~ Lake-Lehman “administrative costs =~ aT C7 THAR TE PB A LR eS TET » By a The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 24, 1992 : Tie DALLASC[20ST 20 years ago, Agnes brought out the best in region's people Two decades ago, the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania were handed the biggest challenge in the region's history when flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes devastated large portions of the Susquehanna River basin. The magnitude of the disaster and the response to it will forever be a testament to the fortitude of the people who live here. Forlunalely, the tragedy was of great proportions in material damage. but comparatively slight in human terms. The re- sponse was huge in both. The Back Mountain was allected both directly and indirectly by the storm, which left a path of destruction along waterways large and small. By [ar the most damage occurred in the Wyoming Valley around Wilkes-Barre, where tens of thou- “sands ol homes and businesses were [looded. But the story of the region's recovery included people {rom throughout the region and [ar beyond, as volunteers lent their time and talents {o the task of rebuilding shattered lives, or simply shared their homes with those who no longer had one. Nowhere was that more (rue than here, as churches, homes and schools became "makeshift shelters for thousands of evacuees, home owners offered bathing facilities and College Misericordia became a hospital. For some [amilies, their stay in the Back Mountain lasted several weeks as they waited to return to their houses or {othe (railers that were installed in Wilkes-Barre as temporary dwellings. Some of the visitors returned permanently, choosing to move here rather than risk the prospect of another flood, with the result that much of the Back Mountain has gradually been transformed [rom isolated rural territory to suburban develop- ment. I[ it does nothing else, the recovery effort stands as evidence of how much individuals, government and other institutions can accomplish when confronted with a challenge of unimagi- ned magnitude. It took more than 10 years to heal the physical marks of the flood; [or some people the emotional scars will never go away. Bul in repairing the damage, a large community of hard-working, caring people came together and accom- plished more than they ever may have thought possible. Oh, sure, we've all heard the stories of gralt and corruption during the recovery ellort, and some of them are undoubtedly true. Bul the greed of a [ew should not mar the achievements of the many. As we look around our nation in 1992, it’s easy to see where some of the spirit of 1972 could be put to good use. ! merit a close look The board of directors of the Lake-Lehman School District {ook the responsible step of listening to its constituency last week and mercifully killed a proposed 10 percent tax on amusements within the district. More important, board members pledged to [ind savings rather than impose more taxes in order to balance next year’s budget. Dr. John Presper, the only board member to vote against dropping the amusement tax, has made some provocative suggestions about where the savings can be found. Most of them have to do with streamlining administrative costs, and include eliminating two jobs, [reezing administrative salaries for a year and switching the district's health insurance to a managed-care plan. The school board must decide whether or not Dr. Presper’s ideas make sense. If it's any comfort, they can take note of the fact that Lake-Lehman's proposed budget contains 53 percent more spending per student than the Dallas district on non- instructional expenses. There may be very good reasons for the dilference; now would be a good time to state them. The size ol the districts’ student bodies and budgets is remarkably similar. Dallas projects 2,452 students next year, Lehman plans for 2,328. The budget in Dallas is a little over $14 million, as is Lehman's. But the {two part company on how the money is divided. Dallas plans to spend $5,857 per student, of which 67 percent is devoled to instructional costs. In contrast, Lake-Lehman proposes to spend $6,149 per student, 51 percent on instructional costs. It's really not that simple because the districts handle some things, like special education, differently. But it would be wrong to ignore the magnitude of the variation if there are savings to be found without damaging the quality of education provided to the students of the Lake-Lehman School District. 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 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. Ti: SPOALLASSPoST 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 Paul Rismiller Production Manager Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting A iktd Spring show-off Photo by Charlotte Bartizek Letters Proposed Dallas Borough zoning rules could endanger reservoir Editor's Note: Dallas Borough resident Joan Hiller provided a copy of the following letter, which she sent to the Dallas Borough Council, for publication in The Post. “‘Gentlemen and Ladies’ of the Council, With respect to some likely ef- fects on our “Aquatic Resources”, | would like to expand further on several zoning issues relative to Dallas Boro's “Conservation Area” that I raised on May 19th Special Meeting. According to Webster, the mean- ing and purpose of “conservation” is to “protect from loss and decay in the interests of the general wel- fare.” 1 suggest that the proposed zoning plan entailing multiple housing in Conservation District is actually a complete contradic- tion of the basic idea and, indeed, violates the expressed purpose found on Page 33 of Article 7. In Article 7, (pp. 58-59, Sec. 704), note that there are fourteen different items which require “Specific Documentation” by a would-be developer of the Conser- vation area. However, conspicu- ous by its absence, there is no specific documentation require- ment relative to the Huntsville Reservoir or its estuary system. Yet, originally, this was the pri- mary purpose of zoning that area “Conservation”. While detailed parking lot regulations are deline- ated, no environmental impact study (presumably a most impor- tant consideration) is even men- tioned! I suggest that the following specifics should be incorporated and that some additions and cor- rections to Ms. Pawlowski's state- ments should be considered: — In 1987, at the request of the United States Environmental Pro- tection Agency, the CONSERVA- TION FOUNDATION convened the “National Wetlands Policy Forum” to study protection of our vanish- ing wetlands— then disappearing at the rate of 500,000 acres annu- ally. The Forum concluded that the fundamental defect in existing policy was the lack of simple, clearcut protection programs as well as conflicting jurisdictions and contradictory planning. I can speak from two decades of experience with the massive red- tape and bumbling inaction of Government agencies relative to enforcement of Title 25, Chapter 102 or Federal Section 404 and the consequent loss of more than half of the Nation's wetlands. It's a fact that, locally, our wetlands are not on the designated maps of the Army Engineers. This compounds any effort to protect them from would-be developers. In the absence of any clearcut protection of wetlands at the Fed- eral or State level, the Policy Fo- rum found the best (and perhaps only) protection to be at the local level—suggesting thatlocal zoning and planning is presently the “number one authority” (see fig. #1 enclosed) Accordingly, it should not be assumed that the Federal or State Government, the Army Corps of Engineers, or any other agency is now protecting our natural water- ways or wetlands. The responsibil- ity is entirely ours! With the present zoning in the Conservation District (Special Exception: 1 house per 2 acres) it probably is not economically fea- sible for a developer to build many houses. However the proposed “cluster housing” under “Condi- tional Use” is practically an invita- tion to large developers to come in. Furthermore, from the stand- point of pollution, allowing a clus- ter of 24 houses on a 50-acre plot is not at all the same as construct- ing one private house on a 2 acre plot—as contended by Ms. Pawlow- ski. The concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, lead, copper, petro- leum products, anti-freeze, etc. around run-off and stream areas would be substantial. The nutri- ents and poisons would likely develop algae blooms in the reser- voir, engender destruction of the wetlands, and promote devasta- tion among the area's wildlife. Therefore, 1 suggest a detailed environmental impact study be required to determine a precise analysis of runoff and storm water pollution using the +R55 Compu- tation. This calculation determines peak discharge points and com- putes overall effects both before and after development of a given tract. It seems to me that the ur- ban hydrology must be addressed and the burden should be placed on the developer rather than upon our public taxpayers. In addition, requirements for sizeable “buffer zones” around the Huntsville Reservoir and the nearby wetlands should be im- posed. In this connection the U.S. and Fish Wildlife Services is able to provide substantial informa- tional resources and materials. It should be obvious that the notion of providing for a mere 35 ft. space between any proposed hous- ing development and area wetlands is ludicrous—unless, of course, the buildings are to be uninhabited! Particularly with respect to the Boro's Conservation areas, I think that we need to weigh carefully the consequences of abandoning the present classification “non-con- forming use” in favor of the “condi- tional use” designation as proposed in Article 7. Presently, zoning for “non-conforming use” requires a variance and the Boro has abso- lute power over its environment. Under “non-conforming use” the Boro can veto undesired develop- ment, but under “conditional use” requires a variance and the Boro has absolute power over its envi- ronment. Under non-conforming use” the Boro can veto undesired development, but under “condi- tional use”, a would-be developer could ignore any adverse Council ruling and simply appeal to the courts ‘showing 'that'all legal re- quirements' have been’ fulfilled. Because our future is presently unknowable, I believe that the Council needs to maintain its op- tions and to retain control of its veto power. I believe that, presently, our conservation area is a great asset to our Boro and that its preserva- tion will become increasingly more valuable as regional population pressures multiply. This beautiful open space around the Huntsville Reservoir is used daily by joggers, bird watchers, 4-H, hikers, eques- trians, walkers, children—almost anyone interested in enjoying one of the most beautiful places on God's Green Earth. I believe that it is important that this asset be preserved so that future genera- tions can enjoy the same things that we have enjoyed. I believe that, insofar as pos- sible, the bulk of the financial burden of new development should be borne by the developers rather than by the present resident tax- payers. Of course, we all will be stuck with increased traffic, rising water rates, escalating sewer rates, expanded police and fire protec- tion, higher school taxes, and a host of other costs commensurate with growth. Unmanaged growth in the Back Mountain has resulted in a satu- ration of housing, a “killer high- way” and a greatly diminished “community character” which once attracted us all. Already, the prime land around the Huntsville and Ceasetown Reservoirs and around Moon Lake has attracted develop- ers offering “country estates” to those who can afford them. You may be aware that our “non- conforming use” zoning is report- edly one of the important consid- erations that persuaded United Water Resources and Real Estate Development Company (the New Jersey bidder for the land and water portion of Pennsyulvania Enterprises recent auction) to abandon its bid. (Obviously, this land development company wasn't interested in just managing an- other water company.) It's equally clear, however, that placing our conservation area under a classifi- cation of “conditional use” would remove that existing zoning ob- stacle. Huntsville Reservoir's water quality is still fairly good. Today, this beautiful area is still free for all Boro residents to enjoy. Let's keep this “Green Area” under adequate zoning protection or it certainly will put a lot of “green” in some out-area developer's pocket. Joan C. Hiller Dallas Boro Preservation Ass'n. ball autographed by the Only Yesterday 60 Years Ago - June 24, 1932 SHAVERTOWN TO GET PUBLIC WATER A stubborn blaze which kept Dallas, Shavertown and Harveys Lake fire companies busy for two hours damaged the beautiful home of A.L. Parks, Main Street, Dallas. Damage was estimated at $15,000. Within the next week Dallas- Shavertown Water Company will connect a 528 foot well at Shaver- town with water mains serving that community, assuring residents of a constant and excellent water supply. Dallas went into a tie for [irst place with Beaumont alter win- ning a hard fought game with Kingston Township, 3-2. 50 Years Ago - June 26, 1942 WALTER WILSON REPORTED MISSING IN PHILLIPINES Fifth registration stations lor men born on or alter January 1, 1922 or belore June 30, 1924 who will register for Selective Sgrvice on June 30 have been est@¥ifshed in this area by Draft Board #1, of Wyoming and Draft Board #5 of Shickshinny. All stations will be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. The War Department has di- closed that Walter Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson, Fran- klin Street, Dallas, is one ol many U.S. soldiers missing in action in defense of the Philippines. 40 Years Ago - June 27, 1952 SEVEN ONE-ROOM SCHOOLS CLOSED Seven one-room schools in'Ross Township will be closed U»g year and their 221 pupils will b, ¥rans- ferred to a new 10-room elemen- tary building in Sweet Valley ac- cording to a plan being worked out by the Ross Township School Board. Instruction will be offered from first grade through eighth with a possibility of a kindergarten added alter the school is in opera- tion. 2 Baseball fans who attend Back Mountain Memorial Library Auc- tion on July 10, 11 and 12 will have something exciting to bid for when 24 official league softballs donated by Sheldon Evggs and autographed by the Co reland Indians will be auctioned. Another attraction will be an official base- dv York Yankees, donated by Ve Bill Phillips of Station WBAX. Wed - Janice Lee Rummage to Pfc. David J. Blight; Ctherine Lukasavage to Raymond I. Mulli- gan. 30 Years Ago - June 28, 1962 JERIS JORDAN, SCOTT ALEXANDER HONORED American Legion School Award presented by Daddow-Isaacs Post 672 for outstanding boy and girl in eighth grade of Dallas J uniotHigh School was awarded to Jf $s Jor- dan, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lester Jordan, Trucksville. and Scott Alexander, son of Mr, and Mrs. James Alexander, Trucksville. Back Mountain Baseball:jHar- ters vs. Dallas 21-1; Duke Isaacs vs. Strausers 17-10; Dagldow Isaacs Legion vs. Westmor¢land 11-3; Fernbrook vs. Shavertown 13-1. 20 Years Ago - June 29, 1992 5,000 HOUSED HERE} AFTER AGNES FLOOD Susquehanna River cresfed at 40.60 feet causing the worst flood in the history of the State, leaving a loss of 28,000 homes and one quarter million people left home- less. lished in the Back Moun | Dallas Senior High Schoo" College Misericordia, Idetown Fire: Hall, Jackson Fire Hall, Kingston Town- ship Municipal Builoding, Ross Township School, Lake-Lehman High School. Many churches placed their evacuees in, their parishioners homes. y First two babies born to date at Misericordia’'s Alumnae Hall were a son Mark to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brandon, Larksville; Marie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Butera, Dallas. i Civil Defense personnels used the Dallas Borough Building as 3 | Major evacuation centers gstab- { t were and” Lisa headquarters, U.S. Army helicop- ters brought in cargoes off sup- plies; Dallas Junior High School caleleria and adjacent rooms were sel up as a food distribution eenter for the Back Mountain 5,000 evacuees. Personnel and inmates at:SCID | planned to dispose food stuffs and | necessary supplies. The institu- tion donated 1,000 blankets, 2,000 cots and thousands of sheets and pillow cases. 4 Debra Jane Schenck, Forty Fort and James William Davis jr.{ were wed at 10 p.m. at St. Paul's Lu- theran Church, Shavertown,'when rising waters cancelled theirplans for an alternoon wedding. A: flow- ered hat doubled as a bridal bou- quet. : a
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