rss RH Seb pm Gi ®nstreet News managing editor J. R. Freeman examines a unique pilot project involving inmates who are residents of the State Correctional Institution in Dallas. His report reveals that these men, who might be living in desperation, are learning skills outside the prison walls which will help toward their rehabilitation before reentering society. His story appears on page 15. Liquid propane customers of Pennsyl- vania Ws and Water Co. may find some relief yet from a proposed increase in PG&W'’s price for that fuel. Originally scheduled to be effective Feb. 1, the in- crease, which effects only PG&W’s pro- pane customers, has been postponed until ‘April 1. Moreover, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Pa. Department of Justice, is Busing in Dallas: Some Bad News by Shawn Murphy To many parents concerned about the safetygef youngsters who must walk to Dallas Schools along hazardous high- ways, the recently enacted law which provid@s for subsidized busing of these school children is not unlike one of the “good news-bad news’’ jokes so much in vogue. First the good news: Act 372, which was signed by Gov. Shapp Dec. 29, 1972, allows for reimbursement to school districts which decide to bus students who must walk along hazardous roads to school. The legislation was retroactive to cover busing expenses incurred from last July to the present time. The legislation, which was en- thusiastically supported by Rep. Frank J. O'Connell (R-Luzerne) and many con- cernegaiallas parents, was years on the drawifig board. Getting it passed, Rep. O’Connell recalled last week, was an “uphill fight all the way.” Now for the bad news: According to John McElhany, chief of the school bus section of the Bureau of Traffic Safety, an interpretation by the attorney general directs that the legislation will not become effective until July 1, 1973. So far as Mr. McElhany is concerned, the delay is scarcely a disappointment. “We don’t even have the forms drawn up yet for our field representatives to use when checking out ‘hazardous’ bus (continued on PAGE FIVE) studying the legality of the proposed hike, which would effectively raise propane fuel bills more than twice over. Atty. Bob Gillespie of the Scranton office of the bureau told Greenstreet News that bureau policy strictly forbids divulging information about consumer complaints until after court action has begun, but he did admit that the offices of the bureau in both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre have been besieged with complaints. Atty. Gillespie also acknowledged that PG&W officials met with bureau repre- sentatives informally last week, but could not say what, if anything, came out of the meeting. He promised that if and when legal action was taken in the case, it would be made public, explaining that if details of every consumer complaint were given out, innocent businesses would suffer unnecessarily. PG&W informed its liquid propane cus- tomers of the increase in a Jan. 15 letter, causing immediate and irate reactions from those affected. Greenstreet News spoke with several of these customers, and all agreed that PG&W had ‘“‘sold”’ them on the economy and convenience of bottled gas heating systems several years ago. PG&W reportedly promised that if people provided for propane gas heat in their homes, it would be only ‘‘a year or two’ until natural gas mains could be connected to the systems, and until then, PG&W would supply liquid propane gas to these customers at natur- al gas prices. However, over two years ago, the state’s Public Utility Commission called a halt to what some term PG&W’s over- aggressive expansion and forbade the company to extend its natural gas lines. The liquid propane customers, however, have continued to pay natural gas rates until the present time. PG&W officials now claim that the company is losing money on its liquid propane sales, and have told at least one complaining customer that ‘‘legally, there’s nothing you can do,” since the firm’s legal staff has researched the entire problem to the satisfaction of PG&W executives. Pennsylvania’s Con- sumer Protection Bureau may have the last word on that. A sport that has its origins rooted in the transportation traditions of the Indians and Eskimos of the far North will be re- vived locally Feb. 10 and 11, as the Penn- sylvania Sled Dog Racing Club presents its annual races at Moon Lake Park. Sponsored by the Luzerne County Tourist Promotion Agency, the races and a weight pulling competition will be san- ctioned by the Club. Participants from five states will be competing in the events. Formalized as a sport in 1908 with the running of the first All Alaskan Sweep- stakes, sled dog racing has become more all over the world. In 1966, the Interna- tional Sled Dog Association was founded and became the governing body for sled dog races around the world. The Pennsylvania Club is part of the Middle Atlantic States Association and began helding the races at Moon Lake Park last year. This year, the races have drawn applicants from New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsyl- vania. Everything is set for the races and a weight-pulling competition to begin both days at 10—providing there is snow. Although all the participants have summer rigs with wheels in addition to the winter sleds, the summer rigs need dirt roads. All roads at Moon Lake Park are paved. If snow is not available, the races will be cancelled. (continued on PAGE F]VE) A VOL. 84 NO. 6 DALLAS, PA. Five members of the seven-man Study Commission of Kingston Township met Sunday and voted unanimously to study and draft a charter for Kingston Town- ship. The action taken by the commission now extends the study period to 12 months instead of the nine allowed should EF Lesivle the Post Dallas fire and ambulance units out- standing records of service. Story, photo, page 11. Dallas wrestlers battle for first place honors with Hanover tonight. Story page 13. Three inmates from the correctional institution are proving that re- habilitation works. Story, photos, page 15. One hundred fifty one students have made the Lake-Lehman High School honor roll. Story, page 17. Mary Koeler, a forgotten senior citizen, is finally receiving society’s help. Story, photos, page . 20. | i James G. Dick the commission have decided upon an optional form of government. Voting in favor of the charter form of government were John Hibbard, chairman; Joseph Purcell, secretary- treasurer; William H. Clewe chairman; Ambrose Gaviga Phillips. Absent were Edward and William Pugh. Mr. Hibbard explained that Mr. Richards, at a previous meeting, had voiced his disapproval of the drafting of a home rule charter and instead favored an optional form of government: small municipality plan. Mr. Hibbard also added that the action of the commission does not necessarily mean that the group must recommend the charter form of government. It means only that the commission in its preliminary investigation hac ' ind that the charter form ap.ears to .» the caly means by which the commission can produce a government favorable to the wishes of the people. The law still gives the commission the flexibility to return to an optional form of government or recommend, upon further investigation, no changes in government. James G. Dick, 18 Hillcrest Drive, Goss Manor, Dallas, has been named chair- man of the board of ‘trustees at College Misericordia, it was announced by Sister Miriam Teresa, RSM, president of the college. meeting at the college, Mr. Dick succeeds Sister Mary Honora Kroger, RSM, who served as chairman of the board since 1970. Ssiter Honora announced her retire- ment from the board in order to devote more time to her pressing duties as ad- ministrator of St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. Prior to being named chairman, Mr. Dick served on the board as chairman of the public relations and development committee. He served in that capacity since 1970. Mr. Dick is vice president of Fowler, Dick, and Walker in Wilkes-Barre and is very active in community affairs, serv- ing on the Committee of 100 of the Chambers of Commerce of both Wilkes- Barre and Hazleton. He is a director of the Luzerne County Mental Health Association and has served as vice presi- dent of that organization. A graduate of Fordham University, he served with the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was also one of the first ‘loaned executives” for the Wyoming Valley United Fund Organization. As chairman of the board of trustees, the determination of the future of the college, both in terms of policy and in physical development. At the same meeting, the board also named a new secretary. Elected to the executive position was Sister Jane Frances Kennedy, RSM, a member of the board for the past three years. Prior to being named secretary, Sister Jane Frances served as chairman of the committee on student affairs. At the same time, she completed studies at Columbia University for a Master’s degree in hospital administration. Other .; degrees held by Sister Jane at 3 p.m. in the Kingston Township Municipal Building, Since the session will be primarily a i | However, the com the commission. points brought out at the work session. Final action and deliberation will be reserved until a future meeting. view the direction in which the com open meeting, be more roaf sl informed on the plans of the commit); soioh, and be able to discuss in depth support or op position to the plans. charter was made by Mr. Purcell and was seconded by Mr. Clewell. : M.S. in nursing Marquette. Scranton. man of the board of trustees of College Misericor dia, passes the gavel of her authority to the newl elected chairman, James. Dick of Dallas.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers