- Connect
- Login
- Print Subscription
|
Welcome,
| |
| |
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
Outpouring of affection for Jimbo genuine
Published:Friday, September 11, 2009
What captures the essence of the Mahoning Valley better than a polka band, an Elvis impersonator and Jim Traficant railing against the federal government?
To some, that is the Valley.
Others may like or dislike polka music and Elvis impersonators, but cringe at the thought that the ex-congressman/ex-con is drawing national attention — and not really the positive kind — for the area.
There were those who vocally opposed Sunday’s Jim Traficant Appreciation Dinner.
I’m sure those same people are upset that Traficant was on national television Thursday on Fox News’ “On the Record With Greta Van Susteren.”
A lot of hard work has gone into improving the area’s image as one filled with political corruption and violence.
Since Traficant’s Sept. 2 release from federal prison he’s been in the national spotlight.
That spotlight includes Traficant’s 2002 conviction on 10 felony counts including racketeering, bribery, obstruction of justice and tax evasion.
That spotlight also includes focusing on the area as a “struggling old steel-mill Valley,” according to The Washington Post. That article brought up the area’s organized crime past and the infamous “Youngstown tune-up,” a car bomb triggered by the ignition.
This isn’t exactly Entrepreneur magazine naming Youngstown as one of the Top 10 cities in the United States to start a business.
But despite the effort to improve the area’s image — and there has been some progress — the Valley has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state in addition to a high housing foreclosure rate and plenty of other challenges it has yet to overcome.
Regardless of the area’s problems, for a little while Sunday, most of the 1,200 people attending Traficant were reliving a better past.
It was a past that may or may not have existed.
Fiery politician
It was a past in which the Valley was down, but a fiery politician spoke in its defense against a federal government that ignored, neglected and/or ridiculed the area. I must have heard from at least two dozen people at the appreciation dinner that Traficant stood up for the little guy.
Few in the audience were concerned that the guy speaking for the little guy was convicted of 10 felony counts. Those convictions included stealing taxpayer money and time.
Some supporters said Traficant was guilty, but everybody does it.
Others said he was railroaded.
Some didn’t care. They love Jimbo and what he represented.
Those people smiled and enjoyed themselves as Traficant defiantly accused the government of framing him, adding that they “had to cheat to convict me.” They hung on his every word as he discussed various conspiracy theories.
Great timing
They laughed when he made a joke. Some were exceptionally funny and Traficant still has great timing.
It was the reception a conquering hero would get after emerging victorious from a major battle.
There were definitely plenty of people at Mr. Anthony’s on Sunday who felt that’s what they were witnessing.
After his 15-minute speech, Traficant walked through the crowd of adoring fans signing autographs, exchanging handshakes, hugs and smiles.
With a huge grin on Traficant’s face, it was obvious he was as excited and happy as those who spent $20 to attend the event on the outside chance that the former congressman would show up.
It was a genuine moment that many won’t forget, and it was well worth the $20 spent.
Comments
"And if it offends some people, then so be it. You see, because I'm still, I guess, the same jacka** I was," Traficant told Van Susteren.
I can picture the signs and t-shirts already:
"Vote for the jacka** !"
And they will.
LOL! Tugboat. "Reliving a better past." When was that? Maybe because the party participants were 10-20 years younger back then but this area was still bleeding jobs & kids were still fleeing the area for jobs or universities & not returning. Granted, there are die-hard Jimbo supporters. But, even he acknowledged the different demographics of this district. If he ran for office, I think the emperor's new clothes would be revealed when pressed for real details & plans on how to truly help this area rather than generic, grand platitudes that rail against the government & harken to days gone by. This isn't the era of "We love u no matter what u do!" anymore. We need & want results.
I see this community continues to love it, convicted felons. They recently hired back Danny Thomas as a Mahoning Valley Democratic Party Coordinator. You just can't seem to get away from putting convicted FELONS onthe payroll sure Danny got a pardon from Clinton only because of his connections to Morley, and that crowd of CORRUPT LOSERS!!!!!!
Why do the supporters always avoid talking about the money he demanded of his own staff, the taxes he didn't pay, and the political clout he traded for gravel and contractor muscle on his horse farm?
Another future campaign t-shirt - "I ♥ my convict!"
Taxeddoff, I see you raised your fat head again. Michael J. Meszaros, I e-mailed you to contact me so I can file a complaint and get you a record. You continue to hide behind your user ID's. I called your aunt and she said she would have you call me back. Be a man for once and stand up to your allegations of hate and mudslinging.
BTW, I'm going to visit the US Trading company and invite them to join us in a suit against you, you need to back up your mouth with a face, no, I saw your picture. We are not going to go away and let you run.
Tugboat ... what "taxes [Traficant] didn't pay?"
The Government never presented ANY evidence that Traficant got a nickel from either Cafaro or Sinclair (who kept themselves out of jail for other crimes by remembering secret bribes to Traficant).
Traficant famously NEVER USED CASH for anything, in order to protect himself from the vindictive DOJ.
Here ... watch this hilarious YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK0L4G76R...
thank you, Mr. Skolnick, for a thoughtful commentary. Maybe folks beyond his $20-paying fans will finally realize he is telling the truth. You think?
To you, Mr. Ness, I say.... "What ev."
http://ethics.house.gov/Investigations/D...
youngstownshrimp
YOU ARE A JOKE!!!
Please bring on your lawsuit, I look forward to having you in deposition and exposing more of your public problems..................
LIKE THIS 2006 ARTICLE!!!!! VINDY ARTICLE
Ex-lodge president indicted
Friday, December 22, 2006
The grand jury also indicted a man accused of stealing wood.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning County grand jury has indicted John J. Seeco, former president of St. George Lodge 66, Croatian Fraternal Union, on three counts of misuse of a credit card.
The indictment on the fifth-degree felony counts was returned Thursday against Seeco, 57, of Eisenhower Drive, Boardman, and alleges that the violations occurred Feb. 28, March 14 and July 18, 2002. Seeco turned himself in to police Dec. 4, made an initial appearance in municipal court and posted $2,500 bond.
Seeco, who was host of the "Croatian Hour" radio program for about 20 years, first on WKBN and later on WNIO radio, used the Vestal Road club's name to obtain a credit card and charge personal items, police said.
Seeco used the club as second guarantor on a credit application and then, before the first bill was sent out, changed the billing address to his residence, and the account was closed with around $17,000 that Seeco charged to the club but didn't pay, police said. He charged many personal items and travel expenses on the card, mostly outside Youngstown, police said.
In another case, Ronald S. Eiselstein, 46, of Fifth Avenue, was indicted on a fifth-degree felony theft charge, alleging he cut down trees and took the wood without authorization Aug. 9 on the property of Frank Uhrain along Beech Avenue in Boardman. Eiselstein was arrested in October and released on a $2,500 bond. Police estimated the trees were worth nearly $1,500.
Eiselstein, who owns the Village Pantry on Main Street in Poland, is a member of Poland Streetscapes, which conducts community beautification projects.
P.S. I KNOW ALDEN AND HE HAS 1 FOOT IN THE GRAVE AND LITTLE TIME TO WASTE ON A PISS ANT LIKE YOU!!!!!
Don't be so hard on Taxedoff. I disagree with him but his heart is in the right place. Traficant is a felon but let him prove he isn't guilty. The rest of us have reason to believe the govt. bullied those who testified against him or else. We also believe the jury was also bullied to convict Trafficant. I want him to have his say and to prove his allegations. Maybe they are true, maybe they aren't.
Okay, taxedoff, Mike Meszaro,
Let's take this anger of yours to the proper legal venue. Send me a message about who is your legal council and let's take this thing to court.
Also, why are you bad mouthing Alden, what has he done to you? Remember, you cannot unring a bell.
There is no anger, other than you being upset about somebody posting your public records. You should not try to paint yourself as some community do-gooder. when you have so many unpaid taxes The next video I shoot will be a documentary on all the slum landlord properties you own and the condition that they are in.
It sounds like a nice weekend project that can post on YouTube. go ahead and egg me on!@!!