Chris Hackett the Un-Patriotic Coward

VETERANS FOR CARNEY DENOUNCE HACKETT'S COMMENTS
Defend Carney while he is serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy Reserves

Towanda, PA At a small gathering in Bradford County on September 18th,
potential candidate Chris Hackett chose to attack Congressman Carney
while he is serving his country on active duty in the U.S. Navy
Reserve.

Veterans for Carney have come out to defend Congressman Carney's
record while he is serving on active duty and unavailable for comment.
Responding to Hackett's criticisms in the Towanda Daily Review, two
decorated veterans and registered Republicans responded.

"It's really disappointing that rather than use the opportunity to
indroduce himself to the voters, Chris Hackett chose instead to attack
someone while he is serving our country." said John Visci, a former
U.S. Marine and current veterans advocate. "Chris Hackett, someone who
has never worn the uniform, is quick to insult those of us that do, by
implying that Lieutenant Commander Carney was responsible for the
failure of US strategy in Iraq. Attacking a serving officer and then
demand that the Congressman refute attacks on other officers not even
made by him smacks of hypocrisy."

Mr. Visci was responding to Hackett's claim that "It is critical for
my generation to step up and really start to recognize what is
important for this country." (Towanda Daily Review, 9/19/07).

"Mr. Hackett is 44 years old and neither a member of the National
Guard nor the Military Reserve. Joining the guard or Reserve would be
stepping up Mr. Hackett, giving speeches attacking military officers
would not. As a long time Republican and veterans advocate, I believe
character is high on the list of qualities desired of our elected
officials. If Mr. Hackett wishes to be considered he can correct his
error. He should apologize to Congressman Carney and military
personnel past and present."

Gary Morgan, another Veteran for Carney, also criticized Hackett's
remarks. "This is a time of great stress for our country. Good men and
women serving in the United States Congress are as rare as lightening
bugs in December, so it doesn't serve us well to decide that simply
because someone is of the opposite party, we need to attack them.
Chris Carney is a deeply honorable man, and I'm sure that Mr. Hackett
didn't mean to impugn his honor simply to score political points. But
we must remember that Chris Carney's one of the men wearing the
uniform and serving in these times of crisis to keep our country safe
and the people he serves, and indeed all Americans, as safe as
possible."

Mr. Morgan concluded, "I'm a disabled combat veteran who is proud to
have voted for Chris Carney, and even though I am a Republican, I
intend to vote for him again!"

Congressman Carney is serving on Active Duty for two weeks and will
return on Monday, September 24th. While on Active Duty, he is
prohibited from commenting on political matters.

Veterans for Carney Respond to Hackett Attacks - 9/20/2007

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2007
POC: Rebecca Gale, 202 441 6057 (cell)
rebecca@carneyforcongress.com

Chris Hackett and support for abortion

Chris Hackett belongs to a church that supports abortion. In fact he was the treasurer of that church. Does the Hack support his church or does he support the Bible? If he supports the Biblical understanding of “Thou Shalt Not Kill” in regards to Abortion then why did he serve as an officer of a Pro-Abortion Church? If he does not care enough to know what his church teaches, preaches and confesses then can we trust him in Congress?

Dan Meuser linked to 5 deaths

Wheelchair Executive About To Run Against Dem Chris Carney — Despite Settling Explosive Lawsuit Alleging Defective Product Dan Meuser, CEO of wheelchair manufacturer Pride Mobility USA, is poised to run for Congress as a Republican against freshman Democrat Chris Carney, who won a GOP-leaning district last year. One potential problem: Meuser's company has settled a contentious lawsuit over the death of an elderly man using their wheelchair, in which plaintiffs alleged that a defective battery caused a fire. From the Monterey County Herald, January 9, 2007: "Had the case gone to trial, according to court records and statements in court, jurors may have heard evidence that Pride Mobility was aware of at least 18 other fires in its wheelchairs and scooters with identical battery packs since 2002. Ten of those fires destroyed dwellings and five were fatal." (From Nexis)

Meuser the King of Exploding Wheelchairs Lives Outside the District

Dan Meuser, one of the leading Republican contenders for the 10th Congressional District seat in next year's election, doesn't live in the district.

A resident of Jackson Township in Luzerne County, Mr. Meuser lives in the 11th Congressional District, but his home is close to Kingston Township, which is in the 10th.The U.S. Constitution doesn't require congressmen to live in the districts they represent, but political opponents could make an issue of it.Mr. Meuser will try to head them off. He plans to move into the 10th before he files nomination petitions next spring to run for Congress, he said. He has not found a new home. http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18827300&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416046&rfi=6

Hackett declares Support for War in Iraq

Hackett blasts Carney, announces candidacy
By James Loewenstein, Staff Writer
09/19/2007
In a speech in Towanda on Tuesday, Chris Hackett, who is running for Congress in the 10th District, said he would be a strong, conservative voice in the House of Representatives, and he blasted his Democratic opponent, incumbent Chris Carney.
"This district needs the right representation," said Hackett, a Republican who is lives in Shavertown in Luzerne County. "It doesn't have it now."Approximately 25 people - including local Republican officials, supporters, and people interested in finding out about Hackett - heard his speech, which he made on the front steps of the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda.While the next congressional election in the 10th District will not occur until 2008, the race is already heating up and is expected to draw national attention.Hackett owns four businesses. He owns an insurance brokerage, called OneSource Benefit Solutions; a temporary staffing agency, called OneSource Staffing Solutions; a professional recruiting firm, called SHS Tech Staffing; and an administrative services firm, called OneSource HR Solutions. The four businesses have a total of 25 offices, Hackett said.Hackett was introduced to the audience in front of the courthouse by Republican Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko."We as Republicans believe that the government is too big, too intrusive, takes too much of our money, and wastes it," said McLinko, who added that Hackett would work in Congress to address those problems.In his speech, Hackett said the United States needs to "continue to have persistence" in Iraq."We have a moral obligation to do what we can to make the best of the situation (in Iraq)," Hackett said. "If we pull out today, there will be genocide in that country, and there will be a safe haven for terrorists to attack us in the future, and it will not be safe for our military to exit the country.""It's a very, very difficult set of circumstances (in Iraq)," Hackett said. "So we do need to continue to have persistence in dealing with this."I think this is the challenge of my generation," said the 44-year-old Hackett, referring to the war in Iraq."Generations before us have had the fortitude to follow through in these types of conflicts," such as World War II and the Cold War, Hackett said. "It is critical for my generation to step up and really start to recognize what is important for this country."Hackett, who has never held or run for public office before, said Carney was "involved in a lot of the ... research that was done to decide if we should go into Iraq. He (Carney) was part of the intelligence community that provided that information to the president."
http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18830524&BRD=2276&PAG=461&dept_id=465049&rfi=6

Congressman Carney Bucks Pelosi and Votes His District

Other Notable House Democrats
11. Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania’s 10th (81.4 percent). Carney has one of the more Republican-leaning districts among first-term Democrats, and was greatly aided in 2006 by the fact that Republican incumbent Don Sherwood was badly damaged by a sex scandal. There is a long list of potential GOP candidates, though Democrats took note recently that the Republican field will not include U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino — a top prospect who recently said that he will not challenge Carney. http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/us_house_2008_who_has_got_the_5.html


Congressman Carney Bucks Pelosi and Votes His District
Congressional Quarterly recently cited Congressman Carney as one of a group of Conservative Congressmen who breaks with the House Leadership to best represent his district. His ability to raise money while representing his constituents is scaring off potential challengers. U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Marino recently backed out despite a great deal of pressure to run. While Marino is not saying why key observers think he saw the writing on the wall. JBOC

Congressman Chris Carney Starting to look Unbeatable

Pennsylvania’s 10th District (Northeast — Central Susquehanna Valley). As a raft of Republicans plot to unseat Democratic Rep. Chris Carney from the normally Republican-leaning 10th District, Carney has been raising money to prepare for a vigorous re-election bid. He took in $276,000 in the second quarter and $536,000 since the beginning of this year, and had $445,000 on hand. http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/07/us_house_2008_who_has_got_the_5.html


Congressman Chris Carney Starting to look Unbeatable
In the Tenth an incumbent who is Pro-God, Pro-Gun, Pro-Life, fiscally conservative and can raise money is about as safe as it gets. There is only two ways Carney leaves the seat: One if he starts running around with South American boo-boos like his predecessor Republican Don Sherwood or Two when he runs for Senate for Arlen Specter's soon to be vacant seat. (Word is that this is Specter's Last Hurrah). JBOC

Democrat mayoral candidate William F. McConnell

City mayoral candidate shares some of his ideas
By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com
William F. McConnell
He’s slung steaks on a grill at a restaurant and was an environmental consultant for the nuclear power industry.City Democrat mayoral candidate William F. McConnell has a tapestry of diversity on his employment resume.On Monday, the 64-year-old, who has an Internet Web site sharing his ideas, told Williamsport Rotarians his media campaign — to be in full swing in coming weeks — will give potential voters a choice and better demonstrate his visions for the city’s future.A city resident since 1989, McConnell, owner of Cuts Fitness for Men, 135 W. Fourth St., a franchise devoted to men’s health, touched on the ideas he believes will be “dynamic proposals.”Among them will be the creation of an office building downtown for business development, retention and residential housing needs.“I call it Williamsport Office Park,” McConnell said following address to Rotary Club members, describing his plan as able to work because of market research done on corporate needs.“I believe there is a market for back office operations to provide services to major corporations,” he said.Back offices are smaller offices affiliated with large corporations based in bigger cities that can and do conduct business in the region, according to Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer Vincent Matteo, who was at the meeting.Asked to further explain his idea, McConnell said, “I believe we can use creative financing to bring a Class A commercial-residential building to downtown to recruit back office professionals.”Corporations based in nearby large cities could have smaller affiliated business branches here. These companies would pay livable wages and provide incentive for future growth, he said.McConnell said funding sources for the building, which he envisions could encompass eight to 10 floors, would be private-public partnerships using state and federal money. In terms of retaining a professional work force, McConnell touched on how vital it is to capture the college-educated and skilled-labor market, which is increasingly fleeing the region for better paying jobs elsewhere.Although educated and holding numerous educational degrees, McConnell said he is not among those in ivory towers unaccustomed to the travails of the working American family.He gave Rotarians a brief history of his father’s life and work ethic and how he ended up working in factories but never quit pursuing his education and better paying and more substantial jobs.“I know what it is like to have success and to be faced with defeat,” said McConnell, who has a science and library science background.“I know what it’s like to struggle for money,” he said, likening the city to a struggling individual looking for a better position in life.McConnell’s employment history includes working at the Hahnemann Hospital Medical School library in Philadelphia.In terms of city operations, McConnell already has gone on record saying he favors continuation of the position of Public Safety Director Michael Hudak Jr.McConnell also expressed no need for a bigger police force as a cure-all to the city’s crime issues, especially drug-related violence and criminal activities.After the meeting, McConnell steered conversation toward promoting the city’s positive images.He cited a 2006 survey indicating the city ranks 25th in safety among 380 its size in the U.S.McConnell said another proposal he would employ, if elected, is upgrading degraded and blighted housing and making codes inspection procedures more user-friendly.Although a Democrat, he acknowledged Mayor Mary B. Wolf’s efforts and how he could build on the platform that she established for the city’s future.“Williamsport is the heart of the northcentral Pennsylvania region and for the region to be strong the heart has to be strong,” he said.
Section: Posted: 7/24/2007

Anthony DiSalvo

Anthony DiSalvo

Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/01/2006 | Scandal, rival put a Pa. lawmaker in fight this time

Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/01/2006 | Scandal, rival put a Pa. lawmaker in fight this time: "Posted on Mon, May. 01, 2006email thisprint this
Campaign 2006
Scandal, rival put a Pa. lawmaker in fight this timeBy Michael Rubinkam
Associated Press
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. - Retired dairy farmers Ben and Phyllis Cole have been arguing over the dinner table about their congressman, Don Sherwood.

Ben Cole, 69, who has known Sherwood for decades, doesn't much care that the four-term U.S representative recently settled a $5.5 million lawsuit that accused him of abusing his former mistress. Cole plans to vote for him in the Republican primary anyway.

But Cole's wife said Sherwood had lost her support. "I'm very upset with him for what he did," said Phyllis Cole, 69. "I don't think it's an example for our youth. I don't care what he's done for our area."

Angry constituents are just part of the fallout from Sherwood's admission last year that he had a five-year affair with a woman 35 years his junior. For the first time in six years, Sherwood, 65, has major-party competition.

Though still regarded as the favorite to win a fifth term, Sherwood said he was taking nothing for granted. "I know there are some people who are disappointed and I understand that, but we are going to fight this campaign on the issues," he said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Sherwood's former mistress, Cynthia Ore, claimed in a lawsuit last year that he choked her while giving her a back rub at his Capitol Hill apartment in September 2004. Sherwood denied the abuse but conceded the affair, apologizing for the "pain and embarrassment" he had caused his family and supporters.

Sherwood, a married father of three, reached a confidential settlement with Ore in November and hoped to put the scandal behind him.

But his challengers won't let him.

Political newcomer Kathy Scott, who faces Sherwood in the May 16 primary, said she got into the race because she was disgusted by Sherwood's behavior. Scott, 59, concedes she is a huge underdog but says she believes "a lot of people will vote for me because they are disgusted with him."

If Sherwood survives the primary, as expected, he would face a former Pentagon intelligence analyst running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Chris Carney, now a political science professor at Pennsylvania State University's Worthington Scranton campus, appears to face long odds for the 10th District seat, which has been considered safely Republican.

A conservative on social and fiscal issues, Sherwood is a well-known name in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He has owned a successful Chevrolet dealership since 1967 and spent 22 years on the Tunkhannock school board before his ascent to Congress.

He won two tough races against Patrick Casey, son of late Democratic Gov. Robert Casey, before his district was reconfigured after the 2000 census. Now Republican voters outnumber Democrats by 55,000; lacking a Democratic challenger in 2004, he collected 93 percent of the vote.

Sherwood has almost six times as much money in the bank as Carney.

But Carney, a 47-year-old married father of five, still believes he is in good shape.

"Constituents know what integrity is, they know what leadership is, and they want people who reflect their values," said Carney, who plans to make an issue of Sherwood's character. "Perhaps at one time Mr. Sherwood did that, but he certainly does not any more."

Many voters seem willing to forgive Sherwood.

Tammy Carney, 35, of Meshoppen, Pa., said Sherwood helped secure funding for her husband's volunteer fire department. "He's done a lot for us," said Carney, who is no relation to Chris Carney. "People make mistakes. He's human like the rest of us.""

Daily and Sunday Review - News - 12/01/2005 - Will Rep. Tina Pickett go along to get along or, stand on her own?

Daily and Sunday Review - News - 12/01/2005 - Will Rep. Tina Pickett go along to get along or, stand on her own?: "Will Rep. Tina Pickett go along to get along or, stand on her own?

12/01/2005
State Rep. Tina Pickett, a Republican who represents Sullivan County and much of Bradford County in the Republican-controlled state House, has made it clear that in her view, in order to be effective in the legislature, rank-and-file members must stay in line and not openly challenge the leadership.

Apparently, for her, this is a guiding principle to which we take exception, and challenge her to publicly respond to the following sound analysis and worthwhile advice, originally published in the Harrisburg Patriot-News:
The great and noble concept of "one man, one vote," handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court 40 years ago, continues to be flawed in its execution.
It's true we no longer have widely disparate representation by districts, as back when in New Hampshire, to cite one example, one state assemblyman represented a town of three people and another represented one with 3,244. Then, a resident in the former exercised 108,000 percent more power at the state capital than a resident in the later.
In accordance with Reynolds v. Sims, each Pennsylvania state House member represents roughly 61,000 people, each state senator roughly 243,000. That is not to say that all Pennsylvanians are equally represented. Real power rests in the hands of a relatively few legislators who make the big decisions and disproportionately assist their own district's - and their loyal legislative followers - with the state's largess.
Rank and file lawmakers of both parties have long acquiesced to this arrangement, to the great detriment of truly representative government, by following the time-honored tradition of "getting along by going along."
But one of the consequences of the embarrassing legislative pay increase/pay repeal is that it has emboldened backbenchers in at least one caucus. Some House Republican rank-and-file members are pushing for major changes in how the Legislature operates.
* They want reinstatement of a tough lobbyist disclosure law.
* They want powerful committee chairmen limited to three terms, or six years.
* They would ban 11th-hour bill changes by the House Rules Committee, a device often used to barrel through controversial measures with little debate or consideration.
* They want a look at restricting post-election "lame duck" voting sessions.
* And they want a study to look at shrinking the size of the Legislature.
We urge them to stick to their guns, recognizing that no district has sent a representative or senator to Harrisburg to serve as second banana. Every legislator, regardless of his or her seniority, has been equally empowered to carry out the people's will.

©Daily and Sunday Review 2005 "

The Times-Tribune - Opinion - 12/10/2005 - Brett Feese For Congress?

The Times-Tribune - Opinion - 12/10/2005 - Dem chairman ponders retirement: "Democratic congressional candidate Chris Carney recently submitted the first campaign finance report for his campaign. It shows he has a way to go before he’s in the same league campaign money-wise as the man whose job he wants, Rep. Don Sherwood, R-Tunkhannock Township.

Mr. Carney, a Dimock Township resident, had raised $28,283.99 and spent only $5,864.86, leaving him with $22,419.13 as of Sept. 30, according to his report. Not bad for starters, but he’ll have to do better.

Mr. Sherwood, perhaps spurred by the potential political impact of his personal troubles, raised another $153,513.32 and spent $49,996.85, leaving him with $406,072.40.

l Democratic political consultant Larry Ceisler thinks the heavily Republican nature of Mr. Sherwood’s district makes it unlikely a Democrat can beat him. Mr. Ceisler thinks someone like state Rep. Brett Feese, a Lycoming County Republican who can raise the money necessary to compete, could beat Mr. Sherwood.

Neither Mr. Feese nor any other Republican has shown an interest in taking on Mr. Sherwood. The only Republican to have publicly shown an interest, state Rep. Jerry Birmelin, R-South Canaan Township, has said he won’t run if Mr. Sherwood does."

NEPA News - Don Sherwood Linked To Criminal Congressman Duke Cunningham - Sherwood Says "I can't criticize him"

NEPA News - NEPA News - 12/01/2005 - House members give away contributions from Cunningham: "Rep. Don Sherwood said he accepted an in-kind contribution of $901 from Cunningham's political action committee, but could not return the money or donate it because it was reimbursement for a flight Cunningham took to Pennsylvania for a veterans event.

"I'm very sad about this. This is terribly unfortunate, but Duke was a fighter ace pilot and the fact that he got around and talked to veterans, I can't criticize him for that," Sherwood said. "Not knowing that there was anything improper going on, I think that was a proper thing for me to do. It was a veteran talking to veterans and it was a man with very interesting stories to tell of his service in Vietnam.""

UCSF RAS Archive: Sports - National Football League Daily - 6/3/98

UCSF RAS Archive: Sports - National Football League Daily - 6/3/98: ">CAROLINA RELEASES VETERAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
>
>(AP) - The Carolina Panthers released Greg Skrepenak on Tuesday,
>clearing more than $3 million in salary-cap money over the next
>two years and severing ties to a player once viewed as a
>cornerstone of their offensive line. "These decisions are always
>the hardest," coach Dom Capers said of the move to cut Skrepenak,
>who joined Carolina as an unrestricted free agent in 1996 after
>playing his first five NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders. The
>Panthers signed Skrepenak to a four-year, $7.2 million deal,
>making him easily the highest-paid player on a line made up of
>players in their early and mid 20s. Carolina wanted Skrepenak to
>oversee the younger players from the right tackle spot, but those
>plans never materialized."

The Citizens Voice - News - 08/31/2005 - Skrepenak cancels run for Congress

The Citizens Voice - News - 08/31/2005 - Skrepenak cancels run for Congress: "Skrepenak cancels run for Congress

By Elizabeth Skrapits, Staff Writer 08/31/2005
Greg Skrepenak has opted not to tackle a run for Congress, but hasn't ruled it out as a possible goal down the road.
The Luzerne County commissioner chairman, who previously considered going after the seat of U.S. Rep Don Sherwood in the 10th Congressional District, wrote to the national Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Tuesday that he changed his mind.

Michael F. Prociak, Skrepenak's campaign manager, said in early June the DCCC brought him to Washington D.C. to meet with its officers, specifically DCCC chairman U.S. Rep. Rahm Emmanuel (D-Illinois).

"I was honored and thrilled to get that phone call," Skrepenak said. "I was only in politics for a year and a half, and to get called by the DCCC to run for such a position was exciting."
He gave the matter a lot of thought, and ultimately decided to stay a commissioner.
"As a former athlete, and riding on emotions, I wanted to make a logical decision, not an emotional one," he said. "It wasn't in the game plan."
Skrepenak's almost national name recognition, from his days as a National Football League player with the Oakland Raiders and the Carolina Panthers, helped, Prociak said.
"They were very interested in having Greg run. They ran a poll, and the results were extremely favorable for Greg," Prociak said of the DCCC.

"His decision is his, and we wish him all the best," DCCC spokeswoman Sarah Feinberg said.
Skrepenak said he was confident he could have won the seat, but admitted Sherwood, a lifelong resident of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, would be a tough opponent. The district, which includes parts of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Lycoming and all of Bradford, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wayne and Wyoming counties, is heavily Republican.

Still, the DCCC has tagged Sherwood as vulnerable, not just because of his legal problems, but because he does not meet the needs of his district, Feinberg said.
Cynthia Ore, 29, of Rockville, Md., filed a $5.5 million suit against Sherwood, claiming he beat and assaulted her throughout their six-year relationship.
Sherwood has publicly admitted to the affair with Ore, but denied her abuse allegations.
With Skrepenak out of the picture, Chris Carney may have a clear field to be the Democratic nominee next May - although Feinberg said the district is so large a challenger could be off the radar.

Carney, a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve and associate professor of political science at Penn State, said in a press release he will formally announce his candidacy in Montrose on Sept. 7.
The Dimock Township, Susquehanna County resident was out of the country Tuesday, so could not be reached for comment.

Skrepenak said he would "absolutely" support Carney if he was the Democrats' pick to challenge Sherwood.
"That seat is a very big part of this county," Skrepenak said. "We're definitely going to watch with great interest what happens there."
And he is keeping his options open. He might consider running for another office in the future, "when the time is right," he said.

But for now Skrepenak enjoys being a county commissioner, and said it is a good place to learn about government on the county, state, and federal levels.
"He's young. He has a lot of opportunity," Prociak said of the 34-year-old Skrepenak. "We don't know what the next step will be, but there certainly will be a next step.""

Greg Skrepenak, NFL tackle, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers January 31 in History

Greg Skrepenak, NFL tackle, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers January 31 in History: "January 31, 1970 in History

Born:
Greg Skrepenak, NFL tackle, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers "

Times Leader | 02/01/2005 | Vonderheid, Skrepenak receive $76,000

Times Leader | 02/01/2005 | Vonderheid, Skrepenak receive $76,000: "Posted on Tue, Feb. 01, 2005


Officials report status of war chestsCAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS Officials report status of war chests

Vonderheid, Skrepenak receive $76,000

By JENNIFER LEARN-ANDES jandes@leader.net


Luzerne County Commissioners Todd Vonderheid and Greg Skrepenak pulled in $76,747 in campaign donations during their first year in office, a new 2004 filing shows.

Their committee, Friends of Skrepenak and Vonderheid, split $40,000 of that take down the middle, placing $20,000 into each candidate’s individual campaign organization.

Vonderheid used $14,000 of his $20,000 to pay off loans. His individual organization, Todd Vonderheid Today, still owes $109,380 in debts and obligations.

Skrepenak paid off $10,000 in debt and still owes about $11,600 -- about $9,000 to himself and $2,500 to Michael F. Prociak.

Both commissioners are trying to knock off some debt and build a campaign war chest because they plan to run again in 2007.

The Friends of Skrepenak and Vonderheid committee still owes $50,000 to Skrepenak from a loan he made to the committee the month before the November 2003 election.

Among the other bills paid by the joint committee were $4,835 for advertising to Ed Mitchell Communications and $9,491 to Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club in Mountain Top for an event expense.

Several other county officials are carrying campaign debt, the new reports show.

District Attorney Dave Lupas leads the pack, reporting $333,500 in debt and obligations. Of that, Lupas owes $30,000 to himself and $303,500 to his father, Anthony.

County Court of Common Pleas Judge Mark Ciavarella’s committee shows a debt of $180,117 from various loans he made dating back to 1995.

Likewise, Prothonotary Jill Moran’s $139,700 loan to her committee is still on the books.

Others owed by their committees are Register of Wills Dorothy Stankovic, $62,685; Controller Steve Flood, $80,000; and Treasurer Michael Morreale, $15,460.

Recorder of Deeds Mary Dysleski and minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban report no debt.

Dysleski has $161 in the bank, and Urban has $1,306.

County Election Bureau Director Leonard Piazza said campaign committees can’t dissolve until they spend all their money and account for the debt by paying it off, either through campaign funds or forgiveness by the original loan grantor.

Candidates who ultimately eat their debt must report that in a form. Piazza said he doesn’t know of any deadline to settle campaign accounts.

“The entire report has to be at zero before the committee can be terminated,” Piazza said. “It’s all about public disclosure.”

For example, the Committee to Elect Makowski and Pizano, which represented former commissioners Tom Pizano and Tom Makowski, still has $18,557 in the bank, its report says. The committee didn’t spend anything in 2004.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friends of Skrepenak and Vonderheid received donations of $1,000 from each of the following in 2004: MT&T Bank PAC; John J. Passan, Valley Distribution & Storage; Michael J. Pasonick, Michael J. Pasonick Jr. Associates; Patrick J. McLaine, Acker Associates; Michael A. Answini, Apollo Group; three representatives of CPA firm Snyder & Clemente; Andrew J. Sordoni III, Sordoni Enterprises; Paul J. Siegel, Eastern Insurance Group; William B. Sordoni, Sordoni Enterprises; H. Robert Weaver Jr., W-B Clay Products; Wolfgang Hans Baerwald, Wyoming Valley Health Systems; Christopher L. Borton, Borton-Lawson Engineering; Jack J. Burke, Penn Millers Insurance; Joseph A. Frank, Centralia Coal Sales Co.; John J. Homza, Sordoni Construction; William R. Host, Wyoming Valley Health Care; Allan M. Kluger, Hourigan Kluger & Quinn; Sandy Insalaco Sr.; Thomas J. McGrath Jr., McGrath Medical Associates; Douglas Barbacci, Calex Logistic Services; Christopher Hackett, Onesource Staffing Solutions; John C. Metz, Metz Enterprises; Neil T. O’Donnell, lawyer; Michael Butera, lawyer; Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald; Eugene Roth, Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP; Philip Santarelli, Santarelli Vibrated Block Co. (the company alone also gave another $1,000); Murray Ufberg, lawyer; Satish Patel, physician; Joseph L. Persico, lawyer; John Churnetski, Quad Three Group Inc.; Philip G. Decker, Hospice Community Care; Alan J. Finlay, Humford Equities; Michael MacDowell, College Misericordia; Randall B. K. Mark, Pulverman; Charles E. Parente; and John G. Nackley Sr., Intermetro Industries Corp.

Larger donors include: PA Cleanpac, $2,000; Samuel Marranca Sr., Sam-Car Group, LTD, $1,500; Greg Fellerman, Fellerman Law, $1,500; Mericle Properties, $2,000; Charles J. Bufalino Jr., attorney, $1,125; Thomas E. Lawson, Borton-Lawson, $1,250; and Noble C. Quandel Jr., Quandel Construction, $2,000.

County employees who donated to the campaign include: solicitor Jim Blaum, $250; prison employee John Roke, $250; solicitor Christopher Slusser, $250; prison warden Gene Fischi, $125; assessment appeals board member Andrew Shiner III, $750; solicitor Edward McNelis, $500; and prison deputy warden Joseph Morris, $500."

Rep. Don Sherwood Closely Tied To Indicted Congressman

DCCC.org: Rep. Don Sherwood: Tom DeLay's Latest Crony of the Week: "Rep. Don Sherwood: Tom DeLay's Latest Crony of the Week
Sherwood takes thousands of dollars in campaign cash from DeLay; puts national party and DeLay ahead of his Pennsylvania constituents.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today announced Rep. Don Sherwood of the 10th District of Pennsylvania as the newest Tom DeLay "Crony of the Week." Sherwood will be featured for the next seven days on the DCCC's Tom DeLay House of Scandal website.

Don Sherwood follows his leader, Tom DeLay on nearly every issue. In fact, Sherwood is so closely allied with DeLay that he votes with him 95% of the time. Rep. Sherwood has also taken thousands of dollars in campaign cash from DeLay and his political action committees, a sign that his interests do not always lie with those he represents.

With his designation as the latest Crony of the Week, voters in Sherwood's district can learn the truth about his close ties to the ethically-challenged Majority Leader.

Don Sherwood has taken $14,855 from DeLay's political action committee, ARMPAC [www.tray.com].
Tom DeLay has been admonished a record three times by the House Ethics Committee for his unethical behavior, and will likely face the committee yet again - meanwhile, Don Sherwood continues to stand by his leader.
Sherwood puts partisan politics ahead of the 10th District of Pennsylvania - Sherwood voted with DeLay more than 95% of the time between January 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005 [www.cq.com].
Don Sherwood voted to weaken the House Ethics rules in a move that many say served only to protect Tom DeLay. Recently, House Republicans including Sherwood voted to restore the House ethics process - but only after an enormous public outcry. [H Res 5, Roll Call #6, 1/4/05 and H Res 241, Roll Call #145, 4/27/05].
"Even though Tom DeLay has been admonished three times by the House Ethics Committee, Don Sherwood continues to stand with him, and vote with him almost every time, " said Bill Burton, communications director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Don Sherwood's priorities are clearly with his ethically-challenged party leader and not with those who elected him. Middle-class families in the Pennsylvania deserve a representative in Congress who recognizes that job number one is working for them, and not his party's interests. Pennsylvania can do better than Don Sherwood."

For more information about Tom DeLay, Don Sherwood and their ties to other ethically challenged individuals, visit our website, found at www.houseofscandal.org, or at www.dccc.org.

The truth about Don Sherwood's ties to Tom DeLay:

1. Contributions from ARMPAC:
tray.com $14,855
2. Voting percentage with DeLay:
calculated through cq.com 95%
3. Vote to weaken ethics rules:
H Res. 5, Roll Call #6, 1/4/05 Yes
4. Vote to table Democratic solution:
H. Res. 153, Roll Call #70, 3/15/05 Yes"

ABC News: Womanizing Congressman Don Sherwood Not Allowed To Appear With President Bush

ABC News: Bush Forcefully Attacks Iraq Critics: "Bush Forcefully Attacks Iraq CriticsBush Forcefully Attacks Critics of the War in Iraq, Chiding Politicians for Making 'False Charges'
President Bush addresses the crowd during a visit to the Tobyhanna Army Depot, in Tobyhanna, Pa., on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2005. In a Veterans Day speech, Bush offered a forceful defense of the war in Iraq, saying it is the central front in the war on terror and that extremists are trying to establish a radical Muslim empire extending from Spain to Indonesia. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
By DEB RIECHMANN Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press

TOBYHANNA, Pa. Nov 11, 2005 — President Bush strongly rebuked congressional critics of his Iraq war policy Friday, accusing them of being "deeply irresponsible" and sending the wrong signal both to America's enemy and to U.S. troops.

"The stakes in the global war on terror are too high, and the national interest is too important, for politicians to throw out false charges," Bush said in his most combative defense yet of his rationale for invading Iraq in March 2003.

Bush's charges brought a forceful response from senior Democrats in Congress, who accused the president of misleading the country about the justification for war. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who ran unsuccessfully against Bush last year, accused the president of playing "the politics of fear and smear."

Bush's speech was part of a coordinated White House effort to bolster the president's waning credibility and dwindling support for the war, in which more than 2,000 U.S. troops have died.

As casualties have climbed, Bush's popularity has dropped. His approval rating now is at 37 percent in the latest AP-Ipsos poll, an all-time low point for his presidency.

"When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support," Bush said in a Veterans Day speech at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

"While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decision or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began."

Bush's remarks brought a few jabs from fellow Republicans as well as a sharp counterattack from Democrats.

In a speech in Philadelphia, Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., criticized how the war has been presented to Americans both by the media and the White House. Afterward, Santorum said the war has been "less than optimal" and "maybe some blame could be laid" at the White House. "Certainly, mistakes were made," Santorum said.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., who is weighing a run for president in 2008, has said he agrees with Democrats who are pressing the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to move forward with an investigation into whether the administration manipulated intelligence."

Bush Snubs Santorum and Sherwood to appear wth Dem Kanjorski at Tobyhanna Army Depot on Friday

Santorum For Senate: Times Leader | 11/08/2005 | Bush Snubs Santorum and Sherwood to appear wth Dem Kanjorski at Tobyhanna Army Depot on Friday: "Times Leader | 11/08/2005 | Bush Snubs Santorum and Sherwood to appear wth Dem Kanjorski at Tobyhanna Army Depot on Friday
Times Leader | 11/08/2005 | Kanjorski to join Bush at depot: "Posted on Tue, Nov. 08, 2005

Kanjorski to join Bush at depot
By MICHAEL P. BUFFER mbuffer@leader.net
U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski plans to accompany President Bush during a Veterans Day speech at Tobyhanna Army Depot on Friday.

Bush is expected to make a 50-minute policy speech on fighting terrorism at about noon, said Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke. The audience will be mostly depot employees, the congressman said.

The White House will issue a limited number of tickets, Kanjorski said. The depot, which repairs and maintains electronic equipment, is the largest employer in Northeastern Pennsylvania with more than 4,300 civilian workers.

White House spokesman Allen Abney confirmed the president will give a speech Friday in Northeast Pennsylvania to discuss terrorism and thank and honor veterans. Abney said the White House plans to issue an advisory about the speech and its location tomorrow.

The president is not visiting the area for political reasons, Kanjorski said. On Oct. 21, Vice President Dick Cheney attended a fund-raiser for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pittsburgh, in Jackson Township.

Michael P. Buffer, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7230.""