Here are our weekly editorials from the past 7 weeks ...

This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 30 and Thursday, July 1

OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 and THURSDAY JULY 1, 2010 6-14 YEARS IN JAIL, $100,000 RESTITUTION, & AT LEAST $37,000 IN FINES FOR FORMER HOUSE DEMOCRATIC WHIP MIKE VEON! BEFORE SENTENCING, VEON SHOULD HAVE NEVER ASKED THE JUDGE TO CONSIDER HIS WORK ETHIC, HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, & HIS TIRE- LESS WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE. THE JUDGE ORDERED VEON TO JAIL IMMEDIATELY & VEON WAS LED AWAY IN SHACKLES. THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WORLD. VEON WAS FOUND GUILTY OF 13 FELONY & 1 MISDEMEANOR CHARGES INVOLVING GOVERN- MENT CORRUPTION. HE COULD HAVE FACED 73 YEARS IN JAIL. PROSECUTORS SAY VEON USED PUBLIC RESOURCES TO EXPAND HIS POLITICAL POWER & GIVE DEMOCRATS AN EDGE AT THE POLLS. VEON WAS ACCUSED OF HAVING STAFFERS CONDUCT OPPOSITION RESEARCH & FUNDRAISING FOR CANDIDATES ON STATE TIME WITH STATE RESOURCES. VEON WAS ACQUITTED OF 45 CHARGES INCLUDING THAT HE BILLED TAXPAYERS FOR $22,000 AFTER BASKETBALL GAMES WITH FELLOW LAWMAKERS WHILE HE COLLECTED PER DIEMS FOR FOOD & LODGING. SENTENCED WITH VEON WAS FORMER VEON OFFICE MANAGER ANNAMARIE PERRETTA-ROSE- PINK. SHE GOT 3 TO 6 MONTHS IN JAIL, 3 MONTHS HOUSE ARREST, 45 MONTHS PROBATION, $33,000 FINES & RESTITUTION. SHE WAS CONVICTED ON 5 OF 22 COUNTS. SHE FACED UP TO 25 YEARS IN JAIL. SHE WAS FREED ON $25,000 BAIL PENDING APPEAL. BRETT COTT, A FORMER TOP RESEARCH ANALYST, GOT 21-60 MONTHS IN JAIL & $61,000 IN RESTITUTION & FINES. HE WAS CONVICTED ON 3 OF 42 CHARGES. COTT COULD HAVE FACED 17 YEARS IN THE SLAMMER. A FORMER DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION, STEVE KEEFER, WAS ACQUITTED OF ALL 16 COUNTS THAT HE FACED. VEON & PERRETTA-ROSEPINK FACE ANOTHER CORRUPTION TRIAL LATER THIS YEAR. BOTH ARE ACCUSED OF MISUSING MILLIONS OF STATE DOLLARS GIVEN AS GRANTS TO A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THEY RAN, THE BEAVER INITIATIVE FOR GROWTH. VEON'S LAWYERS LOBBIED FOR VEON'S RELEASE FROM JAIL TO PREPARE FOR THIS NEXT COURT CASE. A JUDGE DENIED THAT REQUEST. WE WERE NEVER A FAN OF MIKE VEON. HE PROJECTED A COCKY ATTITUDE. NOT ONLY WAS HE INVOLVED IN THE 2005 PAY RAISE FIASCO, HE WAS THE ONLY STATE LAWMAKER TO VOTE NO FOR RESCINDING THE LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISE. WE'RE HAPPY VEON'S TAXPAYER-FUNDED FINE DINING OPTIONS WILL SWITCH FROM LOBSTER RAVIOLI TO SOY SAUSAGE PATTIES & BEAN PASTE. HARRISBURG LAWMAKERS SHOULD TAKE A GOOD LIKE AT MIKE VEON BEING LED AWAY TO JAIL IN SHACKLES & REMEMBER--THIS IS WHAT AWAIT ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO VIOLATES THE PUBLIC'S TRUST. I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 24

OLDIES 1410 WLSH Editorial for Wednesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 24 DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF GOVERNOR ED RENDELL, AKA GOVERNOR ED SPENDELL, AKA FAST EDDIE. OUR CRITICISMS HAVE BEEN MILD COMPARED TO A RECENT BLISTERING COMMENTARY IN THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW. HERE IT IS: ED RENDELL, THE LAME DUCK DEMOCRAT PA. GOVERNOR WHO HAS DONE MORE TO SCREW UP THE KEYSTONE STATE ECONOMY THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNOR IN HISTORY, CONTINUES HIS SHAFT THE TAXPAYER TOUR 2010. AND NOW, HE'S DEFINING "MANHOOD" BY HOW DEEP ONE CAN INSERT THE SHAFT. IN PITTSBURGH ON TUESDAY (THAT WAS JUNE 8TH), GOVERNOR MACHO TOLD STATE LEGISLATORS TO "MAN UP" & VOTE FOR TAX & FEE INCREASES HE'S PROPOSED TO HELP ERADICATE A NEARLY $2 BILLION BUDGET HOLE. AND WHAT THE HEY, CHESTER THE WALLET MOLESTER ADDED, ALL THE POLS' WORRIES ABOUT BEING BOOTED FROM OFFICE FOR VIOLATING TAXPAYERS YET AGAIN ARE OVERBLOWN. MR. RENDELL BRAGGED--BRAGGED, MIND YOU--THAT NOT 1 INCUMBENT LEGISLATOR WHO VOTED FOR A 2003 STATE INCOME TAX HIKE WAS SENT PACKING. THEN GOV. SHAFT YOU WENT ON TO BRAG--BRAG, MIND YOU--THAT HE WON RE-ELECTION 3 YEARS LATER "BY A MARGIN OF ALMOST 22%." "SO, MAN UP," HE ADVISED LEGISLATORS. HOW ARROGANT. HOW PUTRID. HOW DESPICABLE. AND THIS FROM THE SAME GOVERNOR WHO JUST LAST WEEK (THE WEEK OF MAY 31ST) WAS CAUGHT IN A SEEDY OPERATION THAT HAD AWARDED AN OUTSIDE PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM A CONTRACT TO SPEND $30,000 IN TAXPAYER MONEY FOR WHAT SOME IN RENDELL'S ADMINI- STRATION WERE CALLING "THE LEGACY PROJECT"--A PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN TO TOUT THE SUPPOSED "SUCCESSES" OF HIS PROGRAMS. JUST ABOUT EVERY ECONOMIC INDICATOR PLACES PA. IN THE "EMBARRASSING" CATEGORY. AND THIS CLOWN WANTS TO SUCK MORE PRIVATE DOLLARS OUT OF THE ECONOMY TO COVER HIS SORRY BEHIND? THAT'S NOT MANLY; THAT'S DECEITFUL, IGNORANT, & JUVENILE. THAT JUNE 10TH PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW EDITORIAL IS ON TARGET IN SUMMING UP ED RENDELL. LET'S DISCUSS FAST EDDIE'S LEGACY. 7 STRAIGHT YEARS OF BUDGETS PASSED AFTER THE CONSTITUTIONALLY-MANDATED DEADLINE. THIS COULD BE THE 8TH YEAR. FAST EDDIE IMPOSES HIRING FREEZES YET PLACES POLITICAL CRONIES ON THE STATE PAYROLL WITH BLOATED SALARIES EXCEEDING THOSE OF MOST ELECTED STATE LAWMAKERS. THE COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION REPORTS FROM DECEMBER, 07, THE START OF THE GREAT RECESSION, THROUGH APRIL, 2010, PA.'S PRIVATE SECTOR SHED OVER 281,000 JOBS--A DROP OF 5.5%. DURING THAT PERIOD, STATE GOVERNMENT GREW BY OVER 5,000 JOBS OR 3.2%. SINCE EDDIE'S 1ST LATE BUDGET IN 03, STATE SPENDING INCREASED AT MORE THAN DOUBLE THE INFLATION RATE. IF FAST EDDIE HAD SIMPLY KEPT INCREASES TO THE RATE OF INFLATION, PA. COULD HAVE A REVENUE SURPLUS RATHER THAN ANOTHER BILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL. FAST EDDIE HAS PUMPED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE GOVERNMENT-RUN SCHOOL SYSTEM AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. SINCE 2000, PA. STUDENT ENROLLMENT HAS DECLINED BY NEARLY 27,000 STUDENTS. YET, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS INCREASED BY ALMOST 33,000 PEOPLE. FAST EDDIE'S TAX & SPEND LEGACY WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS ALRIGHT. IT'S AN 8 YEAR LEGACY OF SHAFTING THE TAXPAYER AT EVERY TURN TO PERPETUATE BLOATED STATE GOVERNMENT. I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17

OLDIES 1410 WLSH Editorial for Wednesday, June 16 and Thursday, June 17 THE MEDIA IS STILL DIGESTING A 34 PAGE GRAND JURY REPORT--A REPORT SUGGESTING THE PA. LEGISLATURE LIVES IN A "TIME WARP" OF PUBLIC CORRUPTION & MUST MAKE SWEEPING CHANGES. THIS IS THE SAME GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING THE BONUSGATE CORRUPTION CASE. THE TIME WARP QUOTE COMES FROM A RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WHO TESTIFIED PA. IS STILL DOING WHAT ALL THE STATES DID IN THE 1950S & 1960S & PA. HAS NOT CAUGHT UP WITH ETHICS & ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS MOST STATES HAVE ADOPTED. SOME OF THE REFORMS SUGGESTED IN THE GRAND JURY REPORT INCLUDE CONVERTING TO A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE. THAT'S BAD NEWS FOR 253 LAWMAKERS & 2,919 STAFFERS. CONVERTING TO A PART-TIME CITIZEN LEGISLATURE WOULD REDUCE SALARIES & STAFF. STATE REPS AVERAGE 9 STAFFERS & STATE SENATORS AVERAGE 17 STAFFERS EACH. TERM LIMITS FOR LAWMAKERS WAS SUGGESTED PLUS CONVERTING STATE REP TERMS TO 4 YEARS. LAWMAKER PER DIEMS WERE ATTACKED. IT'S SUGGESTED PAYMENTS BE AT LEAST PEGGED TO ACTUAL EXPENSES. PA.'S CAUCUS SYSTEM WAS SLAMMED. IT'S SUGGESTED REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRAT CAUSUSES SHOULD END & SPECIAL MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTS BE ELIMINATED OR AT THE VERY LEAST MADE PUBLIC. IT'S PROPOSED ALL HIRING BE DONE BY A NON-PARTISAN HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT PARTISAN HIRES. HOUSE DEMOCRAT & GOP PRINT SHOPS, TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENTS & PERSONNEL OFFICES SHOULD BE MERGED. AS A RESULT OF THE BONUSGATE INVESTIGATION THE GRAND JURY ASKS TO HALT PAY & BENEFITS TO STAFFERS ON LEAVE TO CAMPAIGN, & BAN LEGISLATIVE AIDES FROM ENTERING CAMPAIGN OFFICES DURING WORK HOURS. IT'S REPORTED THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH A SCATHING REPORT BY AN INVESTIGATING GRAND JURY IS RARE. COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGE BARRY FEUDALE NOTED THAT IN HIS PREFACE. BUT THE JUDGE, WHO SUPERVISED THE JURORS INVESTIGATING BONUSGATE THE PAST 2 YEARS, SAID HE TOLD THEM THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO TAKE THAT STEP & ISSUE A REPORT. WILL PA. SEE ANY OF THE SWEEPING CHANGES SUGGESTED IN THE GRAND JURY REPORT. DO YOU EXPECT LAWMAKERS TO VOLUNTARILY GO FROM FULL-TIME TO PART-TIME STATUS & TAKE A CUT IN PAY & BENEFITS? DO YOU EXPECT LAWMAKERS TO PASS TERM LIMITS ON THEIR OWN JOBS? DO YOU EXPECT TRANSPARACY TO OCCUR IN THE REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRAT CAUCUSES AFTER DECADES OFSECRECY? MANY LAWMAKERS HAVE RESPONDED AS EXPECTED TOWARDS THE GRAND JURY REPORT. STATE SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH, WHO WANTS TO END PA.'S DEATH PENALTY, WROTE SOME AMUSING COMMENTS.HE BLASTED THE PART-TIME LEGISLATOR IDEA CLAIMING MOST OF HIS COLLEAGUES WORK 70-80 HOURS A WEEK, EVERY WEEK & STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP. HE SAYS THE IDEA OF LEGISLATORS FORFEITING THEIR PAY WHEN A BUDGET ISN'T PASSED ON TIME IS NONSENSICAL. LEACH DOES NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF TERM LIMITS EITHER. LEACH'S ASSESS- MENT OF LEGISLATORS: THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ARE EXTREMELY SMART, HARD-WORKING, COMPLETELY HONEST PEOPLE. THE NOTION THEY'RE CORRUPT IN ANY WAY IS WITH A FEW RARE EXCEPTIONS PLAIN FALSE. tHUS ANY REFORMS BASED ON THIS NOTION ARE ILL-GROUNDED. SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE CAREER POLITICIAN. MANY OF THE GRAND JURY SUGGESTIONS CAN ONLY OCCUR BY CHANGING THE STATE CONSTITUTION. THAT CAN TAKE TAKE YEARS UP TO A FULL DECADE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A BILL WILL POP UP CALLING FOR A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE. THAT BILL USUALLY GETS STUCK IN SOME COMMITTEE & DIES. THE TIMING OF THIS REPORT COUPLED WITH MOUNTING MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICITS MAY BRING ABOUT CHANGE. VOTERS HAVE SIGNALED SOME ANGER IN THE PRIMARY. A LEHIGH VALLEY STATE REP LOST ALONG WITH VETERAN SENATOR ARLEN SPECTOR. DOES THAT ANGER RUN DEEP ENOUGH TO FORCE REAL CHANGE. LAWMAKERS SHOULD HEED THE GRAND JURY'S ADVICE & "HEAL THYSELF". I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10

OLDIES 1410 WLSH Editorial for Wednesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 10 EVER THOUGHT WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WITHOUT A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT? JUST ASK THE FOLKS IN DUNMORE. LAST MONTH, DUNMORE VOTERS SAID NO TO A 25 MILL TAX TO FUND ITS STRUGGLING FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VOTE WASN'T EVEN CLOSE--4,022 NO TO ONLY 681 YES--THAT'S ALMOST 6 TO 1. IF THE REFERENDUM WOULD HAVE PASSED, THE AVERAGE PROPERTY OWNER IN DUNMORE WOULD SEE TAXES JUMP $500 NEXT YEAR. IT'S AMAZING 681 PEOPLE WOULD EVEN VOTE YES FOR SUCH A BIG TAX INCREASE. MAYBE THEY'RE FIREFIGHTERS OR FOLKS WITH CLOSE TIES TO FIREFIGHTERS. MAYBE THEY DON'T OWN PROPERTY. THE SPECIAL TAX WOULD GENERATE OVER $2 MILLION. WHY IS SUCH A HUGE TAX INCREASE NECESSARY? DUNMORE HAS A PAID, UNIONIZED FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH 17 FULL-TIME PLUS 28 PART-TIME CAREER FIREFIGHTERS. THE DUNMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COVERS 8.8 SQUARE MILES OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, & INDUSTRIAL ZONED AREA THAT INCLUDES 2 INTERSTATES & MANY BUSY STATE ROADS. THE SCRANTON TIMES TRIBUNE REPORTS EACH DUNMORE PAID FIREFIGHTER COSTS THE COMMUNITY ABOUT $99,440 IN ANNUAL SALARY & BENEFITS. IT'S REPORTED THE AVERAGE SALARY OF A DUNMORE FIREFIGHTER IS $54,936. DUNMORE'S ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF IS THE HIGHEST PAID AT $61,063. DUNMORE KICKS IN $22,092 PER FIREFIGHTER FOR PENSIONS. WORKMANS COMP & LIFE INSURANCE IS $6,472 & HEALTH INSURANCE IS $9,839 PER FIREFIGHTER. IT'S REPORTED DUNMORE FIREFIGHTERS ARE UNDER A CONTRACT THAT WAS DECIDED IN ARBITRATION & VALID THRUOUGH 2012. DUNMORE IS NOT FLUSH WITH MONEY. LIKE MANY PLACES AROUND HERE IT HAS ITS SHARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS ON FIXED INCOME. IT HAS AN $11 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET. IT'S STUCK WITH $14.5 MILLION IN LONG-TERM DEBT. THE PRESENT TAX RATE IS 33 MILLS--THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED. TOWN LEADERS ARE TALKING BANKRUPTCY OR APPLYING FOR DISTRESSED BOROUGH STATUS. DUNMORE COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT PAUL NARDOZZI WAS QUOTED: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO PAY THE FIREFIGHTERS WITH--MONOPOLY MONEY? WITH DUNMORE VOTERS SAYING NO TO A SPECIAL TAX INCREASE TOWN LEADERS HAVE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. IN ADDITION TO BANKRUPTCY & DISTRESSED STATUS THEY'RE EXAMINING ACROSS THE BOARD CUTS THAT CAN AFFECT FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE COVERAGE & OTHER TOWN SERVICES. HOW WOULD YOU REACT IF YOU WERE FACED WITH A WHOOPING 25 MILL TAX INCREASE TO PAY FOR UNIONIZED FIREFIGHTERS? YES, WE CAN BE THANKFUL FOR OUR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS. BUT, IT'S GETTING TOUGHER EACH YEAR FOR THESE VOLUNTEERS. IT'S TOUGHER TO FIND HELP TO STAFF THE MONTHLY ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFASTS & BINGO GAMES, THE SUMMER BLOCK PARTIES, & OTHER FUNDRAISERS. VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS--THEY ARE AS OLD AS THE COMMUNITIES WE LIVE IN. THEY NEED MONEY TO FUNCTION JUST LIKE WE DO. MOST ALREADY GET SOME TAX SUBSIDIES. BUT THOSE SUBSIDIES DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO MEETING ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT. THUS THE NEED FOR FUNDRAISERS--LOTS OF FUNDRAISERS. THE LAST THING WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS A UNIONIZED, PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE ALREADY SEE WHAT IT IS COSTING THE POOR PEOPLE OF DUNMORE. THAT'S WHY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR OUR ELECTED LEADERS IN HARRISBURG TO GET BEHIND OUR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WITH ADDITIONAL HELP & MONEY. I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3

OLDIES 1410 WLSH Editorial for Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3 PA'S 2010 INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT CARD RELEASED LAST WEEK BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS IS NOT PRETTY. WE'RE LOOKING AT THE KEYSTONE STATE IN CRISIS. PA. WAS GRADED IN 12 INFRASTRUCTURE CATEGORIES. PA. SCORED THE DISMAL GRADE OF D- FOR ITS ROADS, MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS, & STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. PA. RECEIVED A D+ FOR ITS DRINKING WATER, NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS & SEWAGE TREATMENT. PA.'S DAMS & LEVEES GOT A C-. PA'S BRIDGES, AS BAD AS THEY ARE, GOT A C. PA.'S PUBLIC & CHARTER SCHOOL BUILDINGS, LANDFILLS, & PA'S PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES ALL SCORED A B-. PA.'S BEST INFRASTRUCTURE CATEGORY--IT'S FREIGHT RAIL SYSTEM WITH A "B". IT'S NO SECRET PA. ROADS ARE BAD. ACCORDING TO ROADS INTERNATIONAL ROUGHNESS INDEX 38% OF PA. ROADS ARE RATED FAIR OR POOR. PA.'S HIGHWAY NETWORK IS THE 5TH LARGEST IN THE NATION AT 40,000 STATE & 76,000 LOCAL MILES. TRUCK TRAFFIC ON PA.'S 1,754 MILES OF INTERSTATE ROADS IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. WITH FEDERAL & STATE GAS TAXES ALREADY AT 50.7 CENTS A GALLON & DIESEL TAXES AT 63.6 CENTS PA. MOTORISTS ARE SAYING NO TO HIGHER GAS TAXES. WITH THE FEDS SAYING NO TO TOLLING I-80, THE LEGISLATURE MUST FIND $472 MILLION JUST TO TREAD WATER WITH ITS TRANSPORTATION BUDGET. THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS SAYS PA. MUST INVEST $11 BILLION TO COVER IMMEDIATELY-NEEDED BRIDGE REPAIRS. 27% OF PA.'S 22,280 BRIDGES ARE CONSIDERED STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT & 17% ARE DEEMED FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE. THAT MEANS INCREASED TRAFFIC CONGESTION & EMERGENCY VEHICLES BEING FORCED TO TAKE LENGTHY DETOURS DUE TO SPEED OR WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS. CIVIL ENGINEERS SAY PA. FACES A REQUIRED INVESTMENT OF $15.5 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS TO REPLACE AGING DRINKING WATER FACILITIES TO COMPLY WITH SAFE DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS. ANOTHER $28.3 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS IS NEEDED TO FIX & UPGRADE EXISTING SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS. ADD IN ANOTHER $1.4 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS TO REPAIR ALL OF PA.'S DEFICIENT DAMS & LEVEES. WHERE WILL THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COME FROM TO FIX PA.'S AGING INFRASTRUCTURE? HIGHER PERSONAL INCOME &SALES TAXES? HIGHER GAS TAXES &/OR INTERSTATE & HIGHWAY TOLLS? HIGHER MASS TRANSIT FEES? HIGHER WATER & SEWER BILLS? HIGHER GARBAGE BILLS? NEW FEES TO VISIT PARKS? THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS GRADED THE NATION AS A WHOLE. THE NATIONAL OVERALL GRADE WAS A D. THERE WAS NO GRADE HIGHER THAN A C+. OF THE 15 NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE CATEGORIES, 11 SCORED A D+ OR LOWER. TO BRING THINGS UP TO SNUFF, THE SOCIETY SAYS $2.2 TRILLION MUST BE SPENT IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS. $2.2 TRILLION! THE GENEROUS FELLOW THAT I AM--IF I WERE TO GIVE YOU $1 MILLION A DAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE, CENTURY AFTER CENTURY, IT WOULD TAKE ME OVER 12,443 YEARS TO GIVE AWAY $2.2 TRILLION. MODERN MAN WASN'T AROUND 12,443 YEARS AGO. TAKE $2.2 TRILLION & DIVIDE IT BY THE U.S. POPULATION ESTIMATED AT 310,000,000. THAT'S ALMOST $7,100 FOR EACH MAN, WOMAN, & CHILD...LEGAL & ILLEGAL...ON TOP OF WHAT WE'RE PAYING RIGHT NOW OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS TO BRING OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE UP TO SNUFF. MAYBE THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINNERS CAN ENGINEER A SANTA CLAUS, THE EASTER BUNNY, & TOOTH FAIRY TO PAY FOR THAT $2.2 TRILLION. I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27

OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL for Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27 LAST WEEKS PA. PRIMARY WAS A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FIASCO. INDEPENDENTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE & ONLY 3 IN 10 REGISTERED DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS BOTHERED TO VOTE. FOR THOSE INTERESTED, & MOST OF YOU PROBABLY AREN'T, HERE'S A QUICK RECAP. REPUBLICAN-TURN DEMOCRAT ARLEN SPECTER WAS FORCED TO RETIRE. CONGRESSMAN & FORMER NAVY ADMIRAL JOE SESTAK DEFEATED SPECTER BY 8%. SPECTER WAS SEEKING A 7TH TERM & HELD A 20% LEAD IN THE POLLS A FEW WEEKS AGO. PUNDITS BLAME SPECTER'S CURTAIN CALL ON EVERYTHING FROM THE PARTY SWITCHAROO, THE BACKING BY OBAMA, & HIS VOTE FOR THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS & OBAMACARE. SESTAK TAKES ON CONSERVATIVE PAT TOOMEY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY IN NOVEMBER. NO SURPRISE IN THE GOVERNOR RACE. DEMOCRAT DAN ONORATO & REPUBLICAN TOM CORBETT BOTH SCORED HUGE MARGINS OF VICTORY. BOTH ENJOYED BIG LEADS IN THE POLLS. DAVE ARGALL SCORED A NARROW WIN TO HIS QUEST BECOME A CONGRESSMAN THANKS TO A BIG PLURALITY IN SCHUYLKILL & BERKS COUNTIES. FRANK RYAN FINISHED IN 2ND PLACE THANKS TO A GOOD SHOWING IN HIS HOME LEBANON COUNTY. JOSH FIRST FINISHED 3RD & TOOK PERRY & DAUPHIN COUNTIES. ALLEN GRIFFITHS FINISHED 4TH. ARGALL WILL FACE LONG TIME INCUMBENT TIM HOLDEN--SETTING UP A BATTLE OF SCHUYLKILL HEAVY- WEIGHTS. HOLDEN COASTED PAST SHEILA DOW FORD BUT STRUGGLED AGAINST THE ILL- FUNDED CHALLENGER IN DAUPHIN & PERRY COUNTIES. GEOGRAPHY PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE MAY PRIMARY FOR ARGALL & HOLDEN & WILL BE A FACTOR IN NOVEMBER. PAUL KANJORSKI HELD OFF 2 CHALLENGERS TO SETUP A REMATCH WITH HAZLETON'S LOU BARLETTA. KANJORSKI DID NOT CAPTURE 50% OF THE VOTES CAST. BARLETTA'S CHALLENGE FROM MONROE COUNTY DROPPED OUT EARLY IN THE CAMPAIGN & SAVED THE HAZLETON MAYOR SOME MONEY THAT WILL BE GREATLY NEEDED IN NOVEMBER. IN THE RACE TO REPLACE STATE SENATOR RAY MUSTO STATE REP JOHN YUDICHAK BEAT WILKES BARRE MAYOR TOM LEIGHTON BY ALMOST 2-1. YUDICHAK WILL FACE STEVE URBAN WHO WAS UNOPPOSED & ALSO ON THE BALLOT FOR LT. GOVERNOR. THE RACE THAT GOT THE MOST ATTENTION, IF THERE WAS SUCH A THING IN THE PRIMARY, WAS THE BATTLE TO REPLACE RETIRING STATE REP & HOUSE SPEAKER KEITH MCCALL. JIM THORPE COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUSTIN YAICH EDGED CARBON COUNTY CORONER BRUCE NALESNIK BY JUST 41 VOTES. IF THAT MARGIN STANDS YAICH WILL FACE DOYLE HEFFLEY IN NOVEMBER WHO WON BY MORE THAN 2 TO 1 OVER TODD KOLLER. SOME ELECTION QUICK HITTERS: ONLY 31% OF CARBON & 33% OF SCHUYLKILL'S VOTERS SHOWED UP TO VOTE. PA. VOTERS STILL SUPPORTED CANDIDATES LIKE BILL DEWEESE & JOHN PERZEL--2 GUYS WHO ENGINEERED THE 05 PAY RAISE & UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CONNECTION WITH BONUSGATE. HOW ABOUT THAT 23 YEAR OLD LEHIGH VALLEY KID WHO KNOCKED OFF STATE REP KAREN BEYER. SHE WAS THE ONLY STATE REP INCUMBENT TO GO DOWN AT THE POLLS. DUNMORE VOTERS SAID NO BY ALMOST 6-1 TO A WHOOPING TAX TO FURTHER FUND ITS PAID, UNIONIZED FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT SHOWS PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH HIGHER TAXES NO MATTER HOW NOBLE THE CAUSE. WILL NOVEMBER BRING A BETTER TURNOUT? WILL MORE DISGRUNTLED VOTERS SHOW UP IN NOVEMBER? ARE INCUMBENTS IN TROUBLE? WILL ILLEGAL ALIENS BE A MAJOR ISSUE? WILL PARTY BOSSES GIVE DAVE ARGALL, TIM HOLDEN, PAUL KANJORSKI, LOU BARLETTA, DOYLE HEFFLEY, & OTHERS MONEY TO TIP THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THEIR FAVOR? LOTS OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED BETWEEN NOW & NOVEMBER. I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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This editorial aired on Oldies 1410 WLSH on Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20

OLDIES 1410 WLSH Editorial for Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20 DO YOU CLING TO THE FAIRY TALE BELIEF WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, & FOR THE PEOPLE? THIS WEEK OVER 1 MILLION REGISTERED PA. VOTERS COULD NOT GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE FOR A U.S. SENATOR, GOVERNOR, & STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE. PA. HAS A CLOSED PRIMARY ELECTION. WHY DO WE EVEN CALL THIS WEEK'S MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EXERCISE "AN ELECTION"? IT'S MORE LIKE A PRIVATE PARTY ONLY REGISTERED DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. IT'S A PARTY ONLY 30-40% OF REGISTERED DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS CHOOSE TO ATTEND. AS OF MAY 10TH, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE LISTS 4,311,206 REGISTERED DEMOCRATS & 3,119,250 REGISTERED REPUBLICANS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THIS WEEKS PRIMARY ELECTION PARTY. NOT INVITED TO THAT PARTY ARE LIBERTARIANS, INDEPENDENTS, & ALL OTHER REGISTERED VOTERS TOTALLING 1,013,903. THAT'S 12% OF PA.'S TOTAL REGISTRATION OF 8,444,359. FOR YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN CRIES FOR PRIMARY ELECTION REFORM. BUT DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS WON'T RELEASE THEIR STRANGLEHOLD ON THE STATUS QUO. PROPONENTS OF THE CLOSED SYSTEM CLAIM IT ENCOURAGES PARTY UNITY & PREVENTS MEMBERS OF OTHER PARTIES FROM SABOTAGING & DISRUPTING ELECTION RESULTS. PARTY UNITY--LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT MYTH. YOU HAD ARLEN SPECTER & JOE SESTACK DUKING IT OUT FOR THE DEMOCRAT NOMINATION FOR U.S. SENATOR. LOTS OF MUDSLINGING & NAME-CALLING. PARTY BIG WIGS WERE BACKING SPECTER. YOU CALLTHAT PROMOTING PARTY UNITY. YOU HAD THE TOM CORBETT-SAM ROHRER RACE FOR THE GOP NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR. PARTY BIG WIGS WERE BACKING CORBETT. YOU CAN THAT PROMOTING PARTY UNITY. IN THE RACE TO SUCCEED STATE REP & HOUSE SPEAKER KEITH MCCALL, 5 DEMOCRATS & 2 REPUBLICANS BATTLED FOR 2 SLOTS IN NOVEMBER. EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO FORMAL ENDORSEMENTS, LOCAL PARTY LEADERS HAD THEIR FAVORITES. YOU CALL THIS ENCOURAGING PARTY UNITY. DISRUPTING ELECTION RESULTS--LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT MYTH. WITH AN OPEN PRIMARY PARTY BOSSES ARE FEARFUL DEMOCRATS WILL GO TO THE POLLS & VOTE FOR A WEAK REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & REPUBLICANS WILL GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE FOR A WEAK DEMOCRAT. BOTH PARTIES ARE FEARFUL WHAT THAT 12% OF NON-DEMOCRAT & GOP VOTERS WILL DO IN AN OPEN PRIMARY. ONCE THIS WEEK'S FINAL NUMBERS ARE IN, WE WILL FIND FEWER THAN 40% OF REPUBLICANS & DEMOCRATS EVEN BOTHERED TO GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE CANDIDATE. 1,013,903 REGISTERED VOTERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE THIS WEEK. MANY OF THOSE ARE PROPERTY OWNERS & TAXPAYERS WHO WERE DENIED A VOICE & A VOTE AT THE POLLS. YOU CALL THIS A DEMOCRACY? YOU CALL THIS GOVERNMENT "OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, & FOR THE PEOPLE"? SOUNDS MORE LIKE GOVERNMENT "OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST, BY THE SPECIAL INTEREST, FOR THE SPECIAL INTEREST". I'M MARK MAREK WITH THIS WEEK'S OLDIES 1410 WLSH EDITORIAL.

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