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Better late, than never
Hearings are currently being held across the state of
Pennsylvania concerning the advantages and disad-
vantages of House Bill 1181.
This bill - our representatives hope - will be the
answer to a “failing American education system > as
Rep. Thomas Tigue, a member of the House Educa-
tion Committee quotes.
Tigue, in a recent television interview, claims House
Bill 1181 does not contain ‘‘utopian answers” but is
rather ‘‘a step in the right direction.”
The bill, which calls for stronger educational
requirements in our schools, will attempt to produce
something more than “functional illiterates.” Instead
of pushing students up the educational ladder accord-
ing to their ages rather than their knowledge, the bill
will require students to know as much as they should
before advancing to a higher grade.
As in all cases, however, this educational crackdown
is going to cost money. And, since we can’t possibly
expect the students to bear the expense of a better
education, the burden, of course, will fall on the
taxpayers.
Rep. Tigue admits the committee pushing this bill
realizes the money is going to have to come from
taxes, however, he says the fine details of how our
taxes are going to be affected have not yet been
worked out.
Education is one thing in which we, as Americans,
ity to pursue an education and for that, we can be
thankful.
Spending money for our education is not something
at which we should balk, either. Considering some of
the foolish things the American people - and the
American government, for that matter - spend money
on, we should not think twice about money spent on
bettering our educational system.
House Bill 1181, or something of its like, is one bill
that is long overdue. The American educational
system has been failing for some time now and, while
students flounder around from one grade to the next,
the one thing which we have to be proud of has been
going straight down the tubes.
It’s high time the government spends some time on
improving the quality of education in its own country.
And it’s time the people here at home are given the
opportunities they deserve.
If House Bill 1181 does everything it is supposed to
do, if our educational system improves and if a high
school diploma will someday mean more than simply
spending 12 years of one’s life inside the confines of a
school building, then maybe the taxpayers won't mind
having to finance it.
- DOTTY MARTIN
Hats off to president Guy Giordano and the mem-
bers of the Harveys Lake Protective Association for
all they have done this summer in an attempt to make
Harveys Lake safer for everyone who uses it.
After meeting in a closed-door session earlier this
season and drawing up a proposal which included
things from the installation of warning signs at all
public boat access areas to asking state legislators to
close the loopholes on boating laws, the Protective
Association is now selling buoys to lake residents.
For $56, which really isn’t a whole lot of money
when you consider the necessity, lake residents can
have a buoy installed 100 feet from their docks. These
buoys will not only make it easier for boaters to judge
the distance they are required to remain from the
docks, but will certainly make the dock owners feel
much safer, knowing their property is properly
marked.
The only requirements of lake residents after the
buoys are installed is that they remove the buoys by
Letters
Oct. 15 and 1 ce them again in May so that they
will be visible at all times during the summer boating
season.
The Harveys Lake Protective Association seems to
be coming on as a somewhat powerful organization in
that borough as its members work together to make
their lake safer for all of us.
Although some residents may scoff at the idea of
having to pay the price of making the lake a safer
boating area, they must realize these kinds of things
come with the territory. People who want to live at the
lake or own lakefront property are expected to pay the
price of keeping the lake safe for its users.
The Protective Association is doing its job - and
doing it well. Its intentions are good and hopefully,
with 100% cooperation from the lake residents, future
boating accidents will be prevented and Harveys Lake
will once again become a safe, healthy place we can
all enjoy.
- DOTTY MARTIN
DEAR EDITOR:
While the American economy is pulling itself out of
the worst recession since World War II, many experts
are forecasting a split-level recovery which could
leave millions of industrial workers and others, both
men and women, behind. Such a recovery would have
profound policy implications for the country. Pennsyl-
vani would also be hard hit. I believe it’s up to
Congress to address the problem.
~The Community Renewal Employment Act, of which
I am co-sponsor in the House of Representatives,
would provide jobs in areas of high unemployment
through grants to local government for labor costs
involved in the repair, maintenance or rehabilitation
of essential public facilities, such as bridges, hospitals
and schools. Funds would also be provided for the
conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of
public lands and for funding of essential public safety
and health services.
The legislation would focus on providing jobs for the
long-termed unemployed and to families where no one
is employed full time.
The bill not only makes good economic sense; it also
bridge collapse on a Connecticut highway vividly
illustrates the shape of many of our nation’s streets
and bridges. The Congressional Budget Office esti-
mates that governments at all levels must spend an
extra $11 billion each year in this decade to repair
deteriorating transportation and water systems.
Additionally, the social services provided by the bill
are in short supply. The U. S. Coonference of Mayors
Tre
(USPS 147-720)
(in the Jean Shop building)
reports that only 36 percent of the eligible population
receive health services, only 14 percent receive day
care and a scant four percent are reached by
employment and training programs. Currently, the
U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates, local officials
met only 43 percent of the demand for emergency
services, such as food and shelter.
Approximately half-a-million jobs would be created
this fiscal year if the legislation becomes law. In fiscal
year 1984, over 900,000 people would be employed if the
authorization was full funded.
The bill also contains strong language prohibiting
unemployed workers from replacing public employees
already on the job. In addition, the legislation has
provisions designed to guard against patronage devel-
oping in the placement of unemployed workers.
Pennsylvania would be one of the major beneficiaries
of the Act. According to the formula contained in the
bill, the state would receive $223 million in funds for
additional unemployment programs.
No recovery will be complete if we are caught
looking over our shoulders at a huge unemployed
workforce which has little chance of finding a job or
making a meaningful long-term contribution to our
economy. That’s why passage of the Community
Renewal Employment Act is essential.
EDMUND RENNOLDS
EDITOR, NATIONAL FORUM
1625 L STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
Only yesterday
50 YEARS AGO - AUGUST 4, 1933
Noxen Tannery employees move to form a union
calling for higher wages, less hours, more men.
The tannery’s wage scale ranged from 27 cents to
43 cents an hour with 224 persons being employed
there.
Dr. Carl E. Hontz, son of Mr. and Mrs. John
Hontz, Sweet Valley, passed the State Board Dental
Examination and was serving his internship at the
Fifth Avenue Hospital in New York City.
Married - Katherine Yeisley and Earl Van
Campen.
You could get - Sardines 4 cans 19c; shredded
wheat 1lc pkg.; applesauce 3 cans 19¢; macaroni or
spaghetti 4 1b. 25¢; salmon % lb. can 10c; ginger
snaps 2 Ib. 25¢; cooked corned beef 2 cans 29¢;
gelatin or chocolate dessers 4 pkg. 19c.
40 YEARS AGO - AUGUST 6, 1943
Fred Westerman, Royal Canadian Air Force
pilot, was listed missing in combat over Germany.
The son of Mary Westerman, formerly of Davis
Street, Trucksville, Fred graduated from Kingston
Township High School where he was a star football
player.
Lightning hit three barns in Wyoming County
burning them to the ground. Burns O. Sheldon,
Donald Williams and Herbert Place lost property in
the severe thunder storm. \
Engaged - Enda Fritz to Dr. Benjamin Short-
kroff; Eleanor Jane Duncklee to Lt. Robert Lewis
Fleming.
Married - Alice Eipper to Leslie H. Tinsley.
Deaths - Margart Space, Forty Fort; Clifford
Space, Huntsville Road.
You could get - Cantaloupes 25¢ ea.; yellow sweet
corn 29¢ doz.; carrots 5¢ bunch; tomatoes 2 1b. 25¢;
red fish fillets 32¢ Ib.; sausage 39c¢ lb. sugar 10 Ib.
bag 63c; Nabisco Graham crackers 18c Ib.; 3 cakes
Lava soap 17c.
30 YEARS AGO - AUGUST 7, 1953
John F. Sheehan was elected to fill the unexpired
term of Harris Haycox. A master of the George M.
Dallas Lodge F & AM, Sheehan was an active
member of Prince of Peace Church. He was an
employee of Bell Telephone.
Dallas-Franklin Township Schools appointed four
new teachers: Helen Sliker, language; Marjorie
Wagner, home economics; Loretta K. Cherneck,
physical education; William James, music.
Engaged - Dolores Adamshick to Rudolph Ruiz.
Married - Bobby Lee Crews to Russell DeRemer.
Deaths - John E. Roberts, Dallas; Ruth B. Sutton,
formerly of Dallas; Estella Cease, Kingston;
Sophronia Wilcox, Lake St., Dallas.
You could get - Chuck roast 39c 1b.; ground beef
25¢ 1b.; skinless franks 49c 1b.; frying chickens 49¢
1b.; pears 4 1g. cans $1; oranges 29c doz.; peanut
butter 11 oz. jar 31¢; applesauce 6 1g. cans $1; tuna
3-61 oz. cans $1.
20 YEARS AGO - AUGUST 8, 1963
Linda Gail Davies, daughter of Dr. and Mrs.
Carlton Davies, Machell Avenue, left for a year’s
stay as a Rotary Exchange Student in Melbourne,
Australia.
Frederick Malkemes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Malkemes, Shavertown, left to spend two years
teaching school in Africa. The program was. spon-
sored by the American and British governments
and coordinated by Columbia University.
Engaged - Lorraine Batory to Philip Novicki;
Rochelle Mary McGuire to Randolph Brooks.
J Married - Patricia Sholtis and Albert H. Sutterlin,
r.
Anniversaries - Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bond,
Perrin Avenue, Shavertown, 25 years; Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Calkins, Shavertown, 40 years.
Deaths - Sarah Moss, Fernbrook; Charles J.
Westervelt, Hunlock Creek; Beulah Kitchen, Stull;
Holly Seager, Loyalville.
You could get - Scallops 59¢ 1b.; clams 3 doz. 99¢;
haddock fillet 55c¢ 1b.; cantaloupes 3 for 50c;
cauliflower 25¢ 1g. hd.; sweet corn 39c. doz.;
nectarines 19c¢ 1lb.; sweet plums 19c¢ lb.; peach
preserves 2 Ib. jar 55c¢.
10 YEARS AGO - AUGUST 9, 1973
Dallas’ temporary school on Hildebrant Road was
ready for use. The school contained 20 classrooms,
18 separated with sliding doors. Gerald Wycallis
was principal of the school.
Francine DeFrancesco, Hazleton, was the grand
winner of the Soap Box Derby held at Carverton
Heights.
Engaged - Ruth Patton to Francis Novajosky.
Married ~ Corliss Gerlach to John L. Hopkins;
Lillian Janet Schlosser to Donald F. Balchus.
Deaths - Robert McLaughlin; David C. Eipper.
You could get - Smoked hams 89c 1b.; pork chops
$1.39 1b.; honeydews 79c ea.; sweet corn 10 ears
79c; peaches 4 lb. 89c; tomatoes 49c lb.; seedless
grapes 39c 1b.; cucumbers 3-29¢; Instant Maxwell
House 10 oz. $1.28.
Library news
features
By NANCY KOZEMCHAK
Letters
policy
The Dallas Post encourages
and invites its readers to voice
their opinions, complaints, and/
or compliments by participating
in the “Letters to the Editor” :
column.
Classified Ad
Letters to the editor should be
typed or written legibly and
addressed to ‘Editor, The Dallas
Post, Box 366, Dallas, Pa.
18612.” Letters must be received
by Thursday for publication’ the
following Wednesday.
25¢ on newsstand
$14 out of state
paid in advance
the post office in Dallas, Pa. under the act of March 3, 1889.
Names will be withheld upon
request, however, all letters
must be signed and contain a
telephone number for verifica-
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Letters submitted without a
signature or a telephone number
will not be published.
Group gives support
Bill Savage. ............... Cahlets Si J Managing Editor The Parenting Council of North-
Dotty Martin. ...... ... ooh oo Ln Li Associate Editor | east Pennsylvania is a non-profit
MikeDanowski. i. conn D0 Advertising Representative | organization formed to help
Sheila Hodges. ....... es hi SR Circulation Manager | strengthen and support all aspects
of family life.
Anyone desiring additional infor-
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write to the Parenting Council of
from
Market St., Kingston, Pa. 18704 or
call 283-0506. -
“Teddy Bears and other loveable Cuddles’ - that is
what is now appearing in our display case in the main
library.
Lisa and Maria Augustine of Wyoming have allowed
large ones in the center; a nice, big brown teddy bear
which was a Christmas present to Lisa, a large pot-
belly teddy bear, and a white fluffy dog with a winter
hat, which was a gift to Maria.
There is a .tan rabbit, a black Halloween cat, a
sleeping puppy and sleeping tiger, a rather snobby
Avon signature-type dog and a gray mouse with a
band-aid covering a sore spot. There is a smaller,
rather scruffy looking teddy bear, a pink pig, a
corduroy bear and a koala bear. Included is a tiny
koala bear and a raccoon. There are also two rather
special teddy bears, a girl and a boy, affectionately
called Ron and Lisa.
This collection will be on display until the end of
August.
Lisa and Maria have been collecting stuffed animals
over the years and have quite a large collection. Both
of the girls are working at the library this summer as
and will be starting her second year at Kutztown State
College in the fall. Lisa has been with us for a year
and will attend classes at Luzerne Community College
lay case
in September.
This display makes a nice, friendly, fun-loving spot
in the library to finish the summer on a happy note.
The Back Mountain Memorial Library has received
a puppet theatre and movie screen from the Collec-
tor’s Group, which meets in the annex once a month.
We are very grateful for these new gifts, which will be.
put to good use. x
New books at the library: “Wilderness Empire’ by
Allan Eckert is the gripping narrative of the 18th,
century struggle of two powers to win the allegiance of
Indians in a war for territorial dominance. It is the
story of English strength and French power.
“Exocet’” by Jack Higgins is a novel infiltrated by
surprises, the first is into Queen Elizabeth’s bedroom
by a masked intruder. This story is of a second
majestic woman, Gabrielle Legrand and an interna-
tional triangle with dangerous assignments.
“Karpov’s Brain’ by Gerald Green is the story of
Abram Levitch, a most unlikely hero, who seeks to
emigrate to Israel where he will join his wife. He
becomes a figure of courage and the focus of
5
imprisoned.
Planning a vacation? Whether you're thinking about
travelling in our own state, a visit to a national park,
or a trip to a foreign country - you will enjoy your:
vacation more by planning it with the help of bggks:
from your library, an information center! i
robs our small
The dust from the battle of the state budget has
settled, however, State Senator Frank J. O’Connell (R-
Kingston) believes gaping wounds were inflicted upon
most of the programs important to the citizens of the
Commonwealth.
The conditional surrender brought on by the Demo-
crat-controlled House of Representatives robbed
smaller communities of the funding necessary for
projects important to the 20th Senatorial District in
order to finance numerous Philadelphia ‘give away’
projects.
O’Connell said, ‘“The Democratic leadership of the
priations for critically needed programs administered
by various state agencies.”
Without the aid of Governor Dick Thornburgh, the
Republican-controlled Senate acted in a responsible
manner by drafting a sound tax plan to provide
funding necessary for many state programs. oe
O'Connell said the Republican leadership failed to
represent and aid the Republican caucus. ‘The
leadership concurred rather than disagreed with
House powers,’’ he said.
The Luzerne County Republican stated, ‘Within the
next few months the Senate will attempt to restore
funding to a reasonable level for many programs that
were neglected.”
O’Connell said the Republican leadership followed
the House amendments to the Senate tax package.
The Democratic House amended the Senate tax
package by changing the state income tax from 2.4 to
2.45 percent for 1983 as well as the first six months of
1984. The tax would then be 2.35 percent.
O’Connell noted the Senate originally planned a
modest increase in the income tax from 2.2 to 2.5.
The Senate cigarette tax plan was removed totally.
Instead, smokers will be subject to the six percent
sales tax in addition to the current .09 cent excise tax.
The House also added a new section to the tax plan
which would exempt Pennsylvania State Lottery
prizes from the state income tax for indivuals, and,
communities
Lottery Fund to the General Fund of an amount equal
to the present value of prizes won times the income
tax rate. ; :
0’Connell condemned the use of lottery funds for
general appropriations. “The lottery is solely for the
benefit of our senior citizens and should not be used
for anything else,” he said.
The House followed the Senate plan to accelerate
quarterly sales tax returns which are due the last day
of April, July, October and January. Under the Senate
plan, returns are now due on the 20th day of those
months. \'
Further, the House agreed with the Pennsylvania
Utility Realty Tax Act (PURTA) plan. The PURTA
tax liability is to be reported by April 15 and paid by
June 1.
“Beginning April 15, each public utility is to report
its tentative tax liability equal to 90 percent of the
previous year’s liability and pay 25 percent of such
amount quarterly,”’ O'Connell said. 4
Disappointed with the new budget, O’Connell said it
was the best that could be obtained under the
circumstances.
In February, Governor Thornburgh announced his
plan to expand the sales tax to include items otherwise
immune. At the same time, House Democrats pro-
posed a one percent jump in the income tax.
“The Senate leadership clearly saw that both the
Governor and the House had made bad proposals,” he
said.
O’Connell also disapproved the increase in gasoline
taxes. The 11 percent gallon gasoline tax will rise a
penny while the oil franchise levy goes from 3.5 to six
percent. :
“The increased gasoline tax translates into a three
cent per gallon increase,” O’Connell continued. I
have been fighting the Department of Transportation’s
administration for two years, arguing that the distri-
bution formula of gasoline taxes is inequitable and
adversely affects rural communities in the East and
Western part of the state. : :
i
Al
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