If we are friends on Facebook then you already know about the nasty, tasteless flier that was circulated by appointed District Attorney Shane Scanlon but if by chance your reading this and have no idea what i'm talking about here it is: Today my family as well as several other families were re-victimized by Lackawanna County's appointed District Attorney Shane Scanlon. If his intent was to cause harm he hit it out of the park with his last mailing. To say that Gene Talerico exploits his victims, seeks glory and quits on them might have been your biggest mistake to date Mr. Scanlon. You see as victims our voices were taken once upon a time but Gene helped us regain our voice and we are no longer victims, we are survivors. We are the toughest group of individuals you will ever face Mr. Scanlon and face us you will. You single handedly created a storm but not the one you expected. Friends, below is our families journey from darkness to light in pictures. These pictures show the man Gene is and always will be. A man of integrity, a man with a heart that seeks justice for ALL victims, a man that was devastated in 2009 but found HOPE witnessing a miracle and had to stick around to make sure all would be okay for her, a man who is the change we need in this world. #sticksinabundle #shameonshane #teamgene Gene's wife Laura Talerico took to Facebook as well to explain the photo of Gene used on Shane Scanlon's postcard. Here are Laura's words as well as the original photographs: My husband Gene was one of the founding board members of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County since its inception in 1999. Our family has supported their annual Moonlight Walk Run each year and in 2015 Gene ran the 5K and raised over $500.00 for the center. The CAC benefits children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect and we are honored to know the people who give of themselves day after day and give hope to all children. I understand that when photos are posted to social media you run the risk of someone copying them and using them for their own purposes, I am far from naïve. However, I could never have anticipated someone taking the time to scroll through 2 years of photos on facebook to find a picture they believed to be embarrassing to be used in a political mail piece filled with untruths. While they believed the photo they chose was embarrassing, we find it represents a proud moment in supporting a good cause that we all believe in. #TeamGene17 Within a few hours my news-feed was clogged with rally cries from survivors and friends who support Gene Talerico for District Attorney You see Mr. Scanlon the bond we survivors share is an unbreakable one, no matter the time of day or our schedules we always have each others backs. Maybe you don't know this because you have no real connection with any "victims" to date. When I think of the connection I have now with all of these amazing people I think of the Kenyan Proverb "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." Us survivors are the sticks and Gene is the thread that holds us all together.
If reading this blog leaves you wanting to know more about Gene Talerico please visit his website talericoforda.com If you find Shane Scanlon's flier inappropriate and offensive here is what I am asking you to do: 1. Please print return to sender on the postcard (see my example in beginning of post), if you feel like leaving a note I encourage you to do so. 2. Call the Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office and let them know this is not how survivors should be treated at (570) 963-6717 3. Call Shane Scanlon's headquarters at 802-DA-SHANE / 802-327-4263 and let your voices be heard. 4. Join me and other survivors/supporters as we walk to the Lackawanna County District Attorney's office in a peaceful protest to let Shane Scanlon know his job is to represent the victims of heinous crimes NOT re-victimize us. (If you are interested in joining us please visit the contact us page and leave me your email address and I will forward the details on to you)
9 Comments
5/3/2017 04:34:38 pm
Great stories, April. I wish you happiness everyday of your life. Also, I received the fliers too. The reason Shane Scanlon won't debate or prosecute anyone, is he don't have the facts. He doesn't know facts from lies.
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Leanna
5/3/2017 04:36:16 pm
Hi April! I'd like more info when the protest is. I'd like to join if I have a babysitter. Thanks, Leanna
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April
5/3/2017 05:10:52 pm
Leanna, I'll keep you updated on the time and date. Thank you for all of your support over the years!
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Gretchen W.
5/3/2017 04:41:20 pm
I wish I had kept the flier but I tore it into pieces and threw it away. #teamgene #sticksinabundle #personnotpolitics
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Marc
5/3/2017 06:25:52 pm
I'll be there!
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Amy
5/3/2017 09:09:46 pm
❤️ Let me know when and where and I will be there!
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Joanne Gallia
5/4/2017 06:09:11 am
His commercial is on as I write this. Repulsive, at best. I did NOT receive a postcard but i've seen them. How very desperate of him to try and shame Gene Talerico with lies and an unflattering picture. Once people read where the picture was taken and what the picture stands for...it leaves Shane looking like a whiney child...willing to do or say anything...as long as the end result is favorable for him. Now people have to look at exactly how low he will go to win. I think instead of hanging his hat on being appointed...he should thank his lucky stars that he was! I don't really see anyone voting for such an underhanded child. How do we put our trust in someone that cannot even run a clean campaign? What will separate him from those he is suppose to protect the citizens of Lackawanna County from? I'll say it again...i'm embarrassed for him and his postcard tactics. It's all too clear now why he won't debate. He IS unable to...but, it's not due to a scheduling conflict. #TEAMGENE
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Ben Bloom
5/5/2017 08:39:02 pm
What he did, was sickening. He should drop out of the race for District Attorney. I read so many stories about how Gene helped these good people through the most difficult time in there life. And for Shane Scanlon to go through these picture and use them as a politcal tool is sickening. And the things he said Gene quit on them. The nerve of Scanlon to say something so wrong. Well Scanlon not once did you help a victim of a crime. Your job in the DA's office. Was to sit with judge Barrasse. And say your honor the people withdraw there charges. When someone completed the drug court program. Not once where you in s courtroom fighting for someone that victimized.
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April
5/8/2017 04:23:24 pm
Thank you Ben for supporting Gene and for supporting victims! #teamgene
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