4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, July 15, 1992 Tie SDALLASCP0ST Water rate increases ‘must be well justified ~Proposed increases to water rates in the Back Mountain will « be'the subject of a hearing in Harrisburg next week; a decision ~on whether or not to hold hearings here also will be made then. "It's hard to imagine that the state Public Utility Commission will not recommend that hearings be held in the Back Moun- “tain. .-. The local water companies — serving much of Dallas and Shavertown, and parts of Harveys Lake and Noxen — have _ asked for rate increases of €2 to 339 percent, raising the typical quarterly bill for customers in Dallas from $68.93 to $136.04. . Jr Shavertown, the price would jump from $99.27 to $127.02. - Part of the rationale for the disparate increases is to consolidate ~'the four companies into one entity that charges roughly the | same to all its customers. The end result is that people in Dallas * would be paying 82 percent more than is charged in Kingston . by Pennsylvania Gas and Water Company for filtered water irom the Nesbitt Filter Plant. - The company says it needs the increase to boost meager \ profits and to pay for improvements to the water system. The "local manager has said the largest of these is a $100,000 proj- ‘ect to purchase property and drill a new well for the companies | 50 or so customers at Harveys Lake. The next largest is an ~ aerator installed in Shavertown at a cost of $43,000. But the company is asking for rate hikes that would bring in ! -about $675,000 more every year. One thing the hearings must | accomplish is to require the company to justify those increased . revenues by explaining just how they would be spent. One H question that must be answered is why other customers | should subsidize such costly improvements for the tiny cus- ' tomer base at Harveys Lake. It’s not as if the Harveys Lake and i i Dallas comparies, for example, share lines or water sources. | Atatime when many families fear for their financial security | arate increase on this scale should be given extremely close , Scrutiny. We expect the Public Utility Commission to do that. Swim pool safety |cannot be ignored . Bob Culp, the Jackson Township zoning officer, has been | making the rounds in that community telling owners of swim- ming pools that the township’s ordinance requiring that pools be surrounded by fences will be enforced. That's an important reminder for all pool owners. _. It seems every summer we read about children who drown in . swimming pools, having fallen into the water because the pool was not properly protected. Those needless and easily avoided ., tragedies scar forever the lives of many people. i. If you own a pool that isn’t fenced as it should be, install a + fence now. If someone in your neighborhood doesn’t have a fence around their pool, ask them to put one up. If they refuse, ¢ stell your community's zoning officer about the danger. Itis not -§ “only the pool owner's children who are at risk, it’s all young- *% sters in the area who might be tempted to sneak a look or a ‘swim unattended. Pool owners who ignore their community’s ordinance risk ¥ “heavy fines for doing so. Those are a pittance compared to the \semotional toll that would be extracted if a child drowned in their pool. . v > H Jew . ‘1 New generation ER ee i candidates step up ] LJ Ll 1 : ® y '] ~ , 0 » . + “Thetaste of anew generation,” was the slogan for Pepsi-Cola ‘awhile back. With Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clin- .ton’s announcement that Senator Al Gore, Jr will be his running mate, it might apply to this year’s race ior the White "House. * If elected, Clinton would be the first president of the post- + World War II generation. Of course, there's still the possibility that J. Danforth Quayle could serve in the office should a ‘.tragedy befall George Bush before January; it is hoped that “won't happen. Gore balances what are sometimes seen as Clinton's weak- ‘nesses. He's a Vietnam veteran who supported the Persian Gulf conflict, he has long been a promoter of traditional family .values; he is one of the most knowledgeable persons in .government on environmental and foreign policy matters. And ‘he prepared for this campaign by competing for the Democratic nomination in 1988. - Thisis a pivotal year in American politics simply because the “nation can’t run on inertia much longer. The mix of candidates “and ideas in this year’s presidential race should spark poten- ‘tial voters to examine closely the personalities and issues at hand. That will be a good thing no matter who wins, especially if our citizens develop a better understanding of the positive | -impact that government can have on the nation’s well-being, as well as the limits by which political leaders are bound. mm i SDALLASCDosT i Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. 1 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. 113 a Grace R. Dove * {41 Production Manager s HH Jean Hillard «< pA Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Eerie summer shadows Photo by Charlotte Bartizek Letters ‘Conditional Use! is easy on developers Editor: In theJuly 1stissue of the Dallas Post, Grace Dove reported that urban planner Marlene Pawlow- ski, referring to the proposed zon- ing ordinance, stated that: “Condi- tional uses are not easy to obtain. They must meet a strict set of criteria set out in the ordinance and be approved by the planning and zoning commissions. Final approval must be made by the Borough Council after a public hearing. It's possible that Ms. Pawlowski was misunderstood or misquoted. The fact is, however, that accord- ing to one of the area’s well-known real estate attorneys, itis the “non- conforming” use or “special excep- tion”, requiring a “variance”, that is really cumbersome and difficult to obtain. The “special exception” requires review by the planning board, and the zoning commission after a public hearing. The zoning commission, ultimately has an absolute veto. Appeal is very diffi- cult. On the other hand, “conditional use” establishes a set of criteria which must be met in order to get approval by the planning board and the zoning commission. A developer's lawyer merely has to show that all of the criteria were met and the approval must follow. For this reason, in effect, the Boro not only loses its veto power but, in addition, any subsequent legal appeal becomes just a matter of form. Contrary to Ms. Pawlowski's reported statement, the stated criteria under “conditional” use do not appear to be particularly diffi- cult to meet. A competent devel- oper should have no great problem in compliance. At the same time, reasons for denial by the Boro are largely vitiated. An attempt by the Boro to deny approval not only would, consequently, become much more difficult and also more likely to result in a prompt court appeal. Note: Presently, with respect to construction of housing in a Con- servation District (2-acre zoning): Under Article 4, Section 4.01 the only housing which may be con- structed without Board approval is a “farm house”. Other single family residential housing requires Board approval. -Dallas Boro Preservation Association Hugh King Dallas Library news Youngest person ever gets library card By NANCY KOZEMCHAK The Back Mountain Memorial Library was thrilled to sign up the youngest member ever to join our library last week. Laura Lynn Madeira, age one month, visited the library with her mother, Heather Hand Madeira and asked if Laura Lynne could have a library card, and we said she could as long as her mother signed the registra- tion card for her. Laura Lynne is an adorable little girl attired in shades of pink in a lovely carriage with pink wheels. Heather volunteered at the li- brary when she was attending high school for many summers and she was a dedicated volunteer. Laura Lynne's grandparents are Joe and Sue Hand of Sue Hand's Imagery in Dallas and her great-grandpar- ents are Mr. and Mrs. Paul LaBar. Paul is also the mayor of Dallas Borough. This is truly a commu- nity minded family! * The library circulated 8,803 Historic musical at Swetland The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society announces its third summer musical living his- tory, “The Ghosts of Swetland Homestead,” weekends of July 25- 26 and August 1-2, 10a.m.-3 p.m. hourly and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings. Swetland Homestead, 885 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, books for the month of June. Total circulation for the first six months of 1992 is 6,114 over the same period in 1991. New borrowers joining the library in June were 249; new books added, 149 and re-registrations 284. Reference questions totaled 302 with Book Club books circulating 249. The library held Amnesty Day on Julyl with 54 books being re- turned without overdue fines paid. The oldest book returned was from December 18, 1991. The 4th annual horse show netted the library $4,200; and the Bowl-A-thon conducted by the Dallas Teachers showed a profit for the library of $3,500. A warm welcome is extended to Jennifer Sluzele, the newest em- ployee in our circulation depart- ment. Also, Romaine Morris is working for the library through the Office of the Aging. Summer story hours for 3 to 5 year olds are held on Wednesdays and Toddler Story hour for two an historically registered property, is administered by the Historical Society. Featuring a New York profes- sional cast, an historically accu- rate, suspense-filled script, color- ful turn-of-the century costuming, music, dance and secrets galore, “The Ghosts of Swetland year olds on Tuesday evening. There are 230 children enrolled in the summer reading program; with the theme based on the Olympic Reading Team. New book at the library: “For The Sake of Elena” by Elizabeth George is a complex tapestry of murder and forbidden, flawed human relationships. Elena Weaver was a surprise to anyone meeting her for the first time in clingy dresses and dangling ear- rings. She lived a life of casual and intense physical and emotional relationships, with scores to settle and goals to achieve, until some- one, lying in wait along the route she ran every morning, bludgeoned her to death. : “Stephen Crane” by Mark Su- frin is the story of Crane's fevered life—as it leads from his earliest days in a Methodist parsonage to the resort beaches of Asbury park, into the foul slums of New York City and transforms him into a major force in modern literature. Homestead Homesead” produced by the Itin- erant State Productions, will in- volve the audience and transport visitors back in time where they can experience history “first hand.” For information and group res- ervations for this family-oriented presentation, contact the Histori- cal Society, 823-6244. Only Yesterday 60 Years Ago - July 15, 1932 PIONEER AVENUE RESIDENT TO PLAY LEAD ROLE IN MOVIE The last immediate member of the pioneering Ryman family Frederick S. Ryman, who left here about 50 years ago, died last week at his home in Roxbury, a suburb of Boston, Mass. and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery here on Mon- day. y os Tracy of Pioneer Avenue, who starred in Broadway, Front Page and other stage successes signed a contract with Columbia Pictures to play the leading role in “Night Mayor.” American Legion Circus to be held July 23-30 on the Valmont plot, opposite Kirby Park, King- ston will feature six circus acts which include trained elephants, ponies, clown band, acrobats and tumblers. You could get - Asco Corn Flatkes, 4 big pkgs. 25¢; Octobon Soap, 3 Ig. bars 10¢; Del MonZ peaches, 2 Ig. cans 29¢. 0.) 50 Years Ago - July 17, 1942 NEW HARVEYS LAKE ROAD OPENED Jacob Anderes, 41, German born naturalized citizen, whose home is in Dallas Township has been exonerated by agents of the F.B.1. who held him for investiga- tion after a companion made unpatriotic remarks during an argument in a Wilkes-Barre cafe. In an effort to modernize and at the same time double the efficiency of its fire fighting equipment, Shavertown Fire Co. ordered a ng booster pump outfit to be instal | on its fire truck. The company lias heretofore been confined to chemi- cal equipment. Wed - Patricia Reynolds to Ensign George Roberts McLean. Clyde Lapp, chairman of the parade and decorating committee for the Harveys Lake Road opening on Saturday, urged all Back Moun- tain homeowners and merchants to display the flag on Saturday. Gov. Arthur H. James will dedicate the new road at opening ceremo- nies in Dallas. 40 Years Ago - July 18, 1952 LIBRARY AUCTION > RAISES RECORD AMOUNT OF FUNDS The Sixth Annual Library Aue tion had a spectacular ending Monday, establishing a record gross income of more than $10,300. A record crowd of 3,000-3,500 people bid briskly for everything offered. Back Mountain Little League All Stars will play Nanticoke Little League All Stars in the first game of the National Tournament Mon- day at the Shavertown field. Win- ner of this contest will host the winner of Edwardsville-Kingston game. The winner will host ths". winner of West Pittston-Plaix J game. These eliminations are being played in order to pick the regional winners and the World Champi- ons in the Little League World Series at Williamsport. Volunteers are needed for the two-hour continuous vaudiville show which is to be the feature of the spaghetti supper sponsored by Kingston Township Veterans As- sociation, July 26 at Shavertown Fire Hall. Now playing, “The Big Trees” with Kirk Dougias at Himmler Theatre. 30 Years Ago - July 19, 1962 DALLAS POSTMASTER JOSEPH POLACKY DIES The death of Postmaster Joseph Polacky and conjecture as to who will be appointed to succeed him has raised the question whethe Dallas Post Office will continue to operate as a separate entity or be incorporated into the Wilk :s-Barre Post Office and lose its identity. It's known that the post office depart- ment is dissatisfied with its pres- ent location, because of soace limitation, inadequate parking facilities for patrons and crampled platform space. On top of this the lease on the building from Dallas Dairy expires July 31. 20 Years Ago - July 20, 1972 SCHOOL OFFICIALS EXPECT ENROLLMENT TO RISE UP TO 25% Lake-Lehman and Dallas School District administrators are keep- ing a close watch on projected student enrollment figures. Esti- mates from the State Department of Educaiton indicate that the student population in the Back Mountain may mushroom by as much as 25%. The youngsters are children of flood evacuees who found temporary housing through- out the community. Two traditional events in the Back Mountain, the Lehman Horse Show and Back Mountain Memo- rial Library Auction postponed by the flood are now rescheduled with the Horse Show being held Labor Day Weekend and the auction to be held Oct. 6, 7, and 8.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers