Tuesday, October 6, 2020

A Dusty Week

 

When big things happen, especially locally, it's often best to sit back for a moment and think about what happened.

Former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright was sentenced to seven years in prison for extorting bribes from people who wanted to do business with the city.  Seven years, to many I've talked with, seems light to someone who ran a criminal enterprise from city hall.  In court, Courtright said "I should have known better."  That's the understatement of the year.  Courtright did damage to an already fragile reputation Scranton now enjoys.

Speaking of damaging Scranton's reputation, three Scranton School District officials were charged last week.  Innocent until proven guilty, but according to the attorney general's office, the three knew there was lead in the water and asbestos in the air in city schools-- and they did nothing.

I'm not sure he was the first to utter the line, but former Governor Robert Casey was found of saying "What did you do when you had the power?"

In Scranton, the answer is apparently "steal" and "obstruct."