a —— _ I A i eH EE 8 A OA A I A HEAT — I. a nhinoo 4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, March 7, 1990 Tie SDALLASCPoST Fear of retaliation ~ stifles public debate There was a meeting at the Dallas Elementary School last week to inform parents about the practice and signs of satan- ism among young people. But you won't see the pictures The Post took at the meeting in this week's paper. That's because one of the organizers - the head of the organization - came to our office the next day and asked us not to publish them, out of fear that some harm might come to her family. Since we honor those kinds of requests, the pictures will not appear. - Our concemn is not with individuals, but with the message “being sent to youngsters by adults who fear to be openly associated with an important issue. We have seen that fear far too frequently in relation to many subjects that deserve to be given a full and fair public debate. It is especially troubling when the actions of those opposed to a supposedly dangerous practice allow that fear to control their lives. In so doing, their enemy has won without ever firing a shot. “Nothing is terrible except fear itself,” wrote Francis Bacon in 1623. That adage holds true today as it did then. And it is equally true that evil and corrupt practices cannot stand the light of day. It is the duty of citizens, and the media as an extension of them, to bring important matters to the forefront of community discussion. Intimidation doesn’t come only from fear that some evilly- possessed person will steal your children; it appears every time a citizen refuses to speak up for what he believes is right because of fear of retaliation from those perceived to be more powerful. It happens when any of us chooses not to add our voice to whichever side of an important public issue we think is the right one. Or when we claim we don’t “want to hurt anyone's feelings.” The problem is that the excuses we use to avoid speaking up are based in some fear - usually more imaginary than real - that our courage will draw a damaging response. While that is seldom the case, it does occasionally happen. But that is the price we pay to live a reasonably free and unfettered life. ~ Avigorous and open debate on pressing issues is far health- ier for a community and its citizens than is a misplaced fear that speaking out carries a risk too heavy to bear. We don’t believe that to be the case, nor do we think most people are not capable of agreeing to disagree on certain topics. More discussion and less intimidation will serve the Back Mountain and the nation well. One man is counted Speaking of speaking out, Dallas Township Supervisor Frank Wagner didn’t wait for someone else to call The Post and tellus his side of the controversy brewing over the lack of build- ing codes in the community. Not everyone will agree with his opinion, but he has the courage to state and defend it. William Henry Harrison, not one of our better remembered presidents, said in his inaugural address in 1841, “A decent and manly examination of the acts of government should not only be tolerated, but encouraged.” It seems just such a review may now be taking place in Dallas Township. If it is done thoroughly and fairly - and if citizens as well as officials get involved - the end result will be one appropriate to the needs of the community. : Choir hosts needed Wanted: About 100 host families for top flight, dedicated young people. Only requirements - feed them three breakfasts and take them to and from choir practice. Call Florence Sherwood at 675-5201 to apply. The planners of the Region IV Chorus didn’t run an ad, but if they did it might have read like that. If you can help, they'll appreciate it. ~The regional competition scheduled for March 21-23 at the ‘Dallas Middle School will bring together 162 high school students from 52 school districts throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. These youngsters have progressed through district chorus and will be here to vie for only 32 spots available at all-state. Part of the obligation of the host district is to provide three nights’ housing and breakfasts for the participants. That's really about all there is to it, according to Mrs. Sherwood. Prac- tice and performing will take up virtually all of the young people's time. If you have some room in your home, for a dedicated, interesting young person, show them a little Back Mountain hospitality. You'll be glad you did. Letters Editor: Thank you so much for putting our 50th Anniversary article in your weekly newspaper the week of February 21. We received many congratulation cards from old hometown friends and neighbors. We've subscribed to your paper ~ Old friends saw, responded to ~ golden anniversary notice since we've been married - all fifty years. This has kept us in touch with the old home town where we lived, went to school and gradu- ated from Dallas Boro and Dallas Twp. High Schools. Peg and Ted Cobleigh Troy, Pa. Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Peggy Young Advertising Acct. Exec. | Paul Rismiller | Composition Te SDALLASCPosT Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Jean Hillard Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher Charlot M. Denmon Reporter Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting It's snow beautiful (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Letters Husbands say thanks for help after trailer fire Editor: A special thanks to the “Back Mountain Riding Club,” and the “Blue Ridge Mountaineer Band.” Also to all merchants that gener- ously gave food and clothing to us, the persons that went around to the merchants for donations, the churches, the wonderful school students and to everyone for their donation of money, clothing, time and prayers and their thoughtful- Says Sen. Lemmond's vote damaged father's rights Editor: Men - Beware of Charlie! Senator Charles Lemmond fully supports the militant feminists who have destroyed fathers’ rights. He voted against a man's right to know that his own child is about to be exterminated by his wife and her abortionist. That bill wouldn't have restored to him any control over the life or death of his child, but ATLEAST would have returned to him a position in which his feelings, his interest, and his sup- port could be a factor in the deci- sion. I believe in equal rights for women, but that shouldn't elimi- nate equal rights for men—or for Please send me some postcards of unborn children! One vote for thee human beings is not equality. Joan E. Host Tunkhannock, Pa. ness. - It is all deeply appreciated. It's great to have so many friends and relatives for their understanding. Jack Husband and famil Centermoreland ; Minnesota youngster seeks postcards Editor: Iam in third grade. We are learn- ing about our country. Would you your community. This is a school project. Thanks Kristine Wichner Sandstone Elm. Sandstone, Mn. 55072 Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - March 7, 1930 MAJOR HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE Fire destroys the W.M. Major home in Lehman. Dallas Borough Council passes new building ordinance but vetoed the purchase of land for the future erection ofa sewage disposal plant. Kingston Township team defeats Dallas Township team 29-23 to put them out of the running for the first place in the Bi-County League. Every home in the community is invited to enter the yard and gar- den contest sponsored by the Mount Greenword Kiwanis Club. 50 Years Ago - March 8, 1940 EIGHT VIE FOR REPRESENTATIVE SEAT Dallas Borough Council agrees to give the Dr. Henry Laing Fire Company $300 yearly if Dallas Township will agree to give a like amount. Harveys Lake Police Chief Ira ( Stevenson warned truckers who were unable to produce weigh bills on demand to stay away from the lake. Engaged - Emma R. Ertz and Derwood Jones. Wed - Mary Louise Carpenter and Roland R. Kocher; Marguerite Ide and Theodore Cobleigh. Dallas Borough team leaders of the Back Mountain Baseball League, amazed fans by tying the fast Luzerne five in a practice game on Monday. 40 Years Ago - March 10, 1950 STUCK SAFE FOILS ROBBERY ATTEMPT 5 Amateur night at Lehman High School drew a large crowd to enjoy the contestants from several schools. A stubborn safe foiled the at- tempt of burglars who tried to rob Wed - Jeannette Brown and Joseph P. Rother. Dallas Borough girls will play Dallas Township girls on a neutral floor this week to determine who wil Ibe winner of the first half. Goodleigh Farms produces the world champion cow, Eolus Her- ina. : 30 Years Ago - March 10, 1960 MELLON NEW DALLAS SUPERINTENDENT Dallas School Board names Dr. R.A. Mellon as superintendent at a starting salary of $13,000 peryear. Westmoreland Key Club won the top place in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for achievement. Shavertown and Huntsville teams will meet Saturday to deter- mine the winner in the semi-finals of the Church League. Wed - Margaret Rusinko and Guy R. Peters. 20 Years Ago - March 12, 1970 YAGLOSKI FINISHES SEASON UNDEFEATED Ray Yagloski, Dallas graduate, was the top King's wrestler this year finishing the season with a 12-0 record. Wed - Sharon E. Coolbaugh and David Crouthamel; Susan J. Smith and Robert Lehrmitt. Engaged - Diane S. Rogers and Lawrence Lee Ralston; Louise E, Wichert and Daniel H. Davis. Opinion Plans growing for Earth Day's 20th anniversary By HOWARD J. GROSSMAN Mainstream America has be- come environmentally conscious and environmentally sensitive. This has become more clear as each day goes by and the events and proj- ects connected with the 20th anniversary of Earth Week and Earth Day rapidly approach. April 22, 1990 will mark the anniversary of Earth Day. Much has transpired since 1970 with the passage of the national Environ- mental Policy Act, many other types of federal legislative and regula- tory policies and strong legislative acts which have recently been proposed by the Casey Admini- stration and acted upon by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Two recent examples are the state Superfund Act and Act 101 which is the new waste management and recycling law for Pennsylvania. Letters inivited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters must be signed and _ include a phone number. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612 The transformation of what was reportedly a fringe protest move- ment in the 1970s to a more ma- ture, acceptable policy driven dis- cipline in 1990 makes the environ- ment become as important and as critical as economic development was in the 1960s and 1970s in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The task may be to now blend both disciplines together so that an appropriate balance between qual- ity and quantity of economic devel- opment can be blended with the appropriate environmental sensi- tivity to the landscape of North- eastern Pennsylvania. Many volunteer, environmental organizations have sprung up in recent years in relation to the problems which citizens fear con- cerning the environment. Almost every project of significance hav- ing to do with waste management, for example, raises the ire of local citizens and a new citizen group is organized to protest and prevent a waste management project from being undertaken. On the other hand, citizens have become far more knowledgeable about envi- ronmental issues than ever before in the history of the nation. How this knowledge and interaction of what some feel are disparate goals such as economic development and environmental sensitivity can re- late together is an important issue for the 1990s. The 20th anniversary of Earth Week and the celebration of Earth Day can be an opportunity which should not go unnoticed. Special attention should be given in all areas of Northeastern Pennsylva- nia to ways and means by which the celebration of Earth Week and indeed the entire year can be called the Year of the Environment. Here are some examples of activities which might be considered. ...Have one or more industries open their facility for tours and demonstrations relative to the environment. This might include plastics recycling companies or industries who have taken special, pains to handle difficult environ- mental problems. ...Publish a list of environmen- tally sound or environmentally sensitive areas which can be vis- ited. Such a list might include, but not be limited to, Grey Towers (Pinchot Institute), Lacawac Sanc- tuary, the Tubs, various state parks, etc. ...Have a regional environmental workshop (of limited nature since not much time remains) to demon- strate a regional approach to envi- ronmental issues. Survey key in- dustries, school districts, and other organizations concerning their plans for Earth Week. Issue some ‘type of newsletter which spells out based upon the United Nation's Environmental Sabbath Packet. ...Work with the Pennsylvania Office of Environmental Education to co-produce and distribute pack- ets of projects and activities for elementary and secondary schools. ...Distribute an annotated, state wide source book of environmental education sites, programs and materials and environmental ad- vocacy groups throughout the region since the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources will be publishing such a document. One important function during 1990 will be highlighted by WVIA, the local public television and radio station. The public broadcasting system nationally has chosen 1990 as the Year of Environment, and each local public television and radio station will be highlighting environmental actions. ~ If you have any comments or thoughts relative to special events in 1990 in connection with the environment, send them to the attention of Joy Evans, Project Coordinator, WVIA-TV, Old Bos- ton Road, Pittston, PA 18640 or Len Carlin, Environmental Project Coordinator, EDCNP, 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640. Howard Grossman is Executive Director of the Economic Develop- ment Council of Northeastern Penn- sylvania. He lives in Dallas. IY 3 »
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers