Unsung Heroes
By DOTTY MARTIN
Associate Editor
No one ever comes out a winner in a murder case.
Even the attorney and his client who get the deciding
verdict surely cannot feel as if they have . won
something.
In the trial of accused mass murderer George KE.
Banks held recently at the Luzerne County Courthouse,
the prosecuting arguments by District Attorney Robert
J. Gillespie Jr. and the defending arguments by Public
Defenders Basil Russin, Al Flora and Joseph Skola-
rosky were probably brilliant enough in themselves to
make each of these men a winner in their respective
roles. But are they really winners? What could they
possibly have won during a trial of this nature? The
fact remains that the 13 innocent people George Banks
gunned down on that dreary September morning in
Wilkes-Barre are still dead. And no one can ever win
them back.
However, the unsung heroes in this case are none
other than the 12 people who, after 5 1/2 hours of
deliberations, unanimously agreed to send Banks to the
electric chair. Although the experience was so gruelling
for each and every member of the jury that they will
never feel like winners, they have to be given credit for
seeing justice through to the end.
Honestly enough, none of us will ever fully under-
stand what these people felt all the time they sat in the
jury box. We can only imagine the kinds of thoughts
that went through their heads all the time they were in
Wilkes-Barre. :
They came from Allegheny County - an area far
enough away from the murder scene that they were not
bombarded daily with the gruesome details of the
slayings. They probably did not even know what
George Banks looked like until they were given an
opportunity to meet him during juror questioning.
After these people ‘‘passed’”’ the test put to them by
Judge Patrick Toole and the attorneys involved in the
case, they were taken away from their families and
shipped to Wilkes-Barre for an indefinite period of
time. Behind them they left loved ones, jobs and
familiar surroundings. And all they got when they
arrived in Wilkes-Barre were room and board and a
free ride to the Luzerne County Courthouse six days a
week for two and a half weeks.
Although our country’s judicial system does not give
these people the choice as to whether or not they
carried out their roles like real troopers.
They sat as attentively as possible, listening to every
minute detail of the slayings and to the judge's
d Class
instructions as he explained the procedures they were
to follow.
And, after two and a half long weeks of being away
from their families and spending time in unfamiliar
surroundings with people they had never met before,
these 12 people sentenced George E. Banks to death in
the state’s electric chair:
Certainly the decision of whether to put another
human being away for life or to send him off to die is
something none of us ever wants to face. But the jury
in this case did what they had to do - and they did it
exactly the way we would have expected caring human
beings to do it.
They showed us it was not an easy task. They showed
it by taking so many votes before reaching a unani-
mous decision. They showed it when their voices
cracked as they read their individual decisions aloud in
the courtroom. They showed it when they broke down
after the decisions had been announced. They showed it
in their statements to the press at the trial’s close.
It seems few people in Luzerne County disagree with
the jury’s decision, however, those same few people
will not ponder very long over the gruelling experience
of the jury.
It’s over now - no more newspaper accounts, no more
television reports, no more talk on the street about the
Banks’ murder trial. The decision has been made.
Those 12 members of the jury will have to live with
their experience for a long time to come. And they. will
relive the experience when they tell the story of George
Banks to their children and their grandchildren.
By now, those 12 jurors are back home in Allegheny
County - back home with the ones they love and back
home in a comfortable environment. And, although
they are with people who love them, those same people
cannot possibly understand what they went through
while they were away. i
The jurors were brought to Wilkes-Barre to perform
a task and they performed it to the best of their
abilities. They put aside personal feelings and religious
obligations to form a bond strong enough to reach an
ever-important decision. .
And, although they probably don’t consider them-
selves winner for what they did, they can be mighty
proud of the way they conducted themselves. They had
a tremendous amount of responsibility to burden
themselves with throughout the trial, but they carried it
with style.
They showed us that our country’s judicial system
does work. For that, we should thank them and hope
that someday each and every one of them will be able
to feel good about the decision they made last week in
Wilkes-Barre.
1920's.
The Harveys Lake Historical
Society, Inc., and the Wyoming His-
torical and Geological Society, in
Wilkes-Barre, have jointly
announced the publication of a 200-
year history of Harveys Lake. The
publication of the historical work
coincided with the weekend celebra-
tion held at the lake June 18 and 19.
The historical work contains the
early history of the lake, from its
1781, through the development of the
lake’s recreational industry, to the
Bicentennial Discovery celebration
held in 1981.
The book contains individual
chapters on the history of the settle-
ments of Alderson, West Corner and
Sunset. In addition, the book con-
tains the history of the early hotels
and the picnic grounds. The largest
chapter of the 167-page book has the
history of the Harveys Lake steam-
boats from 1861 to 1933.
The historical work was written
by Charles Petrillo, Secretary-Trea-
surer of the Harveys Lake Histori-
cal Society. He is also a member of
the executive committee of the
Board of Directors of the Wyoming
Historical and Geological Society.
Petrillo has interviewed many of
the older residents at Harveys Lake
for their memories of lake history.
He also researched historical
records and early newspapers at the
Wyoming Historical and Geological
Society.
Among the 45 photographs and
illustrations in the historical work
are pictures of early Harveys Lake
hotels, the lake trolley and the six
steamboars which once ran on the
lake. There are also pictures of
Sandy Beach, the amusement park
and the Sunset area.
The historical work will be availa-
ble for sale at the lake at various
for $13.50 by check or money order
payable to Harveys Lake History,
and sent to the Harveys Lake His-
torical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 5095,
Station A, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18710-
5095. 3 ;
By DOTTY MARTIN
Associate Editor
Claude Neifert, waterways patrol-
man for the Pennsylvania Fish
Commission, says the commission is
not “closing the barn when the
horse is gone’ but there isn’t much
else you can call it. Th
Last week, the commission
decided to put two more patrol
boats on Harvey’s Lake in an effort
to increase the protection of the
lake’s boaters. The commission felt
the added protection was necessary
because ‘‘things have been going
from bad to worse.” The addition of
two patrol boats did not come about,
however, until four people lost their
lives in a violent boating accident at
the lake on June 18.
If things have to get that bad
before the Fish Commission will do
anything about it, maybe the com-
mission ought to take a second look
at its entire operation. Certainly,
they can’t expect the situation to get
much worse than four fatalities.
Despite the commission’s ques-
tionable way of looking at things,
Harveys Lake Borough Officials
have managed to top things in their
own way. They have publicly stated
that they simply cannot afford the
cost of operating a boat to patrol the
lake. What they don’t seem to real-
ize, however, is that most of the
boaters on Harvey’s Lake are resi-
dents of the borough who pay taxes
rest of the boaters are people who
patronize the lake businesses so that
they, too, can continue to do busi-
ness and pay taxes to the borough.
Borough officials would kick
themselves for making such a state-
ment if they were to learn that all
Harvey’s Lake boaters were going
Tue
to pull up stakes and take their
business elsewhere. Surely, the bor-
ough would find a way to operate
and maintain a patrol boat then -
even though it would be too late.
And, as high as the ambulance
personnel who assisted during the
accident can hold their heads,
Dennis John Abromavage can hang
his just as low. How any human
being can ram one boat right
through another without even stop-
ping is beyond comprehension.
Abromavage may have his reasons
for acting the way he did, but while
the rest of us watch helplessly as
two young families are torn apart
with grief and suffering, it is mighty
difficult for us to see any reason
whatsoever.
On the other hand, the police and
ambulance personnel at the acci-
dent can be darn proud of the way
they conducted themselves. They
didn’t have much to work with, but
Agency on
they had even less time. Their
decisions were made quickly and in
the best interests of the accident
victims. Even though saving the
lives of those who died was virtually
impossible, the crews did every-
thing they possibly could and can
feel good about performing, their
jobs in a professional manner.
Hopefully, the District Atforney
will find something in the state’s
boating laws that will allow him to
bring charges against Abromavage
for his inexcusable conduct. Hope-
fully, the Fish Commission and
Harvey’s Lake Borough will be able
to work together to make the lake
area a lot safer than it is now.
Hopefully, the Pallis and Pitcavage
families will be able to pull them-
selves together. And, hopefully,
nothing like this will ever happen
again.
But isn’t is a shame it had to
come to this in the first place?
Agency
The Luzerne-Wyoming Counties
Area Agency on Aging, which pro-
vides many services to the elderly,
will receive more than $2.6 million
next year - a $335,000 increase over
the current year - based on the
proposed budget of the state Depart-
ment of Aging.
The increase is based on new
census reports which show a growth
in the number of low income elderly
persons in those counties.
“Because federal and state fund-
ing of programs is geared to a
formula based on the population of
needy elderly persons in each
county, the Department of Aging
(USPS 147-720)
(in the Jean Shop building)
Classified Ad
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
the post office in Dallas, Pa. under the act of March 3, 1889.
25¢ on newsstand $12 peryearinPa.
$14 out of state
paid in advance
J.StephenBuckley. .....5.0 iv. ..........0. he is Publisher
Rick:Shannon.. .. . ici h wv Associate Publisher & Editor
Bill Savage... . fade diol Managing Editor
Dotty Martin... velco cai a SRA Associate Editor
MikeDanowski.................... Advertising Representative
Sheila Hodges. ....... el a Circulation Manager
wo
has increased allocations to most
counties,”” Secretary of Aging
Gorham L. Black, Jr., said.
Next year’s total budget for all 49
area agencies on aging will be
approximately $79 million - an
increase of about $15 million over
the present year. This represents
$50 million in federal funds and $29
million as the state’s share - all of
which will come from the state
Lottery. Included in the state fund-
ing, is $7.5 million which is to be
used for the expansion of in-home
services for the frail or homebound
elderly. :
For the most part, area agencies
on aging may spend the increased
allocations where they see fit, such
as legal or chore services and for
senior centers operated by the
AAAs. Because needs differ widely
from county to county, the Depart-
ment permits area agencies on
aging, to determine local needs and
priorities. Area agency on aging
advisory councils made up largely
of older persons, advise the AAAS
on how funds should be spent.
Students Praised
DEAR EDITOR:
‘My congratulations to the gradu-
ating class of Lake-Lehman Area
High School.
I was a kindergarten teacher
from 1964 to 1972 in the Lehman
Area schools. I have watched, via
the Post, the progress of all the
students I taught. I remember them
all with love, the fun we had
together, the wonderful overworked
“Home Room Mothers” and the
cooperation of the parents.
I counted 21 students who
recognized only three because they
haven’t changed - just grown!
I recognized Rebecca Stryjewski,
| Larry Stash and Susan Michaels.
With this class, all ties of my
teaching year at Lake-Lehman are
severed. It was a wonderful and
fulfilling experience.
Class of 1983 - I salute you!
; ; Sincerely,
Josephine G. Burkey
P.S. May I add a big bouquet for
the very moving editorial by Dotty
N
Only Yesterday
Firemen Held
50 YEARS AGO - JUNE 30, 1933
Dancing, boxing, fiddling contests marked the gala
firemen’s festival held in Dallas. John Yaple was
general chairman of the ‘earnival committee with
Harry Garahan as treasurer and J.F. BeSecker as
purchasing agent.
Camp Onawandah Girl Scout Camp opened for its
10th season. Lillian Parrish, field captain of the
Queensboro’ Council Girl ‘Scouts, ‘Qtieens, N'Y. ‘and
Mrs. Rose Morgan; Courtdale were camp Supervisors.
Deaths - Charles Posten, Shavertown.
You could get - Salmon 2 tall cans 29c; sardines 2
cans 9¢; 2 lb. jar peanut butter 19¢; pineapple, lg. can
17¢; apricots 1g. can 17c; fig bars 2 lb. 19¢; sugar
cured hams 16¢ 1b.; cheese 29c 1b.; corned beef 2 cans
29c.
40 YEARS AGO - JULY 2, 1943
Fire caused by defective wiring seriously damaged
two classrooms and for a time threatened destruction
of Lake Township High School.
Lieutenant Kenneth F. Westover, former Dallas boy,
was killed when he and eight members of his crew
crashed in their four-motored Flying Fortress. A
graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Kenneth had two
brothers also serving in the Air Force, Willard and
Robert.
Married - Ellis Meeker and Lottie Frear; Dorothy
Rush Warner and Norris Hendrickson.
Deaths - Mame Rosengrant, Harveys Lake.
tall cans 55¢; 24 1b. bag flour $1.30; Camay soap 3 bars
ground beef 28c 1b.; Canadian bacon 15¢ 4 1b.
30 YEARS AGO - JULY 3, 1953
Myron S. Baker was appointed assistant Vice
President and General Manager of Commonwealth
Telephone Company.
Rey. LaVerne Proctor was named minister at Maple
Grove Church.
Daytime sprinkling of lawns and flower gardens
were banned due to severe drought conditions.
Engaged - Kathleen L. Ferenbach to Mortimer
Ryan.
Married - Carolyn Hoffman to Carl H. DeWitt.
Deaths - Mary R. Scovell, Meeker.
You could get - Standing rib roast 49¢ 1b.; veal roast
49c 1b.; turkeys 59c lb.; bananas 2 1b. 25¢; cucumbers
6 for 25¢; ice cream '» gal. 98c; tuna 3-6 oz. cans $1;
Festival
20 YEARS AGO - JUNE 27, 1963
Sister M. William Joseph was appointed Mother
Provincial of the Scranton Sisters of Mercy. She
assumed her duties at College Misericordia overseeing.
900 sisters who staffed two collegesy17 high schools, 6
elementary schools and six hospitals.
Legiona Awards at commencement exercises at Gat
of Heaven School. Joseph Kuziak won the arithmetic
award while Mary Sgarlet won the English award.
Engaged - Jancie Ann Troy to Thompson Tripp
Boote; Barbara Ann Kovalick to Carl Dale Crispell.
Married - Rosalie Ann Martin to James M. Mitchell;
Dana Gail Jones to Carl Weiss; Patricia Kline to
Francis Jones.
Anniversaries - Mr. and Mrs. William P. Perrego,
Orange, 50 years; Mr. and Mrs. Austin Line, Shaver-
town, 42 years; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Cross, Woodlawn
Drive, Dallas, 25 years.
Deaths - Addison Woolbert, Beaumont; Jennie Alex-
ander, formerly of Shavertown and Trucksville; Mrs.
Earl Hubbard, Bunker Hill; Harry Fasset, Windy
Valley; Lulu Harrison, Bethel Hill. ; :
You could get - Sirloin steak 75c¢ 1b.; skinless franks
49c 1b.; Rock Cornish hens 39c 1b.; bananas 2 1b. 25¢;
tomatoes 35¢ 1b.; seedless grapes 39c lb.; watermelon
79c¢ ea.; peppers 5-29¢; halibut steak 45c¢ 1b.
10 YEARS AGO - JULY 5, 1973
Tammy Blaine, Wyalusing, was chosen 1973 Lehman
Horse Show Queen. Diane McQuoun, Northwest, was
first runner up while Jo Ann Grout, Nanticoke was
second runner up. ;
$2,376,070 from the Environmental Protection Agency
for construction of waste water treatment works.
Engaged - Diane Reese to Gary D. Klossner.
Married - Judith Stanley to Ronald Viglone; Betty
Cowert to Gerald Wolfe; Patricia Corbett to Randy
Fox.
Anniversaries - Mr. and Mrs. William Calkins, 25
years; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sprenkels, 50 years.
Deaths - Robert Jewell, Shavertown; Andrew
Stasko, Sweet Valley; Mary Ryman Valentine, Dallas;
Charles Mooney, Kingston Twp.
You could get - Chuck steak 79c¢ 1b.; chicken breast
or leg quarters 58c lb.; Wesson oil 38 oz. bot. 89c;
Starkist tuna 6% oz. can 45c; Scott towells 3 jumbo
rolls $1; 2-46 oz. cans Hi-C Drinks 49c.
It’s been some week, let me tell you. Although my
family doesn’t want me to tell you the whole story (you
can ask me some other time) about what happened last
Saturday, let me tell you that I'll always make sure we
have more than one key to the ignition with us when we
go on a family trip away from the house.
Besides being hot, the weather’s been great. And I’ll
give a hello to Eileen Connolly. After graduating from
high school, Eileen went on to college and after
graduation from there, she is now a successful sales-
person with Tab Sales. Hello, Eileen!
And, if Bill Runner keeps referring to me as Lois
Lane...Seems like Mr. Runner was doing a good job
acting as my PR director the othernight. Mr. Runner,
hello to you - by the way, you throw a great party!
It’s library auction time and as I sat in the office with
Estella Parker and Ken Fox those two reminded me of
how I ate pound after pound of chocolate fudge last
year. And, I did do some bidding. Well, since last year,
I’ve been getting my arm in shape and unfortunately I
started a ‘real’ diet this time and will not be able to
eat the fudge. However, I will be at the auction as
much as possible and hope to see you there.
As for my diet, I'm on that Cambridge stuff. Yes, I
did lose some weight, (it’s only been a week) and if I
can last a little longer, I may do alright. I haven’t
passed out from lack of food and it isn’t as bad as it
seems. However, if my brother and sister don’t stop
waving, pizza, potato chips, ice cream, fruit, and a
whole mess of other good stuff, I'll never survive.
I’ve been trying to keep myself busy and let me tell
you folks, after watching PM magazine this week I've
decided it’s time to try out Action Park in the Poconos.
And I would like to include a trip to the Phillies game.
(Which one I don’t know but I'd like to see several).
And, I'm sure it wouldn’t hurt to go to the shore for a
»
few days. (I need some sun, you know). What about
Great Adventure, I'm not too big a kid. There’s the
library auction like I said earlier, and then there is a
big craft fair down at the Penn State University in
Centre County. On July 1 through the 10th in Barnes-
ville is the annual Barnesville Festival (the German
festival) which is a lot of fun. And if all else fails (and
if Mom and Dad will let me go) a visit to the Big Apple
could be planned almost any weekend.
I finally made some time to do some reading. Now
I’m looking for some good books. I’ve read a few
to get to the Back Mountain Library (besides
auction) I'll stop in to see nancy Kozemchak and find
out what’s top on the list. (Yes, I do read her library
news and have been getting some good ideas).
It occurred to me the other day when I was walking
around that I've decided what kind of job I want. I
want the one that lets you travel all over the country,
attend all sorts of seminars, have a lot of free time to
do what you want when you’re in these different cities,
and on top of all these expenses being paid, I'd like to
receive a small compensation (in addition to a car).
Does it seem like you’d like this job, too? If so, let me
know when you find one so I can find out what the job
title is and see if I can acquire the ability needed to
perform this job. (My suitcase is waiting).
Well, I'm looking for a nice pool to relax in, sit in the
sun and enjoy a weekend. Now I've got the Schmidts on
my list, the Parkers, the Chesnovitches, (No, Rosie, I
didn’t forget you have a pool). Anyway, you can all
remember I have the largest pool and we call it
Harveys Lake. Next time you're in the area, drop in.
(Ha, ha) It’s the heat that gets to me, but seriously I'll
catch you in the sun or by the pool, or by the lake...
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