Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
I want to be nice. I really do. I would like to admire the Pittsburgh Steelers’ four Super Bowl teams. I’d like to heap praise on Bradshaw, Franco and the guy in the gorilla suit.
And those Terrible Towels — what a great idea.
But ...
I’d rather impale myself on the GOALPOSTS FROM HELL and have my ears bleed from that SCREECHING IMP known as Myron Cope than admit anything good can come out of Pittsburgh.
As you can see, I’m conflicted.
Take Todd Park’s good buddy over there, Rick DeLoia. Probably a great guy. In fact, I know he is. Upstanding citizen. Cares about his students. Helps old Ellwood City ladies cross the street.
But then he puts on that STUPID BLACK AND GOLD CRAP THAT HAS NEVER BEEN WASHED AND SMELLS OF URINE AND BEER, I want to smack the boy silly.
What’s up with that?
Alas, dear Browns fans, I am forced to concede that Steeler fans are genetic mutants. Can you tell the female Steeler fans from their male counterparts? I think not.
They are not of this Earth, but once members of an alien race ...
(Hi, this is Lisa Micco. I’m Little Wits’ partner in the wildly popular He Said/She Said. This would be the point in our column where Butt Head needs to be sedated. It will take just a minute.)
What was I saying again? Oh yeah, I despise all things Pittsburgh.
OK, OK. The Steelers deserve credit for their 7-1 start while knocking off formerly undefeated New England and Philadelphia. Even Big Ben is playing far better than a cheap Chinese import.
Heck, go ahead and order your playoff tickets. Just don’t expect them to go too far. As sure as Pittsburgh fans stuff their bloated faces with pierogi and kielbassa, these Steelers will choke in the Big Game.
As for my beloved Browns, it’s been a tough ride this season. At some point, management will realize a solid offensive line leads the way to victory. I blame Cleveland’s loss to the MUCH-DESPISED TEAM THAT ART MODELL (WHOSE SOUL WILL ROT IN FOOTBALL HELL) USED TO OWN solely on the offensive line.
Jeff Garcia is a talented and gutsy quarterback. The Browns will do well with him guiding the team.
This week’s game will be interesting. I fully expect the Steelers to humiliate themselves within the opening minutes of the contest. The final: Cleveland 35, Pittsburgh 13.
Hey, Rick, order a six-pack of pierogies on me.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Sunday, November 7, 2004
HE SAID, SHE SAID: Think Bedford Downs can edge Political Games down the stretch? Don’t bet on it
Pat Litowitz
and Lisa Micco
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to the commonwealth’s premiere racing event — The Battle for Pennsylvania’s Last Harness Racing License. We’re your hosts, New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco. Glad to have you aboard for this exciting night of racing at the future home of Bedford Downs in Mahoning Township. With a minute to post, you still have time to place your bets.
The horses are at the gate. And they’re off!
Prohibitive favorite Valley View Downs, ridden by Beaver County’s state Rep. Mike Veon, is in the lead. Bedford Downs with Carmen Shick on board looks strong in second. Political Games is in third followed by Self-Serving Senator. No Chance for Lawrence County is in the back; just ahead of Doing the Right Thing. Gary’s Fiasco never leaves the starting gate.
At the turn Bedford Downs makes a strong pass to lead the field. Veon’s Valley View appears rattled as Doing the Right Thing gains ground. No Chance for Lawrence County has new life in fourth while Self-Serving Senator and Political Games stumble. Gary’s Fiasco has been put down.
It’s too close to call as the horses head for the home stretch. Unfortunately, the winner won’t be determined until next year when the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission makes it decision.
Until then join us as we discuss, “A Horse is a Horse — of Course, of Course — Unless Politics are Put into Force” or “The Idiot’s Guide to State Government and Harness Racing.”
LITOWITZ: Betting on the second race at Mountaineer, I decide to wheel the No. 7 horse on a $2 trifecta. Mind you, I’ve hit the front end of the daily double; so, things are looking pretty good if Shivermetimbers holds off the field.
MICCO: Translator! I need a translator!
LITOWITZ: What?
MICCO: I have no idea what you said. It sounded English yet I understood not a word.
LITOWITZ: Just practicing for the new racetrack. I want to be ready for when Bedford Downs opens.
MICCO: And what’s wrong with The Meadows in Union Township? Can’t you get your fix there?
LITOWITZ: It’s a nice facility. Been there a few times, but I like real horses — not TV ones. That’s why I’m excited about Bedford Downs. Oh yeah, don’t forget the slots.
MICCO: You might consider a charter membership to the Mahoning Township chapter of Gamblers Anonymous, too. Although, you’re pretty mild when compared to the rest of the Lawrence County population. Do you really believe Bedford Downs has a chance to become a reality?
LITOWITZ: Depends. If it’s Carmen’s plan vs. Centaur’s plan, then Carmen blows away the competition. You rarely hear the words “Lawrence County” and “first class” within the same sentence.
MICCO: Kinda like “New Castle” and “common sense.”
LITOWITZ: Exactly. When Carmen had his “little” shindig to present his plans for Bedford Downs to the public, he had Centaur doing a double take. Think of Carmen’s production as Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” and Centaur’s effort as a high school production of “Grease.”
MICCO: I always liked Rizzo. She was sassy ...
LITOWITZ: And making out with anything that moved. I bet you’re are a big fan of the hickey, or is your neck always purple?
MICCO: At least I’m getting action. You have to go to a track and pay for your afternoon delight.
LITOWITZ: As I was saying, if you go by plans, Carmen wins. But if you use politics as a barometer, then Bedford Downs is heading to the glue factory.
MICCO: Are you saying the evil hand of politics is playing a part. I am shocked. I am dismayed. I’m an angry, young Pat May.
LITOWITZ: Oh I doubt that. Besides, Pat May has taste and class.
Keep in mind that state Rep. Mike Veon and state Sen. Gerald LaValle are running the show in Beaver County.
Veon’s dying to get some slot action there. Just check his campaign contributions from this year. He’s received $20,000 from Indiana residents associated with Centaur, which includes Centaur Pennsylvania CEO Jeffrey Smith. Then there’s the $1,500 from Craig Neilsen, CEO of Ameristar Casinos in Jackpot, Nev.
Guess the “smart money” thinks Beaver County is the place to be.
And for those who think LaValle gives a crap about Lawrence County, check his voter base. In Tuesday’s election, he ran unopposed — getting 26,591 votes in Lawrence County and 67,747 votes in Beaver County.
The best LaValle can offer us is a debate with editorial page editor Mitchel Olszak.
Gerald LaValle — a man of the people. Only those who live in Beaver County.
MICCO: Someone sounds a little bitter. How about a mint julep?
LITOWITZ: I’ll pass. That’s a drink for thoroughbred fans. If Shick gets the harness license, then I’ll reconsider. You know, the only thing good to come out of Beaver County is Amber Brkich.
MICCO: And she was a Westminster College grad.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
and Lisa Micco
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to the commonwealth’s premiere racing event — The Battle for Pennsylvania’s Last Harness Racing License. We’re your hosts, New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco. Glad to have you aboard for this exciting night of racing at the future home of Bedford Downs in Mahoning Township. With a minute to post, you still have time to place your bets.
The horses are at the gate. And they’re off!
Prohibitive favorite Valley View Downs, ridden by Beaver County’s state Rep. Mike Veon, is in the lead. Bedford Downs with Carmen Shick on board looks strong in second. Political Games is in third followed by Self-Serving Senator. No Chance for Lawrence County is in the back; just ahead of Doing the Right Thing. Gary’s Fiasco never leaves the starting gate.
At the turn Bedford Downs makes a strong pass to lead the field. Veon’s Valley View appears rattled as Doing the Right Thing gains ground. No Chance for Lawrence County has new life in fourth while Self-Serving Senator and Political Games stumble. Gary’s Fiasco has been put down.
It’s too close to call as the horses head for the home stretch. Unfortunately, the winner won’t be determined until next year when the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission makes it decision.
Until then join us as we discuss, “A Horse is a Horse — of Course, of Course — Unless Politics are Put into Force” or “The Idiot’s Guide to State Government and Harness Racing.”
LITOWITZ: Betting on the second race at Mountaineer, I decide to wheel the No. 7 horse on a $2 trifecta. Mind you, I’ve hit the front end of the daily double; so, things are looking pretty good if Shivermetimbers holds off the field.
MICCO: Translator! I need a translator!
LITOWITZ: What?
MICCO: I have no idea what you said. It sounded English yet I understood not a word.
LITOWITZ: Just practicing for the new racetrack. I want to be ready for when Bedford Downs opens.
MICCO: And what’s wrong with The Meadows in Union Township? Can’t you get your fix there?
LITOWITZ: It’s a nice facility. Been there a few times, but I like real horses — not TV ones. That’s why I’m excited about Bedford Downs. Oh yeah, don’t forget the slots.
MICCO: You might consider a charter membership to the Mahoning Township chapter of Gamblers Anonymous, too. Although, you’re pretty mild when compared to the rest of the Lawrence County population. Do you really believe Bedford Downs has a chance to become a reality?
LITOWITZ: Depends. If it’s Carmen’s plan vs. Centaur’s plan, then Carmen blows away the competition. You rarely hear the words “Lawrence County” and “first class” within the same sentence.
MICCO: Kinda like “New Castle” and “common sense.”
LITOWITZ: Exactly. When Carmen had his “little” shindig to present his plans for Bedford Downs to the public, he had Centaur doing a double take. Think of Carmen’s production as Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” and Centaur’s effort as a high school production of “Grease.”
MICCO: I always liked Rizzo. She was sassy ...
LITOWITZ: And making out with anything that moved. I bet you’re are a big fan of the hickey, or is your neck always purple?
MICCO: At least I’m getting action. You have to go to a track and pay for your afternoon delight.
LITOWITZ: As I was saying, if you go by plans, Carmen wins. But if you use politics as a barometer, then Bedford Downs is heading to the glue factory.
MICCO: Are you saying the evil hand of politics is playing a part. I am shocked. I am dismayed. I’m an angry, young Pat May.
LITOWITZ: Oh I doubt that. Besides, Pat May has taste and class.
Keep in mind that state Rep. Mike Veon and state Sen. Gerald LaValle are running the show in Beaver County.
Veon’s dying to get some slot action there. Just check his campaign contributions from this year. He’s received $20,000 from Indiana residents associated with Centaur, which includes Centaur Pennsylvania CEO Jeffrey Smith. Then there’s the $1,500 from Craig Neilsen, CEO of Ameristar Casinos in Jackpot, Nev.
Guess the “smart money” thinks Beaver County is the place to be.
And for those who think LaValle gives a crap about Lawrence County, check his voter base. In Tuesday’s election, he ran unopposed — getting 26,591 votes in Lawrence County and 67,747 votes in Beaver County.
The best LaValle can offer us is a debate with editorial page editor Mitchel Olszak.
Gerald LaValle — a man of the people. Only those who live in Beaver County.
MICCO: Someone sounds a little bitter. How about a mint julep?
LITOWITZ: I’ll pass. That’s a drink for thoroughbred fans. If Shick gets the harness license, then I’ll reconsider. You know, the only thing good to come out of Beaver County is Amber Brkich.
MICCO: And she was a Westminster College grad.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Saturday, October 30, 2004
HE SAID, SHE SAID: Cast a vote for good taste, America, and elect to skip this column
Pat Litowitz
and Lisa Micco
Happy days are here again
Watch the Bush twins guzzle gin
As Bill Clinton lives in sin
Happy days are here again
Everyone shout “Michael Moore’s a louse!”
He wants George Dubya out of the House
See Teresa Heinz kick her spouse
Happy days are here again
•
A show of hands, please. How many of you will be voting in order to avoid pollsters, campaign commercials and Teresa Heinz Kerry?
Just what we thought. Pretty much everyone.
So join us in endorsing this message — “GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE!”
Thank goodness Election Day is near. Seems like everyone is getting testy.
Issues such as the war in Iraq, the economy, terrorism, abortion and gay rights are creating a whirlwind of activism. Everyone wants to have their say, including New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco.
Rallying the masses with their “Hey, Is It Time to Eat?” platform, our electorally challenged duo urge everyone to vote on Tuesday. Too bad they won’t be handing out cans of Cheese Whiz and Ho-Hos at the polls.
Join Pat and Lisa as they discuss “Cash and Kerry — Register Eight” or “Welcome to the Bush Leagues.”
LITOWITZ: Did you know the New Castle News was a part of the liberal media?
MICCO: I must have missed that meeting.
LITOWITZ: Well, it was for upper management only. That’s why you didn’t get an invite.
MICCO: And how do you qualify as upper management? Please tell me it has nothing to do with butt kissing.
LITOWITZ: How else does one work one’s way up the corporate ladder?
MICCO: And yet I’m not surprised.
LITOWITZ: But seriously, our readers have this impression The News is a Democrat-leaning newspaper that hates Republicans. Rumor has it that the New York Times and Washington Post tell us whom to support. I wish that were the case.
MICCO: I was always told that The News’ editorial board reviews the candidates and issues at hand. They painstakingly discuss the merits of each person and come up with an educated decision. Finally, an editorial declaring The News’ choice for that elected position is presented to the readers.
LITOWITZ: You’re joking, right?
MICCO: How else do you pick a candidate?
LITOWITZ: Pixie dust — and lots of it. You see, The News has this super-secret group known as the Coalition of Liberals Espousing Socialism, Loathing and Whining. COLESLAW, for short.
MICCO: Couldn’t you pick a more appealing acronym? Such as CHOCOLATE.
LITOWITZ: Can’t use that one. The Cordoroy-Hating Organization Championing Oriental Lingerie and Tight Eveningwear claimed it first.
MICCO: Whatever.
LITOWITZ: So, I’m under the impression that COLESLAW meets in a smoky back room with plenty of alcohol served. Boy, was I wrong. It was a 10-minute meeting in the men’s room. The News policy forbids smoking and boozing on company time. And there was this environmentalist in the group who kept whining about clean air. Talk about being disillusioned.
MICCO: Well, you were in a restroom. I guess the world of politics was too much for you. So, how do you pick a candidate?
LITOWITZ: I was kidding about the pixie dust. We actually used a Magic 8 Ball. I kept asking it, “Will George W. be re-elected as president?” The ball responded, “Ask Again Later.” After getting the same answer 10 times in a row, we decided to go with Kerry.
MICCO: You should’ve tried a Ouija board.
LITOWITZ: News company policy prohibits the use of a spiritual medium. Besides, we used all the money in petty cash for the Magic 8 Ball.
MICCO: Speaking of cash, what is up with all these television ads? It’s pretty bad when Viagra commercials take a back seat to political propaganda.
LITOWITZ: And you thought Viagra was long lasting.
MICCO: I can’t wait until Election Day is over. These TV and radio ads are such a turn-off. Like I want to see two grown men smack each other.
LITOWITZ: First off, Teresa Heinz Kerry in a two-piece bathing suit is a turn-off. Dick Cheney in a Speedo is disgusting. These commercials are just irritating. As an aside, the Bush twins are hot. And that’s what I’m basing my vote on.
MICCO: Glad to see you put great thought into your choice and you’re voting on the issues.
LITOWITZ: Be honest, what’s the difference between Bush and Kerry? They’re both rich, white and powerful.
MICCO: Yes, but one can speak in complete sentences.
LITOWITZ: When you have money, why waste your time on words? I take that back — there is a difference between Bush and Kerry. Bush doesn’t mind being wealthy, while Kerry feels guilty about it.
MICCO: They’re both out of touch with the common folk. That’s why they keep coming back to Ohio and Pennsylvania — to shoot their guns, eat at roadside diners and feel our pain. For once, I’d like to see a candidate who earned his degree at a state university, didn’t have a trust fund and drives a rusted-out Cavalier.
LITOWITZ: So, you want to elect me? I feel honored.
MICCO: Actually, I was thinking about voting for Joe Walsh. He did run for president in 1980 and promised “free gas for everyone.” With gas prices hovering at $2 a gallon, he’s got my vote.
LITOWITZ: My name is Pat Litowitz and I approve of this column.
MICCO: My name is Lisa Micco. I don’t.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
and Lisa Micco
Happy days are here again
Watch the Bush twins guzzle gin
As Bill Clinton lives in sin
Happy days are here again
Everyone shout “Michael Moore’s a louse!”
He wants George Dubya out of the House
See Teresa Heinz kick her spouse
Happy days are here again
•
A show of hands, please. How many of you will be voting in order to avoid pollsters, campaign commercials and Teresa Heinz Kerry?
Just what we thought. Pretty much everyone.
So join us in endorsing this message — “GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE!”
Thank goodness Election Day is near. Seems like everyone is getting testy.
Issues such as the war in Iraq, the economy, terrorism, abortion and gay rights are creating a whirlwind of activism. Everyone wants to have their say, including New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco.
Rallying the masses with their “Hey, Is It Time to Eat?” platform, our electorally challenged duo urge everyone to vote on Tuesday. Too bad they won’t be handing out cans of Cheese Whiz and Ho-Hos at the polls.
Join Pat and Lisa as they discuss “Cash and Kerry — Register Eight” or “Welcome to the Bush Leagues.”
LITOWITZ: Did you know the New Castle News was a part of the liberal media?
MICCO: I must have missed that meeting.
LITOWITZ: Well, it was for upper management only. That’s why you didn’t get an invite.
MICCO: And how do you qualify as upper management? Please tell me it has nothing to do with butt kissing.
LITOWITZ: How else does one work one’s way up the corporate ladder?
MICCO: And yet I’m not surprised.
LITOWITZ: But seriously, our readers have this impression The News is a Democrat-leaning newspaper that hates Republicans. Rumor has it that the New York Times and Washington Post tell us whom to support. I wish that were the case.
MICCO: I was always told that The News’ editorial board reviews the candidates and issues at hand. They painstakingly discuss the merits of each person and come up with an educated decision. Finally, an editorial declaring The News’ choice for that elected position is presented to the readers.
LITOWITZ: You’re joking, right?
MICCO: How else do you pick a candidate?
LITOWITZ: Pixie dust — and lots of it. You see, The News has this super-secret group known as the Coalition of Liberals Espousing Socialism, Loathing and Whining. COLESLAW, for short.
MICCO: Couldn’t you pick a more appealing acronym? Such as CHOCOLATE.
LITOWITZ: Can’t use that one. The Cordoroy-Hating Organization Championing Oriental Lingerie and Tight Eveningwear claimed it first.
MICCO: Whatever.
LITOWITZ: So, I’m under the impression that COLESLAW meets in a smoky back room with plenty of alcohol served. Boy, was I wrong. It was a 10-minute meeting in the men’s room. The News policy forbids smoking and boozing on company time. And there was this environmentalist in the group who kept whining about clean air. Talk about being disillusioned.
MICCO: Well, you were in a restroom. I guess the world of politics was too much for you. So, how do you pick a candidate?
LITOWITZ: I was kidding about the pixie dust. We actually used a Magic 8 Ball. I kept asking it, “Will George W. be re-elected as president?” The ball responded, “Ask Again Later.” After getting the same answer 10 times in a row, we decided to go with Kerry.
MICCO: You should’ve tried a Ouija board.
LITOWITZ: News company policy prohibits the use of a spiritual medium. Besides, we used all the money in petty cash for the Magic 8 Ball.
MICCO: Speaking of cash, what is up with all these television ads? It’s pretty bad when Viagra commercials take a back seat to political propaganda.
LITOWITZ: And you thought Viagra was long lasting.
MICCO: I can’t wait until Election Day is over. These TV and radio ads are such a turn-off. Like I want to see two grown men smack each other.
LITOWITZ: First off, Teresa Heinz Kerry in a two-piece bathing suit is a turn-off. Dick Cheney in a Speedo is disgusting. These commercials are just irritating. As an aside, the Bush twins are hot. And that’s what I’m basing my vote on.
MICCO: Glad to see you put great thought into your choice and you’re voting on the issues.
LITOWITZ: Be honest, what’s the difference between Bush and Kerry? They’re both rich, white and powerful.
MICCO: Yes, but one can speak in complete sentences.
LITOWITZ: When you have money, why waste your time on words? I take that back — there is a difference between Bush and Kerry. Bush doesn’t mind being wealthy, while Kerry feels guilty about it.
MICCO: They’re both out of touch with the common folk. That’s why they keep coming back to Ohio and Pennsylvania — to shoot their guns, eat at roadside diners and feel our pain. For once, I’d like to see a candidate who earned his degree at a state university, didn’t have a trust fund and drives a rusted-out Cavalier.
LITOWITZ: So, you want to elect me? I feel honored.
MICCO: Actually, I was thinking about voting for Joe Walsh. He did run for president in 1980 and promised “free gas for everyone.” With gas prices hovering at $2 a gallon, he’s got my vote.
LITOWITZ: My name is Pat Litowitz and I approve of this column.
MICCO: My name is Lisa Micco. I don’t.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Monday, October 18, 2004
HE SAID, SHE SAID: County officials begin Halloween festivities
Pat Litowitz
and Lisa Micco
The fine folks at the Lawrence County Government Center seem to be celebrating Halloween a little earlier than usual. Three crazed men roam the halls wielding budget axes. Then there’s that skeleton in the closet, “Bare Bones,” threatening to take away jobs.
Mystic Mary Ann haunts the lower level of the center. “The future is uncertain! The future is uncertain!” she screams.
And, finally, the treasurer’s office is home to The Invisible Man, who shows himself only to the department’s solicitor.
Did we mention the Felasco Fiasco Budget Exhibit? It’s for mature audiences only.
Yes, all very frightening indeed.
Oh, but wait, no one’s passing out treats. The mood is anything but festive. Alas, gloom and doom are the order of the day.
Then again, a $1 million-plus deficit will do that to you. As the county scraps for money, the commissioners are warning that layoffs will take place.
“I think we need to reduce the number of people in the courthouse permanently,” Commissioner Ed Fosnaught says.
If you’re looking for a miracle, remember Christmas is around the corner.
Speaking of a scary sight and things that go bump in the night, let’s introduce you to New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco, who need no masks to scare the masses. Join our hellacious pair as they discuss “Trick or Treat! You’re Fired!” or “Red Rover! Red Rover! Send a Million Dollars Right Over!”
LITOWITZ: Do I look fat?
MICCO: What are you talking about?
LITOWITZ: I was thinking of going on the County Diet Plan. It’s where you say you’re going to lose weight, feel good about yourself, but don’t actually have to diet.
MICCO: Oooo. Where do I sign up? Sounds like my kind of diet.
LITOWITZ: Just don’t give your money to the treasurer’s department. God only knows where it goes. Actually, He doesn’t know either. Keeps muttering something about the bowels of Hell.
MICCO: Doesn’t the county have to account for its money?
(Burst of laughter ensues.)
LITOWITZ (wiping tears from eyes): Stop it! Stop it! I can’t breathe!
MICCO: Oh, wait! How about providing matching funds for county projects? You know, Millennium Park.
LITOWITZ: Yeah, Lawrence County is the only place where you can lose $11 million in funding and call it a good thing.
MICCO: Doesn’t Martha Stewart say that? And look where she is.
LITOWITZ: Wampum?
MICCO: No, in prison.
LITOWITZ: Like I said, Wampum.
MICCO: She’s in minimum security. Wouldn’t Wampum be considered maximum? By the way, what is your issue with Wampum?
LITOWITZ: Rumor has it that county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco once visited Wampum.
MICCO: And that makes Wampum a bad place?
LITOWITZ: You’ve heard the saying — “Where Felasco goes, chaos flows.” Or something like that. Actually, the saying is, “Where Felasco goes, the county’s finances head to ruin. Everyone starts fighting. Morals go down the drain ...”
MICCO: I get it. I get it. You’re an idiot.
LITOWITZ: And you have Mr. Felasco to thank for that. Once again, we have to help the county think of a way to make some quick cash.
MICCO: Are we finished with the clock tower yet? I think we all know the time by now.
LITOWITZ: We suggested that once before and no one listened. Ditto for the cookie sale idea.
MICCO: How about selling some courthouse stuff on eBay? You know, auction off old gavels and furniture.
LITOWITZ: Now that you mention it, I noticed the lunchroom had at least five couches in it, along with seven tables and plenty of chairs. There’s nothing in the county code that says employees need to sit or have a table on their lunch break.
MICCO: And there’s nothing in the county code that says they should give up their work days for free. Can’t we take Felasco’s salary back? He’s not showing up for work, yet he’s still getting paid. I think I’m going to run for county treasurer. It’s not as if I have to be good at math.
LITOWITZ: Just because you’re elected doesn’t mean you have to work. The current commissioners don’t fit that bill, though. The problem is they always seem to be running around trying to get budget information that no one wants to provide.
MICCO: I believe that’s called the Bureaucratic Red Tape Shuffle.
LITOWITZ: I’ve always been a fan of the Curly Shuffle. Woo, woo, woo. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
MICCO: Oh, so you already are a fan of the Three Stooges? Of course, that’s not to be confused with the Three Commissioners.
LITOWITZ: (Poking Micco in the eyes and whacking her over the head with a sledgehammer.) Hey, wasn’t Mo’s last name Money? You know, Mo Money. That’s exactly what the county needs.
MICCO: It was Howard, you numbskull. And Larry’s last name was Fine. Something that should be levied against you for writing this pablum. It’s downright scary.
LITOWITZ: Hey, Lisa. What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
MICCO: Oh, I don’t know. What?
LITOWITZ: Frostbite.
MICCO: I want my mummy! There’s a big, fat, hairy monster and ... oh, it’s you, Litowitz.
LITOWITZ: Witch.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
and Lisa Micco
The fine folks at the Lawrence County Government Center seem to be celebrating Halloween a little earlier than usual. Three crazed men roam the halls wielding budget axes. Then there’s that skeleton in the closet, “Bare Bones,” threatening to take away jobs.
Mystic Mary Ann haunts the lower level of the center. “The future is uncertain! The future is uncertain!” she screams.
And, finally, the treasurer’s office is home to The Invisible Man, who shows himself only to the department’s solicitor.
Did we mention the Felasco Fiasco Budget Exhibit? It’s for mature audiences only.
Yes, all very frightening indeed.
Oh, but wait, no one’s passing out treats. The mood is anything but festive. Alas, gloom and doom are the order of the day.
Then again, a $1 million-plus deficit will do that to you. As the county scraps for money, the commissioners are warning that layoffs will take place.
“I think we need to reduce the number of people in the courthouse permanently,” Commissioner Ed Fosnaught says.
If you’re looking for a miracle, remember Christmas is around the corner.
Speaking of a scary sight and things that go bump in the night, let’s introduce you to New Castle News editors Pat Litowitz and Lisa Micco, who need no masks to scare the masses. Join our hellacious pair as they discuss “Trick or Treat! You’re Fired!” or “Red Rover! Red Rover! Send a Million Dollars Right Over!”
LITOWITZ: Do I look fat?
MICCO: What are you talking about?
LITOWITZ: I was thinking of going on the County Diet Plan. It’s where you say you’re going to lose weight, feel good about yourself, but don’t actually have to diet.
MICCO: Oooo. Where do I sign up? Sounds like my kind of diet.
LITOWITZ: Just don’t give your money to the treasurer’s department. God only knows where it goes. Actually, He doesn’t know either. Keeps muttering something about the bowels of Hell.
MICCO: Doesn’t the county have to account for its money?
(Burst of laughter ensues.)
LITOWITZ (wiping tears from eyes): Stop it! Stop it! I can’t breathe!
MICCO: Oh, wait! How about providing matching funds for county projects? You know, Millennium Park.
LITOWITZ: Yeah, Lawrence County is the only place where you can lose $11 million in funding and call it a good thing.
MICCO: Doesn’t Martha Stewart say that? And look where she is.
LITOWITZ: Wampum?
MICCO: No, in prison.
LITOWITZ: Like I said, Wampum.
MICCO: She’s in minimum security. Wouldn’t Wampum be considered maximum? By the way, what is your issue with Wampum?
LITOWITZ: Rumor has it that county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco once visited Wampum.
MICCO: And that makes Wampum a bad place?
LITOWITZ: You’ve heard the saying — “Where Felasco goes, chaos flows.” Or something like that. Actually, the saying is, “Where Felasco goes, the county’s finances head to ruin. Everyone starts fighting. Morals go down the drain ...”
MICCO: I get it. I get it. You’re an idiot.
LITOWITZ: And you have Mr. Felasco to thank for that. Once again, we have to help the county think of a way to make some quick cash.
MICCO: Are we finished with the clock tower yet? I think we all know the time by now.
LITOWITZ: We suggested that once before and no one listened. Ditto for the cookie sale idea.
MICCO: How about selling some courthouse stuff on eBay? You know, auction off old gavels and furniture.
LITOWITZ: Now that you mention it, I noticed the lunchroom had at least five couches in it, along with seven tables and plenty of chairs. There’s nothing in the county code that says employees need to sit or have a table on their lunch break.
MICCO: And there’s nothing in the county code that says they should give up their work days for free. Can’t we take Felasco’s salary back? He’s not showing up for work, yet he’s still getting paid. I think I’m going to run for county treasurer. It’s not as if I have to be good at math.
LITOWITZ: Just because you’re elected doesn’t mean you have to work. The current commissioners don’t fit that bill, though. The problem is they always seem to be running around trying to get budget information that no one wants to provide.
MICCO: I believe that’s called the Bureaucratic Red Tape Shuffle.
LITOWITZ: I’ve always been a fan of the Curly Shuffle. Woo, woo, woo. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
MICCO: Oh, so you already are a fan of the Three Stooges? Of course, that’s not to be confused with the Three Commissioners.
LITOWITZ: (Poking Micco in the eyes and whacking her over the head with a sledgehammer.) Hey, wasn’t Mo’s last name Money? You know, Mo Money. That’s exactly what the county needs.
MICCO: It was Howard, you numbskull. And Larry’s last name was Fine. Something that should be levied against you for writing this pablum. It’s downright scary.
LITOWITZ: Hey, Lisa. What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
MICCO: Oh, I don’t know. What?
LITOWITZ: Frostbite.
MICCO: I want my mummy! There’s a big, fat, hairy monster and ... oh, it’s you, Litowitz.
LITOWITZ: Witch.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Smart money’s on Shick to harness state license
Pat Litowitz
The gathering had the energy of an old-time revival. Offering applause and praise, the raucous believers filed into the big tent. Testimony upon testimony was given.
And, yes, there was even a prayer.
But for everything Carmen Shick delivered yesterday to the altar of the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission, the best offering was Shick himself.
If Lawrence County receives the coveted harness racing license, it will have been Shick who guided the county through the shadow of political deals and to the promised land.
“I’m overwhelmed that you’ve given your time to be here today,” Shick, the president and CEO of Bedford Downs, told the 500-plus in Mahoning Township.
His “aw, shucks” personality aside, it was Shick who overwhelmed the audience. He displayed a professionalism and confidence that placed the county in a good light as talk of financial woes, mismanagement and scandal were silenced.
When it comes to business development in Lawrence County, the common refrain is “How much money will the government give us?”
Shick proudly rejected that path.
When he announced that no tax dollars would be used to develop Bedford Downs, crowd members shouted their appreciation.
Sure, the promise of 2,000 jobs is exciting.
Sure, it’s comforting that Bedford Downs would generate millions in local tax revenue.
And it’s nice to know the county would have another tourist attraction.
But to proclaim you want nothing to do with taxpayer dollars is, well, amazing.
“Please forgive the comparison to another sport,” he said. “If we build it, THEY will come.”
Coupled with his work ethic of doing the right thing and doing the job right, Shick provides a refreshing and encouraging message.
No matter what happens in the quest for the golden ticket, Shick wins.
On Sept. 8, 2004, he became the standard-bearer for a better Lawrence County. Discard the resentment created by past failures and be willing to work for something better, he’s telling residents.
That’s a message we need to hear.
The gathering had the energy of an old-time revival. Offering applause and praise, the raucous believers filed into the big tent. Testimony upon testimony was given.
And, yes, there was even a prayer.
But for everything Carmen Shick delivered yesterday to the altar of the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission, the best offering was Shick himself.
If Lawrence County receives the coveted harness racing license, it will have been Shick who guided the county through the shadow of political deals and to the promised land.
“I’m overwhelmed that you’ve given your time to be here today,” Shick, the president and CEO of Bedford Downs, told the 500-plus in Mahoning Township.
His “aw, shucks” personality aside, it was Shick who overwhelmed the audience. He displayed a professionalism and confidence that placed the county in a good light as talk of financial woes, mismanagement and scandal were silenced.
When it comes to business development in Lawrence County, the common refrain is “How much money will the government give us?”
Shick proudly rejected that path.
When he announced that no tax dollars would be used to develop Bedford Downs, crowd members shouted their appreciation.
Sure, the promise of 2,000 jobs is exciting.
Sure, it’s comforting that Bedford Downs would generate millions in local tax revenue.
And it’s nice to know the county would have another tourist attraction.
But to proclaim you want nothing to do with taxpayer dollars is, well, amazing.
“Please forgive the comparison to another sport,” he said. “If we build it, THEY will come.”
Coupled with his work ethic of doing the right thing and doing the job right, Shick provides a refreshing and encouraging message.
No matter what happens in the quest for the golden ticket, Shick wins.
On Sept. 8, 2004, he became the standard-bearer for a better Lawrence County. Discard the resentment created by past failures and be willing to work for something better, he’s telling residents.
That’s a message we need to hear.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
More Felasco questions arise
PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
More than 900 calls were either made or received the past year on a cell phone assigned to the Lawrence County treasurer's office. Few, if any, of the calls related to county business, the New Castle News has determined.
An examination of cell phone records, along with expense and mileage reports, cast doubt on county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco's contention that the phone - (724) 651-4277 - was used primarily for county business.
Highlights of The News' findings include:
*311 calls were made or received after business hours.
*218 calls were made or received on weekends and holidays.
*Calls were placed to California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Texas.
*Calls were made from Butler, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Weirton, W.Va.
*Of the people contacted by The News, only three could recall having some contact with the treasurer's office. Of those three, only one person could document a conversation with Felasco.
*The cell phone was used to set up play dates for Gary and Jeannine Felasco's children.
*According to one person, Jeannine Felasco had possession of the cell phone in question.
Since February 2002, the county has paid $3,706.26 for cell phone usage for the treasurer's office. Felasco has reimbursed the county $140.62 for personal calls.
Felasco turned in both cell phones to the county on March 30. He then had the two phone numbers placed on his personal account. As of April 21, those numbers remained in service.
"Oh, my" was county Commissioner Ed Fosnaught's reaction April 21 to The News investigation. "I didn't know he had two cell phones."
Fosnaught was in office at the time Felasco originally obtained the cell phones.
Calls to Gary and Jeannine Felasco seeking comment on this story were not returned.
In previous interviews with The News, Gary Felasco had continued to stress the need for two cell phones in the treasurer's office. A three-week investigation by The News shows otherwise.
FAMILY MATTERS
"That was her cell phone," said Helen Iorio, regarding her sister Jeannine Felasco. "She used it."
Iorio, a Kennerdell, Pa., resident, received five calls from (724) 651-4277 in 2003.
"Jeannie is my sister, and I had her kids at the time. They were up there, and they called their mom."
Jeannine Felasco figures prominently in the use of the second county cell phone. Her husband, Gary, has refused to disclose who had possession of the phone, saying only it was with a county employee.
Three calls were made last year to Jeannine Felasco's parents, Fred and Jo Ann Spor of Tidioute, Pa. Jo Ann Spor confirmed she was Jeannine Felasco's mother but refused additional comment.
The phone also was used to conduct personal business. Roye Ellen Miller, whose number was listed seven times on cell phone records, said neither she nor her husband, John R. Jr., had dealings with the county treasurer's office.
"Jeannie Felasco rented space from us in West Middlesex," Roye Ellen Miller, a Farrell resident, noted.
Amy McConnell of the M&M Insurance Group in New Castle said her company insures the Felasco family. The company's number was called on Oct. 25. McConnell said she deals primarily with Jeannine Felasco.
A Youngstown man, whose phone number was called three times, said Jeannine Felasco was a student in his nursing class. He refused to provide his name or give the location of the school.
PLAY TIME
The cell phone also was used by Jeannine Felasco and her children to schedule play dates and meetings, according to several people.
Becky Debelak of Erie said her 13-year-old son called (724) 651-4277 to schedule get-togethers with one of the Felasco children.
"I know them because my son and Gary's son are good buddies."
A New Castle woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said that at one time her daughter and the Felascos' children were friends.
"(The) Felascos' children have called the house constantly last year," she said. "The children called to say they were staying at a hotel with their parents.
"They would go to hotels in the winter for a winter retreat and stayed in hotels with pools."
Another New Castle woman, who also did not want to be identified, said her son and the Felasco children were friends. When the children were away, they would call the house.
OTHER CALLS
Phone usage extended beyond the circle of family and friends. Hotels, restaurants and businesses also were called from the county-owned phone.
The hotels include the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, the Radisson in Sharon, Country Inn and Suites in Erie, Homewood Suites, also in Erie, and the Super 8 Motel in West Middlesex.
In addition, the Indian Creek Camping Resort in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, was listed three times on cell phone records for (724) 651-4277. The owner of the resort said Gary Felasco and his family are seasonal members.
Restaurants featured include Pittsburgh Rare and Augustine's Italian Village and Mr. Pizza, both in New Castle.
Saundra Farr, an area bridal consultant with Augusta Jones, was called in September but does not recall "talking to anyone from the Lawrence County treasurer's office."
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Sharon was called on May 29, 2003. A representative was unaware of any business the firm may have had with the county.
Other businesses called include Wee Care Day Care and Learning, Sam's Club and Sofas Plus, all in Boardman; Yahoo! customer care, Sunnyvale, Calif.; a Burbank, Calif., furniture company; Wal-Mart in Butler and in Hermitage; Pioneer Drive-in Theatres, Butler; Hobby Express, Mars; Fantastic Tan, New Castle; Nick's Auto Body, New Castle; Jameson Hospital; Burns Industrial Roofing, Mercer; Grove City Motor Sports, Grove City; Hobby Depot, Cranberry; Phoenix Glass Maintenance, Monaca; and Kmart, Hermitage.
Calls originating from (724) 651-4277 also were made to Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Fla., and Hilliard, Fla. A News staff member called those numbers but could not obtain additional information.
OUTSIDE THE COUNTY
In addition to tracking outgoing calls, Cellular One's phone bill also lists the location where the call was made or received. If the call was made or received within the Cellular One's local network, no origin is listed. Calls made or received outside the network provide a location.
The 2003 calls from (724) 651-4277 that were made from outside the network were:
*Butler - Two calls (June 20 and Aug. 21)
*Cleveland - Six calls (Nov. 23)
*Las Vegas - Five calls (June 8 and June 10)
*Pittsburgh - 29 calls (June 18 to 20, July 30, Aug. 21, Sept. 2, Oct. 5, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21)
*Weirton, W.Va. - Two calls (Aug. 1)
COUNTY BUSINESS
Three people, whose numbers were listed on phone records, acknowledged they had dealings with the treasurer's office. But in each case they were unfamiliar with the (724) 651-4277 cell phone number.
One of those is David Domenick, owner of David Domenick Insurance & Investments at 312 N. Jefferson St.
The county has been a client of Domenick's since 1997. He handled the county's liquid fuel funds investments during that time.
Domenick said he would speak to Gary Felasco or his assistant, Catherine Baker, on a weekly basis to discuss fund performance.
Two calls were placed from (724) 651-4277 to Domenick's office at 11:32 a.m. and 11:46 a.m. July 2, 2003. After reviewing his records for that day, Domenick said he had an appointment with Felasco at 10:30 a.m. However, Felasco did not show up.
Domenick believes the two calls were Felasco calling in to check on the value of funds invested with his company.
Nick DeRosa, assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District, also was called twice on July 2 - 11:13 a.m. on one phone and 11:14 a.m. on another line.
DeRosa noted that during the course of a business day, he will talk to city residents regarding their tax bills. He directs those call to the city and county tax departments. DeRosa said he mainly deals with the county treasurer's staff and not Felasco.
Jeff Dane, a Windom, Texas, resident, was called twice on July 28. Dane said that at one time, he wanted to obtain a Pennsylvania sales tax permit and called the treasurer's office for information. However, he said he does not remember ever being called by a member of the treasurer's staff.
BACKGROUND
Gary Felasco had stated his office uses two cell phones. One was assigned to him, he said, and the other was for staff use involving the Ellwood City tax office, satellite license sales locations and other county matters.
"I don't remember signing for a cell phone or having a discussion about one," Fosnaught said April 21. "I don't have a good answer for you."
County records show three separate payments totaling $402.39 were made on Feb. 7, 2002, to Nextel Communications, with a notation indicating the phones were for the treasurer's office.
This is the county's first documentation of cell phones assigned to that office.
"I knew about the one - 5772," Fosnaught said. "I had talked to him on that cell phone on a lot of occasions. I didn't know he had the other one."
According to an employee in the county controller's department, Felasco's office was assigned two phones as part of the contract with Nextel. Carriers were switched later that year when Cellular One took over the county contract in Felasco's department.
From January 2003 through January 2004, the period of time The News examined cell phone bills, Cellular One was paid $1,287.88 for (724) 651-5772 and $311.34 for (724) 651-4277.
To date, the county has paid $3,706.26 to the two carriers for the two cell phones for the treasurer's office.
"As far as one cell phone, I wouldn't have an argument about him having one," Fosnaught said. "As far as him having two, I can't think of a good reason for that to happen."
OFFICE USAGE
The Ellwood City office, located at 307 Fifth St., opened on June 7, 2001. At the time, Felasco and other county officials touted the location as a convenience to residents in the southern part of the county.
The office is scheduled to be open Tuesdays and Thursdays and staffed by one county employee. Felasco's mother, Helen, had operated the office until February when she took a leave to recover from foot surgery.
The phone number for the office is (724) 758-2500. That is not a cell phone.
Because portions of Ellwood City are part of the local Cellular One network, calls originating from the satellite tax office are designated as local. Therefore, individual calls cannot be tracked to that office.
The News confirmed that the tax office's phone, (724) 758-2500, can be used to place calls - in addition to receiving them.
The News contacted Helen Felasco April 21 to discuss phone usage in the Ellwood City office.
She refused to comment.
She also was asked about cell phone usage. Again, she refused comment.
In the past two years, the treasurer's office designated seven days to sell dog licenses at various sites throughout the county. At least one employee staffing the sites was not provided with a cell phone.
Mileage records from 2003 show Marguerite Mooney sold licenses in Bessemer and Enon Valley on Jan. 16, Wampum on Jan. 22, Pulaski and New Wilmington on Jan. 23, and Shenango Township on Jan. 24.
Mooney confirmed the above dates, and said she was never provided with a county cell phone.
This year, Helen Felasco sold dog licenses on Jan. 5, 7 and 12 in the same locations, except Shenango Township. She would neither confirm those dates nor say if she had been provided with a cell phone.
CALLS TO FELASCO
The cell phone assigned to (724) 651-4277 was used to call the treasurer's office only four times from Dec. 20, 2002, to Feb. 18, 2004 - once on April 13, 2003, and three times on July 2, 2003.
While the cell phone may have been used sparingly to contact the treasurer's office, it is a different matter regarding calls to the county treasurer's cell phone.
Thirty-five percent of the phone usage by (724) 651-4277 was calls to Gary Felasco's county-owned cell phone, (724) 651-5772 - 317 of the 904 calls The News reviewed.
There were 155 calls made during the Lawrence County Government Center's regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ninety-four calls were after 4 p.m. weekdays, and 68 calls were made on weekends or holidays.
Late-night calls also were a common occurrence. Following are a few examples.
*12:40 a.m. Dec. 5, 2002
*10:45 p.m. Jan. 18, 2003
*10:49 p.m. April 3, 2003
*11:29 p.m. April 3, 2003
*12:34 a.m. Aug. 22, 2003
*10:02 p.m. Dec. 23, 2003
*10:37 p.m. Jan. 5, 2004.
WHAT NEXT
To date, Lawrence County has no policy governing the use of cell phones.
"This whole thing has been a tragedy for the people of the county," Fosnaught said. "As far as the treasurer's office, he has to be held accountable.
"I think we need to do something different. This whole situation is unacceptable. But it still boils down to elected officials holding themselves to a high standard.
"When people don't do that, I don't know what policies you could write to force them to do that."
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
More than 900 calls were either made or received the past year on a cell phone assigned to the Lawrence County treasurer's office. Few, if any, of the calls related to county business, the New Castle News has determined.
An examination of cell phone records, along with expense and mileage reports, cast doubt on county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco's contention that the phone - (724) 651-4277 - was used primarily for county business.
Highlights of The News' findings include:
*311 calls were made or received after business hours.
*218 calls were made or received on weekends and holidays.
*Calls were placed to California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Texas.
*Calls were made from Butler, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Weirton, W.Va.
*Of the people contacted by The News, only three could recall having some contact with the treasurer's office. Of those three, only one person could document a conversation with Felasco.
*The cell phone was used to set up play dates for Gary and Jeannine Felasco's children.
*According to one person, Jeannine Felasco had possession of the cell phone in question.
Since February 2002, the county has paid $3,706.26 for cell phone usage for the treasurer's office. Felasco has reimbursed the county $140.62 for personal calls.
Felasco turned in both cell phones to the county on March 30. He then had the two phone numbers placed on his personal account. As of April 21, those numbers remained in service.
"Oh, my" was county Commissioner Ed Fosnaught's reaction April 21 to The News investigation. "I didn't know he had two cell phones."
Fosnaught was in office at the time Felasco originally obtained the cell phones.
Calls to Gary and Jeannine Felasco seeking comment on this story were not returned.
In previous interviews with The News, Gary Felasco had continued to stress the need for two cell phones in the treasurer's office. A three-week investigation by The News shows otherwise.
FAMILY MATTERS
"That was her cell phone," said Helen Iorio, regarding her sister Jeannine Felasco. "She used it."
Iorio, a Kennerdell, Pa., resident, received five calls from (724) 651-4277 in 2003.
"Jeannie is my sister, and I had her kids at the time. They were up there, and they called their mom."
Jeannine Felasco figures prominently in the use of the second county cell phone. Her husband, Gary, has refused to disclose who had possession of the phone, saying only it was with a county employee.
Three calls were made last year to Jeannine Felasco's parents, Fred and Jo Ann Spor of Tidioute, Pa. Jo Ann Spor confirmed she was Jeannine Felasco's mother but refused additional comment.
The phone also was used to conduct personal business. Roye Ellen Miller, whose number was listed seven times on cell phone records, said neither she nor her husband, John R. Jr., had dealings with the county treasurer's office.
"Jeannie Felasco rented space from us in West Middlesex," Roye Ellen Miller, a Farrell resident, noted.
Amy McConnell of the M&M Insurance Group in New Castle said her company insures the Felasco family. The company's number was called on Oct. 25. McConnell said she deals primarily with Jeannine Felasco.
A Youngstown man, whose phone number was called three times, said Jeannine Felasco was a student in his nursing class. He refused to provide his name or give the location of the school.
PLAY TIME
The cell phone also was used by Jeannine Felasco and her children to schedule play dates and meetings, according to several people.
Becky Debelak of Erie said her 13-year-old son called (724) 651-4277 to schedule get-togethers with one of the Felasco children.
"I know them because my son and Gary's son are good buddies."
A New Castle woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said that at one time her daughter and the Felascos' children were friends.
"(The) Felascos' children have called the house constantly last year," she said. "The children called to say they were staying at a hotel with their parents.
"They would go to hotels in the winter for a winter retreat and stayed in hotels with pools."
Another New Castle woman, who also did not want to be identified, said her son and the Felasco children were friends. When the children were away, they would call the house.
OTHER CALLS
Phone usage extended beyond the circle of family and friends. Hotels, restaurants and businesses also were called from the county-owned phone.
The hotels include the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, the Radisson in Sharon, Country Inn and Suites in Erie, Homewood Suites, also in Erie, and the Super 8 Motel in West Middlesex.
In addition, the Indian Creek Camping Resort in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, was listed three times on cell phone records for (724) 651-4277. The owner of the resort said Gary Felasco and his family are seasonal members.
Restaurants featured include Pittsburgh Rare and Augustine's Italian Village and Mr. Pizza, both in New Castle.
Saundra Farr, an area bridal consultant with Augusta Jones, was called in September but does not recall "talking to anyone from the Lawrence County treasurer's office."
The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Sharon was called on May 29, 2003. A representative was unaware of any business the firm may have had with the county.
Other businesses called include Wee Care Day Care and Learning, Sam's Club and Sofas Plus, all in Boardman; Yahoo! customer care, Sunnyvale, Calif.; a Burbank, Calif., furniture company; Wal-Mart in Butler and in Hermitage; Pioneer Drive-in Theatres, Butler; Hobby Express, Mars; Fantastic Tan, New Castle; Nick's Auto Body, New Castle; Jameson Hospital; Burns Industrial Roofing, Mercer; Grove City Motor Sports, Grove City; Hobby Depot, Cranberry; Phoenix Glass Maintenance, Monaca; and Kmart, Hermitage.
Calls originating from (724) 651-4277 also were made to Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Fla., and Hilliard, Fla. A News staff member called those numbers but could not obtain additional information.
OUTSIDE THE COUNTY
In addition to tracking outgoing calls, Cellular One's phone bill also lists the location where the call was made or received. If the call was made or received within the Cellular One's local network, no origin is listed. Calls made or received outside the network provide a location.
The 2003 calls from (724) 651-4277 that were made from outside the network were:
*Butler - Two calls (June 20 and Aug. 21)
*Cleveland - Six calls (Nov. 23)
*Las Vegas - Five calls (June 8 and June 10)
*Pittsburgh - 29 calls (June 18 to 20, July 30, Aug. 21, Sept. 2, Oct. 5, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21)
*Weirton, W.Va. - Two calls (Aug. 1)
COUNTY BUSINESS
Three people, whose numbers were listed on phone records, acknowledged they had dealings with the treasurer's office. But in each case they were unfamiliar with the (724) 651-4277 cell phone number.
One of those is David Domenick, owner of David Domenick Insurance & Investments at 312 N. Jefferson St.
The county has been a client of Domenick's since 1997. He handled the county's liquid fuel funds investments during that time.
Domenick said he would speak to Gary Felasco or his assistant, Catherine Baker, on a weekly basis to discuss fund performance.
Two calls were placed from (724) 651-4277 to Domenick's office at 11:32 a.m. and 11:46 a.m. July 2, 2003. After reviewing his records for that day, Domenick said he had an appointment with Felasco at 10:30 a.m. However, Felasco did not show up.
Domenick believes the two calls were Felasco calling in to check on the value of funds invested with his company.
Nick DeRosa, assistant superintendent of the New Castle Area School District, also was called twice on July 2 - 11:13 a.m. on one phone and 11:14 a.m. on another line.
DeRosa noted that during the course of a business day, he will talk to city residents regarding their tax bills. He directs those call to the city and county tax departments. DeRosa said he mainly deals with the county treasurer's staff and not Felasco.
Jeff Dane, a Windom, Texas, resident, was called twice on July 28. Dane said that at one time, he wanted to obtain a Pennsylvania sales tax permit and called the treasurer's office for information. However, he said he does not remember ever being called by a member of the treasurer's staff.
BACKGROUND
Gary Felasco had stated his office uses two cell phones. One was assigned to him, he said, and the other was for staff use involving the Ellwood City tax office, satellite license sales locations and other county matters.
"I don't remember signing for a cell phone or having a discussion about one," Fosnaught said April 21. "I don't have a good answer for you."
County records show three separate payments totaling $402.39 were made on Feb. 7, 2002, to Nextel Communications, with a notation indicating the phones were for the treasurer's office.
This is the county's first documentation of cell phones assigned to that office.
"I knew about the one - 5772," Fosnaught said. "I had talked to him on that cell phone on a lot of occasions. I didn't know he had the other one."
According to an employee in the county controller's department, Felasco's office was assigned two phones as part of the contract with Nextel. Carriers were switched later that year when Cellular One took over the county contract in Felasco's department.
From January 2003 through January 2004, the period of time The News examined cell phone bills, Cellular One was paid $1,287.88 for (724) 651-5772 and $311.34 for (724) 651-4277.
To date, the county has paid $3,706.26 to the two carriers for the two cell phones for the treasurer's office.
"As far as one cell phone, I wouldn't have an argument about him having one," Fosnaught said. "As far as him having two, I can't think of a good reason for that to happen."
OFFICE USAGE
The Ellwood City office, located at 307 Fifth St., opened on June 7, 2001. At the time, Felasco and other county officials touted the location as a convenience to residents in the southern part of the county.
The office is scheduled to be open Tuesdays and Thursdays and staffed by one county employee. Felasco's mother, Helen, had operated the office until February when she took a leave to recover from foot surgery.
The phone number for the office is (724) 758-2500. That is not a cell phone.
Because portions of Ellwood City are part of the local Cellular One network, calls originating from the satellite tax office are designated as local. Therefore, individual calls cannot be tracked to that office.
The News confirmed that the tax office's phone, (724) 758-2500, can be used to place calls - in addition to receiving them.
The News contacted Helen Felasco April 21 to discuss phone usage in the Ellwood City office.
She refused to comment.
She also was asked about cell phone usage. Again, she refused comment.
In the past two years, the treasurer's office designated seven days to sell dog licenses at various sites throughout the county. At least one employee staffing the sites was not provided with a cell phone.
Mileage records from 2003 show Marguerite Mooney sold licenses in Bessemer and Enon Valley on Jan. 16, Wampum on Jan. 22, Pulaski and New Wilmington on Jan. 23, and Shenango Township on Jan. 24.
Mooney confirmed the above dates, and said she was never provided with a county cell phone.
This year, Helen Felasco sold dog licenses on Jan. 5, 7 and 12 in the same locations, except Shenango Township. She would neither confirm those dates nor say if she had been provided with a cell phone.
CALLS TO FELASCO
The cell phone assigned to (724) 651-4277 was used to call the treasurer's office only four times from Dec. 20, 2002, to Feb. 18, 2004 - once on April 13, 2003, and three times on July 2, 2003.
While the cell phone may have been used sparingly to contact the treasurer's office, it is a different matter regarding calls to the county treasurer's cell phone.
Thirty-five percent of the phone usage by (724) 651-4277 was calls to Gary Felasco's county-owned cell phone, (724) 651-5772 - 317 of the 904 calls The News reviewed.
There were 155 calls made during the Lawrence County Government Center's regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ninety-four calls were after 4 p.m. weekdays, and 68 calls were made on weekends or holidays.
Late-night calls also were a common occurrence. Following are a few examples.
*12:40 a.m. Dec. 5, 2002
*10:45 p.m. Jan. 18, 2003
*10:49 p.m. April 3, 2003
*11:29 p.m. April 3, 2003
*12:34 a.m. Aug. 22, 2003
*10:02 p.m. Dec. 23, 2003
*10:37 p.m. Jan. 5, 2004.
WHAT NEXT
To date, Lawrence County has no policy governing the use of cell phones.
"This whole thing has been a tragedy for the people of the county," Fosnaught said. "As far as the treasurer's office, he has to be held accountable.
"I think we need to do something different. This whole situation is unacceptable. But it still boils down to elected officials holding themselves to a high standard.
"When people don't do that, I don't know what policies you could write to force them to do that."
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Thursday, April 8, 2004
QUESTIONABLE CALLS
FYI...
According to information on its home page, "Jeannie in a Bottle" was founded on Oct. 5, 2001. As of yesterday, there were 4,128 members of the group.
Its Web address is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeannieinabottle/.
The group also uses a second Web site, http://www.geocities.com/jeanfun4all/.
As of yesterday, the Web site was still in service.
PAT LITOWITZ
and DEBBIE WACHTER MORRIS
A cell phone number used to give directions to an adult-oriented party is assigned to the Lawrence County treasurer's office, a New Castle News investigation reveals.
County records confirm that phone number (724) 651-5772 is used by county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco and until last week was paid for by the county.
The Internet group, "Jeannie in a Bottle," announced plans for a "small, private party" to take place on March 27. A News employee, who joined the group using an assumed identity, received an invitation to the event.
A subsequent e-mail to The News employee on March 25 outlined directions to the party location and the rules of etiquette to be followed. A $10 donation was requested. The e-mail also advised the reader to call (724) 651-5772 for additional information.
That was one of two cell numbers assigned to Felasco along with two phones for his use in the county treasurer's office. The other cell phone number is (724) 651-4277. Felasco returned his cell phones to the county March 30.
Felasco said he transferred the numbers to his own personal cell phone account. He would not comment Tuesday on what prompted him to give back the county phones.
"Jeannie in a Bottle" is a group found on the Yahoo Web site. It features more than 200 photos. Many are sexually explicit, ranging from frontal nudity to sexual intercourse.
The operator of the group goes by the Yahoo ID of jeanfun4all and signs correspondences using "Jeannie." Her adult Yahoo profile shows an undressed woman from the neck down.
It states that she is 36, married and lives in Ohio/Pennsylvania. This person's identity has not been verified.
According to the group's description, "Jeannie" hosts private parties on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
"The Party is invite only," the statement continues. "It is interracial we have 5 cpls confirmed so far and Im sure we will get more.
"We will have single males both white and black. Single males are more than welcome but the Number will be limited due to size of rooms."
A review of the group's message board shows 12 such parties were publicized from September 2003 to January 2004.
The News learned in early March of the Web site.
A News employee, whose identity has not been revealed, exchanged a series of e-mails with the group's operator, jeanfun4all. The purpose of the e-mails was to obtain an invitation to one of the group's events.
Within two weeks of the initial e-mail, the News employee was advised the next invitation-only party would take place at 8 p.m. March 27 in Room 201 at the Days Inn Youngstown North, 1610 Motor Drive Inn, Girard, Ohio.
Along with the invitation, a phone number was supplied to obtain additional information. That number corresponded with the same one that was assigned to Felasco.
A member of The News staff contacted the Days Inn on March 26 and learned that three rooms - 201, 202 and 203 - were reserved under the name of Felasco for March 27. The News also obtained a reservation number for the rooms.
On the day of the event, three members of The News editorial staff traveled to the Days Inn. Once there, a cell phone call was made at 8:32 p.m. to the county treasurer's cell phone number, (724) 651-5772, on the pretense of obtaining directions to the hotel.
A man initially picked up the call. The phone was then passed on to a person answering to the name of Jeannie. After requesting directions, The News employee was told, "Here, talk to Gary."
"Gary" then picked up the phone and provided directions to the Days Inn. A News staffer identified that voice as belonging to county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco.
The call lasted approximately 2 1/2 minutes.
For an hour and 15 minutes, members of The News staff observed activity taking place at Room 201. During that period, seven people entered the room. It was also noted that several other people were peering through the room's curtain, and, at one point, a man was stationed outside of the room door.
A blue conversion van, with a Pennsylvania license of "FELASCO," was parked in the west parking lot of Days Inn. The same vehicle was seen earlier in the day at 1311 Cunningham Ave. in New Castle.
An examination of county records shows the property belongs to Gary F. and Jeannine L. Felasco.
Felasco said Tuesday afternoon he had no idea his cell phone number was being used in e-mails in relation to the Web site.
"Anyone could have obtained it from the county controller's office and used it, because the number was public record at the courthouse," he said.
He said he has not received any calls on his cell phone with regard to the e-mail from people asking directions to a party.
"I don't know why my number would be used in connection with anything like that," he said. "I have no clue."
Implying that people have been playing pranks, he said he also has received fake pictures of himself superimposed in shackles and an orange jumpsuit, similar to those worn at the jail.
He said he also has no knowledge of any Web site called "Jeannie in a Bottle," and that it is not owned by his wife, Jeannine.
"My cell phone shouldn't be on any Web site," he commented.
He resolved after lengthy conversation to ask his solicitor, attorney Ed Leymarie, to look into the matter.
Two News reporters phoned Felasco's wife for comment three times Tuesday afternoon. A woman who answered the phone declined comment the first time, uttered an expletive the second time, and declined comment the third, hanging up abruptly each time.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
According to information on its home page, "Jeannie in a Bottle" was founded on Oct. 5, 2001. As of yesterday, there were 4,128 members of the group.
Its Web address is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jeannieinabottle/.
The group also uses a second Web site, http://www.geocities.com/jeanfun4all/.
As of yesterday, the Web site was still in service.
PAT LITOWITZ
and DEBBIE WACHTER MORRIS
A cell phone number used to give directions to an adult-oriented party is assigned to the Lawrence County treasurer's office, a New Castle News investigation reveals.
County records confirm that phone number (724) 651-5772 is used by county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco and until last week was paid for by the county.
The Internet group, "Jeannie in a Bottle," announced plans for a "small, private party" to take place on March 27. A News employee, who joined the group using an assumed identity, received an invitation to the event.
A subsequent e-mail to The News employee on March 25 outlined directions to the party location and the rules of etiquette to be followed. A $10 donation was requested. The e-mail also advised the reader to call (724) 651-5772 for additional information.
That was one of two cell numbers assigned to Felasco along with two phones for his use in the county treasurer's office. The other cell phone number is (724) 651-4277. Felasco returned his cell phones to the county March 30.
Felasco said he transferred the numbers to his own personal cell phone account. He would not comment Tuesday on what prompted him to give back the county phones.
"Jeannie in a Bottle" is a group found on the Yahoo Web site. It features more than 200 photos. Many are sexually explicit, ranging from frontal nudity to sexual intercourse.
The operator of the group goes by the Yahoo ID of jeanfun4all and signs correspondences using "Jeannie." Her adult Yahoo profile shows an undressed woman from the neck down.
It states that she is 36, married and lives in Ohio/Pennsylvania. This person's identity has not been verified.
According to the group's description, "Jeannie" hosts private parties on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
"The Party is invite only," the statement continues. "It is interracial we have 5 cpls confirmed so far and Im sure we will get more.
"We will have single males both white and black. Single males are more than welcome but the Number will be limited due to size of rooms."
A review of the group's message board shows 12 such parties were publicized from September 2003 to January 2004.
The News learned in early March of the Web site.
A News employee, whose identity has not been revealed, exchanged a series of e-mails with the group's operator, jeanfun4all. The purpose of the e-mails was to obtain an invitation to one of the group's events.
Within two weeks of the initial e-mail, the News employee was advised the next invitation-only party would take place at 8 p.m. March 27 in Room 201 at the Days Inn Youngstown North, 1610 Motor Drive Inn, Girard, Ohio.
Along with the invitation, a phone number was supplied to obtain additional information. That number corresponded with the same one that was assigned to Felasco.
A member of The News staff contacted the Days Inn on March 26 and learned that three rooms - 201, 202 and 203 - were reserved under the name of Felasco for March 27. The News also obtained a reservation number for the rooms.
On the day of the event, three members of The News editorial staff traveled to the Days Inn. Once there, a cell phone call was made at 8:32 p.m. to the county treasurer's cell phone number, (724) 651-5772, on the pretense of obtaining directions to the hotel.
A man initially picked up the call. The phone was then passed on to a person answering to the name of Jeannie. After requesting directions, The News employee was told, "Here, talk to Gary."
"Gary" then picked up the phone and provided directions to the Days Inn. A News staffer identified that voice as belonging to county Treasurer Gary F. Felasco.
The call lasted approximately 2 1/2 minutes.
For an hour and 15 minutes, members of The News staff observed activity taking place at Room 201. During that period, seven people entered the room. It was also noted that several other people were peering through the room's curtain, and, at one point, a man was stationed outside of the room door.
A blue conversion van, with a Pennsylvania license of "FELASCO," was parked in the west parking lot of Days Inn. The same vehicle was seen earlier in the day at 1311 Cunningham Ave. in New Castle.
An examination of county records shows the property belongs to Gary F. and Jeannine L. Felasco.
Felasco said Tuesday afternoon he had no idea his cell phone number was being used in e-mails in relation to the Web site.
"Anyone could have obtained it from the county controller's office and used it, because the number was public record at the courthouse," he said.
He said he has not received any calls on his cell phone with regard to the e-mail from people asking directions to a party.
"I don't know why my number would be used in connection with anything like that," he said. "I have no clue."
Implying that people have been playing pranks, he said he also has received fake pictures of himself superimposed in shackles and an orange jumpsuit, similar to those worn at the jail.
He said he also has no knowledge of any Web site called "Jeannie in a Bottle," and that it is not owned by his wife, Jeannine.
"My cell phone shouldn't be on any Web site," he commented.
He resolved after lengthy conversation to ask his solicitor, attorney Ed Leymarie, to look into the matter.
Two News reporters phoned Felasco's wife for comment three times Tuesday afternoon. A woman who answered the phone declined comment the first time, uttered an expletive the second time, and declined comment the third, hanging up abruptly each time.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Saturday, March 6, 2004
He Said / She Said: The Felasco Fiasco
Pat Litowitz
and Lisa Micco
New Castle News
It's called Felapoly, a variation on the popular game Monopoly.
Don't forget, Lawrence County rules trump real world rules. In Felapoly, the contestants select one player to serve as treasurer, tax collector and head of housing. We call that player Gary Felasco. The remaining players, officially called taxpayers, are affectionately referred to as fools.
The game works this way. The Fools run around in circles in an effort to earn a salary, acquire property and wealth, and pay their fair share of taxes.
The Felasco oversees and participates in the proceedings but is exempt from paying taxes. In fact, the Felasco starts off with four properties to begin each game.
The winner? Well, it's The Felasco, of course. You thought you'd have a fair chance?
Speaking of unfair and unbalanced, join New Castle News editors Lisa Micco and Pat Litowitz as they discuss "It's Good to Be Gary" or "Anyone Want to Buy a 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card?"
LITOWITZ: A show of hands, please. How many of us have forgotten to do something? Take out the trash. Pick up the kid from school. Remember the wife's birthday. Pay your taxes. Hey, honest mistake. No harm. No foul.
MICCO: Does this fall in the same line as "You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached"? Sorry, I don't buy that excuse.
LITOWITZ: There's a perfectly simple explanation. You see, when he became the county's tax "collector," he assumed he could drop the title of "taxpayer." Happens all the time.
MICCO: Yeah, Al Capone, Willie Nelson, James Brown and Gary Felasco. They "just forgot" to pay taxes.
LITOWITZ: Hold on Nellie, in the case of Capone, Nelson and Brown, they evaded paying taxes. Felasco forgot.
MICCO: That's just semantics. You say poh-TAY-to, I say poh-tah-TO. In the world of taxes, evade and forget are the same thing.
LITOWITZ: Remember the movie, "Apollo 13"? Astronaut Jack Swigert (played by Kevin Bacon) forgot to pay his taxes. Did they send the IRS into outer space to collect? No. He acknowledged his mistake and said he'd take care of it. Kinda like Gary Felasco, except that Felasco wasn't in outer space, doesn't look like Kevin Bacon and isn't in a movie. Other than that it's the same thing.
MICCO: Houston, we have a problem. So, what you're saying is it's OK to be a director of the county's tax claim bureau and forget your civic obligations. The man's JOB IS TAXES! That's akin to working at Krispy Kreme and forgetting to make the doughnuts.
LITOWITZ: I refuse to believe this was done on purpose. That's just as silly as suggesting that former County Commissioner Brian Burick would change parties and become a Republican.
MICCO: Or just as unheard of as Mayor Wayne Alexander packing heat or paying for city hall repairs out of his own pocket.
LITOWITZ: Yeah, it just doesn't happen.
MICCO: Ugh!
LITOWITZ: So you agree with me?
MICCO: Ah, I think the boat to Fantasy Island leaves in a few minutes. You better board now. There is no way he "forgot" to pay taxes on several properties since 2000. This is just a clear-cut case of abuse of position and power.
LITOWITZ: Let's put the proper Lawrence County spin on this.
MICCO: Would that be with a roulette wheel?
LITOWITZ: Don't be picking on the New Castle Board of Education. The truce we negotiated through the U.N. is holding. Don't need your big mouth ruining things. Now back to the issue. No. 1 - There's a conspiracy in place. Someone's paying someone under the table. (The size of the table is irrelevant. However, I am fond of oak. I prefer American oak to the imported variety.) No. 2 - The people involved are all related. No. 3 - Someone was hired from out of town to do the dirty deed. No. 4 - Consultants will be hired - and then ignored. No. 5 - Your taxes will be raised. No. 6 - The state will conduct an audit and uncover "questionable practices." No. 7 - The people in the spotlight will say they are sorry. No. 8 - More relatives will be hired. No. 9 - Your taxes will be raised again.
MICCO: Oh, so now you agree with me? It's business as usual.
LITOWITZ: All right, I give up. Call in the damn FBI. They cleaned up in Ohio, starting in Mahoning County and working their way up to Trumbull. Since they're in the area, let's see if they will drop by.
MICCO: They better block off the next 10 years to clean up this county. It's just not fair. Why can Felasco say, "Oops. I forgot" and we're supposed to forgive and forget. Anyone else would have lost his or her home by now.
LITOWITZ: You and I would already be in a cardboard box.
MICCO: Yeah, but I hear it's tax free.
(Lisa Micco is the assistant news editor and Pat Litowitz is the Living editor at The News. Their column appears Saturdays, like it or not. Micco can be contacted at lmicco@ncnewsonline.com or by calling (724) 654-6651, extension 627. Litowitz can be contacted at plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com or by calling (724) 654-6651, extension 615.)
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
and Lisa Micco
New Castle News
It's called Felapoly, a variation on the popular game Monopoly.
Don't forget, Lawrence County rules trump real world rules. In Felapoly, the contestants select one player to serve as treasurer, tax collector and head of housing. We call that player Gary Felasco. The remaining players, officially called taxpayers, are affectionately referred to as fools.
The game works this way. The Fools run around in circles in an effort to earn a salary, acquire property and wealth, and pay their fair share of taxes.
The Felasco oversees and participates in the proceedings but is exempt from paying taxes. In fact, the Felasco starts off with four properties to begin each game.
The winner? Well, it's The Felasco, of course. You thought you'd have a fair chance?
Speaking of unfair and unbalanced, join New Castle News editors Lisa Micco and Pat Litowitz as they discuss "It's Good to Be Gary" or "Anyone Want to Buy a 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card?"
LITOWITZ: A show of hands, please. How many of us have forgotten to do something? Take out the trash. Pick up the kid from school. Remember the wife's birthday. Pay your taxes. Hey, honest mistake. No harm. No foul.
MICCO: Does this fall in the same line as "You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached"? Sorry, I don't buy that excuse.
LITOWITZ: There's a perfectly simple explanation. You see, when he became the county's tax "collector," he assumed he could drop the title of "taxpayer." Happens all the time.
MICCO: Yeah, Al Capone, Willie Nelson, James Brown and Gary Felasco. They "just forgot" to pay taxes.
LITOWITZ: Hold on Nellie, in the case of Capone, Nelson and Brown, they evaded paying taxes. Felasco forgot.
MICCO: That's just semantics. You say poh-TAY-to, I say poh-tah-TO. In the world of taxes, evade and forget are the same thing.
LITOWITZ: Remember the movie, "Apollo 13"? Astronaut Jack Swigert (played by Kevin Bacon) forgot to pay his taxes. Did they send the IRS into outer space to collect? No. He acknowledged his mistake and said he'd take care of it. Kinda like Gary Felasco, except that Felasco wasn't in outer space, doesn't look like Kevin Bacon and isn't in a movie. Other than that it's the same thing.
MICCO: Houston, we have a problem. So, what you're saying is it's OK to be a director of the county's tax claim bureau and forget your civic obligations. The man's JOB IS TAXES! That's akin to working at Krispy Kreme and forgetting to make the doughnuts.
LITOWITZ: I refuse to believe this was done on purpose. That's just as silly as suggesting that former County Commissioner Brian Burick would change parties and become a Republican.
MICCO: Or just as unheard of as Mayor Wayne Alexander packing heat or paying for city hall repairs out of his own pocket.
LITOWITZ: Yeah, it just doesn't happen.
MICCO: Ugh!
LITOWITZ: So you agree with me?
MICCO: Ah, I think the boat to Fantasy Island leaves in a few minutes. You better board now. There is no way he "forgot" to pay taxes on several properties since 2000. This is just a clear-cut case of abuse of position and power.
LITOWITZ: Let's put the proper Lawrence County spin on this.
MICCO: Would that be with a roulette wheel?
LITOWITZ: Don't be picking on the New Castle Board of Education. The truce we negotiated through the U.N. is holding. Don't need your big mouth ruining things. Now back to the issue. No. 1 - There's a conspiracy in place. Someone's paying someone under the table. (The size of the table is irrelevant. However, I am fond of oak. I prefer American oak to the imported variety.) No. 2 - The people involved are all related. No. 3 - Someone was hired from out of town to do the dirty deed. No. 4 - Consultants will be hired - and then ignored. No. 5 - Your taxes will be raised. No. 6 - The state will conduct an audit and uncover "questionable practices." No. 7 - The people in the spotlight will say they are sorry. No. 8 - More relatives will be hired. No. 9 - Your taxes will be raised again.
MICCO: Oh, so now you agree with me? It's business as usual.
LITOWITZ: All right, I give up. Call in the damn FBI. They cleaned up in Ohio, starting in Mahoning County and working their way up to Trumbull. Since they're in the area, let's see if they will drop by.
MICCO: They better block off the next 10 years to clean up this county. It's just not fair. Why can Felasco say, "Oops. I forgot" and we're supposed to forgive and forget. Anyone else would have lost his or her home by now.
LITOWITZ: You and I would already be in a cardboard box.
MICCO: Yeah, but I hear it's tax free.
(Lisa Micco is the assistant news editor and Pat Litowitz is the Living editor at The News. Their column appears Saturdays, like it or not. Micco can be contacted at lmicco@ncnewsonline.com or by calling (724) 654-6651, extension 627. Litowitz can be contacted at plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com or by calling (724) 654-6651, extension 615.)
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Thursday, February 12, 2004
'Chopper' takes peek into cycle-building family
Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
Use "This Old House" as your base. Capture the anger of "The Jerry Springer Show." Toss in a pinch of "The Osbournes." Finally, a liberal helping of "Father Knows Best."
Or, try this.
Imagine a drill sergeant-turned-biker producing highly acclaimed motorcycles with the help of his off-beat sons.
Welcome to "American Chopper."
Rock Tavern, N.Y., serves as the center of operations in this reality series. There, you find much-tattooed and short-tempered Paul Teutul Sr.
Orange County Choppers grew out of Paul Sr.'s love of motorcycles. Thanks to the success of his steel fabricating plant, Paul Sr. expanded his interests to custom-built choppers.
The Discovery Channel crew highlights the process from inception to delivery. It's an impressive effort as Paul Jr. leads the design and fabrication portion of the business.
For example, the Fire Bike pays homage to the New York Fire Department and the losses it suffered in 9/11. A fire hydrant is positioned next to the engine, while a mini ladder is fashioned to the rear wheel. Fumes exit from the fire hose nozzle exhaust system.
It's the interaction among father Paul Sr., sons Paul Jr. and Mickey and co-worker Vinnie that boosts a "how-to show" into high octane action.
Sporting a short-cropped haircut and walrus mustache, Paul Sr. constantly totters between irritation and anger. Motorcycles are his joy, everything else a nuisance.
"Sometimes, with my father, the littlest thing is going to set him off," Paul Jr. observed in Monday's episode. "It's sort of a wildfire, you know, feeding on itself.
"I've learned over the years that you let him keep going until he wears himself out."
It's not that the leader of the Teutul clan is complicated. His rules are simple.
*Keep your work area clean.
*Be organized.
*"Don't violate people's stuff." (Think of it as a takeoff of "Thou shalt not steal parts from one motorcycle to use on another.")
The message is clear, but the words are lost in the vapors.
"I decided to try a little test," Paul Sr. tells viewers as he examines the cluttered workshop. "For the past few weeks, I kinda let Paul and (worker) Vinnie do whatever they wanted in the upper shop - cleaning up and keeping things organized.
"You know what the place looked like? A frickin' bomb went through it. Let me tell ya, the test is over and they failed miserably."
What does excel is the Discovery Channel's coverage of a working-class family's motor medium.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
New Castle News
Use "This Old House" as your base. Capture the anger of "The Jerry Springer Show." Toss in a pinch of "The Osbournes." Finally, a liberal helping of "Father Knows Best."
Or, try this.
Imagine a drill sergeant-turned-biker producing highly acclaimed motorcycles with the help of his off-beat sons.
Welcome to "American Chopper."
Rock Tavern, N.Y., serves as the center of operations in this reality series. There, you find much-tattooed and short-tempered Paul Teutul Sr.
Orange County Choppers grew out of Paul Sr.'s love of motorcycles. Thanks to the success of his steel fabricating plant, Paul Sr. expanded his interests to custom-built choppers.
The Discovery Channel crew highlights the process from inception to delivery. It's an impressive effort as Paul Jr. leads the design and fabrication portion of the business.
For example, the Fire Bike pays homage to the New York Fire Department and the losses it suffered in 9/11. A fire hydrant is positioned next to the engine, while a mini ladder is fashioned to the rear wheel. Fumes exit from the fire hose nozzle exhaust system.
It's the interaction among father Paul Sr., sons Paul Jr. and Mickey and co-worker Vinnie that boosts a "how-to show" into high octane action.
Sporting a short-cropped haircut and walrus mustache, Paul Sr. constantly totters between irritation and anger. Motorcycles are his joy, everything else a nuisance.
"Sometimes, with my father, the littlest thing is going to set him off," Paul Jr. observed in Monday's episode. "It's sort of a wildfire, you know, feeding on itself.
"I've learned over the years that you let him keep going until he wears himself out."
It's not that the leader of the Teutul clan is complicated. His rules are simple.
*Keep your work area clean.
*Be organized.
*"Don't violate people's stuff." (Think of it as a takeoff of "Thou shalt not steal parts from one motorcycle to use on another.")
The message is clear, but the words are lost in the vapors.
"I decided to try a little test," Paul Sr. tells viewers as he examines the cluttered workshop. "For the past few weeks, I kinda let Paul and (worker) Vinnie do whatever they wanted in the upper shop - cleaning up and keeping things organized.
"You know what the place looked like? A frickin' bomb went through it. Let me tell ya, the test is over and they failed miserably."
What does excel is the Discovery Channel's coverage of a working-class family's motor medium.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
Labor dispute puts WKBN news staff in unusual position
Pat Litowitz
New Castle News
Union members raised their signs in unison yesterday as the drivers passed their East Midlothian Boulevard picket site.
A few motorists waved while others honked in support. A typical Mahoning Valley labor dispute, except that the workers at the center of this battle normally report on conflicts. This time the spotlight has been shined on them.
"It's an uncomfortable thing," WKBN-TV news reporter Joe Bell said. "I would rather be covering the news."
Bell and 34 other members of Local 47 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians said they were locked out of the WKBN-TV studios on Saturday. The local includes WKBN-TV anchors, reporters, directors and videographers.
Health-care and wages are the main issues facing the union and WKBN-TV management. The union's rejection of management's latest offer on Saturday led to the standoff.
Bell, who is the union's spokesman and shop steward, said Local 47 will agree to work under terms of the expired contract. Talks between the two sides may resume later this week, but Bell does not expect any movement from either party.
Station manager David Coy did not respond to requests for an interview. A woman who answered the phone at Piedmont Communications, which owns WKBN-TV, said no company representatives were available for comment.
A fax provided by WKBN management stated that union members will not be permitted to return to work until a contract settlement is reached.
"We're going to be out here until we get a fair contract," said Tom Holden, WKBN-TV's veteran news anchor.
To maintain its news programming, WKBN-TV is using management and nonunion staff to produce its newscasts. The station has suspended its morning news show.
"It's not good at all," Holden said. "How could they do it?"
Bell agreed.
"We're missing a lot of stories at WKBN," he said. "I'm not very impressed with what they do. It's fairly amateurish."
Saying community support for the union has been strong, Bell said Local 47 is urging WKBN-TV's viewers to turn elsewhere for their news and entertainment - for now.
Bell said that the union engaged in a calling blitz to area bars and taverns over the weekend. The union asked bar owners to turn to CBS affiliates WOIO in Cleveland and KDKA in Pittsburgh for their Super Bowl coverage.
He said that 98 percent of the bars complied.
Until the dispute is resolved, the union wants businesses to pull their advertising from the station. Community and political leaders are being asked to not cooperate with the WKBN-TV's news gathering efforts.
"The ball is in (WKBN's) court," Bell said.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
New Castle News
Union members raised their signs in unison yesterday as the drivers passed their East Midlothian Boulevard picket site.
A few motorists waved while others honked in support. A typical Mahoning Valley labor dispute, except that the workers at the center of this battle normally report on conflicts. This time the spotlight has been shined on them.
"It's an uncomfortable thing," WKBN-TV news reporter Joe Bell said. "I would rather be covering the news."
Bell and 34 other members of Local 47 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians said they were locked out of the WKBN-TV studios on Saturday. The local includes WKBN-TV anchors, reporters, directors and videographers.
Health-care and wages are the main issues facing the union and WKBN-TV management. The union's rejection of management's latest offer on Saturday led to the standoff.
Bell, who is the union's spokesman and shop steward, said Local 47 will agree to work under terms of the expired contract. Talks between the two sides may resume later this week, but Bell does not expect any movement from either party.
Station manager David Coy did not respond to requests for an interview. A woman who answered the phone at Piedmont Communications, which owns WKBN-TV, said no company representatives were available for comment.
A fax provided by WKBN management stated that union members will not be permitted to return to work until a contract settlement is reached.
"We're going to be out here until we get a fair contract," said Tom Holden, WKBN-TV's veteran news anchor.
To maintain its news programming, WKBN-TV is using management and nonunion staff to produce its newscasts. The station has suspended its morning news show.
"It's not good at all," Holden said. "How could they do it?"
Bell agreed.
"We're missing a lot of stories at WKBN," he said. "I'm not very impressed with what they do. It's fairly amateurish."
Saying community support for the union has been strong, Bell said Local 47 is urging WKBN-TV's viewers to turn elsewhere for their news and entertainment - for now.
Bell said that the union engaged in a calling blitz to area bars and taverns over the weekend. The union asked bar owners to turn to CBS affiliates WOIO in Cleveland and KDKA in Pittsburgh for their Super Bowl coverage.
He said that 98 percent of the bars complied.
Until the dispute is resolved, the union wants businesses to pull their advertising from the station. Community and political leaders are being asked to not cooperate with the WKBN-TV's news gathering efforts.
"The ball is in (WKBN's) court," Bell said.
Copyright (c) 2004, New Castle News
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