From Crystal Club Soda to Gertrude Hawk Chocolate

Times-Tribune reporter Stacy Brown had exclusive access to a fundrasier featuring former President Bill Clinton at Mayor Doherty’s house Wednesday night. [Times-Tribune]

Mayor Chris Doherty will declare Tuesday that the city is in strong shape and making progress recognized on state and national levels. “The Office convention helped bring a lot of national attention to our area, as did our being featured in 27 newspaper travel sections across the country,” Mr. Doherty said Monday. “We had Money Magazine touting the growth of our real estate values and we’ve focused on creating a sense of place. We define ourselves as Scrantonians.” [Times-Tribune] Editor’s Note: While I may not be as bullish as our fine mayor, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

For more than a year, speculation has swirled that Mayor Chris Doherty plans to pursue political jobs all over the state. Unsubstantiated rumors and some media reports have suggested he would make a run for U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s seat, run for lieutenant governor or seek an appointment to a higher office from his friend and supporter, Gov. Ed Rendell. On Friday, Mr. Doherty ended the speculation, saying for the record he’s not finished with the job he has. [Times-Tribune]