voL. #No. 5 United Penn Expansion Reflecting what the President of the United Penn Bank terms ‘the burgeoning growth of the Back Mountain region,’”’ a $100,000 Rom to the bank’s existing facilities iS¥being planned for the center of Dallas. The major feature of the project will be two new drive-in windows and approach lanes to supplement the one now in use. The Gregory building, a landmark in Dallas for 45 years, was purchased by the bank and razed recently to provide ‘‘elbow room’’ for the expansion. The new drive-in units will be con- structed ¢@brick matching that in the existing structure. The surrounding area will be landscaped and, if the bank’s present flower beds and shrubbery can be considered an indication of the green thumb magic to be worked on the new property, will create a harmonious and attractive addition to downtown Dallas. Another facet of the project involves renovations and improvements in the bank’s main lobby. Vice president William H. Baker Jr., manager of the Dallas Office, points out that the new facilities will mean added convenience and faster service for patrons; the additional windows and lanes will also expedite the flow of traffic in the Dallas Corners area. The proggct, which should be completed by early "spring, was designed by the architectural firm of Lacy Atherton and Davis. Raymon Hedden is the contractor. ( Kingston Twp. Meeting Photo by J. Kozemchak DALLAS, PA. The immediate prospect for rezoning of two plots in Kingston Township from their present status to R-3, multiple housing, was diminished Thursday night when Kingston Township Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table the request for further study. The commission sat in a regular meeting for an hour during which they heard comments from a number of residentsaafhe four commission members and John Dana, zoning officer, withdrew for a five-minute recess. Upon returning to the meeting room, Richard Morgan, vice chairman, moved for a post- ponement in order that a further study of the properties could be made. The cognmission’s decision was met { "Knocked Down Trees’ with applause by some 78 residents who had come to fight rezoning of the Isaacs plot, Trucksville, from A-1, agricultural, to R-3, and the Ferguson plot, Shaver- town, from R-1, simgle housing, to R-3. A petition, signed by 197 objectors to the rezoning of the Ferguson plot, was presented to the commission. Chairman Leo Corbett noted several times during the meeting that this was not a public meeting, but a regular commission meeting. A public meeting was held Jan. 31. He said that even if the commission ‘“‘does act tonight to rezone, it will only recommend to the supervisors that rezoning take place.” He added that it would be up to the supervisors to rezone, and not the commission, as ‘‘we are only a recom- mending agency.” He said the com- mission was not voting on any developer or development of any kind ‘‘at this time.”’ A resident asked why the change in zoning is being considered now. The chairman replied that the township does not have an R-3 zone, as required by State code.’ One of the major concerns expressed by most residents was over lack of water in the area and an inadequate water system. One Franklin Street resident stated he could not understand how any developer could obtain sufficient water, when ‘‘we have had poor pressure and inadequate water for over seven years.” The business manager for the L.A. McHenry Estate, Dallas, has brought a charge against Marona Construction The construction company is one of the contractors for Dallas Area Municipal Authority. ; Jack osenbaum brought the charge on behdif of his employer, Mildred M. McHenry, before District Magistrate Frederick Anderson. In a hearing notice, Magistrate Anderson informed the con- struction company that a hearing “will be held in my office Feb. 22 at 2:20 p.m. under a penal code violation which oc- curred Jan. 26.” In a statement to the Post, Mr. Rosen- baum said that a crew of the construction company trespassed on a lot owned by the McHenry Estate in New Goss Manor. He said the lot now has a right-of-way where sewer pipes were laid, and in so laying the pipes, the crew cut or knocked down trees and other plants on the lot. “I saw the crew laying pipe and cutting bushes and trees. I asked them if they had permission and they said ‘No.’ On another occasion at another location I also saw two men cutting down trees. Again the answer was ‘No’ when I in- quired if they had permission,” Mr. Rosenbaum declared. The business manager also stated that the lot in New Goss Manor was not suitable for building a home now that the sewer right-of-way runs through the lot rather than on the lot’s border. He said a realtor, representing D.A.M.A., offered a nominal sum for the right-of-way, and that he refused the offer. The D.A.M.A. solicitor, Merton Jones, professed complete surprise at the action brought by Rosenbaum. Atty. Jones stated, “We are currently negotiating a price for this easement with the estate’s attorney, John S. Fine Jr.” Atty. Jones added that if the easement price can not be negotiated, he will file a Declaration of Taking and let the Board of Viewers determine the value of the easement. The easement measures 25 feet in width. In relating his experiences with sewer line construction, Mr. Rosenbaum said he was not against sewers, but that he “is in favor of sewers.” However, I am ap- pealing two assessments on two lots on Sago Street,” he observed. These are lots where I do not believe it is feasible to ever build homes on them.” Solicitor Jones stated that in this in- stance, again, Mr. Rosenbaum, if not satisfied with assessments, can take his case to the Board of Viewers. If not in agreement with the Board of Viewers’ decision, Mr. Rosenbaum would have further recourse by appealing to the Court of Common Pleas. PHONE 675-5211 FIFTEEN CENTS Back Mountain Protective Association will proceed with its complaints against the rate increase granted to Luzerne Electric Division of UGI Corporation. The announcement came this week from James Lenahan Brown, solicitor of the protective association. After a pre-hearing conference Jan. 24 with Public Utility Commission, Atty. Brown stated he was not sure what ad- vice he would give the protective association about continuing with their formal complaints. However, after a meeting with association officials last Friday night, the solicitor declared the association will not withdraw complaints. “We are definitely going ahead with this, and we will be at the next pre- hearing conference in Harrisburg March 13,” he stated. ‘“UG’s report on earnings for 1971 helped us to decide.” Registration Misericordia The turnout for student registration at College Misericordia Feb. 3 was very light with only 59 students registering during a three-hour session held by re- presentatives frem Luzerne County Office of Voter Registration. Forty-five of those students registered Democrat, six as Republican, and eight as Independent. The large percentage of students regis- tering as Democrat is typical of all area colleges, according to a member of the registration board. During registration sessions at other area colleges, students have registered as Democrat by a large majority. A College Misericordia student who “The students”belief that the Democrat- ic party is fundamentally more liberal and not because of any particular can- didate.”’ \ (continued on PAGE TWELVE) Atty. Brown was referring to a report issued last week from the Philadelphia office of UGI. In its report, UGI Corporation reported consolidated earnings for 1971 increased 17 percent to $7,961,000, or $2.09 per share. Earnings by non-utility sub- sidiaries improved to three cents per share from a nine-cent loss. “Exceeding $100,000,000 for the first time, total operating revenues increased 19 percent to $103,532,000 from $87,238,000 in 1970. Operating and maintenance expenses climbed 20 percent to $89,879,000 from $75,053,000’’, the report continued. On Jan. 25, directors of the utility company increased the quarterly dividend rate to 33 cents per share from 32 cents. In additional notes to its financial statements, UGI disclosed that increased electric rates were approved effective July 29, 1970. This increase resulted in additional revenue of $1,560,000 in 1971 and $540,000 in 1970. “Effective Dec. 22, 1971, an additional electric rate increase was approved (by PUC) which will increase revenues approximately $2,100,000 annually,’”’ was a further note. ‘Since March 1970, a state tax ad- justment surcharge has been added to customers’ bills to recover the cost of increased Pennsylvania taxes. Revenue from this surcharge amounted to $3,257,000 in 1971 and $1,714,000 in 1970.” Tishman Taxpayers’ Association has’ expressed itself as being against the rate hike, and members will appear at the March 13 pre-hearing conference. Charles Rupe, taxpayers association secretary, reported he has been corresponding with the Cost of Living Council, Washington, D.C., concerning the proposed rate hike. The Council reportedly informed Mr. Rupe that taxpayers should contact the Internal Revenue Service with the problem as the (continued on PAGE TWELVE) A check for $7,260 was presented to the Dallas School District Board of Directors at its Tuesday night meeting by Luzerne County Housing Authority. Presentation of the check to the school board was made by Robert Moore, secretary of the housing authority. Mr. Moore stated the check represented money paid in lieu of taxes on Meadowcrest housing project in Kingston Township. ‘“‘Hopefully,” Mr. Moore said, ‘‘these payments will be continued in the future.” He disclosed that a smaller amount has been given to Kingston Township Board of Supervisors. Dallas and Crestwood School Districts, in which therein are public housing developments, both received checks from y more birds waiting to eat in
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers