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Sunday, June 15, 1997     Page: 2

People should control party
   
There was a time when I was proud to say, “I’m a Democrat.”
    That opinion has changedWith the recent loss of two supervisors in Hazle
Township, the hope was that our Democratic Party would hold a special primary
election, thereby giving all Hazle Township voters the right to choose two
Democratic candidates.
   
It has become apparent that this special election will not happen. It was
then my hope that the elected committee people of our township would convey
our feelings and elect candidates of our choosing for the general election.
   
That too did not happen. From what I can determine, they were not even
consulted. What a slap in the face!
   
It has become obvious to me that one man sees this as a great opportunity
to regain political control of our community. What right does this one man,
Mr. Frank Fay, have in ignoring the Democratic voters of Hazle Township. Who
are the knights of his round table that decided on Mr. Gary Viechec and
Attorney Leo Latella? I know very little, if anything, about these two men.
   
Mr. Fay stated that Mr. Viechec lost the 1995 election to Mr. Anthony
Clatch by a few votes. The fact of the matter is Clatch collected 1,146 votes
to Viechec’s 632 — a 514 vote difference. I do not call that a loss by a few
votes, but a dismal loss. But, more importantly, the vote was a strong
statement against Mr. Fay’s policies.
   
I am concerned with the selection of Attorney Leo Latella. I understand Mr.
Latella is associated with a reputable Hazleton law firm. This law firm may
have clients in Hazle Township. If so, would this become a conflict of
interest at some future time in township policy decisions?
   
So much said for these handpicked candidates, and I mean handpicked.
   
In a Standard-Speaker article dated May 29, 1997, Mr. Fay stated, “I have
the authority to pick.” The point of this letter is that Mr. Fay should do a
reality check. The Democratic voters of Hazle Township no longer want him to
control this township. If you look at the past 10 years, every Fay-endorsed
candidate for supervisor was given the kiss of death and lost miserably.
   
As to my opening statement, “I’m no longer proud to be a Democrat.” If the
Democrats of Hazle Township don’t get the opportunity to vote for candidates
of their own choice, I and hopefully others will look toward the Republican
slate or Independent candidates. If history repeats itself and Mr. Fay’s
handpicked candidates lose, he’ll have only himself to blame.
   
Finally, it is my hope that Mr. James Bach, Luzerne County Democratic
Chairman, reads this letter and responds to the wishes of the Democratic
voters of Hazle Township and not the politics of one man.
   
Sincerely,
   
Richard Wienches
   
Hazle Township