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Mike Vaccarello
Someday, you may walk into a nice little Italian
restaurant owned by Mike Vaccarello.
And, then again, someday you may not.
You see, Mike Vaccarello is a convicted murderer
and is serving a life sentence at the State Correctional
Institute at Dallas.
Mike’s only chance of leaving prision is by commuta-
tion which, as he explains, is when the Governor of the
State of Pennsylvania cuts a prisoner’s Senience.
But Mike dreams.
Having worked as a night manager of a restaurant at
the age of 17, Mike dreams of someday owning his own
restaurant.
“The hope and chance (of someday leaving prison) is
there,” Mike says. “It isn’t close, but it is there.”
And, because he feels the goal of someday walking
free is somewhat attainable, Mike lives every day of
his life striving to better himself.
He works as a clerk to the education chairman at the
State Correctional Institute and studies constantly.
Having been instrumental in starting a college
program for inmates at Dallas, Mike recently received
an Associate Degree from Luzerne County Community
College. He is quite serious about his studies - and quite
proud of his accomplishments so far.
“I can’t tell you how good it felt to receive a college
degree,” he said. “I was ecstatic and my family was
just as thrilled.” Mike’s mom and dad and his great
aunt made the trip. from their home in King of Prussia
to attend last week’s graduation ceremonies at the
Dallas institution.
Mike explained that he was arrested at the age of 17
and never finished his senior year in high school. While
Equivalency Diploma from the Pennsylvania State
Department of Education.
And, when the 1983 graduating class of his old high
school (Upper Merion High School) held its commence-
ment exercises this past June, the name of Mike
Vaccarello was listed among the graduates.
“My name was in the graduation program and they
announced my name during the graduation ceremo-
nies,’”’ Mike said. ‘That really made me feel good.”
Letters
Mike looks at life in a rather realistic manner. He
feels that if a man goes to an employer and tells him he
spent 10 years in prison, his chances of gaining
employment are quite slim. But, he says, if a man goes
to an employer, tells him he spent 10 years in prison
but shows him what he accomplished during those 10
years, his chances of becoming employed are greater.
Mike feels that the college program at Dallas exists
not only for the benefit of the inmates, but for the
benefit of the community as well.
“The men in here (Dallas) go all over,” Mike said.
“Most of them are from the Philadelphia area but we
have men from all over the state of Pennsylvania. If
they can get support here and not go back to the streets
when they get out, then the community will benefit as
well.”
Mike is in the process of trying to attain computer
hardware in order to start a computer course for the
inmates.
“The hardware we need for the course is so
expensive that if the inmates were to purchase it
themselves, it would take almost two years of their
salary,” he said. “The men here (at Dallas) make only
between 76 cents and $1.00 an hour and we just cannot
afford the expensive computer equipment we need.”
What Mike hopes to do is find a computer company to
donate the equipment to the institution or to find
equipment.
Mike is also attempting to start college programs at
both the Lewisburg and Graterford institutions in hopes
of helping the inmates there the way the inmates at
Dallas have been helped through the LCCC program.
Realistically speaking, Mike may never see anything
outside the walls of the Dallas Institution, but, then
again, you and 1 may someday be eating in a nice little
Italian restaurant owned by Mike Vaccarello.
It is that possibility that keeps Mike going and the
dreams inside his own mind that make him work so
hard to achieve a better environment for all the
inmates at Dallas.
DOTTY MARTIN
DEAR EDITOR:
Having recently moved to this area, I am surprised
at the lack of enforcement of laws. We live on Pioneer
Avenue in Dallas, and it seems as though our street
gets no police patrol at all! People race up and down
the street at speeds that well exceed the posted limit of
35 miles per hour.
I'm fearful that someone may be killed or seriously
injured since many children and adults walk, jog or
ride bicycles on the road.
I have called the police on several occasions to let
them know about this situation, but so far nothing has
been done to either patrol more visibly or to set up a
speed trap. I suppose it will take a mishap of some sort
before action will be taken, and then it will be too ate.
I always thought that laws wee made to protect, and
that enforcement was that protection in action. I
suppose that’s not the case up here!
ROY MOEN
DALLAS, PA.
DEAR EDITOR:
On Dec. 10, 1982 my third child was born. (A healthy,
perfect baby boy - the cause for much rejoicing.)
But what if - what if my baby had been born severely
or profoundly retarded; with little hope of achieving
anything beyond the scope of a four year old. What if
the maximum potential for my child was becoming
toilet trained or being able to follow an object with both
eyes?
Could I cope with that? Could my marriage and
family survive the stresses of coping with a severely
retarded child or perhaps more importantly a pro-
foundly retarded teen or young adult?
I like to believe I could, that my husband and
children could live and grow in such an environment,
but I can’t be certain. I’ve seen marriages and families
torn apart by the pressures and stress of day-to-day
living with a severely handicapped person. I've seen
parents choose to keep a severely retarded baby at
home, only to find their older children developing
severe emotional disturbances. And what happens if
my health fails or if he should outlive me?
Choosing institutional care for any loved relative
(whether it be a severely retarded child, an aging
parent, or emotionally disturbed teen, or a terminally
ill spouse) is never an easy decision - but neither is it a
selfish vendictive excuse “to put away’ a problem
relative.
The Community Living for the Severely Disabled Act
will phase out all medicaid funding for institutional
care of community living arrangements. Parents, who
can afford private care for their mentally retarded
children, and who can not keep them at home, will have
no choice or voice in where their children are sent. If
their child is not able to function in a community living
arrangement because of a severe mental disability and
the state removes medicaid funding for his institutional
care (which is just what this act will do) the only
alternative is to bring the mentally retarded relative
home, (a cruel and difficult decision for elderly
parents, whose own health is often failing) and what
happens to the severely retarded individual, whose
parents have died?
We need institutions for the severely and profoundly
retarded, who can not function wsithin the community.
They need to be cared for and protected; and their
families need support, not condemnation and criticism.
GEORGANN C. KOSTENBAUDER
DALLAS
Letters Policy
to the Editor Should be mailed to Editor, Dallas
Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, Pa. 18612 and must be
received by Thursday for publication the following
Wednesday. Although names will be withheld upon
request, all letters must be signed and should
include a phone number for verification.
Gov. Dick Thornburgh recently
commended the members of a spe-
pal a
Tue
(USPS 147-720)
(in the Jean Shop building)
General Assembly, and his adminis-
tration - for reaching agreement on
a proposal for solving Pennsyl-
vania’s unemployment compensa-
tion (UC) problem.
‘‘Like other industrial states,’
Thornburgh said, ‘‘Pennsylvania’s
UC fund has incurred a continuing
substantial debt as a result of the
lingering national recession.
“The committee’s proposal as
presented in general form today is,
in my view, sound and appears to
meet the basic goals and objectives
that I outlined last April as neces-
sary to any long-term solution to
Classified Ad
our UC system’s fiscal problems.
“First, it would appear to achieve
solvency for the UC fund by 1986,
enabling Pennsylvania employers to
take full advantage of recent fed-
eral legislation which permits the
deferral of sigificant interest and
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
25¢ on newsstand
$14 out of state
paid in advance
the post office in Dallas, Pa. under the act of March 3, 1889.
penalty payments. That legislation,
which our administration sought
and supported in testimony before
the Congress, required continual
~ progress toward solvency over the
next several years in order for the
Commonwealth and its employers to
qualify for the relief we obtained.
‘Second, it promises to place the
d.StephenBuckley..... ..0 ou... ui vii na, Publisher | ini ;
sStephenBuckiey. .... supersonic ounce rsitunye UC fund 1f-sust
Rick Shannon. .......... en Associate Publisher & Editor | o, in a hd i
Bill Savage SR ail) vu oT uate Ra Syian oa] ain u Vea 0 ul SIA Ta ke Managing Editor economic conditions without disrup-
Dotty Martin. eae Associate Editor tion or incurring serious debt, such
Mike Danowski.................... Advertising Representative | as has been the case in the past
Sheila Hodges. . ...... a TL Circulation Manager | during times of economic downturn.
“Third, it would eliminate the
fund’s entire debt and repay the
total interest obligation by 1982.
“Mr. Jones, Mr. Uhlein, Dr.
James, Secretaries Wright and
Stern, Senators Wenger and Roicks,
and Representatives Pitts and
Only Yesterday
50 YEARS AGO - JULY 21, 1933
Lewis LeGrand, Jr., 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
LeGrand and Francis Freeman, 11, son of Rev. and
Mrs. Francis Freeman, escaped tragedy when the
roof of their underground bunk collapsed and buried
them face down under a pile of debris. A number of
children playing in the area gave the alarm; parents
worked feverishly for several minutes to remove the
debris. Although frightened, the boys were okay.
Area residents anxiously awaited the arrival of the
Great Hagenbeck - Wallace Circus, the second
largest in the world. Featured among the many
exciting acts was Clyde Beatty, world’s greatest
wild animal trainer.
Deaths - John Jackson, Trucksville; Frederick
Goenkershen, Alderson.
You could get - Smoked bacon 16¢c lb.; White
House milk 5 tall cans 29c; watermelons 39¢ ea.;
tomato soup 4 cans 25¢; 1g. can sliced pineapple 17¢:
peaches, 2 1g. cans 29¢; sugar 10 lb. 49¢; potatoes
49c¢ peck.
40 YEARS AGO - JULY 23, 1943
Harry Ohlman, president of the Dr. Henry M.
Laing Fire Company, threw his hat into the ring for
school director on the Dallas Borough School Board.
Soldiers who were residents of Pennsylvania at the
time of their induction into service were issued free
fishing licenses.
Dallas District Girl Scouts planted gardens for
victory. From Trucksville to Alderson the girl scouts
overcame poor weather, stoney uncleared land and
insects to raise food for victory.
Married - Shirley French to PFC Harry Randall;
Beatrice Lydia Miers to Tech. Corporal Kenneth
Hawk; Alice Eipper to Leslie H. Tinsley.
Deaths - Geraldine Culver, Orange; Carrie Fraley,
Alderson native; William Gibbs, North Lake;
Charles Bigelow, Bowmans Creek.
You could get - Smoked hams 35¢ lb.; smoked
bacon 19c¢ 1b.; sausage 37c lb.; granulated sugar 10
1b. 63c; tomatoes 15¢ 1b.; watermelons 69¢; cabbage
3c 1b.; cucumbers 3-10c; rice 2 lb. 18¢; grape juice
14c¢ pint.
30 YEARS AGO - JULY 24, 1953
George M. Dallas Lodge 531, Free and Accepted
Masons broke ground for its new $42,000 home on
Main Street in Dallas opposite the library. Members
of the building committee were John Sheehan,
James Kibler, Corey Rood, Frederick Eck, Ralph
Hazeltine, Thomas Robinson, David Schooley, Gran-
ville Sowdon, Stanley Moore, Ernest. Caryl and
Elmer Major.
Engaged - Betty Lord to Ronald E. Sorber, Billye
Ann Turner to Lee Matchett; Patricia Evans to
Deaths - Lillian Clark, Huntsville.
You could get - Legs of lamb 59c¢ 1b.; Velveeta or
white American cheese 2 1b. box 99c; % gal. ice
cream 98c; lg. tomatoes 23c 1b.; M&M candy coated
chocolate 7 oz. pkg. 23c; peanut butter 12 oz. jar 37c.
20 YEARS AGO - JULY 25, 1963
George Cave is Commander of Daddow-Isaacs
Post 672 American Legion. Leonard Dougherty was
elected Senior Vice Commander. Richard Fuller,
Steve Hartman, Bernard McDermott and Harold
LaBar were elected to the Home Association.
The Long Island Ocelot Club held its eighth annual
picnic in Shavertown. Mrs. John Kessler, Shaver
Avenue was hostess. The club’s only local member,
Mrs. Kessler owned a four year ocelot named Loki.
Married - Nancy Ann Handshaw to Lt. Wayne
Dean Moss; Judith Fenstermacher to Martin R.
Stefanik.
Anniversaries - Mr. and Mrs. George Ellsworth,
Harveys Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Graham, Oak
Hill, 25 year.
Deaths - Paul Eckert, Dallas; Frank Heslop,
Demunds Road; Elsa Schneider, Bessie Schultz,
Pioneer Avenue.
You could get - Leg of lamb 59c¢ 1b.; Cornish hens
39¢ 1b.; haddock fillet 43c 1b.; cantaloupes 79¢ for 3;
seedless grapes 2 lb. 45c; blueberries 2 pts. 69c,
Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8 oz. 29¢; Spanish bar
cake 39c¢ ea.
10 YEARS AGO - JULY 26, 1973
Bill Umphred, chairman of the 1973 Library
Auction, reported that net sales from the 27th
Annual Auction would exceed $26,000. Net Auction
Block sales amounted to $15,151.25; book booth took
in $1,219.69. Ham ’'n Yeggars contributed $2,293.94
and’ the odds and ends booth showed a profit of
$1,030.
Kingston Twp. police arrested 17 persons con-
nected with Back Mountain robberies and a beer
drinking party. Five minors and 12 juveniles were
involved.
Engaged - Bonnie Brobst to Thomas Valentine.
Married - Maureen Kovitch to Joseph E. Roginski.
You could get - Leg of lamb $1.09 lb.; chuck roast
$1.29 1b.; Mandarin oranges 4 cans $1; hot dog or
hamburg buns 3 pkg. of 8 for 59¢; evaporated milk, 3
tall cans 43c; coffee $1.69 1b.; fresh peaches 4 1b.;
90¢,
Library News
By NANCY KOZEMCHAK
The library has set a new record in statistics. On July
5, the main building circulated 447 books which is the
highest amount of books checked out of the library in a
day since the library opened in 1945. The previous
record was set in March of 1980. The annex circulation
that day was 236, making 683 books checked out in
total. The total circulation for June was 7,808, the main
building with 4,441 and the childrens’ with 3,367. Book
Club books totaled 263 and reference questions were
947. A total of 309 new books were added to the
collection during June and there were 112 new borrow-
ers registered.
The 37th annual Back Mountain Memorial Library
Auction is now history, but not without creating a whole
lot of good.
The volunteers who run the auction each year are
tremendous people and deserve our sincere thank you.
The refreshment stand again had delicious goodies and
the activities for the children were great. The book
booth had some terrific buys and the antiques, new and
used goods sold over the block, resulted in some good
bargains. The fun and fellowship of the auction once
again makes our friendly community what it is, a great
place to live and learn and enjoy!
The summer reading game at the children’s annex is
very popular with 207 children participating and
earning their book bucks. The party is scheduled for
Friday, Aug. 12. There are two sessions of summer
involved. The story ladies are Jane Lasecki, Polly
Wielage, Liz Lloyd assisted by Melissa Baldo. The
Dallas Borough playground group hiked down to the
library on Thursday morning to re-acquaint themselves
with the facilities and take some books home for
pleasure reading.
New books at the library: “The Price of Power” by
Seymour Hersh is the story of Kissinger in the Nixon
White House. The book is a portrait of an era that
haunts us still and of a relationship between President
and advisor unique in our time. A timely book of
history. -
“Legion” by William Peter Blatty is a story of
suspense, searing power and intensity.
A young deaf-mute boy is found horribly murdered in
a mock crucifixion. The aging detective sees a crime as
well as a more baffling mystery. How to explain such
monstrous evil?
‘Albatross’ by Evelyn Anthony is an explosive novel
of intrigue and deception. Colin Lomax receives a
someone very high up. A mole so close to the top, he
has to be tracked down from the inside. A suspenseful
story.
If you are working on an invention, tinkering with a
hobby, redecorating a house, preparing for a better job,
or raising a family, your library can help. Come check
out our books!
Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, chairman
of the Senate Law and Justice Commiittee, has
announced that the committee will conduct a public
hearing at the request of Sen. Frank J. O'Connell on
Liquor Control Board enforcement practices and under-
age drinking on Friday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m. in
Courtroom 1 of the Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-
Barre.
Greenleaf, who is promoting a package of LCB
reform bills including a measure providiing for auto-
mate suspension and revocatiion of licenses in cases
involving intentional sales to minors, said that under-
age drinking is a serious problem throughout the state,
not only in the northeast.
“I commend Sen. O’Connell and the people of this
region for showing the concern that led to the
scheduling of this hearing. I am aware that there have
been a number of fatalities in the Scranton/Wilkes-
Barre area in recent years involving underage drinki-
ing and that these deaths have brought home the need
for action to prevent future tragedies.
, “As lawmakers we cannot control the lives of
citizens, young or old, but we have a duty to provide
adequate laws to control the deliberate sale of liquor to
minors and to make sure that the LCB is fulfilling its
enforcement functions,” Greenleaf said.
The Montgomery County senator said that previous
hearings in Philadelphia and Harrisburg have demon-
strated lax and uneven enforcement involving sales to
minors and numerous other liquor code violatons.
“The Law and Justice Committee has heard testi-
+ mony concerning bribes to LCB agents and favorable
treatment of certain licensed establishments. I suspect
that this ‘buddy system,” of enforcement exists; to
greater or lesser degrees, throughout the state,” he
said.
Greenleaf noted that neighborhood nuisance bars
seem to be another statewide concern, as evidenced by
previous hearings.
~ “People in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have told the
=
committee that ther neighborhoods and their lives are
disrupted by the proliferation of nuisance bars, which
continue to operate in blatant disregard of liquor code
prohibitions.
“The current system is stacked against ordinary
citizens, in spite of the LCB’s legal mandate to ‘protect
the peace, health and morals of the public.’”’
Greenleaf said that, although the focus of the July 22
meeting is on underage drinking, the committee will
receive any testimony relevant to the LCB, especially
relating to enforcement functions.
and other details of the hearing, so interested persons
should contact his office at 288-3925,” Greenleaf said.
Other proposed reforms include:
employment to agree not to invoke the Fifth Amend-
ment in investigations of official dutes.
- A measure to increase maximum fines for licensees
from the current $1,000 ceiling.
- A measure to eliminate automatic supersedeas on
appeals so that problem bars could not continue to
operate when their licenses have been suspended or
revoked.
- A measure requiring LCB agents to report bribe
offers to law enforcement authorities.
- A measure prohibiting LCB employees from solicit-
ing or accepting gifts from licensees.
Greenleaf said he is interested in following up on the
recommendations of an August 1981 grand jury report
in Lackawanna County on the deaths of eight young-
sters killed in a one-car crash as the result of underage
drinking.
“The grand jury called for more severe penalties for
violations of the laws on sales to minors and stricter
enforcement of the liquor code. I would like to see the
Law and Justice Committee hearings result in legisla-
tion that would accomplish at least some of the goals of
the grand jury,” Greenleaf said.