The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, April 29, 1992 Tie SDALLASC0ST Seer helpers show what today's young beople are made of This week's story about the peer helpers at Dallas High chool refutes the notion that today's young people are hope- bssly irresponsible and ill-prepared for the life that awaits 1em upon graduation. The young people involved in this rogram and a similar one at Lake-Lehman are reaching out to id classmates who need help with school or personal prob- ins. Bul first, they are being trained to know what to look for nd how to respond. This is considerably different behavior than we've been led to kpect from the stereotypical teen-ager who is supposed to be lore concerned with the cost of sneakers than the emotional ealth of his or her friends. And these young people are not bnironting minor problems; in some cases they counsel peers ho live with abusive parents or who have become dependent h drugs or alcohol. That's strong stuff, and no place for pmeone whose commitment is tenuous. | In their work, peer helpers are themselves gaining confi- ence and skills that will prove useful later. The experience ey gain now will make them better friends, partners and par- ats for the rest of their lives. They are to be commended and ncouraged in their efforts. t's time to make iense of school year ‘Students and parents are making plans for the end of 1other school year, as our annual ritual of the long summer ication approaches. But some people are questioning the ractice of closing schools down for three or more months at a retch, both from an economic and educational standpoint. The summer vacation is a vestige of America’s agricultural ast, when all hands were needed during planting and harvest me. There are sections of the country where school schedules ill revolve around outside work. In the potato-growing areas ' Maine, for instance, schools shut down for three weeks in ctober so that everyone can pick the potatoes before they rot ' the ground. But, by and large, extended vacations are now ore disruptive than helpful both for students and their milies. ‘There has been some experimentation with more rational thedules, but so far little serious commitment to widespread form. That's a shame, because year-round school with rategically placed vacations offers real benefits. It could: 8 Improve learning, because students wouldn't have to ‘spend several weeks going over material that has been for- gotten during a long layoff. BM Increase economic efficiency because school buildings could be used more when heating costs are low or nonexist- ent. Creative scheduling could also accommodate more chil- ‘dren in smaller buildings. MM Take a burden off parents who must arrange and often pay for child care during the summer months. The present ‘schedule is especially hard on families in which both parents work. ‘There has been a lot of talk about reforming education lately, at precious little action. Maybe it’s time to take a truly fresh proach to everything our schools do and not just tinker ‘ound the edges. Rearranging and lenghtening the time udents spend in class would be a good first step. [alk show host's pride, 10t rights, are harmed Talk show host Fred Williams is outraged that William ‘agner, the head of the Dallas teachers’ union, wants spon- ors to pull their ads from his program. Williams says the Ireat is tantamount to censorship and infringes on his free oeech rights. But like beauty, the offense in this case is in the ve of the beholder. . For his part, Wagner says he and his union are just exercis- 1g their legitimate right to trade with whomever they choose, nd to use economic leverage to make their point. Despite the radio personality’s hyperbole, he is incorrect in is assertion that the teachers’ threat somehow diminishes his ghts. He has the right to say what he likes on his show and steners have the right to agree or not, and to patronize or avoid 1e show's advertisers. In his overdrawn defense, Williams has onfused his self-interest with Constitutional rights, which ave no bearing in this case. If he wants to devote most of two fiows to this minor offense against his pride, that is his erogative; listeners and advertisers will decide independently ‘hether or not that's a good use of air time. Jo you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas ost. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the yrm of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may ever hear your point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, .0. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Please include your name, ddress and a daytime phone number so that we may verify uthenticity. The Post does not publish anonymous letters, but ll consider withholding names when appropriate. We reserve 1e right to edit for length and grammar, but will call the author ‘we think editing may change meaning. Tie SOALLASC0ST 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 Eric Foster Reporter Peggy Young Advertising Acct. Exec. Grace R. Dove Reporter Jean Hillard Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Paul Rismiller Production Manager Sign of spring...finally Photo by Charlotte Bartizek Letters Proposed zoning code could open Dallas Borough to development Editor: In the April 15 issue of The Dallas Post, an obscure Legal Notice announced that on April 21, the Dallas Boro Council would hold its “first reading” of a newly proposed zoning ordinance. Apparently, most residents missed the item, because almost no one showed up except a few members of the Dallas Borough Preservation Association. Predicta- bly, the proposed zoning ordinance was passed without comment and only one Council member voting no. The Council President an- nounced that a second reading would be held at the next meeting and presumably the proposed ordinance will then be passed. I find it hard to believe that the members of the Council can be very familiar with the obscure, contradictory and obtuse provi- sions of this 116-page ordinance proposal. It is as complex and shrewd a document as any ever contrived by a “Philadelphia law- yer". (I'll guess that no one on Council actually read it!) Those familiar with Inland Marine insurance policies know that those policies begin by stating that they insure the policyholder against all hazards and conditions. Then a long list of exceptions are attrached which, in fact, reveal that only very limited coverages are provided. (The big print gives it toyou, the little print takes it away!) The proposed zoning ordinance is similar in some respects. It purports to be a comprehensive ordinance covering many different contingencies and possibilities which, in fact, it does. But, it seems apparent that, hidden in all the “gobbledygook”, is a sneaky little program for massive and intensive development of a sizable chunk of the Boro's existing “Conservation District”. Dallas Boro presently contains some large undeveloped wooded tracts presently zoned “Conserva- tion". Under this classification housing may not be built on less than a 2-acre plot. According to the proposed ordinance: “The purpose of this District is to pro- tect hilly areas, steep watershed areas along the reservoir and streams, and areas of rugged ter- rain from intensive development which would significantly change the natural character of the land so as to help prevent public access and expensive public services and maintenance.” Presently, utilization of Conser- vation District land is controlled by requiring “special exceptions” for development—a lengthy , cumbersome process which gives many different interests an oppor- tunity to voice objections. Under the newly proposed ordi- nance an easier and simpler method called: “Conditional Use” would bypass the interests of adja- cent landowners and streamline the approval process for would-be developers: Article 7—Conditional Uses states: “The purpose of con- ditional use regulations is to per- mit certain uses in particular zones or districts when the conditions described for each use have been fulfilled as determined by the Council upon recommendation of the Dallas Borough Planning Commission.” There is a lot of “boilerplate” in Article Seven which piously pro- claims a lot of noble objectives. But tucked away in Section 704 is a neat little plan for something called “Planned Residential Devel- opment in Conservation Districts”. This development scheme appar- ently embraces an existing 50-acre (possibly more) tract having a mean width of 500 ft. The proposed uses to be allowed in this particular piece of former Conservation District land “shall be single-family dwellings, two- family dwellings, and multiple family dwellings, as well as cus- tomary accessory uses public and semi-public uses, and recreational facilities for the use of residents of the Planned Residential Develop- ment.” “Parking areas: No more than 15 parking spaces shall be permit- ted in a continuous row without being interrupted by approved landscaping. Access aisles shall be at least 20 ft. wide. Parking shall be arranged so as to prevent through-traffic to other parking areas. All off-street parking shall be adequately lighted and all such lighting shall be arranged so as to direct light away from adjoining residences.” The density “shall not exceed the number of housing units per- mitted in the Conservation Dis- trict.” (supposedly 2 acres per house.) But (note this) with reference to “Pedestrian Walks"—"Residential clusters having a density of five homes per net acre shall have paved pedestrian walks on one or both sides of the street”. And (note further) with refer- ence to “Staging of Development” “Atleast 15% of development must occur in the first phase.” and “At no time may the density of any phase be greater than 5 dwelling units per net acre in the area cov- ered by that phase.” In conclusion, I may have read this proposed ordinance all wrong. But it looks to me like sore devel- oper has very big plans for Dallas Boro and is trying to sneak in the back door under the pretext of updating our antiquated zoning ordinance. Neat! What do you think? Hugh P. King Dallas Game Commission has wild plant seeds and seedlings for sale A Planting for Wildlife Program will be offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to benefit all types of wildlife. Wildlife Conser- vation Officers and numerous sportsmen's organizations have joined together and will offer to the public a specially selected packet of seedlings and a wildlife food plot seed packet. The packet of seedlings will contian three each of the following species: Washington Hawthorne, American Bittersweet, White Spruce, Callery Pear and Eastern White Pine. Each packet will sell for $2. An information leaflet will be included describing the seed- lings, instructions for planting and care of seedlings. Game Commission officials will be offering for sale, wildlife food plot seed packets. This packet consists of a 10 pound mixture of assorted seeds which are recom- mended for wildlife food. The mix- ture includes Dwarf Grain Sor- ghum, Proso Millet, Buckwheat and Dwarf Sunflower. Each packet will plant one third to one halfacre of wildlife food plot. Brochures will be available explaining planting instructions. Each packet will sell for $3. This program is being offered to benefit wildlife and good soil con- servation. The packets are available at the Game Commission, Northeast Region Office, Rt. 415at 118, Dallas on May 8, 100 packets starting at 8 a.m. Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - Apr. 29, 1932 DALLAS DOCTOR SUPERVISES CAMPAIGN AGAINST DIPTHERIA A campaign against diptheria under the supervision of Dr. G.K. Swartz of Dallas will be held May 3 when toxin-antitoxin will be ad- ministered to all children 6 months and 10 years whose parents wish it. All children who apply must bring consent slips from their parents. “Broken Lullaby" starring Nancy Carroll now playing at the Himmler Theatre." | 50 Years Ago - May 1, 1942 LUNDY PURCHASES BUILDING FOR SHOPS AND APARTMENTS Herbert Lundy, Dallas Town- ship Tax Collector and partner in the Lundy Electric Co. of Wilkes- Barre, purchased the Main Strain 11 building owned by John L. Su van. The two-story stucco building will be completely renovated to house three stores, a tavern and three second floor apartments, of | 4, 5 and 6 rooms each. A four day sugar registration will begin Monday. Local schools will run on 1/2 day schedules and over 100 teachers and volunteer clerks will work long hours to reg- ister this region's 2,500 families. Mr. and Mrs. John Mericals will celebrate their 65th wedding anni- versary on May 6, with open house : from 2-5 and 7-9. Rev. Austin L. Prynn, pastor G5. First Methodist Church of Pittstori¢ ) will replace Rev. Francis Freeman, pastor of Dallas Methodist Church, who will assume the pulpit of First. Methodist Church, Carey Avenus;, Wilkes-Barre, it was announced” by Bishop Adna W. Leonard as the Wyoming Methodist Conclave at '. Wilkes-Barre came to an end. .!"’ 40 Years Ago - May 2, 1952 COMPANIES SCOUT FOR OIL IN THE BACK MOUNTAIN Petty Officer 3rd Class, George”, Edward Swan Jr., son of Mr. ang: Mrs. George E. Swan, Ridge Street, Shavertown, was lost at sea Satur- day night when the USS Destroyeity Hobson was rammed and sunk USS Aircraft Carrier. WASP. ¢ © Representatives of two prospect: ing companies have been inter- - viewing land owners of Lehman, Jackson, Lake, Ross, Hunlodk,: Union, Franklin, Exeter and Daj las Townships and Dallas Borough for gas and oil leases. So far repre- sentatives of both groups have been, , loathe to say what leads them to believe gas or oil lies beneath the surface between Benton and the , other side of the Susquehanna at , Ransom. Wed - Shrley Anthony to Davids’ Sutton; Sally Marie Roberts 107 Samuel T. Brown. 30 Years Ago - May 3, 1962 SHAVERTOWN POST OFFICE IS DEDICATED = Formal dedication of Shaver. town Post Office is scheduled for : Saturday, at 11:30a.m. when Leroy Ziegler, Kingston Township supér- visor will receive the building on behalf of the area. The Hon. Daniel Flood is the announced speaker, of the day sharing the occasion with’ Arthur A. Mattern, Delivery Serv-_- ices Officer, Philadelphia, Regional P.O. Department. Lake-Lehman joint schools will. offer kidnergarten courses in Sep- . tember one unit at each of the two - main schools in the jointure, Lehman Elementary and Lak Elementary. Transportation will fal upon parents who will be asked to make their own arrangements perhaps by car-pool. Bus service cannot be furnished by the school system. Stephen R. Pavlick, Dallas vet- eran of World War II and Korean". Conflict has been appointed Red. Cross Field Director for Athens ', going to Greece from Augsburg, Germany. He has been with the i Red Cross 5 years. 20 years Ago - May 4, 1972 . LAKE-LEHMAN BAND TRIP CANCELLED DUE" " TO RACIAL PROBLEMS: Principal Tony Marchakituys |» announced that plans for the ‘. Knights to attend the annual Maryland State Band Festival Parade of Champions had been | scotched following receipt of a let- ter from Edward Proudfoot Jf. festival chairman that the parade. had been cancelled “due to racial’ problems and lack of adult sup: port and financial aspects. “Pollack Night" held last week : by American Legion Home Asso- . ciation Post 672, Dallas was ‘a tremendous success. Members were pleased with the crowd that . attended the dinner and festivi- ° ties. The committee thanks the - community for their interest and the Dallas Post for their coverage of the affair. :
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers