Dallas, PA Wednesday, July 10, 1991 4 The Dallas Post Te SDALLASC0ST Dallas teachers’ union makes outrageous contract demands Questions about the motivation behind the Dallas Educa- tion Association's (the teachers’ union) support for higher taxes in the district will be answered this week with the announce- ment of the union’s demands for a new contract. Information given to The Post by sources with knowledge of the union’s request say that the proposal calls for an average 9.7% wage increase each year for five years along with new benefits to be paid for entirely by the taxpayers. Those are clearly excessive demands in light of prevailing economic conditions and by comparison with the ability of most residents to pay the taxes that will be needed to support them. Incidentally, if you want some idea of where these pie-in-the- sky demands come from and where the statewide teachers union wants them to go, read the column elsewhere on this page. It’s a shame that the greatest amount of debate over educa- tion centers on budgets and salaries. Surely parents, teachers and taxpayers agree that the quality of the result, not its cost, is the most important topic. Unfortunately, the teachers’ union (not necessarily all teachers) has tried to brainwash the public into believing that high salaries are inextricably linked with improved student performance. Yet it reacts in horror to suggestions that salary levels be linked to teacher performance via merit-based pay plans. It seems the Pennsylvania Education Association and its affiliates have decided that their only constituency is their members, not the young lives they are supposed to stimulate. Trash hauling flap 1s out of control The battle between independent trash haulers and the Dallas Area Municipal Authority is a surprising outgrowth of the region’s move to a mandated recycling and garbage collec- tion system. While many people expected confusion over the new rules and regulations, few could have anticipated the threats and potential lawsuits now being talked about. There is no question that handing the entire collection contract to one hauler is harmful to others serving the area, but it's doubtful that the action was illegal. All haulers were invited to bid on the DAMA contract but to do so they had to prove that they had enough size and financial muscle to perform. Some of the ones that did not bid are now in the forefront of the protest against the new system. Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of this situation is some residents’ vehement insistence that choosing a garbage man is one of their fundamental freedoms. Individual rights are the cornerstone of the American way of life, but there are many cases in which the good of the general populace overshadows private wishes. As the old saw says, “You're right to extend your fist.ends at my nose.” Te SDALLASCPoST Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher Peggy Young Charlot M. Denmon Advertising Acct. Exec. Reporter i Rich Johnson : Paul Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala Composition . Classified/typesettin PR Jean Hillard i g Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Letters invited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication 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. Letters received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue. Gay day lily Photo by Charlotte Bartizek What the state teachers’ union wants EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a word-by-word copy of the Pennsylvania State Educations Association's bargaining goals for 1991, as they appeared in the PSEA's statewide magazine, "The Voice." They are reprinted here so that local readers can gain some perspective on the origin of con- tract demands in the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts. The following are the official bargaining goals that PSEA local associations will seek to accom- plish in the 1991 round of bar- gaining. Compensation Philosophy PSEA members should be paid similar salaries based on educa- tion and experience, regardless of the district in which they are employed. PSEA members should be paid salaries comparable to those of other professionals of similar education, training and responsi- bility. The career salary should be attained in no more than 10 years by every member holding an ad- vanced degree. PSEAlocal associations should establish plans that enable them toimplement compensation scales with entrance salaries of at least $37,500 and career salaries of at least $75,000. Professional salaries at these levels will attract and retain skilled educators who can prepare stu- dents to be competitive in a global economy and labor market. GOAL 1 Every local shall negotiate a salary package that e provides minimum starting salaries for all professional em- ployees of $25,000. » provides a complete salary schedule, reduces the number of steps of any salary schedule with more than 10 steps, ¢ provides a minimum average salary increase of eight percent plus increment, and e provides the professional employees’ contracted hourly or daily rate for professional duties related to curriculum, planning, development, consultation, or implementation of any programs designed to improve the instruc- tional process which are performed during non-contracted hours of days. Benefits Philosophy PSEA and PSEA-Retired mem- bers and their families should be protected from financial loss due to sickness, injury, and death. To ensure the highest level of protection, members must have control of their benefit program. The PSEA Health and Welfare Fund provides this protection. GOAL 2 e Every PSEA member also shall have fully employer-paid family dental insurance, family vision insurance, family prescription insurance, life insurance, and income protection insurance. To achieve this goal, a local associa- tion shall add at least one addi- tional benefit or improve an exist- ing benefit. * No PSEA local association shall accept insurance caps or reduc- tion of benefits. * Every PSEA local shall attempt to reduce the financial burden of health care insurance for retirees. Educational Environmental Philosophy PSEA members are committed to quality education. Therefore, every PSEA member should teach inan environment which is condu- cive to learning. GOAL 3 Every PSEA local shall negotiate at least one of the following im- provements for elementary and secondary teachers. e contract language which es- tablishes or improves class size, e contract language which guar- antees adequate preparation time duringthe student day forall teach- ers, and e contract language which es- tablishes voluntary and involun- tary transfer procedures. Organizational Necessity Philosophy 3 It is in the best interest of he Association and the administra- tion to have an effective, efficient working relationship, which canbe achieved by promoting a cohesive local association and by recogniz- ing the local president's responsi- bilities. GOAL 4 e Every PSEA local association president shall be given released time during the student dato perform the duties of his/ het nf- fice. » Every PSEA local shall negoti- ate a fair share clause. 4 Professional Improvement Philosophy PSEA members should be given the opportunity to develop profes- sionally. GOAL 5 . Every PSEA local shall negotiate contract language pertaining to e sabbatical leaves * induction, and e continuing professional devel- opment. Na (AY 1 Library news a ad Horse show By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The third annual Back Moun- tain Memorial Library Horse Show was held Sunday, June 23 at the Luzerne County Fair Grounds. In spite of the rain all day Saturday, the day before, which is the day most horsemen prepare their horses for travel; the show was a success. Dr. John and Kathy Shaskas, co-chairs of the show, were pleased with the results, the attendance, and the entire performance. The Horse Show committee would like to thank the sponsors of the show and the Dallas Rotary Club mem- bers for taking charge of the re- freshment stand at the show. Thanks also the faithful friends was success, cookbook in the works of the library who made brownies, cup cakes and sweet rollsto sell at the booth. The secretary's booth was managed by Connie and Paula Scott and they handled the paper work. Dr. Shaskas also wants to thank all friends of the library from Winterview Farms who donated their time and experience. The profit from the show should net close to $4,700; down from the hoped-for goal; however, the weather did play a part in that. The library staff thanks Dr. John and Kathy for a very successful horse show and for all they do for the library through the year. The first Back Mountain Memo- rial Library Cookbook is being put together by a loyal and very willing group ofvolunteers. This is amajor project which requires many hours of devoted time and talent. The cookbook is dedicated to all our “Readers”, young and old, large and small, and especially to Mrs. Florence T. Crump for her dedica- tion to children and libraries. At the age of 96, Mrs. Crump still makes the library her most impor- tant concern and the children’s involvement in libraries her num- ber one objective. There is a congratulatory letter from our own Senator Charles Lemmond in the front of the book, wherein he states, the publication truly reflects the spirit of our li- brary. There is a brief history of the library and its beginning with the charter accepted on February 1, 1945. The first library auction was held in 1946 and showed a net » profit of $3,000. The net profit. from the 1990 auction was.’ $50,000. Our library is entirely supported - without taxation and could not.* exist without total community’: participation. The “Friends of the +. , Library” organization consists of, anyone who makes a contributi af to the library, monetary or throug? - "volunteer time and energy. This is & x the group who are producing this". cookbook and it should be a fan<.* tasticitem when itis finished. The | + book will have 400 pages with’, unusual recipes and celebrity re-. cipies from Barbara Bush, Ellen’. Casey and Wolfgang Puck. Orders may be placed at the library, where . a sample will be available. Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - July 17, 1931 NEW ROAD PLANNED TO HARVEYS LAKE Two hundred thousand trees are to be planted in Luzerne County this year being furnished by the, state to persons who applied for the trees. Luzerne County Commission- ers to study plan for newroad from Luzerne to Harveys Lake. Handicapped by lack of water fire companies from Dallas and Harveys Lake were forced to devote their efforts to saving adjoining residences from the flames that destroyed the Ralph Husted home along the highway at Idetown. Engaged - Ruth Elizabeth Schoonover and Sereno F. Alling. “Kick In”, starring Clara Bow is playing at Himmler Theatre. 50 Years Ago - July 18, 1941 DEER SEASON CLOSED TO SAVE HERDS Dallas Water Company agreed to install fire hydrants in Central Dallas. Tuesday night may be the finale of the all-out defense collection of aluminum. Dallas Borough Council hopes the $30,000 WPA project for the borough lasts until all roads are completed. Engaged - Eleanor Frances Prushka and Frank E. Novis; Jean Nelson and Jack Roberts. Wed - Janet Louise Thomas and William S. Lee, Jr.; Elizabeth Ohlman and Willard Neuls. Closed season on anterless deer is declared as the great herd di- minishes. 40 Years Ago - July 13, 1951 TOMATO CROP LOOKING GOOD Perfect weather prevails for the Fifth Annual Auction. Prospects for the green tomato crop in the Back Mountain are excellent this year, according to James Hutchinson, Luzerne County Extension agent. Construction at Lehman School booms as cinder blocks work be- gins. Prince of Peace Church men plan weiner roast for wives. Wed - Clair Searfoss and Pvt. Robert Adams; Jane Harrison and James LaBar. Archbald Brooks heads Ameri- can Red Cross. Trucksville Firemen's Fair starts Wednesday. Patterson Grove Camp meeting to feature a famous clergyman. 30 Years Ago - July 13, 1961 NEW HIGH SCHOOL ALMOST FINISHED There was standing room only at this year's Back Mountain Li- brary Auction. The new Dallas Senior High School is to be finished by mid- August. Ground will be broken in Dallas on Sunday at 4 p.m. for the new Novitiate Junibrate buildings to house approximately 200 young Sisters of Mercy. Dallas Dairy, only undefeated sand lot team in Wyoming Valley will try to remain that way when they meet Tunkhannock Friday night and Pringle Sunday. Wed - Beverly Anne Crispell and S. Ray Wandell. Berti and Sons bowling team took first and second half honors in the George Shupp League. College Misericordia will pres- ent a workshop in modern meth- ods in arithmetic July 19, 20, and 21 in Walsh Memorial Auditorium. 20 Years Ago - July 8, 1971 SANDY KABESCHAT IS HORSE SHOW QUEEN Dallas Township offers police help to its neighboring communi- ties. Opening ceremonies of the two day Lehman Horse Show were heralded by a parade along Route 118 featuring Lake-Lehman's top- - notch band under the direction of , John Miliauskas. A bunco artist hit a Dallas, homeowner taking her for $370 for | alleging to have repaired her roof: ' St. Paul's Lutheran Church’ sponsors group in an outdoor‘ theatre production ‘Cinderella’ in ° the lot alongside the church. Franklin Township firemen to, hold annual bazaar. Sandy Kabeschat was crowned 1971 Lehman Horse Show Queen Friday evening. Wed - Marilyn Hooper and John . Carey; Dorothy Janus Lewin and Marvin Glade Weiser; TacquaJones and Elwood C. Ide Jr.; Doreen Ann Johns and Ernest Gay II Westmoreland Teeners defeat Lehman-Jackson 14-12 in the- Teeners League. A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers