cca re €€ by Anne Paye, RSM Dallas really isn’t very far from Philadelphia--not when the Pope is in that city. Like hundreds of others from parishes in the Back Moutain, Sr. Miriam Francis Stadulis, RSM, administrative assistant at the Provincialate, Dallas, and I made the pilgrimage last week to see the new Pontiff and to join him and a million others at a Catholic Mass at Logan Circle. \ We had a preview the day before as we approached South Philadelphia from the Schuylkill Expressway about midnight: “Viva Il Papa!” blazoned electric lights high in the sky on a towering office building. That's just what it was, a day to cheer Pope John Paul II, to show appreciation for his whimsy, his innovative style, and to approve the basic gospel message he preaches. The people who travelled to see him demonstrated that his words on crowd. the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the lowly and the mighty. Somewhere, we knew, were our own Provincial Administrator, Sr. Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, and Sr. Cecelia Meighan, RSM, Provincial councilor; they came home with photos from inside the cathedral, where the Pope prayed upon his arrival and greeted special guests. The Back Mounta parishes were well represented, we knew, and students from College Misericordia were there. From The Light of Christ Prayer Group were Dr. and Mrs. Stan Hozempa, Mrs. Ellie Thompson, Mrs. Angie Jenkot with her dad, Stanley Wozniewski, and The Rev. Hugh McGroarty with his parishioners. Wozniewski typified many Polish Americans, who feel “this is my cousin, this Pope!” Almost 85, Wozniewski was mute and tearful with pleasure, in the City of Brotherly Love for the first time, in the presence of the first Polish Pope. Others we met, strangers who became friends, showed the same spectrum. Two women had flown from Pittsburgh for the day, privileged with the gold tickets which admitted them to the cathedral. Lunchless, they thanked generous by-standers for snacks. In the reserved section with us were another priviledged group, about 25 young men, neatly, even nattily dressed, hair trimmed, looking like so many other young men in the crowd. But these were special people, retarded, most with the Downs Syndrome, thrilled to be at a magnificent ceremony, not sure exactly what it meant, but proud to be part of the event. Behind us, in a row of wheelchairs, were another select group, Sisters of Jesus Crucified, handicapped all, all special guests of Cardinal John Krol. Smiling, in cream habit with brown veils and coats, one explained that each, though crippled in some fashion, had dedicated her life to service in the Church and now lived a semi- cloistered life in Devon Pa. These people, and others like them, were the signs that Pope John Paul is real and true when he proclaims that each human life is precious. Trumpets blared and the choir’s voices range ‘with Psalm 150, ‘Praise God in His mighty dwelling!” but Pope John Paul walked to the alter simply, humbly, in a very short procession. He circled the high altar, waving, smiling. Then a million voices sang, ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” and the emphasis shifted The century-old ritual of the The president of the Back Mountain Protective Association this week urged greater consumer participation in the fight his organization is mounting against a recently announced $3.2 million rate increase application filed by UGI Corporation’s Luzerne Electric Division. Dr. F. Budd Schooley of Dallas, organization had filed the formal complaint against the rate increase within the last two weeks. He said the group was also advised by State Sen. Frank O'Connell that the senator’s office had been in touch with PUC Consumer Advocate intervene in the case on behalf of UGI consumers. Schooley said that O’Connell also reported to the BMPA that W. Wilson Goode, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, had indicated that a hearing would be held in November in the UGI service area, so that local consumers could present their date on the rate case. “We have to do our homework and get our case prepared,” Schooley said. He indicated that he was urging local school districts to submit utility bills for the past years to document increasing costs. He also urged private homeowners to submit information on their power costs to the BMPA. Sehooley said consumers of UGI _could submit their power cost data to either him of to other BMPA Atty. David Saba. The BMPA president charged that the $3.2 million rate hike is ‘“‘unreasonable and unwarranted.” He also claimed that BMPA'’s case must be fully documented to cope with company representation by ‘Philadelphia lawyers’’ who rehash previously used rate case testimony in increase hearings just to drive up the cost of fighting the application. “It’s the same old utility baloney,;’ concluded Schooley. 5 death and resurrection of Jesus Christ drew the crowd to silence. It was a serious group, participants in a religious ceremony, not just spectators. At the time of reception of Holy Communion, while the television cameras focused on the Pontiff and a few selected representatives of the church of Pennsylvania, hun- dreds of priests threaded their way through narrow aisles of crooked rows of chairs on grass and con- crete, and quite lines of ordinary people approached them, hands outstretched for the Body of Christ, hearts eager to receive Him. After the Liturgy, the Pope again became the center of all eyes, circling the altar as the crow cheered and shouted their love. Lightning seemed to flash in the growing darkness, but it was dozens of cameras in the windows of a tall apartment building in Logan Circle. Dozens of weary, blue-uniformed police lounged on wooden barriers as people moved into the street. Smiles, laughter, little rushing, but, unfortunately, much litter on the PAGE THREE pavement. Vendors, newly ad- mitted to the area, hastily hawked souveniers--papal pictures, ban- ners, buttons for two dollars, or for one. My wheel chair won me the gift of a fine photograph in a maroon folder from a sympathetic vendor. It was over. We went blocks with the crowd, seeing evidence of where people had stood. I wondered how it was possible even to see the altar from that distance of three or four blocks from the Circle. But people had been there, and stayed there, satisfied to be part of an event that had never occurred before, and would never be repeated. “Viva Il Papa!” the electric bulbs voice in the early morning darkness as we departed from Philadelphia Thursday. People would shout it at the Civic Center that morning, that mid-day in Iowa and in Chicago that evening. Our hearts echoed the same prayer as we sped home, with a million memories, like a million other pilgrims. It was a very short distance back to Dallas. Harveys Lake’s council majority sprung a surprise ‘“‘non- cancellable” revision of their real estate purchase agreement for the so-called Stone House in the Lake’s Sandy Beach area during the October council meeting last Thursday. The original purchase plan has been under attack in a court action filed by the Harveys Lake Tax- payers Association and was a major issue /in the Republican primary defeat of two incumbent coun- cilmen, Council President Bob DeRemer and Councilman Robert Wintersteen. However, both candidates were preserved for the November election by virtue of a Democrat write-in campaign which provided them with the nomination of that party. Republican candidates pledged to oppose the purchase face the two on the Nov. 7 ballot. The modification of the purchase agreement stated that the tran- saction would not only be ‘‘non- cancellable’” but would be binding on ‘‘successors’’ of the council. It also provided for immediate oc- cupancy of the stone house by the borough government at a monthly rental of $390 plus insurance, heat, maintenance and utilities while the litigation is pending for a period of up to 18 months. The vote was 4-2 in favor of the new version with Council members Becky Casterline and Jack McManus joining DeRemer and Wintersteen. Andrew Morgus and Margaret Purcell opposed the action and minority spokesman Guy J. Giordano was not present due to a serious illness in his family. Said Giordano after the vote, “There’s a serious breach of ethics in having the agreement prepared by . Mrs. (Helen) Sgarlet’s lawyers.” Giordano said he was informed that attornies for Mrs. Sgarlet prepared the new contract without the knowledge of borough \ document as the recipient of all payments of rent, etc. : Giordano charged that the mov: was a last ditch effort “to force the building down the taxpayer’s throat before the (November) election.” Attorney Kasper said that if the court found for the plaintiff tax- payer’s association in the pending court action attacking the original agreement, the revised version would also become ‘‘null and void.” Kasper said that the borough oc- cupancy would then likely be ended because the court would ‘‘obviously On Monday night, Dallas School director Col. William Dierolf, chairman of the cafeteria com- mittee responded to a statement made at the September board meeting by school board candidate Joseph Gorko that “possibly there are problems being swept under the rug.” Last month Gorko questioned whether the food truck, rented from Leon Emmanual is sub-standard with evidence of insects and rodents. Dierolf explained that the day following the September meeting Edgar Hughes, high school prin- cipal, and Naomi Prynn, who is head of the cafeteria, held an unannounced inspection of the vehicle. ; They found that the truck had been fully repainted during the summer months. A clean floor showed no evidence of rodents or insects. Dierolf noted that in order to assure cleanliness, the driver and helper were instructed to hose down the inside of the truck daily and that ammonia is available for their use. Dierolf stated, “I feel that this concern was completely unfounded and of a very immature nature. ‘“‘A report of last year’s inspection is available showing Dallas to have an excellent operating cafeteria.” Gorko, who was in attendance at take precedence.” After the vote, DeRemer an- nounced that the move to the new facility would take place within the next ten days and future borough meetings would be held /in the structure. Giordano also charged Monday that the council majority’s action ‘“‘points to a possible serious violation of the open meeting law.” He said the majority ‘‘obviously discussed in advance” the revision which he said ‘‘was a surprise to no one except the minority.” Monday’s meeting, responded to Dierolf’s statement by saying, ‘‘Conduct another investigation later in the year and ask the kids who go to school here.” When asked by board member. Gloria Brennan if his question had been based on personal ob- servation, Gorko replied that he had middle of the school term. Dierolf informed Gorko that the food truck is available for his in- spection at any time, providing he contacts high school principal Edgar Hughes. Gorko raised the question of how the temperatures in classrooms will be set this winter. According to Dr. Richard Shipe, superintendent, under state mandate elementary classrooms must be kept at 70 degrees, intermediate classrooms at 68 degrees and secondary classrooms at 65 degrees. Joseph Mooney, who has four children attending school in the district, complained of a bus problem that has reoccurred for the past eight years. Mooney has requested that the bus driver keep the bus stationary until students are seated. Because he has been unable to get any satisfaction on this problem, Mooney reported this problem to the state police asking them to see iS fy i Following the decision to move the borough government into the rented quarters, Wintersteen urged public support for the move and thanked the local fire company for providing borough offices and meeting facilities in the past. In other action, council members appointed Sandra Serhan, a Har- veys Lake resident, to represent the council in the establishment of a borough historical society. Council members also took note of the fact that applicants for the chief of police position had not that this law is enforced. Mooney says he has not, as yet, received any. answer from the state police. According to Mooney, only his children have been assigned seats by the bus driver causing them to be extremely uncomfortable about the entire situation, which he feels is unfair. Mooney feels that the idea of assigned seats on the bus may prevent his children from talking to him about any other bus problem. Patricia Gregory, chairman of the transportation committee, agreed that assigning the Mooney children special seats is unfair and that Mooney has a legitimate complaint which should be satisfied. She assured Mooney that the entire board will be involved in deciding how the problem can best be solved. - The board also agreed to make a decision concerning a tran- sportation problem of Aaron Lupinsky, a kindergarten student who lives on Carverton Road. The board will attempt to find an adequate turn around for the bus that will be safe for both the bus and the child. : A request from Dr. F. Budd Mountain Protective Association, to provide him with a letter of protest from the board concerning a J satisfactorily. completed the mandated civil service exam for that position. “If you want a qualified in- dividual, youre going to have to make the pot sweeter,” Wintersteen noted, referring to the ceiling wage rate proposed for the chief of police of $9,500 to $10.500 per year. DeRemer also reported to the council on his meeting with officials of the Dallas Cablevision Company, the borough’s CTV franchise. The council president said that the problem of “R-rated” movies poration was approved by the board. This letter and copies of the district’s electric bills for the ‘past two years will be used to aid tax- payers in their protest to the Public Utilities Commission. The district entered into an agreement with Paul Scott who resides on the Newman property in which the district will rent to Scott the portion of property on which his trailer is located. The Newman property was deeded to the Dallas School District following the death of Mrs. Jennie Newman last summer. David Jones was named acting principal of Westmoreland, Dallas and Trucksville Elementary Schools in the absence of Walter Prokopchak who is on sick leave. James Rogowski was assigned to Dallas Township Elementary in the absence of David Jones. Rogowski is a long-term professional em- ployee of the district. Mrs. Jean Utter was named acting ‘building coordinator at Dallas Township Elementary School. To Subscribe he now appearing on the cable system could be resolved by purchasing a special locking device which could bar the use of any offensive channel. DeRemer also announced the selections in the future, listing the CTV channel number and the service to be available. Council was also advised that the November meeting would take place on Nov. 7, the day after the election, rather than on Nov. 1 as regularly scheduled. Kingston Supervisors to meet Kingston Township manager Mark Kunkle reminds Back Mountain residents that the special meeting of the supervisors scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17 is for the purpose of discussing all possible solutions to the hazardous traffic conditions between Center Street and Franklin Street on Route 309, Shavertown. Residents and business people located in that area are urged to attend. Michael Czar, PennDOT traffic engineer at Dunmore, other Penn- dot officials, Sen Frank O’Connell . and Rep. Franklin Coslett have indicated that they will attend the meeting. : Phase 2 paving progresses ‘Most of Phase 2 Program is almost finished in Swoyersville with the second pavement of Kossack St., Sidney St., Poland St., Hazle Drive, east side, Beech, Frederick,
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