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Competitive races on both sides to select new state Attorney General

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Community 331 Girl Scouts host badge workshop

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Yes, Hillary, Bernie, Donald, Ted et al, there is a Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>You may think our presidential candidates don&#8217;t know Wilkes-Barre and Luzerne County even exist since, up until now, all political activity has been focused north of NEPA&#8217;s Mason-Dixon line that divides Luzerne County and Lackawanna County.</p><p>Bernie Sanders was in Scranton. Hillary Clinton was in Dunmore. Ted Cruz even popped in to the Electric City.</p><p>But then it happened &#8212; &#8220;The Donald,&#8221; as in Trump &#8212; announced he is coming to Wilkes-Barre Township Monday. He will be at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza for a campaign speech.</p><p>Take that, Scranton.</p><p>Just over a week ago, I wrote a short story about Trump&#8217;s campaign establishing an office in Hazleton. The story included all information provided by the Trump people. At the end of the story, as in all stories we write, appeared what we call a &#8220;shirttail,&#8221; which contains information on how to contact the reporter who wrote the story.</p><p>My name, Twitter account and phone number was listed.</p><p>Since that story appeared, my phone has been ringing off the hook.</p><p>Callers have asked me for Trump yard signs, the phone number of the Trump office, a schedule of activities, information on how to volunteer and more.</p><p>I have tried to be patient with these people. Most have accepted my response that informs them they are not calling the Trump campaign &#8212; all I did was write the story. Most callers said they thought I was the local Trump campaign contact.</p><p>So far, I have received more than 130 calls from people thinking they&#8217;re calling a Trump campaign office.</p><p>I never cease to be amazed at the way some people think.</p><p>Back to our status as a candidate&#8217;s campaign destination &#8212; should we be offended that no other candidates have visited us here, choosing our sister city to the north?</p><p>Ed Mitchell, longtime political analyst/consultant, is upset Clinton didn&#8217;t come to our town and he told her campaign just that.</p><p>A guy who knows about these things, Ed said Hillary and the others should not take Luzerne County for granted. He said when candidates visit towns and cities, their popularity is usually boosted. Must be something about everyday people getting to get up close with a potential president and being able to hear them or shake their hand or take a selfie with them.</p><p>Ed doesn&#8217;t think the good people of Luzerne County should feel slighted and they should not be offended. He said there are only so many hours in the day and only so many places they can visit.</p><p>That said, all candidates would be smart to include Luzerne County on their travel itinerary. Vote-wise, we can help.</p><p>Don&#8217;t you think for one minute we&#8217;re not important. Each of our votes counts. We are as powerful as the most powerful when we enter that voting booth.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">O&#8217;Boyle </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Oboyle_Bill-2-1-5.jpg</photo0><caption0>O&#8217;Boyle </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>Beyond the Byline</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Beyond the Byline: No, I can’t help you get a Trump yard sign