4 The Dallas Post SAE ET Dallas, PA Wednesday, February 20, 1991 PER SSIS REPS ial {Bra St Tie DALLASO0ST | Barriers on Route 309 could save lives One way tomake driving Route 309 safer would be to install ~ medial barriers along its entire length from Trucksville to Dallas. The barriers have been in place for several years from just below Trucksville to Wilkes-Barre resulting in the virtual elimination of serious accidents on a very busy stretch of highway. Contrast that experience with the Back Mountain's, with severe crashes occurring almost weekly and two fatalities in the past several months. Both of those deaths would have been prevented had medial barriers been installed where the acci- dents occurred. ~ While barriers are most effective in preventing head-on collisions, their installation would also eliminate the greatest risk of rear-end collisions that result when a vehicle waiting to ‘turn left off of Route 309 is struck by a car or truck approaching from behind. With the installation of barriers, left turns would only be possible at locations that would provide a left-turn lane “or a “jug handle.” Businesses may complain that installing barriers will harm their prospects by cutting off half of their traffic. While it might be true that barriers prevent unlimited turning, it's equally accurate to believe that some shoppers avoid Route 309 entirely because of its present chaotic condition. Already, some residents do all their business on one side of the highway at a time so that they don't have to risk a left turn across or into ‘traffic. ; Route 309 is already overwhelmed by the volume of traffic travelling on it, and the profusion of driveways and entrances into it. As populaton and traffic flow continue to grow, driving on it will only become more dangerous. It’s time something was one to save lives that are needlessly lost on this dangerous ‘highway. After the war, can we win the peace? | The United States and coalition effort against Iraq has been a textbook use of military power by a superior force. President ~ Bush and his commanders have avoided the pitfalls of past conflicts and, regardless of future events, have taken the ~ course that minimizes both casualties and the duration of the ar. But what do we do after it’s over? ~ America’s two uppermost goals must be to foster open, democratic societies in the Middle East, and to turn the same ~ominitfiieht and energy that we have demonstrated in war toward enormous problems at home. The surest way to avoid another Kuwait is to bring some been monarchies or dictatorships. As events in Eastern Europe have shown, it is by no means automatic that popula- tions accustomed to totalitarian rule will embrace representa- tive government. But if we believe in the efficacy of our own system, we must stay the course in promoting similar organi- zations elsewhere. _ On the home front, victory over poverty, hopelessness and | other root ills of our society will not be swift or spectacular. These battles will require steadfastness of perhaps unprece- dented proportions. They will also require that Americans ~ share the cost of recovering from more than a decade of neglect d profligacy, a notion that has not been popular of late. In ~ his solid conduct of the war, President Bush has confounded ~ critics who questioned his character. Now is the perfect time for him to use his popularity and influence to convince the public of the importance of domestic issues. The success of the Persian Gulf war may recharge America’s belief in its ability to overcome any adversity. Now is the time to tap that spirit and put it to use for our own benefit. Thanks for the Valentine Like dozens of other local businesses, employees of The Post ‘were startled by the sight of a Valentine heart on our door last Thursday morning, with the message, “Thanks for serving ~ Dallas, you are loved!” Of course, at first we thought the ~ message was just for us, and it warmed our hearts to receive such a thought from an appreciative reader. Discovering later that every other storefront up and down Route 309 received a similar present didn’t dampen our spirits though; instead it made us realize that it was not us but those who took the time to make and distribute the hearts who should be congratulated. Thanks; you're efforts brightened our day. Library News On hold 'til spring (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Letter Says property rights supersede hunting Editor, Yourrecent article and editorial concerning the inability ofa Dallas family to obtain justice when they tried to keep hunters from tres- passing upon their posted prop- erty raises a number of issues and concerns. A scenario in which hunters can'tread no trespassing signs, an investigating police officer forgets ifhewas supposed to arrest ornot, and a district justicewho proclaims his prejudice against convicting people of certain crimes sounds like a plot for a Neil Simon comedy. Unfortunately, it is just another case of Wyomin g Valley Law where who you know is more important than what you know. Every year when deer season rolls around, I marvel at the num- ber of vehicles parked along our back roads which for miles on both sides are posted against trespass- ers and hunters. have yet to see a local or state law enforcement offi- cer taking any action against these obvious violations and the recent story of what happened to the Byron family probably explains why. Quite obviously every hunter for fifty miles must know that the local district justice is himself a hunter and has no objection to hunters trespassing on private ‘property. It is also apparent that the fundamental right to privacy afforded by the ownership of prop- erty is superceded by a hunter's desire to pursue his sport and quarry no matter where it may take him. A few years ago, in a highly publicized incident, a, woman in Maine was standing in her own backyard when she was acciden- tally killed by a hunter who mis- took her for an animal. In an obvi- ous case of mixed-up priorities, sportsmen criticized the deceased victim for not wearing any “day- glow” orange outer wear when she walked in her own yard. I imagine that when the Byron family sought to press charges against the hunters who were tres- passing on their property, they did so out of a desire to prevent similar tragedy. When they were frus- trated by some rather inept local officials, they had the courage and resolve to pursue it further. However, in both cases, it should NOT have to be the responsibility of the homeowner to prevent such a tragedy. Hunting is not a funda-+* mental right bestowed upon our!" people by any local, state; or fed-!" eral law. Hunting is a potentially dangerous sport which demands that the sportsman exercise suffi- cient care and responsibility to ensure that he does not present a safety hazard to others. It is almost impossible to imag- ine that a team of football, base- ball, basketball, soccer or polo players would suddenly decide to play their sport in a stranger's backyard without first obtaining permission. Where then do hunt- ers get the mixed-up idea that somehow, in the pursuit of their sport, they have the right to ignore posted signs and trespass upon the private property of others? I suspect it comes hand in hand with the mixed-up belief that ownership of a gun is also a right and not a privilege. In the Byron incident, our local authorities had the great opportu- nity to set the record straight and send a strong message to those few hunters who flagrantly trample upon the rights of others with no respect or concern for their own actions. Instead they completely “dropped the ball” by failing to appreciate the possibly tragic consequences. Next year when hunting season rolls around again, property own- ers in the Back Mountain area will again have a chance tobe acciden- tally shot in their own back yards by hunters who have learned that local authorities have no desire to prevent such a tragedy by enforc- ing existing laws against trespass- ers. And, of course, property owners have also learned that calling the police or seeking a complaint against such hunters isn'ta viable solution either. That suggests that property owners now have to de- cide whether to ignore these hunt- ers, stay indoors, or take some other remedial action. Another solution is to support Tomy and‘ Joan Byron as they pur- sue 'their“action to reverse this recent’ travesty of justice. Hope- fully a more competent and impar- tial jurist will respect the fact that property owners have a right to privacy from the invasion of irre- sponsibile hunters. Although I no longer hunt, I actively support those who do hunt responsibly. Our area is overpopu- lated with deer which present a significant driving hazard. I much prefer to see a hunter shoot a deer than pass a deer killed by motor vehicles. Most hunters are very careful and responsible. It is usu- ally the careless and irresponsible hunters who present a danger to others and whose actions ruin it for everyone else. To the occasional passerby, many sections of the Back Moun- tain area appear as if still virgin woodlands. Butbehind every crest in the hill or stand of timber lie homes or even entire housing developments. Our property and our privacy is just as sacred to us asitis to those wholivein the more congested valley communities where hunters would never even consider searching for game. The essence of this issue is that under the present circumstances, it is only a matter of time before some careless hunter causes a tragic accident. While there is still the means to prevent such an incident, it is the obligation of all responsible people to do so. John T. Lougney, II - Lehman Twp. the books back. By NANCY KOZEMCHAK ~The Back Mountain Memorial | Library held an Amnesty Day on | February 14, Valentine's Day and | we were thrilled when three books | were returned that were all longer | than one year overdue. : One book, “Bulimarexia” a medical book on a rare eating dis- | order was three years overdue and without the Amnesty Day, we were told it would not have been re- i turned. ft “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King was due May 30, 1989; it was = returned; and a children’s book, “Trains” by Byron Barton was due a year ago and came back on | Amnesty Day. § We are very grateful for the re- turn of these books. Many of our patrons were surprised to find that they did not have to pay overdues and graciously donated a few dol- 3 lars to our library. It's nice to have Ay WN TAS a Af ATA Pas op S & ¢ T2002 BV 5 OEE LF CB lS NE OE SO De We are very fortunate to have three volunteers working for us under the Retired Senior Volun- teer Program of Luzerne County. The program is funded through a combination of federal and local sources. The program is open to any retired person age 60 or over who is interested in volunteering and is available to accept an as- signment on a regular basis. The volunteers choose an as- signment with a participating agency or organization based on their individual talents, skills and interests. Our volunteers are Vir- ginia Davis, Nell Transue and Edward Transue. They are very reliable and do many interesting jobs at the library. Anne Rappa- port is the project director. We were surprised and thrilled to receive a copy of the limited edition poster of the Conflict in the Gulf “Operation Desert Storm,” printed by Payne Precision Color Graphics of Dallas. The title of the poster is “Cour- age”: May the journey be swift, safe and successful.” A quote from Gen. Douglas MacArhtur printed on the poster “The Soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds, and scars of war.” The picture is of footprints in the dessert sand. Our "Cut Casey's Cash Crunch’ project has received $70.00 to date and this is very gratifying, thanks to our super patrons and support- ers. This money will enable the library to purchase some special new books during the time of the state financial crisis when many items on our budget will have to be cut. We are inviting new ‘crunch’ investors to join the project. New books: “Power Shift” by Alvin Toffler is a book purchased Book Tree project. It is a sweeping new work and promises to change public attitudes and private lives alike. The author shows us that many seemingly unrelated conflicts and changes swirling around us actually result from what he calls a “new system for wealth crea- tion.” “In Our Defense” by Caroline Kennedy and Ellen Alderman is a story of the Bill of Rights in action. Clearly and eloquently, the au- thors examine the historical and legal significance of each amend- ment and present several of the human stories that have given shape to these basic rights. They mnesty Day brings back books kept out more than 1 year bring together the voices and expe- riences of those who have used the Bill of Rights in their —and our— defense. This is a memory book given by Lindsay C. Robinson in memory of Dorothy Roberts. The letter from Payne Printery enclosed with the poster concluded with the following message: “Payne is proud of all the men and women who are serving in the Persian Gulf and joining forces to maintain FREEDOM in the world. The poster is their small, but sincere, way of saying thank you to all who are risking their lives for PEACE through the world. Amen! 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 5 Post P. D. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612. ‘with funds from the Christmas : Only yesterday —— 60 Years Ago - Feb. 27, 1931 STEVENSON NAMED { NEW POLICE CHIEF Movies of the 1.0.O.F. orpHan. age at Sunbury will be shown in the Himmler 4 oir Theatre, Dallas, by the Oneida | i Monday, 8 p.m., Lodge members. Shavertown M.E. Church con- ¥ gregation sets an attendance rec- ord during the Loyalty Crusade. Ira C. Stevenson is named the new police chief at Harveys Lake, He succeeds the late Captain John T. Ruth. Engagement- Annette Stimpson and Stokes Lazarus. Dallas Township cagers will play Laketon High School at Meridian Hall in Dallas tonight. “The Squealer” starrring Jack Holt and Davie Lee, will play at Himmler Theatre Friday and Sat- urday. 50 Years Ago - Feb. 28, 1941 | FARMERS SUPPORT CANNERY MOVEMENT Few local residents were ongale streets Wednesday when C A, Larry Lee of Battery B and his convoy of 12 trucks and artillery pieces passed through Dallas to | « the Kingston Armory Gerald Frantz of Huntsville was named to the Board of Control of | the Fairlawn Stores this week. Local farmers enthusiastically =v support a movement to establish a cannery in the area. Enlarged Acme Market to open next Thursday. Engaged - Claudia Preston Jones and Norton Franklin Montross. Wed - Lois Mosier and Allen Scattergood. Dallas Borough has clinched a first place in the Back Mountain League while Kingston Township - and Dallas Township will battle it | out for second with Laketon stand- ing a chance if they win toni over Dallas Township and Ki&¥ ston Township loses to Dallas Borough. 40 Years Ago - Feb. 23, 1951 TWO OF FENNELL'S BUSINESSES ROBBED Thieves entered and robbed Bert Fennell's Service Station last Tues- day night and the entry of his Hav- A-Snack Drive-in early Sun morning. State Police and Po Chief Louis Banta are investigat- ing. Women of Rotary need whieh chairs to replace those worn ou¥n service. “All About Eve,” starring Bette Davis and George Sanders, is play- ing at Himmler Theatre today and Saturday. Wed - Betty Ella Lewis and John Robert Linger; Joan Phillips and PFC. Alan Wood; Grace VanWagenen and Raymond P. DuBois. St. Paul's Lutheran men de- feated St. Therese's 49-39 in Back Mountain Church League play week. 30 Years Ago - Feb. 23, 1961 GARRIS BOWLS PERFECT GAME Terms of eight Dallas School Board directors end this year and - | only two of them can be re-elected, one of those to be the man eventu- ally to be the lone representative from Franklin Township. Direc- tors whose terms to expire are Dallas Borough: Lewis W. LeGand and Walter Mohr; Dallas Town- ship: Francis Ambrose and Philip Cheney; Franklin Township: Ds 5 W. Heslop and Henry Hess a Kingston Township: William Clé- well and James Hutchinson. Cliff Garris, Jackson Street, Dallas rolled a perfect game yes- terday while bowling in open play at Crown Imperial Lanes. Westmoreland cagers win 11th straight game downing Swoy- ersville 68-43 in the North League. Engaged - Betty Ann Mrozoski and Alfred J. Hudak; Ann Lorraine Wasser and James Michael Hawk. Wed - Carol C. Inman and Ha- rold McDermott. 20 Years Ago - Feb. 25, 1971 CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON CONDO PROJECT Construction is beginning on the first cluster of units on the Newberry Estates Troup Fund's multimillion dollar condominium | project. John E. Thomas, M.D. and Patricia Rossi, M.D. have been named to the staff of Harveys Lake- Noxen Rural Health Center. College Misericordia will pres- ent the Ganassi Earl Music Quar- tet from Berea, Ohio. Dallas’ Warren Boyes pinned Lake-Lehman's Jim Cook in 1:28 of the 112 bout. Engaged - Jane Daley and Wayman Kenneth Miers; Elizabeth Ann Kraszewski and Benjamin Albert Warman. Dallas matmen defeat Lak Noxen 28-17 to win the an Longmore Trophy for the first tj Ary Aa
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers