POR 2 5 THE DA F LAR POST sine ugust’ 8, 1C NE The time has come for regional planning Tonight's meeting at Penn State to discuss growth issues in the Back Mountain is yet another indication that at the very least, more discussion of the topic is needed. We think talking about the impact of the region’s development is healthy, but it is not enough. The Back Mountain is under severe pressures and the question is not whether its character will be changed by them, but how and how much. Booming residential construction doesn’t just add houses, it adds people who will increase demand for services to match their expectations. And their expectations are likely to be high in the areas generally called quality of life. We think that’s good; that a populace that wants higher standards from its communities and their elected officials will lead to better planning and execution of the changes that do take place. One place we think better planning could start is in reviewing and upholding zoning statutes. The recent rezoning from conservation to residential of 33 acres of land in Dallas Borough is an example of poor execution. The land had been zoned conservation, which allowed development on minimum two acre lots. One of the reasons given for the original zoning was a concern that the land was within the watershed of the Huntsville reservoir, and that overdevelopment of it might cause that water source to become polluted. That fact hasn't changed, yet the land was rezoned when a developer requested permission to build 51 housing units on it despite the protests of a substantial number of Borough residents. While techni- cally these protesters missed the first official opportunity to present their case, it seems that a more responsive Borough Government would have found the time to invite and listen to their comments. ~ One Borough Council member had remarked that other ‘communities in the area were gaining taxpayers by allowing more construction, and he felt that Dallas shouldn't miss out on the opportunity. It remains to be seen whether more housing in fact means lower taxes; whether or not it does or not, the fact that others are behaving irresponsibly has never been a satisfactory reason for action. The councilman’s point might have been answered if there was a regional planning commission in place in the Back Mountain. We think that establishing one would be a good thing. These communities already share a number of services, and changes in one area will have an effect on others. Few of these communities have the resources to properly evaluate and monitor the number of projects that are being or will be presented. The developers, meanwhile, are getting more and more sophisticated as the potential rewards of building in the Back Mountain increase. A regional commission doesn’t have to be either costly or cumbersome. It could include representatives of each community’s municipal government as well as citizens who share a concern for the fate of the Back Mountain's future. We hope tonight's meeting is the first step toward establishing one. Potzer served well Fred Potzer leaves big shoes to fill in the Kingston Township manager's office. Aside from his proscribed duties, Potzer was always willing to lend a hand to other officials in and out of his own community. His quick and consistent action in helping to restore water after a well was drained last month is only one example of his dedication. We wish Kingston Township well in their search for Potzer's successor, and know that they will have a good idea of the qualities to look for because of Potzer’s example. And we know that based on past performance, Potzer will make himself available to help in the search. Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Sara J. Lundberg Managing Editor Charlot N. Denmon Reporter Tami Britton Advertising Acct. Executive The Dallas Post Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher : Gwen McNichol Office Manager Linda Shurmaitis Photo/darkroom Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Between heaven and earth The steeple of the “little church on the hill,” Dallas, streaks the summer sky focusing beyond; yet its lonic columns hold it to earth. (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Letters invited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication must be signed and include a telephone number so that we may verify their authen- ticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: Editor, The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612. Letters received by Monday may be included in that week's issue. Library news Ham ‘n’ Yegg donations to library auction totaled $3295 By NANCY KOZEMCHAK Dinosaur Summer at the Back Mountain Memorial Library is moving along very well. The dis- play case is attracting much atten- tion with many and varied sizes of dinosaurs from Back Mountain chil- dren spending the summer at the library. The latest dinosaur addi- tion is a miniature brown Bronto- saurus called ‘Brownie’ loaned to us by Loni, age 8 and Leah, age 6 Rostock of Shavertown. Joey Lam- bruschi was at Story Hour the other day and brought some fossils for us to add to the display. There are plant stem segments and leaf fossils; 4 fossilized clams from South Korea; and a fossilized snail from Lake Champlain, New York. Thanks, Joey, for allowing us to borrow these for our display. The Children’s room at the library is a busy place these days. Between the Story Hours and the Summer Reading Program, the room is always a beehive of activ- ity. The circulation desk is also busy keeping up with checking the books out for the children. The 3 to 5 year old story hours will end August 10 and the Toddler Story Hour will end August 9. The Dino- saur Summer Reading Game will finish on August 17. Final activities and parties are being planned for these activities by Mrs. Rudolph, children’s librarian and the dates and times for the parties will be announced soon. A gold star day at the library is a day when 400 books are checked out in one day. Because of the children’s programs and the free time for adult reading, July is always the busiest month for circu- lation at the Back Mountain Memo- rial Library. So far, in July of 1988, ‘we have three 400 days, two 500 days and July 19 was our first 700 day for 1988. That was a busy, busy day at the library, keeping the staff moving all day. The 1988 library auction is now history and beautiful fianncial his- tory; and we are very grateful for the weather; hot, but not rainy. We have had a lot of much-needed rain since the auction, however, a dry auction helps the library with better attendance. The Ham ’'n Yeggs donations totaled $3,295 which is included in the auction total. Additional contributors include: Thomas H. Kiley, James M. Reinert, Samuel F. Rhodes, III, Julie A. Dostal, Friends of Sen. Lemmond, Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell Thomas, Ruth Valevas, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hozempa, Drs. Wat- kins & Medura, Mr. and Mrs. Ste- phen Tillman, Vincent Carboni, M.D., Mr. and Mrs. James O’Brien, Ione S. Priebe, Thomas J. Turner and Mary T. Reese. We thank all our Ham ’'n Yegg contributors who donate to this cause each year. Only yesterday 50 Years Ago - Aug. 1, 1938 Bob Phillips favored at Rocky Glen swim meet Sanitation drive at Harveys Lake launched this week by police chief Ira C. Stevenson as he makes ar- rests for improper sewage disposal. Machinery to make red clay bricks will roll Monday at the Dutch Mountain Clay Products in Lopez. President of the company is James R. Oliver of Dallas. Bob Phillips, swimmer who won at Harveys Lake last week, is best bet to win A.A.U. swim meet at Rocky Glen this Sunday. Dallas Arrows defeat Factoryville 10-2 and 7-0 in doubleheader. Married - Virginia Wagner and Walter Lee Schwenk. Deaths - Frank Besteder, Northmoreland. You could buy - Sugar 10 lbs. 45c; Armour’s roast beef 19c can; celery 6¢ bch.; lemons 29c¢ doz. 40 Years Ago - Aug. 6, 1948 Major Fire at Goodleigh Farms barns Dallas Township board hires two new teachers Thomas M. Edwards, Pittsburgh and Daniel E. Williams, Wilkes-Barre. Dallas, Harveys Lake and Kunkle Fire companies battled 14 hours to save Goodleigh Farm barns. Dallas Legion defeated West Side 13-3 last week. Engaged - Joan Mary Phillips and Donald Nulton; June Betsy Wilson and John Joseph. Married - Rosemary Barry and Foster Dale; Judith Druscilla Simms and Gordon Dawe. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lohman, Trucksville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. You could buy - Pork squares 39c lb.; margarine, 37c lb.; bread 13c loaf; cucumbers 3 for 10c. 30 Years Ago - Aug. 8, 1958 Back Mountain Shop- ping Center to open Henry Hess, chairman of trans- portation committee, asked to be relieved from the position at a special meeting of Dallas School District directors held Monday night. A strike in progress for four weeks has complete closed the big Armour Leather Company plant at Noxen. Back Mountain Shopping Cen- ter will be open shortly after Sep- tember 1. Back Mountain Teen All Stars Engaged - Janice Yozviak and Joseph Borton; VirginiaJane Bolen and Kenneth Wenz. Married - Eleanor Ockenhouse and Raymond Kilcrease. You could buy - Chuck roast 37c lb; lettuce 2 hds. 19c.; sliced Swiss cheese 2 8-0z. pkgs. 49c; frozen sliced strawberries 29¢ 16- Oz, pkg. 20 Years Ago - Aug. 8, 1968 Township seeks land for new building Highlight of the Centermoreland Auction will be again this year the outdoor chicken barbecue. Dallas township supervisors are negotiating for three and one half to five acres of the Sadie Van Horn property to build a townsh§ y municipal buidling. Ross Township supervisors staff baffled by current garbage prob- lems due to scarcity of legal dump sites. Lake Council rescinds motion made April 8 to borrow $40,000 to be used in acquiring properties in vicinity of Sunset Beach. Lake-Lehman kindergartens have 100 enrolled at Lake, Noxen and Lehman. Engaged - Linda Rowett and Stephen W. Lueb Married - Keturah A. Milbr and Richard A. Bombick. Robert Horlacher All-Stars wind up as District 15 runner-up. You could buy - Chickens 28¢c lb.; cantaloupes 3-89c; ketchup 3 bots. 59c; Ragu spaghetti sauce 45c jar. 10 Years Ago - Aug. 3, 1978 550 feet of new water ‘mains installed . Leonard Venable, manager of Shavertown Water Company, an- nounced that construction plars have been completed for install). tion of 550 feet of six inch water main on South Lehigh Street. Harveys Lake Zoning Hearing Board deferred until next meeting a final decision on the request of Thomas O'Brien of the Sunset area of the lake to expand the building housing his diving equipment. Don Smith elected to Penn State University executive council. There are 63 classes in the 13th Annual Horse Show held by the Jonathan R. Davis Fire Compatt) / of Idetown, August 12 and 13. Noxen and Hearthstone win Back Mountain Slo-pitch titles. y Married - Tanya Kocher ard! John Christ. You could buy - Round steak $1.79 Ib.; mayonnaise $1.25 qt. will meet Hazleton tonight at King- jar; coffee $2.591b.; mar garine 59¢ ib. ston in playoff game. Penn State registration is August 18 at Lehman campus Penn State Wilkes-Barre has announced the schedule of the fall undergraduate courses and per- sonal development programs being offered at the campus in Lehman for the fall semester 1988. Classes start at the campus in Lehman and at the Penn State Northern Tier center in Towanda on August 24. Registration will be held at the campus in Lehman on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and for Northern Tier courses at the Towanda High School, Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Undergraduate credit course offerings at the campus in Lehman include everything from accounting and physical science to digital elec- tronics and microcomputer applica- tions. With an emphasis at the campus in engineering technology, more than 70 percent of the stu- dents are enrolled in engineering and engineering technology pro- grams such as electrical engineer- ing technology, civil engineering technology, biomedical equipmes technology and mechanical enge. neering technology. With more than 3000 students served since the Northern Tier Center opened, course offerings there include managerial account- ing, algebra, geography, microe- conomic analysis, microcomputer programming, management and effective speech. Classes are held at the Towanda High School. For those who are interested in completing a certificate program to enhance their professional develop- ment, a number of programs ars available at both locations. ! Brochures and mail-in applica- tions are available by contacting the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Con- tinuing Education Office at 675-9253 or 1-800-426-2358; the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions Office at 675-9229; or the Penn. State North- ern Tier Center in Towanda at 265- 9103. The Post asks: Should there be a regional planning commission? Edgar Hughes Edgar Hughes Retired Principal Dallas “I definitely think there should be a planning commission. I don’t think development should stop, but it should be done with careful monitoring and planned regula- tions.” Len Berlew Len Berlew Laborer Centermoreland ‘““Yes, there should’ be, they shouldn’t let anyone else move out here.” x hE i J BES 5 EELS RPT VARTA ES ES SECTS KASS fi Suan 1 (RES uf ESN SRO i a pak save Cherie Beckwith Cherie Beckwith School bus driver, dog groomer Sweet Valley “I think there should be, it would probably help the situation a lot, they should do it right with planned growth rather than the way it’s growing a little bit here and a little bit there.” Jane Kell Jane Kell Housewife Dallas “Yes, I think there should be, there is going to be a lot of growth and development and with the lim- ited water and resources there should be some planning.” Dianne Sharkness Diane Sharkness Clerk Dallas “I don’t know, I think I'd rather just the individual planning. It seems like they're taking pretty good care of it like with the Shav- ertown and Elmcrest area.” - Louis Volpetti Louis Volpetti Dallas Liquor Store Manager Pittston “Sure, because if you leave it up to the developers they’ll do what they want. But then again it may just create another bureaucratic organization for people to criticize , and blame. But with the water problems and rapid growth they do need some way to solve future problems and overlook develop- ment, though some people won't trust them, I’m sure.”
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