Thursday, April 24, 2008

Thanks

I want to thank everyone who helped me during my election. It was a long hard road but worth every minute. I have met so many great people and yes, I WILL RUN IN 2010!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Staback Does not Respond Again

In running for state representative, I have responded to a debate from the Lackawanna County Taxpayers Association, candidate interview with the League of Women Voters, I took the Political Courage Test from Project Vote Smart and I have shared my political views with Democracy Rising. I have been going door-to-door for three months andI have been very up front with my views and have not been afraid to meet any challenge that was brought before me. It is sad to say that Rep. Staback has not met any of the above challenges while running for his incumbency. I have been told he does not have to prove anything! I have been told that because he has been in office he has nothing to prove! I say he does! I hope people will realize that issues had to be met but were not! I can only hope that come April 22 the people will not look at all the billboards, signs and money spent on Mr. Stabacks election, but on the reality of what has happened during this election.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Dudrich campaign a ‘one-man job’

Paul Dudrich

Age: 51
Municipality: Jessup borough
Occupation: School teacher
Higher education: Bachelor’s degree in special education from East Stroudsburg University.
Family: Wife, Kimberly; two adult daughters, Korie and Sarah.

Paul Dudrich has a steep hill to climb.

The 51-year-old educator not only has to beat an entrenched incumbent in the upcoming Democratic Party primary for the 115th Legislative District — a statistical challenge in itself — but must also do so without campaign donations or prestigious endorsements that have been swept up by his opponent, longtime legislator Rep. Ed Staback, D-Olyphant.

Even Mr. Dudrich’s own union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, has gone with the incumbent in the race. Mr. Dudrich found that out when he received a flier in the mail from the association’s political action committee. The association isn’t returning his calls and didn’t return a call to The Times- Tribune for comment.

Mr. Dudrich’s climb is steep, but he doesn’t think it is insurmountable. While lacking money and political support, he hopes to make use of his tenacity with door-to-door campaigning and the public’s frustration with empty promises of, among other things, property tax reform.

“(Mr. Staback) is fine when it comes to needing a form from his office, but when it comes down to the meat of legislation, I believe he doesn’t serve our best interests,” he said.

While Mr. Dudrich has no formal experience in public office, he said Harrisburg needs more citizen legislators. And the Midvalley resident said he has always had a deep interest in politics. Without politics and the New York Yankees, he said “there would be no reason for me to watch television.”

An avid baseball fan, he is also the nephew of the late Nestor Chylak Jr., an Olyphant-born umpire for Major League Baseball.

Part of the reason he never became involved in politics is because of his 22-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, which requires employees not run for any office. He ended his career as a postal worker about three years ago to teach at an alternative school designed for disruptive youth in Wayne County.

Now, with the opportunity to run for office, he said with his frustrations on how state politics have been managed, he felt a sense of duty.

“I am not a politician. I’m just a guy that’s sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said.

Should he not win this primary battle, he said the experience would serve him well if he decides to run when Mr. Staback eventually retires.

“This campaign has pretty much been a one-man job, but I’ve definitely learned a lot,” he said.

Contact the writer: cschillinger@timesshamrock.com

©The Times-Tribune 2008

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Staback Hides Again

A debate between Ed Staback and Paul Dudrich was scheduled for April 10, @ 6:00 at Scranton City Hall. Mr Staback did not reply to the certified letter nor did he show up. Mr Staback also did not show up for a candidate interview that was moderated by the League of Women Voters. Too busy? I guess thats how Mr. Staback runs a campagin by running away from the issues.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Staback A No Show

An interview of candidates was held Saturday March 29 in Scranton by the League of Woman Voters. Representative Shimkus, Kevin Murphy, and Paul Dudrich participated in the process. Representative Staback said he had a previous commitment.

The interviews will be aired on Ch. 61.

http://dudrich4staterep.googlepages.com