4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 14, 1988 Tie DALLAST0ST County tax hike only increases inequities Possibly because the Luzerne County Commissioners approval of a 53 per cent increase in the county property tax rate is so onerous, the issue of the fairness of this levy hasn't even been dis- cussed. : The last general reassessment of property in Luzerne County took place in 1965 - 23 years ago. That means that if one house on your block was sold last week, it will be valued at its sale price and taxes assessed on that value. But if another hasn't changed hands since 1965, or has been transferred between family mem- bers, that house will be assessed at 1965 values. On top of that, it won't matter if the house has seen major improvements in that time, since the county doesn’t upgrade values when improve- ments are made. That strikes us as patently unfair. We know as well as anyone that those who benefit from old valuations may feel no reason to support regular reassessments. But we think fairness and logic dictate that revaluations be done at some consistent interval. Then the county could not only place realistic values on existing properties, but could pick up new ones that may avoid being detected and thus being taxed. Generally, when major reassess- ments are done the property values increase but millage rates decline and the attendant tax increase is less than often imagined. Besides, how much worse than 53 per cent could it be. Many states now require their counties or municipalities to revalue at intervals of 10 years or less. The present tax reform . legislation before the Pennsylvania legislature contains some in- centives for similar action here. We hope that will be enough to spur Luzerne County to move on this issue. John Anstett, the county’s chief assessor, said in an interview with The Post last week that he and the commissioners are very aware of the inequities in the present system. He also pointed out that a thorough reassessmant-of Luzerne County’s estimated 140,000 parcels would cost about $7 million. That cost, and the political fallout of raising the taxes of the majority of residents (read, voters), has discouraged any movement thus far. And we are sure the commissioners remember that the last adminstration to revalue was kicked out of office in the next election. Beyond fairness, which doesn’t win elections, there are some practical reasons to reassess regularly. One is that businesses and individuals coming into the area or expanding to provide jobs would not be overtaxed as they are now. Another is that regular revaluations provide the county and its muncipalites with good information about their progress and growth. A third is that tax hikes like the one we now face could be kept to more palatable levels if all properties were valued properly. In the end, it will undoubtedly take action at the state level to move this process along. Our present county commissioners seem much more concerned with the perpetuation of their own . political careers than with doing what is Fight for their constitu s ents’ future. so. 4 ‘w = Blood donors needed | As the article in this week's Post points out, supplies of blood needed for use in area hospitals are at an all time low. There are many reasons why blood contributions have dropped in recent years. Fear of the Aids virus is one; less time available as more couples work is another. The problem is that shortages will force the importation of blood from other areas and even other countries. The least concern that causes is the additional time and red tape involved in getting blood when it is needed. There will be several blood drives in the Back Mountain in the next few months; the first will be January 9 at the Meadows Nursing Center. The Post will remind readers of drives as they come up, and we hope all who are able to will participate. The Dallas Post Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher Sara J. Lundberg Charlot N. Denmon Managing Editor Reporter Rob Zapotoski Karen Cundiff Composition Office Manager Tami Britton Advertising Acct. Exec. Linda Shurmaitis Photo/darkroom Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Overnight surprise Just in time for the holiday season, one inch of the white stuff graced this field on Ransom Road Sunday. (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Library news Christmas Open House December 21-22 By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The. Back Mountain Memorial Library will host a Christmas Open House and party at the library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, on Wednes- day, Dec. 21 and Thursday, Dec. 22 between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m. Christmas cookies and other de- lights along with coffee and punch will be served. Friends, patrons and residents of the Back Mountain area are invited to the open house to share in the Christmas spirit. The newspaper and old coin dis- play in the library display case is receiving alot of attention. The items have been borrowed from Andrew Schlosser of Dallas and the newspa- per is dated Wednesday, April 20, 1910, which was the day Mr. Schlos- ser was born. In April of 1988, Andrew Schlosser received a copy of the newspaper.-as a birthday from his Hav EHE Piller : ie of Pittsburgh,” 78 years after his birth. The 24 page newspaper sold for one cent in 1910, which includes the front page story regarding the city’s determination that the coro- ner didn't need an automobile be- cause, “at a cost of$1,800, it would be a luxury’. The newspaper birth- day gift included an authenticity certificate from the Library of Con- gress. Andrew has a strawberry farm in Lehman where his family helps every year with the harvesting of the crop. The display includes a $5.00 bill from 1934 with an entirely dif- ferent format and three $2.00 bills from 1976. There are many silver coins, bicentennial coins and wheat pennies. There is also one old zinc penny. This display will be at the library until December 21. The members of the library staff | . started getting into the Christmas. spirit and began the decorating of the library for the season last week. Our office lighted scene has been set up including the two Christmas trees, the nativity scene, a church, a snow ‘slope with skiers and pond with skaters and Santa Claus’s workshop. : New books at the library: “Till We Meet Again” by Judith Krantz is the story of three women of matchless daring. The world of Eve de Lancel and her daughters, Freddy and Delphine; Paris in the last years of the Belle Epoque; the thrilling back- . stage intrigue of the music hall; the romance of great vineyards and a towered chateau in Champagne; the adventure of Hollywood in the glam- orous 1930's; all this is part of the lives of three extraordinary women who never failed to accept a risk- joyously. This is a uniquely roman- tic, courageous, humorous and exhuberant novel which also in- cludes heartbreak. “Golden Girl” by Alanna Nash is the story of Jessica Savitch was a commercial for the Americandream. Beautiful, blond, a network news anchorwoman by the age of 30, she was the stuff of fantasy, a cool but vulnerable vision who wafted into millions of households every night. This is a harrowing tale, including the series of tragedies that haunted her life. The library will be closed Decem- ber 24, 25 and 26 in celebration of the Christmas season and also December 31, January 1 and Janu- ary 2 to begin the festivities for the year of 1989. Low income, elderly may not have to pay Kingston Township tax The Kingston Township Board of Supervisors wish to remind town- ship residents that the township has’dn ordinance which-exoneratés individuals ' who have a:gross in- come: of l€ss than $5,000 per year from paying the Township Per Cap- ita Tax. Individuals who are eligible for this exoneration are required to file an exoneration application with the Township Secretary before January 11 of each year. Each request for exoneration will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors who will either approve or disapprove the applica- tion for exoneration at a regular meeting of the Board. High School graduates of 1988 will be assessed in the 1989 Per Capita Tax Levy. Students, depend- “ing ‘upon ‘their income, may also choose to file for an exoneration. The “Age 65” exoneration is avail- able to all residents who will turn 65 during 1989, by furnishing proof of age to the Tax Collector and filing the proper exoneration form with the Township Office. Residents having any questions are asked to contact Janice Castel- lani, Tax Collector, at the Township Building, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 696-3809. Aid sought for victims of house fire On Sunday, Nov. 27, fire de- stroyed the home of Joseph and Pamela Hoyt, Evans Falls. The Hoyts have two small children, a 2 1/2 year old girl and a 9 month old boy. Everything the family had was lost in the fire. Joseph (Scott) is an active member of the Kunkle Fire Co. To aid the fire victims, donations of clothing and other necessities can be dropped off at the Kunkle Fire Hall after 7 p.m. or arrange- ments can be made for pick-up. To make pick-up arrangements call 675-3161. Any cash donations can be made at the Dallas Branch of the Northeastern Bank of Pennsylva- nia. 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 authenticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Letters received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue. Only yesterday 50 Years Ago - Dec. 16, 1 938 Kingston Township to become Home Rule State prepares to aid consumers on water service through PUC. Kingston Township to get Home Rule again, supervisors are told at meeting. Dallas Township will hold its annual Comnmunity Christmas pro- gram for town people on Monday night. Lehman basketball team defeats Lake team 27-19. Engaged - Marion Shaw and Lawrence Brown. 40 Years Ago - Dec. 17, 1948 Building boom in Back Mountain Residential construction remains at high level in Back Mountain and commercial building includes Acme Store, Dallas; Back Mt. Lumber and Coal; Henry's Jewelry Store. Church League announces its team rosters with games to start Monday. Engaged - Frances M. Shappelle and William Walker. Football mothers entertain sons at banquet in Kingston Township. | 30 Years Ago - Dec. 19, 1958 Commonwealth helps. local kids call Santa Rev. Francis Kane, Gate of heaven, gives eye-witness account of coro- nation of Pope John. Commonwealth Telephone ar- ranges special hook up with North Pole so local kids can communicate directly. Christmas Cheer prevails at Dal- las School District party held at Irem. Engaged - Joan Guyette and Leonard Kavanaugh; Audrey Klein and John Albert Lyons. Wed - Laura M. Smith and Lee S. Watson. Shavertown defeats East Dallas 71-34 in tke Church Basketball league. 20 Years Ago - Dec. 19, 1968 Trucksville school using bottled water A Hazleton hunter lost in the Noxen mountains for two days was found by Carl Hackling, who knew just where to look for a lost hunter. Dallas School Board seeks a so- lution to how long they will have to use bottled water in the Trucksville School to provide protection of the students. Engaged - Ellen A. Kyttle and Robert W. Casterline. Walter Brunges is sticken with a fatal heart attack while deer hunt- ing in Montrose with his son Gerald. Lake-Lehman record their first win 73-68 over Wilkes-Barre Town- ship as the season opens. 10 Years Ago - Dec. 21, 1978 Dallas Township to get full-time policeman Dallas Township to seek federal aid for a full-time policeman. Kingston Township budget to stay at seven mills for 1979. Lake-Lehman School Board di- rectors voted 5-2 to continue plans for construction of a new elemen- tary school on the side of the Lake Township School. Dallas Area Medical Center ap- proved new plans for the new para- medic center. Deadline for entries in The Dallas Post decorating contest has been extended to December 22. Judging will start December 26. Dallas wrestlers tied District 12 champion Mountainview Eagles 12- 12 Saturday night at the Dallas gym. The Post asks: “What kind of tree do you prefer for Christmas’? Ed Jones, Esq. Alex Coveleski Vernon Self-employed “Blue Spruce, they hold up longer Harveys Lake “A natural one, this year we'll be and I happen to like them.” 4 first Christmas.” ad getting alive tree, it's our daughter's Frank Gosart Retired Lehman “We have an artificial one, the “daughter and son in law do our tree up frr us.” Peg Fallon Teacher Dallas “We have an artificial one, but I love the fresh trees. ‘Margaret Shultz Housewife Hunlock Creek “I like a real one but the artificial ones are more convenient.” Michele Roback Sales Person Wyoming - “A fresh one, I like the scent.” A. 1 (= tnt len acy a icc ERE TY ES HE ETS MT on
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers