: | } { Opinion Regional planning could help achieve balanced growth in Back Mountain BY HOWARD J. GROSSMAN The keystone for shaping the future of any homogeneous com- munity, such as that which exists in the Back Mountain, is balanced growth. For many years, the Back Mountain has been identified as a bedroom community, serving the commercial and industrial base of Wyoming Valley for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Community. Many of the leaders in the business and corporate community in Wyoming Valley live in the Back Mountain. &he growth which has occurred ong Route 309, in Dallas/Shav- ertown, extending now to Country " Club Plaza, and to a more limited extent, along Route 415, is basi- cally strip commercial develop- ment. While the Dallas and Shav- ertown Shopping Centers and oth- ers offer a cluster of shopping ac- commodations, and help tobroaden the tax base in the Back Mountain, it is the residential community of the area which has formed the backbone o the beauty and qulity which represents the development rc of the Back Mountain. Stress- ing the strengths and correcting the weaknesses of the Back Moun- tain development structure should be one of the goals of the fledgling effort to create a Back Mountain Task Force on the Future, or Back Mountain cooperative planning program, as discussed at recent meetings held at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus. In developing a list of activities which may be considered in a cooperative planning program, it has been abundantly clear that balanced growth is a desired fea- are. Those attending the meetings el that the planning and zoning activities which have been carried out thus far in the Back Mountain, may have been suitable at one time to meet the needs of the area, but now need to be revamped, revised, and revitalized. The first steps toward identifying what needs to be accomplished were taken at the first meeting, held on August 3, 1988. At this meeting, many ideas were discussed for further detail- ing at subsequent sessions. One of the common themes or threads running through the list, is that growth for growth’s sake, in an area which does not have all of the facilities and services neces- sary to cope with growth, is not always the best policy. Much more attention needs to be directed to meeting community service needs through an analysis of existing conditions which are then related to the overall and appropriate development of those portions of the Back Mountain capable of handling new growth. The protec- tion of the environment and sensi- tivity to land use and natural re- sources within the Area is a key factor. It is this blending of eco- nomic and environmental condi- tions which will lead toward 'a bal- anced growth system, designed for the 1990's and the 21st Century. One step which can be taken to accomplish the goal of balanced growth is for the municipalities in the Back Mountain, basically those included in the Dallas Area and Lake-Lehman School Districts, although others could join in as well, to agree to the establishment of an Areawide Planning Council, which has the capability of raising sufficient dollars to employ a pro- fessional planning consultant, to help prepare an area-wide plan. The plan will only be as good as the intent behind it. This means to say that the ability to carry out the plan is as important as preparing the plan itself. Carrying out the plan can be accomplished through suggestions made during the plan- ning process. the establishment of a permanent body by which plan- ning decisions can be made in a joint cooperative manner is criti- cal. This can be done without tak- ing away local prerogatives which, under Pennsylvania Law, are basi- cally at the local township, bor- ough, and city level. i While some have suggested the merger of local governments in the Back Mountain, it is unlikely that this step will be taken. Short of mergers, however, there are many avenues to pursue, most of which have not been attempted in the Back Mountain. Cooperative pro- grams, such as joint purchasing, advisory comments on planning and zoning changes between municipal governments, contract- ing for services, providing joint services, municipal managerial circuit riders, and much more, are techniques which offer promise in a growing area such as the Back Mountain. What may have started as a small pebble, in the wake of change in the Back Mountain, may lead toan avalanche of positive assessment and action, through a cooperative planning process, built upon the foundation of municipal agree- ments and a public/private sector partnership which can translate into a Back Mountain Task Force on the Future. Change for change sake, is not an effective action or decision, but change for meeting the needs of current and future generations of Back Mountain citizens represents the finest legacy which current residents and officials have to of- fer, especially as the gap between the 1990's and the 21st Century closes. Long range planning needs to become ingrained and a perma- nent fixture in Back Mountain planning and development actions. Library news BY NANCY KOZEMCHAK 4 We have penguins! The display e in the main office area is crowded with all sorts of penguins borrowed from Amy Beardsworth if Dallas. Amy started collecting ®enguins three years ago and now has a sizeable assortment. There are a few stuffed ones in the dis- play; a snuggable named Penny, which she received as a Christmas gift; two chatting together in a corner, one wearing a tee shirt with “Amy I Love You” on it, and they have a plaque with them which states, “Let's party!" One larger one which Amy made from a latch hook kit in the center of the display sitting against a special Shamu/ akin which is wearing a knitted at. There are several small knit- ted ones including a few Christmas specials and a few miniature pew- ter ones. There is a plaque for the wall; a note holder with pencil; gift cards; and a book mark from a teacher. One pencil with ‘cool-it' on top; a note clipper; a charm for a brace- let; and a cute set of wind chimes Introducing » MEDIFAST by the Nutrition Institute of Maryland “Weight Reduction without Calorie Counting” Harry Alexanderian, M.D. 654-1018 or 288-6491 For All Your - Computerized Prescription Service - Russell Stover Candies - Greeting Cards - PA Lottery Tickets - Newspapers, Magazines Friendly Service COOK'S PHARMACY Memorial Highway Shavertown } | hanging from the top of the inside of the case. All of these items have penguins on them. Also included is a tee shirt and a sweat shirt from Rehoboth Beach with penguins on them. Amy originally became inter- ested in penguins after watching a documentary on Channel 44 about penguins on ice and slopes. Her favorite wish is that someday she would have a real penguin. Amy is 12 years old and will attend 7th grade at Gate of Heaven School in September. These penguins will be in our midst until September 21. Now that the cooler weather has arrived, we would like to remind our neighbors in the Back Moun- tain that we have for sale sweat shirts for $13.00 and hooded sweat shirts for $18.00, all featuring the library auction logo. We still have some tee shirts with library auc- tion logo for $5.00. These shirts are warm and comfortable on cool Autumn nights. A new book has been donated to the library in honor of Sterling McMichael, Jr. by his mother, Jane to celebrate his recent birthday. The book is “Business Almanac” by Louis Rukeyser and it is definitive, authoritative, unique, illuminating and lively. It is the first truly com- prehensive, up-to-the-minute business almanac ever published in America. The book covers the big picture, the successes and the disasters, the relevant background and the coming trends and instant access to the inside story on every sector of American business. This book is an incomparable business tool and is destined to become the most well-thumbed reference work on every business desk. This book will be in the reference room at the library in the business section and can be used in the library. Ides host Methodist women Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Ide enter- tained the Lehman United Meth- odist Women at a picnic at their home recently. The fall Rummage Sale will be held on September 23 and 24 at the Lehman Church, ® Your Copy Will Weather me A Subscription to the T= SDALLASCPosT SAVES TIME AND MONEY Wednesday’s Mail ® No Need To Go Out In Bad ® Never Miss An Issue ® Save $1 From The Newsstand Price To Start Your Subscription, Fill Out And Mail This Handy Coupon With Your Check To: Tie SDALLASCPoST P.O. Box 366 Dallas, PA 18612 Pre oo — Arrive In - i Mailing Address { : City State Zip I BD ciuveeoss ssinnisnussmnsansassnsesrisncsnsyorsnssitoonnons 1 Year i i Bl SD cians sitiuraitnsmnrirnsssusoidssssitnsrinnsnessanns 2 Years ! Jb AER ea Se EER 3 Years Rosia... onset 1 Year Out Of State | or call 675-5211 675-1191 ik ie am NELLIGAN VISITS BUSH—James Nelligan, Harveys Lake, visited recently with Vice President George Bush in his Washington office Nelligan is even more enthusiastic for Bush after Republican convention By SARA J. LUNDBERG Managing Editor Harveys Lake resident James Nelligan came back from the Republican Convention with added enthusiasm for Vice Presi- dent George Bush's Presidential Campaign. Nelligan served as a Bush delegate and is the co- chairman for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Bush Campaign. Nelligan was one of seven local delegates who represented the 11th Congressional District at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans recently. He en- joyed a riverboat cruise down the Mississippi one night, and said an abundance of parties and activi- ties were available for the dele- gates, but the majority of his time was consumed by the daily ses- sions of the Convention. “I think the convention created an era of confidence. The dele- gates who attended left enthusi- astic and raring to go,” said Nelli- gan. Nelligan, a former U.S. Con- gressman for the 11th Congres- sional District, thought the Re- publican Convention achieved more than expected. A Newsweek poll taken shortly after the Con- vention showed Bush with a lead over the Democratic presidential candidate, Mike Dukakis. “I think the vice president was able to build suspense by not naming a choice for running mate’ too soon in the Convention,” he said. : Nelligan commented that he was shocked at first when finding out that Dan Quayle was Bush's choice as running mate, but soon changed his mind. “I was a strong Kemp supporter and was surprised to find out that Dan Quayle was picked, but then I began toreconsider. Quayle adds youth to the ticket, he is also very articulate and acceptable to the conservative side of the party.” The Senator from Indiana will bring support from the Midwest- ern States, Nelligan said, and is a team player. “Quayle is not likely to over- shadow Bush, which I was wor- ried would happen if the vice presi- dent named New York Represen- tative Jack Kemp or Kansas Sena- tor Robert Dole,” he said. Nelligan said Quayle’s only lia- bility is ‘that he is extremely wealthly’. Asked his opinion regarding the controversy over Quayle allegedly using family connections to enlist in the National Guard and avoid serving in the Vietnam War, Nelli- gan said ‘It’s not as if he ran off to Canada, he did serve.’ Highlights of the convention for the Harveys Lake resident included Ronald Reagan's farewell speech, the final address of Vice President George Bush, and a speech from Arizona Senator John McCain. Nelligan’s stint as a delegate may be over, but his work for the Bush campaign will intensify as the November general election draws near. As co-chairman for the Northeastern Pennsylvania campaign headquarters, Nelligan They're here... will share responsibility for the oversight of the campaign opera- tions here. His duties include fund raising, getting various coalitions together, soliciting volunteers to work door to door on the campaign, and related duties. “When election day gets closer, I'll be working 16 hour days for the Bush campaign,” Nelligan said. Pet of the week Ginger is a four-month-old fe- male Shepherd /Collie , brown with black markings. This friendly, young female puppy is looking for someone to take her home. She has had her first series of shots, has been wormed and is completely paper-trained. A new owner can take Ginger to the Ra- bies Clinic sponsored by North- easter Pa. Veternarians Associa- tion and Dr. Bishop: The rabies shot is only $5.00. Call the Luzerne County S.P.C.A. for information about Ginger be- fore it’s too late. PRECISION GRAPHICS For all you printing needs . . . BUSINESS FORMS NAME CARDS LETTERHEADS ENVELOPES RESUMES PRICE LISTS NEWSLETTERS PROGRAMS TICKETS BROCHURES CHANCE BOOKS PERSONAL STATIONERY CATALOG SHEETS Large selection of Wedding Invitations Phototypesetting Services Available COPIES 20¢ FLYERS PRECISION GRAPHICS DALLAS CORNERS BUILDING 550 ROUTE 415 DALLAS 675-2324 Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday Evenings and Weekends by Appointment He. NC
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers