Announcement for Luzerne County Council by Mario Fiorucci.
100 years ago my grandparents moved to Sugar Notch from Italy to start a new life.
My parents and I lived in the house they bought, which had a small neighborhood bar on the first floor and our apartment on the second. The bar was called Marino's, which was my dad's full first name, and mine too. On the other side of the house were two small, two bedroom apartments. Elderly ladies lived in each one. They both used coal stoves for cooking, heat and hot water. The house was in good condition then and it had an old one car garage in the back yard too. The building was reassessed in 1967, the last time all properties were assessed in Luzerne County. The new reassessment won't go into effect until 2007, that's 40 years from the last one. 1967 was a good year for my folks and it was the first time that we all went on a vacation. We drove to Atlantic City, visited the Steel Peir and saw the famous horse jump into the water. Soon after that, the local bar business began to taper off as the coal mining industry slowed down. We closed our place in
1970 when my dad went on disability with a heart condition. He died two years later, just after the Agnes flood in the summer of 1972. In 1973, I got a part-time job in a supermarket and my mother started working part-time as a cleaning lady. In 1980 I left to go away to school and one of the elderly tenants in our apartments passed away. My mother couldn't afford to remodel it, so no one has lived in it since. In 1990, the other tenant left to live in the county's nursing home, Valley Crest. No one has lived in that apartment since. It would probably cost about $25,000 to get them remodeled. My mother passed away in 1997, and I have had to maintain the house and pay the taxes since then. Our side of the house never had extensive remodeling, and the roof and porches were all in bad shape. In 2000, when I was taking one of the homeless people that I put up every now and then, around to the Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen and for some other county services, I put my name on a list at CEO for a home improvement program. In 2004, I was called in to do the paperwork, and because I was qualified, they updated my home to code last year. If not for that work, I may not have made it through another winter. The poor condition the house was in, and probably was in for a long time, was never accounted for in our taxes. We were paying top dollar for our property since 1967, which was when the bar business was good, we had two steady tenants and the house was in good condition. No one ever went in to ask for a reassessment on our property until this year. I found out that we were paying 34% more than our neighbors, who have a house that is about the same size, with a finished basement and it is in superb condition, mostly because the son-in-law of the owner is a carpenter. Their house even had a big, two car garage! How could that be? Well, for one thing, since we were never reassessed since 1967, no one ever took our garage off the property tax rolls after it burned down in 1973. We paid for that garage until this year, that's a total of 32 years in extra tax. And even after I took pictures of the both sides of my house, my neighbors houses, and had reports printed up on them in the assessors office, I was not granted one dollar less in assessed value by the Board of Assessment Appeals in a letter dated to me on 10-07-05. I was stunned. That house across the street, fully occupied on both sides, in excellent condition and with a two car garage, was only assessed at $3,000 and my property stayed at $4,390. Then I had a bad feeling when I read who was on the Board of Assessment Appeals. The mayor from Ashley was Secretary. Now I have filed several reports about abuses in Sugar Notch, how all the 'connected family and friends' of a former official, never had to get a permit to do work and have additions, garages, decks etc, all put on their homes...and probably not put on the books. Having a mayor of any borough on this board is like having a fox in the hen house. I do not know all the ins and outs of how the Board of Assessment Appeals operates, but I have a feeling that a lot of people are left hung out to dry because they are not connected or are supporters. I was for re-assessment since 1999, when I wrote an extensive article about it in my free public interest newsletter. And because of my own personal experience, as I have described, I want the county to adopt an automatic reassessment update either on an incremental yearly basis or on a big, update it all - on a 15 year cycle. Because of my convictions on this issue and my background on all the other issues that I have presented to the commissioners, written about in the press or spoke about in the media, and because I feel qualified as I have
earned a Masters degree in political science from Georgetown University, I declare my intention to run for the office of Commissioner of Luzerne County in the next election for such office. Thank you for your time tonight..
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Resume
Mario J. Fiorucci
893 Main Street
Sugar Notch, PA 18706 Phone: 570-819-0721
CAREER EXPERIENCE
2002 to Present Medical Claims Processor
Diversified Information Technologies; Scranton, PA
Complete processing, storage and auditing of medical records
using sorting, electronic imaging, scanning and batch control.
2000 to 2002 Independent Sales Agent
Anthill.com; Salt Lake City, UT
Sold web hosting services and related products.
1998 to 2000 Deferred Compensation Representative
CitiStreet, a division of CITIGROUP; Mechanicsburg, PA
Visited state employees in the ten county northeast region of PA
to sell and service the commonwealth's retirement program.
1996 to 1998 Marketing Newsletter Consultant
Thomas Malan & Associates; Stamford, CT
Designed, wrote and produced industry, corporate and association
newsletters for clients as part of a total promotions package.
1994 to 1995 Investor Relations Consultant
Christensen & Associates; Stamford, CT
Prepared all corporate clients for analyst meetings.
Produced stock promotion programs and direct mailings to
segments of the national brokerage community.
1989 to 1994 Proxy Solicitor/New Business Development
(Independent Contractor) D. F. King & Co.; New York, NY
Contacted stock and bondholders of companies undergoing reorganizations, mergers or acquisitions.
Developed surveys to cross-sell services, such as stock watch capabilities and the proactive contact of shareholders.
1989 to 1991 Account Executive/Assistant Trading Desk Manager
Friedberg Mercantile Group; New York, NY
Executed futures and option orders for all clients.
Promoted the direct sale of proprietary futures funds.
Mario J. Fiorucci
1987 to 1989 Internal Regional Wholesaler
National Funds; Greenwich, CT
Provided support to external sales force and developed new business from brokerage community and life insurance companies.
Made presentations at financial consultant seminars.
1985 to 1986 Assistant National Marketing Manager
Integrated Resources; New York, NY
Coordinated wholesaling for equity and mortgage RELP’s.
Executed due diligence investigations for the selling group.
1983 to 1985 Marketing Coordinator/Corporate Communications Specialist
VMS Realty Partners; Chicago, IL
Managed marketing operations, executed partnership due diligence requests, developed performance reports and created investor relations correspondence.
EDUCATION
M.A. Georgetown University, 1982 Political Science
B.A. College Misericordia, 1980 American Studies
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1999 to 2002 Founder & Publisher; The TOWNEWS
Distributed a quarterly public interest newsletter
free to area residents. Held annual public issues event.
1990 Assistant Floor Trader/Order Desk Manager
LIT America, World Trade Center; New York, NY
Registered to execute all futures traded on the floor of the
Commodities Exchange Center.
893 Main Street
Sugar Notch, PA 18706 Phone: 570-819-0721
CAREER EXPERIENCE
2002 to Present Medical Claims Processor
Diversified Information Technologies; Scranton, PA
Complete processing, storage and auditing of medical records
using sorting, electronic imaging, scanning and batch control.
2000 to 2002 Independent Sales Agent
Anthill.com; Salt Lake City, UT
Sold web hosting services and related products.
1998 to 2000 Deferred Compensation Representative
CitiStreet, a division of CITIGROUP; Mechanicsburg, PA
Visited state employees in the ten county northeast region of PA
to sell and service the commonwealth's retirement program.
1996 to 1998 Marketing Newsletter Consultant
Thomas Malan & Associates; Stamford, CT
Designed, wrote and produced industry, corporate and association
newsletters for clients as part of a total promotions package.
1994 to 1995 Investor Relations Consultant
Christensen & Associates; Stamford, CT
Prepared all corporate clients for analyst meetings.
Produced stock promotion programs and direct mailings to
segments of the national brokerage community.
1989 to 1994 Proxy Solicitor/New Business Development
(Independent Contractor) D. F. King & Co.; New York, NY
Contacted stock and bondholders of companies undergoing reorganizations, mergers or acquisitions.
Developed surveys to cross-sell services, such as stock watch capabilities and the proactive contact of shareholders.
1989 to 1991 Account Executive/Assistant Trading Desk Manager
Friedberg Mercantile Group; New York, NY
Executed futures and option orders for all clients.
Promoted the direct sale of proprietary futures funds.
Mario J. Fiorucci
1987 to 1989 Internal Regional Wholesaler
National Funds; Greenwich, CT
Provided support to external sales force and developed new business from brokerage community and life insurance companies.
Made presentations at financial consultant seminars.
1985 to 1986 Assistant National Marketing Manager
Integrated Resources; New York, NY
Coordinated wholesaling for equity and mortgage RELP’s.
Executed due diligence investigations for the selling group.
1983 to 1985 Marketing Coordinator/Corporate Communications Specialist
VMS Realty Partners; Chicago, IL
Managed marketing operations, executed partnership due diligence requests, developed performance reports and created investor relations correspondence.
EDUCATION
M.A. Georgetown University, 1982 Political Science
B.A. College Misericordia, 1980 American Studies
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1999 to 2002 Founder & Publisher; The TOWNEWS
Distributed a quarterly public interest newsletter
free to area residents. Held annual public issues event.
1990 Assistant Floor Trader/Order Desk Manager
LIT America, World Trade Center; New York, NY
Registered to execute all futures traded on the floor of the
Commodities Exchange Center.
2005 Run For Mayor of Sugar Notch
Citizens for a qualified 'successor' mayor in
Sugar Notch
November 2005
The election results are deplorable. The winner submitted his resignation before the election, yet he won!
The public must not have to bear this shame. Please attend the Sugar Notch council meeting on 11-15-05, this Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of the borough building at Main and Freed Streets.
I, Mario Fiorucci, a life long resident and citizen activist for the entire term of the departing mayor, petition the good residents of our town to support an 'open' nomination process by council to select the replacement mayor.
If the council votes to accept the present mayor's resignation, they can immediately name an 'acting' mayor.
That would likely be a member of council or the present council president. None of which have any extensive educational or professional background in government, except for their tenure on the Sugar Notch council.
Not only am I an active political figure in the borough and Luzerne County, I have earned a Masters degree in political science from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and I have served as an intern on Capitol Hill.
Please read the attached article from the Times Leader by Casey Jones and review the copy of my diploma.
The article by Casey Jones appeared on Wednesday, November 9th, the day after the election. His mostly glowing review of my abilities and activities only stops when he identifies my one fault, I am in the Green Party.
I recognize that I must make compromises. If appointed by council as the borough's replacement mayor, I will immediately change my political affiliation to "Independent." This will make me a more objective leader for Sugar Notch and a more positive influence in all the other communities that comprise Luzerne County.
If you believe in my desire to be an honest and qualified mayor, then please attend the council meeting this Tuesday, and any additional meetings, until the issue of the replacement mayor is resolved in a suitable manner. Just naming a member of council as 'acting' mayor will not be in the long term interests of our residents and will not shake off the shroud of shame we are under at present. The media will not forgive us without reason.
According to the Borough Mayors Manual "Vacacies are filled by council within 30 days. If the council does not choose a successor mayor a 'vacancy board' is created that consists of the council and one registered voter from the borough. If the vacancy board does not choose a mayor within 15 days, the chairman of the board can petition the court of common pleas to fill the vacancy. Once a 'successor' mayor is appointed, they may serve 'until the first Monday of January following the first municipal election occurring more than 60 days after the date the vacancy occurs, if the term continues that long." In english, that means the successor mayor can serve for the next two years and then have to run for (re) election in 2007, in order to continue to serve as mayor for the remaining 2 years of the original 4 year term. Of course, other candidates can run for mayor at that time.
Attend the meeting this Tuesday and speak out for an open nomination process.
Sugar Notch
November 2005
The election results are deplorable. The winner submitted his resignation before the election, yet he won!
The public must not have to bear this shame. Please attend the Sugar Notch council meeting on 11-15-05, this Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of the borough building at Main and Freed Streets.
I, Mario Fiorucci, a life long resident and citizen activist for the entire term of the departing mayor, petition the good residents of our town to support an 'open' nomination process by council to select the replacement mayor.
If the council votes to accept the present mayor's resignation, they can immediately name an 'acting' mayor.
That would likely be a member of council or the present council president. None of which have any extensive educational or professional background in government, except for their tenure on the Sugar Notch council.
Not only am I an active political figure in the borough and Luzerne County, I have earned a Masters degree in political science from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and I have served as an intern on Capitol Hill.
Please read the attached article from the Times Leader by Casey Jones and review the copy of my diploma.
The article by Casey Jones appeared on Wednesday, November 9th, the day after the election. His mostly glowing review of my abilities and activities only stops when he identifies my one fault, I am in the Green Party.
I recognize that I must make compromises. If appointed by council as the borough's replacement mayor, I will immediately change my political affiliation to "Independent." This will make me a more objective leader for Sugar Notch and a more positive influence in all the other communities that comprise Luzerne County.
If you believe in my desire to be an honest and qualified mayor, then please attend the council meeting this Tuesday, and any additional meetings, until the issue of the replacement mayor is resolved in a suitable manner. Just naming a member of council as 'acting' mayor will not be in the long term interests of our residents and will not shake off the shroud of shame we are under at present. The media will not forgive us without reason.
According to the Borough Mayors Manual "Vacacies are filled by council within 30 days. If the council does not choose a successor mayor a 'vacancy board' is created that consists of the council and one registered voter from the borough. If the vacancy board does not choose a mayor within 15 days, the chairman of the board can petition the court of common pleas to fill the vacancy. Once a 'successor' mayor is appointed, they may serve 'until the first Monday of January following the first municipal election occurring more than 60 days after the date the vacancy occurs, if the term continues that long." In english, that means the successor mayor can serve for the next two years and then have to run for (re) election in 2007, in order to continue to serve as mayor for the remaining 2 years of the original 4 year term. Of course, other candidates can run for mayor at that time.
Attend the meeting this Tuesday and speak out for an open nomination process.
Campaign Press Release
For immediate release: December 17, 2006
Fiorucci to run in primary for County Commissioner
A long time Democrat before becoming a Green in 2000, Fiorucci said he will run for County Commissioner in the 2007 primary as a Democrat.
"After seeing what happened to Romanelli in his bid as a Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, getting the signatures required to run as an Independent is just too risky," said Fiorucci.
Mario Fiorucci earned an MA in government from Georgetown University in 1982. He had graduated with honors from College Misericordia in 1980. He returned to the area after working in the brokerage business from 1983 to 1995. His interest in regionalization and Home Rule government started with articles he wrote for his free public interest newsletter.
.
In 2005, Fiorucci was a candidate for mayor of Sugar Notch. The race was widely covered by the press and local TV news. More recently, Fiorucci has assessed the skills and management capabilities of local elected officials in various municipalities. Then in a 2006, PBS State of Pennsylvania forum, titled "Small town mayors, Big city challenges," he engaged the panel in a discussion of his theory that "without significant regionalization or consolidation among municipalities, a community college-based program of continuing education for elected officials should be established."
In response, the mayor of Sunbury concurred by stating that "as its’ been alluded to here, it (management by part-time elected officials) just doesn't work." The mayor of Kingston also said "a professional manager is necessary to solve the problem."
In assessing major county related issues, Fiorucci thinks the proposed $100 million prison proposal should be put on the ballot as a bond funding vote. He would also consider private prison management in an effort to control costs and pay down prison issued debt.
Regarding regionalization, Fiorucci wrote widely about establishing ‘Tax-Base Sharing’ programs among all municipalities. He also thinks that "Municipal Service Districts"should be enacted to create 'functional consolidation' among municipalities. A MunicipalService District would consist of five or more contiguous towns that have a combined population of more than 20,000.
Past articles or letters to the editor by Fiorucci can be found on Google by searching for:"Mario Fiorucci, Sugar Notch." He can also be reached at (570)-819-0721.
.
Fiorucci to run in primary for County Commissioner
A long time Democrat before becoming a Green in 2000, Fiorucci said he will run for County Commissioner in the 2007 primary as a Democrat.
"After seeing what happened to Romanelli in his bid as a Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, getting the signatures required to run as an Independent is just too risky," said Fiorucci.
Mario Fiorucci earned an MA in government from Georgetown University in 1982. He had graduated with honors from College Misericordia in 1980. He returned to the area after working in the brokerage business from 1983 to 1995. His interest in regionalization and Home Rule government started with articles he wrote for his free public interest newsletter.
.
In 2005, Fiorucci was a candidate for mayor of Sugar Notch. The race was widely covered by the press and local TV news. More recently, Fiorucci has assessed the skills and management capabilities of local elected officials in various municipalities. Then in a 2006, PBS State of Pennsylvania forum, titled "Small town mayors, Big city challenges," he engaged the panel in a discussion of his theory that "without significant regionalization or consolidation among municipalities, a community college-based program of continuing education for elected officials should be established."
In response, the mayor of Sunbury concurred by stating that "as its’ been alluded to here, it (management by part-time elected officials) just doesn't work." The mayor of Kingston also said "a professional manager is necessary to solve the problem."
In assessing major county related issues, Fiorucci thinks the proposed $100 million prison proposal should be put on the ballot as a bond funding vote. He would also consider private prison management in an effort to control costs and pay down prison issued debt.
Regarding regionalization, Fiorucci wrote widely about establishing ‘Tax-Base Sharing’ programs among all municipalities. He also thinks that "Municipal Service Districts"should be enacted to create 'functional consolidation' among municipalities. A MunicipalService District would consist of five or more contiguous towns that have a combined population of more than 20,000.
Past articles or letters to the editor by Fiorucci can be found on Google by searching for:"Mario Fiorucci, Sugar Notch." He can also be reached at (570)-819-0721.
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