Vol. 101 No. 42 Dallas, PA Wedhesue), October 24, 1990 ml 35 Cents i Voters will decide on coun ty government chan ge By RONALD BARTIZEK Post Staff One of this year’s hottest, but most confusing political campaigns doesn't involve candidates for of- fice; instead it offers the possibility of a fundamental study of Luzerne County's governmental structure. And despite the issue's unemo- tional nature, it has raised the political hackles of both those who favor and oppose a study. The question itself is relatively simple—should a commission of 11 persons be formed to study Luzerne County government and recommend any changes to the electorate? If the voters authorize the study commission, it will have up to two years to present recom- mendations to the county com- missioners. If changes are sug- gested, they must then be put before the voters in a general elec- tion. Voters entering the booth on Nov. 6 will first be asked to vote for or against formation of the study commission and, if they favor for- mation, they will then choose 11 names from a list of 47 commis- sion candidates. The initiative appears on the ballot largely because of the efforts of a group called “Citizens for the The pallot question “Shall a government study commission of 11 members be elected to study the existing form of government of Luzerne County; To consider the advisability of the adoption of an optional form of government or Home Rule Charter: To recommend the adoption of an optional form of govern- ment or to draft or recommend a Home Rule Charter?” AYES vote will create the commission, a NO vote will not. Study of Luzerne County Govern- ment.” Jack Conyngham of Jackson Township heads the group, and he questions why any- one would not want the review. By CHARLOT M. DENMON Staff Writer the change. and senior students The Dallas Senior High School opened its doors this school year to ninth grade students for the first time in its history. While the reviews so far are mixed, most of the new freshmen are pleased with The students and five of their ninth grade teach- ers, formerly housed at the Junior High School, moved up, and after the first six weeks of school have been co-mingled with their sophomore, junior Sean Marhelski, freshman, said, “I like it here better. The food is better than it was at junior high. The classes are too far apart though.” Ted Kerpovich likes it at the senior high. “The food is better and we don't have younger kids run- ning around, bumping into us. It is hectic changing classes and the locker arrangement isn't settled. MOVING UP - Dallas ninth grade teacher John Baur and some of his students moved up to the Senior High building this year, giving it four years of classes for the first time. Dallas High has 9th grade for first time We have to share a locker with other classmen, but that's only for a short time,” Kerpovich said. “I don't like it up here,” said Jennifer Liss. “I'd that.” rather be at junior high. There we were the oldest students and here we are the youngest. I don't like TaraKilleen doesn't like it at senior high because they have to go down to junior high every day for school. gym, but Jennifer Krakosky likes it at the upper “We have more privileges here than at junior high and I like the building better,” she said. “I like it better here,” said Maggie Redmond. “I don’t feel like a little kid anymore like I did at junior high, but I do miss some of the teachers at junior high. The only thing that I don't like is that we have to go outside for gym a lot.” The decision to move the freshmen to the senior See 9th GRADE, pg 3 _ Jackson Twp. lays plans for rec park By RICH JOHNSON Staff Writer Even though the work may be moving slowly the ideas for a rec- reation park in Jackson Township are speeding right along. On Monday night, the Jackson Township Recreation Board held a meeting for the public to come and give ideas for use of the approxi- mately 21 acres of land that will be part of the planned recreation area in the township. The handful of residents in at- tendance tossed out many ideas for the board as it makes plans for the property. Commission chairman Frank Poplaski said that the recreation area is in its early planning stages and the first projects may not be completed for over a year, but he said that this is a very important time for the recreation area. 3 The 21 acre area is located behind the township municipal building on Huntsville Road “We have a long way to go,” said Poplaski. “Our first project is to clear the way for and build an all- purpose field, which will give us the most use of the property the quickest.” According to the board, the area will be a combination soccer and baseball field. Approximately seven acres of land will have to be cleared for this part of the project. - The recreation commission is in the process of trying to get the Marine Corps to do the work at the site. “We are finishing all the pa- perwork needed for (the Marines) and we hope they will give us an answer on whether they can do it or not by next month,” said Poplaski. : Even if the Marine Corps de- cides to do the work, the recreation commission must have trees re- moved from the designated area and some of the land filled in. Besides the multi-purpose field the recreation board has many ideas for the rest of the land, lo- cated around the new municipal building on Huntsville Road. The board is considering picnic areas, a children's playground, basketball courts, hiking and jog- ging trails, nature trails, and a parking lot for the area. The town- ship also owns part of the pond on the land and says it can be used for fishing. While vigorously endorsing a study, he says he and many members of his organization aren't committed to any specific changes. “Even if the question is turned Kingston, Dallas townships down, we hope the process will encourage row officers and elected officials to do a better job,” he said last week. Perhaps the most outspoken opponent of a study is Wilkes- Barre attorney John Moses, who says he came to his position slowly after actually backing a similar study in 1974. Moses says if the purpose of the study is to gather information, it's a waste of money. “There is no need to spend tax- payer money to conduct a study,” he says, claiming that annual re- views by the county controller and the state auditor general are suffi- cient. Luzerne County now operas i under the third-class county des- ignation, which leaves many deci- sions to the state. “We're under the protectionand auspices of the state | government,” Moses states. “We pay state legislators todo their job, which includes evaluating local government.” 5 And, Moses says, there is no better government than what Luzerne County has right now. “Any other option is less effective, less efficient and less cost-con- scious, and more inhibiting to growth,” he declared Thursday. See COUNTY, pg5 { demonstrate different structures By RICH JOHNSON Staff Writer The workings of any government, whether it be federal, state orlocal, are confusing to most people. Making home rule governments or optional plan governments often adds to the confusion of the citi- zens. However, residents of the Back Mountain can consider themselves lucky because they have a perfect example of the differences between a home rule government and the municipal code government. Like Luzerne County, Dallas Township is a municipal code government while neighboring Kingston Town- ship is a home rule government. The biggest difference between the two forms is the ability of a home rule municipality to choose its own structure. Municipal Code governments operate under codes written by the state legislature. In the case of townships, the codes vary according to the size of the township. Dallas Township is considered a Second Class Town- ship by the state thus it follows the Second Class Township Codes. COMPARATIVE SALARIES FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS District 89-90 Budget Supt. Bus. Adm. Prin.Sec, Prin. Elem, Dallas $12,466,441 $59,074 $28,890 $40,446 $41,868 Wyo. Area 11,850,000 54,500 47,000 48500 48500 Hanover Area 11,359,110 64,026 47639 50.861 50554 Valley View 11,282,075 60,000 31412 48,728 45638 Lake-Lehman 10,610,101 58500 46,600 50,600 45,713 Supplied by the Dallas School Board. Figures were used in determining 1990-91 salaries for Dallas administrators. - The rules for home rule govern- ments are different. While some codes are mandated by the state, ‘many are drafted in the govern- ment's own home rule charter. For instance, the Kingston Township home rule charter, which was adopted in 1974, mandates a council-manager form of govern- ment. This means that a board of supervisors will be elected to handle legislative matters and a township manager will be appointed to handle the administrative affairs. The township's manager, Jef- frey Box, said that this arrange- ment has been successful. “This system is patterned more after the federal government and the Constitution,” said Box. Municipal code governments Dallas raises based on comparative salaries By CHARLOT M. DENMON Staff Writer The Dallas School Board's deci- sion to raise administrators’ sala- ries by 10.4 percent was based almost exclusively on comparisons with other school districts, accord- ing to board president Clarence Michael. : The motion for the increases passed by a 5-4 vote with board membersJames Richardson, Ellen Nagy, John Litz and Ernest Ashbr- idge voting against it. The dissent- ing directors said their no votes were cast because other criteria, such as performance, were not included in the review process. The districts listed in the chart accompanying this article are those with budgets comparable to Dal- las. The recent increases given to the top administrators in the Dal- las District increases their salaries to $65,217,522, superintendent; $44,652,38, high school principal; $44,652.38, middle school princi- pal and both secondary principals; $48,117.29, elementary principal, with many years of tenure; $44,326.25, elementary principal, with lesser years of service; $31,894.56, business manager; $32,608.76, acting supervisor of building and grounds; and $51,040.16, supervisor of curricu- lum and instruction. The recently appointed super- intendent at Lake-Lehman School District, Mrs. Nancy I. Davis, a superintendent of long tenure in the southwestern area of Pennsyl- vania, was given a salary of $65,000 to accept the new position. The business manager at Lake- Lehman, Raymond Bowersox, has held that position for the last 15 years. Leaf pickups scheduled Area communiities have set schedules for pickup of bagged leaves. Leaves should be left at the curb in bags of 40 gallons or smaller. DALLAS BOROUGH: Now through about Nov. 15. DALLAS TOWNSHIP: Nov. 12 through Nov. 16, weather ermitting P > See PARK, pg 3 KINGSTON TOWNSHIP: Oct. 29 through Nov. 9. have the power to appoint a town: ship manager if desired, but not many townships which follow the municipal codes have done so. The jobs and powers officials can have is another big difference between the two types of govern- ments. For example, in second class townships like Dallas Town- ship a supervisor can alsoserveon | the road crew or as another town- ship employee. This is not the case under Kingston Township's home rule government. ) The supervisors are elected and Sh act as the township's legislative WN, body by setting policy, apprepriat- ing funds and keeping a general view of the township's affairs. The manager acts as the administra- tion. : Box said that this helps keep more discussion on issues and takes away any chance ofa conflict of interest. For example, if Kingston Town. ship had to purchase a new truck there are many people involved in the process, according to Box. See TOWNSHIPS, pg5 Police Report......... 2 Property transfers.. 8 School................... 11: Dallas $Hallowsen Parade" Sun., Oct. 28, Church Street near school administration building. ‘Assembly: 12 Noon Judging: 12:30 PM Parade: 1:00 PM HARVEST HOME AUCTION - * Sat., Oct. 27, 6:30 PM, Mountain Grange, 8th St., Carverton. Produce, baked goods, attic treasures, tools etc. Refreshments. CRAFT SHOW - Sun., Oct. 28, St. Franklin Twp. Fire Hall, sponsored by Ladies Guild of St. Francis Cabrini Church. Refreshments. CS CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN | PARTY - Sun, Oct. 28, 1-3 PM, Jackson Twp. Fire Hall, Chase Rd. Refreshments and prizes. Public invited.
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