UM; Mrs. Walter R. Powell, Homer Walter, Mrs. William by Charlot Denmon The ‘‘Bingo Bill,” House Bill No. 2109, was reported out of the Penn- sylvania General Assembly’s State Government Committee on Feb. 27. And the proposed measure could affect at least one Back Mt. bingo operationsfavorably. The bill provides for the lawful conduct of bingo by any association organized as a non-profit organiza- tion which existed and conducted business in accordance with their written constitution, charter, or articles of incorporation or bylaws, for ene year prior to application for a license. In some area, associations such as churches and fire companies reportedly do not favor the bill be- cause they believe it would en- courage additional organizations to hold their own bingo games thus increasing competition. That opinion is not necessarily true in the Back Mountain. Presently, the only bingo games being conducted are those by the Harveys Lake American Legion and its auxiliary members at the Sunset bingo hall. Mrs. Arthur Gosart, an auxiliary member, and her husband have been actively involved in assisting with the bingo operation during the past season. The games are conducted in the building located at Sunset, leased by the Legion as its meeting place and social hall. Mrs. Gosartsaid that she believes the house bill will help more than it will hinder. At the present time, according to Mrs. Gosart, the current law is not enforced uniformly throughout the state but pursued only when com- plaints are filed. (The Sunet bingo operation was among those closed about a year ago when a state police unit commander decided to apply strict enforcement of existing laws.) Wilson Restaurant, Route 309, Dallas, clolsed Feb. 23 for reorganization and possible sale in the ‘near future”, according to Wilson Garinger, co-owner of the business. ‘“Three different parties are interested in buying the business,” said Garinger. “Some wanted it to close since we weren't making money during this time of the year and probably wouldn’t until after Easter. It will be closed until it is sold. “It became too big an under- taking,” said Garinger. ‘When we first built the restaurant, my dairy business was only half of what it is now. Not long after the restaurant opened I had an opportunity to pur- chase several dairies I had been interested in for some time. “The addition of these dairies doubled the amount of work and time I had to put into the dairy business. I could no longer afford the time necessary for the restaurant.” Garinger explained that with the sale of the business all acounts of the restaurant would be satisfied. Sen. Frank J. O’Connell, R-20, said he wished to resolve a conflict, reported in some news reports, indicating that he was involved in ‘‘double dipping’ for transportation reimbursements for a July, 1979, trip to San Francisco to attend a legislative conference. : ‘‘“The Interstate Cooperative Commission, which I represented at that conference, specifically provides for reimbursement based on mileage. : “I elected that Sption for trip reimbursement and I regret that J option,’ O'Connell said. “So, I have written a check from my personal account for $600 and I further have submitted my resigna- tion as a member of the com- mission. “I hope this misunderstanding will not reflect tipon my 25 years of public service in state and local government or upon my friends, family or staff. " “I regret the entire incident and apologize for opting this method of reimbursement for the trip,” he said. The Act s make the operation of bingo by non-profit associations legal throughout Pennsylvania and the associations would not have to worry about being closed down. Mrs. Gosart indicated that it eliminates extraordinary profits by outside operators since 75 percent or better of the total receipts of the operation remain with | the association. “Our games are not big ones,” said Mrs. Gosart. “We pay only $5 or $10 per game. Some of the associations pay $25 or $30 and some of those in the Valley pay as high as $50 or $75 with higher amounts for jackpot games. “I believe it would be good for all non-profit associations. Even fire companies would benefit. Bingo would be one way they could raise additional funds. What's the dif- ference whether people spend money on bingo or on horse races or lottery tickets? At least bingo in- come would be helping community residents.” The bill limits the prize awarded to a maximum of $1,000 for any one game of bingo except for jackpot games which shall not exceed $5,000 for one such game of bingo. Any eligibile association must be licensed at the cost of $100 per year with the license issued by the county treasurer. The license must be publicly displayed at the location of .the::games conducted by the licensee. The Act further states that only a bona fide member of the association may manage, set up or - operate the bingo. No person under the age of 18 may be permitted by the association to the bingo is played must have ade- as well as adequate sanitary facilities in the area. No person may be employed in the operation of the bingo game for compensation greater than $50 per day or any part of a day and any person compensated must be paid individually. Any association violating the provisions of the Act will have its license revoked. by the county treasurer. If an association is, convicted of violation of the Act it shall be guilty of a summary of- fense and sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $500 and forfeiture of license. The association will be ineligible for ‘a license renewal for one year thereafter. World Day of Prayer for the Back Mountain area will be held in the Lehman United Methodist Church, Friday, March 7, at 1 p.m. The Rev. Robert Harris is pastor. Representing the participating churches will be Mrs. Russell Coolbaugh, Lehman UM; Mrs. Elmer Hoover, Idetown UM: Mrs, Clifford Garris, Dallas UM; Mrs. Thomas R. Williams, Trucksville UM; Mrs. Walter R. Powell, Huntsville UM; Mrs. Gordon Earles, Shavertown UM; Mrs. Meryl Wagner, Huntsville Christian; Mrs. Gerald Taylor, Prince of Peace Episcopal; Mrs. William Sherksnas, Our Lady of Victory RC; Mrs. Edward Thomp- son, Gate of Heaven :RC; Mrs. Chester Molley, St. Therese’s RC; Paul’s Lutheran; and Mrs. Roland Koeb, Trinity Presbyterian. PAGE THREE Mrs. Rosendo Santos will be guest vocalist with Dr. Rosendo E. Santos, Jr. as organist. Theme of the service will be Responsive Freedom presented by Mrs. William Sherksnas. Following the service a Fellowship Tea will be held in the social room. Women of the local church will be hostesses. There will be a nursery for the pre-school children. “Responsible Freedom’ is the theme for the annual World Day of Prayer service to be held tomorrow evening at 7:30 in the First United Methodist Church at Noxen under sponsorship of women of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church at Noxen, Ruggles UM Church and the First United The World Day of Prayer service is part of the worldwide chain of prayer in which women of more than 150 countries and islands unite to witness to their faith. The Mrs. Joyce Shiplett of Kingston will be the guest speaker at the annual World Day of Prayer service to be held tomorrow afternoon at 1 in Centermoreland United Methodist Church under auspices of the United Methodist Women of the Centermoreland UM Church. Mrs. Shiplett is president of the Women’s Fellowship at Church of immediate past president of Church Women United of Wyoming Valley. International Commission for Worldwide Day of Prayer has designated Church Women United as the official sponsor of the ob- servance in the United States. Coordinating plans for the service tomorrow evening at First United Methodist Church at Noxen are Mrs. Martha Parks of the First United Methodist Church women of Noxen and Mrs. John Jones, who is in charge of the observance for women of St. ‘Luke’s Lutheran Church at Noxen. She also is presently serving as area chairperson for Church Women United of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mrs. Gerry Blizzard, vice- president of the United Methodist Women of the Centermoreland UM Church, is serving as chairperson for tomorrow’s World Day of Prayer service at Centermoreland. Mrs. Mildred Schray is president of the United Methodist Women at Centermoreland UM Church. Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Jones have extended an invitation to all men and women of the Noxen-Ruggles- Monroe Township area to attend the service. Refreshments will be served after the service with Mrs. Ann Whiting in charge. The Rev. M. Luther Wahtmann is pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church at Noxen and Rev. Donald Sperling is pastor of the Noxen- Ruggles-Huntsville UM Charge. Women of the three United the Carverton UM Charge at Mount as United Methodist Women from the East Dallas and Dymond Hollow =~ UM Churches, are cooperating in sponsoring the World Day of Prayer service at Cen- termoreland. a An invitation also has been ex- tended to women of all faiths in the Back Country area to attend the service. Including promised projects for the future, a total of $3,035,700 may be spent by the Luzerne County Office of Community Development for the period 1976 to 1981 in the Back Mountain area. : - The total of $3,035,700 is for projects completed or approved subject to funding in the com- munities of Harveys Lake, Dallas Borough, Dallas Township, Lake Township,’ Lehman Township, Kingston Township and Jackson Township, according to Gary Lamont, Luzerne County’s director of community development. The funding program of the local office (a HUD program) is for urban counties and is the only such program in Northeastern Penn- sylvania. According to recent figures, confirmed by Lamont, the Luzerne County program is one of only 70 counties in the nation with such a program. Thirteen of these counties, including Luzerne, are in Pennsylvania. marked for a Back Mountain community was $684,600 for Dallas Township. In 1977, Dallas Township received $27,700 for the acquisition and development of a recreation area. In 1979, $30,000 was spent for the development of a recreation the community development’s funding, $250, 000 will be spent for a proposed neighborhood strategy area.’ An additional projected rehabilitation program for the future is estimated at $376,900 for a total of funds for Dallas Township listed at $684,600. Kingston Township's estimated total from the Office of Community Development is $684,700. In 1976, the township was funded $27,700 for the development of recreation. borhood strategy area project will be funded and a projected rehabilitation expenditure for the $648,700 for Kingston Township. Lehman Township was given a grant of $27,700 in 1976 for road construction and an additional $30,000 in 1978 for road construction. In 1982, the Community Development's eighth year, a proposed $250,000 neighborhood strategy area project will be initiated. With a projected rehabilitation project of $142,500, a total of $450,200 may be funded for Lehman Township. In 1976, Dallas Borough received a $5,000 grant for recreational improvement such as the mini-park on the top of Huntsville Road. In 1977, $27,700 was funded for road reconstruction and. «in 1979, the borough was funded $250,000 for its neighborhood strategy area project including tree lawns, sewer drains, sidewalks and storm drains. A projected rehabilitation project expenditure of $158,200 brings the borough’s possible total from the Community Development Council of $449,900. Total amount in grants for Harveys Lake Borough is $406,700. In 1976, second year of the com- munity development’s program, the Harveys-Lake Borough received a demolition grant of $14,000 for razing of derelict structures. During the ' third year of the program, 1977, the borough received $27,700 for construction of a recreational facili cand an ad- dition = $10,000...for= “demolition project. 2 A $250,000 A hood strategy area.project has been proposed for 1981 and a projected rehabilitation grant of $105,000 for the $406,700 total over the period 1976 to 1981. ‘Jackson Township received a. $27,700 road construction grant in 1977 and in 1979, received a grant of as well as $14,000 under the country- wide demolition program initiated in 1978. These grants combined with the projected rehabilitation grant of $140,000 total $211,700. Lake Township was the recipient of the smallest amount of funds, a total of $183,900. The township received $27,700 for road recon- struction in 1977, $30,000 for road reconstruction in 1978, and a proposed $40,000 for a physical development project in 1981 which with an estimated 186,200 projected rehabilitation program completes the total of $183,900 in anticipated grants from the Luzerne County Office of Community Development. by Charlot Denmon The Back Mountain area is not new to Atty. John Morris III, newly- appointed solicitor to Dallas Borough. Morris was appointed to replace Charles Lemmond, who was recently named judge in the Court of Common Pleas. Morris, who resides with his wife and family on Sedler Road, Dallas, has been resident of the Back Mountain since 1972 when he pur- chased a home off Machell Avenue. He lived at that location until his family moved into their new home. Married in 1973 to ‘the former Claire Palchanis of Kingston, the couple has three children, John, age five; Gail, age three; and Mark, age one. A native of Kingston, Morris graduated from Wyoming Seminary and Brown University. He received his law degree from Dickinson Law School. He worked as 'a trust officer for the United Penn Bank (at that time the Miners Force as a captain. Morris spent a year in Southeast Asia during his three-year tour of the duty during the Vietnam Con- flict. following his discharge in 1968, he entered law practice with Atty. Robert J. Scovell. They have offices in the Wilkes-Barre Center and in the Professional Building, Route 309, Dallas. Serving as a borough solicitor is a new experience for Morris although he is solicitor for Franklin Town- ship and zoning solicitor for Bear Creek Township. He said he is familiar with Dallas Borough. Morris said he expects to be busy working with the borough because until recently the code was much township. In his position as solicitor of Franklin Township, he is required to attend only when requested. In his private Morris’ work is concentrated on work, although he is considered a general practitioner. In his leisure time, Morris enjoys hunting, preferably for small game, trout fishing. ; highly competitive especially ‘in swimming. When at American swimmer. Following graduation from the university he realized that he couldn’t continue the rigid schedule of nine to 11 hours of daily training so he gave it up and contented himself with playing handball or racquet ball. Recently Morris started swim- ming again and enrolled in a master’s program. He plans to re- enter competition in the near future. He is training very en- thusiastically and regularly in preparation for it. He and Claire go snowmobiling with the children when the weather permits. They both like to ski and take ski trips to other areas. Morris likes to play ennis and winter months. The couple have done quite a bit of traveling, their most recent trip to Aruba in October. During the summer they enjoy vacationing in Morris is actively involved in numerous organizations. He is a member of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA board of directors. He is on the board: of Nesbitt Hospital and also co-counsel to the board. He is a board member and counsel for the Oaklawn Cemetery Association. Morris is a member of the lawyers professional associations including the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. He also is a member of the Masonic bodies including Lodge, Consistory and the Shrine. He belongs to numerous social clubs Club. He and Claire are members of Shavertown United Methodist Claire has her master’s degree from the University of Guanjuato. She has done some judging for local art exhibits and has been guest instructor at some of the local schools. She also taught for the Back Mountain Cultural Center for a while. Claire is active in the Nesbitt Hospital Auxiliary ‘and is a volunteer for the Children’s Museum. She also is involved with the Lawyers Wives Organization, which supports the lawyers association. Claire also spends much of her time with their son, John, skiing around their home. Atty. Morris said he is looking solicitor for the Dallas Borough ¥
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