PAGE FOUR
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Something’s wrong with our
public schools!
‘Whenever you get a handful of
_ people together, the conversation
seems always to get around to
education.
And it’s usually only a matter of
time until some wise person in the
group will make the grand
pronouncement: ‘‘Something’s
wrong with our public schools!”
Unfortunately, the indictment is a
. sound one - that there is indeed a
great deal wrong with public
‘education.
Something is wrong when:
--in troubled economic times we
.
allow our logic to be twisted to say
that spending less for education will
force an improvement in quality.
--we’re willingto spend more for
our own adult toys than for our
child’s education.
--we protest that the classroom is
the single most important station in
education and them make our
classroom teachers the lowest paid
professionals in the system.
--we pay the workers who lay the
foundation for our school building
more than we pay the teachers who
lay the foundation for our children’s
futures. :
--we expect our teachers to
succeed with all children, whose
parents frequently cannot ac-
complish the same with only one or
two of their own.
--we join our children in con-
demning the school or an individual
teacher rather than working
together with the school and the
teacher for the good of the kid.
--teachers are expected to
maintain classroom discipline but
are threatened with lawsuits if they
take strong disciplinary action,
especially against the wrong kid.
--children needing extra and very
special attention are placed in an
already crowded regular class.
--The list could go on - probably
forever.
BY P.T. AM
Well, it was another success! This
year’s homemakers show, as usual
was out of this world. There were
tons, of prizes and things to see. It
was just great. If you missed this
year’s show, all I can tell you is that
you'll have to wait another year to
get in on the biggest event of all
times.
What do you think about Lake-
Lehman’s graduation date being
changed. Taking a look at the cards
announcing the change one may
believe that whoever conjured up
the announcement may need to go
back to school for a little English
grammar lessons. The an-
nouncement reads as follows: Lake-
Lehman High School Com-
mencement Exercises has been
changed to friday evening, June 11.
I guess everyone slips now and
then.
I think it’s about time I give a
person I know some credit. Rich
Mekeel, you're in the spotlight.
Every week, I talk with Rich sooner
Only Yesterday
or later, and he always clues me in
on what he’s been reading in the
paper. (Rich has good choice in
reading material-he reads the
Post). If you're ever at the bowling
alley (Bonomo’s) Rich is the
distinguished gentleman with the
beard and mustache who looks like
he’d make a terrific wrestling
coach. He plays a little softball and
from what I understand is good
enough to be an:ASA coach. And I
can’t forget Rich's good looking
wife, Jeannie; who bowls for Jean
Shop. So next time you want to shoot
some pool, roll some bowling balls
or check the latest in video games
stop in and say “hi” to Rich Mekeel.
got back from a band competition in
the south. It’s refreshing to see that
there is another band, locally, that
enjoys a little competition and is
willing to sponsor an out-of-state
going Dallas!
Some birthdays, past and near
future, include Sheila Hodges,
Nancy Miliauskus, and Marian
Zurinski. Salute to our birthday
people. :
cookie sale in progress, and if
anyone is interested in obtaining
any Girl Scout cookies in the Back
Mountain, please call your local girl
scout or neighborhood chairman-
Mary Lou Swingle or Debbie
Zurinski. No need to worry about
ordering how many because . this
sale is direct--so when you place
your call the cookies can be
delivered . immediately. All
varieties are available.
The annual library kick off dinner
will be held May 7 at the ‘barn’.
Before you know it we'll be sitting in
the crowd on a hot summer’s day or
night bidding some wonderful items
helping our library keep up its good
work. I can’t wait.
On May 10, during the afternoon,
if you're a small business person
‘you may be interested inthe
following. There will be a “Can
Small Business Survive the 80's?”
seminar at Sheraton Crossgates in
Wilkes-Barre sponsored by the
But the point has been made.
And the point - as we in the
Teacher’s Association see it - is
this:
SOMETHING WILL CONTINUE
TO BE WRONG WITH OUR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNTIL
TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND
SCHOOL DIRECTORS ARE
WILLING TO ENTER INTO A
REAL COMMITMENT TO FACE
UP TO OUR EDUCATIONAL
PROBLEMS AND FIND
SOLUTIONS FOR THEM.
If we do anything less than that,
we have only ourselves to blame if -
perhaps we should better say
‘when’ - the system crumbles.
Name withheld by request
Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of
Commerce. It is designed at helping
small businesses look at what’s
happening and what they can do
about survival. There will be some
terrific guest speakers and the cost
is minimal (to pay for lunch). If
you're interested call Judy Barnick
at the Chamber, 823-2101.
I've been feeling quilty about
eating habits lately. Why just
looking at the terrific job some
people I know are doing by losing
weight makes me feel terrible just
mentioning hot fudge sundae. If you
see Peter Steve or Rick Shannon
just a glance will tell it all. Good
going guys!
I was going to complain this week
to people with finger nail polish on
their finger nails. My philosophy
was that if you had time to paint
your nails, you had too much free
time on your hands. But, after
staying up late the other night I fell
victim to nail polish in order to stay
away from the refrigerator. I guess
your saying I should eat my word-
s...but I'm on a diet!!!
50 Years Ago - April 29, 1932
Lazarus Store, Wilkes-Barre
celebrated its 38th anniversary with
a store-wide sale. Its modern, new
three-story building was considered
one of the most complete and
© ideally laid out stores to be found
anywhere in the region.
" William R. Reese, director of the
. Kingston High School Band, left
with 45 band members to broadcast
from Station WJZ, New York City.
This was the band’s second broad-
cast from New York City. -
Deaths--D.F. Westover,
banker.
You could get--Bisquick 33c pkg. ;
vinegar, big bottle 10c.
40 Years Ago - May 1, 1942
Rev. Francis Freeman, pastor of
- Dallas Methodist Church and Rev.
Harry Savacool, ' Trucksfille:
Methodist Church pastor were
transferred from the area. Rev.
Freeman assumed the pulpit of
Firwood Methodist Church, Wilkes-
Dallas
. assinged to Owego, N.Y.
Herbert Lundy, Dallas Township
Tax Collector and partner in Lundy
Electric Company, Wilkes-Barre,
purchased a Main Street building
owned by John L. Sullivan for
$10,000. The two-story stucco and
concrete building, was renovated to
house three modern stores, a tavern
and three second floor apartments.
~ BY REV. DANNY WHITE
The role of women has changed in
the past 30 years, but the role of
motherhood remains the same.
As I sat in the Lowell State Prison
- for women near Gainsville, Fla.,
Tn Fl
"D Post
nt newspaper. published
each Wednesday by Pennaprint Inc.,
from 61 Gerald Ave., Dallas, Pa.
18612. Entered as second class matter
at the post ofice in Dallas, Pa. under.
the act of March 3, 1889.
J. Stephen Buckley, Publisher
Rick Shannon, Assoc. Publisher & Editor
Charlot Denmon, News Editor & Circulation
Mary Ann Kelly, Staff Writer
‘Sheila Hodges, Production Manager
~ Merk Moran, Photography
Mike Danowski, Advertising Rep.
Subscription $12 per year in Pa., $14
out of state. Telephone (717) 675-5211
or 825-6868.
POSTMASTER: If undeliverable, send
is fer 3579 to P.0.Box 366, Dallas, Pa.
Married-Miss Frances Sayre to
Stacey M. Schoonover.
Engaged--Florence Ritter and
Russell Parsons.
Anniversaries--Mr. and Mrs.
John Mericle, Lake Street, Dallas,
65 years.
Deaths--Frank Swanson, Harveys
Lake; Mrs. August Wardell,
Hazleton.
You could get--Fresh straw-
berries, qt. basket 25c; fresh
asparagus, lg. bunch 29c; fresh
peas 3 lb. 25¢c; leg o lamb 27¢ Ib.;
lobster tails 39¢ lb.; Crisco 3 lb. can
73c¢.
30 Years Ago - May 2, 1952
T-Sgt. Herbert R. Williams, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Williams,
Trucksville was appointed in-
structor in ROTC at Williams
College, Mass. Williams saw active
service with Chenault’s Flying
Tigers in China and India.
Three Back Mountain Fire
Companies, Shavertown, Dallas
and Trucksville worked together
Wednesday night for two hours to
hold a serious fire in the Burton
Roberts home on Roushey Street,
from spreading to the entire
building. The entire rear: of the
house was gutted with an estimated
damage of $5,000. :
Engaged--florence Yockavitch to
Ziba Smith Jr.
Marries-—-Shirley Britt to ' Burl
the sordid story falling from the lips
of the lady inmate.
The small visitor’s room was
transformed into a confessional
booth. Between sobs, the mother of
two children related the reason for
her imprisonment. The youngest
child was dead. The other had been
severely beaten. Both were the off-
spring of her flesh and blood. Both
suffered child abuse. The younger
was gone forever. The older was
taken from her never to be seen
again.
| Controlling herself somewhat,
she moved back in time to her own
childhood. Beaten unmercifully by
her step-father and abused dis-
gracefully, she was threatened with
| her life if she ever told anyone.
At the end of her wits, she con-
| fided in her mother. The bruises
and emotional trauma had etched
their cruel marks of evidence into
"her body. Something was wrong.
“It’s your fault,” the mother ac-
cused. “You provoke him to do
those things to you. Stop irritating
him, and he will leave you alone.
Updyke; Sally Marie Roberts to
Samuel Brown.
Deaths--Mary Root, Dallas; Mae
Husted, oldest Back Mountain
teacher.
You could get--Wisconsin sharp
cheese 65c 1b.; rib roast 75c¢ 1b.;
haddock 48c 1b; Kool Aid 2 for 9c.
20 Years Ago - May 3, 1962
. Stephen R. Pavlick, Dallas, was
appointed Red Cross Field Director
for Athens, Greece. Pavlick was
assigned to Augsburg, Germany be-
fore accepting the Athens assign-
ment,
Ted Poad, known as ‘‘Mr.
Republican” in Kingston Township
retired after serving 12 years as tax
Pennsylvania Game Commission
distributed approximately 5 million
seedlings throughout the state. The
seedlings were distributed free of
charge to sportsmen’s organiza-
tions, Boy and Girl Scout Troops
and Soil Conservation groups.
Engaged--Patricia Ide to Jerry
Minnis.
Married--Elizabeth Ann Mulcey
to Gerald S. French; Janice Morris
to Thomas Siley.
Anniversaries--Attorney and Mrs.
Burt B. Lewis, 50 years; Mr. and
Mrs. Arthur Gay, 55 years; Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Burkhardt, 40 years.
Deaths--Lohman H. Hawk,
Broadway; Maude Lord, Kingston;
Rose Goldsmith Francis, former
Dallas Township school teacher;
Theodore Lavelle, Dallas.
10 Years Ago - May 4, 1972
Harry D. Swepston, Jr. accepted
the Dallas Area School District’s
bid to become one of its school
directors. Sweptston filled the
unexpired term of the late Garvin
Smith.
Prison employees at the State
Correctional Institution, Dallas,
circulated a petition protesting
what they felt was lack of security.
Lake-Lehman High School Band
cancels its trip to the Maryland
State Grand Festival Parade of
Champions. The Festival was
cancelled’ according to Maryland
officials because of racial
problems, lack of adult support and
financial aid!
Married--Charlene
Francis J. Arruda.
Deaths--Thomas Earl, Franklin
Twp.; Ferris A. Kester, Lehman;
Burton G. Souder, Sweet Valley;
Pauline Schmitt, Shavertown; Mrs.
Charles Acque, Lewisburg; Bertha
Eroh, Shavertown.
You could get--Strawberries 39c
pint; grapefruit 6-$1; tomato soup
10 cans $1; raisin bread 3-1 Ib.
loaves $1; sliced bacon 2 1b. $1;
Ripa to
89c Ib.; liver pudding 49c Ib.
Rejected and alone, she left home
with the first man who gave her
affection. After the two children
were born, he walked away never to
be heard from again.
No work, no one to love her, no
home, and desolate, she in turn
rejected her children even as she
had been discarded by others.
The principles that are alive in
this mother are too often prevalent
in our homes today. The principles
are neglect and rejection by mother
to child.
We are in danger. of having a
generation of mothers imparting to
their children support without sub-
stance and money without mommy.
Neglect and rejection come in many
packages.
Do you remember how it was with
your mother? As you honor her this
Sunday, more likely than not your
esteem will include fond memories.
She was there to nurse your
wounded feathers when the cow-
boys shot you down. She always had
a hot breakfast to send you on your
way to school on those frosty
o
a playhouse for your dolls. Sunday
dinner covered the table making
even a king envious. Care was given
that Sunday’s religious lesson for
church was well prepared.
The world is hard-pressed to find
a word so meaningful as mother.
May it always be that way.
True, we can never turn back the
hands of the clock when mother
meant time, home, and house-
keeper. Somehow though, we must
communicate to the children that
mother means more than a pay-
check and a babysitter. Somehow,
the role of motherhood remains the
same even in the midst of women’s
changing role.
We bestow great honor this
Sunday upon our mother’s mother-
hood. Let’s hope that in the year
2012 that our children will not look
May as ancient history but rather
as a day to honor and remember a
mother that not only helped buy the
home but brought about a home as
well. The call is difficult. The conse-
quences are frightening, but the
rewards will be worth it. >
Gotagripe,
complaint or
criticism? Want to
getitoffyour
chest? All you
have todo is pick
up the phone and
dial 675-5211 and
tell our ‘‘listening
As long as the Dallas-Luzerne
Highway is posted 35 miles per hour
from Shavertown to Dallas, why
don’t the police enforce it? I believe
it is ridiculous to have such a low
speed limit on a state highway but
as long as it is posted it should be
observed.
I travel the highway just about
miles per hour motorists pass me as
Mother
To watch over you when a baby
To sing you to sleep with her song
To try to be near you :
To comfort and cheer you
To teach you the right from wrong
To do all she can
To make you a man
And over a million things more
To sigh for you, cry for you
Yes, even die for you,
That’s what God made Mother for.
Chief Fire Ball,
Preslopsky
though I’m standing still. The police
may have had good intentions but
it’s not working. The only place I've
seen it enforced is in Shavertown.
Please withhold my name.
‘“Take care
of ourown’’
If Dallas High School needs
someone to teach photography why
did they have to employ some out-
sider from a newspaper such as the
Times Leader, or from any paper.
That’s conflict of interest I believe.
I live in the Dallas School Distr;
and I know several students who”
graduated from Dallas Highs)
Why don’t you employ one of these
students. Just because Ellman is _
living in Dallas now doesn’t mean °
he is a longtime resident. And what
about Mr. Templin who used to
teach photography to the students.
I think it’s about time Dallas
School District took care of their
own-not outsiders.
Back Mountain
resident and taxpayer
BY HOWARD J. GROSSMAN
In Northeastern Pennsylvania as
well as many other parts of the
country, one of the newest
legitimate concerns expressed by
many persons is the securing of
sites for the disposal of non-
hazardous industrial wastes. While
the attention has been placed on
hazardous waste management as a
the Love Canal and other similar
incidents, the legitimate concern of
industries who require sites for the
disposal of non-hazardous wastes is
of growing concern to public and
stake. The decision to find a solution
to the needs of private industry
must be reached in many parts of
the country within a short period of
time. If this is not accomplished,
private industry has little choice
but to consider relocation to areas
which can handle the situation or to
terminate employment op-
portunities in the location in which
the problem exists.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania,
the situation has become dramatic.
The best estimates are that in-
dustrial waste disposal sites, either
those which are currently in use or
those which are contemplated for
use, will be at full capacity within
three years. This forecast is not
based on scare tactics nor is it
based on poor evidence. Data has
vania Department of Environ-
mental Resources and by organiza-
theastern Pennsylvania as well as
representatives of industries in
In a recent meeting at which the
Secretary of the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Re-
sources was present in the region, it
was pointed out by him as well as
others that Northeastern Pennsyl-
vania has the most serious problem
of shortages of industrial waste
disposal sites of any other region in
the Commonwealth. Thus, the
actions are clear. Full attention
should be given to this growin
problem in order for the [region t
help stabilize its economic base and
to encourage industrial expansion
as a result of handling the region’s
own industrial waste problems.
Great confusion runs amist the
general public as to types of wastes
which are required for disposal.
are generated for the most part
from residential structures and
which require a solution in terms of
the growing numbers of pounds per
person generated each year.
Industrial wastes of a non-
hazardous variety are those wastes
generated by industry in the normal
production of products or manu-
facturing operations which are an
important element in any region’s
economy, including Northeastern
Pennsylvania. It is these wastes
which require immediate attention
to reach a local decision and actions
to resolve a local problem.
Hazardous wastes are those
which are featured in areas such as
the Love Canal, the Butler Tunnel ing
the Greater Pittston Area and othé®”
places similar to these examples.
enacted into law two years ago has
now established a cradle to grave
permit system by which these kinds
of wastes can be tracked. We are in
much better shape today than ever
before to cope with this kind of
. problem.
1t is important, however, that the
general public not be confused
about legitimate needs for waste
disposal. Industrial wastes are a
natural by-product of our society,
and Northeastern Pennsylvania
should take all appropriate steps to
find the resources and sites which
will allow our own industries to
dispose of these by-products in a
normal, effective and controlled
environment. -
Ys A