Bob Cordaro and A.J. Munchak surprised the political community in 2003 when they upset the long-time Democratic majority in county politics but both men, especially Cordaro, were pretty well-known even before that landmark election.
Bob Cordaro first made a name for himself as an attorney who owned and operated radio stations. WWAX opened in 1987 in Olyphant.
Twelve years later, after an unsuccessful run for Congress as a Democrat, Cordaro switched to Republican and was elected minority commissioner in Lackawanna County.
He had his sights set on running the county and four years later he got his wish.
In 2003 Cordaro and new running mate A.J. Munchak ousted the Democratic majority after 20 years.
On the morning after their election the two continued their all-night celebration with an unannounced visit to Newswatch 16 This Morning.
In January, 2004 Cordaro and Munchak were sworn in, promising an end to politics as usual but the new majority quickly okayed a number of expensive and controversial projects.
The new terminal at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport opened in 2006.
Construction began on the renovation of the county courthouse that same year.
Also in 2006 Cordaro agreed to give filmmaker Paul Sorvino a half million dollars of county money to help finance the film "The Trouble with Cali" which was shot in the Scranton area.
In May, 2006 Cordaro was asked, "What do you say to people who tell you this is a waste of money?" He responded, "Well, this is an investment that we fully expect to be returned."
To this date the film has never been released.
In 2007 Cordaro almost single-handedly negotiated a deal to bring the New York Yankees top farm club to Lackawanna County Stadium.
Critics blasted that deal when they found out it includes a provision where the Yankees can purchase the franchise from the county and possibly move it away.
Two years later Cordaro was defeated in his bid for a third term.
A.J. Munchak remained on the board as minority commissioner even as word of the corruption probe in Lackawanna County began to swirl.
Coincidentally on the same day Cordaro and Munchak were sworn into office in Lackawanna County, January 4,2004, a few miles to the south Greg Skrepenak was sworn in for his first term as a Luzerne County commissioner.
Skrepenak has already pleaded guilty to corruption charges of his own.
Bob Cordaro first made a name for himself as an attorney who owned and operated radio stations. WWAX opened in 1987 in Olyphant.
Twelve years later, after an unsuccessful run for Congress as a Democrat, Cordaro switched to Republican and was elected minority commissioner in Lackawanna County.
He had his sights set on running the county and four years later he got his wish.
In 2003 Cordaro and new running mate A.J. Munchak ousted the Democratic majority after 20 years.
On the morning after their election the two continued their all-night celebration with an unannounced visit to Newswatch 16 This Morning.
In January, 2004 Cordaro and Munchak were sworn in, promising an end to politics as usual but the new majority quickly okayed a number of expensive and controversial projects.
The new terminal at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport opened in 2006.
Construction began on the renovation of the county courthouse that same year.
Also in 2006 Cordaro agreed to give filmmaker Paul Sorvino a half million dollars of county money to help finance the film "The Trouble with Cali" which was shot in the Scranton area.
In May, 2006 Cordaro was asked, "What do you say to people who tell you this is a waste of money?" He responded, "Well, this is an investment that we fully expect to be returned."
To this date the film has never been released.
In 2007 Cordaro almost single-handedly negotiated a deal to bring the New York Yankees top farm club to Lackawanna County Stadium.
Critics blasted that deal when they found out it includes a provision where the Yankees can purchase the franchise from the county and possibly move it away.
Two years later Cordaro was defeated in his bid for a third term.
A.J. Munchak remained on the board as minority commissioner even as word of the corruption probe in Lackawanna County began to swirl.
Coincidentally on the same day Cordaro and Munchak were sworn into office in Lackawanna County, January 4,2004, a few miles to the south Greg Skrepenak was sworn in for his first term as a Luzerne County commissioner.
Skrepenak has already pleaded guilty to corruption charges of his own.
