Ti DALLASTR0ST - Welcome action on Dallas eyesore Credit Dallas Borough officials for their action in gaining a Luzerne County Court order that allows them to take down the crumbling Hearthstone Pub. Having been chastised for drag- ging their feet, the supervisors and solicitor took direct aim on the eyesore by declaring that something had to be done quickly to assure public safety. Their arguments, backed up with some graphic photographs, were successful in convincing a judge to grant their request. Now it’s a waiting game, as the owner of the structure has 30 days in which to file an appeal to the judges ruling. If that | happens, at least one purpose will have been served — the true ~ owner will have been flushed out from behind a confusing web of corporations and individuals. Lacking an appeal, the borough may have the dilapidated ‘building torn down and may send the bill to the owner, if they can figure out who that is. If the owner can’t be identified, the borough should file a lien against property so the owner can’t benefit from the borough's rightful exercise of its responsibil- ity The Census: Sorry, wrong number All along, national news stories indicated problems with the 1990 Census. Back Mountain communities have now gotten a taste of just how inaccurate the population count is likely to be. Preliminary figures released recently show most local towns either losing population or gaining only slightly. That seems an absurd conclusion given the number of homes that have been constructed here in the past decade. So, should we care? Yes, because these figures, once published, become the basis on which important decisions are based. The number of representatives in state and federal government is dependent on population; allocation of some government grants and programs hinges on the censusfigures. ~ And most retail firms seek expanding, not shrinking, markets in which to place new stores. It is a Constitutional requirement that a census of popula- tion be conducted every ten years, and that’s fine. Now the nation’s leaders must develop new and more accurate methods with which to take the count. Called-up reservists deserve our support For the first time in nearly two decades, America’s reserve military forces have been called up to active duty. In almost every case, reservists have answered the call with honor, devotion to duty and a sense of commitment that is a credit to ‘them and our nation. . Several Back Mountain residents have joined thousands of others in fulfilling their commitment, and their families and friends are joined by all residents in wishing them success in their mission and a safe return. On top of the real dangers the soldiers will face, the call-up places burdens on their families, employers and communities. It will be up to the rest of us to fill the gaps as well as possible until they return. But that is part of the responsibility citizens bear in our society. We're fully free to disagree with our gov- ernment’s policies, but can’t dismiss our individual responsi- bilities to family and country. As for the newly-minted pacifists — those reservists who were more than happy to take their paychecks and college support, but now claim conscientious objector status — they deserve only our contempt. If they had real principles they wouldn't have been in the Reserves under any circumstances. Te SDALLASC0ST Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, September 12, 1990 Barn overhang, Hayfield (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Letters Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Peggy Young Advertising Acct. Exec. Rich Johnson Paul Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala iti 3 | ied/t ti Composition Jean Hillard Classified/typesetting Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher Charlot M. Denmon Reporter Wants human values in Medicare budget Editor: Many Medicare beneficiaries, needing the support of medical equipment services in their homes, are losing out because of budget reductions coming from Washing- ton, D.C. This group includes the elderly and people with disabilities in our community whose physi- cians have prescribed home medi- cal equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, portable oxygen or ostomy and urological supplies. Previously, Congress had esti- mated budget savings of $60 mil- lion coming from earlier reduc- tions in Medicare home medical equipment (HME) services. Now, a private health policy study by re- searchers at Lewin /ICF shows that the reductions actually were closer to $161 million. These Washing- ton budget savings translate into reduced services or reduced ac- cess for those persons in our community who need Medicare- covered home medical equipment services. As the President and Congres- sional leaders continue to step up their estimates of the size of our federal budget deficit, there is Economic council has By HOWARD J. GROSSMAN Have you heard about the assis- tance available to help the non- profit community survive in North- eastern Pennsylvania? As a result of actions taken over four years ago by the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsyl- vania (EDCNP), the Council and later the Pocono Northeast Devel- opment Fund in a joint effort be- came designated as an Affiliate Library of the Foundation Center. The Foundation Center is based in New York City as a national or- ganization and serves to enhance ways in which foundations, both community and private, can be of maximum financial assistance to elibible non-profit organizations. Overl170 affiliate libraries exist across the nation but the only development organization in the United States to be designated as an Affiliate Library is EDCNP. The services available at EDCNP and the Pocono Northeast Devel- opment Fund range from the spon- ~ sorship of workshops and semi- nars on foundation funding to ~N direct technical assistance to many non-profits in the region who de- sire details relating to the securing of foundation funding. The Affili- ate Library maintains a directory of sources of foundation funding, provides technical assistance to non-profits in preparation of ap- plications, administers a Founda- tion Grantseekers Information Service (FGIS) which includes a membership of non-profit organi- zations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, publishes a news- letter which is distributed to the non-profit membership and gen- erally enhances ways in which non- profits can be successful in carry- ing out their particular mission or service. The type of services being of- fered under this program are unique to Northeastern Pennsyl- vania and may be unique to the nation. The concept is to tie closely together the quality of lifegoals which non-profits offer to the re- gion and at the same time enhance economic development. When the number of Board members who serve non-profits in increased pressure to solve the deficit problem by reducing Medi- care expenditures. Let's make sure there is truth in budgeting on both sides of the ledger, and that needed health services such as home medical equipment are not lost in the shuffle. The understated budget savings ~ from Medicare home medical equip- ment services should be recog- nized. The Lewin/ICF analysis should warn Congress against further unwarranted reductions in the Medicare HME benefit. The impact needs to be consid- ered in human terms, not Wash- ington “budget policy.” The people who are paying more than their fair share happen to be our par- ents, our friends who are disabled, and our families. H. Ronald Pietraccini President Wasserott's Medical Supply Praises the success of triathlon Editor: Congratulations to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area Triathlon com- mittee, §ponsors, and volunteers for organizing such a fantastic event. It's a thrill to see such a fine caliber of professional athletes as well as the amateurs and team members who give it their all. Joanne Gensel and Jim Harris did a super job as Race Directors. When we spoke to Jim on the morning of the race about a prob- lem due to a mix-up, he was most helpful at a time when he had a million other details on his mind. The corporate sponsors and hundreds of volunteers make this a race to which people will come from as far away as Australia. Keep up the good work—it is events such as the GWBT that show up the error of the article in Sports [Mustrated. Bonnie Dombroski Jackson Twp. SE lB Lr big part i Northeastern Pennsylvania are added up, the total becomes a fig- ure in the thousands. This means that each new Board member, and some serve more than one Board, needs to be brought up to date on the status of the non-profit as well as the responsibilities which that Board member has in serving the non-profit community. Together with the financing required to support non-profits, the opportu- nity exists to provide a service which can be beneficial to both the staff professional and the non- profit volunteer. FGIS is an excel- lent way to efficiently and cost effectively collaborate with other organizations within to carryout a great variety of services to clients. Upon request, the Grantseek- ers Informatin Service will not only provide technical support for foun- dation funding but will sponsor informational and educational events which can benefit all par- ties. Furthermore, the Service al- lies closely with the Pennsylvania Citizen Service Program (PennServe) and the private sector counterpart, the Citizen Service assistance for n Planning Council. The Citizen Service movement is strong in Pennsylvania and involves the ability to enhance ways in which young people, senior citizen, as well as other age groups can be part of the voluntary movement in which service to the community becomes foremost in the delivery of essential programs, particularly those who are at-risk and within the lower income strata. The FGIS provides factual infor- mation on philanthropic giving and can assist interested persons and agencies in finding out where to apply most appropriately for fund- ing. By use of publications and its nationwide network of library ref- erence collections, the Center is able to identify foundation pro- grams which correspond with the public's needs. EDCNP and the Pocono Northeast Development Fund as the local affiliate, provides free access to the Center publica- tions and materials necessary for funding research and grant pro- posal development. Training sessions are provided either in-house or at a non-profit agency site. Training sessions can include, among others, topics such as how to start a funding search, how to use a funding library, ba- sics of proposals/grant writing ideas, and direct mail fundraising. Nowhere is it more important to have such services available than in regions such as Northeastern Pennsylvania which has a lower wage and salary base than most other metropolitan areas. One of the services offered by the Affiliate Library status is the listing and updating of founda- tions serving Northeastern Penn- sylvania. Two such foundations have staff. They include the Scran- ton Area Foundation and the Sor- doni Foundation. The other foun- dations are either private or indus- try based and are smaller in their capitalization. On the other hand, many, of the foundations which have not been publicized greatly outside of Northeastern Pennsyl- Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - Sept. 12, 1930 WYOMING COUNTY FAIR TO OPEN NEXT WEEK Seeds of movement to merge Back Mountain municipalities into one large community were sown in a speech by Joseph G. Schuler, Wilkes-Barre city councilman and a summer resident of Trucksville. Elmer D. Parrish of Dallas buys fruit farms at Benton. Dallas Borough Coach Donald Wormley puts 25 members of the high school team through the paces to prepare for opening game. Beaumont and East Dallas to play at Dallas tomorrow to decide which team will play Dallas for the title. 50 Years Ago - Sept. 13, 1940 +. DALLAS BOARD TO n- LOOK AT BUS ROUTES Dallas Borough councilman Joseph MacVeigh speeded up the planning commission's zoning ordinances to stop building abuses and control future growth to have them ready for the October meet- ing. aie of matrimony among the teachers at Kingston Township created four vacancies which had to be filled by the directors. Dallas Township parents called off a two-day strike when the board stated it would try to adjust com- plaints about the bus routes. 40 Years Ago - Sept. 15, 1950 VNA TO OPEN OFFICE IN SHAVERTOWN Visiting Nurses will open an office at Hall's Drug Store in Shav- ertown. St. Paul's Lutheran Brotherhood Bowling League opens tonight for © its fourth season at its second year * at Plains Bowl. Improvements to the Irem Temple Country Club including enlarging the dining room is to cost $30,000. Dallas nine defeats East Dallas 6-2 in Sunday's game. Engaged - Boneita Myrle Rese and James R. Turner; Jane Coolbaugh and Richard W. Plum- mer. Wed - Doris Ikler and A.F. Wal- ters; Carol Jean Smith and’ Dr. Wilton Doane. 30 Years Ago - Sept. 15, 1960 REGISTRATION DRIVE NETS 399 VOTERS V7 Back Mountain picks up 399 voters in a recent local registration drive. : Dallas Legion Auxiliary will honor a Dallas woman for leader- ship in community service. of Lake-Lehman and Westmore- land grid teams will open the sea- son this Friday. Northeast District Women's Clubs to convene Wednesday at Hotel Sterling. : Engaged - Lois Jean Vanderhoff and Thomas E. Williams. 20 Years Ago - Sept. 17, 1970 OIL TANK FIRE KEPT UNDER CONTROL A referendum for community support of the Back Mountain Library will be on the Kingston Township for voters to decide the question. The explosion of a 600-gallon oil tank set off a fire last week at Parry Asphalt Company, Fernbrook Corners, Dallas Township but the + fire was contained in a small area. Gate of Heaven Parish plans a farewell for Monsignor Kane in gratitude for his years of service. Dallas gridders lost their first game of the season to the Pittston Patriots. Engaged - Susan Moore and Thomas Gauntlett. Wed - Joan Spangenberg and Lt. Robert F. Belles. on-profit groups vania can be supportive if the right project is developed which meets the criteria which many founda- tions have established. The knowl- edge base is critical in order to not waste time in submitting propos- als which have no chance of even being considered, let alone funded. The services offered by EDCNP and the Pocono Northest Development Fund should be utilized by every non profit organization in the re- gion desiring to enhance their capability and competitive posture in thinking of ways to broaden financial and technical support. Contact person for the Grantseekers Information Service is Lynne Breza of the EDCNP staff, 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640, (717-655-5581). Howard Grossman is Executive Director of the Economic Develop- ment Council of Northeastern Penn- sylvania. He lives in Dallas. » The Dallas Post encourages its readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters 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.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers