Corbett Maintains Double Digit Lead

When it comes to polls and finances, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett has big leads over Democratic nominee Dan Onorato.
The latest Quinnipiac poll gives Corbett a 15 point lead over Onorato, and a 56-29 advantage among independent voters. Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley attributes the gap to economic issues...
"I think the voters are concerned about jobs. They're concerned about taxes, and they're concerned about state spending....all things that Tom Corbett is on the right side of, and Dan Onorato is on the wrong side of."
Onorato dismisses the latest poll saying it underestimates the number of Democrats who will turn out on Election Day....
"What they did was, they put a very low number for Democratic turnout. That's why the number was significantly different from the poll two days ago. I don't believe the turnout's going to be significantly lower. I think it's going to be pretty normal, compared to every other election year. And in that situation, then, all of a sudden, we win the race."

Financial documents released Tuesday show Corbett raised $6.1 million in the last quarter, while Onorato brought in $4.1 million.

Brockville Ontario Speedway Monster Enduro Sunday

BROCKVILLE-The wildest, wackiest racing of the season is on the agenda on Sunday afternoon at Brockville Ontario Speedway.  The Beast of the East returns to life after a week break with the annual Kanes Towing Monster Enduro.   Enduro racing is quite different from your regular Saturday night show.  Basically punch out the glass of a passenger car, add a roll cage and way you go, your ready to hit the fast clay of the BOS. 

There are no cautions unless a driver finds themselves in a safety related situation, making for lots of truclance around the quarter mile with lots of future drivers getting there first taste of dirt racing without breaking the bank to give it a try.  Car counts sometimes go past the 50 mark but vary from season to season.  The green flag drops at 2pm on Sunday, September 26th.

After this event, the focus shifts to preparations for the Global Warranty Northeast Fall Nationals in October.  Tickets, campsites and lap sponsorships are all still available for the weekend that runs from Friday night October 15th to Sunday October 17th.  Information is available through the track office.

From Steve Young / BOS

No Agreement On Severance Tax Yet

As the General Assembly's October 1 deadline for passing a natural gas severance tax draws closer, more and more supporters of the efforts are losing faith that it will be approved. The Democratic-controlled Pennsylvania House has yet to call a vote on a severance tax, and it's unclear when or even if that will happen.
During a rally at the Capitol rotunda against gas drilling, Delaware County Democratic Representative Greg Vitali, who supports a severance tax, said that leaders from both parties were just posturing on the issue, and don't plan on passing the tax.....

"Don't let them fool you. If the House shoots over a bill to the Senate, and the Senate shoots over a bill to the House, and they try to tell you they've worked on this issue, they're just not telling the truth. What they want to do is, they want to get out of town, do no harm and get themselves reelected."

Bu Brett Marcy, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, says leaders have been working...
"I think there's a big difference between what you see in public and what you see in private. And the bottom line is, we've been having an awful lot of discussions with all the stakeholders on this issue for months now...and not just weeks, but months. So I would not be discouraged. The House Democratic Caucus remains committed to this issue."

Senate Republican leaders say they're waiting for the House to pass a tax before they take up the issue. The Republican leaders wants a lower tax rate than the levy that Democrats are pushing for. Governor Ed Rendell says he will veto a rate he considers to be too low.

DIRTcar: Exciting Super DIRT Week changes on Sunday

Weedsport, NY – September 22, 2010 – Super Super DIRT Week XXXIX promises to be unlike any other ever staged before it. Especially when it comes to the 2010 edition of the SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented by Ferris/Snapper/Simplicity Championship held Oct. 10 on the oh-so Moody Mile.

Excitement, intrigue and suspense will all be rolled into one as the mighty Modifieds from the Northeast duke it out for 200 laps beginning Sunday at 2 pm. Only the best in the business will make the final cut for the most prestigious Big-Block race in the country, yet the elusive $50,000 grand prize is saved for just one.

“Syracuse remains the most prominent event in the nation for Big-Block Modifieds, we’re hoping fans will remember this year’s race as one of the most entertaining ever,” remarked Roger Slack, World Racing Group Executive Vice President of Events, as he prepared for the 39th Annual presentation of Super DIRT Week, Oct. 6-10, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. “We want to keep them talking right up to our milestone 40th event arrives 12 months down the road.”

The most significant change in procedure for the headline SEF 200 will be the return of double-file restarts, something sure to excite all race fans witnessing the high-speed action at the hallowed Salt City speedplant. The side-by-side re-firing at the drop of each new green flag is intended to carry all the way through lap 190, although DIRTcar officials will continue to reserve the right to declare any restart single-file should conditions warrant in accordance with existing national series procedures.

Each of the restarts in Sunday’s Big-Block Modified main event will also push the lead lap cars to the front of the field, adding further intrigue as an EZ-Pass will be given to the first car not on the lead lap on all yellows for the entire distance.

While tire-wear is an annual concern at the Syracuse Mile, the suspense is sure to build as late race laps click off with teams allowed to use one (1) D-400 hard compound Hoosier on the right-rear. This tire option will be permitted only during the final 50 laps which will give pit strategy an even more prolific role in the race outcome. The D-400 tread is already commonly carried by teams competing circuit-wide today, thus this option will not incur any additional costs on race day.

Designed to give the crews of lead lap cars more work space during pit stops ---ultimately distribute more of the top competitors along the length of pit road--- a new pit stall assignment procedure has been introduced for SDW XXXIX which will give teams greater choice in preparation for the SEF 200. The off-track work-load will be just as rigorous in the 10-10-10 finale with at least one pit stop required to be made after lap 50.

A much wider racing groove is expected to develop during the 200 mile main event as new track maintenance procedures will incorporate the use of special tractors equipped with sweeper brooms as well as a misting truck to address upper groove surface conditions. Fans are sure to get an eyeful on Super Sunday as this modern-day sweeping/saturation technique will be evident on yellow flag laps during the race.

From Tom Skibinski, PR Director

Golf: Complete Results from 2010 Dulles District Tournament

(Sept. 22, 2010) - Complete results from 2010 Dulles District golf tournament played Tuesday at the 1757 Club (in red qualify for regionals:

Broad Run (349)
Pittman 47-38 = 85
Meadows 42-41 = 83
Woghlgemuth 54-47 = 101
Capretti 41-46 = 87
Bargiel 53-46 = 99
Miller 49-45 = 94

Briar Woods (337)
Ochs 40-37 = 77
Vazzana 42-37 = 79
Moore 51-46 = 97
Corlett 49-42 = 91
Flroes 43-47 = 90
Harding 48-47

Golf: Video Interviews from 2010 Dulles District Tournament

(Sept. 22, 2010) - VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa covered the 2010 Dulles District golf tournament on Tuesday and returned with these video interviews:

Qualifying for Regionals from New Tuscarora High School: Alec Gard and Philip Corcoran


Dulles District Golf Medalist: Dominion's Richard Boudreau


Dulles District Golf Tournament Runner-up: Freedom's Jason Scrivo


Dulles District Golf

County Council Gets Budget

The Allegheny County Council received County Executive Dan Onorato’s 2011 Comprehensive Fiscal Plan last night with very little comment. Onorato’s plan rolls back spending and does not include a tax increase. The proposed 2011 operating budget totals $767.7 million, which is $5.8 million less than the 2010 adopted budget. “We’re in the worst economic recession of our times and our residents are faced with the same challenges at home,” said Onorato. “I’m asking all County departments to live within the 2010 budget for another year.” Many of the cuts come as federal and state pass-through funding tumbles. The Capital Budget will account for $112.7 million of the $767.7 million budget, including $62.5 million for County roads and bridges, and $13.8 million for building improvements. Council will hold hearings in the budget in the coming weeks.