former chief of staff to the House Democratic floor leader testified Monday that none of the people who were given bonuses out of state funds for working on campaigns ever turned down or returned the money.

Mike Manzo spent a fifth day on the stand in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of former Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three of his ex-aides.

Manzo also told the jury he never asked any of the caucus lawyers directly about the legality of handing out cash rewards from the state treasury for election efforts.

"I knew what the answer would be," said Manzo, who previously testified that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

There were months when 90 percent of his e-mails concerned campaigns, Manzo said.

He said he has run his own public relations and communications company, Hurzo LLC, for about a year.

"I still design strategies for folks who work in the House," Manzo said.

Brett Marcy, a spokesman for current House Democratic Leader Todd Eachus, said Manzo has not been doing work for the caucus and is not being paid by the caucus.

That isn't what Michael Manzo said Mr. Marcy. He said he worked for folks who work in the House. However, Michael Manzo was former chief of staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

So we have a spokesman who states Eachus was never approached by law enforcement but Eachus stating he fully cooperated. We have a former chief of staff testifying about his role in Bonusgate but a spokesman stating he doesn't work for the Caucus now.

Keep the count. Brett Marcy is the spokesman for Eachus as Majority Leader. David Georges is his campaign spokesman. In this article we have a new spokesman for the House Majority Leader, Bill Thomas.

Three people need to tell us what Todd Eachus has to say. But the one person, Attorney General Tom Corbett, who asked Eachus to speak for himself was met with silence.

We Are Determined To Build Positive Name Recognition- Todd Eachus 1996

March, 1996 Campaign '96 Update- Todd Eachus Campaign Flyer

The House Democratic Campaign Committee has announced that a fund raising event has been scheduled for Todd Eachus in Harrisburg on April 4, 1996. State Representative Mike Veon, Chairman of HDCC and Democratic Minority Leader William DeWeese are prime sponsors of the event.

"Like the French Fleet at Yorktown, we will be there with all guns blazing", said DeWeese emphasizing the assistance Democrats plan to give challenger Todd Eachus to unseat Tom Stish.

"I am honored that the Democratic Leadership has taken such a public stand and concern about this race in the 116th District."

Jury convicts ex-Pa. lawmaker Mike Veon in public corruption trial- March 22, 2010

Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese charged in Bonusgate scandal- December 15, 2009

Is that what Eachus meant by building Positive Name Recognition?

Is this what he meant by guns blazing?

Mr. Eachus Define Term Limits

In an August 1996 mailing Todd Eachus stated he was for term limits.

"Tom(Stish) is a career politician who has been on the public payroll throughout his career; first with the public school system and now with the State of Pennsylvania... I, on the other hand, believe in term limits. We should expect public service, not self service."

It is now 2010. I was just wondering what Mr. Eachus considered an appropriate time to keep his campaign promise. Mr. Eachus claims that Tom Stish was a career politician. Todd Eachus has been in office since 1996. Nuff said. One has to wonder how the teachers feel when Todd Eachus made it sound like something illegal to work in the public school system.

His reference to serving as a Congressional staff member including serving under Paul Kanjorski.

Tara Toohil Calls On Eachus To Respond To Bonusgate Allegations

In today's Standard Speaker staff writer Sam Galski is reporting that Tara Toohil, candidate for the Pa. House of Representative seat in the 116th district is calling out House Majority Leader Todd Eachus to answer questions surrounding his role in the Bonusgate investigation and misuse of taxpayer funds conducted by Attorney General Tom Corbett's office.

Toohil issued a news release Tuesday that sets a 5 p.m. Thursday deadline for the incumbent to respond to 10 questions about the legislative corruption scandal that has led to several convictions and charges against House lawmakers and staffers, charging that Eachus has repeatedly refused to answer questions regarding his involvement. Toohil contends that constituents deserve answers to the questions, which she says she e-mailed to Eachus Campaign Spokesman Dave Georges.

"His name has repeatedly surfaced in the Bonusgate investigation even being named as a close ally to convicted felon and former State Representative, Michael Veon," Toohil wrote. "According to published reports, Representative Eachus's own aide, John Paul Jones, testified before the Grand Jury that Representative Eachus directed state employees to work primarily on political campaigns while on state time. Jones admitted that he did political work for Mr. Eachus while operating under the cover story that he was a legislative research specialist making $62,000 a year in state money."

She demanded answers to the following questions:

How much taxpayer money was spent on political work by state employees under your direction? During what time period did this occur?

Did you ever utilize state resources improperly in order to assist in campaigns?

Were you aware that your employees were doing political work on state time?

Have you ever used the term "soft dollars" in referencing state money that you directed to be used for political campaigning?

Did you personally make campaign phone calls out of your legislative office?

Did you direct John Paul Jones to do political work on state time?

Did you authorize bonuses (paid with state money) to state employees who did campaign work?

Have you discussed your involvement in Bonusgate with your employees or with your former ally and convicted felon Michael Veon?

Why do you refuse to answer questions from the media regarding your involvement in the Bonusgate Scandal?

"Representative Eachus, the people who put you in office deserve answers to these questions," Toohil wrote. "As an elected official you do not have the right to remain silent when it comes to answering to the public.

Eachus Campaign Spokesman Dave Georges tried to deflect Toohil's public call for answers about the "Bonusgate" scandal on Tuesday, saying Toohil should instead take a position on pertinent issues such as mine land reclamation, job creation and programs that could help veterans returning from the Middle East.

Here was Eachus's statement back in February about the pending closing of veteran outreach centers in Pennsylvania.

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-116, Hazleton, and Rep. Ken Smith, D-112, Dunmore, vowed to bring together all the relevant state agencies and organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to try to work out a solution that meets veterans' needs while recognizing budgetary realities. That's political speak. What is really means is that Pennsylvania doesn't have the money to continue to fund these outreach centers because the legislators are taking the money for themselves in the form of per diems, expense accounts, lavish pensions, and "country club" health benefits.

As to the issue of jobs and the mine reclamation project currently being conducted by Hazleton Creek Properties one only has to turn to this statement made by Paul Kanjorski, former boss of Todd Eachus. I understand that many workers rely on this project for jobs. Todd Eachus has been the representative of "NO" on this project from the beginning. It has brought at least 10 new police officers to the City of Hazleton. Maybe it is Todd who should explain his stance against Lou Barletta and the City of Hazleton.

A open question to David Georges. You said rather than question Todd Eachus Toohil should instead take a position on pertinent issues such as mine land reclamation, job creation and programs that could help veterans returning from the Middle East. Are you saying that public corruption and all that has happened in Harrisburg and Luzerne County aren't "pertinent"? What a commercial for Toohil.

On the subject of the "Party of No"

Mr. Eachus- His Inconvenient Truth

The Inconvenient Truth was a movie made to expose the myths and misconceptions about global warming touted by Al Gore. If Mr. Gore ever bothered to read history this planet has frozen over at least 4 times in its 4.8 billion year existence. The warming occuring now is just another event in the evolution of this planet.

Reducing carbon emissions is not going to prevent the warming of the planet. As our star, the sun, continues to die it will expand. The outer core temperature will increase and the sun itself will expand. We need to leave this planet. Not today, not tomorrow, but a couple of billion years from now. The movie was his "inconvenient" sham on planet Earth.

The Standard Speaker ran an article on December 7, 1995. If you want to check it for yourself go to the Hazleton Public Library. They have it on microfilm. That must be the reason legislators like Todd Eachus want to defund the libraries in Pennsylvania's budget. If you eliminate the learning centers of America you dumbdown your public, a politician's dream goal.

In his annoucement "Eachus is running for state rep's seat" he panders "Now is the time for fundamental change in Harrisburg," he declared "We must put an end to midnight votes on pay raises for legislators. We have been taxed and WAM'ed(WAM is "walking around money" that state lawmakers dole out as they see fit) until we can't take it anymore."

Lets roll the tape forward to 2005. Pennsylvania legislators including now House Majority Leader Todd Eachus used a "midnight vote"(actually it was 2A.M.) to approve an illegal pay raise according to this article from Human Events.

"Harrisburg is one of the sleaziest state capitals in the country," said Jake Tapper, Washington correspondent for Salon, and that was before he saw the sleaze that oozed from under the closed doors of the state Legislature at 2 a.m. one recent night after the politicians voted themselves an illegal pay hike.

The pay increase is illegal because, by allowing legislators to pocket the new money in the form of "unvouchered expenses," it violates Article 2, Section 8 of the state constitution, which specifically forbids legislators to collect new pay raises until they've been re-elected.

"It's illegal to give yourself a raise now," says Temple University Law School professor David Kairys. "If you want to give yourself the raise and call it lunch money, that's not going to make it legal."


In a mailing he wrote on August 5, 1996 Eachus stated "For almost eight years you have been represented in Harrisburg by Tom Stish. Tom is a career politician who has been on the public payroll throughout his career; first with the public school system and now with the State of Pennsylvania. He has constantly flip-floeed on the issues and most recently compromised his integrity and voter trust in an attempt to save his political career.

I, on the other hand, believe in term limits. We should expect public service, not self service"

Eachus once wrote "When I give my word I keep it!" Eachus failed to give back the illegal pay raise reneging on his word about midnight pay raises. He is the king of WAMS mostly recently appearing in a full page photo op passing out $10,000 checks to look good. He was elected in 1996. Can he explain what he means when he says he "believes in term limits?"

Look at his attack against Tom Stish being a teacher.- Tom is a career politician who has been on the public payroll throughout his career; first with the public school system.- I guess there is something "dirty" about using taxpayer money to pay for teachers to educate our children.

In his door flyer he is leaving around he states that 115,000 more senior citizens added to PACE and PACENET. The real truth is that in 2006 he passed a law to add 120,000 seniors to those programs but the enrollement figures on PACE's website fail to support that assertion. Seniors are admitted to and leave those programs on a yearly basis. But the total number of seniors remained pretty much constant. As of June last year there were actually less seniors on both programs than in 2006.

Todd Eachus was prompted by Bill DeWeese to run for Stish's seat. Bill DeWeese is now facing charges resulting from the Bonusgate investigation.

One of DeWeese's former aides, Kevin Sidella, testified that in 2002, he and DeWeese were alone in a vehicle, driving from the state Capitol to DeWeese’s apartment, when Sidella asked him about the propriety of the research he was performing. DeWeese’s response, Sidella told Linglestown District Judge William Wenner: “Our saving grace is everybody does it.” Everybody includes Todd Eachus according to emails and testimony about his role.

Gort wrote about Eachus's mailing concerning his support for the cargo airport proposed by Robert Powell and associates. Robert Powell plead guilty last July 1st for failing to report a felony.

Eachus single handedly wiped out the campaign debt of his former friend, Michael Veon. In March, 2010 Veon was found guilty on 14 counts in connection with his role uncovered in the Bonusgate investigation. He was sentenced to 6-14 years in prison as a result of his conviction.

Eachus is trying to warm up to the taxpayers with failed promises and "people feel good rhetoric". There are many who see right through it.

There are, in the body politic, economic and social, many and grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man whether politician or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, in business, or in social life. I hail as a benefactor every writer or speaker, every man who, on the platform, or in book, magazine, or newspaper, with merciless severity makes such attack, provided always that he in his turn remembers that the attack is of use only if it is absolutely truthful.—Theodore Roosevelt

Eachus Support For Cargo Airport

Back in June, 2007 Gort wrote a post about Todd Eachus inserting language in a transportation bill to secure $16.5 million in funding for the proposed fantasy cargo airport near Hazleton. Mistakenly my friend thought the gaming money was supposed to used for property tax relief.

Supporters of a proposed cargo airport in the Hazleton area are eyeing slots revenues to help pay for the $500 million project. State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, inserted a $16.5 million authorization for the cargo airport in a new House bill listing projects under the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

According to this Times Leader article in May 2008 by Jerry Lynott, Eachus also tried to secure $250 million in funding for the airport throught the issuance of state bonds which you and I would have had to pay back.

If this project was so worthy of such an effort why doesn't he back it today? Heck he was proud at one time to be associated with Robert Powell. He even took over $17,000.00 in contributions from the chap.

Eachus Arrogance Towards Taxpayers

Just today I received a flyer from Todd Eachus inviting me to a "Community Converstaton" with him. "As your state representative, I look forward to listnening to your concerns...." Talk about the most disingenous statement by a too long time legislator. Here is the REAL Todd Eachus.

TOOHIL TO EACHUS: COME CLEAN ON STAFF SALARIES

In recent reports, Representative Eachus declined an interview when requested by the media. In a statement, Representative Eachus said, "Our personnel offices uses industrywide best practices and standards, much like any other public or private organization, for salaries, ranges and job classifications." However, Eachus went on to say, "Beyond that we don't discuss details of our personnel decisions."

Tarah Toohil, Candidate for State Representative in the 116th Legislative District, finds these type of responses to be unacceptable. "This is a classic example of Representative Eachus being out of touch with the people who elected him. The behavior of our legislature and its leaders is gluttonous and arrogant and the people of the 116th District and the people of Pennsylvania are demanding better."

Toohil stated, "When asked by the media, Eachus will not explain his policies. He refuses to be accountable. He refuses to be transparent even when the people and the media are demanding it. Even with the Bonusgate Grand Jury finding that our legislature is living in a 'time warp of public corruption', that it is one of the most bloated and excessive legislatures, and that it should be cut back to part-time in order to save the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars... Representative Eachus refuses to change his ways and it is unacceptable."

Toohil argues that in light of the Bonusgate findings, details of personnel decisions such as salary raises, disparities among legislative staffs, and job descriptions and qualifications are going to be discussed. The public has a right to know exactly how its money is being spent and misspent.

John Baer of the Philadelphia Daily News has a response.


For one thing, there's scant evidence beyond lip service that our "leaders" understand or empathize with the pain so many taxpayers feel from job loss, furloughs, frozen/reduced salaries and slashed benefits and pensions.

Rep. John Yudichak hits a home run with this statement.

Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne County, says the Legislature "has to put more on the table," including long-hoarded leadership accounts, which he figures at about $200 million and calls "a padded reserve to buttress leaders."

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER TODD EACHUS..do you think he is talking about you. Let me tell you about a concern...or better yet..let me play this video....



At one time you were proud to take Robert Powell's money. You have yet to return it....You took an illegal pay raise...yet to pay it back...Spend WAM money...does Tom Stish's campaign remind you of some statements.....Illegal midnight pay raises....ohhh yess... Will the Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up?

Eachus Has Help Wanted Ad Out

From John Micek's Mailbag:

PA House Majority Leader Todd Eachus seeks Field Director for 2010 re-election campaign.

For Todd Eachus's exclamation that he isn't worried about Tara Toohil he has opened a campaign office, conveniently next to his district office in Hazleton, and is going to put together a real campaign. Dang...

More on Today's Standard Speaker article:

Tara Toohil said Eachus' taxpayer-funded mailings that gauged residents' concerns for the "community conversations" were not necessary.

Toohil said Eachus could have knocked on doors to find that out instead of sending out the mailing to announce the meetings. Toohil also wanted to know how much was spent on the mailings.

Thomas said the mailings are directly related to constituent service and came from that fund. He said the mailings have no relationship to the upcoming election. Citing a series of meetings held last year, Thomas said, the mailings and meetings are "purely legislative" and meant to inform people.

Campaign "96 Update
Have You Seen Tom Stish? You probably have not seen him, but he has been consuming thousands and thousands of your tax dollars sending you annoying junk mail. "This is an outrage", "This certainly is an abuse of the office."---Todd Eachus March 1996

Eachus's Community Conversations- Soft Dollars?

Amanda Christman of the Standard Speaker reported on Todd Eachus's announcement of "Community Conversations" he is going to hold in his legislative district.

If you have a concern or question you've been wanting to ask a state legislator in person, now is your chance.

State Rep. Todd A. Eachus, D-116, will host three "community conversations" this month in different locations.

The first event will be held Wednesday at the Conyngham Borough Municipal Building, 215 Main St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Eachus said in a prepared statement the events will allow constituents to ask questions, express concerns and provide input regarding state and local issues. Eachus will also provide information on the state budget.

Community conversations will also be held Aug. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Freeland Northside Community Ambulance Association, 417 Johnson St.; and Aug. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Church Street Station Intermodal Facility, 126 Mine St., Hazleton.

Choosing the Intermodal Facility sight is laughable. Eachus refused to help Mayor Barletta secure funding for the building. But it gets better.

Tara Toohil, Republican candidate for the 116th district running against Eachus said Eachus' taxpayer-funded mailings that gauged residents' concerns for the "community conversations" were not necessary. People's concerns, she said, remain with government corruption, job availability and property taxes. Toohil said Eachus could have knocked on doors to find that out instead of sending out the mailing to announce the meetings. Toohil also wanted to know how much was spent on the mailings.

Thomas said the mailings are directly related to constituent service and came from that fund. He said the mailings have no relationship to the upcoming election. Citing a series of meetings held last year, Thomas said, the mailings and meetings are "purely legislative" and meant to inform people.

He said state legislature has rules to prevent taxpayer money fueled campaigning.

Evidently Bill Thomas missed this Grand Jury Testimony about Mr. Eachus.
Brad Bumsted reported on the testimony January 3, 2010.

In grand jury testimony, former aides identify him as aggressive and portray a politically ambitious lawmaker climbing the ladder in the House. He previously served as policy committee chairman and also chaired the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Former staffer John Paul Jones said he was brought onto Eachus' staff "solely" to do political work. He said he had a "beard assignment" that he was supposed to be working on "alternative energy" issues.

"But you didn't study alternative energy?" a prosecutor asked him. "No," Jones told the grand jury.

Jones testified that Eachus wanted to spend "soft dollars" through state-paid public service announcements so the campaigns would spend less of their resources.

There were occasions, Jones testified, where he and another aide were called in to provide staff support so Eachus could make fundraising calls in his office.

Hmmmm..Mr. Thomas would you like to revisit your quote?

Eachus Slammed Over Name Game

The Daniel Coxe Memorial School was opened in 1896. The school is now gone, and in its place is a Senior Center.

The editorial staff at the Times Leader wrote a stinging Opinion column faulting Todd Eachus for accepting a name honoraium for the Freeland Senior Citizens Center.

On January 3,2005 fire struck the Daniel M. Coxe Memorial Senior Citizens Center located at 701 Chestnut Street in Freeland. It destroyed the building. The center was rebuilt but the Daniel M. Coxe name was removed and replaced with Todd Eachus's name.

Daniel M. Coxe was an Estate Agent for the Coxe heirs and the Coxe Estate lands according to this document from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It goes on to describe the files located at the society.

The General Estate File spans a broad subject area, but has a particular emphasis on the usage of estate lands through a variety of sales, leases, deeds and permits. An inside look into the various business associations of the estate can be seen through large sections of correspondence dealing with the Jeddo-Highland Coal Company, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company and numerous other regional contractors. Information pertaining to the estate’s relationship with the surrounding communities of Hazleton and Drifton is included among a wealth of material associated with the region’s social and economic development. The arrangement of this section adheres to its original filing system while in the estate’s Drifton office.

As you can see the Coxes were instrumental in the social and economic development of the Greater Hazleton Region. Sophia Coxe was known as the "Angel of the Anthracite Coal Region".

Subseries 3. Sophia Coxe Christmas Festival, 1884-1898 (Boxes 565-566)
Sophia Coxe, wife of Eckley B. Coxe, was known as the “Angel of the Anthracite Coal Fields”. She acquired this nickname through her countless acts of charity for the people of the Lehigh Field. Sophia was a benefactor of numerous institutions and established several charitable trust funds, which continue to support institutions such as the MMI Preparatory School and Lehigh University into the twenty-first century.
Sophia also hosted annual celebrations in Drifton on the 4th of July and Christmas Eve, the latter of which is documented in the papers of this subseries. Between 1877- 1925, Sophia played Santa Claus to 2,000-4,000 children of the region. With the assistance of her personal secretary, she would buy an assortment of presents and candy, and create extensive gift-distribution lists so that the children would not receive the same present each year. Similar gifts were given to the children of St. James Episcopal Sunday School, the Children’s Seashore Home in Atlantic City, as well as the residents of the Almshouse of the Middle Coal Field and patients of the State Hospital in Hazleton.

The Sophia G. Coxe Charitable Trust Fund exists until this day benefiting many of the less fortunate in Southern Luzerne County including Freeland.

The board of directors of the Freeland Senior Citizens Center took away the Daniel M. Coxe designation and renamed the center the Todd Eachus Senior Citizens Center. Shame on them. Mr. Eachus didn't do anything extraordinary to earn that naming right. If the board believes that the only thing standing between them and the taxpayers of the Commonwealth's money was Todd Eachus then they are sadly mistaken. Their project was worthy on its own merits. As the editorial aptly points out the board isn't the only one to blame.

Mr. Eachus had a morale duty to turn down the naming of the building after him. But this issue wasn't about what is right. It is about ego, plain and simple. Unlike Tara Toohil, Mr. Eachus wasn't raised in this area. He didn't help with its economic expansion. As a matter of fact his actions as an elected official have prevented expansion.

The editorial states it best.

Our beef, of course, isn’t with any single lawmaker or the appreciative recipients of government grant money.

Rather, our concern is what this name game, as highlighted in staff writer Andrew Seder’s articles Sunday, says about the culture in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Aren’t the schools, colleges, arts organizations and other institutions that affix living politicians’ names to their buildings simply trying to curry favor – and potentially get closer to the front of the line for future handouts? Aren’t they bothered by kowtowing and being beholden – or at least perceived to be – to a “powerful” person?

And for incumbent lawmakers, don’t those plaques, marquees and prominent signs equate to free campaign advertising? (Banks, casinos and other companies pay beaucoup bucks for naming rights to this area’s most popular destinations; it’s called marketing. Why do some lawmakers get similar treatment for free?)

Shouldn’t the sites – paid for, at least in part, with the taxpayers’ money – more aptly be named the Citizens’ Center, the People’s Plaza or Taxpayers’ Theater?

We find the name game almost as disingenuous and distasteful as when elected officials show up at ribbon-cutting ceremonies and project openings to be photographed with those big cardboard checks (aka your tax dollars).

Boards of directors should be more discriminating when choosing names for their buildings.

In this article that appeared in the Standard Speaker on November 22, 2009 there was praise all the way around for help by the Freeland Senior Citizens organization in their time of need.

And while McClellan and the seniors all felt a sense of joy being in their "new-old" home, she also reflected on the immense help St. Michael's offered the organization during the group's stay there.

"We really appreciated them taking us in and everything else they did for us. They took us in on the spur of the moment. We were able to open up there a week after the fire happened at our old place. In fact, the fire happened on a Monday night, and by that next Monday we were set up with a contract so we got back to work," McClellan said.

She also thanked Freeland Mayor Tim Martin, who she added never shies away when the center is in need.

"Mayor Martin has always been very helpful. Anytime we ever needed anything, he helped us and was right there. He's been so great and we really appreciate him, too."

It was a collaborative effort that kept the Freeland Senior Citizens Center going as a viable operation. Todd Eachus should do the right thing and ask that his name be removed and the Daniel M. Coxe name be restored. I believe that article mentioned St. Michael's not Saint Todd. For Eachus to usurp so much history behind the Daniel M. Coxe name is loathsome.

Tara Toohil Thinks State Government Is "Broken"

Standard Speaker veteran reporter Mia Light informs her readers about election issues Tarah Toohil feels are the important points of her campaign for State Representative in the 116th district.

"I think the government is broken. I think it has gone so far afield from the way that government was intended to be," Toohil said during a meeting with the Standard-Speaker editorial board recently.

"(The issue of) property taxes is huge."

"People are still so upset about the gambling money. People remember that last year's state budget hinged on that gambling money and senior citizens remember that they were supposed to get a tax break with that money."

She is in favor of term limits. And she believes fiscal responsibility begins with trimming a lot of the government's own fat.

"Government was supposed to have representatives that are just like everyone else in the community. They weren't supposed to be career politicians."

"The legislature we have now, they're always serving themselves with perks and per diems that are out of control to the point of becoming like an additional salary. That's the biggest problem with the legislature. Rather than being an honor and a privilege to serve their community, they feel we should pay them with excessive perks and pensions."

She believes elected officials should liken themselves to the British House of Commons. "The House of Representatives was supposed to be like in the British Parliamentary System, the House of Commons."

Most people aren't familiar with the British system but here are some highlights. Click on this link to see the expense reporting requirements for Members of Parliament(MPs).

Members of Parliament ARE REQUIRED to list ALL their expenses unlike PA legislators and they are published on a free website for public review. Travel costs, stationery and postage costs, details of catering functions and events hosted by Members, repayments made against all claim types, and net totals, reflecting the repayments made against the original claims are searchable on the net for the public's curiosity and right to know. THERE ARE NO PER DIEMS.

In June 2009 more than a million documents and receipts were published online. These related to MPs' claims dating back to 2004/05 and up to 2007/08.

In December 2009 these pages were updated to include information about MPs' claims for costs incurred when staying away from their main home in 2008/09 and the first quarter of 2009/10.

Parliament publishes
"The Green Book" which serves as a guide to MP allowances. Pennsylvania legislators have a $10,000 no receipt expense account, free health care, fully paid vision and dental coverage, free prescriptions, fully paid life insurance and long-term care insurance, and the 50% increase in pension benefits the legislators awarded themselves nine years ago.

In order to see what expenses are reimbursed to Pennsylvania legislators you must submit a right to know request. In Britain all you have to do is boot up your computer and have at it.

If Pennsylvania legislators were truly interested in reform quick adoption of this reporting system would be a start.

One other piece of information. In 2009 Members of Parliament were paid the equivalent of $103,918.00(The current annual salary for an MP is £65,738). Keep in mind that is to run a country. They must account for all of the public funds they spend.

Todd Eachus's salary is over $115,000 and Paul Kanjorski's salary is $175,000 plus. Why voters keep returning them to office is beyond me.

Remember That Property Tax Decrease From Casino Money?

Get ready to hold onto your wallet. Come next year it will be several hundred dollars lighter thanks to the pension grab of 2001. This article from WGAL claims property taxes could increase by as much as $500.00.

Property owners in Pennsylvania will see their school property tax bills leap by an average of about $500 due to the public pension problem, according Tim Allwein, assistant executive director of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

"If nothing is done by the state Legislature to solve the issue, school districts are facing huge property tax increases and huge cuts in educational programs," Allwein said.

Starting in 2011-12, state government and school boards are mandated by law to boost contributions to the pension programs of Pennsylvania's two largest systems -- the State Employees Retirement System and Public School Employees Retirement System.

The Legislature passed the laws in 2001 and 2002, then mandated the extra costs be delayed for 10 years.

The estimated cost of the extra contributions -- $6 billion, or $5.2 billion more than what's being paid now.

To put that $5.2 billion figure in perspective, that's about one-fifth the size of the entire $28 billion state budget. When Gov. Ed Rendell this February proposed a state spending plan that would increase the budget by $1.15 billion, his political opponents in the Legislature slammed him for such a drastic increase in spending.

Now, imagine adding $5.2 billion to state and school spending. That's the reality facing the Legislature and school districts starting in 2011-12.

The money has to come from somewhere, likely tax revenues in some form or another. It's guaranteed by law to state employees and retirees.

You can read about the background of the pension problem here. Thank Todd Eachus and Phyllis Mundy for their part in this problem.

How State Government Is Laying Landmines In The Way To Recovery

You may not like him but Dick Morris wrote this great article on how s tate governments are part of the reason the economic recovery is illusive. They are laying landmines in the way to recovery.

Until now, the problems in these states have been papered over by federal aid. Essentially, Washington has relieved these states (and the local governments they fund) of their constitutional obligations to balance their budgets by giving them welfare checks in the nick of time. Obama now seeks to pass $50 billion in additional welfare to the states.

But since these federal funds are not necessarily recurring — and the jobs and obligations they fund are — they simply enlarge each year’s deficit hole and enable the states to go more deeply into the red.

As these deficits mount — particularly if a newly elected Republican House and/or Senate refuse to fund them — bondholders will get more and more nervous. Eventually, they will realize that the less solvent states are bankrupt and will refuse to buy their debt. Eyes in Sacramento, Lansing and Albany will turn helplessly to Washington to guarantee their debt, just as Athens turns to Berlin.

On the left will stand Obama, the unions and the Democrats demanding bailouts for the states and, truly, an end to our federal system of government. Once Washington guarantees state debt and spending, there will be no more state governance, only national rule.

On the right will stand a Republican Congress refusing to do so unless the states declare bankruptcy and cleanse themselves of the union agreements that got them into trouble in the first place. The GOP will point out that state funding is leaking as surely as the Deepwater Horizon oil well and polluting our nation’s balance sheet as badly in the process.

The current General Fund budget passed by Pennsylvania legislators relies on $850 million in Medical Assistance aid. To date the state has relied on federal stimulus money to mask the gap in income vs. expenses for Pennsylvania. Legislators are continuing to forestall the pain of the pension crisis caused by their majority back in 2001. Senate Republican Dominic Pileggi warned of a $4 billion to $5 billion deficit.

What was the Democratic response? Increase the legislative budget while making libraries and parks take the hit. Here's a no brainer. Libraries and parks are free for the most part. In these tough economic times lets take away some free enjoyment for our constituents but make them pay more in taxes while we tell them how good things are and while we make sure our legislative jobs are protected.

Forget that children can swim, play in the sand, throw a baseball with family, throw a frisbee with the dog, walk among the birds and animals in the forest, stare for endless hours at a stream hoping to see a fish makes its way through the crystal clear water, take a fishing rod to catch a fish which gives the child a sense of accomplishment, smell the fresh pine needles, see birds perched in trees and bushes watching humans as much as humans watch them. Forget that reading is the most important tool for learning.

Forget that Todd Eachus and Paul Kanjorski accuse Lou Barletta of polluting his community while DEP's budget was slashed almost 30% last year and another 9% this year while per diems were saved.

Todd Eachus has told those who went to see him that their section of the economy must "take a hit". Mr. Eachus,when is it your turn? Did you lack the instestinal fortitude to do the right thing because it is an election year? Is it part of your incumbent protection plan? I liken incumbent protection plans as the Mafia for politicians who don't have confidence in the decisions they made while in office.

You stand on street corners as a campaign tool to wave to people. Why don't you stand at the opening to the parks and libraries and try the same thing? Oh..forgot they aren't important enough.

Mr. Kanjorski, you are correct that Cornerstone Technologies has been hashed out in previous elections. What hasn't been hashed out is how the $10 million spent on that project didn't result in long term jobs, just like the stimulus money. Mr. Eachus calls them WAMS and Kanjorski calls them earmarks. Either way they are really pork for the political appetite. Enjoy your ribs this holiday weekend while the rest of us ponder on the lack of confidence of recovery.

Maybe we should start our own campaign against landmines. It's known as the opposite of incumbent protection. We call it "Incumbent No Relection".

House of Greed- State of Despair

Newspaper after newspaper are giving a thumbs down to the on-time delivery of the Pennsylvania General Fund budget. Much to the chagrin of our illustreous solons the media is not taking the bait to pat them on the back for a job well done.

The Philadelphia Inquirer assessment. Pennsylvania's state budget meets the deadline... but it's still one ugly baby

Opinion in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Faux budget: Hey, Harrisburg, your work's not done

Assessment of the budget by Pennlive.com Pennsylvania budget: What it means to you

Editorial that appeared in the Times-Shamrock publications. Lawmakers pass sacrifice to others New budget contains many cuts in service

It is painfully obvious that many legislators are going to have a tough re-election battle come this fall. It is evident that the Democratic party attacking the Repulicans over fiscal conservancy will surely cost them dearly. But the Repulicans are not without blame over the lack of cuts in the legislative budget. Per diems, per diems, per diems. That is a message Harrisburg will hear loud and clear.

It in unconscionable that a legislator making a minimum of $78,314.00 per year demands another $163.00 TAX FREE PER DAY to perform his or her work. Don't let any legislator fool you. Eachus keeps saying what he takes is legal. It's only legal because he gets to make the rules. Its like saying you think a hole in golf "shouldn't be PAR 4 I'll change it to PAR 8".

The unaccountable expense account, fully paid healthcare, dental, eye, vision, too generous pension, car allowance, and telephone provisions plus franking privileges will not be tolerated in a 10 plus percent unemployment environment well into its second year.

To thumb their nose at constituents will go down in history as a period in Pennsylvania government when the legislature finally subcombed to a culture of greed. Not all legislators are greedy but those that aren't need to step up to the plate with a voice much louder than what we are hearing from the House Majority Leader.

Mr. Eachus allowed the power of the leadership to haze his understanding of the needs of those he represents. Families are affected directly by his decisions and votes. He ignores that possiblity when he tries to attack his opponents. He quickly forgets what he did to the people of the 116th who once supported him. Well, come November, he will be reminded.

He can't be Majority Leader unless he gets re-elected. Of course from the ramblings in Harrisburg his tenure will be cut short anyway if he is. His bully style of leadership, the same way he deals with certain constituents, has a short leash of toleration.

Pennsylvania will earn the nickname "State of Despair" unless its leaders or those who should be leaders step forward and do the right thing. Don't tell us you eliminated wasteful spending, DO IT!

What Budget???

The Capitol Building in Harrisburg should be renamed the Spin Machine building.

From the Commonwealth Foundation:

Pennsylvania Education Spending

•Pennsylvania's education spending increased from $4 billion in 1980 to over $25 billion in 2009-a 133% increase in per-pupil spending (from $6,171 to $14,420, in 2010 dollars).
•Since 2000, enrollment has decreased by 26,960 while schools have hired 32,937 more staff members.
•School district fund reserves are almost eight times the amount of Gov. Rendell's proposed $354 million increase in state subsidies.

A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania

A Taxpayer's Budget 2010: Responsible Spending for Pennsylvania identifies opportunities to cut over $4 billion in wasteful state spending in Gov. Rendell's proposed FY 2010-11 budget. The report also offers a series of recommendations for resolving the current revenue shortfall and reducing the size and burden of government on Pennsylvanians.

State government consumption and spending of taxpayer money have grown dramatically in recent years. Since 1970, Pennsylvania's total operating budget has increased from $4.2 billion to $65.9 billion, an inflation-adjusted increase of over 167%.[1] As a share of state personal income, Pennsylvania's operating budget rose from 8.8% in FY 1970-71 to an estimated 13.2% in FY 2009-10-an increase of more than 51%.[2]

The effect of this tax-borrow-and-spend agenda has not produced the promised economic revitalization, but stagnation. During Ed Rendell's tenure as governor, Pennsylvania ranks 32nd, 41st, and 39th in job, personal income, and population growth, respectively, among the 50 states.[3]

On October 9, 2009, after an unprecedented 101-day delay, the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved, and Governor Ed Rendell signed, a $27.8 billion General Fund Budget for FY 2009-2010. A revenue shortfall has since emerged, and politicians will be scrambling to fill a multi-billion dollar budget gap with rising pension contributions and the disappearance of federal "stimulus" dollars on the horizon. Against Commonwealth Foundation recommendations, the FY 2009-10 budget exhausted the state's "Rainy Day" fund and other one-time revenue sources. A Taxpayer's Budget 2010 offers budgetary and public policy alternatives to deal with this fiscal crisis.

A Taxpayer's Budget 2010 identifies wasteful and unnecessary programs in the state budget and off-budget agencies and offers recommendations for improving government services and reforming the budget process for greater efficiency. Our recommendations are organized into three sections:

•Eliminate Wasteful Spending: A Taxpayers Budget 2010 identifies $4.13 billion in spending cuts - $1.00 billion from the state General Fund Budget, $2.21 billion from other operating funds, and $926 million from the capital budget and off-budget programs.

•Adopt Market-Based Delivery of Government Services: Spending on public education, benefits for state workers, and Medicaid is growing far beyond taxpayers' ability to pay. By adopting market-based reforms in the delivery of services, state government can not only reduce costs, but improve quality.

•Adopt Spending and Budgetary Transparency Reforms: Transparency in government spending and instituting performance-based budgeting would help identify and eliminate wasteful expenditures, as shown in other states.
Before imposing tax increases on working Pennsylvanians and job creators, Harrisburg policymakers need to prioritize spending, justify all $66 billion in state spending, and cut waste from state government.

Pennsylvania ran up a $3 billion loan to the U.S. government that will need to be repaid back starting the end of this year according to this article by LARA BRENCKLE of The Patriot-News.

The submitted budget document relies on $850 million coming from the federal government for Medical Assistance that has not been passed by Congress or the Senate yet.

Pileggi warned that even if a new budget is approved by the deadline, a state revenue deficit in the range of $4 billion to $5 billion will await the new governor-elected in November

Finally the fiscal bill that must accompany the budget that spells out where the revenues will come from that are delineated in the budget has not been passed. Legislators will tell you that budget is in place

In recent days, House and Senate leaders expressed a determination to enact a on-time budget for the first time during Mr. Rendell's tenure. But this feat will likely be accomplished by leaving action on the fiscal bill, which is normally part of the budget package until later in the week. The fiscal bill is important because it spells out where the revenues originate. The agreement doesn't provide for a tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars or a hike in the state cigarette tax, as Mr. Rendell had sought.

It's like writing checks out of a checkbook but not calling the bank to find out if the funds are there or not. This budget is nothing but a political document so incumbents can make a "claim" they got it done on time. In reality it is a misrepresentation of a failed effort to meet their obligation and the duties of their office. Inflated figures, bogus income, and maintenance of per diems don't qualify Rendell to call this a "conservative" budget.

Tara Toohil Reaches Milestone In Her Campaign

Tara Toohil issued this press release


TOOHIL REACHED BENCHMARK 2,500 Doors

Hazleton, PA- Candidate for State Representative, Tarah Toohil has knocked on over 2,500 doors and plans to reach another 7,500 households before the General Election on November 2nd, 2010. Toohil is running a grassroots campaign that consists of visiting constituents at their homes in order to communicate her message. Toohil is concerned with bringing more jobs to the area, reducing property taxes, and working to better our schools.

"Voters have been very receptive and are ready for new representation down in Harrisburg. People in our community are hoping to put a fresh face into office because they are fed up with politics as usual," stated Toohil.
People also want to talk about the corruption in the legislature. People want to know why the local media isn't reporting more on these issues.

Toohil's response is that she "will work to eliminate unethical practices and restore honesty and transparency in government."

It's Not My Fault- Eachus Skips Drama

Pennylvania's solons have been less than sensitve to citizens who are more sensitive to taxation than ever. More importantly the legislators' commitment to quality government is not their first priority. Unfortunatley the convictions of Michael Veon and Brett Cott demonstrate that incumbent protection and re-election are the main focus of the occupants of the seats within the Capitol Rotundra.

Witness the mentality of Mike Dawida to blame the media for the corruption in Harrisburg.

"So what has happened to seemingly reverse the requirement of ethical behavior by lawmakers and (as) a result put them on the chopping block by citizens weary of conflict and corruption? ... First and foremost is an alteration in the way the media covers Harrisburg ...," Mr. Dawida complains. The flow of information is not guided by any "wisdom, discretion or ethics," he laments.

"A 'herd' mentality rules that leads to the media overpublicizing a few of the most salacious items and under-reports all else. Another way of putting it is that there is no reward for good behavior developed by solid long term efforts. ...

"(N)ow only the sensational and scandalous get coverage and the thundering herd tramples the ground so thoroughly that the only thing the public learns is of little value."

If only the media would report all the good stuff that legislators do, there wouldn't be all that corruption, he effectively says. Thus, "Lawmakers being eminently practical follow the easier road to re-election.

In his miniscual mind he believes the media is responsible for the unacceptable behaviors in Harrisburg. Just this week I heard a story about Todd Eachus getting a ride in a "Ford" over his per diems. He claimed innocence and said his taking of per diems was legal. He forgets that he wrote the law and its provisions so no Todd, it was only legal because you and your fellow cronies devised the system that way. If you ask us as citizens who are more sensitive to taxation than ever stop the malarcky and get to work.

Some Number Crunching In The PA 116th And The US 11th

Using this Pennsylvania government website one can ascertain what municipalities comprise a legislative district. Todd Eachus represents the 116th district- Hazleton, Hazle Township, Butler Township, Freeland Boro, Black Creek Township, Conyngham Boro, Foster Township, Jeddo Boro, Sugarlaof Township, West Hazleton Boro, and White Haven Borough.

Gary Visgaitis, graphics artist award winner for the Times Leader put this graph together for his reading audience that lists the voter registrations by municipalities.

The PA 116th voter registration comprises 18,618 Democrats and 11,932 Republicans. According to the Luzerne County vote tally link on the right 30.81 percent of the Democrats registered voted in Luzerne County and 29.81 percent of the Republicans registered voted in this primary.

There is no reason to believe that those percentages varied widely among municipalities. If one multiplies the number of registered voters by the respective percentages that turned out at the polls it tells an interesting tale. Eachus received 3,655 out of the approximately 5,736(18,618 times 30.81 percent or .3081) that cast ballots on the Democratic side or around 63.72 percent. That means that 36 percent of the voters on the Democratic side skipped him on the ballot.

Likewise Tara Toohil, Eachus's opponent in November, received 2,764 out of the approximately 3,512 (11,932 times 29.81 percent or .2981) that cast ballots on the Republican side or around 78.7 percent. For a newcomer only 21 percent skipped her on the ballot.

Those stats spell trouble for the House Majority Leader who should be able to garner a heck of alot more votes due to his leadership position. Of course it is no secret that Eachus lost touch with his constituents and lost their trust with the per diems, owning a second home in Harrisburg, and his association with Robert Powell. His bold move against John Yudichak and extreme loss by Tom Leighton whom he openly supported only spells further erosion of any juice he might have.

It clearly demonstrates he is in trouble in Harrisburg. Bill DeWeese won his renomination bid. Last time we checked DeWeese and Eachus were at each other's throat over lawyer confidentiality in Bonusgate. We're pretty sure Yudichak will be returning to Harrisburg with a few unpleasant memories that he will want to address.

If you really want to see a disturbing number for candidates click on the Lackawanna County link to the right. Out of 40,217 registered Democrats who actually cast ballots in this primary on a total of 24, 122 voted for either Kelly, O'Brien, or Paul Kanjorski. That is an undervote of almost 40 percent.

If you click on the Monroe County link and go down to the "Representative in Congress 11th Congressional District" then click on "View by Precinct" Kanjorski and Barletta's vote count are side by side. Look at the numbers. Paul, things aren't looking too good for you in November.

Some Pennsylvania Race Results

Some Pennsylvania Race Results.

U.S. Senate Democratic Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Joe Sestak 564,444 54%

Arlen Specter 481,566 46%


U.S. Senate Republican Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Pat Toomey 667,069 81%

Peg Luksik 151,776 19%


PA Governor Democratic Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Dan Onorato 459,703 45%

Jack Wagner 246,923 24%

Anthony Williams 183,080 18%

Joseph Hoeffel 129,389 13%


PA Governor Republican Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Tom Corbett 584,847 69%

Sam Rohrer 266,383 31%


PA Lt. Governor Democratic Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
H. Scott Conklin 316,324 35%

Jonathan Saidel 311,546 35%


PA Lt. Governor Republican Primary
99% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Jim Cawley 209,241 26%

Chet Beiler 163,750 21%

Daryl Metcalfe 101,335 13%

Jean Pepper 66,516 8%


U.S. House, District 6 Democratic Primary
100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Manan Trivedi 21,339 51%

Doug Pike 20,667 49%


U.S. House, District 6 Republican Primary
100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Jim Gerlach (Inc.) 35,241 80%

Patrick Sellers 8,909 20%


U.S. House, District 8 Republican Primary
100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Michael Fitzpatrick 33,634 77%

Gloria Carlineo 6,526 15%


U.S. House, District 13 Republican Primary
98% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Carson Dee Adcock 14,421 48%

Brian Haughton 7,159 24%


U.S. House, District 15 Republican Primary
100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
> Charles Dent (Inc.) 31,573 83%

Mat Benol 6,551 17%


U.S. House, District 17 Republican Primary
100% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Dave Argall 20,585 32%

Frank Ryan 19,656 31%

Josh First 14,860 23%

Allen Griffith 8,376 13%

U.S. HOUSE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT- DEMOCRAT
LUZERNE COUNTY
(WITH 154 OF 154 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Paul E. Kanjorski. . . . . . . . 14,723 52.57
Brian Kelly. . . . . . . . . . 6,771 24.17
Corey D. O'Brien . . . . . . . . 6,421 22.92
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 94 .34
Total . . . . . . . . . 28,009

U.S. HOUSE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT- REPUBLICAN
LUZERNE COUNTY
(WITH 154 OF 154 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Lou Barletta . . . . . . . . . 11,286 99.24
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 86 .76
Total . . . . . . . . . 11,372

Senator in the General Assembly 14TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT- DEMOCRAT
Vote for not more than 1
(WITH 121 OF 121 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
John T. Yudichak . . . . . . . . 15,448 68.52
Tom Leighton . . . . . . . . . 7,024 31.16
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 72 .32
Total . . . . . . . . . 22,544

Senator in the General Assembly 14TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT- REPUBLICAN
Vote for not more than 1
(WITH 121 OF 121 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Stephen A. Urban . . . . . . . . 6,299 97.61
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 154
Total . . . . . . . . . 6,453

Representative in the General Assembly
116TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT- DEMOCRAT
Vote for not more than 1
(WITH 33 OF 33 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Todd A. Eachus. . . . . . . . . 3,522 WRITEIN. . . . . . . . . . . 133 Total . . . . . . . . . 3,655

Representative in the General Assembly
116TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT- REPUBLICAN
Vote for not more than 1
(WITH 33 OF 33 PRECINCTS COUNTED)
Tarah Toohil . . . . . . . . . 2,734 98.91
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 30
Total . . . . . . . . . 2,764

From these results it is apparent that Paul Kanjorski has an uphill battle against rival Lou Barletta to keep his seat.  There were overe 12,000 votes against Kanjorski in Luzerne County.

Steve Urban has no chance against John Yudichak in the PA Senate race.    It was interesting that the word on the street was Todd Eachus made claims Tom Leighton was going to carry Hazleton by a 2 to 1 margin.

Todd Eachus shows definite vulnerability given his open campaign against John Yudichak and the small difference in total votes vs. Tara Toohil's count.  Tara is a newcomer to the scene. 

Eachus's vulnerability with his closeness to Robert Powell despite his protestations about being concerned with juvenile rights coupled with his multiple name appearances in court documents including an invitation to appear before the Grand Jury related to Bonusgate and collecting over $27,000 in per diems supporting the mortgage on his second home in Harrisburg means he will have to work hard to repair his image.  Eachus's condencending attitude towards his constituents will make that battle all the more difficult.

There's A Scandalous Practice At The Voting Polls In PA

That's right folks. It is unbelievable what is occuring at Pennsylvania's polls across the state according to Dan Hirschhorn's blog PA2010.com.

"Sordid" he says.  Lou Barletta as well as other well known scandalous practitioners are taking children into the voting booth. Wait a minute...where's the booth???

Gabriel, grandson of Lou Barletta, seems to be intently focused on the democratic process. Did I say "Democratic" while Republican Lou Barletta was listening???

Tara Toohil who will be facing Todd Eachus in November was spotted voting with the girls. It's contagious teaching kids democracy I tell you!