4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 3, 1992 Bh i EEN Tie SDALLASC0ST Public TV funds: An outrage or a bargain? The people who oppose Public Television are pulling out all the stops in their effort to cripple this vital institution. One shot was fired a week ago when Times Leader publisher Dale Duncan used his Sunday column to say that public TV really isn't any different from commercial programming and thus to argue that further taxpayer support is unjustified. It's obvious [rom that comment that Duncan hasn't been watching WVIA very much, or he would know there's a vast difference between its offerings and that on network or cable channels, not the least of which is the absence of ads that reduce even the finest network or cable shows into a series of brief scenes punctuated by sales pitches. A fine example is presented by the recent “Made in America” series by Robert Reich, a respected economist. In this three- part, four-hour program which WVIA supplemented with an ‘hour of local commentary, Reich explored and explained the new trading relationship between the United States and the rest of the world. The program was basic training in interna- tional economics made easily understandable to anyone. And what of the widely-acclaimed “The Civil War,” which ‘brought an important piece of American history into millions of living rooms? It takes a big stretch of the imagination to believe that either of these series would have been welcomed by the networks or commercial cable channels, and in the unlikely event they were, would have been allowed to run uncut or uninterrupted. Duncan and the other would-be assassins of public TV also like to point out that the Children's Television Workshop, which produces “Sesame Street” among other things, makes money. Egads, how crass! But walt; conservatives think any- thing that doesn't turn a profit deserves to die, so what's the problem? Because CTW is financially successful, “Sesame Street” hasn't needed public funds for a decade. And what of the people for whom the cost of cable television means a choice between quality programs and basic needs? If the highly-touted 100 or more channel cable systems arrive with their undoubtedly higher price, will we be reading stories about welfare mothers who “waste” $40 or $50 a month on cable? In his column, Duncan said that public television will cost the taxpayers $253 million next year. That works out to $1.00 for each person in the nation — for a year's worth of program- ming. That doesn’t sound like an outrage; it sounds like a bargain. is World of opportunity awaits graduates The Class of 1992 will be graduating soon and they will face a world that is very different from the one entered by their predecessors of even a decade ago. In many ways it may be a harsher place that demands more from each individual in it. But we have too quickly forgotten the momentous changes that have taken place around the globe; because of them, the future will still be bright for those who prepare for it, as we hope this year's graduates have done. It's true that after several years of growth — at least for the richest among us — the American economy has taken a breather. And fundamental changes in our business climate ‘have contributed to an increasingly wide gap between those who have advanced training and those who do not. At the same ‘time, other parts of the world have experienced startling trans- formations that have created both problems and exciting ‘opportunities for our citizens as well as their own. A prime example is the collapse of the Soviet Union and the accompa- nying unification of Germany, which will take decades to fully ‘evolve, ~ Much has been written about the failings of American ‘education and the consequences for young people. But no ‘matter how good or bad the system or the teachers are, in our ‘system it's very much up to individual students and their [families to make the most of their schooling. We trust that the ‘graduates of Dallas and Lake-Lehman high schools have understood that and have seen the opportunities that await ‘them if they equip themselves to fill the needs of an evolving world community. 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 ‘nay never hear a contrasting 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 verigy authenticity. The Post does not publish anonymous ‘letters. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar, but will call if we think editing might change the meaning. Tie DALLASCP0ST 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 cil Grace R. Dove Paul Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala Production Manager : Classified/typesettin 9 Jean Hillard ye 9 Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Spring feeders Photo by Charlotte Bartizek Letters Editor: This is in rebuttal of your article regarding Sesame Street and the Public Broadcasting System. It seems that those in favor of federal funding for PBS paint a picture of those opposed as vil- lains who would do away with Big Bird, starve Cookie Monster, and shut Oscar the Grouch forever in his can. Most people would agree that Sesame Street is a great show and PBS does some fine broadcasting work. However, I think it's note- worthy to point out that the televi- sion show Sesame Street is not produced by PBS, but rather by the very profitable Children's Tele- vision Workshop. With hundreds of novelty items, a successful road show and theme park, CTW could probably even “underwrite” its own show at this point. The funding in question then would be the $250 million (For- tune Magazine, April 20, 1992, pg. 189), or so that PBS currently receives from the federal govern- ment. This amounts to only 17% of the PBS budget. These funds were set up when there were only three other stations to choose from and the federal deficit wasn't so im- Sesame Street doesn't need tax money mense. Now, with a sophisticated cable network there are many more options and a little ingenuity may be all that's needed, perhaps even a customer paid PBS. As the federal government is now billions of dollars in the red and expensive priority items of education and health care badly needed, while congress is looking for more and different ways to levy taxes on us; I certainly am in favor of trimming this little bit of extra fat off our federal steak dinner. Renee Weaver Dallas Library news Odds and ends needed for auction booth By NANCY KOZEMCHAK Registrations for summer story hours at the Back Mountain Memorial Library will continue through June 6 in the children’s room. Story hours will begin July 1 and continue until August 12. The three to five year olds will have three separate story hour times and the toddler time will be one session on Tuesday. The toddler program will run from June 29 through August 4. Additional in- formation is available at the li- brary. The on-going $1 a bag plus one free bag sale will continue in our basement book store rooms until the end of June. There are many new titles available with mysteries and westerns and many paper- back books. We are also accepting books for the auction book booth which may be brought to the li- brary whenever we are open. Chil- dren's books and cookbooks are especially appreciated as these are big sellers. Odds and ends items are also needed for that booth. In conjunction with the 46th annual library auction, the Horse Show will be held for the 4th year. The place is the Luzerne County Fair Grounds in Lehman and it will be held on Sunday, June 28. The show will feature English rid- ing and jumping classes with 10 sponsored divisions. The Dallas Rotary Club members will be serv- ing breakfast and lunch at the horse show. Connie Scott, general chairman of the 1992 auction, is still looking for volunteers to work at the auction in many different areas. Contact the library if you have some time to help. The auc- tion dates are July 9 through the 12th. New books at the library: “Bur- den of Desire” by Robert MacNeil is ‘set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where inhabitants are introduced first- hand to the horror of the war when a freighter ship carrying TNT ex- plodes in the harbor, leveling an entire district. In the wake of this disaster, Peter Wentworth, a young minister, finds a misplaced diary containing confessions of a young woman. An attempt is made to find the woman and ends up with three survivors who hope to lift their burden of desire and mend a bro- ken world. “Booked to Die” by John Dun- ning is the story of Denver cop Cliff Janeway who knows as much about books as he does about homicide. His living room re- sembles an adjunct to the public library. He also realizes that, con- trary to common belief, ‘older’ doesn't necesarily mean ‘more valuable’. This is an insiders glimpse of old and not-so-old rare books. “Possessing the Secret of Joy” by Alice Walker is the story of Tashi, a tribal African woman who lives much of her adult life in North America. As a young woman, a misguided loyalty to the customs of her people led her to voluntarily submit to the tsunga's knife and be mutilated. She becomes severely traumatized and spends her life battling madness. Vietnam vet memorial to be The Alumni Society of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, along with the stu- dent Vets Club, has undertaken the task of refurbishing the Walko Memorial. The Memorial was erected in 1972 in dedication to the memory of DanielJ. Walko, the first Penn State Wilkes-Barre stu- dent killed in the Vietnam conflict. “Penn State Wilkes-Barre has always had a very active and committed Vets Club. As a former member of the club, I feel it is important for us to keep the memory of Daniel Walko alive,” said Jim Biondo, President of the Alumni Society. The rededication is set for June 9 at 6 p.m. Mrs. Helen Walko, mother of Daniel, will be honored guest. The Veterans of Vietnam War, Post #66, will present a Color Guard during the proceedings. Immediately following the pro- rededicated gram, a reception will be held in Hayfield House. At 7:30 the Alumni Society will hold its annual general membership meeting. All veterans who attended the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus and other alumni are invited to attend both the dedication cere- mony and the Alumni Society general membership meeting. For more information, call the Alumni Office at 675-9158. Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - June 3, 1932 ROBERT GOODWIN SAVES CHILD FROM DROWNING IN CREEK Alarge hawk which preyed upon carrier pigeons bearing U.S. Navy messages was killed near Me- hoopany recently. The hawk had a dead carrier pigeon which had been carrying a message in its claws when it was shot. Grace Preston, 18-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Preston of Beaumont owes her life to Robert Goodwin, 12, of Beaumont who was fisning in Leonard's Creek when he spotted the child in the water. He plunged into the swift, cold water, grasped the child's clothing and swam back to shore to carry her to the porch of her home. “Freaks” with Wallace Ford and Lelia Hyns, now playing at Himmler Theatre. ! Ruth Bennett of Trucksville, a senior at Kingston Township High School was crowned the first Noy Queen of the township schools at one of the most colorful events in the history of the schools held'last Friday. ; 50 Years Ago - June 5, 1942 i! SUGAR FOR CANNING IS AVAILABLE os Sugar for canning and preserves is now available to residents of Lake, Lehman and Ross Town- ships, it was announced by offi- cials of Rationing Board #40-5-at Shickshinny. Those anxious .to secure the additional allotment are urged to register as soon as ps sible. No Dallas Borough finished the 1942 Back Mountain Scholastic Baseball season with a 2-game lead over its nearest rival and undisputed possession of the championship, its first in the his- tory of the league. ated Two local teachers are slated for immediate call into the armed forces. John Rosser, English teacher at Dallas Township takes his final physical for the Army and Clarence E. LaBar physical educa- tion, civics, geography instructor and athletic coach at Dallas Bés - ough High School reports to Wi: ming Draft Board for examination and induction. Jock 40'"Years Ago - June 6, 1952 del BACK MOUNTAIN FALLS SHORT OF $2,000 GOAL IN CANCER FUND DRIVE. Fair weather for the 6th annual Sweet Valley Memorial Day Parade attracted its usual tremendous crowd with 30 acres of parking space to handle cars, and visitors lined up along the main road be- fore the starting time of 2 p.m. -, Back Mountain Region fell short of its $2,000 quota in the current cancer drive. Even with an extep: sion, this area contributed lJ, than $1,000 according to chair- man, Mrs. Harry Ohlman. Wed - Lois Cragle to Pvt. An- thony Yockavitch. ; Commonwealth Telephone Co. has announced that all numbers at Harveys Lake will be changed Monday to enable subcribers to dial Dallas numbers after the forth- coming Dallas Dial conversion on July 21. 30 Years Ago - June 7, 1962 FIRST COMMENCEMENT HELD IN DALLAS GYM Dallas Senior High School gymnasium will be the scene of the first Commencement to be held in the new building Tuesday where 140 candidates will receive their diplomas. The Presbytery of Lackawanr will meet at Dallas Junior Hig School Sunday to organize Trinity; United Presbyterian Church and toinstall the Rev. Andrew Pillarella, as Pastor. Over 120 Chapter members will be presented. h Frederick Anderson, Jr. of Shav# ertown will leave the end of Juné bound for Formosa where he will spend a year at the University of Taiwan. ‘ Judge Harold C. Kessinger, three term jurist in New Jersey, nations ally known lecturer will be the speaker at the 4th Annual Com* mencement of Lake-Lehnian School in the Lehman auditoriujn, 20 Years Ago - June 8, 1972 " h OVER 600 PROTEST | FORMATION OF AREA: | WATER AUTHORITY ©; Over 600 Back Mountain resi- dents banded together May 31: to form a Back Mountain Taxpayers Association with the objective of protesting the formation ofan area water authority. Atty. Reinhert temporary chairman outlined the two most important means of “stopping an authority” as letters to legislators and state official and petitions. Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Com- pany and the Dallas Ambulange Association began a fund drive June 1. This year the goal of the joint fund is $14,000. 3 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers