IREM TEMPLE: $ 30 MILLION? WTF?

Depiction according to architect Rick Williams. Does this look like Wilkes-Barre to you? Or a snap shot from a Bugs Bunny cartoon?

Save the Irem Temple?  Times leader story HERE. If the Valley had a heart it should be used as a homeless shelter... not some mosque-looking building to stare at (which way do I pray east?). It is the PERFECT place for a permanent place for the homeless. Even without heat. At least there is a roof. The building sits completely alone at night. A shelter would bother no one.

OPEN QUESTION TO MY FRIEND TONY BROOKS:

1) What will be the use of the Irem Temple?

2) Where does the money come from?

3) How else can the money be used?

4) Since the building is NOT being used... couldn't the seats be taken out as a permanent shelter for men... many of whom live in tents along the river.

5) To Tony Brooks: why do you ask for ideas on projects yet march forward on this while listening to no one? 

I spoke with Tony Brooks. He said he is taking a look at business plans. WHY? This building isn't capable of earning a dime. If there is no revenue a business plan is worthless. Tony's cousin through marriage works for the Chamber. The chamber owns the temple. 

So... this is the predictable (corrupt) course of events:

- The Chamber always needs "make believe" projects to justify their existence. Former Head Steve Barrouk bought the Temple for $1 million while whoring out the Chamber (approx 25 employees at the time). Is Tony Brooks the man to take it off the Chamber's hands?

- The expense side of the Business Plan are contractors, architects, engineers etc..  These people will make millions off of a "make work" project benefiting no one.

- This building will generate zero revenues. Any revenues that are part of any plan are pure fiction. People will not pay to look at a building that has been there for 100 years. 

- Like all WB corruption... a few will benefit at the expense of the public.

- It doesn't appear that Tony Brooks wants to reveal where these business plans will go. He has invited me to the meeting. 

- Can you say Hotel Sterling?

Related to the article:  OMG... In the Times Leader article the Irem Temple is being compared to the Coliseum in Rome? Wow. This is news to me. And it will only cost $15-30 million to restore? How much will architect Rick Williams take out of this bounty... for a building that has absolutely no utility?

Tom Leighton said that this temple is the stuff of W-B post cards. Tom... put down your beer. Touch your nose and try and follow. People don't send these anymore. It is 2016. Time flies when your are drunk I know.  

Keep your eye on John "Homer" Panzitta. This former Hoban and King's classmate of Leighton is hungry for all the scraps he can get. Things seem to magically fall in his lap. Funny how that works. Kinda like the way Gerard Dessoye was handed a job after helping assist in the LAG Towing auto theft empire. Such integrity. Fatherless Ryan. What am embarrassment to the priesthood! Go sprinkle your holy water - you fraud.

facebook  John Panzitta

It is stated that we will impress other areas? Oh really? Who? Who even cares? It fell into disrepair currently. Why won't an empty building fall into disrepair again? Oh. I get it. Because somebody will get paid $500,000 per year will maintain it. Got it. 

Leo Glodzik does need a job. Roid rage Ninotti can do the heavy lifting. They can't spend all day as the anonymous Citizens Voice posters.

What a goon... master of the BJ shake down

Auto theft kingpin Glodzik aided by Salavantis, Leighton, G Dessoye, Mike Dessoye

I will give $100 to anyone who videotapes Salavantis intoxicated at Murphy's pub in Forty Fort. Why all the Uber driver's Stef? Maybe you shouldn't drink like a pig.

How much did the State police take from Stefie's daddy to squash Stefie's DUI?

And how much did it cost to to put a gag order on all the troopers?

Looking pretty bloated, Dick. Big night?

As one of Stef's big helpers... what was your part in covering up the DUI? 

Strange that an untested Republican got so much help. Are all state troopers Republican?

Lots and lots of people asking how she slipped through the noose.

State police Chief Noonan from Mountaintop? Your buddy? Did he help?

You may be President Judge... but many people don't think you are too hot.

Cut to the chase: How much was paid to cover up the crime?

I appreciate Councilman Tony Brook's passion. But public money should not be squandered. Just because something is old does not make it historic. Take pictures if you want remember it. I will admit I do not now where all the funding comes from. But I do know it comes from somewhere... and the same money likely can be used for projects that actually benefit people. 

Spending $30 million while taxes are being raised is unsettling to many (to say the least). A dying city saving a dead building should not be part of the master plan.

There are 1,000 more pressing issues in W-B. The fact that Larry Newman and the Chamber are involved is proof positive that this a complete waste. It is a "make-up" project so they can justify their pathetic and worthless jobs.

Larry Newman

How about $30 million for a kids' center? Nah... that makes too much sense. In W-B... it is always better to waste the money. Throw money at it like the Sterling and let the pirhana feast on it. Wilkes-Barre runs on corruption.

Don't let the piranhas have it.

Does anyone even know what "Irem" represents?  

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, IREM WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ALL EARTHLY PARADISES. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED FOR SHEDDAD, THE KING OF AD, BUT AS SOON AS IT WAS COMPLETED IT WAS STRUCK WITH THE LIGHTNING WAND OF THE DEATH ANGEL AND WAS NEVER VISIBLE TO THE EYE OF MAN.

THE SHRINERS ARE AN APPENDANT BODY TO FREEMASONRY. IT IS A FRATERNITY THAT REQUIRES MEMBER TO BELIEVE IN A SUPREME BEING. THE SHRINERS HAVE A NETWORK OF CHILDRENS HOSPITALS THAT HAS DONE GREAT WORK WITH THESE KIDS.