until a line becomes available. regularity in other areas, as people improperly use the 911 number for all sorts of routine inquiries. 4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 12, 1990 Tie DarasRosT et J - “- = Let's use 911 system to best advantage Residents of the Back Mountain are now in the fortunate position of having access to the 911 emergency number. Now it is important that everyone take the time to learn how to properly use the system, and how to avoid abusing it. One point that cannot be stressed too heavily is that the 911 a number is to be used only in the case of real emergency. Improper use of the number could cause harm to someone who really needs emergency service. How could this happen? Simply this way: If the 911 lines are tied up with non- emergency calls, a true emergency caller receives a busy signal This has happened with What is an emergency? That's not easy to define, but some things that aren’t are minor traffic accidents in which no one is injured, complaints about trespassing when there is no danger, or reports of vandalism. Non-emergency calls to police or fire personnel should be made to the regular police depart- ment line of your community's department, or to 675-4650, ~ which is the Back Mountain Communication Center non- emergency number. State and local officials take maintaining the integrity of the 911 system seriously. There is no better evidence of that than the stiff penalties that await offenders; a mandatory $2,500 ~ fine and/or one year in jail. One of the greatest benefits of the system is its ease of use for children and the elderly. The three digit number can be remembered much more easily than a conventional phone number. Let's get the Back Mountain's 911 system off to a good start. Take a few minutes to learn the rules for its use and instruct family members about them. Chanukah symbolizes a timeless message Tuesday evening was the beginning of the eight day Jewish festival of Chanukah. This celebration commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians in about 165 B.C., and the rededication of the Temple at Jerusalem. Historic writings say the Syrians, led by Antiochus Ephiphanes, had tried to force the Jews of Palestine to adopt Greek idols and the language. After about 10 years, the Jews prevailed and recaptured the Temple, which had been dese- ‘crated. lighlighting by the ceremonial lighting of a new candle ona Menorah each night of the celebration, Chanukah is also called the “Feast of Lights.” The candles symbolize the Talmud story of how a small supply of oil — enough for one day — miracu- lously burned for eight. While in recent years the holiday has tended to emphasize the military victory over the Syrians, it really stands as a reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history, and the power of an oppressed society to rise up and overcome tyranny. School directors bear critical responsibilies Congratulations to John Litz and Thomas Williams, newly- elected presidents of the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school boards respectively, and to the other members of those bodies who will be taking on new responsibilities next year. Nothing is more important to the future of our families and our region than the quality of our schools. These men and women donate their time and talent to help assure that our children will receive the best education our communities can afford. - School directors are no less likely to be faultless than anyone else, and their position often makes them the target of the public's ire. They probably have more responsibility than authority, but as elected representatives they must be pre- - pared to take the heat from unhappy parents and taxpayers. So, why do they do it? For the most part because they share a deep belief in the importance of education and a sense of their responsibility to society. They'll often be criticized and seldom praised, but their contributions should not be underestimated. Welcome worshippers The doors of the Trucksville United Methodist Church invite all to come in. (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) 50 Years Ago - Dec. 13, 1940 Letters Hunting does not benefit Sad Population Editor: In response to hunter Ears: ment, we would like to approach this issue from a factual point of view. Just seven percent of the U.S. population kills approximately 250 million animals every year in this country. Hunting is permitted on - 60 percent of U.S. wildlife refuges and in many national forests and state parks. Forty-five percent of hunters do their killing on public lands. “Wildlife management” and “conservation” are euphemisms used to describe programs that ensure that there are always enough animals for hunters to hunt. Every year tax dollars are spent to burn, bulldoze, and oth- erwise manipulate the environment to support the feeding and breed- ing of “game” animals, at the ex- pense of the variety of species who share that habitat. Ironically, hunting programs cause wildlife overpopulation by stimulating breeding by conducting “buck only” hunts, which can leave as manyas sixdoes per buck; pen-raising game birds for use as hunters’ targets; transporting animals such as rac- ~ coons from one state to another to bolster populations for hunters; and exterminating predators in order to throw prey populations off balance, thereby “justifying” the killing of both “dangerous” and “surplus” animals (despite the fact that proven alternatives such as 2S RBS FANS BA wo 118 T1348) ; shard, dogs, fo protect, crops. Fy : can be used). Starvation and diseuse are un- fortunate, but they are nature's way of ensuring that the strong survive. Shooting an animal be- cause he or she might starve or might get sick is arbitrary and destructive; the healthiest animals find a way to survive and maintain the strength of the entire herd or group. Hunters, however, kill any animal that they come across or any animal that would look best mounted above the fireplace—of- ten the large, healthy animals needed to keep the population strong. The stress that hunting inflicts on animals—the noise, the fear, the constant chase—severely re- stricts theirability to eat adequately and store the fatand energy needed to survive the winter. Hunting also disrupts migration and hiberna- tion, and the campfires, recrea- tional vehicles, trash and other hunting side effects endanger the wildlife and the environment. For animals who mate for life and have close-knit family units, hunting can severely harm entire commu- nities. Hunters claim that they pay for “censervation” by buying hunting licenses, duck stamps, etc. But the relatively small amount each hunter pays does not cover the cost of hunting programs or game warden salaries. The public lands a TTT mmm Natural diversity inventory can guide planning By HOWARD J. GROSSMAN Organizations such as the Back Mountain Citizens Council, the Lackawanna River Corridor Asso- ciation, county governments and others are seriously entertaining - the potential which exisits for a Natural Diversity Inventory as proposed by the Nature Conser- vancy, an organization which is one of the leading conservation groups in the United States. For example, over the last two years, serious consideration has been given within the leading growth area of Luzerne County, the Back Mountain, to develop a natural diversity inventory, utilizing the professional and technical talents of the Nature Conservancy staff based in Philadelphia. Such an inventory would provide signifi- cant information in an organized - and systematic way so as to make the maximum amount of informa- tion available to local governmen- tal decision makers as the review of development projects proceed in ‘this area. Such inventories are well under- way in growth counties such as Monroe, Pike and "Wayne since funds are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs recreation program to help share in the cost of carrying out such studies. In addition, organizations such as the Lackawanna River Corridor Association are promoting the preservation and conservation of areas alongriver stretches through general management plans and techniques which have been suc- cessfully used in similar areas across the United States. The River Corridor Association has utilized funds from the Scranton Area Foundation and from other sources to accomplish this task. Natural Diversity Inventories provide an opportunity to collect information concerning flora and fauna as well as wildlife and other features which are important to the ecological integrity of geo- graphic areas. While it may be difficult to find the funds neces- sary for carrying out such a pro- gramr, the costs are relatively inex- pensive in relation to the product and the substantive results which can accrue if such information is utilized properly in the evaluation of development project proposals. Many opportunities exist to effec- tively utilize local talent and vol- unteers such as those found in organizations as the Back Moun- tain Citizens Council. A combina- tion of professional talent offered by the Nature Conservancy and volunteers who are involved in local communities and area can col- laborate in the appropriate means by which development manage- ‘ment strategies can be accom- plished, enabling economic growth and environmental protection to be closely allied to one another. As the new environmental con- sciousness rises across the United States in the 1990s and more at- tention is placed upon ways to protect the environment without creating hardships on the environ- mental theme, new techniques and tools must be found and carried out such as Environmental Diver- sity Inventories. Some of the major elements of the Diversity Inventory are as fol- lows: » Identifying potential natural areas e Identify natural habitats e Assist in preserving areas for recreation, environmental educa- tion, etc. e Assist in preserving environ- mentally sensitive areas If Northeastern Pennsylvania and its various municipalities and geographic areas are to be signifi- cant attractions to the affordabil- ity of quality of life excellence in the 1990s, projects similar to that described must be instituted. It will not take significant amounts of money but will take significant commitment on the part of volun- teers and professionals alike to accommodate the growing need for environmental strategies to bene- fit the citizens of the current and future generations. Howard Grossman is Executive Director of the Economic Develop- ment Council of Northeastern Penn- sylvania. He lives in Dallas. many- Huser use afd Supiiried by taxpayers. U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service programs, which bene- fit hunters, get most of their funds from general tax revenues, not hunting fees. Funds benefiting “nongame” species are scarce. Hunters kill more animals than recorded tallies indicate. It is esti- mated that, for every animal a hunter Kills and recovers, at least two wounded but unrecovered animals die slowly and painfully of blood loss, infection or starvation. Those who don't die often suffer from disabling injuries. Because of carelessness of the effects of alco- hol, scores of horses, cows, dogs, cats, hikers and others are wounded or killed each year by hunters. It is illogical that hunters are allowed to kill and maim animals who theoretically “belong” equally to the 93 percent of Americans whodon’t hunt. As born and raised, tax paying residents of Pennsylva- nia, a catered to minority is telling us we should not be allowed to enjoy or protect our animals and environment during certain months of the year. Something is definitely wrong somewhere! Melinda Dugan Martha Pezzino Justice For Animals, Inc. Expresses thanks for Health Fair support Editor: ¢ I want to express thanks to The Dallas Post for publicizing the Meadows recent Health Fair. Despite morning snow flurries, over 160 community members attended and over 400 screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar were completed. These are major health concerns, and people were most appreciative for this service. i You truly serve this community! Marilyn Gregorski Meadows Nursing Center | Only ‘yesterday 60 Years Ago - Dec. 12, 1930 MISERICORDIA GIVEN PUBLICATION AWARD Shavertown Nesbitt Hospital Auxiliary enjoys a program at the home of Mrs. S.P. Frantz, of Chase. College Misericordia publication “The Litany” received the highest Association Award for the second "consecutive year. Shavertown firemen nominated officers for the comingyearat their meeting Monday night. Luzerne County extends the time for residents to pay personal taxes. Subscriptions to The Dallas Post in 1930 were $2.00 per year. HALEY RESIGNS AS MUSIC DIRECTOR The bank building on Main Street was purchased by the American Stores Company. Dallas High School Band orders 28 uniforms in blue and gold for the band members. Alderson children to present delightful Christmas pageant. Mrs. Ralph Haley, director of musicat Dallas Township, resigned to join her husband in Dowagiac, Michigan. Florist Herbert Hill grows 1,000 poinsettias in the hot houses be- hind florist shop. Mrs. Maurice Girton is elected _ president of St. Paul's Lutheran Church Ladies Auxiliary. St. Paul's Lutheran Church will have candlelight service Sunday, Dec. 22. 40 Years Ago - Dec. 15, 1950 3 FIVE AREA COUPLES CELEBRATE 50 YEARS Five Dallas couples married for 50 years are honored by friends and neighbors at the Dallas Meth- odist Church. They were Mr. and Mrs. Edwared Line, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Whipp, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mintzer, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Rood . and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dennis. Kingston Township and Dallas Borough school directors give the . green light for a joint district by next September. William Guyette, Trucksville Radio Shop, lost $1100 worth of the Dallas Floral Shop on Harveys... Lake Highway and stole the items. - televisiony and radio models, Tues; x; day nightwhenburglars broke intod J Dallas Borough cagers defeat | Beaumont 67-47 and in the pre- liminary game the Dallas Lassies defeated the Beaumont girls. Wed - Virginia Wilson and Ha- rold Souder. 30 Years Ago - Dec. 15, 1960 FIREMENT BATTLE BLAZE AND WEATHER Donald W. Hislop of Orange is we i elected to fillvacancy onthe Dallas School Board caused by the resig- nation of George V. Dymond who will be in Florida for some months. Flames rout theJames Besecker Jr. family as firemen battle the blaze in zero weather. Commonwealth Telephone: Company engages in stringing new and larger cable around a large part of Harveys Lake and Noxen. Prisoners at the Correctional ° Institution at Chase will get Christ- mas girfts and have the traditional turkey dinner with all the trim- mings on Christmas Day, accord- ing to Superintendent Frank Johnson. Santa Claus will arrive Satur- day afternoon on the Dr. Henry Laing Fire Truck for the Daddow- Isaac American Legion children’s Christmas Party. Dr. Richard C. Post opens small animal hospital in Dallas. Warren Unger's brother, Duey, went out hunting bear but instead got a lucky shot at a bobcat with one shot. 20 Years Ago - Dec. 17, 1970 DALLAS BOARD VETOS REFERENDUM IDEA There will be no referendum vote. on the proposal for the new ele- mentary school in the district, the {) board decided. The staff and management of the Dallas Post extended an invita- - tion to their friends in the commu- nity to join them during their annual Christmas Open House to be held Friday, Dec. 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. College Misericordia’s Christ- mas Madrigal Dinner was declared fit for a king’ by the guests who attended it. Shavertown firemen plan Christ- mas party for children up to 11 - years of age. One hundred forty six trees stolen from the Nesbitt Tree Farm at Lake Catalpa, Dallas Township. Lake-Lehman football coach George Curry is guest speaker at Lake Lions Club meeting. Dallas Mountaineers are 2-1 for pre-season contests. Harry Lefko named chairman of Dallas School Board.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers