J @ Vol. 107 No. 42 Dallas, Pennsylvania Parents stunned by vote to move schoo By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff DALLAS - One vote made the differ- ence in the location of a new elementary school. . Over many parents’ and teachers’ ob- jections, the board voted 5-to-4 to place a replacement building for Westmoreland Elementary behind the middle school on the 100-acre campus which already houses an elementary building, the middle school, high school and playing fields. The building will house grades kinder- garten through fifth grade, which are the levels presently at Westmoreland. Maureen Banks, John Litz, Reese Finn and Tom Landon voted against the mea- sure, which was not printed on the meeting's agenda. Voting for the school were Ernest Ashbridge, James Richardson, John George, Thom Russ and Joseph Kunec. “I'm astounded and very frustrated,” said PTO president Ellen Smith. “They pacified us all along until they got their own agenda taken care of.” “Don’t worry — no matter where we go we'll still be Westmoreland,” consoled reading specialist Rita Mundy, who seemed to be near tears. “This proves that going to school board meetings makes no difference at all,” fumed Jane Ketchner. “Look how many board meetings we attended, and they took the advice of people who don’t come at all.” “I'm very disappointed with the deci- sion,” said PTO secretary Susan Baiamonte, who noted that the board never asked the parents for their input. “When four of nine board members - nearly hall of them - don't agree, the location of the building should be looked into further. Mrs. Banks brought up some very excellent concerns which need more extensive study.” all! Craig and Karen Williams said they were “very frustrated” and thought the. How's THIS? OW S THIS ¢ ‘Patrick Powell let Dr. Andrea Taroli sneak a bite from a pastry during an open house last week at the new Mercy Physicians POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Network office in Dallas. The event drew a large crowd to the Church Street office. horus O1Ves VOICE Cross burned in Dallas to singers old, new By JACK HILSHER Post Correspondent SHAVERTOWN - A Shavertown “resident president” became an ex-President last month when Su- san Demidovich, who led the Wyo- ming Valley Oratorio Society, passed her gavel on to Fr. Eugene Gorski of King's College. Susan, whois alsoasopranoin the society chorus, says, “It was time to give someone else a chance, | who are but I'm not giving up singing. That means too much tome.” She laughs and adds, “I call it my ‘stress reducer!’ ” Demidovich and husband, tor was appointed director and served for many years. Membership began to grow as stripe with Someone burned a cross alongside Sedlar Rd. in Dallas Township the night of Oct. 10. A passerby noticed the cross and called police, investigating the incident. Dallas Twp. police chief Carl Miers said no evidence was found of other activity. A small swatch of cloth survived the fire. It was a multicolor Stephen, a businessman/manu- facturer, are about to down-size their nest on Bulford Road be- cause their two birds have {lown. Son Mark is a civil engineer in Atlanta and daughter Julie is studying in Florence, Italy. They plan to move to Newberry Estates when their house is sold. The Society Susan led capably for three years is coming very close to its 50th anniversary. In 1948 a chorus formed {rom the Council of Churches performed Handel's Messiah. It was well- received by the community and the following year saw semi-an- nual performances begin, aboard of directors formed, and fund- raising started. In 1952 a name, "Wilkes-Barre Oratorio Society” was adopted and eventually changed to "Wyoming Valley Oratorio Society.” Clifford Balshaw, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Musical Direc- more people who “just like to sing” joined up. So, too, did the musi- cal repertoire expand, and the organization soon began to live up to the name “Oratorio.” Harvey, who os takes care of the That means a long program of property where religious or contemplative char- acter performed in a concert hall or church, without scenery or cos- tumes, and by solo voices, chorus and orchestra. Oratorio compos- ers are most often Handel, Haydn, Stravinsky Shostakovich, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Program- ming more or less standardized on three annual concerts; fall and spring are classical while the sum- mer one is of a lighter nature. (In fact, while she felt she should not be quoted, one Back Moun- tain member of the chorus admit - ted “Our current director is tak- ing a good look at Gershwin!”) Previous director Balshaw's name will be very familiar to many See SINGERS, pg. 8 alternating blue, white, red and peach colors. Len the cross was burned, said he couldn't recall a similar incident: ever taking place. Miers said it was the first time his department had been called for such and investigation. Anyone with information may call the Dallas Twp. Police Dept. at 675-5251. POST PHOTO/RON BARTIZEK eighbors at odds over burning at Lake Louise By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - Neighbors call his property an eyesore, but Steven Kester says he's just remodeling his Lake Louise home. David Bronsberg complained to the supervisors at their last meeting about Kester, who he accused of running a business on his land, bringing in truckloads of debris to burn and allowing piles of cement debris and tree chippings to accumulate on his property. “Whatever he's burning, it gives off noxious black and white smoke,” said Bronsberg, who thought some of the material might be insulation. “I'm worried that it might cause toxic sub- stances to run into the lake and pollute it.” He also said he thought Kester might be using part of the farm for a business. “If he's allowed to set up a business there, then you can rest assured I'll set one up on my land,” he said. Kester, who bought the former See WESTOMORELAND, pg 8' Lake Louise Farm about six years ago, said he’s simply remodeling his home. i “The house is at least 120 years old and was last extensively re- modeled in the 1920's,” he said. “I have gutted two or three rooms — the kitchen had five layers of plas- ter, drywall and paneled walls.” He moved debris from the reno- vations in his pickup truck to the side of the barn, where he's burn- ing it, he said. “Even if I were burning insulation, it isn’t toxic any more.” ; He's collecting the ‘tree: chippings that rest in piles around the property to use as mulch, Kester said. Kester said he has tried to re- search the history of the Lake Louise Farm, which was last used cess. Local folklore has it that a structure was first built on the farm between 1848 and 1850, but it either burned down or was re- modeled. The supervisors have in- structed zoning officer Art Owen to inspect the property for pos- sible violations. : State Rep. candidates tout By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff DALLAS - The candidates for State Representative in the 120th District showcased their support for small business at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Back Mountain Business & Professional Associa- tion. Phyllis Mundy, the three- term incumbent Democrat — “and proud of it,” she said — and Bill James, her Republican challenger, each gave a short talk highlight- ing their business-related accom- plishments and priorities. Seeking her fourth term, Mundy described her activities as amem- ber of the House, and before that as a manager for a small manu- facturing business. In addition to her House duties, Mundy serves 4 1°» on the board of directors of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Com- merce. Jaaetet “My door and my mind have always been open” to ideas that PB for several horses, with little suc- aid small businesses, she said, + after listing her support [or mea- sures that have passed the State Legislature. Among them was re- form in the workmen's compen- sation plan, which she said was opposed by many traditional Democratic constituents such as unions, lawyers and the party it- self. Mundy also reiterated her support for the arena, describing it as a piece of infrastructure that will help attract new employers to the region. : ; James said his 14 years in a See CANDIDATES, pg 2 HB Who'll wear the Crown? Dallas students Pg 3. tournament. Pg 9. vie for Homecoming Queen. HM To a tee Justin Jumper is gearing up for the state championship golf 16 Pages 2 Sections Calendar ............onene 16 Classified..........i. 14-15 Crossword............... 16 EGHOLIAIS......iii cum iies . 4 Obituaries............... 7.14 SCHOOL: linn 12 SPOIS......ioi cited 9-11 The Dallas Post CALL 675-5211 FOR HOME DELIVERY, NEWS OR ADVERTISING and mail to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612-0366 MAILING LABEL- Please enclose this label with any address changes, support for small business
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