4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, May 13, 1992 Tie SDALLASC0ST Ban of portable signs would improve the area's appearance As members of the Dallas Borough Council make final revisions to a new zoning ordinance, they would do well to consider a few changes in signage regulations to prevent further erosion of the borough's attractiveness. For starters, many signs could be smaller. An example is the rule for signs placed by contractors while they are working on a house. These signs can be be 12 square feet in area, while signs advertising a property for sale are limited to six square feet. Why not use six square feet for both? Other signs are allowed to be quite large. Here are a few: BW For sale of lots in a subdivision — 60 square feet. BW For schools, churches and day-care centers. (Which are often in residential districts — 40 square feet. BW For shopping centers — 200 square feet. Why not limit each of these to one-half the size now envi- sioned? Doing so would have no detrimental effect on busi- nesses and would tone down the borough's image a bit. Most of all, we hope the council will ban portable signs altogether. These eyesores aren't just ugly, they're dangerous. Despite a rule requiring they be kept back from the street, they end up next to the roadway, often blocking motorists’ sight lines. As it is, the numerous portable signs in various states of disrepair give the impression that this is a temporary settle- ment, and that businesses are reluctant to invest in permanent signs. On the plus side, the proposed ordinance contains several provisions that minimize the degradation, such as a rule that signs cannot exceed the height of buildings on a site, and another that bans flashing or animated signs. Amphitheater makes Back Mountain the center of attention It’s interesting to note the contrast in public reaction to the . Harveys Lake amphiteater compared to the response a pro- . posal to build 166 townhomes on the same site drew last year. . While that plan attracted dozens of vocal opponents, the amphitheater has raised nary a dissenting comment. What's the difference? On the face of it, a great deal. | Townhomes would have attracted permanent residents who . would be using borough services, roads and schools — and paying taxes. On the other hand, the amphitheater’s patrons will come and go within a limited period of time, creating only short-term traffic and waste problems. These aren't foreign to Harveys Lake, since for many years Hanson's park drew thousands of visitors to the same location. The result may be that an entertainment use for the property is a familiar one, while townhomes would not have been. There’s no doubt that the amphitheater will attract big crowds. Promoter Thom Greco has already released a list of big- name entertainers who surely will fill the facility’s 4,000 seats. Greco has a history of success and the Harveys Lake amphi- theater should be no different. Fortunately, he also has said he’s willing to pay the extra costs associated with his venture, so the borough won't be saddled with unnecessary expenses. A fringe benefit of the amphitheater will be the increased attention focused on Harveys Lake as a summer entertainment center. Businesses already are planning to take advantage of that image with a schedule of events that will draw some of the concert-goers into local stores and restaurants. That's a good idea, and one that can elevate the financial health of the borough and its residents. Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the form of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may never hear your point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Please include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we may verify authenticity. The Post does not publish anonymous letters, but | ‘will consider withholding names when appropriate. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar, but will call the author if we think editing may change meaning. 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 Eric Foster Advertising Acct. Exec. : Reporter Grace R. Dove Reporter Jean Hillard Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Paul Rismiller Production Manager Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Choir music reading will be May 16 Gifts From Above Christian Bookstore, Dallas, will present a reading session from the introduction of 1992 Christmas and non-seasonal musicals, contadas and octavos for adult and children’s choirs, on May 16, at Gus Genetti's Best Western, Wilkes-Barre, in the Castle Room, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Professionals from three major publishing companies, Alexandria House, Word and Sparrow, will conduct the sessions. Two training clinics are included with this event, during which various topics of concern will be covered. All pastors, choir directors, choir members and ‘other interested persons are invited to attend. For more information and cost requirements, call the Dallas store at 675-0354. Spring in Dallas Borough Photo by Charlotte Bartizek Letters Thanks for aid to Wendy Reese fund Editor: The community's response to the fund set up by the Trucksville Nursery School on behalf of three year old Wendy Reese has been so encouraging that I would like to recognize the individuals and companies who have been so gen- erous. In the past four months, Wendy, daughter of Tom and Jennifer Reese of Dallas, has been under- going treatment for a cancerous brain tumor including surgery, radiation and ‘chemotherapy. Wendy remains unconscious. The fund was established by the Nurs- ery School parents to assist with the family’s overwhelming medical expenses. All donations are being deposited in an account at Fran- klin First Federal Savings bank. To everyone who has been sup- portive and made a contribution, thank you very much. Your re- sponses have been encouraging for the family and deeply appreci- ated by the Nursery School, friends and family. It’is"heart warming to know how much the thoughtful- ness and love others show can help someone through such a trau- matic time. Please continue to remember Wendy in your prayers. Donations will continue to be ac- cepted and can be made to “The Wendy - Reese” Fund”, c/o Trucksville Nursery School, 40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville, PA 18708. Linda Mazur, Director Trucksville Nursery School Participate — attend zoning hearing Editor: On reading the latest issue of The Dallas Post, I see there is to be an open Public Hearing on May 20, 1992 at 7 p.m. to be held in the Borough Building concerning the new Zoning Code. It is hoped that the residents of the Borough will attend and ques- tion some items in the new code. The appearance of Multiple Hous- ing in Conservation Areas is one point that perhaps should be questioned. A g ood attendance at the public hearing would give the Council cause to know that the electorate is concerned. Good government demands people participation. Anees B. Barakat Jr. Dallas Borough A. Case for conservation Asphalt sends air conditioning bills soaring By ALENE N. CASE Have you ever wondered why it seems so much hotter downtown than out in the suburbs ona sunny summer day? Ever notice that it begins to feel cooler as you ap- proach the gap on 309 even before you start up the hill? If we want the Back Mountain area to remain comfortable in summer, we need to figure out what causes these differences and then preserve or enhance those features. There are two major items that contribute to the “urban heat is- land” - too many dark surfaces and two few trees. In the Wyoming Valley, this problem is com- pounded by the shape of the valley itself. The heat tends to be trapped under a blanket of cooler air above the city. But, most cities experi- ence a 2 to 8 degree Fahrenheit difference between the tempera- ture in town and that of the sur- rounding area. The increase could be useful in keeping down winter heating costs, but the increased costs of summer air conditioning more than outweigh such bene- fits. In a stury recently published by the US EPA, the total energy costs of urban heat islands in this coun- try are calculated to be over $1 billion per year. As cities get larger, this figure will continue to increase unless major changes occur. We ‘have a chance to do something about this before the problem spreads to our neighborhood. As each of us plans future remodeling or building projects, we can use light-colored surfaces and trees to decrease or eliminate our use of air conditioning. Believe it or not, painting your house white and putting light col- ored shingles on the roof can re- duce air conditioning needs by 20%. I have been dismayed by the number of new houses around here that have dark (usually black) roofs facing south. If you must install a dark surface - for instance brick facing - please put it on the north. Use these south-facing walls and roofs either as solar collectors or to reflect the sunlight away. Also, the more asphalt we use, the hotter our community will become. Gravel driveway surfaces are more reflective and they ab- sorb rainfall that is needed by surrounding vegetation. There are many ways to use trees and other plants to cut down on energy consumption. One of the most effective may not be obvi- ous: shading your air conditioner. Its efficiency can be increased by up to 10% by erecting a trellis covered with vines to shade the unit. For long-term benefit, plant several trees so that the air condi- tioner will be completely in the shade during summer days. Re- member that you can also use this strategy if you cool with fan. A fan in a window next to a tree is much more effective than one positioned above a hot roof or street. Summer shade is especially desirable on the south and west sides of a building. Remember that the object here is to obtain the maximum shading. Plant trees far enough from your house so that your gutters will not become clogged with leaves. it is best to have deciduous trees on the south so that the winter sun can provide heat through the bare branches. On the west, you could choose evergreens which would also shield the house from winter winds. Ifyou are considering putting in a pool, the east side of your house would be best. Removing trees there would not drastically increase the solar heating of your dwelling and you could still have sun on the pool for several hours. Replace the trees with lower-growing shrubs to keep the soil temperatures low. As our community adds roads and parking lots, we need to insist that sufficient room is provided for street trees. Boulevards are often seen in cities to our south. They not only look attractive, but the trees planted in the medians can cool the entire neighborhood. How many times have you practically run into someone as you both tried to get the last shady spot in a parking lot? Obviously, we need to do a better job providing shade to reduce the temperature of our cars and the asphalt on which they sit. Let's remember that plants moderate the climate. Permanent removal of trees and their replace- ment with artificial surfaces tend to increase the temperature con- trasts in our surroundings. This, in turn, leads to greater energy consumption. : Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - May 13, 1932 THE CREATION OF A SHAVERTOWN BOROUGH DEBATED ——————— A skeleton found on Mount Rose, | New Jersey, was identified as the | kidnapped son of Col. and Mrs. . Charles Lindbergh by the New ! Jersey State Police. Arguments for and against the , creation of Shavertown Borough ! will be debated at the next meeting of Mt. Greenwood Kiwanis Club before the club takes action in opposing or supporting the move. Camp Onawandah, summer camp of the local Girl Scouts will open its 8th season June 27 with a program of new and unusual fea- tures specially prepared to attract girls of all ages and appeal to their parents as well. “Tarzan” starring Johnny Weis- muller and Maureen O'Sullivan now playing at Himmler Theatre. 50 Years Ago - May 15, 1942 BUS SERVICE Gr TENTATIVELY OKED FOR HUNTSVILLE AREA | Still shaken from her narrow escape from death which was fatal to five of Nellie Ward's fellow pas- sengers when the speeding three car Newark-New York City subway jumped the tracks and overturned is expected to arrive at the home of her sisters Mrs. James McHale and Nan Ward of Trucksville for rest and recuperation. Bus service for residents of Lehman, Huntsville and other settlements along the Bilge Outlet Road was tentatively 2 proved by officials of Wilkes- By ne Railway Corp., providing 60 regu- lar customers could be guaran- teed. Lehman Township High School Senior and Junior Bands and the school orchestra under direction ofJoseph Clouser will present their Spring Concert in the school audi- torium Tuesday night. 40 Years Ago - May 16, 1952 PIPE ORGAN IS DONATED TO PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH A three manuel Moeller {*} organ installed at the Wilkes-Baire Elks Club in 1920 at a cost of Peace Church by Sen. Andre! 5 Sordoni. ~ Harold G. Payne, vice president and general manager of Common- wealth Telephone Co. announced his resignation to be effective June 1, to take over ownership and management of the Murrysville Telephone Company, an independ- ent company near Pittsburgh. Engaged - Doris Spencer and Sgt. Harold Meadway. Back Mountain Little League season will officially open with a parade on Monday at 5 p.m. start- ing on South Main Street, Shay % town. “Memories” a Gay 90's Revue staged by members of Lehman Jackson PTA was such a success that it will be repeated May 24, in the high school auditorium. 30 Years Ago - May 17, 1962 LAKE-LEHMAN NAMES VALEDICTORIANS Anthony Marchakitus principal of Lake-Lehman High School an- nounced that Carol Drapiewski will, be valedictorian and Marie Har-: disky is salutatarian for the, Lehman Building, while Carolyn’ Ide will be valedictorian and San-! dra Yellitz salutatarian at the Lake. Building. Key Club will hold a car wash’ scheduled for all day Saturday at Clyde Birth's. Profits are earmarked | for the Drill Team's June trip to| He | Kiwanis Convention. Additional per capita tax of $2. passed May 8 by Dallas School! Directors was rescinded at a spe- cial meeting. Improved collection | of taxes is expected to provide! enough revenue to implement the « tentative budget passed at the May meeting. A spectacular blaze badly dam"! aged the California Fruit Market; Thursday night. Arson was con- sidered a possibility, the blaze coming after three other alarms in the same general area that same. evening. 20 Years Ago - May 18, 1972 © SERVICE GROUPS PLAN MASSIVE CLEAN-UP A massive volunteer clean up of the Back Mountain area will take. place May 20 when representa- tives of all service clubs, Boy: Scouts, Girl Scouts and commu-. nity oriented individuals, join ef-! forts to clean up the area. Each: resident is urged to do his utmost. to improve at least the area near! and around his home. Annual Birthday Tea sponsored! by Gate of Heaven Altar and Ro-* sary Society was attended by 300. women. Entertainment was pro-, vided with excerpts from “Fiddler* on the Roof” by the student drama. class of Wyoming Valley West. ~*~ em De
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers